Are Things Really Going Your Way?
One of the things that we have to ask ourselves is why are things going the way that they are? From a Biblical perspective it would seem that the world has completely turned it's back on the Lord's ways. Well Duh! That is the way that it has been since I can remember anyway. A Believer is not of this world and is held to a much higher standard, because each Believer represents Jesus to the world. If we act just like the world then there is no need for them to ask about the hope that is in us, because we are showing the same lack of hope that everyone else has.
But what about the wicked seemingly getting away with wickedness? Why doesn't God do something about it? It would seem that He is letting them go on sinning more and more and affecting this life more and more. Why? The following passage from the Psalms gives us a little glimpse.
Psalms 92:5-9 (NASB)
[5] How great are Your works, O LORD!
Your *thoughts are very deep.
[6] A senseless man has no knowledge,
Nor does a stupid man understand this:
[7] That when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
[8] But You, O LORD, are on high forever.
[9] For, behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
For, behold, Your enemies will perish;
All who do iniquity will be scattered.
Iniquity flourishes so that it might be destroyed forevermore. What does that mean? It means that when you contrast the wicked's demise in the end, at the Great White Throne judgement, it really doesn't appear that they are getting away with it. In fact, sometimes the Lord gives men over to their passions so that they might be destroyed by it.
Romans 1:18-32 (NASB)
Unbelief and Its Consequences
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth *in unrighteousness, [19] because that which is known about God is evident *within them; for God made it evident to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. [21] For even though they knew God, they did not *honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing to be wise, they became fools, [23] and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and *crawling creatures.
[24] Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. [25] For they exchanged the truth of God for *a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed *forever. Amen.
[26] For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is *unnatural, [27] and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing *indecent acts and receiving in *their own persons the due penalty of their error.
[28] And just as they did not see fit *to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, [30] slanderers, *haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; [32] and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
The wicked rise and fall in this world, but the Believer has the opportunity to show others around him/her a better way by the lives that we lead. The rise of some things in America is indicative of God's condemnation not His acceptance.
But what about the wicked seemingly getting away with wickedness? Why doesn't God do something about it? It would seem that He is letting them go on sinning more and more and affecting this life more and more. Why? The following passage from the Psalms gives us a little glimpse.
Psalms 92:5-9 (NASB)
[5] How great are Your works, O LORD!
Your *thoughts are very deep.
[6] A senseless man has no knowledge,
Nor does a stupid man understand this:
[7] That when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
[8] But You, O LORD, are on high forever.
[9] For, behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
For, behold, Your enemies will perish;
All who do iniquity will be scattered.
Iniquity flourishes so that it might be destroyed forevermore. What does that mean? It means that when you contrast the wicked's demise in the end, at the Great White Throne judgement, it really doesn't appear that they are getting away with it. In fact, sometimes the Lord gives men over to their passions so that they might be destroyed by it.
Romans 1:18-32 (NASB)
Unbelief and Its Consequences
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth *in unrighteousness, [19] because that which is known about God is evident *within them; for God made it evident to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. [21] For even though they knew God, they did not *honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing to be wise, they became fools, [23] and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and *crawling creatures.
[24] Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. [25] For they exchanged the truth of God for *a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed *forever. Amen.
[26] For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is *unnatural, [27] and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing *indecent acts and receiving in *their own persons the due penalty of their error.
[28] And just as they did not see fit *to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, [30] slanderers, *haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; [32] and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
The wicked rise and fall in this world, but the Believer has the opportunity to show others around him/her a better way by the lives that we lead. The rise of some things in America is indicative of God's condemnation not His acceptance.