Sunday church attendance had room for more members and visitors. Hope and pray we see more with us soon. I hope the patients will get better soon.
Our worship songs were “Revive Us Again”, “When the Roll is Called Up Over There”, “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings” and “Oh, How I Love Jesus”.
Pastor Cottrell’s message was “The Justice of God:”
How often do you consider doing the “right” thing in a situation, even if no one is there?
Often people consider doing the right thing, but usually don’t really think about why they are even considering it to begin with. Some will throw the word morality into the mix here to explain why someone would consider doing the right thing in the first place, but then we are faced with the question of where morality comes from. As believers, we hold on to the truth that God is just, and know that this should impact the way we live and the choices we make.
Psalm 89:6 “For who in heaven can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be compared to the Lord? Psalm 89:14 “Justice and righteousness are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before your face.
We must first understand that God is just. What does that mean though? There are several different Hebrew words to describe righteousness, and there is also a root word in Greek to describe it. At the center of these words, the definitions all point to being fair, just and honest. For us these would be listed as characteristics or attributes if we possessed them, but for God they are part of Him. His righteousness is not just something he does, it is a part of him, the “foundation of his throne”. His righteousness is his nature.
Psalm 145:17 “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, gracious in all his works. The Lord is close to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. What does it mean that God is just? God is just in everything he does, he is straight in all his ways, he is honest at all times, and his timing is perfect.
Why is it so important that God be just? Because God sent Jesus Christ to accept the penalty of death for our injustice. God knew what was needed to be right and just and to bring us, His creation, back into right fellowship with Him.
It would benefit all of us to remember that we were created by God righteously to be in perfect fellowship with him, but through our own rebellion we have invited injustice into our lives. Paul teaches the church in Rome about God’s wrath over injustice in Romans 1:18-32. In verse 18 we see where iniquity begins and it is the same for all. Paul says, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who unrighteously withhold the truth.” What is the truth they hold? That God is just and He created them to be in right relationship with Him. They suppress the truth of God’s rule and reign over everything. Paul goes on to note that God delivered them over to the impurity of their lustful hearts. He allowed them, in their own freedom, to worship the creature rather than the Creator. However, being found in iniquity, they will one day end in death.
God in his justice, however, sent Christ to stand in our place as the perfect sacrifice to save us from this death. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming of Jesus and said in Isaiah 53:11 “He will see the work of his soul, and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant (Jesus) will vindicate many. Jesus Christ came to justify many, that is, to make many righteous. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he made him who knew no sin (Jesus) a sin for
us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God (through Jesus Christ) is eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 “But of him you are in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, that, as it is written, he who boasts, let him glory in the Lord.” Jesus is our righteousness and our sanctification. He is the reason why the wrath of God will not be poured out on us who are in Him.
The responsibility to be righteous does not rest with you, but with Christ’s finished work on the cross. This life with which God has blessed us in Christ should be used to honor God. As we seek to walk with Christ, let us remember daily that we live before the holy God, perfect and righteous in all his ways.
Let’s set our course to live for Him, to glory in Him, to tell others about Him; and in so doing, seeking to do what is right and just according to his word.
