Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.– Jonah 2:8
In developmental psychology, children ability to learn words is influenced by the principle of mutual exclusivity. This bias leaves children with the choice of either-or. Two events that cannot happen at the same time are called mutually exclusive events. In our daily walk with God we are faced with the game of either-or. Have you ever chosen your will over God’s? Then you are not different from Jonah if you said yes.
It is fascinating that one of the signs given by Jesus to evidence His divinity was the sign of Prophet Jonah in the belly of the big fish for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40). Through that experience Jonah learned obedience and prayed to God. He said;
The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord. (Jonah 2:4-9)
Jonah made an off the curve statement that revealed a secret to receiving God’s grace. Those who hold on to worthless idols would deprive themselves of the grace of God. This principle of Grace was rephrased by Jesus in Matthew 6:24; “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Mammon is the god of money, it’s an idol. Any element, desire, emotion or object that controls your life in the place of God is an idol. What idols are you clinging to? Anger, pride, rage, unforgiveness, cynicism, malice, slander, lust, deceitful desires, stubbornness, profanity, stealing, evil speaking, or rebellion? Whatever it is, are you able to give it up so that you would not forfeit the GRACE you could receive from God? Our Christian narrow path is garnished with choices of either-or and “off and on”. We are required to Put off the Old, put on the New (Colossians 3:8-10, Ephesians 4:22-31) to enable us walk in God’s UNLIMITED Grace. Take action today by committing to relinquishing anything that may hinder your access to God’s abundant grace. This is the real outreach!
Bible Verse;
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:39-40)
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:22-27)