April 17
Josh 15:1-63 | PS 86:1-17| Prov 13:9-10 | Luke 18:18-43
Concerning sin, we often talk of how far one has come, how far one is moving in the right direction, what great strides one has made. But when a particular sin has a foothold on one's life, anything short of total abandonment of that sin leaves a foothold for that sin to blossom once again. Many drug addicts, who were hooked on hard drugs, mistakenly keep marijuana in their life, after all, consider how far they have come in giving up the other stuff. Many who struggle in the area of sexuality, who were hooked on affairs, massage parlors, and strip clubs, mistakenly keep pornography in their life, after all, consider how far they have come in giving up the other stuff. Before one points their accusatory fingers at those who struggle in those areas, how much lying will you justify to maintain your social relationships or climb the ladder at work. How much focus on your investments or your retirement account before you realize it is more about greed than living wisely. If this still does not hit close enough to home, how many more people will show your photos of your children or grandchildren, how many more people will you discuss your accomplishments at school or work, before you realize that bragging and pride are being fed. We are all sinners, that is why it is all about grace, not works. If we want to live our life in Christ to it's fullest, we must beware of these footholds which seek to keep dragging us down.
In Deuteronomy 7, the Lord tells the Israelites through Moses concerning the current inhabitants of the Promised Land, to completely remove them, as we read in 7:2, "and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them." God knew that leaving a foothold of that corrupt and godless culture in their midst would eventually cause the Israelites to succumb and lose their love and walk for the One True God. We read of a very effective military campaign led by Joshua, as king after king, and territory after territory is toppled. As God has promised, no one will be able to stand against them. But we read in Joshua 15:63, "As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day." In 13:13, we read of a similar group that was not removed on the East of the Jordan, in 16:10 about a group in the territory of Ephraim, etc. These footholds throughout the land proved to be their downfall, as the Israelites succumbed to temptation, and sought out other gods, became worldly, etc.
When reading the familiar story of the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18, we should not miss the point that he probably was a pretty good guy in the eyes of the world, but we read the sad words in 18:23-24, "So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich." So sad. There was that foothold. that obstacle, that prevented him from actually joining Jesus' band of followers. You might think giving up certain things is impossible, but Jesus said in 18:27, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” We must remember what Jesus said about holding on to these things in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Our walk with God should not be centered on nostalgic looks at what we have given up, but looking forward so as not allow any footholds to creep back in to stumble our current and future walk with Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: