Lk. 6:27-36, Goodness/Kindness vs Sins of Hatred (2)

To deal with the sins of hatred sometimes is difficult, because we are unwilling to face up to them.  The word of God is to be like a mirror for us, revealing what we are really like (Jas. 1:23).  Are we willing to accept what it says, and confess our sins?

·       We are not to hate even our enemies but to love them (Mt. 5:43-48).  We hate when we don’t love.  Are there not even times when we treat our loved ones as enemies? 

·       Rom. 13:13 says to behave decently.  Interesting!  Indecent behavior is like orgies and drunkenness, debauchery.  That we readily accept.  But then it also says: not in strife (that’s the word for contentions in Gal. 5:20) and jealousy (note, as in Gal. 5:20, how jealousy and contention go together).  Being contentious is indecent behavior!

·       1 Cor. 3:3 tells us that jealousy is “worldly” (carnal).  And again: jealousy (envy in the NKJV is the Greek term for jealousy used in Gal. 5:20) is tied to strife (NKJV contentions in Gal. 5:20) and divisions (NKJV dissensions in Gal. 5:20).  By now we should understand, that when we are argumentative with others, the problem stems from some issue of jealousy in us!

·       The accompanying fits of rage must be put off (Eph. 4:31), along with bitterness, slander and every other form of malice.  Do you hear that?  Rage is malicious!

We need to confess this as sin (1 John 1:9), agreeing with God rather than denying what we see in the mirror of the Word.  Confession is necessary for the cleansing work of Christ to become real to us.  Remember, He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (Pr. 28:13).  There is no repentance without confession.  And we must repent of the sins of hatred.

Repentance means to turn around.  It implies turning from something (sins of hatred) and turning to something.  What fruit of the Spirit bring victory over hatred?  Certainly, love and self-control are fundamental; and gentleness and faithfulness will contribute mightily.  But here are two that are tied to hatred in Scripture.

Ø Goodness: This is the broader term of the two.  It includes confrontive types of goodness (discipline) as well as doing good works (meeting needs).

Ø Kindness: This refers only to positive acts of kindness.

Both terms are not mere thoughts or attitudes but require genuine expressions.  You should have seen the connection in today’s reading.  In our next post we will work through that passage and another critical passage in Romans.  For now, let us be encouraged to hear the Lord and to see ourselves in the mirror of Scripture.  Let us confess our jealousies and the hurtful results they bring.  In your contentions, you may want to call attention to the issues in the other person/people.  But this will only serve to destroy your own testimony of grace.  Let us hear the Lord and fear Him.