Inquire thee of the Lord
The sad reality is this: We have lost sight of the difference between that which is sacred and that which is profane.
It has been promised to us, "Judgement must begin at the house of God." This is a difficult word, but one which I believe is true. Will you allow yourself to hear a difficult word for a moment?
With boldness, I believe it's time that we "not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue."
The sad reality is this: We have lost sight of the difference between that which is sacred and that which is profane.
We have turned love into acceptance and tolerance. We have allowed the world to back us into an uncomfortable place. "Make room, make room!" is the world's cry, and so we accommodate their requests. Anything to get ourselves out of a tight place.
This is not a new response, in fact, it's been the unfortunate response of God's people for quite some time, "They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness." Jeremiah 23:14
And even in using the word 'evildoers' some of us will cringe. Can we say that anymore? Who really does evil, aren't most people good? They're not evil, they're simply lost. Who are we to judge someone so harshly?
Ah, instead, let us rewrite the moral code to accommodate, accept and tolerate. This is a much easier way. It removes us from the possibility of having to suffer reproach, persecution or hate. When we make room for them, then surely they will speak well of us.
But woe are we when everyone speaks well of us, for this "is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." As Art Katz put it, "We are so like the world that we cannot be distinguished from it." ('And They Crucified Him' this link will take you to a 6-minute excerpt)
This compromised standard, which has become the prevalent norm, may lull us into false comfort, however, do not be fooled. While popular with men, it is hated by God and severely lacks the power to have any effect on His established order.
For He has declared with words which will, 'by no means pass away," that there is such a thing as holy and unholy. Righteous and unrighteous. Good and evil. Lovers of God and haters of Him. Children of God and children of "your father, the devil."
It is time to come back to the trustworthy sayings. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15
It is time to repent for the fact that we have exchanged such trustworthy sayings for words of relevance, inspiration and "peace, peace!" "They continually say to those who despise Me, the Lord has said, 'You shall have peace,' and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'" Jeremiah 23:17
Make no mistake, God will not be mocked, "for whatever a man sows that will he reap." Therefore, turn back if you are able. Inquire thee of the Lord.
King Jehoshaphat: "Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of him?"
King Ahab: "'There is still one man...by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.'" 1 Kings 22:7-8
Inquire thee of the Lord, as Jehoshaphat, and do not hate His correction, as King Ahab. Welcome it, praise Him for it, thank Him for the love of a good Father, as it is taught to us in Hebrews 12.
First a command:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Followed by a glorious promise:
"Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness."
And finally, a very clear distinction between that which is sacred and that which is profane:
"If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons."
This is not flowery language, but a literal distinction - without holiness we will not see the Lord.
What shall we say then? It is time to know our God again, as He truly is. "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." This 'knowing God' is at the very heart of the ministry of the New Covenant. Jesus expressed it this way, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
This 'knowing God' is that which the prophets spoke of, "not having received the promise but having seen them afar off." Jeremiah spoke plainly of this promise to come, "Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart."
Do you know the true God yet? Do you know Him as He truly is?
Have you begun to hate the things He hates, and to love the things He loves? Have you been made holy as He is holy? Perfect as He is perfect? Do you long for the sacred and run from the profane? Can you tell a difference between the two?
It's time to sanctify the house of God again and the temple of the Holy Spirit, both of which we are. (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19)
Will you join me this week and inquire thee of the Lord? Let's pray that we might know Him as He truly is.
In love,
Derek