March 6, 2023
“And he said unto them, ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed amongst men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15 KJV emphasis added
This stern warning will help us understand God’s character. Consider this the knowledge of the holy. God’s ways are higher than man’s ways. What man thinks is often the exact opposite of what God thinks. It’s essential to understand what is being said in this passage. To esteem something is to regard it highly. It’s to regard it with favor, devotion, respect, and admiration. An “abomination in the sight of God” is something He hates, despises, loathes, and abhors. It’s that which is shameful and causes intense aversion. The author, Luke, is saying that the things that carnal men lust after and strive for are the very things that God hates. When the word abomination is used, we should understand that this is something God is adamantly opposed to.
In this chapter, Jesus talks about the unrighteous steward. The steward, whose actions were thought to be questionable, was instructed by his employer to give an account of all that he had done. Fearing for his job, he set about bolstering his reputation and creating financial supporters for his future. He needed an exit strategy, fast. He dishonestly reduced the debts owed to his employer by those who owed his employer money, so that he might find favor with them when his employment ended.
His employer (lord) found out about what he was doing, but commended him even though he was dishonest and unjust in what he did. “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely; for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8
At first glance, this seems nonsensical. Why would a thief be commended? Surely the Lord Jesus Christ was not approving dishonesty, so what is the message of this parable? Unlike some honest people, when the dishonest steward faced a problem, he became creative and cunning in finding a solution. Many sincere people become paralyzed when faced with a challenge, and they do nothing, hoping that a miracle will save them. Albert Barnes, a theologian of the 1800s, says, “the unjust often show more skill, study more plans, contrive more ways to provide for themselves, than the children of light do to promote the interests of God.” Remember, God never approves of dishonesty. He hates dishonest gain. For God, the end never justifies the means. The end sanctifies the means.
Today, we have many honest people who do nothing and say nothing to push back the forces of darkness and advance the Kingdom of God. The fear of man prevents them from being the salt and light that we are commanded to be. More and more Americans, including professing Christians, are embracing gender confusion, the homosexual agenda, and baby killing on demand instead of fighting back with wisdom. Think of Christian nations from the past who also remained silent and paralyzed when evil was visiting their country. Christian Germany allowed the slaughter of millions of innocent people. Orthodox Russia was even worse. Today, Germany, like most of the West, embraces the killing of babies, homosexuality, and the transgender agenda, while Russia has not allowed gender madness and homosexuality to flourish in its nation. Russia is embracing its Orthodox Christian heritage, while the West, including the USA, is jettisoning its Christian morality for a new morality, which is really just blatant immorality. For the time has come that men and women call evil good and good evil.
Also, this passage makes me think of how clever, cunning, and deceptive the Democrats are and how weak the Republicans are when it comes to advancing their respective agenda. Many Republican leaders want to maintain the gentlemanly conventions of the past, while the Democrats don’t give a rip. Democrats rage like madmen (and madder women) when they don’t get their way, so they do get their way. And too often, the polite and ineffective Republicans cave in. It’s enough to make a grown man cry.
Jesus explains that if a person is not faithful with another person’s wealth, why would they expect to be blessed with their wealth? And if a person is not loyal to less important things, such as money, why would God entrust them with the most valuable things? And if you are not faithful with money, why would God entrust you with true riches?
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” Luke 16: 3, 14
The unjust steward was covetous just like the Pharisee. He lusted after money because he believed that it would bring him happiness and solve all his problems. He is not alone in holding this belief. It seems the whole world, at least the American world, believes the very same thing. And when the “ministers” of God believe the same lie, you know we are in trouble. Listen to what many prosperity preachers tell you. They lie and tell you that God wants you to be rich. And if you give money to them, God will make you rich. They know that God will not make them rich unless they can deceive you into making them rich. The central reason why ancient Israel forgot God was that the blessings of God, especially their prosperity, were attributed to their cleverness, worthiness, and goodness. They took credit for their prosperity and forgot God and His law. Very few children of God can handle prosperity, and anyone who encourages a Christian to lust after money is leading them into perdition. “The love of money is the root of all evil,” so says the Word of God. Pastors who create or encourage the love of money or prosperity in their flock will someday stand before the holy judge of the universe if they do not repent. God hates our lust after money, for it blinds our eyes.
