Turn Over

“Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” Luke 8:18 

It is a delicate balance, which God allows of a life. “Reaping what we sow” or “making one’s own bed,” is too simplistic an explanation for a person’s future. Indeed some are spared of reaping what they sowed and of sleeping in the bed they made through bad decisions. In contrast, others reap to the highest degree. Friends, “who we are” and “whose we are” are vital to our understanding of what men will reap for wrong deeds and also for righteous acts.

An unrighteous man, though he performed a virtuous deed, is nevertheless left uncredited for that deed, no matter how sincere. On the other hand, a man who is gifted with God’s righteousness, may commit a deed unbecoming his righteous status. For this man, God is not marking his iniquity, because a bloody cross is applied in his case. Another has paid for the unrighteous deed.

“If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Psalm 130:3-4

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalm 32:1-2.

Matthew Henry explains: “If he had not been a God of patience, we should have been in hell long ago; but he has not rewarded us after our iniquities; so those will say who know what sin deserves. He has not inflicted the judgments which we have merited, nor deprived us of the comforts which we have forfeited, which should make us think the worse, and not the better, of sin; for God’s patience should lead us to repentance, Rom 2:4. MH

On this note let’s review a passage in Micah chapter 4. The setting is in the Millennial Kingdom.

“And he shall judge among many peoples, and reprove strong nations, even afar off; and they shall forge their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-knives: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.   And they shall sit every one under his vine, and under his fig-tree; and there shall be none to make them afraid: for the mouth of Jehovah of hosts hath spoken it . For all the peoples will walk every one in the name of his god; but we will walk in the name of Jehovah, our God for ever and ever.” Micah 4:3 -5

Amazing time on the earth. War will not be allowed, neither any causing fear. In addition, people groups will have freedom to practice their own religions, follow their own gods.

Beloved, his ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. It seems to me that instead of exerting excessive pressure on those who have proceeded through the tribulation and are now living under the authority of Christ’ government on the earth — the policy is to take away fear and to enhance freedom. Men and women will still be serving and following their own gods.

Folks, Romans chapter 1 teaches a vital lesson. God will “turn over” or “grant freedom” to people seeking uncleanness, vile affections, disapproved thinking.

We must acclimate our thinking to a long-suffering God.

Exo_34:6 , Num_14:18  Psa_86:15  Speak of this longsuffering. “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Jer_15:15 also.

But,

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Rom_2:4

Oh, here is the problem with this terrible sin nature that we have all inherited. This nature despises God — even his goodness, his forbearance, and his long-suffering. But God knows that in his goodness, some will come to a change of mind. Some will perceive His love, some will come to Christ. Some will be saved. He extends it to us — long-sufferingly. Glory to God. Love ya.