YE THAT LOVE THE LORD, HATE EVIL, Part 2
by Rev. Fred Di Lella, B.S., M.A., Th.M.
Covenanted Reformation Church,
Hebbronville, TX
“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:” (Psa. 97:10).
Of all errors, toleration is the most dangerous and damnable, in so far as other errors do only overturn those particular truths of Scripture to which they are contrary; but by this one error (this monster of toleration) way is made to overturn all the truths contained in Scripture, and to the setting up of all errors contrary to every jot of truth; and in the meantime there shall be no power on earth to hinder it, or to take order with it. …James Fergusson (Protester)
I’m O.K. You’re O.K. and the Sinister Slogan (In essentials unity, in “non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity)
More and more, society has come to see this attitude as the real essence of love. Intolerance, on the other hand, is seen as “unloving” and “harsh”. The world’s ungodly view of love is readily manifested in its tolerance of several sinful activities. A clear example can be found in society’s treatment of sodomites (“gays”, as they are so falsely and frivolously favored). Rather than acknowledging sodomy as a wicked and detestable transgression of God’s Law, it is beheld as an “alternate life style.” The abominable affections and abhorrent activities of sodomites’ are even “lovingly” labeled as “sexual preference”, rather than, what they truly are, sin (sexual perversion).
Every true Christian cringes over the world’s wicked, warm welcome to sodomite openness, public office holders, parades, and lobbies; and over their “equal rights” to jobs, housing and “marriage” benefits. The God-fearing man fully understands that society’s open tolerance of repugnant and heinous sin is not an act of love. The Christian realizes that such tolerance, “broad-mindedness,” “open-mindedness” hastens the ruin, the disgrace, and breakdown of a civilization.
Tragically, much of today’s church has also bought the lie of “I’m o.k. You’re o.k.” and the Sinister Slogan (In essentials unity, in “non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity). Rather than heeding the Lord’s commands to hate and depart from evil, many churchmen ardently accept (and even ally themselves with) advocates of evil and execrable heretical doctrines (heterodoxy) and, then, diligently, deftly, and defiantly strive to defend their sinful and disastrous actions with claims of being “loving” and “tolerant”.
Although churches have bought the lie of tolerance, the Head of the Church remains unchangeably and uncompromisingly intolerant of sin (any want of conformity unto or transgression of the Law of God [and that means all 10 commandments]). God detests evil and always will.
As would be expected, then, the Word of God simply does not allow for such open-mindedness. We need not look very long for this to become abundantly clear to us. A few brief examples (out of many similar passages) should decisively demonstrates God’s abhorrence of evil, and, in reality, the general tenor of all Scripture:
“For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with Thee. The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.” Psalm 5:4-6
The Bible not only makes it obvious that God despises evil, but it also makes it plain that the Lord demands his people to loathe it, too. Romans 12:9 makes it very clear that believers must also hate evil: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor what is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
Amos 5:15 commands: “Hate the evil, and love the good.”
Proverbs 8:13 also informs us that “the fear of the Lord is to hate evil.”
For millennia, true believers, genuine God fearers, have earnestly exhibited their faith in the Lord by loving the truth and hating evil.
The Psalmist (119:104) cries out: “Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”
In Psalm 119: 113, 127, 128, and 163 King David also unreservedly affirms his Biblical love for God: I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (LET YOUR LOVE BE UN-HYPOCRITICAL: ABHORRING THAT WHICH IS EVIL AND CLEAVING TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD.)
“I hate vain thoughts: but Thy law do I love. Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right and I hate every false way. I hate and abhor lying: but Thy law do I love.”
Rev. Fred Di Lella is pastor of Covenanted Reformation Church in TX which is part of The Biblical Reformed Synod of Christ the King.
