When looking at our world today, it is easy to find things to complain about. The foundation of our complaints should have, at its roots, several considerations:
- Before our world even existed, evil also existed.
- After our world ends, evil will still exist.
- The difference after the return of Christ to our world is that good and evil will not exist together (e.g. heaven and hell)
Creation formed our world and within it, both good and evil exist so says the Bible. The question is what would we want to change in our temporal world with the time granted to us? This question is further complicated by the fact that we are living in the world now, trying to discern our purpose, our destiny. It is analogous to changing a flat tire on a moving car. Everyone is working hard just keeping up, trying not to get run over. Is there a command from our God to change the world we are in and make it a better place while hoping for an eternal, perfect place?
The term “binary” means a division into two groups or classes that are considered diametrically opposite of each other. Binary surely describes our world, part is good and part is evil. God claims the good part for Himself. The other world, the evil part, remains a mystery to us because all we have as reference is what we can see around us. As far as any eternal reference goes, that remains a bit murky.
God asks us to choose, to choose Him over all else. It does not matter if you believe in life after death or not. If there is nothing beyond death, the personal history of humanity will be limited to its accomplishments in the world we are living in today. But what if the Bible is right and there is an eternal side to life, something beyond death that has no end, the “Kingdom of God?” Clearly, that is the position of the Bible we profess to believe. To help us sort this out, we go to the wisdom book, Proverbs, and see what it has to say that might help us decide what world we want to be part of and God’s expectations for our world now and the eternal world yet to come.
(Proverbs 6:16-19) 1NIV New International Version Translations– “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
God hates Haughty Eyes
The eyes are the windows into one’s soul. Haughty means “blatantly and disdainfully proud; having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior.” When a person’s eyes are filled with a haughty look, there is a high probability that the heart is filled with haughtiness or pride. Humility should be our pursuit, especially in our world now. Scriptures remind us of that. Then again, you may choose to live forever in a world that has complete distain for you, is better than you, belittles you and is disgusted by your very existence.
God hates a Lying Tongue
One of the ten commandments is not to bear false witness. You will find no lying in God’s world. He has told the Truth from the being of Creation. He is a God of Truth! Wouldn’t you prefer this kind of world anyway? Can you imagine an eternal existence where everything, yes, everything you hear, you cannot trust. If you see glimmers of this today in our world, it just means that some of that pre-existing evil has permeated parts of our world.
God hates Hands that Shed Innocent Blood
Innocent blood is a term used for murder. It does not include the taking of life in defense of one’s own life, their family’s safety, or their country’s freedom. God hates murder. Once again it is listed in the ten commandments. The reference to the “innocent” are for the helpless, our children, and especially for those who are not yet born. There is no way anyone can support the practice of abortion through Scriptures. It is a choice for this world that must be made now in favor of life. God loves His innocent children. Can you imagine what our world would be like if a certain unmarried and pregnant teenager in Nazareth chose to abort her baby two thousand years ago? You and I would have no hope at all, no Savior born in Bethlehem.
Drugs and the trafficking impact the innocent and point to another area in our world today that surely needs our attention. Can you imagine an eternal existence of everyone, high on drugs? Numb to the pain and suffering, unaware of anything that may be present. Just remember the world you pick is a choice and the choice is made best when you are paying full attention and sober!
God Hates a Heart that Devises Wicked Plans
There are plenty of hearts that are always thinking of evil and are quick to do evil things. This is true even for the best of us. But there are those whose plans involve far more than just one person wanting to sin without being caught. These are those who devise wicked plans either in business or in the government. These plans harm thousands, possibly millions of people. They do not consider the impact of their plans because they are consumed either by the acquisition of wealth or power. God hates these people because of the harm it causes to others. We can see this in action when some people design their own tests for “righteousness.” They assume an authority to define righteousness itself. Pressure is then applied to comply using shaming, fear, even terror. There should be only one test for a “wicked plan,” to test the plan against the Laws of our God. An eternal existence with such people should bring shivers down the spines of any God-fearing person. God and God alone defines right and wrong. God’s kingdom will have no fear or intimidation! God gives us free will to choose Him, and in that choosing, we are saved.
