THREE MEN
Who are they? Noah, Lot, Balaam. The type of person we usually find in any church.
NOAH: In Genesis 6:8-10 we read that Noah found Grace in the eyes of God, that is Noah found favour before God.
He was a just man and walked with God. He was perfect in his generation, a generation that was corrupt, destined to perish by the Flood.
In 1 Peter 3:20, we read that God sent Noah, a 'Preacher of righteousness' to preach repentance to his generation. He did this while the Ark was being prepared for 100 years, in the midst of ridicule and abuse. A man of faith and devotion to God. Noah was a man separated in the midst of a corrupt and wicked people. He did not compromise his Faith
Though we may be surrounded by evil and wickedness God can keep us. We are preparing for the day of Redemption. God expects us to be Faithful and be 'Preachers of Righteousness' in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine......'. Noah and his family of 8 persons were saved by Grace. The Ark speaks of the Church and Faith of those members who faithfully serve God and walk in His light.
LOT: In Peter 2:4-8, we are told that Lot was a righteous man, a believer of a kind, however we find him living in Sodom- a vile place, Genesis 19.
He separated from Abraham over a dispute about grazing grounds and went his way choosing the best place for himself. What made him and his family live in Sodom? His wife and family were probably acquired in Sodom but they show no sign of spirituality, judging by the events that followed. What happened to his flocks, tents, etc.? Contrast Abraham living in tents and moving about as God led him. We see no blessing for Lot while in Sodom and certainly no fellowship with God. Lot speaks of many believers in the Church, having a name but no life that they really belong to Christ. Though Lot was a believer we see no separation in him from the ungodly.
The events concerning God's judgement on Sodom and Lot's escape speak of those who compromise their Faith and witness. Holiness is not an option.
The Apostle Peter, in 2 Pet.1:10 urges believers to make every effort to live a life worthy of God's Salvation.
BALAAM: In 2 Peter 215-16, we read about this Prophet who loved the wages of sin.
He should have known better than have double standards and love for money. Balaam represents what is false in the Church. The Lord Jesus in the Parable of the wheat and tares showed that it is difficult to uproot what is false in the Church. However there will come a day when God will cleanse His Church by the Fire of Judgement.
In Numbers 22:23-24 we find Balaam's activity and his prophetic utterances, a perverse Prophet. God had to speak to him through a donkey. God will use any means to chasten us and correct us if we refuse to amend our ways. We find Balaam's end in Numbers 31:8.
The Holy Spirit calls us to discern what is right and what is wrong and always hold on to what is good and right.
Who are they? Noah, Lot, Balaam. The type of person we usually find in any church.
NOAH: In Genesis 6:8-10 we read that Noah found Grace in the eyes of God, that is Noah found favour before God.
He was a just man and walked with God. He was perfect in his generation, a generation that was corrupt, destined to perish by the Flood.
In 1 Peter 3:20, we read that God sent Noah, a 'Preacher of righteousness' to preach repentance to his generation. He did this while the Ark was being prepared for 100 years, in the midst of ridicule and abuse. A man of faith and devotion to God. Noah was a man separated in the midst of a corrupt and wicked people. He did not compromise his Faith
Though we may be surrounded by evil and wickedness God can keep us. We are preparing for the day of Redemption. God expects us to be Faithful and be 'Preachers of Righteousness' in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine......'. Noah and his family of 8 persons were saved by Grace. The Ark speaks of the Church and Faith of those members who faithfully serve God and walk in His light.
LOT: In Peter 2:4-8, we are told that Lot was a righteous man, a believer of a kind, however we find him living in Sodom- a vile place, Genesis 19.
He separated from Abraham over a dispute about grazing grounds and went his way choosing the best place for himself. What made him and his family live in Sodom? His wife and family were probably acquired in Sodom but they show no sign of spirituality, judging by the events that followed. What happened to his flocks, tents, etc.? Contrast Abraham living in tents and moving about as God led him. We see no blessing for Lot while in Sodom and certainly no fellowship with God. Lot speaks of many believers in the Church, having a name but no life that they really belong to Christ. Though Lot was a believer we see no separation in him from the ungodly.
The events concerning God's judgement on Sodom and Lot's escape speak of those who compromise their Faith and witness. Holiness is not an option.
The Apostle Peter, in 2 Pet.1:10 urges believers to make every effort to live a life worthy of God's Salvation.
BALAAM: In 2 Peter 215-16, we read about this Prophet who loved the wages of sin.
He should have known better than have double standards and love for money. Balaam represents what is false in the Church. The Lord Jesus in the Parable of the wheat and tares showed that it is difficult to uproot what is false in the Church. However there will come a day when God will cleanse His Church by the Fire of Judgement.
In Numbers 22:23-24 we find Balaam's activity and his prophetic utterances, a perverse Prophet. God had to speak to him through a donkey. God will use any means to chasten us and correct us if we refuse to amend our ways. We find Balaam's end in Numbers 31:8.
The Holy Spirit calls us to discern what is right and what is wrong and always hold on to what is good and right.
No comments:
Post a Comment