It is interesting that many people slam Christians. And to be perfectly honest, some need slamming! There are plenty of hypocrites and ill-informed people out there doing a whole lot of ‘wrong’ things all in the name of Christianity. And I am all for exposing that, dealing with it and lovingly restore our ‘off-the-track’ brothers and sisters.
But, apart from those who do dumb things at times, as we all do, there is a lot of good work being done by Christians all over the world. It is Christians who are usually one of the first to respond to disasters, injustices and help where others will quickly abandon. For example: How many nations and religious groups, like Muslims, were grateful to the swift response of Christians who came to their aid in the aftermath of the Tsunami in 2004?
So why are Christians so hated by others in the world?
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Remember what I told you: ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Those who hate me hate my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.
John 15:18-24
And if you are wondering, “why do Christians willing help people in need, regardless of their professed faith?“… then this is just one reason why; Jesus said:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:16,17
Whatever we do, it is out of Love for one another. Interesting, isn’t it, that the very thing the world searches for and craves – love, peace, harmony, etc – is the very thing that God has given through His Son, Jesus Christ. He has given the World an opportunity to get to know Him, God their Creator, intimately.