Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.
– Ecclesiastes 8:11
He asked the question, but his voice filled with mocking.
The Canadian wondered why Canada hadn’t earned judgment from God for its decade of marrying gay people, given the loud warnings of impending judgment upon America for its recent approval of gay marriage.
The implied message: Judgment isn’t coming.
Judgment is coming, though not specifically because of the new fad in sexual orientation. The Bible tells us a day is coming when God will bring justice to this world, both rewarding the good deeds of those who loved Him and executing a sentence against the evil acts of those who didn’t.
But for now, at this moment, we live in the age of grace.
“After the flood, before the fire, you’ll find us in time,” Dogwood sang back in 1975. We’re still there, between the genesis of humanity and the revelation of Jesus Christ in all His glory. As the age drags on, God’s grace on the nations is seen by some as a sign of His weakness, His approval of their lifestyles, or His nonexistence.
Because we haven’t been brought before the Judge yet, we think we’re free. Because God restrains His power, we think Him impotent. Like children testing our limits, we grow bolder when our misdeeds are met with His benevolence.
As we lurch toward destruction, we slap away the hand reaching down to rescue us.
We believe we can do this by ourselves. We don’t need a daddy or an advocate. It’s all under control.
Until the day we meet the Judge.
Thus I will punish the world for its evil,
And the wicked for their iniquity;
I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud,
And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless.– Isaiah 13:11
