“OPPORTUNE TIME”

Quite often we see only one lesson from a passage. The mention of Jesus’ time as ‘not yet here’ is one of the things He repeatedly told His disciples (2:4; 7:8, 30). Later He would say of His time that it is ‘at hand’ (John 13:1; 17:1). But notice that Jesus also made mention of their time; i.e., “YOUR time”. That has as much relevance to us as disciples today as it did to those of Jesus’ day. Our time is always opportune. Because of that, Christians need to be ready at all seasons. Why is this so? How do we go about doing it, and what needs to be done?

While there is mention of “in season” and “out of season”, in connection with preaching, it is always opportune to be ‘instant’ in other ways.  To be instant means to be ready; prepared.  These words had special significance to Timothy and Titus as young preachers. Timothy was told to, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). Titus was told in regard to his preaching to, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.” (Titus 3:1).

The reason for these admonitions to Timothy and Titus was because opposition to sound doctrine was upon them. They needed to be ready to stand firm in the face of those who were on the verge of turning their ears away from truth unto fables. Titus was to stand firm in speaking of responsible and fitting behavior of aged brethren as well as younger brethren. Titus wrote, “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

It is always fitting to act in such a way that our lives would be worthy of imitation. The reality is, our manner of life is the only ‘bible’ that most will ever read. What do they conclude about us? Paul wrote in Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel”. He urged the Christians in Ephesus to, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).

The time is always opportune for spouses to be instant in regard to strengthening their vows to one another. This is done by praying together, being loving and affectionate to each other, and addressing the respective needs that each have. As parents, the time is always opportune to exemplify to a child how to restrain anger by doing so in your own life IN FRONT OF THEM! Through your example, teach your child how to control your tongue when under pressure and temptation to speak rashly and harsh. Teach them by not gossiping, and slandering someone IN THEIR HEARING! Show them what self-control is like. Then your words will be effective when you speak to them.

Be instant in preparing for situations that we know we will encounter. Two things will occur each day of our lives: trial of faith and opportunity to teach. Our faith needs to be our guide in all matters. We must make sure that our faith is based upon God’s word and not a perversion of it (Romans 10:17; Galatians 1:6-9).

We need to understand the benefit of having our faith put to the test. James wrote, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4). Peter likewise explained why we ought to greatly rejoice when our faith is tested, saying “…that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

God has called us by the gospel for this reason. Let us heed the admonition of the apostle Paul in this regard and, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5).

“INALIENABLE RIGHTS!”

Today being July 4 we are reminded of America’s declaration of independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence that was framed by the founders contains the following statement: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’. This language states that these inalienable rights were from God. The Bible certainly teaches this. God is the source of life (Colossians 1:16).

The Bible also teaches that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness was what God purposed for man. It was why God made us in His image and gave us commands. That God made us capable of understanding these commands is seen from what is recorded of Adam and Eve. God commanded them in regard to what was permitted and what was forbidden (Genesis 2:16-17). That this was understood is seen from Genesis 3:2-3. Life, liberty, and happiness was theirs so long as they obeyed God. So also was this true of the Israelites. Moses admonished them to choose life by obeying the Law from Mt. Sinai. “I have placed before you today life and happiness, and death and adversity…I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19).

Clearly, life, liberty, and happiness is our choice. They are the inalienable rights God gave to us. These words from God were Israel’s life (Deuteronomy 32:47). We have a greater inalienable right from Jesus. The life God purposed to us through Him is eternal. This life is also in His words, but we must choose them over all else. (John 6:47, 63).

God, by virtue of being the Creator of life, has the inalienable right to create and destroy. He has the right to dictate how His creation is to function. These rights are not transferable unless God so chooses to endow them to another. Whatever rights man may claim as his inalienable rights are only those God has decreed. Let us consider some of God’s inalienable rights:

