Galatians 5:7-9 KJV
Today, I have a greater understanding of: "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
All it takes is a little, tiny bit of compromise for The Truth to be turned into a lie!
I have known I needed to watch out for wolves in sheep's clothing and have been on the alert for those who would water down the Gospel, but I'm amazed at how just a little wrong teaching can take one so far off course!
It seems all around me people are falling for another Gospel. They have been drinking from tainted wells; a mixture, not the pure water of The Word!
“I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.”
Galatians 4:11 KJV
“Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.” Galatians 4:10 KJV
“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” Galatians 4:9 KJV
And I notice in their efforts, is a sincere desire to please God. However, outward celebration of your faith is no substitute for dealing with the sin hiding in your heart! Even in the Old Testament, God spoke through Samuel: “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 KJV
We are a stiffnecked, rebellious people, preferring to "do it our way" rather than obey The LORD; hoping to please Him without submission. The Pharisees did the same thing and were rebuked by Jesus: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27 KJV
It's painful to deal with our hurts and secret sins; our flesh will put up a fight every time! This is part of "killing the old man"! The devil says, "you don't have to do it" - but God requires submission to His Word!
There is no getting around obedience!
You can put up lights and trees; you can light your candles; give many gifts to the poor; you can say “we’re putting ‘Christ back in Christmas’”, however, none of that is a substitute for dealing with the unforgiveness, bitterness, judgments, anger, and fear you hold onto in your heart! Those are the dead bones Jesus was speaking of!
No matter how pretty your decorations or how bright your house shines, you must deal with the darkness in your heart to please God!
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:1-2 KJV
“Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:9 KJV
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV
This year give God the only gift He wants: total surrender!
Repent before it's too late!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 12/9/15
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