1 Corinthians 10:6-10

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” ⁸ We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. ⁹ We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. ¹⁰ And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

Destiny

         Today, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Our mothers help us find our destiny.

Have you pondered about your destiny?” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” So, have you explored your destiny? We pursue what is best for ourselves. Suggestion is good but not necessarily followed. We want to follow the passion of our heart. We even resist the Lord and do exactly the opposite of what God forbids us to do, why?

The human mind cannot visualize that is disastrous destiny outside the will of God. Sinful nature controls human instinctive interest. Historically, this reality began when the Lord instructed the first mankind in Genesis 2:16-17, ¹⁶You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; ¹⁷but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.

         The Lord prohibited it but still, the first mankind ate fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Fruits of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil may have been very appealing to their eyes; they have delicious aroma that they salivated and ate them. So, they disobeyed God. Why? Human mind is limited. We cannot easily appreciate that it’s favorable for us to follow godly commands.

         Material world appeals to human craving, even Christians cannot resist it. We want to explore the wonders of the world. We indulge ourselves in pleasure and leisure. What else? We want to taste the most delicious cuisine in town. So, does the Lord prohibit us to be entertained or indulge a little bit in recreation?

1.  Should not Indulge

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 

The term “revelry” could be translated as “immoral activity.” The Israelites indulged in revelries, immoral activities and took pleasure in wild parties. And the Lord scattered their bodies in the wilderness as their punishment. As long as we live, we should be mindful that the Lord decreed punishment for immoral activity, just as he punished the disobedient Israelites. Revelry or immoral activity or take pleasure in wild parties are evil and idolatrous that are not pleasing to God.

The common conception of “idolatry” is “worship of idol.” Celebrities and famous personalities in sports are idolized. Fanatics proclaim their idols. They’re not secretive. The ignorant think it is trivial diversion. They may assume that it is not really very serious to idolize celebrities, and they are just playful, that’s all!

Normally, trivial things are not paid much attention to. We easily ignore things that cannot affect us. How about the Lord? Does he ignore trivial interest?

What do you think? How does it affect God if we worship idols? How does it affect God if we idolized celebrities? How does it affect God if we disobey him? Not at all! Nothing can change God, may it be trivial interest or crucial activity. But certainly, it can affect us: our mindset, behavior, attitude, habits and lifestyle.

God created things small and great alike. He created huge elephant and tiny ant, high mountains and fine sand, tangible and intangible things. Of course, it’s practice of faith to believe that he created visible and invisible things. Well, does God pay attention only to significant activities but ignore trivial interests?

Activities that please the Lord and activities that cannot please God are recorded in the Scripture. God prepared reward for anyone who deserves it and consequences for disregard of his prescriptions. How strong do you believe that? Together, let us reflect on what it admonished us in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

¹³Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. ¹⁴For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

The two eternal destinies are heaven and hell. Anyone who is not allowed to enter heaven is destined to hell. Hell is reserve for children of the devil, and heaven is reserved for children of God. How can you be sure that you are a child of God? If Christ returns today or tomorrow, are you certain that he will take you into heaven? What behavior does the Scripture require from children of God?

Together, let us seriously reflect on what it declares in 1 John 3:8-10,

⁸The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. ⁹No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. ¹⁰This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

Whatever we do on earth has eternal significance. If we did great things or trivial things, the Lord rewards what we deserve. The Scripture has documented them. The requirements of God are recorded in the Scripture for us to particularly know what we should do and not to guess what pleases God and what does not.

Have you ever pondered upon why most theologians considered as Great commission what our Lord Jesus Christ mandated in Matthew 28:19-20? ¹⁹Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

God reserved great rewards for disciples who had participated in the Great Commission of making disciples. Can you imagine how great the reward from the Lord would be because we participated in the Great Commission? It’s not trivial!

Aspire for great reward and not trivial. Famous preacher Charles Stanley said, “God’s plan for enlarging his kingdom is so simple – one person telling another about the Savior. Yet we’re busy and full of excuses. Just remember, someone’s eternal destiny is at stake. The joy you’ll have when you meet that person in heaven will far exceed any discomfort you felt in sharing the gospel.”

Human beings are social beings. One open secret to enjoy life is belonging to society, circle of friends, family circle and community. In heaven, disciples will forever be grateful that we told them about salvation in Christ and help them grow spiritually. How wonderful such feeling would be when one disciple after another in heaven come to us and say, “Thank you so much for discipling me!”

If still you cannot imagine how great the reward that the Lord reserved for our participation in the Great commission then, remember what happened to the rebellious Israelites when they considered as trivial the revelry, immoral activities and wild parties they took pleasure in. We should not commit similar mistake.

