Scripture: Psalm 5:4-5
"For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong"
Observation:
These are unusually strong words from the Psalms. They remind us that God is firm in His demand for righteousness, and just in His actions to punish evil. He does not tolerate sin or those who commitment them.
Application:
"Evil people are not welcome," seems to be the opposite message that we hear at church most Sunday mornings. What happened to forgiveness? We hear Christians say all the time, "love the sinner, hate the sin." But according to this text God hates, "all who do wrong." These verses are a wake up call to those who think that God is tolerant of sin. Remember the cross. If God was tolerant of sin, then why would he demand such an expensive sacrifice to atone for them? Our evil and God's wrath were taken on by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, God is pleased with us, we are welcome in His presence and He doesn't hate us, He loves us.
However, the text also says, "the arrogant cannot stand in your presence." It is arrogant to think that we can go on living as enemies of God engaging in sin as we please, knowing how much evil offends God. That is the opposite of repentance. But for those who do repent of their evil ways, faith in Christ means God's promise of forgiveness and grace.
Prayer:
Lord God, help us to remember how much our sins offend You and how expensive the price to atone for them, so that we would live repentant lives and seek Your righteousness everyday. In Jesus name, amen.