distinction

Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Malachi 3:18

God has no problem with absolute thinking. He is holy and righteous. And He asks us in worship of Him to live in the righteousness He gives to us. There are firm descriptions of how He expects that throughout Malachi’s prophecies as He prepares His people for a refining fire of His judgment in which the righteous will emerge to offer their lives again as a pleasing offering to the Lord (Malachi 3:3-4).

There is in this refining work of God a clear distinction. The unrighteous will be known by their actions that show they do not fear God: sorcery, adultery, lying, oppression of the poor, and mistreatment of immigrants. Their actions start at personal worship (sorcery) evidence in personal selfishness (adultery and lies), and then defile society in their disregard and hatred of the lowest people on the social ladder. And because of this they are prepared for judgment in a greater Day of the Lord (Malachi 4:1).

And what is left when one day God judges the earth completely? The unrighteous are burned to ashes. A distinct righteous people rejoicing in their unique, loving, gracious relationship with God their Savior go on to enjoy all that He has for them (Malachi 4:2). The distinction is drastic. The unrighteous are ashes under the soles of the dancing feet of those who fear God and are saved.