Very few Christians can handle wealth. For most people, wealth can ultimately destroy them. And if their lust for money doesn’t die, they will end up in hell. Some Christians are blessed of God and are very prosperous indeed, but they do not love money. They know it is God’s money, and they are circumspect in how they spend His money. These followers of Christ give generously and secretly. They ask God to help them give away the money He has blessed them with. Their heart is set on pleasing God and not accumulating wealth for their pleasure. God knows what you need before you ask Him. If you trust Him, He will supply all your needs. Lusting after money is sure evidence that you do not trust God. Truth be told, most Christians want a God that will give them all that they desire, not just all that they need. Too many professing Christians want God to be a genie and grant them all they wish with the ease of rubbing a bottle.
What do worldly men and women highly esteem and strive for that God despises?
- Men and women highly esteem the approval and admiration of others. They will do and say almost anything to have it. It seems they are more concerned about being liked by others than they are about being liked by God. They value the approval of people over the approval and admiration of God. Jesus said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you.” If everyone likes, admires, and speaks highly of you, you might want to heed this warning from Jesus. He is saying that if you are living to please people, all will speak well of you, except God. However, if you are living the truth and serving God, you will inevitably encounter those who do not approve of you or admire you. Many of these individuals, who have been led to believe that God likes and approves of them unconditionally, regardless of their actions, have long since been misled. Deception runs deep in the Christian community. God hates it when we seek the approval of others more than His approval. The admiration and approval of God are not considerations for these lost souls. Like spoiled children, they care nothing about the esteem of their heavenly Father. They are deceived, and God despises this lust for the admiration and approval of others.
- They esteem and strive for leadership and authority over others. They want to be the authority (the boss) over others. They want to lord it over others and, in that way, they validate their value, worth, and self-centered aspirations. That is not the way it works in the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus taught that if anyone wants to be Lord or Master over others, they must first become the servant of others. The greatest in the Kingdom of God is the servant and not the master. The lust for authority and power over others is an abomination in God’s eyes.
- Men and women are full of esteem for themselves. Their pride and love for themselves are almost infinite. They often esteem their educational achievements and work experience credentials above those of others.These individuals believe that, due to their exceptional education and work experience, their opinions on all matters are of greater value than those of others who are not as well-informed, educated, and intelligent. Their hubris is limitless. It can never be said too often that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. God hates pride in us as it prevents us from hearing His voice and doing His will. Americans have been brainwashed into believing that the root cause of all their problems is that they don’t love themselves enough. They don’t esteem themselves as highly as they should. Believing this is true, they set out to love themselves supremely. They will do anything that makes them happy and that satisfies their lusts and desires. And it matters not if it violates the law of God or harms others in the process. They have believed the lie that if they will only love themselves supremely, they will then be happy and content. But they will never be happy, content, or satisfied. They have created an idol of their lusts, and they worship themselves. Idolatry is a grave sin against God. Idolatry is any false idea about the one true God. God is a jealous God, and He will not share His glory with another. God abhors those who worship idols made of their own hands and minds.
- They esteem celebrities in film, music, art, sports, and even in politics and religion. Celebrities are like gods, and these folks hang on their every word and imitate their deeds as fully devoted followers of their favorite idols. By contrast, they care little or nothing about truth and God. Their worship is man-centered. God hates idolatry.
