Zechariah 13:9: "I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"
God is in the refining business, and He is apt to test us with regularity to see if we will depend upon Him and His Word (Deut. 8:2-3). Much like the Israelites who had just celebrated their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt in Exodus 15, only to find themselves being led by the LORD into a dry and desolate desert, so too God will introduce challenges in our lives to get us to seek Him for His guidance, His power, His provision, and His protection. And from these experiences, we are drawn into a closer fellowship with Him.
God too uses the hardships of life to draw us closer to Him in a spirit of heartfelt contrition for sin. When we are sinning, God will introduce situations in our lives that will cause us to stop in our tracks, see the futility of our ways, and seek Him with repentant hearts. It is then that God has us right where He desires us to be . . . and He refines us much like precious metals go through refinement so that they can come forth with more purity and preciousness.
This is a good word for us. Remember that God will not leave you in a static state. His love for you will provoke you to respond to Him, and His desire is for you to grow closer to Him. See the challenges in your life as a beckoning of God for you to reorient yourself towards Him in a heightened sense of dependency and delight in His provision and presence. Then you will understand the plans of the Lord for you, and you will take great delight in His refinement of you.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
The Sun of Righteousness Will Rise With Healing in Its Wings
Malachi 4:2: "But as for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings."
I find it ironic that I would read through this passage of scripture during the month of December, because the classic carol, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, has this very verse contained in one of its stanzas. This carol was penned by the famous hymn writer, Charles Wesley (brother of John Wesley) and redacted by the great evangelist, George Whitefield . . . great men of faith who made significant contributions to the American and English revivalist movements of the eighteenth century.
As one reads through the book of Malachi, one quickly finds a strong admonishment by God toward the Israelites for attempting to defame the Name of God through their doubting His love, their offering blemished sacrifices, their breaking covenants with each other, their questioning God's justice, and their doubting whether serving God was worth it.
God warns the people that His name would not be profaned, but instead it would be exalted throughout the world. He then shares a promise with the people that if they revered His name, He would be the "Sun of Righteousness that would bring healing in its wings." The Lord would bring light and life to them and mend the troubles that they had faced, so that they might burst forth in strength and power much like a calf just released from a stall. The Lord too exclaimed that He would bring victory to them over their enemies, so that they would be like "ashes under the soles of [their] feet." Conversely, those who were rebellious and arrogant should expect to be consumed like stubble that is set on fire . . . completely consumed by its flames.
This is a good word for us, for as we sing the famous Christmas carol, we are reminded that God will bring to us the light of life and the blessedness of healing and victory over our formidable foes if we exalt His name, surrender to His will, and follow Him in obedience; otherwise, we should not expect the blessings of the "Son" of Righteousness.
I find it ironic that I would read through this passage of scripture during the month of December, because the classic carol, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, has this very verse contained in one of its stanzas. This carol was penned by the famous hymn writer, Charles Wesley (brother of John Wesley) and redacted by the great evangelist, George Whitefield . . . great men of faith who made significant contributions to the American and English revivalist movements of the eighteenth century.
As one reads through the book of Malachi, one quickly finds a strong admonishment by God toward the Israelites for attempting to defame the Name of God through their doubting His love, their offering blemished sacrifices, their breaking covenants with each other, their questioning God's justice, and their doubting whether serving God was worth it.
God warns the people that His name would not be profaned, but instead it would be exalted throughout the world. He then shares a promise with the people that if they revered His name, He would be the "Sun of Righteousness that would bring healing in its wings." The Lord would bring light and life to them and mend the troubles that they had faced, so that they might burst forth in strength and power much like a calf just released from a stall. The Lord too exclaimed that He would bring victory to them over their enemies, so that they would be like "ashes under the soles of [their] feet." Conversely, those who were rebellious and arrogant should expect to be consumed like stubble that is set on fire . . . completely consumed by its flames.
This is a good word for us, for as we sing the famous Christmas carol, we are reminded that God will bring to us the light of life and the blessedness of healing and victory over our formidable foes if we exalt His name, surrender to His will, and follow Him in obedience; otherwise, we should not expect the blessings of the "Son" of Righteousness.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Sometimes Addition Can Be a Very Bad Thing
Proverbs 30:5-6: "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar."
There is a popular trend today in people boldly proclaiming their opinions as to what they believe and why they are living their lives a certain way. And in many of these instances, the explanation given to support their convictions is "God told me to . . . ." Whereas there is Biblical support for the Holy Spirit communing with the spirit of the true disciple of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16; John 16:13-14), we will never find God to be duplicitous. He will never contradict Himself and His Word.
