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GOD SEES
The Psalmist wrote: “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one,” (Psalm 14:2,3). This is the condition of humankind as God sees and knows. Individuals are capable of what we call human good, but their motives are sinful and their minds in rebellion against God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” (Romans 8:8,9). The minds of humans in spite of all their perceived goodness and religion have minds that are “enmity against God.” The carnal mind loves the god imagined by religious folk. He is a kind old grandfatherly figure up in Heaven that sees the good in everyone and so takes everybody to Heaven: so goes popular thinking. Nobody wants to believe in the God who is revealed in the Bible. Everybody like the idea that God is a God of love: and He is, but He is also a just God. Twice the Bible says God is a “consuming fire.” “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God,” (Deuteronomy 4:24 see also Hebrews 12:29). Jesus said, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him,” (Luke 12:4,5). But these and other similar passages are not popular and so popular religious leaders do not quote them nor preach on them. And by their very omission to preach all that God says they reinforce the idea that everyone goes to Heaven. Did you ever hear a preacher when preaching the funeral of an individual well known for his wickedness say this man evidently will be cast into the lake of fire? Seldom will a preacher even say that it is unknown whether the dead person was saved or not. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly...” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) is not obeyed by preachers today especially at funerals. But God sees. And there judgment is coming. Paul wrote: “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel,” (Romans 2:16). Men and women have their secrets, but nothing is hidden from God! And there is coming a “day” in which each will be judged. Where will you be in this future day? “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). |
