05/01/2017 - RETURN REQUESTED

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Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances. And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’ Malachi 3.7

The sons of Israel had strayed seriously, even after the Lord made good on His Word, taking them to Canaan, the Promised Land.  Unfortunately, because they did not mend their ways, there was no reconciliation to obtain eternal life.  A sad fact observed in present days, although Brazil is becoming more and more a God fearing nation is the number of saved equaling that of the lost who once were saved.  Now where do these people think that they will spend eternity?

Besides losing the opportunity to eternally live with the eternal Father, these individuals do not realize that due to their attitudes they expose themselves to the enemy’s activities.  In churches there are those who face many temptations and because they are not well in the faith, Satan has made it so that they suffer diseases and many evils.  It is necessary they return quickly to God; otherwise they will be destroyed.

The Lord gave us the “remedy” that prevents the malignant from doing us evil.  Those who follow His holy prescription offered by Him, to know and to keep his statutes, block the works of the devil from prospering in their way.  If it depended on God, the tempter would not make the saved suffer.  Now what frightens us is to see someone who has experienced salvation leave the presence of the Creator, and return to practices held before knowing the Gospel or even worse.

To return to Christ is to observe the ordinances contained in His Word, to obey His will.  When this posture is adopted nothing will inhibit the Savior from carrying out his marvelous plan on those who belong to Him.  To live free from hellish attacks, God placed everybody’s iniquities on Jesus (Isaiah 53:6), a fact that justifies – acquits us – of our errors.  The price that was paid for our iniquity was high; but if we do not keep vigilant, we will fall into temptation.  

If there is not a complete conversion the person will not be in an adequate position to use the authority bestowed on all citizens of the Kingdom of God; and there will be no divine workings.  It is necessary to seek sanctification for without it we will not be able to walk with the Redeemer, who is holy (Hebrews 12:14) Can two walk together if they are not in agreement?  Therefore ask the Father to show if there is anything evil in you.  If there is, pray for Him to deliver you.

Those who delay consecration always for later will discover it is too late, as they will not be able to attain freedom from darkness.  Only the Holy Spirit should operate in us, since we are His dwelling.  On the contrary, if we allow other forces to move us to act not in accordance to the Word, when we need the One who is our Refuge, Strength, Rescue present in times of tribulation (Psalm 46:1), we will see He will no longer manifest in us.  

Just as the Heavenly Father longs for our return to Him, He also wills to return to us.  We are talking about the All-Powerful and not about someone slightly superior to us, which would already be good enough.  In the opening verse the answer of the Israelite that strayed showed how cynical they were.  What will be your reply? Do as you were told to do!

In Christ, with love, 

R. R. Soares