“THE LIBERAL SOUL”

Would you consider yourself liberal-minded, or conservative-minded in your thinking? While the benefits and liabilities of each mindset need to be considered, by what rule or standard shall we make such a determination? Who among humanity has the wisdom to define liberal and conservative? Additionally, who has the right to say that this definition qualifies as a universal standard? Such is the problem when man assumes the role of God.

Job, in chapter 28:12, 20, & 23 both asked and answered as to the source of wisdom. He then gave his proof as to why God rather than man is the true source (vss. 24-27). Therefore, what God has stated on any matter is a fitting judgment, universal in application. God has declared that man can attain to this wisdom in only one way: “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28; cf. Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Since God has identified wisdom and understanding with departing from evil, man has two choices in how he will respond: obey or disobey. As this relates to liberal and conservative, how will you define those terms in view of what God has declared on the matter? Are you wiser than He who created and sustains life? (cf. Acts 17:28-32). We need to consider God’s definition of liberal, and then determine if being such is conducive to obedience or disobedience. There are two words which we need to consider in this study: ‘liberal’ and ‘liberality’.

LIBERAL: In Proverbs 11:25 we read, “The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” The meaning of the first phrase, “the liberal soul shall be made fat” is repeated, yet more clearly explained by the second phrase “he that watereth shall be watered also himself”. Generosity reaps prosperity. This truth is prevalent throughout scripture. You reap what you sow, good or evil. God has said wisdom begins to be manifested when man turns from evil. The same truth is stated in Psalm 1:1-3 in greater detail as it explains how liberality, wisdom, and turning from evil are all connected: “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”

The generosity and prosperity here are clearly spiritual in nature. This same truth is taught by the apostle Paul in Galatians 6:6-10: “But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.” This is what is meant by “the liberal soul shall be made fat”.

LIBERALITY: In Romans 12:8, Paul explains that our sharing (giving) is to be done with liberality. This points to the motive for sharing. Jesus warned in Matthew 6:1 against practicing our righteousness “before men to be seen of men”. Paul, in dealing with our ‘spiritual service’ (Romans 12:1) states that our gifts differ, “according to the grace that was given to us” (v. 6). He goes on to state, “let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord…”. Liberality in our sharing means that it is free of pretense and hypocrisy.   

The apostle Paul and his companions preached the gospel in this manner (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17). Their spiritual generosity resulted in spiritual prosperity for others and God was glorified. The Corinthians, although themselves impoverished, gave to other brethren in need. (2 Corinthians 8:2; 9:13). In this, we see “love of the brethren” exemplified. (cf. Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7).

That God is glorified through our liberality is clear from 1 Peter 2:11-12. In view of what God has declared, does your life reflect liberality? Should it not? “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).

“THIS IS MY MEMORIAL UNTO ALL GENERATIONS”

The title contains the words spoken to Moses by Jehovah when He appeared to Moses on Horeb in a burning bush. God was fulfilling His oath to Abraham which would culminate in the creation of Christ’s church (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:8).

Jehovah had told Abraham, ““and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”(Genesis 12:1-3). The blessing upon all families (Jews and Gentiles) of earth was the spiritual blessing of forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus. The apostle Peter told the Jews, “Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (Acts 3:25). The apostle Paul said the same thing regarding the Gentiles: “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.” (Galatians 3:8).

The time had come for this promise concerning a nation from Abraham’s loins to be created. Jehovah told Abraham, “Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.” (Genesis 15:13-16).

Moses was to lead Abraham’s seed out of Egypt. Moses was apprehensive, no doubt because of his slaying of an Egyptian earlier (cf. Exodus 2:11-15). Fearing the wrath of the king of Egypt, Moses fled to the land of Midian. While there the king of Egypt died. Jehovah remembered His covenant with Abraham and appeared to Moses to inform him of His purpose (cf. Exodus 3:7-10). “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:13-14). Jehovah replied, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” (Exodus 3:15; cf. 6:1-8).

“My memorial unto all generations”. What did Jehovah mean by this statement? It was something unique about God that He wanted all humanity to know and to remember about Him for all generations. Jehovah repeated these words later to Moses and it is from that parallel passage that we find the answer. In Exodus 6:2-5, Jehovah said, “I am Jehovah: and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their sojournings, wherein they sojourned. And moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I HAVE REMEMBERED MY COVENANT.”   

