That was the issue with the pharisees during Jesus’ time. They thought they loved God, but in actuality, they hated Him. They thought they belonged to the Father, but they actually belonged to the devil! (John 8:44)

Then, why did they think they loved God? Because in their minds, they did the things that God loved – such as keeping minute details of the law, being religious and respectable in front of people, staying away from “sinful” things, etc. But in actuality, their hearts were far from God. They did the religious things for themselves rather than for God.

But what is the evidence that they hated God? They hated Jesus. John 15:18, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” 

Then, why did the pharisees hate Jesus? Because He was a threat to the very things that gave them a sense of security, identity, and superiority. Their security was in their money. Their identity was being praised by men. And their superiority was their religiosity. But Jesus turned everything upside down. Jesus valued men and women who didn’t have money. He taught people to do good things in secret – out of people’s notice. He emphasized humility rather than religiosity.

So, the pharisees stood to lose the very things they valued because of Jesus – security, identity, and superiority. So, they hated Jesus. And in turn, that meant that they hated the Father, for Jesus and the Father are one.

If our security is in anything other than Jesus, we are hating God.

If our identity is in anything other than Jesus, we are hating God.

If our superiority is in anything other than what Jesus has done for us, we are hating God.

Don’t hate God secretly and unknowingly. Ask Him to be your all in all.

PH