“WHERE IS GOD’S HONOR?”

 

Today is designated as a day to honor fathers. Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. However, it was not until 1972 – 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day official – that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

Of Jesus we read, “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them…” (Luke 2:51). We know Jesus’ age at the time of the statement was twelve. There is nothing to indicate that Jesus ever ceased to honor his earthly parents, nor his heavenly Father. Honor is due God as the father of all humanity. The apostle Paul wrote, “…yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things…” (1 Corinthians 8:6a). He wrote in Ephesians 4:6 that there was, “one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” God was called a father to the nation of Israel by the prophets (Isaiah 64:8a; Jeremiah 31:9b). He had not only ‘formed’ (created) them from the loins of Abraham (Genesis 12:2); He sustained them throughout their existence. Pharaoh was told that Israel was His ‘firstborn’ (Exodus 4:22). He disciplined them as an earthly father is to discipline his son (Deuteronomy 8:5). This shows a father’s love for them (Proverbs 3:12).  

There are many valuable lessons for earthly fathers from the heavenly Father in the Bible. There is nothing ‘new under the sun’ in terms of what any earthly father has, or will face in his lifetime that our heavenly Father has not experienced. Let us consider a few of these truths.

First of all, God had a Son, Jesus. Although Jesus was God, the Word in the beginning (John 1:1); Jesus became a son when he emptied himself of the glory he had in the beginning with God. “…who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8). As a son, Jesus, in coming to earth was under the same obligation as all humanity. God is the father of all (read again 1 Corinthians 8:6a and Ephesians 4:6 above).

Yet, Jesus became a son for us. We have done as God’s firstborn son (Israel). We have failed to honor our heavenly Father. The prophet Malachi wrote in chapter 1:6, “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor?” All have sinned (Romans 3:23). It was for this reason that Jesus “…humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8).

I point this out to remind us that God knows what it’s like to experience disobedience from his children. It is what all earthly fathers know. It hurts; it causes a father to regard himself as a failure. No, Jesus didn’t cause this pain upon his heavenly Father, but here is the demonstration of love that we find from God, our Father. Because we failed to give God the honor due Him, He had to treat His only begotten Son as if His only begotten Son HAD DISHONORED HIM! God’s Son bore OUR sins!

He did this because of how much He loved the humanity that He created (John 3:16). He then revealed this great love for us in His word, so that we would cease our rebellion and honor His Son. Philippians 2:9-11 states, “For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Many a father has had to turn his back upon a child because of that child’s disobedience and rebellion. The grief and suffering which began, continues as the disobedience persists. The entire family suffers because of it. God’s family, the church, suffers in the same way when a member dishonors God. Amidst tears, the pain and suffering continue. As God had to turn His back on His Son; His family is often faced with when to make that same decision.

God, as a father suffers when we dishonor Him. Where is God’s honor? All suffering begins when God is dishonored. The remedy must begin there. All our failures, no matter how long they have existed or how severe they have been, are not hopeless. There is forgiveness from our heavenly Father. Let there be forgiveness from earthly fathers. This forgiveness will come as God’s honor is restored. Do as Jesus did in Luke 2:51. If you have dishonored your earthly father, do as the wise son did in Matthew 21:28-29. His father told him to go work in his vineyard. Initially he said ‘I will not’, but afterward…went. Let us each address our own rebellion and disobedience to God as God desires (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

6/20/21

“...LIKE GOD, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL…”

Have you ever desired to be like God? If you knew that you could become like God, would you desire it? Think about that for a moment.  Adam and Eve were presented with such a decision. However, they were not the only two people faced with a decision to be like God. You and I will have the same opportunity each and every day of our lives, and even numerous times within the course of each day. Let us notice from the Bible, what is said of Adam and Eve on this matter and understand from their decision how we too can benefit or suffer from a desire to be like God.

