God's Hatred.

       The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
                   Psalm 11:4-5 NASB

     We don't like to think that God would hate someone. We tend to think that God is all about love. We would agree that God hates the sin, but surely He does not hate the sinner, but that is not what this verse is saying.  In God's view, the sinner and the act are not separated. The act of sin is such that it flows out of the heart. This is a heart that stands opposed to God and His rightful rule over ones' life. This is the attitude of the heart spoken of in Romans 8:7.
     There are many passages in the Bible that call the individual by the name of his or her sin. 1 Corinthians 5:11 mentions immoral persons, revilers, drunkards, and swindlers. Murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars are referred to in Revelation 21:8. There are probably many more, but these suffice to make the point, that a person who lies is a liar, one who kills is a murderer, one who steal is a thief, one who is unfaithful to a spouse is an adulterer, etc. In the eyes of God, the sin is not separated from the individual. God hates the sin, and hates the sinner as well.
     You might wonder, what about John 3:16? Doesn't God love the lost? Yes He does! He loves the lost so much that He sent Jesus Christ to die for each and everyone of us! He has made every provision necessary for us to be forgiven, restored, and delivered from our sinful lifestyles. He is not willing that any should perish. He is longsuffering toward us, giving us ample time to repent of our rebellion against Him (2 Peter 3:9). Yes He loves us, but sinful man does not want anything to do with this God who loves him.
     God is a holy God. He is also perfectly just in all His ways. Righteousness and justice are what His rule is founded upon (Psalm 89:14). As such, He has a perfect hatred toward sin. He must judge it, His very nature demands it. What would we think of an earthly judge who coddled criminals, and overlooked serious crimes? We would all think it was wrong, an injustice! How much more then is God perfectly just in all of His ways?             When I say that God hates, I am not referring to the type of hatred that we see in so many individuals. This is not an exasperated or hardened heart type of hatred that is found in fallen man. This is a holy hatred that the holy God has for evil. We often fail to understand how evil sin really is, how wicked the individual sinner is, and how abhorrent this all is to God. We often fail to understand that vengeance belongs to God, and He will act on it (Hebrews 10:29-31). Sin is an in your face act against God. I understand that scripture differentiates between unintentional sin, sins of weakness, and such. This is not what I am referring to. What God hates is rebellion. The mindset that I am in charge of my life. I will do whatever I want, and I don't care how it affects God or anyone else. Self on the throne instead of God! It is out of this mindset that we see so much evil in the world. This is what God hates, these are the people that God hates, and will someday punish.
     Jesus Christ gave of Himself for us, to redeem us. He bore the judgment for our sin, so that we could be forgiven, so that we could live in God's loving presence. As I mentioned, God loved us enough to make a way for us to be spared His wrath. It is up to us to submit to Him, receive His pardon, and let Him change our lives completely.
     Consider yourself a defendant in court. You have just been found guilty of murder and are now waiting for the judge to pass sentence. You have appeared before this judge many times. When you were fourteen, he let you off with a warning. You were caught with the wrong crowd, and he wanted to give you a second chance. The next year it was petty theft, and you had to check in with a probation officer. Over the next decade you were in and out of jail for various offences. Theft, drugs, DUI, domestic violence. You received suspended sentences, reduced sentences, time off for good behavior, and so on. You appeared before this judge over and over and over. He was lenient, he was kind, he was patient. Now you are waiting for sentence. The crime is more serious this time. You know it looks bad, but this judge has always seemed fair in the past. He asks you to rise, and make any final statements you would wish the court to hear before sentencing. You tell the court how you messed up again, how you have struggled to live a productive life, how sorry you are. You tell how you will never do it again, you will reform if you just get another chance. You remind the judge of his past kindness, and ask for mercy.  What you hear next shocks you to the core. " I have dealt with you for the last twelve years. I have shown mercy over and over. I have been lenient toward you in the hope you would reform and become a productive citizen. You have shown by your actions that I was wrong. I never want to see you in my court again. I sentence you to be taken to the place of execution in three days, where you will be hung by the neck until dead. Guards remove the prisoner!"
     This might seem harsh or shocking to some. God loves us. Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God is giving us time to repent of our sin, our hostility toward Him. He does not want to see us die (Ezekiel 18:23,32). However, if we neglect our salvation (Hebrews 2:2-3) there is nothing left for us.
     Choose Christ today, and abide in His love. Let Him wash you, cleanse you and make you a new creation (1John 1:9, 1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 5:17).
    
    
    
    

The Most Terrifying Words You Will Ever Hear.

     There are multitudes today who have their hopes set on heaven when they die. Indeed, many of them will spend eternity worshiping Christ. They will see Him face to face, and enjoy His presence for ever.
     It will be a terrible, unexpected day however, for countless numbers of people who call themselves Christians. There are those who fully expect to enter in to the joy of the Master (Matt 25:21) Who will instead Hear "I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matt 7:23).
     Not everyone who calls Jesus Lord is going to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:21). There will be those who have done great things in the name of Jesus who will hear these dreadful words (Matt 7:22). They may be people who once served God, who have walked in a powerful anointing, but have allowed pride to take the place of God on the throne of their hearts. 


     Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
                     Matt 7:21 NASB

     It is those who are doing the will of the Father, who are seeking His kingdom and righteousness as their highest priority in life (Matt 6:33), who will enter in. These are the people who have placed Christ upon the throne in their lives. They truly live for Him, His agenda is their agenda. They have allowed Him to transform their lives. They are victorious in the face of trial and temptation, a victory achieved by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev 12:11). Their lives are marked by obedience. Not a slavish obedience, but obedience flowing out of a supreme love to God, and a passion for His glory. Should they stumble, they get up in repentance and faith and continue on in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
     Jesus said that it is a small gate and narrow way that leads to life, and few find it (Matt 7:13-14). Most individuals are sadly on the broad path to destruction. Many hold to a form of godliness without the power (2 Tim 3:5). These individuals show by the fruit of their lives that self reigns in their hearts. Life is all about them, they only want enough of Jesus to get them safely to heaven. But that is not how it works! Their lives are marked by lawlessness (Matt 7:23). They may look good, may be in church, may even have done great things, but they harbor hidden sins, they live for themselves and not for God. They live without law, trusting that they are saved all along.
     You do not want to be surprised on that day. What road are you on? Are you truly living for Christ with all your heart? Are you trusting Him everyday to overcome this world, or are you like so many that think everything is ok, as you pursue the things that are only temporal? What will you hear on that day?
    

What if Jesus came to your church?

And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their borders.
God; ASV (2011-07-15). Holy Bible, American Standard Version (ASV) (Kindle Locations 29044-29045). Latus ePublishing. Kindle Edition.


     In the context of this verse, Jesus had just cast the demons out of two posessed men. The people feared these men, and had kept them in chains. Now these men were in their right minds. When the domons left the men, Jesus permited them to enter a herd of pigs, which then rushed into the sea.
     This caused a great deal of distress among the local inhabitants. Instead of rejoicing with the two men who had just been delivered, the people instead were very uncomfortable with what just occured. Perhaps they were upset about the pigs. Maybe they were uncomfortable about the deliverance of the demon posessed men. At any rate, the were uncomfortable with Jesus, and asked Him to leave.
     Sadly, we too can become complacent in our Christian experience. We like how church is done, we like how our lives are lived, we think everything is fine, and we want it to stay that way. We want things to go smooth, no excitement, no conviction, no upsetting visitors on Sunday,etc.
     What would happen if Jesus showed up during prayer time, and people were instantly, and miraculously healed of all manner of diseases? Would it make us nervous? Would we be uncomfortable? what would happen if people were suddenly filled with conviction, conviction so deep that some fell from their seats onto the floor where they lay weeping and crying out to God?  What would happen if some went forward and made public confession of sin? We never see this happen, but if you read about the great revivals of the past, it was a frequent occurence. My Father in law told of a pastor who announced to his congregation one Sunday, that he had been saved that weekend. His church promptly dismissed him! They were more comfortable with an unsaved pastor!
     The fact is, that when Jesus comes to church, things happen, changes occur, we are taken out of our comfort zones. The things that Jesus taught, the things that Jesus did,  are taught, and done. People are convicted of sin, people are healed of disease, people are set free from demons, people are set free from sin.
     Pigs are presented as unclean in the Bible. We may have unclean things in our lives that we hang onto, things that we do not want to see go. If Jesus were present, we know that like the pigs rushing into the sea, these things would have to go as well. It may be unbelief, sin, or worthless tradition, but it would have to go.
     Jesus came to give us abundant life. He came to destroy the work of the devil. He came to set the captives free. Let Him have His way with you.

Blessed are the merciful.

     Blessed are the merciful, for they shall recieve mercy.
                                                                                           Matt 5:7 (NASB)

      Love for one another is the characteristic that sets Christians apart from those around them. This love is shown in many ways, by bearing one anothers burdens, looking out for one anothers needs, forgiving one another, encouragement, etc. Christian love will go to extremes to help others. It is not stopped by race or color, social status, or poverty. Those who reach out with love and compassion are called blessed here, by our Lord.
     This verse poses the question; How can our reception of mercy depend upon our being merciful? Two portions of scripture come to mind. One is found in Matthew 25:31-46, the separation of the sheep and goats at the judgement. The point of separation was the love shown to others! Those who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and those in prison were told that they had done it unto the Lord. Those who failed to do these things were told that they had neglected the Lord. As much as they had neglected the least, most insignificant or unloveable person, they had neglected the Lord (vs 45). Our true devotion to Christ is seen in how we treat others! If we are truly born again, led by the Spirit Christians it will be shown in how we love the UNLOVEABLE!
     The other passage is found in James chapter 2, the chapter on faith and works. James is dealing with christians who were showing partiality. They treated the rich and well to do with honor and respect, but shunned the poor. In the  following verses James shows them that by doing this they were actually breaking the law. He goes on to show that even though we may keep all the law, if we fail at one point we are guilty as lawbreakers. James was showing his readers that by showing partiality they were breaking the moral law, or the law of love, by which they would be judged (vs. 12). He tells them that if they do not show mercy, they will not be shown mercy, but mercy triumphs over judgement.
     Just like the warning lights in a car, the law (ten commandments) shows us what is inside of us. Are we really right with God or not. While it is only through faith in Christ that we are forgiven and brought into relationship with God, It is also true that we are then a new creation, created to love God and each other. When we stand before God our lives will be judged by the standards set forth in His word. Thank God that He does forgive, but remember that His grace also will change our lives from the inside out!