Hate Works
The depravity of man is not only a theological category, and it not only demonstrates why a Savior is necessary, it also prepares us for why the gospel is so good.
Two of the most brutal phrases in the New Testament that describe the effects of depravity on society are as follows:
- hated by others and hating one another
- bite and devour one another
The first phrases is found in Titus 3:3 bibreftitus3 bibreftitus3v3 talking about how men live pre-conversion. They are driven by worldly passions (see also Titus 2:12 bibreftitus2 bibreftitus2v12), strong desires which are better labeled hates than loves. As with all sinful nature, not everyone’s hate is as hateful as it could be, but the trajectory is the same. We live in a world of hate.
The second phrase is found in Galatians 5:15 bibrefgalatians5 bibrefgalatians5v15, and in context a contrast is set up between the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. There are worldly passions, there are fleshly passions. “Bite and devour” are metaphors of prey, of the destruction caused by our mouths.
These are different one-anothers. They are not good works, they are hate works, and they do not belong to those who belong to Jesus Christ, to those who have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24 bibrefgalatians5 bibrefgalatians5v24)