OVERCOMING BACKSLIDING TENDENCIES
'Listen' to the excerpt of the conversation between two labourers in the vineyard of the LORD............
ZOE: No! No!! No!!! STOP IT! That is blasphemy! You have said terrible things about the LORD.
SHARON: What have I said about Him that is wrong?
ZOE: You have said, "It is useless to serve God. What's the use of doing what He says or of trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for what we have done?" You are getting carried away by what appears to be enjoyment on the part of those who do not believe in the LORD or serve Him as He ordains.
SHARON: Well, why shouldn't I get carried away by the prosperity of the disobedient ones? Unbelievers, hypocrites, carnal folks are the ones who are happy. Carnal-minded fellows not only prosper, but they test God's patience with their deeds and get away with it. Those who lack the fear of God are the ones having the upper hand in life. Immoral people are the ones enjoying the best part of life. People who do not believe in the LORD, His word, His Spirit and all other relevant and significant spiritual factors are living their lives outside the jurisdiction of the will of God. Yet what happens to them? Nothing! At times like this, people who do not take the word of the LORD, His will and revelation knowledge serious as we do tend to feel justified. Same goes for the atheist and lukewarm Christians. Some steal and cheat. Some do not have discipline. Some indulge in sexual immorality. Some are involved in relationships that are contrary to the will God. Some lie and compromise their faith in order to accomplish certain ends. A good number has stopped being responsive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and are yielding readily to their own lust and desires, and to all the distracting things of this world. Believers do not want to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness. They call themselves children of God, yet they live their lives the way they choose. Many live a double life thinking they can deceive God while trying to win the approval and favour of men. Many choose to obey men rather than God. The love of many for God's will has waxed cold. Yet prosperity comes their way. Why shouldn't I think then that it is useless to serve God? Why shouldn't I want to be like others? Why........
You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the good of our keeping His charge or or walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? Henceforth we deem the arrogant blessed; evildoers not only prosper but when they put God to the test they escape.'" Then those who fear the LORD spoke with one another; the LORD heeded and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the LORD and thought on His name. "They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. (Malachi 3:14-18)
"For behold, the day comes burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go forth leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 4:1-3)
God bless
Yours
Adekunle O. Majek'
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality and excellence
That's the Spirit!
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