“… abhor what is evil and cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9
Romans 12:9 says to abhor what is evil and to cling to what is good. I like to say, “Love what God loves, and hate what God hates.” To do that, we have to know what God considers to be right and wrong. What does God value? What does God honor?
We can learn what God honors through several ways. One way is by reading the Bible. Another is by prayer and asking God to reveal Himself. Also, worshipping and experiencing God’s presence is a way to know Him. We also must learn to be spiritually sensitive to the Holy Spirit because He will help us know God. In addition, we can also grow in our ability to follow our conscience, our spirit, which is the leading God gives us in our heart. Also, committing to a healthy local church will benefit us in knowing God and growing in Him.
What God values is not always what is most obvious to us. In the world, when a person fails, they may lose some value because their worth is based on performance. However, with God, value is placed on us for who we are, not what we have done or not done. When we recognize our worth is because of the value God gives us, then we can walk in honor and see our value come through.
God also honors what is holy, or upright. He is the standard for what is righteous and honorable, and He isn’t going to change. The world has other standards that are based on a sinful perspective and a fallen nature. The world doesn’t agree on standards for what is right and wrong because they aren’t looking to God as their standard; they are looking to themselves. The Bible says in Isaiah 5:20, “Who to those who call evil good, and good evil…” Even believers can be deceived, accepting sin as righteous, and considering what is righteous to be sin. Our culture, our media, our government, and our friends are not the standard for righteousness. God is the standard, and God is willing to reveal His holiness to us.
God loves us and wants to help us to receive His righteousness. The way to receive from God is through our repentance and our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it. We can’t come to God for acceptance on our terms. We come on His terms as a holy God. He is merciful. He has provided for our salvation. It is now up to us whether we want to receive it or not.
Application: When sharing the holiness of God, deliver it in love and communicate that His way is for the good, not to control, but to liberate!