38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
Influenced by the mixed multitude which had accompanied them, the people hungered after the things of Egypt, apparently forgetting the cruelty of its bondage. -G. Campbell Morgan
When we forsake the world and follow Christ, we must be vigilant to recognize the “mixed multitude” that goes along with us, namely, the flesh, and its longing for Egypt. As born-again believers, we have two natures that are opposed to each other and are irreconcilable. At one moment, we follow the leading of the Spirit; at the next, the flesh catches us unawares, and we follow its leading.
On the one hand, we have the leading of the Spirit of God, which we know is always faithful and always pure, and on the other hand, we have the flesh, which will always be mixed with error.
John Van Gelderen comments on this topic,
“Writers have referred to the introduction of deceptive aspects as dual streams. We must understand that while a pure stream does not condone an impure stream, an impure stream does not negate a pure stream.”
He referred to this as “dual streams.” The Apostle James speaks of this:
James 3:10
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
We are living in strange times. We are in uncharted waters here in America. For the past 244 years, our nation has, for the most part, either supported or allowed the free exercise of religion. Now, we are facing civil restrictions that are becoming anti-Scriptural, meaning, we will be required to be either obedient to God, or compliant to government, not both.
The great danger of our time is to get wrapped up in politics. We must remember that God did not promise power from on high for us to preach our political views, but to preach the Gospel. Our praise must be pure, unmixed by the tainted stream of the world’s political parties.
Remember, that Herod and Pilate were political enemies until it came time to persecute and crucify Jesus.
Luke 23:12
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
We swear allegiance to our political party, but they do not swear allegiance to us. We have only one Lord and Master, and His name is Jesus.
We need a fresh revival for the love of the Bible and a disdain for the media outlets that are polluted by untruth.
Books and letters written in a proper spirit, may, if the Lord is pleased to smile upon them, have their use; but an awakened mind that thirsts after the Savior, and seeks wisdom by reading and praying over the scripture, has little occasion for a library of human writings. The Bible is the fountain from whence every stream that deserves our notice is drawn; and, though we may occasionally pay some attention to the streams—we have personally an equal right with others to apply immediately to the fountain-head, and draw the water of life for ourselves. The purest streams are not wholly freed from the gout de terroir—a twang of the soil through which they run; a mixture of human infirmity is inseparable from the best human composition; but in the fountain the truth is unmixed.1
1 Water, Mark. The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations. Alresford, Hampshire: John Hunt Publishers Ltd, 2000. Print.
Unmixed Praise
07/03/2020
Day 185: Unmixed Praise
Exodus 12:38
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
Influenced by the mixed multitude which had accompanied them, the people hungered after the things of Egypt, apparently forgetting the cruelty of its bondage. -G. Campbell Morgan
When we forsake the world and follow Christ, we must be vigilant to recognize the “mixed multitude” that goes along with us, namely, the flesh, and its longing for Egypt. As born-again believers, we have two natures that are opposed to each other and are irreconcilable. At one moment, we follow the leading of the Spirit; at the next, the flesh catches us unawares, and we follow its leading.
On the one hand, we have the leading of the Spirit of God, which we know is always faithful and always pure, and on the other hand, we have the flesh, which will always be mixed with error.
John Van Gelderen comments on this topic,
“Writers have referred to the introduction of deceptive aspects as dual streams. We must understand that while a pure stream does not condone an impure stream, an impure stream does not negate a pure stream.”
He referred to this as “dual streams.” The Apostle James speaks of this:
James 3:10
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
We are living in strange times. We are in uncharted waters here in America. For the past 244 years, our nation has, for the most part, either supported or allowed the free exercise of religion. Now, we are facing civil restrictions that are becoming anti-Scriptural, meaning, we will be required to be either obedient to God, or compliant to government, not both.
The great danger of our time is to get wrapped up in politics. We must remember that God did not promise power from on high for us to preach our political views, but to preach the Gospel. Our praise must be pure, unmixed by the tainted stream of the world’s political parties.
Remember, that Herod and Pilate were political enemies until it came time to persecute and crucify Jesus.
Luke 23:12
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
We swear allegiance to our political party, but they do not swear allegiance to us. We have only one Lord and Master, and His name is Jesus.
We need a fresh revival for the love of the Bible and a disdain for the media outlets that are polluted by untruth.
Books and letters written in a proper spirit, may, if the Lord is pleased to smile upon them, have their use; but an awakened mind that thirsts after the Savior, and seeks wisdom by reading and praying over the scripture, has little occasion for a library of human writings. The Bible is the fountain from whence every stream that deserves our notice is drawn; and, though we may occasionally pay some attention to the streams—we have personally an equal right with others to apply immediately to the fountain-head, and draw the water of life for ourselves. The purest streams are not wholly freed from the gout de terroir—a twang of the soil through which they run; a mixture of human infirmity is inseparable from the best human composition; but in the fountain the truth is unmixed.1
1 Water, Mark. The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations. Alresford, Hampshire: John Hunt Publishers Ltd, 2000. Print.