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SCRIPTURE:
Romans 11:21-22 If God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
Matthew 3:10-12 Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John 15:5-6 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
OBSERVATION: Our fast is over, but in many ways, our journey has just begun. The fear of the Lord is a lifelong pursuit, as is growing closer to God. In the above passages, we are encouraged to consider both the goodness and severity of God. The writers are not trying to scare you straight, but they are offering a balanced perspective on the One we claim to love. In our American-Christian culture, we tend to focus on God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness while neglecting His holiness, justice, and righteousness.
APPLICATION: Tight rope walkers will often hold long rods to help them balance and to stabilize themselves so they don’t fall to one side or the other. We must grow in the love of God to keep us from getting religious and legalistic, but we must also grow in the fear of the Lord to keep us from getting sinful, selfish, and carnal. God wants us to be balanced in the middle, to keep our focus on Him and our motives pure. He wants us to hate sin the way He does and not to compromise and play with the world or play games with ourselves, other people, or the Holy Spirit.
We need to press into the spiritual disciplines and cry out for the heart and mind of God. Then we will learn the fear of the Lord, grow in the knowledge and love of God, and see His grace in our lives (Proverbs 2:1-6).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus. I love You. Thank You for today. I need You. I want You in my life. Teach me the fear of the Lord. Help me to sit at Your feet, to learn from You, to love what You love and hate what You hate. Show me Your heart and mind through Your word and Your Holy Spirit. Help me to consider Your goodness and severity. Help me to walk in my purpose which begins and ends with walking with You. I love You Lord. Teach my heart to fear You that I may love You more. Amen.
WORSHIP: