Thou Shalt Not Hate

There is a movement, a program in the world to eliminate hate. At first consideration, it would appear to be a great idea. Let’s put all our energies into LOVE. We must not “hate” our neighbor, but we must “love” our neighbor. Now that is not only scriptural, but it is a commandment.

Scripture tells us of a certain “expert” in the Law who asked Jesus concerning “loving your neighbor” saying, “Teacher, who is my neighbor?” You can, and should read about it in Luke 10.

So, we might have a neighbor right next door to us, but he does drugs, has pornographic parties and is homosexual. Am I supposed to love him? The parable Jesus responds to the “lawyer” with teaches we are supposed to help whoever is IN NEED with love and compassion with whatever it takes, within our power. But we are to hate the sins mentioned above. Not everyone we might meet in life is our neighbor. In fact, I would concentrate on our spiritual brothers and sisters first because we have needs just like that Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. The only thing any of us is to hate is sin and the evil in the world.

On closer examination though, the motivators of this movement are, indeed, those that “deserve” to be hated.  When I say deserve it, I mean the same way I deserved it before the Lord saved me. Scripture says, “Anyone in friendship with the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4... and “deserves” the same punishment reserved for satan... HELL.

Enemies usually hate each other. I didn’t believe there was a God, but I hated religion. Do you know God hates? God IS love, but God hates. If you love righteousness, you will hate unrighteousness. God hated Esau before he was even born. God hates sin. Psalm 5:5 says, God hates all workers of iniquity. You want to know how much He hates sin?

LOOK WHAT HE DID TO JESUS for our sakes.

This “program” is a back door effort to do two things... ACCEPT  that which is immoral, Godless, and sinful... and eliminate God. Why eliminate God? Because God hates sin, and even some sinners. You want to argue with Him? Go right ahead. So, what spiritual evil is behind this program? None other than satan. Hate in scripture, and in fact in life, has been usually directed against God Himself, and yet He will forgive and save.

But it is my educated opinion that mankind has “devolved” to the state that is unredeemable, that is, beyond redemption. Yes, some would say, “That’s not for us to judge.” And that would be correct. It is not for us to judge the moral state of anyone... as a judge would. But we are to judge right from wrong... good from evil, etc. That is a different perception. It’s called discernment.

Redemption is all of God. In His omniscience, He knows from eternity who will accept His saving grace and who will not. He has also decided on who will go too far. In Romans chapter 1 we read...

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it to them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Sodom and Gomorrah

went too far. And so God, the Lord engulfed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone

Jehovah came down personally to see if it was really that bad. And He recorded this event in His discussion with Abraham about whether or not He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah... for our knowledge! And this is not the first time.

In Gen. 6 we read, The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

And God promised that He would never again destroy the world... by flood.
In Gen. 9 God said,

“I establish My covenant with you: never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”

The world... mankind, has again gone too far.