"But this is to fulfill what is written in their law: they hated Me without reason." -John 15:25, NIV.
Last week, we were asked by our Bible teacher to memorize the 27 verses of John 15. And you know what, I am very thankful because through this verse, I`ve gained a lot of insights, I`ve gained discipline, I`ve gained more endurance, I`ve gained patience, I`ve gained a lot of learnings--and I praise God for his very powerful word.
As I was reading and memorizing, something hit me in verse 25. "They hated Me without reason". I didn`t know what I should feel the moment I read that line. I cried. That`s very true. The world hated God without reason--our God is so blameless to be even blamed by the world. It saddens my heart but this is a fact--because it was even Christ himself who said this.
Everything in John 15 made sense. If we remain in God, we will prosper--apart from His grace, apart from His love--we are nothing. We are just under His favor--and unless we remain in Him, we can do nothing. There are actually times when we blame God.
These times are counted as moments of hurts, sadness, despair--and anguish. Shame on us that we put the blame on God and not to ourselves! Shame on us that we hate Him after He carried the cross and buried our sins! Shame on us for not recognizing Christ's own humility.
Thank God because we no longer carry that shame--because He has already cleansed us with His blood that was poured out on Redemption's Hill--thank God for the salvation He gave us even after we hated Him.
