June 9, 2013: Every Day God / You Shouldn't Have!

Obadiah 1:8-18

The Message (MSG)
On that day you stood there and didn’t do anything.
    Strangers took your brother’s army into exile.
Godless foreigners invaded and pillaged Jerusalem.
    You stood there and watched.
    You were as bad as they were.
You shouldn’t have gloated over your brother
    when he was down-and-out.
You shouldn’t have laughed and joked at Judah’s sons
    when they were facedown in the mud.
You shouldn’t have talked so big
    when everything was so bad.
You shouldn’t have taken advantage of my people
    when their lives had fallen apart.
You of all people should not have been amused
    by their troubles, their wrecked nation.
You shouldn’t have taken the shirt off their back
    when they were knocked flat, defenseless.
And you shouldn’t have stood waiting at the outskirts
    and cut off refugees,
And traitorously turned in helpless survivors
    who had lost everything.
“God’s Judgment Day is near
    for all the godless nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you.
    What you did will boomerang back
    and hit your own head.
Just as you partied on my holy mountain,
    all the godless nations will drink God’s wrath.
They’ll drink and drink and drink—
    they’ll drink themselves to death.
But not so on Mount Zion—there’s respite there!
    a safe and holy place!
The family of Jacob will take back their possessions
    from those who took them from them.
That’s when the family of Jacob will catch fire,
    the family of Joseph become fierce flame,
    while the family of Esau will be straw.
Esau will go up in flames,
    nothing left of Esau but a pile of ashes.”
        God said it, and it is so.

Sometimes abusive behavior happens in the Body of Christ. For years. Sometimes we, as Christians, think we can get away with "murder". Sometimes, we think what goes under the rug stays under the rug. Not so. On that Final Judgement Day, God will reward evil behavior as well as good behavior. God will expose our evil deeds. Now THAT'S a scary thought!

Ecclesiastes 12:14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.

Ephesians 5:13

Amplified Bible (AMP)

13 But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:23)

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (Revelation 3:2)

For we [Christians and everyone else] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (II Corinthians 5:10)

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)

If we continue sowing evil towards a brother or sister in Christ, we are taunting God. We will be rewarded. God is not mocked.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7,8)

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (I Corinthians 11:28)

We must fall on our faces, repent, and change our evil ways.

"Dear God, Your word makes me shake and tremble. Your promises are true, even the negative ones. You don't wink at abuse. You reward evil for evil. You are to be feared and revered! You Rule! You Reign! You are Lord of Lords! Forgive me for everything I thought was carefully swept under the rug. You will bring everything I have ever done to light on that great and terrible day of Judgement! I fear You, O Great and Terrible God! AMEN!"

Nehemiah 1:5

Amplified Bible (AMP)

5 And I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, Who keeps covenant, loving-kindness, and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Psalm 47:2

Amplified Bible (AMP)

2 For the Lord Most High excites terror, awe, and dread; He is a great King over all the earth.