~ Divorced by God ~

DIVORCED BY GOD

Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Here we have an important lesson concerning what provoked God to divorce Israel. Let us make a closer examination of why this happened. We see in the preceding verses, The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the King, "Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done?" "She is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath also played the harlot." "And I said after she had done all these things, turn thou unto me." "But she returned not." "And her treacherous sister Judah saw it."

This is the Lord God speaking to the prophet Jeremiah concerning His chosen people. He is asking Jeremiah if he has seen the backsliding (apostasy) that Israel has committed.

Apostasy means the abandoning of what one believes in, as a faith, etc. How had Israel become apostate? She is gone up upon every (all, any or every) high (elevated, powerful, arrogant) mountain and under (beneath) every green (new, prosperous) tree. Mountains and trees are symbolic of people, and the things that people build. God called to His people, but they would not return to Him. They enjoyed playing the harlot with the nations round about them. They did not consider that they were doing anything wrong. They could only see those things that their flesh desired.

We have the same thing happening in the world today. There are a people called and chosen by God. The blood of the Lamb has redeemed them, yet they are not content to follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. They would rather follow men. People today are being robbed of their true righteousness with God, they are being seduced into worshiping idols and don't even realize it.

What is every high mountain? It is the mega Churches, Religious Institutions and Organizations so prevalent today. They exalt themselves, they extract their income from their followers. Those who belong to these mega ministries are loyally devoted to their leaders, believing that they are doing God great service. When in reality they are paying homage to mere men, they fail to comprehend that by lifting up and adoring these leaders, they are in fact giving them the love and adoration that belongs to God alone.

God is no more pleased with this leader worship (idolatry) today than He was pleased with Israel's unfaithfulness centuries ago. It seems that here in the Western world at least, we are bombarded with the "prosperity" message. The TV screens are full of all manner of leaders pushing the prosperity message, when in fact the only ones really prospering are the leaders. They use lots of scriptures, but usually don't address what Jesus said regarding the love of mammon (money). They promote belief in the blessings and promises of God, but fail to teach that to receive those promises we are required to walk in all of the Lord's commandments. They pervert faith as a means to acquire those things which the flesh lusts after, totally missing that faith only operates when it is directed toward God. Faith is a spiritual tool, not a carnal way of manipulating God into giving us what our flesh desires when it is contrary to God's desires. Those who adhere to their teachings become more carnally minded and less spiritually minded by doing so. If God put away, divorced Israel for their sins, how can we expect that He will do any less with us for the same sins?

It is inherent in mankind's nature to preserve self. Yet self is what has to be nailed to the cross and die, that we may live by the power of the Spirit. It is because self rules in our hearts and lives that we are drawn to those teachings that appease and gratify the flesh. There are many mountains out there, but there is only One Mountain of the Lord.

Isaiah 2:2-3 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Be not misled. There is a Mountain of the Lord, a place of Holiness. If we would come to this mountain, we would learn God's ways, and walk in God's paths, no longer living in doubt and confusion. The way to this mountain is found in following the law of Christ, keeping all of His commandments.

God's plan is not thwarted in spite of the spiritual darkness across the land. We are the living stones that make up His dwelling place. He is summoning all with ears to hear to the Mountain of the Lord. It is sacred ground. Nothing unclean can step foot upon it. That is why the Lord is purging His Body, trying (testing) those who call upon His Name, to see whether we will serve Him or not, to reveal who or what sits on the throne of our hearts.

Most people would be absolutely horrified and appalled to be told that they are not worshiping in a manner that is acceptable to the Lord. Why is that? Because they are so wrapped up in the carnal traditions of men that they are ignorant of what acceptable worship is. Jesus repeatedly admonished his followers how they could enter in to the new life in the Spirit, yet few there be that can hear and will do what Jesus requires.

We are much more comfortable with our familiar mountains.

We think we can see and hear just fine with our carnal ears and our natural reasoning mind.

We like our charismatic, arrogant leaders.

We admire, emulate and imitate them, what could be wrong with that?

Well, as we saw in the opening verse, God could very well divorce us for running after any and every thing that is offered, all the while rejecting HIM, refusing to keep HIS commandments, tenaciously clinging to our 'self life,' refusing to nail it to the cross.

We are calling ourselves the chosen ones, the children of God, the heirs of salvation, all the while denying and refusing Him. How? By failing to obey. Because we are flesh, the focus of our understanding is centered on the physical material world. How quickly we forget that God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Adultery is not limited to a physical act of the flesh. We commit spiritual fornication all the time and don't even know we are doing it. We are committing spiritual fornication whenever we lust in our hearts after the things of this world. We are fornicating when we lift up and exalt any man, when we admire and esteem him more highly than we should. When we would rather follow and believe any other person than be a follower of Jesus Christ. One of the definitions of fornication is idolatry.

Man can make anything into an idol. It does not have to be a carved statue of wood or stone. Anything that usurps that place in our heart that belongs to God alone can become an idol. For some people it is a material object; a car, a house, something they have to possess. For others an idol can be the recognition of others, being lifted up and exalted. For others power is their idol, the ability to control and manipulate other people and situations. All idolatry is an abomination before God.

Malachi 2:16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, sayeth that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

And Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

God has given guidelines, making known how we are to conduct ourselves. Our spiritual growth and well being is of paramount importance to God. God hates divorce; yet because of the spiritual adultery (fornication) of Israel He put her away. Do not be deceived. Spiritual fornication is just as real and damaging as anything we can physically do with our bodies. Just as the physical act of adultery can destroy our earthly marriage, when we commit spiritual fornication we destroy our union with God... we disown our commitment to Him and for such conduct He is fully within His rights to cast us out. Another way of putting it is that we cannot do our own thing and expect to make heaven our home. If we fail to keep the commandments of Christ, if we refuse to take up our own cross, to die to our flesh, we will not inherit the promises to them that overcome.

In the letters to the seven Churches, Jesus said,

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication (practice idolatry).

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Our Lord goes on to say what the end will be of those who commit fornication.

I gave her space (time) to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the Churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Each and every one of us will reap what we sow. God's judgment is coming to this world, first to the Church, and then to the rest of the world. Who does the wrath of God come upon? The children of disobedience. Who are the children of disobedience?

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain (empty) words (reasoning): for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (unbelief).

And in Colossians 3:5-6 (Amplified) So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members (those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin): sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). It is on account of these (very sins) the holy anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will).

Do you realize that with out mouths we can profess to know God, to be a child of God, to be washed in the blood of the Lamb, and be fully deceived? God alone knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

The same applies to those in leadership positions that we look up to. There are many leader's today who are wolves in sheep's clothing, ravaging the flock. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness (wickedness) and unrighteousness (injustice, moral wrongfulness) of men, who hold (possess, retain) the truth in unrighteousness (injustice, moral wrongfulness).

We have a duty and a responsibility to walk and live by the power of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives, to grow in spiritual discernment, to love as Christ first loved us.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Equally we have a responsibility to KNOW the Word of God. We are charged to examine what we hear and make sure that it is in proper alignment with the Gospel of Christ. There are many counterfeits in the world today. There is great deception abroad in the land, many who claim to be in the light, when in reality there is no light in them.

When we take the Word of the Lord and use it without the unction of the Spirit, we make it of none effect. Many use the Word unwisely, to their own destruction, making up their own doctrines and in so doing leading others off the path of righteousness. If we would willingly stop listening to all the other voices, and listen to the voice of God in our Spiritual man, we will know the truth, and we will be set free.

2 Thess. 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

If we refuse to believe, rest assured, we will face the wrath of Almighty God.

Man has not changed, and God has not changed.

Jeremiah 23:17-20 They still say unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? Who hath marked (to give heed) his word, and heard (understood) it? Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

These are the latter days. Religious leaders today are building their own mountains, telling the people that God is only love. They are ignorant of the knowledge of the Lord, yet believe themselves to be rich and increased with goods. They flatter the people, telling them they have nothing to fear. The people are being deceived and led astray. The hearts of the people are not being prepared for the coming judgment. We are unaware of how to judge spiritual things. There is no discernment. We are kept in the realm of carnal thinking, carnal judgments, and worldly standards. Our God is Holy, and we are commanded to be Holy, as He is holy.

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise, thou shalt be cut off.

