The lives of people we observe are like books which instruct the wise. They provide examples of what to do and what not to do. In this case even a "bad" example can be a useful one. The failures of others and the painful consequences are warnings to all who will take heed. Because God loves us, He issues specific warnings so we will know right from wrong and the certain awful results of sin. Every man must decide for himself if he will submit to God's Word in obedience or not.
God provided a warning to King Solomon after the temple was built in Jerusalem. God answered Solomon's prayer to make the Temple His house of sacrifice, a holy place sanctified by God's presence. Though God graciously granted this request, God also issued a warning Solomon and all would do well to heed. With the knowledge God has made born-again Christians the temple of the Holy Spirit, consider the implications of this warning in 2 Chronicles 7:19-20: "But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, 20 then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples." After Solomon and others turned to idolatry, God did exactly as He said He would do. The Temple was pulled down and the rubble burnt. And He has done this to the lives of the undiscerning many times since.
There is no shortage of people who began following Jesus faithfully but turned aside. Over the years there have been many prominent pastors and Christians whose private failings were publicised. The shame of scandal is not only reserved for pastors or televangelists but shame is truly the result for every Christian who turns away from the LORD, sinning against the One they claim to fear and love. My, how unbelievers delight to see others fall! I am sure you could rattle off a few notable Christians who fell into sins like greed, lust, deceit or pride and are no longer fit for ministry. They were as the lights in Shiloh which burned bright and hot for a season when the Tabernacle housed the Ark of the Covenant, but God caused them to be extinguished because of sin. It is not our role to judge them but as we pass by anyone can see there are only burnt stones where once a ministry flourished.
No one wants to be a "proverb and a byword." A proverb in this sense is a simile, kind of like a fable with a true moral everyone should take to heart. Sodom became a proverb, a permanent illustration of God's judgment and the results of sin. A "byword" is a "taunt or gibe." It is something which gives others ammunition to mock and ridicule, like one who has fallen in the mud everyone sees, has a bit of a laugh at, and perhaps even kicks them for good measure. History reveals there are some who remain a proverb and byword, and there are some God graciously delivers from such an end. Pastors who fell in sin have been restored, perhaps not to their former glory as with the second Temple compared to Solomon's Temple, but restored before God and man nevertheless.
The moral of the story? Let us not turn away from God and forsake His statues and commandments. The lure of self and idolatry for every believer are very real, and like the wise Solomon we will at times fail. Examining ourselves according to God's standard in His Word is crucial, and repentance is imperative. Is there a one among us who is content for God to cast us out of His sight? When confronted by the words of the prophet Samuel the High Priest Eli was resigned rather than repentant. May our lives be a testimony of the grace, goodness, and provision of God rather than what not to do - a proverb and byword which dishonours our glorious God.
God provided a warning to King Solomon after the temple was built in Jerusalem. God answered Solomon's prayer to make the Temple His house of sacrifice, a holy place sanctified by God's presence. Though God graciously granted this request, God also issued a warning Solomon and all would do well to heed. With the knowledge God has made born-again Christians the temple of the Holy Spirit, consider the implications of this warning in 2 Chronicles 7:19-20: "But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, 20 then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples." After Solomon and others turned to idolatry, God did exactly as He said He would do. The Temple was pulled down and the rubble burnt. And He has done this to the lives of the undiscerning many times since.
There is no shortage of people who began following Jesus faithfully but turned aside. Over the years there have been many prominent pastors and Christians whose private failings were publicised. The shame of scandal is not only reserved for pastors or televangelists but shame is truly the result for every Christian who turns away from the LORD, sinning against the One they claim to fear and love. My, how unbelievers delight to see others fall! I am sure you could rattle off a few notable Christians who fell into sins like greed, lust, deceit or pride and are no longer fit for ministry. They were as the lights in Shiloh which burned bright and hot for a season when the Tabernacle housed the Ark of the Covenant, but God caused them to be extinguished because of sin. It is not our role to judge them but as we pass by anyone can see there are only burnt stones where once a ministry flourished.
No one wants to be a "proverb and a byword." A proverb in this sense is a simile, kind of like a fable with a true moral everyone should take to heart. Sodom became a proverb, a permanent illustration of God's judgment and the results of sin. A "byword" is a "taunt or gibe." It is something which gives others ammunition to mock and ridicule, like one who has fallen in the mud everyone sees, has a bit of a laugh at, and perhaps even kicks them for good measure. History reveals there are some who remain a proverb and byword, and there are some God graciously delivers from such an end. Pastors who fell in sin have been restored, perhaps not to their former glory as with the second Temple compared to Solomon's Temple, but restored before God and man nevertheless.
The moral of the story? Let us not turn away from God and forsake His statues and commandments. The lure of self and idolatry for every believer are very real, and like the wise Solomon we will at times fail. Examining ourselves according to God's standard in His Word is crucial, and repentance is imperative. Is there a one among us who is content for God to cast us out of His sight? When confronted by the words of the prophet Samuel the High Priest Eli was resigned rather than repentant. May our lives be a testimony of the grace, goodness, and provision of God rather than what not to do - a proverb and byword which dishonours our glorious God.
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