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In What Way Have We Wearied Him?

CGG Weekly by Martin G. Collins

The prophet Malachi identifies a specific way that people weary God: by calling evil good and insisting that "everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them." When confronted with this charge, the people respond with confusion, asking, "In what way have we wearied Him?"—revealing their blindness to their own perverted reasoning. This wearying is not a matter of God becoming physically tired, but of His becoming annoyed by human self-justification of sin. God does not accept complaints from those who claim that living according to His way is useless, since His way of life remains the only path to long life and happiness. This principle connects directly to a broader pattern of blame-shifting evident in contemporary examples. A young author blames a former president's immorality for corrupting an entire generation, absolving that generation of responsibility for its own conduct. A caller blames a political party's welfare policies for encouraging immorality within a community. Another caller blames a past presidential administration for fostering greed and materialism at the expense of morality. In each case, the pattern is the same: rather than accepting personal responsibility, individuals attribute their moral failures to external forces, effectively calling evil good by excusing their own sin. The prophet Isaiah had already warned of this tendency centuries earlier, pronouncing woe upon those "who call evil good, and good evil," who confuse darkness with light and bitterness with sweetness. Malachi's later prophecy builds upon this warning, showing that such distorted reasoning does not merely mislead society but actively wearies God Himself. The deeper explanation for widespread immorality lies not primarily in the influence of leaders or policies, but in the failure of individuals to fear and reverence God. Because God is longsuffering and does not execute judgment against sin immediately, people become emboldened to continue in evil, as King Solomon observed: since the sentence against wrongdoing is not carried out swiftly, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil. Yet Solomon also affirmed that it will ultimately be well with those who fear God, despite the prolonged days of the sinner. The unifying conclusion is that immoral behavior results from individual choice, and therefore individual responsibility cannot be transferred to another person, party, or leader. No one else determines how a person behaves; each individual chooses whether to fear God. Wearying God through excuse-making and moral relativism reflects a refusal to acknowledge this responsibility, while fearing Him leads to genuine well-being.

Malachi's Appeal to Backsliders (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The same attitudes in Malachi are prevalent today. The offenses mentioned are 1) arrogance, 2) mixed marriages, and 3) neglect of tithes.

Taking Your Priestly Responsibilities Seriously!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God is training us as a holy priesthood, called to offer unblemished sacrifices, honoring His name, putting down pride, presumptuousness, and arrogance.

Malachi's Appeal to Backsliders (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We must be careful when we ask for justice, for our request might come back to bite us. Those begging for justice will indeed get what they ask for.

Amos 5 and the Feast

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Just because we keep God's feasts does not necessarily mean we are in sync with God's Law or intent. The Israelites kept the feasts in a carnal manner.

'But I Say to You' (Part Four): Divorce

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When divorce takes place, spiritual growth from the relationship stops, but when conflict escalates within a dying relationship, no growth can occur either.