KEY VERSE: Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
REFLECTION: God’s Judgment may not be a pleasant topic, but it must be taken very seriously. Judgment is not God’s desire for any man or woman, as He wishes for all to come to repentance and to live an obedient life surrendered to Him; but, as He is holy, He must judge sin. His mercy is clearly and perfectly shown to all mankind through the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ, out of love for us, to spare us from His wrath. Jesus suffered the judgment for all mankind’s sin, the wrath of God, for us (in our place) through His death on the cross.
God is completely fair and righteous in His judgment of all, both saved and unsaved. Romans 2:2 states, “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things” (wickedness described a few verses earlier in chapter 1). Praise God that He is longsuffering toward us all. James 2:13b notes “…and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” God’s preference is that each of us experience His mercy (the Gift of Salvation) versus His judgment (eternal separation from Him forever in Hell). If we are saved, it is also His desire that we seek to live according to His will (obedience) to experience His bountiful blessings and avoid chastisement from a loving Father who always seeks our best -- even through correction, if needed. We must remember that, whether a person is saved or unsaved, God is not mocked – we will reap what we sow. There is no respect of persons regarding God’s judgments, as stated in Romans 211: “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Thank God, too, that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9). What a wonderful promise! God hates sin and so should we!
APPLICATION: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE LIVE OUR LIVES OUT OF LOVE FOR WHAT THE FATHER HAS DONE FOR US, AND REALIZE THAT SIN ALWAYS HAS CONSEQUENCES AND WILL ALWAYS BE LOVINGLY DEALT WITH BY HIM. SALVATION IS NEVER A LICENSE TO SIN! WE NEED TO SEEK, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,TO LIVE A LIFE SEPARATED FROM THE WORLD – THIS GLORIFIES HIM AND BLESSES US AND THOSE WE INFLUENCE -- AND, WHEN WE SIN, TO CONFESS THAT SIN, FORSAKE IT (REPENT), AND SEEK HIS MERCY AND FORGIVENESS AND, HENCE, TRIUMPH OVER JUDGMENT.
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
IN CHRIST, MARK
Dr. Mark Ritter
Family: Jennifer, Anthony, Austin, & Ashley
Areas of service at VBC: Chairman of Deacons, Head of Ushers
Occupation: Doctor
Hobbies: Watching the Colts & IU
Family: Jennifer, Anthony, Austin, & Ashley
Areas of service at VBC: Chairman of Deacons, Head of Ushers
Occupation: Doctor
Hobbies: Watching the Colts & IU