2 Things NOT to Say to God

There are two easy lies that we are tempted to believe and say in our hearts. These two questions addressed in Malachi get down to the heart of a sinner. And we find out that there are no shortcuts around the awe and fear of God.

“You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17)

Context

The book of Malachi is written to Israel at a time when they were losing faith that God was going to do what he said he would. Even the priests bought into the lie that God only asks them to do a few religious dances, and if they do the right steps they will receive all of the blessings of the covenant that God made with Israel.
Just like the Israelites, we are tempted to believe that God is a safe, and if you have the right combination you can just open him up and take out all of the gifts held within.
But God is furious when his creatures try to use him like this. He gets so angry that he tells the priests heʼs going to rub feces all over their faces (Mal. 2:3).

Lie 1: God is okay with evil.

God is not a tooth fairy who rewards certain actions but can more or less be ignored when goodies arenʼt involved. God is active, and he opposes the wicked.
God is also not the Oprah “spirit” who hovers around making people feel warm and fuzzy while being impotent in authority and judgement.

A lot of people joke about hell, not realizing that it may very well be their home in a short time. Godʼs judgement is real, active, and not to be fooled around with. The people in the time of Malachi thought they could just give God the leftovers of their time, treasure, and talent, and heʼd bless them with the stuff they wanted so badly. They really needed a changed heart.

Lie 2: Where is the God of Justice?

This question shows the heart of the questioner. This person assumes they are righteous and God should come give them all of the wonderful gifts they deserve—and judge all of those OTHER people who arenʼt like them. This person is arrogant and presumes to have more wisdom than God. At times, this person may be you.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is not slow to exercise his judgement. Heʼs patient, because so many of us are unrepentant and have stubborn, God-belittling hearts.

Righteous Fear and Awe

God paints a picture of the heart-change that needs to happen to really worship him. He tells us about Levi and tells us:

It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.

(Malachi 2:5)

You need to hear this, so listen up—on a daily basis you and I both put created things like money, power, friends, notoriety, comfort, or convenience in the place of God. We donʼt fear God. We try to use him to serve the things our hearts really long for. And we approach God with this theology that is sweeping this nation that God owes us something.

It is only at the cross that we see the gravity of the sin that we take so lightly. God hates this sin so much that blood will spill—yet at the same time he is such a great God that he went to the cross to pay the price for your sin, and made way for the Spirit to change your heart.
Please take some time to look at the fruit of your life. Where are you making these statements with the way you act?

Pray that the Spirit would soften your heart, show you your sin, lead you to repentance, and let you stand in awe-full fear of this amazing God.

Don’t minimize your sin. Repent and believe the gospel every day.