There is a Difference
It has been good having the family together. I made the comment today, “this has just been like Christmas, minus the presents” (and Nathan, Mason and Carter). Perhaps that will be good since we won’t be with family this Christmas as we have in the past.
Today we took the grandkids to Regency Beauty Salon for haircuts. This was McKenzie’s first haircut ever and the first time Riley, Caedmon and Eliana had a haircut not given by mom or dad. The boys at first thought they were in place where only girls go, but we gave them reassurance that wasn’t the case. We didn’t do a “before” picture but I am sharing the “after” one. After haircuts we headed to Chic-fil-A for lunch and then home for a nap. (At least for me, McKenzie and Eliana)
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” Malachi 3:18
Often when I begin reading through the Bible at the beginning of the year, I will find myself reading the first book of the Old Testament and first book of the New Testament. Currently I have found myself reading the last book of the Old Testament and the last book of the New Testament.
If has been interesting to see the perspective and visions of both John and Malachi. Both writing hundreds of years apart and both seeing the “Day of the Lord” at hand. What is evident is that God’s people are tested. They are tested through persecution, some are called in the end to lay down their lives for their faith. However at the same time there are those who grow wear and falter in their faith and obedience to the Lord.
Peter and John refer to them as scoffers. Those who see the Lord’s delay as the failure of the Lord to deliver on His promise. Malachi talks of such people in these words, “You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test…” (Malachi 3:14,15) These may have professed faith at one time, but one thing is clear that they are no longer walking in obedience to the Lord or in “the fear of the Lord.”
Scripture makes it clear that a day of reckoning will come. Jesus told the parable about separating the “sheep from the goats” – Malachi talks about the day when a distinction will be made between the “righteous and the wicked” in these words, “…behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1)
For the righteous, “those who fear the name of the Lord” the future and the promise is greatly different. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” (Malachi 3:16,17) The prophet continues, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” (Malachi 4:2)
What does it take to “endure to the end”? It requires having a faith that will stand the test of the fire. It requires a steadfast hope in the Lord and His words. And then, I like the words of Malachi that observe – “…those who feared the Lord spoke with one another.” (Malachi 3:16) That simple statement shows that “walking in the fear of the Lord” requires community. “Lone Ranger” Christians are easy prey to the enemy, within and without. Hebrews says we, “should encourage one another daily as long as it is called today.” (Heb. 3:13) Finally, we see the Lord reaching out to even those who tried Him with false worship and wearied Him with their words and their actions, “Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.”
At times there seems to be little difference between the lifestyles and commitments of people of strong faith and unbelievers. Then there is the temptation to look at life and say, “my life isn’t any easier, isn’t any different as a follower of Christ….as a matter of fact it seems those who don’t follow Him have it easier.” (you’re in good company the Psalmist saw it the same way) But in the end a difference will be seen and that difference will have an impact for all eternity.