We read some very
strong language in Romans 12:9, that tells us to “hate what is evil; cling
to what is good.” When it comes to “hating evil” and “clinging to good” we
know there is a much deeper meaning than what first appears. The key to
unlocking the meaning of these two commands is the word “hate” and “cling.”
We have already learned
that “hating” evil means to “abhor” it or to find it “disgusting.” We must grow
so strong, spiritually, (sanctification) that anything not of God (that which
is evil) will be disgusting to us. We recognize evil and vow to never entertain
it.
In that same verse, we
also see a different pursuit which is the exact opposite of evil. It tells us
to “cling” to what is good. So, how exactly, does one cling to good? Our answer
lies in the Greek word for “cling” which is the verb “κολλάω.” The
translation of this word means “glue,” “to be joined” or “to keep company.” The
meaning can also mean “to fasten firmly together” or “to join one’s self to.”
We must embrace goodness
and all the things that it spiritually, morally and ethically endorses. We must
get to the point where, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can firmly fasten
to and join together with goodness in order to build up our mind, soul, heart
and strength. In other words, we fall in love with goodness and vow never to divorce
from it.
Now, what kind of “goodness”
are we speaking of? What do we really mean by things that are “good?” When we
speak of “good” it implies those things that are honorable, upright, and
beneficial. For example, this form of “good,” empowers us to love our neighbors
as ourselves, and it will help develop within us the fruits of the Spirit to live
out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control.
When we embrace “goodness”
and choose to “stick to it like glue,” we will begin to live out God’s plan for
us to be holy as He is Holy. In the teachings of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism,
he calls this “going on towards perfection” or “sanctification.” By clinging to
good, we are obediently and sacrificially rendering spiritual acts of worship by presenting our bodies (lives)
as living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable to God.
Clinging to good and
sticking to good “like glue” is, in all reality, a full surrender to the
Lordship of Jesus Christ. We consecrate ourselves to God by forsaking the world
and willfully setting ourselves apart in order to accomplish God’s will for our
lives. It is fully giving of ourselves, 100%, by allowing the Holy Spirit to
work in us to help us to become holy as God is Holy.
I like what the Free
Methodist Church says about this: “…believers must give themselves without
reservation to God. They freely yield all to the purposes of God and devote
every desire and ambition to the service of Christ rather than to self….Christians
cannot be delivered from the dominion of sin if they permit self to reign in
their lives. They cannot serve two masters….” (2019 Book of Discipline; Paragraph 3107).
When we turn from evil
and “cling” or “stick like glue” to what is good, we are choosing to love God
with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and to have no other gods before
Him. We can love our neighbors as ourselves. We can find evil disgusting and
embrace the goodness of unconditional love.
We are told in the Old
Testament: Amos 5:14, “Do what is good and run from evil so that you
may live!” We are reminded again in the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians
5:22, “Stay away from every kind of evil.” Christians should not
keep company with the Devil. We should be investing our life in a close,
personal and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
As St. Augustine wrote,
““It is good for me to stick close to my God. This will constitute the
perfect and eternal wisdom, as it will constitute the truly happy life, because
to attain it is to attain the eternal and supreme good, and to stick close to
God forever is the sum of our good.”
May we find the evil of
this world disgusting and worth avoiding. May we discover that God is not only good,
but that we can cling to His goodness! With Jesus as Savior and the Holy Spirit’s
power within us, may we cling to God and stick to Him “like glue!”
Click the link to enjoy a song by Mylon LeFevre: "Love God - Hate Sin"