Depart From Iniquity

Focus: 2 Timothy 2:19 - KJV

19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Luke 13:23-30

Iniquity is described as immoral or grossly unfair behavior. What degree of fairness is gross, is relative and only God decides it. For instance, it is possible like David, to take a man’s woman, later kill the man to conceal the immorality, and in the end, get away with it; while for another, all he does is lay with a woman of another country in whoredom and get spared to the ground with the woman in the act, and God be pleased with it. The word of God is clear: God knows His sheep; all pretenders will be shocked in the end, no matter how so much people had ascribed to them a relationship with God. There are those who because of followership assume they have God’s backing. It is not the mark to measure belonging. The mark is in whether they dwell in iniquity or not. Hard knocks await many on that day. All that the rich man did to be adjudged iniquitous was to refuse Lazarus his belongings. God adjudged him grossly unfair.

The story of Korah, Dathan and Abiram forms an interesting reading. They were also levites like Aaron. However, Aaron was the choice of God, but the trio had followership among the people of Israel and therefore thought entitled to the priesthood as against Aaron. They goofed in that God appointed and caused Aaron to be anointed the priest unto His people. They were judged iniquitous and paid dearly for it. What was their iniquity: they thought too highly of themselves and blocked their minds to the counsel of the Lord. They also were pushing to turn the people against the priest whom the Lord appointed. This was a grossly unfair behavior. It was not in anyway loving towards Aaron and Moses.

Dear friend, are you sure you are of the Lord? Korah thought so too. If uncertain, Christ has set for us the criteria: we are to depart from iniquity. It is good that we name the name of the Lord. However, operating in iniquity brings that name into some disrepute before men. Engaging in immorality is clear iniquity and God frowns at it. How do we think He will embrace those who are bent on showing wickedness to their fellow beings knowingly? Be not deceived, God is not mocked. He sees the intents of the heart. The wicked knows he is wicked even though he tries to pretend in concealment, waiting for who would be bold to say he is wicked. Most importantly, it is not the outcome of the wicked acts on earth that matters, but the voice that will speak about it in the end. Christ says they will be kept outside and addressed as workers of iniquity.

SOLUTION: Wickedness is unfair behavior; and that in its own is simply a departure from love. For us to make it to the end, we must depart from iniquity: meaning, whatever is not loving.

Please pray: Dear Lord, I have lived my life thus far by your leading, in fellowship with you and I enjoy being with you. Whatever I will do, that may cause me to end up outside in the end, please do not let me ever be able to do it, in the name of Jesus. Please let the world know me for good and extremely loving behavior, by the help of your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

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