10/03/2014 - TWO GREAT LOSSES

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Israel has rejected the good; the enemy will pursue him. Hosea 8.3

People barely know the evil they do to themselves when after having their hearts enlightened, they give no credit to what was given to them. The sons of Israel were taken out of captivity in Egypt and taken to Canaan. However, when they were settled, they thought they did not need divine favor anymore and rejected what was good. This attitude gave the enemy the right to pursue them. The same happens to those who despise what the Lord reveals.

Our freedom from the empire of darkness is real. Under the slavery of Satan, we had no peace, security, or perspective that after death or in this world, we would enjoy happiness. Thus, the Most High made the light of truth shine upon us, and we saw that our escape was in Jesus. Therefore, what is required is only to decide to be converted, so that the divine power may work efficiently, freeing us from sin and its consequences.

Nevertheless, the enemy does not give up on his “ex-slaves”. In order to have them back, he executes his plan of drawing them back to his “nest”. So that this may happen, the devil starts tempting in every way, making the person long for his mistakes of the past. In other cases, he offers pleasure, goods, and prestige, and whoever is not firm in the faith falls in his lying “tale”. Consequently, many people move away from the Lord.

When someone feels that he does not need to worry in serving God, he is already in the hands of the evil one. Another sign that he has returned to the kingdom of the devil is when he feels that watching and praying in order not to fall into temptation makes no sense. Then, feeling mature enough not to be involved with evil, from one moment to another, he lets himself be taken by the lies from hell. Thus, his complete fall is just a matter of time.

Now, to despise what is good – what Jesus obtained for us in His death and the grace and truth he brought us – is a great loss. Today, your situation may be good, but tomorrow, it may not be anymore. The worst thing is that with such attitude, the enemy starts pursuing this person. Then, peace flees, despair comes, and when the person least expects, his defeat becomes inevitable. Why seek double loss if with God there is only victory?

We should seek good with all of our hearts, for in the Lord’s favor, there is neither pain nor suffering. We were called to live and enjoy what was prepared for us with the death of Christ (Jo 10.10b). Ours is the great privilege to enjoy such a blessed position in the Kingdom of God. Kings, prophets, and many people who served Him in the past wished to live in this moment and were not able to (Lk 10.24). Therefore, be wise, seek good, and suffer no loss at all.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares