“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

 

That’s a tough scripture to hear isn’t it? We are taught and hear so often that we worship and serve a loving God. A God that loves us so much that He gave His only Son to come to earth and die on a cross for our sins. We teach our children when they say the word “hate” that they should say “dislike” instead. We live in a culture that rewards the average. It’s nice that all children get participation trophies. It’s nice that all our students learn at the same level. However, for some children that makes average seem good, and good seem great. So where is there motivation to do more, be better, strive harder or reach higher? This isn’t a social commentary, it’s an illustration about how God doesn’t reward those who just strive to be average as followers of Jesus. God didn’t just give his “average” to save us and offer us eternal life. He gave the best there was, all there was. His only son. All-out. All in. All for us.

How much are you giving? Are you content with just offering some, or even a lot? When will you be confident in giving your all? Hate sin, love God with all your heart … give God all you have! One day, He might just ask you about it. If that doesn’t make you fearful, nothing will.