The Consequence
But just the opposite is true. A lack of growth in seeking God's honor and glory is indicative of our hearts as well. Jesus said these words,
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits, (Matthew 7.15-20, ESV).
The prophets Jesus warns of are like the priests in Malachi's day. They both spoke well, but neither of their hearts belonged to God. Their lives were indicative of their spirits. It would be one thing to have an occasional slip up or a moment of weakness. But a life that never focuses on God's glory cannot be a life that is redeemed. How do I say this? Because this is what the Bible says: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them, (Ephesians 2.8-10, ESV). What do those good works lead to? Jesus told us: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven, (Matthew 5.16, ESV).
So what does God do with these priests who simply will not return to the honor of His name. What is the consequence for those who do not seek the glory of God? Malachi gave them three dire warnings of what God would do. First, their blessing would become their curse. Second, their children would experience this curse. And finally, they would be removed from the service of God. Watch it as we read, "Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it," (Malachi 2.2b-3, ESV).
The very word of God which at one point in time was a blessing upon the priesthood and the people of Israel would be their undoing. The very blessing becomes a curse. For the obedient God's Word is a blessing, just as David wrote in Psalm 1.
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1.1-2, ESV
It is a blessing to Him because of his love for God and his desire to be obedient. At the same time it is a cursing for the disobedient. As Paul wrote in Galatians 3. "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them," (Galatians 3.10, ESV). The very same law that the priests used to abide by provided them at one time blessings beyond measure. They were honored, revered, feared, loved, deferred, and lauded. But they have since began to neglect God's Law, and the very law that blessed them in so many ways was now going to be to them a cursing. No more would they be honored, but rather humiliated. No longer revered, but reviled. No longer feared but fooled. no longer loved but loathed. No longer deferred but disdained. No longer lauded but laughed at.
And you say, "What a dire warning to our pastors." And you are correct. It is a dire warning to pastors, but it is more than to pastors. Peter told us that we are all priests, and so this is a dire warning to any believer, and the makeup of believers, the church. When a church begins to slip away from the Word of God that church brings upon itself a cursing. That which was once a blessing to the church has become its cursing. We need only look at the churches in Revelation. Many had fallen away from God's Word, and we see that those who did received rebuke and an opportunity to repent lest they receive a discipline and a cursing. To Ephesus, Jesus said, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent," (Revelation 2.5, ESV). To Sardis, "Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth," (Revelation 2.16, ESV). To Thyatira,
I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works, (Revelation 2.21-23, ESV).
To Smyrna,
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you, (Revelation 3.2-3, ESV).
To Laodicea, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent," (Revelation 3.19, ESV).
Oh that we would see what will come upon a church that ceases to be faithful to God's Word and their love for Him! The very blessing will become a curse.
0 comments:
Post a Comment