Tag: punishment of idol worship

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GOD WILL PUNISH ISRAELITES FOR THEIR SINS – Amos

sin

Children of God Must Not Abuse God’s Grace With Sin

(Passage: Amos 8)

Israelites provoked God with sin, and the Creator promised to make them pay for it. Amos the servant of God prophesied,

“And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God, “That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight; I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, and its end like a bitter day” (Amos 8:9-10).

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Impact of Sin vs Holiness

God can cope with anything other than sin – because sin is not a part of his system. Among all human activities on earth, nothing is strong enough to stop God’s operation – except sin! Sin can limit God’s blessing in anyone’s life. It can turn an active blessing to a passive blessing. That is, a person who sinned may be unable to tap into his blessing until he has exercised repentance.

All believers must understand that God does not have a substitute for holiness. He asks that his sinful children repent from their sins so that he can bless them. An unrepentant sinner will suffer dire consequences from his Maker.

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Pray For Grace to Live Up To God’s Standard

Dear God, please help me to live holy life before you so that you can be happy with me. Do not let me play with disobedience but help me to obey your commandments. Please keep me in grace to live an acceptable life before you! Let my practices be acceptable to you! Guide me to operate under the leadership of your Holy Spirit so that I can prosper everyday of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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GOD SEEKS REPENTANCE OR PUNISH ISRAELITES – Amos

repentance

God Requires Repentance From People

(Passage: Amos 2)

Israelites provoked God to an extent that he decided to keep the record of their sins and promised to punish them. Israelites lacked godly fear and were brutal to their neighbors. God promised them a severe punishment as the bible recorded,

“Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals” (Amos 2:6).

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Lesson On Repentance

God who is a merciful God also keeps a record of sin for people who reject repentance. The Creator will not lightly esteem people who heartlessly deal with their fellows. God’s watchful eyes see how wicked people operate; he will catch up with them in due time. However, Jehovah is interested in repentance of a sinner. Whoever turns to God in humility and repent from his sinful way shall be forgiven.

God’s mercy will prevail over his punishment; he will decorate repentant sinners with beauty and honor. The Creator will punish unrepentant sinners. A person who dies in his sin is bound to face God’s irreversible punishment of hell fire on the last day of judgment.

Anyone who intends to receive God’s forgiveness and enjoy his benefits should not hesitate to repent from his sin. Repentance means a lot to God! He will award the gift of eternal life for whoever repent from his sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

 

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Prayer of Repentance

Dear God I repent from my sins, please forgive me! please give me power to overcome trials of sin. Help me to recognize my sins and repent from them.

Help me to live humble before you so that I can be blessed on earth and also to qualify for your eternal kingdom. Please count me worthy to meet rapture during your second coming! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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JOSHUA WITNESSED GOD’S BENEFITS – Joshua

Children of God Will Earn Huge Rewards for Their Good Services

(Passage: Joshua 23)

Joshua the servant of God recounted his experience with God after he had lived 110 years. He had witnessed God’s goodness from childhood to his old age. Joshua witnessed how God miraculously delivered Israelites from their Egyptian slave masters. God parted the Red Sea and performed many other miracles in the wilderness while they sojourned to their Promised Land.

Joshua counseled Israelites to remain grateful to God and obey his commandments. He reminded them of multiple benefits they would receive should they faithfully serve God. Joshua said,

“Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you” (Joshua 23:6-10).

However, Joshua mentioned some consequences that Israelites would bear should they disobey God. He said,

“Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the good things have come upon you which the Lord your God promised you, so the Lord will bring upon you all harmful things, until He has destroyed you from this good land which the Lord your God has given you. When you have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the anger of the Lord will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you” (Joshua 23:15-16).

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Lesson on Service to the Lord

God will reward people who faithfully serve him. He will build his edge of protections around them. At the same time, Jehovah will frown his face at wicked people; he will displace them and give their possessions to those who are faithful.

