The 70 years of Israel's captivity in Babylon, which was supposed to be a learning period for the people to fear the Lord, were ineffective in this sense. Now, what happened to them are precious lessons for us, so that we don't fall out of God's grace (1 Corinthians 10:11). They couldn't become overcomers overnight, because the Messiah had not yet come and paid the price for humanity's redemption.

From birth, everyone is already contaminated by the filth brought by the devil with Adam's sin, when he began to reign over man (Romans 5:12). This reign was unmasked with the arrival of the Law of Moses. Those who decided to follow it can be considered heroes, even though its rules demanded punishment for even the slightest infraction (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). Today, we can live complete and fulfilled lives in God's presence, because what reigns over us is the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25).

The privilege of being disciples of Jesus is great, but if we indulge in filth, we will be punished at the judgment seat of Christ, as the Bible warns: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5.10). Poor those who allow themselves to be led astray, for they will have no way of justifying themselves before the righteous Judge!

We will answer for what we have done with our body. Understand that Jesus has completely freed us from the devil's hands, as He himself prophesied: Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8.36). Therefore, whoever is saved is free from the power of sin. Now, if you fall into transgression, you will be punished with the stripes according to the Master. Don't think that this part of the Bible will be disregarded!

I don't know what kind of scourging and how much of it will be given to sinners. Christ spoke about it, and we’d better watch our steps so that the penalty doesn't come upon us: And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (Luke 12.47). So don't ever prostitute yourself. What is prostitution? It is taking up practices condemned by Scripture. Watch and pray!

Accountability will be difficult, because some have not known that something is a sin, even with the Master's explanation that they will be justified: But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12.48). Therefore, it is best to flee from those who teach the opposite of the Lord's words.

The Israelites left Babylon with the lessons they had learned, but they didn't understand that the Word of God will never pass away, even though Heaven and Earth pass away. (Mark 13.31). It's time to get right with the Creator by living in communion with Jesus, loving Him, keeping His commandments and fulfilling them. In this way, we will be loved by the Father and the Son (John 14:21).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares