Ancient Words For Today - 9
Without looking very hard, we can see gross injustice, pain and suffering in the world we live in. It seems as though the wicked and the lawbreakers so often prosper while those who obey the laws of God and man often struggle and suffer. There have been times when each of us has been wronged by others without cause or our rights have been violated. We would like to live in a perfect world but we clearly can see that our present world falls far short of our desires and expectations.
Yet God has promised that the wicked shall receive appropriate judgment for their actions and those who follow after righteousness shall receive a reward. So, how can this promise be true when we look at the injustice and evil in the world that goes unpunished?
It is a matter of perspective; the answer is that there is a day of judgment coming when God will judge both the living and those who have previously died. At that time, perfect justice will be served. God will set all things straight. But we need to remember that God will judge each of us by His own perfect standard; Jesus' perfect sinless life being the measure by which He will judge us. By that standard, we all will fall short, some more and some less than others. Here is what God has said about our ability to meet His perfect standard:
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy:
there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalm 14:3-4
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
So when we are quick to point at the injustices in the world and the sins of others (that we perhaps would never even think of doing ourselves), remember that as God sees it, we have all fallen short of His standard. But God has offered to each of us a full pardon and forgiveness of our sins, through His Son Jesus, to anyone who will accept His offer, as the following verses indicate:
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-24
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
So, the promise of God is true. Those who have been forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ will spend eternity with Him and enjoy the amazing things that God has prepared for those who love Him, in a world where righteousness dwells. We have that to look forward to; it will be worth the wait !!
God bless you and keep you as you abide in Him.
Romans 3:10-12