Friday, December 21, 2012

A HEDGE FROM OUR ENEMIES


“It would not help if He kept us safe from one enemy but left us open to another. But Christ has made sure that His hedge comes all the way around His beloved ones.
Solomon says, "Prov. 22:14 (AMP) The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it. And so is the mouth of a seducer who comes with strange doctrines and whorish opinions. If we look closely we see this pit as Satan's design to trap the saint, for if possible he would "Matt. 24:24 (AMP) For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones).. His greatest ambition is to defile the children whom God has washed in the blood of Christ.
But God's intention is to punish the hypocrites and false teachers who would never embrace Christ and His truth. He leaves these people in the pit as prey to corrupt doctrines. "Th. 2:10 (AMP) And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.11 Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,12 In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness..
These men, like deer running across an open field, are shot down; but the ones inside the pasture fence are safe. It is the outer court that is left to be trampled underfoot. And although God gives up hypocrites to be deceived by false teachers, He speaks comfort to the elect. The same decree which appointed them to salvation provided also for them to embrace truth. And it still serves to show them how to find it. "2Th. 2:13 (AMP) But we, brethren beloved by the Lord, ought and are obligated [as those who are in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, because God chose you from the beginning as His firstfruits (first converts) for salvation through the sanctifying work of the [Holy] Spirit and [your] belief in (adherence to, trust in, and reliance on) the Truth.  And God has determined to possess our mind by the power of His truth.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

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