Some say politics and religion don’t mix, but why then do so many politicians go out of their way to maintain they are religious, even when they act in very unreligious ways? For instance, why do so many politicians claim allegiance to Christianity and act in such unchristian ways? Some politicians hide under the banner of “separation of church and state.” These avoid like the plague any mention of or reference to Christianity or religion. They refuse to acknowledge that such a phrase attributed to Thomas Jefferson is not in the Constitution, but from a private letter written by Jefferson. And that phrase “separation of church and state,” was not to protect the state from religious influence but was to protect the church from state influence. That was what the pilgrims and early settlers fled from in Europe. But I digress.
If our politicians and populace are so “Christian,” why is there so much injustice and lawlessness? Why, for instance, is there such a two tier “justice” system where those in power seem immune to any justice recompense for their crimes, while others, (especially their political opponents), are subjected to the most rigid application of the law and stiffest of penalties? Jesus said that in the Last Days because of lawlessness, the love of many would grow cold (Matthew 24:12). We are in a winter of injustices.
Whether we realize it or not, we are in a revolution. I like the way Dr. James Lindsey defines our situation. He states that the genus of Marxist ideological thought is infiltrating and invading society through various species of Radical Feminism, Critical Race Theory, Gender Theory, Queer Theory, Post Colonial Theory, et. al., all of which are connected by Intersectionality. [1]This is a topic in and of itself. But at the core of this movement in its various forms is the idea of justice/injustice. This brings those of us who believe in God to a very important question, “With what shall I come before the LORD”?
“With what shall I come before the LORD”? At its root this is a question about the purpose of life. This very question was inspired by God through the prophet Micah. In Micah 6:6 it states:
Micah 6:6 – “With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old?”
“With what shall I come before the LORD . . .?” That is an incredibly important question and in essence, expresses the most important question of life. Why is this question so important? Because this life we live now is temporary. The life we live now is only a speck on the timeline of eternity. But what we do in this life determines the state of our never-ending eternal existence.
This is a sobering question. The missionary C.T. Studd once said, “This one life will soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” How we answer this great question of Micah will determine the success of how we spend our life. How we answer this great question will determine our happiness, in this life, and the next. The inspired question of Micah is fundamental to the meaning and purpose of life.
GOD’S JUDGMENT OF YOUR LIFE DETERMINES YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY
The Bible says that everyone will come before God’s judgment seat. We read of this in the following passages:
- Romans 14:10c-12 – “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.11 For it is written: 1 “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (cf. also Revelation 20:11-15).
We see from these verses that, whoever you are, come judgment day, God will look at your life and assess whether you warrant eternal separation from Him or eternal life with Him.
THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
In Hebrews the purpose of life is implied very succinctly. It states:
- Hebrews 9:27 – “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”
This verse tells us a few things about life. It tells us that life ends at death and it tells us that death ends time of opportunity before God. In life we have an ongoing opportunity to turn to God and receive the life He offers in His Son. But once we breathe our last breath and pass on into eternity, there are no more chances. What follows is a preliminary judgment of eternal separation or eternal life which is later finalized at the Great White Throne judgment mentioned above (Revelation 20:11-15). Considering this, the purpose of life therefore is to assure that we enter eternity acceptably to God. Life is a testing ground for eternity. God offers to prepare us for eternity, to build our faith and make it worthy of eternity. This begins with a first step.
THE FIRST STEP INTO ETERNITY – FAITH IN JESUS
The first step into eternal life is found in our response to Jesus Christ. Jesus put it this way:
- John 5:24; 6:40; and 14:6 – “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” . . . And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. . .. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Notice how Jesus begins this statement, “Most assuredly.” In other words, “Without a doubt what follows is true and reliable.” The first step into eternal life is to put one’s faith or trust in Jesus Christ. This is stated over and over in the Bible (e.g. John 5:37-40; 6:29, 40, 44, 47, 63; 14:1-6.
Micah was inspired to say, “With what shall I come before the LORD . . .?” The purpose of life is answering that question properly. Micah chapter six helps us consider and answer that question.
WITH WHAT SHALL I NOT WALK BEFORE THE LORD?