God remembers His covenant (cf. Psalm 105: 8, 42; 106:45). Although they forgot His works (Psalm 106:13) and that God was their savior (Psalm 106:21), nevertheless, He saved them for His name’s sake (Psalm 106:8). This is God’s memorial unto all generations. God is true to His word; He is faithful to His oaths. The Hebrew writer stated, “Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:17-18). The apostle Paul wrote, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13).

What blessed assurance it is to have a God in whom our confidence will never be betrayed. No matter how often we have failed Him, He has given us this assurance, if we acknowledge our sins, He will forgive us. Let us remember the words of David: “Jehovah is righteous in all his ways, and gracious in all his works. Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; He also will hear their cry and will save them. Jehovah preserveth all them that love him; but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of Jehovah; and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 145:17-21).

DOCTRINE MATTERS: "THAT FORM OF TEACHING..."

Priests, under the Law of Moses had multiple responsibilities, one of which was to TEACH the people of Israel the Law. Ezekiel stated it as follows: "Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” (Ezekiel 44:23). Whenever there was a dispute to be settled, the priests were to settle it according to the standard that God had authorized: the LAW of MOSES. Ezekiel made it clear, "In a dispute they shall take their stand to judge; they shall judge it according to My ordinances...." (Ezekiel 44:24). Teaching is necessary to God's people, but a STANDARD must be taught. Having a STANDARD to settle differences will promote peace and harmony, because knowledge comes through teaching. (cf. Ezra, in Nehemiah 8:8, 12 where, Ezra read from the book of the Law of God, "...translating to give the sense..." so that the people, "...understood the reading...the words which had been made known to them."). A STANDARD provides a means whereby JUSTICE can be administered, because the STANDARD provides the evidence wherein a lawbreaker may be properly charged and punished.

Likewise, the gospel serves as a STANDARD. Stating that the gospel is the STANDARD today in religion does not mean that it cannot be MIS-taught or perverted, for that very thing was done (cf. Galatians 1:6-9). To avoid this perversion, care must be taken to teach exactly what the Lord and His apostles taught. Jesus was given a STANDARD of what He was to teach:

John 8:28 ~ "I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me."

John 12:49-50 ~ "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore, the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

John 14:31 ~ "...but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me." (Jesus gave these words to His apostles; they were the STANDARD).

John 17:8, 14 ~ the words which You gave Me I have given to them...I have given them Your word...".

The "apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42) was taught for a time, then a different doctrine began to be preached, and churches other than the church Jesus built, began to arise. This was a natural fruit of ‘another gospel’. If preachers today would preach EXACTLY what the apostles preached to sinners in the book of Acts, only a Christian would be the result, and there would be no differing denominational bodies as we know today. The STANDARD was called "sound doctrine" by Paul. Paul told Titus to honor this STANDARD:

Titus 1:9 ~ "...holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Paul told Timothy to, "instruct certain men to teach NO OTHER DOCTRINE...". (1 Timothy 1:3).

This is especially true when preaching to one who desires to be saved from his sins. When sinners in the bible asked, "what must I do to be saved", remember there is a STANDARD! Find out what the apostles preached as you read through the book of Acts. THAT will be God's truth, and it will be the "form of doctrine" that will result in freedom from sin. (Romans 6:17-18).

But it is often asked: what about praying for your salvation? Why is a ‘sinner’s prayer’ taught by most preachers today? In reply to this, let it also be asked: WHY ISN'T THE ANSWER THAT THE APOSTLES' GAVE, PREACHED TODAY? Somebody is preaching "another gospel" (re-read Galatians 1:6-9). Jesus was asked, "Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able'." (Luke 13:23-24). Do you understand Jesus’ answer to the question, "Lord, are there few that be saved?” Did Jesus answer few or many? Why is that? Consider as an answer, Paul’s statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, "…because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

What were you preached on how to "call upon the name of the Lord" - THE gospel, or....ANOTHER gospel? (Galatians 1:6-9). If you have been preached "another" answer (gospel); a perversion of the truth, are you not still in your sins? What needs done? Obey the correct "form of doctrine" (Romans 6:17-18). Read, beginning in Acts 2, of the sermon that Peter preached...at the conclusion of that sermon, those sinners, who had crucified Jesus asked him what they needed to do. His answer is in verse 38. Do what they did, and you will be added to the Lord's church. Believing Peter's words, they then DID as Peter commanded, repenting of their sins and was baptized, understanding that those sins were to be washed away. WERE THEY SAVED, AFTER DOING THIS? THEY DID NOT PRAY A PRAYER...WERE THEY SAVED? WHY WON'T THIS SUFFICE TODAY? If a sinner, hears today, the same message as preached by Peter, believes it, repents of his sins, and is baptized, with the understanding that his sins are washed away in baptism....IS THAT SINNER STILL LOST DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS NOT TOLD TO PRAY, NOR DID HE PRAY THE SINNER'S PRAYER? IS THAT SINNER YET IN HIS SINS? It's a matter of doctrine.

