And hate the things God hates.
It seems like a much easier said than done type of task. So many factors play in. I think one of the biggest ones is just my church heritage growing up. Whether intentional or not, I grew up in more of a judgmental/pharisaical environment than a grace filled one. Good and bad was based on what you did or didn’t do.
At the same time I love my church heritage for the love of the word it instilled. I am so thankful I know the bible well. Though I am no scholar, I feel I have a good grasp on it which sadly seems to not be the case anymore these days. I find friends misquoting verses with not just a simple misquote but the kind that changes the meaning of it. Or taking things written completely out of context.
All that said, I find myself in this goal of loving people often times reverting to the well they aren’t doing it like Jesus said to. Or they aren’t right. Or whatever other judgmental thought that comes up. It breaks my heart. But in the same moment it frustrates me that I seem to still fight it, I take comfort in the fact that there is peace in Him. That it doesn’t happen as often. That He is teaching me to take EVERY thought captive.
Sometimes in this judgmental attitude that I forget loving things God loves and hating things God hates simply means loving people and hating the sin. I don’t know about you but for me that is hard to separate. And I have to look at myself. I have to do that for myself. When I mess up, I don’t get to hate myself, just what I have done. And then sweet refreshing with repentance.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. – Acts 3:19-20
Yes please! I love this picture. I love that as I strive to love the things God loves (that which is pure and lovely and of good repute, etc. etc. etc.) He is teaching me to do so. On the other side of the coin, I love that He is teaching me to hate the things that He hates (lying, injustice, lack of love, pride, etc. etc. etc.). I love that in the moment I hear of someone I love making a bad decision my initial though more often is God protect them. Keep them. Enlighten them. Granted that is not always the first response but I know He is faithful to complete that which he started.
And so I press on. I think becoming a passionate pursuer of the King of the universe, the lover of my soul, the Alpha and the Omega, is learning to love the things He loves. It is learning to hate the things he hates and doing something to fight them. The victory is our if we are willing to stand. Nothing can separate us yet we walk as if we are going to fall with every step. It is time to stand firm on the promises cause he who said such promises is faithful to bring to completion!
