The Sound of Freedom
Monday, July 24, 2023
“He who is not angry at transgression becomes a partaker in it. Sin is a loathsome and hateful thing, and no renewed heart can patiently endure it. God himself is angry with the wicked every day, and it is written in His Word, “O you who love the LORD, hate evil.” – C.H. Spurgeon
We often hear the expression, “We should love the sinner, but hate the sin.” That is excellent advice and stands up to biblical scrutiny. After all, Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of being a “friend of sinners” (Matthew 11:19). However, how much do we really hate sin?
Truth be told, it is easy to hate a sin that we aren’t tempted by or don’t normally practice. For example, I have never been drunk nor have I ever used illegal drugs, so it is relatively easy for me to hate those sins. Stealing? To the best of my knowledge, I haven’t taken anything that wasn’t mine since I was an adolescent. Likewise, I have never had a weight problem and so, gluttony isn’t an issue.
But what about the rest of the seven “deadly sins?” Greed isn’t much of a problem for me, otherwise I never would have gone into full-time ministry. However, I have wrestled with pride off and on my entire life. And whereas wrath, envy, and sloth come and go without maintaining much of a foothold, lust can be a daily battle.
How about you, my friend? Do you only despise the sins that have no attraction for you? Or do you also detest the ones that hit closer to home?
Maybe it would help if we all remembered – and focused on – the fact that sin cost God His Son… and Jesus His very life.
“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
P.S. I recently saw the movie, “Sound of Freedom,” which depicts the growing epidemic of child sex trafficking. If there is one sin that we should all hate – and work to end – it is this most heinous of crimes.
