November 11: MAKING DISTINCTIONS
They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. Isaiah 1:4b
In view of the general attitude among mainstream Christianity today, Isaiah’s statement (above) is likely to come across to God’s faithful ones as a huge understatement. But Isaiah’s gentle rebuke to his Hebrew brethren—only for the purpose of steering them aright—was highly offensive, especially among the leadership of the Hebrew nation. God’s plan for His chosen people was for them to be easily distinguished from the pagan nations with which they were surrounded. Obedience would have distinguished them from those who did not know God in many positive ways, starting with glowing good physical health and mental clarity allowing for the nine aspects of the fruit of God’s Spirit to shine forth (see Exodus 15:26 and Galatians 5:22-23). God intended for His people to be like magnets, drawing others toward Him that they may learn of His true character and come to love Him.
The ability to make proper distinctions and judgements should become second nature to all who belong to Christ. If ever there is a question to be cleared up, His Word provides unmistakably clear answers. And for every fact presented by the Omniscient One, we should come to expect that the evil one will introduce at least one counterfeit.
Instead of blending in with those who have turned away backward, may each of us solidify our commitment to godly discernment by studying what He has said and adjusting our lives accordingly. Isaiah’s writings address several basic subjects cast aside by modern believers. We will come to Isaiah’s reminders in time. Some of these basics include: God’s role as Creator (Genesis 1:1), how many genders there are (1:27), His chosen day of rest (2:1-3), boundaries for our physical and spiritual safety (2:17), the promise of a Redeemer (3:15), the reality of death (3:19), the importance of worship according to the Creator’s instructions (4:4), foreshadowing of the world’s anger toward those who worship God according to His word (4:8), understanding of what is food and what is not food (1:29; 7:2; 1 Timothy 4:3), to name a few.
Many modern denominations entertain Satan’s counterfeit version of the basics. Some seminaries attempt to amalgamate the theory of evolution and the Creation account. Most have accepted a counterfeit Sabbath in place of the seventh day without even wondering how or why it was [supposedly] altered. Obedience to God’s Word is “optional” in some churches, “legalistic” in others. God’s chosen people did not recognize Jesus as their Redeemer. Today, characteristics are applied to Him that obscure His true character, making the real Jesus unrecognizable to many who are looking for Him. These and other misrepresentations are vitally important to clear up. Isaiah’s divine calling to stand against Israel’s national apostasy was certainly met with resistance. The same is true today, causing spiritual wounds and bruises. But God’s truth is a healing balm to those who desire it. Isaiah’s writings harmonize with the whole of Scripture.
Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick. And the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment. Isaiah 1:5-6 (see also 8:20)