Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
February 25, 2024

What We Need Is More Hate
by Bryan Gibson
Surprised by the title? After all, isn’t there too much hate in the world already? What we really need is more love, right? Yes, we do need more love. This world would be a better place if there were more love for God, more love for our families, more love for our fellow man, and yes, more love for our enemies. But we still need more hate—not for people of course, but for sin.
Read carefully the following passages and any comments that may follow.
“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness…” (Hebrews 1:9. This “YOU” is Jesus. Jesus loves righteousness and hates sin. Shouldn’t we feel the very same way? Look at this group of passages:
“You who love the Lord, hate evil! (Psalms 95:10).
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13).
“Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9).
“Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:128).
“But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Revelation 2:6). These brethren hated the same thing the Lord did—the sinful deeds of the Nicolaitans.
Clearly we should hate evil just as passionately as the Lord does.
But let’s be more specific:
“For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce…” (Malachi 2:16). Evidently, not enough people feel the same way the Lord does about divorce. Many don’t think twice about forsaking the vows they made in the presence of God (see Malachi 2:14). More people need to learn to hate divorce.
“A righteous man hates lying…” (Proverbs 13:5).
“He who hates covetousness will prolong his days” (Proverbs 28:16).
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Nowhere near a complete list, of course, but they do provide some specific examples, which gives us an opportunity to examine ourselves. Do we really hate these things, with the same passion as the Lord? If we do hate them, then why do we practice them? Why do we laugh at them? Why do we not speak out against them? If we hate sin, why do we not do more to reach those lost in sin? Wouldn’t this world be a better place if we had more hate?

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.