Drifting away
Proverbs 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Proverbs 21:16 (MSG) Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow ends up in a congregation of ghosts.
Introduction: Dearly beloved, I thank God for bringing us to another week to receive manna from Heaven.
May we not be tired of His food to desire delicacies of Egypt, the Land of bondage and afflictions. I pray that all of us will finish strong in Jesus name.
A teenager blew social media with unbelievable stories, alleging that her father, a pastor has been having sexual relationship with her. Her mother was aware but covers up the evil act probably to retain her position as mother-in the-Lord. In his confessional statement, the father, a pastor admitted the sexual allegations, but claimed there was no penetrative act, and that it was just a palliative measure to satisfy his daughter’s sexual urge. Many Christians were shocked asking if Christianity is real. Many of such similar misdemeanours among Christians are drifting Christians away from the path to eternal life.
The world is experiencing abounding iniquity with different doctrines and deceptions thereby making many to drift away from the narrow and good way towards eternal life to broad and wide way towards eternal damnation.
This is not strange to those who follow closely the Master’s teaching concerning end times.
Matthew 24:12 (NLT) Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
Hear what Apostle Paul told Timothy thousand years ago
1 Timothy 4:1(NLT) Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons.
No one is immune to drifting away from the faith. Drifting away is a gradual process using what is pleasurable to the flesh. That is why giving serious attention to God’s word should not be compromised at all.
Hebrews 2:1-3(NLT) So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak,
How is your relationship with God? How casual are you in this Christian journey? What is giving you pleasure more than His words? Do you esteem His words more than necessary food? Remember, NO ONE is immune to drifting away.
To maintain the narrow path to eternal life, battle against attackers (Satan, the World and the Flesh) is inevitable.
Matthew 11:12(NLT) And from the time John the Baptist began preaching and baptizing until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people attack it.
Christianity or advancement towards the Kingdom of God is NOT a life of levity but soberness.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8(NLT) Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.
Looking diligently at our text, whosoever wanders off the straight and narrow path will dwell among the dead. Then, we can know whenever there is a drifting away from the narrow path at anytime we manifest dead works found only among the dead.
What are these dead works?
It is manifestations of the flesh, an attacker of pilgrims to eternal life or the Kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21(NLT) When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
We are inexcusable because God has made available the Blood of Jesus Christ for the faithful so as to constantly deal with dead works.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Finally brethren, ONLY the written and revelational words of God can reveal a drifting away life for those who earnestly read the Scriptures.
Hear the letter written by Jesus Christ to the church at Sardis.
Revelation 3:1(NLT) “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.
There is tendency to think and believe we are alive as a Christian but the Master’s opinion is contrary based on manifestations of the Flesh or Human nature.
There must be intentional desire to move unto perfection without daily repentance from dead works if we must escape drifting away.
Hebrews 6:1(WEB) Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,
✋ Maranatha
