Amo 9:10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.

God was angry with Israel. Through prophet Amos, He said He would destroy them: “All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword,” (vs 10a). Unfortunately, the sinners didn’t believe it would happen. They said: “The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us” (vs 10b).

                                                                                                            

The Scriptures say that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

What does it mean to “hold the truth in unrighteousness”?

The word “hold” means “to hold back”. It is to suppress, to withhold, and to prevent. The sinners prevent the truth from taking hold of their hearts, and from governing their conduct. They restrain the truth by their wickedness. For example, if you have a preacher who knows he is in an adulterous relationship, do you suppose he will preach the truth about God’s teachings on marriage, divorce and remarriage? Or, you have a preacher who loves his wine, do you thing he will go round preaching that it is a sin to drink alcoholic beverages? The answer is obvious - these preachers will withhold the truth about marriages and wine drinking. They don’t want you to know it is a sin!

Ungodly men will hinder the truth from producing its proper results. They don’t want you to hear the truth and repent and turn to God. Do you think they care for your souls? They care about keeping their jobs (Romans 16:18). They care about keeping their sins (Romans 1:18). A bad and false religion will breed a bad and false character. The Scriptures say these ungodly preachers continue to practice such sin and encourage others to practice it also (Romans 1:32).

They will tell you there is no sin in drinking, no sin in involving in an unscriptural relationship, no sin in marrying one of the same sex, no sin in having mechanical instruments in worship, no sin in not baptising for the remission of sins, and many other things that contradict the teachings of the Bible.

They will say to their followers the same thing the sinners said in Amos 9:10: “The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” The meaning is: “Don’t worry. God is not going to send you to hell just because you drink a bit of wine or because you play an instrument while singing to Him. God is not going to tear you and your current wife apart knowing you both are so loving; God is not a marriage wrecker. God is a loving God; He is not going to send anyone to hell just because they have broken a few commandments.”

The Scriptures say that since the creation of the world God’s eternal power and DIVINE NATURE have been clearly seen through what has been made (Romans 1:20). What is the DIVINE NATURE? False teachers only tell you the Divine Nature is love (1 John 4:8). They don’t tell you that the Divine Nature is also Holy and Righteous. It is because that God is Holy and Righteous that He hates sins and has to punish the sinners (Romans 6:23).

And, because God is also Love, He is merciful. Therefore, He extends an olive branch to men. The result is Christ died for us: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Do not let anyone come to you and deceive with these words: “The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” Christ says it will: “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Let us take heed to Christ’s warning – Continue in sin and be lost or repent and be saved.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.