“Because sentence against an evil
work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully
set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). What a sad,
depressing, and discouraging commentary on the attitude of man toward sin. History records thousands of instances where
justice has been defeated and even humiliated by delaying punishment of the
evil doer. When the guilt of one has
been proven beyond doubt, he should be punished straightway.
This same
sad commentary can also be found in the church of our Lord. In many congregations’ sins are just “swept
under the run” and, although they are never completely forgotten, they are
ignored. This action is preferred over
doing it the Lord’s way (2 Thessalonians 3:6) and allows the congregation to
wear the facade of peace, love, happiness, and contentment. It lulls the brethren into a false sense of
peace and unity.
If evil,
like a raging fire, would scorch us all at once, we would take more care in
doing the Lord’s will in such matters.
However, when issues are hidden by time or a perpetrator is concealed
from view by the anonymity of modern technology– “swept under the rug” – our
willingness to do the Lord’s will becomes more lax and we begin to get
comfortable in sin and many more problems arise (“a little leaven ferments the
whole lump”).
Sins that
are not dealt with swiftly will have consequences that may be beyond our
immediate vision but will cause trouble just the same. Simply “swept under the rug” they will leave
“lumps” that will be stumbled over time and time again.
The apparent
success of the sinner should not discourage others from doing that which is
right. His false pride and arrogance,
combined with other forms of wickedness in his life, are grievous to the Lord
and motivates him to falsely accuse the faithful whom he regards as his
enemies. This is purely a cowardice
method used to deal with that which he cannot meet otherwise. King David wrote about such a one:
His ways are always prosperous; your
laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself,
“Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears,
“No one will ever do me harm.” His mouth
is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. (Psalm 10:5-7).
“But when
grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land
of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the
Lord.” (Isaiah 26:10). Favor shown to
the wicked will be unappreciated and will not improve his/her conduct but will
only make it worse. And even though such
ones may be surrounded by the goodness of the faithful, they will continue in
their unjust life, in their unholy ways, and in their disrespect for God and
His faithful followers.
“The Lord is not slow concerning his
promise…” (2 Peter
3:9)). In God’s time, the wicked man
will finally receive his “reward” as well as all who aid and abet evil
actions. Those who fear the Lord (and
not the evil of the sinner) will receive favor from the Lord. Shall we obey the Lord or continue “sweeping
it under the rug?”
