God's Reservations for the Wicked
Job's friends implied strongly that Job's troubles must have been caused by his sins. They said that because they believed that God always brought down sinful people in one way or another. Job corrected them again by pointing out that sometimes wicked people live long productive lives, and they prosper, even though they completely reject God. However, Job assured his friends that God reserves the wicked for the day of doom, and He will bring them out on the day of wrath or the day of judgment. (Job 21:30) I believe Job is right, and we need to warn people about this.
Sometimes the punishment of God is to allow people to do what they want to do and to walk away from Him. He knows this is the worst punishment of all, because they will not experience true happiness and real joy. He also knows that in the end they will face His judgment and His anger against their sins, so that they will pay the ultimate price of an eternity separated from Him in punishment. I believe the Bible teaches us that He only does this when a person becomes so hard that in His complete knowledge, He knows they will never trust Him by their own free will. Therefore, He lets them go their own way. (Romans 1:18-32)
God does not fight us to get us to love Him. That would not be real love, if we were coerced. He does not force His presence upon us. If we desire riches and sin more than Him, He gives them to us. We are made in God's image, and He can make his own decisions, so we can as well. Be careful if you choose to reject God, because even if you have the best things here, you will have the worst reservations for eternity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 22-24.
Sometimes the punishment of God is to allow people to do what they want to do and to walk away from Him. He knows this is the worst punishment of all, because they will not experience true happiness and real joy. He also knows that in the end they will face His judgment and His anger against their sins, so that they will pay the ultimate price of an eternity separated from Him in punishment. I believe the Bible teaches us that He only does this when a person becomes so hard that in His complete knowledge, He knows they will never trust Him by their own free will. Therefore, He lets them go their own way. (Romans 1:18-32)
God does not fight us to get us to love Him. That would not be real love, if we were coerced. He does not force His presence upon us. If we desire riches and sin more than Him, He gives them to us. We are made in God's image, and He can make his own decisions, so we can as well. Be careful if you choose to reject God, because even if you have the best things here, you will have the worst reservations for eternity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 22-24.