05/22/2008 Keeping God from Sin

[RandomK]

S. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also
being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the
apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your
heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the
land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after
it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived
this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.
So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the
young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not
knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether
you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to
test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried
your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then
immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the
young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her
by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all
who heard these things.

O. If anything, this has shown me that God doesn't change. Just as he
judged Achan in the Joshua passage from yesterday, also has he Judged
Ananias. The only difference, is that while Achan was stoned to death
by the Israelites, Ananias was convicted by the spirit of God within,
and therefore died of his own convictions. God is still the same God,
just because we have been freed by the Law because of Jesus, it
doesn't make us free from the consequences of Sin. Sin is still taken
very serious by God, and we are still to live holy lives, even more so
now because we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us to give us
the strength to do that.

A. I need to be VERY careful about how I contend with the Spirit of
God in me. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, God has been brought even
closer to me. Separation from God is no longer an issue if I have
accepted Jesus into my heart, yet because of that, I must be very
careful to keep myself from sin, because when I sin, I am FORCING the
Holy Spirit to sin with me, and that is something that God cannot do.
I suspect that the resulting strife between sinful man and Holy God
living in the same person can very realistically cause a person to
die. So to avoid those consequences I need to abstain from sin at all
costs.

P. Lord, I am sinful man, and I need to be reminded that you require
holiness. It is a grievous sin to come against the Holy Spirit, so
please remind me who lives in me, and prompt me to do what is right.

[D.Lang]

Hey Kirsten,
Thanks so much for posting your journals. :) I love reading them!

Have a great time in Bolivia, we will miss you guys.
Dan-