Part 3: Why the wicked seem to prosper in spite of their wickedness

Remember 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

Also verse 15 of the same chapter: "And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved...."

This is why those who scoff at the message of the cross and the wicked in general seem to be prospering and not suffering the consequences of their actions; even religious churchgoers who scoff at Grace and follow their hearts desire (seeking righteousness from obedience to the law.) God's longsuffering nature and His desire for none to perish is why many seem to be getting way with murder today- until they stand in the way of those who believe the message of the cross – righteousness by faith in Christ. This was the case with Elymas the sorcerer who was so successful at his sorcery that he had the ear of an intelligent governor. See Acts 13-

6 “Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.”

Elymas was successful in his sorcery and ruining the lives of those who did not have Christ as their righteousness; but he crossed the line when he interfered in Paul and Barnabas’ mission and tried to stop the governor from believing. No fear for believers here. The weapons of Elymas and his kind cannot prosper in the lives of we who have Christ as our righteousness. The Lord Himself said so in Isaiah 54:17–

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord.”

Notice that this blessing is only for those who have it as an inheritance (heritage) and whose righteousness is from the Lord, not those who are keeping the law or doing good things in order to be righteous and enjoy the blessing. It is a gift for all who have Christ as their righteousness and not a reward for the good things we have done.

Let's also not forget that if it wasn’t for God’s grace, we would do worse things than Elymas and other beloved of God that we look upon as evil sinners. The arm of flesh will fail, just as Peter's did when he boasted in his own strength about not denying Jesus. When he was tempted, he fell because he trusted in his own strength. The flesh (human effort) in a pastor is the same flesh in a prostitute. With a big enough temptation, it will fail. Given the right amount of weight and pressure, of itself, even unbreakable Titanium cannot withstand being ground into dust. Without Christ as our righteousness and strength, there is nothing like "I can never do that!" in the life of anyone.

But thank God "who is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

God does not desire for anyone to perish, not even the Elymases, scoffers and evil doers of this world. Christ died for all. His patience gives people time to be saved, as it was with you and I in Christ today!