The Holy Scriptures are God's love letter to us. Why you may ask? It is because God has chosen the Scriptures as the venue to share with us first who He is (i.e. His character, His attributes); secondly His expectations for us (His will); thirdly, His act of infinite love and grace through the cross when we defied His holy commands, and lastly His desire to dwell eternally with those of us who would respond to His offering of grace through faith, repentance, and surrender.
Now, we unfortunately find today that people will circumvent the text of Scripture and interject their own convictions and opinions as to how they are to live their lives, and they might even suggest that God has directly confirmed to them that their choices are divinely sanctioned. In these instances, it is as if these people are attempting to justify their behavior by using the "God told me" card. They believe that one's interaction with God is personal and thus not subject to question. What we find in the passage above is that God's Word truly is flawless and it will protect us if we humbly submit to it. It will protect us from the attacks of the Evil One . . . from our own waywardness . . . and from making poor decisions that will reap devastation and destruction. For those who would attempt to transpose their own opinions in the place of God's Word and claim to be justified by such decisions, there will come the stern rebuke of God. He will bring to light the subterfuge of the rebellious one, and Truth will prove them to be a liar.
This is a good word for us today. We never should attempt to justify our actions based upon our reasoning and our desires. We should not attempt to support our behaviors by attempting to convince ourselves and others that God has given us His blessing when He in fact has not. We must submit ourselves to the Word of God and remember that this is His primary way that He will communicate to us His Truth and His Will. And when our desires are contrary to the expressed will of God in His Word, we must submit ourselves to His Word first, knowing that it will be our protection and our guide.
There is a popular trend today in people boldly proclaiming their opinions as to what they believe and why they are living their lives a certain way. And in many of these instances, the explanation given to support their convictions is "God told me to . . . ." Whereas there is Biblical support for the Holy Spirit communing with the spirit of the true disciple of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16; John 16:13-14), we will never find God to be duplicitous. He will never contradict Himself and His Word.
The Holy Scriptures are God's love letter to us. Why you may ask? It is because God has chosen the Scriptures as the venue to share with us first who He is (i.e. His character, His attributes); secondly His expectations for us (His will); thirdly, His act of infinite love and grace through the cross when we defied His holy commands, and lastly His desire to dwell eternally with those of us who would respond to His offering of grace through faith, repentance, and surrender.
Now, we unfortunately find today that people will circumvent the text of Scripture and interject their own convictions and opinions as to how they are to live their lives, and they might even suggest that God has directly confirmed to them that their choices are divinely sanctioned. In these instances, it is as if these people are attempting to justify their behavior by using the "God told me" card. They believe that one's interaction with God is personal and thus not subject to question. What we find in the passage above is that God's Word truly is flawless and it will protect us if we humbly submit to it. It will protect us from the attacks of the Evil One . . . from our own waywardness . . . and from making poor decisions that will reap devastation and destruction. For those who would attempt to transpose their own opinions in the place of God's Word and claim to be justified by such decisions, there will come the stern rebuke of God. He will bring to light the subterfuge of the rebellious one, and Truth will prove them to be a liar.
This is a good word for us today. We never should attempt to justify our actions based upon our reasoning and our desires. We should not attempt to support our behaviors by attempting to convince ourselves and others that God has given us His blessing when He in fact has not. We must submit ourselves to the Word of God and remember that this is His primary way that He will communicate to us His Truth and His Will. And when our desires are contrary to the expressed will of God in His Word, we must submit ourselves to His Word first, knowing that it will be our protection and our guide.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Those Who Cheat God Are Cursed
Malachi 1:14: "`Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and my name is to be feared among the nations.'"
It is so very important for us today to understand our relationship with God. Whereas so many people in our culture today want to view God as a passive, tolerant deity who tends to overlook any wrongdoings of His people, the reality is that God is the Sovereign King of the universe and expects that His creation submit to His Lordship.
The book of Malachi was written during a period (around 433 BC) when the people had become complacent and forsook their commitment to God as their Master. One of the ways that they demonstrated their contempt for the One True Lord was in their giving. Oh to be sure, they were quick to make promises that they would give their very best to God; however, they wouldn't follow through with what they had promised. When the time came for the people to demonstrate by their actions that they were submitted to the Lord and trusted that He would protect and provide for them, the people instead determined to keep the best of their livestock for themselves and give to God the leftovers . . . the animals that were injured, crippled, or diseased and likely would not live anyway. There wasn't much of a sacrifice to the Lord here, instead, they were just going through the motions of their religion.
