Haters Gonna Hate

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).

Ever watch a movie and wonder who the real bad guys are? There’s nothing like pulling for a particular character for most of the flick when suddenly they show you their true colors as the enemy. Wrestling fans call this a “heel turn.” Nothing gets the crowd going like an alleged good guy slamming his buddy over the head with a steel chair. But Paul makes it clear this happens in the church too. (Well, I don’t know about the steel chair part, but I’ve been to enough church business meetings to know it’s a distinct possibility!). The apostle writes to his friends back in Philippi how he’s been pointing out the bad guys for a long time. “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18). While Jesus certainly has His haters, Paul’s heart breaks for them.

When it comes to Christ’s opponents (v18), it takes one to know one. It wasn’t too many years back that the Apostle Paul was known as the assassin Saul. He dedicated his life to wiping Jesus’ followers off the face of the earth. If ever there’s someone who fits the M.O. as an enemy of the cross, it’s the Pharisee from Tarsus. That’s before the risen Jesus jumped him just outside Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). Christ takes this murderer and makes him His missionary. No wonder they call it “amazing grace!” Because of his background, Paul has a special talent to sniff out Christ’s opponents when others can’t. But his heart isn’t filled with hate for them, but breaks for them.

Since being blindsided by the resurrected Christ, the apostle spends every waking moment sharing the Good News with anyone who will listen. A big part of this work is pointing out false teachers. You see, there are teams of religious hucksters who like to roll into town just after Paul leaves to push their version of spiritual snake oil. It happened in Galatia. It happened in Colossae. They’re headed for Ephesus and probably Philippi. The apostle has made it a regular part of his mission warn believers about these goobers, “of whom I have often told you” (v18). This isn’t the first the Philippians have heard about them. Unlike the surprise twist in a movie, they’re not caught off guard when those who seem to be the good guys go bad. 

Are there more mature believers who have the ability of giving you a similar scouting report? Do you have friends, teachers, or mentors who can sniff out false teachers? Jesus called them wolves disguised as sheep (Mt 7:15). They look good. They sound good. But they’re just weaseling they’re way deep into your heart and your church before they make their heel turn. Do listen to the warnings from others about “enemies of the cross” (v18)? Maybe God has given you Gospel goggles that allow you to spot false teachers and troublemakers. Let’s be careful not to go rogue and start pointing fingers without getting godly counsel. But Jesus’ adversaries must be revealed and exposed. How do you recognize them? Good question. Does their message line up perfectly with the grace God has revealed in Scripture? Do they spread a false gospel of self-salvation? Do you have to work your tail off to gain God’s approval by rule-following and religious ritual? If so, avoid that garbage like medical waste. 

Paul’s reaction to these “enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18) isn’t what I would expect. He uses the Greek word echthros, which literally means a hater. And you thought “haters gonna hate” was some hip, urban slang. Sorry, bro, it’s been around for a couple of thousand years. The apostle says these particular haters are full animosity for all that Jesus has done on our behalf. His perfect life. His substitutionary death. His resurrection. Instead of getting himself all worked up and angry, he can’t help but feel sorry for them. Paul talks about them “even with tears” (v18). It makes you wonder if there were tear stains on the original letter. He uses a term (Gr. klaio) that means to weep out loud. It’s how Matt describes his buddy Peter after denying the Savior (Mt 26:75). When Paul thinks about Christ’s enemies, he doesn’t have a quiet cry. He sobs LOUDLY! Yeah, this is NOT a pretty cry. 

A couple of interesting points from Paul’s weeping and wailing. What’s your reaction to those who openly and actively oppose Jesus and His church? First of all, take a lesson from the apostle. He understands these are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18) and not personal archenemies. (Seriously, does anybody other than a superhero REALLY have an archenemy? If that’s you, it’s time to come out of the Bat Cave.) I don’t have to tell you more and more folks are setting their sites on the followers of Jesus. I’m not saying we don’t deserve our share of criticism but most hate directed at believers is actually meant for Jesus. You’re an easy target simply because of the One in whom you’ve placed your trust. Call it collateral damage. 

Second, is your gut reaction to tell everyone to grab a pitchfork and a torch? Remember, it’s God’s job to judge and punish. It’s one thing to point out false teachers and their counterfeit gospel. It’s another thing altogether to assemble the mob to serve as judge, jury, and executioner. Instead, let your heart break for those who don’t know Jesus. The old saying is certainly correct. Hurt people hurt people. There’s a pretty good chance those attacking Jesus and His church have the been on the business end of abuse as well. And it may have been from people who had the gall to call themselves Christians. And there’s that pesky little command from our Savior to love your enemy (Mt 5:44). So put down the pitchfork. Extinguish the torch. See what happens when you put them on the receiving end of the same grace Jesus extended to you.

Finally, we need to always remember every last one of us was a rebel against God’s kingdom. “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds” (Col 1:21). But out of nowhere, Christ came to our rescue. “For while we were enemies (Gr. echthros), we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, we are saved by His life” (Rom 5:10). We have something in common with these “enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18). We are ALL enemies without Jesus! Let’s face it, before Christ came to our rescue, we were rebels without a clue. Don’t get so cocky. Instead believing we’re so much better than God’s enemies, remember we’re just beggars who’ve figured out where to get the Bread! Haters are certainly gonna hate. But we’d be standing right there with them if it wasn’t for Jesus!