It is important that Christians understand they would reap positive rewards for their good services to God. Since believers are God’s Apple eyes, he will help them overcome their challenges and earn them his testimony.

prayer

Prayer of Grace to Service

Dear God, I understand you will always prove your faithfulness over people who are faithful to you; therefore, I request your grace to faithfully serve you. Help me to keep faithfully serving your so that I can receive your overwhelming benefits every day of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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GOD IS SECOND TO NONE; SERVE HIM – Ezekiel

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As Believers, We Must Put God First Before Anything

(Passage: Ezekiel 23)

God labeled the Israelites “The harlots” for practicing idolatry. The people would face some consequences for their actions unless they repent. Jehovah handpicked Prophet Ezekiel as a talking point and warned the Israelites,

“Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will stir up your lovers against you, those you turned away from in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side” (Ezekiel 23:22 NIV).

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God Will Not Share His Position With Anyone

Christians are not allowed to serve two masters. We are required to serve God alone! No child of God should compare his/her Creator with any other deity. Jehovah is God, and He is the only deity that humanity must serve. Meanwhile, idol worship is not limited to bowing down to images only. An idol may appear in the form of material, money, people, and others. In fact, anything that takes the place of God in our heart is an idol!

A smartphone, laptop, and pocket-book may become an idol. If care is not taken, a person’s wife, husband, and/or a child can become an idol. Nothing must take over God’s position in our hearts.

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Evaluate yourself and be sure you’re not an idol worshiper! James Taiwo Click to tweet

Anyone who claims to be God’s child must ensure that he/she has an undivided attention when it comes to serving God. It is important to emphasize that history has proven that God detests idolatry more than any other form of sin. The Creator has gone an extra mile to prove his point in ancient times; He has wiped out nations and disowned his own children for the sake. He can do the worse again! Therefore, as Christians, we ought to fear God and give him due honor with full (and undistracted) Worship.

God is “the beginning and the end.” He was here before anything became and He will remain after. His importance in our lives must not come after an earthly idol, unless you want to face His wrath. Do away with an idol of any kind and serve God only.

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prayer

Prayer For Strength To Serve God

Dear God, please help me to give you an undivided attention, so that you can be happy with me always. Do not let me be trapped in idol worship of any form. Please forgive my past sins of idolatry; help me to stop whatever may be claiming rivalry with you in my life. Let me start to serve you with full devotion, so that you can be pleased to shower your grace and goodness on my life, now and always! For in the name of Jesus Christ, I make my requests. Amen.

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GOD PLACED ISRAELITES ON CONDITIONAL FREEDOM – Leviticus

idol worship

Christians Must Fully Obey God To Have His Full Blessing

Passage: Leviticus 26

Israelites were free from the Egyptians’ bondage but their freedom had terms and conditions. God who delivered the Israelites from their Egyptians’ oppression placed then under a strict term that they must comply with his laws to continue enjoying the benefit of their freedom. Jehovah emphasized that the people must fully desist from idolatry.

God reiterated to the people of Israel that their deliverance would be a thing of the past if they serve an idol. God stated,

“You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 26:1).

God promised to bless Israelites his people if they serve him with full devotion and desist from any form of idol worship. God stated as quoted,

“If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm my covenant with you. You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new. I will set my tabernacle among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:3-12).

Jehovah also reiterated, through Moses, the impending judgment that would befall the Israelites should they engage in idolatry. He stated,

“And after all these, if you do not obey me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit” (Leviticus 26:18-20).

A Christian Must Not Serve An Idol

Any Christian who wants to prosper on earth and also qualify for heaven must not engage in an idol worship. An idol worshiper will not have his or her name written in God’s book of life! God is the only supreme deity that is worthy of our worship. All people must submit to his feet and reverence him with sincere worship.

God is Jehovah; he does not want anyone to equate him with an idol. He does not want anyone to share the glory due to his name with an idol. The Creator will do everything necessary to protect the integrity of his name!

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Any Child of God who intends to enjoy the benefits of God must stay away from the practices of idol worship. James Taiwo Click to tweet

Jehovah requires complete obedience from his children so that he can bless them. Children of God must understand that God cannot be deceived. He knows all things; he knows a person that faithfully serves him, and he knows who does not.

Christians must abide by the laws of God to obtain God’s benefits. Each believer must understand that God has his yardstick of punishment for every sinner unless repentance is exercised! God will not relent until he has properly corrected any of his children that engage in idolatry. It is therefore important that every child of God stays away from idol worship. Every believer must give God an undivided attention and serve him wholeheartedly.

Pray For Grace To Abide By God’s Rule

Dear God, please plant your fear in my heart and help me to serve you wholeheartedly. Empower me by the Holy Spirit to meet your holiness standard! Please guide my thoughts and actions so that I can live a pure life before you! Give me the ability to repent from my sin whenever I make a mistake. Help me to exercise a genuine repentance so that you can be happy with me! Please Help me to be conscious of your laws and empower me to meet your holiness expectation so that I can remain worthy of your eternal kingdom! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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JEREMIAH LAMENTED FOR ISRAELITES’ SINS – Lamentation

sin

Sin Irritates God; Holiness Is The Key

Passage: Lamentations 1

Prophet Jeremiah was depressed and cried for Israelites having witnessed the terrible consequences they have suffered as a result of their sins committed against God. Israelites who once enjoyed God’s full benefits have become impoverished. They lived in poverty, and many of them have become captive slaves in a foreign land. Jeremiah lamented,

“How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow is she, who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces has become a slave! She weeps bitterly in the night, her tears are on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.Judah has gone into captivity, under affliction and hard servitude; She dwells among the nations, she finds no rest; all her persecutors overtake her in dire straits” (Lamentation 1:1-3). 

Sin Separate People from God

Sin destroys any good relationship that exists between God and his children. A person that intends to enjoy his (or her) relationship with God must desist from sin. Since God is not partial, he cannot pardon his child for a sin that he would punish an unbeliever for. The Creator will award his measurable punishment for everyone – Whether he/she is a child of God or not. Meanwhile, it is impossible to predict how God will punish a sinner, but in most cases, his punishment beats human’s imaginations. Better to be safe than sorry, someone who professes to love God should serve him in holiness to enjoy his benefits.

 

It is impossible to predict how God will punish a sinner. In most cases, his punishment beats human’s imaginations.

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Divine blessing of God will follow a person that obeys his laws. The person will prosper in whatever he does. A new door of opportunity will open for him, and whatever he does shall lead to success. Also, a person who obeys the laws of God will have peace of mind and have enough strength to stay happy during adversity. God will ultimately help him to prevail in all situations.

 

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Serve God well; obey his commandment, and you shall prosper in all your ways! James Taiwo Click to tweet

Prayer to Live in Holiness

Dear God, I understand that you require your children to stay away from sin and serve you in holiness. I am very sorry for my past sins, and I repent of them. I ask that you please forgive my sins so that I can befit your blessings. Let the Holy Spirit empower me to faithfully serve you. Give me the ability to daily meditate in your word. Please bless me as I strive to live in holiness before you! Give me every reason to testify to your goodness in the land of the living! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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GOD SCOLDED ISRAELITES FOR THEIR PRANK – Hosea

Believers Must Positively Receive God’s Correction

(Passage: Hosea 13)

God rebuked the Israelites for attempting to play a double-standard game with him. Israelites were dishonest in their relationship with God. They only served him for their selfish interest. They returned to idol worship after God has blessed them. Meanwhile, God requires his children to faithfully serve him with an undivided attention. People ought to serve God for who he is, and not for the sake of what they intend to receive from him.

Israelites engaged in a face-worship to receive God’s benefits; they turn their back at him after his has blessed them. Therefore, God promised to punish the people for their hypocritical behaviors. God stated,

“When Ephraim spoke, trembling, He exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended through Baal worship, he died. Now they sin more and more, and have made for themselves molded images, Idols of their silver, according to their skill; all of it is the work of craftsmen. They say of them, “Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!” Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud and like the early dew that passes away, like chaff blown off from a threshing floor and like smoke from a chimney. “Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me; for there is no savior besides Me. I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me. “So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk; I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their rib cage, And there I will devour them like a lion. The wild beast shall tear them” (Hosea 13:1-8).

