Whom God Hates and Loves

We hear that God loves people. Are we aware that he hates some and that he even has something of a love-hate relationship with those he loves?

Psalms 5:5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

Do I, at least some times fit into this category?

Psalms 11:5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.

Do I ever love violence in a video game or in a movie or at a sporting event?

Psalm 21:8 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. 9 At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. 10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. 11 Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed; 12 for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. 13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

I think we can never know the depths of the love of God until we recognize the reality of his righteous hatred toward sinners like us. His love is displayed to us in mercy and grace, mercy that does not treat us as our sins deserve and grace that lavishes blessing on us that we do not merit. Until we acknowledge the depth of God’s hatred for sin and sinners, we will not appreciate and value rightly the quality and magnitude of his love for a sinner like me.