The Cycle of Sin and rebellion

In the book of Judges, there is a recurring cycle of sin and rebellion. And unfortunately, it's a cycle familiar to many of us:

1. Israel sins, doing evil in God's sight.
   
2. As a result, God punishes Israel, leading them into enslavement.
   
3. In their despair, Israel cries out to God.
   
4. God, in His mercy, raises a judge to deliver them.
   
5. Israel is delivered, leading to peace in the land and service to god.
   

The key principle is this: 'Without trust, we go bust!' This statement highlights the fundamental issue faced by God's chosen people – a persistent lack of trust leading to disobedience.


The Lord speaks clearly and simply to His people: obedience is the evidence of trust in the Lord. It shows faith in His ability to fulfill His promises. When we obey God's commands, we express our trust in His promise-keeping nature. However, when the Israelites disobeyed God, it displayed a lack of trust. They believed that their way was superior to God's way, leading them into sin and rebellion.


One significant consequence of Israel's disobedience was God no longer driving out their enemies from the land. The Canaanites and Amorites became constant thorns in their side, their idols a continuous temptation.


Their disobedience wasn't due to a lack of power, but rather a lack of trust and faith. The Israelites didn't seek God's help; they attempted to handle things on their own. They fell short, not due to a lack of strength but a lack of faith and trust.


Likewise, you must ask yourself about the "Canaanites" in your life - the sinful things that you need to drive out. You can either follow Israel's example and allow these sins to pull you away from Jesus, becoming your own worst enemy, or you can trust Jesus fully, admitting your inability to conquer sin on your own. You must allow Christ's power, through His Spirit in you, to drive out your idols.


The consequences of disobedience are devastating, as we see in Judges 2:10-15. Israel neither knew the Lord nor acknowledged Him. They served the idols of Baal, forgetting the God that had saved them. Like them, you can easily fall into the trap of "FOMO" – the fear of missing out – chasing after the world's fleeting pleasures, only to discover that such pursuits are ultimately futile and empty.


Even after being rescued by God, Israel fell back into sinful ways when their judge died, serving other gods and indulging in corrupt practices. The crucial question, then, is how can you break this cycle of sin and rebellion in your own life? How can you avoid becoming your own worst enemy?


To break this cycle, here are 4 helpful steps:

1. Keep Short Accounts with the Lord: Quickly repent and confess when you sin. Don't let sin fester and linger.
   
   
2. Daily Invite Jesus to Take Charge of Your Life: Make it a daily habit to welcome Jesus and His Spirit to empower and fill you with His presence and strength.
   
   
3. Keep God's Word Flowing in Your Mind: Feed on God's Word and Christian music that exalts Jesus. Make spiritual things a daily part of your life.
   
   
4. Hang with People Who Love and Live for Jesus: Who you hang out with influences your thinking, your words, and your actions. Be sure to surround yourself with people who will encourage your walk with Jesus.
   
   

Remember, without trust, we go bust!

- Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on July 2, 2023.