THE INEVITABILITY OF JUDGMENT

We often comment on licentious San Francisco and wonder how long before the next earthquake strikes.

We always think that we can sin and get away with it. Like the child covering his eyes in a game of peek-a-boo and believing that no one can see him, we so often have this crazy notion that our sins go unnoticed by God. He can’t turn a blind eye to sin. He is ever holy, just and righteous. Sin has to be dealt with, one way or another. We can either have our sins completely forgiven and forgotten through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, or we can ignore our sins, harden our hearts and sear our consciences to the point that God must step in.

2 Kings chapter 24 is one chapter I always dread reading.

And he (Nebuchadnezzar) carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. (2 Kings 24:14)

God is astonishingly longsuffering. He is incredibly patient. He is immensely merciful, but judgment for sin is inevitable. Israel had opportunity, after opportunity, after opportunity, to repent of their heathen-following ways. God sent prophets to proclaim the truths of righteousness, but in the end, their wicked hearts won out. They thumbed their noses at God, enjoyed their idolatry and adultery, and were eventually dealt righteous judgment by a holy God.

(Is God finished with Israel? Certainly not. Daniel’s 70th week is yet to come. His dealings with His chosen people are far from over, but at this moment, the nation of Israel is blinded in unbelief. The greatest days of Israel are yet to come.)

Reader, sin is what caused Jesus to suffer on Calvary. Sin separates the Christian from blessing, and the unbeliever from God Himself. God must judge sin. We often comment on licentious San Francisco and wonder how long before the next earthquake strikes. It’s only a matter of time. The foul stench of Sodom-and-Gomorrah-like wickedness must be nauseous to God. Sydney is also in the firing line, be it earthquake or some other form of judgment. (How God restrains Himself from raining fire and brimstone upon the Mardi-Gras is beyond my comprehension.) Australia is a wicked nation that has forgotten God. Judgment will fall, sooner or later. I pray that there is enough “salt” to preserve our nation for a time yet.

As believers, we must “keep short accounts with God.” We have to contend with the flesh, this monstrous propensity towards sin. Only by complete reliance on the Holy Spirit can we live a victorious life. Thankfully, when we sin, there is forgiveness on tap. God’s mercies are just plain wonderful!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Unbeliever, no matter how low you have sunk in sin, there is a Saviour who loves you. You can personally have the amazing experience of the new birth if you will come, acknowledging your desperate plight as a Hell-deserving sinner, and place your faith in Jesus Christ.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

 

 

DON’T PLAY WITH THE SNAKE

“Better to avoid the snake than to apply first aid after being bitten.”

I knew a fellow once who used to collect snakes. One day he purchased a black snake from Paddy’s Markets in Sydney. (I don’t think they sell live snakes any more!) He took it home and started playing with it. He obviously annoyed the life out of the little critter, and it decided enough was enough. It latched onto his thumb. Seeing it was only a baby snake, the man, though annoyed with the pain in his thumb, went to the beach for a swim. He promptly collapsed in excruciating pain and was rushed to hospital. He didn’t realize at the time that the younger the snake, the more concentrated the venom. The lesson was painfully learned.

It always amazes me how we think we can act against God, playing with sin, and get away with it. It doesn’t work like that. It never has, it never will. God has fixed the universe so that sin never works. “You can’t win with sin!” David found Nathan’s prophecy to be painfully true.

“Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house…” (2 Samuel 12:11)

The Bible is an incredible Book. It shows us the fallen nature of man, in detail. It shows the heart of man for what it is; desperately wicked. The account of Amnon, the rape of his half sister, his father’s refusal to confront the crime, and Absalom’s murderous intent is one of the sordid chapters in all the Bible. It is obvious that God included this in His Book so that we might see the almost instantaneous, and deadly consequences of our sins. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

The word spoken in unjustified anger, the one night stand, the gazing at pornography, the bitter spirit, the lazy lifestyle, the love of money; all have opposite reactions. Sin always bites. Sin always affects. Is there forgiveness and cleansing for our sins? Surely, for the blood of Jesus has been shed on our behalf, but even when we are pardoned from all sin, the effects of those same sins still have to run their course.

Don’t play with the snake! Better to avoid the snake than to apply first aid after being bitten.

“…be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

TIM TAM OR MINT SLICE?

On his T is the best polly, see?

Deciphering today’s cryptic clue will not be a problem for any old timers reading this blog. In the humble opinion of this author, Arnott’s are undoubtedly the world’s best biscuits (“cookies” for our American readers). Is there anything better than an original Tim Tam? Maybe Mint Slice? The only competitor that I can see is a McVities’ Chocolate Digestive, introduced to me by David Legge. It is commonly reported that Arnott’s SAO biscuits stand for Salvation Army Officer? True or false? I’m not sure, but I have it on good authority that the parrot on the famous company emblem stands for “On his T is the best polly, see?” which being interpreted is, “Honesty is the best policy!”

King David found this truth out when confronted by Nathan the prophet. His breathtaking hypocrisy was in sharp contrast to his repentance. No doubt most Christians have read Psalm 51 to glimpse David’s heartfelt sorrow at his many sins. As dreadful as David’s sin was, it pales beside God’s undeserved mercy and incredible grace.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Forgiveness. What a sweet word! How does a believer claim forgiveness? It all goes back to honesty. The word “confess” simply means to “agree with God”. That’s it. We don’t have to pay penance. We don’t have to kiss a stone or worship a saint or visit a priest. We must be honest with ourselves and agree with God that we have sinned. How can this work? Simply because our sin debt has already been paid, by Jesus, on the cross. He was our sacrifice, our substitute, our atonement. The debt is gone. It’s all too simple for many. Surely there’s something we must do? No, it’s all been done.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:” (Psalm 139:23)

Christian, why not pause for a few moments right now. Ask God to search your heart for any hidden sin, large, small. Be honest with God. Agree that it is sin, then claim God’s promise of forgiveness. One famous preacher used to call this verse the “Christian’s bar of soap.” I need to honest with God (and myself) every hour of every day.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)