Sunday, September 23, 2018
Short Hiatus
Mark 6:31, And He said to them, “Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
Greetings in the Lord! I pray that you are all doing well. I am just posting this note to inform you that I will be on a short hiatus to rest and be refreshed in the Lord. I will not be posting on this blog until October 1, 2018. Thank you for following this blog and my prayer is that the devotionals posted will always be a blessing to you, an encouragement to you in your walk with God, and bring glory to our Lord. Blessings and I will see you in October, Lord willing.
Thursday, September 20, 2018
We Are Not Our Circumstances
Verse of the day: Ruth 1:20-21, But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
Over the many years of ministry, law enforcement experience, and just dealing with people on an everyday basis, I have encountered many who suffer from “low self-esteem”. Much of how a person feels about themselves, from the stories I have heard from many of them, is related to upbringing and what they experienced as children. How they were treated by parents, other children in school, or what a teacher or someone of influence in their life said to them about their level of intelligence. As they grew older and maneuvered life, many of their life choices or circumstances that they experienced, whether consequences for their own actions or the actions of others, resulted in them equating this to who they were as a person. Naomi, whose name means “my delight”, gave herself a name that the Lord did not give her. When she returned to Bethlehem, as people recognized her and called her by her name, she self-identified as Mara, which means “bitterness”. This self-identification came from her experience with loss, the loss of her husband and two sons. The way she saw herself came from something that was much deeper. Ultimately she self-identified as Mara because of her perception that God Almighty had afflicted her. However, note one very important thing about her new name, it was a name she gave herself, not one that God gave her. There were instances in which God was the Author of a name change, whether positive or negative, such as with Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, and Esau, just to name a few. Over time, those of us who know Jesus as Savior have been called Christians (Acts 11:26), Sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5), followers of the Way (Acts 9:2), sheep (John 10:27-28), sons of God and saints in various verses. When God allows adversity, and when we suffer, whether as a result of our own choices or not or when people treat us negatively, persecute us, or abuse us, this does not define who we are in Christ. God often allows adversity as a way to grow our faith, draw us closer to Him in prayer, teach us to be more like Christ in our responses, and works all of it for our good (Romans 8:28-29). Not once do we read that He allows suffering for the purpose of crushing our self-esteem. He does want us to recognize and acknowledge that we are sinners, and that we are unrighteous and wicked, but only so that we will turn to Christ in humility, repenting, confessing, and calling upon Jesus for eternal life. If we read and study God’s Word, we will discover that we are God’s handiwork (Ephesians 2:10), we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), we are clay in the Potter’s hands that He molds and shapes into something beautiful, from the inside out (Isaiah 64:8; 1 Peter 3:3-4). We must not let the Satan, his demons, other people, or our circumstances, dictate for us who we are in Christ Jesus. God makes it clear in His Word that regardless of what we endure in this life, as His children, we have a love that is unfailing, and that cannot be taken from us. Romans 8:38-39 clearly says, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Let us not give ourselves a name that God has not given us. Let us not self-identify, in pity, as something or someone that we are not. Instead, let us, with humility, acknowledge, and identify as who we are in Jesus and do all we can to reach the lost and the broken with the Gospel message and a testimony of how God has taken our brokenness and used it for His glory. We may not see ourselves as much in our own eyes, but we have a God who loves us so much that He gave His life for us (John 3:16). I would have to conclude that this make us very valuable in Christ.
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).
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Their Choice Not Ours
Verse of the day: Ruth 1:14, Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
As Naomi returns to Bethlehem, she is left with her two daughters-in-law. Her husband and two sons are dead, and we see two different choices being made by Orpah and Ruth as it pertains to following Naomi back to Bethlehem. Orpah chose to go back to her people and her gods (v. 15). Yet, Ruth chose to remain with, and dwell with, Naomi, her people, and the one true God (v. 16-17). We have here a great example of what each of us will face in sharing Christ with others. Both these woman had a relationship with Naomi. Ruth may have seen something about Naomi’s life that attracted her to the God she served, while Orpah was not affected in the same way. There are two things we must keep in mind when sharing the Gospel message with people God gives us an opportunity to share Christ with. First, know that Jesus’ command was very clear in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” There was no exception in that command. The second is this, Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” What was Jesus saying? We know there is none that seeks after God (Romans 3:11). When many disciples turned away from Jesus, He again stated, in John 6:65, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” This drawing toward Jesus is something that comes from God. He seeks us, He pulls us toward Jesus, and He gives us freewill to accept or reject. We have no part in being drawn to Jesus, because have no desire for God in and of ourselves. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin (John 16:8), to turn us toward the need for salvation, but it is God the Father who draws us, or pulls us, toward the only One who can give us salvation, Jesus Christ. This is the part we do not know when we are sharing the Gospel message with others. When we live like a born again believer should live, God will use it to attract others by our attitude, words, and deeds, but we do not truly know who will respond in the way Ruth responded to Naomi, or who will respond as Orpah did with Naomi. We must simply do what we have been called to do, preach the Gospel to every creature, live holy and righteously for the glory of God, as His ambassadors, and trust Him to draw them in. Whatever decision they make as far as accepting or rejecting is theirs; we are not in a position to decide it for them or see to it that the outcome is positive. The results belong to God. If we are persecuted for it, then praise the Lord there is heavenly reward for being faithful in sharing Christ, and being persecuted for His sake (Matthew 5:10-12). Orpah and Ruth had the same opportunity to choose the God of Israel, but only Ruth chose to follow Naomi and make the God of Israel her God. Let us not be so preoccupied with whether people will accept Jesus or not, and just be faithful to open our mouths and live for Him without shame or fear. God will draw unto Himself whom He will, the choice being theirs as to whether they reject or accept. The bottom line is that some will and some will not. Whether the results are positive or negative, we get reward for being faithful and enduring persecution if necessary.
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).
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Stand Firm in Times of Famine
Verse of the day: Ruth 1:6, Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.
In verse 1 we saw the sad fact that Israel was suffering from a famine in a land that was flowing with milk and honey. Elimelech, Naomi and their family went to dwell in Moab, from Bethlehem (House of Bread), looking to find what they were lacking in the Promise Land. Instead, what they found was death and misery. Naomi left Bethlehem with a husband and two sons, and came back a widow and childless. In spite of the famine, the better choice would have been to stay in their own land and country and not intermingle themselves with the idolatrous people of Moab. Even though Naomi had suffered great loss, we see God’s amazing grace working to bring her back to her people where she belonged. So it is with us when we turn away from God, instead of to Him, during difficult times. Abraham made a similar decision in Genesis 12 when he went to Egypt, without God’s direction, during a famine and put himself in a compromising position when he lied to the Pharaoh of that day. When we turn to the world, in our own wisdom, to solve difficulties that we should entrust to the Lord, we only invite complications. During Joseph’s time, when the famine came for seven years, God had already put Joseph in place to help save God’s people by providing for them during those years of famine (Genesis 47:13-27). As Naomi returns to the land of her people, we see God’s goodness, even in the midst of her suffering, in that He was already working out all that had happened, not only for her good, but for the good of Ruth, who although a Moabite woman, chose to follow the God of Israel (v.16-17). This journey would be the beginning of Ruth’s blessing in meeting her kinsman redeemer, Boaz, and being counted in the lineage of both Israel’s, and our, Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The truth of the matter is that we will have periods in our lives when we will find ourselves floundering in the world as a result of our own unwise and rebellious decisions. Sometimes a result of our own desires, or the result of becoming bitter because God allowed some difficulty to affect our lives. Praise be to God that He does not abandon us when we turn our backs on Him, even though we do not deserve His mercy, grace and forgiveness. When we turn back to Him, He, like the father of the prodigal son, is always ready to greet us with open arms to welcome us back (Luke 15). In this life we will experience many things, some of them very trying and painful. However, we have a God who, if we have trusted Him as Savior, promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). We must, however, be first content with whatever He allows, and secondly, trust that He work all things out for our good, for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). When we are experiencing those time of spiritual famine, let us not forget that we have the Bread of Life, and Living Water, to sustain us, give us strength, who in due time will walk with us in the valley, bring us out of it, and carry us to the mountain top. Like each of the famines that we read about, they pass. We must trust God during those times and not run to the world with their ungodly and empty promises, and solutions, that only complicate our lives further. If we have Jesus, we already have all the help we need in times of great trials. I will leave you with this thought from Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah”
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).
Saturday, September 15, 2018
There Will Be Consequences
Verse of the day: Ruth 1:1, Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
The Book of Ruth opens on a very sad note. We often read the Word of God and miss very important underlying applications because we fail to truly meditate on Scripture. How often do we read that there is “famine in the land” and pass it by without giving it much consideration? In this case, let us stop and examine what we can learn from this one little statement. Is not Israel in the land promised to them, the land flowing with milk and honey? What happened? How can a land that was so rich now be so barren? To understand why, let us go back to Deuteronomy 11:13-17, “‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ 16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 17 lest the LORD’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you.” This promise is repeated in Leviticus 26:19-20. Far too often we want to claim God’s promises of blessings, but we become absent-minded when it comes to the promises of the consequences we will suffer for being disobedient and sinning against Him. Israel had turned their backs on God and worshipped heathen gods. A land that was rich with God’s blessing and provision was not barren and cursed, as God promised. We read throughout God’s Word that He is faithful to His Word and promises, whether for blessings or curses. Yet, we somehow think that God winks at our sin and disobedience because He is patient, longsuffering, and full of grace. Today, we have a promise from God that we will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7-8 clearly states, “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.” When we stray from God and turn to sinful ways, loving the things of this world more than the things of God, we will suffer great loss. He may allow us, for a season, to reap the benefits of making lots money, having success and making material gain our god, but in the end we will have sorrow and great loss of heavenly rewards. 1 Timothy 6:10 tell us, “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.” This is not to say that being wealthy is a bad thing if God allows it and we keep it in its proper place. It is when wealth becomes our god that we walk that dangerous path to dire consequences. There have been many who sought after the things of this world, walked away from God, only to end up poor, broken, and some even ending their own lives. The bottom line is that we must hold on to God’s promises of blessings, but we must balance it with holding on to the promises of coming consequences for making someone or something, other than the Lord, our god(s). Living sinfully as God’s children will bring broken fellowship with the Lord and missed opportunities for heavenly blessings and rewards. The One who gave His life so that we could spend eternity with Him deserves that we become living sacrifices for Him, as we are told in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
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).
Friday, September 14, 2018
Ends Do Not Justify Means
Verse of the day: Judges 21:11, 20-21, And this is the thing that you shall do: You shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has known a man intimately.” 20 Therefore they instructed the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go, lie in wait in the vineyards, 21 and watch; and just when the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, then come out from the vineyards, and every man catch a wife for himself from the daughters of Shiloh; then go to the land of Benjamin.
Is it possible to go from bad to worse when trying to make things right? The short answer is “yes”. The children of Israel backed themselves into a corner when they made the rash vow not to give their daughters as wives to the children of Benjamin. Now, in order to fix that wrong they committed, they came up with these two “brilliant” ideas to find their brethren wives. The first idea involved the murder of all the men, and woman who were not virgins, of the people of Jabesh Gilead who did not come to the aid of Israel in their fight against the Benjamites. The second was to kidnap the daughters of Shiloh, and in return the children of Israel would plead their case before their fathers and brothers. They sought to solve the wrong they committed by performing two more wrongs to make things right. Just saying that made me dizzy. However, how often have we done that, and then justified what we did because the outcome was a seemingly positive one? We may be able to make ourselves feel better about what we have done if the end was a result that worked out positively for everyone involved, but what would God say about our choice of resolution? James 4:17 clearly says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Even if the outcome is positive, if the means was wrong to do, it was sin before God. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 also says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” If we choose to do what is wrong in order to make something right, is that action or plan honoring to God? Does is bring Him glory? Could we honestly say that we are doing it in the Name of the Lord Jesus if it is sinful to do? I believe that the answers to these questions are pretty obvious. 1 John 3:4-9 clearly tells us, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” The bottom line is that if we are children of God, saved by Blood of Christ, and have a personal relationship with Him, it is never right to do wrong in order to get the right result. The ends do not justify the means…ever. We must always seek to do right, regardless of the outcome. When we do right, the outcome belongs to the Lord, and we must trust Him to take care of the results of doing what is righteous before God. King Solomon said it best in Proverbs 16:1-4, “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. 3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established. 4 The LORD has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” When we choose to do right to fix a wrong, God will honor it and use it for His purpose and His glory, even if it causes us a bit of “life lesson” pain in the process.
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).
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Justice Belongs to God
Verse of the day: Judges 21:2-3, Then the people came to the house of God, and remained there before God till evening. They lifted up their voices and wept bitterly, 3 and said, “O LORD God of Israel, why has this come to pass in Israel, that today there should be one tribe missing in Israel?”
