For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Hebrews 6:10, ESV
We are called to go beyond the initial teachings of the gospel and to go on loving others with more of God’s grace and love, serving the Church humbly and the world in truth.
For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints — and by continuing to serve them.
Hebrews 6:10, CSB
Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love the Church, and He helps us by growing our love for His Church as we seek Him.
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints
Ephesians 6:18, ESV
We help change the world when we start in prayer to our Lord and lift up all who share the gospel. (Which should be all of us!)
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:9-10, ESV
We don’t and probably can’t comprehend how great the saving grace of our God is, and one glorious day we will join with the multitudes of saints in universal praise of our God!
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18, ESV
In the darkness of this world, with all its problems and disbelief in God, we must rely on God the Holy Spirit to help us, especially as we lift each other up in prayer to the Father.
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12, ESV
We can have peace knowing that God hears our prayers, and they will be mixed with incense and God’s wrath against the evil doers at the end. (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5)
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:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1, ESV
The Bible tells us of dozens – hundreds – thousands – who believed in and were faithful to God. Their example and testimony should inspire us and spur us on toward godliness – Christ-likeness.
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!