Relationship Brings Responsibility
When we "know" someone, we have the responsibility to relate to them in the proper way. We know some people much better than others, but in every relationship we are to treat people right and not to harm each other. It is a matter of love and respect. The same is true with our relationship with God. Once we know Him, we must love and respect Him, or we will receive our punishment for ignoring Him.(Amos 3:2)
What a privilege it was for Israel to know God. They were the only people group with whom He chose to relate on a personal level. As we read the prophecy in Amos, we see how God was going to punish the surrounding countries for general human rights types of sins. When it came to Judah and Israel, they were going to be punished for breaking His laws, because they knew Him. He had revealed Himself to them more completely, and it hurt even more when they rejected Him.
The same is true today. Our relationship with God through knowing Christ as Lord and Savior brings great blessings when we relate well to the Lord by loving Him and respecting Him. However, once we decide to forsake Him and ignore Him, He has no choice but to punish us. The punishment is to bring us back to Him, not to drive us away. He wants to talk with us. He wants to bless us, but He can't if we just don't have time for Him. Let's make sure that God is our best friend, and we never neglect our relationship with Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Amos 5-7.
What a privilege it was for Israel to know God. They were the only people group with whom He chose to relate on a personal level. As we read the prophecy in Amos, we see how God was going to punish the surrounding countries for general human rights types of sins. When it came to Judah and Israel, they were going to be punished for breaking His laws, because they knew Him. He had revealed Himself to them more completely, and it hurt even more when they rejected Him.
The same is true today. Our relationship with God through knowing Christ as Lord and Savior brings great blessings when we relate well to the Lord by loving Him and respecting Him. However, once we decide to forsake Him and ignore Him, He has no choice but to punish us. The punishment is to bring us back to Him, not to drive us away. He wants to talk with us. He wants to bless us, but He can't if we just don't have time for Him. Let's make sure that God is our best friend, and we never neglect our relationship with Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Amos 5-7.