SOME PEOPLE CANNOT BE HELPED

PROCLAMATION

“In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to The Lord.”  2 Chronicles 28:22 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

While Jotham was king of Judah he did that which was right in the eyes of The Lord, but the people continued their corrupt practices. (2 Chronicles 27:1-2)  When he died his son Ahaz succeeded him as king.  Ahaz did not follow in the ways of The Lord.  He worshiped idols and sacrificed his children in the fire. (2 Chronicles 28:1-4)  Therefore, to punish the king and the people, The Lord God allowed them to be defeated by the Arameans, and by the king of Israel, and by Pekah son of Remaliah. (2 Chronicles 28:5-8)  Many of the men were killed and the women and children were taken captive. (2 Chronicles 28:8)  The Edomites and the Philistines attacked Judah, raided the towns, and took away people as prisoners. (2 Chronicles 28:16-19)  With all of this Ahaz was not humbled.  Instead he became even more unfaithful and offered sacrifices to the idol gods of the kings that had defeated him. (2 Chronicles 28:22-27)

APPLICATION

Chastisement or punishment will cause a believer to repent, but it may make a non-believer even worse.  It is not our place to make a non-believer do right.  We are to tell them about The Word of God and live our lives as a righteous example.  If they do not want to hear what we have to say, then we are to depart from them and shake the dust off of our feet.  The Lord will deal with them. (Mark 6:11)  The Holy Spirit of God will convict them, convince them, and convert them as He sees fit to do.  Some people are so lost and caught up in their sins that The Lord just turns them over to their reprobate minds. (Romans 1:28)  There are others that love their evil ways and have no love for The Lord God. (John 3:19)  Don’t judge them, pray for them.  Somebody prayed for us.   Remember, all of us are sinners, (Romans 3:23) some of us are just sinners saved by the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8)