When the World and Religion are on the same side

II Chronicles 16-19

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In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

II Chronicles 16:1

Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

II Chronicles 16:10

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In chapter 16, we read about two kings. First, there is Baasha. He was a wicked king who reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel. Then, there was King Asa. He was good at first, but eventually turned against God and his people. Let's see what happened.

Our chapter begins with Baasha leading his army against Jerusalem. When Asa realizes that the army is advancing on them, he sends riches to Ben-hadad in Syria and asks for an allegiance. Ben-hadad agrees and together they send Baasha running. All seemed well for Asa and Judah.

However, appearances can be deceiving. While outwardly everything looked good, God was not pleased. Asa had took matters into his own hands, rather than trust God. God sent a prophet to tell Asa just that. The prophet said that, because Asa had not depended on God, Syria had not been defeated with Israel. God would have given Judah victory over both nations if Asa had trusted God. Asa did not like this message.

This is where verse 10 comes into play. Asa was so mad at the message that he threw the prophet in jail. Then, he persecuted some of God's people. So, here is a glimpse of what those who worshiped God were facing. In the north, they were blocked from going to the Temple by Baasha. In the south, because Asa was mad, they were persecuted. Even though Baasha and Asa were enemies, they were working towards the same goal.

Israel was pagan and Judah was "Godly". Those who served God found themselves caught in the middle. That is often how we feel today. There is the non-religious group who expects everyone to conform to their way of thinking, and then there are the "Christians" who destroy the message of the cross. Everyone who goes to church gets lumped into the giant category of "Christian", even though they may have very little in common.

While atheists persecute Christians, other "Christians" equally persecute those who do not conform to their way of thinking. In America, this is mostly in the form of verbal abuse. Name calling and attacks on character are their choice weapons. Also, nominal "Christians" verbally attack anyone who tried to live a holy lifestyle when they are convicted because of their lax standards of righteousness. Denominational differences have less to do with this than relational differences. Those who walk closely with Christ will be persecuted by those who are casual in their faith.

Baasha is like the atheists in America today. He tried his best to prevent the expression and free exercise of worship of those who served God. He put up barriers that prevented them from serving God they way they were instructed by scripture to worship. In a pagan culture, they were silenced. Freedom of religion was non-existent in Israel.

In Judah, Asa served God as long as he liked what he heard. He liked God on his terms. When God told him that he was not doing right, he got mad at the messenger and threw him in jail. Nominal Christianity is like that today. They get all excited when they learn someone is a "Christian", but the claws come out when they are challenged by someone else's closer walk with God. Or, they get hostile when they are reprimanded for ungodly behavior. Phrases like "Only God can judge me" or "Judge not that you be not judged" get hurled in a self-righteous defensive manner. In other words, I will serve God my way, and don't act like the prophet who spoke to Asa.

No Christian should think himself above reproof, correction, or instruction (II Timothy 3:16). We are commanded to judge one another's behaviors, or fruits. We do not do so to condemn, but to help. Paul told the church at Corinth to judge matters between one another (I Corinthians 6). How do you judge a matter if no judgment is passed? This does not contradict Matthew 7:1 (Judge not, that ye be not judged). Jesus was speaking of people condemning one another and holding them to different standards than they held themselves to. If our standard is God's word, we are all judged by it anyway. So, when a brother is corrected by that standard, and it is done in love, the standard is the same for all mankind.

The picture with today's devotion is of Bibles being burned by "Christians". Today, the Bible is figuratively burned by "Church People" who do not want to the truth of God's word taught because it contradicts "their truth". Any "truth" that does not agree with God's word is a lie. We may try silence God's word, but we find ourselves in the company of Asa and Baasha who were judged by God for their actions. It is better to be judged by rebellious men, than by a Holy God.

Lord, help me to not be like Asa. Help me to be willing to set aside my pride with others correct me when my actions do not match what I profess with my mouth. Help me to never demand silence from those who tell me your message. Help me to prepare my heart to seek you!