Recently I saw a post on Facebook that was rejoicing in a Pastor's declaration that in love there is no judgement. I contradicted this claim by scripture, and was promptly unfriended. I made this judgement against this comment because I love those who responded favorably to this lie from hell. The Follower of Jesus Christ is to make judgments within the body - remembering that with the same judgement they use, they shall be judged, and with the same measure (Matthew 7:2). We must have our own house in order (remove the beam from our eye, Matthew 7:5), before setting out to make judgments on those who claim to be Christians (1Corinthians 5:12-13). We must be living in obedience to God, and speaking His Words, at His prompting, and not our own. We must be abiding in God's love, mercy, and truth, in all our judgments.
If there is a crime against one you love - your child - do you feel the need for justice? Are judgments made, with consequences to follow? Would we say it is wrong to allow crimes to go unchecked? Why, then, do we reject God's perfect judgments? God is love. God is holy, and His Laws are perfect. And, love requires judgement against that which defiles what is God's holy, and beloved, creation. God has fierce wrath he reserves for that which is evil - for sin - which is not covered by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
My interjection into the online post, and ensuing conversation, was very much unappreciated. People resent having their pet beliefs challenged. They have them for a reason - usually to feel better. Yet, all lies are from the father of lies - the devil - and to make friends with them is to make friends with the father of lies. The ultimate end to this path is the broad highway to hell. Scripture promises that all liars will end up in hell, unless they repent of their ways and turn to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ (Revelations 21:8). Jesus Christ has made every provision that we may be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect! This is the story of grace - the story of the Gospel of Peace (between God and man)... our salvation. We must die to self, and be born again in Christ Jesus. This faith in Christ Jesus produces works in keeping with holiness - and this by the gift of the powerful Holy Spirit of God! That is the only way anyone is going to step beyond the pearl gates, and into God's Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ is the door, and no one will enter except by Him. It matters not that we know Him. Demons know Him, and tremble (James 2:19)! Does He know me? Is my name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
God is love, and so God is also Just. Love requires justice! And there is no justice without judgement. God's judgement is merciful, so He sent His only son to take upon Himself the penalty of our sin. In God's perfect Courtroom we are guilty! It is unthinkable that justice should not follow. God loves justice, and those who are just. There is none who has not sin, thus creating separation between ourselves and a Holy God. Yet God, in His unfathomable love and great mercy, wanted still to provide a way of reconciliation between man and God - for we were created for His pleasure! When we reject this gift - this redemption provided in God's beloved and precious Son, Jesus Christ - then there is no sacrifice left, and we are left to the penalty. We are left to God's great wrath, which Jesus Christ had taken upon Himself at the cross of Calvary.
The Holy Bible, as God's testimony to man, is full of verses declaring the wrath of God. The Bible tells of the impending great and terrible day of the Lord. This day is coming! Christians are imaging they will not be among those who lament, wail, and gnash their teeth? The 'church' has largely lost the fear of God. They have opted for a soft pillow of delusion, and have turned away from the Jesus Christ of scripture because His words are difficult... just like the disciples did in the book of John, chapter 6:60-71.
"Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard [this], said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? [What] and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?"
We have all heard John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." Yet, how often have we heard John 3:36, further down in the chapter? "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Have we read and considered Romans 1:16-19? "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them." In other words, there are those who know of, and have participated in , the grace of God who then will suffer His wrath for handling this truth in unrighteousness! In that day they will declare, "Lord, Lord - didn't we do this, and that, in your Name?!" And God will say, "Depart from me you worker of iniquity, for I never knew you (Matthew 7:21-27)."
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
For those who are believing a false gospel, with false prophets and teachers, and rewriting the Bible with 'new' revelations, there shall be wrath - because God loves us, and hates the sin - the lies - that causes us to be eternally separated from Him, in eternal torment. God has promised that with a different (new) gospel comes a curse! Galatians 1:8 "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." God has wrath in store for these:
Jeremiah 23:29-32 "Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord."
Here are promises for the one who places their trust in Christ Jesus. In the end He will give us a Heavenly home, and wipe away every tear from our eyes: Revelation 21:1-4 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
In fact, God loves us so much He cares about the tears his children shed! For the one who trusts in Him He collects their tears in a bottle, and writes them in His book. Psalm 56:8 "O God. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?" Place your trust in Him, for He cares for you. Let us not choose to remain in His wrath.
Does Jesus Christ know you? Are you living in obedience to Him, in His Truth, or in rebellion? Jesus Christ is coming again, in judgement. Jesus Christ did not come to do away with God's Law. God's Law is not 'inferior', as I have read. His Law is Perfect, and founded in His holiness! Jesus Christ came to FULFILL God's Law in those who are His Followers - those living by faith in Him. He will accomplish His good work in those who live by faith in Jesus Christ! Those who are not found in Him - in His Book of Life - will be left to suffer the wrath of God. There is only one sacrifice. God's wrath is upon all those who are not found under His grace. Love requires Justice, and even then, God has been found merciful, in lovingkindness, in His judgments. Praise His Holy Name! Amen.
