Confronted with... by Gary Rose

Barney Fife (Don Knox in real life) looks a little nervous, don’t you think? In a way, its a little hard to notice, because he plays such a goofy character on that old “Andy Griffith”show. But, this time he is attending church and its not hard to imagine that he has heard something that is causing concern. The proclaimed word will do that; namely, cause you to consider your ways – and that is often an uncomfortable situation. Here is an example…

Acts 26 ( World English Bible )

[1] Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.

[2] ”I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews, [3] especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

[4] ”Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem; [5] having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. [6] Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, [7] which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa! [8] Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead?

[9] ”I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. [10] This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. [11] Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

[12] ”Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests, [13] at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me. [14] When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ [15] ”I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [16] But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you; [17] delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, [18] to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

[19] ”Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, [20] but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. [21] For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me. [22] Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen, [23] how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.”

[24] As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!” [25] But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness. [26] For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner. [27] King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” [28] Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?” [29] Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.”

The apostle Paul had appealed to Caesar for judgment and while detained, he was brought before king Agrippa. When offered the opportunity to speak, he related to the king his story of conversion and eventually made an appeal to Agrippa himself. Needless, to say, this made Agrippa uncomfortable, because he obviously did not want to convert to Christianity.

Being uncomfortable can be a good thing, even if it does make you look a little nervous. God can change people’s lives; Paul is the best example of this I have ever read about! And that change can be wonderful, if you will just let God get past your “I want to live my own life, my own way” business.

Its time for a change – and I don’t mean changing Barney’s bow-tie, either.

Bible Reading October 14 and 15 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading  October 14 and 15 

World  English  Bible

Oct. 14

Proverbs 15-17

Pro 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Pro 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.

Pro 15:3 Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Pro 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

Pro 15:5 A fool despises his father's correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

Pro 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

Pro 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.

Pro 15:8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Pro 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

Pro 15:10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.

Pro 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh-- how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

Pro 15:12 A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Pro 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

Pro 15:14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Pro 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

Pro 15:16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.

Pro 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.

Pro 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

Pro 15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.

Pro 15:20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Pro 15:21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.

Pro 15:22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

Pro 15:23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!

Pro 15:24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

Pro 15:25 Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow's borders intact.

Pro 15:26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

Pro 15:27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

Pro 15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

Pro 15:29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Pro 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.

Pro 15:31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.

Pro 15:32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

Pro 15:33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

Pro 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

Pro 16:3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

Pro 16:4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end-- yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Pro 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

Pro 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

Pro 16:7 When a man's ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Pro 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

Pro 16:9 A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

Pro 16:10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

Pro 16:11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

Pro 16:12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

Pro 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

Pro 16:14 The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

Pro 16:15 In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

Pro 16:16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Pro 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pro 16:19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

Pro 16:20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

Pro 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

Pro 16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

Pro 16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

Pro 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pro 16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Pro 16:26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

Pro 16:27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

Pro 16:28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

Pro 16:29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

Pro 16:30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

Pro 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

Pro 16:32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

Pro 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.

Pro 17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

Pro 17:2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

Pro 17:3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

Pro 17:4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Pro 17:5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

Pro 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.

Pro 17:7 Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Pro 17:8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.

Pro 17:9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

Pro 17:10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

Pro 17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Pro 17:12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Pro 17:13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Pro 17:14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

Pro 17:15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

Pro 17:16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?

Pro 17:17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

Pro 17:18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

Pro 17:19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

Pro 17:20 One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

Pro 17:21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

Pro 17:22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Pro 17:23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.

Pro 17:24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

Pro 17:25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

Pro 17:26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

Pro 17:27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

Pro 17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

Oct. 15

Proverbs 18-20

Pro 18:1 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

Pro 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

Pro 18:3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.

Pro 18:4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

Pro 18:5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

Pro 18:6 A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

Pro 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Pro 18:8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts.

Pro 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

Pro 18:10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

Pro 18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

Pro 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

Pro 18:13 He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

Pro 18:14 A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

Pro 18:15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Pro 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

Pro 18:17 He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

Pro 18:18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

Pro 18:19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

Pro 18:20 A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

Pro 18:22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.

Pro 18:23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

Pro 18:24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Pro 19:1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

Pro 19:2 It isn't good to have zeal without knowledge; nor being hasty with one's feet and missing the way.

Pro 19:3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.

Pro 19:4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.

Pro 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

Pro 19:6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Pro 19:7 All the relatives of the poor shun him: how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.

Pro 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

Pro 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.

