The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Wickedness

  • The Problem

    “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

    1 John 5:19

    What is The Problem in the world today?

    Sin. “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19). Those who belong to Jesus live in a world that lies in wickedness. Recognizing this, Christians are to warn those who do not know Jesus, while understanding that we are not to be a part of this world.

    One must remember that God created man without sin. However, since sin entered into the world (when Adam sinned in the garden), all people have sinned and fallen short. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

    Once we hear the problem, we often quit with that verse. However, the verses immediately following give the solution to this problem. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). One can be justified freely because Jesus came to take the penalty of that sin. Justified means “to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent: be righteous.” Who can be regarded as just or innocent? Any one who will just believe in Jesus.

    How and why is this possible? “25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:25-26). God sent His only Son, Jesus (remember John 3:16) to be a propitiation. Propitiation means “a place of conciliation, expiation, what the ancients called altar or place of sacrifice. It does not refer to the expiatory sacrifices themselves. Jesus Christ is designated not only as the place where the sinner deposits his sin, but He Himself is the means of expiation (expiation means ‘the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing: i.e. sin; atonement’)…” This is explained well in the following verse. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus, who never sinned, took man’s sin, so that whoever trusts in this act (the expiation) can be made righteous.

    Notice: It is a choice – to accept this gift or reject it. Do you remember what the Bible declares is the penalty for sin? “For the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23). However, notice that there is an offering of eternal life. “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This eternal life can only be obtained because of Jesus’ death on the cross for sin. Jesus paid the penalty for anyone who would just believe upon Him. The Bible is full of verses declaring that Jesus is the only Way. And if these few verses were the only ones that declared this truth, they would be enough.

    Nevertheless, many choose to remain in that sin, refusing to believe what Jesus did for them. What happens to them? Jesus said, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). He also said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Damned means “to judge against, that is, sentenced: condemned.”

    For those who choose to trust in Jesus’ expiation by His death, has everlasting life. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). On the converse, those who reject Jesus will have the wrath of God upon them – forever.

    It is as simple as this: “11. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11-12). If you have Jesus, you have life. If you choose to reject Jesus, you will not have life (having been judged, condemned to eternal death). “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). It only takes unbelief to spend eternity in the “lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”.

    Have you chosen to believe, and then to warn any other unbelievers of the second death?

    Watch the following five-minute video, and then share it with someone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANvaqeBVELc

  • The Unseen War

    “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

    Ephesians 6:12

    There is a battle raging in this world. Although we see the evidence of it at times, it is mostly an unseen battle.

    All Christians know the name of our enemy – Satan. Read how Jesus described him. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). He is a murder and a liar (at the very least!). We also understand Christians are to stand against “the wiles of the devil” (see Ephesians 6:11). Wiles means “the following, or pursuing of orderly, and technical procedure in the handling of a subject. Connected with evil-doing, a device, artifice, artificial method, or wile.”  Satan is very strategic. We know he appears as an angel of light, he is a tempter, an accuser, and we are not to be ignorant of his devices. We need to recognize that there is spiritual good, and there is spiritual wickedness. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Take note that Satan is spiritual. Just because something is spiritual does not mean it is good. The following are examples that are popular today: horoscopes, necromancy, séances, ouija board, clairvoyance, mysticism, visions, and sometimes even dreams. And this is just a short list! There is spiritual wickedness. Christians are to test every spirit. We are not to believe every spirit, for some are evil and not of God. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

     Before we are introduced in the way to be victorious in this battle, read some initial instruction: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). Warning! One without Christ is powerless to match Satan or his devices. Remember, his goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. However, when one has trusted in Christ, that enables one to be victorious. Christians must remember that Satan has been defeated. Jesus defeated him when He conquered death. Satan is no match for our God. Christians must recognize that we cannot do it on our own – for we are to be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

    Why do we need to be constantly reminded of this?

