i12go4God

There is nothing wrong with a chainsaw. In and of itself it is a benign thing, and in the hands of a skilled laborer, they can be a very useful tool! But we don’t give them to toddlers. To do so would be grounds for arrest. Why? Because a chainsaw is a powerful tool that can also be destructive and even lethal in the hands of one who cannot handle its force and does not know how to properly use it!

With that in mind, I want to briefly discuss some things that God does not permit for humans, but has kept as a prerogative for Himself.

1. Vengeance– We do not have the authority from God to take vengeance out on someone else. If for no other reason, the vengeance and wrath that was our just punishment was placed upon Jesus at the cross. How dare we turn and take vengeance on another because we think they deserve it!
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 NASB)

2. Jealousy – jealousy is a powerful emotion that can instantly turn a loving companion into a murderer. We become jealous when we believe that someone is about to take someone from us that we love, or are betrayed by someone dear to us who rejects us for someone else. God, on the other hand, is jealous for us, not of us. His jealousy is kindled against those that would steal us away from Him because He knows that it will be for our destruction. He will not tolerate those who try to lure away His beloved children with false promises and lies about the character of God.
“for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” (Exodus 34:14 ASV)

3. Judgment – While there are certain things we are commanded to judge, such as false teaching or our hearts, we are not authorized to take upon ourselves the role of judge of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). God alone has the authority to judge anyone’s final and eternal condition. The farthest He has delegated that authority is to the Son. (John 5:22, 27)

There may be others that I have missed, but my point is this: we must be careful not to take upon ourselves that with is the sole prerogative of the Almighty God. It is enough to judge ourselves by the Word of Christ and to jealously guard our heart. And leave wrath in the hands of the only One who is equipped to handle it!

“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NASB)

“He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.” (John 12:48 NASB)

“For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 NASB)