15/03/2016 - A DANGEROUS COMMITMENT

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A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend.  Proverbs 17.18

The lack of understanding about the matters of life, and specially about God’s will, makes us shake hands in a pledge for someone who we think was wronged, but that has, in fact, surrendered himself to the enemy. Now, the right way to get rid of the fall and its consequences is to confess sins and abandon them, producing fruits that are worthy of a true repentance (Lk 3.8).

Everyone should be aware that he is responsible for his own acts, and if there is a cause, there will be a curse (Pv 26.2). In order to touch Job, Satan received permission (Jb 1.12); Peter was warned that the devil asked to sift him (Lk 22.31); Jesus told the lame man not to sin any longer, so that nothing worst happened to him (Jo 5.14). The solution for the rebel is to check where he has fallen and repent from his sin.

In God’s work, once in a while, the evil one has used a leader of a church to rebel against the leadership that has been established by the Lord. What is the reason for that? Certainly, there will be many reasons for some to believe in him. The Most High says that this person seeks his own interest, and also rages against all wise judgment (Pv 18.1). However, he should confess his sin and repent.

Now if you shake hands with a rebellious person, maybe you will surrender your goods and honor as well. Therefore, never become a surety for someone’s conduct, because if the Lord had been with this person, He would have opened the doors and given the monetary and spiritual resources for the work to be done without any reproach to this person’s conduct (Ac 13.2).

Those who have done wrong do not have the conditions to initiate a task for God, for undoubtedly, they are not listening to the Lord, but to the demon that became their lord (Rm 6.16). This is the greatest reason why you should not be committed with someone who has divided a church, or that you know that has done something wrong. If you shake hands with him, you will pay for his sin as if you had committed it (Lv 5.1). Have mercy!

While we are here, we will be tempted by the devil, which is like a lion roaring around us, seeking to destroy us. Those who are standing must be careful so they do not fall (1 Co 10.12), for if this happens, even if they recover, there will be a scar in their morality that will identify them as judgeless people. Being faithful until death is the recommendation for us to receive the crown of life (Rev 2.10).

When someone who is rebellious seeks out for you, be a servant of God and rebuke him. If he does not repent, do not give him forgiveness. Even if he says that he has repented, but does not show the fruit of his repentance, do not believe (Mt 3.7-10). Whoever repents shows the work done by the Lord. When the Most High works, even a person’s countenance changes.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares