When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which He hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Deut. 12:29-32)
Moses knew that the people would be tempted by the false worship around them. God spoke this warning unto the Children of Israel that they remember God is God alone and His Word commands worship of Him only. The false worship of idols is the worship of devils and God not only is a jealous God but a righteous God who demands holiness from His people. He had already judged the people of the land for their wickedness and God had commanded Israel to go in and possess the land, but they were not to go after the false worship practices of child sacrifice and prostitution which the idolaters practiced, lest the judgement for sin fall upon them. They were to believe and obey the Commands which God had given and all His Statutes and Judgments without adding to or diminishing one word of that which God had given to them.
Christians are not to go after the things of the world, nor do as they do. God demands holiness of His people, and in Christ we are called to be different, peculiar, separated from the idolatry and wickedness of those who are not yet in Christ. The Word of God is to be proclaimed everywhere, rightly divided, without diminishing or addition, that we might reach the lost for Christ, teach all nations, and preach all that He has said. We are not to sacrifice our children to the idols of this world but dedicated ourselves and our children to the Lord. God calls everyone everywhere to repent and come to Him on His terms that they might be redeemed from their sin by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Though all have been judged guilty before God, God does not wish to destroy the wicked, but that all who have sinned might be born again through repentance and faith by grace.
God has sent those who are His and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet