LOVE AND JUSTICE
Many people, at least those who think about God, have mixed emotions. We all want, and are in favor of, a God of love. We like to hear about a God who sent His Son to die for all of us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. Or, a God who’s love cannot be separated from us. “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39. But few seem to want a God of justice. We may all say we want justice but do we really? Who wants to hear about a God that would send a flood to wipe out all but eight? We don’t like a God who would send in an army to wipe out a people. We might question a God who would send anyone to an eternal hell. In each case that’s what an eternal, holy, sovereign, just God has the right to do. But, that’s not the God many want to serve. Those of us who trust what the Bible has to say about the justice of God are not looking for justice, we want mercy. Thankfully, God is also a God of mercy who will forgive anyone of their sin following genuine repentance from that sin. We may argue about what God is really like concerning all these things but this we are clearly told in the Book of Proverbs. There are six, no seven things that God hates. (Actually, the Bible tells us of a number of things that God hates.) Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us:
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
Number one on God’s list is that He hates pride (haughty eyes). The reason we let pride in is because we compare ourselves against others rather than comparing ourselves with the perfection of God. We look at others thinking we are better, smarter, more attractive, more pure, etc. The list can go on and on. However, if we compare ourselves against God alone it can only lead to humility. James reminds us that, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Secondly, God hates a lying tongue. We all need to do as the Psalmist did and cry out to God saying, “Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” God delights in those who are honest in all their dealings.
Third on God’s list is “hands that shed innocent blood.” This, of course, would be murder of any kind. Think of those who kill others. Many kill without pity yet when they go to trial they cannot be put to death (as Scripture would teach they should be) somehow their life has now become precious. But my mind goes first to the millions of unborn children being slaughtered in the name of ‘choice.’ Oh how many will stand before God of this selfish act. May they see their sin and repent before it is eternally too late.
Next we find that God hates hearts that devise wicked schemes. The heart is evil and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) So we all fall into the problem of what may come from our hearts. Jesus said in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Again, let us not fall into the pride of looking at other, but rather, let us look at our own evil hearts and seek the forgiveness of God.
Now we are told God hates feet quick to rush into evil. There is no end to those who are quick to follow others into their den of iniquity.
God also hates those who bear false witness. This goes along with a lying tongue. Again, I say that God loves honesty. Proverbs 20:23 reminds us, “The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please Him.”
Finally, God hates those who stir up dissension among brothers. This may be one of the chief sins in the church today. Let us be careful not to set one person against another within our church family.
Simply put, God hates the sins of the heart. Our cry ought to be like that of David’s. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10