Pro 19:10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

Pro 19:11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

Pro 19:12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Pro 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife's quarrels are a continual dripping.

Pro 19:14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

Pro 19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Pro 19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

Pro 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.

Pro 19:18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don't be a willing party to his death.

Pro 19:19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

Pro 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

Pro 19:21 There are many plans in a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will prevail.

Pro 19:22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.

Pro 19:23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

Pro 19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

Pro 19:25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

Pro 19:26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother, is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

Pro 19:27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Pro 19:28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

Pro 19:29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Pro 20:1 Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Pro 20:2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

Pro 20:3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

Pro 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Pro 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Pro 20:6 Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?

Pro 20:7 A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

Pro 20:8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

Pro 20:9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"

Pro 20:10 Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

Pro 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

Pro 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.

Pro 20:13 Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

Pro 20:14 "It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

Pro 20:15 There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

Pro 20:16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

Pro 20:17 Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

Pro 20:18 Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!

Pro 20:19 He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

Pro 20:20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

Pro 20:21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won't be blessed in the end.

Pro 20:22 Don't say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.

Pro 20:23 Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

Pro 20:24 A man's steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?

Pro 20:25 It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

Pro 20:26 A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.

Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is Yahweh's lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

Pro 20:28 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

Pro 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

Pro 20:30 Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.

Oct. 14

Ephesians 5

Eph 5:1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.

Eph 5:2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Eph 5:3 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;

Eph 5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

Eph 5:5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

Eph 5:7 Therefore don't be partakers with them.

Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Eph 5:9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,

Eph 5:10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

Eph 5:11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

Eph 5:12 For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

Eph 5:13 But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.

Eph 5:14 Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Eph 5:15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17 Therefore don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Eph 5:18 Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Eph 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Eph 5:20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

Eph 5:21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

Eph 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.

Eph 5:24 But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;

Eph 5:26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,

Eph 5:27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Eph 5:28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.

Eph 5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;

Eph 5:30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.

Eph 5:31 "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh."

Eph 5:32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.

Eph 5:33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Oct. 15

Ephesians 6

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Eph 6:2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise:

Eph 6:3 "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth."

Eph 6:4 You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;

Eph 6:6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Eph 6:7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men;

Eph 6:8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

Eph 6:9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Eph 6:13 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Eph 6:15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace;

Eph 6:16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God;

Eph 6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

Eph 6:19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,

Eph 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Eph 6:21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things;

Eph 6:22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Eph 6:23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.

God loves righteousness and justice by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/045-GodLovesRight.html

God loves righteousness and justice

“For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD” (Psalm 33:4, 5).
Righteousness is the trait of being upright and consistently doing what is good. Job, for example, “was blameless and upright, one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1).
Justice is the enforcement of moral and legal standards and the administration of appropriate discipline or retribution for violations. Discipline strives to improve behavior. Retribution satisfies the just requirement for a fair and adequate penalty.
“The LORD loves justice” (Psalm 37:28).

Love has attendant hate.
“Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15). “You who love the LORD, hate evil!” (Psalm 97:10).
Of the Messiah it is said: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Psalm 45:6, 7). [Compare with Hebrews 1:9.]

God hates all workers of iniquity.
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Psalm 5:4-6).

Evil must be punished.
“The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness” (Psalm 11:5-7).
Because God loves righteousness, His soul hates the wicked. Because He loves justice, He will rain fire on evildoers.
Of course the wicked think this punishment is excessive. In their wickedness, they think evil is not that bad. But evil causes immeasurable harm. Because of this harm, a loving God is obligated to punish evil.

Vengeance and recompense belong to God.
God says, “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense” (Deuteronomy 32:35).
Because God created man with the ability to choose evil or good, evil must be tolerated temporarily. But God will set all things right on judgment day, and there is partial punishment of evil now, both by direct intervention and by governmental justice.
At Christ's return, the wicked will be punished, “Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).
Governments administer God's wrath, “For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).
Christians leave vengeance to God: “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head'” (Romans 12:19, 20).
Because Christians are citizens of a heavenly kingdom (John 18:36; Philippians 3:20) they do not fight or avenge themselves, but defer to the wrath of God. They are ministers, not of wrath, but of reconciliation, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

The wrath of God arises from His love.
God's wrath results from His love for righteousness, for justice and for His children.
Parents understand this. What would your reaction be to someone who molested your child? Absolute indignation, and rightly so.
God's wrath is always earned.

