The Shepherd
John 10 : 16
A weekly e-publication of Campuslightafrica Mission No. 2 February 2021
THE DEMOTION OF SIN
The turtle lies completely still on the floor of a lake with its mouth wide open wiggling the end of its tongue so that it looks like a worm moving through the water. It awaits a fish to come and eat the “worm” and then the turtle’s jaws rapidly close up, trapping the fish so that it cannot escape. Just like the snapping turtle’s lure, sin comes in the guise of something desirable, but it always carries destruction with it in the end. It demotes and devalues. If Reuben had considered the dreadful end of his lustful desires rather than the immediate pleasure, perhaps he would have escaped the demotion caused by sin. He was the firstborn of Jacob, but he lost his place in destiny and shortchanged himself because of his untamed passion for immorality.
In I Chronicles 5:1-2: 1Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he
defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 2For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:). Dear friend, that sin you are playing with now can cost you your destiny, both here on earth and in eternity. Reuben would have been part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, but Judah took his place (Matt 1:1-2) “1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;”
Sin has its grave consequences, and it may be too heavy for you to bear. Don’t be a victim of your own invention. Repent now and accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. Be decisive enough to cut off that thing that makes you offend before it demotes you!