Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites. And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay; Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. (Jdg 12:4-6)
When those Israelites who had settled in Ephraim opposed Jephthah, whether out of jealousy, or pride, or anger against him, he gathered his forces and the men of Gilead and armed conflict within Israel ensued. Gilead gained the upper hand because of a dialect impediment and Jephthah concluded his judging of Israel with a slaughter of those that did not support the work of the Lord from within the ranks of the children of Israel. Be not deceived, the Scripture tells us, GOD is not mocked, and no weapon fashioned against His people will stand when we are under the shadow of the Almighty and abide in His will.
It does not bode well for the person who opposes GOD, or the people of GOD. If GOD is for us who can be against us. There are many things that GOD allows in this sinful and broken world, and for a time He allows those that oppose Him and His people to seem as if they are flourishing and getting the upper hand, especially as we draw closer to the end He has foretold is coming. But, when His wrath is full, He will unleash the Judgment He has already pronounced on those who oppose Him, that are at war with Him. Cultural Christians that have joined a church but never been born again, and the apathetic and undecided who are not in the family of GOD will experience we all deserve because of sIn.
That does not excuse those of us who are His children, for we are to be holy and Christ-like in all that we do, to shine for GOD, and be salt in this world. The forgiveness and new life we receive because of our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and our repentance of our sIn does not mean we can sIn all we want to, in fact it means we sIn more than we want to, but that we should grow in Him and become more like Jesus Christ every day through our study and our communion with GOD through prayer and His Word. We do not war after the flesh, nor do we preach a social gospel which seeks political or social means of change without GOD's change of the heart and spirit in sinners who are still at war with Him.
That is our task, as His Church, to take the Word of reconciliation to those around us, that they might come to know GOD and His Son, Jesus Christ. As His ambassadors, as GOD provides and guides us, we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. As His disciples, we love one another with the unfeigned love of the brethren and equip, encourage, and edify one another until we all grow up into the full measure of Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Master. As His witnesses, we proclaim and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all we meet, that those who believe the Good News and repent might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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
It does not bode well for the person who opposes GOD, or the people of GOD. If GOD is for us who can be against us. There are many things that GOD allows in this sinful and broken world, and for a time He allows those that oppose Him and His people to seem as if they are flourishing and getting the upper hand, especially as we draw closer to the end He has foretold is coming. But, when His wrath is full, He will unleash the Judgment He has already pronounced on those who oppose Him, that are at war with Him. Cultural Christians that have joined a church but never been born again, and the apathetic and undecided who are not in the family of GOD will experience we all deserve because of sIn.
That does not excuse those of us who are His children, for we are to be holy and Christ-like in all that we do, to shine for GOD, and be salt in this world. The forgiveness and new life we receive because of our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and our repentance of our sIn does not mean we can sIn all we want to, in fact it means we sIn more than we want to, but that we should grow in Him and become more like Jesus Christ every day through our study and our communion with GOD through prayer and His Word. We do not war after the flesh, nor do we preach a social gospel which seeks political or social means of change without GOD's change of the heart and spirit in sinners who are still at war with Him.
That is our task, as His Church, to take the Word of reconciliation to those around us, that they might come to know GOD and His Son, Jesus Christ. As His ambassadors, as GOD provides and guides us, we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. As His disciples, we love one another with the unfeigned love of the brethren and equip, encourage, and edify one another until we all grow up into the full measure of Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Master. As His witnesses, we proclaim and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all we meet, that those who believe the Good News and repent might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you 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
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