The only thing that has an eternal component is salvation. The only other thing that carries the consequences that lead to eternal separation from God and a one way ticket to destruction is something that the Bible calls pleasure or is pleasing to our flesh-A little three letter word:SIN.
What is the pleasure of sin and why does the writer of the Hebrews say it only lasts for a season? Because James says when sin has come to full maturity it produces death. James 1:15 So while we may enjoy it’s lure and pull, it has no lasting essential benefits. In other words it never provides eternal satisfaction. Just ask those who’ve been caught in its web of deception. Those fortunate to escape it’s pull also have some hair raising tales. The drug addict, the sex addict, the deceiver, the rise to the top that ended up being the bottom of the rubble. We’ve all in some way been captivated by this seasonal pleasure. It wouldn’t be attractive if it wasn’t pleasurable. But what it never discloses is the cost.
In the text we’ll be looking at today we’ll focus on the three things Moses considered a distraction to his true calling, and why when he was able to make a decision to live a seasonal life of pleasure or chose what was of eternal value, he chose the latter. Life is always made up of choices. We’re given options and opportunities to decide how we’ll live our lives once we’re at the age to make a decision. While children, our parents make decisions and choices for us, albeit with limited information. For only God knows the future plans He has for all of us. How we choose to honor or dishonor our parents or God in what we ultimately decide to do, rests with us. But for now let’s look at how the Bible describes Moses’ thought process and why he made the decision that he did. What he refused and what he chose.
“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”Hebrews 11:23-27 NKJV
Moses had a cushy upbringing a more coveted life than that of his fellow Israelites. He could have remained in pharaoh’s family, reaped all the benefits as a son of pharaoh’s daughter but deep down on the inside of Moses was a different reality. This was not his life. He was living the life of an imposter. Pretending to be an Egyptian would only last as long as the original clan was alive. All that could change on a dime as they say. He wanted what his mother had shared with him while she took care of him. He had seen and heard something as a toddler that had resonated with him. And no seasonal pleasure or provision could erase that. That’s why Proverbs 22:6 is vitally important in the Christian home.
The word refused is one of determined thought. He didn’t vacillate, it wasn’t up for discussion. The term “son” may have worked when he was a child, but he was no longer a child he was a man. A man with a purpose. The wealth of pharaoh and all it offered him,(privilege, power, fame) the ability to do whatever he wanted with whoever he wanted( physical pleasure, enjoyment and delight) had lost its appeal. It became a turning point in how he wanted to be identified. Is that true of us? Have we awakened to the reality that sin is no longer our identity? That we would much rather esteem the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the seasonal pleasure of sin? Each time I hear of a pastor caught up in indefinitely, impropriety and outright denial of the redeeming work of Jesus it saddens me. Moses made that decision before he committed murder. He tried fulfilling his call by taking matters into his own hands. He became emotional about what he was witnessing, but did not yet fully understand why. Temptation to do good is just as bad as temptation to do evil. It’s all the work and plan of Satan to derail God’s plan. Murdering an Egyptian wasn’t a part of the plan.
Sin is a derailment of our future. God could’ve used him right there in pharaoh’s house. It wouldn’t have taken forty years of being a fugitive to get the call. I thank God for His grace and mercy often. I too allowed the seasonal pleasure of sin to cloud my soul. I’m so thankful for learning the things I’m privileged to share. Discerning the schemes and tactics of the enemy with the guidance of the Holy Spirit has saved my life from eternal destruction. Don’t help God, wait for His direction. We cannot escape the seasonal pull without Him. God by His Spirit places within each of us His eternal plans. We may have an idea, but we don’t yet have the details. Moses had good intentions but it wasn’t a God idea.
How did Moses make the choices that defined him in our text? By faith. Because we’re spiritual beings, every action or decision we make requires that we trust God more than our human ability to overcome or succumb as the case may be. Whenever we must make a life decision that requires more resistance than we’re capable of, we must by faith lean on the Lord Jesus Christ by His Spirit. He’s the One who provides the way of escape from the lure of sin. Remember Joseph? Don’t think for one moment that he wasn’t tempted to take up Mrs. Potiphar on her offer. But he chose to run and suffer affliction to esteem the Lord. He did this by faith in God. Moses refused and chose by faith to be identified with his brethren.
Faith conquered the desire for the things he refused. And he was rewarded by being sent back to complete the assignment for which he was born. When the pleasure of sin sets us back, faith in God will turn it around and provide a second chance to get it right. Whatever we refuse to allow in the season will work to our ability to choose that which is in line with God’s perfect will. He by faith, when he had come of age to know good from evil, right from wrong, refused and chose. He refused what was seasonal and chose that which was eternal. He chose the reward of God which made pharaoh’s wealth look like mere pittance.
My friends, sin has a ‘use by’ date. It’s seasonal. It may be enjoyable in the moment, but so is the last drink before a hangover- then the toilet bowl becomes your best friend. That last fling could be the next step to an incurable disease. That affair, that financial indiscretion, that prideful spirit, the little white lie, (didn’t know lying had colors), that temper, lust, greed. Proverbs 11:1-6 We are now at the age to refuse to be named among those things. 1 Corinthians 6:10-11 We by faith, choose to suffer as messengers for Christ. We seek the reward of eternal life, a life filled with no more condemnation, a life of joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. We choose to be identified with the people of God making a difference in the world. Moses gave up a life of ease in a seasonal palace to show up on the Mount of transfiguration with Jesus. Can’t get any higher than that. Choose to refuse and obtain the reward.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
November 12, 2021