The gospel is…the word about Jesus Christ and what he did for us in order to restore us to a right relationship with God. – Graeme Goldsworthy

Thursday, September 8, 2011

God's Hatred...and the Sweetness of the Gospel

God hates. The Holy Spirit tells us in Proverbs 6.16-18:

There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

Where are you found lately in Proverbs 6.16-18? Are the windows of your soul communicating arrogance because of some accomplishment or status in life you’ve attained?  Are you trying to maintain your status or public perception by a tongue that’s spouting false realities to cover for your deficiencies and insecurities? Have your hands or feet been instruments of unholy anger or passion, driving you to do things that later, upon reflection, makes you horrified with shame? Has your soul been scheming to enjoy sin in the dark corners of your “private” life?  Have you intentionally withheld or added details to a story you’ve told in order to damage another’s reputation and exalt yourself? Are you a source of disunity within your extended family, group of friends, or local church – consistently and subtly incriminating others’ motives and actions to any who will listen? Friend, God hates such things.

Who of us is innocent? Who of us can say, “Nope. Not here. I’m good.” Only those who are blinded to their sin and minimize God’s holiness. Only those who don’t see their desperate need for Jesus. Only those who aren’t gripped by the gospel.

So great is the anger of God against the sins of human beings that one famous prophet in the OT implicitly informs us what He righteously desires to do when transgression occurs: wound, crush, chastise, and lacerate (cf. Is. 53.5). “That’s offensive,” one might respond. I agree. But not as it relates to the rightness of such punishment. What’s offense is our sin. God hates it. And He’s perfectly justified to do so as Creator.

But that’s not the point of this blog – or, praise God, the Bible! Do you see that instead of God’s hatred being unleashed on you – by wounding, crushing, chastising, and lacerating you for all eternity in hell – He unleashed it on His favorite and only Child? This is the beauty of the cross!

Where are you found lately in Proverbs 6.16-18? Friend, if you’re gripped by the gospel, know today that Another soaked up the punishment for your hated transgressions. Your sin was completely absolved on a splintery instrument of capital punishment! Let us worship with gratitude today for this glorious truth!

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
– Stuart Townend

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