Both Love and Hate are Vital
We talk a lot about loving the Lord, but that is not enough to really live the Christian life the way we should. I know that seems strange to hear me say that, but it is very true. If we are going to become like Christ Jesus our Lord, we must add an element of hate to our lives. No, we won't hate the Lord, or even other people. However, we will decide to hate evil. (Psalm 97:10) Once we have both love for the Lord and hatred for evil, we will succeed in being like Jesus more and more. Please, let me explain.
Love is the only proper motivation for doing what the Lord Jesus wants us to do. We won't do it out of duty or being coerced by other people. However, if we truly love Him, it will be easy to keep His commands and ask the Spirit to conform us to His image. Unfortunately, that is not enough though. If we are friendly with evil, and if we get too close to evil, we will fall into it, even though we love the Lord and want to do His will completely. We must get to the point where any thought or mention of evil is disgusting to us, because we hate it so much. When that hatred for what is wrong is joined to a strong love for Jesus, we are well on the path to being like Him.
Also, this verse shows us that God protects His faithful ones and rescues us from the power of the wicked. That is all the more reason to love the Lord. Jesus died to save us from our sins, and the protection of the Lord is around us now, and God will rescue us from the wicked. That is a great reason to hate evil, too. We know it will harm us, because God wants to protect us from it, and He wants to rescue us when we fall into the grasp of the wicked. Therefore, we should love the Lord completely and hate evil thoroughly, in order to be a faithful follower of Jesus.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 99-101.
Love is the only proper motivation for doing what the Lord Jesus wants us to do. We won't do it out of duty or being coerced by other people. However, if we truly love Him, it will be easy to keep His commands and ask the Spirit to conform us to His image. Unfortunately, that is not enough though. If we are friendly with evil, and if we get too close to evil, we will fall into it, even though we love the Lord and want to do His will completely. We must get to the point where any thought or mention of evil is disgusting to us, because we hate it so much. When that hatred for what is wrong is joined to a strong love for Jesus, we are well on the path to being like Him.
Also, this verse shows us that God protects His faithful ones and rescues us from the power of the wicked. That is all the more reason to love the Lord. Jesus died to save us from our sins, and the protection of the Lord is around us now, and God will rescue us from the wicked. That is a great reason to hate evil, too. We know it will harm us, because God wants to protect us from it, and He wants to rescue us when we fall into the grasp of the wicked. Therefore, we should love the Lord completely and hate evil thoroughly, in order to be a faithful follower of Jesus.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 99-101.