22/11/2012 - BLATANT DISOBEDIENCE

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They did not destroy the peoples, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them, but they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works.

Psalm 106:34-35

The children of Israel customarily failed to heed the guidance of the Lord and, therefore, suffered major setbacks. But it was not God who afflicted them for their bad behavior; they just reaped the fruits of a bad crop. Today, the same happens with many children of the Most High: their harvest will be disastrous. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7).

God commanded the Israelites to destroy the people who inhabited the lands He had promised to them. The Lord made that decision because for centuries those people had served the devil, without paying heed to the divine admonishments. The Almighty gave them several opportunities to end their practices, but to no avail. So He commanded the Israelites to destroy those people to show us what we must do to sin today: take it out of our presence.

Whoever does not see anything wrong in the filthy things that sinners do, will eventually yield to them as well. Undoubtedly those people whose heart is in the hands of the devil derive some pleasure in such practices. But those who are of God and have the Spirit of the Lord in their heart will feel very bad about themselves if one day they happen to equal themselves out with the transgressors. Therefore, we should not even allow evil thoughts to occupy our minds.

The Israelites were disobedient and did not annihilate those people, going against the ministry to which they were submitted – the Old Testament. Today, we are under the New Covenant and therefore we don’t need to wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). However, we must consecrate ourselves to God and, with authority, help those who are in error to free themselves. Because our ministry is that of life and holiness, we should focus on winning the lost to salvation.

He who mingles in uncleanness shall cry later for not having complied with God’s orders. We must love sinners but hate sin. We should not even remotely consider thinking of what is wrong. God needs holy people who want to assert their rights in Christ. Undoubtedly, he who wants to be used by the Almighty shall have the divine assistance.

Do not learn or try what the Lord has warned you not to do. Do only what the Word of God teaches and thus you will be successful in all your endeavors. Those who despise the holy commandment shall eventually grieve bitterly for not having believed in what our good Father taught us (II Peter 2:21).

The eyes of the Almighty are looking for the faithful of the earth, so let Him see in you someone who delights in keeping His commandments. That’s how you prove that you truly love Him and thus He will also love you. He who despises the commandments disregards his own salvation and allows the enemy to act in his life.

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares