Thursday, November 17, 2011

What Does God Hate?

by Aleta Kay

          We see so-called Christians carrying signs on the news every day: “God hates homosexuals.” “God hates abortionists.” “God hates….” No wonder so many people shy away from God. Why would anyone want to worship or serve a God that hates them? To those of you who have been the brunt of such messages I want to apologize. God does not hate you; He hates the sin. Just as we hate having our feelings hurt; just as we hate injustice; just as we hate cruelty—God hates sin. You are not sin; you (and every person in the world) are a sinner. You can’t help it. You are born with sin and you can’t eradicate it. It is your nature. It’s why Jesus took your, and my, penalty on the cross. He was the only sinless person ever to live—because He is also God. Don’t ask me to explain it. It defies human comprehension.
          What does God hate? God hates the actions of hatred, bigotry, self-righteousness. God hates pride because pride exalts itself above others. Jesus humbled himself. He left the splendor of heaven, the riches of eternity, the joy and peace of a perfect place, to come to earth to be born to poor parents in a lowly stable (yes, He chose them) so that He might show us that He identifies with us and loves us.
          The Bible says there are six things God hates; seven are an abomination to him (seven is the number perfection or completeness): a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among the brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19. Nowhere in this passage does it say God hates the people. He hates the actions.
          So don’t be afraid to approach God. You can’t be so bad He won’t forgive you. The only sins He won’t forgive are blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (attributing God’s works to Satan) and rejection of His Son, Jesus the Christ. He’s waiting for you. He has the answers to all of your problems, hurts and fears. He’s knocking on your heart’s door waiting for you to let Him in.

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