Creator, Father, King #271

Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

QUIZ TIME!

Below are three questions with two possible responses to each question. You simply have to guess the politest response to each question. Easy-peasy! Here we go.

• Question: Would you care for a helping of brussels sprouts with your dinner?
• Response No. 1: No, thank you. I don’t particularly care for brussels sprouts.
• Response No. 2: Are you joking? I abhor brussels sprouts.
• Question: Do you like the new polka dot dress I bought?
• Response No. 1: It’s nice, but I think you look even better in paisley.
• Response No. 2: Are you joking? I abhor polka dot dresses.
• Question: Hey, I really liked that movie. What did you think about it?
• Response No. 1: It wasn’t my favorite. But I’m glad you liked it.
• Response No. 2: Are you joking? Of all the movies I abhor in the world, I abhor this movie most of all.

Pretty easy quiz, eh? Clearly, the politest response in each instance is number one. But did you notice the common word in the quiz? It’s the word abhor. It’s a very strong word that we don’t use much these days.

Abhor was the wrong word to use in our silly quiz above, but according to today’s verse, it’s absolutely the correct response we should have toward evil and personal sin.

What’s It Mean?

In today’s verse, the English word abhor comes from the Greek term, apostygeō, one of the strongest expressions that the apostle Paul could find. It describes a sense of loathing or detesting.

In his holiness, God abhors sin, which, at its essence, is rebellion against him. Our sin brought sadness, pain, and strife into God’s perfect creation. It separated us from our Creator. It brought the curse of death upon us, making it necessary for a sinless Savior to suffer divine wrath so that we could be made righteous.

Sin is a really big deal to God.

Therefore, as God’s image bearers, we are to treat sin seriously. We must not tolerate it, laugh at it, or brush it under the proverbial carpet. Instead, “hold fast to what is good” (today’s verse) and grow in godliness. This is God’s will for you!

Now What?

Ask God to reveal areas of your life where you’re not taking sin seriously.

Did You Know?

Remember, when you do sin, you are not condemned (Romans 8:1). Christ suffered condemnation in your place so that you could experience peace with God (Romans 5:1). Confess your sin to the Lord (1 John 1:9) and put that sin to death by the power of his Spirit (Romans 8:13).