I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Perfect hatred is complete hatred of sin and of evil. Sin deserves this hatred because it cost the life of heaven's Commander and would leave humanity enslaved to Satan. This hatred of sin does not mean hating sinners themselves, whose souls are still to be loved.
The hatred is not mere feeling but really ceasing to sin, knowing what sin is, holding fixed moral principles, and being cleansed from all moral defilement that God abhors. Being free from that defilement includes being free from licentious practices. It shows a wakened moral sensibility, living for God's glory with single-eyed devotion to His glory, and giving an example of moral uprightness and purity.
As David did, those seeking to be buried with Christ in baptism must be able to truthfully affirm this hatred, and no one should be baptized without this experience. Readiness for baptism must be tested by critical examination through close questioning to show that principles of righteousness are implanted in the soul and faith has grasped the power of Jesus Christ for safety from sin. The same close questioning must prove fitness for sacred work as well as for baptism.
Perfect hatred is complete hatred of sin and of evil. Sin deserves this hatred because it cost the life of heaven's Commander and would leave humanity enslaved to Satan. This hatred of sin does not mean hating sinners themselves, whose souls are still to be loved.
The hatred is not mere feeling but really ceasing to sin, knowing what sin is, holding fixed moral principles, and being cleansed from all moral defilement that God abhors. Being free from that defilement includes being free from licentious practices. It shows a wakened moral sensibility, living for God's glory with single-eyed devotion to His glory, and giving an example of moral uprightness and purity.
As David did, those seeking to be buried with Christ in baptism must be able to truthfully affirm this hatred, and no one should be baptized without this experience. Readiness for baptism must be tested by critical examination through close questioning to show that principles of righteousness are implanted in the soul and faith has grasped the power of Jesus Christ for safety from sin. The same close questioning must prove fitness for sacred work as well as for baptism.