© 2013 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

King Herod was a man consumed by wickedness. According to secular historians, he had killed many Jewish Rabbis and other opponents, two of his sons, and a wife. He was given to lust and licentiousness. His son, Herod Antipas, also known as Herod the Tetrarch, followed in his father’s footsteps and was also given to an unbridled, adulterous lifestyle. Matthew’s Gospel records that he had entered into an adulterous relationship with Herodias, “his brother Philip’s wife” (Matthew 14: 3-4).

It was at this point in history that John the Baptist began his public announcement that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, had arrived. John’s public preaching urged people to repent of their sins and turn to the long awaited Savior. In speaking to Herod, John became very pointed regarding his adulterous relationship with Herodias. He said, “It is not lawful for thee to have her” (Matthew 14:4). This made the powerful Herod angry and ultimately led to John’s execution by decapitation.

Today the consciences of most have been seared to the point that they don’t realized the seriousness of God’s hatred for sin. Many live, un-married, in such relationships, without any pangs of conscience. John the Baptist was so aware of God’s displeasure with sin that he was willing to risk his neck to warn people. Today, however, multitudes are constantly piling up eternal judgment against themselves with this very same lifestyle. Listen to God’s declaration regarding this, and other sins. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

God’s word condemns all of us. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:…” (Romans 3:10). How, then, can any of us be saved from God’s eternal wrath? Forgiveness comes only by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ who died a bloody death on the cross of Calvary to redeem sinners. Such faith, which comes only from God, produces repentance in the heart and leads one to turn away from sin.

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Will you come to Him?

 

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