According to Eph. 6:12, Christians have, and will continue to deal with, a highly structured devilish military with a two-fold objective – either pulling us away from Christ or keeping others from accepting Him. Scripturally, Paul pens this anti-God military in the plural and highly structured – “principalities.” Even though these “principalities” cannot separate God from loving us (Rom.8:38), believers who have strayed from walking closely with God have fallen prey to seeing their feelings and situations as being such.
Although the following passage is rich in many Biblical truths, try reading the passage through the above glasses.
(Heb 10:28-39) “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Truths to glean:
1. During the Old Testament era under the Mosaic law, it took only two witnesses to have a violator put to death without any mercy from the legal system. Please keep in mind the same source of that law declares that He bears witness to any, and will deal with accordingly, believer, or someone who teaches around the value of the blood of Jesus being necessary for salvation and holiness in God’s eyes. Even though the enemy tries to season a soul with works instead of maintaining a strong focus upon Christ’s blood, God warns against it in every age – including ours! Stay mentally secure with God!
2. The readers are to remember an earlier time when they were new believers and suffered ridicule from unbelievers and some believers had even switched sides and found fault with new believers themselves. As a young lad, I can remember hearing news of a new conversion followed by joy from some and others saying, “Give him a week or so and then rejoice.”
Stand strong in the eyes of God for new believers!
3. Many believers can remember when they were on fire with the Lord and instantly were ready to sacrifice anything for any believer’s benefit, knowing that the best is always ahead with Christ, but now their fire has all but died out – lukewarm at best. Godly commitment and adventure have become past tense. Many could testify of the past but so few anymore can testify of today. Outside pressures and inward mind games prevail.
God says to them wake up! Stop submitting. Have you ever considered that God might be behind what enemy forces are calling God’s chastisement or, perhaps, you are receiving what you deserve?
Permit me to explain. If God so desires, He can permits unpleasant things to come our way to bring out the Good in us. On the other hand, our enemy desires for us to see otherwise. Remember, if we always look for bad in things the devil will gladly point it out and there we stay until next time. On the other hand, when something goes haywire, pause and focus on the fact that God may be teaching us something so we will be more equipped to please Him! We all require a precious essential grace needful for doing the will of God and receiving God’s best. This God sent blessing is simply having more patience with God than with others like themselves and even unbelievers. Remember, “tribulation worketh patience.” (Rom. 5:3)
Let me encourage you today to stay mentally secure with God, stand strong in God’s presence for new believers, and stare in God’s direction for the best interpretation of circumstances and feelings, especially self pity.
May God bless you with the best day ever!
Roger