Heart Talks on Holiness Part 3

HOLINESS: HOW TO GET IT

Holiness is that state of our moral and spiritual nature, which makes us like Jesus in His moral and spiritual nature. It does not consist in perfection of intellect, though the experience will give much greater clearness to a man's intellect and simplify and energize his mental operations. Nor does it necessarily consist in perfection of conduct, though a holy man seeks with all his heart to make his outward conduct correspond to his inward light and love. But holiness does consist in complete deliverance from the sinful nature, and in the perfection of the spiritual graces of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness truth, meekness and self-control or temperance.

Righteousness is conformity to the divine law, but holiness is conformity to the divine nature. That there is such an experience is revealed to us in three ways:

1. By the Scriptures. The Bible tells us that God chastens us 'for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness' (Heb. xii.10) And He has 'given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust' (2 Pet. i. 4) in the Bible God makes us very precious promises of holiness. He gives us very solemn and imperative commands to be holy. He earnestly exhorts us and graciously encourages us to be holy, and teaches us to pray for holiness.

2. That there is such an experience is revealed to us by the testimony of holy men and women, who declare that God has brought them into this glorious experience.

3. It is revealed by the hunger and thirst of our own regenerate hearts: for if these desires to be like God, and to have His love and holiness so fill our hearts as to cast out every sinful thought and desire are begotten in us by the Spirit of God, then may they well be consider as proof that holiness is possible. For the Spirit of God will not beget desires in the hearts of His trusting children only to mock them.

Nearly all Christians expect to be made holy either before they die, or at the moment of death. And everybody agrees that we must be holy before we can enter Heaven.

Some other Christians maintain that we are sanctified at the moment of death by some mysterious operation of the Spirit of God; while others again insist that we grow into the experience. But we of The Salvation Army believe that it is the gift of God, and is the heritage of every soul that is born again, an inheritance into which we can enter at once by hearty consecration and childlike faith.

How then shall this holiness be obtained? Not by purgatorial fires, but by Holy Ghost fire. Not by works; that would make man his own savior and sanctifier. A great trick of the devil is to lead people to think they will get it by doing something, but a man might as well try to lift himself over the fence by his own bootstraps as to transform himself into the divine nature by works. He can get it no more by works than he can change the color of his eyes by works. He can no more rid himself of an inherited temper, or get lust out of his heart, or hatred, or pride, by getting baptized, by going to church, by joining the Army, by putting on the uniform, by reading the Bible, by doing any or every religious work, than he can get scrofula out of his blood by doing these things or add one cubit to his stature. 'Not of works, lest any man should boast' (Eph. ii. 9). However, a holy man is abundant in good works, and so is one who is truly seeking the blessing. But more of this further on.

Not by growth. Growth adds to us, but takes nothing from us, neither does it change the nature and disposition. Holiness consists in having something taken from us and in having our spiritual nature made over into the image of Jesus. In order to be holy we must have every unclean desire and temper and passion of the soul removed. We must 'put off . . . the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,' (Eph. iv. 22), as really as a man puts off his old coat, 'and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness' (Eph. iv. 24), as really as a man puts on his new coat. This is the way God told Paul to tell us to do it. It would be nonsense to talk of growing out of an old coat into a new one. Put off the old coat, put on a new one! Put off the old Adam, put on the new Adam!

It is not by death. I used to think it was, because I was taught so. But I dreaded the thought of being killed by lightning, or shot by a stray bullet. I did not want to die suddenly; I wanted time to get ready. But, glory to God, I learned that it is not by death, and now I am ready to meet that old enemy. Hallelujah for ever!

Well, how can you get it? From Jesus, the very same Jesus that saved you and spoke peace to your troubled conscience, when you feared you were going to sink into hell. The very same Jesus that died for you. But how? By asking. By giving yourself freely and for ever to Him, to be not only your Savior, but also your Lord and Master; to do and suffer all His blessed, wise, tender will. By believing and receiving.

If you knew you had to die at sunset to-night, what would you do? You would give yourself to God. If you had any grudges against any of your neighbors, you would give them up, and if you had the opportunity you would ask them to forgive you for hating them, even though they had wronged you or some of your friends. You would not stop to think how they would treat you. You would not care. You would feel it your business to get right, and you would leave them with God. If you had robbed any man, you would try to restore to him what was his. If you had any selfish plans, or ambitions, they would sink into mole hills before the mighty mountains of eternity, and you would give them up quickly. If you had been unfaithful in the discharge of any duty, you would confess it, mourn over it, and do all in the limited time left you to make the matter right. You would prepare the way of the Lord, and make His paths straight. Then, you would throw up your hands in helplessness, and ask God to forgive you for Jesus' sake, and not because there was any merit in yourself. And if you really trusted, you would receive forgiveness, and be at peace. You would feel Jesus to be your Savior, and you would rejoice in Him.

Now you would be a candidate for holiness. If the Holy Spirit should now reveal to you the hidden corruption of the human heart, and show you that it was out of this bad soil that grew the bad weeds of hatred and pride, selfish ambitions and envy, lies, adulteries, murders, drunkenness, thefts, and such like, you would cry to God to rid you not only of the weeds, but to entirely change the condition of your heart out of which such unholy things grew. And there would be only one way to get this done, and that would be to ask God to do it for Jesus' sake; trust Him to do it, and wait with full expectation till He did do it.

And He would do it. He would purge your heart of all unholy conditions by the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, as surely as fire purges gold of dross. Glory to God! This is just what He wants to do. He wants all His children to be like His well-beloved Son, Jesus. It was for this that He sent Jesus into the world, and it is for this that He baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire.

Some time ago a lady came to the Penitent-form for sanctification in one of my meetings. After I had questioned her and explained the subject as fully as I could to her and we had prayed, she claimed the blessing though she did not get any special witness that the work was done. But soon she came again to one of my meetings and testified, and her testimony threw light on the difficulty with many people.

She said that for several days after she left that first meeting she did not feel any different, but while about her housework a thought came to her mind. No doubt the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier Himself; suggested it to her, that her sanctification was a part of her Father's will for her and that He offered it to her on the simple conditions of full consecration and Childlike faith in Him. Then it dawned upon her that she had met these conditions and that now instead of waiting for any unusual feelings she must just act as though it were done.

She then added that when she began to count it done and to act as though it were done, then she began to realize that God was doing His part. She began to feel the mighty workings of the Spirit in her heart.

Now it is just at this point that many people fail. They wait for feeling, and hesitate and doubt and wonder and go with their heads down and repine, and maybe throw away their confidence. Instead they should recklessly but intelligently give themselves over to Jesus to be His for ever, to do His will unto death; they should step out on the promise with humility and adoring faith toward God, and with a shout of defiance to the devil and all their fears, count the work done.

One day ten lepers, poor, miserable men with the flesh rotting off their bones, met Jesus, 'And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them' (Luke xvii. 13-14) -- (bless Him!) -- how He loved them and yearned over them in their misery! But His yearnings over their sick bodies were feeble compared to His mighty yearnings over your diseased soul, my brother, my sister. 'And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go, shew yourselves unto the priests.' It was a law among the Jews that when a leper was healed, he must go to the priest and get a certificate that he was a safe person to be at large among the people, much as a smallpox patient might have to do among us. But these poor fellows might have objected and said to Jesus: 'But look at us! We are not healed. Our leprosy is just the same. We are not different since you spoke to us. We shall be fools to go in this plight, and we shall not be received if we do go. Do not mock us. Heal us, make us feel different that we may know we are healed, then we will go.'

No, no, no, these poor wretches did not talk so; they did not stop to reason with their doubts and fears; they did not stop to examine their feelings, or to compare themselves with the healthy folks about them. Jesus had spoken the word and it was theirs to trust and obey; and so they hobbled off, I imagine, as fast as they could go, 'And it came to pass ' -- (something always comes to pass when people trust and obey) -- 'And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.' Bless God! That was cleansing through 'the obedience of faith,' and it is written for our encouragement and instruction.

Reader, do you want this experience? If you have it, rejoice and praise God for it. Don't merely keep on seeking it, else you will get into darkness, but go to thanking God for it and testifying of it to others. But if you have it not, give yourself up fully to God just now, ask for it, believe for it, and if it does not come at once, patiently and expectantly wait for it. Expect it, expect it, expect it! He gives His people 'an expected end.' Remind God of His promises. Don't give Him any rest till He comes and sanctifies you. Tell Him you have come to stay, and that you will not let Him go till He blesses you. Nestle down on His promises close to the loving heart of Jesus and stay there expecting till you know the work is done.

If the devil and an evil heart of unbelief say: 'It is for others, but not for you' -- you say: 'I am all the Lord's; get behind me, Satan,' and tell Jesus about it.

If the devil says: 'You don't feel any different,' -- you say: 'I am all the Lord's; get behind me, Satan,' and tell Jesus about this also. If the devil says: You can't keep it if you do get it,' -- you say: 'I am all the Lord's; get behind me, Satan,' and don't forget to tell this to Jesus.

