“I stopped believing in God because of the Bible,” said the soup kitchen volunteer. “I couldn’t get over how many times it says God hates people!” I know that volunteer and find him to be a thoughtful young man. But is he right?
We can accept it when King David writes, “O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked” (Psalm 5:4). But the next verse unsettles us: “The proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil” (Psalm 5:5). A few pages later we read, “[The Lord] hates those who love violence” (Psalm 11:5).
God hates people? But isn’t God love?
The gospel itself is simple, yet God’s character presents us with a complexity we can’t fully grasp. But let’s try to understand it in our terms. Doesn’t something within you despise evil when you encounter it? Imagine how a perfect, holy God must feel!
This awareness invigorates our understanding of Jesus on the cross. There we read the most heartrending cry in all history, rushing forth from Jesus’ anguished soul: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46). The witnesses near the cross would have recognized those prophetic words from Psalm 22:1, which described crucifixion before it had even been thought of. Jesus paid a tremendous price so we could have His righteousness as our own.
God hates those who do evil because of what it does to us. He hates what we have done to His creation and to ourselves. Yet He loves us so much that “He gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
Yes, God hates—because He hates sin. And He loves. Jesus took the hate to the cross—because of His love for us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 20:1-22
More:
Psalm 22 shows us a picture of the crucifixion and what our sin cost the Messiah. Read especially Psalm 22:1, 6-18, 29-31.
Next:
Which portions of the Bible trouble you the most? What might these passages be telling you about the nature of God and the human condition?
Gary Shultz on February 15, 2017 at 5:23 am
Hi Tim: I know you write these and ODB articles ahead of time, but you were busy. I often enjoy your work, as I did today in ODB. For myself I stick to responding to ODJ. Of course you bring up another subject to wrestle with, here at ODJ. Just as many of David’s writings start out with a dismal and discouraging state, he gets the bubble level at some point. To me God has the right and privilege to pronounce judgement and even His hot dislike, even hate to a person. First of all God has made an outlandish offer to each person who ever dew breath, and protected those that didn’t make it that far. When God has given His very best to meet us, and arrogant selfish pride is all that a life produces, from a human stand point it is difficult to separate the sin from the man. God knows that we don’t, I guess that’s why we are required to love our enemies. God should be able to use us at any time to shine His love toward or on somebody and that’s “the other side of the coin”. I think it’s Prov. 16:4 that gives us some insight. So, we must let God be God and we are to be his servants working toward maturity as we are His children. Since God is the knower of all things and we are not, I think it’s best to let Him make those calls. Little long, thanks Tim
tim gustafson on February 15, 2017 at 7:46 am
GG, it really breaks my heart because I am close to this young man. He really believes he is doing “moral” things “for goodness’ sake.” It is sad and futile. I pray for him often!
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 7:56 am
Tim, I just prayed for that young man too. I see a lot of young people like him today. They try to live a social gospel…WITHOUT the Gospel! Very sad. You keep SHOWING him God’s love, Tim.
tim gustafson on February 15, 2017 at 7:51 am
Hmm, I’m not sure why my comments to GG are going to Gary. Well, no matter. : ) It’s intriguing to me how the two articles (“Lies and Kittens” and this one) show two different perspectives of the very same loving God. This one was hard to write. I struggle with some of the harder Scriptures — as does the young man I write about here. He’s an intelligent guy, and he’s always civil to me, but he is just not seeing how much God LOVES. And that’s why God hates evil.
Gary Shultz on February 15, 2017 at 5:41 am
Hi again STBP: I see sometimes a few people follow their own comments. I’m doing that because I was getting long and had an unrelated thought. Do you think we will be able to “carry on” in heaven? If we can we’ll have a good time, I just don’t want to get us kicked out…..And thanks GG you have been very kind.
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 7:38 am
LOL! I believe we will, BWO! 🙂
don777 on February 15, 2017 at 6:41 am
I know this; John 3:16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
I deserve death but He gave me life +>i 🙂
tim gustafson on February 15, 2017 at 7:53 am
Don, when I stop to think that Jesus Himself cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” … Well, that puts our salvation into context for me. He did that for us. Words fail me.
beggar who found bread on February 15, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Tim, I imagine a huge vacuum (deeper and more powerful than the deepest black hole) being created when Jesus who said “I do nothing of my own accord”, “if you have seen me you have seen the Father” and “before Abraham was I am” (there was not an atom of separation between Jesus and the Father) was somehow separated from the Father by taking on our sin…. but that separation could not be sustained and imploded taking our sin and death with it. A clunky image to be sure but the best my puny mind can conjure up on this side of eternity. The power of Jesus trusting and obeying when what the Father was asking Him to do made no earthly sense (and in fact was horrifying) is mind blowing.
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 7:35 am
Greetings, Tim. It’s sad when people don’t take the time to investigate the whole counsel of God’s word on a matter. I imagine, like the volunteer, most are just looking for an excuse for their unbelief. Surely there are plenty of things I can’t wrap my head around, but what little understanding God has given me is more than enough reason to trust Him. My husband recently taught a lesson on Genesis 1: 1…just the first 3 words! It had us all digging for hidden, yet accessible treasure. God, though incomprehensible, has made Himself known to us—through His creation, His written word, and Jesus, the Living Word—and I’m so thrilled about it. Are there things we can’t understand? You bet. I’ve got a couple of cans of worms that I’m not even going to open up this morning on the forum, lest I get…um…rebuked? (Haha…just kidding) They have been age-old debates, and I’m quite sure we won’t be solving them today. But I do have a great appreciation for the “mysteries” of God. It doesn’t frustrate me. Rather, it reminds me that He is the Great I AM. There is a verse that I love to go to when I’m “stumped” about something regarding God and His word. It’s Deuteronomy 29: 29—“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all of the words of this law.” I’d say we have enough revealed stuff to keep us on our toes for a very very long time, don’t you think? Thanks for being a blessing to us, Tim. Grace and peace today, sojourners.
tim gustafson on February 15, 2017 at 9:58 am
GG, I think I’m gonna have to use Deut. 29:29 as a catalyst for another article. What a great summation of all the blessings He gives us! I guess the takeaway for me on that verse is that we are to obey what we know to obey. And yes, that is plenty!
samgaskill on February 15, 2017 at 11:32 am
Hi GG! I too am blessed by Deuteronomy 29:29. So worthy of remembrance. Humbling and encouraging at the same time! Have a wonderful day and may the revelations you receive and keep for yourself and your children be many!!! Mary
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 11:57 am
Yes! I receive that blessing. Thanks, sweet Mary!
samgaskill on February 15, 2017 at 10:36 am
Good morning friends! Thank-you Tim for taking us along in this journey of “trusting” God, even when we are unable to see the whole picture. To comprehend the hate for sin God has, or to understand what appears foreign or perhaps even wrong (in our ignorance) in His Word, requires a childlike trust and surrender. To me it appears that “trust” in God is what allows us to accept what we cannot understand at the present time. Trust, especially in God’s perfect will, is paramount in accepting everything God does and says is good and perfect. As a new believer some time ago, I clung to Proverbs 3:5; “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” I simply had to keep returning here, because there was too much I couldn’t wrap my mind around, especially in light of great suffering in those around me. My empathetic nature rebelled the first time I read through the Old Testament trying to reconcile words like hate or the wrath of God. I read with my emotion filter, lacking understanding but God didn’t allow me to stay there : ) I wonder if this young man is most focused on what he feels, perhaps highly sensitive to the hurt in others around him. As a “thoughtful” person, could he be burdened with the suffering of others, unable to move forward in faith, blind for a time, in seeing God is with us. I am praying for this young man as I see a bit of myself in him many years ago also wondering why God would allow such suffering in the world. I was seeking then and I know now God was at work orchestrating events and placing people in my life so that when my heart was ready; and my eyes opened; I ran to Him with total abandon! So great was the relief I felt, the love I found. I can hardly remember who I was then, or the questions I had, but I bet they were much like our friend in the story today. Isaiah 26:3 says “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” I like to picture God now working in this young mans life; readying his heart, placing people like yourself alongside him. Is God causing him to wonder about the “peace” and the “hope” you and others in the soup kitchen have? No coincidence you are joined with him today planting the seeds that God will water and grow. Today I like to think about the changes in this young mans life that are coming, ponder on what we cannot see but know God is doing in love. What a beautiful and powerful testimony his may be in time, especially for those unable to reconcile God’s love for them, but hate for sin. Tim, I pray for opportunity for you both to enjoy more fellowship time as you serve together. That what he sees in you is Jesus, and that he will find our Lord irresistible and the only answer for what he now seeks to reconcile. God bless you all and know how much I value what I glean from everyone. Thank-you Lord for working upstream in our lives, with patience and endless love. Amen.
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 10:51 am
Amen and amen, Mary! Great insight into what might be the driving force behind this young man’s unbelieving heart. No doubt in my mind, God is at work. And I, too, believe that Tim is part of His work in this young man’s life. All in the fullness of time. Mary, I so appreciate your gift of mercy when you share on the forum! A blessed day to you, beloved.
tim gustafson on February 15, 2017 at 11:11 am
samgaskill, you encouraged me so much this morning I am tearing up. No, really! You have a real compassion for our world, and with all the noise and anger and rancor that we see and hear today, THAT honors God more than anything I can think of. Thank you!
