What saith the word?
Does God Hate?1/30/2017 Proverbs 6:16-19, Jeremiah 44:3-4, Isaiah 61:8, Amos 5:21-23, Zechariah 8:17, Malachi 2:16, and Revelation 2:16 are the inspired words from God which describe the fact that there are indeed things which God hates.
To put it simply, God hates sin. We have to keep in mind that we as Christians are opposed to sin, yet we live in a society in which many people love to partake in sin. God hates “workers of iniquity” and “abhors…deceitful man” (Psalms 5:5-6). A righteous God and judge must hate those things which are contrary to His nature. Yet, we also know God desires that all would be saved (1 Tim 2:4) and has instructed us as Christians to reach out to all men in this sinful state (Matt 28:19-20). Because God has a standard for all men, he hates anything which is contrary to that standard (Luke 6:46, John 12:48, etc.). The distinction between the sinful and the righteous can be seen in Psalms 11. Psalms 11:5-7 (KJV) The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Many people today are willing to overlook sin and a lifestyle which contradicts the manner in which the Bible instructs us to live. However, God’s word says He will not overlook these “sins” and “abominations” (Matt 25:46, 2 Cor. 5:10, 2 Thes 1:9, etc.). This is not a well-received teaching in today’s world, yet it is a Biblical teaching. The good news is that everyone who is in this position with his deeds being hated by God, was given a method by God to rectify the situation. Such a person involved in sin which God hates can repent of their sins (Acts 17:30) and be baptized (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16), and their sins are removed when they are added to the church (Acts 2:47). Christians have then been further blessed in that we have a continual method of cleansing these “sins” which God hates by confessing our sins and remaining faithful (1 John 1:7-9). Yes, God hates sin! Yet, he loves us enough to provide a solution to the problem of sin!
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God tells us clearly that these "gifts of the Holy Spirit" were to cease. In I Cor. 12, the apostle Paul lists those gifts. Then in the next chapter, he wrote: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (KJV) 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Notice that each gift was a "part", but when "the perfect" was come, the parts were to cease. The expression "the perfect" is from the Greek "to telion" which literally means: "complete, full-grown, fully developed." So, when the revelation of God's Word was completed, and confirmed, then the "parts" were done away. Note that Paul says, "For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even also I was fully known" (I Cor 13:12). This is explained by James, "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. For if any one is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing" (Jam 1:22-25). Some contend that these "gifts of the Spirit" were to continue until Christ comes, and we then see Him and the Father "face to face." Yet, look at the passage again: "Now we see in a mirror, darkly, but then face to face" (I Cor 13:12). No one looks into a mirror to see God, or anyone else. We look into a mirror to see ourselves. To shave, to put on makeup, etc., we need to see "face to face." That is the purpose of the mirror. And the Word of God is "the perfect law of liberty" (Jam 1:25), a spiritual mirror, into which we look to see our spiritual condition as God reveals it in His Word. That is what Paul says in I Cor 13. Because we have the revealed and written Word of God, confirmed (proved) by the miracles which the apostles did, we no longer need those "parts" which brought it into existence. So they have ceased and been done away. That includes all the miracles -- healing, raising the dead, etc. So, yes, the age and purpose of miracles have ended. We have the completed Word of God confirmed by these miracles and therefore there is no more need for such miracles. Many today believe or teach that the Holy Spirit needs to directly do something to man for his coming to the faith, or his remaining in the faith. Below are some of the favorite verses used to prove this false position and a response to those positions.
Acts 16:14 (KJV) And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. This is a favorite passage by many who teach the Holy Spirit Directs man. The claim is that “The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to heed the things of God”. Her heart was opened, but notice how. Paul spoke first. The opening was done through his preaching of the Word (Rom 10:17). Those who misuse this verse error additionally, in that “The LORD opened her heart”. In Scripture, the Holy Spirit is never referred to as the Lord. 2Acts 11:21 (KJV) And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Some state this is the Holy Spirit leading the preacher. This verse deals with providence. The hand of the Lord was with them, not the preachers. Additionally, this is not even the hand of the Holy Spirit. Clearly they are trying to make a verse fit their doctrinal teaching. John 6:44 (KJV) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Their argument is that those that come must be drawn by the Holy Spirit. The problem is this leaves out the next verse. John 6:45 says they will be taught. Through teaching (Rom 10:17) there is a drawing. The indwelling teaching of the Holy Spirit also replaces the Father’s “drawing” with the Holy Spirit “drawing”. Luke 24:45 (KJV) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Many teach the Holy Spirit had to open their understanding. Jesus did this, not the Holy Spirit, by explaining the scriptures to them. They were taught, not directly operated on by the Holy Spirit. A number of other verses could be viewed here, but the result is the same in every case. The direct operation theory of the Holy Spirit contradicts God’s impartiality. If He saves some and not others, He become partial (Acts 10:34). It violates the principle of the free-moral agency of a man. The person has no choice in a direct operation. It violates the principle of Divine Economy. Devine economy: God uses the most expedient and intelligent mode of operation in whatever He does. The direct operation theory of the Holy Spirit violates the necessity of the great commission (Man’s command to teach, baptize, and continuing to teach those believers). These are provided for your personal study and growth.Archives
February 2020
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