- They highly esteem and strive for fame. They highly esteem the notoriety of being the best, the strongest, the fastest, the prettiest, the smartest, the most well-known, the most desirable, one of the richest, and the most looked up to. And they will do and say almost anything to get it and keep it. To achieve fame, people will resort to extreme measures. They sell their souls (and bodies) to the devil to be famous. Musicians, actors, writers, and others in various fields will do anything to make a name for themselves. Some aspire to have a building named after them, or they yearn for awards and public recognition for their beauty or accomplishments. This is their idea of leaving a legacy, which is nothing but pure selfishness. They have no thoughts about leaving a legacy of faith and righteousness in God. God abhors such self-centered thinking. To be famous and have others jealous of them is a god, an idol, for many. God cares nothing about your excellent skills, abilities, looks, talents, strength, awards, and honors. God is interested in your moral character, your motives, and He hates your preoccupation with these false ideals.
- They highly esteem and strive for wealth and power. They will do and say almost anything to get it and keep it. Wealth is commensurate with power, so the richer they become, the more powerful they are. They highly esteem owning expensive things, even if they cannot afford them, such as homes, vacation homes, art, clothing, cars, jets, boats, jewelry, and vanity medical procedures. They will lie, cheat, steal, murder, and do almost anything immoral to obtain and retain wealth and power. Their possessions and their extensive travel define them. Possessions, wealth, power, and travel reveal to the world how great, meaningful, and successful they are. And they love it that others notice them and what they can do and buy. But what does the word of God say about such matters? “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness: He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself. But godliness, with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:3-10 emphasis added. By comparison, they spend little time or money advancing the Kingdom of God, meeting the needs of the poor, or fighting for righteousness in our culture. God despises this self-indulgent attitude, which proves they love themselves supremely, not God. Greed, materialism, and covetousness motivate them, not love for God or mankind. God hates these vices and those who refuse to repent of this idolatry and selfishness.
- They highly esteem freedom to do or say whatever they want, whenever they want, even if it harms others and is offensive to God. They often esteem their own opinions above everyone else, including God. They care not what God says, for instance, about sex outside of marriage, greed, lust, or homosexuality. If they want to fornicate and lust over pornography, they are going to do so. They care not what God says about the practice of immorality. They are going to do what pleases them and makes them happy. If they want to kill their baby by having an abortion, then they are going to do it. God hates this attitude and lifestyle. It’s a denial of God’s authority over them. God despises people “who do what is right in their own eyes.” Many “Christians” couldn’t care less about God’s laws because they know God disapproves of them and their wicked behavior. They believe everything the “good book” says about the blessings that are ours in Christ and reject everything that rebukes their sins. Too many “Christians” see nothing wrong with abortion on demand, gay marriage, two people living together without marriage, or the lust for money. Why is that? They might be living in one or more of those sins; therefore, it must be okay with God. Or it might be because they know someone close to them who is living in a sinful manner. “Love” makes everything OK in their minds. ‘Love is love’ is the theology of most Americans and many Christians. And this so-called love allows them to do the things that God hates. But the word of God says something much different. The word of God says that homosexuals, fornicators, and adulterers do not love each other, no matter how strong the affections they have toward each other. The Word of God also declares that if you genuinely love others, you will speak the truth to them. And the truth is, if they don’t repent, they will spend eternity in hell. Now that is real love, to tell the truth. And sometimes when real love is spoken and when people are told the truth, they get mad and may not like you. That is the cost of being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. God has already spoken and has not changed His mind. He hates those who are untruthful, disloyal, and hypocritical. He hates it when people do and say “that which is right in their own eyes.”
