"What God Hates"

 

“What God Hates”

 

Most of us have listened to many messages on God’s love (I’ve preached a lot of them) but I can’t recall hearing (or preaching) one on what God hates. Why is this the case? Two reasons come to mind: God’s love is emphasized far more and we like to hear the positive rather than what we perceive as negative. Recently I read a devotional article based on Isaiah 61 in which God says, “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity.” (Verse 8). I asked myself why this is and concluded that it’s because sin is an affront to God’s holiness. What else does He hate? In Malachi 2:16 He states, “I hate divorce.” because it violates His design for marriage given in Genesis 2:24. And in Proverbs 6:16-19 Solomon lists seven things that are “…detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness that pours out lies and a (person) who stirs up dissension among (brothers and sisters).” because they adversely affect our relationship with Him and our fellow humans.

Is there a place for both love and hatred? In God’s economy the answer is yes. Solomon asserts that there’s “…a time to love and a time to hate….” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). But please note in the above references that God hates actions, not people. Our Lord’s friend quotes Him: “For God so loved the world (i.e. all people) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, emphasis added). So God separates the person from the deeds, something we humans find difficult to do.

Let me add a quick word about a statement Bible critics have cited to “prove” God’s hatred for some people. God spoke through His prophet, “I have loved Jacob, but Esau have I hated….” (Malachi 1:2-3). But He’s referring to the activities of the nations which descended from these brothers: Israel and Edom. Israel accepted God’s ways (although they strayed from them often); in contrast Edom lived in rebellion against Him throughout its history. So again it was the Edomites’ sinful acts which God hated, not the individuals. It’s probable, then, that some from this nation will be in Heaven (Revelation 7:9 says, “…a great multitude…from every nation, tribe, people and language, (were) standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”{Emphasis added}).

God shows justice, love, grace and mercy to all but He hates sin in any form. But He stands ready to forgive all sin as we trust in Jesus’ sacrifice (see 1 John 1:9). Is there any good reason not to accept His offer?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Something Missing"

 

“Something Missing”

 

A few years ago a sports celebrity was the subject of a segment on a TV news magazine program. This superstar gave the appearance of having the world by the tail but in response to a question by the interviewer said he felt like something was missing from his life. When asked what he thought that might be his reply was, “I wish I knew.”

People can live in ideal circumstances but still, rightly or wrongly, sense they’re missing something. Such may have been the case with Adam and Eve. God created them and put them in a perfect environment in which He met their every need. Enter Satan, who as the angel Lucifer was “…cast down to the earth….” from Heaven for saying, “…I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12,14). He deceived our first parents by putting doubts in their minds about God’s words and claiming “…you will be like God….” (Genesis 3:5), a goal which led to his being separated from God. Perhaps Adam and Eve felt they were missing something so disobeyed their Creator and ate fruit from the forbidden tree. Their act of sin has impacted every person since then (“When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race.”—Romans 5:12, NLT), all because they were tricked into thinking they were missing something from God.

In Acts 10 we meet a Roman centurion named Cornelius who with “…all his family were devout and God-fearing….” (Verse 2) but he sensed something was missing. Then God spoke to Peter who went to Cornelius’ house and “…(told him) the good news of peace through Jesus Christ….” (Verse 36). This opened the door to ministry to the Gentiles and is part of our spiritual heritage almost 2000 years later.

Cornelius found out that the “something missing” was a relationship with God through faith in Christ which he received when he believed Peter’s message from God. My prayer is that the athlete mentioned above as well as people all over the world would come to the same realization as Cornelius did so they might be “…filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT). Please pray with me to this end.

 

Race and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Operating Systems"

 

“Operating Systems”

 

My computer skills are virtually nil, especially in understanding the technology involved. What I do know is that they are powered by operating systems, defined in Oxford Languages as “software that supports a computer’s basic functions”. Many such programs are available but in 2024 Android, Windows and iOS controlled about 90% of this lucrative market.

