25/07/2018 - THE SIN OF NEGLIGENCE

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But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their inheritance. Joshua 18:2

The Lord put forth a great effort to deliver His people from slavery in Egypt and lead them to Canaan, for with the passing of time, the Hebrews, being swayed by the local customs, began to worship false gods.  As a result of this idolatry, when they perceived this, they were enslaved by the devil and by Pharaoh. Due to this, there were long years of suffering, humiliation and pain.  This will also happen to those who exchange the Most High for demons.

When the Israelite remembered the Lord and cried to Him for help (Exodus 2:23-25), God called up Moses to tell the Pharaoh to let His people go (Exodus 3). To get this authorization, the Lord had to send ten plagues over that land, until the king finally allowed them to leave.  However, after the tenth and last affliction, the Pharaoh had a change of heart and went after those people with his army.  In this campaign he and his soldiers died when the sea closed in over them (Exodus 14:28).  In little time, the Israelites found themselves close to the land of the Amorites and God told them to enter the land and possess it, but they preferred to do nothing. 

The Israelites spent forty years in the desert because they did not believe in God.  After all the men who were guilty disobeying the Lord had died, the people began to occupy Canaan.  Nevertheless, Joshua noticed that seven tribes had not yet taken possession of their territory and gave them a scolding.  Consequently, all the tribes took possession of their land.  Those who had not done this were negligent.  Nowadays, many Christians behave exactly the same.  But God is patient!

Notice, Jesus came and defeated the demons, dethroned Satan, paraded him and his princes in heavenly realms, where they confessed that they were defeated.  However, incredible as it may seem, many people have let the devil overrule them repeatedly.  Unbelievable!  Certainly, those who proceed in this way provoke the anger of the Lord and will not be considered to be innocent.  Don’t fool with the Almighty; after all, He has done everything for us to be delivered.

Whoever you are, do not be held responsible for your failure.  Negligence is a sin that will make you responsible before God for the suffering that you or a member of your family undergoes.  Many people, who might have seen you obeying the divine rules, would also be inspired and cry for the deliverance of their lives.  Nothing has to be done with the devil or his demons; all you have to do is to get up and cast them out.

Those seven tribes were probably in the Land of the Promise, but did nothing.  What do you do with the victory obtained by Christ on your behalf? He suffered, by the wound in His flesh, our pains, illnesses, and evils.  The Savior was also wounded by our iniquities and suffered for our transgressions and what have we done? Do not be amiss and owing but only a true fulfiller of the Word of God!

Enjoy the gift or fruit conceded by God.  If not, you will be owing and judged to be wicked – one who does not relate to the Lord in righteousness, equity, respect and fear. Don’t let the devil hold back your blessings.  Honor the Almighty with praise and truth.  Halleluiah!

In Christ, with Love,

R. R. Soares