AUTHORITY: Authority is inherent with God by virtue of creation. He created life and life depends upon God. Job acknowledged of man that, “…his days are determined, the number of his months is with thee, and thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.” (Job 14:5). Because of this, when any man or government makes declarations regarding human rights, those declarations must be in accordance with God’s utterances. (1 Peter 4:16). God alone has the right to delegate and designate His authority. When He did so, He declared it in His word. When Israel became a nation, God designated Moses. The words God spoke by Moses were not to be altered (Deuteronomy 4:2). Moses’ authority was at times challenged. Korah’s rebellion was one such example (Numbers 16:3). Korah and those with him came to Moses asserting, “Ye take too much upon you…wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the assembly of Jehovah?” God’s punishment was just and righteous because delegating authority is His inalienable right. Israel often chose to do what was right in their own eyes (Deuteronomy 12:8; Judges 17:6; 21:25). Doing so did not bring them life, liberty and happiness. It is only in the acceptance of God’s oracles that we have inalienable rights. God endowed Jesus with His authority while He was on earth (John 5:21; 12:49). He could forgive sins (Luke 5:24); and spoke forgiveness three times because of this right (cf. Matthew 9:2; Luke 7:48; 23:43). After He was raised from the dead, He was then given all authority (John 17:2). Jesus then had the inalienable right to delegate authority to the apostles, which He did (John 17:6-8). Therefore all that they bound on earth through their preaching, had already been bound in heaven (Matthew 16:19).

SALVATION TERMS: God has the right to dictate the terms of our salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:17-18; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:20-21).

WORSHIP: God has the right to determine how He will be worshiped. (Deuteronomy 12:29-32; John 4:24). Any voluntary humility, worship of angels, or ‘will’ worship are not inalienable rights (Colossians 2:18, 20-23).

VENGEANCE: Romans 12:19 states, “Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.” Because of this, God’s oracle to us is: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

JUDGMENT: Only God has the right to judge (John 5:22). Our judgments must be righteous (John 7:24).

MARRIAGE:  The marriage relationship was created for man by God. It is a God-ordained institution. Therefore God has the right to condemn fornication and adultery. “Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4).

ADOPTION THROUGH JESUS: “…having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:5).  John wrote of Jesus, “…as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

“If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36). In Christ, we are not free to sin; we’ve been freed from sin (1 John 1:5-10). Let us ^“Live as free men, yet without using your freedoms as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16).

“…BECAUSE YE BELONG TO CHRIST…”

Belonging to Christ is the greatest blessing man can have. It not only brings reward in this life but in the life to come. We read of this dual reward in Mark 10:28-30, “Peter began to say to Him, ‘Behold, we have left everything and have followed You.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life’.”

This statement came on the heels of Jesus’ conversation with a rich ruler who had asked Jesus about the requirements for inheriting eternal life (Mark 10:17). Jesus’ reply was to observe the law (Mark 10:19). He had done this (Mark 10:20). Jesus then, out of love for him, told him of one thing that he lacked. That one thing stood between him and Jesus. We read, “Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me’. But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.” (Mark 10:21-22).

As you read the words above, do you truly understand what this ruler lacked? I fear that with many of us, it is the same problem. Jesus spoke on this same matter to His disciples in Luke 12:33-34, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Job prayed: “If I have made gold my trust or called fine gold my confidence, if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant or because my hand had found much, if I have looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor, AND MY HEART HAS BEEN SECRETLY ENTICED, and my mouth has kissed my hand, this also would be an iniquity to be punished…for I would have been false to God above.” (Job. 31:24-28).

Where is our heart? The answer lies in where our treasure is. This ruler’s covetousness of his earthly wealth stood between him and Jesus’ offer of eternal life. He couldn’t have both, yet that is what he was attempting to do. Yes, he had kept the law. But he had also kept his riches. As long as he could keep his riches, he would keep the law. Read that last sentence again. Is that how it is with us? Is our mindset, I will follow Jesus AS LONG AS I CAN KEEP ______________ (fill in the blank with your treasure).

Covetousness will keep us from eternal life. But what about this life? Will it cause us to lose anything in THIS life? Consider 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” Covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). The idol is selfishness (Luke 12:21). Covetousness will keep us from belonging to Jesus.

It is interesting to ponder what prompted this ruler to come to Jesus. We simply aren’t told whether it was out of sincerity or out of guilt. Either way, this we do know. He left sorrowful upon being told to part with his possessions. His love for them was too great. Was he happy? Perhaps, but again, we do not know. Many a rich person can be generous with his wealth. Generosity is a good trait, but being generous is not the issue here. Remember a lawyer also asked Jesus the same question as this ruler (Luke 10:25). We know he sought to justify himself. The issue is this: whatever we hold dear, be it money, family, prestige, traditions, or even self; are we willing to give it up to follow Jesus?

We need to be reminded of the words of a hymn that teaches the truth about earthly treasures: “Earth holds no treasure, but perish with using…”. Belonging to Christ brings a treasure that will never perish. Peter called it “…an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). 

Let us trust in what God said about the way to be happy in this life and in the next life. Let us set our hopes, “…on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

7/11/21