The holy haTred of God

This is one of those doctrines that people just don’t want to hear or even think about talking
about, God’s hatred. We have been taught that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. But this teaching is a
denial of the teachings of scriptures. God not only hates iniquity He hates all those who do iniquity.
(Psalm 5:5) It is impossible to separate the sin from the sinner. God does not punish sin, He punishes the
sinner. It is not the sin that is condemned but it is the sinner who is thrown in Hell.

God is love; God does not choose to love. Unlike man, man chooses to love. God’s love is
incomprehensible to the nature of man. In other words no man in the history of man’s existence has the
capability to preach the full intensity of the love of God. Man’s nature who is a sinner cannot understand
God’s love.

What we can do is try to understand the love that God has revealed to us. And upon
understanding it, we know that God’s love has a deep zeal for His children. Because God has a zeal for
His children, God must hate the evil and the things that are perverse.

If you love babies, children, or infants, then you must hate abortion. It is impossible for you to
have a passion for the life of infants and not hate abortion. If you love black people then you must hate
slavery. If you love Jewish people then you must hate the holocaust.

Because God is love He must hate, and hate He does. The Holy hatred of God is a perfect hatred.
(Psalms 139:21-22) In the same way the love of God is a perfect love and Holy love.

What Does God’s Hatred Mean?

The word Hate means to dislike intensely or passionately, a strong aversion toward another: to
detest, loathe, abhor, or abominate. Although these are harsh words, most, if not all of these words are
used in scripture to describe God’s relationship to sin and the sinner.

The word “detest” (ESV) and “abhorred” (KJV) is used in Leviticus 20:23. “Abomination” is
used in Deut. 18:12, and 25:16. “Detested” again is used in Titus 1:16.

In Psalm 11:4-7; we witness a very important text regarding God’s hatred. “but his soul hates the
wicked and the one who loves violence.” Unlike man, God’s hatred is holy and is a result of His love.
God’s hatred is not at all a denial of God’s love.

Although God’s wrath abides on the wicked and He is angry with the wicked every day. God’s
love still is able to love those who are at the very pinpoint of His hatred, yet pleads for them for His
salvation.

Even though God is longsuffering in His mercies, there will come a time that God will withdraw
His offer of salvation and reconciliation and it will no longer be possible. The train is slow but it’s
coming. God’s wrath is slow but it’s coming. Sinful men and those that continue to deny this should take
this with fear and trembling.

Feb. 27, 2010 DwellingWithGod.com By Jay Gheen