Devoted

Satan's first deception toward mankind was to first cast doubt on God's mandate - God's Word - to man, casting aspersions on God's character (the devil is the Accuser).  Then the Father of Lies offered that man can be as God.  This is the apostasy I see in the church today.  Man is being elevated, and the gospel has been exchanged with a message that only includes God's love for us, while neglecting God’s holiness, and man's need for repentance and obedience.  We have preferred the tender words of the Savior, while neglecting those that are difficult.  This is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ tells us of man's depraved state, and our need for repentance.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ includes God's holiness, and Christ's blood which cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ includes not only Heaven, but hell.  In fact, it tells us that the road to Heaven is narrow, and few there are that find it.  This is disturbing news!  We never talk about that in church.  It might hurt the size of the congregation, or seem insensitive.  Or go contrary to what our will demands.  We must die to self, and be born again in Christ Jesus.

So, the Gospel is diluted to make it more palatable for the congregation.  We entice people into the church by means that look no different than the world, from which we are to be set apart.  It is the devil who uses enticements!  The world needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ – that of peace between God and man through the sacrifice, and blood, of Jesus Christ.  The world does not need more of itself.  "But, we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God".  2 Corinthians 4:2

A necessary part of the Armor of God is the footwear of readiness of the Gospel of Peace, and that is the peace Jesus Christ - through His sacrifice - brought between God and man when we believe upon Him.  This peace with God, however, brings us into enmity with the world.  Jesus did say, "Don't think that I came to bring peace on the earth.  I didn't come to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)  The Holy Bible says that God's Word is a Sword - and it says that Jesus Christ is the Word.  Are our feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel of Peace?  Are we quick to bring this Gospel to every encounter of war as Soldiers in the Army of God?  We are in a battle with principalities and powers!  Are we fitted with God's Armor?  "For the Word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12

Here is what God has to say about man, and the condition of his heart:

“Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”  Genesis:6:5

“For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.”   Matthew:15:19

Follow Jesus Christ, and the Holy Bible.  Do not follow, or trust, your heart!  Trust in Jesus Christ, alone.

What does the Bible say about the Followers of Christ?

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, what will it be salted with? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.”  Matthew:5:13

When those who call their self by Christ's Name become unrecognizable from the world, they have lost their saltiness and will be thrown out, and trampled underfoot.  Salt adds flavor, and salt purifies.  It cleans and cauterizes wounds.  It is a cleanser and a healer.  The world needs the salty Christian!  Sure, we balk at the initial sting of salt upon the wound, yet we want the healing and the relief that follows.  We want the flavor!  We cannot have it if we have joined with, and made friends with, the world.  Then we have nothing different to offer the sinner.  No hope.  No power for living in obedience to the Heavenly Father.  No salvation from the fires and terrors of hell.  Also, we are to be a light in the world.  Yet, if the light within us is darkness, how great is that darkness!  (Matthew 6:23)

There are song lyrics in some Bethel music that touts God's devotion to man.  First, stay far from Bethel church, college, or music.  It is the home of demons.  Stay far from Hillsong music, and any that engages in the false doctrine of prosperity, and the elevation of man in the heart of God.  "But the Spirit says, expressly, that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing (enticing) spirits and doctrines of demons".  1 Timothy 4:1  The Holy Bible says nothing of God's devotion to man.  Rather, the Holy Bible informs us that God's love is steadfast, and that He is faithful.  God cannot - will not - contradict His character - who He is.

The Holy Bible also tells us, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to PREACH THE GOSPEL - not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn't be made void.  For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing',  Where is the wise?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the lawyer of this world?  Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"  1 Corinthians 1:17-20

Recently I was disturbed in my spirit, while at church, when I heard, and read, the lyrics of a Bethel song telling of God's devotion to man.  My response was to get into the Holy Bible and see what it has to say in the matter.  I studied the meaning of the word 'devoted', and how it is used, and referenced in the Holy Bible.  All throughout the Old Testament the word devoted, in the English Standard Version of the Holy Bible, was interchangeable with the word 'accursed' in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.  I will use Joshua 7 as the primary example, yet (as always) I encourage the reader to do your own study of this matter,  Never take my word for anything!

"11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. 12 Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction.1 I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. 13 Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.”  Joshua 7:11-12  English Standard Version

"11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. 12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you."  Joshua 7:11-12 King James Version

What would make the 'devoted' thing, the 'accursed' thing?  It was those implements that were devoted to idols and demons.  It is a trespass against God to set up anything in our heart above devotion to Him, because our heart is the altar we give over to the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Even the attempt to conceal these things, as a secret, that we want to have in our lives,  Things we consider riches.  Things devoted to demons, and idolatry.  Things that are an abomination to the Holy God of all Creation.  The God who knows every thought, and every notion of our heart.  This Word, in Joshua, instructs God's people to consecrate (sanctify) their selves!  To do so means to set apart (from the world), and make Holy.  Let us devote our all to our Heavenly Father.

It is an apostasy to ascribe to God devotion to us, over our devotion to Him!  God owes us no thing, including His devotion that we should be as gods to Him, on the altar of His heart.  We owe our devotion wholly to Him!  Yet, our Holy God is a good and merciful God.  He is love, and faithfulness.  Praise His Name!  To Him be all majesty, glory, honor, and power!  God is faithful.  His love is steadfast.  And, he will not despise the broken and contrite heart.  Oh, God, let our hearts be broken before you, that we may share in your rich mercies!  Be high and lifted up in our hearts!  May we find our devotion only to you, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords!  May we be devoted to the Apostle's teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)  Let us be devoted to the service of the Saints. (1 Corinthians 16:15)  Let us be devoted to every good work. (1 Timothy 5:10)  And, finally, let us "...not be led by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them." (Hebrews 13:9)  Amen.

Jesus Christ is all our righteousness, and our faith in Him produces works in keeping with His Holy Spirit.  May God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost receive all honor, glory and praise.  Amen.

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."  Galatians 1:8 King James Version

Let us be devoted to only Jesus Christ, and His Gospel of Peace.