While they lived in Eden, Eve was told, “For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5). This statement was uttered to Eve by Satan. Sadly, it is one of the few times (cf. Matthew 4) that Satan spoke truth. We find Eve and Adam acting upon their desire to become like God. “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked...” (Genesis 3:6-7). Adam and Eve’s desire to be like God was a life-changing experience. Had they decided to obey God, it still would have been a life changing experience. Their decision actually cost them their lives, yet discipleship necessitates giving up our life. In discipleship however, losing our life preserves it. That is a huge difference. Jesus made this clear in John 12:25: “The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.”

The Bible clearly teaches that there are two ways to know good and evil. One way is by heeding God’s promises and warnings (Genesis 2:16-17). The other way is to disobey God (Genesis 3:11, 17). Adam and Eve believed Satan’s words and disobeyed God. Let us consider the way of disobedience. To disobey God is to commit sin. When we sin, our eyes will be opened in like manner as Adam and Eve’s. But gaining knowledge of good and evil in this way (i.e., by committing sin) will not bring us joy. Instead, we will experience what Adam and Eve experienced: fear and shame. Adam said, “I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10).

This experiencing of fear and shame causes us to do as Adam and Eve did: seek to hide from God (Genesis 3:9). This, of course is futile (Psalm 139:8). All humans react alike once their eyes are opened by sin. Sin is not an abstract thing. It is an act of disobedience to God’s word. Because we are ashamed of our actions, we are now afraid of God. What we fear is God’s wrath. God’s wrath is only to be feared by those who disobey (Ephesians 2:2; 5:6; Colossians 3:6; Hebrews 2:2).

We need to give much thought about wanting to be like God. It can be a good thing or it can be disastrous. It depends on our motive. What do we actually want? Is it power? Knowledge is power. Is our concept of being like God, just having knowledge about everything? How do we intend to use that knowledge? Does man know how to use knowledge apart from what God has spoken? This is the real issue. Adam and Eve didn’t. They were badly deceived, but their desire for knowledge overruled their trust in God to know how to use that knowledge. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15).  

The word of God and wisdom are synonymous. God is the source of wisdom. In Proverbs 8:27 we read of wisdom and God, “When He established the heavens, I was there; when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep”. God has revealed the wise way to be like Him. Job 28:28 states it as follows: “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Psalm 111:10b says, “…All those who follow His commandments have a good understanding”. Proverbs 1:7b declares, “The fear of the Lord is knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction”. Becoming ‘like God’ is only possible by yielding to God’s word. This God-ordained way brings happiness and joy to life. It encourages one to seek out God and ensures fellowship with Him. Do we desire this type of happiness and joy?

Let us honestly consider how our desire to be like God will be pursued. Let us consider our motives. Do we want to RESPECT God’s authority or BE the authority? Do we want the attributes of God (omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscience) to use as we see fit? Do we just want to know everything about everybody? These are soul-searching questions that address our heart. Let us give serious consideration to the question asked in a hymn, “Is Thy Heart Right With God?” 

6/19/21

The Day of God's Visitation

In the King James Version, the phrase “day [or time] of visitation” is found in the following passages: Isaiah 10.3; Jeremiah 46.21; 50.27; Micah 7.4; 1 Peter 2.12. A reading of these passages shows that this phrase refers to God’s justice (blessing or cursing) being pronounced upon individuals or nations. God announces what will be done when he “visits” in justice.

Quite often, people pass judgment upon one another based upon what is seen externally. One may be undergoing a rough period in his or her life, suffering gravely in the process. It may be assumed that the person is being punished by God. Prosperity may likewise be wrongfully judged as a sign that God is blessing, or has blessed, that individual. When the day of God’s visitation comes, justice will be served.

Job is one such example of one whose suffering was misjudged. He was wrongfully accused by his friends of having committed sin, then refusing to acknowledge it, therefore deserving his suffering (Job 2.9; 4.8-9). However, Job pleaded to God: “Thou knows that I am not wicked (Job 10.7). God “visited” Job. Afterward, Job said in v. 12, “…thy visitation hath preserved by spirit.” Job was not guilty as his wife and friends had charged him. After God “visited” Job, Job’s integrity was vindicated.