This chapter in Micah tells us what is unacceptable to God.
Don’t come before the LORD with Unbelief
Micah 6:1-5 – “Hear now what the Lord says: 1 “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, And let the hills hear your voice.2 Hear, O you mountains, the Lord’s complaint, And you strong foundations of the earth; For the Lord has a complaint against His people, And He will contend with Israel.3 “O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me.4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.5 O My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled, And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, From Acacia Grove to Gilgal, That you may know the righteousness of the Lord.”
God asks some questions of those who should have believed in Him. His questions point out that He had acted before them on their behalf in history by bringing them out of Egypt and by blessing them before their enemies (e.g. Balak and Balaam). But they do not, “know the righteousness of the LORD.” Unbelief is the one sin that is unforgivable (i.e. Matthew 12:31-32). God says that with all that He has done on their behalf, they should know Him by now. You shouldn’t come before the LORD with unbelief.
The hand of God can be seen in our nation’s history. From the fog that provided cover for Washington’s escape in the battle of New York [2], to the call for prayer by Benjamin Franklin at the First Continental Congress which led to a breakthrough in the wording of our Constitution. [3] You may disagree with the influence of Christianity in our nation’s history, but one thing would be hard to deny, our nation has been blessed. The United States of America has certainly taken its place as one of the most powerful and arguably benevolent nations in history (although in the reeducation and rewriting of our history taking place today, the narrative being promoted is much different.) We have so much to be thankful for, its sinful the way we have turned out back on God. We are a lot like Israel in this regard (though I do not equate the United States with being a new Israel.)
Unbelief is caused by sin and authored by Satan. Unbelief flows from an evil heart that cares more for peer approval than it does for acceptance by God. Unbelief is a willful rejection of Jesus. Unbelief leads to judgment, condemnation, and death. The psalmist wrote, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12). While we can’t claim to be a second Israel chosen as God’s inheritance, it could be argued that America is an instrument used by God. Jesus said: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:18-19). [4] Unbelief is not something we can continue in and expect to please the LORD.
Don’t come before the LORD with religion.
Micah 6:6-7 – “With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old?7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
The sacrificial system was meant to point people to the coming Messiah who would give His life a ransom for the many (Isaiah 53; Mark 10:45). But instead it came to an end as people tried to pay off their sin with religious sacrifices. We do much the same today when we reason, “Hmmm, I really messed up this week, I better say a few extra Our Fathers and go to church twice to make things right.” But that just isn’t how God is approached.
Jesus spoke of knowing God (John 17:3). This is a relationship. This is something we are incapable of on our own. To enter a relationship with God demands a second birth, being born again, being spiritually regenerated (John 3). Religion is humankind’s attempt to reach up to God. There is no way that can happen. Our arms are too short to reach up to God. He must reach down to us. He has done so in His Son Jesus Christ and the result is relationship with God (compare 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:4-25). We don’t approach God religiously because we can’t reach Him that way. The only way to reach God is via a personal saving relationship with Him through faith in His Son Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 5).
WITH WHAT SHALL I COME BEFORE THE LORD?
Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Come before God with a properly “good” view of God.
“He has shown you.” That is grace! Who is like the LORD? No one, because He has shown us what is expected of us and provided the means to attain it. What is it that God shows us? God shows us “what is good.” This word “good” is taken from the Hebrew term TOWB (Strong’s # 2896 pronounced TOBE) which means, “good, pleasant, agreeable.” [5] God reveals to us what is acceptable, agreeable to Him. The first “agreeable” thing we need to understand here is that God is good.
Those who reject God often contend that God is not good. But this is the same accusation conveyed by the serpent in Eden at the first temptation. There the serpent injected, “Has God indeed said,” and that God’s instruction was false saying, “you will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat ot it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:1-5). In other words, “God isn’t good. He doesn’t have your best interests at heart. He wants to deprive you, hold you down, prevent you from experiencing good and godhood.” The devil isn’t creative, he simply repackages the same hogwash he always has.
