Finishing Faithful & Fruitful

Scripture informs that king Asa’s actions pleased the LORD his God. He was the great-grandson of Solomon and became the king of Judah (the southern kingdom) at the end of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel (the northern kingdom).  There were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. (1st Kings 14:24).  In the original text, the word “qâdêsh” is used for “perverted” which the King James Version translates as sodomite (Strong’s H6945). These persons were male devotees to licentious idolatry by prostitution.

1st Kings 15:11 reports Asa was similar to David in his behaviour towards the LORD.  Asa banished those who practiced perversion because it was against the law of God recorded in Deuteronomy 23:17.  He not only directed his people to seek the LORD and obey His commands; Asa removed all the pagan emblems of worship to false gods throughout his kingdom. Other high places remained.  

Asa’s desire for pleasing God was sincere. He did not just impose the laws on his subjects; Asa maintained these standards within his family. 1st Kings 15:13 provides the record of the disposal of Asa’s grandmother (Maachah) from being queen mother because she had made an obscene image of a Phoenician goddess. After Asa restored God’s order, Judah enjoyed a period of peace; at least during the early years of his reign because the LORD gave them rest from all enemies.  

Note: The LORD is the One who gives us favour with others. He also permits and even stirs up adversaries to accomplish His purposes.

During this time of calm, Asa fortified towns and he gave the glory to the LORD for the success they were experiencing. He had an army of 580,000 warriors (52 percent were from the tribe of Judah and 48 percent from the tribe of Benjamin). Although Asa had amassed a large army, it wasn’t large enough to stand alone against all enemies. There was an Ethiopian leader named Zerah who attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, but Asa believed that God was capable of defending them.

• Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” (2nd Chronicles 14:11).

So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians in front of Asa and his army. As the Ethiopian army fled, Asa’s army pursued them and overtook them at Gerar.  

This is important to note. When outnumbered and unable to defeat his enemy within his strength, Asa relied on and fully trusted upon the LORD. He did not retreat; he went out in the Name of the LORD.

As Asa was returning from battle, Azariah son of Oded, journeyed to meet the troops with a message from God. He said:

• Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. “For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; “but when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. “And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. “So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” (2nd Chronicles 15:2 to 7).

What an encouraging word to receive! Be strong for your work will be rewarded! Sometimes we can be so captured by God’s work in our lives, that we are falsely confident we would never do anything to take ourselves out of the favour of the LORD.  

If the LORD sends you a warning or a message during times of victory or rest, take heed and remember the LORD knows what lays ahead. He is omniscient and He knows our hearts.

Throughout Scripture, the LORD reminds His people that when we draw near to Him, He reveals Himself to us. Here are some verses that offer the promise of finding Him: Deuteronomy 4:29; Psalm 91:15; Isaiah 55:6 and 7; and Hosea 5:15. 

And He said to the lukewarm church:

• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20).

The opposite is also true: if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. He will not abandon a person He is in covenant with (Hebrews 13:5) , but if intimacy with Him is not desired, He will allow us to be somewhat distant until we have had enough of the absence and humbly return. If it seems to us that we are not sensing the LORD, something needs to change. It may be that fellowship has been broken or that He is simply calling you into a deeper place. The required action is still the same: seek Him in prayer and in the Word diligently until He answers.

Let me ask you a question: How long do you call someone who is either pouting or too busy to talk to you?

After Asa was encouraged by the prophecy, he took courage and repaired the altar of the LORD, which stood in front of the entry room of the LORD’s Temple. He assembled the people which included the tribes Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon that moved from Israel to Judah when they saw that the LORD was with Asa. Fifteen years into Asa’s reign, Judah performed an enormous sacrifice to the LORD of 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep and goats from the plunder they had taken in the battle. 2nd Chronicles 15:12 to 13 states:

• Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

Then the LORD gave them rest from all of their enemies. While there were skirmishes between Asa’s people and Baasha’s people (1st Kings 15:16), there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.  

THIS IS KEY: Scripture states that Asa’s heart was loyal all his days. (Refer to 2nd Chronicles 15:17). So far so good, right?

In the 36th year of Asa’s reign, Baasha (king of Israel) invaded Judah and fortified Ramah to circumvent free movement to and from Judah. Instead of calling out to the LORD, Asa entered into a pact with Ben-hadad (king of Syria) using the temple and palace treasures to buy security. By bribing Ben-hadad to break his treaty with Baasha, Asa had sought to weaken Baasha’s forces. Asa hoped with diminished resources, Baasha would retreat and it worked. After Ben-hadad attacked the towns of Israel, Baasha retreated from Ramah.

