When we set our affections on earthly things below, we will suffer consequences. This daily devotional looks at provoking the all-knowing God into giving us that for which we ask.
Nuggets
- A consequence of setting our affections below is moving farther and farther away from things above.
- Another consequence of setting our affections below is the uncertainty that is the result of not knowing the all-knowing God.
- When we are given what we ask for, it becomes a consequence of setting our affections below.
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Devotions in the On Things Above series
Spiritual blindness is real. If we are not with Christ, we are without Christ.
Sturgeon wrote, “Without Christ there is no light of true spiritual knowledge, no light of true spiritual enjoyment, no light in which the brightness of truth can be seen, or the warmth of fellowship proved. Without Christ there is no peace, no rest, no safety, no hope.”
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We can have knowledge of Christ but not know Christ. We can know how we are supposed to be living but not live that way.
This can be due to the fact that we do not choose to know Jesus. We have to choose to believe in Him.
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There are specific consequences for not admitting our sinful condition, believing Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, and confessing God as Sovereign Lord. Let’s take a look.
Let's Put It into Context #1
Here is a running list of what we’ve discussed previously.
Let's Put It into Context #2
When we look up the definition of affection in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it says, “the state of being affected.” Affect means “to act on and cause a change in (someone or something).”
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Note: the purple headings are Beveridge’s words.
Ye Provoke Him to Take Them Away
“He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children so that a future generation — children yet to be born — might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep his commands" (Ps. 78: 5-7 ESV
A consequence of setting our affections below is moving farther and farther away from things above.
God wanted Israel — and us — to follow His laws and commandments and teach their children to do the same. That didn’t happen.
Oh, they liked to be known as God’s people. We just talked about how much they banked on being Abraham’s descendants.
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Not teaching their children about God has consequences. Davies noted that “God has blessed no age for its own sake only.”
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We can see this for ourselves. Back in the 1950s, the United States was considered a Christian nation.
But children started kicking back at their parents’ religion. When they had children of their own, they didn’t take them to church.
Enter the grandkids. They are not only kicking back on the Church, but they are also kicking back on the laws and commandments of God. Since the laws and commandments show us the character of God, they are kicking back on God Himself.
This is leading to the appearance of the Antichrist. He must show up before God judges mankind.
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Worldview people see their ability to choose for or against God as a freedom. They don’t see it, as Jamieson noted, as the bondage that it is.
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Or to Give You Them for Your Portion
“With your hand, LORD, save me from men, from men of the world whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what you have in store; their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children” (Ps. 17: 14 CSB)
Another consequence of setting our affections below is the uncertainty that is the result of not knowing the all-knowing God.
It is easy to think that God’s provision fits in with the prosperity gospel. The flip side of that is, if we aren’t children of God, we don’t get that prosperity.
But we all know that that isn’t the case. At times, it seems worldview people are rewarded with more prosperity than disciples.
Wilcox contended this earthly reward was to show worldview people that God was willing and able to provide for us. He also reminded us that God uses worldview people to further His kingdom.
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The problem is that worldview people are so far out of line with what God wants. Burns wrote, “The world is at total enmity with God. Its spirit, maxims, and pursuits are at utter variance with the laws and spirit of God.” Barry attributes this to the lack of connection with God.
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Still, there is a lack of satisfaction in worldview people’s lives. Burns told us why.
- Their enjoyments are, in reality, unsuitable for the creations God made.
- This world is temporary. This fleeting satisfaction they are receiving is not going to be totally gratifying.
- Being temporary and unsuitable, it is uncertain whether it will be enjoyed or not. Added to that, it is uncertain when it will end.
- The ending will not be satisfying. Judgment and sentencing will lead to an eternity of torment.
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That makes worldview people’s portion less than disciples’ portion. The saying, “You get what you pay for” keeps running through my mind. Worldview people don’t want to pay the price for salvation — obedience to God. While they may get prosperity in this life, they will lose in the long run.
The More You Affect Them, the Less Comfort You Will Have in Them
“He gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them” (Ps. 106: 15 CSB)
When we are given what we ask for, it becomes a consequence of setting our affections below.
Ooo, baby. I read this verse, and my mind went directly to Adam and Eve and the original sin. Eve wanted to gain wisdom (Gen. 3: 6).
Satan tempted her with the comment, “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3: 5 CSB).
Eve gave in and offered the opportunity to sin to Adam.
Glossary
Many times today, we want what we want — and we want it now.
But Adam and Eve’s want — and ours — came at a cost. Sin is a disease according to Paul. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom. 5: 12 ESV). Death is the result of illness, which is the result of sin.
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Oh, yeah. Sin is a wasting disease.
The Homilist made an interesting statement. It said, “The more you pamper the body, the more you pauperize the soul.” The King James Version calls is a leanness.
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Isn’t that what is wanted these day? Less work and more leisure. We want control of our own lives.
What we don’t ask for is trials — even though that is where we grow the most. Secker wrote, “The greatest part of the instruction, indeed, must arise from our sufferings; but the whole power of making advantage of it arises from our deliverance.”
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We see the trial as the disease, not the cure that it is. That means we kick and scream when the trials come.
Many times, when we pray, we say, “God, let this happen if it is in Your Will.” James contended that sometimes God let things that we ask for happen — even if they aren’t in His Will and aren’t for our good.
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Ooo, baby. What happened to Romans 8: 28? “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8: 28 ESV).
God lets us have what we want to show us that it really isn’t what we wanted.
The Homilist connected the dots by writing, “Everywhere we see great material prosperity associated with spiritual destitution — great physical feasting and spiritual starving, great material wealth and spiritual pauperism.”
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Don’t get me wrong here. I believe disciples can be prosperous. They just don’t make wealth and possessions their god. They leave that position to God.
On the flip side, God doesn’t allow someone to be prosperous in order for them to be affected with the sin disease. He does not dictate our spiritual condition to us.
God allows us to choose.
Making the Connections
We choose not to follow God. We choose to suffer the consequences of our choice.
This is an individual choice. Our parents don’t make it for us. It isn’t made because we attend a religious organization.
Age, race, gender, social status — nothing limits to whom God’s salvation is offered. Nothing limits to whom the consequences are given.
How Do We Apply This?
As Davidson said, we need to be heart rich instead of purse rich.
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- We need to allow God to control and fulfill our desires and ask for a corresponding measure of grace.
- We need to listen for God’s promptings as to how to use the material possession He gives us.
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This is a start of the consequences for putting things below on a higher plane then things above that Beveridge discussed. We will finish them in the next devotion.
Father God. Thank You for loving us enough to correct. We know that this is the way in which You grow us. Help us to grow more like Him daily. Amen.
What do you think?
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