Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

May 29– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“You hate wickedness.” 

—Psalm 45:7

 

The Scripture tells us to “Be angry but not to sin.” A man can hardly be good at all if he cannot be angry at sin. Whoever loves the truth must hate every false way. Our Lord hated temptation when the Devil came against him three times. But each time he responded, “Get behind me, Satan.”

He hated wickedness in others no less fervently but more often showed his hatred in tears of pity than in words of rebuke; yet sometimes his rebukes were openly stern, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you devour widows’ houses and make long prayers for public attention!”

He hated wickedness so much that he bled and died that it might die; he was buried that he might bury it in his tomb; and he rose that he might forever trample it beneath his feet. Christ’s Gospel is opposed to wickedness in every shape. Wickedness dresses itself in pretty garments and imitates the language of holiness, but the teachings of Jesus chase it away. He will not tolerate it in the Church.

In the heart there is always a war between Jesus and his Wicked Enemy. And, when our Redeemer comes to be our Judge, those thundering words, “Depart from me, you cursed,” will show his thorough hatred of sin. As warm as his love is to sinners, his hatred of sin is white hot; as perfect as his righteousness is, so complete will be the destruction of every form of wickedness.

O Jesus Christ, you are the glorious Champion of right and the Destroyer of wrong. And God has anointed you for this purpose. [M&E]