“Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,” II Chronicles 33:11-12
There is no greater way to break fetters than through humility.
“But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Matthew 15:26-27
This foreign, Syrophenician woman believed there was more power in Jesus’ left overs then much of the church believes in the gourmet.
“And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Matthew 15:6
There are so many new churches starting up who want to throw out all traditions. Traditions aren’t always the problem. The problem is when traditions make the Spirit of God of none effect. The answer to starting a church is not throwing out the traditions it is in letting the Spirit of God have His effect.
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
Knowledge can be obtained through the many Christian resources there are today. You can get knowledge through spending money to go to Bible College. However, love that surpasses knowledge is gained by pursuing Christ.
“For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.” II Chronicles 28:6
These were valiant men of Judah who were slain, which teaches us that being valiant, talented, clever, wise, strong or noble does you no good if you have forsaken the Lord.
“Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.” II Chronicles 25:10
There will be a time when the church will be engaged in a great work for the kingdom of God. That work will be hindered by believers who have not been serious with God who all of a sudden want to participate. They must be kept from participating, at least until they are in the right spirit, for our work is a spiritual work.
“And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.” Nehemiah 9:17
Some Christians have returned to their bondage by subtle means. Then there are those looking for someone to lead them back to their bondage. Some of the church has stepped up and said please fill our pews, please give us your money and we promise you we will lead you back to bondage. They give them smooth words or at least pretend that God doesn’t really mean any hard things His word says. They offer entertainment to try to satisfy emptiness and create programs to cater to every situation in life, while all along Jesus is the answer. Then in just a short time the people are back in bondage. Thank God that He is “ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” If you have come to realize you have appointed someone to lead you back to bondage it is not too late, God is ready to pardon.
“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 11So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.” Nehemiah 8:10-11
I grew up in a Catholic home. Through observing the priests I concluded the more somber they were, the more holy they were. To me, somberness was the path to holiness. Praise God, Nehemiah knew the truth. Holiness is far more joyful than sorrowful.
“And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.” II Chronicles 19:10
One of the reasons the church in America is in the predicament she is in is because her ministers have become more concerned about making the people comfortable than they are willing to “warn them.”
“And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.” II Chronicles 18:33
If you don’t want to be hit in the joint of your armor, then don’t dabble with sin.
