Amos - The God Of Justice - Preach The Word

THE GOD OF JUSTICE
David Legge
emphasised this point: that not only are we saved by grace, not through our works,
but we are sanctified by God's grace - holiness is a gift of God. It's not something,
necessarily, to be striven after in the flesh, but it's something that is a gift of God.
That's why Paul came to the Galatians and said: 'Have you begun in the Spirit, and
are you now trying to continue in the flesh?' - no! It's all of the Spirit, it all of grace!
We celebrated this morning how the blood cleanses; how the sacrifice of Calvary
straightens you up; how, with His stripes, we are healed. But not only does the blood
heal us morally, but do you know something on top of that is this: the Holy Spirit was
given at Pentecost to empower us. Listen, I struggle with temptation, as we all do -
but can I tell you tonight: the New Testament Gospel, as I read it in the word of God,
is that not only are our past misdemeanours forgiven, but God the Holy Spirit,
through the sacrifice, resurrection, and impartation at Pentecost, can give the
Christian victory now and in the future! It's not a half a gospel! When we're preaching
these nights, what God requires of us - we heard it this morning - God empowers us
to do it. He's not requiring you to do it - He's requiring you to cooperate, yes - but He
does it!
But what happens when we don't cooperate? Well, turn with me to Hebrews chapter
12, again I emphasise: this is New Testament truth. Here in Hebrews chapter 12 the
writer speaks about the chastisement of God, His discipline upon His children. Verse 5
of Hebrews 12: 'And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to
sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when
you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every
son whom He receives'. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;
for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without
chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not
sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them
respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and
live?'. Does that sound familiar? Amos says: 'Seek Me and live', we are to be in
subjection to the Father of spirits and live - and if we don't subject ourselves to Him,
we come under His discipline. 'For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed
best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness'. He
chastens us for the purpose that we might be holy. Verse 11: 'Now no chastening
seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the
peaceable fruit of righteousness' - the peaceable fruit of righteousness, holiness - 'to
those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down,
and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may
not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness,
without which no one will see the Lord'.
When we are wayward, and when we need more holiness - there's the negative, when
we're doing things we ought not to do - but also when we need to improve, and we all
need that, the Lord brings chastisement and discipline in our lives because He loves
us! We saw it the other night: why was God chastising Israel? Because they were
elected! They were saying: 'We're God's chosen people, He can't judge us!' - that was
the very reason He was coming to judge them and chastise them. Because He loves
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