"Take heed WHAT ye hear" ~ Mark 4:24

"Take heed HOW ye hear" ~ Luke 8:18

“Thoughts on AUTHORITY”

God exercised His authority through the commands that He gave to man. God communicated His commands through prophets (cf. Amos 3:7) God’s people, in rejecting THEIR message, rejected HIS message. (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:15). How does man rebel against God’s authority? He does so by rebelling against God’s designated authority. We see this from various examples:

-  Numbers 12:1-8 – Aaron & Miriam against Moses

-  Numbers 14:1-10 – 10 spies and congregation against Caleb & Joshua

-  Numbers 16:1-3 – Korah and his company against Moses & Aaron

-  1 Samuel 15:1-23 – King Saul against Samuel

The same thing is true about Jesus. He was given “all” authority following His resurrection (Matthew 28:18). His authority is rejected when His words are rejected. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48). Jesus delegated His authority to the apostles; THEIR words were to be honored. “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.” (Luke 10:16). In rejecting THEIR words, God’s authority is rejected. God has placed authority in other realms; to reject it was to reject God’s authority. God’s wrath was revealed because of such godlessness and wickedness.

Take Korah’s rebellion as an example. How should Korah have handled the situation? If Moses was in error, wouldn’t Korah have had evidence as to how and why he had transgressed the very Law that he had received from Jehovah on Mt. Sinai? Simply present the evidence against the standard (Law of Moses) and let God handle it. In this way, Korah would maintain his own integrity by respecting Moses’ position of authority. (as David respected Saul’s position of authority while Saul was king (cf. 1 Samuel 26:9-10, 23-25). This course of action was always rewarded with mercy from God for it evidences one’s trust in God to handle the situation. Apply this to today:

HOME: Parent’s authority can be undermined by going against the counseling of their children (cf. Ephesians 6:1-4). If I disagree with a parent in the raising of their child, how should I handle it? Do I murmur behind their back as Korah did? Do I tell the child, when away from the parent, directly opposite of what I know the parent would want or go against the rules that the parent has given to the child? What message would I be sending to that child? This creates a double standard for the child, while undermining the whole concept of parental authority. If the parent is doing contrary to the gospel, I should have evidence with which to go to the parent in full assurance that God’s way is best for all involved. But under no circumstances should I go behind their back.

On a side note, there is a lesson for the child in this matter. You are going to receive a lot of advice in your life (family, school, friends etc.) Remember the inspired counsel, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). What should you do if you learn that the instruction you were given is not according to the word of God? Follow God’s word; but under no condition should you decide to do as you please. We live in a day and time in which so many homes are shattered by infidelity. Children are neglected and abused. A host of sources with advice are readily available which will influence their decisions as to how to live their life. We must never undermine the position of authority God has delegated to parents as we deal with these situations. Rather, we must trust in God’s way that it is best for all involved. The same principle applies in other areas:

GOVERNMENT: Jesus explained how corruption in earthly rule has come about: “...men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved” (John 3:19-21). Jesus lived under it but taught that both earthly and heavenly rule were to be respected (cf. Matthew 22:17-21). Earthly rule is ordained of God for man’s good. “For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same…” (Romans 13:3). While rebellion is the wrong reaction to earthly rule, the likeliest and greatest error in connection with respect for those in authority is negligence in praying on their behalf (cf. Matthew 5:43-45; 1 Timothy 2:1-4).

JOB/EMPLOYMENT: How do we react to injustice in the work environment? Whisper, murmur, complain? Read the parable of the laborers (Matthew 20:1-17). Diligence rather than slothfulness is in order. “Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:7; cf. Ephesians 6:5-9). Remember the attitude of David in 1 Samuel 26. Rebellion against God’s anointed authorities in this life is rebellion against Him.