"Know now then that the LORD your God is the only true God! He is the faithful God, who keeps the covenant and proves loyal to everyone who loves him and keeps his commands - even to the thousandth generation! He is the God who personally repays anyone who hates him, ultimately destroying that kind of person. The LORD does not waste time with anyone who hates him; he repays them personally." (Deuteronomy 7:9-10)
Not all scripture is comfortable. The fact is that Yahweh does not take kindly to the disloyal. These are the ones who have accepted Yahweh as God and have pledged themselves to him. For those who start off but turn their back, we have warnings such as:
"It’s scary to fall into the hands of the living God!" (Hebrews 10:31)
Even Jesus warned:
“No one who puts a hand on the plow and looks back is fit for God’s kingdom.” (Luke 9:62)
But there is no way that anyone who has tasted of the Lord and the Holy Spirit could possibly deny him, could they? I really depends upon what we set our eyes and what thoughts we entertain. Following Jesus is not a simple matter. The righteousness of relationship between us and Father is definitely the work of Jesus. He did it on the cross. But we have also been called to a walk of righteousness, which is a journey of progress and depends on us seeking it and surrendering to it.
Jesus told us:
Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
Although we are not held to the penalty of the Law, we have been adopted into a relationship of love. If our love is a sincere reflection of Father's love, then our great desire will be obedience to his will. Righteousness is living according to Father's heart. Jesus also told us:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." (John 14:23)
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