E18 - The Character of God - Does God Hate Us? Part 3 of 3

Hope's Harbor Podcast - Gritty Bible Devotions

In the Bible, we know that GOD loves people and hates sin. He proved His love when He sent His son to rescue us from the bondage of sin - if we so choose it. To save us, He did not ignore all the sin in one's life but rather paid a very high price to set us free. We'll look into the following verse in Proverbs to better understand GOD's hatred for sin compared to His love for us. Proverbs 6:16 "These six things the LORD hates, Yes seven are an abomination unto him".
Full show notes at hopesharbor.net
Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #18

Title: The Goodness of GOD - Does GOD hate us? Part 3 of 3

Date: August 2, 2021

Contact: [e-mail]

Key verse(s): Proverbs 6:16 - ‘These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:’

Intro: We know from verses throughout the Bible that GOD loves people and hates sin.

He proved His love when He sent His Son to rescue us from bondage to sin if we so choose the rescue.

To rescue us wasn’t by GOD ignoring the sin in us and upon us.

Our rescue came at a high price.

Devotion focus: GOD’s hatred is against sin. Those who practice sin with malice, or with pleasure associate themselves with GOD’s hatred of the sin they embrace. By this, they put the hatred of GOD upon themselves.

Listen to the Word of GOD describe some of what He hates:

· Proverbs 6:16 - These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

· Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

· Proverbs 6:18 - A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

· Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Do notice there is nothing here accidental? Every one of the sins listed are ones people choose to commit and the theme in each sin described is an act carried out against others.

Now, I want to contrast GOD’s hatred with His love.

First, we should understand GOD’s nature is indivisible. This means GOD is One in His characteristics, although for us to understand Him better we attribute virtues to GOD such as love, peace, power, forgiveness, kindness, grace, hate, anger, vengeance, etc.

But GOD is like, and forgive me here because trying to compare GOD to any created thing is dangerous ground on which to tread, but think of it this way:

A single diamond can be cut and display several facets which when held up to light gives off colors. Each facet causes a different effect of refraction but is part of one diamond.

I have a crystal hanging on my truck mirror that is circular with small facets evenly spaced out around the sphere. When sunlight hits the crystal multi-colored spots of the light display around the cab of the truck.

Multiple effects – one crystal

Now, GOD’s love is one with His hatred. His action and power are one with His patience and kindness and even gentleness.

Even when GOD strikes out at evil, it is being done in kindness. Two sides of the same coin so to speak.

I know this can be hard to accept, but think of a surgeon when it becomes necessary to cut out or cut off parts of a person’s organs or body in order to stop the spread of cancer.

Cutting is a violent act done in kindness to save the patient’s life.

So, behind GOD’s acts that we see only the surface, are His kindnesses driving His stern actions to protect and save.

Case in point: GOD the Father sent His only begotten Son to

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net