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How can God love the world and also hate sinners? Psalm 5:5 and Proverbs 6:16-19

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 24) 00:37:28 – 00:41:03

Fly Serve Disciples asks how God can love the whole world (John 3:16) while Psalm 5:5 says God hates evildoers.

Psalm 5:5: you hate all evildoers. Proverbs 6:16-19: six things God hates, seven are an abomination — including one who sows discord among brothers. Some entries in the list are persons, not just behaviors. Mike's answer: God's love and hate are not a math equation but relational realities. One can simultaneously love and despise someone deeply, especially when love is deep and the person's sin is a personal offense against you. Every sin is a direct relational offense against God's holy nature. The word hate in Scripture is also sometimes preferential/choosing language (Jesus: hate your father and mother means choose me over them; hate your own life means be willing to lay it down). In prophetic literature God consistently calls Israel to return after declaring his wrath, revealing that his hate does not eclipse his desire for reconciliation.

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