Hanani (the seer) confronted Asa with a rebuke from the LORD. Hanani explained to Asa that by trusting in another man’s defences, Asa missed the opportunity for the LORD to destroy the Syrian army. Hanani reminded him of how the LORD defeated the Ethiopian army when Asa relied on God to fight his battles. Hanani said:

• “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” (2nd Chronicles 16:9).

Enraged by this message, Asa imprisoned Hanani. He also began to oppress his people.  It seems to me that the tentacles of bitterness are far-reaching and can often affect the behaviour of those we call decent people.  

• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6 to 7).

Earlier we had noted that Scripture records Asa as a righteous king although he did not finish well. He did not turn his back on the LORD, and the LORD did not reject him as king. Asa merely failed to avail himself of the benefits of the LORD’s covenant. It’s almost as though Asa forgot who his source of protection and peace was. Instead, he was leaning on his natural understanding and it appeared to have worked until he was told he could have had better success.

In reading Jude, I find comfort during this time when so many high-profile Christians are communicating messages that contradict biblical doctrines. In this short book, we see that the Holy Spirit wants us to know that:

1. as followers of Jesus Christ, we must contend for the faith presented by the Word of God;
2. the LORD’s grace is what keeps us coming to Him but it is not a licence to sin; and,
3. we have His indwelling presence to help us maintain our lives with and in Him.

Since our redeeming LORD is our Judge, no accusation of human sin can stand against His people. Because we rely fully on God’s way of reconciliation, our Judge pardons us.

• Avraham called the name of that place Yahweh-Jireh. As it is said to this day, “In the LORD’s mountain it will be provided. (Genesis 22:14 Hebrew Names Version).

Just as Yahweh or Jehovah-Jireh provided for Himself a sacrifice for Abraham, He provided “The Sacrifice” for our redemption. David prophesied about the Messiah saying:

• Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. (Psalm 22:4 to 5).

Paul later wrote:

• … God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. (1st Timothy 3:16).
• Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:33 to 34).

While Jude had wanted to write about salvation, the Holy Spirit had prompted Jude to warn about individuals who circulated within the church. These people perverted the grace of God by propagating permission to do whatever their flesh desired with the rationale that a believer’s sins are completely forgiven. These people’s message correctly reinforced that Jesus Christ will never condemn those who He has saved; but, it was contradictory to the purpose of salvation.

A regenerated person is set apart to a life of holiness and is continually increasing in it. You see, ‘grace’ is the reason we emulate our Saviour, and it is the strength to do so.

• Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1st Peter 1:13 to 16).  

While these individuals travelled in Christian circles, delivered messages of grace, and claimed to be believers in Jesus Christ, Jude called them the opposite. He referred to them as those “who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Jude 1:4).

Paul also wrote Timothy about these types of individuals. He said:

• But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2nd Timothy 3:1 to 5).

Grace is the LORD’s divine influence upon the heart that makes us so grateful that we do not want to sin against His unmerited love and favour. It is very much a part of His power to change us.

In verses 5, 6 and 7 of Jude, we are reminded of how the LORD dealt with congregant or corporate disregard of God’s commands and character.   

• First, the unbelieving children of Israel: saved from Egypt but later died without receiving their inheritance of the promised land. (Refer to Numbers 14 for details on this).  The LORD purposed to save them.
• Second, the fallen angels: God has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. (Refer to Isaiah 14:12-14, Revelation 12:4, and Genesis 6:1 and 2). The LORD did not purpose to save them.
• Thirdly, Sodom and Gomorrah (and the surrounding cities): gave themselves over to immorality and pride resulting in suffering in eternal fire.  (Refer to Genesis 19 and Ezekiel 16:49). The LORD purposed to save a righteous remnant that left sin and damn the unrighteous.

What did these three examples have in common?  Verse 8 tells us that each of these groups defiled the flesh in some way, rejected authority, and spoke evil of dignitaries.  

Jude’s warning is that there were individuals who infiltrated the church and they had a similar descending pride of those Old Testament groups. They valued their opinion and desires above God’s Word; they believed their incorrect evaluation of God’s character regardless of what God declared. They came to a consensus about rebellion against the LORD’s ways; they promoted disobedience as the exercise of freedom.   

• And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), (Galatians 2:4).
• They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:16).
• But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. (2nd Peter 2:1).

Whether these infiltrating individuals were just “dreamers” or demonically inspired, Scripture informs us of their destiny. Please take note of these next few verses:

• But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. (Jude 1:10 to 11).

