Proverbs 29:27
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An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
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Ancient and strong enmity exists between the wicked and righteous. It was there in the beginning; it will be there in the end. The righteous hate the wicked; and the wicked hate the righteous. They are contrary one to another, and they shall never make peace. No less than the enmity between God and Satan is the hatred between the just and the wicked.
Cain hated Abel and killed him for nothing but envy and resentment, though Abel was righteous and had done him no wrong (I John 3:12). As with Cain, the wicked hate God and His children in obedience to their murderous father, the devil (John 8:44). How could any hate Jesus of Nazareth? But they tortured and killed him mercilessly! There is horrible animosity against Christ and His disciples (John 7:7; 15:18-19; 17:14).
Get used to the idea, for it is in this horrible context of Cain killing his own brother in the virgin earth that we are told the world will likewise hate us (I John 3:13). This world is no friend to grace or the children of light. It hates them and would exterminate them without the restraining grace of God (Matt 10:22; 24:9; Ps 76:10). Even the religious ones will think they are serving God when they kill you (John 16:2).
The righteous hate the wicked, for they cannot stand the vile spirit and actions of the wicked; their hatred is of evil men and their evil actions. But the wicked hate the righteous for their good deeds; their hatred is of good men and good actions. The conflict is between good and evil, God and Satan, holiness and wickedness, saints and sinners.
The natures of the two antagonists are totally different. The natural man is at enmity against God and His law (Rom 8:7). He is a willing captive of the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience (Eph 2:1-3). And this war was prophesied in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:15). See the comments on 29:10.
The righteous hate the wicked for their ungodliness and enmity against God; the wicked hate the righteous out of envy and depravity. Though the righteous love their personal enemies to show the benevolent character of God (Matt 5:43-48), David hated the enemies of God with a perfect hatred (Ps 139:19-22). There is a great difference between our personal enemies and the avowed enemies of God.
Paul had a burning passion for the conversion of Israelites - those who were the children of God (Rom 9:1-8; 10:1-5). He told Timothy plainly that he endured all he did for the sake of the elect (II Tim 2:10). When it came to wicked men without faith, he asked for prayer to be delivered from them (II Thess 3:1-2; II Tim 4:14-15). He understood his gospel to be a sweet savour of death unto death for such reprobates (II Cor 2:14-17).
God hates the wicked and is angry with them every day (Ps 5:5; 7:11; 11:5). Of course, this wonderful truth is no longer taught! Men prefer the fable that God loves everyone. They love to spout the fable, "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner." But they cannot find where God said any such thing. You would think Noah put a smiley face on the ark with these words: "Smile, God loves you!" But he didn't, and the Lord Jesus will soon say to the same kind of men that He never knew them (Matt 7:23)!
Jesus warned often of the hatred the wicked have for the righteous. He warned His disciples of how the world would hate them (Matt 5:10-12; John 7:7; 15:18-19; 17:14). And the historical account of persecution in the book of Acts is proof of this warning. The Dark Ages are filled with horrible stories of the martyrs of Jesus that are difficult for the most hardened mind to believe. Do not be surprised when the same devilish spirit drives men to hate, slander, whisper, condemn, persecute, and seek to kill you.
If you live a godly life in this world for Jesus Christ, you will suffer persecution (II Tim 3:12). We live in the perilous times of the last days when even most Christians are deceived compromisers (II Tim 3:1 - 4:4). They despise those who are good (II Tim 3:3), and they will turn on you, if you take a stand for holiness in this profane generation! They have a form of godliness, but they deny Him any right to govern their lives (II Tim 3:5).
The righteous are to live separate from the world (Jas 4:4). They may not marry spouses from the world of the ungodly (I Cor 7:39; 11:11). He drowned the earth with the Flood for the sons of God marrying the daughters of men (Gen 6:1-3). It is the bond of Christ's blood and obedience to God that are the basis of friendship for the righteous (Ps 119:63).
There is nothing to worry about, fellow saint. Jesus Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33)! The martyrs in heaven are crying for the day of vengeance, and it is near (Rev 6:9-17)! He is coming in flaming fire to destroy all His enemies (II Thess 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15). If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha!
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