There is a very valuable lesson that we can learn from Israel’s attempt to exact justice upon the Benjamites for what they did to the Levite’s concubine. Although they were zealous about eradicating evil in their midst, they failed in too many ways. First, they failed to see their own sinfulness, thereby making themselves hypocrites in their valiant effort to make a wrong right. Even though they had gone to the Lord, they still counted on their numbers and their strength to help them get victory over their brethren. Consequently, they suffered great loss and defeat. Praise to our Lord who is merciful and full of grace. He used their defeat to bring them face to face with their own hypocrisy, to the point that they came to Him weeping and making a genuine effort to seek His direction. Now we see another grave mistake they made in making a rash vow not to give their daughters to be wives of the children of Benjamin. Their attempts at justice affected even those who had nothing to do with what a few men did. It affected women, children, and men who were not involved in the heinous act that was committed. When the Benjamites refused to give these men over, instead of punishing the ones who were involved by way of consent, who refused to turn the guilty parties over, they chose to instill their own form of justice upon all. This is the twisted justice of man. How often do we see this type of injustice take place around us today? How often do we complain about how unfair the world is in how they mete out justice? For this reason, we as Christians must leave justice and vengeance to the Lord. The Israelites would not be asking why this happened in Israel if they had truly worshipped the Lord and trusted Him to instill His justice in the situation. Had they done that, it would have given God the opportunity to judge those that deserved punishment and at the same time bring peaceful reconciliation between the children of Benjamin and their brethren, the children of Israel. Romans 12:17-19 tells us, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” We are all created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). Because this is so, we desire to see justice prevail over all that is evil. However, because of sin, our sense of what is just is blurred. On the other hand, our God, and Savior, is perfect and righteous. His justice is true justice, and this is why He tells us to leave vengeance to Him. We do well to be zealous about our faith. However, our zeal should be for the things that will uplift and glorify the Lord. Romans 10:1-3 says, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Titus 2:14 clearly tells us that we should be “zealous for good works”. Romans 12 admonishes us to abhor evil, but be zealous (fervent in spirit), serving the Lord. If we truly want to be zealous for the things of God, we ought to do all that we can to be zealous about the things the Apostle listed in Romans 12:9-16, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” The bottom line is that we can be angry at the evil that exists around us, and we can desire to see justice done, but we must be careful that we not allow our own form of twisted justice override God’s righteous justice, even if it means that we have to be kind, and show love, toward those who have persecuted, offended, and cursed us, as we are told to do, by Jesus Himself, in Matthew 5:43-48.
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).
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Consider Yourself First
Verse of the day: Judges 20:18, 26 Then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God. They said, “Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?” The LORD said, “Judah first!” 26 Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept. They sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
How confusing it is to understand the events that are taking place as Israel attempts to correct and eradicate the evil that has been committed by the children of Benjamin. In verse 18 they took the proper step of going to the Lord for guidance, yet they experienced great defeat upon following God’s command. However, there are some things that need to be considered as to why they experienced such defeat, and compare their first approach to the Lord with the second. We see that even though they went to God for guidance, it appears that they were still relying on the strength of their numbers to be what gave them victory over the children of Benjamin. Psalm 20:7 reminds us, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Isaiah 31:1 warns, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” Another thing that needs to be considered here is that even though they were quick to respond in their attempt to eradicate the evil that was committed, they failed to consider their own wickedness. The children of Israel were just as idolatrous as the children of Benjamin, and failed to see their own sinfulness before trying to “correct” the sinfulness of the Benjamites. We briefly addressed this in the previous devotional, but I will reiterate it here again, Galatians 6 is to be seriously considered when we are in a position to deal with someone who has sinned against the Lord. Galatians 6:1-3 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Far too often I have seen those who forget their own sinfulness try and “correct” others, only to cause further damage and actually push people away from the Lord, rather than help them be reconciled and draw near to the Lord. God warns that if we do not first consider ourselves and approach the sinning party with humility and gentleness, realizing that we are no better, then we set ourselves up to be tempted also. It was only after their devastating defeat that the children of Israel then approach the Lord weeping, fasting, and bringing Him proper offerings. Time and time again we Christians, even Christian leaders, forget that we too are sinners and sin with our words, deeds, and attitudes, often, but then take a mean-spirited approach in the way we rebuke, rather than rebuking in love, and call it righteous indignation. More often than not, it is nothing more than our own self-righteous attitude. We forget the important verses, such as James 1:19-20, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” We hear a matter, and without knowing all the facts, respond in “righteous anger” because the person sinned against God, someone we know, or us personally, and later find out, if we are willing to admit it, that we were wrong and that our attitude and approach did more to push the sinning party away from God, rather than doing what God desired for us to do in helping that person be reconciled to God and back in fellowship with his/her local church family. This is not a plea to be soft on sin or overlook sinful behavior. It is a plea to stop and consider who we are and how often God has to forgive us for our daily sins against Him, before we take a prideful and self-righteous approach in dealing with another who has sinned. Jesus died for all of us and we all inherited salvation the same way; not by our own righteousness or good work, but by God’s grace and by putting our faith and trust in Him. We did nothing to earn it, as we are told in Titus 3:5-7, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
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).
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Remove and Restore
Verse of the day: Judges 20:12-13, Then the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you? 13 Now therefore, deliver up the men, the perverted men who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove the evil from Israel!” But the children of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brethren, the children of Israel.
