THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
GENESIS 4:11-16
REVELATION 20:15

"… not found written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire."

THE DANGER OF AN APOSTATE

Like the chief apostate, Cain was a threat to the true worshippers of God. He murdered his own brother, Abel, who did what was right in the eyes of God. Apostates cannot stand to see faithful believers continue their devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. They will find ways to destroy them. They will try their best to keep the true believers’ testimony out of reach, so that others will not believe in Jesus Christ.

But know for sure that Cain was condemned, as Satan was sentenced. The LORD declared Cain’s curse from the ground for the blood of his brother. When he worked on the ground, the earth denied him of the fruit of his toil. He became a fugitive and a vagabond on earth. He will receive these same words from Jesus: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt 25:41). Cain, like other apostates, is sure to be cast into the Lake of Fire for their rejection of the goodness of God unto repentance, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev 20:15).

O Christian, associate not with apostates. Join them not who deny Jesus Christ. They are out to destroy your faith. They can mislead you into following a different path. You will be ushered into a broad way which leads to destruction. You will be deceived to believe in another Jesus, one who does not care whether you live a life of sin or not. As Cain went out from the presence of God, you will be moved to leave the God of the Bible.

The influence of an apostate renders you useless in the work of the Lord. You will be counted as dead and disabled in the Lord’s army. Beware and be watchful! Do not become a victim!

THOUGHT: Am I watchful against apostasy?
PRAYER: "Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation" (Ps 9:13-14).