"A Time to Love and a Time to Hate" - When Hatred Is Justified

 This was true of Adam and Eve and also of Judas Iscariot.  Since Adam and Eve were created perfect and since God's command to them was explicit and understood by both, it is evident that their sinning was willful and deliberate and therefore inexcusable.  God's word to them afterward offered no invitation to repent.  (Genesis 3:16-24) Judas, although imperfecrt, had lived in close association with God's own Son and  yet turned traitor. Jesus himself referred to him as "the son of destruction." (John 17:12) The Bible also shows tha the Devil is an inveterate sinner who can only expect destruction. (1 John 3:8; Revelation 12:12) These individuals have incurred God's hatred. 

It is reassuring  to know, however, that not everyone who has sinned is beyond recovery.  Jehovah is very patient and takes no delight in punishing those who have sinned on account of ignorance. (Ezekiel 33:11)  He invites them to repent and be forgiven. We read:  "Let the wicked  man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will forgive in a large way." - ISAIAH 55:7.

Next time: "A Time to Love and a Time to Hate" - A Balanced View of Love and Hate

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