THE REFUGE DEVOTIONAL

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

1 Corinthians 10:14 NKJV

Dear Christian, I pray the grace of God will show you the depths of God’s love on Calvary’s cross, where Jesus gave up His life for all who will come to Him in faith.

This will strengthen you so that when temptation comes to you in all of its deceptiveness, you will submit to Him in obedience. Regarding this, Paul said to the church at Rome, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”

Understand Christian, you have been crucified with Christ and have been baptized into the life of Jesus by the supernatural work of God upon your heart.

Paul continued to say, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.”

You see, beloved of God, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” Therefore, your deepest affections should be stirred towards holiness when you begin to fix your eyes upon the cross where Jesus died in your place, bearing your sins, and satisfying God’s divine anger that was towards you.

So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, do not sink back into the sinful life you have been delivered out of for one moment longer. Do not even contemplate satisfying the carnal passions that once ruled you. For this is what Israel of old did when they did not believe the Lord was able to bring them into the land of Canaan, which the Lord had promised to give them. Just as a way of reminder, listen to what some of the people said to Moses, “We went into the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large.”

“We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” Moses interceded for the people’s rebellion and the Lord said, “I have pardoned them according to your word; but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it.”

The word of God is clear, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Therefore, let us not neglect to believe the words of God when it says, “Lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” For the God of Israel is holy and just, so rest assured He will chasten us with His rod of affliction as any parent who loves their child, as it is written,“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” So, trust in the word of the Lord with all of your heart and do not give in to the temptations that desire to overtake you, but rather, subdue them to the obedience of the Lord.

“For no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” and seek to bring glory to the name of Jesus while you live out the rest of your days on this earth.