God will right all the wrongs (also a note on when I was wrong the other day) - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8,

"God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and
give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will
happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire
with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and
do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."

We all have a sense of what is right, just and fair. I believe it is
due to our being created in God's own image. God has revealed himself
to be both loving and just -- intensely loving and intensely just. We
have the capacity for both, with believers having the opportunity to
experience them both in uncorrupted ways.

When it comes to justice, we have a keen sense of what we define as
"just and fair." It may be that much of what is felt as "unjust" is
far from legitimate, especially when it comes to the political arena
where absurd concepts, such as "economic justice", championed by
socialists, is passed off as a legitimate concern. As a tactic of the
socialists among us, it sells well and works well for them simply
because we all have this sense of what is just, and so it resonates
with the uninformed, not because it is legitimate, but because it
appeals.

In our lost and fallen world, dominated by a collective sin nature,
populated by people animated by sinful impulses, there is ample
opportunity for true injustices to take place. Paul identifies these
Thessalonians as legitimate victims of true unjust treatment by
others. Paul observes their suffering and encourages his readers by
pointing out those who are troubling them will face God as their just
judge. He will visit his justice upon them, "He will pay back trouble
to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and
to us as well."

Of course, I desire immediate satisfaction, and would wish God's
immediate judgment on troublemakers. However, how wonderful for me
that God does things in his own time, as I have certainly caused
others trouble over the years. Where would I be today if God
immediately judged troublemakers?

Paul tells us God will right all the wrongs in his timing. He tells
these Thessalonians that it will take place "when the Lord Jesus is
revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels."

I take comfort in knowing that in the end, God will right all wrongs
and that he will do it in his own timing, not mine. Accordingly, I am
admonished to, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room
for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will
repay,' says the Lord." Romans 12:19. Also, 1 Corinthians 4:5,
"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the
Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will
expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their
praise from God."

All in good time... all in good time. And, how wonderful it is to
leave things in the hands of God. It certainly has a way of bringing
relief to the otherwise heavy burdens of bitterness and so forth.

On another note, I wrote the other day on repentance. I made the point
that repentance is a change of direction, not simply sorrow for sin.
In it I made the assertion that it would be impossible for someone who
is yet to be saved, yet without the presence of the Holy Spirit
dwelling within them, to feel sorrow for sin. How could someone be
asked to feel sorrow for sin as an unregenerate person? My good friend
Dave shared a wonderful passage with me, "Godly sorrow brings
repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly
sorrow brings death." 2 Corinthians 7:11. That passage confirms that
"godly sorrow" leads to repentance, supporting my claim that sorrow
and repentance are not quite the same thing. Repentance requires
change. However, in Dave's passage, it is a "godly sorrow" that leads
to repentance and is something that is felt before someone is saved,
not a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as believers have,
correcting my assertion. I apologize for the misdirection and am
thankful that others are keeping me on the "straight and narrow." God
knows, I need it!

As I think of Dave's passage, it causes me to think of how God pursues
us for salvation. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father
who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day."
John 6:44. Also, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw
all people to myself." John 12:32. Jesus also taught us about the
ministry of the Holy Spirit in the world today, "When he [the
"Advocate" or "Comforter", that is, the Holy Spirit] comes, he will
prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and
judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about
righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me
no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now
stands condemned." John 16:8-11. I believe Dave's passage has bearing
on each of these things the Lord taught. Thanks, Dave!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!

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Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com