Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
Occasionally I like to sit down and watch a very close matched baseball game, and although I’m not very bright when it comes to all of the rules and regulations in baseball, I do know that when the pitcher stands on the mound and goes into his windup, not every ball that he throws is going to go over the plate. Sometimes he misses the strike zone completely and will get called for a ball, and if he gets enough of these, the runner gets to automatically advance to first base. Although they have the best intentions, pitchers are not always going to strike out the batter, but sometimes, in order to avoid a very good batter, they will intentionally throw the ball completely out of the strike zone. The rules have changed recently, but in the past, a catcher would stand five feet away from home plate, and the pitcher would intentionally toss the ball so the hitter had no possibility of hitting it at all.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
Sometimes a pitcher will miss the strike zone unintentionally, but that’s a huge difference from when they walk a batter on purpose. People might sin because of an honest mistake, but those who do it on purpose are going to receive God’s indignation.
Hebrews 10 ²⁶ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. ²⁸ 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.
When something is done wilfully, it is done deliberately and intentionally. When people choose to sin against the will of God in such a manner, they are in a state of obstinate and stubborn rebellion, and often referred to as being stiff-necked. We are in a wicked period of history when many people who profess to love the Lord Jesus, are in a state of complete rebellion against Him, which is proven by their open disobedience to His will. Rather than humbling themselves under the mighty hand of God, they are filled up with the spirit of disobedience, turning their ears away from biblical truth.
2 Timothy 4 ² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
This is a prophecy that is being fulfilled as we speak. Those who will not hear God’s Word are not of God, it doesn’t matter if they claim to be a Christian or not.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
God hates rebellion and intentional sin as these activities are a manifestation of hatred towards Him. It is a complete and utter rejection of the first commandment. Look at the suffering that Jesus went through in order to save us, and then people treat Him in such a manner? What a wicked and evil world that we live in, and it will only get worse. The Lord Jesus wondered if there would be faith on the earth when He finally returned, and the more you look around, the more you will recognize what it must have looked like shortly before the flood. Many people claim that Jesus is their Lord, but have no intention of doing what He says.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Someone might make an honest mistake in their life, but that is completely different than those who foment open rebellion against God. Rebellion is opposition to someone who is an authority over you, or an instance of defiance and resistance. A husband might tell his wife not to do something, but she does it anyway. Rebellion. A dad might rebuke his son, but they completely resist him. Rebellion. God’s Word says one thing, but they do what they want to instead. Rebellion. These types of activities are going to be punished by God, and it is extreme wickedness to treat a loving God in such a manner. Saul reaped the repercussions for this type of behavior.
1 Samuel 15 ²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. ²⁴ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. ²⁵ Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. ²⁶ And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
A lot of these people don’t look like those who would have such wicked traits, but neither did the religious leaders in Jesus day. There are many wolves who are dressed up in sheep’s clothing, many of which sit religiously in false churches today. Rather than following Christ Jesus, they are following Jezebel and women Bible teachers, which is disorderly conduct for anyone who claims to be a man of God. Those who choose to rebel, and refuse to repent are going to encounter God’s wrath. Woe unto them, because their rebellion has reached onto heavenly places.
“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:” Isaiah 30:1
When we obey God, He will reward us, but those who choose to sin purposely against His will had better be very careful about the steps they take, because God will most certainly punish…..
……….The Intentional Walk
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.♥️
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