HIS DEWLLING PLACE

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Grace Has Limits

Introduction

Grace is God’s unmerited favour, freely given to those who believe. It is His divine enablement that saves, sustains, and sanctifies. Yet, grace is not a license for lawlessness; it is the power to live in holiness. God’s grace is rich, abundant, and long-suffering, but it is not limitless in tolerance. The elasticity of divine grace is bound by God’s own holiness and righteousness.
“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1–2). Grace provides a door of mercy, but rebellion keeps it open only for a season. When that season expires without repentance, judgment replaces grace. Thus, grace is conditional upon faith, obedience, and holiness.

1. God’s Promises Are Conditional

“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). Every divine promise carries an “if.” God’s promises are sure, but their fulfillment depends on man’s alignment with His Word. Grace operates within covenant boundaries; when those boundaries are broken, the promise loses its validity. Eli, Saul, and Samson all began under the covering of divine favour, but disobedience annulled their promises. Grace does not cancel the moral government of God. His mercy is great, yet His justice remains unbending.“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:22).
Grace requires continuance, a steadfast walk in faithfulness. When men persist in rebellion, they drift beyond the line where mercy can no longer operate.

2. The Elasticity of Grace Is Not Infinite

“My Spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3).From the beginning, God declared that His patience with sin has limits. Grace stretches long, but not endlessly. When His Spirit is grieved and quenched repeatedly, divine withdrawal follows.
When men mistake God’s patience for approval, they court destruction. Grace delays judgment, but does not erase it. When the cup of iniquity fills, grace ceases to plead.
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1).
The elasticity of grace is not infinite because God is unchangeably holy. His mercy endures forever for those who fear Him (Psalm 103:17), but His long-suffering has a terminus for those who despise His Word.

3. The Breaking of Divine Terms Annuls the Promise

“Far be it from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Samuel 2:30).
Eli’s family was chosen for perpetual priesthood. Yet when his sons corrupted the altar and Eli restrained them not, God revoked the promise. Grace turned to judgment. “Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm… that there shall not be an old man in thine house” (1 Samuel 2:31).
Similarly, Saul’s kingdom was destined for greatness, but disobedience annulled the divine decree. “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God… now thy kingdom shall not continue” (1 Samuel 13:13–14).Each case reveals that divine intervention is conditional. When the terms are broken, the covenant collapses. Grace may open a door, but rebellion shuts it.

4. Grace Withdraws When Sin Persists

“But he wist not that the LORD was departed from him” (Judges 16:20). Samson’s tragedy stands as an eternal warning. Though anointed, he toyed with sin until grace withdrew. He presumed God’s power would remain despite his disobedience, but when the Spirit departed, he became an ordinary man.
God’s gifts and callings are holy; misuse leads to forfeiture. Samson’s strength was never his own, it was the presence of God upon him. Once the presence left, the promise expired. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith”(1 Timothy 4:1).
The departure from faith is the withdrawal of grace’s active influence. Those who live in deliberate rebellion place themselves outside the circle of divine favour.

5. Holiness and Obedience: The Conditions of Grace

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”(Hebrews 12:14). Holiness and obedience are the twin pillars sustaining God’s promises. Grace empowers holiness, but does not excuse sin. The believer who claims grace while living in rebellion is deceived. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Obedience is the language of love. To disobey is to despise grace, and to persist in sin is to insult the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). One act of rebellion can trigger divine review; continuous rebellion can terminate divine partnership. Grace will never coexist with unrepentant sin. It calls sinners to repentance, not to indulgence.

6. When Grace Is Withdrawn

“Then said the LORD, My Spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3).When men continually resist the Holy Spirit, He eventually ceases striving. Divine silence replaces divine pleading. At that point, men are left to their delusions, imagining God’s presence where He has departed. “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone” (Hosea 4:17).
That is the most dreadful sentence heaven can utter, let him alone. When God winds up His dealings with a man, there is no guarantee He will reopen the file. Grace despised becomes judgment declared.

7. The Danger of Living on Cancelled Promises

“The LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19). When God moves away from a man, that man’s words, dreams, and hopes become empty echoes. To cling to a revoked promise is to live in a cocoon of delusion, like Saul consulting the witch of Endor, hoping to recover what obedience had lost.
There are believers today clutching at memories of former favour while living in rebellion. They mistake past anointing for current approval. Yet grace once withdrawn does not sustain what sin destroys. “Ichabod” — “The glory is departed from Israel”(1 Samuel 4:21).