    Most Christians live in defeat. This happens because most Christians are not prepared for this battle. Christians must take on the whole armor of God. If you leave out any part of this armor, you leave an area of your life vulnerable.

    Each Christian needs the following: “14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:14-18).

    • Truth: Christians must live in truth in all areas. Remember that Jesus is truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Satan often attacks with lies.
    • Breastplate of righteousness: this protects the vital organs, including the heart. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Christians are to protect what goes into their hearts. Satan often attacks with the temptations of sin that may enter into the heart.
    • Gospel of peace: Unless you have the peace of Christ’s Gospel in your heart, you cannot stand sure and fight for the truth of God’s Word. With doubts in one’s mind, one cannot combat crises of life that come. One must stand in God’s Word.
    • Shield of Faith: to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. These darts most often are doubt. One must know the surety of one’s faith in Jesus. Know your Bible. (See John 5:39 and Acts 17:11.)
    • Helmet of salvation: If the head is wounded, nothing else works. A Christian is to have his mind set upon God and the things of God – not the world. When one is divided in thought, having a double mind, the Bible teaches that one is unstable in all of his ways. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). (See also Isaiah 26:3.)
    • Sword of the Spirit (Word of God): “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This is our only offensive weapon against Satan. Again, know your Bible. 
    • Prayer: Before joining the battle, Christians must be in prayer. This supplies us with all we need. Remember, we do not understand the unseen, but God’s Spirit knows all and meets our needs accordingly. We just need to remember to make our prayers heard by Him.
    • To Watch: Remember what Jesus instructed: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).

    We are able to stand from the place of victory that was won by Jesus at Calvary. He is greater than Satan, the ruler of this world (for now!). Therefore, Christians have to “stand” and be strong in the Lord and the power of His might – for Jesus already won the war. This is what guarantees our victory.

    Remember what Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad” (Matthew 12:30). Remember, you are not alone.

    Have you chosen your side?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • The Righteous Cry, and God Delivers

    “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”

    Psalm 34:17

    Have you ever wondered why God allows some things to happen? The world today seems to becoming overwhelmingly wicked. When Habakkuk did not understand what was going on in Judah – He asked God! 

     “The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see” (Habakkuk 1:1). The first thing we can understand is that Habakkuk had a “burden”. Burden here means “a burden; a longing or yearning.” Many prophets had a burden. See in this verse means “a vision presented to the mind of a prophet; a revelation.” Habakkuk saw something that troubled him. Consequently, he took his trouble to God. “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:2). Habakkuk saw God’s people living godless lives, lives in which God was greatly displeased. This sin became very overt to him, and it troubled him greatly. “3. Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth” (Habakkuk 1:3-4). Habakkuk did not understand how God could allow this iniquity to continue. See the following to help understand some words from this verse to grasp why Habakkuk was so troubled:  

    • iniquity: vainness, falseness, idolatry, wickedness; the word focuses on the planning and expression of deception – it also pointed to the consequences of that sin; this is a major Hebrew word for sin;  
    • grievance: trouble, misery, distress, sorrow 
    • spoiling: oppression of the weak; havoc; destruction; mainly refers to social injustices
    • violence: wickedness, wrong, unrighteous gain; also remember that man’s violence was one of the main reasons for the flood (see Genesis 6:11 & 13) 
    • strife: to quarrel, to contest (personal or legal); contention; controversy; disputes   
    • contention: brawling; strife; discord   

    Can you better understand why Habakkuk was disturbed over what he was seeing in his world? Remember that it was this kind of living that caused God to decide to destroy the world by flood which we can read about in Genesis. “11. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:11-13). 

    Can you better understand why Habakkuk was so very troubled?

    It is important to understand that God sees His people and hears their troubles. Read the following verse from Psalms that David wrote to help a little in the understanding of this concept. “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).   

