Today’s Reading:
Ephesians 4: 17 - 5:1
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1)
The teachings on God's righteous judgement and wrath is not easily acceptable and therefore, it usually falls on deaf ears. We live in a time when we have set ourselves up as our own judge and ignore God’s judgement. This is similar to what the Pharisees did. They made the assumptions that God's wrath and judgement would pass over them simply because of their position and status within the synagogue or church of the day. Therefore, we ask ourselves a lot of questions to justify our actions like “why will God be angry with His children?”. Remember 1 Peter 1: 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”). We need to understand that God's wrath is His love in action against sin. God has to be just and judge sin, otherwise he would not be God. The very character and nature of a Holy God has shown us the route to saving us from His wrath in judgement. He gave His life for us so that we will not perish (John 3: 16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.) God has done what we cannot do, and He has done what we do not deserve; He died in our place and gave us His righteousness. This He did, so that He might be just and be the justifier of those that believe (Roman 3: 26 - to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.) God has shown an amazing love by going to Calvary for us. It is His loving way of redemption and salvation from eternal judgement into torment.
Most of us are terrified of being judged. And for the most part, most of us are reluctant at judging other people. We want to be known for showing compassion and understanding. We want to show nothing but grace and love to everyone. Very good. But the scripture is clear on sin and judgement - (1 Timothy 5: 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.), 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. God is a righteous judge - How does one see His action in Matthew 25: 32-41 and Luke 3:17? He will separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the chaff. We can see that there is an everlasting torment; a place with weeping and gnashing of teeth prepared for the damned. Some of us will ask why can’t everyone escape this horror? Yes, you can. How? Obey His commandments. The idea of heaven is easy to embrace. In fact at funerals, mourners have been known to say, “She’s or he’s in a much better place now.”
However, we need to come to a place where we realize how necessary and comforting the doctrine of God’s wrath and judgement are. It is meant to guide us in walking with God and pleasing Him. If there is no ultimate accounting for evil, for an example, what do we say to little girls who are sold into the sex trade by greedy, oppressive individuals? How do we see that? It’s too simple to merely say that our God is a God of love and nothing else. If a just Judge does not exist, we would be living in a world of chaos in which the strong swallows up the weak and only the powerful survive. For love to be true there must be judgement. Therefore, be imitator of God as dear children. Walk in obedience to His commands. Do not take advantage of God’s mercy, kindness, patience and gentleness for granted. Do not take the MERCY of God as an invitation to sin. (Romans 6: 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?)
God is a fair and just judge. He is a great friend but a dangerous enemy. (Hebrews 10: 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.). He is the judge, but full of love. (Revelation 3: 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.). Surrender to Him completely and you will be a benefactor of His benevolent acts.
Halleluyah!
IRETI SOLOLA
Prayer:
Father, help me to live in awe of You.
Jesus help me to imitate You.
Holy Spirit divine, empower me to walk in righteousness.
Father, release the fear of You upon Nigeria
Empower Your church greater anointing, revelation and unction to silent violent opposition to the move of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.
Meditate on the following scriptures:
Proverb 29:1 - He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Hebrew 12: 11 - Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Proverbs 15: 32 - He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
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