I think it is good to ask our self this question – Why is this article included in our statement of faith? We already have articles on Total Depravity, Grace in Regeneration, God’s Purpose In Grace, Sanctification and the Perseverance of the Saints. Doesn’t this article simply repeat what has already been stated?
There is some repetition, to be sure. But this article states the Biblical position of the difference in the righteous and the wicked, which the world (and many religious organizations) are trying to eradicate.
This article also emphasizes the fact that with God, there is no middle ground. With men, we see much middle ground or gray area. With God it is all black or white, right or wrong, for him or against him. Joshua made this very clear in Joshua 24:14,15 when he demanded that Israel make a choice to either serve God or not serve God. “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put a1way the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Jehu gathered the worshippers of Baal together by declaring his total complete allegiance to this false god. II Kings 10:18 states, “And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.” Of course, Jehu did not intend to worship Baal, but he did intend to kill those that did. Jehu brought the worshippers into the temple of Baal by declaring his total dedication to this false god. The worshippers of Baal were killed. But Jehu was not totally “sold out” to God, as he did no better than the worshippers of Baal, and did not completely dedicate himself to God. The result of his half-heartedness toward God is seen in his family and his failure to believe and live by the promises of God.
Therefore we understand the purpose of the article is to declare there is no middle ground in the service of God. It is very clear – the worshippers of God will worship him and live like they worship him. The worshippers of this world will worship this world and live like they worship this world.
2. There also will be a vast difference between the righteous and the wicked, as none should deny.
2. The wicked call evil good and call good evil: because they are wicked, while the righteous call evil, evil because they are faithful to God.
3. The mixture of righteousness and wickedness is a terrible abomination to God.
4. In Nehemiah 13:23-27 Nehemiah was so disgusted with the Israelites who inter-married with Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab (the children were speaking half the language of Israel and half the language of these other nations) that he cursed them, smote some of them, and plucked out their hair!
5. Revelation 3:14-22 – The church at Laodicean was lukewarm, a thing God hates.
6. James 3:1-11 – Verse 10-11 – “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”
b. He means that his works show whether he is a true believer or not.
c. There is also a castaway concerning fruitfulness to others.
3. Reprobates are those who are worthless to God and their works prove their reprobation.
4. Romans 6:16 – “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
b. We cannot see the heart, as Jesus could with Judas Iscariot.
2. Malachi 3:18 “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”
b. In the book of Malachi, God continually informs Israel of their sins, and Israel continually declares their innocence of sin.
5. God’s people should always be able to tell what is right and what is wrong, as Abraham was able.
b. Abraham knew God did not “classify” the wicked with the just, and would not judge them the same, nor treat them the same.
c. Just as God makes a difference between the righteous and the wicked, so should we.
d. We cannot tell whether a person is saved or not, but we can tell if their works are what God expects or not.
b. The righteous also needs to understand that the way (the manner of living) of the wicked is appealing to the flesh, but destruction to the soul.
b. The only way we can tell the difference is through the word of God, whether his word is accepted or excuses made.
B. Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by faith.”
2. To be justified the winner must be declared righteous by God (the judge).
3. The article of faith concerning “justification” should be read at this time for additional help.
4. Those who trust in Jesus Christ and Him alone for that righteousness enjoy the blessing of righteousness.
D. Other scriptures that teach this truth:
2. Romans 7:6 – “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
3. I John 2:29 – “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”
4. I John 3:7 – “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”
5. Romans 6:18 – “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
6. Romans 6:22 – “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
7. I Corinthians 11:32 – “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
8. Proverbs 11:31 – “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.”
9. I Peter 4:17-18 – “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
B. Galatians 3:10 – “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
C. John 3:36 – “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
D. Isaiah 57:21 – “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
E. Psalm 10:4 – “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”
F. Isaiah 55:6-7 – “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
2. Luke 9:23-26- “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.”
3. John 12:25-26 – “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
4. Ecclesiastes 3:17 – “I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
5. Proverbs 10:24 – “The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.”
2. Jesus makes it very clear in these verses there is a vast difference between the righteous and the wicked.
3. The wicked are from beneath, Jesus (and all his children) are from above.
4. The two are together on this earth, but they are never mixed together.
5. Gasoline and water will not mix; neither will the righteous and the wicked mix.
C. More examples of the righteous and the wicked; both in this life and the life to come.
2. Luke 16:25 – “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”
3. Matthew 7:13-14 – “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:”