October 14

"The world hath hated them."—John 17:11.

OUR text presents before us two topics of consideration. It records an affecting truth, and it exposes an awful crime.

IT RECORDS AN AFFECTING TRUTH. That the followers of Christ have in every age been hated by the world. Here let us define the term, world. By it, as here used, we are to understand the subjects of Satan's kingdom; four reasons may be given why they are called the world. Because they form the greatest part of the world—because they are governed by the principles of the world—because they pursue the pleasures of the world—and because they have their portion in the world.

The disciples were more peculiarly the objects of the world's hatred, because of the work in which they were engaged, and the doctrines they taught were so opposed to carnal reason. Christians are hated of the world,

Because they are ignorant of their true character. They know not those honors and dignities that are associated with the character of Christians, or they would say, "We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

Because they differ from them in their nature. Believers are the sons of God, born from above; the ungodly are the children of the devil, born from beneath; the one have a heart of stone, the other a heart of flesh.

Because they belong not to their society. "They are not of the world." They are the members of a different family, they serve a different master, are governed by different laws, arrayed in different attire, live on different food, and are journeying to a different country.

Because they pursue not their course. There is the course of the world, and the way of holiness. The wicked are walking in the road to destruction, and think it strange that believers run not with them to the same excess. The Christian may here see what he is to expect in the world—hatred. It is encouraging to reflect on the especial care Christ takes of his own. They are safe, notwithstanding all the rage and malice of their enemies. They shall be preserved from evil, and sustained till their work is done, and their hour is come.