More is required than a one time experience with God. Salvation is entrance to a new life in the spirit, but we must continually grow up in Christ, learning and walking in all of His commandments. We can slip and fall at any time. The Christian walk is just that, a progressive walk through this world. We either keep growing in the Lord or we stagnate. Either we believe and obey; or we despise the Word of the Lord, there is no middle of the road.

We cannot please God and man.

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same will be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

We need to wake up and understand that having once been written in the book of life, Christ can blot our names out again. He would do this to us for the same reasons that God divorced Israel.

Unbelief,

unfaithfulness,

idolatry,

these are all things that will separate us from the love of God. God has made every provision for us to stand and not only to stand, but to be more than conquerors through Christ our Lord.

We make the choice whether we will believe and obey;

we determine what voice we will listen to,

who will we strive to please.

If we will take up our cross, die to our flesh, and follow Christ, we will learn what Paul was speaking of in Ephesians 3:17-19

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."

This requires our participation. We can choose to know in the fullest sense the Love of Christ, being filled with the fullness of God, or we can settle for the traditions and doctrines of men hoping that will somehow be enough. When plainly put, this sounds like a no brainer. Yet God knows full well the thoughts and innermost intents of our hearts. He knows how difficult it is for man to put down his flesh and live by the Spirit of God within these earthen vessels.

Jesus made a statement in Luke 18:8 I tell you, he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Personally, I was taken aback when I read the definitions for this verse. According to Strong's concordance, "shall" here means: denoting an interrogation to which a negative answer is presumed.

Faith means: moral conviction of religious truth; especially reliance upon Christ for salvation, and constancy in such profession.

Think about that for a while. Jesus knew beforehand that all his followers would abandon him before his crucifixion. Just as he knew that there would be few who would truly follow him down throughout the centuries. We are the last generation. We are living in the days leading up to Christ's return. Where will we, individually, be standing when he comes? Will we be counted among the negative response group, or will we be standing among those rejoicing at his appearing? Who are the people that fit into the negative response group?

Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, Have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity (engage in wickedness, unrighteousness).

Many today are using the name of Jesus, claiming they are doing God great service. Many have built huge ministries and gathered large followings. How astonished will some be to learn that despite all their great works and claims, when He comes, the Lord rebukes them and casts them out? How awful will it be to hear the Lord of Lord's deny that he ever knew you? If it could not happen, then Jesus would not have warned against it. It isn't important what people think. It is Important what God thinks. We need to examine our own hearts. Are we trying to please people or to please God? The answer to this question may well determine where we spend eternity.

When God said be ye holy, for I am holy, it was not optional. We need to seek God's face. Now is the time to examine our hearts, now is the time to prepare. All that is recorded in the Word of God is for our benefit. We can choose to learn from the mistakes of others, or we can make our own and learn the hard way. There is no once saved, always saved. We can slip and fall at any stage of our walk. If God divorced His chosen people because of their refusal to walk according to His commandments, how do we, who have been grafted in, think we will fair any better if we commit the same offenses? We won't.

We are not called to meet the standards of man, we are called to meet a much higher standard, our standard is Jesus Christ. May our spiritual eyes and ears be opened, that we may see what is the hope of our calling. May we grow up in Christ to the full stature sons we are called to become. May we comprehend that there is no greater prayer than, "Not my will Father, but thine be done."

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. There is only one way to overcome the lusts of the flesh, and that is by growing up in our personal relationship with Christ, living by the power of the Spirit within.

We are to judge all things by the Spirit. To teach others anything that opposes, contradicts or compromises the Gospel of Christ is to put 'an occasion to fall' in our brother's way. For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

We must submit to and allow the Spirit of God to renew our minds. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? There is nothing that can separate us from God. There is no outward thing that can assault us that we cannot overcome if we keep our eye centered on Christ, if we believe and obey. The only thing that can break our bond is self in all its manifestations. The only thing that will guarantee our failure is our refusal to take up our cross and follow Christ.

Today we are conditioned to follow men, to join up with a denomination. This is man's way, not God's way. Throughout the Word, we are exhorted to press in, to strive, to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. If we fail to do so, we cannot expect to ever overcome anything.

The choice is ours.

Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Amen

Cathy Morris

09/08/04