Disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.
DOES GOD NOT KNOW?
DOES GOD NOT KNOW?
Certainly He does; for He knows all things. Howbeit, because His people act as if they don't know, by choosing to continue in sin and refusing to repent, yet, for a little while, He sends forth His messengers to sound the trumpet:
Isaiah 58: 1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
This part should drive you to your knees right now: BUT GOD, unlike man, is FAITHFUL to His Word to forgive us of our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness; but we must first confess and repent of our sins:
1 John 1:9 IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Chronicles 7:14 IF my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
God is not interested in our wealth, our outer garments, nor our festivals. Forgiveness, like gifts, can not be bought.
Acts 8:22 Repent of your wickedness, and pray to to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. In other words, don't become slack or jaded in your thinking: just because it has been over two thousand years and it hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't come to pass; for all prophecy must come to pass. Though, we know not the day nor the hour, this one thing we do know, for it was foretold us: The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. Yet, it is not God's will that any should perish, but that ALL should come to REPENTANCE; for ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
If God's admonition was prudent for the early church (Ref. Corinthians & Revelations), are we now so perfect that we are exempt? Not so, according to His Word. God is calling the church out; now is not the time to be indignant, especially with regard to our repentance: but rather in gratitude of clemency, we must humble ourselves in REPENTANCE:
Acknowledge our sin
Confess of our sin
Rend our hearts in sincere and remorseful apology:
Unto God
And unto those against whom we have sinned (Matthew 5:23-24)
Restore (2 Samuel 12:6 & Luke 19:8)
Our love for God, and one for another, as well as our repentance, when we fall short, is not about us alone; it is first and foremost, a display of reverence to God. Yet, how unfortunate that some of God's people stubbornly view repentance as a form punishment against which they must defend themselves, when, in fact, it is the exact opposite; repentance is God's mercy toward us. To those of you who have received the good news of redemption, but have stumbled at the rock of offence, act like you know. REPENT!!! lest God has to let you know, wherefore you not be counted among the remnant:
THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD
(Ezekiel 12)
Our highest display of worship is OBEDIENCE
John 14: 15 "If you love me, obey my commandments"
YES LORD, AMEN.
(Ezekiel 12)
Our highest display of worship is OBEDIENCE
John 14: 15 "If you love me, obey my commandments"
YES LORD, AMEN.
Commentary: No bull: Because of THE LAMB, no longer is the blood of bulls, goats nor the sprinkling of ashes required; therefore, while repentance is our humble sacrifice when we sin, it is the very least that God asks of us. Is He not even worthy of our very least, when He sacrificed the most for us? And yes, you can be in the church, even of the highest position, and still be immature in your walk: always crying to God to forgive you again. Howbeit, when God's people have grown up in righteousness, to the place of obedience, we no longer have to meander in the stocks of constant repentance; we can ride upon the high places of the earth in worship. (Mark 2:17). God's ultimate plan for us is that we turn away from sin. It starts with the church: stop sinning! as many, in the church, so hypocritically - even to punish, demand of others. As the church goes, so goes the nation.
"How we gon' (just) do the least, when He did the most?"
Kanye West
~Kanye West
