There are many unbelievers whose external characters are unimpeachable; they abstain from open iniquity, and they may be kind and do many charitable things.
But the distinctive mark of the true believer is that he "loves righteousness and hates iniquity."
He looks upon sin as the worst enemy of his soul. Not contented with suppressing the outward acts of sin, he strives to mortify its inward motions. The existence of sin within him is his affliction, his burden, and his grief.
He abhors his sin!
He loathes himself on account of his sin!
He often cries with anguish of heart, "O what a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death!" (Romans 7:24)
As for righteousness, he considers it as the health and felicity of his soul. It is the very element in which he desires to live. Were he possessed of holiness in ever so high a degree, he would not be satisfied, as long as there were any measure of it which he had not attained. He would be "as holy as God is holy," and "as perfect as God is perfect." We repeat it, that this is the distinctive character of a true believer!
Unbelievers, whatever their conduct may be, have no real hatred of secret sin, and no sincere delight in the secret exercises of genuine piety; but in the believer, these dispositions radically and abidingly exist!
How vain are the hopes of Heaven, by those who are not lovers of righteousness, and haters of iniquity!
Holiness and happiness are inseparable! It is in vain to hope for the "oil of joy" if we are not lovers of righteousness, and haters of iniquity. Those who conform to the world's standard of goodness may be applauded by other worldlings; but God will not ratify their approval.
The precepts of the Gospel are the infallible and only rule of Christian duty! They were exhibited in all their perfection by our blessed Lord, whose own life was a commentary on them.
[Charles Simeon]
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Psalm 11:7 ... For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
1 John 3:10 ... In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Psalm 45:7 ... Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. ❤