At other times, God’s “visiting” does find his people indeed guilty, although men may not see it that way. Still, justice was served. The prophet Jeremiah wrote of the day of visitation upon the people of God in his lifetime in Jeremiah 5. God’s people were indeed guilty. They were inwardly wicked, although outwardly religious and reverent. Yet, when the day of God’s visitation came upon them, they asked, “Why?” Here was God’s answer through the pen of Jeremiah: “And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, ‘Wherefore doeth the Lord our God all these things unto us?’ then shalt thou answer them, ‘Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.’ Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, ‘Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me?’ saith the Lord: ‘Will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?’ But this people hath a revolting and rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, ‘Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’ Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they thing: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. ‘Shall I not visit for these things?’ saith the Lord: ‘Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?’” (Jeremiah 5.19-29). We need to live life in view of the day of God’s visitation. If we fear God, as Ecclesiastes 12.13 states, we will rejoice in that day, being vindicated (1 Peter 3.15-16).

6/5/21

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“Whence Cometh Wisdom?”

Zophar, Eliphaz and Bildad, the three friends of Job were aged and experienced, but did not possess the wisdom as to why Job suffered, nor understand why Job would not renounce his innocence (Chapters 25–31). This wisdom still eludes so many today.  Questions such as ‘whence cometh suffering’ or ‘why does God allow bad things to happen to good people’ continue to be asked.

However, a young lad had the wisdom to answer both Job’s three friends and Job. Let us learn from the words of young Elihu, noticing an eternal truth that he stated in his reply from Job 32:6-12: “So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice. “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’ Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say, I paid close attention to you; and surely not one of you convinced Job, or answered his words.” Notice especially what Elihu said in verse 8: ‘there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the almighty gives him understanding’.

Physical longevity does not make one wise in regard to salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). Such wisdom only comes from the breath of the Almighty. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, “…but as it is written, things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man,
whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.  But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words. Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.”

Elihu was wiser than those older in physical age because he had spiritual discernment. The scriptures will make one wise (knowledgeable) about why suffering exists, for they explain that suffering is a result of our sins against God. Jesus was purposed to die for our sins, and teach us how to live a life apart from sin. So, in His teaching, He explained how to be transformed from living self-ISH-ly, to living self-LESS-ly.

Elihu understood this and therefore understood why Job suffered. Suffering is the means by which a merciful God, rather than punish us as we deserve, sends us a ‘light affliction’ (2 Corinthians 4:17). This is out of His desire to bring us to repentance (Romans 2:4). By giving us a choice to take HIS yoke, we will inherit the eternal rewards like Moses did in suffering “affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25).

Exercising our faith in obedience is how we ‘witness’ to others. Obedience is the true evidence of saving faith. Obedience is the ‘work’ whereby faith is said to ‘justify’. Abraham is set forth as an example in James 2:20-24. The spiritual benefits of enduring suffering is seen from James 1:2-3. Suffering, when endured, declares our dependence upon God to deliver. The wisdom God gives about suffering’s purpose enables us to endure because a greater reward than sin’s pleasures is promised (Hebrews 11:26). Suffering is God’s way of strengthening our faith in Him to the point of obedience. In our obedience, we express our trust in God to fulfill His promises. While we may not see the connection between the promise and the command, a trusting faith does not question God’s love for us, nor God’s ways. All this wisdom from God is in His word, the Bible.

Do you understand why suffering is a part of human life? The scriptures provide the answers. Allow this wisdom to rule in your life and you will live the life described in James 3:17: “…pure; peaceable; gentle; easy to be intreated; full of mercy and good fruits; without partiality; and without hypocrisy.”

5/16/21
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"As The Manner of SOME Is"

Some…gladly received his word.
Acts 2.37

Some…stopped their ears.
Acts 7.54

The two passages above represent the only possible reactions from people when they are “cut to the heart” by God’s word. They will either accept or reject his word. God’s word convicts the heart of sin.

We read in Hebrews 4.12, “…for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The apostle Paul stated that scripture has a fourfold benefit. He wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3.16-17).