Act out your faith, regardless of your feelings, and a heaven of love and joy and peace and patience will soon fill your poor heart, and you will get 'lost in wonder, love and praise' only don't bother yourself about your feelings. Your business is to wait on God for orders and inspiration, and then to trust and obey. It is His part of the business to shine upon you and cleanse you, and fill you with the Holy Ghost, and make your heart bubble over with joy.

Claim the promise; feed on the word of God; feast yourself on His love and faithfulness in Jesus; wait on Him in believing, expectant prayer and you will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and you will become strong to do a man's work for God and souls. You will rise above discouragements and difficulties, and you will chase a thousand of your enemies, and if you can find a fellow with a kindred spirit the two of you will put ten thousand to flight. Glory to God!

Go to believing just now and you will have peace. Continue to believe and your peace will flow like a river.

Hold on this way, resisting the devil steadfast in the faith, reminding Jesus of His promises and encouraging your own heart with them, and I declare it will not be long before your patient, expectant faith receives a great reward. God will say: 'It is enough; he has come to stay; We will bless him,' and, calling to mind His ancient promise, He will open the windows of Heaven and pour him out ' a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it' (Mal. iii. 10). Then down into your waiting, trusting, expecting heart will come the Comforter, the blessed Holy Ghost, and up from the deepest center of your soul will spring the artesian well of living waters of holy love and praise. Then the meek and lowly Jesus will come and dwell in your clean heart, and you will love Him more than a mother loves her first-born babe, or than the bridegroom loves his bride. You will adore Him and worship Him and pour out your heart's treasures upon Him, and loathe yourself for all your sins that crowned Him with thorns and nailed Him to the Cross, and your unbelief and hardness of heart that kept Him from you so long.

Have the blessing now. Let God search you and show you all your heart. Don't be afraid. Heartily give yourself to Him and trust, expect, ask, wait, receive.

Bible Salvation and Popular Religion Part 7: Church Entertainments

CHURCH ENTERTAINMENTS

Modern schemes of raising money for God's cause as picnics, church fairs, lotteries, socials, bazaars, tea meetings, election cakes, etc., are sinful for the following reasons:

1. These methods are contrary to tho precepts and examples of the Bible. The simple method of freewill offerings alone is approved. See Ex. 35:5-29; 2 Cor. 8 and 9 chaps.; Luke 6:35; Matt. 10:8. Suppose Moses had got up a great bazaar to draw the surrounding heathen into his camp to get means to build a tabernacle? How would it harmonize with the character of the early Christians, to read in one of Paul's epistles a suggestion that the saints at Corinth should get up some festivals to raise money for the poor saints at Jerusalem; or an exhortation to Lydia to stir up the godly women at Philippi to get up a grand concert, like our modern devices? The idea is erroneous and impious, that for every dollar contributed to the Church of Christ, there must be received a consideration in music, or in tea, oysters, or fancy articles, as a return for money given. God demands freewill offerings, not expenditures that come from selfish motives, as a sort of investment looking to the largest return of carnal pleasure and profit as an inducement to engage in them. Must we be bribed to duty with a stick of candy, or a piece of cake? The money given in such ways is equivalent to saying: "Dear Lord, I'll take half of this money to have a good time with it, and you can have the other half." How can anyone call this benevolence? If, in the spirit of willing and cheerful obedience, men can not be persuaded to give to the Lord, "hoping for nothing again," we have the best reason to believe that He does not want them to give at all. Said a Presbyterian elder: "And now, brethren, let us get up a supper, and eat ourselves rich. Buy your food, then give it to the church. Then go buy it back again. Then eat it up, and your church debt is paid."

2. To seek the assistance of the world instead of obeying God and trusting Him for help is a flagrant sin. What would be thought of a wife whose faithful husband had promised to supply all her wants, if she should distrust and dishonor him, by going to his enemies for money; or, to obtain it, should open his house for the entertainment of sensual pleasure seekers? Yet such is the course pursued in these church entertainments. "Ye adulterers, and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God." "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help." The world loves its own. Of course the churches that depend on the world for support, are obliged to please the world and conform to it. H. L. Hastings says: "If churches cannot live without dishonoring the Lord, then let them die decently and speedily; and when such cumberers of the ground are cut down, there may be room for other trees that will bear good fruit. If ministers of the Gospel cannot be supported without resorting to such means to obtain a livelihood, let them go into their worldly business, with their backslidden churches, and leave their room for men whom God has really sent to preach His Word. The commissioned messengers of Almighty God, sent to warn a slumbering world of approaching judgment, will not be dependent upon such sources for their support. This whole system of supporting religious worship by the sale of gimcracks and the giving of entertainments is a fraud: A religion that cannot be sustained without such devices is not worth sustaining; and the ministry which is dependent for its support on this sort of 'backsheesh' -- begged from the votaries of the world, the flesh and the Devil -- is a disgrace to the Gospel which it professes to proclaim." "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, and see if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

