It Will Catch Up

Verse of the day: Joshua 15:63 As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.

This sad commentary was repeated in two other instances. In Joshua 16:10, Ephraim failed to completely drive out the Canaanites. In Joshua 17:12, we are told that Manasseh could not drive the Canaanites out the cities. However, in the case of both Ephraim and Manasseh they were strong enough to force the Canaanites into forced labor. What that says is that they actually had the ability to force them out of the cities, but chose to keep them amongst themselves for their own comfort and profit. It also indicates that they were disobedient to God’s command to remove the people from that land that the Lord was giving them. The result of this disobedience and their self-serving actions was that the Canaanites (Jebusites) were a thorn in Israel’s side throughout the time of the Judges, and up until King David took Jerusalem from the Jebusites in 2 Samuel 5. As I read this, I was reminded of a couple portions of Scriptures. The first is Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” The second, Galatians 5:7-9, “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Like Israel, if we insist on pursuing the things of this world and compromise our Christianity, the consequences of our disobedience and pursuit of this world will catch up to us, and we may suffer great loss here on earth accompanied with much heartache. The ultimate price we will pay is the loss of rewards when we stand before the Lord at His judgement (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The Canaanites were idolatrous and immoral people, and it was this compromise that later caused the Israelites much trouble, as idolatry and immorality became a part of their daily living. As God’s children, the Word of God gives us guidelines for righteous living, not to keep us from enjoying life, but to help us live the most of this life for God’s glory (note that I did not say for our self-serving pleasures and gains). Isaiah 43:7 clearly states, “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” Psalm 100:2 tells us to serve Him with gladness. In 1 Samuel 12:24, during King Saul’s coronation, Samuel said to the people, “Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” In respect to the sinful behavior taking place in the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” This is the reason the Bible clearly states that we are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, and live a life that is distinctly set apart from the behavior and practices of the world. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 commands, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ 17 Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ 18 ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.’” Israel’s desire to be at peace and gain wealth opened them to idolatry and immorality because they chose compromise over obedience. A Christians who compromises their faith for the sake of earthly peace, comfort, and the gain of riches, opens the doors to the path of spiritual ruin. The best advice we can follow was given to Timothy by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Know this…compromise today will catch up to you tomorrow.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).