"IS IT FUTILE TO SERVE GOD?"

Zephaniah described God’s people in his day and time as follows: “…men who are stagnant is spirit, who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad’.” (Zephaniah 1:12). Because of this attitude, God was bringing punishment upon His people Israel (Jerusalem and Judah). It begs several questions: ‘How could God’s people become stagnant? WHY would God’s people become stagnant? What factors contributed to this? More importantly, ‘Is this mindset prevalent among God’s people today?’ Let us consider these matters in this article.

Stagnation is a failure to develop, progress, or advance. When water becomes stagnant, a foulness or staleness, emanates results. When people become stagnant, this concept of foulness or staleness is seen in their dullness of hearing and their senses unable to discern right from wrong.

From Zephaniah 1:5-6 we see the characteristics of stagnant behavior in God’s people. They “…bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom.” They had “…turned back from following the LORD, and...not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.”

How had this happened? We find the answer in the record of their own lives. God’s people had persisted in disobedience to the Law of Moses. They were strictly warned not to imitate the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 6:14), yet they did this very thing! They had become “settled" in this way of living. Zephaniah said, “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil…” (1:12). This describes their complacency. Other prophets gave us similar explanations.

~ Ezekiel wrote, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land” (8:12).

~ Malachi revealed even more insight. He described their complaining and murmuring as follows: “You have wearied the LORD with your words. ‘How have we wearied him?’ you ask. By saying, ‘All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them’ or ‘Where is the God of justice’?” (2:17)

~ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty’?” (3:14)

Stagnation is no respecter of persons. Complacency can ‘set in’ today when a person persists in disobedience. A stagnant life only changes by repentance. The gospel message declares this necessity. When a child is raised in an environment of complacency, it presents the most difficult obstacle to overcome in giving one’s life to Christ. Herein we see the need for the training up of a child in righteousness by both word and example of the parents.

Complacency can return in the life of Christians. When Christians suffer from complacency, they become weary of standing for the truth! Read again what Malachi said: ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty’?” (Malachi 3:14). Weariness in well-doing is an ever-present threat. It wears on us. We see the parade-like atmosphere in the religious world about us on the TV and on social media as they praise the Lord for their blessings and prosperity, while we go about “carrying out his requirements, like mourners…” Enticed by the glitter many have sought to incorporate their practices into the worship of the Lord to “liven up” things. They see the proverbial “greener grass” among the denominational ways and desire to be fed with their ‘social’ food! They see the prosperity…the large numbers among them and conclude that there is not ‘justice’ with God. As the Psalmist stated of the wicked in Psalm 94:7 – “…they say ‘The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive’.” God answered with a reply that is still applicable today in Psalm 94:8-15.

12/24/2020

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“THREE NEEDS OF DISCIPLESHIP”

What words are missing from the text of Mark 10:29-30?

“…there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands; and in the world to come eternal life.”

The missing words reflect what comes TO a disciple for judging with righteous judgment.

It comes FROM those who desire to live by doing what is right “IN THEIR OWN EYES” rather than what God commands. (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23; John 7:24).

The missing words are “WITH PERSECUTIONS”.

We need to understand the significance of these two words because they are necessary to discipleship.

Many other passages speak of the relationship of discipleship to persecutions: (John 15:20; Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:11-12).

The persecution that Jesus underwent was not only purposed from eternity, but purposed to occur through a specific thing—teaching God’s word. God’s word is truth (John 17:17). He claimed His authority from God to teach the things He taught (John 10:18; 12:49-50; 14:24). He taught that freedom from sin was only in obedience to truth (John 8:32; Hebrews 5:9). Only He could provide this freedom (John 14:6).

Persecution exists today over the same two issues – authority and truth. Those who preach a message claiming it to be truth and proclaim it as the only way to heaven will suffer persecution from those who do not want to acknowledge an absolute standard, but rather want to do what is right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25; Deuteronomy 12:8).

Persecution is necessary to discipleship; so likewise are God’s authority and truth.

12/24/2020

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The Difference Between 'Asking'​ and 'Questioning'​ God.

Isaiah asked in chapter 10:15:

"Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood..."

These words were spoken to the arrogant King of Assyria, who had boasted of his rise in power, attributing it to "his own hand"; he was the "axe"; the "saw"; the "rod" and the "staff". His attitude of himself as a rod/staff was as if he were "no wood".

How futile man is when he reasons that he exists and prospers by his own doing.

Later, in chapter 45:9, Isaiah again writes:

"...does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no hands'?"

"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker..."

