Saved from eternal consequences . . .

 

2 Kings 13; Psalm 119:145–176; Hosea 5–6; 2 Timothy 3

Today’s Scripture readings prompt sobering thoughts. While no one can say the Old Testament judgment on Israel’s sin refers to sin in our modern world, there is a connection between the way God’s people slid into sin then and the way that godless people live now. Here is what the NT says about these days:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1–7)

Other passages describe more but this one is enough to compare to what Hosea says about people in his day. Here are a few phrases from his OT book that describe what was happening with God’s people: “Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. For the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not the Lord . . . . With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the Lord, but they will not find him; he has withdrawn from them . . . . Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was determined to go after filth (a word also translated as ‘human precepts’.” (Hosea 5: 4;6;11) and God says, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.” (Hosea 6:6–7)

The people who claimed to belong to God then lived as if they did not know Him. Today, the sins may differ but the attitude is the same; people have turned from faith and God-given precepts to do whatever appeals to their sinful nature. They do not know Him. I’ve wondered if it is the will of God to do treat our world the same as He did back then? Will He withdraw and not listen to cries for help? Will He say He has had enough of sin and arrogance? Will He turn His back and abandon this world?

Thankfully, the Lord made promises to those who seek Him with their whole heart, not just because they are in trouble but because He has made Himself known and promised to deliver and save people from sin.

I cannot say God will save us from trials. He uses them to refine His people, to test and even increase our faith. But He does not want constant prayers for deliverance for those whose hearts are set on the “good life” when it is being threatened by the trials. Instead, the challenge is to realize His power in those trials.

God says this: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:12–15) Then He adds:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3–7) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)

 A key difference between the struggles of God’s people and those who resist God is the purpose of those struggles. In today’s nutty world, God will build my faith — even though the troubles in this world are often consequences of the sin of those who live without faith. God blesses those who know and love Him and brings disaster to those who defy Him. While I don’t enjoy seeing anyone suffer for being sinful, I’m humbly thankful that Jesus bore my suffering and took my punishment. His goal is that I become like Him.