Hate is such a strong word. I remember when I was a young teenager, being scolded for saying that I hated someone. Now grant it, hating people is not suggested in any situation. But I remember being told not to even use the word in a sentence. “We don’t hate!”
Now fast forward to today. What are your thoughts on the word, “hate”? Did you know that when it comes to God’s attitude toward sin, only a strong word like “hate” conveys His thoughts on the matter? 17 do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.” Zechariah 8:17 Hatred is a legitimate emotion when it comes to sin. In fact, the more we grow in the holiness of God, the more we hate sin. We’re allowed to hate? Look what David says on the matter, Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:104 A perfect hatred toward sin grew up in David’s life. One translation says, “I hate every wrong path.” So the more of the holiness of God we experience, the more we view things like God. The more we see through the eyes of a Holy God, the deeper we experience the godly emotion that is accompanied. The more godly emotion, the deeper the hated of sin becomes evident to us. God has an infinite hatred toward sin. We often hear the phrase, “God hates the sin, but loves the sinner.” That is so true. But we can’t rush into the second part of that phrase and forget that God actually hates it when we sin. God hates our lustful thoughts, our pride, our temper, or the rationalization we go through when excusing certain things that may have a good outcome. God does not overlook sins from certain people because they have a good heart. As a matter of fact, God looks more critically at those who are teachers than those who are not. Living in the holiness of God is raising the bar and submitting to the high standard God calls us to. God cannot hold us to a lower standard. It goes against His own holiness. He is not waiting for you to fail. He is waiting for you to die to your own desire and pride and humble yourself before His holiness and let it wash through you. 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 1 Peter 1:16-17 Father, forgive me for the times I half heartily lived in a hazardous way, not seeing that the things I do matter to you. I want to be more aware of the sin that so easily entangles and grow a perfect hate for the things that pull me away from You. Teach me and show me the things I dwell on that are not pleasing to You. In Jesus name I pray – Amen! Look for the things Jesus so graciously reveals to you for your benefit and His glory today. I am looking forward to a great day on Sunday. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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