Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9
Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate … Amos 5:15
“We cannot properly love what is good without hating what is evil. But I still want to be known by what I love and appreciate more than what I hate and disapprove.”
Rev. Uri Brito
The quote from Brito sounds so pious and sweet. Just the kind of thing a Christian minister should say until examined closely.
The problem here is the false dichotomy Rev. Brito sets up. It is simply the case that what I hate and disapprove of is evidence of what I properly love as good. None addlepated people should understand that by hating what is evil I am at that very same moment loving what is good. What I hate and disapprove of make me known for what I love and appreciate.
For example, if I hate Federal Tyranny, it is because I love my family, my people, and ultimately my God. If I don’t show hate for Federal Tyranny I am not showing love to my family. For example, if I hate the contemporary Church, it is because of my love for Christ and His people.
It is simply not possible to divide these matters the way Rev. Brito desires. I love consistency in thinking therefore I hate false dichotomies. If I am known as a “lover” or a “hater” is up to the person who on one hand wants to villainize me or on the other hand to the person who wants to praise me.
If I am to be known for what I love I also desire it to be known that I was a great hater of those things that would do insult or dishonor to those matters I loved. I am convinced that our hate for that which denigrates what we cherish should be as grand and glorious as those things that we love.
Simply put, if I end up being known for my great hates at least some people are going to figure out that my great hates existed because of my deep love for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for those realities that He likewise loved.
