Hate like God!
Does God really hate?
You bet He does! He is holy, and to be holy is to exist in direct contradiction to all that is unholy. And He expects us to behave the same: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.”’ (1 Pet. 1:14-16) [see also Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2…for starters]
The fact of God’s utter revulsion of evil is as ancient as the fall of Lucifer, and spelled out to us clearly by Solomon…
“There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to Him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Prov. 6:16-19)
The devil displays them all!
Pride, Lying, Murder, Conniving, Impetuousness, Slander, and Instigating – a good starter list of unholy things our God hates, and we who claim His Name ought also!
Jude writes “… hating even the clothing stained by corrupt flesh.” (v. 23). In Malachi we read of the one who “covers his garment with violence” by the sin of marital unfaithfulness. Sin stains cannot be washed out; new garments from God are necessary.
In Prov. 8:13b Wisdom personified speaks “Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” And the prophet Isaiah proclaims “For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong…” (Isa. 61:8).
In the Book of the Revelation Christ brings to His Church through John, God praises one church for sharing in His hatred toward certain evil-doers: “Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Rev. 2:6). The Nicolaitans evidently being a divergent cult with unholy practices and teachings. (Little is known about them with certainty).
In August, 2011 an excellent article by Billy Graham entitled “Things God Hates” appeared in the Decision Magazine. The item’s subtitle is instructive: “It’s God’s love for man that prompts Him to hate sin with a vengeance.” Our love for Him should move us to do likewise.
“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.” (Prov. 8:13a)
More tomorrow…
To link to the Decision Magazine item mentioned above, click HERE.
To hear this past Sunday’s message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.
thebrokenrunner 