Some People Just Hate God

It is harsh to hear. It is even more harsh to say, but it is true. No matter what we say or do; no matter what God says or does, some people just hate Him. Some people just refuse to listen to His love and grace. Some people are just too much into themselves to see the glory of God.

The Lord said, “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'”

Matthew 7.21-23

Our Lord makes it ‘painfully’ clear. Not everyone shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Many who think they are ‘in’ will find themselves looking at God with frustration and anger. “What do you mean ‘he’ is here too?” What do you mean I’m not special?” Where do we stand?

It doesn’t require much thought to see those who hate God standing outside the gates. We think they won’t care, but here’s the deal. Today’s Gospel isn’t about ‘those people’ who hate God. Today’s Gospel is about us, the ones who say we believe.

Hating God is much more than not believing in Him. In fact, you can’t hate God without believing He is real. Hating God happens when we witness God’s love and mercy but judge Him for ‘not doing it’ the way WE think He should. Hating God happens when we think He is wrong.

The entire Orthodox Christian way of life is designed not to believe in God, but to learn to love as He loves. You can’t hate God if you really love Him. If you really love Him, you would never ‘question’ His actions, let alone His judgment. If God ‘lets them in’ that should be good enough.

As we continue our ‘summer fast’ for the Holy Apostles, I invite you to remind yourself that life isn’t about you. Heaven isn’t about you. The Church isn’t about you. It is about God. If you find yourself judging God or judging others, I suggest you’re missing the point of fasting.

As we are guided by our spiritual fathers, fasting is meant to help us ‘get over ourselves’ and to see the world through God’s eyes. It doesn’t mean we ignore sin. When we see sin, or practice it ourselves, we should weep and repent. Fasting helps us realize we need work on our souls.

Put yourself in today’s Gospel lesson for a moment. Place yourself ‘outside’ and ask why. Would you challenge God by defending your actions? Would you accuse God of not being fair? These are actions and feelings of hate, not love.

If you love God, or more importantly if you want to learn to love God, start by accepting that God knows better how we should live. Start by taking inventory of your life through prayer and fasting, and repent. Some day we will all be together with God. We should want everyone there.