WHO ARE THE WICKED?
Last year, I began to wonder a lot about the parable of the talents especially after I heard the Lord say to me one day "I've given you a gift." In the last seven plus years, there have been three occasions when I heard the Lord's voice in such a way as to get my attention. The first time it happened was when I felt impressed by the HOLY SPIRIT to give an individual a certain amount of money after spending some time in prayer. Having returned to my truck shortly after leaving the church one Wednesday afternoon, I began to complain about the many times I felt impressed to give. I had no more finished muttering my complaint under my breath when I suddenly heard the words, very forcefully come into my mind, "Whose money is it?"
GOD had made it very clear to me some time prior to my frustration with my own financial situation that HE was the ONE who was responsible for orchestrating one's ability to receive HIS blessing. One time HE said to me, "As I have blessed you to be a blessing unto others, I have blessed others to be a blessing unto you." When GOD tells us in Isaiah that HIS thoughts are not our thoughts nor our ways HIS ways, it isn't hard to understand why serving GOD with all our being is an incredible struggle at times. One's faith can often be in one's own ability to fulfill what we've heard in our spirit instead of putting our trust in GOD to bring to pass what HE has told us HE will do.
I was stumped when the Lord told me HE had given me a gift. I really wasn't sure what GOD was referring to. I have to admit, I've found myself struggling with the idea of being able to lose one's salvation. But I was also constantly aware of the fact that I had failed to do what GOD had made it very clear for me to do with regard to my own passion for writing. I knew HE was asking me to do something which there was no way I could bring to fruition on my own, let alone the details of what HE wanted me to say. Now I realize the parable of the talents is about money, but how is a person given two talents which he increases to four, or five which he increases to ten without certain abilities to do so?
In Matthew, chapter 13, Jesus tells his disciples that it is given unto them to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. The masses which sought HIM out, Jesus referred to as having ears that didn't understand and eyes that did not perceive. Then HE even went on to say that he that hath shall more be given, and he that hath not shall more be taken away. And yet HIS own disciples asked HIM what HE was talking about when they asked Jesus to explain the parable of the good seed and the tares. And I'm thinking, "Wait a minute Lord, YOUR disciples are given the mysteries of YOUR Kingdom, and they don't understand them any more than the people who sought YOU out?" GOD's people are destroyed because of what? Lack of knowledge. Man's knowledge? No, GOD's knowledge or put another way, the wisdom of GOD.
Which one of GOD's "made in OUR image" ever would have figured out on their own without some type of spiritual instruction that the cure for the pain of physical or mental abuse is forgiveness, the cure for poverty is giving, the cure for depression is praise and worship, or the cure for a physical disease is faithfully quoting a whole slew of verses on the promises of GOD regarding healing. The very idea that any of these problems could be solved by what GOD tells us to do is unimaginable in our human way of thinking, and yet hear the testimonies of those who have done what makes absolutely no sense and you'll eventually see that what GOD says to do does work. However, it will not usually come to pass immediately. One has to come to that place in their walk with the Lord where they are steadfastly determined to trust GOD no matter what.
I've also wondered if what GOD tells us to do will work even for those who haven't come to that place in their own lives of admitting to GOD that they and they alone are responsible for their own sins against HIM, asking by the blood of Jesus for forgiveness, and desiring that Christ be their Lord and Saviour determining to seek HIM with all their heart. I don't know the answer, but I remember what happened to the Jews which thought they could call a demon out of someone like Paul did (or was it Peter?) and were quickly whipped up on by it. I do not believe a person will be held accountable because of what was done wrongly to them by another. What one will be accountable to GOD for is how one responded to evil done them by another or what one has initiated towards another with wrongful intent. The "feel sorry for me because" excuse isn't going to cut it, nor will "I would have except that" matter either.
So who are the wicked to which the Bible refers? In short, they are everyone who did not accept the gift of GOD for forgiveness, salvation, and redemption. They are all those who refused every opportunity to take responsibility for the fruit of their own foolish, selfish nature, and repent, humbling themselves before our Creator. I will even go so far to say the wicked are also those who have spent the better part of their lives mad, blaming GOD for the hand they were dealt in life. They never came to the point of figuring out why bad things happen to good people. Number one, define good. "There is none good, no, not one, for all have been born into sin." Number two, GOD didn't make you that way. You made you the way you are if you haven't been born again. Satan held out the bait, and you swallowed the lie hook, line, and sinker. And then you blame GOD. Stupid is as stupid does.
I feel sorry for all the people who claim to be atheists or agnostics. And I don't mean that in a condescending way. I really feel sorry for them. It might be why much of my own prayer time is spent asking the Lord to intervene in their lives. No one on this web site mind you, but people who live or have lived in my community, or loved ones. GOD does not want to judge you according to your own unrepentant heart. HE desires to judge you by your acceptance of HIS only begotten Son in your place. Jesus has already paid the price for your sins if you will only give HIM the opportunity to show you HIS love by humbling yourself before HIM and asking for forgiveness with a sincere heart. Otherwise, you will go to hell, and you won't like it; not because of the many things you did wrong, but because of the One Thing you refused to do right...believe in Jesus and live from that point on accordingly.
As for my own struggle I'll either finally get it and set my priorities accordingly, or go down a road I don't have to because I couldn't get the Lord to change HIS mind. One time the Lord said to me, "You say you can't, and I say you can. Who is right?" Who indeed. |
