Daily Bread - NOV/06/07

Revelation 21:8 - But as for the fearful and unbelieving the sinful and polluted and murderers and fornicators and magicians and all liars shall have their part in the lake burning with fire and sulfur; this is the second death.

The second death is for all of those who do iniquity and refuse the only remedy that has the power to turn a sinner from iniquity unto righteousness (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 6:18). That remedy is provided for us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus we are made pure and holy so that we can live righteously (Titus 2:14; Ephesians 4:24; Philippians 1:11; Revelation 22:11; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:15, 16). God worked the miracle to give us a new heart and a new spirit so that we would be established in His own nature. He did this at a great expense and sacrifice to Himself. God has warned us over and over again that those who practice iniquity will die (Matthew 7:23; 2 Timothy 2:19; Titus 2:14). God who is loving and merciful is also true to His judgments (1 Peter 1:17; Colossians 3:25). The people who lived in the time of Noah or during the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah will not be judged differently from someone who attends church regularly (Isaiah 5:20; Ezekiel 44:23; Proverbs 20:10; 11:1; Deuteronomy 25:15; Matthew 12:41-42). God does not have one judgment for one class of people and a different kind of judgment for another. He has all the mercy and forgiveness that we could possibly ever need in Christ Jesus. There is all the strength, wisdom, and ability granted for us by the Holy Spirit but we must be willing to see every form of iniquity and sin come to an end in our lives (John 5:14; 8:11; Romans 6:2; 1 Peter 2:24; 4:1; 1 John 1:6; 2:15-16; 3:5; 4:20; 5:4).

God has not left us to wonder what sin and unrighteousness is; He has named the deeds that He hates and has condemned them and all those who do such things. The list is found in the sermons of Jesus, of John, of Paul, of Peter, of James, and Jude (Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21-22; Romans 1:29-31; Ephesians 5:3- 6; Colossians 3:5-8; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Titus 3:3; James 3:14; 1 Peter 4:3; Jude 7-16). Everyone who was used by God to deliver His message to us has all warned us and made it very clear what behaviors are condemned to an eternal judgment that is called the second death. Salvation is not by works, but we can be certain that the works of righteousness are the evidence of salvation (James 2:20-26; John 15:2; Ephesians 5:9; Colossians 1:10; Matthew 7:16-23).

God has a great inheritance for us now and throughout eternity if we will just be willing to learn His ways. The ways of God are so lovely and wonderful, full of love, joy, and peace. His ways of life are so much better and full of much more pleasure and splendor than can be found in the ways of sin and darkness. God has freely granted to us both the desire and the ability to do that which is righteous, pure, and holy. The first message of the gospel that we must hear is that we must turn from our wicked works to serve the living God. God has granted us the gift of repentance and made all the resources of heaven available to us for our success. What more could He do as He struggles to keep us from the eternal judgment of the second death? There is no promise of salvation for those who continue in sin anywhere in the Bible. Therefore, those who teach such things are deceivers and liars. Is it okay to commit adultery? Every honest child of God would say, no! What must you do if you commit such an act of sin? One must repent and ask God to cleanse them from their sin and empower them never to do it again. What if you do not repent? Then you will die in your sins? Will a person who dies in their sin hear Father say, "Well done my good and faithful servant?" Certainly not. Therefore, today make a distinction between that which is good and evil and between the holy and the profane. Give yourselves over to the ways of God and He will make sure that you are established in them.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org