What does it say about a person if they call on God to exact His justice? Current pop-culture of this county currently considers disagreeing with someone to be hate speech (broadly speaking). So, is it right to point out that transgressing the laws of God puts the transgressor in position to burn for eternity? Beyond that- what about places in scripture where the authors call for God to exact His justice? Consider:
Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” (Psalm 35.1-3)
Many in the world would consider this closeminded, if not outright bigotry. What does this mean for Christians? The focus of this article is to discuss an aspect of peace.
“Keeping the peace” indicates someone is taking steps to remain at calm and not enter into an altercation of some type. When standing for the truth is considered bigotry (intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion) we will have to have difficult conversations. The truth can never be changed; Jesus is the way, the only way. He speaks plainly in John 14.6 when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. Is Jesus being hateful? No, He’s being truthful and loving.
How is telling people Jesus is the only way to Heaven loving? We should be providing a roadmap to Heaven with Jesus. To use the Bible to try to convey that God hates someone (or group of peoples) is sinful. God loves us before we even existed. He also makes it clear that He desires that all come to repentance and be saved. To that end His Son died for our sins. Hateful? By no means. So…why Psalm 35?
God loves His children. Those who stand opposed to Him and His children He will punish. Eventually, and in His time, God will exact justice for every wrong paid to His children. He’s waiting for all to have opportunity to repent, for those that do; He is salvation, and He will contend against the rest.
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