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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

The title of today’s episode: BIRTHRIGHT

Down through the ages, when the father would pass away, the firstborn son was in the position of being the head of the family. He would inherit most of the wealth of the family. He would be in charge of taking care of his widowed mother. Any unmarried sisters would have to have his permission to marry. It was his birthright. The sons who were born, second or after received property and other things, but didn’t have the authority as head of the family.

I was reading the story of Issac’s sons, Essau and Jacob. As I read the part of the story that said he sold his birthright for a bowl of beans. I thought about how crazy that was, he gave up long term wealth and security. He gave up being in a position of making a difference in the world for a moment of fulfilling his appetite.

As I pondered this, I started thinking about how we as children of God all have been given a birthright. All of us who are born again are on even ground. We are all going to inherit our father’s kingdom. Unless we give up our birthright and walk away from God.

Essau was hungry. That was an appetite of the flesh. He didn’t care what he had to give up, he just wanted that hunger satisfied. It is the same way with people today. Our flesh sometimes wants things that are sinful. The enemy has bombarded us for so long that sometimes in a moment of weakness, we yield to our flesh. In committing that sin, we are giving up our birthright, we are treating the cross like it is unimportant. Like Essau he was hungry for food again a few hours later. Giving up his birthright didn’t fix that hunger long term. Neither does giving into a sinful desire.

Essau couldn’t get his birthright back. We, however, can if we repent of our sins. Grace is not something to be treated like a get our of jail free card. In America we have heard the story of the cross so much that we have become desensitized to the horror that Christ suffered. If we truly love God, and are truly saved we will not want to walk in the flesh. We will not want to hurt Jesus by being nonchalant about sin. I am not saying that we are perfect, but we need to do all we can to walk fully aware of the enemy’s tactics. We do have power to resist the devil. The word says if we resist him, he has to flee. It all comes down to our willingness to walk like a child of God.

We cannot keep temptation from coming our way. We cannot keep the enemy from trying to find our weakness. But we can stay in the word and walk as close as possible to God. If we keep our mind on Jesus, the enemy has less of our attention to intrude upon.

Think about what Essau gave up, his grandfather Abraham was blessed and had great wealth. That wealth became Issac’s when Abraham was gone. Essau gave up land, cattle, sheep, servants and great wealth because he didn’t take seriously his position in life. He didn’t truly accept his place in the family.

I try to stay positive and encouraging. But this message has been heavy on me. I feel like someone is at that point of decision. Will you keep your place in the family, holding on to your birthright or are you going to give it up for a moment of sin. There may not be a chance to come back from it. Life can turn on a dime, we never know when our time is up. I would not be doing what God wants if I didn’t warn you to yield to God. Don’t give into the things of this world.

As I was studying this God said ask them where will they be when the music stops, will they have a seat at the table.  I immediately thought of a game we played as children; musical chairs. There would be enough chairs for everyone in the group but one. When the music stopped the last one that didn’t get a seat was eliminated.

There are only enough seats at the marriage supper of the lamb for those who are saved. We don’t want to lose our seat at the table because we have willfully and blatantly committed sin without repentance. I don’t want anyone’s blood required at my hand. So, I have to give you a warning today. Don’t wait too late to yield your lives fully to Jesus. He is faithful to forgive us if we repent.

Many think to repent means to say, I am sorry for the sin I have committed. But it has to be a heart felt sorry, not just lip service. Repent also means we will turn away from that sin and not look back. Repentance comes from deep within, when you realize you have broken God’s laws and his heart. It should break our heart and we should truly be sorry.

I often say, saying the sinner’s prayer is like a bunch of words to most people. It doesn’t cause true change, it is a temporary band aid, but soon they are right back to their sinful life. Because the words do not sink in, they do not cause real change.  The example I use is this, when I was in elementary school, we started the day with the pledge of allegiance. But until I was a lot older, I didn’t understand what those words even meant. I feel the same goes for most people that say the sinners prayer. I am sure that there are a few that are the exception. That it was a start for them to learn to become a follower of Jesus. But at some point they have truly cried out from their heart for God to make changes in them and save them from their sins.

It comes down to this, I have learned over the years that being a Christian is less about the Chirstian things and rituals and more about connecting on a personal level with the creator of the universe. The one true and living God that died on a cross for me and for you. I don’t want to see anyone sell their birthright. The one that Jesus paid a high price to obtain for us. Not for something fleeting, a momentary satisfaction of sin.  Idon’t want to see anyone not have a chair at the supper table when Jesus calls us to the marriage supper.      

 I ask, where will you be when the music stops? Or will you be when the trumpet sounds? Where will you be when you take your last breath? Will you have a place at Jesus’s table?                                        

Until next time,   

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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