The Bible says God is good and to be experienced:
- Psalm 34:8 – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
- Psalm 100:5 – “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”
Also, everything that is good, comes from God:
- James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
The greatest good that God has done is provide us with the good news of salvation in His Son:
- Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
- Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”
This good news needs to be received into “good soil” or hearts that are open to receive it (Matthew 13:8; Mark 4:8). When God’s good news takes root it produces good fruit (Matthew 7:17-18; 12:35). It produces a desire in us that will make us want to cling to what is good (Romans 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We’ll be wise in terms of what is good and not good (Romans 16:19). We’ll want to do good for others not just ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:24). We won’t get tired of doing good (Galatians 6:9-10). And we’ll be willing to suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:17).
What does God require of us? Through Micah God spells it out clearly and unmistakably for us. There are three things God calls upon all humankind to come before Him with.
Come before God and, “do justly.”
The Bible tells us as we have seen above (see John 16:8-11), that God is the One who makes us righteous. The word translated “justly” here is the Hebrew term MISHPAT (Strong’s # 4941) and has the sense of, “judgment; rights.” [6] The idea here is to make a proper, fair, and equitable ruling between parties who are bringing a case before you. This was exactly what God’s people were not doing. They were manipulating and cheating people out of their lands and property, even going so far as to enslave people to pad their profits. God says if you are going to come before Him, leave all unfairness behind you and treat people properly.
Jesus put it this way:
- Mark 12:29-31 – “Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.31 “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The only way to find justice is to put God first in your life. To do justly is to love God supremely and love your neighbor sacrificially. That is the true definition of justice.
Come before God and, “love mercy.”
One commentator has stated regarding this requirement, “Inwardly, to love mercy necessitates having the inward commitment to God’s revelation that will manifest itself in a right relationship towards man and God.” [7] The word translated “love” here is translated from the Hebrew term; ARABAH (Strong’s # 160) This Hebrew term has the connotation of passion. In other words, have a passion to be merciful. We are inclined in just the opposite direction I am afraid. Our tendency is to have a passion to get even or make sure no one takes advantage of us or that no one is let off the hook. God tells us, “If you’re going to come before Me, you need a passion to be merciful.”
What is “mercy”? the word translated “mercy” here is the Hebrew term CHECED (Strong’s #2617) which means, “goodness, kindness, faithfulness.” [8] This term might be best understood as it relates to other terms. Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. We deserve judgment but God gives us mercy. God wants us to be the same way with others.
Come before God and, “walk humbly with your God.”
Countless times over in the Bible we learn that “God oppose the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:5). God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). Pride brings disgrace (Proverbs 11:2). Pride breeds fighting and conflict (Proverbs 13:10). Ultimately, pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18; 29:23). You can’t come before God unless you come on His terms, in humility and total surrender. If ever there was an attribute that is so glaringly absent and so desperately needed in our day, it is humility.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DON’T COME BEFORE THE LORD IN THIS WAY?
When we look at the rest of Micah six and seven we see the consequence of not coming before the LORD in His goodness. And what we see in this chapter is sadly what we see in our world today.
Deep injustice.
Micah 6:7-11 – “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?9 The Lord’s voice cries to the city—Wisdom shall see Your name: “Hear the Rod! Who has appointed it?10 Are there yet the treasures of wickedness In the house of the wicked, And the short measure that is an abomination?11 Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, And with the bag of deceitful weights?”
Part of the problem with the people Micah was ministering to was that they were wicked in their passion to gain more. They were greedy and craved that which was not theirs so that they could acquire wealth. They used “deceitful weights.” They had different sets of scales that were not uniform or just that they would use in ways that would cheat and benefit their trading. When Bud Abbot and Lou Costello, the comedians, would toss a coin smart Bud would tell stupid Lou, “Heads I win, tails you lose.” That’s the idea of the injustice perpetuated by a people who refuse to come to God.
Because we and our representatives have forsaken God for the most part, our political system is one run mor by greed than grace and God’s truth. Lobbying has opened the door to pay-for-play and influencing legislation based on the profiting of our politicians. Our system has degenerated into a swamp of corruption. The honesty and legitimacy of our elections have been brought into question. This has demoralized the populace. It has angered others. Yes, just as Jesus said, because of abundant lawlessness, the love of many has grown cold.
Deceit and violence
Micah 6:12 – “For her rich men are full of violence, Her inhabitants have spoken lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.”