No Game Playing With God!

A good Christian ought to respond to a godly correction.

A Christian who expects God to go a long way for him must also go a long way for God. Christians must understand that we have an obligation to live in honesty before God. No Christian is allowed to play pranks with God. It will backfire!

 

You cannot be one leg in and one leg out. Is either you are with God or you are not! An hypocritical behavior is a “No No” with God! Believers must be honest in our dealings with God. 

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Yield to correction: Believers must understand that we cannot deceive God. He knows a person that is honest in his or her relationship with him. Christians must understand that God will reward us if are honest with him.

Christians must not attempt to test God by serving him with the goal of receiving his benefits only. We must faithfully serve God because he deserves it. We must also obey the commandments of God so that he can count us worthy of his kingdom.

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Any Christian who expects God to go a long way for him must also go a long way for God. James Taiwo Click to tweet

Every Christian must faithfully serve God with a sincere heart at all times.

Respond to correction. It is important to emphasize that a Christian should not be an ingrate by keeping a casual relationship God. Jehovah asks his children to shun sin and pursue righteousness. He asks us to walk uprightly before him so that we can enjoy his earthly and heavenly benefits.

Correction leads to blessings.

Let the weak say, “I am strong.” Whoever struggles in his relationship with God should be honest with his or her status and ask God for help. God will grant the request of his children who acknowledge their weaknesses and prayerfully work towards improvement.

Prayer to Yield to Correction an be Consistent With God

Dear God, I stand to be corrected! Please give me the grace to keep an honest relationship with you. Help me to serve you in righteousness so that you can be happy with me. Empower me by the Holy Spirit to respond to your corrections and change. Please, give me the ability to have an unconditional love for you and faithfully serve you in every day of my life. Let my life glorify you on earth so that you can be proud of me in heaven. Please ever keep me worthy of your eternal kingdom O Lord. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen. 

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GOD PLACED HOLINESS CONDITION ON ISRAELITES – Hosea

holiness

Christians Must Prioritize Holiness

(Passage: Hosea 10)

God prioritizes holiness! God reminded Israelites that he would punish them for their unrepentant sins.

Israelites will be punished if they persist in sin, but they will be blessed if they repent of their sins.

The Creator promised to avert the evil that ought to come on his children if they can repent of their evil ways.

God said,

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap loyal love. Break up for yourself fallow ground; it is time to seek Yahweh so he will come and rain righteousness upon you.” (Hosea 10:12).

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Obey God To Receive His Blessing

Holiness has no substitute with God! There are God’s punishments to apply for human sins. God’s positive rewards will pursue people who pursue peace and serve him in righteousness.

God will judge people that persist in their sins. However, God’s desires that all people repent of their wicked ways so that he can bless them.

Those who satisfy the holiness standard of God will receive his immeasurable blessing of peace and prosperity in this life and in heaven also.

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Prayer For Strength To Obey God and Live in Holiness

Dear God, please help me to live in holiness so that you can be happy with me!

I know that you have a righteous standard to reward the righteous people and punish the wicked people; therefore, I desire to be your righteous child.

Please empower me to live the life that satisfies you so that I can enjoy your blessing here on earth and in heaven also.

For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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GOD WILL DELIVER ISRAELITES FROM IDOLATRY – Zechariah

idolatry

God’s Standard Of Righteousness Is Irreversible

(Passage: Zechariah: 13)

Israelites had enjoyed practicing idolatry which has made them suffer terrible punishments from God; however, the Creator promised to rid them out of their sinful habit.

God will give them a change of mind and remove evil practices from their land.

Evil people in the land would be ashamed when God’s scepter of righteousness is lifted up.

God promised the nation of Israel,

“And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

…And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth” (Zechariah: 13:2-3 KJV).

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Holiness is a matter of importance to God

Idolatry is evil. Also, idolatry is sinful to God.

God has a standard of righteousness that cannot be broken; he will not change his mind, but humans are to change their mind to comply with his standard.