8. The Path to Restoration

“Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12). Though grace has limits, repentance reopens mercy’s door. God may not renew the old covenant, but He can establish a new one. David lost favour temporarily through sin, but deep repentance restored his fellowship. “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
The cry, “Lord, don’t wind up on me!” must be every believer’s plea. True repentance, tearing the heart, not garments, moves God to mercy. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9). Grace may begin anew, not because we deserve it, but because God delights in mercy when man truly repents.

9. The Deception of Limitless Grace

“Turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jude 1:4).Many in this generation teach that grace covers continual rebellion. This is a doctrine of demons designed to lull souls into destruction. Grace does not make sin safe; it makes holiness possible.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:11–12). Those who use grace as an excuse for sin are flying toward hell under the banner of deception. Grace never condones rebellion; it convicts and calls to repentance.

10. The Final Call

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).Grace is a gift, but not an endless indulgence. Every soul must choose to walk in obedience or risk being cut off. The Spirit still pleads, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).
Do not live in the orbit of godless wishful thinking. Repent now, return to God’s Word, and live in holiness. Plead: “Lord, do not wind up on me!” If He grants mercy, it will not be a renewal of the old promise, but a fresh covenant of grace—restored through repentance, renewed through obedience, and preserved by holiness.

Conclusion

Grace is not a bottomless well to be abused, it is a holy river flowing from the throne of God, reserved for those who walk uprightly.
“The LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).Walk uprightly. Obey His voice. Keep His covenant. For grace has limits, yet mercy remains for the broken and contrite heart.
Final Admonition: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
Grace is divine privilege; sin is human peril. When grace withdraws, judgment steps in. May we live so that grace remains active, mercy abides, and fellowship endures forever!

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.

Monday, October 6, 2025

The Nature of Satanist Movement

The Manifestation of the Antichrist Spirit

The Satanist movement is not a mere subculture of rebellion or an alternative worldview; it is a direct spiritual revolt against the living God. Behind its music, rituals, and ideology lies “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). It represents the visible outworking of the antichrist spirit—a deliberate opposition to Christ, His Word, and His Kingdom.
The apostle John warned, “Even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18). The Satanist movement is one of the clearest manifestations of this spirit, preparing humanity for the ultimate deception under the coming “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Its doctrines, symbols, and practices bear the fingerprints of Satan himself, rebellion, idolatry, hatred, and perversion of all that is holy.

1. Perversion of Worship and the Act of Idolatry

God created man with an inborn desire to worship, for “He hath set the world [eternity] in their heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Every soul yearns for divine connection. True worship exalts the Creator in holiness and truth (John 4:23–24), but Satanism hijacks this sacred design and redirects it toward the enemy of God.

A. The Adversary’s Demand

In every age, Satan’s ambition has been to usurp worship that belongs only to God. His words to Christ reveal the depth of his blasphemous desire: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). Satanist rituals; chants, sacrifices, invocations, and ceremonies, fulfill this ancient craving for self-exaltation and rebellion. They are spiritual transactions of allegiance to “the wicked one” (Matthew 13:19).

B. The Inversion of Holiness

In contrast to true worship, which is reverent, pure, and Spirit-led, Satanist ceremonies glorify profanity, violence, and blasphemy. Symbols of Christ are inverted, and holy things are mocked. What God calls sacred is defiled deliberately, for their gatherings are not mere performances but demonic convocations. This perversion reflects Romans 1:25: “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”
Satanic worship turns man inward, adoring self, lust, and power, whereas godly worship turns man upward, exalting the holiness of God.

2. Rebellion as the Core Identity – The Spirit of Lucifer

At the heart of Satanism lies rebellion, the same sin that led to Lucifer’s fall. “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven… I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13–14). Rebellion is not merely disobedience; it is the elevation of self above divine authority—the very essence of the Luciferian spirit.

A. Submission to the Great Rebel

Satanism glorifies defiance. Just as Adam and Eve were seduced by rebellion against God’s command, the Satanist movement exalts insubordination as enlightenment. It is written, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). The very foundation of witchcraft and occultism is rebellion; against God, His Word, and His moral law.

