By Pastor Mark Quick
Some people have trouble reconciling the descriptions of God’s wrath in Scripture with the expressions of his mercy and compassion – especially as exemplified by Jesus. It’s as simple as this: Do I make myself to be God’s friend or his enemy?
James 4:4 states that friendship with the world is enmity with God. And Jesus warned in Matthew 18 that if our example provokes others to sin then it would be better for us that a millstone were tied about our neck and we were cast into the sea. Ouch!
Jesus follows up this statement in Matthew 18 by admonishing that if our eye causes us to sin – we should pluck it out. If our hand causes us to sin – cut it off. There is in-house debate as to whether or not Jesus was being literal or metaphorical, but one thing is clear – Hell is so terrible and so to be avoided that drastic measures may be in order. I’m certain plucking out our eye would probably not literally be the best thing to do – after all, lust is a matter of the heart. But how seriously do we take sin and enticements to sin?
As far as Lady Gaga is concerned, if I ever had the chance to meet her or any other number of famous entertainers I would be courteous and want to encourage. I name her here only as an illustration. Her manner of dress and lyrics are ripe with illicit sexual content and promote sin. She has six million Twitter followers and has sold tens of millions of albums. People ranging from small girls to teens to grown men and women are imitating her, running along in her debauchery. How dangerous it is to provoke sin and rebellion to God.
God has been perfectly consistent throughout his Word. Those who make themselves to be his friend by belief, repentance and obedience enjoy his salvation and favor. Those who make themselves to be his enemy by disbelief, arrogance and rebellion discover his wrath. It’s up to us. Are we going to be his friend and encourage others by our example or will we make ourselves his enemy and influence others to rebel? He’s immanently predictable.