Paul, in his charge to the young preacher Timothy, foretold of those who would close their ears to God’s word: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4.1-4). This term “fables” is mentioned by Paul in his epistles to both Timothy and Titus as it relates to preaching. He spoke much about it in them. In 1 Timothy 1.4, Paul said that fables “give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith.”

The appeal of fables is that they satisfy the passions for what is forbidden. This is why Paul described them as worthless or irreverent in 1 Timothy 4.7. Fables do not “prick the heart” in regard to sin. Those who seek to satisfy their passions through religion will seek a preacher who will “tickle” their ears (2 Timothy 4.3-4). Clearly, fables are contrary to sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1.10).

When people reject truth, they will turn to fables. Paul warned disciples about the preaching of fables. Preaching fables is a perversion of God’s word (2 Timothy 4.3-4; Titus 1.14). Peter assured those to whom he wrote that what they preached about Jesus were not fables: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1.16).

Luke, in his writing of the Acts of the Apostles, described those who would “gladly receive” God’s word. The different reactions to the word of God declare what the word of God has revealed about the hearts of the individuals who hear it. A good and honest heart will “gladly receive” the word and do as the word instructs when “cut” (Acts 2.41). Out of the many Jews present on the day of Pentecost, about 3,000 received the word with joy. They were “cut to the heart,” yet received the message with joy. They acknowledged their guilt and wanted forgiveness.

However, those in Acts 7 had very different hearts. They had previously been unable to “resist” the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spake (Acts 6.10). Jesus, in forewarning his disciples of persecution from those who would reject his words, said, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” (Luke 21.13-15).

When truth and fables clash, the one who is preaching truth will stand out by the wisdom and spirit in which he preaches. The one whose preaching is a perversion of truth will react in emotional outbursts of anger and underhandedly try to discredit his opponent, not being able to “gainsay” (prove wrong) or resist (oppose; withstand) exposure of his perversions. He will do similarly as those did toward Stephen. He will “secretly induce, stir up, and set up false witnesses.” Why such underhanded tactics? Because he can’t answer the “reproof, rebuke, and sound doctrine.”

A preacher of truth never has to resort to underhanded measures or lose his composure, for the power is all in the message of truth. The message reproves, rebukes, and is sound.  No loopholes or contradictions are to be found without dishonest tactics.

The nature of the heart is revealed through simple proclamation of truth; it “cuts” both ways. It will either approve or disprove the individual. Sin will be exposed when true preaching is proclaimed. If one loves truth, he will repent and be baptized; if his love (i.e., god) is pleasure in unrighteousness, he will resort to underhanded measures and/or lose his composure in resistance.

The Lord so forewarned of this reaction: “He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reported. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3.17-21).

How do we react to God's reproof?

5/2/21

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A ‘TRUE’ GOD—A ‘TRUE’ WORD: BELIEVE IT, OR NOT?

“The one who has accepted His testimony has certified that God is true.” (John 3:33)

The truth in regard to the beginning of life rests upon a testimony. Whenever and however we want to refer to “the beginning,” regardless if we attribute it to evolution or to a supreme intelligence, both possibilities must be accepted by faith. The reason this is so is because no one was present “in the beginning” except God. The Creation record in the Bible was written by Moses, whose own birth occurred several generations after the Creation, according to the Bible. Moses’ record must therefore be accepted by faith.

In regard to the Creation of life, our decision will be a matter of faith, regardless of the object of our faith.  There are two possibilities as to the source of life’s existence and its continuance. Either it is by the process of evolution or by an intelligent, self-existent, eternal Creator. The Creation teems with evidence of a wisdom that supersedes human capability. Design implies a designer. The precision with which the elements function also implies intelligence.

Yet, with all the magnitude of Creation, one thing is absent apart from a testimony. The Creation itself does not provide the answer as to WHY life came into existence. That is the reason for a testimony. Producing something from nothing is as incredible as raising life from death. But in seeking an answer as to WHY life was created, we must place our faith on a testimony. In view of the two possibilities mentioned above, which of the two offers a testimony as to WHY life came into existence?

