Christ hates certain things

[Sower]

We should strive to maintain the balance that Christ maintains in all His relationships. Regarding the Son, God the Father speaks approvingly: "Thou hast loved righteousness and HATED INIQUITY, therefore God, even thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows" (Heb. 1:9).

The Lord Jesus Christ loves us with a love that cannot be measured.  He loves all sinners. At the same time CHRIST HATES INIQUITY. That's because He is absolute holiness and righteousness.  He expects us to do the same.  We live in a day when iniquity abounds, and we cannot stand by without speaking out. That too is sin.

What is iniquity? Lawlessness, wickedness, unrighteousness, transgression of the Law. God hates all that is evil.

That is why the Lord Jesus Christ said: "But this thou hast [O church of Ephesus], THAT THOU HATEST THE DEEDS OF THE OF THE NICOLAITANES, WHICH I ALSO HATE... So hast thou [O church of Pergamos] them that hold THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANES, WHICH THING I HATE" (Rev. 2:6,15).

Both the DEEDS and the DOCTRINES of the Nicolaitanes were extremely offensive to Christ.  He hated them with a holy hatred. Today we are afraid to say that Christians should LOVE righteousness but HATE iniquity. We are also afraid to point out false doctrine and false practice for fear of being labelled "unloving".  

But Christ commended those who hated sin, and Jude teaches us that there is a time and a place for hatred: "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; HATING EVEN THE GARMENT SPOTTED [defiled] BY THE FLESH" (Jude 23). We must therefore love the sinner, but hate the sin.

[Heidi]

True. He does hates these things. But since he is the way, the truth, and the life, the only way we can "get rid" of these iniquities is to ask for forgiveness from Him. That forgiveness then replaces our desire to sin. Is is His love that solves the sin problem. It can't be done from an act of the will, otherwise, we wouldn't need Christ.

[darby]

If you don't hate evil, then you are not on the same page as Christ.  (mathematically, two negatives can make a positive; hating hate  (evil) = good )

One thing that comes to mind is when Jesus entered the temple and saw the money changers turning God's house into a market, Jesus (probably not very happy with what he saw) put down his foot, and turned over the tables, and drove the money changers out with a whip.  Now that is what you call "tough love".  

[ebia]

If you don't hate evil, then you are not on the same page as Christ.  (mathematically, two negatives can make a positive; hating hate  (evil) = good )

That assumes you are multiplying, not adding. If you add two negatives you get another negative.

[Allinall]

Brother Sower,

AAAAAMMMMEEEENNNNN!!!!![/i][/u]  It's very interesting when you study the things that God does hate.  It changes your understanding of Him, and widens your view of His grandeur.  He is awesome!

Great post bro.  

[darby]

I just assumed that it was understood that it was a multiplication.  It doesn't even really matter that much anyway.  

[ebia]

I just assumed that it was understood that it was a multiplication.  It doesn't even really matter that much anyway.  

You don't think I might have been making a bigger point, beyond just correcting your maths (tempting though that is)?