God raised up the king of Assyria for His own purpose...to punish His own people, Israel for their disobedience. Once that was accomplished, God would punish (destroy) the king and the Assyrians, because they too were wicked. In Isaiah 10:6, God said, "I send it (Assyrians) against a godless nation" (Israel).

The king of Assyria had different plans: "Yet it does not so intend, nor does it plan so in its heart, but rather it is its purpose to destroy and to cut off many nations." - v. 7

God would allow the King to remain in power just long enough to punish Israel, and then he would be destroyed. In v. 12 Isaiah said, "So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the pomp of his haughtiness.”

God deals with us in like manner; let us remember Isaiah's words: "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker".

James 4:14-17 - "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

12/9/2020

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“Faith" and "Works”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

James 2:17 – “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Much confusion and disagreement abounds over the role of works as it relates to salvation. The verse Ephesians 2:8, if quoted without regard to its context, or the nature of “works”, would be understood as a declaration of faith alone as man's response to God's grace. Yet, when reading James 2:17, again, without regard to context, or the nature of “works”, there appears to be a contradiction. So, a close study of the contexts and of “WORKS” is helpful in clearing up the confusion.

SOME HISTORY OF THE DEBATE OVER “FAITH” & “WORKS”

Some of the confusion arises from the “after-effects” of the teaching of Martin Luther in his denunciation of the WORKS OF CATHOLICISM. Luther opposed justification by “works” but the works he opposed were works of penance that the Roman Catholic church IN HIS DAY endorsed. At the time, a Dominican priest named Johann Tetzel, commissioned by the Archbishop of Mainz and Pope Leo X, was in the midst of a major fundraising campaign in Germany to finance the renovation of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The main funding for the early stages of building New St. Peter’s came from the sale of indulgences. Indulgences were a means whereby remission of sins was granted, or rather obtained by payments of money; even after one’s death. This means of receiving (really obtaining) forgiveness of sins, was what Luther condemned.

In ‘A Treatise on Good Works’, Luther spoke of ‘works done outside of faith’. Yet, in the same writing, he mentioned ‘works of faith’, which he advocated. Luther (and his followers) viewed good works as ‘evidence’ of faith, but did not believe that good works were necessary for salvation. Thus Luther advocated that one is saved “sola fide” (faith alone).  It is obvious from Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:17 that there are different works under consideration for in Ephesians, salvation is NOT a result of those works. In James, faith is said to be dead, if apart from those works. Thus, if salvation is by faith, and faith must be accompanied with works, then salvation must also be dependent upon works. So, some works are condemned in scripture while other works are necessary. There are different types of works and not all works are of the same nature! Here are a few of the distinctive ‘works’ mentioned in the scriptures:

Works of the Law of Moses - “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16).

The verse on three occasions speaks of “the works of the law”. It is equally clear that by these works, there is no justification. Paul is contrasting these works with the works of faith in Jesus Christ. Remember that on one occasion came to Jesus and asked him, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29). Paul goes on to write in Romans 3:28 that “…a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” The works that do not justify are clearly specified. These works are the same as those mentioned in Galatians 2:16. The simple truth is, there are different types of works revealed in the New Testament!

Works of Man’s Righteousness - “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).

Notice how this verse clearly identifies the works! It is works “which we have done”. By such works, man cannot be saved. He needs the mercy of God in the gospel of Christ. The passage condemns the moral man thinking he can be saved in his own goodness or works of righteousness which he is doing. So many believe that by being morally clean and reasonably honest that salvation is assured them. This can never be “for all have sinned ...” (Romans 3:23). We need God’s mercy in the gospel. Man can never originate a plan to remove one single sin. These works are condemned in the verse, but works of all nature are not condemned. The verse is not to be understood as condemning what God has for one to do in obeying the gospel of His Son.

Works of God’s Righteousness - In Acts 10:34-45, we read: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

What works are involved in one being accepted with God? God has authorized faith (John 6:29) (James 2:24); repentance (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9); confession (Romans 10:10); baptism (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21) for one to obey in working God’s righteousness to be saved. When one obeys such, he is not working man’s righteousness, but the righteousness of God. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:2-3, “I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.”

12/6/2020
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TRUST AND OBEY; FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY

Jeremiah told God's people Israel WHY they were hypocrites in chapter 7:8 - - He said, "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit."

HOW did they "TRUST" in lying words........by faith alone, or by praying a 'sinner's prayer'?

No, for in verses 9-10, God gave specifics of their hypocrisy. He said:

"Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—that you may do all these abominations?"

Then in verse 13, God stated, "And now, because ye have done all these 'WORKS'."

