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“Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.” (John 7:6-7)

Jesus’ brothers wanted him to go and expose Himself to the people more because even they did not believe in Him. To that Jesus responds the way He does. Eventually, Jesus does go secretly and then publicly gives a message. What stuck out to me though is John 7:6-7 from the chapter.

Observations:

I saw two comparisons and contrasts here:

Right time for me has not yet come --- for you any time is right.

World hates me because I testify what it does is evil --- world cannot hate you.

Of these two comparisons, the second comparison is what I focused on.

I found it so interesting that Jesus tells his brothers that the world hates Him because He testifies to what it does being evil.

Isn’t that something!

Jesus is hated because He speaks out against evil. This is very significant because it lets us know that when we are hated, it is not always because we have been bad or done wrong but it very well could be because we stand up for what is right as Jesus does.

It is very sad that people hate people for doing what is right when the opposite should happen and people should be loved for doing what is right.

There are important implications for our own life here.

When we are hated, we need to ask ourselves, why are we hated?

If our response to that question is based on the right things we do and stand for then we have nothing to be ashamed of. It would be nice to be loved by everyone but to be hated for doing right is honorable.

I ask you now dear friends are you hated?

Dear friends, I want you to know that if you are hated for doing right and speaking out against evil, you are in the best company because you have sided with Jesus Christ! Doing right and being hated for it is honorable. Yeah, it would be nice to be loved by everyone but what good is it to be a friend of the world and an enemy of God.

When we decide to appease the world and its standards then we are going against what God stands for. You see friend, whether it is speaking out against homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, premarital sex, adultery, jealousy, envy, etc, you are doing right. The world will hate you but you are following God’s ways and God’s ways are right.

The Lord will not give us rules to follow just so we will be miserable. That is not our Lord! When the Lord speaks out against evil, it is for our own good because He loves us. He wants what is best for us. When people you know speak out against things that are not right, it is because they want to do the Lord’s will and also want what is best for you.

If you stand up for what is right, you will be hated. I know that first hand.

Do you know that at one time I was the most hated person on campus according to other people?

Do you know why?

It is because I wrote a column in the Pitt News against homosexuality calling it, “With love homosexuality can be cured.”

I broke the record for the number of letters to the editor. Anti-Ramesh columns were being written in the Pitt News and published. Eventually, the Pitt News had to put a moratorium on Anti-Ramesh columns.

Am I proud of all this?

I am not proud of being hated but I am proud of standing up for my Jesus and what He stands for. At one point it got so overblown that there was a panel discussion called “Homosexuality and Christianity: Is there a compromise?” Pitt News Columnist: Ramesh C. Reddy (Against Homosexuality) v.s. Pitt News Columnist Michael Mazza (Phd) was the title of the flier. Seven writers from the Pitt News attended the panel discussion and without much publicity there was standing room only even when ID’s were carded.

I am still hated by a lot of people for what I stand for. If you look at the Pittsburgh Standard, not many people like it because of the issues that are addressed in there. It is so much easier for them to stick to the Pitt News because it rarely challenges them about evil happenings in the world. When I say that, I mean how evil is defined in the Bible. The Pittsburgh Standard does.

Even though I am hated by people, I am also loved by many! Many have told me that they don’t agree with me but respect me for not wavering and standing up for what is right.

Won’t you do that friend?

I know no one likes to be hated and it is so cool to be loved but love at the expense of not standing up for what is right is not worth it. Stand up for what is biblical because in the Bible righteousness is what will eventually get people through. Evil only causes more damage. Remember that Jesus loves you so much and will give you the strength to stand up for what is right!

Hatred Arises Today Emphasizing Destruction! (H.A.T.E.D)/”Are you hated?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I learned that you were hated by so many because you spoke out against evil and you still are hated by many because you are against evil. That is so sad that people can hate because someone stands up against evil. Oh Lord, we know that we will be hated too when we speak out against evil and other people do not like it. We pray Oh Lord that you will give us strength to speak out against wrong in a loving way. Help us to show love even when we speak out against wrong. Thank you Jesus! Thank you for your Word and what we can learn from your Word. We entrust ourselves to your care and depend on you for guidance. Forgive us Lord for the times we have not spoken out against evil and wrongdoing because we do not want to lose our friends or embarrass ourselves, etc. We want to follow you Lord. As we wait, we will rise up as an eagle as your Spirit leads us on in the power of your love. So we come to you Lord, let our heart be changed and renewed by the power of your love. Lord I come to know that my weaknesses can be swept away by the power of your love. Hold me close and let your love surround me. Bring me near and draw me to your side. Thank you Jesus! Thank you for hearing and answering. In Your Precious Holy Name I Pray! Amen

Friend, this is the best day of your life. Being a follower of Christ maybe new to you or a rededication experience! No matter what, you have made the best decision of your life. You do need help to grow in your Christian walk. We all do! If you need someone to talk to, study the Bible with, find Bible believing church to be part of, let me know. You can email me at rcrst6@pitt.edu or call me at my cell at 412-720-4579. I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

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OCTOBER 07, 2003

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“Hate Arises Today Emphasizing Destruction!" (H.A.T.E.D)

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