No Treaty, No Snare

Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. 

Exodus 34:12 NIV

When you have an enemy, you have to remember that they are your enemy. The founder of Planned Parenthood, Margret Sanger, had a belief and a goal. She thought there were too many African Americans (not the term she used), to devised a way to have African Americans kill there babies; it's called abortion. I don't think she invented abortion, she just believed that she could offer it to people of color as a choice and the end result would be the death of millions of African Americans by their own choice. Even though she is long dead and gone her idea still has the effect she desired, less African Americans. Thirteen million African American babies have been aborted since 1973 alone. Thirteen MILLION. 

My point is that if we make a "treaty" with our enemy, sin, it will continue to be our enemy and find a way to inflict damage, destroy and bring death to us. Later in Exodus 34 the Lord tells Moses not to choose wives for their sons from the daughters of those living in the land because, "they will lead your sons to do the same"(prostitute themselves to their gods. That meant doing things like sacrificing their children. The treaty, the compromise would lead to sin, which leads to death. You can not worship the Lord and any other god. Worshiping the Lord brings life, abundant life, life to the full. 

Remember, God wants you to enjoy your salvation. Jesus didn't die so we would still be bound by sin. He died so that we might have life and have it to the full. 

JOIN THE FIGHT: II Timothy 1:8

"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God," II Timothy 1:8 

Sometimes we forget that being a Christian is to be an enemy of the world. Everything around us is designed to destroy belief in Christ. There is no pretty way to say it. To believe in Christ is to be a fool in the eyes of the world. 

Think about it.  The world teaches that Christianity as a religion is what produces bigotry and hatred of those who don't agree. Take for example what is taught about the Crusades. The Muslims are portrayed as the victims while the truth about the Jihad is left out. Why was Christianity virtually wiped out of the middle east? Because if you refused to be a Muslim, they killed you. Pretty much same deal today. Christian missionaries don't kill those who chose not to believe. 

What about the whole abortion, pro-choice versus pro-life battle? People who seek to defend children in the womb are depicted by the media as narrow minded people who deny women the right to choose what to do with their own bodies. That is of course opposite of what we believe. But, the world seeks to destroy the influence of Christianity even if millions of lives our lost and destroyed.

Paul was deeply concerned for Timothy because he apparently was susceptible to outward influence. Well, I think we all at times can fall victim to the overwhelming pressure of the world. But, we are given a spirit of power and we need to tap into that power by faith and stand. We may suffer here on earth, but, we will enjoy salvation for eternity with Christ. 

Father, help us to daily stand in Christ by faith. Praise be to you in us today!