God's Long-Steadfastness

Tonight at 2:22, Aaron Wilson taught on the parable of the weeds and the grain. To read this passage, click here.

After he read the passage, he asked us a question: Why are there still evil people in the world/church?

The passage does say that those evil people will be destroyed, and we see it many other places in the bible as well.

Jeremiah 33:15-16 says,

"In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.'"

So we know that "in those days", those whom Jesus has credited as righteous will be forgiven and will live with God forever, and those who rejected Christ will be judged and punished. But why would God let the weeds grow up with the wheat? Why wouldn't He just pull them up and destroy them now?

Matthew 13:28b-29 - "So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.'"

God would rather permit the weeds to grow and live for awhile than to uproot the wheat. If God had decided to pull up those weeds four years ago, He would have pulled me up and thrown me straight into hell where I deserved to go. There are other people who look like weeds, but God will work in their lives and they will grow to be wheat. That is why the wicked are still here and sometimes seem to prosper. God is gracious and steadfast to those who are still enslaved to their sin, because He wants to save them.

Don't be discouraged by the wickedness of the world, but rather thank God for His steadfastness towards those that will be saved and those who have been saved. Sometimes the wicked seem to thrive, but we know that in the end times, only those who have been gifted with Christ's righteousness will live. The wicked will be judged, but God is a loving merciful God who desires to save.

Thank you, God, for your steadfastness shown to me and all you have saved. Lord, you hold back your judgement to save sinners like us and for that you should receive our unending praise. Help us to be humbled by this, Lord, and to show others the steadfastness and mercy you showed us. Let us proclaim the good news that you allowed us to hear to others while You still hold back your holy wrath. Comfort those who are persecuted, because you will destroy all evil and will restore righteousness in the world to come. Amen