I’ve written about this before, but once again this morning I’m grateful that God doesn’t immediately crush the wicked people in this world. I’m convinced it’s a part of his grace toward the ones he intends to save.
The New Testament has many passages related to this, but the one I read this morning was this parable from Matthew 13:24-30:
“Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“‘The owner’s servants came to him and said, “Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?”
“‘“An enemy did this,” he replied.
“‘The servants asked him, “Do you want us to go and pull them up?”
“‘“No,’ he answered, “because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.”’”
Why doesn’t God just smite the wicked? Because we live too close to them. Our roots are too intertwined. Our hearts are too connected. Our motivations and goals and activities are too enmeshed. God won’t pull the weeds until all of his elect can safely be separated out.
One day, and I hope it’s soon, God will harvest all of us. At that time, he can safely take the evil ones and burn them. If he goes too soon though, if he moves before the wheat is mature enough, some of the wheat will be lost with the weeds.
God loves his people too much to let that happen.
Are you one who longs for justice, who has a passion to see evil eradicated? It won’t happened until all God’s elect are saved, and that’s the work he’s called us to. So if you want to see the wicked get what they deserved, then get to work bringing in the harvest.
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