09/09/2019 - BITTER REWARD

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Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow. 2 Kings 5:27

Anyone who transgresses the Word must expect due punishment. I am not talking about one who sins by chance, or inadvertently, but of the one who knows what is right and doesn´t do it, knows what is wrong and does it. The example of the verse is that of Gehazi, Elisha’s helper, who saw the glory of God healing the general in such beautiful way and went after him to get what the prophet had refused. Poor Gehazi!

Those who covet other people´s resources and disrespect the home of their neighbor, if they don´t repent, will taste the evil caused by their wrong decisions. After Naaman was healed of leprosy, Gehazi lied to take goods for himself, saying that the prophet had asked for such things. Because of this, the prophet’s helper was afflicted by the leprosy that had taken the body of that Syrian officer.

Likewise, those who deny their own sex, burning in their lust with people of the same gender, will receive the due penalty of their error (Rom. 1:27). This mark will accompany the person in this life and after death. Then, in eternal Judgment, they will hear that they must march to the lake that will burn with fire and brimstone (Revelation 21: 8). Was it worth it? Of course not! So flee from these things immediately.

The Word declares: Do not be deceived (…)for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7). You cannot love curse and then mock God when you see that nothing happened to you. Just wait! Live in a holy and plentiful way before the Lord and others. If you continue in error, sooner than later, you will receive the “reward” for not having heeded the Most High´s counsel.

The biblical pattern of reward is according to what goes on in your heart (Psalm 20: 4). Anyone who has their interior dirty and only does wrong things, causing harm to others, will realize in the end that their choice was bad. Sow in your life the recommendations of the Word, without being carried away by the enemy. Thus, you will receive the crown of righteousness when Christ returns.

In addition to Gehazi becoming a leper, the disease also struck his family. The same thing happens with those who indulge in any other sin. If there is no one converted in such family, evil will overtake the descendants of those who dared to play with the sovereign God. Now, whoever plays with fire is burned. How have you lived your life?

God will give according to your heart. Even though you are in church as part of a ministry, you must truly do the will of the Father and not give way to temptation. Otherwise, you will be one more driven to sin by the enemy. Stand firm in your position before the Lord, lest the evil one strikes you.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares