Unrighteousness (ἀδικία)

Unrighteousness (ἀδικία) encompasses both the evil determinations within the mind and the resulting actions that violate standards of right conduct. Therefore, unrighteousness is the bigger term, including both trespasses and sins. A trespass happens within the mind when a determination is made to do something that a person knows is against God’s standard. It is from this desire that sin is birthed, James 1:14-15. Scripture specifically defines sin in 1 John 3:4 as lawlessness and exterior to the body in 1 Corinthians 6:18. Since sins and trespasses are different, for we were dead in both, the trespass happens within the mind when a determination is made to sin and therefore the sin is working out that desire, Ephesians 2:1.

In the first chapter of Romans, we are given a list of unrighteousness. In this list is mental attitudes and actions that are both unrighteous in their nature. “And just as they did not approve worthy to have the God in full experiential knowledge, the God gave them over to an unapproved mind to do what is wrong, being filled up where they lack in all unrighteousness: fornication, malignant evil, covetousness, lacking in character, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, bad character, secret slanderers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, arrogant, inventors of wrong, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, without natural affection, irreconcilable, not merciful.” Romans 1:28-31.

In these last times, there are many false teachers among us who bring in destructive heresies, denying the Lord, 2 Peter 2:1. Their ways are of destruction, they blasphemy the truth and by covetousness exploit with deceptive words, 2 Peter 2:2-3. Many of these go after the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, 2 Peter 2:15, which is the willingness to manipulate Christians into […]

Unrighteousness (ἀδικία)2023-12-23T11:44:14-08:00

Wrath (ὀργή)

Wrath(ὀργή) is an outward expression of anger.

There are many times recorded in Scripture and human history of God’s wrath coming upon a people which brought their destruction, such as with Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore, the concept of the wrath of God is often focused on the coming tribulation period, in which His wrath will be poured out in full upon the ungodly, Revelation 11:18, or swift destruction coming upon the unrighteous. However, this is not the only way in which the wrath of God is manifested. An aspect of God’s wrath is being displayed today upon the ungodly and unrighteous men who hold down the truth in unrighteousness, Romans 1:18. God is permitting them to continue in their corrupt ways, turning them over to an unapproved mind and to the uncleanness of the lust of their hearts to dishonor their bodies among themselves, receiving in themselves the punishment for such an immoral lifestyle, and filling up to the full their judgment. Therefore, in reality, they are not getting away with their corruption. This is in stark contrast to how God deals with a Christian who is acting in an unbecoming way. He will discipline us, allowing sickness, being crippled, and even death if we continue in a sinful lifestyle, for He will not allow us to be condemned with the world; therefore, when we are judged we are child-trained to correct our actions, 1 Corinthians 11:30-32. As Christians, we are not appointed unto any quality of God’s wrath, 1 Thessalonians 5:9. However, those who reject the truth are by nature the children of wrath, Ephesians 2:3.

Although the wickedness of this world today makes us very angry, especially when they lie, cheat, and use deception and […]

Wrath (ὀργή)2023-11-25T07:39:30-08:00

Vow (εὐχή)

A vow is a type of communication in which a promise is made to correct a wrong committed when the circumstances make it possible.

In the book of James, the author writes concerning a person that is having a mental issue due to them wronging someone else.

And the vow of the faith will save the mentally weary and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has done a sin, it will be forgiven him – James 5:15.

Unlike the previous sickness (ἀσθενέω), which is a physical aliment that a person was to call the elders of the assembly to communicate in worship and anoint them, this type of sickness (κάμνω) involves a weariness of the mind. It is used in exhortation for us to not become mentally weary or discouraged in our souls when facing persecution by considering Christ who endures such hostility from sinners against us, Hebrews 12:3. In the book of Revelation, the assembly of Ephesus is commended for bearing up and being patient against those who claim to be apostles that were not, for they labored for Christ’s sake and did not become mentally weary, Revelation 2:3.

When James talks about the vow of faith, there is the possibility of a sin being involved. However, remember not all wrong is sin; nevertheless, it is always an aspect of unrighteousness, which also has a negative impact on us and others. It is important to only call an action sin that God calls sin. Sin is specifically defined in 1 John 3:4 as an act of lawlessness. However, unrighteousness is the bigger term and can involve acts that are not in and of themselves sinful, but are still wrong, 1 John 5:17. As sons of […]

Vow (εὐχή)2023-11-25T07:39:21-08:00
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