26/01/2022 - THE MEETING IN THE TEMPLE

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Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5.14

This man was paralyzed for 38 years because there was no one to lead him to the pool when the water was stirred. However, Jesus put him under the divine will, setting him apart from those who also expected healing (John 5.1-9). Why did the Master do this? To show us the simplicity of believing the Scriptures. There, the living Word of God was dealing with someone persistent and determined to walk again. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1.19)!

Whenever you go to the Lord´s temple, prepare yourself for an encounter with Him. It is in the House of Prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:7) that He awaits you. Now, if you attend the holy place with other purposes, you will have God’s wrath instead of His love. This occurred here on Earth during the days of Christ, when He made a whip of cords and drove out those who misused the house of blessing (John 2.14-16). It is good to watch and pray!

Examining what Jesus said to that man-“Stop sinning”-we see that some sinful act of his in the past must have been the cause of the suffering that kept him paralyzed for so long. There are enough people trapped in an evil, due to a transgression for which they have not asked for forgiveness. Many people refuse to confess their mistakes, so they cannot free themselves from the evil that afflicts them. The Truth sets free!

In the Lord’s warning, it is clear that it´s not enough to be in God’s temple, for if you sin again, something worse will happen. What keeps the devil from tormenting a person again is the way she will live after deliverance. Going to a church does not immunize anyone against the evils sent by the evil one into the life of those who do his will. One must decide to sin no more and live away from that path.

This is a warning to those who think that man changes just because he attends the House of the Lord. Well, change will only happen if he listens to what God says. The individual who is weak when facing temptation – must watch and pray in order not to fall into it. Any mistake will lead him away from the Lord. At the slightest sign that the enemy is going to seduce you, open your heart to the Most High and never give room to unclean desires or thoughts, which want you to be one more victim.

Walking in holiness prevents bad things from happening to us. Now, those who have transgressed and were forgiven have heavenly power to deliver themselves and so many others from the evil that has enslaved them: who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1.4).

By walking faithfully with Jesus, things will be different. After all, He heals those who pay attention to Him, forgives those who confess their faults, and empowers us to enjoy the abundant life, the Gospel. Don’t be trapped by the evil one, but free yourself to go to God when you need Him – and be answered. Don’t give in to sin again. Amen! 

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares