Vindication

The “problem of evil” with which we intellectually grapple and are personally burdened will one day be a distant memory. God will “take his great power and begin to reign” (Rev.11:16). The world’s attempts at society will be set aside as heaven observes with relief: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (v.15). As Isaiah had foreseen God himself will “make the crooked straight” and “the rough places plain” (40:1-5). But in the meantime we are forced to wait for this great day of biblical vindication. Slander, deception and misunderstanding may rule the day but God prompts us to rest assured and not lose heart. Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn.16:33). For now, as Peter directed may we “commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1Pt.4:19).

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Tumultuous World

We live in a violent and tumultuous world—for now. Surprisingly, it’s one of the byproducts of grace. Had God chosen to destroy every sinner at the moment of his or her sinful intent, our world would indeed be free from all the horrible headlines, but it would also be unoccupied. Instead, God graciously and mercifully provides time to bring many sinners to repentance, and this leaves us living in a prolonged period of human rebellion and suffering. On top of that, as a consequence of the first act of rebellion in Genesis 3, as well as a reminder of our dire need, God justly imposed material rebellion and natural corruption to be interwoven into the fabric of our planet. Therefore, the immediate forecast will be an ongoing string of moral and natural disasters, which will continue to erupt around our world as we go about calling men and women to repentance and faith in Christ. As Jesus warned, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed… For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:8). It’s doesn’t feel good to hear a “bad forecast”, but it does keep us from being demoralized while we continue to make our way toward a time and a place in which sin, violence, and suffering are a distant memory.

For more sermons and devotionals on Tumultuous World, please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org. 

Hate Evil

Psalm 97:10 says it as succinctly as it can be said: “O you who love the Lord, hate evil!” This terse exhortation may come as a bit of a surprise to many Christians. “Hate” after all is something we modern followers of Jesus never want to be associated with. We prefer to be described as loving. And of course we should be. But to love what is good involves hating what is evil (Romans 12:9; Amos 5:15). Especially when it comes to loving God. How can we say that we love a righteous and holy God while being passive about the things that nailed his Son to a cross? How can we draw near to have fellowship with a perfect and pure Lord and not disdain that which is perverse and impure? Yes, we need the psalmist’s curt rebuke, to hate what is evil, regardless of how unpopular it may be. And though God commands of us this uncomfortable emotion, he clearly prohibits any sinful expressions of hatred. “Be angry and do not sin” God’s word tells us (Ephesians 4:26). That may be hard, but indifference is not the solution. “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil” (Proverbs 8:13). This indignation may drive us to passionate prayer, ardent proclamation or even stern rebuke, but never apathy. So may our zeal for God and love for good be evident. May it rightly be said of us: “They love the Lord and hate evil” (Psalm 97:10)!