"Causing Another to Sin"

Matthew 18:6 tells us, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 "Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" (NKJV)
Reading the context of Matthew 18:1-6 we see the Lord made very clear the child-like quality He wanted to impress on his followers.

We know without a doubt that Jesus did not call his disciples to to a life of immaturity. No, He used the child as an example of humility (the word He uses means penitent or lowliness).

The disciples had just asked the Lord "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a small child to stand among them and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

The kingdom is made up of people who have the child-like qualities of humility. Then Jesus gave them a strong warning that if anyone causes one of these little ones (a believer) in the kingdom (not a physical child) to stumble in their Christian walk, then we have become a tool of Satan.

Christ told them that a horrible death would be the consequence of causing another believer to stumble or sin.

Each Christian is part of the body (church) of our Lord. Our actions are never isolated and therefore, our actions of good and evil affects the health and vitality of other believers.

God wants for his children to love one another, a love that has real, noticeable effects in the church.  
Remember what the apostle Paul said to Timothy;

1 Timothy 4:15-16 "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (NKJV)

Therefore, Jesus is telling us that since the believer is identified and is in relationship with the Savior in whom he trusts, any activity (good or bad) expressed toward that believer is directed toward Jesus as well.

We have been instructed to be an example in many passages but Paul sums it up in his advice to Timothy.

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." (I Tim. 4:12)

Let's look at the areas in which Timothy was to be an example:

"In word"- In his speech. Ephesians 4:29- "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

This would include profanity, evil speaking, gossip and tale bearing are all condemned by the Word of God.

"In conversation"- that is 'in our manner of life'. Are we living like we have been renewed in The Holy Spirit of God, or are we living like we are part of the world?

"In charity"- in love.  We should show love for all, both friend and enemy; those who love us and those who despitefully use us. Matthew 5:44 & Matthew 22:37-39.

"In spirit"- Must have a zeal for the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (NKJV)

"In faith"- Two possible meanings. Unswerving trust and confidence in God. Fidelity and trustworthiness. Both of these concepts are important to the Christian.

"In purity"- Morally pure and pure in conduct. Matthew 5:8- "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

God desires that we be a blessing to others, not a hindrance or an obstacle. It is of eternal consequence as to how we express our love to those who so desperately need the salvation we treasure.

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (NKJV)

God bless and may your life be a blessing to all others...

'Payment Is On The Way'

I recently read about a customer who sent an order to a book club for the book they were offering that month. The distributor noticed that the bill for a previous book hadn't been paid.

The collections manager sent a form letter saying, "We can't ship your new order until you pay for the last one."

The collections manager received a note a few days later, "Please cancel the order. I can't wait that long."

We live in a world where people expect to receive merchandise without paying for it, at least for a long, long time.

That's why credit cards have become so popular. You don't need to have money. Just hand them that little piece of plastic. The bill will come later? 

You can worry about it then. A popular form of advertising says, "Buy now, no payments for six months!" or "No payments until January!" 

Companies know that we are more likely to buy something if the payment can be put off because if the deadline is far enough away, we won't think about the future and the hardship it may cause.

Satan operates in a similar same way. If he can convince us that the consequences of sin will not be experienced for a long, long time (if at all), then we will be more likely to give in and enjoy the pleasures of those sins.

Solomon put it like this: "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

The reality is that credit card bills eventually arrive in the mail, businesses eventually expect us to pay for all merchandise that we take home with us, and in the same way, sin will eventually have its consequences.

"Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God." (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13)

Don't let Satan deceive you. You will pay some day for how you have lived.
It may be sooner than later, but it will surely come.
God bless...

It's A Wonderful Life!

Luke 15:18 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you," (NKJV)

This devotion today is for those who have forgotten and let sin slip into their lives. This is for those who feel there is no hope.

It is Monday morning. The weekend is over. Many from time to time in life get caught up in a rebellious lifestyle that leaves them empty, hurting, knowing what they should do...but they simply do not do it.

They have the idea that it would have been so much easier if God would not have given us 'free will' to make our own decisions. Then everything we did would be in line with His will, His plan for our lives.

But the fact is He did give us the ability to make our own choices, and in so doing, has given us the ability to live at times in complete rebellion to what we know in our hearts and minds how He wants us to live.

Many of you may be very uncomfortable reading a devotion like this, because it brings automatic conviction to you and where you are in your own personal life.

Understand that God loves you. He cares about you. He only wants the best for you. That is why He is trying to get your attention before it gets worse or becomes too late.

You see, sin is kind of like quicksand, the longer you do it, the deeper you get, and the more difficult it is to get out on your own power.

Maybe you weren't in church this past Sunday because the things in your life have so separated you from God, that you can't bear to be in His presence. Like Adam after his sin in the garden, you think you are hiding. But God still see you!

Life is not easy, and I am not here to judge you. I have enough problems in my own life. But I am here to encourage you.

God has made a way back for you today. If you are tired, if you can't deal with the pressure any longer, if you are sick of the direction your life has taken, the Lord has a message for you,"come home".

Like the prodigal son who was at the lowest depths of his life, somehow he heard the voice that told him to "go home", remember what you had. When he made it back home, he found a father, not ready to punish him, but with open arms ready to love him. Not ready to chastise him, but to quickly restore him.

Your heavenly Father is waiting for you today, with outstretched arms of love, simply saying to you this day..."come home".

I pray for you today, especially those caught up in some things you shouldn't. You know it isn't working. You know your life is a mess. You are tired of running, tired of hurting.

You are simply tired of being tired. There is an answer. There is a way. God is calling you right now, to simply "come home to Him". The consequences of your actions do not magically disappear.

But by your taking the first step at heading home, you start to deal with the issues, put them behind you, and become restored into fellowship with your God who loves you, and slowly, see the joy and peace and happiness return to your life. Trust Him today, and "come home". Your heavenly Father is waiting!

God bless and bless God by living for Him!