In chapter 10 of 1 Corinthians, Paul exhorts them to remember the children of Israel and their wanderings in the wilderness. More specifically, he referred to them as examples for them bot to follow because with many of them God was not pleased. Paul went on speaking of the idolatry, fornication, and murmuring. Paul didn't want them to lust after evil things and fall from their faith and be destroyed. The same examples are for our exhortation as well.
Many have probably heard of Ravi Zacharias, the Christian apologist. Many thought high of him and the work he was doing for the kingdom. Yet, sin lurked in the camp.
I bring Ravi up because he is the latest "big name Christian", though now dead, who after their pattern of a sinful lifestyle is once again causing the way of truth to be evil spoken of (2 Pet. 2:2)
I bring up Ravi, because far too many make up their heroes and idols in the flesh and when their world is rocked by the scandalous life of their hero, they themselves fall from their faith because it was never founded on the Rock, which is Christ. If this may be you there's no better time to lay your foundation anew, this time on Christ. Reach out for help now! Do now delay!
I bring up Ravi because there are others that profess to be Christians and they won't necessarily be preachers or teachers, who are still living in their former (?) sins, which honestly aren't former because they never made a clean break from them. Don't deceive yourself to eternal damnation! Are you like Ravi given over to sexual sins? Repent! Make a clean break! Is it alcohol? Repent! Make a clean break! Lying, gossip, or slander? Repent! Make a clean break! Again, reach out for help now! Do now delay!
I bring up Ravi because if you know someone who professes to be a Christian and yet are living in sin that will keep them from the kingdom of heaven (Rom. 1:18+; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:1-8; etc), go to that person in Meekness that they may be restored (Gal. 6:1); that their soul be saved from death (Jam. 5:19-20); that they may be recovered out of the snare of the devil (2 Tim. 2:26).
I bring up Ravi that you make behave according to the pattern shown to us in Scripture. That we may continue to be "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). That we may continue on our path to holiness and purity (1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 Jn. 3:3). That we may "warn the unruly, comfort the feebleminded/fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men" (1 Th. 5:14).
I bring up Ravi that prayers for healing, comfort, forgiveness, and salvation will be made for the victims and their families and friends. As well as for Ravi's family, ministry and circle of acquaintances.
Take an honest inventory of your life. How does it stack up with the Bible? Is your pantry bare or lacking the spiritual fruit unto salvation? Is your fruit corrupt, spoiled or simply gone bad? Today is the day to stock up! Today is the day of salvation, the day to be delivered from your old man of sin. The storm is coming! The day of the Lord's wrath on the children of disobedience is near! Repent! Make a clean break! Reach out for help now! Do now delay!
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? - 2 Cor. 13:5
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. - Mt. 7:21-23
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. - Titus 1:16
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