Scripture: 1 Peter 2 v 7 - 9: "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
It is vitally important to study the Word of God, and understand what it says. Then to obey what is written because it reassures us that we are acceptable to the Lord.
Many Christians cherry-pick the verses they like, using highlighter, or underlining them, because they say what we want to hear. Then they skip over verses telling them what they really ought to be doing to change into the likeness of Jesus.
The Word of God is His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible is the full written version of Jesus. Not just a biography of Him, but every aspect of Him that we need to examine and work our lives around so that we fit into His Body perfectly matching Him, like having a heart transplant.
The new heart has to be checked that it matches tissue perfect or the body will reject it as incompatible. Doctors cannot change that heart during surgery or before, it must be fully tested before it is transplanted. The way Christians run these spiritual diagnostics is through the Word.
Every word is precious and true, and cannot be twisted to fit what is acceptable to us. The Church has been divided on these very matters, and in many cases completely lost its way, stumbling from light to darkness.
Apostle John says often in his writings, Little children keep yourselves from idols. No matter how its rolled out, worship of Mary, or any of the original apostles, is idolatry. Even praying Hail Mary is contrary to scripture, as it is calling on a person who has died to intercede and pray for us. This is spiritualism and a serious sin in the eyes of the Lord God Almighty.
There are things we omit to do because times have changed and its seems irrelevant today. I am talking about women covering their heads when they pray or prophesy. Well it's why women wear hats to church, but nowadays it can be to show off the very latest fascinator, rather than an act of reverence.
1 Corinthians 11 v 2 - 10: "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."
For men it is totally wrong to have their heads covered when they pray. And the Apostle Paul says its so serious for women to pray or prophesy without a covering, that those who do should have their hair shorn off. In verse 10 he says women must have power on their heads because of the angels.
Genesis 6 v 1 - 2: "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."
These sons of God were angels, who were not supposed to co-habit with humans.
Jude v 6 - 7: "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
This is God's judgment on the disobedient angels, and on other places where gross violations of sexuality took place. It's history repeating itself today, and is God going to judge it harshly or sweep it under the carpet of compromise? It is not something to take chances on.
1 Corinthians 11 v 26 - 30: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
How many people are guilty of taking Communion in a state of sin, not bringing honour to the table of the Lord, but unworthily partaking of the bread and the wine. Paul says they bring damnation upon themselves, causing illness or even death to themselves.
The Lord is leading me to highlight His concerns for the church, because He loves us and does not want us to come to the end of our lives in ignorance of certain consequences if we have offended Him in these ways. So please don't gloss over and dismiss these words without checking your own hearts and putting right any wrongdoing.
There are no doubt many other examples but these were impressed upon me as urgent. We must show respect, trust and obedience to every word, not just the ones that comfort us. There will be no ability to repent on the Day of Judgment, it will be too late by then, so do it now and be thankful to Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we love the Word, but prefer to jump over the hard parts. Please forgive us, save us and heal us from our folly. We will repent, change our minds, about all this, and thank You for giving us this opportunity to put things right. Please cleanse us with the Blood of the Lamb, and keep reminding us to walk on the strait and narrow way that leads to life. In Jesus' name, Amen.