Build A Wall

“Therefore, take heed to do as Jehovah your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”  Deuteronomy 5:32

 

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.  Turn away from you the crooked mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.  Let your eyes look straight ahead, and let your eyelids look straight before you.  Ponder the path of your feet, then all your ways will be established.  Do not turn to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.”  Proverbs 4:23-27

 

Recently there has been a lot of talk regarding building a wall on our border with Mexico.  Our entire government is under a partial shutdown and many people say this stalemate could last a long time.  The differing of opinions is great in regards to how to secure our southern border.  However, rather than have a long dialogue over the ins and outs of what is currently occurring in the United States, I will leave such discussions to those who are already pounding their pulpits regarding this ordeal.

 

As Christians, I wonder how many of us have built a wall around our hearts in regards to wholeheartedly following God and not allowing sin to enter our lives.  I ponder how many of our churches in this once great land still have a solid wall of separatism from the world and false doctrine. 

 

Just as we have those who call for wide open borders, a global citizenship approach, likewise we have those calling for wide open churches, creating a melting pot of false doctrine.  Same with those who profess to know Christ, certainly by their taste of movies, music, entertainment and their speech, they create confusion regarding the sincerity of their proclamation of faith. 

 

So what exactly is the problem?  Do people not realize that once we repent and by faith believe into Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, that He builds a wall around our heart?  Do we not become separate from the world and it’s filth?  Do we not strive to obtain the promises, cleansing ourselves and becoming holy, set apart unto God?

 

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?  And what agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  Therefore, Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.  And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  2nd Corinthians 6:14-18

 

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also become holy in all conduct, because it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, behave yourselves throughout the time of your sojourning in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your vain way of life received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  1st Peter 1:13-19

 

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize controls himself in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in this manner: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”  1st Corinthians 9:24-27

 

What Christians and Churches need to do is to build a wall around their hearts and their congregation. 

 

“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.  These are they who set themselves apart, sensual persons, not having the Spirit.  But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others rescue with fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.  Now to Him who has the power to keep you from stumbling, and to present you without blemish before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”  Judas 1:17-25

 

Amen!