Leaven, or yeast, is used in both a positive and negative way in Scripture. In Matthew 13 Jesus used leaven to describe Heaven. In other words, it has small beginnings, but increases more and more as we continue to win others to Christ. As it relates to Heaven, the change and growth that takes place in those who know Jesus starts small and from within, but grows and becomes obvious outwardly. Sin is also like leaven. The Apostle Paul wrote this in 1 Corinthians 5:6, “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” Just like the Spirit of God and the Word of God working in us, indwells, permeates, and grows us from within; so sin has the same effect on us when we fail to let God remove it from our lives. It may begin small, but before you know it, it will consume our lives. The Apostle Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 to say, “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. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” As born again believers, we have been justified (declared not guilty) and God is working in us, sanctifying us (making us more like Christ), which means that He is working in us so that we live righteous, holy lives that honor and glorify God. When we find ourselves stumbling in sin, our immediate response should be to repent, confess it, and forsake it (1 John 1:8-10). If sin exists in our midst, as it did in Israel in this instance, we are to take the steps to remove it from our midst. In 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 the Apostle Paul instructed the church this way, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” If there is resistance from the one(s) that is sinning, then we are to put them out of fellowship to give God the room to do what He needs to do to bring that person back into fellowship with Him, first and foremost. In verse 11 of 1 Corinthians 5 the Apostle wrote, “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.” We must remember that the Apostle was not referring to an unsaved person who might be in our midst, but of a Christian who lives like an unsaved person (1 Corinthians 5:9-11). Our responsibility, as it relates to the unsaved, is to win them to Christ. We cannot do that if we are easily offended and continually ejecting them from our lives, simply because we are thin-skinned. We are called to be soldiers in God’s army, leading the lost to Jesus, and encouraging, and rebuking (in love), if necessary, those that have strayed from their relationship with Christ. Galatians 6:1-3 reminds us, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Our ultimate goal in removing sin from our midst is to bring the erring brother/sister back into fellowship and a right relationship with Jesus as it tells us in James 5:19-20, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” Sadly, the men who committed the atrocities in Judges 19 refused to repent and chose instead to oppose the rest of Israel (v. 14). As stated already, the ultimate goal should always be restoration. The Apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, “But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” The bottom line is that we should not be tolerant of sin in our lives or in our midst when it comes to Christian fellowship. However, when we deal with it, let us do it in the love of Christ, for the purpose of restoration.
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).
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Overcoming in Unity
Verse of the day: Judges 20:1, So all the children of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, as well as from the land of Gilead, and the congregation gathered together as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
This is one of the very few and rare moments during Israel’s apostasy that we see them respond properly to the atrocities that have taken place amongst their people. In chapters 18-19 we see what happens when a society moves away from God, and turns to idolatry. A son stealing from his own mother (chapter 18), a man creating his own religion, and a priest who serves for his own greed and benefit (chapter 18). In chapter 19 we see a lack of hospitality and a lack of care for the wellbeing of others. We see sexual depravity and a lack of value for life. The Levite’s actions in response to the murder of his concubine was no better than those of the people responsible for her murder. The level of immorality and corruption is mindboggling. Sadly, this is the same thing we see today in modern society. A society and culture that want nothing to do with God, but are quick to scream for justice when injustice visits them personally. A society who blames God when nothing is done to “fix” the corruptness and the chaos, when it was the people who are complaining who decided they did not need God in the first place. Here, we see a tiny glimmer of light as the children of Israel come together in unity, before the Lord, to correct a hideous wrong that has been committed. Imagine how much God could do in our midst if God’s people united like this to stand for the truth of God’s Word? Imagine what God could do in our midst if we stood together for truth in our own lives? Imagine what God could do in the world if we stood for what was right in the midst of a crooked generation? Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Regardless of how bad the world gets around us, we are called to unity and to be light bearers for Christ. Why is Christian unity so important? The answer is a simple one and one that we were given by Jesus Himself in John 17:20-21, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” When we are all one in Christ, as Jesus and the Father are one, we will make an impact on the world around us for the sake of the Gospel. We cannot change the world by trying to convince the unsaved that they need to change their behavior. The unsaved will only change when they have trusted and accepted Jesus as their Savior, and only then will they change, as Christ begins to make those changes in them Himself. However, how will they change if we fail to bring them the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Romans 10:14-15 clearly tells us, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” How will we have any influence in this world for the sake of sharing the love of Christ, if the world sees nothing but division and contention amongst God’s people? How will they not see our message as hypocritical when our lifestyle and behavior is no different than the unsaved world? How can we preach the love of Jesus when we fail to love one another? Jesus put it plainly in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The bottom line is that we have a responsibility, as God’s children, to do all that we can to avoid foolish, divisive, arguments that do nothing for cause of Christ. The Apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Timothy 2:22-23, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” Let us strive to love one another and stand in unity for the sake of effectively spreading the Gospel and bringing glory to God in a dark and crooked world.