3. These methods of church amusement, and moneymaking, greatly blight the spiritual life, the influence and soul-saving power of the Church. Long observation confirms this view. These fun-loving church members are merely a dead weight of baptized wordlings. Professing godliness and practicing worldliness, they are making more infidels than all our enemies outside the Church. Many wonder why they do not have such powerful revivals as they had in by-gone days. The real cause is to be found in the extreme worldliness, darkness and death that generally prevail among the ministers and members of modern churches. Their own sins are blocking up the way of souls, and causing the awful desolations in Zion. The craze for money, to gratify pride and ambition, absorbs so much of the time and labor of these proud, Laodicean churches that the salvation of souls is made a secondary consideration. Money first, salary first -- then a revival effort. If these so-called revival meetings should come in the way of another entertainment, they are easily postponed, for money must be had, whether souls are saved or not. This is not a fancied representation of the condition of things around us in Christendom; but truly stubborn facts, as constantly occurring events show. A brother writing to us concerning a protracted meeting held in his church says: "As yet only one soul has been converted. Yet it is not much wonder. During three weeks the meetings were closed three times for Christmas trees and the like." "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame."

4. To say that the Church of Christ cannot be sustained without these contrivances to beguile the world into its support, is to confess that Christianity is a failure. The practical effect of such a lamentable confession is to lower the religion of the Bible in the estimation of the very persons whom it seeks to bless. Said an infidel: "I think your God must be in great need of money, if I may judge by the tricks which the churches practice to get it for Him." Thus is the spread of the Gospel hindered by this confessed weakness. A locomotive with the steam up," says one, "not only goes without help, but it draws the train." Such is Christianity. Where there is real piety there is no need to call in flirts and fops to play and snicker over dolls and tomfooleries.

5. All these unseemly entertainments necessarily give sanction to an irreverent spirit in the places of worship, and educate society practically to disregard the sanctity of Jehovah's house. The sacredness of the sanctuary is soon forgotten in the roars of giddy laughter, stamping of feet, and rehearsal of silly anecdotes.

6. No indulgence is right which unfits us for holy communion with God. Just think of the gossiping, joking and fun in such meetings, and then attempting to pray! Often these giggling, fun-making entertainments lead to quarrels, disputes and divisions, and the Devil thus steals away all real inclination for prayer. "Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play."

7. These entertainments lead to a forgetfulness of God and beget in the minds of the young a taste for amusements elsewhere. The pieces and parts acted out on the platform engender a love for theatricals; and from the church performance they go to the theater. Facts prove this. A young man who had been employed in a theater said that he had received in Sunday-school concerts his first training and taste for the stage. A minister says: "The Romish Church of the middle ages abolished the 'mysteries and moralities,' because they found no good, but evil resulting from dramatizing any part of the sacred Scriptures. Those who favor such exhibitions of the sacred scenes and characters upon the stage will soon see their views consummated in the 'Passion Play.' What possible good can result from these juvenile exhibitions of elocution and song, finery and vanity, flowers and gilt pasteboard? They do indeed 'draw' immensely, but not to the truth or to Christ. Sunday night 'choral services,' and Sabbath-school concerts, advertised as entertainments, are really feeders of the opera and the theater, and not counter attractions. Probably a strict enforcement of the law would close both." "Evil communications corrupt good manners."

