They Call Us Haters

November 17

"Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord,
we persuade men;"  2 Corinthians 5:11

Some call believers "haters" should we speak the truth of God's Word. The truth hurts, how well we know. They see us as attacking them with truth when in fact we are heartbroken for the affliction of sin in which they live. They do not realize that those they call haters are actually those who truly love them, not like those who enable them, but as those who have their eternity in mind and heart. Hate them? Nothing could be further from the truth:

vs 14:
"For the love of Christ compels us…"

And that is a powerful word, the love of Christ COMPELS us. We struggle in intercession for them, and we do it because God has placed them upon our hearts to struggle in prayer for them that they might be saved. Who else would do something like this for them? It's a rending effort, a heart-breaking depth of intercession, and it's because we have been called to such.

Vs 20:
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God were pleading through us:
we implore you on Christ’s behalf,
be reconciled to God."

As though God were pleading through us…

And that's exactly what it is when we speak to them ...God PLEADING through us.

We know the consequences of defying God. We know the consequences of rebellion and self will. We know the awfulness of eternal hell. And we also know the peace and the joy that comes through repentance. That heavy load of guilt is removed and it's like coming out of darkness into light. Having experienced this, the love of God then compels us to want it for others so much so that we will give of ourselves in intercession on their behalf.

That is love, not hate.