GOD PUNISHES THE WICKED. Raymond A. Leonard

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1 THE ATLANTIS PROCLAIMER OCTOBER 11, 2015 ************************************************ preacher s penpoints GOD PUNISHES THE WICKED Raymond A. Leonard God punishes the wicked, this is a truth that all mankind needs to become acutely aware of. But for some strange and illogical reason however mankind has always felt and acted as if they were well able to control their own lives, thoughts, and actions. This thought process of course runs contrary to what the scriptures clearly teach. King Solomon sharing the wisdom that he had gleamed in life reveals; There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Prov. 14:12). Jeremiah, the weeping prophet of God recognized the truth of Solomon s statement and he openly acknowledged that truth when he said; O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jere. 10:23). Solomon also provided us with this little gem of wisdom; Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way (Prov. 20:24)? Man needs God and God s guidance, of this there can be no doubt. From the beginning of creation man has had the mistaken idea that they can live as they choose, breaking and violating God s revealed will at will and still go unpunished. This is a most foolish concept and one that is proven wrong time after time in the scriptures. When the serpent approached Eve on that darkest of day s in the history of mankind he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden (Gen. 3:1). Eve responded to his question about being able to eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden by saying; We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die (Gen. 3:2,3). The serpent then unleashed words of lies that have become the foundation for the foolish and false understanding of man that they can sin and still go unpunished or that they will not be held accountable for their actions, words, and thoughts. The serpent simply said to Eve; Ye shall not surely die (Gen. 3:4). God responded to Adam and Eve s act of sinful disobedience and rebellion by pronouncing His judgment upon them. He told Adam that his days of easy living were over and that from that time on he would have to labour and labour hard just to supply his daily needs. God also told Adam in the clearest and most concise manner that one day he was going to die and return to the ground from hence he was taken. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (Gen. 3:19). God likewise pronounced judgment on Eve for her disobedience and then drove them both from the garden to prevent them from eating the fruit from the tree of life which would have enabled them to live forever (Gen. 3:21-24). Sadly and ironically they lived long enough to see one of their own sons taste physical death that came into being through their act of disobedience to God s revealed

2 Atlantis Church of Christ + Jacona & Kwikkie St. ***************************************************** will (Gen. 4:8,25). I wonder if they ever considered that they brought that situation upon themselves. As a result of their sin, both physical and spiritual death became a reality that remains with us unto this day (Rom. 5:12). All mankind will die physically, for that has been appointed according to these words of scripture; And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Heb. 9:27). However all mankind does not need to die spiritually and thus be eternally separated from God. God has given the world a Saviour who through his perfection become the author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him (Heb. 5:9; I Jn. 4:14). Mankind has been deceived, lied to, mislead, and incorrectly taught regarding God and His response to sin, evil, and wickedness. God does and will punish evildoers. Note carefully the words of the following scriptures. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Eccl. 12:13,14). For we 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. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men (II Cor. 5:10,11). For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Rom. 14:11,12). And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons (Col. 3:23-25). All mankind will be held accountable for their actions, thoughts, and deeds done or held in this life. This is a truth that we must all recognize, accept, and allow to actively motivate us to live righteously, godly, and faithful each day. Remember God s way is the best way, while man s way leads to death and damnation. God punishes the wicked but richly and graciously rewards the righteous. According to your life style which of these will you be receiving? ************* Smooth sailing through life can only be a reality when one is in a right relationship with God. Sail smooth my brethren. ************* The love of God is wonderful, The love of God is great; Let us tell it to the world, Before it is to late. (Raymond A. Leonard)

3 DEATH IS A JOURNEY There is truly great sadness in the air, when to their grave our friends we bear; The sting of death does hurt us deep, because them with us we cannot keep. As Christians we know all living must die, our God in His word does tell us why; At a death however little comfort this brings, the death of a loved one hurts and stings. As family and friends we become so attached, like the roof on a house that is thatched; When a loved one is missing we feel incomplete, and may develop a sense of being obsolete. During the time of death s sadness and grief, we turn to family and friends for relief; There is also strength and comfort in God s word, a loving message of hope when it is heard. A Christian s death is not the cessation of life, but a freeing from all sin, violence and strife; A time to leave the temporal to gain the eternal, to claim the victory we sought in life s journal. We mourn and we grieve because of what we have lost, a love and a friendship that was worth the cost; But we also rejoice with a heart full of love, knowing our loved one is safe with the Lord above. Death holds a mystery and does our heart scare, it is something that with all people we do share; It is a journey that one day we all will take, pleasant indeed that all Christians will make. Raymond A. Leonard

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