The scriptures give us examples of how God loves some and hates others. But, does God hate in the same way that Man does? Are we anthropomorphising God when we speak of His hate in human terms? What damage could we be doing in not understanding this aspect of God’s nature?
I believe that when the scriptures say that God created ALL things for His purposes, even the wicked, we should take that at face value. I believe that when we are told that God created vessels of honor and vessels of destruction we should accept that. I believe that the scriptures make very clear that God is the creator and in control of all things, and yet, we live as according to our perceptions free will. I believe in God’s Predetermined Will for the Election of His Children in Christ.
God is good. We know this. We know that there is no darkness or evil in Him, though He created evil. What about God’s hate? I want us to challenge the way we view this part of His character.
Think of it like this: We are as clay. He creates from out of the same lump something honorable and something dishonorable — like Jacob and Esau. What is something we can compare that to? We can take a lump of clay and make a beautiful vase and then make a disk for shooting. Do we hate the disc as we experience hate as a human emotion? No. We made it to serve a purpose of destruction and the purpose is carried out with indifference and no emotional attachment to the disk.
Should the vase feel sorry for the disk or should either the vase or the disk tell the potter that he is evil for creating something he purposed to destroy? The disk might feel that way, but it could have just been left in the dust and never made in the first place. The disk got to exist among other disks and experience the joys of flying through the air. That’s better than being dust. The potter was good to the disk, and gracious to the vase. But, he did not hate the disk with the same hate the disk might hate the vase.
The vase also should not hate the disk, because the vase understands the sovereignty of the potter and appreciates His mercy in allowing him to serve a more honorable purpose — a purpose that the vase could in no wise change or choose any better than the disk could.
Whereas the shooting disk spent its life in a dark box unable to see the potter and doubted His existence, the vase was placed on a shelf and basked in the glory of his creator. The vase therefore understands the mercy and love of his creator, but also understands that the potter could smash him to pieces if he chose and it would be his right to do so.
God hates and God loves. But I do not think His hate is as our hate. He creates evil and He creates good, but all things are created for the ultimate good and purpose of raising up His sons.
KindlingTruth 