God has destroyed exceedingly wicked people.
Because of His love for righteousness, God limits evil on earth.
God has used catastrophes, such as the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, to administer justice.
First, however, we must discuss a question that applies to all catastrophes. What about the innocent children who died in the flood? God loved them and they will be with Him in heaven, just like the innocent children who died in the tsunami of 2004. Of little children Jesus said, “In heaven their angels always see the face of My Father” (Matthew 18:10) and “Of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Also safe in the arms of God will be the millions of babies murdered by their mothers through abortion.
The history of the world shows that God is extremely patient with sinners, but the antediluvians were intolerably wicked! “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).
There were exceptions. Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:22) and warned of God's judgment: “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14, 15).
In Noah's time he and his family were the only ones on earth who served the Lord! God “did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).
Those who perished were evildoers by choice. God also gave them a final chance to repent. By the Spirit, Christ preached to those who were disobedient “when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared” (1 Peter 3:18-20).
During the 100 years it took to build the ark, the wicked had a chance to repent. When a man spent 100 years building a huge boat on dry land people certainly heard about it and also about his reason for doing so. But they refused to repent.
When God warned the Ninevites that their city would be destroyed, they repented “and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10).

God uses governments to keep evil in check.
“If you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).
Under the Old Testament, God's people had a government that was ordained and led by God (a theocracy). God was the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6).
God's use of the armies of Israel to wipe out evil nations involved direct commands that were to be obeyed precisely. They were simply instruments of God's wrath. This provides no precedent, because no nations are now directly led by God.
Through the ages, God has used rulers and armies providentially to accomplish His purposes. He used Nebuchadnezzar to punish Israel calling him 'My servant' (Jeremiah 25:8, 9).
God is patient, wanting the wicked to repent: “'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live'” (Ezekiel 33:11). “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
God would not have destroyed Sodom if there were ten righteous people in the city (Genesis 18:32).
But evil can become so extreme that God's love for righteousness and justice mandates immediate intervention.
God promised Abraham that He would give the land of Canaan to his descendents but only after the wickedness of those who lived there was complete. “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (Genesis 15:16).
Moses explained to the people, “It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you” (Deuteronomy 9:5).
Sins of these nations included adultery, homosexual practices, sexual intercourse with animals and the sacrifice of infants to Molech (Leviticus 18:20-30; 2 Kings 16:3).
Sacrifices to Molech varied from place to place and over time but descriptions by ancient historians [Cleitarchus (300 BC), Diodorus Siculus (90-30 BC) and Plutarch (100 AD)] can be summarized as follows: the hollow image had a human-like torso with a bull's head. A fire was built in a cavity at the belly. Outstretched arms which became red hot were flat and sloped back so a baby thrown into the arms would roll into the fiery stomach. Sometimes the baby was killed first, sometimes thrown alive into the arms of Molech. In that case drums were beaten and flutes played to cover the screams of the infant. Mothers were not allowed to show any sign of grief.
Such extremely evil practices have at times been punished by God with retribution on earth, but what about eternal retribution?

Justice will be done on judgment day.
God tolerates evil temporarily so man has an opportunity to repent, but because of His love for justice, judgment day will set all things right.
In the letter to the Romans, Paul says that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18). Since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) all stand condemned before God.
Through Christ, God provides an opportunity for salvation. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9, 10). By dying on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.
Thus, even though God's love for righteousness and justice mandates retribution, His love for humanity (Titus 3:4) moved Him to provide a way of escape that would not violate the just requirement for punishment. “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3, 4).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
“The LORD tests the righteous” (Psalm 11:5). How people react to Jesus shows their attitude to God. People who love God will love Jesus. “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed” (1 Corinthians 16:22). “The wrath of God abides on him” who does not believe the Son (John 3:36).
Many claim to be saved although they do not believe Jesus when He says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16) or “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). The wrath of God remains on those who claim that baptism is not necessary for salvation because they do not believe Jesus and they do not obey Jesus.
To be saved we must obey the gospel (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17). The gospel designates faith, repentance, confession and baptism as prerequisites for salvation (Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38).

What have we learned?
God loves righteousness and justice. God hates all workers of iniquity. Because God loves justice, evil must be punished. Vengeance and retribution belong to God. He will rain fire on the wicked.
God is patient and gives people time to repent, but when they become too wicked, His love for righteousness and justice requires immediate intervention. God uses catastrophes and governments to visit wrath on evildoers. Innocent children who die, go to heaven.
The wicked will be punished when Christ returns. Because of sin, we are all under the wrath of God. Only by faith in Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins, can we be saved. God's wrath remains on anyone who does not believe Jesus and obey the gospel. Amen.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)