Judgment's Coming

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6

Beloved,

As a college football player, I was required to go to study hall Monday –Thursday during my freshman year. If we missed Study Hall, we were forced to run after practice. One Tuesday our school was playing our rival in basketball. It was supposed to be a great game so I devised a plan. I thought that I could enjoy the game and not be disciplined for missing if I went to study hall signed in and then snuck out. And that is what I did, but one of the coaches came at the end of study hall to see if everyone had stayed. I got busted and was forced to participate in an extremely difficult run following a long football practice.

I learned that no one can escape judgment. We may be able to get what we want at first (for I did see a great basketball game), but eventually we will have to answer for our actions. When people promise a life free from consequences for their behavior, they are attempting to deceive with empty words. The Holy Spirit writes, “because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” No one can escape the wrath of God. God shows no partiality, but will render each according to their work. We may get away with sin for a time, but one day we will face God’s righteous judgment when all secrets are exposed by Jesus Christ. Do not be deceived, a life characterized by immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:5, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:21).

Beloved, the only way we can inherit the kingdom of God is by turning to God through Jesus Christ from our idols. 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10, “and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (emphasis added). Jesus alone delivers us from the wrath to come by absorbing the wrath of God for us on the cross. Believers will never face the wrath of God because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead guaranteeing our future deliverance from eternal death. And yet, it is not enough to say we believe, we actually have to live as if we truly believe.

Beloved, judgment will come to everyone, but deliverance is only offered to all through Jesus Christ. God will punish the sons of disobedience therefore live in obedience to Jesus as you wait for Him from heaven to deliver you from the wrath to come.