Friday, April 1, 2011

When we lose the fear of God Leviticus 10:1 (NKJV) 1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. Nadab and Abihu made a number of mistakes leading to their death. Here is what Matthew Henrys says: "Next to Moses and Aaron, none were more likely to be honourable in Israel than Nadab and Abihu. There is reason to think that they were puffed up with pride, and that they were heated with wine. While the people were prostrate before the Lord, adoring his presence and glory, they rushed into the tabernacle to burn incense, though not at the appointed time; both together, instead of one alone, and with fire not taken from the altar. If it had been done through ignorance, they would had been allowed to bring a sin-offering. But the soul that doeth presumptuously, and in contempt of God's majesty and justice, that soul shall be cut off. The wages of sin is death. They died in the very act of their sin. The sin and punishment of these priests showed the imperfection of that priesthood from the very beginning, and that it could not shelter any from the fire of God's wrath, otherwise than as it was typical of Christ's priesthood." Presumption is a most dangerous sin. It usually comes as a result of familiarity. Jesus could do no mighty works in his own home town because of it. The wicked sons of Eli had their lives end in destruction because of such a familiarity with the things of God that they sinned in the house of God. Familiarity does breed contempt. It is our responsibility to walk in the fear of God. While we are "no longer servants but friends" of God, that doesn't mean He is our Buddy. A part of the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was partly caused by familiarity. They lied to Peter and the "Holy Ghost" and died. People seem to forget that this incident occurred on this side of the Cross. This happened in the time of grace. This kind of sin of presumption could lead someone to prophesy out of their soul rather than by the Spirit of God. It could cause a leader to try to "make something happen" in a service. I heard one man say, "I would rather have a little wild fire than no fire at all"! Wild fire is a false anointing and says that God is doing something when He is not. That kind of presumption and familiarity will always bring death in one form or another. I was in a service once when the man leading the meeting called me down and pushed me down in front of the people, twice! I was taken off guard and being embarrassed, didn't know what to do. As I drove home that night the Lord spoke to me and said, "don't ever do that again. You just endorsed before the people a ministry that I have not endorsed." May God grant us the fear of God.

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