B. Rejection of the Yoke

Jesus invites humanity: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29–30). Yet Satanists reject this life-giving yoke, choosing instead the bondage of sin and self-will. In renouncing divine order, they enthrone chaos and darkness, proving themselves disciples of the “great rebel,” Lucifer himself.

3. Glorification of Violence, Murder, and Destruction

Jesus exposed Satan as “a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). The glorification of bloodshed, cruelty, and death within Satanism mirrors this diabolical nature. Violence becomes not a crime, but a “sacrament” of power.

A. The Imitation of Cain

From the first murder in human history, Cain’s act symbolized rebellion against divine righteousness. Scripture says, “Cain was of that wicked one, and slew his brother” (1 John 3:12). In Satanist rituals, blood sacrifices, whether symbolic or literal, reflect this ancient pattern of Cain’s defiance and alignment with the “wicked one.”

B. The Thief’s Mission

The satanic glorification of death and destruction fulfills Christ’s description: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). Wherever Satanism spreads, so follow moral decay, human exploitation, and desecration of life. It is a direct affront to the Creator, who is the giver and sustainer of life (Acts 17:25).

4. Covenant with Satan for Worldly Gain

Perhaps the most chilling characteristic of the movement is its contractual allegiance—pacts or covenants made with the devil in exchange for fame, wealth, or power.

A. The Price of the World

This temptation mirrors Satan’s offer to Christ in the wilderness: “All this power will I give thee… if thou therefore wilt worship me” (Luke 4:6–7). Many, driven by greed and ambition, still accept this deadly bargain. They “sell their souls,” often through rituals or oaths, believing they will gain control, yet they become enslaved by the very powers they invoke.

B. The Eternal Loss

Jesus’ solemn question pierces through this deception: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Every demonic covenant trades temporary pleasures for eternal ruin. The Word declares plainly: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The allure of wealth or recognition is but bait in the devil’s snare.

5. Use of Blasphemous Marks and Obsession with Darkness

Satanism is marked by a deliberate embrace of symbols and imagery that glorify evil and mock God. These are not artistic statements; they are spiritual declarations of allegiance.

A. Marks of Allegiance

The inverted cross, the pentagram, and the number 666 are emblems of rebellion and idolatry. Revelation 13:18 identifies 666 as “the number of the beast.” The use of such symbols is not harmless; it is participation in the spiritual signature of the kingdom of darkness. Deuteronomy 4:16–19 forbids any likeness of created things as objects of worship, yet Satanism exalts these images as tools of invocation.

B. Love of Darkness

The attraction to death, blackness, and corruption reveals the heart’s spiritual condition. “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). The glorification of skulls, graves, and gloom expresses allegiance to the prince of death, who holds humanity in fear until delivered by Christ (Hebrews 2:14–15). True life, however, is found in Him who said, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25).

6. Hatred and Spiritual Bondage

Behind Satanism’s claim of “freedom” lies a deep enslavement to hatred, corruption, and despair.

A. The Evidence of Enmity

Satanists express their allegiance through hatred toward God, Christ, and His Church. Their blasphemies fulfill the prophecy of Genesis 3:15: “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” The spirit of Antichrist is inherently anti-love, anti-holiness, and anti-truth. They are, as Paul wrote, “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).

B. The Reality of Bondage

What begins as a pursuit of “freedom” ends in torment. 2 Peter 2:19 warns: “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption.” Depression, fear, addiction, and self-harm plague those who serve the powers of darkness. Satan is no liberator, he is a captor who binds his followers in chains of despair.
Jesus described his mission clearly: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Yet the hope remains; “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

7. The Eternal Destiny of the Satanic Kingdom

The end of all rebellion is judgment. The devil and his followers face a certain, irreversible destiny: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
Satan’s kingdom, with all its false glory and counterfeit light, will perish before the blazing holiness of Christ. Those who align themselves with darkness share its fate unless they repent and turn to the Saviour who died to deliver them.

8. The Believer’s Response

Scripture’s warning to the Church is clear and uncompromising: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). The true believer must not flirt with occultism, compromise with worldly rebellion, or trivialize satanic influence. Our calling is to expose, resist, and overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
Our confidence is not in human strength but in divine deliverance: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).