8. We are not permitted for pleasure's sake to enter into worldly fellowship. In all seriousness and sincerity we ask: What are festivals and tea-meetings, as usually held by modern churches, but parties of pleasure? What are the attractions on such occasions but worldly allurements, and the entertainment but worldly pleasure? How can those who so frequently enjoy pleasure parties in a church think it a sin to attend them outside of a church, even though it be in a circus or theater? "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

9. These church bazaars, lotteries, etc, lead to extortion, extravagance and gambling. Often prices are asked for articles at bazaars, that bear no kind of honest relation to current and legitimate values -- thus teaching and practicing extortion. Sometimes young men are led into the sin of extravagance by the persuasion of some pretty young lady, and the first lesson leads to more. "What is gambling?" asks T. K. Lombard, "but a resort to a game of chance to make money?" Are not lotteries, grab-bags, guess-cakes, gold ring cakes, etc., all games of chance in the fullest sense of the word? Have not others as good a right to make money through games of chance as the Church has? May not church members, and others, as properly attend games of chance in other places as in a church? Is gambling any less so, when carried on in a church? by church members, and for church purposes? Will not such works constantly carried on by the Church tend to produce a dissolute life in society? "A minister," says Sabbath Reading, "went to visit a young man in prison convicted of forgery. He began by giving the mother's tender message, and then relating the interest all the church felt in his welfare. At last the prisoner impatiently replied: 'Do you not know that yourself caused me all this trouble? I began the business in your Sabbath-school. Don't you remember the Sunday-school fair, when they first set up raffling, and hid a gold ring in a loaf of cake? For 25 cents I got a whole box of little books. I was pleased with my luck, and went in afterwards for chances. Sometimes I gained and sometimes I lost. Money I would have for lotteries. Half crazy with excitement, I used the names of other men -- thus committing forgery. Here I am; don't let the Church come blubbering around me. They may thank themselves. Their raffling was what did it! It ruined me." "It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Saved From Sin

SAVED FROM SIN By Walter L. Surbrook

Let us focus our attention upon a glorious and heart encouraging text found in Matthew’s Gospel, which reads as follows: “ . . . Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21.

What sublime music this brings to a lost soul! It is sweeter than evening bells. It is like an oasis in a desert to a thirsty perishing man. What tranquility, what composure, what assurance it brings to a sin- disturbed and troubled soul. To be assured that a Saviour has come Who can actually and experientially lift the troublesome, tormenting load of sin from one’s soul, right down here in this life, is almost too good to be true. Yet, my friend, that is exactly what Jesus came for. He came actually to save His people from their sins in this life.

Let us get it crystal clear that He did not come to save His people IN their sins, but FROM their sins. He came to save them out of their sins so completely that from that hour they are to live godly lives above sin.

At the time of the birth of our Lord, the name “Jesus” was a common Jewish name as familiar as the name John is with us today. It is the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua which means Saviour. At that time the people were looking for a Joshua who would reveal himself as King, break the power of Rome and set up an earthly kingdom.

Could they have realized or seen it, their chief trouble was not that of a Roman yoke, or that they had been beaten in battle, but that they were sinners and needed a Saviour. [And, this is true in America TODAY! -- DVM] They needed one who could not alone overcome externals, but who could conquer sin and deliver the soul from its power and presence. We are told in Scripture that “For this purposethe Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Let us emphasize the heart of the text again, “He shall save his people FROM their sins.” There is no salvation unless it is FROM sin. We have no evidence that we are His people unless we are saved from the power and dominion of sin. Mark it, a mere profession of being His people will not answer. Unless we are saved from our sins we have no evidence whatsoever that we are the children of God. It is impossible to be a Christian and indulge in known sin, or live in the practice of any iniquity.

There is no salvation unless it is from sin, and that deliverance must come before death, for after death comes the Judgment, according to Hebrews 9:27.

He came to save His people FROM their sins, not IN them. To try to save a man in his sins would be like trying to save a man from drowning by keeping him under the water. No, my friend, just as literally as a man must be pulled out of the water to save him from drowning, so must the soul be pulled OUT OF sin to be saved FROM sin.

Practically everybody wants to go to heaven, but no one will ever be admitted there who has not been washed or loosed from his sins down here in this life.

Yes, my friend, I have good news for you, if you have never been saved from sin—that is, born again—born from above, you can be. After you have been born again, you will understand what the Apostle Paul was speaking about in Romans the fifth chapter and first verse when he declared that when one is justified by faith he has peace with God. When one is saved from his sins, he will then enjoy the peace and fellowship of the Lord.

What Does It Mean That God is a God of Justice?

To understand that when God is just and sends a person to hell for his or her sins, He is doing what is right. Justice flows from God's holiness. Things contrary to His holiness are offensive to Him. When the salvation offered through Jesus Christ is rejected, God's justice demands that the sinner pay for his sin in hell. The attributes of God can be understood when one thinks about a tire. If the tire is out of shape or flat, it is not balanced and doesn't roll. If you emphasize one attribute of God over the others, i.e. the love of God, the picture of God you present becomes inaccurate and generally heretical. God is justice and love. They go together just fine. 

