Judgment

“Almost every headline, every television news report, and every radio bulletin these days proclaims one essential truth; The modern world is in chaos and no one has a realistic solution….
The whole world is crying out for some word of hope, but all we hear is the babble of wishful thinkers and charlatans.  Psychologists, educators, social scientists, physicians, and media wizards of every stripe offer pronouncements and preachments, but even the best ideas generally collapse under close scrutiny.  So far, our modern secular society has produced no positive answers, yet we continue to reach out in hope.
Actually, there is still God's warning to a sinful world.  The television news flashes are a shadow of His loving hand at work, pushing for the world’s redemption.  The radio bulletins are a reminder that in spite of our compulsive determination to ruin the earth and destroy God’s program of salvation.  He has not given up on us completely.  Until that day when God’s final judgment affixes each of us into place for eternity, there is a chance to begin again.  Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7).  That is the last best hope for this world.  Ultimately it is our only hope.

(From Storm Warnings by Billy Graham)



Deuteronomy 7:2

When the LORD your God hands these nations over to you and you conquer them, you must completely destroy£ them. Make no treaties with them and show them no mercy.

God told the Israelites to destroy their enemies totally. How can a God of love and mercy wipe out everyone, even children? Although God is loving and merciful, he is also just. These enemy nations were as much a part of God’s creation as Israel was, and God does not allow evil to continue unchecked. God had punished Israel by keeping out of the Promised Land all those who had disobeyed. The command to destroy these nations was both a judgment (9:4-6) and a safety measure. On one hand, the people living in the land were being judged for their sin, and Israel was God’s instrument of judgment—just as God would one day use other nations to judge Israel for its sin (2 Chronicles 36:17; Isaiah 10:12). On the other hand, God’s command was designed to protect the nation of Israel from being ruined by the idolatry and immorality of its enemies. To think that God is too “nice” to judge sin would be to underestimate him.

Matthew 3:10

Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

God’s message hasn’t changed since the Old Testament: People will be judged for their unproductive lives. God calls us to be active in our obedience. John compared people who claim they believe God but don’t live for God to unproductive trees that will be cut down. To be productive for God, we must obey his teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith. How productive are you for God?

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds and burn them and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

The young weeds and the young blades of wheat look the same and can’t be distinguished until they are grown and ready for harvest. Weeds (unbelievers) and wheat (believers) must live side by side in this world. God allows unbelievers to remain for a while, just as a farmer allows weeds to remain in his field so the surrounding wheat isn’t uprooted with them. At the harvest, however, the weeds will be uprooted and thrown away. God’s harvest (judgment) of all people is coming. We are to make ourselves ready by making sure that our faith is sincere.

Ramblings

Have you ever surrendered control of your life to God?  Have you ever asked him to forgive your sins?  Pray and ask him to be your LORD and Savior.  Tell him you are sorry for your sins.  tell your pastor that you accept Christ as your Savior and LORD.