World Unyielding

Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Here is the testimony of God, full of wisdom and understanding. An evil work deserves a sentence. Ruling authorities serve the purpose of God for our good, specifically in punishing the law-breaker. Doubtless, God has designed this as a shadow of His ultimate authority. There is no reason for confusion concerning this matter. God is a righteous judge who rules over all. Through His holy law, He has expressed what He requires and the consequences of rebellion against Him. His law pronounces a sentence against both the evil work and the worker of evil, the act of lawlessness and the worker of lawlessness.

Behold God’s patience and mercy. He is not playing loose with His law. God says what He means and means what He says. The sentence still stands. But God is not willing that any should perish. He seeks repentance among guilty sinners so that they may find forgiveness of sins in Christ. Having lived a life of perfect obedience to the commandments of God, Jesus suffered the due punishment for sin in the place of all who believe in Him. Oh, the richness of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience. He is not stingy in this regard.

Yet, how many take this for granted? The sentence against their evil work is delayed; they feel more assured in their rebellious pursuit. At first, a man proceeds with caution in his sinful deed. However, the consequences are not as severe as he initially thought. So he continues in sin, thinking, ‘If it were so bad, surely God would have stopped me right in my tracks.’ And his heart becomes fully set on evil. His desires are attracted to what God finds repulsive. Assuredly, God will reveal his repulsion not only by the fact that the sentence will be served. Oh no, God will reveal his repulsion in carrying out the sentence Himself through His Son, who knows firsthand what it means to suffer for sins yet not His own.

Reader, think on this text here. It is the story of persons, families, communities, and yes, whole societies that have fallen foul of God’s sentence. A divine indictment was tabled against their perversion of divine law, and they were left without excuse. That which was not quickly executed later crept up on them and proved deadly to body and soul. Thanks be to Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. Thanks be to God, who has caused us, who trust in Him, to be obedient from the heart. Otherwise, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah, with hearts fully set to do evil and souls thrown into an eternal fire.