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Nugget 9 A Stranger August 1982 Our first responsibility here is to establish what a stranger is: a stranger is essentially one who does not belong to the household or community in which he finds himself. In other words, an outsider is one who does not fit into the order of things in a particular place. The Bible speaks much about the stranger, but though God gave commands regarding the love and care for the stranger, yet He warns against being in union or league with a stranger. There are so many Christians today who are under a sentence of unhappiness, because of being unequally yoked in marriage; therefore it is right and reasonable to take time to look into this matter. Looking back into the Old Testament, we see God's order from the beginning. God made a man (Adam), then He made a helpmeet for him, who he called Eve. She was helper or complement to him. Things went pretty well in the garden until the serpent tempted Eve and caused her to disobey. It is wonderful, however, that Adam stood with his helpmeet, choosing to die with her, rather than to be separated from her. They were one. Her disobedience brought separation from God. That union could not be broken, therefore, Adam could do nothing else but cast himself upon God, in hope. Taking a few examples might bring greater clarity to the subject. 1st Kings 11:1 - Solomon ruled very well, but he had a weakness: he loved many strange women. This clouded his glorious reign, because some of these strange women were idolatrous. It is not possible for one to be in union with an idolater, and not be affected or infected. They were daughters of heathen priests. These were strangers to God's laws and commandments; of different culture and upbringing. Ezra 10:2-44 - The people, mainly those among the leadership of Israel, departed from God's laws and married the strangers of the land. This was the cause of Israel's captivity and suffering. Ezra prayed, confessed and wept before God, and the people saw themselves and their apostasy. They confessed to their broken faith, their need of making a covenant with God, and then they put away their strange wives. The measures were severe but effective - their blessings returned. Nehemiah 13:27 - Here again, Israel was in trouble. The leaders married strange women. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10a) - not to be afraid of God, but having a healthy desire to do His will. Apostasy causes complacency, and complacency, familiarity, and familiarity breeds contempt. Thus, pleasing God is no longer a joyful pleasure. Being aligned with people who walk in the ways of darkness can dim one's light and sight, because the people who abide in darkness have not allowed the light of the world, who is Jesus, to shine in their hearts and to change their lives. They delight in doing evil and delight in frowardness. Their ways are crooked; they use flattering words; they care not about the covenant of God; their path leads to destruction. Proverbs 5:20, "And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?" Apart from the deep spiritual meaning of these words, there is much truth on the surface. A child of God can be ravished by a stranger (one who cannot embrace understanding or walk in the ways of the Lord). Consequently, instead of a help meet, there is a terrible weight of discord, disharmony, etc. One cannot take coals into one's bosom and not get burnt. Strangers desire not the things of God and His kingdom. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother." Proverbs 6:20. There is the tendency for young people to rebel against parents, especially in the matter of marriage. Young people, beware of this, especially where parents are walking in the fear of the Lord. I have yet to see a marriage based on such rebellion and total disregard for (the) parents' blessing, that is blessed of God and doing well. Now, do not forget that there are people of God who are not delivered from the carnal eyesight - where earthly wealth and beauty is the criteria and not the will of the Lord. Such people are in trouble with God, the Body of Christ, and their family. The carnal mind cannot please God. YOUNG PEOPLE, AS MUCH AS LIES WITHIN YOUR POWER, LISTEN ATTENTIVELY to your parents. God will honor your love and respect for them. There are many men and women today who, looking back, will say to themselves (very rarely to those who need to hear), "If I had only listened to that parent or minister, I would not be in this mess today." Some are able to give the troubled situation to Jesus, and have Him issue forth His love and bind up their wounds, healing the union and causing it to increase in His love. Satan enjoys joining people, because he gets not just the two, but sometimes the children to do his evil bidding. Also, when one is joined to an unbeliever, such a one has weakness and problems, instead of strength and help in the Spirit to bring up a family in the fear of the Lord. Though, sometimes, in God's mercy, the faithful believing partner