Global Warning (Part 2)

If there is anything our society lacks today, it is a reverence and awe for God. We tend to think that God will always extend us the same amount of grace no matter what decisions we make. In other words, all we have to do is ask for forgiveness and God will not make us suffer the consequences of our bad decisions. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Hebrews 12:14-17 says, 14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.

According to this passage of scripture, we can miss the grace of God. Esau, lacking self-control, sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob for food (Genesis 25:30-34). Birthright involved the right as head of the family (Genesis 27:29) and a double share of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15-17). This stripped Esau of the headship of the people through which Messiah would come. Thus, the lineage became Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Esau is referred to as godless because he sold his birthright. It is very important to God that we take our position in life very serious. It is a godless act to forfeit our destiny or not fulfill the purpose for which we were created. A simple deal over a bowl of food in a weak moment would forever determine the course of Esau’s life. There was nothing he could do to change his momentary lapse of reason.

King David was referred to as a man after God’s own heart. God promoted him to King of his people because David desired to please God and do his will. In a momentary lapse of reason, David disobeyed God and committed adultery with Bathsheba. Although God forgave him, the consequences from this decision would prove to be devastating. The sword would never leave his house after this incident. Even his own sons would rebel against his leadership and try to have him overthrown and killed.

God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt to bring them into the promise land of Canaan. Because of their disobedience, grumbling and complaining, only two people of the original generation that left Egypt would make it to the promise land. God allowed the rest of the Israelites to perish as they wandered aimlessly in the desert for over forty years.

Yes, it is true that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Yes, it is true that God so loves the world that he sent his Son so that none would perish (John 3:16). However, God is also holy and God is also just. His holiness does not tolerate sin and his justice demands a punishment for sin. Unfortunately, we miss the grace of God by ignoring the holiness and justice of God by being flippant with his commands.

More than anything else, God desires that his people do his will. He brings fire into our soul to burn away anything that would stand in opposition to Him. In fact, God knows families would even be divided over the issue of doing God’s will and obeying His commandments.

In Luke 12:49-53 Jesus says, 49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

See to it that you don't miss the grace of God! Stay tuned for part 3 of Global Warnnig.