THE LORD SPOKE (December 07)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Daniel 12

This is the first use in the Old Testament of the term “everlasting life” (Dan. 12:2). Daniel tells us that everyone will rise, “some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt”. Progressive revelation comes into play here. Previously, the resurrection was not given a great deal of attention. Beginning with Job, the hope of resurrection was clearly stated (Job 19:25-27), but little development was given, particularly with regards to the resurrection of the unjust. The concept is fully developed in the Gospels with some additional input from other parts of the New Testament. For example:

• Matthew 25:46 - “then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life”
• John 5:29 - “those who have done good will rise to live and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned”
• Acts 24:15 - “there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked”
• Romans 2:7-8 - “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
• Galatians 6:8 - “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Many balk at the idea of eternal security but it’s embedded in the very term “everlasting life”. If it’s everlasting, then it can’t ever end. And, if you can now have it, then you have eternal security! The question is, of course, do you now have it? John’s writings give full expression to this truth:

• John 3:15-16 - “everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
• John 3:36 - “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life”
• John 6:47 - “he who believes has everlasting life”
• I John 5:11 - “God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son”
• I John 5:13 - “I write these things to you who believe so that you may know that you have eternal life”

You can know it! It’s not an uncertain thing that you can’t be sure about until you get to heaven. If you believe the truth about Christ and the words that He spoke, you may be sure of your eternity with Him.

But, back to Daniel.... There is equal certainty that others will also be resurrected who will face judgment, shame, and everlasting contempt. There are two important steps for you to take right now:

1. Examine your own heart and life. Do you believe God’s Word on this? Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone to forgive your sin and give you peace with God?
2. Tell others. Tell it far and wide. Start with your immediate family but don’t stop there. Let the whole world know that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Proverbs 7

Sexual sin. Just like the temptation itself, this subject matter keeps coming back in this book. It almost seems like God knew we would need continual reinforcement.

Two very helpful concepts for resisting and avoiding sexual sin are illustrated repeatedly here in Proverbs 7.

BOUNCE - Bounce your eyes away from temptation and don’t let them bounce back. You can’t always avoid seeing it (although there is a lot you can do in this area too), but you can avoid staring at it or letting your eyes go back to feast on it.

• Don’t “go down the street near her corner” (Prov. 7:6-9). For the most part, you know exactly where the temptation is hiding, so don’t “walk in the direction of her house”.
• Recognize the telltale signals (Prov. 7:10-13) - the impudent face, the coarse joking, the suggestive clothing - and turn away! (Note to the ladies: Do you dress like a prostitute? If it isn’t for sale, you shouldn’t advertise it.)

HEDGES - Create helpful fences (like the Israelites around Mount Sinai) to keep yourself a safe distance away from temptation.

• Memorize Scripture (Prov. 7:1-5). The reminder of God’s words hidden in your heart will “keep you from the adulteress”.
• Dedicate your senses and the enjoyment thereof to the Lord (Prov. 7:14-21). Notice how she enticed him with sight (“I came out to meet you” and “colored linens from Egypt”), sound (“persuasive words” and “smooth talk”), smell (“I have perfumed my bed”), taste (“fellowship offering at home” = meat from the sacrifice which the person who offered it was allowed to eat), and touch (“kissed him”, “linens from Egypt”, and “drink deep of love”).
• Make a list of her victims and think about them frequently (Prov. 7:24-27). Look at the broken bones that strew the path to her house; smell the dead corpses. Consider the messed up lives of those who’ve gone before you. “Her house is a highway to the grave.”