    Just as Habakkuk was frustrated seeing all of the wickedness in the land, we can think of others in the Bible who seemed to feel that way. Think of Lot, from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. “7. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds)” (2 Peter 2:7-8).

    Remember a warning recorded in the Psalms. “2. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3). The writer was becoming envious of sinners who prospered, without any apparent judgment (see Psalm 73:4-15). It seemed as if they were getting away with their sin. However, read what he discovered: “16. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors” (Psalm 73:16-19). Remember something we should have learned. God sees all, and your sin will find you out! “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). 

    God saw. God knew. God had a plan. (See Habakkuk 1:5-6).

    God told Habakkuk to look among the heathen (Israel’s enemies). Habakkuk was to get ready for God to do a mighty work among His people – one that would be almost impossible to believe. And God did just what He said He would do. Habakkuk had nothing to fear, God was in control.

    Remember what David learned. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). When God is in control, there is nothing to be feared.

    So today, when you become discouraged at the wicked world in which we live, remember that God sees, and He has a plan. When Habakkuk did not understand, he trusted God.

    Have you learned to trust in God and not be afraid of the wickedness in the world that you see?

  • The Individual’s Choice

    “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
    Ezekiel 18:20

    God wanted Ezekiel to make it clear to His people that God saw everything. Because God sees all, Ezekiel was to make sure the people understood that God also sees each individual and judges them accordingly. Especially notice the following: “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). When a person chooses to reject God, that soul dies. It is an individual choice each person must make. (“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.)

    Understand this better with the following: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:20). Each individual is accountable to God for his or her life – not the life of their father: God has no grandchildren, only children. (“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.)

     “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21).    Remember what is clarified even better in the New Testament for us: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  And also: “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation … 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13). 

    God then made a specific call to His people: “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30). It was up to each individual person to repent and turn from his or her sin (transgressions) and turn to Him – even as it is today. Remember: the people of Israel were evicted from their land because of their sin against God, forsaking Him for idol worship, and refusing to repent. However, the children who came after them would not be held accountable for their parents’ sins. Each one of them had the choice: the choice to repent and turn to God.

    God never changes. God wanted to save people in the Old Testament times, New Testament times, and He still wants to save people even today. However, God allows each person to choose – to believe, or not to believe. We should know all have sinned (remember Romans 3:23). But we should recognize how to have life eternal. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Whosoever believes in Jesus can have life! Instead of choosing continual sin, one must choose Jesus by faith: then he or she can have life. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

    There is an amazing picture of this in the Old Testament. It is a picture of God seeing an individual and holding him accountable for sin. Almost everyone is familiar with an event that happened in Genesis chapter four. God had accepted Abel’s offering and not Cain’s. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts …” (Hebrews 11:4). Cain became angry. God gave Cain a warning:  “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:7). Cain had an opportunity right there to change his heart and to choose right. God warned that if he did not, sin was there waiting. Nevertheless, Cain had the choice to rule over that sin. If you remember, Cain ignored God’s warning and allowed sin to rule in his life. Cain rose up and killed his brother. He went out from the presence of the Lord – never to return.

    Have you chosen a life in obedience to Jesus by faith, knowing it is only then you will have eternal life?

    How to be Saved

  • Faith and Hope

    “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
    Romans 15:4

    Watching events in the world today, do you ever wonder why God allows some things to happen? Have you noticed the crime, injustices, wickedness, violence, strife, and so much more that happens continually? Does it seem like ungodliness is constantly in your face, yet there is nowhere to turn and hide from it? Believe it or not, this is nothing new. This has all happened before.

    Remember back for a minute to a small book in the Old Testament named after a prophet who had much of the same question for God. He asked God, “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:2). He wanted to know why he could see so many living in such sin and wickedness, knowing that God was displeased, and why God was allowing it to continue without doing anything about it.

