And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. (Jdg 2:18-20)
The theme and recurring cycle of the book of Judges, the Lord would deliver the people out of their oppression at the hands of their neighbours and enemies, when that judge was gone, the people would fall back into idolatry and wickedness, and the Lord would oppress them and chastise them and they would eventually cry out for deliverance. GOD wants the best for us, and will deliver us when we truly repent, but He is not the butler cleaning up our mess, nor is He a magic fairy or spoiling grandfather letting us play as we want and giving us whatever we ask for. He is GOD, the great and dreadful GOD, keeping covenant and mercy unto them that love Him unto a thousand generations, but He will not at all acquit the wicked. GOD's mercy is not license, but grace and love. He is just, but He is also merciful, and we thank Him for His mercies which are renewed every morning. But His justice, love, mercy, and grace are not to be trifled with or trampled on.
Too often, we who bear the Name of Christ get into the same habits, and begin to live like we used to before we were delivered from our sIn, and act like the world. We expect GOD to get us out of our mess, and to grant us all we want or ask for, simply because we are 'Christian'. GOD is Holy, and He expects His people to be holy. He has called us to be separate, to no longer be friends with the world, to live pure lives in according with His Word, and be conformed to the image of His Son. Of course, many who claim the Name of Christ, do not truly know Him and are not the Christian they think they are. The rest of us, who have recognized how lost we truly were and how much we need Jesus Christ for Salvation, repented of our sIns which have separated us from a Holy and Righteous GOD, and received Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We are to reckon ourselves dead to this world and alive in Christ, who lives in us and through us to do His will and work in this world.
We must break out of the cycle of living in the world, and being chastised back to Christ, but living in and for Him, in service to our Lord and for His glory. We serve Him in ministry as we meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need as He guides and provides. We serve Him in love and discipleship as we equip, encourage, and enable one another in the discipleship of the Word and loving fellowship one with another in the body of Christ. We serve Him in witness and evangelism as we take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world and the Word of reconciliation to every one we meet, that those who hear the Good News and believe 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
Too often, we who bear the Name of Christ get into the same habits, and begin to live like we used to before we were delivered from our sIn, and act like the world. We expect GOD to get us out of our mess, and to grant us all we want or ask for, simply because we are 'Christian'. GOD is Holy, and He expects His people to be holy. He has called us to be separate, to no longer be friends with the world, to live pure lives in according with His Word, and be conformed to the image of His Son. Of course, many who claim the Name of Christ, do not truly know Him and are not the Christian they think they are. The rest of us, who have recognized how lost we truly were and how much we need Jesus Christ for Salvation, repented of our sIns which have separated us from a Holy and Righteous GOD, and received Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We are to reckon ourselves dead to this world and alive in Christ, who lives in us and through us to do His will and work in this world.
We must break out of the cycle of living in the world, and being chastised back to Christ, but living in and for Him, in service to our Lord and for His glory. We serve Him in ministry as we meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need as He guides and provides. We serve Him in love and discipleship as we equip, encourage, and enable one another in the discipleship of the Word and loving fellowship one with another in the body of Christ. We serve Him in witness and evangelism as we take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world and the Word of reconciliation to every one we meet, that those who hear the Good News and believe 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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