The Lord’s Prayer (Part 1)

Luke records that when Jesus “was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John [the Baptist] also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). Jesus responded by giving them a pattern in what we have come to know as “the Lord’s prayer” (see Luke 11:2-4). This prayer or portions of it are found everywhere on wall plaques, murals, key chains, desktop figurines, obituary notices, and many other venues. Its familiarity may even have desensitized us to its true teaching. We need to pause as we hear our Lord’s words to reflect on his  example.

His prayer opens with “Our Father which art in heaven.” For the child of God to begin with “our Father” is quite natural. Paul reminded the Galatian believers that “because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). Not everyone has the right to call God “our Father,” only those who have become related to him through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Apostle John wrote “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah] is born of God (I John 5:1). Believing on Jesus as Savior and Lord is the only means of becoming a member in God’s family and rightly owning him as “our Father.”

Jesus goes on to pray to our Father “which art in heaven.” The Psalmist relates “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men” (Psalm 11:4). We are reminded that when we pray to the Father, we pray to the ruler of all. What a privilege is ours! What reverence is warranted!

“Hallowed be thy name.” The word “hallowed” means to treat as holy, set apart. God is absolutely holy, even his very name. Isaiah recorded “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). It is beyond our understanding to recognize that this holy God makes it possible for sinners like us to dwell with him and own him as our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ!

“Thy kingdom come.” Ultimately the kingdom in view here is the kingdom that Jesus Christ himself establishes when he returns. Then “the kingdoms of this world [are] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Until that time the kingdom is a spiritual kingdom comprised of every soul who submits to the gospel of Christ and follows him.

“Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” The Scriptures tell us that God “worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11; emphasis added) and that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17). That being so, our prayer takes the shape of submitting to his will in all matters; our petitions couched in his sovereign care and eternal purpose. Take a fresh look at our Lord’s response to his disciples in this matter of prayer and may your own prayer life be enriched. More to come…

But One Thing is Needful

The gospel writer, Luke, records an occasion when Jesus “entered into a certain village and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me” (Luke 10:38-40). Stated briefly, Martha was busy serving and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to him speak. We are not told in the text what kind of serving occupied Martha. It was likely something to do with preparing the meal for their guest.

It is probable that Mary served as well but “left [Martha] to serve alone” in order that she “also” (in addition to serving) might sit at Jesus’ feet to hear his teaching. In any case, Martha served, but Mary sat. Martha soon became “cumbered about much serving.” Literally, her service became a distraction to her, and she became anxious.

She concludes that if Mary would help her then order would be restored, and things would get done. So she appeals to the Lord to speak to Mary. However, our Lord sees things very differently. “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Martha’s busyness had kept her from that one thing that is needful, Jesus himself. Mary had chosen well. She sat at his feet in loving devotion desiring to learn of him. There are many Marthas in today’s church and few Marys. Many people working, but few worshiping. Oh, that the church, God’s people, would return to that one thing that is needful.

The Psalmist knew the value of that one thing for he testified “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire at his temple” (Psalm 27:4). To “dwell in the house of the LORD” spoke of his desire for sustained, uninterrupted communion with the Lord. God made us for this very purpose, to fellowship with him. We forego beholding his beauty when we fail to apprehend and appreciate his attributes. The beauty of the Lord is found in all that he is – holy, loving, wise, good, omniscient, and infinitely more. As we see him for who and what he is, we find that our perceived (and real) needs simply vanish. Finally, to inquire at his temple is to seek his will in all things and to submit ourselves to his ways over our own. Without doubt Mary, like this Psalmist, understood that this one thing is needful.

Martha was not wrong for serving, but for serving without worship. Christ pointed her to this one thing that her sister had grasped. Christianity is not being busy doing good things. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ characterized by loving worship for “him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

Each of us should ask ourselves, “Am I sitting and serving or am I just serving? Am I missing that one thing?

Who is my Neighbor?

Virtually every state has what might be referred to as “Good Samaritan Laws.” Such laws are in place to protect citizens from civil liability when helping those in need during an emergency. These laws draw their name from a parable that Jesus taught. A certain lawyer “had tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). This lawyer was an expert in the Mosaic law (the first five books of the Old Testament), so Christ asked him “What is written in the law?” (Luke 10:26). In so asking, the Lord affirmed that the law was both instructive and authoritative in this matter.

