Hate without cause

If your Lord was hated without cause, do not expect to have a quiet life in this world. If your Lord was subjected to all this contempt and all this pain, do you suppose that you will always ride the length of this world in a chariot? If you suppose, you will be wonderfully mistaken. As your Lord was persecuted, you should expect the same. Some of you pity us when we are persecuted and despised. Ah! Save your pity, save it for those of whom the world speaks well; save it for those against whom woe! it is pronounced: "Woe to you, when all men speak well of you!" Save your pity for the favorites of the earth; save your compassion for the lords of this earth, who are applauded by all men. We do not ask for your commiseration; indeed, gentlemen, in all these things we rejoice, and "we rejoice in our tribulations, knowing that the things that have happened to us have rather resulted in the progress of the gospel." And we count as joy when we fall into all kinds of trials, because we rejoice because in this way the name of Christ is known and His kingdom is extended.

The other lesson is, try that if the world hates you, it hates you without a cause. If the world is going to oppose them, there is no point in causing the world to oppose them. This world is bitter enough, no need for me to put vinegar on it. Some people figure that the world will haunt them; therefore, they put themselves in a fighting position, as if they were inviting persecution. Now, I don't see what good comes from doing that. Don't try or make other people hate you. Actually, the opposition some people face is not because of justice, but because of their own sin, or because of their own offensive character. Many Christians live together in a house: perhaps a Christian servant; she says she is persecuted for the sake of justice. But she has a bad disposition, sometimes she speaks harshly, and then the lady of the house scolds her. That is not being persecuted for the sake of justice. There is another person, a merchant in town, perhaps; he is not held in high esteem. He says that he is persecuted for the sake of justice; but in reality it is that they did not maintain a discount offered some time ago. Another says that he is persecuted for the sake of justice; but he goes everywhere assuming authority over others, and from time to time people respond and reprimand him.

Christian people, take care that if you are persecuted, it is for the sake of justice; Well, if they persecute you because of you, you must bear the consequences. In the persecutions that you yourself provoke for your own sins, Christ has nothing to do with it; they are punishments on yourself. They hated Christ without cause; then don't be afraid to be hated. They hated Christ without a cause; then do not provoke being hated, and do not give the world any reason for it.

And now, you who hate Christ, may you love him. Oh that He would come to you now! Oh, let it be revealed to you! And then they would surely love him right away. Whoever believes in the Lord Jesus will certainly love him and whoever loves him will be saved. Oh, may God give you faith, and give you love, through Christ Jesus! Amen.

Source: http://www.spurgeongems.org/schs89.pdf

Hate Without Cause (Sermon # 89 - delivered June 29, 1856)