Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
Solomon was given more wisdom than any man who ever lived, yet when he disobeyed God's solemn commandment not to marry foreign women, he was cursed by God and his kingdom was lost. The lesson from this is clear: No one is so wise that he can safely disobey God's commandments.
Moses' presence was the closest thing to having God on earth before Jesus came. He actually was allowed to see God himself (from behind) on Mt. Sinai. He was called at different times the Law-giver, a king, a judge, a prophet, a priest. He was, like Abraham, the friend of God. But when he disobeyed God's seemingly small command at Kadesh-barnea, he was chastened severely by God and forbidden to enter into the Promise Land with God's children. It broke Moses' heart, but God would not change His mind. This lesson is also clear: No one ever becomes so holy that he can sin and escape the results.
Satan was an especially anointed cherub. In the very presence of God, he overshadowed holy things with his wings. He was created "perfect in beauty" and "full of wisdom". But when he became proud of his beauty and became envious of the glory of God, he was cursed to remain forever in that state, never allowed to repent, and then was cast out of the kingdom of God forever. Peter pointed out the lesson that this should teach all of us (2Pet. 2): No one will ever be so blessed by God that he can safely become proud and forget to honor his Creator.
Judas was anointed with power to heal the sick and to raise the dead. Jesus called him, "a man mine own equal", with whom "I took sweet counsel". Yet, when he betrayed Jesus, he was stripped of his anointing and turned over to insane spirits that drove him to take his own life. The lesson cannot be missed: No one is ever so anointed by God that he can chose his own ways and escape the damnation of God.
If God will give us grace, we will prayerfully consider such lessons as these that the Bible provides for us and learn from them. Paul learned. He knew that if he did not himself live according to the gospel he preached, God would cast him out of the kingdom as He had cast Satan and others out (1Cor. 9:27). If we do not take those lessons seriously, we may also become examples of failure that others need to study.