GIFT OR STICK!
Genesis 3:24’So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.’
The noise my school kids make was just horrendous and unbearable! We threatened, punished, screamed – nothing worked; the moment we turn our backs, they get back to chatting. Some interesting thought popped up in my mind; why not hold a ‘discipline’ competition and dangle an award for the winners? The rules go like this: “If you are disciplined and remain silent then you would get a gift or else you would get the stick!” The kids were startled! The results though not terrific, but it sure instilled fear in the hearts of the children!
God was very clear when He spoke to Adam and explained the rules of the Garden of Eden; He said:
Genesis 2:16”And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Observe the words, ‘the Lord God commanded’ and ‘if you eat of it you shall surely die.” Despite the warnings, Adam disobeyed and had to face the wrath of God. God not only drove away Adam from the garden of Eden, but stations an angel with a flaming sword which turned every way, to make sure Adam does not sneak in. What is the reason behind the seething anger of God? Friend, don’t look at Adam’s sin as just a bite of the delicious and luscious apple, there’s more to it! The flaming sword is reserved for stubborn sinners! Stephen at the point of death looked at the hypocrite Jews and cried, (Acts 7:53) “who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."
Many converted Christian worship idols despite knowing God hates idol worship.
Many Christians steal and lie even after hearing umpteen sermons.
Christians ignore Church and the Bible despite knowing the importance of them.
Gift or stick is reserved!
Love between married people is passé today! Adulterous affairs outside marriage is spice! The latest Indian movie ‘Lunch Box’ that is being hailed by a lot of people is love between a widower and a bored, frustrated housewife! When you have a scintillating topic like ‘adultery’, and ‘Lunch Box’, people watch with jaws opened; that includes Youth leaders and church goers. I wonder how many have booked the tickets for this Sunday show after the worship!!! When you watch such lustful movies, you would get dirty deposits in your mind and with the slightest provocation your eyes would rove! Warning! Watch out! Stay away from the ‘premiere clippings’ on the internet and anything do with such things. It's time the Church became more vocal about movies, the dangerous allure! They are getting filthier, dirtier and brutal! The Bible says in Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
Gift or stick is reserved!
