When Scripture Becomes “Hate Speech”
Pastor Mick Fleming was recently warned by a UK police officer that the Bible verse on his campervan “could be seen as hate speech in the wrong context.” (as reported by The Telegraph). No complaint had been filed but the officer was offering “friendly advice.” What was the verse he was warning about?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
It was a verse proclaiming “For God so loved the world” now could be seen as hate speech in the wrong context. This shows how fragile the freedom of religious expression is. Had it been a sports team sticker, would the officer had said anything? Of course not. If it said “Love is love” or carried the latest political slogan, there would’ve been smiles and silence. Yet, when one quotes the words of Jesus Christ, words of love, salvation, and eternal life… it’s “potential hate speech.”
This is where we are in the world today. “For God so loved the world” is treated as suspect speech. We are told to be “tolerant,” yet faith in Christ is the one belief that must constantly apologize for existing. They’ll tolerate everything except Truth.
But here’s the irony: John 3:16 is inclusive to everyone. Whosoever believes means that the Gospel call is not limited to a select few or a certain people group. However, the world hates the message that says God loves you enough to save you from your sins.
It’s not that the world has stopped believing in love. It’s that it despises any love of God. When a message about salvation offends, it’s not because it’s hateful but it’s because it is holy.
God will always be hated by those who love darkness. John 3:16 is God’s open invitation to every sinner, skeptic, and saint alike. The same verse that the world calls offensive is the very verse that has rescued countless souls from despair.
The Bible itself explains the reason for this hostility in John 3:19-20:
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
The world fears holiness and the Light that exposes sin and reveals our need for a Saviour. Nevertheless, the very verse they call hate speech still saves the lost, still heals the broken, and still declares the greatest love ever known.