These days there seems to be hatred and bitterness everywhere. At least a handful of my readers are Jewish, and occasionally I receive kind comments from a few who disagree with my views of Scripture.
Recently, I was asked to take a stand against anti-Semitism. I have no problem in doing so, but prefer to take a stand against hatred and bitterness on a much broader scale.
According to His written Word, our Heavenly Father dislikes all forms of hatred, whether it be written, spoken or acted out in physical violence. After all He is a God of love and compassion.
You may not see Him that way, but this follower of Christ knows that’s certainly His true nature. Throughout Scripture, He demonstrates His love for all humankind.
Sadly, many consider the God of the Old Testament to be a harsh and vindictive Being. Personally, I see Him as a loving, caring Father wanting only the best for all whom He has created.
So, who’s to blame for all the hatred and bitterness we unfortunately experience in the world these days?
As I understand the creation story, it all started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with a huge assist from Satan. The Deceiver wants to tear down all that God, his Master as well, has built up.
Sadly, there are many in this world who have decided to follow the Prince of the Air rather than God Almighty.
Bitterness seems to be at the bottom of all this hatred and worth a deeper discussion. Let’s return to Genesis, Chapter 4, and recall the first disclosure of bitterness — Cain to his brother Abel.
Both brothers offered a sacrifice to God. Abel’s animal sacrifice was acceptable to God, but Cain’s grain sacrifice was not acceptable. Cain’s envy led to his taking Abel’s life.
Granted, not all bitterness leads to physical violence, but it certainly doesn’t lead to anything good.
For all you who claim Jesus as your Savior, I suggest you consider reading Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 dealing with murder and anger, which He wisely proclaims are both egregious sins.
Sin is sin and God is grieved by whatever is deceitful in our hearts.
Whether you follow Christian values, Jewish precepts or whatever beliefs might please your fancy, God is still sovereign over all. He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent and will one day judge all for their actions.
He is Abraham’s, Isaac’s and Jacob’s Father — the One who perceived the Jewish faith from before time began. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and His people will live with Him eternally.
Those who truly worship and obey Him have peace through His grace, and He does not want any bitterness to be found in them at all. What we all need is a good revival and that revival starts with repentance.
This may seem foreign and without merit, but those of you who know of these things, yet have not surrendered, need to place your trust in the One who came to earth 2,000 years ago as a baby born to a virgin, lived a sinless life and suffered a vicarious and cruel death on a Roman cross, was buried, rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven for our sake.
So, to my Jewish reader and others who are rightly concerned about ongoing local evidence of anti-Semitism, I concur that as a democratic republic we must take a hard stand and demand that government do all in their power to eradicate such irrational behavior.
It certainly does not please God and does no good to our civil society. We need to pray for the end of all hatred and bitterness.