“Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy” (PV 29:1)

This is a warning. Most people do not think of God as a terrible God because He is so merciful to His children. But the unbelievers do not know his grace in the same way. The scripture above describes a man who goes to church, hears the Gospel for a long time, is religious but refuses to be saved. He remains a religious sinner to the end. To be stiff-necked it means to be stubborn, to have a hard heart. Stubbornness is described as being unreasonably unyielding, difficult to manage in a persistent manner and for a long time. In Hebrew the word ‘rebuke’ means to correct or to chastise. A stubborn man wastes all his opportunities to respond to correction, to truth.  But these opportunities are not infinite. God counts them. Once the cup is full, the destruction comes suddenly, unexpectedly. The word ‘destruction’ means to be broken in pieces, to quench his spirit or to be badly hurt. The timing and the modality of applying this judgment are under the control of God and not of man.

We are warned that there is no remedy once the judgment is applied to this religious sinner. At that time, no man can help. In Hebrew, the word ‘remedy’ comes from the word ‘Rapha’. This is a very sober thought! Jehovah Rapha, God our Healer withdraws His mercy and grace from any persistently stubborn religious man. This is one reason why many are not healed and cannot prosper. Persistent religious stubbornness is not a ‘small sin’. Humanly speaking, religious stubbornness is medically incurable. It is like the sin of witchcraft. Just remember this un-holy chain: Stiff- stubborn and sick! God forbid!

“Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, He has rejected you as king” (1Sam 15:23).

Is there any danger in attending a living church? Yes! The hearing the Gospel in the presence of the Holy Spirit should be followed by true repentance and a clear action of surrender to Christ. Some come to church, sit and listen to the preaching of the Word for years and yet, they remain un-changed. The Holy Spirit’s work is to convict men of sin. He has many ways to warn and chastise the religious sinner. For as long as the Holy Spirit strives with a man, there is hope for his soul. But once the Holy Spirit leaves and stops rebuking him, it means death. For without the Holy Spirit nobody can repent or be saved. Again there is a warning that the Holy Spirit does not strive with any man forever. Our life on earth is short. Every day is an opportunity to come to Jesus. But the number of days is limited so the opportunities are not forever. May the fear of God descend upon our churches! May we tremble at the reading and hearing of God’s Word! May we humble ourselves! May we trust and obey God! Jesus is Lord!

In Christ I declare:

I am saved by the Blood of the Lamb, by grace and thru faith!

I destroy any covenant or sympathy with the evil spirit of religion, stubbornness, idolatry or witchcraft!

I destroy any occult spell upon me, my family, my job and ministry!

Because of the Cross I am free indeed to worship and serve the Living God!

My family is saved, free and blessed!

All glory to God!

In Jesus name

Amen!