Inside the pages of this book, Rev. Dr. Larry A. Brookins examines three significant contexts from the Bible that bring to the forefront how God views sin and disobedience, whether outside the church among the peoples of the world, or within the church among the congregations of the saints. It also highlights the heart of the God of both Old and New Testaments, as it relates to the life that is lived in submission and conformity to the Will of God. In Seven Things that God Hates, Seven Letters to Seven Churches and Let Go of Your Neighbor's Throat no camouflage is presented. Jesus said: "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32) . The God, Who is Love, has word against the transgressor of His commandments. The goal is not condemnation but correction (see II Timothy 3:16) . The objective of divine admonition is forever? "repentance" (see II Peter 3:9) . More than anything else God desires to bless, but He will curse. More than anything else the gates of Heaven invite all, but what of the reality of Hell? The love of God is unconditional and embraces every sinner with an invitation to salvation, regardless of individual sin. But don't misinterpret divine love for acceptance of a lifestyle that displeases God and or for absolute salvation without the condition of faith and obedience. Jesus died for all, but not all will enjoy the fruit of His sacrifice.

Seven Things that God Hates & Seven Letters to Seven Churches

By Larry A. Brookins

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Rev. Dr. Larry A. Brookins
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-4728-7

Contents

Foreword...........................................................................................................xvThe 'Gavel'........................................................................................................xixPreface............................................................................................................xxiIntroduction.......................................................................................................xxviiCHAPTER ONE Sin One: A Proud Look..................................................................................1CHAPTER TWO Sin Two: A Lying Tongue................................................................................13CHAPTER THREE Sin Three: Hands that Shed Innocent Blood............................................................25CHAPTER FOUR Sin Four: An Heart that Deviseth Wicked Imaginations..................................................35CHAPTER FIVE Sin Five: Feet that Be Swift in Running to Mischief...................................................45CHAPTER SIX Sin Six: A False Witness that Speaketh Lies............................................................55CHAPTER SEVEN Sin Seven: He that Soweth Discord Among Brethren.....................................................67CHAPTER EIGHT Letter One: To the Church at Ephesus "Rekindling our Love for the Lord"..............................101CHAPTER NINE Letter Two: To the Church at Smyrna "Be Faithful".....................................................111CHAPTER TEN Letter Three: To the Church at Pergamos "Don't Compromise".............................................121CHAPTER ELEVEN Letter Four: To the Church at Thyatira "Ridding the Church of Jezebel"..............................131CHAPTER TWELVE Letter Five: To the Church at Sardis "Having a Name without Substance"..............................141CHAPTER THIRTEEN Letter Six: To the Church at Philadelphia "An Open Door for Faithful Service".....................149CHAPTER FOURTEEN Letter Seven: To the Church at Laodicea "The Problem with Being Lukewarm".........................157CHAPTER FIFTEEN Let Go of Your Neighbor's Throat...................................................................169Epilogue...........................................................................................................177Sources Cited......................................................................................................181

Chapter One

Sin One: A Proud Look

Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV) "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: (17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (18) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

(NIV) "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: (17) haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, (18) a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, (19) a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

Recorded for us in these 4 verses of the 6th Chapter of the Book of Proverbs is an inventory of seven things that God hates, yet, this record is not meant to be exhaustive or a complete listing of all sins, but merely suggestive of the kind of things that God hates.

Throughout Scripture there are many other sins catalogued, in both the Old and New Testaments, all of which, equally to the sins of our text, God hates. By way of side note: there are no big sins and little sins, or acceptable sins in the definition of God. The truth of the matter is that, God hates, or God despises all sin. The truth of the matter is that, all sin is an abomination or a blemish against all that God is and all that God stands for. All sin is in direct violation against the precepts or instructions of God's Word for life and living.

Sin, in the life of the Christian, misrepresents our relationship with God, as it reveals the DNA of the devil, of whom Jesus said, "was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). Furthermore, Scripture states: "He who commits sin is of the devil" (1 John 3:8).

What happens when we sin is that, we commit those things that God admonishes us not to do. We break His commandments. We transgress His laws. We disobey His rules. We show contempt for His character. We defy His authority and we go beyond the limits of behavior and communication that are clearly posted for our obedience within His Word.

Sin disconnects us from God, as God can have no fellowship with sin. Therefore, sin infringes on what God will do for us and give to us, and it brings into our life, not the favor of God, which God desires for our lives, but the judgment of God against our life, both now and in the future, unless we rectify the sin issue through the confession of sin and by the giving up of sin, regardless of what the sin may be.

People don't like to talk or hear about sin for what sin really is, but sin is detestable to God and a plague on society. It corrupts nations. It destroys households. It severs relationships and sin causes widespread destruction, disease, debauchery and death. No matter how we attempt to dress it up and no matter how we endeavor to dismiss sin and deem all things and conduct legal, permissible, okay and good, there is nothing righteous or wholesome about sin.

To consecrate, consummate and congratulate what God condemns and what God abhors is like putting fresh clothes on a filthy body. Though you look good on the outside, sooner or later, the stench underneath will rise to the surface and 'infect' and 'affect' the exterior cover-over and camouflage, and the longer you go unwashed, the greater the stink that protrudes from your flesh. Simply put, you can dress up the outside, but you can't dress up or cover-up sin. Sin is like a flicker of fire-if it goes unchecked; fire can ignite and demolish your house.

The Book of Numbers, Chapter 32 and verse 23 declares: "Be sure that your sin will find you out." Translation: "you will eventually suffer for your sin."

No matter how hard we try to conceal sin, or give sin a makeup or facial treatment, or how we attempt to legislate sin as legal, we only deceive ourselves. Know that, we might fool or convince people, but never God. Always remember that, the wheels of God grind slowly, but they do grind. And what eventually happens is that, what God grinds is broken up and pulverized.

We cannot trifle with God's Word and still expect His approval on our lives. Proverbs 28:13 states: "He who covers his sins shall not prosper." God is no respecter of persons. He has no favorites. He has no seniority perks or specialized treatment when it comes to sin. Sin is sin, no matter who commits it: preacher, president, choir member, deacon or musician.

God has no categories or sections of first-class sinners and economy or coach sinner. For the sinner, no matter whom he or she is, we have to deal with God. None of us can escape and none of us will...