Thursday
5-21-15 (Viedma, Argentina)
Scripture
reading: 1 Kings 7 2 Chron 4 Ps
98 Rom 2
S. Ps 98:9 For the LORD is coming to judge the earth. He will
judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. NLT
Rom 2:5-8 For there is going to come a day of judgment when God,
the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they
have done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what
is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God
offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for
themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.
NLT
O. Both the Old Testament and
the New teach clearly about a coming judgment day. God is called the
“Just Judge”. The Word clarifies that He will judge severely against
sinners. It is obvious throughout scripture that Our Holy God sees sin
much darker and more grievous than we see it. In chapter 3 Paul clarifies
that all have sinned and are thus duly condemned. But there is
hope. Some will “seek after the glory
and honor and immortality that God offers.” Later in this
great treatise on God’s offer of salvation, written to the Romans, Paul clearly
presents that “offer” as a
free gift, purchased at great cost by Jesus, and waiting to be received by
condemned sinners.
A. I am acquainted with people
who stumble over the harsh presentation of a tormenting hell. I believe
God’s message is trying to convey to us the desperate seriousness of sin in the
eyes of a holy God. It presents the apparent hopelessness of the
situation that we have placed ourselves in, but then tosses us a
life-saver. When we grip it, trusting in his gift of salvation, we have
the assurance of “the glory and honor and
immortality that God offers.”
P. Dear Lord Jesus, the story of
Your life, Your sacrificial death and resurrection is clearly presented in Your
Word. And You plainly tell us that when we have seen You, we have seen
the Father. If we can trust You, we can trust the Father. And now,
Father, we are assured that You will judge
the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. Yes,
I suffer for those who are marching down the road toward a future of an eternal
hell in separation from You. I cry out for Your mercy to reach them.
But I must understand that I am in no way qualified to judge Your just
judgment. So I will hang my eternal destiny upon Your wonderful “offer of glory and honor and immortality”,
Your merciful offer of the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ Our Lord
and Savior. Amen.
Ralph
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