Hatred

Yo.

So, the other day I was at a discussion group and we had been talking about Christianity and how hypocritical Christians can be sometimes (ultimate answer here was people are people, not perfect) and one guy kinda shared a story of something. I don't remember exactly what he said, but one thing was that he used to swear quite a bit, but now that he is following Jesus that has really been an active change and when he sees others swear using God's name he hates it.

He hates when others take the Lord's name in vain were actually his words.

And that was just crazy to me to think. Although I get the idea and that it's a commandment, it's just hate is a very strong word, eh? I don't know.

I feel like this may be something I need to grow more in: hating sin.

The truth of the Bible is that although God is love and good, He hates sin (disobedience, rebellion, selfishness, etc.) and is just to punish all who have sinned, which is everyone. However, in His love for His creation, He gives us a way to be forgiven and take our punishment by sending Jesus to the cross, dying in our place. Any who don't take that gracious forgiveness in Jesus still deserve wrath and so will be punished.

So, we are to share this great news of saving grace to others and to live lives worthy of the call of God.

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14 NIV

In Romans Paul says he wishes they be wise in good and innocent in evil.

We are to love God and hate sin, turning from it back to God.

And I definitely have been convicted by the Spirit in the past of my sin and of how bad it is, but sometimes I feel like hate is a really too strong word for how I feel towards sin. I'm tempted to believe sin isn't actually bad and to turn from God back to selfish choices, which will lead me further and further towards destruction and away from truly experiencing God's goodness.

So I need more hatred towards sin. Even a speck of sin is too much. 

May the Spirit of holiness and power work to grow a hatred for that which God hates. May He empower me and strengthen me to fight the battles I must, and the grace to keep me from as many as possible. May He help me love Him more and shape my heart and desires after His own.

D.Fa