These are some thoughts I’ve had and feel like sharing.
The story of every believer is the story of Israel coming out of Egypt. We’ve all been in slavery to sin and sin worked us over until we felt like there was no escape except in death. (Exodus 2:23) But then we heard that there’s freedom (Jesus) at hand and our freedom came just like God promised. We believed and left Egypt behind and now we’re walking through the desert towards our promised land. But the wilderness is scary, and we feel like any day now we’re either going to be attacked by our former master (Exodus 14:5-10) or die of thirst or hunger and it will all have been for nothing.
Freedom sounded good in Egypt but now, come to think of it, Egypt wasn’t so bad (Exodus 16:3) and whatever The Saviour provides seems insignificant compared to how good it was in Egypt (Numbers 11:5-6) because the wilderness makes you forget that you’re on the way to a promised land. You forget that you were not just plucked out of Egypt and left to find your way into the promised land by your own. No. Even the children of Israel were not sent out to cross the desert by themselves. God sent The Angel of The Lord to go with them to guide them on the way (Exodus 23:20-23). God gave His Holy Spirit to all those that have believed in His precious Son to guide them on the way for we travel on a road we’ve never been before (Joshua 3:4b).
This is not a fairy-tale we believe in. For the sake of having Jesus Christ as my Lord, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14) The fact that we have days when we get distracted by the world, doesn’t mean we’re under its control. I get that there are days when we feel this or that, but that doesn’t change the fact that I left Egypt behind, and I am never going back there! (Deuteronomy 17:16)
If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, then trust that the One who set you free will safely take you to your destination. Ask His Holy Spirit to guide your steps. If there are things you struggle with, don’t hide them, take them to The Lord and sincerely ask Him to help you overcome and He that is faithful will help you. Ask and believe that what you have asked for you have already received. (Mark 11:23) If you lack anything ask and don’t grumble against Your Saviour like the Israelites did in the desert. If there is sin in you, then have the same heart as Phinehas and boldly pick up a spear and run it through whatever makes you sin (Numbers 25:5-8), don’t spare it regardless of how much it pains you to do so. Jesus said, “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.” (Matthew 18:9)
Some people fond of their ‘innocent tiny sins’ might think I’m talking nonsense. “But who can live that way?!” What is impossible with men is possible with God. (Mark 10:27) I didn’t say it’s possible to do it with your human discipline and good intentions, but I know for a fact that it is possible through His Spirit. If you don’t believe me, test it. Ask God, sincerely “Lord, I honestly don’t want this sin in my life anymore. I hate it, I hate how it makes me feel. I have tried to control it, but I end up running to it every chance I got. I know I can’t do it by myself, but I believe Lord that all things are possible with You! I believe You can do it in me!”
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. “ (Colossians 3:5)
Am I saying it is easy? NO WAY! Is worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
We have entered in a contract (covenant) with a holy God. We have decided one day, “enough is enough! How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:17-19) And as soon as our Father saw us received us back with open arms. Now that we are of His household, we can’t keep acting like we did when we were feeding the pigs!
I know of many believers that get easily confused every other week. It’s either with something they really feel God should give them but they don’t get and they’re unhappy, or some so and so said or did such and such and oh, the audacity! Or everybody else has this blessing yet I am forgotten, or some documentary they’ve watched completely threw their whole faith, or some deep eschatological question regarding the mark of the beast or the 4 horses of revelation. Aargh!
Enough! We will reign with Christ one day. Does that even sink into our minds? We, who right now can’t settle a simple thing concerning earthly things, will one day govern with Christ. But beloved, don’t be fooled, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12)
If you have tested God, truly tested Him and found Him lacking, then why continue this game? If this Way leads you nowhere and you yearningly look at the world and wish you could live like one of them, then by all means, go be happy! Why pretend to want God? I know some would like to have both God and the world. I’m afraid they’re not compatible with one another. So choose! Settle it in your mind once and for all. God deserves better than some moments of highs from you whenever you feel like putting aside some scraps for Him only to return to your old ways as soon as you’re bored with this whole thing. He wants all or nothing because He gave everything to have you.
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:6-13)
“He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)
May God bless and illuminate the heart of anyone who reads
this!
Cristina Pop
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