Read Zephaniah 1:2-3 and Romans 2:5-7
“God will repay each person for what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” (Romans 2:6-7)
At first glance, reading Zephaniah 1:2-3 is startling. When judgment comes, Zephaniah describes terrible destruction as all animals and all of mankind on the face of the earth will be destroyed. It sounds devastating.
But that’s not the whole picture, right? As Christians we know God promises eternal life. We also know God is a God of justice and that He detests the injustices and suffering of this world.
What Zephaniah describes in these verses is actually a picture of redemption. In order to bring restoration to the world, broken things need to be destroyed. There are so many metaphors to illustrate this: a clean slate, the phoenix rising from the ash, a seedling growing on parched land. It would be easy to stop here, reflecting on the glorious restoration that is coming! But we can’t because we have work to do. Romans 2:6 tells us that we will be repaid according to what we have done during our time on earth. Verse 7 goes on to provide details of what that means.
Here’s the key: Persist in doing good with a righteous heart pointed toward Christ.
God has promised to restore the world one day, but He also instructs us to begin the hard work of restoration now, in the midst of brokenness. Persistence is critical. I have no doubt that we have all encountered the pain, suffering and injustice of this broken world in one way or another and therefore, we know, it is not an easy task to which we are called. Doing the good God calls us to demands persistence.
So go forth and bring restoration with a Christ-like heart and as you persist in doing good, know this: you do not do this work alone. God promises hope found in Jesus, our good, gracious and just Judge.
DIG DEEPER:
- We cannot do good for the sake of doing good, it must be with the heart seeking God’s glory and honor. Consider what doing good with such a heart means and how this looks in your life.
- Reflect on injustices you have experienced or witnessed in your life. Prayerfully consider ways you might be part of God’s restoration plan.
written by Catie Boon
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