God's Hatred of Sin

My brothers, listen well to my words. For many years we have followed the customs of our fathers. We have worn charms to keep away the evil spirits. We have killed chickens and goats for the spirits of the dead (adapt to local usage.) Did these things give us peace? No, our hearts were still heavy. We did not know that peace comes only from God. We did not know that it is sin which has taken away our peace. But now we have heard the Words of God. We have heard how God hates sin very much. He hates sin so much that He gave His own Son to die, to enable us to refuse sin. (To keep us from sinning.) His suffering was great.

The punishment God gives for sin is eternal suffering in the place of fire. If Jesus had not died, we would all have to go to Satan's place when we die. When you think of these things, does sin look like a little thing to you? Should you do things you know are wrong? No, my brothers. Jesus suffered and died to deliver us from sin. Will you make His death to be in vain? If you continue in your sins, it is as though you are killing Jesus again. Your punishment will be very great.

Perhaps you say you have believed on Jesus. He has forgiven your sins. Then you must not turn against Jesus, your friend, and return to the sins which caused Him to die. Have you taken His name, and call yourself Christian?? Then you should not bring shame to God's name by following the path of Satan again.

Oh, my brothers, if you have once turned from your sins, do not go back to the ways of darkness. Follow the light of God's path. God's words are clear. To those who have received Jesus, He says: "What! Don't you know that your bodies are the house of the Holy Spirit? And you don't belong to yourself; you are bought with a price. Therefore, obey God in what you do and what you think because you belong to Him."

Does it glorify God if you smoke hemp? (Use whatever local vices are common.) If you drink beer? No, these things take away your strength and your wisdom. It is Satan who wants you to do them. God hates these things.. Does it glorify God if you commit adultery? Does it glorify God to get angry and fight with your wife or brother? Does God like idolatry and witchcraft? No. His anger rests upon people who do these things. Does it glorify God for you to gamble? No, it is the same as stealing. Does it glorify God to think evil in your heart? These customs are Satan's ways to deceive you. He wants to make you sin, so that you will go with him to the place of fire which God has warned you about.

My brothers, God sees all our sins, and He will not let them go unpunished. Which do you want, God's anger, or His blessing? Some day Christ is going to decide about each of us. If we have truly followed Him, then He will take us to His good place. There is only happiness there. If we have done bad things then we will be sorry. To those who did not obey His words He will say, "I never knew you. Go away to the place where there is constant crying and suffering - where the fire doesn't go out and the worm doesn't die."

I Cor. 6:19, 2O; Matt. 7:23; Mark 9:48.