Dave White

“…I consider all Your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.”

The theme of hating evil continues to be important in my life.  I am presently living and working at a Christian camp, a blessed place where there is not a lot of evil going on.  However, even here there is sin and worldliness.  But because of the general godliness here, I tend to overlook the wickedness that finds its way into this holy place.  This should not be.

“Righteous are You, O LORD, and righteous are Your rules.”

“The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.”

God is completely good and completely holy.  He cannot stand any sin.  His laws are perfect and deserve to be fully obeyed, not just partially obeyed.  Jesus Christ has given Himself for us, and if we are His, the Spirit of God lives in us.  We must not grieve the Holy Spirit by participating in -or giving approval to- the least bit of sin.  Rather, our character should mirror our Father’s, and we should hate every false way, as He does.

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your way with those who love Your Name.”

We should hate every false way, but we do not.  And God knows that; that’s why He sent Jesus!  Jesus was the only one who could truly declare all the lofty praises of Psalm 119, from which all the verses in this essay are drawn.  Through Jesus, we are offered the free gift of imputed righteousness and salvation and life eternal.  And God is overjoyed to extend to us His grace.  Such generosity is His “way.”  It is His generous grace that makes it a delight to serve Him and to be like Him by hating what He hates and loving what He loves.

“The earth, O LORD, is full of Your steadfast love; teach me Your statutes!”