July 25 True to the Way

Revelation 2:14-16 “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
 
THE Lord has just praised and encouraged the church at Pergamum for their faithfulness against idol worship. They have remained faithful to Jesus even as one of their own members has been martyred.
    But then the Lord addresses the sexual immorality infecting the church. This is the reason for his reference to Balaam and Balak written in Numbers 22-25. Again we see how the Living Word of God refers to the entire Scriptures in his teachings. The point here is that Balak, a king in Moab, hired a sorcerer Balaam to curse the Israelite encampment near Moab on their journey to the Promised Land. The sovereign Lord made it clear to Balaam he was not to do such a thing. Ultimately, though, Balaam knew he could corrupt Israel by sending pagan Moabite women to intermarry with the Hebrews. Here’s the result: Numbers 25:1-4 While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. 3 So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the Lord's anger burned against them.
4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord's fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
    Idol worship is Satan worship. Idol worship is death. Many pagan worshipers sacrificed children into fires.  With his judgment against the sexually immoral, the  Holy God was protecting his people in the desert. And he was speaking to protect the church in Pergamum. His Spirit continues to command us to be pure in our sexuality and to worship him only. His love was too great then and is too great now to keep quiet about our wanderings away from God’s commands.
    Sexual sin seems to be off-limits in the church today. Remember, though, Jesus is Lord. He is the way, the truth and the life who wields the “sword of his mouth” to judge sin and to proclaim salvation. There is only life in him when we are truly alive his way.
 
Prayer: Lord God, open my eyes to know my sins, so I will confess and live truly in you. Grant me love for others, so I can help them know their sin. Amen.