Just because we claim the name of Jesus as Lord or we are baptized does not mean that we are living our lives in a way that is fully pleasing to our Creator and Father. Often, even after we genuinely start pursuing Christ and submitting to Him, we still have areas of sin in our lives that need to be dealt with. Sometimes we have blind spots where we listen to the culture around us instead of God’s word about what is right and wrong.
Avoid Israel’s Mistakes
1For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and all ate the same spiritual food; 4and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” 8Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Take care not to consider idolatry to narrowly. People make idols out of many things… false gods to be sure, but also the environment, other created things such as money, sports, self, another person… it is placing something in our heart where we are focused on it instead of the right focus of God.
Consider immorality by God’s definition, not by the definition of our culture. Man today continues to redefine what is immorality through courts and television and other means but God’s position on what is moral or immoral has not and will not change. Sex outside of marriage is wrong. Marriage is designed for and constrained to a man and a woman. It is not complicated until man tries to change it to avoid confronting his sin.
Do not overlook grumbling. Yes, even grumbling is a sign of lacking faith and trust in our Father. It is a sign of an ungrateful heart that takes for granted what blessings the Father has already poured out on us. Praise Him more and stop grumbling, even when things are tough.
Let us each take on the challenge to honestly confront our attitudes and actions and compare them to Paul’s warnings from 1 Corinthians. Do not be complacent because of a one-time decision to follow Christ. Instead, seek Him daily and seek to keep changing yourself to be more in His image. Let us keep a thankful heart and praise Him for who He is and what He has already done for us, regardless of our situation!
Take a few minutes with God in prayer. Ask Him to show you any areas in your life in which you need to change. Then, take action to change!
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
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