Thursday, June 27, 2013

If The Wicked Do Not Repent, GOD Will Whet HIS Sword.

Does GOD love the unrepentant sinner?
(Charles Finney, "The Guilt of Sin")

"GOD is angry with the wicked 
every day!" Psalm 7:11

GOD is not angry merely against 
the sin abstracted from the sinner,
but against the sinner himself!

Some people have labored hard
to set up this ridiculous and absurd
generalization, and would attempt
to make it appear . . .
  that GOD is angry at sin--
yet not at the sinner;
  that HE hates the theft--
but loves the thief;
  that HE abhors adultery--
but is pleased with the adulterer.

Now this is supreme nonsense! 

The sin has no moral character
apart from the sinner. The act of sin 
is nothing, apart from the sinful actor. 
What GOD hates and disapproves 
is not the mere event, the thing 
done, in distinction from the doer--
but HE hates the doer himself!

It grieves and displeases HIM that 
a rational and moral agent, under HIS 
government, should array himself 
against his own Creator, against all 
that is right and just in the universe. 
This is what offends GOD.

The sinner himself is the direct
and the only object of HIS anger!

So the Bible shows that GOD
is angry with the wicked--
and not with the abstract sin.

If the wicked do not repent,
GOD will whet HIS sword--
HE has bent HIS bow
and made it ready--
not to shoot at the sin,
but the sinner--
the wicked man who has
done the abominable thing.

This is the only doctrine of 
both the Bible, and of common 
sense on this subject.

"The wicked and those who
love violence, HIS soul hates!"
Psalm 11:5

"The LORD detests all the proud
of heart. Be sure of this: They will
not go unpunished!" Proverbs 16:5

"The LORD is a jealous and avenging
GOD; the LORD takes vengeance and
is filled with wrath. The LORD takes
vengeance on HIS foes and maintains
HIS wrath against HIS enemies!"
 Nahum 1:2

"Whoever rejects the SON will not
see life, for GOD'S wrath remains
on him." John 3:36b

"You are storing up wrath against
yourself for the day of GOD'S wrath,
when HIS righteous judgment will
be revealed." Romans 2:5

"But for those who are self-seeking
and who reject the truth and follow evil--
there will be wrath and anger!" Romans 2:8

"What if GOD, choosing to show HIS
wrath and make HIS power known, bore
with great patience the objects of HIS wrath--
prepared for destruction?" Romans 9:22

"Let no one deceive you with empty 
words, for because of such things 
GOD'S wrath comes on those who 
are disobedient." Ephesians 5:6

     ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.C. Ryle's challenging article,
"Consider Your Ways!"

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