Victory From Sin 03.30.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday March 30, 2008 and today we are completing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 20-21 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. I today's study we will read and learn about the civil war between the Benjamites and other tribes; the Benjamites being defeated; and wives are provided for the few remaining. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning that we are all sinners, but we are forgiven and saved through the blood of Jesus.

From Dan to Beersheba, all the tribes of Israel gathered to punish the sins committed at Gibeah (See Judges 19:22-30) by a few perverted men of Benjamin. The tribe of Benjamin refused to allow justice to be done to the mob that gang-raped a defenseless Israelite woman causing her death. "Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel." (Judges 20:13)

Following two defeats, they came to the House of God, "Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD." (20:26). In deep humility, they committed themselves to the Lord and it was only after they had built an altar and offered the necessary sacrifices for their own needs that God gave them victory over Benjamin. "And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand." (20:28). Note that they offered sacrifices for their own sins. Clearly this illustrates how available our God is to provide guidance and victory when we submit ourselves to His Word. In the Scriptures we discover God's plan when our desire is simply to do His will.

There is a growing indifference to immorality in our affluent society. Adultery is now called "having an affair." Homosexuality is replaced with "gay and lesbian" or "alternative lifestyles." Fornication is referred to as "live-in lovers." The purpose of this new vocabulary is to remove the sense of guilt for violating God's moral Law and to make the sinner feel comfortable. However, while hating and exposing sin, we must also show mercy and kindness as we pray for and lovingly entreat all sinners to repent and come to Christ as Savior and Lord.

All sin is abominable to our holy God; however, all sin that is truly repented of and forsaken will be forgiven through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9). The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that some of them had been delivered from sexual sins when he wrote,"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed as our Deliver (Judges 20:26,28). As we pray and seek the Lord's will, He delivers us from all evil forces. "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" (Galatians 1:3-4).

Today's Psalm: 18:35
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
May we honor You and respect ourselves as we fix our eyes and thought life upon whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and whatever is admirable. Center our attention upon those things which are praiseworthy so that we build others up in the faith as the light of Christ radiates from our spirit to those around us. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Lord's Day, Sunday.
God Bless,
Christina

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