God promised a sifting between the righteous and the unrighteous both in this life and before the life to come. Jesus repeated the same assurance of such a sifting in his parables. For God's people, however, promises to sift - to judge between righteous and unrighteous - are not fearful warnings. Instead, they are words of promise. Those who have wisely honored and lived for God and led others to him will shine brilliantly for all to see, and we will twinkle like stars in their Father's eyes... forever!
My Prayer...
Loving God, thank you for saving me by your grace and kindness. Father, sometimes I get frustrated when I see the wicked prosper while your loyal servants are maligned and ridiculed for their character. I'm thankful that you will judge us based on your incredible grace and your standard of righteousness! I'm also grateful you will bring justice for those who love you and who are enduring hardship, danger, and ridicule because of their faith. Please be with them, wherever they may be, and give them strength to persevere until that day of sifting arrives with glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
"Dear Precious Disciple,
So what did I write in the dirt with My finger?
I know many of you have wondered this about the episode in the verses below...."
"[Peter continued,] "Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets..."
"[Concluding his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But..."
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