True Love

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” [1]

As a servant of God’s Word, I pray that He will help me to represent Him well both by word and deed. I have failed Him often. I ask Him to forgive me often. I am convinced by the Word of God that He is judging the world in righteousness. In due season, His judgments are manifest on earth. Peter says that God’s judgment first begins in His own house among His own people, then, spreads to those who are not a part of His family. We see this principle in the Book of Jeremiah.

When Jesus found in His Father’s house those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business, He had made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen. He poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” He told the religious leaders that after they destroyed His temple (His body by crucifixion) He would raise it up in three days. [2] After His resurrection, Jesus filled those who believed in Him with the Holy Spirit. In this way, His house reaches to the ends of the earth. Each believer in Him is a part of His house. He inhabits us who believe in Him.

Peter warns us against a temptation that the devil uses to sabotage servants of God’s Word (the devil even tried this tactic on Jesus – see Matthew 4:8-10). Peter warns us against those who “receive the wages of unrighteousness…” who “have hearts trained in covetous practices…” who “have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” [3]

Jesus said to the believers in the Pergamos Church, “I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” [4]

The story of Balaam is recorded in Numbers chapters 22-24. A pagan king hired him to curse Israel. Sadly, Jehovah Witnesses often quote Numbers 23:19 to say that Jesus is not God in the flesh: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.” But Numbers 24:1 says “Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery…” The verse they quote is when Balaam used sorcery to speak for God. When Balaam spoke by the Spirit of God, he prophesied of Jesus, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” [5] Later, the Israelites executed Balaam by sword. He had counseled the pagan king to send seductive women into the camp of Israel to seduce the men. Sin with these women brought the curse on Israel that Balaam could not bring on them via sorcery. [6]

Jeremiah the prophet counseled his scribe Baruch this way, “’Do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,’ says the Lord. ‘But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.’” [7]

Peter counselled pastors, saying, “Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.” [8]

Jesus said to His disciples, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [the clothes and food you need] shall be added to you.” [9]

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Simon the Sorcerer sought to purchase the Holy Spirit with money. [10] They are negative examples for us to avoid.

The Word of the Lord says, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” [11] May our Heavenly Father in His grace, help us to choose love for Him and people over selfish ways. May He help us to guide people to Him who loves them with true love.

[1] 1 Peter 4:17
[2] John 2:14-19
[3] 2 Peter 2:13-15
[4] Revelation 2:14
[5] Number 24:2; 17
[6] Numbers 31:8; 16
[7] Jeremiah 45:5
[8] 1 Peter 5:2
[9] Matthew 6:33
[10] Matthew 26:15; Acts 8:18-24
[11] Proverbs 11:4