Moment in the Word

1 Peter 1:16 - For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."

Much like Korah who fell alive into Hell for the sin of rebellion (Num. 16:32-33), many now brazenly demand an inalienable guarantee of Christ's love while thumbing their noses at God and His righteous expectations (Ez. 8:17). Refusing to humbly repent (Jer. 2:31), this ungodly rabble currently claims that they are allowed to commit abominations, previously forbidden (Jer. 7:10). But who has changed, God or us? Of the two, probably not the former, "For I am the LORD, I change not!" (Malachi 3:6)

Thus, by God's eternal, enduring Word (Matt. 24:35), our liberty is denied as our malicious license is revoked (Jude 1:4), and humanity is still held accountable to the divine order, "You must be holy because I am holy."

Although God ordered Ezekiel to be a watchman on the wall to warn the ungodly of their crimes (Ez. 3:17-21), where is the modern Church during this final Age of Laodicea (Rev. 3:15-22)? She is huddled impotently in her secluded corner, guarding her revenue stream while doing/saying absolutely nothing to draw attention to herself or offend. In my sixty-six years, I have found that most churches will surrender almost anything to be approved by the world, and the first sacrifice they make is their voice. To avoid criticism, they will endorse deadly sin rather than denounce it (Rom. 1:32). Why? Because the guilty, condemned world threatens, "Do not judge!" although God already has judged (John 3:18-19) and subsequently orders His Church to serve notice of His verdict on the condemned!

Just as St. Peter warned, "...the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare... For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" (2 Peter 3:10, 1 Peter 4:17-18)

One of these days, when California slips into the fathomless sea, when Yellowstone opens her abysmal throat, and New Madrid rips apart as rotten cloth, we will all stagger together like drunk men at the arrival of overdue retribution (Is. 24:17-22); however, the time for "being holy because God is holy" will be long past when the King of Kings returns to slay the wicked (Rev. 19:11-16)!