When the proud cannot get their way, they resort to threats and violence. In our day we see the weaponization of our government agencies. We see those who merely voice opinions deferring from those in power being labelled as the greatest threat to our nation. [9] Freedom of speech and expression is not merely a Constitutional provision, but is a provision rooted in scripture. In the Old Testament it states, “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). In the New Testament the Apostle Paul questions, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). Even God beckons we come and reason with Him (Isaiah 1:18). Part of our problem today is that few want to discuss the issues of the day. Few are willing or interested in agreeing to disagree. Instead those who have differing views are unfriended or cancelled in social media and face to face. This is unacceptable to God.
Dissatisfaction and shame.
Micah 6:13-16 – “Therefore I will also make you sick by striking you, By making you desolate because of your sins.14 You shall eat, but not be satisfied; Hunger shall be in your midst. You may carry some away, but shall not save them; And what you do rescue I will give over to the sword.15 “You shall sow, but not reap; You shall tread the olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; And make sweet wine, but not drink wine.16 For the statutes of Omri are kept; All the works of Ahab’s house are done; And you walk in their counsels, That I may make you a desolation, And your inhabitants a hissing. Therefore you shall bear the reproach of My people.”
Terrible shame came upon God’s people during the reigns of Omri and Ahab and that shame continued up until the captivity of God’s people. Sin is a reproach to any people,” the Bible says (Proverbs 14:34). Dissatisfaction and shame are all that life holds for those who reject God and refuse to come before Him properly.
Dishonesty and lack of integrity
Micah 7:1-3 – “Woe is me! 1 For I am like those who gather summer fruits, Like those who glean vintage grapes; There is no cluster to eat Of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires.2 The faithful man has perished from the earth, And there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; Every man hunts his brother with a net.3 That they may successfully do evil with both hands—The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together.”
There were no upright or faithful men on the earth because they were too busy doing evil, “with both hands,” or with all their resources. How sad that is that there were none willing to turn to God. They didn’t turn to God, they turned instead on each other and bit and devoured each other. This epitomizes much of society in our day.
Disruption and dishonor
Micah 7:4-6 – “The best of them is like a brier; The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; Now shall be their perplexity.5 Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom.6 For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.”
Like the blind leading the blind, they would all fall into a ditch (Matthew 15:14). Confusion, “perplexity,” mistrust, these people would not know where to turn for help because they will exhaust their human resources and their rebellious hearts would not permit them to turn to God for help.
What we have here is a breakdown in the family unit, the critical unit of society. This is the inevitable consequence of leaving God out of the equation. Indeed, this is the result of foolishness if foolishness is defined as failing to factor God into life’s equation.
Jesus quoted this verse when describing the period of Tribulation in the End Times (Matthew 10:36; 24:10; Mark 13:12). But unfortunately the acceptance of Jesus into a heart often leads to division in families which causes the converted great heartache. Those who reject God are doomed to darkness and confusion (cf. Romans 1). But there is hope and that hope is offered in the last verses of Micah.
THE PROMISE OF GOD
How can a person get out of the quagmire caused by refusing to come before God in the proper way? Here we have some beautiful promises offered by God. But the first step for us is to turn to Him.
“I WILL LOOK TO THE LORD”
Micah 7:7 – “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.”
“Therefore,” points us to what precedes as the cause of what is to follow. When you see the breakdown in society, in the family, in personal life, then it is time to turn to God, “to look to the LORD.” Micah, overwhelmed by the sin of the people, must turn to God. And that is the secret here, a person needs to get to the point where they must turn to God, all other alternatives are exhausted and exposed as futile and vain. Then God’s promise flows through.
“THE LORD WILL BE LIGHT TO ME.”
Micah 7:8-13 – “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord, Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case And executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.10 Then she who is my enemy will see, And shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the Lord your God?” My eyes will see her; Now she will be trampled down Like mud in the streets.11 In the day when your walls are to be built, In that day the decree shall go far and wide.12 In that day they shall come to you From Assyria and the fortified cities, From the fortress to the River, From sea to sea, And mountain to mountain.13 Yet the land shall be desolate Because of those who dwell in it, And for the fruit of their deeds.”
When a person turns to the LORD, “the light goes on,” in their mind, so to speak, and they begin to see everything Enemies may continue to taunt the believer, but they will stand fast in the light of the LORD (7:10). The believer will see why the wicked fall just as Micah saw why Israel would go into captivity before the Assyrians.
The apostle Paul described his calling as going to those in darkness and offering them God’s light and life. While voicing a defense before king Agrippa in the book of Acts, the apostle Paul described his mission, and his description shows us the plight of those he was called to go to, and the promise offered through Paul to these lost souls. Paul told Agrippa that Jesus had spoken to him and gave him the following call to ministry:
- Acts 26:15-18 – “So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.16 ‘But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.17 ‘I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,18 ‘to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”
Apart from the LORD people are in darkness. If you don’t know the LORD, you are in darkness. And not only that, but you are under the power and influence of Satan and your sins are not forgiven but weigh heavily upon you. Through faith in Christ that weight can be lifted, your sins can be forgiven, and you can receive God’s rich inheritance in Christ (see Ephesians 1).
The light of God is shone by God Himself (Psalm 27:1), through His word (Psalm 119:105, 130), and by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9-14). In the midst of a corrupt world that is floundering around in darkness, the only escape is to turn to God who alone has the light and means necessary to dispel the darkness.
“SHEPHERD YOUR PEOPLE WITH YOUR STAFF.”
Micah 7:14-17 – “Shepherd Your people with Your staff, The flock of Your heritage, Who dwell solitarily in a woodland, In the midst of Carmel; Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, As in days of old.15 “As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them wonders.”16 The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; They shall put their hand over their mouth; Their ears shall be deaf.17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent; They shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of You.”
The staff of the shepherd was to guide the sheep as well as fend off predators and enemies. Here Micah is calling on God to Shepherd His people, to guide them even if that means hard discipline, but also to protect them before her enemies. Micah speaks of victory in the end.
“WHO IS A GOD LIKE YOU . . .?”
Micah 7:18-20 – “Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.20 You will give truth to Jacob And mercy to Abraham, Which You have sworn to our fathers From days of old.”
Micah 7:18 is recited in synagogues on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, to the present day. “Annually, the orthodox Jew, at a river or running stream, symbolically empties his pockets of his sins, casting them into the water.” [10]
What does it mean to “pardon”? The word “pardoning” here is translated from the Hebrew term NASA (Strong’s #5375, pronounced NAW-SAW). This word means, “to lift, bear up, carry, take.” [11] The idea here is that God will take away the load of sin that had once crushed the sinner. In Genesis 7:17 the water is said to have “lifted up” the ark. In Genesis 45:23 a donkey bears a load. It was on the cross of Christ that our sins were pardoned, lifted off us onto Jesus, borne and carried away. Jesus, “Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:22-25). Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself on the cross and when we put our faith in Christ God puts that work of Jesus to our account and cancels our depth of sin. That is how and why God pardons.
You must receive His pardon.
But we must be willing to receive God’s pardon. The Bible says God pardons those who seek it, repent and call upon His name:
- Jeremiah 5:1 – “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; 1 See now and know; And seek in her open places If you can find a man, If there is anyone who executes judgment, Who seeks the truth, And I will pardon her.”
- Isaiah 55:7 – “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”
- Psalm 25:11 – “For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”
To receive God’s pardon, a person must be willing to receive it. The following illustration demonstrates this point.
Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to Chief Justice Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. “A pardon is a slip of paper,” wrote Marshall, “the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged.” [12]
God alone can pardon. He passed over the transgressions of the Old Testament saints until on the cross of Christ they were justly atoned (Romans 3:23-26).
Dealing thoroughly with sin.
Maybe you feel your sins are too great. Maybe you wonder if God will really forgive and forget. God deals thoroughly with sin. When god forgives, He forgets. That is something only God can do. The Bible says God throws our sin out of His sight, behind His back. He “blots out” transgressions (Isaiah 38:17; 43:25; 44:22; Jer. 31:34).
