October 2, 2006 - Isaiah 14-16 and Ephesians 5:1-16
We must not doubt God's resolve to punish sin and those who rebel against Him. On the other hand, we must not doubt His blessings to those who come to Him and are conformed to His will. These two passages have a lot to say about these truths.
Isaiah 14-16 begins with God's forgiveness of Israel when they turn back to Him, but it soon switches to the judgment of those who don't turn to Him. Of course, Isaiah mentions God's punishment of Babylon and Assyria, but he also tells us about God's wrath against the sins of Moab. In the midst of this passage there is a discourse on the fall of Lucifer. (14:12-15) This short, but important, passage shows us the elements of the ultimate rebellion against God by one of the lead angels around His throne. His rebellion was that pride welled up in him, and he declared that he would be like the Most High. God did not allow that in Lucifer's case, and He will not allow that to happen with any man or any nation. We must do whatever it takes to avoid pride in our lives and the thought that we are anything compared to God. If we come to that conclusion, we will face His anger, because God is always just. He will stand up for the truth that there is no one who even comes close to Him in greatness and holiness.
Then, in Ephesians 5:1-16 we see the other side. What can happen when a person cooperates with the Spirit of God and allows Him to work in his life? That person walks in love, not in sensuality. He is thankful, instead of proud. He walks in God's light, and not in darkness. He lives in God's wisdom, instead of man's ways. He redeems the time he has in life, instead of wasting it. Is that a picture of your life? It can be, if you will not rebel, but submit to the Lord Jesus Christ's will for your life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 17-19 and Ephesians 5:17-33.
Isaiah 14-16 begins with God's forgiveness of Israel when they turn back to Him, but it soon switches to the judgment of those who don't turn to Him. Of course, Isaiah mentions God's punishment of Babylon and Assyria, but he also tells us about God's wrath against the sins of Moab. In the midst of this passage there is a discourse on the fall of Lucifer. (14:12-15) This short, but important, passage shows us the elements of the ultimate rebellion against God by one of the lead angels around His throne. His rebellion was that pride welled up in him, and he declared that he would be like the Most High. God did not allow that in Lucifer's case, and He will not allow that to happen with any man or any nation. We must do whatever it takes to avoid pride in our lives and the thought that we are anything compared to God. If we come to that conclusion, we will face His anger, because God is always just. He will stand up for the truth that there is no one who even comes close to Him in greatness and holiness.
Then, in Ephesians 5:1-16 we see the other side. What can happen when a person cooperates with the Spirit of God and allows Him to work in his life? That person walks in love, not in sensuality. He is thankful, instead of proud. He walks in God's light, and not in darkness. He lives in God's wisdom, instead of man's ways. He redeems the time he has in life, instead of wasting it. Is that a picture of your life? It can be, if you will not rebel, but submit to the Lord Jesus Christ's will for your life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 17-19 and Ephesians 5:17-33.