Because verses 10 and 11 relate to individuals, it’s worthwhile to understand their specific errors to: (1) avoid making the same miscalculations; and (2), avoid allowing those who do these things to influence our thinking. These examples will also help us identify a 3 step process of descent.

• But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:14 to 15).

In the case of Cain, Balaam, and Korah: (1) their hearts were bent on making poor decisions; (2) they were given an opportunity to repent; and, (3) they decisively pursued actions against what they knew was right. They willfully rejected the authority of the LORD to rule over their actions.

Each of these people lived and operated among the believers. Cain had direct instruction from the LORD, Korah saw the LORD’s awesome miracles and power, Balaam was gifted.  Jude 1:12 to 15 warns us that these types would join our churches but only for their own purposes. On the surface, they appear to have Godly purpose and pursuits, but they are waterless, fruitless, wandering stars. Sadly, like Cain, Korah, and Balaam, they may not even realize the state of their hearts.

How do you recognize them? Scripture informs us they follow their evil desires, boast about themselves, and flatter others to get what they want. They also grumble and find fault with the body of Christ. Their teaching will turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God. The New Living Translation interprets Jude 4 as follows:

• I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Our question should not be whether there is something wrong with an activity or thing; our question should be what is right about it. If something gives glory to God and operates in love while remaining consistent with Scripture, then it is Godly. If something gets in the way of our relationship with God or it causes someone to stumble, it’s wrong!

• Jesus said: “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34 to 38).

Today there are so many who are joined to the world for the sake of fame, acceptance or money. How many unsuspecting onlookers will be judged by the LORD because of these poor examples? We should not assume God condones someone’s behaviour because they operate in a gift or seem to get away with something for a time. Christ highlighted Balaam as a ‘model of corruption’ and promised to deal with those who cause sin and are unrepentant from their compromise.

We certainly should hope we do not share the same qualities of those who are doomed to darkness. As individuals who love the LORD, we definitely do not want to have the negative qualities of those who are being rebuked in the churches of Sardis, Pergamos, or Laodicea. What about Asa? Have we become comfortable and self-reliant? Do we trust humanity in place of, or more than, God? You see, Asa did not turn from God but he became comfortable with his life and accomplishments.  While his successes were achieved through total reliance on the LORD, when times were better, he did not feel he needed the LORD. He became complacent. 

After decades of peacefully serving the LORD in righteousness, Asa did not instinctively call out to the LORD for direction and help.   When trouble returned, he relied on his intellect and abilities which led him to lean on the arm of flesh.

• Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5).

Scripture informs repeatedly:

• Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; … Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5 and 7).
• Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (1st Corinthians 3:18 to 20).

I realize many want unbelievers to see the love of the LORD in us; this is a good thing. Many feel they need to compromise the LORD’s standards for those who live differently; they hope this will help attract others. It’s like incorrectly thinking that saving others is up to us. We become comfortable in our routines and do not seek the LORD in all our ways. Maybe even feel foolish telling someone we have to pray before deciding a matter. The LORD taught us saying: 

• “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19).
• “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 24:10 to 13).

And in Jude we are reminded:

• …  there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. (Jude 1:17 to 19).

So then, how do we finish both faithfully and fruitfully? How do we show love and not compromise? I believe the book of Jude has great advice. Just as I outlined a high-level 3 step process of descent into peril, we can also role up Jude’s guidance to finishing well into 3 process steps.

You see the two other churches named in the book of Revelation that the LORD rebuked had:

• (1) lost their first love (this was the church at Ephesus); and,
• (2) tolerated those whose teaching misled others into sexual immorality and idolatry (this was the church at Thyatira).

Galatians 5: 6 asserts that faith works through love. If there are professing “Christians” whose actions are erroring, we have 3 accountabilities: We are to show them the Scripture, pray for them, and continue to love them.

If they do not repent, there is Scripture concerning separation and church discipline. That said, most of us will need to continue to pray for them and hand them over to the LORD without fellowshipping with them. Some might think that is harsh, but one can not be married to the LORD and eat with people who wrongfully claim to be His family while abusing Him.

When I see compromising Christians, it provokes me to search my heart. To ask the LORD to reveal my hidden sins to me and I thank Him for His faithfulness in keeping me. None of us are perfect, but we do have the One who is within us. We need to turn to Him and His leading. The love of Christ and for Christ must permeate every part of our lives (Refer to Galatians 5:25). If we love the LORD, we are eagerly waiting for His appearing and we do not covet the things of the world. We will long for His fellowship and we respect His discipline and authority.

I close this reflection with a few Scriptures from Psalm 37:

• Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. … Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. … The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever. 

All Scripture used in this blog is from the New King James Version, unless otherwise specified.