Do you fear losing something in your life that causes you to tolerate your own or somebody’s sin to avoid having to face the realization of what sponsors that fear?  Are you sleeping with someone because you are afraid of losing them, hiding drugs or alcohol use to protect someone else or even stealing because the economy is bad?  These are choices that will put us in the dangerous position of being disciplined by God, perhaps even forgoing blessings that He has planned for us because we refuse to repent of what we deem “necessary sin”.  Unfortunately the scriptures are pretty clear as to what happens to believers when they disobey the Words of warnings from God.

“And fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him who able to kill both body and soul in hell.”  Matthew 10:18  ” For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receivith.”  Hebrews 12:16

Fear is one of the enemy’s strengths. satan will use fear and threats of loss of treasure or relationship to draw you into violating God’s direction.  How about the loss of fellowship with God?  Each time I sin, I miss Him, because our fellowship is affected.  Especially those times, like with Adam where I consciously sinned knowing in advance that it was wrong.  Look there should be nothing more valuable to any Christian than the approval, love and fellowship with God through Jesus.  Anything that threatens achieving the fullness of that sustained relationship with God is of the enemy, in this case the enemy being whatever caused me to sin.  I don’t want to lose people, jobs or things because I refuse to violate the Holy Spirit’s conviction upon my life, but I must, because a man cannot serve two masters.  I serve God so anything that threatens that relationship or causes me to sway my behavior, thoughts or beliefs is an idol.

What fears keep you from obeying God’s calling upon your life?  I hope that the list is short but even if there is one thing on it the chances are that one thing is what God is calling you to forgo, sacrifice or repent of in order to open the door of blessing or come closer to you in fellowship.  I have to ask is it worth it?  Is he/she worth it?  Is the lie, treasure, job or pursuit worth losing close fellowship with Almighty God, risking His discipline in the balance?  If you think that you are the one Christian who will avoid the discipline of God, please think again.  Read the scripture and see that He will judge “all” sin and discipline those whom he loves.  Did you read the “chasteneth” and “scourgeth” words?  Those were about “every” son whom He receiveth, not just the disobedient ones.  Chasten to means to reprove, punish or correct through discipline and scourgeth we all know that refers to whips like those they used to rip the Lord’s skin.  If he is willing to do that to those whom He loves, who are obedient, what do you think He would do for those who are disobedient?

Lord God I pray that we put nothing before you but our bodies, pure and ready as holy sacrifice.  Cleanse us Father of all unrighteousness by the precious blood of Jesus I ask that we be sanctified in preparation of spending eternity with a Holy God.  If any of my Brothers or Sisters are holding on to some sin out of fear or any other pressured reason, I ask that you set them free from the grasp that binds them.  Fill them with an irresistible desire to be right with You, Lord, to spend each day walking with You in the Garden of Peace and fellowship of Almighty God.  Please hear my prayer Lord and forgive me the greatest sinner, for I know what is right and yet I still do not do right.  Thank you that Jesus Christ is my savior and king for ever and ever, otherwise I would have no hope of eternity.  Amen.