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Cheater!

So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. (Luke 11:48)

They were the kind of people that you (most likely) would avoid at all costs. Kicked out of every respectable group, they were severely lacking in what we now call 'social skills'. There was never any bootlicking the bright and the beautiful, and they would tell you straight up how they felt...no matter what the cost.

What was the cost? Public shame, unemployment, prison, torture, and even cruel execution- and for what? Simply repeating back to people what God had spoken to them.

Who were these underrated and overstrung heroes? The prophets of the Most High. For hundreds of years the Lord laid a special calling on these willing believers to deliver His very words to the general population.

Wouldn't you think that the folks God uses to speak for Him would be well received? These days, most Christians would completely flip over a chance to get a direct message from the throne room of Jehovah.

Or would they?

The real truth behind the persecution of the prophets is that they suffered and died for the message, not the mannerisms. The things they were saying were not what people expected, and when they refused to quit preaching- they were actually volunteering to quit living.

Personally speaking, I don't believe people are any different today. They love the Word as long as it backs up their lifestyle choices, but when the Sword starts swiping a swath through the soul? Time to find a new church/youth group.

So what was so chafing about the chatroom of the prophets?

Probably many things, but mainly the way the prophets insisted that God has much to say about our lives than simply on "church" related matters. There are many Christians who divide their life into "spiritual" and "non-spiritual", foolishly thinking that the eye of the Almighty is not perpetually focused on every aspect of our existence.

This kind of demanding dialogue rubbed people the wrong way, because they wanted to keep God in their back pocket or on their key chains like some sort of lucky charm. Fine if Sundays and Wednesday nights were given up to the Lord, but don't go messing with my dating life, finances, job, friends, entertainment choices, etc.

I'd like to include a very important question asked by God through the prophet Malachi, because it may be the same instant message that Christ has put on the screen of your life:

"Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!" (Malachi 3:8)

Well, what do you think? Have you cheated Him? Only you can answer that, but the important thing is to be ready to answer. If there is any area of your life that you refuse to offer to Jesus, then you have robbed Him of His rightful reign. Remember that He owns the very breath that are breathing at this moment, and He sustains every beat of your heart...so when you selfishly clutch your life like it was something you owned, you become a Bible bamboozler- a Christian con- and a church going charlatan...get the picture? So rather than ignoring God's Word in your life like our spiritual forefathers, make a commitment today to embrace the messages He sends you like they were your best friend, because they just might be.

Questions:

  1. Do you divide your life into a 'spiritual' and 'non-spiritual' side?
  2. What passages of the Scripture do you find hard to obey?
  3. What is one way you can listen and obey God's Word more consistently?