Following Jesus is not meant to be casual. Jesus was full of love, mercy, kindness, and compassion, but He was never weak toward sin. Hebrews 1:8–9 says that Jesus loved righteousness and hated wickedness. That means He loved what was right, pure, honest, and pleasing to God, and He rejected everything evil, selfish, false, and destructive. If I say I follow Him, I have to ask myself: am I learning to love what He loves and hate what He hates?
This can be hard for us to understand because many people think hate is always sinful. But there is a holy kind of hatred. It is not hatred toward people. It is hatred toward sin because sin destroys people. Jesus never hated sinners. He loved them, healed them, forgave them, and called them to new life. But He hated the sin that kept them bound.
To love righteousness means we cannot make peace with evil. We cannot love truth and excuse lying. We cannot love purity and celebrate impurity. We cannot love honesty and tolerate dishonesty. We cannot love God and hold tightly to what breaks His heart. Amos 5:15 says, “Hate evil, love good; maintain justice.” This verse invites us to examine not only what we avoid, but also what we actively choose to love.
The Bible says, “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). Psalm 97:10 also says, “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.” This is not a call to be mean, proud, or judgmental. It is a call to be spiritually awake. God wants His people to love others deeply while refusing to become comfortable with sin.
Sometimes Christians become so concerned with being liked that we forget we are called to be faithful. We want to be agreeable, popular, and accepted. But Jesus did not call us to blend in with everything around us. He called us to be salt and light. In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus said that His followers are the light of the world and that our light should shine before others. A quiet life can still be a bold witness when it reflects Christ clearly.
Loving righteousness will sometimes make us uncomfortable. It may require us to turn away from things others enjoy. It may require us to stand for truth when silence would be easier. It may require us to say no to what our culture says is normal. 1 John 2:15 reminds us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” If Jesus is our Lord, His approval must matter more than the approval of people.
Still, we must remember this: we hate sin, but we love the sinner. We reject evil, but we do not reject people. We stand for truth, but we do so with humility, mercy, and compassion. Jesus could look at broken people with love while also calling them out of the things that were destroying them. That is the balance we need.
Spiritual power does not grow where compromise is welcome. If we want the joy, courage, and anointing of the Holy Spirit, we must be willing to let go of what God calls wrong. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says we should purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. We cannot ask God to fill us while we keep making room for the very things He calls us to surrender.
The Christian life is serious, but it is also joyful. When we walk away from sin, we are not losing life; we are stepping into freedom. Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” When we stand with Jesus, we are not becoming harsh; we are becoming holy. When we love what He loves and hate what He hates, our hearts become more like His.
Reflection: Ask yourself honestly: What have I become too comfortable with that God calls wrong? Where have I chosen popularity over obedience? What do I need to release so that my heart can love righteousness more deeply? Am I more grieved by sin, or more afraid of being disliked? Am I clinging to what is good, or only avoiding what looks obviously bad?
Scripture to meditate on: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). This is a prayer for God to reveal not only our outward actions, but also the hidden places where compromise may have settled in.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach me to love what You love and hate what destroys the soul. Search my heart and show me where I have become too comfortable with sin. Give me a heart that is tender toward people but firm against evil. Help me walk in truth, humility, holiness, and courage. Fill me with Your Spirit so my life honors You. Amen.
Minister A Francine Green I July 2026