Tag Archives: hate

Hate vs. Love

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Westboro Baptist Church brought their hate to Tuscaloosa Saturday. That church is known for picketing funerals of American servicemen claiming they did as a judgment from God because the US supports homosexuality. We have no intention of saying anything else about them but they do provide a useful backdrop for some thoughts on approaching sin.

All Are Sinners

Paul is clear that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). John echoes the thought in 1 John 1:8, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Likewise, James, “For we all stumble in many ways.”

The consciousness of our own shortcomings will temper the way we approach sin in others. Such perception is not, however, tolerance of sin. Sin destroys (Romans 6:23) and we must not surrender to its reality in the world.

All Sin is Equal

This is a controversial statement to some but it is clearly Biblical. Some sins have greater consequences in this life but when it really matters, in eternity, there is no difference. Isaiah says that sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:2). It is remarkable that Paul lists such so-called minor vices like hatred, rage, discord, selfish ambition, dissensions and factions together with the major sins like immorality (which includes but is not limited to homosexuality), debauchery, orgies and witchcraft (Galatians 519-21 NIV).

Some point out that homosexual acts are an abomination (Leviticus 18:22) and they are. But dishonesty (Deuteronomy 25:16; Proverbs 11:1), lying (Proverbs 6:17) and creating discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19) is also an abomination.

By understanding the universality and the equality of sin, we should be sufficiently humbled so that we can overcome sin ourselves but also help others in the same way.

All Need Jesus

Separated from God by sin, mankind is ever trying to reunite with his Creator. Billions seek redemption but few find it (Matthew 7:13, 14). In an effort to be politically correct and to bow to the gods of tolerance, we have ignored Jesus’ own words. He said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Jesus alone is God’s own gift to man for our salvation (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9, 10). His death proved God’s just nature and made God the one who justifies man through Christ (Romans 3:21-26). It is Jesus who takes away sins (1 John 2:1-6).

The one who attends every service of the church, gives generously and serves others, needs Jesus as much as the practicing, activist homosexual.

We do have an obligation to speak out against sin and to reach out to those enmeshed in it (Galatians 6:1; Psalm 141:5). But the key is how we do it. We ought approach sinners humbly and in full awareness of our own sin. Further, we approach in gentleness and kindness always speaking the truth in love. Remember brethren, hatefulness is of Satan while love is of God.

Bryant Evans may be reached at bryant at bryantevans.com. You can follow Bryant on Twitter @jbevans.

 

Hatred Is Easy, Prayer is Hard

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I confess. I am pretty angry at the way things are going in the world. People who reject Jesus as the Son of God are violently attacking people and places in the name of a false prophet. Representatives of the country that assures my (and their) freedom to worship are brutalized and murdered. Yes, I am angry. The challenge for me is to avoid stepping downward from anger to madness and hatred. It is not easy.

God filled man with emotions which run from ecstasy to melancholy to despair and grief and then to hatred and rage. Joy and ecstasy come only when a life is brought under the full control and submission to Jesus. It requires effort to purge the old life out and bring in the new. Part of the process, according to Paul is the mortification of sin in our lives (Colossians 3:5). That is hard but required if we are to find complete and pure joy.

Conversely, hatred is easy. All that is required to hate is to release the restraint on ourselves and allow nature to take its course. Suspend righteous judgment (Matthew 7:1-5), ignore the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) and swirl deeper into rage. It really is not hard at all. For me, a few minutes watching videos from the Middle East is all it would take. But there is something better.

A Way Better Than Hatred

The Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority so that we might have a peaceable life. But the same text includes a broad admonition to make prayers for “all people.”  The reason? So that  “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (2 Timothy 2:1-4). To pray for our enemies is hard but we are so instructed (Matthew 5:44). Likewise, we are instructed to leave vengeance to God (Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalm 149:4-9).

Jesus taught that we are to seek better and higher motives. Paul encouraged disciples then, and now, to focus on good thoughts:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

When one considers that Paul wrote those words while facing execution it becomes all the more remarkable that he could even suggest such a focus. Paul had every reason to be angry with Rome and with the Jews for putting him in chains. Paul struggled with hatred just like the rest of us.

The people assaulting our national interests are to be pitied. They are hopelessly lost and condemned to face the wrath of a God they barely know. They have been deceived by their spiritual leaders, robbed and impoverished by their secular leaders and enraged by their own uncontrolled madness. While I hope they will be punished in this life,  I cannot bring myself to cheer for their eternal damnation. Such is a penalty too horrible to consider.

Pray people, pray! Pray often and continuously for the salvation of all men, even the maddened protesters. Jesus rules and God will hear our prayers.