How
little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real
thing...it is irresistible. If even 10 percent of the world’s population had
it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before the year’s end? –
C.S. Lewis
As
we consider how the Gospel impacts a mature believer the first two aspects the
Apostle Paul brings forward are love and hatred of Evil. Sadly many people
think these two aspects are separate from another. You can indeed handle each
separately, but I’m of the notion that Paul meant for them to be connected.
The
love of Christ demands that we duplicate that love toward others. When we
consider Rom.12:9 the Greek grammar leads us to understand that Genuine
love is hating evil and clinging to what is good. The Love of the gospel
community, isn’t necessarily only loving one another, it loves holiness. The
Greek word for love in this verse is “Agape” which is selfless love primarily concerned with others.
As
we consider Agape love towards holiness we see that we should be concerned out
of love for our brethren and their Spiritual lives. Throughout the New
Testament we have passages that say our Christ likeness is shown by love. (Matt.
22:37-39; Rev. 2:4; 1 Jn. 3:14; Jn. 13:35) Why don’t we have the same
command like Leviticus that our works will show our allegiance to the Christ?
The reason is simple, the Jews were doing, yet not loving one another. The Love
of the Christ through the New Testament believers separated them from the
normal Jew, and should separate us from the normal Christian. Sadly many
Christians say they love one another, but don’t love pursuing Holiness.
So,
does love and hatred of evil go together? They better, otherwise we’re playing
the role of a hypocrite. If you can’t stand your brother, love the Christ who
is working in and through them to sanctify the whole congregation. If we are faithful to pursue Holiness, then we will see our churches grow, because it will be contagious.
