Know the Difference

Read Malachi 3:18-4:4
 
Malachi 3:18 & 4:2 “Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not…4:2 But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
 
IN God’s world, we know there is a clear difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Those who are wicked will be cast aside. Those who are righteous, will be welcomed into heaven as God’s own.   
   God’s Love Story will continue into the New Testament with this prophecy of his very personal presence among his own. Jesus will come to fervently live, preach and inaugurate the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, Son of God. He will call his people to righteous living. The Son will manifest God’s presence through personal relationships, physical healing and spiritual truth during his ministry. Then the “Sun of Righteousness” – the Light of the World – will rise from the dead. He will ascend to heaven, so he can be the Lord of the church. Through the church the Holy Spirit uses the preaching of the Word to continue separating the wicked from the righteous. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
   Remember, the Son of God commanded many to “Come, follow me.” (Matthew 4 & 19, Mark 1 & 10; Luke 18) God’s Holy Bible is his call to you to follow him out of wickedness into righteousness.
   Yes, it is a difficult confession to say, “I am wicked.” But it’s true. And it is necessary to confess this. God’s Word tells you that any sin is wickedness. “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10) We can rejoice, then, God has revealed the way to righteousness: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) God’s grace of salvation has poured out to you. If you’ve received the gospel in faith, you are made righteous. Rejoice that your story can convey the joy of a new life in Christ’s redemptive power.
   Nearly everyone reading this lesson has heard God’s personal work to save his own from wickedness. I pray each one of you has received the truth from God to repent and be saved unto eternal life.