False Refuges
God in His word said, “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the water shall overflow the hiding place.” (Isaiah 28:17).
Men who have made themselves a hiding place from God and feel safe will one day be discovered, just as Adam thought he was hid from God in a bush, but God knew exactly where he was. He shall sweep away the refuge of lies. Here are of five false refuges men hide themselves in.
1- A wrong opinion of ourselves. Like Pharisee who regarded everyone as sinners but themselves, people say; I may not be perfect, I’ve made a few mistakes in my life. But I am not a sinner. I am not a hypocrite like those folks at the church.
Christ came to save sinners, to call sinners to repentance; All who are not sinners exclude themselves from the salvation that is in Christ.
2-A wrong opinion of the Love of God. I believe God loves me and everybody else. Why shouldn’t he love me? I have no fear of God why should I, He is Love.
He is no respecter of persons so He will accept me and all the good works that I have done will guarantee me a reward.
The Love of God is only in Christ; there is nothing but wrath and condemnation outside of Him. Acceptance is only in the beloved. (Eph. 1:6).
3-An old experience that stays old. I know I am saved because I went to an old fashion altar and prayed through. I can even take you to the place where it happened. Salvation is not an isolated experience; we have been we are being and we shall be saved. Do you have to go back to an old experience to have assurance? Is What Christ did not enough to give you comfort and peace of heart? Trust not an experience - trust Christ the Lord.
4- A profession of faith that does not produce the fruit of the Spirit. The Pharisees had doctrine, morality, religion and ceremony, but they didn’t have faith love, joy, or peace. Where there is nothing but legal conviction, it will make men change bad habits for new, put away things that religion tells them too. But it does not give new heart or a right spirit. God sheds abroad his love in the heart of his people. (Rom. 5:5)
5 -The last refuge of lies is, TOMORROW. This is the most common refuge. Like Felix who told Paul when he had “reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come. Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call thee”. (Acts 24:25) Now is the day of salvation! Come to Christ now, tomorrow is to far away.
– Pastor Donnie Bell, TN
A refuge for sinners the Gospel makes known,
'Tis found in the merits of Jesus alone;
The weary, the tempted, the burdened of sin
Are never excluded from entering in.
This refuge for sinners God's love did ordain
In Jesus, the Lamb, from eternity slain;
In Christ the Redeemer Who lived and Who died,
God's law and His justice are now satisfied.
Should conscience accuse us, as often it may,
The blood of our Saviour has put sin away;
In Jesus, our Surety, the sinner can view
A city of refuge and righteousness too.
(Copied: Tune - "How Firm A Foundation")
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