I know just as well as anyone what it is like to read over scripture, come across various passages and nod my head in agreement, maybe underline or highlight those verses as I mutter to myself: “that’s good!”...and yet...still not ‘get it’. I would also think most of you would agree that it is easier to analyze scripture than it is to apply it, do it, and live it out daily.

Take for example, Peter’s somber words of exhortation in his opening letter:

“As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in ALL your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear...” (1:14-17)

Two notable points there, which you might want to underline - ‘be holy in ALL your conduct’ ... along with that reminder of how we should conduct ourselves during the remaining time of our stay here...’in fear’. Why did Peter have to bring this ‘fear’ thing into advising us how we should live holy lives and be holy in ‘all....our conduct’?

I am guessing he was aware of the same truth that Paul was wanting to make known to us as to what God was/is revealing to us in these ‘last days’. And it is “God’s wrath which is being revealed from heaven against ALL ungodliness and unrighteousness of men...” (Rom. 1:18). Paul goes on there saying that we are “without excuse” (20) as he describes the futility of our way of thinking as we suppress truth. As you read through the rest of that chapter and into the next one, he gives a lengthy list as to what ‘ungodly’ conduct looks like, listing an assortment of things ranging from murder to gossip, to being unforgiving and disobedient to parents, before adding that we ‘know the righteous judgement of God’ and how those who practice such things are ‘deserving of death’ (1:29-32)

Do you know why we are now ‘without excuse’ when it comes to all this? Because not only has God made it known to us from His word, but then He enables, equips, and provides for us...His Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us to live out these holy lives which He demands of us. That is...’grace’ in action (Titus 2:11-14). It’s all Him doing it...IF...we will surrender to His Lordship (Luke 6:46; John 2:5; Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21)

So consider this: When Jesus was laying out various examples as to what this ‘holy conduct’ looks like, much of it had to do with how we respond to others who are not conducting themselves in a ‘holy manner’. Take a moment and read through Matt. 5:38-48. He goes on there about how we are to ‘turn the other cheek’ and ‘go the second mile’ and then to ‘love/pray/bless and do good to others’...who hate us and despitefully use us and persecute us...etc.

There is something within us that wants to ‘rise up’ and refute this because it is not ‘fair’; why should bad people get away with such behavior? Well...if you understood how God has things ‘set in place’ these days...you might discover how much easier it is to do things His way, as opposed to how you want or feel like...doing things. Flip back over to Romans 12:9-21 and read through those verses. Any of them sound familiar? And why...are we advised to ‘back off’ in trying to repay evil for evil? What does Paul advise us to ‘make room for’ there in vs. 19? Does your Bible say to ‘give place for wrath’? Who does ‘vengeance’ belong to? You don’t think God knows how to tend to things, especially when it comes to sin and rebellion...ungodliness and unrighteousness?

Here is an example of what God is trying to convey to us: Have you ever had a school teacher, a coach, your parents or maybe a boss at work...get in your face and flat out tell you: “Don’t worry about what ‘so and so’ did! I’m fully aware of the situation and am taking care of it! I need you to worry about yourself and take care of what I have told YOU to do, understood?”

Yeah...that’s pretty much what God is wanting us to ‘see’. Nothing...escapes His attention and this you can be sure...God’s wrath has been set in place to deal with each and every infraction of His law, whether people realize it...or not (Eph. 5:6; Gal. 6:7-8; Matt. 24:39). Do you know what happens when people ‘sin’ (break God’s laws 1 John 3:4)? They 'give place to the devil' (Eph. 4:27) and if they fail to repent.... they get turned over to the ‘tormentors’ (Matt. 18:32-35). Who or what do you think God uses...to ‘carry out His wrath’? Why not pause here and read Ps. 78:49-50 and 1 Cor. 5:5 for a ‘refresher’, and then answer me this: “When did God change?” (Mal. 3:6).

So what’s the difference today? He is letting His people in on it, as Paul points out there in Romans 1:18. The word ‘reveal’ comes from a Greek word which means to ‘take the cover off’ so we can clearly see what is happening. Why do you think Jesus told that man to ‘go and sin no more...or something worse...will come upon you!’ (John 5:14)

Let’s wrap up for the day with this interesting exchange Jesus had with some folks, found in Luke 13:1-5:

“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

But for the love of God and all this is holy...please keep in mind...it is NOT...the will of God for ANY...to perish, but for ALL...to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1)

Have a blessed day.