A New Beginning!

Get ready to tackle a hard verse.

I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your instruction.

I hate double-minded men,
    but I love your law.

That’s cold and harsh, isn’t it?

HATE

That word, hate, has tripped me up before, too.

We are taught that God is love, and He is. Looking to God’s law, to His precepts—that is what this study in Psalm 119 is all about.

Look at the second phrase of our key verse. Is the Psalmist saying that God instructed him to hate double minded people? Does God hate anyone?

Don’t ignore this verse just because it’s difficult, and don’t rush to defend God, as if He has sinned.

Everything God does is just and right. We simply need to trust Him. We need to study His Word for understanding.

Jesus loved sinners during His time on earth. He shared meals and conversations with those who sought Him.

But, He never engaged in their sin. He didn’t alter His teachings to please the world, including religious leaders, some of whom hated Jesus.

We can understand these hard verses by praying for the Spirit’s help, reading God’s Word, and seeking Biblically sound resources.

The object of God’s hatred is sin. But God can’t just judge the sin. God judges sinners. The wages of sin is death and separation from God.

DEATH

Jesus is clear. When someone rejects salvation, they are given over to their sinful choice. Their hearts harden without regret. At judgment, they will hear, “depart. I never knew you.” Matthew 7:23 CSB

Here is what I found by reading scripture. When you see God’s attributes, you understand His ways. His holy wrath for sin and rebellious sinners makes perfect sense.

• God is love. 1 John 4:8
• God did not send Jesus to condemn anyone, but He wants every soul to be saved. John 3:16-17
• God is holy and just in all of his ways. Psalm 145:17
• God even pursues wicked people for salvation. Jonah 3
• Mankind hates God, by nature. Colossians 1:21

Mankind chooses to reject God, even when they know the Truth.

 For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Therefore, turn yourselves, and live! Ezekiel 18:32 (WEB)

And He still loved us.

 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 (WEB)

• God hates the wickedness that takes lives and abuses or steals hope from others. Deuteronomy 12:30-32
• Mankind rebels. Scripture reveals that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. 1 Samuel 15:23
• God hates double-mindedness. Look at this passage to understand why. James 1:6-8

God is perfect. He loves with perfection, and he hates with justice. He does not hate with sinful pride, retribution, or malice.

He also has wrath for sinners who refuse to accept His free and perfect Gift of redemption.

Believers should have holy fear of God. Reverential wonder and awe are the proper responses that should flow from our hearts. We should not be terrified, as if God is stalking us like prey. He loves us and even though true believers still sin, He sees Jesus, our substitute when He looks at you and me.

Take comfort from the following verse from today’s devotion:

You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.

Psalm 119:114 (WEB)

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.