Christ’s Triumph Over the Antichrist Spirit

Though Satanism parades itself as a new power movement, its end is ancient and already sealed. The cross of Jesus Christ remains the eternal declaration of victory. The Antichrist spirit will rise, but it cannot prevail; the darkness will deepen, but light will conquer; rebellion will multiply, but righteousness will reign.
The Church must stand as a beacon of holiness in a world seduced by the powers of darkness. As John declared, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”(1 John 4:4). Christ alone is the Deliverer from deception, the Destroyer of demonic power, and the Redeemer of all who repent and believe

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Be Not Unequally Yoked

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11)
. The Christian life is not a life of compromise but of consecration. Paul’s solemn charge in Ephesians 5:11 strikes a dividing line between the children of light and the works of darkness. Fellowship with sin, sinners, and sinful practices corrupts the purity of the believer’s walk and mocks the holiness of the God we serve

. The Days of Compromise

We live in a time when the church has blurred its borders with the world. Sinners jostle with saints at the altar; the sacred and profane mingle in worship; and as Ezekiel once cried, “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean” (Ezekiel 22:26)
. The conscience, once alive to rebuke sin, is now lulled to sleep by the anthem of tolerance: “Hush you, this doesn’t matter; things can be straightened later.” But the red lines between light and darkness are God-ordained and not to be erased. “What communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?” (2 Corinthians 6:14–15)

. The Folly of Blending

When believers laugh at the jokes of the ungodly, feed on their music, drink in their philosophies, and find pleasure in their indulgences, they forget their high and holy calling. James warns bluntly: “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).To blend with the world is to betray Christ. To fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness is to dim one’s testimony and weaken one’s warfare. The devil does not mind a compromised Christianity, he thrives on it

. The Call to Separation

We are called to exclusive Christianity, to walk in holiness and distinctiveness. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
. Separation is not isolation but consecration. We live in the world but not of it (John 17:14–16). We engage with sinners to win them, but we do not sit comfortably in their company nor participate in their ungodliness. Psalm 1:1–2 defines the blessed man: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord”

. Filter Your Friendships

Friendship is influence. He who walks with wise men shall be wise, but “a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Therefore, choose carefully whom you walk with, whom you listen to, and whose values shape your heart. Not every smiling face is a safe companion; not every professing saint is a true disciple. The church is not immune to wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15)
. Filtering your company means refusing to yoke your spirit with the polluted streams of worldly entertainment, corrupted philosophies, and false brethren. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

. The Final Warning

To blend with the filthy rabble is to risk eternal ruin. The broad road is always crowded, but it “leadeth to destruction” (Matthew 7:13). If you refuse to separate now, you will regret eternally. Filter your company. Guard your soul. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Flee the devil’s clubs, and cling to Christ’s cross. For the only safe fellowship is with the Father, the Son, and the saints who walk in truth (1 John 1:3, 7)

. Summary of Truths:

• Darkness and light cannot mix (Ephesians 5:11).
• Compromise weakens conscience and mocks holiness (Ezekiel 22:26).
• Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
• Separation is essential for true Christianity (2 Corinthians 6:17).
• Wrong company leads to ruin; right company strengthens faith (Proverbs 13:20)

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.

Saturday, August 16, 2025

My People Shall Never Be Ashamed

The promise of God in Joel 2:26 is one of the most profound assurances of His covenant faithfulness: “And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed” (Joel 2:26). This statement is more than a promise of material provision; it is a declaration of divine security, spiritual honor, and eternal assurance for those who belong to God. To be “ashamed” in Scripture means to be confounded, put to dishonor, or found without refuge when trial or judgment comes. God pledges that those who are His will never be abandoned, dishonored, or left without a defense. Let us carefully explore the spiritual principles that uphold this promise.

1. Looking Unto God in Prayer – No Shame (Psalm 34:5; 1 Kings 18:22–40)

“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed” (Psalm 34:5). Shame flees when the believer’s eyes are lifted heavenward. Elijah, in the contest at Mount Carmel, looked to heaven and prayed, and fire fell (1 Kings 18:36–38). The prophets of Baal were left disgraced, but Elijah was honored before all. When we lift our faces to God in trust, He vindicates His people.
To pray is to transfer confidence from self to God. Those who trust in their own strength shall be brought low (Jeremiah 17:5), but those who look to God shall shine with heavenly light and never be ashamed.

