Monday, March 1, 2010

The sun rises on the evil and on the good

"for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45 KJV)."

Many had interpreted the mercy of God as amoral nature. Lao-zi (老子) in his book, Dao De Jing (道德經) chapter 5 (第五章) said, "Heaven and Earth are not humane, and treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs; (天地不仁,以萬物為芻狗。)" Obviously Lao-zi realised that God makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. The just may not be rewarded and the unjust may not be punished. Buddha also realised this, and attributed the bad things that happened to good people were caused by the bad things done in their past lives.

But the Bible tells us that God "is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)."

Many who cries out for justice assumed that they were righteous, not knowing that in the sight of the holy and sinless God, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 KJV)." Except they repent, they shall likewise perish (Luke 13:3, 13:5).

Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. (Malachi 3:1-2 NASB)"

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