In the opening of Moses' speech to the people in the book of Deuteronomy, he reviewed their history from the time they had been at Sinai until Israel had come to the Jordan River to cross over to the land of promise. Moses opens by reminding the people, "The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain'" (Deut. 1:6). At times I believe we express this same sentiment when we say, "Haven't you had enough!" I believe what God said to the people of Israel, He is saying to them:

Without Christ. The spiritual condition of those without Christ is described vividly in the New Testament! For instance, those without Christ are aliens and strangers (Eph. 2:12), having no hope (2:12), and far off (Eph. 2:1). What a miserable condition in which to be! Yet, as a sinner, this is exactly the spiritual condition you are in! "Have you dwelt long enough" in this lost condition? Haven't you had enough of the passing pleasures of sin? If so, then be obedient to God and be "no longer strangers and foreigners" (Eph. 2:19) and be "made alive with Christ" (Col. 2:13).

Indifferent. As Jeremiah walked through his beloved city of Jerusalem and beheld its destruction, he lamented, "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?" (Lam. 1:12) There are some who profess to be Christians who are really indifferent toward their responsibilities! If this attitude of passivity is yours, please notice what God's attitudes is toward you: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:16). "Have you not dwelt long enough" with this attitude? If so, then repent and pledge total allegiance to Christ (Matt. 12:30).

In Doubt. As Peter was walking on the water toward Jesus, he began to sink. When he finally reached his Lord, Jesus rebuked him saying, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matt. 14:31) Doubt creates in us unbelief. The Hebrew writer warned: "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12). "Have you not dwelt long enough" in doubting God?

Brethren, the bottom line is summed up in that the "wages of sin is death." "Have you not dwelt long enough" in sin? If so, let each of us make the necessary changes in order to please God!

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 12, p. 361
June 18, 1992