2. Waiting Upon God in Faith – No Shame (Isaiah 49:23; Luke 2:25; Isaiah 40:31)

“…for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me” (Isaiah 49:23).
Simeon, in Luke 2:25–32, patiently waited for the Consolation of Israel. He did not die until he beheld Christ, the Savior. Waiting upon God is not wasted time—it is strengthening time. “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
Those who run ahead of God often stumble in confusion, but those who wait shall be vindicated. Waiting produces patience (James 1:3–4), and patience preserves the soul from shame.

3. Walking in God’s Commandments – No Shame (Psalm 119:6, 98–100)

“Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments” (Psalm 119:6). True honor is tied to obedience. To respect God’s commandments is to order one’s steps by His Word (Psalm 119:133). The obedient believer gains wisdom greater than enemies, teachers, and elders (Psalm 119:98–100).
Shame comes to those who despise God’s Word (Jeremiah 6:10–15), but those who tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:2) find lasting honor.
4. A Heart Sound in God’s Statutes – No Shame (Psalm 119:80; Isaiah 38:1–5; Song of Solomon 4:7)

“Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed” (Psalm 119:80).
Soundness of heart: purity, sincerity, and wholeness before God, guards against shame. King Hezekiah, though stricken with disease, prayed with a perfect heart, and God extended his life (Isaiah 38:1–5).
The Bride of Christ is called “all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee” (Song of Solomon 4:7). When the church walks in holiness, she has nothing to fear at the appearing of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

5. Believing in Christ – No Shame (Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11)

“…whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:33; cf. Isaiah 28:16). Faith in Christ is the foundation of boldness. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Believers who trust in Christ’s death and resurrection stand secure, for “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Unbelief leads to confusion, but faith in Christ ensures that the believer is never confounded in time or eternity.

6. Suffering for the Gospel – No Shame (2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 1:16)

Paul boldly declared: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed…” (2 Timothy 1:12). Shame often comes when affliction is interpreted as defeat. But in Christ, suffering becomes honor. Paul endured imprisonments and persecutions, yet declared: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). The believer’s confidence lies in knowing that God keeps what is committed to Him until the day of Christ.

7. Abiding in Christ – No Shame (1 John 2:28; John 15:1–5)

“…abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).
Abiding is the secret of fruitfulness. A branch separated from the vine withers, but the abiding believer bears much fruit (John 15:5). To remain in Christ is to remain safe, fruitful, and confident, awaiting His return without shame.
Those who live carelessly may be ashamed at His appearing (Matthew 25:1–12), but those who remain steadfast in Him will rejoice.

8. God’s Restoration – No Shame (Joel 2:25–26; Psalm 125:1–2)

Joel ties the promise of “no shame” with divine restoration: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten…” (Joel 2:25).
The shame of barrenness, loss, or judgment is replaced with the joy of abundance. Just as God reversed Israel’s devastation by the locusts (Exodus 10:5), He restores wasted years in the lives of His people.
Thus, His people “shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever” (Psalm 125:1).

Conclusion: The Eternal Security of God’s People

God’s declaration in Joel 2:26 is not empty poetry but eternal truth. His people, who:
• Look to Him in prayer,
• Wait upon Him in faith,
• Walk in His commandments,
• Keep a sound heart,
• Believe in Christ,
• Suffer for the Gospel without fear,
• Abide in Christ,
• And trust in His restoring power—
shall never be ashamed. Shame belongs to the ungodly who reject Him (Daniel 12:2), but the righteous shall shine with everlasting honor. Therefore let us hold fast to this promise with boldness: “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even forever” (Psalm 125:1–2). Amen! Hallelujah!! !!!
His people shall never be ashamed. Hallelujah! Amen.

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

The Foundational Offense: Disregarding God's Sovereignty

At the root of all spiritual corruption lies a singular, devastating offense: the rejection of God's sovereignty, His right to rule, His supreme authority, and His identity as the source of all good. This offense is not merely a mistake of intellect but a rebellion of the will. It is the primal sin that undergirds every other, as it dethrones God in the heart and enthrones self, idols, or darkness in His place.
This affront is so serious because it strikes at the very essence of who God is:

. God’s Sovereignty Expressed in Holiness and Love
• Holiness (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16): God is absolutely pure, separate from sin, and perfect in righteousness. His holiness demands reverence, obedience, and moral purity.
• Love (1 John 4:8-10; Romans 5:8): His love is not passive affection but active, covenantal commitment. It is seen in His mercy, grace, and the offering of relationship to His creation.
To disregard God’s sovereignty is to reject His holiness (by tolerating or loving sin) and His love (by seeking life apart from Him).

