Devouring Fire.com

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“He that is unjust,

let him be unjust still:

and he which is filthy,

let him be filthy still:

and he that is righteous,

let him be righteous still:

and he that is holy,

let him be holy still.”

Revelation 22:11

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A very successful television host made a career out of helping his viewers to become “better people”.

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Yes, he made it his life’s mission to “fix broken people”, as the saying goes.

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And this kindly man’s television show became a household name across the nation. And he eventually became lauded by the press and by others who praised his goodness, not only on television, but also in his sterling personal life! An avowed Christian, this man lived an exemplary life in all respects, or so it seemed. And each day, he tried his best to give people advice on how to be kinder, more helpful, more honest, and to become just plain “good people” in all areas of life. Oh yes, he kept his faith separate from his TV show, and so his show had an appeal to people from all faiths, and even secular people too!

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“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still

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Our signature verse today, from Revelation 22:11, indeed seems like a very unusual command for God to make, at least the first half of that statement seems rather odd…“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still…”

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Why in the world does God command us to allow unjust and filthy people to remain in their wretched condition!? Why not try to help them overcome their unjust and filthy ways?

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Does the Bible ever give further corroboration to this seemingly crazy idea?

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Well, yes. 

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Satan…thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Matthew 16:23

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Remember when Peter scolded Jesus, because Jesus foretold that the Jewish leaders would soon scourge Him and crucify Him?

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And Peter “began to rebuke Him, saying…Lord: this shall not be unto Thee!” Matthew 16:23. Peter was being a real first-class humanitarian here, attempting to discourage Jesus from allowing Himself to be tortured and finally killed.

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But Jesus…“said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:23

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Jesus was revealing a huge truth about “the god of this world”, Satan! Yes, Jesus was letting Peter (and us) know, that Peter’s “do-gooder” stance was actually from Satan. In other words, while Peter was concerned about the physical well-being of Jesus, he did not savor the eternal things of Heaven, at least, not at this moment. And Peter’s earthly concerns were akin to Satan’s desires.

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After all, why should Satan care if a person goes to Hell being sick or healthy, corrupt or moral? It’s all the same to him!

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TELEVISION

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Television spends a whole lot of time trying to help us be better people. Oh yes, TV also has some pretty degrading, decadent, and disgusting shows at times. But just think of all those daily talk shows dedicated to helping people to become better. Just think about all the radio shows and magazine articles, and humanitarian organizations dedicated to social justice causes!

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“having a form of godliness, but denying the Power thereof: from such turn away.”

2nd Timothy 3:5

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Why in the world would Satan allow all this helpful advice and humanitarian efforts to go out daily via the airways, if he truly is “the god of this world”? Why, if Satan is totally evil, doesn’t he instead try to stop all these “do-gooders” from their humanitarian efforts?

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Actually the answer is simple.

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First of all, without salvation, and without Jesus, you can be the nicest and kindest and most loving individual, and yet you are heading straight to Hell! The lowest Hell! That’s right! It matters not how good a person seems to be, if the Holy Spirit of Christ is not abiding in that person’s heart.

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Those who seem like great people, yet have not Jesus ruling in their hearts, are merely walking talking advertisements for this selfish world. And Satan loves to see this world’s citizens, “having a form of godliness, but denying the Power thereof: from such turn away.” 2nd Timothy 3:5

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It only makes this world seem like a good place to live. It confuses people. It’s harder to convince them that this is the Devil’s world. They merely point to all the so-called “good people” and say “What do we need Jesus for, anyway? You Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites! We’re doing just fine without you and without your Jesus!”

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And thus, they reject the call to repentance and redemption in Jesus!

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“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

2nd Timothy 3:13 

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And let’s face the ugly truth! The more humanitarian efforts employed in this world, the worse things seem to be getting. People are becoming more hateful, more unsympathetic, more dishonest, more impatient, more greedy, more sick, more licentious, lustful, war-like, and paganistic. This world is really sinking into Hell!

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The Bible says, “That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting (lacking) cannot be numbered (“filled” or “completed”).” Ecclesiastes 1:15 

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Try as we may, we just cannot straighten out this broken world.

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“A new heart also will I give you”

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But the very Good News is, there is One who can fix broken people. Yes, those who turn to the One who died for them, can find restoration and renewal for their souls, and for their lives! And when that longing soul becomes filled with God’s Holy Spirit, that individual will experience the most wonderful transformation…“A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh…” Ezekiel 36:26

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Then, all those wonderful virtues which people would like to possess in their own lives, but cannot, will begin to appear in every true Believer’s life, because of the new heart he or she receives from Jesus.