It is just not right to think that when trouble comes on people that they are more wicked than another person. This world is not where we receive retribution. As a matter of fact, the wicked tend to be prosperous here. The punishment of the wicked and the blessing of the righteous are reserved for another world. What appears unequal here will be made equal there. It is often said at time of calamities, "Why would God let that happen?" We often blame God for tragedies and calamities but forget to give credit to Him for times of blessings. We often associate calamities, diseases, and terrible things to unrighteousness. I have heard it said, "Hey, he didn't change his ways. He had it coming." Don't confuse consequences of sin with punishment of sin. We suffer many hard consequences of our sin, but the punishment of that sin will be much more severe. Consequences of sin can remain a lifetime, but punishment of sin will remain for eternity.
Notice in verse three Jesus doesn't say that they were NOT sinners, but that they were not WORSE sinners. I see this as Jesus removing a sense of false security from those hearing him. That false security is running wild today. He doesn't want them to feel righteous because that calamity didn't fall on them. The great truth that is uttered here is that God rejects the thought that some are more righteous because of the severity of sin! Jesus doesn't say, "You BAD sinners repent." God is not a respecter of mankind. Rom 2:11 Today, we try to put levels on our sins. How many times do we condone fornication as long as that fornication is not with a person of the same sex! Do we think God is happier with the person that has relations with five different people of the opposite sex, as opposed to the person that has relations with one of the same sex? Do we think God is happier with a liar than a murderer? Sin is sin and we all must repent of it! Acts 17:30
If there is no repentance in a person their fate is to perish. Many say that there is no need of repentance because we are covered by God's grace. Eph 2:8-10 I agree that grace is what saves us and we can not earn that grace. However, we are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." When we are created in Jesus, born again and walking in the newness of life after our immersion where we have crucified and buried the old self (Rom 6:1-4), we are to have works that proves our salvation and that we are a new creature. 2Co 5:17 We are no doubt covered by grace, but we can fall from that grace. See a previous blog.
Consider Heb 10:26,27, this is no doubt referring to apostasy. I see this as a stern warning that the rejection of Christ will result in the only opportunity for salvation from the wages of that sin. Rom 6:23 The Jews rejected Christ and many suffered the same fate as the Galileans in verse one. They died at the the hands of the Romans as mentioned in Mt 24. Many are falling away today because they are losing that "terrifying expectation of judgment." There is a serious lack of a Holy fear of God today. People are having their ears tickled by the teachers that they are gathering to themselves. 2Ti 4:3
The apostles went around preaching Christ crucified. 1Co 1:23 People see the cross as foolishness because they don't realize the lost state they are in without it! In Acts 2:14-36, Peter preaches a sermon that explains that God's loving plan has been unfolded through Jesus Christ who was crucified. It was their sins that put Jesus on that cross. In verse 36 he said, "whom you crucified." Is that what everyone wanted to hear? NO, but it was they needed to hear. What was the result of a sermon that convicted people by using the Word of God? Acts 2:37 says they asked what they should do. They were told to REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED! Acts 2:38
If the life you are leading today does not look like the life Jesus laid out in the Bible, do you change your life or the Bible? If the church you attend can't be found in the Bible, do you change churches or Bibles? We must be reminded that through God's love he sent Jesus to be our perfect sacrifice. He went into the Holy of Holies and that sacrifice was accepted. We must be reminded that is our sins that put Jesus on that cross. We must repent from godly sorrow from that message. 2Co 7:10-12 We must repent and separate ourselves of all sin. We must stop putting levels on sin.
Today, have you talked to God and confessed your sins to Him? If we do, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us of our sins. 1Jn 1:9 Unless we repent we will perish. Today, produce fruit that says you are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Have a healthy and Holy fear of the Lord my friends. Mt 10:28 I hope this was not communicated in a harsh or angry way because that was not my intention. It was said in a true concern for souls out of love!
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
We must hear the Word of God: Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We must believe or have faith: Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We must repent of our sins: Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We must confess Christ before others: Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
We must be faithful: Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22
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