Compromise and Indecision

Posted on Jul 14, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Genesis 19

     Lot and his wife made a home in Sodom. I’m sure that their goal was not to raise up their children in the ways of heathens. I’m sure that being in the environment they were in, they didn’t realize the little compromises they made with God added up.  We do this too, living in such a secular world we are bombarded with unrighteous music, television, even certain friends we have in our lives. Compromises that add up and we let pass because we don’t see them as a big deal.

     Too much of Lot’s life was in Sodom and the result of this is that his testimony became invalidated, because he compromised his faith there. We can see this through his relationship with the other people there. His words hold no weight for them. Even Lot’s children disregarded his faith after witnessing multiple compromises that he and his wife allowed in their lives. He chose the easy path to riches and prosperity in Sodom, entangling his life so completely with the corrupt system that he is hesitates to follow heavenly instruction and risks his life for something meant for destruction. We must be urgent to obey God and not get attached to the things in this world. Of course, we have all heard this before, but the reality is that we all have earthly materials that bring us security and the thought of giving them up brings fear into our hearts. What if God asked you to sacrifice your house after you paid it off? What if He asked you to give up your job without any prospect of another, even if he didn’t reveal the reason to you immediately? Would you trust Him? What about simple things, like not listening to secular music; songs that you grew up on? The ones that aren’t that bad…
or your favorite television show that seem to be getting a little more risqué with every new episode? Could you give up certain friends that talk about things you know you have no business talking about?  These little compromises add up and corrupt a good consciousness. The Christians biggest mistake is not seeing the big picture that it isn’t just you that you have to worry about.
 
     Lot’s lack of righteousness produces a domino effect into the corruption of his daughters’ upbringing. This leads to the choice of assaulting their father. Had Lot been a righteous man and not compromised in Sodom and protected his children they would have understood the importance of character and integrity. They would have not turned to self-preservation, (a form of selfishness and anxiety), or taken sexual immorality so lightly. As a result, Lot’s life ended in shame. His family line was shamed and the generation after him did more harm than good for the Jewish people, all because of his love for this world and the compromises that come from that love. Lot represents compromise, but his wife represents indecision. Jesus warned his followers to remember her when the time of great tribulation comes.

“It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife!”

                                                  Luke 17:30-32

     Indecision comes when we get comfortable in our lives that are full of compromise. It reveals itself when we are confronted by the Holy Spirit. Through the conviction of our hearts, He implores us to be obedient in a season and we hesitate to acknowledge His still small voice, (1 Kings 19:11-13). We have committed ourselves to our comfort zones that He is trying to constantly pull us out of. A true walk with the Lord is consistently stepping out in faith, the unknown, and trusting Him to lead you. Steps not leaps. The idea of “leaps of faith” is a man-made idea. The Bible says “walk by faith,” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

     It is a lifestyle, not a every once in a while, when you feel brave type of situation. You cannot walk by faith if you hesitate before every single step you take.  To walk is to go forward in a natural movement and pace; consistently. As we see the end of the age, no Christian should have a heart like Lot or Lot’s wife. We should strive forward with excitement at the coming of our deliverance, not back at the world in mourning of our old life. Do not look back at your old life with the sad thought of leaving it behind. RUN. Leave it behind you with joy. Your joy comes from the Lord not from this world! Do not be the Israelites who said it was better in Egypt when the road gets rough. Instead see that the rough road is leading you to a door of blessing! We do not serve a God who delights in the sufferings of His people. It is written that His thoughts toward you are peaceful and full of hope, that His plans are to prosper you. He uses ALL things for good. Do not be anxious at the unknown future, that is God’s business not yours. He has it taken care of.

     The sin of indecision confuses some people, how can not deciding be a bad thing? The truth of the matter is that not deciding is a decision in-and-of itself. You are deciding to disobey by not responding immediately to what God has commanded. It is simple disobedience by pride. Pride that tells the Lord you do not trust that what He is telling you to do is worth doing with swift, purpose. That maybe He made a mistake and you need to think it out for Him. What a slap in the face to our creator, yet we all do it. The Bible calls this being double-minded.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

                                                            James 1: 5-8

     If you sit on your knees and pray for better faith or for God to fix your situation then disobey out of fear or complacency when the opportunity arises are you not better than Lot or his wife? We must be of one mind with Christ. The results of this kind of thinking are detrimental to you and the generation you produce after you. We have a responsibility to more than just ourselves. As the body of Christ we must stop thinking that our choices here on Earth only affect us in the present time and see further.  This way we can live unselfish lives and become unified as His people.
 
 
– V. Harrington

BORN…BUT FOR WHAT?

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , , ,

By: Anita Mondragon
 
There used to be a popular song out when I was younger.  It was called, Born to be wild.  If you’re in my age group, you most likely remember it.  But God says in His Word, that we are all born for a purpose…and I’m sure, it’s not to be wild!  We are to bring glory and honor to God, our Creator.  
 
 
I was watching a movie the other day and heard this statement:  “…Look at them…You’re going to die for them????”  The answer came back in a whisper…. “I was born for them so that I could die for them.  It’s the only reason I’m here…”  
 
After hearing that, I began thinking about the Cross and how Jesus died for us.  He KNEW why He was born-even before He came to earth to be born in a manger.  He knew His purpose.  He knew every thing that He would have to endure in order to bring us to Heaven.  He knew it all, even before the foundation of the world…and He created us anyway!  I have a hard time trying to fathom that kind of love.  He knew how wayward we’d be.  He knew how rebellious we’d be.  He knew every sin that mankind would commit…how we would scoff at His Word…how He’d be beaten, mocked, stripped naked, nailed to a Cross, and even how His Father, God Almighty would have to turn away…but He created us anyway; and He loved us SO much that He was willing to die so that we could live with Him forever!  
 
How can we continue in our sin knowing all of this?  How can we even think that we are happy doing what is wrong?  
 
It’s time to ask ourselves, “WHAT WAS I BORN FOR?” 
 
God has a purpose for each and every person that comes into the world.  Maybe it’s to be a doctor and save human life.  Maybe a scientist and come up with a cure for all the ailments of this world.  Perhaps an artist that sees God’s beauty and puts it on canvas.  Maybe a missionary or a preacher that brings the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  Perhaps you have an extraordinary voice and are to be a Worship leader.  Whatever your talent…God will show you if you ask Him.  But if you are a born again Believer…whatever your occupation, your main purpose is to tell others about this wonderous love of Jesus Christ, and bring them to the Cross.  
 
Are you ready to fulfil your purpose?  Then ask God, “What was I born for?  What is MY purpose?”  When He shows you…Live it, every day!