Surprisingly, we find that the people had begun to believe the lie that they were not defiling the altar of the Lord with their contemptible sacrifices. They questioned God's accusation of their sacrilege by saying, "How have we defiled you?" This type of questioning response revealed a people who wanted to justify their wanton behavior. They were determined to live life their own way and did not wish to be held accountable to One greater than they were. In effect, they desired to be a god unto themselves.
One of the telling evidences that shows the thoughts of the people that led them down this path of sin is found in their views of God as recorded in 3:14. The people had believed that God had not been there for them, and they concluded that it was useless to serve the Lord. They believed that God had not blessed them for their prior faithfulness, and now they didn't want to waste their time anymore. This negative thinking began a downward spiral that would lead to their shallow form of religion that was all ceremony and no substance!
Of course, their abject denial of God did not change the reality that God was still Supreme over them. After all, He created them and commanded their respect and surrender. It was not that God was a tyrannical despot who just wanted to force them into submission. In fact, God shared at the beginning of the book of Malachi that He loved them [1:2]. Sadly, the people just would not accept the fact that God loved them and desired to pour out His blessings upon them if they would return to Him (3:7).
This is such a good word for us. We need to remember that God is the Lord and is due our best. Even in those times when we are in despair and wonder where God is, we need to continue our faithful obedience to the Lord, trusting that He is working out His purposes for His glory. We need not follow the negative thinking that God does not care or is not interested in us. He has promised that if we return to Him in a spirit of reverence and repentance, He will honor us with His presence. And we will be blessed by His communing with us.
It is so very important for us today to understand our relationship with God. Whereas so many people in our culture today want to view God as a passive, tolerant deity who tends to overlook any wrongdoings of His people, the reality is that God is the Sovereign King of the universe and expects that His creation submit to His Lordship.
The book of Malachi was written during a period (around 433 BC) when the people had become complacent and forsook their commitment to God as their Master. One of the ways that they demonstrated their contempt for the One True Lord was in their giving. Oh to be sure, they were quick to make promises that they would give their very best to God; however, they wouldn't follow through with what they had promised. When the time came for the people to demonstrate by their actions that they were submitted to the Lord and trusted that He would protect and provide for them, the people instead determined to keep the best of their livestock for themselves and give to God the leftovers . . . the animals that were injured, crippled, or diseased and likely would not live anyway. There wasn't much of a sacrifice to the Lord here, instead, they were just going through the motions of their religion.
Surprisingly, we find that the people had begun to believe the lie that they were not defiling the altar of the Lord with their contemptible sacrifices. They questioned God's accusation of their sacrilege by saying, "How have we defiled you?" This type of questioning response revealed a people who wanted to justify their wanton behavior. They were determined to live life their own way and did not wish to be held accountable to One greater than they were. In effect, they desired to be a god unto themselves.
One of the telling evidences that shows the thoughts of the people that led them down this path of sin is found in their views of God as recorded in 3:14. The people had believed that God had not been there for them, and they concluded that it was useless to serve the Lord. They believed that God had not blessed them for their prior faithfulness, and now they didn't want to waste their time anymore. This negative thinking began a downward spiral that would lead to their shallow form of religion that was all ceremony and no substance!
Of course, their abject denial of God did not change the reality that God was still Supreme over them. After all, He created them and commanded their respect and surrender. It was not that God was a tyrannical despot who just wanted to force them into submission. In fact, God shared at the beginning of the book of Malachi that He loved them [1:2]. Sadly, the people just would not accept the fact that God loved them and desired to pour out His blessings upon them if they would return to Him (3:7).
This is such a good word for us. We need to remember that God is the Lord and is due our best. Even in those times when we are in despair and wonder where God is, we need to continue our faithful obedience to the Lord, trusting that He is working out His purposes for His glory. We need not follow the negative thinking that God does not care or is not interested in us. He has promised that if we return to Him in a spirit of reverence and repentance, He will honor us with His presence. And we will be blessed by His communing with us.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Purpose and Perfection Through Suffering
Hebrews 5:7: "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him."
Suffering is never a desired experience. None of us wants to traverse the paths of difficulty; instead, we find deep within ourselves a hope that our life experience will be one filled with lots of blessings and happiness. Still, we recognize that a life immune from headaches and heartaches is just not reality. Though it will be packaged a bit differently for each of us, we all will encounter painful ordeals that truly test our faith.