No matter what operating system (OS) is utilized each computer does only what it’s programmed to do. So in effect there’s no such thing as computer error (a problem stems from what’s entered) but glitches (sudden malfunctions) are always possible. When this happens chaos can result. Last July Karen and I arrived at the Tampa Airport to begin our Alaska trip (which had been postponed from the previous year due to illness) only to find that a computer bug had delayed or cancelled most flights and our airline couldn’t get us to our destination until several days into our tour. So we postponed it (again) until this coming August. You also may have experienced problems when an OS failed to perform as expected.

A recent Our Daily Bread devotional states, “Believers in Jesus have a new operating system.” Paul writes, “You…are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” (Romans 8:9). So rather than “Doin’ What Comes Naturally”, with the Spirit’s presence in us we do what God desires us to do. This is always a struggle (“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other….”—Galatians 5:19) but “…thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

So…what’s my operating system? Yours?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Sandbags"

 

“Sandbags”

 

Here in Florida sandbags are a common item for flood protection, especially during hurricane storm surges. But they’re also used under less threatening conditions. In recent weeks I’ve noticed some near the doors to the lower level of our church building because of sudden downpours. This aroused my curiosity as to their history and other uses.

Sandbags can be traced back to antiquity when they were utilized for protection, fortifications and (as they are today) flood control. They began to be made and used as we now know them (sand in a bag made of sturdy material) in the 18^th century, particularly in The Netherlands. Along with levees they form an effective barrier when dangerous weather conditions arise. During World War II Londoners used them during frequent Axis bombings and they were also placed on tanks to provide added defense against anti-tank weapons.

The term can be used colloquially for deceiving a person or group in order to gain some kind of advantage or to hinder progress. Some have traced it to poker players’ pretending to have a good hand to prompt others to “up the ante” (in such cases it’s synonymous with bluff). Others say it originated with those wanting to maintain control by blocking others’ suggestions and efforts.

Scripture cites a number of examples of sandbagging to hinder God’s work. In Ezra 4:4 we’re told that the Jews’ enemies “…set out to discourage the people of Judah and made them afraid to go on building.” Some time later a complaint was brought that the Jews’ motive for rebuilding was “…to the detriment of the royal interests.” and caused the work to stop (Ezra 4:23). Later research into historical records showed that Cyrus, an earlier emperor, had issued a decree stating, “Let the temple be rebuilt….” (Ezra 6:3) which was done under the leadership of Zerubbabel. So the attempted sandbagging ultimately failed. Then about 75 years later Nehemiah answered God’s call to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. The project was completed in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15) but not without at least six attempts at sandbagging the work. In each case God’s servant called on Him for help which overcame the opposition. On these and other occasions God intervened to fulfill His purposes.

Maybe you’ve felt the efforts of our archenemy to sandbag your life in some way. If so, listen to King David: “In (God’s) strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.” (Psalm 18:29, NLT)—including those of sandbags! So with His prophet let’s “Trust in the Lord forever….” (Isaiah 26:4).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Follow Through"

 

“Follow Through”

 

Shortly after moving to Lakeland I joined a bowling league made up of residents and friends of our community. I hadn’t bowled regularly in decades so it took a while to rehone my skills (which were limited to begin with) and achieve a respectable average. Then with the aging process came some physical problems which caused my scores to go south. Recently, though, with friends’ suggestions, I made some adjustments and saw improvement. The biggest change was to follow through after releasing the ball—failure to do so often leads to less than desirable results. The same principle can be applied to golf swings, baseball pitching and basketball shots.

In my first ministry role as a youth pastor the lead pastor spoke to me about my “follow through”. He noticed my tendency not to see my assignments through to completion which often led to mediocre outcomes. With this sage counsel and God’s help I became more aware of this need in my life and over the years I’ve done better at not leaving tasks unfinished.

As I thought about this bowling hint and my pastoral mentor’s observation I saw Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6 in a new light: “(I am) confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Emphasis added). I realized that God started His work in my life when I received Christ as a grade schooler and won’t stop guiding and shaping me until I’m Home with Him. I’m a work of God’s grace (“…By the grace of God I am what I am….”—1 Corinthians 15:10) and He’ll follow through for as long as I live on earth. He hasn’t given up on me and He never will.

