“Adonai, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep covenant with your servants and show them grace, provided they live in your presence with all their heart.”– 1 Kings 8:23
There is one key principle found in Solomon’s Temple dedication prayer that goes squarely against a major Christian doctrine.
In verse 23, he declares that God’s blessings are dependent on obedience and devotion to Him.
This way of thinking was common throughout the entire Middle East, not just Israel.
That’s right.
Even the Gentiles understood that kindness from their gods was linked to how they lived their lives.
Yet for some weird reason, the Christian church has concocted this doctrine that says your behavior plays zero role in how God deals with you.
For them, it’s faith in Christ on Sunday and then have fun fornicating Monday through Saturday.
They really believe they have the right to expect nothing less than God’s mercy and love no matter what they do.
They’ve proven this is what they believe by throwing the Torah in the trash and establishing a doctrine that says Christ did away with the Law.
This despite Yeshua declaring…
“Do not think that I have
come to abolish the Law
or the Prophets.”
I challenge this dangerous doctrine.
I believe it’s one of the main reasons the church has lost its power and victory in our day and age.
They’re pretty much indistinguishable from the world in diet, sexual practices, and attitude.
Some denominations even conduct gay marriages.
As I said earlier, the Apostle Paul is fully in agreement with what Solomon said in his dedication prayer.
“So take a good look at God’s kindness and his severity: on the one hand, severity toward those who fell off; but, on the other hand, God’s kindness toward you- provided you maintain yourself in that kindness! Otherwise, you too will be cut off!“ – Romans 11:22
Keep in mind that Paul is speaking to a group of Gentiles who are already believers.
His point is clear.
You too will be subject to God’s discipline if you sin.
And if your sinning gets bad enough, you too will be cut off.
To be cut off means that God Himself has decided to separate you from Him due to your unkosher behavior.
Of course, the relieving aspect of this is that if you repent, you can come back.
The separation doesn’t have to be permanent.
Yeshua made this clear in his prodigal son parable.
One thing that needs to be said about God’s discipline.
Its purpose isn’t just judgment.
Its purpose is to also drive you back to Him.
The Lord punishes you in the hopes you’ll come to your senses and stop your hog-wild sinning.
Ya feel me here?
So what’s the takeaway here?
There are quite a few actually.
But I’d say the main one is that the theology contained in Solomon’s prayer is just as relevant today as it was back then.
And the Apostle Paul, in his writings, reinforces it!
Done.
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