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).
Friday, September 7, 2018
No Excuse for Unforgiveness
Verse of the day: Judges 19:3, Then her husband arose and went after her, to speak kindly to her and bring her back, having his servant and a couple of donkeys with him. So she brought him into her father’s house; and when the father of the young woman saw him, he was glad to meet him.
How many of us can honestly say that we can forgive someone, no matter what the offense? How many of us could forgive and reflect it in the way we approach and treat the person who offended or wronged us? I am almost positive that each of us probably has a short list of offenses that we would absolutely struggle with forgiving, possibly to the point of listing them under the “impossible to forgive” column. As I read this verse, I was reminded of the Prophet Hosea who was commanded, by God, to marry a harlot (Hosea 1:2). In Hosea 3:1 God repeats this command. However, this time what is emphasized is a command to love, “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.’” God uses Hosea’s marriage to an unfaithful woman to communicate Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him, as they play the harlot with other gods. At the end of the book, God tells of how He will restore Israel, in spite of their harlotry. This is no different than what God did, and is doing, for us. Romans 5:6-11 says, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” One detail we must never forget is that this redemption that we who know Jesus Christ personally enjoy involved God’s willingness to forgive our grievous sins committed toward Him. Ephesians 1:7 clearly states, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”. When we read verses such as these, we should be praising God for His undeserved mercy, grace, love and forgiveness. This is where “the rubber meets the road”. Everything that God has done for us in showing us mercy, grace, love and forgiveness, aside from bringing us life eternal, serves as an example of how we are supposed to be toward others. We readily accepted Jesus’ forgiveness when we put our faith and trust in Him. So how can we then neglect to show that same forgiveness toward others? This Levite went after his concubine, even after her unfaithfulness to him. There are many of us who would say that adultery is a deal breaker for us. Yet, God forgave us and reconciled us, in spite of the adultery we committed, and still commit, toward Him with those we put before Him. Ephesians 4:30-32 commands, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Did you catch that? We are not only to forgive, but like the Levite was toward his adulterous wife, we are to be kind, and tenderhearted, toward one another. Far too often we say that we forgive, but then we treat that person that we allegedly forgave in a mean-spirited way or in a passive aggressive manner. We forgive them with our words, to give the impression that we are being spiritual, but our actions say something completely different. God’s forgiveness toward us, like His love, was clearly demonstrated by His actions toward us. He suffered and died for us. What excuse do we then have when we refuse to forgive those who offend and wrong us? The short answer is, “We have no excuse.”
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).
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Hopeless and Helpless
Verse of the day: Judges 18:24, So he said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and you have gone away. Now what more do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What ails you?’ ”
For those of us who know the Lord, what confidence would we have in Jesus if He could be taken from us? What hope would we have if our salvation was founded on a god who could not even protect itself and keep itself from being taken hostage? What a truly sad picture we have here of the hopelessness and helplessness of worshipping false gods. The graven image that was made could not offer salvation for itself or its creator. It could not heal or provide. It could not see, hear, or speak. It was essentially deaf, dumb, blind, and mute. Yet, what great sorrow befell Micah at the realization that his created god was now being taken away from him and neither he nor his god had the power to stop the invaders. In spite of all of that, Micah sought after his god as if it was the most valuable thing he possessed. He was even willing to challenge the Danites, until he realized that they were too strong (v. 22-26). This is the god he was willing to stand up for; a god who was not even capable of helping Micah have victory in this potential conflict. If Micah can be dedicated to such a god, how dedicated and surrendered should we be to an Almighty God? We have a God who is infinite. Colossians 1:17 says, “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Our God is self-sufficient and does not need for us to take care of Him. In John 5:26 Jesus said, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself”. God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever present at all times (Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 46:9-10; Psalm 139:7-10). Is there any other who is as just, loving, gracious, merciful, forgiving, and as patient as our God? If we truly have an intimate relationship with Him in Christ Jesus, then we know that the answer to that question is, “There is no one like our God.” We can proclaim, as Moses did in Exodus 15:11, “Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?” If we believe and proclaim that there is no other god like our God, I want to ask a question. “Why are those who worship idols and false gods more dedicated to their powerless gods, than we are to our Almighty God?” “Why do they sacrifice so much to a god who gives them little to nothing, yet we sacrifice so little for a God who has given us all things?” Many have even given their lives for false gods and their false doctrines, and many Christians are not even willing to take up their cross, deny self, or even surrender their lives for God to use for His glory. Why is that? Have we allowed the gods of this world (money, material gain, status in society, or climbing the corporate ladder, etc.) to steal our worship from the only One who deserves it? How many of us can say that we are living as we have been admonished in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” If we claim that we are living out these verses, is it reflected in how often we pray, read and study God’s Word? Is it reflected in the way we serve God sacrificially, willing to give it all for the sake of His glory? Are we seeking after him with the kind of hunger and willingness to defend our faith as Micah was willing to do for his idol? Imagine what God could accomplish through us, and in us, if we were that dedicated to the God who gave His only begotten Son for us? I would venture to say that we would have the reputation of the early church, who turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
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).
