© 2014 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“Hate Crime” has become a prominent term in our modern vocabulary. Ironically, many who use it are the true haters. The Bible says of them, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

God has lovingly placed healthy restrictions on man’s behavior. He forbids sodomy, murder, adultery, drunkenness, gluttony, and other destructive actions. Yet, because of man’s fallen condition, which began with disobedience in the Garden of Eden, unredeemed man hates these restrictions and the God who has established them.

Though God forbids sodomy (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:20-27), Christians, who proclaim God’s truth by speaking out against sodomy, are hated by those who insist upon it. Ironically those who show their hatred of God, by rejecting His loving commands, call those who love God “haters!”

Though God has forbidden murder (Exodus 20:13), Christians, who proclaim God’s truth by speaking out against the murder of millions of children yet in the womb, are hated by those who insist upon it. Because of their hatred of God, those who advocate “abortion” call Christians, “women haters!”

Jesus warned His disciples that such hatred would be directed against them by those who hate God. He said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. … Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; … He that hateth me hateth my Father also” (John 15:18-23).

Jesus Christ is the Lord of creation. He made it all, and established perfect laws for governing it. But man sinned and became a hater of God. Jesus never provided salvation for the Devil or his angels but came to be born as a man and offer Himself, at Calvary, as a blood sacrifice for the sins of His people. Scripture tells us that all who repent of their sins and call upon Him for mercy and forgiveness are saved and will love God forever. He also speaks a curse against all who don’t (1 Corinthians 16:22).

Are you still guilty of the ultimate crime of hating God, or has Christ saved you and planted love for Him in your heart?

 

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