PAYING THE PRICE
INTRODUCTION
Paying the price is an assurance from God that the evilness of man will not go unnoticed; nor last forever. We are witnessing an upheaval in the justice system that often rewards the offender; rather than impose a just sentence, with some offenders not even taken to task for offenses committed.
Scripture reveals: The Lord brings the counsel of the heathen (ungodly) to nought; he makes the devices of the people of no effect (Psalm 33:10). It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). It was noted that the providence of God sees the designs of wicked people; who devise mischief with a great deal of subtlety; that beyond death exists the reality of appearing for judgment for deeds done in the body.
Paying the Price
Injustice Dealt With
Injustice will come to light on the Day of Judgment! Scripture reveals: I (John) saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12).
It was noted that the dead are the unbelieving dead of all ages; they are judged from two sets of books. The books contain the record of every unsaved person's life. Each person is judged in accordance with their works (paying the price category).
The book of life contains the name of every person who has received eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; and forgiveness of sin and trespasses. Scripture reveals: The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Flames of Divine
Wrath
Jonathan Edwards sermon, Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God, contain these words: Consider the fearful danger that you are in: You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder.
You have no interest in any mediator, and nothing to hold on to save yourself, nothing to keep the flames of wrath away, nothing of your own, nothing that you have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment (paying the price).
Those words ring loud and clear today towards endangered souls who are about to descend into eternity without the benefit of a Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ), unless repentance comes into focus prior to Judgment Day.
Vengeance and Justice
Scripture reveals: To me (God) belongs vengeance, and recompense (paying the price); their foot (reflective of the evilness of man) shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste (Deuteronomy 32:35).
The words "to me belongs vengeance" is confirmed in God's Word: Avenge not yourselves but give place to wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (Romans 12:19). For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense (paying the price), saith the Lord. The Lord shall judge his people (Hebrews 10:30).
It was noted that these verses reveal the severity of God's judgment. God's divine character demands justice and holiness; His divine attributes can perform punishment. Man may believe he is escaping God's justice; as evil continues to reign, but is sadly mistaken. Scripture reveals: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (paying the price category) (Hebrews 10:31).
Recompense of Tribulation
Scripture reveals: It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you (2 Thessalonians 1:6). It was noted that there may be those who troubles mind and body, person and property; through cruel mocking, imprisonment, beatings, and cruel torturing death.
Paying the price for those instituting such practices is indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, being cast into outer darkness (place called Hell), not escaping the eternal punishment of God. The only prevention is through repentance and forgiveness; but oftentimes hardness of heart prevents such from occurring. God gives man amply opportunity to repent; even to nations but rather than bowing one's knees in reverence to God, there is only increase in evilness and devastation.
Sin Flourishing
Paying the price seemingly is at the bottom of the list as the evilness of man continues unabated, flourishing in evil deeds. The morality of man has taken a plunge as immorality rises; with an increasingly demand for such, rather than an outcry against it. In many cases it is as if Sodom and Gomorrah has risen again, in its vileness and openly proclaiming its ungodliness that God's Word condemns.
Scripture reveals: For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change (exchange) the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another (homosexuality); men with men working that which is unseemly (sinful), and receiving in themselves that recompense (praying the price) of their error which was meet (fitting) (Romans 1:26-27).
God's Wrath
Scripture reveals: The wrath of God (paying the price) is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (Romans 1:32).
It was noted that the wrath is not the revelation of a future judgment of God but a present revelation that parallels the present revelation of God's righteousness; this revelation comes from heaven. Ungodliness is failure in the moral sphere or injustice toward man.
Rebellion Towards God
Sodom and Gomorrah were not excused of their rebellion against God; neither will those participating in such be excused today, unless repentance comes into focus and one's course of action changed. Scripture reveals: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that after (afterward) should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6).
We are seeing sin openly flaunted before man; even the education of children towards exposure and acceptance. Man is evolving towards the rebellious condition of the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit.
God is Not Slack
He will Repay
Scripture reveals: According to their deeds, accordingly he (God) will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense (paying the price) to his enemies; to the islands (coastlands) he will recompense (Isaiah 59:18). He repays them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack (delay) to them that hates him, he will repay him to his face (Deuteronomy 7:10).
It was noted that the enemies of God's people He will deal with; in wrath and fury, to recompense them for what they had done. He will punish them that hate him; who are bold sinners as the men of Sodom were. His execution of judgment and vengeance, which may seem to slumber and linger, will be executed at His command.
Refusal to Walk
In Traditional Ways
The prophet Jeremiah revealed: Thus saith the Lord, stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where if the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16).
It was noted that the people's stubborn refusal to walk in the traditional ways of true righteousness is often mentioned by Jeremiah. Moving in their own paths and following their own way could only lead to destruction. The contrast of the way of righteousness and the way of unrighteousness is often mentioned in the Scriptures.
Rebuilding the Temple
Scripture tells of the rebuilding of the Second Temple; after the first was destroyed about 50 years earlier. When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, many sang in praising and giving thanks to the Lord.
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house (temple), when this foundation was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted for joy. So the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard far off (Ezra 3:12).
Shekinah Glory of
the First Temple
It was noted that many of the older men (ancient men) (previously mentioned) who had seen the earlier buildings of the First Temple wept because of the sorrowful contrast in size and splendor. The prophet Haggai asked: Who is left among you that saw this house (First Temple) in her first glory? And how do you see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing (Haggai 2:3)?
It was further noted that the builders of the Second Temple prayed for the Shekinah glory to return; but there is no record that it ever did, which would be fulfilled in the return of the glory in Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Those who have witnessed the glory of the First Temple; held not the same joy, as those who had not!
Social Gospel
of Today
Paying the price is coming into reality through a new social gospel being introduced that does little; if any, to spell out sin and the evils of our day. Instead, many churches are placing their seal of approval on worldly activities, even ungodliness, that is being allowed to enter into the church world.
One man of God stated: The Church use to set an example for the world now the world is setting an example for the Church! Let us pray that the Shekinah glory will return to the Church; as it returns to God's Unadulterated (Pure) Word, without compromise.
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