Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
Doesn’t God Tell Us To Hate Evil? (This Could Change Everything!)

Doesn’t God Tell Us To Hate Evil? (This Could Change Everything!)

Last updated on: January 5, 2018 at 2:29 pm by Susan Cottrell

Doesn’t God Tell Us To Hate Evil? (This Could Change Everything!) 2018-01-05T14:29:47-05:00 Susan Cottrell

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

one in four

Alarming numbers of young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer are becoming homeless, kicked out of families and churches, choosing substance abuse, and even making the tragic decision to end their own lives.

What are we called to do?

When certain Pharisees — the ones who were focused on behaving the “right” way instead of loving — were nose-to-nose with Jesus, they missed him! They didn’t understand at all.

You may be doing the same thing.

This is Rob, Susan’s husband writing today and it is my sincere hope that you open your box, open your heart and listen.

Please.

Here is scripture from the book of Romans, chapter 12, verses 9 & 10:

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor

So, verse 9 begins with “Let love be without hypocrisy.” The original language there is not should, or even must, it is much much stronger. It is language that was only used in scripture when talking about GOD’S love. So this verse insists, demands, commands you to love AS GOD LOVES.

Wow. Please let that sink in.

Let YOUR love be like God’s love – perfect, without hypocrisy, without condition, without limit.

Loving each other is the core message and subject of this passage – and the same theme continues in verse 10 where it says “be devoted to one another in brotherly love and give preference to one another in honor” – or outdo one another by honoring each other.

I wonder if you or I even come close to any of this so far?

So, sandwiched in between these dramatically strong commands to unconditionally love and overwhelmingly honor each other is “abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Do you think that maybe, just maybe this part might have to do with the rest of the passage?

Might it be connected to loving and not loving — instead of “behavior” issues – like the Pharisees and so many in the non-affirming church focus on?

Could the evil God wants us to hate be NOT loving people in the unconditional, amazing, radically inclusive way God loves us?

Is THAT the good we should be clinging to?

Without question… absolutely!

And this could change everything!

– Rob Cottrell

FreedHearts is a nonprofit organization helping free the hearts of parents to fully love, accept and affirm their LGBTQI children; free the hearts of LGBTQI to heal shame from family, religious and community wounds; and free the hearts of those in the faith community to be lavishly inclusive. We have private support groups for parents, comprehensive video courses, and other extensive resources. Just CLICK HERE: https://www.freedhearts.org/

Previous Post

October 3, 2017

What is the Biggest Threat to Christianity? Jesus!

Next Post

March 15, 2018 I’m the Dad of Two Queer Kids. Are You Listening?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Church & Religion Dear Susan Family Support Gay Weddings & Marriage GCN Conference Jesus Blog LGBTQ Support Parenting Personal Stories Suicide The Real Jesus Theology Transgender Uncategorized X Archived Posts

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 June 2022 December 2021 May 2021 February 2021 November 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 May 2019 March 2019 January 2019 November 2018 March 2018 January 2018 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the first miracle performed by Elisha?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Parting the Jordan River Multiplying oil Raising a boy from the dead Healing Naaman’s leprosy

Support this
Column