"For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked." (Psalm 141:5c)
The most common fallacy of the world and far too many Christians is the belief that hatred for sin translates into hatred for the sinner. Maybe some are like this; we are not. I don't hate Muslims, Arabs, homosexuals, communists, leftists, Democrats, etc., etc., yet this is exactly what many people think of me and those of us who are opposed to the sin-style of the aforementioned. "....My prayer is against the deeds of the wicked," not, "the wicked."
No one, absolutely no one better demonstrated this than our Lord Jesus Christ. Never once do we find His approval, ignoring, overlooking, or, "Well, some people just don't have a chance. They were born that way and I understand and give them a 'pass' on this one." No, never do we find this. Yet never do we find hatred toward the sinner. Just after the most harsh indictment of Jewish leadership in Matthew 23, Jesus weeps over them and expresses, "How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...." The Scripture is, "God so love the world, or better translated, "This is how God loved the world, He gave His Only Son." Father gave Himself to us and for us in the Son Jesus; "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...." This is not the passover of sin. It is the Passover of the sinner. By the Blood of Jesus, the death of Jesus humanity can receive forgiveness of sin and a "home" in Heaven. Without Him, the wicked are left to "their own devices."
What bothers me is that we even have to say we love, "the wicked." Is there something in our expressions or the proverbial "body language" which leaves the impression of no love for, "the wicked"? I pray not. Yet perhaps today's text is a reminder, a caution. If there is anything of hatred or, "against...the wicked," in us, repentance is in order. Likewise, if there is any winking at sin in Christendom------------- repentance.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the psalmist, "Search me, O God, and try my heart." Amen.
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The most common fallacy of the world and far too many Christians is the belief that hatred for sin translates into hatred for the sinner. Maybe some are like this; we are not. I don't hate Muslims, Arabs, homosexuals, communists, leftists, Democrats, etc., etc., yet this is exactly what many people think of me and those of us who are opposed to the sin-style of the aforementioned. "....My prayer is against the deeds of the wicked," not, "the wicked."
No one, absolutely no one better demonstrated this than our Lord Jesus Christ. Never once do we find His approval, ignoring, overlooking, or, "Well, some people just don't have a chance. They were born that way and I understand and give them a 'pass' on this one." No, never do we find this. Yet never do we find hatred toward the sinner. Just after the most harsh indictment of Jewish leadership in Matthew 23, Jesus weeps over them and expresses, "How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...." The Scripture is, "God so love the world, or better translated, "This is how God loved the world, He gave His Only Son." Father gave Himself to us and for us in the Son Jesus; "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...." This is not the passover of sin. It is the Passover of the sinner. By the Blood of Jesus, the death of Jesus humanity can receive forgiveness of sin and a "home" in Heaven. Without Him, the wicked are left to "their own devices."
What bothers me is that we even have to say we love, "the wicked." Is there something in our expressions or the proverbial "body language" which leaves the impression of no love for, "the wicked"? I pray not. Yet perhaps today's text is a reminder, a caution. If there is anything of hatred or, "against...the wicked," in us, repentance is in order. Likewise, if there is any winking at sin in Christendom------------- repentance.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the psalmist, "Search me, O God, and try my heart." Amen.
***************
* Check us out on Facebook
* A Most Provacative Article on War: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
