Love What God Loves and Hate What God Hates
As I sat in the pews of the church, listening to the sermon, one particular phrase struck a chord with me: “Love what God loves and hate what God hates.” It was a simple statement, yet it held profound implications for my life.
In a world that often seems upside down, where evil is celebrated and good is scorned, it’s easy to get caught up in the moral relativism. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us a clear moral compass to guide our lives. To love what He loves and hate what He hates is to align ourselves with the eternal principles of righteousness and justice.
The Definition of Love and Hate
Before we explore the implications of loving and hating what God does, it’s important to define what we mean by these terms. Love is more than just a feeling of affection or fondness. It’s a deep, unwavering commitment to the well-being and happiness of another. Hate, on the other hand, is not merely dislike or disapproval. It’s an intense aversion or animosity towards something.
Why Should We Love What God Loves?
God loves all people, even those who have wronged us or who are different from us. He loves us unconditionally, with a love that is undeserved and enduring. When we love what God loves, we are aligning ourselves with His heart. We are choosing to love others the way He loves us, with compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance.
Moreover, God loves righteousness, justice, and truth. When we love these things, we are reflecting His character in our lives. We are standing up for what is right, even when it’s unpopular. We are seeking justice for the oppressed and speaking truth to power.
Why Should We Hate What God Hates?
God hates sin because it is destructive and harmful. Sin separates us from God and from each other. It leads to broken relationships, pain, and suffering. When we hate what God hates, we are actively opposing the forces of evil in the world. We are choosing to stand with God against the darkness and to fight for His kingdom.
God also hates injustice, oppression, and violence. These things are an affront to His character and His creation. When we hate these things, we are expressing our solidarity with the victims of injustice and our commitment to a just and peaceful world.
Practical Applications
Loving what God loves and hating what He hates has significant implications for our daily lives. It affects the way we treat others, the choices we make, and the priorities we set.
- Love your neighbor as yourself: God loves all people, so we are called to love everyone, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or political views.
- Seek justice and righteousness: God hates injustice and oppression, so we are called to stand up for the oppressed and to fight for justice.
- Speak truth to power: God hates lies and deception, so we are called to speak truth to those in positions of authority, even when it’s difficult.
- Abstain from sexual immorality: God hates sexual immorality, so we are called to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage.
- Guard your thoughts and actions: God hates evil and violence, so we are called to guard our thoughts and actions and to avoid anything that would bring harm to others.
Conclusion
Loving what God loves and hating what He hates is a lifelong journey. It’s not always easy, but it’s a path that leads to a life of purpose, fulfillment, and eternal reward. As we align ourselves with God’s moral compass, we become instruments of His love and justice in a world that desperately needs both.
Are you interested in learning more about God’s moral precepts and how to apply them to your life? If so, I encourage you to continue reading this blog and to engage with the resources that we offer. Together, we can make a difference in the world by living lives that reflect the love and hate of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between loving what God loves and hating what He hates?
A: Loving what God loves is actively choosing to love others the way He loves us, with compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance. Hating what God hates is actively opposing the forces of evil in the world and standing with God against the darkness.
Q: Why is it important to love what God loves and hate what He hates?
A: Loving what God loves and hating what He hates is important because it aligns us with His heart and character. It enables us to live lives that are pleasing to Him and to reflect His love and justice in the world.
Q: How can I apply the principle of loving what God loves and hating what He hates to my daily life?
A: You can apply this principle by treating others with compassion and respect, standing up for justice, speaking truth to power, abstaining from sexual immorality, and guarding your thoughts and actions.
Q: What are the benefits of living a life that reflects God’s love and hate?
A: Living a life that reflects God’s love and hate brings purpose, fulfillment, and eternal reward. It enables us to make a difference in the world and to be instruments of His love and justice.