There is a most relevant lesson for us today as it relates to worship and daily life:

You are not condemned by 'faith only' any more than you are justified by 'faith only'. Sin is a transgressing of a command by either adding to, or taking away from that command. (cf. Romans 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 3:4; & 5:17)

For those who have been preached that "trusting" is done thru a prayer, notice what Jeremiah was told NOT to do by God in verse 16:

"Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee."

False teaching is characterized by ONE DOMINANT ASPECT! IT DOWNPLAYS COMMANDS and OBEDIENCE! Jesus died for "the world" (John 3:16), yet is the author of salvation TO THOSE THAT OBEY!!! (Hebrew 5:9).

You obey Jesus by obeying His commands (2 John 1:9-11).

Likewise, truth, or true teaching will stress commands; and obedience; this is what separates it from false teaching.

Trust and obey, are the principles upon which salvation has ALWAYS been purposed. We see this from another prophet, Isaiah:

THE CONDITIONS:

wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds; cease to do evil...

THEN:

learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression...

IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow - - - Isaiah 1:16-19

Read the entire chapter of Jeremiah 7 to see the similarities of Jeremiah's day and our day.

Truly, there is nothing new under sun...

12/5/2020

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“THANKSGIVING”

On October 20, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln issued this official proclamation (#118) regarding the observance of Thanksgiving:

“Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may then be, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid that on that occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the Great Disposer of Events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations.”

In the Bible, the manner in which ‘thanksgiving’ was expressed by those who feared God was most unique. It was by means of a sacrifice, by praising God, by a prayer, or through songs. While it was to be done willingly, and not out of constraint, it was always as God ordained in the language of the covenant between Himself and His covenant people. Thus, we see that thanksgiving is expressed both by words and by certain authorized acts.

Sadly, what has happened with love has happened with thanksgiving. How often do we hear (and say) the phrase, ‘I love you’? Does saying ‘I love you’ equate to loving someone? So also, saying your thankful does not necessarily mean you are thankful. The uniqueness of the thanksgiving of a Christian is that their deeds prove their words true. That is being Christ-like. In John 3:16, 1 John 4:19, and Revelations 1:5 the apostle John speaks of the love that God and Christ had. Is there any doubt that God and Jesus loves us? How do we know? We know because of how it was shown (John 15:13; Romans 5:8).

The uniqueness of the thanksgiving of the Christian is seen from 2 Corinthians 6:4. It is done “in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties…”. God has foreordained this. We are no more at liberty to determine HOW we will thank God any more than we are at liberty to worship God as we deem right. God has not left us “in the dark” as to how to ‘thank’ Him anymore than He has left it up to us as to how to worship Him. Worship is unacceptable when offered with heartless lip service and when the traditions we observe are contrary to what God has commanded (Matthew 15:8-9; John 4:24). Our worship is not to be unrestrained for we have divine guidance as to what to do. Likewise godly living is not an unrestrained life. Without divine guidance, people will become unrestrained (Proverbs 29:18). Likewise, the thanksgiving of a Christian is expressed by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-12).

The apostle Peter affirmed that God has given all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Christians are to add these ‘things’ to their faith, that they might not live unrestrained (2 Peter 1:5-9). Through this ‘adding’, the Christian expresses his thanksgiving. Worship and godly living are only acceptable when exercised in obedience. This is also true in regard to thanksgiving by the child of God. Thankfulness is a discipline that needs to be valued, for its spiritual benefits.  But like anything that is of value, it needs to be exercised (i.e., nurtured AND expressed). That it is to be expressed, is seen from such passages as, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!” (Psalm 118:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). But God has declared that our zeal must be “according to knowledge” (Romans 10:1-3).  Thus, the ‘nurtured’ aspect of giving thanks must be by this knowledge. Being truly thankful begins with recognizing how entirely dependent we are upon God’s mercy and His ability to provide. Thankfulness is expressed out of confidence that He will (James 1:17ff). When our thanks is expressed in obedience, an ‘on-going’ benefit is that pride will be rooted out of our life.  If not, pride will dominate in our life (James 4:6).

Thanksgiving and obedience are inseparable, for TRUE thanksgiving is ONLY in obedience to God’s will.  This is seen from the 50^th Psalm.  In condemning His own people Israel, God said: “Offer…a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High; call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”  But to the wicked God said, “What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? “ For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you.”  The only acceptable expression of thanks is in giving God what God most desires, and that, by His own declaration is our hearts (Psalm 51:17; Joel 2:13).