The following answer comes from gotquestions.org:

Justice is a term used for what is right or “as it should be.” Justice is one of God’s attributes and flows out of His holiness. Justice and righteousness are often used synonymously in the Bible. Since righteousness is the quality or character of being right or just, it is another attribute of God and incorporates both His justice and holiness.

We cannot begin to understand God’s justice unless we first understand sin. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) and iniquity (Daniel 9:4-5; Micah 2:1; James 3:6). It embodies everything contrary to God’s holy nature and is offensive to Him. Thus, sin is a crime against God, and justice demands a penalty of death and separation from Him for it (Romans 1:18-32; 2:5; 3:23). But God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to pay that penalty for us (Romans 5:8-11; 6:23) and made salvation available to all who believe in His name (John 1:12; 3:15-17; 20:31).

God’s own righteousness is provided as a gift to sinners who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and is based upon His grace and mercy in response to our faith (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 2:3-7). His mercy and grace are not in spite of His justice, but because of it. He loved us so much that despite the fact that our sin demands our death, He sent His Son to be our substitute upon the cross, thus demonstrating that His justice was not violated, but instead satisfied (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9).

Having been made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), we humans long for moral justice to prevail upon the earth and are outraged when we see injustice happening around us. Why do we seek justice for crimes? It’s in our DNA. King David’s outrage when the poor man’s lamb was taken away by the rich man resonates within us (2 Samuel 12:1-14). That is why Nathan told the story to David in the first place because it revealed David’s own injustice in taking Uriah’s wife from him. David’s immediate repentant prayer was effective because by admitting his sin against God, he acknowledged the righteousness of God. The Lord told David through the prophet Nathan that even though his sin was forgiven, the child resulting from the adulterous affair would die, demonstrating the fact that his sin still had to be judged.

As for the future, the book of Revelation reveals the justice of God in all its glory during the end times. When the saints watch the destruction of the earth, their song will be of God’s righteous judgment upon the inhabitants for their ultimate sin of rejecting Him (Revelation 11:16-18; 15:3-4; 16:7; 19:1-4). And as 2 Peter 3:13 says, we are promised that someday, when Christ physically reigns on earth, God’s righteous justice will finally be on full display.

What is the Wrath of God?

Psalm 7:11 reads: "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Too many weak ministers stress the love of God almost exclusively. Yes, God is love, but He is also a God of wrath. You may have heard the saying that God loves the sinner, but not the sin. That is not Biblical. Consider Psalm 5:4,5: "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity." The Scriptures are clear that God is angry at and hates wicked people. It is not being true to the souls of the lost to tell them anything different. 

The following answer is found on the site gotquestions.org:

Wrath is defined as “the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice,” often translated as “anger,” “indignation,” “vexation,” or “irritation.” Both humans and God express wrath. But there is vast difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of man. God’s wrath is holy and always justified; man’s is never holy and rarely justified.

In the Old Testament, the wrath of God is a divine response to human sin and disobedience. Idolatry was most often the occasion for divine wrath. Psalm 78:56-66 describes Israel’s idolatry. The wrath of God is consistently directed towards those who do not follow His will (Deuteronomy 1:26-46; Joshua 7:1; Psalm 2:1-6). The Old Testament prophets often wrote of a day in the future, the "day of wrath" (Zephaniah 1:14-15). God’s wrath against sin and disobedience is perfectly justified because His plan for mankind is holy and perfect, just as God Himself is holy and perfect. God provided a way to gain divine favor—repentance—which turns God’s wrath away from the sinner. To reject that perfect plan is to reject God’s love, mercy, grace and favor and incur His righteous wrath.

The New Testament also supports the concept of God as a God of wrath who judges sin. The story of the rich man and Lazarus speaks of the judgment of God and serious consequences for the unrepentant sinner (Luke 16:19–31). John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on Him.” The one who believes in the Son will not suffer God’s wrath for his sin, because the Son took God’s wrath upon Himself when He died in our place on the cross (Romans 5:6–11). Those who do not believe in the Son, who do not receive Him as Savior, will be judged on the day of wrath (Romans 2:5–6).

Conversely, human wrath is warned against in Romans 12:19, Ephesians 4:26, and Colossians 3:8-10. God alone is able to avenge because His vengeance is perfect and holy, whereas man’s wrath is sinful, opening him up to demonic influence. For the Christian, anger and wrath are inconsistent with our new nature, which is the nature of Christ Himself (2 Corinthians 5:17). To realize freedom from the domination of wrath, the believer needs the Holy Spirit to sanctify and cleanse his heart of feelings of wrath and anger. Romans 8 shows victory over sin in the life of one who is living in the Spirit (Romans 8:5-8). Philippians 4:4-7 tells us that the mind controlled by the Spirit is filled with peace. 

