Saved by a donkey

Last Sunday our guest, Jerome, preached on “Saved by a donkey,” focusing on Balaam.  Unfortunately, the lie and trap of Balaam remained alive and well into the first century, and is still active and deceiving people today.  We read in Revelation 2:14 in the letter to the church at Pergamos, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” 

Jesus speaks these words of condemnation to those in this church and to those in any church who accept and propagate the doctrine of Balaam.  We cannot claim our identity is in Christ and then define ourselves with an identity that is not God’s design, whether it be sex between a man and a woman outside of marriage, cohabitation, or sexual and gender confusion within the LBGTQ+ arena. 

Doctrine and truth are not what an individual determines, a doctor or counselor agrees with, a government decrees or a pastor or church preaches if it is contrary to the revealed Word of God showing us His design and our sinfulness.  God designed, created and will judge His creation — not the creation determining and judging itself.  The folly of following Balaam is to think we can live contrary to the commands and God and still be right with God.  The Israelites fell for his scheme given to Balak and 24,000 of them died as God’s judgment fell on them.  May we all listen and be warned about the error of the doctrine of Balaam, even if it takes a donkey to get our attention. 

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor