Perhaps the most enjoyable time of the year for us has just ended. We kept the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day with those of like mind, which pictures God’s magnificent future plan when He will place His kingdom on earth to rule in peace and harmony. However, at that time it will not only last 8 days but for eternity. The world today has no clue about what we have just finished celebrating. And yet during this time, we left the cares of the world behind. Worry was in the hindsight and replaced with joy while we focused on what was good and appropriate during those 8 days. A different attitude was expressed, an attitude we all wish we could experience throughout the year. Now that we have returned home from the Feast of Tabernacles, we are surrounded by the snares that are placed by the god of this world – Satan the Devil.
How are we doing since returning from the Feast? Has that attitude we experienced just a couple of weeks ago diminished now that we are “back to reality?” The world can be very distracting, and sin can creep in at every opportunity. And as the world continues in its destructive ways, for example, keeping days that are not endorsed by God, we are faced with making choices – to live by what God commands us or to fall victim to Satan’s clever tactics. Don’t be fooled – thinking that we can easily avoid Satan’s schemes. It takes effort!
Paul admitted just how easy it was to sin. He struggled with human nature, as you and I still do. He states in Romans 7:14-20: “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.”
Satan will not quit, which is why we need to be aware of what we are doing at ALL times. We will slip and fall, but the important thing is what we do next – we get back up! We make goals for ourselves, hoping that we can accomplish them. We pray to God, hoping that we can live according to His Way, and that we don’t fall into temptations. And when we do sin, we hope God will grant us forgiveness when we ask for it. We were certainly in a more favorable environment to control our actions during the Feast. Now that we are “back to reality,” how are we doing?
Nothing has to change! We can maintain that same attitude we shared, as difficult as it may be to do – especially in this world, today. We can use the knowledge and the wisdom we have, look to God for help and we will be fine. This “reality” we are a part of now is only temporary, and that which is only temporary will eventually lead us to something far greater – eternity!
