Assimilation or a Stand

This morning I was reading in Ezra chapter 4: The Israelites have been given permission to go and return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.

In the beginning of chapter 4 the enemies show up when they heard about the rebuilding. But instead of a direct attack they said, "Let us build with you." What was their goal? To ASSIMILATE- to BLEND in- to become LIKABLE- with the ultimate goal of breaking down a consecration to truth and worship of only ONE GOD!

You see if they help "rebuild" and in the process capture and allure the hearts away from the one true God- the building becomes meaningless (this is why God told them not to intermarry- look what happened!).

I liken it to the Seven churches where, with most, they let in a blend of "others" and it eroded the believers commitment to their first love! This idea of assimilating is brilliant because it forges the way for compromised relationships as the heart gets attached to the enemies of God. Not for the sake of the gospel, but because the folks are soooo nice, so kind, so loving, sometimes even better than church goers. It does not mean that we don’t love unbelievers and forge friendships but it does mean we must guard the foundation and walls of our heart and be intentional and deliberate not careless.

Remember the request was not "Can we have dinner?" it was, "Can we be part of Gods work?" Dinner is one thing but the question the enemy asked begs another, "Can we be a part of God's work in your life because we really want to destroy your narrow and intolerant thinking?" Remember the enemy Satan is the one in charge here! What can happen if we are casual and careless? The thought-life of the believer begins to shift and the mind starts to question, well, they are good people and loving, so handsome and beautiful with absolutely zero recognition that this is the deceptive tactic.

The goal is to have the believer bend towards compromise and start leaning into the premise that unity supersedes a stand for the one true God. Sin becomes acceptable because it is far easier to love a person into Hell than love them into Heaven! I recognize for myself that I’m called to be relational and called to deeply love but with that I must be careful that my heart and mind does not start to assimilate cultural biases, that I don’t become soft on sin, that the foundation and walls of my life are structurally sound and foreign mixture is prevented with discernment and truth through the word.

By the way, when the "let us build with you folks" were turned down they did not just walk away dismayed! They went after the builders with a vengeance to cease and desist. Embrace and assimilate and a church will be loved by all. If I personally embrace and assimilate I’ll never be challenged in my own walk because I just blend and mold to everyone and every circumstance. There is only one mixture that should be coursing through me and that is Christ and His Word. That mix will lead to the right blend of true love towards people, a proper view of sin, and a galvanized stand in the face of challenge or compromise.

Much Love,

Cari