"O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 97.10, ESV)¹

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¹Any Bible student knows that God hates sin. The apostle John taught "that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1.5, ESV). The Psalmist declared, "...you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness..." (Psalm 45.7, ESV) and "Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119.104, ESV). Additionally, God requires those who claim allegiance to Him to "Hate evil, and love good...." (Amos 5.15, ESV). Since Christ died on the cross because of sin, one can be absolutely sure that sin is in complete opposition to everything God is, and stands for. Peter wrote, "...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2.24, ESV). Notice the connection: Jesus suffered and died for our sins (1 Peter 3.18) so that we would die to sin and live for righteousness (Romans 6). In other words, we choose to abhor what is evil and love what is good (see Rom. 12.9). The truth is clear; we can only love Jesus if we hate sin.

The Bible teaches us that we cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6.24); nor can we claim allegiance to both sin and righteousness (Rom. 6.16-18). The question then is, who is your master? Who do you love? Jesus or this world? If you're interested in learning how to love Jesus over sin email Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

2 Timothy 3.4 ESV "...treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..."¹

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¹Our focus will be on the words "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". In a nutshell, Paul explains what exactly is wrong with this world; we have become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Those who are lovers of pleasure purposely seek it, embrace it, and worship it. In fact, pleasure has become their god! This is the consequence of a world that has forgotten and ultimately rejected God (Rom. 1.18-32). However, those who love God more than “the cares and riches and pleasures of life” will remain faithful until the end where they will find eternal blessings (see Luke 8.14-15; Heb. 11.6; 1 Peter 1.8-9). These blessings outweigh any amount of pleasure we can possibly imagine in our lifetime. Moses is a great example of one who chose to love the eternal God rather than the temporary pleasures of this world (Heb. 11.25-26; 1 John 2.15-17).

What about you? Will you forfeit eternity because of passing pleasures of this life? Please understand that worldly pleasures will not “fill the void in your life,” or give you true happiness that so many pleasure seekers strive to find; only Christ can do that. Let us help you become a lover of God rather than a lover of pleasure. Email Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

John 13.34 ESV “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”¹

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¹It has always been the case that man was to love his neighbor as himself (see Lev. 19.18). Therefore, when Jesus commanded His followers to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22.39), this was not some new idea. However, there was a new command that had not been practiced before. This new command was to love one another as Christ loved them. Jesus demonstrated true love when He laid down His life for all of mankind (1 John 4.8-11, 19). Therefore, it can be said that He gave love a new meaning (see also John 15.12-13; 1 John 3.16).

Do you want to learn more about the love of Christ? E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.