For those of us who already have been to the brink of despair, we likely have asked the proverbial "Why" questions: "Why? . . . Why God would you allow this to happen? . . . Why am I the one that has to go through this pain? Why does it seem that others have a much easier life?"
From the above scripture, we see that God the Father took Jesus His Son down some very difficult roads, but it was not without purpose. We find that Jesus learned obedience through His suffering. As Jesus "grew in wisdom" (see Luke 2:52), He was instructed by the Father that His suffering was helping to better understand that God the Father was using the experience of rejection, alienation, persecution, and ultimately crucifixion to accomplish His Divine calling as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. And as Jesus "reverently submitted" to the will of the Father, He became the solely sufficient remedy for our justification . . . He alone paid our sin debt, thus turning away God's just wrath towards us!
Still, this did not mean that Jesus did not anguish in the midst of His ordeal, for the scriptures tell us that He "offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears." Jesus did not gloss over the experience, trying to be happy about his plot in life; rather, He was very real and transparent with the Father, knowing that if there were another way . . . He would seek the Father's deliverance. Matthew 26:39 tells us that Jesus "fell on his face to the ground and he prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'" We know that God the Father heard Jesus' pleas; still, the cup of suffering would be poured out upon Him. It is not that God the Father didn't care; rather, He affirmed to Jesus His Divine work of love in offering the world hope through His death and resurrection. A greater and more glorious purpose was to be accomplished through suffering!
This is a good word for each of us. When life takes us through very dark valleys, it is most appropriate to cry out to the Lord for His presence with us and His deliverance of us. Still, we must submit to His divine will and purpose, even if such purposes result in our suffering. What we can be assured of is the fact that God will hear our pleas as we reverently submit to Him in the midst of our difficulty. We too can recognize that God is perfecting us as we endure our tribulation, for we know that our sufferings produce perseverance, character, and a longing for Heaven, when Jesus will make all things new (see Romans 5:3-4, Revelation 21:5). Suffering makes us aware of God, and it fosters a dependency upon Him. Suffering too heightens our intimacy with Him, as it orients our purpose to His glorious will. Ultimately, suffering makes us long for our eternal life with Him. To have such a disposition is EXACTLY where God wants us to be!
Suffering is never a desired experience. None of us wants to traverse the paths of difficulty; instead, we find deep within ourselves a hope that our life experience will be one filled with lots of blessings and happiness. Still, we recognize that a life immune from headaches and heartaches is just not reality. Though it will be packaged a bit differently for each of us, we all will encounter painful ordeals that truly test our faith.
For those of us who already have been to the brink of despair, we likely have asked the proverbial "Why" questions: "Why? . . . Why God would you allow this to happen? . . . Why am I the one that has to go through this pain? Why does it seem that others have a much easier life?"
From the above scripture, we see that God the Father took Jesus His Son down some very difficult roads, but it was not without purpose. We find that Jesus learned obedience through His suffering. As Jesus "grew in wisdom" (see Luke 2:52), He was instructed by the Father that His suffering was helping to better understand that God the Father was using the experience of rejection, alienation, persecution, and ultimately crucifixion to accomplish His Divine calling as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. And as Jesus "reverently submitted" to the will of the Father, He became the solely sufficient remedy for our justification . . . He alone paid our sin debt, thus turning away God's just wrath towards us!
Still, this did not mean that Jesus did not anguish in the midst of His ordeal, for the scriptures tell us that He "offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears." Jesus did not gloss over the experience, trying to be happy about his plot in life; rather, He was very real and transparent with the Father, knowing that if there were another way . . . He would seek the Father's deliverance. Matthew 26:39 tells us that Jesus "fell on his face to the ground and he prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'" We know that God the Father heard Jesus' pleas; still, the cup of suffering would be poured out upon Him. It is not that God the Father didn't care; rather, He affirmed to Jesus His Divine work of love in offering the world hope through His death and resurrection. A greater and more glorious purpose was to be accomplished through suffering!