Let us return to Him in obedience, and recognize His rightful authority to rule over us.  What He promised (and did for) Judah, He will do for all who will ‘trust and obey’.  God said He, “let them find Him” (2 Chronicles 15:15).   Jesus gave the same assurance (John 7:17). Thanksgiving will always be blessed of God when it does as Jesus spoke: “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.” (John 14:23).

11/30/2020

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“THE CHALLENGE OF DEFENDING THE FAITH” ~ Philippians 1:17

“But what I am doing I will also continue to do, so that I may eliminate the opportunity from THOSE WHO WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE REGARDED JUST AS WE ARE…” (2 Corinthians 11:12).

The statement above was made by the apostle Paul. The context shows that he was speaking of evil men who sought to be “regarded” as Paul and other apostles of the Lord. Paul, however, has severe scorn and rebuke for these ambitious men. In vss 13-15, he states, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”

Why was the apostle Paul so harsh with his words toward these men? It was not out of personal revenge. Yes they had attacked him personally, but Paul’s concern was not for his own reputation. He had a much greater concern. The message of truth was under attack. In fact, truth was more important to Paul than his own life. We need to give heed to Paul’s concern for purity in the message and come to the defense of the gospel when it is being perverted. Accuracy in the message has become a thing of insignificance. It is no surprise that defense of this accuracy has given in to fear of “judging”! Feelings and sincerity of motive have taken precedence over doctrinal purity. Indeed, a love for truth is misguided when there is no love for soundness in doctrine. Truth is not based upon or determined by the existence of faith. Remember Jacob sincerely believed Joseph was dead, but that did not make it so (Genesis 37:31-35).

As we lose our love for soundness in doctrine, we are losing our first love (Revelation 2:1-4). Ephesus and Pergamos were two of the churches in Asia who had some who “held” to the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans. Both of these doctrines were false! They had to be exposed and opposed! Not all in these two churches “held” to these false teachings. Those that didn’t had the same responsibility as Paul had in dealing with these false apostles in Corinth. Doctrinal purity must be defended against any and all who would attempt to pervert it. This is what Paul was doing; defending the gospel with which he had been entrusted (1 Corinthians 9:17; 1 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3). Paul, in both his epistles to Timothy commanded Timothy to GUARD this message (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14).

An accurate, sound, message is crucial. No passage better states WHY accuracy in the message is essential than Romans 1:16, “it is the power of God for salvation…”.The power of salvation resides in God’s message! Doctrine matters! Defending the purity of the message is equally crucial. Paul’s words were not gentle toward these brethren. They were false and deceitful because their message was false and deceitful! As Paul would later tell Titus, their mouths needed to be stopped (Titus 1:11). Timothy was told by Paul to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Paul had a love for truth and for them (Proverbs 27:5). In wanting to be regarded as apostles, these false apostles wanted their message to be regarded as inspired from God. But they taught DIFFERENTLY from what the Lord’s apostles taught by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As such, they were giving people a false hope in regard to their salvation. Earlier in this chapter (vss. 3-4), Paul said of these false teachers, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (Paul wrote similar words in his other epistles: (cf. Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 5:6; Philippians 3:2; Colossians 2:4, 8, 18; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2:2-4, 9-11; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 4:1-2, 16; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Titus 1:9-11).

We cannot deny the reality of false gospels in the world. The division in religion is proof of false gospels. False doctrine results in the damnation of both the teacher and his hearer. Note especially the “hearer” in 1 Timothy 4:16 – “…both save thyself, AND THEM THAT HEAR THEE.” [Preaching ACCURATELY, saves, both the preacher and the hearers.] and in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “…THEY (i.e., the hearers) WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, but after their own lusts…heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears…turn away…from the truth…unto fables.”

A most relevant question for everyone…DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REALITY OF FALSE DOCTRINE? A related question will perhaps drive the point home. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REALITY OF HELL? If there was no such thing as false teaching, would there be a need for HELL?Beware of those who come in sheep’s clothing…false apostles disguised as apostles of Christ…those WHO DESIRE TO BE REGARDED AS AN APOSTLE IN WHAT THEY TEACH! TEST THEM! As the apostle John warned in 1 John 4:1. They are false if their preaching does not match the preaching of the Lord’s apostles! What did the Lord’s apostles tell people to do to be saved? What did the preacher who preached to you, tell you to do to be saved? Did their messages match? This is why doctrine is so important in religion.

Jesus taught:

“Take heed WHAT ye hear” — Mark 4:24

“Take heed HOW ye hear” — Luke 8:18

Why? Because DOCTRINE MATTERS!

11/26/2020

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