John 3:13 13And do not wonder, brothers [and sisters], if the world hates you.
John applies the story of Cain to the brothers (inclusive of both men and women in the church). How Cain acted toward his brother Abel is how the world will respond to believers in Jesus. The expression that begins with if indicates certainty but in a gentile way: “since the fact will be,” or “since the case will be.” Hatred from unbelievers is what we should expect from the world. John is not optimistic that believers will be well-received by the world.
The reason is simply stated but difficult to live out: the darkness does not like the light. The world of unbelievers does not like to be exposed for their shameful actions. The devil has convinced the world of the lie that Christians are wrong and should be rejected. Some people take their anger at God out on God’s people. They often blame God for things they have done to themselves. Sometimes they blame God for things that cannot be explained or for the evil that people have done to them. “If God is love, then why did such and such happen to me?”
God allows people to make their own decisions and set their own direction in life, but sometimes those decisions are evil and affect other people in bad ways. As God’s people, we can be change agents who offer peace where the world wants war. We can give love when the world gives hate. Being a catalyst for love and good may cost us or bring pain. However, aligning ourselves with the light of Jesus will bring life to us and plant seeds in the lives of others that may someday sprout into new life for them as well.