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Truth Ablaze
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Do You Hate Sin?Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows
Jesus Christ is exalted above every other name and there is none other name by which we might be saved. We are called to be followers of Christ/God. In order to do that, we must make ourselves familiar with the things that He likes and dislikes. Part of having a relationship with another person involves getting to know their likes and dislikes. Many times we find that we just aren't compatible with others once we figure out what they do or don't like. I'm still amazed at the lack of knowledge we have about Jesus and about what He does or doesn't like. That's not to say I know everything about Him- He surely knows that I haven't arrived-I've only skimmed the surface where our relationship is concerned. Even the great apostle Paul made the plea "that I may know Him..." If Paul still had somewhat to learn, I'm woefully far behind. But having said that, the scriptures do give us a general sense of the things that God loves and what He hates. Psalm 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked If we really love the Lord, we will hate those things that he finds offensive. In so doing ,we put ourselves in a position to be delivered from the hands of the wicked. Those who sympathize and compromise with the morals of this world, have no such assurance. Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. In our modern culture, every Christian would do well to memorize this verse. I have a television in my home, but I'll be the first to admit that most of what is on the airwaves is not fit for human consumption. I wonder how much damage we have done to our souls because we have entertained ourselves on a steady diet of portrayals of things that God hates. Psalm 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. The more scripture you read, and the more familiar you become with the bible, the less tolerant you will become of the immorality of the world. Psalm 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love Again, when we cultivate a hunger and deep appreciation for the word of God, we will see earthly wisdom for the vanity that it truly is. Psalm 1 says "blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly" Psalm 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. God's Word is pure truth. Jesus said "thy word is truth." Jesus said "I am the truth and the life..." As we meditate upon the word of God, we will will come to despise lying. The devil is the "father of lies." Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud F21 look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. This is one of the most profound scriptures in the Word. Here we have, in no uncertain terminology, a clear set of things that God hates. It is noteworthy that the seventh thing (which is an abomination) has to do with gossip and sowing discord amongst God's people. Sometimes we treat the sins of the tongue lightly, but God gives no such leniency! Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. As we truly fear God we will become less and less tolerant of the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life. (I John 2:15-17) Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace In this famous and oft-quoted passage in Ecclesiastes, we see that there is indeed a time and a place for biblical hatred against sin. This should never be used to justify hatred towards other human beings, groups, or organizations, but rather their deeds. Isaiah 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them Here again, we have a quote directly from our Lord which states that he hates deceit, but He loves righteous judgement. Jeremiah 44:4 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate. Here we see that God wants us (his messengers/witnesses/ministers) to warn others about the judgement of God that will fall on those who practice things that He hates. Amos 5:15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. Notice it is a two-fold process. Not only are we to hate the deeds of evildoers, but we are to love the good. Some people are very negative and only hate evil, but that's not enough. We must love the things that God loves, and be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. It's not hard to find people who are against certain things, but God has called us not just to be against sin, but to be for His plans and purposes. Amos 5:21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Here we have a clear example that religious excercises without true obedience and heartfelt devotion are a stench in the nostrils of Almighty God. We must be careful not to have a "form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.." Amos 6:8 The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. When we begin to trust in our own abilities and prosperity, and worship the blessing more than the One who blessed us, we become very displeasing to the Heavenly Father. Zechariah 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. If there is one truth that we can reasonably gain from the scriptures we have seen so far, it is that God doesn't like falsehood. He is a God of truth-His Word is Truth-Jesus said "I am the Truth", the Holy Ghost is called "the Spirit of Truth." When we do not value truth, we deny the very essence of God's nature. There is no such thing as a "little white lie." Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate Here we see that God is well aware and takes an active stance against those who infiltrate the church and try to fill it with false doctrines and practices contrary to the word of God! Notice how the "deeds" here in this verse, later on become the "doctrine." Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate Again, we see how strongly God feels about false teaching. Especially those doctrines which cause God's people to commit sins of immorality and idolatry. In I Timothy chapter 4 we are warned that in the last days there will be "doctrines of demons." Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good Again we have the two-fold dynamic relationship: We are to hate (abhor) that which is evil, but we are also to "cleave" to those things that are good. In Conclusion: If we're going to have the walk with God that we desire, and be filled with His blessings and annointing, then we must acquaint ourselves with His word and with what He stands for. Jesus has been exalted and is now at the right hand of God, annointed with the oil of gladness above all His fellows. In our pursuit of being more Christ-like, let's make every effort to love righteousness and hate iniquity! Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows God bless you as you study His word! |
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