Little Red Book Ministry

different ways, giving him a variety of ways to return to Him.) In each age, or economy, people have been classified under different terminology, but the net result has always been the same. Some “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25), while others chose to enjoy the pleasures of sin. Some chose life while others chose death (Deuteronomy 30:19).

A. Before the law was given to Moses
1. The righteous sought God
Genesis 7:1; 18:22–23

2. The wicked sought to please self
Genesis 13:13; 38:7

B. After the law
1. The Jews or Israel–under the law
Deuteronomy 26:16–19; 30:15–20

2. The Gentiles–lawless before God
Jeremiah 14:22

C. Since Christ
1. The saved by grace
Ephesians 2:8–9

2. The lost–unrepentant, no sincere attempt to please God
Luke 19:10; 2 Corinthians 4:3–4

D. At all times–two families
“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one” (Matthew 13:38).

1. Family of God
Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6–7; Ephesians 3:14–15; 1 John 3:1–3

2. Family of man (or Satan)
John 3:8–10; 8:42–44