This is a good word for each of us. When life takes us through very dark valleys, it is most appropriate to cry out to the Lord for His presence with us and His deliverance of us. Still, we must submit to His divine will and purpose, even if such purposes result in our suffering. What we can be assured of is the fact that God will hear our pleas as we reverently submit to Him in the midst of our difficulty. We too can recognize that God is perfecting us as we endure our tribulation, for we know that our sufferings produce perseverance, character, and a longing for Heaven, when Jesus will make all things new (see Romans 5:3-4, Revelation 21:5). Suffering makes us aware of God, and it fosters a dependency upon Him. Suffering too heightens our intimacy with Him, as it orients our purpose to His glorious will. Ultimately, suffering makes us long for our eternal life with Him. To have such a disposition is EXACTLY where God wants us to be!
Monday, October 11, 2010
It's a Spiritual Stimulus that We Need
Hosea 4:1b-3: "The LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: 'There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying.'"
There is no doubt that the global economy has been struggling over the past decade. Sustained market declines, failed corporations, increased unemployment, and mortgage foreclosures are mere symptoms of a deeper crisis that prevails in our nation. Whereas the government pumps money into the economy through its stimulus packages, these measures will never remedy our crisis; rather, it only sustains the system a little longer. Much like life support . . . it is not the cure!
From the above cited Biblical passage, we find that the LORD had removed His hand of blessing upon the Israelites for their perpetual rebellion against His Sovereign reign. Whereas God had promised that Israel would thrive as a nation if they only would follow Him as their Lord (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14), the Israelites of Hosea's day stubbornly refused to submit to God and His decrees. They had determined to live their own lives the way that they saw fit. They would not refuse to indulge in anything that their heart desired; and they shunned the Lord, daring Him to do anything about it. Rather than loving God, they loved themselves first. They cursed God and His decrees. They found that lying was expedient if it promoted their agendas. They were willing to take from others what they coveted . . . whether property, spouses, or even life itself. In effect, these people had made themselves into their own gods and sought to assert their own lordship over the One True God.
Of course, we see from this historical account the inevitable outcome. Due to their cosmic treason against the Lord, He in turn removed His hand of blessing from them. Everything in creation suffered because of the obstinacy of these wicked people. Their only hope would be repentance and surrender to the Lord.
Oh how we see similar tendencies within our own nation. People today are living very similar to the lifestyles of the Israelites 2800 years earlier. Since we know that God does not change (see James 1:17), we would do well to learn from these Israelites as to what we should not be doing if we desire God's blessings upon our nation. Rather than waiting for the debt-laden stimulus money from the government to rescue our abysmal economic circumstances, we should be on our knees asking God's forgiveness.
Sadly, if history repeats itself, then we will find our future to be rather bleak. Israel would not respond to the warnings of God through His prophets; therefore, the Lord brought a conquering nation (the Assyrians) to devastate the land of Israel in 722 B.C. It would take this level of punitive judgment from the Lord to get the Israelites' attention, and given our nation's similar ways of debauchery and rebellion, we should not expect anything less. God's extension of favor is with us now, so let us as a nation respond with repentance and obedience. This is the spiritual stimulus what will bring God's favor upon the land.
There is no doubt that the global economy has been struggling over the past decade. Sustained market declines, failed corporations, increased unemployment, and mortgage foreclosures are mere symptoms of a deeper crisis that prevails in our nation. Whereas the government pumps money into the economy through its stimulus packages, these measures will never remedy our crisis; rather, it only sustains the system a little longer. Much like life support . . . it is not the cure!
From the above cited Biblical passage, we find that the LORD had removed His hand of blessing upon the Israelites for their perpetual rebellion against His Sovereign reign. Whereas God had promised that Israel would thrive as a nation if they only would follow Him as their Lord (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14), the Israelites of Hosea's day stubbornly refused to submit to God and His decrees. They had determined to live their own lives the way that they saw fit. They would not refuse to indulge in anything that their heart desired; and they shunned the Lord, daring Him to do anything about it. Rather than loving God, they loved themselves first. They cursed God and His decrees. They found that lying was expedient if it promoted their agendas. They were willing to take from others what they coveted . . . whether property, spouses, or even life itself. In effect, these people had made themselves into their own gods and sought to assert their own lordship over the One True God.
Of course, we see from this historical account the inevitable outcome. Due to their cosmic treason against the Lord, He in turn removed His hand of blessing from them. Everything in creation suffered because of the obstinacy of these wicked people. Their only hope would be repentance and surrender to the Lord.
Oh how we see similar tendencies within our own nation. People today are living very similar to the lifestyles of the Israelites 2800 years earlier. Since we know that God does not change (see James 1:17), we would do well to learn from these Israelites as to what we should not be doing if we desire God's blessings upon our nation. Rather than waiting for the debt-laden stimulus money from the government to rescue our abysmal economic circumstances, we should be on our knees asking God's forgiveness.
Sadly, if history repeats itself, then we will find our future to be rather bleak. Israel would not respond to the warnings of God through His prophets; therefore, the Lord brought a conquering nation (the Assyrians) to devastate the land of Israel in 722 B.C. It would take this level of punitive judgment from the Lord to get the Israelites' attention, and given our nation's similar ways of debauchery and rebellion, we should not expect anything less. God's extension of favor is with us now, so let us as a nation respond with repentance and obedience. This is the spiritual stimulus what will bring God's favor upon the land.
Monday, October 4, 2010
You Can't Claim Ignorance When Sinning
Galatians 5:19-21: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
It seems that in our culture today, there are many who want to claim ignorance in matters of sinful behavior, or they will say that they could not help themselves while engaging in actions contrary to the will of God. One thing that we find in the above mentioned Scripture is that acts of the sinful nature are obvious. For the one who would challenge this Biblical truth, I would ask, "Why is it then that people attempt to hide their sinful actions? . . . Why are they subversive when perpetrating these sins? Why do they often engage in this activity in the dark? [See Jesus' response to this issue in John 3:20]. The answer can be found in the simple fact that God has created all men with a conscience that can recognize evil; the Holy Spirit also actively brings conviction to those walking in darkness so that they might respond with repentance (i.e. a turning from wickedness to obedience to the Lord). Thus, people cannot claim ignorance as an excuse to indulge their debased passions. They are guilty before the Lord and they know it.
Sadly, there are those who will perpetuate such wickedness to the point that their consciences are seared from the Lord's convicting Word of Truth. These are the people who brazenly celebrate their debauchery, though they never forget that such behavior is wrong and contrary to the expressed will of God. These are the people described in Job 15:25-26 who "shake their fist at God and vaunt themselves against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him . . ." Later in this chapter God decrees that such a person will not "escape the darkness . . . the breath of God's mouth will carry him away." God will not hold such a man guiltless for his treasonous behavior against His Lordship!
So, how should we respond to the Scripture cited above? We need to ever be conscious of any thoughts or behaviors that are contrary to God's decrees as expressed in His Holy Word. We need to be surrendered to the Lord and receptive to His word of admonishment when we engage in sin, and we must truly repent from such behavior. God will respond with forgiveness, and we will be blessed by finding His favior.
Let us not fall prey to the fallacious worldly notions that sin is beyond our awareness or ability to control. Let us respond to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit with contrition, confession, and repentance. By this, we bring glory to the One True Lord, which is our purpose in life!
It seems that in our culture today, there are many who want to claim ignorance in matters of sinful behavior, or they will say that they could not help themselves while engaging in actions contrary to the will of God. One thing that we find in the above mentioned Scripture is that acts of the sinful nature are obvious. For the one who would challenge this Biblical truth, I would ask, "Why is it then that people attempt to hide their sinful actions? . . . Why are they subversive when perpetrating these sins? Why do they often engage in this activity in the dark? [See Jesus' response to this issue in John 3:20]. The answer can be found in the simple fact that God has created all men with a conscience that can recognize evil; the Holy Spirit also actively brings conviction to those walking in darkness so that they might respond with repentance (i.e. a turning from wickedness to obedience to the Lord). Thus, people cannot claim ignorance as an excuse to indulge their debased passions. They are guilty before the Lord and they know it.
Sadly, there are those who will perpetuate such wickedness to the point that their consciences are seared from the Lord's convicting Word of Truth. These are the people who brazenly celebrate their debauchery, though they never forget that such behavior is wrong and contrary to the expressed will of God. These are the people described in Job 15:25-26 who "shake their fist at God and vaunt themselves against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him . . ." Later in this chapter God decrees that such a person will not "escape the darkness . . . the breath of God's mouth will carry him away." God will not hold such a man guiltless for his treasonous behavior against His Lordship!
So, how should we respond to the Scripture cited above? We need to ever be conscious of any thoughts or behaviors that are contrary to God's decrees as expressed in His Holy Word. We need to be surrendered to the Lord and receptive to His word of admonishment when we engage in sin, and we must truly repent from such behavior. God will respond with forgiveness, and we will be blessed by finding His favior.
Let us not fall prey to the fallacious worldly notions that sin is beyond our awareness or ability to control. Let us respond to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit with contrition, confession, and repentance. By this, we bring glory to the One True Lord, which is our purpose in life!
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