Seventh Sunday of Easter: Epistle, 1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-11           

1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-11

It’s not a very welcome title. The word “hater” is a standard bill of fare in our society today. Everyone has been and is accused of being the hater of something or someone or some class of people. The trouble is that most often the tag just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. What really happens today is that someone’s paper-thin sensibilities have been “imposed” upon. Think of a nonsense term of today like “micro-aggression.” If all you have to worry about is teeny, tiny offenses, then blessed you are. And you might just want to step into the real world.

But hatred is real. And until just recently, the Christian Church in America has been seen as “the good guys,” Even if you don’t claim the title Christian, you realized that people who do claim it are, for the most part, the kind of people you want influencing your children. We’ve been replaced by drag queens. Perhaps the church needs to be shaken a bit. But hatred is real and now the guns are beginning to point in our direction. Our response? May God be glorified in all and whatever He allows us to endure. And remember, even in the camp of the Redeemed, we are not innocent of great transgression. The great British Christian writer and thinker G. K. Chesterton was once asked by a London Times reporter if he would give an answer to the query: “Mr. Chesterton, what is wrong with the world?” to which he responded, “I am.” 

 Our reading today gives us counsel on how to handle opposition aimed at us as the sheep of Jesus. Stay close to the Shepherd and rejoice. Perhaps in that rejoicing some of the opponents may become friends. We have no enemies. We are not haters. We are the company of the Redeemed. It should cause us to rejoice no matter what comes our way. That’s what Peter says.