Through the Bible: 2 Kingsنموونە
Dead to Sin, but Alive in God!
Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests. Let none be missing, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu did it with cunning in order to destroy the worshipers of Baal.
But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan.
2 Kings 10:19, 29 (ESV)
Jehu, the King of Israel, gathered all the prophets of Baal and slaughtered every one of them. However, Jehu did not turn aside from the very sins of the golden calves. After all, it is easier to remove a sin than the sinful nature in us. When our sinful nature is not dealt with, there will always be another idol in our life.
Because of that, God provided the Way to free us from the power and influence of sin. His name is Jesus. When He cried, “It is finished” on the cross, He died not just for our sins but also for the sinful nature in us. Sin has no more power over a believer who has died to sin with Christ on the cross. In the same way, we are alive to God in Jesus Christ when God raised Him from the dead. Thanks be to God that sin is no longer our master and by the grace of God we have the power to say no to sinful desires and temptations. We were dead to sin, but now are alive in Christ Jesus!
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for the finished work of Jesus that destroyed the power of sin. We pray that in times of temptation, You will help us to fix our eyes on Jesus and to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
Together with 1st Kings, the author minces no words to connect the nation’s destiny to each king’s faithfulness to Yahweh. Elisha succeeded Elijah as the representative of God’s voice, but there was way too little to be done when people’s hearts remained hardened. Despite few reforms under the reign of King Jehu, Hezekiah and Josiah, the northern and southern kingdoms finally perished in 722 and 587 BCE respectively.
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