Monday, September 3, 2018
Godless Guidance
Verse of the day: Judges 18:5-6, So they said to him, “Please inquire of God, that we may know whether the journey on which we go will be prosperous.” 6 And the priest said to them, “Go in peace. The presence of the LORD be with you on your way.”
From whom and from where do we seek advice and guidance from? When we seek guidance from someone, as Christians, do we check to see if it lines up with God’s Word? These Danites, who only sought to hear what they wanted to hear, took the words of Micah’s priest for truth, simply because he told them that Micah hired him as his priest. The priest did not pray, or even attempt to approach the Lord for guidance. He simply gave an answer based on his corrupt credentials as an idolatrous priest. How careful are we to investigate what we are being told, even from those who claim to be God’s servants? Although it is very wise to seek godly counsel and guidance, it is wise and honorable to double check the advice we get. Sadly, far too many Christians prefer to be spoon-fed and are too lazy to search and study God’s Word to get the answers we need to life’s challenges. In Acts 17 there were a group of people who were praised in Scripture for their diligent search and verification of what they were told by the Apostle Paul and Silas. In Acts 17:10-11 we are told, “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” The best advice and guidance any of us can received comes from God Himself. We have all that we need to find out what God’s will and plan is for our lives. We have the Holy Spirit who seals us, indwells us, and guides us. 1 Corinthians 1:21-22 tells us, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” Jesus clearly tells us in John 16:13-14, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” We have the Word of God, which the Holy Spirit uses to guide us, but we must do our part in studying it and applying it. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” James 1:22 also reminds us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We must remember that the devil tried to use the Word of God to tempt Jesus in Matthew 4. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that when we are verifying the advice or guidance given, that we be diligent to properly study the Word of God, seeking to hear from God and not trying to twist Scripture so that it fits our theology or our desire to do something. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Above all, please, please, please, always go to the Lord in constant prayer, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. The many times I have heard people’s disappointment and discouragement because God did not come through for them was usually rooted in the fact that they did not pray. They took flimsy and unbiblical advice or claimed some Scripture that was out of context. Then they pointed the finger at God for their plans falling through or for situations going from bad to worse. Let us be diligent to seek the Lord in all things. However, let us always seek Him in truth and not on the basis of hearing what we want to hear so that we can do what WE want to do.
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).
Sunday, September 2, 2018
The Easy Faithless Way
Verse of the day: Judges 18:1-2, In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for itself to dwell in; for until that day their inheritance among the tribes of Israel had not fallen to them. 2 So the children of Dan sent five men of their family from their territory, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and search it. They said to them, “Go, search the land.” So they went to the mountains of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there.
