“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” — John 15:18-19
In the last study, Counting the Cost, we learned to fully understand our decision to follow Jesus, realizing that discipleship demands our very lives. Now we turn to one of the most difficult costs to face: the world’s rejection. Jesus told His followers that those who bear His name would face misunderstanding, hostility, and even hatred. To follow Christ is to identify with Him not only in His love and truth but also in His suffering.
As Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure, He spoke plainly: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” (John 15:18). The word “world” here doesn’t mean the earth or humanity in general, but the fallen system of values that stands in opposition to God. It is the same “world” that rejected Jesus.
When the World Hates the Light
Why does the world hate those who follow Him? Because the light of Christ exposes darkness. Jesus said, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:20).
As we read in Scripture Satan has tremendous influence in the world. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 , Paul tells us that “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel…” The devil is that unseen ruler that influences the course of this world. As such, he opposes everything that God stands for and stirs up hatred for Jesus and His followers. It is amazing, that if you say you believe God it is acceptable because that term is so nebulous. But standing up to your belief in Jesus causes offense and ridicule.
The issue isn’t personal offense, but spiritual reality. Those who belong to Christ reflect His character, and the world that crucified Him still resists His truth. As Jesus explained, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own… but I have chosen you out of the world.” (John 15:19). The disciple’s rejection by the world is not failure, rather it is proof of belonging to Christ.
Not of this World
Disciples are citizens of a different kingdom – the Kingdom of God. Our loyalty is no longer to the world’s values but to our King. That distinction alone creates tension. The world prizes power, money, and acceptance; Jesus calls us to humility, sacrifice, and faithfulness.
When we live by the values of heaven, we stir up the world’s order. Our commitment to truth challenges the deceit Satan is spreading through the world. Our compassion challenges selfishness and our purity challenges corruption. To live as “salt and light” (Mt 5:13–16) means that we automatically stand out in the world. Not necessarily through confrontation, but through our quiet holiness and love.
Yet even as we are rejected, remember what Jesus prayed for His disciples: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one… They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:15–16). Disciples remain in the world as ambassadors, not as escapees – bearing witness through their presence, not withdrawal.
The Cost of Identification
The early church quickly learned the truth of Jesus’ words. To be baptized in the name of Christ meant to publicly declare their allegiance to Him, often at great personal cost. Many were ostracized by family, cut off from trade guilds, imprisoned, or even executed.
Today, for many believers around the world, following Jesus still carries severe consequences. Christians in restricted nations lose jobs, homes, family, and even their lives because they bear the name of Christ. For others, the cost is social such as ridicule, exclusion, or misunderstanding.
While the forms of hatred differ, the root is the same: the world cannot tolerate those who live for another King. Yet in every generation, the gospel advances. Not in spite of opposition, but through it. Tertullian, one of the early church fathers, famously wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
Responding Like Jesus
How, then, should disciples respond when hated or mistreated for their faith? Jesus modeled the way: “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23). These are strong words, but it is the model we must follow
Our response must never mirror the hostility of the world. Instead, we answer hatred with love, lies with truth, and cruelty with forgiveness. This is not weakness but a strength that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told His followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). Such love is impossible apart from divine grace. Yet it is precisely this supernatural love that reveals the reality of the Kingdom of God to a watching world.
The Joy of Rejection
Perhaps the most surprising part of Jesus’ teaching is that the world’s hatred can bring joy. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11–12).
The world may strip away comfort, reputation, or security, but it cannot touch the eternal joy of those who belong to Christ. Suffering for His name is not a mark of failure but of faithfulness. It identifies us with the prophets, the apostles, and with Jesus Himself.
When we are hated for His name, we join the long line of disciples who bore the light of Christ in a dark world and changed it forever.
What this Means for a Disciple Today
To be hated for Jesus’ name is not something to seek, but something to expect. It is the natural result of living in a world that rejects truth. Yet this opposition becomes the refining fire that deepens our faith and draws us closer to Christ.
When we choose to stand firm in love, forgiveness, and grace under opposition – we proclaim the power of the gospel more loudly than words ever could. Disciples today must remember: our goal is not to win arguments but to reflect Jesus.
To be hated for His name is not a tragedy; it is an honor. For the disciple, rejection by the world is confirmation that we belong to another Kingdom, where love conquers hate and light always overcomes darkness.
The world’s hatred toward those who follow Jesus is real, but it is not the end of the story. For every moment of rejection, Christ offers sustaining grace and an unshakable promise: His presence in our suffering and His reward in eternity. In the next study, Persecution in the World, we will look deeper into the world’s hatred when it turns into open persecution for His sake. Not merely enduring hardship but discovering the blessing that comes when we share in His sufferings and remain faithful to the end.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Jesus said the world would hate His followers because it first hated Him (John 15:18–19). Where do you most clearly feel the tension between following Jesus and fitting into the world around you?
Christians are faced with mockery, misunderstanding, or rejection for your faith. When this happens, what fears rise in your heart? How does remembering who you belong to help calm those fears?
Jesus calls His disciples to loyalty even when it costs social comfort or acceptance. In what situations are you most tempted to stay silent about your faith? Why?
The world’s hostility often reveals what we truly treasure. How does opposition test your devotion to Christ, and what does it expose about the depth of your allegiance?
Scripture says believers are “not of the world” (John 17:14–16). What practical steps help you live distinctly for Christ without becoming combative or self-righteous?
When you experience rejection because of Jesus – how can you respond with grace rather than anger or withdrawal? What might that look like in your relationships or workplace?
As we move toward the next study on persecution, reflect on your own spiritual readiness. If hostility increased, where would you need God’s strength the most to remain faithful?
My name is Michael Adkins. For several decades I’ve been studying Scripture, developing discipleship resources, and teaching others how to walk more closely with Christ. Currently, I serve as the Discipleship Pathway Leader at Riverside International Church in Cascais, Portugal, where my passion is helping believers grow into mature disciples who live out their faith in everyday life.