Living It Out-Day 11-Derailed In The Name Of Religion

Every once in awhile you will hear about a train that derailed and got off track from the original course.  It doesn't happen often, thankfully, but it's bad news when it does.  The Lord had given the priests their direct orders through the law and they were disobedient, leading the people incorrectly, representing God in the worst way.  If they had done what the Lord had told them, the people would've followed their lead for the good and would've been blessed.  God repeatedly called them to return and repent.  Getting off course when you have a track to guide you means there is a miscue or a command that isn't respected.  Obedience is forgotten.

Living It Out:  Make sure those you follow are leading you correctly by Godly example or you will be swayed by their path of derailment. 

The tribe of Levi had been set apart as priests but they departed from doing what was right and caused the people to stumble.  These "men of God" were derailed in the name of religion and weren't showing the people the right image of God's Law.  God had given them His requirement earlier in Leviticus but they didn't heed the command.

 Leviticus 21:7 and 8

".....because priests are holy to their God.  Regard them as holy because they offer up the food of your God.  Consider them holy, because I the Lord am holy-I who make you holy."

 

Living It Out:  Apart from Him we can do nothing.  Only the Holy Spirit can change us and make us holy.

Derailment is easy because distractions and things of the world look so enticing and are at our disposal, here and now.  As Christians, we are to live for eternity and what is to come, a better world. 
 

Living It Out:  All of us can stumble at any time.  Work at staying strong so you don't lose the eternal battle for the temporary pleasures of this life.  The Israelites and others that have gone before us serve as an example.  Some of our biggest obstacles are lies straight from Satan who wants to derail us.

1 Peter 5:8 and 9

 

"Be self controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith"....