“I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.” (Psalm 139:22)
Jonah hated the Ninevites, and with justifiable reasons, for they were a cruel and merciless people. God knew that, He knew of Jonah’s hatred and his lack of desire to obey the command to go and witness to them.
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb. 4:13)
Knowing that he could not run and hide from the Almighty, he still ran, he knew the storm would subside as soon as the sailors cast him into the sea, that the fish would take him to Nineveh, that he would do as he had been commanded to do, and he would do it all in hatred for those he was sent to.
The gourd came up and was removed, only adding more to his frustrations and anger.
“And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” (Jonah 4:11)
This poses a very serious question for you, if you serve the Risen Savior, can you, will you, perform acts of love for those that you have a seething hatred for? And can you do so while that hatred burns within you?
They are not only brute beasts fit for destruction, not only fools who live their lives as if there is no God, but they are vile and wicked in the Almighty’s eyes.
“For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.” (Prov. 4:16)
If you are expecting everyone you meet to repent in dust and ashes because you have revealed the truths of the Scriptures to them, think again. They hate Him whom you serve, and so they will hate you when you attempt in love to reach them for His glory.
We are told to love our enemies, what does that mean to you? Are they actions, this love you are supposed to have, or are they emotions within your heart?
Recently I have heard several times that God loves everyone, and I want to ask those that say so this question, the wrath of God that abides on the wicked, does He love them as well, and if so, why is His wrath upon them?
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
That means an enemy of God.
If they are His enemies, are they not our enemies as well?
What do you believe those words “the world” means? It is those that have chosen self above God, those who hate Him. Would you be their friend, their close companion, would you seek to love those in your heart that God hates?
Jonah obeyed in protest, in hatred, but his obedience revealed love, his actions proved the mercies of the Living God. He was not asked to become their friend first, he was not commanded to like them much less love them in his heart, he was commanded to perform an act of love.
Few that profess to know the Lord Jesus Christ know these truths, and it is rarely if ever preached from the pulpits today. All are welcome, inclusivity and enablement are the banners of the day, and if not, you will be labeled a hater.
There are many who serve the Lord that are covered in spots and blemished today because they refuse to accept these truths, in fact, an inverse of the truth has occurred, they love those that hate Him in their hearts yet perform few if any acts of love towards them.
Satan can make so many things sound correct, can he not?
“Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” (Prov. 3:28)
So many say they love today, yet so few actions of love, even to the speaking of His name to them, are disregarded. They have allowed their hearts to deceive them, they love without actions.
“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt. 5:45)
That is the only love the unjust will ever know, unless you speak to those you are to hate.
