John 15:23 “He who hates Me hates My Father also.”
Hate is a strong word, isn’t it? In Deut. 5:9, God speaks to us. “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me.” Hatred for God is judged and revealed when we put anyone or anything in His place. He alone is worthy of our worship and service. This foundational understanding of hatred for God expressed through idolatry seems to relate to these words of Jesus. Another way of stating this truth is this: He who is most delighted and satisfied in Jesus above all else loves Him and loves God, the Father, also. Whoever hates Jesus and His words, also hates God. What great truth underlies this statement? Jesus and God, the Father, are one. Let’s follow the line. Jesus and the Father are one. If you hate one, you hate the other. Believers in Jesus and Jesus are one. If you hate one, you hate the other. The converse is also true. If you love the Son, you love the Father. If you love those who are His, you love Jesus. What a privilege it is to love with Jesus each day. We are expressing our love for Jesus and the Father, for His glory.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
