Today’s study comes from 1 Kings 11: 4-13. It is a somber study. It speaks of the process of backsliding. To be clear, you can backslide and forfeit your salvation. Once saved always saved is wishful thinking but not Biblical. It is a doctrine that will bring a large following because you believe you can still live in sin but the “golden ticket” of salvation will get you to heaven. Don’t be deceived.
Several years have passed since our study last week. The glory of Solomon’s reign has turned dark and evil. It didn’t happen overnight. It was a process and it is that process we will examine today.
The first section is “Sin-Solomon’s Indulgence vv. 4-8.” There were several influences that led Solomon astray:
1. Polygamy: Solomon took a number of foreign wives and they turned him to other gods. While polygamy is illegal now, the concept of who you marry is extremely important. We are not be yoked with unbelievers. To form a life commitment with an unbeliever is an insult to God.
2. Bad Company: No one is strong enough and wise enough to be safe while in constant companionship with people of wrong principles and false religions. We are to witness to the lost, but not hang out with them and act like them.
3. A False Toleration: God’s holy people must not hold fellowship with or bid Godspeed to those who are opposed to the holy way. We live in an age of tolerance. We are told that the Christian is just to love everyone. Yes, we are to love, but that does not mean to condone sin. It is more loving to tell someone they are going to hell than it is just to be nice to them. Tolerance is dangerous to the holiness church. We should accept everyone in the building to hear the truth, but not accept their lifestyle if it is contrary to Biblical standards. Solomon allowed his wives to have their own religion and these religions were destructive of the morals of the nation.
4. False and Lawless Pleasure: Solomon sought after what brought pleasure rather than what was morally right. Today, many churches do the same thing. Church is not for our pleasure but for God’s pleasure. If your heart is right, that will bring you pleasure. Churches try to be fun, especially the youth services. The result is that people feel less spiritual after they leave than when they arrived. That is simply wrong.
5. His Great Wealth: It is not a sin to be wealthy, but it is if that wealth has your heart. Someone once said, “it doesn’t matter what you have, as long as what you have doesn’t have you.”
6. Flattery: No doubt people flattered Solomon because of his wealth and position. Only the entirely sanctified are immune to self-exaltation.
Solomon gave into these influences and backslid. His fall was not sudden, but little by little. Finally, he fell into great sin. What were his sins?
1. A Wrong State of Heart: “His heart was not perfect with the Lord.” His heart meant his will, emotions, and affections. It reached to the very core of who he was. Wisdom is in the mind, but temptation attacks the heart, your spiritual self. When evil is embraced, it clouds the mind and conscious.
2. Polygamy: Solomon violated God’s directions not to marry heathen wives. God had given the Hebrew people clear instruction that they should not intermarry with the heathen. Yet, Solomon knowingly did so.
3. Idolatry: “Solomon went after Ashtoreth.”Ashtoreth was the highest of the Phoenician deities. Solomon did not entirely forsake the true God, he wanted to serve both deities. That cannot be done. Some try to say that they are Buddhist Christians, or other such combined religions. You can’t sow mingled seed. You will either worship the true God alone or you will be guilty of idolatry. God will not share your heart with another. He wants all of you and you should want all of Him.
4. Extravagance: Solomon’s extravagance was in proportion of his wealth. No country could bear that strain for long.
5. Oppression: Solomon appeared to have developed a disregard for human suffering. Thousands were turned into slaves to build onto the extravagance.
6. Dishonored God: In the ways referenced above, Solomon dishonored and insulted God. Regardless of your age or experience, no one is immune to temptation. Unlike Solomon, we must keep our guard up to insure we don’t follow in Solomon’s path.
The second section is “Shunned-God’s Warnings vv. 9,10.” Solomon had every possible good influence sent his way. He received special warnings: "The LORD was angry with Solomon." God was angry because of Solomon's sin. God hates sin. To the surprise of many, "God is angry with the wicked every day." (Psalm 7:11) God "had commanded him." Solomon had received instruction in visions. He had the Mosaic law, the books of Judges, Joshua, and most of the books of Samuel. Today, we have the Word of God to instruct us, warn us, and guide us. In addition, God had given him wisdom. Solomon should have foreseen what sin and idolatry would lead to. Moreover, God had blessed him. Every earthly blessing had been given to him. This fact should have made it difficult for him to disobey the God who had bestowed these blessings. Solomon rejected God's repeated efforts to keep him from backsliding.
The third section is "Spoken-The Consequences vv. 11-13." As a result of his sins, Solomon would lose his kingdom. However, for his father's sake, one tribe would be left to Solomon's son. The consequence of sinning is to become a castaway. They that sin must eat the fruit of their own way. I remember the old saying: "Sin will take you further than you wanted to go. Keep you longer than your intended to stay. And, make you pay more than you ever intended to pay." Sin destroys lives. It did to Solomon and will do the same for anyone who embraces sin and walks away from holiness.
The Golden Text is, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12) We should guard our faith. The principle ways are through prayer and Bible study. In addition, we are to perform acts of kindness, testify to what God has done for us, and use every means available to us to evangelize.
My summary points:
1. We need to watch who we spend time with and what are the influencers in our lives.
2. We need to heed God's warnings to us whether they come through prayer, visions, through the Bible, or from those in authority over us.
3. Sin has consequences. We can become a castaway and lose our salvation. We need to guard against compromise and sin.
Next week, "The Kingdom Divided (1Kings 12: 6-17).
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration.
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