God’s principles remain immovable and unchangeable; he will not compromise those principles based on our “evolving” beliefs and practices.

God’s behavior towards idolatry and idol worshipers is straight forward.

We humans may rationalize and come up with excuses, but Jehovah will remain immovable, and he will judge the world based on his set rules.

Therefore, people of our generation should sit tight and serve God according to his standard.

We should clearly define God’s expectations according to Bible standards and comply with them.

We should desist from trivializing issues that are important to God.

The Creator expects his children to change from our sinful ways, and turn to him with purity.

We must revere God and serve him with dignity so that he can bless us.

If we make God happy with our holy living, he will make us happy with his benefits: Rain will fall in its time, and the sun will shine according to schedule.

However, if we disobey God and take him for granted, his imminent judgments loom over us.

People who walk against God’s laws will have themselves to blame in hell – unless they exercise repentance before it is too late.

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Prayer For Power To Live In Holiness and Steer Clear of Idolatry

Dear God, I understand that you are God of grace and mercy, but you are also God of fire and brimstone.

You will not tolerate evil but you will judge evildoers; those who refuse to repent of their sinful ways will suffer consequences for their actions.

Therefore, I submit myself to you today. I come to say, “I will obey your instructions and serve you well.

…” I am sorry for my sins and I repent of them all. As from today, my total life is dedicated to you, and I will serve you faithfully throughout my life!

Please write my name in the book of life and keep me heavenly worthy. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

Remember: God Will Deliver Israelites From Idolatry

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GOD’S JUDGMENT WILL COME ON SINFUL ISRAELITES – Ezekiel

judgment

A Sinner Must Repent To Avert God’s Judgment

(Passage: Ezekiel 14)

God set a precedence of his punishment for the Israelites. He engaged Prophet Ezekiel in a conversation and stated that his people would pay for their sins on an individual basis.

God also promised not to allow any righteous person to save his sinful neighbor.

Every individual will face God to account for his or her sins.

A righteous person would be restricted to only save himself or herself. God said to Ezekiel,

“Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.

…“If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate” (Ezekiel 14:13-16 NKJV).

The Judgment of God Is Imminent

God’s judgment is imminent on the unrepentant sinners. Why? God cannot cope with sin. He hates it! Every sinner is mandated to repent of his (or her) sin to enjoy a mutual relationship with God. Jehovah will punish a person who refuses to repent of his sins.

The Creator has two different types of punishments preset for an unrepentant sinner:

He will not bless him on earth, and he will disqualify him from heaven. That is, a person who refuses to repent of his sin will not be in a good position to receive God’s benefits on earth and in heaven.

Meanwhile, Jehovah is willing to forgive any sinner who repents from his or her sin. To obtain sin forgiveness, a person must first confess Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior.

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No Conflict Between God’s Grace and God’s Judgment

Some people purposefully mix the meaning of God’s love and God’s judgment; they claim that the gracious God cannot be hash in punishing his people.

Unfortunately, this type of reasoning does not disturb God from exercising his judgment on the wicked people.

The two factors (God’s love and God’s judgment) do not conflict with each other.

God’s grace does not disturb God’s judgment.

Despite the fact that Jehovah is gracious, he will still exert his judgment on people who have refused to repent of their sins.

God’s Judgment Day Will Come On The Sinners

God’s judgment is imminent.

The best thing a person can do to escape from the judgment of God is to confess his or her faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin for all people. His death became the sacrifice of human sins.

Therefore, anyone who confesses him as his or her personal Lord and Savior will be forgiven of his or her sins!

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Prayer To Scale Through God’s Judgment

Dear God, I know that you will judge this world at your own appointed time. I don’t want to be condemned alongside people of the world! I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins.

…Please forgive my sins. I understand that you can only forgive a sin that is confessed through the name of your Son Jesus Christ; therefore, I confess Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I will faithfully follow Jesus Christ from now on, and I will do this for the rest of my life.

…Please bless me on earth and keep me worthy of your eternal benefits in heaven! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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