    God answered Habakkuk. “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you” (Habakkuk 1:5). God proceeded to tell Habakkuk that He was about to do something so mighty that it would be hard to believe such a thing could happen. God’s people had been living contrary to God for so long, and they had chosen instead to involve themselves wholly in idolatry. Because of their rejection of God and His ways, God was going to allow the enemy to come into the country, steal a select group away, and destroy the rest of the people and nation. The enemy that was coming to destroy was a “terrible and dreadful” people. God was going to use this wicked people to come into Judah and destroy. However, because God knows the heart of all people, He knew whom he would allow to be spared from the wrath of His judgment upon His people. This group of people would be taken into the enemy’s land that was wholly given over to idolatry. Hearing this, Habakkuk was greatly trouble. He did not know or understand that in that place, this group of people would be cured of idolatry forever. It would be then that God would allow them to go back to their homeland and rebuild.

    When Habakkuk did not understand, he still waited to hear from God. Once again, God answered him. God wanted him to write it down for all to know and understand, because if God says something is going to happen, be assured it will happen! The greatest verse in this book, the verse that is the most instructive is found next. “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). No one who places faith in anyone or anything besides God is “upright” in God. Remember: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). The most important faith a person can have is the saving faith in Jesus. “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once one has the saving faith of Jesus, that person is able to “live by his faith.” “16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth … 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17). In the world, people think seeing is believing. God wants us to understand that believing is seeing.

    How did Habakkuk respond to this thought of living by his faith in God and His Word? The entirety of chapter three in Habakkuk is a prayer that turns into a song. Habakkuk remembered what God had done for His people in the past, and the hope God gave for the future. God had never left them. This comforted Habakkuk and gave him hope. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

    Habakkuk put into practice what we should know to do: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). When Habakkuk sought God, God answered and encouraged Habakkuk.

    Does God’s Word comfort you, encouraging you to live a life of faith in this world?

  • Watch

    “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42)

    In some of Jesus’ final teachings to His disciples, He gave them a specific warning that we must heed today.“37. But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered into the ark, 39. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. … 42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:37-39, 42).

    Remember back for a minute to Noah. You can read the events in Genesis 6-8. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). God said He would destroy man and beast. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). We can read that God described him as just, and Noah walked with God. God told Noah to build an ark for his family and two of every animal. Noah obeyed. It took him 100 years to build that ark. That means that everyone around saw what he was doing. See what we can read in 2 Peter 2:5: “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.” This means that while he was building that ark, he was warning people (preaching) of what was coming. Notice that in Genesis, God revealed that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth … only evil continually.” Jesus helps us understand that in this wickedness “they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage” until the day that Noah entered into the ark. They were just living their normal lives. But God told us that they were living wickedly. And they had no idea that a flood was coming to destroy them and the whole earth. But Noah knew. And while he was building that ark, he warned people.

    Now, think of today. We know that when Jesus went back into heaven after His resurrection, we have the promise that He would return in like manner (Acts 1:11). Right before that promise, Jesus told those that had trusted and believed in Him to be witnesses. Christians are to proclaim the Gospel message (that Jesus lived a sinless life, died for sinful man, rose from the dead, and will one day take us to heaven with Him) to a lost world. A world full of people that eat, drink, are married and given in marriage — just living normal lives. But a life without Jesus is a life that God sees as one who is wicked, and that every imagination of the thoughts of the hearts are only evil continually (remember Genesis 6:5).

    What did Jesus tell us (Christians — those who belong to Jesus) to do?

    “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42). Watch means to “keep awake; be vigilant; awaken; figuratively to rouse from inactivity.”  From what are we to awaken? From what inactivity are we to rouse? In what are we to be vigilant? We must do just as Noah did. Wake up and become preachers of righteousness! How do we do that? A preacher in this context is just one who delivers a message. All we need to do is warn people of their eternal separation from God by sharing with them the Gospel message of Jesus. For we hold the truth that Jesus is the only Way to heaven! “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 16:6).

    Are you watching?

    Have you warned anyone today?