Here we find the men from the Tribe of Dan, the same tribe Samson was from (Judges 13), who are now seeking land to inherit. This is truly a sad statement when we stop and consider that they failed to conquer the land God had already given them. The territory given to them is listed in Joshua 19:40-46, “The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.” However, it was their lack of faith that caused their failure. Here we find them, instead of conquering the land given to them by God, looking for the easiest portion of land to conquer as an inheritance, as also recorded in Joshua 19:47-48. The Danites’ lack of faith is a perfect example of what happens when we lack trust in God and put more trust in our own abilities and gauge a situation or task based on what we see as humanly possible. We also see how little is accomplished for the Lord when we allow idols to become the focus of our lives. In the chapter we see hints of the Danites seeking God, but only superficially (v. 5). The seek the advice of a priest who is not a true servant to God, but one who serves men and idols (v. 5-6). Today, far too many of us serve God the same way that the Tribe of Dan sought to gain their inheritance…the easy, faithless, way. Had they conquered the land that was allotted to them, they would have demonstrated faith in the Lord, even though they would have had to fight hard. Sadly, they chose to give up their inheritance and find a land, Laish, that was easier to conquer, based on what they saw as their ability to have victory. As we serve God today, we must see this example of faithlessness and do just the opposite. Every task, every ministry, and everything that we do in service to the Lord is not always going to be easy. Far too often we only want to serve God within our own comfort zone, and we shy away from opportunities that will challenge us, require real faith, and opportunities that will give us the chance to see God work supernaturally in our lives. We scout out easier ways of accomplishing something for the Lord when He calls us to be sacrificial in our giving, whether of our time, talents, or material goods. This results in the loss of blessings. Many of us will never know, in this lifetime, how many blessings we have forfeited because we chose to be faithless in our walk with the Lord, and chose only to do those things that within the scope of what we perceived our human abilities to be. God made it clear in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith we cannot please Him. The danger of lacking faith is that, just like the Danites missed out on inheriting their lot in the Promise Land, if we lack saving faith and fail to put our trust in Jesus, trusting more in our own works to save us, we will be eternally condemned to Hell and the Lake of Fire, missing the opportunity to inherit Heaven. As born again believers, if we lack faith, we will serve God only in the areas we feel we can serve by our own strength, and miss out on many opportunities to be a blessing and receive heavenly blessings that can only be gained by living a life of faith. God wants to use each and every one of His children. He may not use us all in the same way, but we all have talents and abilities and a measure of faith given to us to use for His glory (Romans 12:3). That measure of faith is of no use to us if we do not apply it to those times when God moves us to serve Him in one way or another. The bottom line is that He may call us to easy tasks at times and at other times stretch our faith, especially during those times when the enemy opposes us. The one thing to remember is that regardless of how hard the enemy fights to stop us, the God we serve is far greater than the god of this world (1 John 4:4). Let us not always seek the easy, faithless way out, but seek to serve God in all areas, especially those that truly exercise our faith in Him. Those are the ones that will yield the greatest eternal rewards.
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).
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Worthless Religion
Verse of the day: Judges 17:12-13, So Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and lived in the house of Micah. 13 Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since I have a Levite as priest!”
In these verses we have a clear picture of the difference between a religious person and one who truly knows God intimately. Micah, the same man who stole from his own mother (v. 1-2), now begins to establish his own religion, and somehow convinces himself that this is pleasing to God. I would like to say that this is no longer something that exists today, but the fact is that there are many (too many) man-made religions that exists all around us. What is even sadder, is that many Christians, who claim that they have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior, have gone from trusting in Christ’s atoning Blood to adding works and becoming legalistic in their Christianity. The Apostle Paul put it best when he wrote this to the Christians of the church at Galatia in Galatians 3:1-4, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?” His necessity in writing this came from the fact that these Christians were convinced by Judaizers that along with putting their faith in Jesus, it was necessary to be circumcised; thereby adding works in order to be saved. This is not to say that works are not a part of our Christianity. Works are not what saves us, but they do prove that we are saved. James 2:18 puts it this way, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Ephesians 2:10 also says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” In other words, as born again believers our good works are founded in the fact that we are already saved, and we do them in gratitude and obedience to Christ Jesus, for the glory of God. Micah was an idolater. The religion he was establishing was man-pleasing, not God-pleasing. It is evident that there was some doubt that existed in his thinking about this religion, as he says what he says in verse 13 about the Lord now being good to him because he hired and consecrated this wandering Levite priest. Sadly, too many people today claim to be Christians based on the fact that they come from families where their parents are Christians, or because they attend a Christian church; yet, they themselves have never put their faith personally in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Some have a reputation for being a “nice” person, and because they give and do their best to treat others with kindness, they deceive themselves into thinking that this makes them a Christian and that they are pleasing to God. They faithfully perform their rituals and do those things which, in comparison to others, makes them look godly, but do not have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Isaiah 64:6 erases any doubt that as to whether our works, outside of Christ, are of any value in gaining favor with God, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Micah worshipped idols, and hired a priest who would serve him and his idols, and was convinced that the presence of that priest would bring him favor with God. What are we relying on to bring us favor with God? Is it our good works? Is it our association to family members or friends that are Christians? Do we think that we are saved because we give to the local church or help in some way? Like Micah, we are deceived if we think that any of this brings us into favor with God. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” The only way that we can have a true intimate relationship with God has nothing to do with empty rituals and works. The only way to an intimate relationship with God is in Christ Jesus. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Let us put aside religion and seek an intimate relationship with God through faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior. May our good works then be done for His glory, not ours, knowing that all the favor we will ever need or have can only be found in the righteousness and finished work of Jesus Christ.
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).
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