- They esteem “form over substance” in most things, especially in religion. CINOs (Christians in name only) practice religion to be noticed, to build up their reputation, hope, and status. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5 “Form over substance” allows them to live with half their heart focused on their worldly lusts and the other half, if that, focused on God’s priorities. They prefer to pretend to be a Christian so that they are not expected actually to live like a disciple of Christ. We have entire denominations that focus on ritual rather than the purity of heart. The Pharisee loved to be noticed by men and given the honor due God. The Pharisee made it a practice to be seen praying in public, giving in public, and fasting in public, all to be noticed by others and given the glory and honor they thought they deserved. These “form over substance” blind leaders killed their own Messiah! “To obey is better than sacrifice” is a biblical admonition. To obey is “substance” and religious sacrifice and rituals are “form”. Religious folks prefer “form over substance” for obvious reasons. They and their followers have a spirituality an inch deep and a mile wide. That is why God abhors it and them. “For he is not a Jew, which in one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh.” Romans 2:28. The circumcision God is interested in is the circumcision of the heart, not the flesh. God is concerned with substance, not form. This godless thinking is readily seen in our politics, also and especially with the radical equity agenda soon to take effect at a federal level. I am referring to the President’s recent Executive Order aimed at strengthening racial equity and supporting underserved communities. Not only is this Executive Order racist and therefore illegal, it’s the perfect example of “form over substance.” Federal employees will be selected based on race, appearance, gender, and sexual perversions. White heterosexuals, especially males, need not apply. Hiring and promotions based on excellence and merit (substance) often take a back seat to hiring and promotions based on appearance or other superficial factors (form). It’s no wonder that many of us have lost trust in our political leaders. This is not only stupid and illegal, but it’s disgusting. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29:2. I have been in mourning for a long time. How about you?
Satisfied and content
Men and women hunger and thirst after all these things, and they will never be satisfied, no matter how much they achieve or acquire. Someone once asked a wealthy man how much more he wanted. How much more money would it take for him to be satisfied and content? The rich man, in answer, said, ‘Just a little more.’ It’s never enough. More is always the answer for the carnal person. God said that if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you will be satisfied. Jesus said, ‘If you drink the water I give you, you will never thirst again.’ To be happy and content is within our grasp. But how few people are wise enough to embrace this wisdom from on high? The knowledge of the holy is a light that expels darkness.
Attributes of a holy God
Many “Christians” have no idea that the God of love, whom they hear so much about, is also a God who hates sins and those people who refuse to repent of sin. That last phrase will cause some to question my sanity and my understanding of the Bible.American Christians have been taught, until they are brainwashed and brain-dead, that God is only love and that He loves them unconditionally. They recoil at the thought that God might hate and that He might hate them because of what they do. In their minds, that is the ultimate heresy. Consequently, they mistakenly believe that God’s love will overlook their continued disobedience and that God will take them to heaven even if they never repent of any sins. While it is true that God is love, He is also light and truth. And He is also holy. If they really understood what the love of God entails, they would know that His love is not a license to sin with eternal impunity, as they have been taught. His love is holy, pure, and just. God’s love, holiness, and justice require that He judge sin and damn unrepentant sinners. His love gave us the atonement. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us, in our place, because of our sin. The innocent (Jesus) suffered and died for the guilty (you and me). God hates those who reject His Son and despise the death of Christ. Hate means He rejects them, eternally. And God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He would prefer that they repent, believe in Him, and live. Think of hate as rejection, rather than revengeful rage.
Let us examine a few verses from the Bible that discuss God’s hatred. This is a subject that many “Christians” know nothing about. It’s almost impossible for them to believe that the God of love, whom they hear so much about, is also a God who hates. The following passages may shock and offend some of you.
“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11
I wonder how many Christians even believe that God is ever angry. Anger seems like such a human response, not the response that would ordinarily be attributed to God Almighty. We are the product of a watered-down gospel of truth, where the love of God is distorted and made into something very unbiblical. I do not want God to be angry with me, but if I refuse to repent of the wicked things I do, then this word tells me He is angry with me every day. And he should be.
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17
This verse might be a challenge for the CINOs. The Word says that the wicked will be turned into hell, not taken to heaven, because of their unrepentant wickedness. Can this be true? God is love, so does anyone ever get “turned into hell” if God’s love is unconditional? Clearly, it makes little sense to think of the salvific love of God as unconditional and, at the same time, believe God turns the wicked into hell. However, if the salvific love of God is conditional, then it does make sense that those who refuse to comply with His conditions will be sent to hell.
