Righteous & Wicked

 

    God was sending us all a message with the prophets:  time to prepare.  There are always consequences for how we chose to live.  The prophets were just preparing the way.  They were getting us all ready for the covenant that Jesus created.  It also points out that no one can withstand the refining fires without God.

    We are made righteous through Jesus, but we all had wickedness in us at some point, if not now.  When you become a Christian, the wickedness is made clean, but somehow we all still sin and have to do continuous cleansings.  It takes refinement to remove that sin forever, to be purified in this corrupted world.  Then the person is a walking testimony against sin.

    Malachi's message is that we don't really change without God.  Left to our own devices we would cheat and rob God with our offerings and tithes.  This is not an area you want to test God's faithfulness.  He will not allow people to steal from Him.  All that steal from God are cursed.  You can be blessed beyond your imagination or cursed.  It is your choice, but it reveals your true heart.

    Your service is futile if your heart is not in the right place.  Be righteous, not religious.  You can't serve God with a prideful heart because He declared that wicked.  In all you do make sure it honors God.  Show compassion and He will give you compassion.  

    In all your conversations, remember God is listening.  In time the distinction between righteous and wicked is made clear, but God already knows and it is recorded.  He is your witness.  He knows the difference between the righteous and the wicked.

Malachi 3