Joshua 7:12
“Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become designated for destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you eliminate from your midst the things designated for destruction.”
This is part of God’s answer to Joshua. Frightening! He says He will not be with them anymore unless the obey. That’s quite an ultimatum.
The first thing that comes to mind is the state of humans without Christ. Yes, He reaches out to all and He hears their prayers to a degree. However we all are in a lost state unless we take His offer of forgiveness. Taking that offer requires us to pronounce Jesus as Lord. That means we do what He says. We are to abide by the moral laws in the bible. It also means we listen to the voice of the Spirit. It can come into our minds as a thought, into our hearts as a desire or our consciences as something to repent of.
The bottom line is we have to obey God. If we don’t the same ultimatum comes to us, “I will not be with you anymore”. I would say a person isn’t a christian who doesn’t obey God. Many may have felt remorse and have prayed a prayer to accept Christ. They may have felt the life of God. But like the parable of the sower, the little plant died. I know this is more complicated. That’s why God’s in charge and knows all.
I’m not talking about the backslidden christian. The prodigal son is an example. This person has been born again and is God’s child. They are in a state of rebellion. God will bring them back.
We need to fear God. That means we believe what He says and obey. If we don’t the consequences of judgment will happen. If Joshua and Israel didn’t obey God would no longer be with them. They would be forsaking the way of Abraham. He believed God and obeyed Him.
Following God is an individual thing, but can be a cultural as well. Towns, states and nations can fear and honor God. Some have over time. There are the amish who choose to follow God. There were the pilgrims and puritans in early America. Many of the 13 colonies began as doing so. Faith has had a good history in the US. Time has eroded that as it has in Europe and else where.
It starts with the individual. They choose to marry a spouse of like faith. In turn they have children and raise them in the faith. They attend a church and a community is built on like faith. They often move to areas that are friendly to their faith. In the US there are red states and blue states. That doesn’t mean all those in blue don’t believe or all in red states do believe. It has to do with majorities.
Thank You, Lord, that You seek and save us. You have saved me and I have a great wife who loves and serves You. We have children that serve You. Thank You for my godly mother who raised me to fear You. Thank You for implanting faith in us. You are good.