Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away...Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God's commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help...Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. Psalm 107:4-17.
These verses I've taken from this Psalm speak about the affliction of those who rebel against God. It isn't pretty. Nor would I find many people on the street today who would willingly accept a wasteland or prisoner-like lifestyle. West Virginia University exhibited several people who, sadly, are experiencing a wasteland type of life, and in their rebellion claim to be incredibly happy.
In the Old Testament, the book of Ezekiel tells of how the aforementioned prophet was called by God:
He said: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious people-they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious (Ezekiel 2:3-7NIV).
I have one question.
Why?
Why did God send prophets to wicked and rebellious people. He knew they only wanted their own ways, and that they had full knowledge of the sin they were committing. Why then did He send prophets as His messengers to suffer at the hands of the ridiculing and mocking rebels?
I have never seen such immaturity within a short amount of time as was displayed on Thursday. Two students, a guy and a girl, snuck up behind Tom and began ripping the pictures he uses to illustrate certain points. After that, I expected them to stay away out of embarrassment that they'd destroyed someone else's property. I was wrong. Both returned unapologetically, and, with roving eyes, sought a means to destroy more. An atheist student who had been listening respectfully to Tom hurried to stand between the angry student and Tom's pictures. Refusing to budge, he did not allow Angry Student to reach for the pictures. After a few seconds, Angry Student gave up and walked away.
Another girl with dark eyes and long dark hair came slowly walking up to Tom, her eyes fixed on his face, staring in silence. Sticking her tongue out, she waggled her fingers by her ears. Then, when he turned to face another student, she took a giant bunny hop to land right in front of him again. This behavior continued for a while, when she left and soon returned with a piece of paper. She proceeded to hold the paper, which said "you're wrong" on it, in front of Tom for at least an hour while he preached. The next day she was back, this time with a guitar. it didn't even appear that she could play it but she sat and strummed it in front of Tom, at times strumming louder if he happened to say something that she particularly didn't like. I don't even know this girl's name, but my heart broke for her as she finally left for good, carrying her guitar, on the second day. Her face betrayed intense hatred for the message of the gospel, and her entire countenance was wrought with hatred for it. As glad as I was to see her leave and stop trying to distract people from hearing the message of the Bible from Tom, I found tears in my eyes as I watched her walk away in the drizzling rain that had begun to fall. I don't even know this girl's name, but Jesus does. And He loves her with the same love He loves me with. He died on the cross for her in the same way He died for me. And it breaks His heart that she refuses to acknowledge Him as Lord. Even as I rejoiced to see her leave, I found myself uttering a prayer that she would find salvation and hope and peace and love through Jesus Christ.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
And there is the answer to the question I asked earlier: Why does God even care for the rebellious? Because He is patient. Because He created us in His image, and he does not wish for anyone to perish and suffer. Because God loves the people He created. Because God is love itself.
A lesbian student loudly and proudly proclaimed her homosexuality, at the same time also claiming to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. She declared that the Biblical laws against homosexuality did not apply in today's culture because she had been born with an attraction towards females and it was not something she could help. Sadly, this is a very twisted view on Scripture. When we repent of our sin and come to Christ, He accepts us as we are-in the filth of sin and disgrace we are covered in, and He loves us. But He does not leave us where we are. He cleans our hearts. He changes our desires to be like His-a desire for holiness. And so, this is why Paul tells the church in Corinth what he does:
"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" 1 Cor. 6:9-11 NIV (Emphasis added).
Jesus requires us to change. It is all a part of a process of becoming holy, which is called sanctification. He does not leave us in the sin we were in. Otherwise, what need do we have of Him? Sure, there is always the hope of heaven-but if someone has prayed for salvation only to avoid the horror of hell, they do not understand the whole goal of salvation. God does not simply write your name down upon salvation, and then forget about you until you die. No, indeed. The step of asking Him to forgive your sins and accepting Jesus into your heart and life opens up a whole new life in which to walk. You start to desire to please God above pleasing yourself. You understand how sin in your life is not compatible with Jesus in your life. The choices you make now are different than the choices you used to make.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 NIV
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