“WHAT MY GOD SAYS”

 

“Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, ‘Behold, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. So please let your word be like one of them and speak favorable’. But Micaiah said, ‘As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak’.” 

(2 Chronicles 18:12-13).

 

You may read the full story in 2 Chronicles 18 to see what God told the prophet Micaiah to say. Afterwards, recall this incident the next time you hear someone ask, “Why can't we all just agree to disagree”?

The word which Micaiah spoke was NOT in agreement with the word from other prophets. However, Micaiah WAS in unity with God. The reason was simple: Micaiah spoke what God wanted. Because the king did not like what God spoke through Micaiah, the king called Micaiah’s word ‘evil’. Such accusations continue toward those who disagree with God’s words.

When God’s word reproves your lifestyle, it is God's way of pointing out to you what is wrong in your life, as well as what changes are needed. At this point, in your life, you have a choice to make; change, or do as this king did...call God’s word ‘evil’, and NOT change. While you may consult with other people who would tell you a “word” that is “favorable” like these other prophets did to the king, in your heart, God’s word will continue to disturb you, because it has revealed the truth about your life to yourself. You can’t escape truth; you may “mask” or “suppress truth” (Romans 1:18), but this decision will not save. Only by doing “what my God says” will you be saved on the day of Judgment.  

Today, “what my God says” is by Jesus (cf. Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:3). Only Jesus’ “words” will bring true unity. God desires and accepts this type of unity only from us. It can exist, but it comes with a price...just as it did with Micaiah.  You will not be united with most others in your beliefs and practices just as Micaiah was not united with the other prophets in their words to the king.

Unity is what Jesus wants of all believers. But unity can’t exist if God’s word is mishandled (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2). Gospel preaching and teaching must be uniform on doctrinal matters (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 1:9; 2:2). 

John 17:20-21:“Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.”

Simply agreement between men does not necessarily mean that God is in agreement with them. “Two or three” being gathered does not mean He is in our midst (Matthew 18:20). The phrase “IN MY NAME” dictates whether the assembling is pleasing to God. 

Jesus prayed for all who believe on Him to believe on Him through their (i. e., the apostles’) word. “Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.” (John 17:20-21).

God gave Jesus His WORD (John 12:49). Jesus said in John 17:8, “...I have given unto THEM [the apostles] the words which thou gavest me...”. (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:37). Likewise, the unity that is “of the spirit” is to be united as the Holy Spirit declared through the pen of those who preached the gospel (cf. Ephesians 4:1-6).

Joshua pointed out the two choices that we have when we encounter what God says (cf. Joshua 24:15). The apostle John was given this ‘word’ from the Holy Spirit. “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.” (2 John 1:9-11).

The apostles’ attitude toward God’s word were as Micaiah’s: “what my God says, that I will speak”. (cf. Acts 4:20 and 5:29). “Abide” or “go beyond” what God says; “remain in” or “not receive” what God says. What choice have you made?