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A ‘HATER’? Yes — And Proud of It , Pt 2

by John DeGroff
Clash Daily Contributor

In part 1 of this article, we looked at what the Old Testament had to say on the subject of hate.  To conclude the article, let’s look at how hate is dealt with in the New Testament.  

At the beginning of Christ’s public ministry, he said to Nicodemus, a Jewish ruler, “Every man that does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:20)
 
Let’s establish right up front that Christ never repudiated anything that was found in the Old Testament. Some of the Lord’s comments on the subject, such as in Matthew 5:44 where believers are told to “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”, might lead one to believe that a Christian is never to express or feel hatred. 

The focus, however, is that Christ is bringing salvation to the entire world, not just the Jews.  Because of that contradiction to the established social norm, Christ himself, his message, and all who believe and follow him will be hated.  Perhaps the best expression of this is found in John 15: 18-19,25
 
(v.18) “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first, (v.19)…you do not belong to the world…that is why the world hates you.”; (v.25)  “But this is to fulfill what is written in their law, ‘They hated me without reason.'”
 
As I said in Part 1 of this article, I practically never use the word “hate” in reference to people.  Since 2008, I’ve struggled to try and hate the circumstances we find our country in rather than the people who are bringing those circumstances about.  Mostly, I hate what the Left and American liberalism  have done to this country by expanding the welfare state, overreaching government control and size, and the rising national debt.  
 
I hate that the leadership of both parties are seemingly more willing to put politics over common sense.  
 
I hate it when those in power decide to circumvent the Constitution out of political expediency, and that can include anything having to do with taxation, free speech, gun ownership, immigration, justice for crime victims, etc., etc.  (This could turn into a very long list if I stayed with it…)
 
And I hate it when those who claim to be religious use religion falsely, or only as a means of political control. 
 
I really struggle to hate the evil that is happening to our country, and not the people who perpetrate that evil.  But when I’m called a “hater” for standing up for what is right, it’s hard not to focus my anger on the individual.  
 
It’s also exceedingly hard not to hate what’s in the White House, a so-called leader who is perfectly fulfilling Proverbs 26:24-26, as mentioned in Part 1: (24) “A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit, (v25) though his speech is charming, do not believe him…(v.26) his malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.”  
 
So, I guess I’m a hater after all.  The Lord makes it clear that there is a proper time to hate.  Christ himself talked of hating evil, and remember, he never repudiated any Old Testament writings.  It’s our duty as Christians and as American citizens who care to hate what’s going on in our country, and if that means hating those who wish to bring about our destruction, both from within as well as outside our borders, then so be it.   I most certainly feel I’m not alone in this.   

Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

John DeGroff is the original bass player for the Christian rock band Petra. He currently plays for the band GHF which is comprised of other original members from Petra. DeGroff has extensive experience as a freelance music journalist and newspaper reporter as well as an on-line music reviewer. He is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and lives in Warsaw, Indiana where he is employed as a care giver for mentally challenged adults.

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