We could also say that God followed through with His plan of redemption, His “…eternal purpose….” (Ephesians 3:11), that “(Christ) was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.” (Romans 4:25, NLT). Just as God didn’t leave His work of creation incomplete (“…The heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.”—Genesis 2:1) and Jesus “…completed the task (His Father) gave (Him) to do.” (John 17:4, PH) we can say with David, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me….” (Psalm 138:8). God is a “follow through” God—may we be “follow through” believers honoring Him.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Visas"

 

“Visas”

 

Churches I’ve attended and pastored have had many missionaries come to share their experiences of the work God called them to do. Some had ministered for decades and others were just starting out and seeking to build prayer and financial support. There were those in the latter category who had applied for visas to enter the countries where they would serve, which was often a slow process and called for patience in waiting on God’s timing.

As a grade schooler I remember a lady who was a nurse whose desire was to go to a nation where health care was almost non-existent. At the time of her visit to my church she was rejoicing because she had received word the previous week that her visa had been granted and she’d soon be on her way to the “field” where she faithfully cared for patients for many years. God recently brought her to mind so I did some research on visas.

A visa is defined as “an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country”. Different nations have various policies such as requiring documentation if the traveler is coming from certain countries. Our government has some 80 categories for visas to enter the U.S.—some general areas include athletics, business, work, diplomats, religious work and students. The holders usually have a time limit to legally remain in country which necessitates their leaving for a period before applying for re-entrance.

In a sense our life is like a visa from God for our time on earth. At birth we’re citizens of the nation in which we live, a privilege that lasts until we die or move to another country. But as believers in Christ we’re citizens of His kingdom as well. Paul contrasted the two when he wrote, “…All (Christ’s enemies) think about is this life on earth. But we are citizens of heaven….” (Philippians 3:20-21, NLT). So our “visa” from God assures us that we’ll enter Heaven and live eternally in His presence (“…God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”—1 Peter 1:4, NLT). In 1919 an unknown songwriter expressed this hope in these words: “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through, My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue….” where “In (God’s) presence is fullness of joy….” (Psalm 16:11, NKJV).

Heavenly citizenship is offered to “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord….” (Romans 10:13). Have you procured your “heavenly visa” by trusting in Christ?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Daily Bookends"

 

“Daily Bookends”

 

The use of bookends goes back several centuries to the invention of the printing press in 1453 and the publication of books as we know them today. They were very costly in the 15^th century so it was primarily the well-to-do who purchased them. To hold them in place bookends became popular but they were mostly decorative to display the owners’ wealth. But in 1877 William Barnard patented one that was made of sheet metal and L-shaped so the books were kept from falling over. Because of their practicality and low cost they became commonplace in homes and libraries.

Gradually the term became used symbolically for beginnings and endings, setting parameters and framing periods of significant events. For example, in the Northeast Memorial Day and Labor Day were described as the “bookends” of the summer vacation season. It also describes a poker hand of an ace and ten as the high and low cards. And President Obama once said that his upcoming “State of the Union” address would be a “bookend” to a previous speech. And on TV crime shows a bookend is a frequent murder weapon.

While reading and journaling in the Psalms earlier this year I discovered “daily bookends”. In Psalm 5:3 (NLT) David writes, “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” So his day began with prayer. And in Psalm 4 (NASB) he says, “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer…In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Verses 1,8). As his day had begun in fellowship with God it ended in the same way. So for him prayer formed the “bookends” for each day. I had to ask myself, “What’s my first thought and action at the start of each new day and what are they at its close?” And what about the time between our waking up and drifting into dreamland? Paul’s counsel is to “…pray continually….” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “…keep on praying….” (Ephesians 6:18) and “Be…faithful in prayer….” (Romans 12:12). In other words, we’re to maintain and attitude of prayer at all times. So let’s fill the time between the “bookends” of each day in communication with our Lord.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan