DISTINCT IN THE WILDERNESS part 2

"There is no limit to the usefulness of the one, who putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon His heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God." ~Ellen G. White, Southern Watchman, Aug. 1, 1905 

1 Corinthians 10:8
"We should not commit  sexual immorality, as some of them did - and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died."sexual immorality - pornography 

Background:
In the book of Numbers, chapter 21-24, Israel had a series of Victories - won battles, conqured nations etc..
But in Numbers 25:1 - "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women..."
-Any God iniatied story ends well but in here, God was not in the picture.
-Remained/Staying
-Began
-Sexual Immorality/harlotry 

Shittim was a beautiful valley.
"agreeable retreat" + "so rich in natural advantages"  +  "defiled by the inhabitants"     ~Patriarchs and Prophets p. 453
"The most grievous things we made are in times of prosperity."  

Prosperity - a very slippery background.

History of Moabites:
Genesis 19: 36-37 "So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their faither. The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today."
-they learned the practice in Sodom
"The past has a strong bearing in the present and a lasting influence in the future."
"You never now what choice you make today can bring about tomorrow."
"Great falls start little."Success leads to prosperity, Prosperity leads to Ease, Ease leads to Idleness, Idleness attracts temptation and sin.
Numbers 25:2
Zimri - Simeonite Prince
Cozbi - Midianite Princess
Zimri and Phineas, one wicked, one righteous, they are like water and oil.                           "Can be in the same part but can never  mingle." 

A jobless person was hired to be a toilet cleaner. At first he was very disgusted that at lunch, he moved far away just to eat. But some weeks after, he already became comfortable that he had been able to eat lunch inside the toilet.
"Spiritual death is a long, slow, imperceptible process."
To be distinct in God's eyes is to have spiritual audacity. 

Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." - Shows that Christianity is at war, and this war is for real.
To be distinct in choosing  Christ marks our entrance on God's side in the Great Cosmic Conflict. 

Revelation 12:7-8 "And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven."
-War started in heaven, War is between Christ and Satan, It extends to the followers. There is no neutral stand. JESUS WON THE FIRST PART.
To be distinct in choosing Christ officially marks our move from neutrality to partiality in the Great Cosmic Conflict. 

Revelation 12:9, 11 "The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 11, They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
-Transferred to earth and humanity, Satan had a mighty army, CHRIST WON THE SECOND ROUND. 

JESUS IS THE WINNER. 

To be distinct in God's eyes is to confide not in ourselves but in Christ's blood and His word.
To be distinct in God's eyes is to have the spiritual audacity to say NO to sin and YES to righteousness.
Who won in heaven? Jesus Christ.
Who won in earth? Jesus Christ.
Who will win in you heart?
Jesus doesn't want a part of our hearts, he wants to be the manager of our it. It woud happen only if we allow Him.