The wrath of God is a fearsome and terrifying thing. Only those who have been covered by the blood of Christ, shed for us on the cross, can be assured that God’s wrath will never fall on them. “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” (Romans 5:9).

Matthew Study Seven: Peter Blessed and Rebuked

 Today's lesson comes from Matthew 16:13-28. The time period was the summer of 29A.D. at Caesarea Philippi. Jesus had been preaching, teaching and performing miracles for about 22 months. He was now moving into the final phrase of His earthly ministry. He wanted to get away from the crowds and teach His disciples without crowds. Jesus had the following purposes in separating Himself unto the disciples:

1.He wanted to instruct His disciples in the ways of truth away from crowds and miracles. Miracles can draw a crowd but they do not compare with the true experience of salvation and sanctification.

2. He wanted His disciples to have their own confession of who He was. Salvation must be personal to be real.

3. He desired to reveal facts about the cross and what was before Him.  

Jesus wanted to prepare the disciples for His death. Jesus wanted them to see the blessed way of the cross. In the same way today, if people are not willing to go the way of the cross, they will turn away from holiness and follow the way of the world. He wanted them to see how blessed it was to identify with the truth rather than follow the way of pride that would only provide pleasure for a season. We need to embrace the cross, die to self and follow Him.

The first section is "Blessings of Knowing Christ." vv.13-17 After healing the blind man in Mark 8:22-26, He reaches Caesarea Philippi, and asks the question, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Jesus was trying to show His disciples:

1. He was a man coming from the Father (Hebrews 4:15). He knew the battles they would face, yet He was there to help them in the times that they would have a difficulty understanding. 

2. He was the Divine Son of God. He was not a mere mortal man, but He was on a mission to be a sacrifice for men's sins. It is a blessing to know Him as Savior and more than just a name. (Hebrews 7:24,25)

In verse 15, Jesus said to the disciples, "But whom say ye that I am?" "Ye" is second person plural. Jesus was asking the question to all the disciples not just one. Peter was blessed (16,17) because he voiced his convictions. We are not to remain silent today. We are to stand up for our convictions. We live in a day of compromise. The church is losing to the world and becoming like the world. Someone needs to make a stand. Will it be you? If you do make a stand, you will be blessed!

The second section is "Blessings of an Established Church." vv. 18-20 In these verses, those that confess Jesus as Christ are part of the church. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church. "Upon this rock" refers to Peter who made the confession of who was the Christ. The name "Peter" is a play on the Greek word for rock ("Petra"). There are four intrepretations of this play on words:

1. Peter's confession is the rock.

2. Jesus Himself is the rock upon which the church will be built.

3. Peter, as representative apostle, is the foundation in the church.

4. Peter represents by his confession the type of person on which the true church will be built. 

In verse 19, Jesus gives the church the keys to the kingdom. Those keys are binding and loosing. The apostles would use these keys to open the kingdom to those who share Peter's confession and exclude those who will not receive their testimony to Christ. Jesus was establishing the authority of His church. 

There is a blessing to having an established church. A church that will not compromise or bend to worldliness is a blessing. There are fewer and fewer churches that are willing to make a stand for holiness and righteousness. If you have found one that is established on Jesus Christ, you are blessed. 

The third section is "A Rebuke of Selfish Desires." vv. 21-23 In this portion of the lesson, Jesus begins to explain how He will go to Jerusalem and suffer and be killed. There is no prosperity gospel in this teaching. Peter rebukes Jesus and says no it will not happen to Him. Jesus calls that effort an offense from Satan. Just like in the temptation, Satan was trying to get Jesus to take the easy way out. Satan and now Peter, didn't want Jesus going to the cross. While their motivations were different, their end goal was the same, to keep Jesus off the cross. Jesus was willing to pay the price for our souls. Are we willing to pay the price to be sanctified wholly? Peter was blessed earlier for his convictions. Where would the church be if we don't stand for our convictions? We need to be definite about what we stand for, or we will be likely to compromise our Biblical principles. Jesus wanted to show His disciples"

1. He knew the battles He would face, yet He was going to face them and be victorious.

2. He was the Divine Son of God and was sent to be the One who would sacrifice Himself for the sins of  the world.

Are you able to answer when He became the Christ, the Son of the living God, in your life?

