Sunday Sermons
When "Like" is not Enough
When "Like" is not Enough
In Romans chapter 12 we find a section of powerful, yet concise statements, such as…
- “Let love be without hypocrisy”.
- “Not lagging behind in diligence”.
- “Fervent in spirit”.
- “Rejoicing in hope”.
In the midst of this section find the directive: “abhor what is evil, cleave to what is good” (Romans 12:9). The word “abhor” is a very powerful term; it means to hate intensely, in fact, it means to “shudder” and it carries the idea of “loathing”. One translation says, “regard evil with horror” (Wey). There are other times in the Bible when God has selected very strong terms, like the word “abhor” and also attached it evil. Obviously there is the word “hate” (Proverbs 6:16-19), and there are also words such as “detestable” or “abomination”, regarding behaviors which cause extreme disgust in hearts that abhor evil. There are times that God actually pauses in scripture to give us a list of things that disgust Him (Leviticus 18; Deuteronomy 22:5; Deuteronomy 18:9-12).
We live in a time when Christians are frequently accused of being “hateful” or “haters” because we are not excited about, endorsing or supporting the sinful behaviors that our culture considers to be cutting edge, popular, or a sign of being sophisticated. Yet, this is not new, for God’s people were not appreciated in the New Testament either (1 Corinthians 2:15). The more I think about it, this label of being a “hater” that some want to place on Christians is so far from reality. I recently heard a Christian say that although he could go on and on with regard to things he loves and enjoys, there were actually very few things in his heart that he sincerely “hated”. I believe that this is true for most Christians. Personally, in my heart, the category that contains a number of things is the category of “dislike” or the “things that I am not very excited about”. Yet dislike and “abhor” can be worlds apart. There are restaurants that I do not personally like, and are not my first choice—but I don’t hate them. The same is true with cities, music and a host of other choices. Another way of looking at this is asking ourselves the question, “How many things really make you shudder? What disgusts you?” That category is likely quite small. Yet, there are times it is too small.
The Challenge with Evil
What makes abhorring evil a challenge at times is that the devil is very skilled at packaging evil in a harmless looking form. And he has countless people on this earth helping him (Isaiah 5:20). For example, the Bible warns us about the dangers associated with intoxicating beverages (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35). Yet a bottle or glass a wine in an ad with a happy looking couple, especially when found in something like Sunset Magazine, seems not only harmless, but luxurious. Today a number of people find it very hard to either condemn fornication, adultery or homosexuality, because they know someone who by all appearances is quite fun and charming who is involved in that behavior.
What One Preacher Recommended
But what happens when one takes a step back, and looks past all the beautiful, happy faces and all the hip marketing and simply look at the practice for what it is. What if I told you that I had invented a beverage that would have the following affects: It would make people do foolish things. It would impair their judgment, loosen inhibitions, and loosen tongues. It would in a number of causes result in horrible car accidents, poverty, wife abuse, rape, child abuse and even murder. This beverage would be so addictive that some people would sell everything and give up everything—even to the point of never bathing and living on the street to just get another drink. Would you encourage me to market that beverage or would you consider me some sort of sadistic, evil scientist who wanted to bring lots of suffering on the human race? Would you shrug your shoulders when I said this—or react in horror?
God Helps Us
When God said, “I hate divorce” (Malachi 2:16), He is telling us that there is far more to a divorce than just two people dividing up possessions and going their separate ways. When it comes to such things as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and unscriptural divorce, I need to realize that I often do not see the entire picture. God helps us here when He labels such things as “treachery” (Malachi 2:14). That is, the lies, the betrayals, broken vows and promises and all the deception that is involved. Then there are the “tears” and the “groaning” (2:13)—often by all parties involved— father, mother and children. In fact, the more one digs into any sinful behavior, the more one finds regrets, sorrow, depression, heartache and misery.
God has very good reasons for abhorring evil, and so do we. Not only do sinful practices use and often abuse others, they are things that use us in the end. “The one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:8).
Cleave to what is Good: Romans 12:9
The term “cleave” is just as powerful a word as "abhor". It means to join fast together, to glue, cement, and is the same term used for the commitment God expects in the marriage relationship (Matthew 19:5). One writer translated this phrase, “Wed yourselves to what is good” (Mon). John Stott wrote, “It may seem strange that the exhortation to love is followed immediately by a command to hate. But we should not be surprised. For love is not the blind sentiment it is traditionally said to be. On the contrary, it is discerning. It is so passionately devoted to the beloved object that it hates every evil which is incompatible with his or her highest welfare” (Romans: God’s Good News for the World, p. 331).
What is the Difference?
How do I know when I “like” something and then I truly “love” something? Here is what I what I have found:
- Likes can get bumped. I see this in the rich young ruler. He truly liked being a believer and being good, and really liked the idea of going to heaven, but when it came to the command to sell all and follow Jesus—He did not love that idea above all else: Mark 10:21. In this example, his relationship with God was a “like”, his relationship to his wealth and possessions was the “love” of his life. Let us search our own hearts to make sure God has a solid first place.
- We truly love what we are willing to sacrifice everything else for—even sacrificing our likes and preferences. I see this in the parable of the pearl of great price and the treasure hidden in the field. Matthew 13:44-45. We also see this in marriage, where a man or woman would rather spend time with the object of their love than doing something that they really enjoyed when they were single.
- Love is consuming—we pour all ourselves into what we love. Or as Jesus put it, what we deeply love, we love with our mind, heart, soul and strength (Matthew 22:37).
Applications
- David said that he loved God’s law: Psalm 119:97. In my life, is Scripture a “like” or a “love”? The more you read scripture the more you'll want to read scripture.
- David said he loved to worship God with God’s people: Psalm 122:1. Is coming to worship a “like” or a “love”? Attitude is a choice.
- Clearly I could say that most of us “like” the idea of going to heaven and we “like” what we see in the Father or Jesus. But do we “love” the idea of being with God eternally? Do we like thinking about God or do we realize all He's done for us and all that He means to us to the point that we hunger and thirst to be with Him? Psalm 42:1
Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net
