Roger's Postings

Friday, November 12, 2010

Malachi 4:1-2a. The fire season approaches!! 14/11/10

{1) "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. {2} But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

Just prior to the words of our text we have the people saying:
'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' (Mal 3:14-15)
Those words were written, as I said, in the chapter prior to our text here. Yet how much do those words not express the sentiments of many people around us today. “What’s the point in being an active Christian and going to Church regularly?’ After all, it is money, technology and pleasure that is all important. The people who connive and cheat, are the ones who seem to get on the world. The proud and arrogant ones are the ones who appear to be enjoying life to the full. The violent and evil ones seem to get away with blue murder. Nice people don’t win, today. So what’s the point in being a Christian? What is the point in serving God and doing what he says?

But Lord Almighty says here and elsewhere in Scripture that the time will come when, ‘my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and the wicked: To person who serves me and the one who does not.’ "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

The day is coming! Sooner or later it will come.
Here, we can draw the analogy with the approaching summer. Nothing is surer than the fact that it is coming. And with it, the fire season approaches. For much of our country when the summer comes so then the grass and bush dries off. Making it tinder box dry. Then before we know it, the dangers of a raging fire are at hand. So in this country we are well aware of the dangers that a hot summer will bring. We know that with summer comes that real danger of a raging fire that leaves in its path death and destruction. We know that without proper precautions and care how vulnerable we are to being burnt to the ground. We know that we can easily be left with nothing, but ashes and memories. Complacency has led many a person to live to regret their lack of attention to the proper precautions. They have paid the price for their inactivity when they had the opportunity.

That is the same message that is given to us here, quite clearly this morning, with regard to our spiritual lives. Be assured that the time is fast approaching when the results of peoples lives will be shown for what they really are. The fire season, with regard to the day when all people will be held accountable for their lives, is just around the corner.

Surely that day is coming! As surely as Jesus lived on this earth, died and rose again, that day will come. The Lord Almighty has promised it; and he has never failed to carry out any of his promises in the past. So be assured that the day of judgement and fire is coming. The day when the wicked and the arrogant will be burnt like grass in a stinking hot northerly fire.

The proud and the evil who have failed to give their attention to the things that matter, face the raging fires of destruction which will wipe them into extinction. Those who have cut the sap of God's Word off from their lives and that have not allowed the freshness of new life in Christ to renew and bring growth to their lives are dried off; like grass waiting for that bushfire to happen.

Unfortunately the good times of present day Australia has left far too many facing the inevitability of being burnt to nothing - totally annihilated. Their prosperity, pursuit of pleasure and disregard for God will come to an end and they will have to pay the price for theirs attitudes and actions.

When that raging fire comes, then the difference will be seen between those who live in a right relationship with God and the wicked: between those who live in obedient service to their Lord and Saviour and those who don't. On that day, the Lord will vindicate his people. He will bring to light the orientation of their hearts.

On that day, while some are burning to nothing, others however will be restored to full health, freedom and happiness. They will be as free and as happy as calf or young horse that has just be released from its stall. They will kick up their heels and dance with joy. They all will join together in eternal happiness with their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There to live in the eternal Garden of Eden; enjoying the pleasure of all the goodness of God.

Yes, these will be those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ: Those who have been humble enough to know that without God they are nothing and have nothing. They believe that Jesus is their only hope of true life and salvation. That his life, death and resurrection has made it possible for us to be right with God; and to be children of God. As a result of this, they willingly and thankfully seek to live as God now wants them. In response to what Jesus has done for them they now seek to be obedient to the Word of God: to live a life of love, forgiveness and service.

For these people there is no concern of a raging bushfire; for their lives are lived in the eternal, early spring, where the grass grows lush and green; continually being fed and irrigated by the goodness of God's Word, and the body and blood of Christ. As they continue to grow up toward their Sun, they need not concern themselves with withering and drying off as they continually receive the life-giving sap that comes from their Lord. As they wave in the breeze of thankful praise, surrounded by the life-giving Lord, they need not be concern about the coming fire season.

So take heart, it not useless to serve God. There is very good reason to be and live as children of God, despite what we see around us; the prospering of the wicked; the absolute disregard for God and his Word; the apathy and self-centredness of their living. There is however, very good reason not to become disheartened; nor to wander from the narrow path. It may seem at the moment that the non-church going person is no worse off than you or I. It may seem as though those many people who have neglect and disregard for God and his word are doing very well at the moment.

BUT, 'once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the person who serves me and the one who does not.' The Lord Almighty says, "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

So take heart and remain faithful to your Lord. Serve and obey him for he has great things in store for you. Look to him at all times for he is your only hope and salvation; and may you continue to wave in thankful praise, as green grass in the breeze, continually looking to and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Be thou faithful, unto death and I will give you the crown of life.’ Says the Lord God Almighty. To him then, be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

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