[TruthTalk] God's Hate and God's Wrath

[Caroline Wong]

Dear Kevin;   There is a difference between God's hate and God's wrath. And neither is enduring as His love.   Your quote of Psalm 7:11 is a mistake in translation in the KJV. Psalm 7:11 (NASB) God is a righteous judge. And a God who has indignation everyday. Try looking it up in several other translation and you'll see they agree with the NASB.   I see your Psalm 5:5 and I raise you 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love Lamentations 3:22 Because of the LORD's great love we re not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Jeremiah wrote this while he and Israel were suffering judgment and wrath. Yes, in the midst of wrath, Jeremiah still knew God is love because His wrath is an _expression_ of love. It is love thwarted by rebellion.   Would you like a couple of instances where people's suffering made God relent in judgment and wrath? David was suppose to die for his sin but God let him live because he repented. His infant son died instead. David knew enough about God's grace that he continued to petition Him as his son was dying. And David knew his son was with God and he said, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." David counted his fighting men and "God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "Enough! Withdraw your hand." 1 Chron. 21:14   Consider too that Jesus is our fullest revelation of God. He could have stoned the woman caught in adultery since He himself is without sin. If God is all about hating sins and sinners, He should have stoned her to show the world He is serious about sins. But He rescued her, forgave her and urged her to sin no more - all very loving actions. Consider too how Jesus died. God is saying no matter what you do, I will not abandon you and climb down from the cross.   God's wrath: His love as seen by us in our rebellion and sin. It is Love in pursuit to restore and redeem. "Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God that God desires" James 1:20 because our anger is destructive. God's wrath is tempered with grace and mercy and aimed as restoration.   God's hate: Anything that is opposite to His nature which is love. Our hate is an active desire to will evil on another person. God can neither plan nor do evil. His hate is different from ours.   Kevin, although I write this to you, I don't expect you'll understand. I suspect you have had more experience with man's hate and anger than you've had of unconditional love. Have you ever experienced God's hate and wrath at all? Or His love? How real is any of this to you? I can see us trading biblical verses back and forth about love and hate. I think I'll win in the end because there are more verses about love and mercy. I think I'll lose in the end because none of these verses will pierce your heart and immerse (baptize) you in His love. There but  for the grace of God goes I.   Much Love,   Caroline