In today’s world, we are beset on all sides by those who persecute and seek to destroy us. While liquor stores, tattoo parlors and marijuana stores remained open during the pandemic, churches and synagogues were closed to the public. When Christians needed to be close to the Lord, people decided that places of worship needed to remain closed. Some jurisdictions took things further by forbidding singing in churches when they were reopened. It seemed that the world wanted to dispose of not only the virus but also our faith.
But, the one thing that we can rest assured of is that God is not subject to the will of kings, presidents, governors or potentates. He reigns supreme over all. His power is infinite and His love knows no bounds. People will, however, try to get rid of God and establish themselves as ruler of all. Let them have their delusion of power. We, as Christians, know better.
Peter, in chapter two of his second epistle, writes, “For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.”
No matter what happens in this world, we can count on the fact that God will rescue the godly and punish the wicked. We have seen it time and time again. Peter brilliantly sums up God’s wrath directed to the wicked and His love for the righteous. God will always rescue the righteous from their trials and tribulations. It is that fact we can count on. The wicked, in God’s own time, will face His wrath and receive their punishment.
In chapter one of his letter to the Romans, Paul writes, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Deep down inside of every man, woman and child, there is a feeling or little voice that tells us that God exists. Since before the beginning of time, God has existed and continues to exist. He truly is the great Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (I AM WHO I AM). He is the creator of all that we see.
As we grow older, our view of the world changes. We become corrupted by the things of this world and slowly become part of it. That voice and feeling deep inside of us becomes softer and softer and less pronounced. Soon, we believe in the things of this world and live in sin.
God has given us all a chance to have a relationship with Him. He gave us His son as our atonement sacrifice and provided a plan of salvation for each of us. That is our way out of sin. We can choose to take the undeserved gift or continue to live our lives in sin. But, remember that there is a consequence to that lifestyle.
In chapter six of Romans, Paul clearly writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
It is a choice that we all have to make. We can either accept God’s grace and plan of salvation and return to Him or we can face death, destruction and damnation for our wickedness. God will rescue you from the trials that you face, but you have to accept His gift of salvation. If you don’t and prefer to walk in darkness and live a sinful lifestyle, then you accept the consequences of your choice.
You can follow the path that leads to paradise or stay on the road that leads to ruin. If you choose the latter, then you are doomed to darkness. If, however, you choose the former, then you will be rescued and spend eternity with God the Father. You must make a decision to follow Jesus and accept him as your personal Savior and Master of your life. When you do that, you can stand firm in His grace.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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