2.  Should not Commit

⁸We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 

         Previously, Apostle Paul warned against idolatry. He pointed out that some of the Israelites indulged in revelry. He warned not to commit sexual immorality. Immoral activities are idolatrous activities; they are disgusting to the Lord, and 23,000 Israelites died because they participated in revelry or idolatrous activities that the Lord forbids. Together, let us meditatively reflect on Exodus 20:3-6.

       ³You shall have no other gods before me. ⁴You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

         This instruction of God: “You shall have no other gods before me,” should be interpreted that God is priority. Should “before me” be interpreted as no other gods ahead of God? Foolish mind may interpret that they can have other gods as long as they are not ahead of God. Instead of saying “before me,” International Children’s Bible translated, “You must not have any other gods except me.”

         That’s right! No other gods except God alone. There are no other gods.

Anyway, how curious do you consider the warning of a jealous God that he punishes those who hate him? God considers disobedience to his command as hatred to him. Can you accept that? In comparison, the Lord counts obedience to him as love for him, and he shows love to multiple generations of descendants.

Most parents, if not all parents, work hard for the future of their children.

God has better solution to such adorable endeavor. Can you believe that? How?

Simple: Love the Lord; obey the Lord; prioritize the Lord, and he will take care of the future of our children and grandchildren including great grandchildren.

         The Lord who promised to show love to thousand generations of believers who love him and keep his commandments is the same Jesus Christ who said in John 14:6, ⁶“I am the way and the truth and the life.” How do you interpret that?

         Pray for increase of faith to trust that Jesus Christ declared the truth. The stronger we believe that the words of Christ are truth the more eager we desire to obey him. And the more we obey the Lord, the more we are assured that he takes care of our needs and the needs of our children and descendants. Then, worry may fade away and not affect our mindset. Ponder about that for a while.

King David prayed for us who love God and proclaimed in Psalm 122:6. ⁶Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.

Conflict

         The on-going conflict in Israel is major reason we should pray for peace of Jerusalem. Nation conflicts against other nations are apparent signs of the ends of times that can affect our mindset. So, what could we do as we wait for Christ Jesus our Lord to return? We should prepare for the return of Jesus Christ and trust our Lord to provide for our needs and the needs of our descendants.

We pray for opportunity to share the gospel and disciple. We pray for the advancement of the gospel, especially in regions affected by war and calamities. We also pray for peace in Israel and wisdom for concerned authorities.

         This is urgent admonition. Apostle Paul instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-6: 

¹I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

         Since we desire to live peaceful and quiet lives, let us pray for government officials that God, instead of grumbling against them. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery, but they grumbled against him. They didn’t realize that their grumbling against Moses was grumbling against God who chose Moses as their leader. The Lord punished the rebellious Israelite. We should not test his patience too.

3.  Should Not Test

⁹We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. ¹⁰And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

         Do not assume that grumbling against authorities is just trivial matter to the Lord. We’re warned not to test if grumbling is trivial to the Lord or not. The angel of the Lord destroyed those rebellious Israelites who grumbled against Moses. They were punished as warning lesson for us no to test the Lord. Do you agree? Testing of the Lord is actually influence of the devil. It narrated in Matthew 4:5-7,

⁵The devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” ⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

         Temptation to test God is not a joke. Extreme activities (bungee jumping, cliff hanging, sky diving, deep seea diving) are very attractive for thrill-seekers. Why do they risk their lives just to experience such extreme activities? The pride to be called courageous, great or something tickles the human foolishness.

Why not try extreme activities that could have eternal significance? How?

Pray for opportunity to be involved in international missions. Someone said, “The decision to serve a mission will shape the spiritual destiny of missionaries, their spouse, and their posterity for generations to come. A desire to serve is a natural outcome of one’s conversion, worthiness, and preparation.” (Russell M. Nelson)

         One example from my personal experiences that I wish you’ll experience also before you depart from this world is mission involvement. My family and I had great time in missions. Eager students came to our home just to listen about Christ. I wish that the Lord gives me another chance to serve him in international mission again. Mission is one great experience serving the Lord. Pray about it!

         If you are not prepared for missions yet, here is a biblical way to test the faithfulness of God. The Lord invites in Malachi 3:10-11, ¹⁰Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 

         Are you anxious about stability of job? Test the Lord by cheerfully giving his portion, his tithes. Tithes are right portion of God; offering is personal giving. Listen: Nobody should pressure us to give. To give cheerfully is practice of faith in the Lord. We believe that God loves cheerful givers. We believe that God is faithful to his promise to open the floodgates of heaven if we give his portion.

         Seriously pray for willingness without hesitation to give the tithes of God. It amplifies our faith in him to personally prove that God is faithful to his promises. Your children can also prove that God is faithful when they follow your example.

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