Humanity’s Divine Design and Its Betrayal
God's original design for humanity reveals His sovereign intent:
• Relationship with Him (Genesis 3:8-9; John 17:3): We were made to walk with God intimately, daily.
• Reflection of His Image (Genesis 1:26-28): We are to represent His character—righteousness, justice, love.
• Responsible Stewardship (Genesis 2:15; Psalm 8): We are caretakers of creation, glorifying God through our dominion.
Disregarding God’s sovereignty is not just a violation of a command, it is a betrayal of our very identity and purpose.

The Fruits of Sovereignty Rejection: A Catalog of Abominations
A. The Practical Denial of God
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” – Psalm 14:1
This is not atheism of the mind but of the heart—a life lived as if God is irrelevant, absent, or unnecessary. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When this fear is cast aside, lawlessness thrives.

B. Idolatry and Occultism: Spiritual Treason
• Idolatry (Deut. 12:31; 29:17): Substituting the Creator with created things is spiritual adultery.
• Demonic traffic (Lev. 20:27; Gal. 5:19-21): Seeking power or knowledge apart from God is a fatal submission to the realm of darkness.
These practices usurp God's throne and invite judgment, for they mock His holiness and defy His authority.

C. Violations of Righteousness and Justice
These sins reflect a disordered society that has forgotten God:
• Pride and deceit (Prov. 6:16-17): Elevating self above God and others.
• Violence and bloodshed (Prov. 6:17): Destroying life made in God’s image.
• Scheming and false witness (Prov. 6:18-19): Weaponizing words to destroy.
• Unjust weights and dishonest trade (Prov. 11:1; Deut. 25:13-16): Turning commerce into a tool of oppression.
• Wicked sacrifices (Prov. 15:8): External religion without inward repentance is offensive to God.
• Justifying the wicked (Prov. 17:15): Perverting justice is to defy the God who is Judge of all.
Every act of injustice is ultimately a denial of God’s nature, for He is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18).

D. A Reversal of Divine Values
Jesus said, “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” – Luke 16:15.
The world glorifies what God despises: power without humility, wealth without righteousness, pleasure without purity. This value inversion is the fruit of rejecting God's voice and rule.
• Love of money (1 Tim. 6:10): Makes mammon a god.
• Turning from God's Word (Prov. 28:9): Silences divine truth.
• Religious acts from sinful hearts (Isaiah 1:13-15): Are an insult, not an offering.

The Weight of the Word: “Abomination”
The term “abomination” (Heb. toebah) signifies utter detestation. It is reserved for that which is most contrary to God’s nature, a stench in His holy presence. These are not merely bad behaviors—they are deep-rooted hostilities against God's being and order.br> “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him...” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
God is not indifferent to sin. His hatred of abomination springs not from cruelty, but from the intensity of His love for holiness, justice, and His creation.

The Call to Response: From Abomination to Alignment
Understanding abomination is not meant to condemn but to awaken:
• To God's holiness: That we might tremble and revere.
• To God's love: That we might return and repent.
• To God's design: That we might live truly.
Through Christ, God provides restoration. The cross reveals both the severity of sin and the magnitude of mercy. What was abominable in us was judged in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21), so that we might be made righteous before God.

Conclusion: Reverence, Repentance, Renewal
Disregarding God’s sovereignty is not a small offense—it is the root of every evil, the poisoned spring of human rebellion. But recognizing this foundational sin brings us to the threshold of transformation. The fear of the Lord is still the beginning of wisdom, and submission to His rule is the gateway to life, peace, and godliness. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). It serves as a call to self-examination, repentance, and a turning towards a life that reflects God's righteousness and love. By understanding what is deeply displeasing to Him, we can strive to live in a way that brings Him honor and aligns with His perfect will. This wisdom calls us to a life of integrity, justice, love, and unwavering devotion to the one true God.

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