Salvation is Far From the Wicked
Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not comprehend it (Jn 1:5). Men love darkness (Jn 3:19), even though wisdom cries out in the street (Prv 1:20). There is no one who seeks after God, not even one (Rom 3:10–12). Men, unrighteous and ungodly, say to God, “Depart from us (Job 21:14).” Therefore, God says to them, “Depart from Me (Mt 7:23).”
To flee from God is to inflict self-harm. Evil doers have forgotten God (Ps 9:17). They are far from His Law (Ps 73:27). The wicked suppress the truth of God (Rom 1:18). The furthest thing from their minds is to come to Christ that they might have life (Jn 5:40); and if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not have eternal life (Jn 3:36), for he is none of His (Rom 8:9).
The true believer desires the truth. He hates sin and every wicked way. Therefore, the treacherous are loathed because they do not keep God’s Word (Ps 119:158). The Christian marvels that the evil doer does not see how ruinous his actions are in the world. Yet, he is humbled when he remembers his dastardly deeds done in the domain of darkness (1 Cor 6:9–11; Col 1:13). Everyone suffers because of the children of the devil (1 Jn 3:10).
The selfishness of sinners causes them to compete with others (Eccl 4:4). In the heat of competition, hurtful words are complemented by vicious actions. “People are inherently good,” cries the deceived purveyor of self-esteem. What? Is he blind? Yes, he is blind from seeing the total depravity of humanity, as revealed by God’s Word (Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10–12; Eph 2:1–3; 4:17). Simply put, wickedness is the twisting of truth.
It is the cross of Christ that shows the sinner what just punishment looks like in God’s view. Who would be so cruel, as to kill his own son? The wicked do it every day in their abortion clinic offerings to Molech. Then, what is God saying to humanity at Calvary?
First, God is showing us that He is offended by our gross rebellion. God is holy, and we opt to pollute His creation with the filthiness of our sins.
Second, God is showing us what sinners deserve, for their transgressions and iniquities (Rom 6:23). God hates those who do iniquity (Ps 5:5; 11:5); therefore, the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom 1:18). God poured out His wrath on His beloved Son, who became sin for us (2 Cor 5:21), and as the Lamb of God, appeased God’s wrath against those He came to save (Mt 1:21; Rom 3:25).
God is angry with the wicked, everyday (Ps 7:11). They pollute His creation. They defy His Law, with the perversities of their own laws. They persecute His saints (Mt 5:10–12). They accumulate sins, and store up wrath for themselves, for the day of God’s wrath (Rom 2:5).
Look at the sinless Son of man upon the cross — lowly, meek and mild. Consider what His heavenly Father has done to Him who knew no sin. His salvation to impart has come at an infinite cost, the righteous crucified for the unrighteous (1 Pet 3:18). The Lamb of God, slain, has bore our sins in His body on the tree (1 Pet 2:24). He has taken our curse upon Himself, in laying down his life for His sheep (Jn 10:11, 15) giving Himself for His bride, the church (Eph 5:25).
The wicked scoff in unbelief, “Foolishness (1 Cor 1:18)!” They deny the Messiah His due honor and glory. From the spiritually wise man’s perspective, Jesus has done the impossible (Mt 19:26). Christ has reconciled His church, the Israel of God (Gal 6:16) to God (2 Cor 5:18–20). As the solitary second Adam, He endured the cross so that His elect might be redeemed (Heb 12:2). He saved us (Titus 3:5).
The wicked hate the Good News, of God predestining His chosen vessels of mercy and preparing them for glory (Rom 9:23; Eph 1:4–5). The wicked hate the exclusive love of Jesus Christ, for His one and only bride, His saints (Eph 5:25). The wicked question God (Rom 9:20), as to why He would be so evil, as to not save the wicked reprobate (Rom 9:22). They hate God (Rom 1:30) and call His character and actions into question.
Finally, the wicked blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God, who pours out God’s love, into the hearts of those He chooses to give life (Job 33:4; Jn 6:63; Rom 8:11; 2 Cor 3:6), by His own free will (Jn 1:13; Rom 5:5; 9:18). Thus, one test of a person’s status in salvation is his attitude toward God, who saves His people, in the manner described here and on the pages of Holy Writ.
Friend, how do you fair when the light and truth of how God executes His salvation is revealed to you? Do you despise the exclusivity of His choosing few, while forsaking many (Mt 22:14)? Do you reject the scandal of the cross where Christ died for His sheep, but not for the goats, who do not belong to Him (Jn 10:26)? Do you claim it is unfair that the Spirit causes only some to be born again (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3)?
You must repent, if you are still not believing in the total depravity of man, the unconditional election of saints by God’s free will and gracious choice, the particular redemption of His peculiar people, God’s irresistible grace to draw the elect to Christ, and His Almighty power to keep them from stumbling even unto glory, in the preservation of His beloved.
Salvation is far from the wicked (Ps 119:155) therefore, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31; Rom 10:9), with a salvation that is from Him, through Him, and to Him (Rom 11:36)…and for His glory alone.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
August 23, 2022
