I know that there is a Devil (a fallen angel) who hates anything that is of God.
I know that the devil wants to sift me and my brothers in Christ.
These are some very basic Biblical principles. I could state 1000's of them.
Yet, a few years ago, some circumstances jolted me into a horrific, and at times very saddened state of reality.
Let me explain.
We all know stories of leaders who are in the spot light, falling prey to, and giving in to temptation. We are somewhat shocked, but we carry on, perhaps because it really wasn't that close in proximity to our lives. It's like physical death. We all know it's coming, but we don't really consider that it could be right around the corner. But then we can be shaken into reality when it hits close to our lives and we find ourselves attending a funeral. Even the sudden death of someone we know is with the Lord Jesus Christ.
So it is when someone we love dearly departs from their first love. They say they love Jesus Christ, but when crisis comes in their lives, they succumb to the pressures of temptation and an unguarded heart, and they give in, and partake in the "forbidden fruit", even believing the lie that "they can make something good out of a sinful thing".
This post is not about the loved one that departs! It's about me! Yes, seeing a beloved brother going down a sinful path feels like getting gut punched (about 10 times). But it makes what we've been studying all the more important and real.
It makes me wonder, "where am I"? I hear the words of my Lord, almost in a prophetic sense, saying to me, "Bruce, where are you?" And it's like a bad dream. I call out, "here I am, Lord." But He looks on, as if He doesn't see or hear me. And I look in my hands, and there it is, vile, filthy, wickedness, dripping with the blood of my Savior, and I'm frantically trying to wipe it clean and get rid of the blood and fix it so it's not so hideous!
Woe is me! Oh Lord please, I beg you to not allow me to partake! Please don't let me have rest in any sinful thing!
I digress! The point? Satan will not rest in his assault against us! He will not cease as long as he is free to roam the earth (and roam he does, and he has minions roaming and no doubt reporting to him). And God is asking me, will you abide in Me, Bruce? Will you take, and put on the armor that I've offered you? Will I be enough, Bruce?"
The beloved brother is not unlike me or my other brothers. And this whole experience has reminded me how susceptible I am to falling prey to the sin that besets me. It reminds me, like the song says, "prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the One I love."
So what's the answer or solution? How do we stay protected?
Training; practice; obedience; knowing and continuing to grow in and abide in Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection; read and heed His precious Word; pray; fellowship; crucified life; and many others...
I wrote this almost 3 years ago, but never posted it. And now, by an amazing turn of events, I see the Lord making something good out of the mess that unfolded back then. The brother who departed might jump up and proclaim, "See? It was of the Lord!" But my God's Word is pure, He does not tempt any man. Nor will He suggest, coerce, or deceive any man to sin in order to bring glory to God. I hope he has mourned over his actions. I hope he has no notion that he "got away with something", and I hope he was truly the Lords in the first place, because it would mean that God can still reach Him and forgive him. Yet, the mess and the ones who made the mess aside.
I attribute the recent events to the Father of Lights alone (James 1:17) and His great mercy.
Lest anyone should think they can remove the bitter affects (consequences and destruction) from "forbidden fruit' (sin and transgression), God's Word is clear. Only the love of God, demonstrated by the shed blood of our precious Savior covers all sin, for those who choose to repent.
God's faithfulness trumps all of our notions and thoughts!
God, let your people never stray from your tender mercies Lord, and may you bless those involved as they surrender to You, and may they allow You to use their new lives in ways that bring glory to Your holy Name, Lord Jesus!
Glory to our God!