The lawyer answered and said “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” There was no debate about the lawyer’s answer. He hit the nail on the head, so our Lord tells him, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live” (Luke 10:27-28).

It is evident that the lawyer suspected that he had fallen short when it came to his neighbor. In fact, the Scriptures record that “he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). No doubt, he was hoping for a small group of people he could count as neighbors and his obligations under the law would be few. But Jesus had a response that he did not expect.

It is at this point that Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan (as we’ve come to know it). “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side” (Luke 10:30-31). The priest, who would naturally be expected to help the man, crossed the street choosing to not get involved.

A Levite, one who is engaged in duties pertaining the temple, actually was more at fault than the priest. He actually “came and looked on him” (Luke 10:32). The Levite literally walked away from the beaten man having first looked closely at his circumstances.

Finally, the Lord tells of a third passer-by, a Samaritan. Now Samaritans had nothing to do with Jews and Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans (John 4:9), which makes his response all the more remarkable. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34). The Samaritan even paid the innkeeper an additional amount if any more expenses were incurred by him in caring for the man.

Jesus now asked the lawyer which of these three was “neighbor” to this man. The lawyer answered, no doubt with conviction, “he that showed mercy,” our good Samaritan. Jesus then told the lawyer “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).

In light of our Lord’s teaching, who is your neighbor?

Homeless in This World

As Jesus was returning to Jerusalem on one occasion, “a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Luke 9:57-58). The man was convinced of the Lord’s teaching and wanted to follow him as his disciple. But Jesus spoke of his own circumstances to teach an important understanding concerning discipleship. A true follower of Christ is homeless, without roots, in this world.

Our Lord spoke readily that foxes and birds like all other creatures have their own homes. But he did not have a place to call his own. How  ironic that the Creator of this world had no place of his own. The point that he made was emphatic. This world was not his home. He testified that he “came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). Later when confronting the Pharisees about their plot to kill him, he asserted “Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23).

Jesus, the Son of God, left heaven to do the Father’s will. He took on human flesh and was born of a virgin (John 1:14). Though he lived a sinless life, he suffered and died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world (Romans 3:21-26). He was raised from the dead the third day and ascended back into heaven where he is seated on the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Heaven is his home, not this earth. And the same is true for those of us who claim him as Savior and Lord.

Jesus spoke to this effect when he prayed for his disciples prior to his crucifixion. Speaking to his heavenly Father, he prayed “I have given them [his disciples] thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16).

For the believer, home is heaven and heaven is home! Jesus himself promised “I go [back to heaven] to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). Our days on this earth are measured. We are but strangers and pilgrims and, like Abraham, we “look for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

The apostle Paul, gripped by this truth, reminded the believers in Philippi, “our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

The child of God cannot be “at home” in a world that rejects the love of the Father. John admonishes the believer “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). Tell me, friend, where is your home?

Opportunity and Availability

Luke records in his gospel an event that is notably recorded in all four of the gospels, Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Luke 9:10-17; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-14). This repetition recorded for us in the gospels adds weight to its significance in the life of Christ.

Earlier the Lord had “called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick…And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-2, 5). The Scriptures then record that “when they were returned…he [Jesus] took them, and went aside privately [by ship] into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida” (Luke 9:10). Mark’s gospel adds that they might “rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

While there is a need to rest in the course of ministry, it did not happen on this occasion. “And the people saw them departing, and many knew him [Jesus], and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:33-34). Rest gave way to opportunity.

Often the opportunity to serve or minister shows up on our doorstep quite uninvited interrupting our plans, obstructing our pursuits, and upsetting our schedule. Human nature being what it is, the disciples likely felt that true in their circumstances. Their “rest” was not just interrupted, but forfeited altogether. So “when the day was far spent, his disciples came to him, and said, this is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: send them away, that they may go into the country round about…and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat” (Mark 6:35-36).

Jesus had other plans. He said, “Give ye them to eat. And they said, we have no more but five loaves and two fishes…for all this people. For they were about five thousand men” (Luke 9:14). Matthew records that this was “beside women and children]” (Matthew 14:21). Opportunity to minister had now come face to face with outright insufficiency to do so. The Lord continued with his lesson.