The fourth section is "Blessings of Death to Self." vv. 24-26 After rebuking Peter and the disciples, Jesus taught them what it meant o be a true disciple. He listed:

1. Deny yourself.

2. Pick up your cross and be ready to die.

3. Follow Jesus. The Jews had a goal expressed as follows, "May you be covered in the dust of your Rabbi (teacher)." This meant to stay so close to them, that when they walked, some of the dust of their sandals would reach you.

4. Lose your life in following Jesus so you can keep it. This meant one was to give up the rights to themselves and follow the Master in every way.

5. Material possessions while they can bring comfort in this life, will help you to lose your life spiritually.

In these verses, Jesus is rebuking the carnal heart because it seeks its own gain. At the time Peter wrote his letters, he had reached a point that he understood the real meaning of death to self. What a difference holiness makes in how we view life. We are to be a holy people because our God is holy. Holiness brings stability and consistency in the Christian life. Why would anyone not want that?

The Golden Text is "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). When we live for Christ, we must reject all the influences, and become subject to Him. The cross involves separation from our old way of life. The separated life means leaving everything that would draw us away from Jesus Christ.

My summary points:

1.  We need to not compromise with the world.

2. The true church will prevail against Satan and the world.

3. We must stand for our convictions.

4. True salvation will cause one to deny themself, pick up his cross, and follow Jesus all the way to the end.

Next week, "Forgiveness." (Matthew 18:21-35)

Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.

The Limit of God's Patience: Judgment Is Coming

“Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (v. 12).

- Amos 4

I don't think many people take God seriously. There is a lack of the fear of God. God is love is what you hear all the time. God isn't mad at you, He's begging you to accept Him. Sometimes I want to exhort (better word than scream) that while God is love, He is also a God of justice. Sin must be punished. The sinner is one heartbeat away from an eternity in hell. I know it is easier to say that God has a wonderful plan for your life if you will just accept Him. However, that is not Biblical, in fact it is probably heresy. True Christians need to tell people the truth. The gospel is always offensive to those who do not believe. In fact no one will believe unless God's grace is given to the lost sinner. There is a limit to God's patience.

"God is certainly gracious. He is rich in kindness, forbearance, and patience, which is why He does not bring an immediate end to all sinners (Rom. 2:4). In fact, He often gives people, especially members of His covenant community, many chances to repent. During the old covenant, He even sent prophets to warn Israel of its impending doom and the discipline that was coming if the people continued in their sin. These oracles of judgment were words of grace, for the Lord could have brought His wrath to bear on the Israelites without any advance notice. But He compelled prophets to speak His Word that the covenant people might turn from evil (Amos 3:1–8)."

"We often escape the discipline we are due because of God’s kindness. Nevertheless, we walk on thin ice when we think we can presume upon His kindness and patience. After all, the Lord’s patience toward sinners will run out eventually (Rom. 2:4–5; 2 Peter 3:8–10). This is what the northern kingdom of Israel needed to hear in the eighth century BC, and this is the word Amos gives in Amos 4."

"Amos begins today’s passage with condemnation for unrighteous wealthy women and their husbands who were oppressing the poor. Unlike modern politicians, who often use rhetoric that suggests the mere existence of rich people is unjust, Amos does not condemn wealthy Israelites for being wealthy. The issue is never how much money one has but rather what one does with it. Amos was preaching to Israelites who deliberately used their money and status to further their own estates at the expense of others. God hates it when unrighteous people oppress the poor (Deut. 24:10–15), so He could not be silent. His holiness demands that He punish sin, so Amos warned the Israelites that they would be taken away with fishhooks if they refused to repent (Amos 4:2). This is an allusion to exile, for the Assyrians often led captives away from the lands they conquered using ropes and hooks through the captives’ noses and lips."

"Evidently, the Israelites thought that their zealous worship would give them a pass for oppressing the poor (vv. 4–5). Amos reminded Israel, however, that God had long been showing His ire toward the people through famines so severe that there was no food to dirty the teeth at all, droughts, disease, invasions, and more (vv. 6–11). Israel took none of these warnings seriously, and its time was running out (vv. 12–13)."

I believe that we as a nation are under the judgment of God. Americans love their money and God is bringing judgment against our financial systems with hyper inflation, fuel and soon to be food shortages, and the collapse of the dollar. We have removed God from our schools, government, and businesses. We have called things good that used to be evil and called things evil that once were considered good. God has given us plenty of chance to repent, but now, I believe it is too late. We need to remember that we are living in spiritual Babylon. We are not a Christian nation anymore.