Does evolution have a record as to WHY life happened? If so, where is it? On the other hand, the Bible record speaks of a purpose from eternity by an eternal being, God. God had reason to declare WHY He created, and only man was intended to know of that reason. Accordingly, God made man capable of understanding not only how he came into existence, but WHY. Herein, he finds the significance of the statement that God was ‘mindful of him’ (Psalm 8:4; Hebrews 2:6). Since all that we know of God’s eternal purpose is from what God Himself has declared, let us consider whether or not His record is credible.

A true God does not speak what is not true nor fail to keep His word. God’s word is true and God is true to His word. What is said of God is also true of God’s word. God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6) and with Him there is no variation (James 1:17). As this relates to His word, God has declared two “immutable” things about Himself: His promises and His oaths (Hebrews 6:18). God must be true to these, else He incriminates Himself. Immutable means “fixed; unalterable”. Herein is our evidence of His trustworthiness. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). Has God proved Himself credible in this regard? What evidence do we have? Is it not from what is said of those listed in Hebrews 11? Was God credible? How did they respond? With each person(s) the inspired record says, ‘by faith’ they “OBEYED”! Take note of that! Whatever God’s word directed them to do, they did it! This obedience is elsewhere described by a word that has come to be viewed as taboo…‘WORKS’. James 2:14-26 defined the obedience of Abraham and Rahab as “works”. Hebrews 11:6 states, “...the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who SEEK Him.” Genuine faith ‘seeks’ HIM, else it is dead. To seek is to obey ‘HIM”, not venture in uncertainty. Obedience is the only fruit produced by a credible faith. We know that the majority of the nation of Israel died in the wilderness because their faith was not credible, but dead (1 Corinthians 10:5-10; Hebrews 3:16-19; Jude 1:5). Israel did not obey God. Credible belief in God obeys God.

God’s word is clear as to credible belief. God says belief is necessary (Hebrews 11:6). But God also says belief is a work (John 6:27-29). This simply means that belief must be active rather than passive (Re-read Hebrews 11:5 and John 6:27-29). God’s word does not cleanse without applying it any more than soap would cleanse on faith alone (John 15:1-11; Ephesians 5:26). Believing that God’s word cleanses without washing yourself with it is not credible faith.

God’s word (truth) also calls upon us to accept what His word has said about ourselves. God’s word has said we have all sinned (Romans 3:23).

For this reason God’s word also calls upon us to repent of our sins. Is God’s word credible? Do we believe God? Is our belief passive or active? Will repentance occur? Man must adapt to truth; order IS important. The Psalmist wrote, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18). This means to call upon Him according as truth instructs! (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God’s word makes an appeal to our mind. It speaks to our inward being, which is spirit and in God’s image rather than by an emotional appeal to our flesh. Any change of mind must first be based upon God’s word rather than human emotion. While there will be an emotional effect, it must not precede but follow our understanding of God’s truth. Salvation is based upon faith, rather than feelings. Faith must be in God’s word (Romans 10:17). We will KNOW whether we have been saved because of TRUTH versus relying on an emotional FEELING.  

3/28/2021

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“MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION”

There is no greater decision a person will be called upon to make that supersedes the one they make regarding their spiritual well-being. Religious decisions are difficult because they require great determination. The apostle Paul said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

 

Paul’s statement, as he revealed God’s will concerning obedience, says that it requires becoming a sacrifice: a sacrifice that presents the body in a holy and acceptable service. Paul was well aware of the requirements of obedience. He once stated concerning his life, “for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die” (Acts 21:13). Later in his life he wrote, “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-7). 

Making the right decision about one’s spiritual well-being requires courage. Throughout the scriptures individuals have been called upon to put their lives on the line for their faith: “And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:32-40).

As a Christian, an individual must be willing to do the same today. Jesus said, “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Exercising courage is of such great importance that God said of the fearful, “…their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

When considering one’s condition before God, one must decide to exercise courage and “obey God, rather than men” (Acts 5:29) and “press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). 

What decision have you made in regard to your spiritual service?

3/14/21
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