God can forgive thoroughly because of the work of His Son who paid the price of sin so completely (cf. Isaiah 53). Because of the New Covenant work of Jesus on the cross, God removes thoroughly the sin that once stained the sinner (cf. Hebrews 8:6, and 10-12). He is not angry forever, but instead forgiving. “He delights in mercy,” and has compassion on the repentant sinner. He alone can subdue inequities. He alone can “cast our sins into the depths of the sea.” He alone gives truth and is faithful. “Who is a God like You?” No one, no one is like the LORD. But we must be willing to come to the LORD humbly, repentantly, open to His terms and not trying to enforce our own. Notice, these verses are addressed to, “the remnant,” those who have come before God in an appropriately humble fashion.
Conclusion
Those last verses say it all, no one is like God, and no one is like the LORD. Have you been trying to come before the LORD? If not, then you need to understand that darkness and perplexity are all your future holds. If you do want to come before the LORD, with what should you come before Him? First, humbly repent and turn to Him understanding He is good. Understand that based on God’s good justice, you deserve eternal punishment. But because of His rich mercy, He will not, (if you put your faith in Christ) give you what you deserve, but instead He is willing to give you a fresh and new start. God is willing to cast your sins into the see of forgetfulness. That’s something only God can do. In his book, Putting the Past Behind You, author Erwin Lutzer gives the following illustration:
In the 14th century, Robert Bruce of Scotland was leading his men in a battle to gain independence from England. Near the end of the conflict, the English wanted to capture Bruce to keep him from the Scottish crown. So they put his own bloodhounds on his trail. When the bloodhounds got close, Bruce could hear their baying. His attendant said, “We are done for. They are on your trail, and they will reveal your hiding place.” Bruce replied, “It’s all right.” Then he headed for a stream that flowed through the forest. He plunged in and waded upstream a short distance. When he came out on the other bank, he was in the depths of the forest. Within minutes, the hounds, tracing their master’s steps, came to the bank. They went no farther. The English soldiers urged them on, but the sent trail was broken. The stream had carried the scent away. A short time later, the crown of Scotland rested on the head of Robert Bruce. The memory of our sins, prodded on by Satan, can be like those baying dogs–but a stream flows, red with the blood of God’s own Son. By grace through faith we are safe. No sin-hound can touch us. The trail is broken by the precious blood of Christ. “The purpose of the cross,” someone observed, “is to repair the irreparable.” [13]
Only God can provide a way to deal powerfully with the problem of transgression. He has done so in His Son. Even after all the rebellion and sinful pain and harm we have caused, even then, even now, He is willing to cast all our sin away and give you eternal life with Himself. Who is like the LORD? Not me; not you, not anyone. There is no one like the LORD! With that in mind and heart, let us come before the LORD. He truly is our only hope.
[1] I encourage you to take a moment and watch this 30 min. message given by Dr. Lindsey at The European Parliament 3/30/2023 – The Best 30-Minute Explanation of Marxism I Have Ever Heard – YouTube
[2] https://1776history.com/2014/08/31/the-fog-that-saved-an-army/
[3] https://christianheritagefellowship.com/benjamin-franklin-calls-for-prayer-at-constitutional-convention/
[4] Cf. also John 3:18-19; 5:44; 8:24-25, 43-47; 10:26; 12:37-40, and 48; 16:8-11; Heb. 3:12, 15-19; 11:6.
[5]Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.
[6]W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996.
[7]Jerry Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael Kroll Woodrow, general editors, KJV Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1994.
[8]Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.
[9] https://www.theepochtimes.com/biden-admits-trump-supporters-not-a-threat-after-targeting-maga-republicans_4707188.html?utm_medium=GoogleAds&utm_source=PerfmaxM&utm_campaign=PM_max_PCS9_0120&gclid=CjwKCAjwp6CkBhB_EiwAlQVyxd_3_vuHwJCoKUv8tjHdu4dCwgLxhQdu3K5HYfVG8GlkNKmgOds9rxoCVjUQAvD_BwE
[10] C.I. Scofield, the New Scofield Study Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Pub., 1989) p. 1072, note.
[11]Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.
[12] http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/p/pardon.htm
[13] E. Lutzer, Putting Your Past Behind You, Here’s Life, 1990, p.42. http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/f/forgiveness.htm