17. 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked;
(Mal. 3:18) Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
( Prov. 12:26) The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
( Isa. 5:20) oe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
(Gen. 18:23) And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
( Jer. 15:19) Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
( Acts 10:34- 35) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
( Rom. 6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
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;
(Rom. 1:17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(Rom. 7:6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
( 1 John 2:29) If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
(1 John 3:7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
( Rom. 6:18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
(Rom.6: 22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
( 1 Cor. 11:32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
(Prov. 11:31) Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
(1 Pet. 4:17-18) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse;
(1 John 5:19) And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
( Gal. 3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
( John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
( Isa. 57:21) There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
( Psa. 10:4) The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
( Isa 55:6-7) Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
(Prov. 14:32) The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
( Luke 16:25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
( John 8:21-24) Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world 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.
( Prov. 10:24) The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
( Luke 12:4-5) And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
(Luke 9:23- 26) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
( John 12:25-26) He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
( Eccl. 3:17) I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
( Matt. 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.