It’s Friday…Judgment Is For Redemption

Have you noticed? Our culture is in a mist and darkness, groping about for direction. It is similar to the day when the Apostle Paul had confronted a magician and false prophet in Acts 13:6-12, and his confrontation seemed very harsh – much harsher than a politically correct society would tolerate. Even so, his response was inspired by the Spirit of God (v.9). Calling the deceiver “a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right” (v.10) is apparently an authentic approach of a loving God. It may not fit the perception of God of many in our culture very well, but it does fit the revelation we’ve been given in His Word. Look what happened next.

“Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”  (Acts 13:11)

While the initial declaration was harsh – Paul furthermore declared blindness upon him – the result put the magician exactly where God wanted him: “seeking someone to lead him by the hand.” By the way, that’s what God’s judgment is still designed to do. It isn’t to punish. That comes later, and only after all opportunities for repentance have been rejected. No, this Judgment Is For Redemption. It puts the deceiver and the deceived in the position of knowing their deception. They must either acknowledge their need for God or continue in their blindness. It’s a harsh judgment toward a merciful end.

This passage captures well a truth that we at times have difficulty reconciling in our spirit. It shows us on one hand that God is violently, intensely opposed to sin; and on the other hand, He is always creating opportunities for those who are rebellious to receive and experience His redemption.

The implication for us as followers of Jesus should be clear. We are to be opposed to sin, but embracing of sinners. We once wandered in mist and darkness ourselves, and God spoke The Truth to us. He guided us out. There’s nothing wrong with speaking the truth in love. Yes, confronting a deceiver, and if that deceiver ends up aware of his confusion and blindness, we are not to leave him groping about. We are to be available to others, the same way God was available to us, and lead convicted wanderers by the hand as we guide them in the light of Jesus.

Have a fulfilling weekend. Make it better by worshiping The Lord with those who know too well what it was like to live in mist and darkness, and by God’s grace they now walk in His light to guide others.

All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)