But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Matthew 5:44, ESV
When we pray for and do good works toward those who mistreat us, we either heap coals on their heads for the final judgment or lead them to saving knowledge in Jesus Christ.
For the past few weeks and over the next couple of months, I will upload short messages based on the book of Malachi. It will probably be eight total and based on the section divisions in the English Standard Version of the Bible.
No special titles. Just taking a quick look at what was said.
So read along with me, and let us study what Malachi said to his people about 2,400 years ago.
Remember that Malachi literally means “my messenger”, so he is God’s messenger, as all the Prophets were.
Chapter 1 was about God’s love for His covenant people – those who obey and love Him – versus those who refuse to listen to Him. The priests offered lame, sick, and injured animals as sacrifices, basically taking the Lord’s name in vain by calling it acceptable even though they were worthless gifts.
Chapter 2 can be called the passage about “bovine scatology”, because priests then (and many now) led people astray with false teachings. So God rebuked them and showed they are outside of the covenant.
Chapter 2 finishes with God rebuking not only the priests but any who practice what God said not to, and leads into chapter 3 in which God calls out those who call evil good and vice versa (which leads to His eventual judgment!)
Chapter 3 is largely about stealing from God, which was equated to not sharing the Gospel or giving the Church (and thus God) a bad name so that others want nothing to do with Jesus. It is like robbing God of souls.
Now, on to discuss the wrath of God:
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “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. 18 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.
God compares the godless with the godly.
Contrast v. 15 with vv. 16-18
The deeds of the righteous and unrighteous will be easily seen.
This was made after most COVID-19 restrictions were being lifted, but riots are erupting around the USA due to police brutality. Minneapolis (the epicenter, based on the death of George Floyd – a black man who did not deserve the treatment he received) has been literally burning.
Seeking revenge is not good, nor wishing/inflicting harm on others as retribution.
Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35
We need to remember we are not fighting people, but powers, principalities, and authorities: a spiritual war. (Ephesians 6:12)
It is proper to be angry, but we must not let our anger lead to sinful acts. (Ephesians 4:26)
And we need to remember that we are all sinners in need of grace. (Romans 3:23)
God’s got this and hears our prayers and laments:
Revelation 5:8; 8:1-5
God will avenge – not just us, but His reputation:
My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Isaiah 26:9, ESV
When God ordains calamity and strife, the wise see His reproof and grow closer to Him. It is easy to grow complacent amidst blessing.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2, ESV
Jesus never said “never judge.” He warned to use good judgment, but realize you invite judgment from others.
Judge yourself first according to Scripture, then help others do the same.
I actually started reading from John 15:26 to help with context, in case you want to have your Bible ready. Other references are Genesis 2, 2 Corinthians 7:6-11, Revelation 20, Ephesians 6:12, and Matthew 28:18-20.
John 16:5-15 (15:26-16:15): The Great War and the Counselor, Comforter, and Helper
World War 2: Propaganda: “All Germans are evil!” Truth: “Many Germans helped in secret to undermine the Nazis.” Reality: Many Germans were shunned, despised, mistreated, and distrusted after the war for “wanting to kill all non-Germans, especially Jews!”
Read 15:26-16:6
John 13:36-14:7 – Peter & Thomas
asked
For Peter: Going to cross, “You
will follow me”
For Thomas: “We don’t know where
you are going. How can we know the way?” They did not understand He was leaving
this world behind. They essentially were asking “What place on Earth are you
going to prepare to kick out Rome?” Not “You are leaving? What do you mean?
What place is it that we are unable to follow you to?”
The disciples were confused, scared, and worried. “He seems to be speaking
nonsense. Is He leaving us? He keeps talking about dying and leaving us!”
After Thomas’ question, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will come, which leads
to …
Read 16:7
The Holy Spirit –the Counselor, the Comforter, the Helper – would not be sent permanently until the Son and Father sent Him from Heaven.
Now think back to the first time a helper was given to Man: Genesis 2:20-25. No good helper was found, so God put the man into a deep sleep and created a woman from his rib. Then we have verses 24 and 25. [Read] We have the establishment of marriage (v. 24), and it says they were without shame (v. 25). What does this have to do with our new Helper?
Read 16:8-14
The Holy Spirit has three major jobs:
Convict the world of sin
Point to Jesus
Reveal the true World War raging since Creation
(Genesis 3)
Let us look at these:
Convict the world of sin:
Romans 3:23 reminds us that we are all guilty of sin.
The Counselor tells us we are messed up beyond hope: We all have essentially punched God in the face and claimed innocence.
10 Commandments: How we have all have fallen short
2 Corinthians 7:6-11: Godly grief (of sin) leads to repentance
Point to Jesus:
How then can we be saved? The work of Jesus!
The Comforter shows that we are made righteous through the only True Way to Life (14:6): Believing in the vicarious work of Christ’s death on the cross for the forgiveness of all of our sins!
If teachings about the Holy Spirit do not glorify Jesus Christ, is it really from Him?
Reveal the true War:
This war started in the Garden, with “that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan” (Revelation 20:2), and that will only end upon Christ’s return, thus fulfilling v. 13.
This war is spiritual in nature: Ephesians 6:12.
Do not retaliate against fellow image-bearers!
So how do we fight this war?
Read 16:14-15
The Spirit of Truth, the Helper, reminds
us of Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission)
We fight this war (that was won at the cross!) through the power of the Helper, in a world that says Christians and God are bad and evil.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
Zephaniah 2:3, ESV
Only those who can admit they need a Savior and can follow His commands will be saved from the coming judgment. Only in this life is possible to turn and be cleaned.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!