becomes the saviour of the unbelieving. A stranger carries into the marriage all the things that pertain to this life; a way of life to which he or she is accustomed (the traits of the land from which he or she comes). You wonder why he/she cannot see, accept or appreciate the things of God; no, (it is) because he/she is a stranger, and must resist the truth as if it were an enemy. It is so clear in the scriptures, that God uses certain types of material in building His tabernacle. In so doing, God is not partial, because He through FOREKNOWLEDGE sees that such a person will fulfill His purpose. The gopher wood was the proper type of material for the ark. It had just the right consistency. The wood did not choose itself. Another outstanding incident is Paul speaking to Timothy, of his ability to respond to the call to the ministry, referring to Timothy's grandmother and his mother as women of God, which was part of his qualification. This reference was basically directed towards his training and upbringing. Those devout parents diligently imparted to Timothy the things of God and of righteousness, which prepared him not only for the natural life, but for God's purpose. God laid down commandments, laws and statutes from the creation of the world as agents of education. God is not a dictator, but He knows that man has to be brought into discipline, so that he can have authority over his own being and creation. It takes discipline born of God to be able to resist temptation. God, therefore, gives man the tools to fight against the evils that beset humanity, yet man constantly rebels against discipline. Satan knows that if he gets man to rebel against principle and order, he has won a candidate for his purpose. No wonder the adversary has been working desperately to break down and destroy discipline in the world, in homes, schools and other institutions. Just think of any place where discipline is upheld one hundred percent! Even churches are attacked in the area of discipline. This breakdown in discipline answers for the chaos in the world. Parents must never forget that discipline at home helps the children to develop good character. Respect of authority is absolutely important for the building of character. For this reason, God commanded Israel against marrying strangers. It takes both parents together, walking in the fear of the Lord, receiving from the Spirit of God the law of righteousness written on their hearts, to impart the right balance to their children. These actions awaken in the children a sense to discern sin, and prepare them for life, both morally and spiritually. WHERE THERE IS DIVISION between father and mother, the discord affects the whole family. A child who is brought up in love by father and mother, and taught to love and care for the other members of the family, is endowed with a nature of peace and security. That child, by natural experience, can understand very easily the love, care and concern of God the Father, thus he is no stranger to the ways of God. He has walked in the basic principles. IN MANY CASES, ONE PARENT IS LEFT WITH THE BURDEN of doing the job, through faith in God. The Lord honors it, but God's perfect plan for man is father and mother, together in Christ, bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of God - the father maintaining his position as head of the house, and mother as his helpmeet, respecting each other's abilities in the Lord for the building of a family and the enriching of their home. STRANGERS BREAK UP HOMES AND FAMILIES, wooing the unsuspecting victims into vanity and frowardness, because they are alien to unity and love in Christ Jesus. Instead of embracing and flowing with and becoming part of the family, the stranger becomes threatened (through jealousy) by this oneness or unity in Jesus Christ, and would do anything to separate the believer from the family. There must have been that certain thing in Ruth that bound her to Naomi, to cleave to her; they were not strangers; they recognized that Spirit in each other. Ruth felt sure that her mother-in-law had much to offer her. God honored it and blessed her. Any person or thing that makes you less diligent for God is a stranger or strange thing - keep away from such a situation. The Word says not to join hands with a stranger (Proverbs 6:1-2). How many times we have been cheated because of joining hands with strangers though they say they are Christians - no, they are strangers. Strangers cheat, rob, lie, deceive, hate, etc. Therefore, do not be surety for a stranger. God does not have the stranger under His complete command or control. God can speak to the conscience within him, but God will not force anyone to repent or become righteous. The enemy uses the stranger to foil God's plan, and rob us of our joy and blessings. Let us, therefore, keep our hearts and minds centered on Christ and not on the affairs of this life. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33. These produce prosperity, joy and happiness.
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