Luke records that the Lord instructed his disciples to seat the people, and then “took the five loaves and the two fishes, and…blessed them, and brake and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled” (Luke 9:16).

The opportunity for ministry often comes when we least expect it and, perhaps, when we see ourselves as the least prepared for it. Ministry takes place when our opportunity converges with our availability because the Lord is not looking for our resources, but for our readiness. We find that when we are spent, he is evermore sufficient. Depending on our own resources forfeits many opportunities to be used by him.

God Will Judge Those That Rule

David, the king of Israel, penned these words under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. “He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3). Those who hold positions of authority do so at the prerogative and purpose of God. They serve at his prerogative because God is ultimately responsible for their appointment. No man (or woman) comes to any office at their own doing. The prophet Daniel records, “he [God] changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). He later adds, “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).

Those in authority serve according to the purpose of God. The Scriptures teach “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). God has given mankind government to restrain evil and accommodate that which is good. Paul explains this further. “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he [rulers] is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:2-4; emphasis added).

On two separate occasions, Paul speaks of those governing as the “minister of God.” David grasped this truth and understood his role before the God in Whom all authority rests. This compelled him to affirm that those who rule must do so in the fear of God. God always holds men accountable for what he gives them. For example, he gives believers gifts to use in the church and he will hold each accountable for his or her use of such gifts. He gives authority to men to rule, and he will judge them for how they ruled.

Asaph, another of the Psalmists, wrote concerning this judgment. “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods [rulers]. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?” (Psalm 82:1-2). God is present in every council of those gathered to legislate and to lead. He is a silent witness to the actions of men; He hears every word; and, He understands exhaustively the motives of the heart. God does not take lightly the stewardship of ruling. He expects the authority he has given to men to be exercised righteously and this expectation extends to all “who bear the sword.”

Those who rule enjoy much privilege. But God reminds them that in spite of privilege they, too, “shall die like men” (Psalm 82:7). In our society today it is very evident that many who rule have lost sight of their calling to rule in the fear of God. Be assured, the most High has not lost sight of them. “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit the nations” (Psalm 82:8).

After Death, What?

All men (and women) die. We don’t like to think about that, but it is an inevitable reality of living. Every cemetery we pass on the road testifies to this inescapable truth. All men die. Some die young and some die old. Some die expectedly and some die unexpectedly. Some die without notice and some die with great fanfare. But all men die.

But what happens to us after we die? That is the question that must be addressed. Is death the end for us? Does our existence disappear without consciousness? The Scriptures teach us what happens after death, and we would do well to give heed to its testimony.

The Scriptures declare plainly, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). There are two appointments spoken of in this verse, death and judgment. Both must be kept. Paul admonished the believers in Rome “So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

This world was created by an all powerful God for his purpose and his glory. That creation and purpose includes each one of us. The Psalmist wrote “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). We should not be surprised that we must give an account to our Creator. Tragically, many, if not most men will come to that day of judgment having never acknowledged their Creator nor his benefits. That will be devastating!

Speaking of that day of judgment, Christ gives us a glimpse of what that will be like for those who do not know him as Savior. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works…And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-12, 15).

The small and great will stand before God. Presidents, ball players, movie stars, doctors, teachers, moms, dads, sons and daughters will stand before God. The good (as we view them) and the wicked will all stand before God and be judged by their own works according to the standards of God’s absolute holiness. Keep in mind that the Scriptures teach us that “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). That being true, we must ask ourselves with the author of Hebrews, “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3). To neglect is to suffer eternal damnation.

Jesus Christ bore the wrath of God on the cross for our sins. Those that put their faith in him “hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but [are] passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!

He Is Coming Again

The Scriptures record for us that Jesus was born of a virgin; that he lived a sinless life; that he suffered a cruel death on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins; that he was buried and rose again the third day. These truths concerning our Lord Jesus are incontestable.

Concerning his resurrection, the Apostle Paul writes “that he [Jesus] rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas [Peter], then of the twelve [his disciples]: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also” (I Corinthians 15:5-8). Luke adds that “he [Jesus] showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [his disciples] forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:2-3).

