Edersheim wrote, " The two were imcompatable, and therefore no alliance could ever be formed with heathenism, no intercourse cultivated, nor even the presence tolerated."
This must be kept in mind as we move through the Prophets. But as we see in both Joshua and Judges, the die was cast, the idol of idolarty would always remain as a trap and tangle for God's people.
It is no less true for you and I. It is sorrowfully whimsical to proclaim that we do not battle against flesh and blood - although true. We constantly battle against our own flesh and blood and those of flesh and blood who serve a false lord. In this study we will see why attacking others who are not of our faith is a panecia - a false cure - when the seeds of our error lie within us.
"We have met the enemy and they are us." Is a cute but horrifically true statement. It was not that Israel could not cleanse the land of the evil it is that they would not.
What about you and I. Where do we tolerate "heathenism" in our own lives? Certainly the heathanism of our day is less bloody and more subtle but it is there, all around us. We are told that our yes is to be yes and our no is to be no but I know I struggle against the comfort of "maybe." Asctheticism has its a lure but it is not an answer. So what is?
The answer is not in what we can do or will do. The answer is not ours at all. I will never not sin as long as I carry this body of death. But that does not relieve me of the obligation to resist.
Not to be picky - but; we enjoy watching professional and college sports on TV. Is this wrong? Mmmmmmm. Let's see. How many starving people could be fed by the money spent on one, just one, professional or college sports event? Count the whole cost from the per game cost of the players to the hot dog bought by a fan. 30 seconds encouraging us to buy a certain beer can cost a million dollars. Mmmmmmmm.
Should that give us pause?
What is your favorite sit com or drama? What is the message delivered? Why is it funny? Why is it entertaining?
NO alliance. NO intercourse. NO presence. What part or NO do we resist?
We can say NO to it all and that would be a great blessing but that is not the solution. We all know that the Redeemer is the only and final solution. We all know that Rev. 21 shows us the solution. BUT that is not yet so what NOW.
How do you address this? I wonder if until we are willing to see the depth and bredth of the ways in which we compromise we will not long deeply for His return.
It's kind of scary when Paul writes
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 9:25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 9:26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV)
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