God Loves Sinners but Hates the Workers of Iniquity

GOD LOVES SINNERS BUT HE HATES THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY

 

While my wife and I lived in Ohio, Brother Wade Partin from Middlesboro Kentucky preached a revival at the Church where we were members.  In one of his messages he preached that God hates sinners.   I believe that he got his text from where the psalmist said to God: “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.”  Psalms 5:5   I am convinced that Bro. Partin (the preacher’s preacher) was aware that the Apostle John had written: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

1 John 4:10 

The word sinners and workers of iniquity fall into the same category in that both are transgressors of the law.  And the sin of iniquity can and is committed by both saint and sinner.

In the case of the Christian when he or she commits iniquity they receive chastening from the Lord.  Jesus said: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”  Revelation 3:19

Hebrews warned Christians not to fall into the sin iniquity for the penalty can mean disaster.   He wrote: “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”  Hebrews 10:26-27

Though Christians often commit the unthinkable they are not subject to be abandoned by God.  Paul assured us of that.  He said: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38 &39

But Jude warns the sinner: “Keep your selves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Jude 1:21  The essence of Jude’s warning is that God offers sinners salvation though repentance through the Law, by the Holy Ghost.

Ah, but saith God: “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh.”  Genesis 6:3

Jude’s warning goes out to sinners telling them not to exhaust God’s love for them by spurning His offer to be saved, neither wear out His patience and mercy by blaspheming the Holy Ghost.  The penalty for either or both is that they will hear Jesus say: “I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Luke 13:27 

A classic example of a Christian committing the sin of iniquity is where King David took Bathsheba and laid with her.  She conceived then David had her husband killed to cover up what he had done, but not from the LORD.  God sent His prophet Nathan with this Parable:  “The poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.  And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:  And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.”  2 Samuel 12:3-7

The Lord told Nathan to tell David; “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.” 2 Samuel 12:10

David repented by saying: I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.  2 Samuel 12:13  

Remember David pronounced judgment against the supposed offender.  He said: “He shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”  In return the Lord told David: “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me.

The sword that never departed from David’s house was four-fold as he had judged the assumed offender.  It begun with Amnon, David’s son raping his half - sister Tama, she was David’s daughter and the sister of Absalom.  Then Absalom killed Amnon.  Absalom raped his father’s wives as the public watched to the fulfillment of what was prophesied. And another time as Absalom rode on a mule, through a brush the mule went through a thicket like terrain past under an oak tree and Absalom got caught by his hair then the mule pulled out from under him.  One told Joab what had befallen Absalom and he shot three darts through Absalom’s heart.  Following that David Cried out: ‘O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!  Absalom’.

David might well have prayed this prayer after he had committed the atrocities against Uriah. This is a prayer of a man that had committed iniquity:  “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.  I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Psalms 32:5

 

A GREAT BIG P.S.

In one of those revival services Brother Wade preached, that a God ordained Spirit filled service, you are subject to hear Old David strumming on his harp and you will hear Rachel weeping for her children.

I believe that he was referring to the music and the songs from the Church Hymnal.  For they dispense with the daily thoughts of the congregation and make them be seated in Heavenly places. 

And I believe that you hear Rachel weeping for her children when the Church has concern for their lost and you hear with tears one say, “Pray for my children.”  Amen!

May the Good LORD bless you all, Amen and Amen!