The Danger of Self-Sufficiency

I recently taught on Self-Sufficiency at LakeView Church. Very challenging topic and passage (2 Samuel 24).

David acknowledged his self-sufficient sin - repented.
He shifted gears in his attitude towards God - (re)reliance.
He then owns the consequences in his restoration - responsibility.

This is an individual heart issue that if ignored becomes a communal or corporate failure of Christians to actually be the Church. Spirit-dependency must replace self-sufficiency.

'May the Lord your God accept you.' He has. He will.

Paths

One of the most terrifying chapters in the Bible is found in the Book of Job. Bildad, in an attempt to crush Jobs apparent pride, describes the fate of the man who rallies against God, flounders in sin and falls short of righteousness...he will be:

snuffed out, the light in his home will burn out, weakened, his schemes ensnare him, calamity is hungry for him, disaster is ready when he falls, death's firstborn eats at his limbs, he will be marched off to king of terrors, burning sulfur engulfs his home, roots dry up, he is forgotten, driven to darkness, no survivors or offspring, to the East and West men are appalled by him...a trap lies in his path. (Job 18)

Job, however, is prepared in heart and soul and mind for such torment. He knows that 'the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.' (Job 17:9)

He is faithful and in turn is confident - not prideful - of his righteousness before God. The wicked may stumble along their path toward the 'King of Terror' - but Job will follow divine suffering down the path that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is a horrifying yet convicting chapter to read. Impossible to bypass without reflection on my own journey...my own path. I might ask you as well:

1. What path are you on? Do you walk by faith or by your own strength? (2 Cor. 5:7) - Not all 'paths' lead to the same destination. There are only two: that which Bildad describes and that which Job holds on to.
2. Are you in constant terror from the evil one?
3. As a believer you will suffer, yet have no reason to fear torment...Do you know that He protects you before and behind. (Psalm 139)
4. Cry out for Jesus. Repent. Seek Truth. Ask for divine justice and protection with an honest heart. (Romans 10:9-10) - And then rest in His salvation.

one = one

Through one man - Adam - sin entered the world making death inevitable.

Through one man - Jesus - sin was eradicated making life eternal.

God is not a God of chaos - He's a God of order...He's holy.

Like a mysterious mathematical equation, through Jesus, He's restored our relationship with Him.

From new physical creation (Adam) to new eternal creation (Jesus) YHWH is a God of renewal.

Romans 5