Psalm 45:7
7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
In reading this and many other passages in Psalms and the Old Testament we understand how much God hates wickedness and the wicked. We can all look out in the world today and see the wickedness and God hates wickedness so we cheer this verse because in the end they will get what they deserve. Can I get an amen? Recently there was a man on TV calling down fire and God’s curses on the wicked people who opposed Trump. I could hear it from the pews Amen, boy that is some preaching finally we get back to ole timey preachin, “Hell fire and brimstone.” We all are prone to having a James and John response to the wicked.
Luke 9:53–54
53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
I was challenged by this verse today and hope you will be. Given the culture how much does God hate wickedness. It was then Holy Spirit moved in my heart to understand how much God hates wickedness. God hates wickedness so much because it offends His righteousness and perfect holiness that God will kill the offender, God will take a life, God must be just. Suddenly, the Amens in my heart were quieter and realization of how hate and love can be brought together in God the Son, Christ Jesus. God killed His Son because of my wickedness. Yes, God hates wickedness so much that God’s justice and condemnation were poured out in wrath upon the Christ, upon my Lord. Yes, God hates the wickedness of the world today so much that he has made a way for the wicked to be forgiven in the blood of Jesus. So, before we pick our pitch forks and torches to storm the castle maybe we need to realize their wickedness is our wickedness, “For all have sinned.” Jesus rebuked the James and John’s response because His face was set on Jerusalem, the cross, and the salvation of all who would believe how much God hates wickedness that He is willing to love the wicked who turn and repent. In my place condemned He stood. How terrible the fate of those that will refuse the grace of God in Christ and they will receive the hate of God upon themselves for the wickedness of their life. God hated my wickedness so much He killed Christ Jesus, the Son of God.
rockbridgebc.org 