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 11:28 am
So true, Tim! (All the noise and the clamor) You really do have our Father’s eyes, Mary. 🙂
hsnpoor on February 15, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Oh, what a tangled web we weave for ourselves when we insist on trying to live our lives outside of the Giver & Sustainer of life. If God really hated people, He would have every right to do so; or, as my Mama used to say (can’t believe this is the 2nd time in as many days this comment has come to haunt me): ‘”girl, I brought you into this world and I can take you out of it”. But, the plethora of scripture makes it very clear that it is not people God hates, it’s their propensity to live the gift of life he’s given them in perpetual rebellion against Him…. He. who is the lover of our souls and who knows what is best for us, but has to watch as we squander our lives pursuing what we see as good; chasing the wind instead of following our All-Loving God. What fools we can be. Who, but God, would or could lay down their life to save a wretch like me. That is not an act of hate. It’s THE most audacious act of love ever and it will never be topped and I pray that young, thoughtful, good-hearted man will accept that gift of salvation, that cost God so much, while the blood yet runs warm through his veins. I really do, In The Able Name of Jesus, I do!
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Well, I wasn’t going to open any cans of worms today, but I guess I have to now. See what you did, Kim? 🙂 I believe God does hate the wicked…just like it says in the Bible. I know it’s too hard for our finite minds to understand, but I believe God loves and hates in perfect harmony. His hatred is as perfect as His love. And I believe they exist in Him without contradiction. In the famous list of THINGS God hates is also included PEOPLE (Proverbs 6: 16-19)…a false witness and a troublemaker. In Psalm 5: 5, we see that God hates all workers of iniquity. In Psalm 11: 5 we are told that God hates the wicked and those who love violence. Because of His holiness, God can not separate the sinner from their sin EXCEPT through the blood of Christ. So He hates both sin and sinner. But wait! That’s not all! (LOL…Infomercial slang) Colossians 1: 21 tells us that we are God’s ENEMY apart from the redeeming work of Christ. At the same time, we know of God’s LOVE for mankind in verses like John 3: 16 and in Romans 5: 8 that says “while we were still sinners” God LOVED US and sent Christ to die for us. So, in His hatred of sin AND sinners, He loves and provides the Remedy for reconciliation and friendship. It’s not hard to see this when we look at the cross, is it? God’s hatred and wrath meet His justice and love. Who, but God, could unify such a contradiction? I’m in awe. He is glorious!
gagirllive on February 15, 2017 at 1:06 pm
And I might add that (Tim, I hope you’re still listening in today) that young man is right in his comment, though he is blind to its implications. Little does he realize the gravity of being under God’s wrath because of His misunderstanding of God’s holiness and his sinfulness. Praying his heart will open to the love of God that is extended toward him today.
hsnpoor on February 15, 2017 at 7:29 pm
Hmmmm, I’m gonna have to noodle on that a bit, but off hand, I’m not sure that I agree that God’s hatred is as perfect as His love. God IS love and the story of God is a love story between Him and us. I believe God’s love trumps God’s hatred. Yes, God is not just Holy, but Holy, Holy, Holy is He, yet I don’t see His holiness forbidding Him from separating the sinner from the sin. He did indeed do that at the cross. And His amazing love allows each and everyone of us the freedom of choice to accept that gift or reject it. I have no doubt in my mind that God is acutely grieved whenever His gift of love is rejected because God is not Hate, HE IS LOVE, which would indicate to me that he continues to love those who reject His love, even to the uttermost borders of hell.
tim gustafson on February 15, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Thanks, Kim. I do agree with you. But from the perspective of my twenty-something friend here, he knows (some) of what the Bible says. And it does directly say that God “hates” certain things and certain people. How do we explain things like this to them? How do we reconcile God saying, “Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated”? And I think you bring it exactly where it has to be—right to the cross. God hates sin so much, and loves us so much, that He literally gave us His Son. Of course, all of this is difficult to get through to a young atheist. Or, should I say, agnostic. (I’m not sure I can prove atheists exist. haha)
By the way, your mama sounds a little bit like my wife. 🙂
hsnpoor on February 15, 2017 at 7:39 pm
She sounds like a good woman, Tim. Difficult, but good to the core! I think all of those hate statements have to be viewed through the lens that God IS love, not hate. What I mean by that I’ve noted in my reply to GG above. I hope, pray and trust that your friend gives himself the chance to ask God face-to-face. He’s a hard nut to crack because it doesn’t sound like he’s taken his position because of intellect, but rather because God’s value system doesn’t align with his own and apparently he believes his own is superior to God’s. That’s some tricky, sinking sand there…..
trey102 on February 15, 2017 at 4:55 pm
I was happy to see that you went to such a deep place with this while managing to keep it so simple. You clearly have a great understanding 🙂
I have found myself at this point in my life with my closest friends either being agnostic or otherwise angry at God, blessed though we all are. One of those who is most angry with God often goes to a place of demanding proof (which he is not learned enough in history, archaeology, apologetics, or the related necessary fields to understand) or rationalizing that a just God could not hate anyone. I am tempted to say that it comes down to a matter of translation and semantic properties within languages when we talk about “hate” being directed towards the person rather than the action, but I think you have done the matter justice. It does me good to remember that God is steadfast in His judgement, yet all the while never forgetting His love and mercy. I am reminded of a powerful prayer for forgiveness of sin, part of which says, “We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.”
Thanks for writing this.