A Deceived Life

A Deceived Life 

You were like one of them. Obadiah 11 

Edom owed Israel brotherly kindness in her time of need, but instead of that, the descendants of Esau joined with Israel’s enemies. In today’s Scripture, special stress is laid on the word You, like when Caesar cried, “and you Brutus?” A bad action may be all the worse because of the person who has committed it. We as Christians are the chosen favorites of heaven, so when we sin, we sin with an emphasis. Ours is a heinous offence, because we have been so particularly blessed. If an angel were to lay his hand on us when we were doing evil, he wouldn’t need to use any other rebuke than the question, “What, you? What are you doing?” We have been much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed—do we dare put our hands to evil? God forbid! Dear reader, a few minutes of confession may be beneficial to you this morning. Have you never been like the wicked? Have you heard people laughing at evil things and didn’t really find the joke offensive? You were like one of them. When the ways of God were described with insults, and you were bashful and silent, you were like one of them. When worldly people were taking advantage of others in the marketplace, were you like one of them? When they were pursuing wealth and power like a hunter after game, were you as greedy as they were? Could anyone see a difference them and you? Is there any difference? Here we are stepping on toes. Be honest with your own soul, and make sure you are truly a new creature in Christ Jesus. Then, when this is sure, live very carefully so that nobody should be able to say again, You were like one of them. You wouldn’t want to share their eternal doom, so why be like them here? Don’t join in their secrets, or you may come into their ruin. Side with the afflicted people of God, not with the world. C. H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

Didn't get very far into reading devotionals this morning when I was stopped at this one. 

What is the definition of lukewarm? Jesus says much against such people who are in the book of Revelation. Let's read it. From chapter 3.

 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God, says this:

‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

A great deal of professing Christians in the world today can be described as lukewarm. 

There is no shock or sadness at sin or sinful pleasures. Much of the time sin or anything that God disproves of is met with indifference or even a jovial response. They laugh along with the world as the world pours into Hell. 

They treat the free gift of Salvation as that "get out of jail free" card from Monopoly. 

Living life as if they got a free ride to do so. Believing that there's now no consequences. 

Attributing nothing of guilt in their thoughts and actions about all that they do. 

Teaching others to do the same!  Teaching others that it's not just right and accepting to embrace idols in their lives, but to require it!

This isn't some off beat view of Christians today. Jesus Himself said aloud "Will the Son of Man find the faith when He returns?"

Faith in God isn't a card you put in your wallet that you only pull out in times of trouble and distress. 

To live your life your own way after coming to Christ for salvation should be your first clue that you probably didn't take it seriously and are at risk of not being saved at all. A changed heart is the first fruit of being born again. 

Jesus, the only Righteous Judge, who separates the wheat from the chaff, the believer from the unbeliever, the sheep  from the goats, in the book of Matthew chapter 25 explains clearly, with no rebuttal possible by those He recognized as unbelievers and believers says the following:

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

My friend, those reading this around the world, look at your heart. Is there, was there a change in your heart when you came to Christ?  Are you living your life your way only?  Are you at all concerned about what concerns your Savior? Are you at all living for the one who bore your sins on that cross?  Are you at all showing signs that you have been saved?  Are you no different now than from before you claimed the name of Jesus?  

If politics guide you more than the Word of God, your heart isn't right. 

If your family or friends opinions guide you more than the Word of God, your heart isn't right. 

If you are also doing what God exposed Israel of doing...sinful deeds in secret thinking you are getting away with it...your heart is in trouble. 

We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. We have an Advocate, we have a Mediator between us and God. We do NOT have a paid off high priced lawyer who gets us off the hook when we are intentionally sinning. 

My greatest struggle is when I find myself sinning. It's a daily fight. It's not easy. Sin is entrenched. So is the Holy Spirit. Choosing to sin or not to is before all people all the time. 

Turning and repenting is only possible through the grace of God. Through the work of the Spirit of God.  We are weak but He is strong as the song goes. 

You cannot live for yourself and there not be consequences if you claim to be a Christian. 

Where's your heart in this moment? You are reading this for a reason. God brought you this far in this post because He's talking to you. Are you deceiving yourself with your salvation or are you really saved?  Is there fruits of the Spirit present in your life or is there no change at all?

Look while you can still make it right before Christ returns.