At his last gathering with the disciples, he told them “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses…unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received them out of their sight” (Acts 1:8-9).

Where is Jesus now? The writer of Hebrews tells us that “this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God: from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Hebrews 13:12-13). Peter explains further that he “is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him” (I Peter 3:22).

Jesus is in heaven right now, but he is coming back! He promised this even before his crucifixion. In an effort to find fault with him, the high priest asked Jesus “Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61-62). John repeated the promise in the final book of our Scriptures: “Behold, he [Jesus] cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him” (Revelation 1:7).

Friend, Jesus is coming again to earth, not as a babe in a manger, but this time as King of kings and Lord of lords. Peter noted that “there shall come in the last days scoffers…saying, where is the promise of his coming…But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9).

Believer, “be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh…behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). When he comes, he shall make all things right. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:21).

Are All Mankind Sinners?

Are all mankind sinners? John tells us in his epistle “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). The law spoken of here is God’s law. We have come to know this law as the ten commandments. Thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not covet; thou shalt not bear false witness (lie); honor thy father and thy mother. These commandments govern our relationship to other men and women. The other four deal with our relationship to God, but these listed are sufficient to answer our question.

Jesus taught how these commandments were intended to be applied to our lives. He explained that these sins were not just the overt acts, but included the very thoughts we entertained in our hearts. For example, on adultery he said “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

Paul reminded the believers in Rome that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). He could say that because the law reflects the holy character of God. After all, it is his law, and sin, or the transgression of the law, is necessarily a violation of his holy character even though committed against another man or woman.

Therein lies the rub. Face it, we tend to compare our sins to others whose list of  sins is, perhaps, longer, and more frowned upon in society than our own list. How foolish is that! That is like one corpse in a cemetery boasting that it is not as dead as another corpse because it has not decomposed as much. When it comes to counting sins, we must see ourselves before a holy God. David, even after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to cover his sin, understood that the perspective that mattered most was God’s. He was forced to acknowledge “against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight” (Psalm 51:4).

Returning to our question, are all mankind sinners, the inescapable answer is absolutely. Man is bent toward sin from the moment he is born. The Psalmist notes “the wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). We know this is true. Whoever had to teach a child to lie?

Men sin and left to themselves will sin more. God provided government to aid in restraining evil. “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil… But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:3-4). Imagine a society without law enforcement officers – ugh!

The best news against this backdrop is Paul’s testimony to Timothy. “This is a faithful saying…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy1:15). Praise God!

Will God Judge

The Psalmist asks a penetrating question. “Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, thou wilt not require it” (Psalm 10:13). In modern day vernacular, the sinner does not fear the judgment of God. He believes that God will not judge. So he or she readily dismisses the warnings from God’s word and his messengers as irrelevant. In short, such warnings are despised and held with contempt.

What a tragic misconception about God and his attitude toward sin. The sinner foolishly thinks that because God has not judged, he will not judge. Man willingly fails to understand the implications of God’s sovereignty. His sovereignty over all things means that he can wait to judge until doing so fits the context of his eternal plan. While his holy character demands that every sin must be addressed, the Lord is not constrained to act immediately against the unrepentant sinner to vindicate his holiness. His omniscience prevents any sin falling “through the crack” and left unaddressed. Furthermore, his righteous character coupled with infinite wisdom assures judgment that is both righteous and commensurate. The bottom line is God can wait to judge because of who he is. But, make no mistake, he will judge. Denying that he will do so is tragic because it leads to certain destruction.

It is God’s great patience with the sinner that is vastly misunderstood. The Scriptures teach “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:3). God knows the sinner’s sins, all of them, but he waits. He waits for the sinner to repent, to come to him, to seek forgiveness. The love of God restrains his just wrath because he  “is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

God demonstrated his response to sin and love for the sinner when Jesus bore our sins on the cross of Calvary. There God poured out his wrath against sin for all mankind. It is there “God commandeth his love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s just and holy wrath was satisfied by our Savior’s sacrifice for us. And all who trust in him “have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). But we must trust in him. Christ alone is the safe harbor in the sea of God’s wrath upon sin.

So for now God waits. But there will be a time when waiting ends and judgment comes. God in his sovereignty “hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged…every man according to his works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

Why do you wait? “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” (John 3:36).