“The wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.” Psalm 10:3
Here it is plainly taught that the God of love actually abhors (hates) the covetous and the wicked. There are several other places in scripture that teach, the teachable, that God hates the unrepentant sinner. God came to hate His children, the children of Israel, because of their continued apostasy. God’s patience had run out, and He could no longer let them go unpunished. And while it is always true that God is love, don’t mistake that love as a license to sin without eternal damnation. Don’t make the error of thinking that the love of God, about salvation, is unconditional. It’s not. Do not presume on the grace, goodness, and love of God. His general benevolent love toward all people, both good and bad, is unconditional, but it is not the love of God required for entrance into heaven.
“The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” Psalm 34:16
The LORD’s face is against those who do evil and refuse to stop doing evil. God is holy, and those who “see” Him will also be holy, or they will not “see” Him. And they will not be remembered. I watched a TV show about a young woman who was facing death, and her biggest fear was, “Will I be remembered?” The answer is “No, you will not be remembered” if you die unrepentant, for the face of the LORD is against you. That’s frightening.
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19
We have all heard this statement, ‘God hates sin but loves the sinner’. There is a kernel of truth in that statement, but it’s not the whole truth. The benevolent love of God is bestowed on saint and sinner alike without conditions. But the salvific love of God is only bestowed on those who repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Christ, called saints. Forget what the Roman Catholic Church teaches about becoming a saint. All true Christians are saints. Only those saints will enter heaven. Is it not true that a person and their deeds are one in the same? Is it not true “that we are, what we do”? The Bible states very plainly that many are those who perish because they took the broad way to destruction, and few are those who enter the small gate and narrow way to eternal life. We need to understand that God hates and rejects wicked people and the wicked things they do. God hates sin, and He hates sinners (people) who refuse repentance. “Christians” have been lied to, and they love it. They believe that God loves them unconditionally, regardless of how wicked they may become. He does not and will not take them to heaven. All they hear about is the unconditional love of God and almost nothing about the wrath of God and of hell. No wonder the world laughs and ignores carnal Christians (CINOs) who are no more righteous than they are.
According to this passage, God abhors the following seven characteristics of the wicked. They are: 1) prideful, 2) liars, 3) murderers of the innocent, 4) hearts that devise wicked things, 5) feet that run to mischief, 6) a lying false witness, 7) people who sow discord among brothers.
The wisest thing any person can do is to believe God and what is written about what and who He hates. He is telling us this so we do not have to wonder about what God loves and what He hates. It’s very clear, is it not? I did not compile this list, but I believe it.
God says He came to hate his children, the Jews, because of their continual sins. He divorced Israel. Divorce is a picture of a covenant that has ended. It’s not a picture of the loss of fellowship in a relationship, as many have been taught and believe today. God Himself sent nations to destroy and literally kill His own for their refusal to repent of their sins, including the seven sins just mentioned. Consider the following.
“Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God”. Hosea 1:9.
“All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings, I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters”. Hosea 9:15
“Thou shalt say then, the branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: For God is able to graft them in again.” Romans 11:19-23
In the Book of Hosea, the prophet was given a message from God to the people of Israel, His children. God’s patience had run out. God declared that Israel was no longer His people and He was no longer their God. Then God says, “I will love them no more.” That’s truly frightening.
In Romans, Paul talked about God’s rejection of His covenant people (Israel) because of their stubborn unbelief and God’s inclusion of the Gentiles because of their abiding faith. The promise remains that Israel can be grafted back in by faith. The threat remains that Gentiles will be cut off, just like His covenant people were cut off, if they lapse into unbelief.
God is love, and He doesn’t want anyone to end up in hell. To that end, He sent His only Son to die for our sins. He also sent the Holy Spirit to pursue us and lead us to the truth. “That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” The carnal mind is enmity toward God. And God hates that. God is full of mercy and grace, but He does have His limits. God has gone above and beyond to save you and me. To receive this gift of salvation, we must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ. If we refuse these conditions, the benevolent love that God has for us will not save us from hell. We all get to choose our destiny, our eternal destiny. Choose wisely is my advice.
“It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.” Psalm 119:126
