E18 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - The Character of GOD - Is GOD Angry? - Part 3 of 3

Hope’s Harbor

Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #18

Title: The Goodness of GOD - Does GOD hate us?  Part 3 of 3

Date: August 2, 2021

Contact: info@hopesharbor.net

Key verse(s): Proverbs 6:16 - ‘These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:’

Intro: We know from verses throughout the Bible that GOD loves people and hates sin.

He proved His love when He sent His Son to rescue us from bondage to sin if we so choose the rescue.

To rescue us wasn’t by GOD ignoring the sin in us and upon us.

Our rescue came at a high price.

Devotion focus: GOD’s hatred is against sin. Those who practice sin with malice, or with pleasure associate themselves with GOD’s hatred of the sin they embrace. By this, they put the hatred of GOD upon themselves.

Listen to the Word of GOD describe some of what He hates:

·         Proverbs 6:16 - These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

·         Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

·         Proverbs 6:18 - A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

·         Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Do notice there is nothing here accidental? Every one of the sins listed are ones people choose to commit and the theme in each sin described is an act carried out against others.

Now, I want to contrast GOD’s hatred with His love.

First, we should understand GOD’s nature is indivisible. This means GOD is One in His characteristics, although for us to understand Him better we attribute virtues to GOD such as love, peace, power, forgiveness, kindness, grace, hate, anger, vengeance, etc.

But GOD is like, and forgive me here because trying to compare GOD to any created thing is dangerous ground on which to tread, but think of it this way:

A single diamond can be cut and display several facets which when held up to a light gives off colors. Each facet causes a different effect of refraction but is part of the one diamond.

I have a crystal hanging on my truck mirror that is circular with small facets evenly spaced out around the sphere. When sunlight hits the crystal multi-colored spots of the light display around the cab of the truck.

Multiple effects – one crystal

Now, GOD’s love is one with His hatred. His action and power are one with His patience and kindness and even gentleness.

Even when GOD strikes out at evil, it is being done in kindness. Two sides of the same coin so to speak.

I know this can be hard to accept, but think of a surgeon when it becomes necessary to cut out or cut off parts of a person’s organs or body in order to stop the spread of cancer.

Cutting is a violent act done in kindness to save the patient’s life.

So, behind GOD’s acts that we see only the surface, are His kindnesses driving His stern actions to protect and save.

Case in point: GOD the Father sent His only begotten Son to the earth so that He, GOD the Father, could execute punishment for the sins of the human race.

But not against the human race. Against His Son, He poured out wrath against sin and the evil it perpetuates.

And on that cross, Jesus asked His Father to forgive us.

Listen to Luke 23:34 – ‘Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."’

Seriously, is there anything else that can be said to prove GOD doesn’t hate us?

And even if He did hate us, as there are some who will argue it, He punished sin by pouring out His wrath against all sin as His Son hung on that cross, hands, and feet spiked through after being beaten without mercy by Roman soldiers.

This punishment caused the Son of GOD to cry out in Matthew 27:46 – ‘And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"’

Summary: If any want to believe GOD hates us they must explain the cross.

Please allow me to offer this explanation: Sin must be punished. Every human knows this in the deepest part of the heart.

The only way we find forgiveness is because GOD punished all sin when Jesus was on the cross. It cost the Son of GOD His life.

Because GOD the Father approved of the price Jesus paid for sin, He raised Him from the dead.

And now He gives us a choice: To believe this unto salvation and new life.

Or not.

This is where I beg anyone who hasn’t settled accounts with GOD:

Get this matter settled, now – read the Gospel of John and ask GOD “If this record is true, show me.” But let me warn you, this must be done with an open heart, an open mind, and a sincere willingness to change according to the truth you discover.

Jesus said it best in John chapter 3:

John 3:15 – “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 - “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Action to consider: You know within yourself whether you believe GOD is good or not, you must spend time alone reading the Bible, asking GOD to reveal what He already knows is in your heart.

Whatever you find hidden in your heart won’t surprise GOD. He sees it already.

I had to go through this same process. It’s part of growing in the Christian life

However difficult this may be, the peace that comes with fully believing GOD is good is more than worth the effort to develop this level of faith.

Next week’s devotion:  Joy – do you want some?

Key verse John 15:11 -  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”