FOR THE
CHILDREN:
New Hampshire Confession of Faith #17
Malachi 3:18; Daniel 12:2 - Pastor Ronnie Wolfe
VII OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
- A DISTINCTION MADE
- Baptists have always believed in a distinction between the righteous and wicked, between the saved and the lost.
- The verses which show this bring out an argument against universal redemption.
- The righteous obey God's laws; the wicked do not.
- The distinction between the righteous and wicked is manifested physically
- The talk, the walk, the hearing, the look, the response, the attitude all manifest the difference between the lost and the saved.
- Sometimes the actions and reactions of both saved and lost will cross over the line to manifest features of the other, but looking at life as a whole will help to determine the distinction.
- Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits ...
- THE DIFFERENCE DISTINGUISHED
- Man is not righteous by nature - Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
- The carnal mind is enmity against God - Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
- Wicked men are those who have not been separated from the world and are still in their sins - John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.
- Righteous men are those who have been separated from the world by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
- By this change, man is given a new nature - 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
- This change is made through faith in Jesus Christ - faith is the channel of grace.
- Ephesians 2:8-10
- Romans 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- THE DIFFERENCE APPARENT
- The difference between the righteous and wicked is manifested spiritually in that he has a new standing before God.
- We are the sons of God -- John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
- We have no condemnation - Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
- The difference between the righteous and wicked is manifested in a new character
- A person who has been regenerated will also have sanctification - John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
- The righteous man's will is subordinate to God's will - Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
- THE DIFFERENCE MANIFESTED
- Continuance in sin manifests unbelief
- Every sin is based in unbelief (infidelity) - Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him] ...
- Israel is an example of how the soul in unbelief rejectes the warnings of God while at the same time refuses the mercies that God has for him.
- Guilt is present in a man who is not repentant and who abides in unbelief.
- God's law is broken through unbelief, and the breaking of the law brings guilt of sin.1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
- The whole world has become guilty before God - Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
- THE DIFFERENCE IS ETERNAL
- Death does not bring automatic redemption.
- Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
- Each person will be rewarded according to his wickedness or his righteousness before God - Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
- The wicked man has no works, since he has no faith (Heb. 11:6).
- The righteousness of the righteous is an imputed righteousness from God, and this righteousness produces good works (Eph. 2:10).
- There is a separation between the wicked and righteous in the next world.
- Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
- A course is set in this life which will lead into the life to come. Without faith, a man's life will lead into an eternity in Hell; with faith, a man's life will lead him To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (I Peter 1:4).