What is the value of a sheep? In November of 2014, the Centennial Livestock Auction of Fort Collins, Colorado, quoted an average price of $185.00.
If we have a herd, and one is taken by a wild animal, we have lost the value of one sheep. If we purchased it at auction, then we must replace it for the dollar amount. If it was born within our herd, the value of our holdings dropped by that amount.
Either way, we know the value of what we’ve lost.
The Word of God deals specifically with the value of our lost sheep. Exodus 22:1 tells us when a man steals a sheep, he shall repay four sheep for one. So, he has stolen $185, but he must repay $740. It doesn’t seem worth it, does it?
What about the value of other things? Exodus 20:1-5 tells us if we steal God’s place in our lives, and replace him with another god, he will bring trouble down to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. That’s four times the trouble we’ve caused the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:8 says if we steal the financial support we owe our relatives, and especially the members of our own household, we have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.
Romans 13:4 says our secular authorities are God’s servants. They are in place to carry out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
John 14:15 says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Matthew 26… Hold on. Let’s pause here a minute and back up to our previous scripture. What did John 14:15 have to do with stolen sheep?
Good question, and the answer is everything.
Let’s read those words once again. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Isn’t that what this entire message is about?
The penalties for stolen sheep are there not for those who do good, but for those who refuse.
Those who provide for their families don’t have to worry about their position in the kingdom.
When we are “right” doers, we need have no fear of our secular authorities, for they will not chasten the one who follows the laws of the land.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
If you love me, you will not steal another’s sheep.
If you love me, you will provide for your families.
If you love me, you will obey the rulers of the land.
If you love me, if you love me, if you love me…
Are we hearing it, yet? If we love him, there will be no stolen sheep, and we will never have to pay four times the price.
Now, that’s a lesson the entire world needs to learn.
When we step into the love of Jesus, all the other problems we create for ourselves will fall away.
Copyright © 2015 MyChurchNotes.net
Code: FGO.K.14.14.vp