We all agree Good is good. We all know He is all mighty and all knowing. His love is good, so is His grace, His mercy, His Sovereignty, His holiness, His justice and His judgment. Yes, His judgment is also good.
Criminals should not get away with violating laws of the land nor should child abusers, rapists or murderers who pray on the innocent and weak. Punishment is a good thing. It helps children grow into responsible adults and, when punishment is drawn from God, it helps adults straighten-up their lives.
I have received many comments about previous messages I wrote about God’s judgment and the importance of punishment. I am a strong believer in God’s goodness and able to recognize this perfect goodness spreads throughout all His attributes which include justice. This is why I preach the fact that all sins will be punished which is in tune with the word of God.
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18:20)
We can all be certain that God is good all the time and that He is just. Unlike a judge that contradicts a unanimous jury on a murder case letting a serial killer walk away without punishment, God’s perfection ensures that all sins will be punished. Sins of believers were laid on Christ on the cross or sins of the unfaithful will be severely punished throughout the great tribulation. Either way, God remains good and just and His will be done on earth and in heaven.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-26)
Only God can make sinners righteous through His Grace and the blood of Jesus Christ. It is important all believers understand the law was not given to justify sin but to expose it. Since we all fall short of the God’s glory we should expect to pay the ultimate price which is death. Only those who repent of their sins and seek a relationship with Christ through faith inherit a new birth which stretches beyond the death of our bodies and the wrath of God to come prophesied in the Revelation.
Being reborn is not the end rather it is the beginning of a long walk along a narrow path drawn by God through His son Jesus Christ and His word the bible. I have been asked why many Christians continue to sin after they are born again and to this question I have but one answer: Because we are weak!
Admitting weakness is one thing. Assuming permission is another. When looking at the Christian community one must be able to differentiate the two. Those who admit they are weak, repent of their sins and allow God to renew their minds are true Christians well on their way to heaven while those involved in habitual sin who use Christianity and the thought of Salvation as a screen are in grave danger of being left behind to dwell in darkness.
There are really two types of people in God’s churches. True Christians and hypocrites. Both are sinners. All their sins were or will be punished. God sees all, knows all. He is both omnipresent and inner present living within all those who believe in Him and His son Jesus Christ.
The punishment for our sins is not only paid by the crucifixion of Jesus. Every single sin is punishable one way or another. Remember God’s grace is perfect and so is His justice. Though He may choose to let us off easy knowing our hearts, He may also bring wrath upon us to teach us a lesson we would otherwise ignore. We are His children and must obey Him. The bible commands us to do this countless times:
“We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29)
“If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)
“Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.” (Jeremiah 26:13)
Since these is no doubt all sins are punished, there should be no motivation to sin. Are you involved in habitual sin or too weak spiritually to overcome your sinful nature? If so I strongly recommend you allow God to renew your mind through prayer, bible reading, church, small groups or by calling on this ministry to help strengthen your heart and mind. Resisting temptation is not easy, it is a process that involves faith and method. This continuous process begins by asking God for help! Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your guidance in our lives
And for giving us purpose beyond our own understanding,
We ask you to continue to lead our footsteps
And help us with our faulted sense of direction.
Lord we welcome your mission for our lives
And ask that you strengthen us,
So that we may seek you each day
To build a relationship with you.
God help us be more like you
Help us understand your ways,
Help us obey you and your word
And do so each and every day.
Father please forgive us our sins
And allow us to forgive others who sin against us,
God we love you and thank you for all that surrounds us!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