God Hates Feet that Run Rapidly to Evil
This is about people where there is no restraint, they see evil, they want a piece of the action. When a society turns from God , there is a growing stupidity and spiritual deadness that causes people to become insensitive to the warnings of Scripture. This is called “running to evil.” It is bad enough in our world now but can you imagine what spending eternity would be like with everyone around you having evil dominant in their thinking. Everyone would be deaf to all other voices except the ones that are urging them to do what they want. God hates this because it reveals that a person’s conscience is dead to Him and dead to the warnings of both the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
God Hates A False Witness Who Utters Lies
This seems to be a second time that lying is mentioned by God. This second time though it is mentioned in the context of someone who is a false witness. The false witness could be someone who speaks lies in a courtroom where the role of perjury comes into play. This would mean a perversion of justice and we all know that our God loves justice and righteousness. It can also mean a false prophet or someone who lies about religious matters. This is especially dangerous because it can cause people to put their faith in a god who is not God at all. It was that lie, that deceit, when believed that was the impetus that led to the fall of all of humanity into sin and rebellion against God. Does such a place where deceit reins supreme sound like a place you would like to be forever?
God Hates One who Spreads Strife Among Brothers
The final item in God’s list of seven is a person who just loves causing problems. This would be a person who is spreading strife among the brethren. This person is one who either learns of strife and joins in or is causing it. That person is not content with just the knowledge about it. They become the ultimate evangelist for strife among the brethren. They want to see as many people upset and involved in this strife as possible. God does not say, “Blessed are the strife-makers.” He says just the opposite. It is the peacemakers who will be called the sons of God. God chose to make peace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Therefore it really should be no shock to us that God also hates those who spread strife rather than spread peace among their brothers and sisters. When thinking about a nice eternal resting place, is peace or strife your goal?
Choosing God
God’s list may seem like a short list but it is very sobering. Now that we have established what God’s world and the other world will look like, there are a few more things to consider. The specific date as to when our blended world will come to an end is not known to humankind. The Apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the LORD will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” Another sobering question is raised by Peter in the very next verses: in 2 Peter 3:11-12. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” Here comes that binary question again, Are you prepared to meet God every day and night when you wake up and go to bed? Have you chosen your eternal world yet? Our world today is meant for preparation. Each individual must try to be the very best person in the sight of God every day, all day. Your choice is to prepare yourself for one of the two kingdoms; which kingdom will you be prepared to enter?
Yes, there will be a final separation of the “sheep.” Revelation 19:11, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.” Good planning and preparation can get you on the winning team forever! Each of us is required to choose. There is no middle ground. Remember, it is binary! The time to choose, however, is while we are in this world, in this lifetime. Once you are standing there looking at the “white horse,” it is too late to make a choice.
(Revelations 22:12) – “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
(Matthew 8:11-12) – “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Contemplations
- How convinced are you of eternal life?
- Ideas to Explore: What is the source of your beliefs? Do your beliefs modify your behavior here during your earthly lifetime?
- How is God telling you to help Him?
- Ideas to Explore: Are there opportunities for service that seem to just appear? People close to you may be in need. Can being too busy distract from noticing how to help others?
- Where are the areas in our world, our society today that can use your help to make a difference for God?
- Ideas to Explore: Do you know your talents, your gifts? How can you help the children, the innocent? Are there ways to help combat the pervasive use of drugs and alcohol in society today?
- Have you thought about eternity?
- Ideas to Explore: What are your beliefs about the sources of evil? Are you indifferent and in what areas? Is playing it safe, not getting involved Biblical? Where are your fears?
- Do you support leaders who favor abortion?
- Ideas to Explore: Have you really come to terms with the issues of rights of women over rights of the innocent? Can you support leaders who are indifferent on the issue of abortion? Have you taken the time to understand the formation of a child in a womb? Will the rights to kill a child be extended to the termination of the elderly and infirmed?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations