People have a tendency to attribute power to symbols. This belief is not only held in the pagan or occult arena but is prominent in movies, decor, jewelery, and even churches. Constantine proliferated the use of the cross as a symbol when he believed Jesus told him to place the symbol of the cross in his standard: "In this sign, you will conquer." The cross is used in movies to fend off evil beings like demons or vampires, and the upside-down cross has been long used by Satanists. Ozzy Osborne is rarely seen without an enormous crucifix hanging from his neck, common attire for all the members of Black Sabbath.
My concern is people in the church might fall into this trap of giving heed to superstition and belief that actual power is contained in the cross itself. The refrain of a popular Chris Tomlin song goes, "Mighty, awesome, wonderful, is the holy cross where the Lamb laid down His lift to lift us from the fall. Mighty is the power of the cross." It could be misconstrued, based on the improper views placed upon us by culture and ignorance, that the cross in itself has the power to "raise a man to life again." Is the cross indeed holy? This would not be the first time man has regarded as holy what is not.
It was not uncommon for Jesus Christ to hammer the Pharisees for contorting the truth. Matthew 23:16-19 says, "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' [17] Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? [18] And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.' [19] Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?" It is clear by the comments of Jesus that the temple sanctifies the gold, and the altar sanctifies the gift. The temple and altar were to be ceremonially sanctified and anointed before they could be used in God's worship and service. A sacrifice offered on the altar according to God's command was acceptable in His sight. A gift offered anywhere else would not be acceptable because it was in violation of God's command.
Now I ask you: which is greater, the cross or the blood of Christ that sanctifies the cross? The cross or a symbol of it is no more holy than the tomb which held the body of Jesus Christ for three days. It is not as if the actual blood of Jesus had any medicinal or healing powers physically within it. The blood of Jesus was normal, O+ or AB blood (or whatever type). The blood of Jesus is applied to our hearts spiritually through faith. What God has cleansed we ought not call common, and we should not call a symbol holy which has been made common. The cross represents the victory Christ has won over sin and death through His substitute death and resurrection. It is deeply symbolic of the price God paid to purchase and redeem mankind from damnation.
A similar example if found in the Bible itself. My Bible says "Holy Bible" on the cover, but it does not mean there is a magical force present in the ink and paper to deliver me from sin. It contains the words of God, God is holy, so His Word therefore is holy. Isaiah 57:15: "For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." The power of God is not found in a piece of wood, a symbol, or a book with letters printed upon it: the power of God is found within Himself alone. It is man who is easily caught up in externals when God looks upon the heart. While we quibble over the relevance of modern translations there remains a God who is seeking people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
Go to any graveyard and you will see crosses. The crosses which adorn graves have no physical power to resurrect the dead, even if they were encrusted with the actual shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Himself who is our Savior and in Him there is power to resurrect us from the dead and make us born again when we repent and trust in Him. The aforementioned song would be truer sung, "Mighty, awesome, wonderful, is our Holy God. Jesus He laid down His life to lift us from the fall. Mighty is the power of our God." Christ's cross is a simply a marker on the narrow path as we follow Him carrying our own. "The cross before me, the world behind me...no turning back, no turning back."
12 April 2010
11 April 2010
A Time to Kill
I'm not one to theorize very often, but as I read my morning passage today light dawned upon my heart. In centuries past, many preachers tended to camp on the power, strength, and judgment of God. Dire warnings against impenitent sinners were as common as people attending church in America even a few generations ago. Now the primary emphasis camps upon the love, grace, and mercy of God. Generations ago people saw God as a homicidal tyrant, justly raging against the immoral. Today He is pictured as a kind grandpa who wouldn't ever judge a person because He has softened with mushy affections. He cares more about our feelings than righteousness. These views are not scriptural, and are therefore incorrect.
No person in the Body of Christ today will deny that apathy is a serious issue faced by the church today. There is a sense on entitlement which has crept into the Body, a selfishness that has bred under the surface like a cancer for decades unnoticed. It is the concept that God is my Savior, Jesus is my friend, and like my other friends it is my prerogative to decide when we will meet, how often I will call, and I get to choose the activity. If Jesus should challenge me in any way to go outside of my comfort zone, I am allowed to say no. I will do what is comfortable, what I feel like doing, and as long as it is not too costly I will serve God. While pure and undefiled religion before the Father is visiting the widow and orphan in their affliction and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world, we have somehow become the central figure. It is clear many have lost the fear of God, but it is more likely they have never had it. We must be convinced God is able to destroy us before we will believe He can save us.
Case in point: when we introduce people to God, we are likely to tend to point out qualities which are more appealing to the flesh. God's grace, mercy, kindness, faithfulness, love, gentleness, and He desires that none should perish are qualities often held forth. Few focus on judgment, wrath, justice, strength, and power. The way some people talk about God, we wouldn't even think Psalm 7:11 could be in the Bible: "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Verses like Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 are read at funerals like poetry and no one seems to notice what is being said. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: [2] a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; [3] a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up..." People are comfortable with planting and harvesting, but a time to kill? Yes, for Genesis 38:7 affirms, "But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him."
Even theology has drifted from the mark. How many times have you heard it preached in Sunday Schools or the pulpit that the "angel of death" went throughout the land of Egypt during the 10th plague and killed the firstborn of man and beast? I was taught that. I can only assume some people were very uncomfortable with the idea of our modern "nice" God slaying a first-born child in his crib and placed this task upon this fictitious "angel of death." Not even a careful examination of scripture shows God Himself takes this upon Himself! Exodus 12:12-13 says, "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." He says again in Exodus 12:23: "For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you." People will grasp at the word "destroyer" and say that God might have used an angel to perform His "dirty work," but I disagree. God doesn't do dirty work. God commanded it, takes credit for it, and whether or not an angel was used matters. God was judging the idolatry of the Egyptian people, and Pharaoh hardened his heart against God. God raised up Pharaoh for this opportunity to reveal His power, strength, and judgment to the Egyptians and His own people, as well as all the surrounding nations. We do not need to apologize for our God. Interesting when the Bible conflicts with our perceived view of God, isn't it?
The 10 plagues in Egypt was how God introduced Himself to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the Hebrews alike. After over 400 years in Egypt, many Israelites began to serve the idols of Egypt. This is proven by Joshua's words after the exodus from Egypt, after the entry of the Promised Land, even after God drove out their enemies so they could inhabit Canaan! Just before his death Joshua says in Joshua 24:14, "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!" Even after the Egyptians were plagued, their army drowned in the Red Sea, after wandering in the wilderness forty years, after the fall of Jericho, and the destruction of their enemies on all sides, idols from Egypt were STILL among them. It stands to reason therefore a large group of the Hebrews while enslaved in Egypt did not fear the One True God.
Place yourself in the shoes of the Israelites. You have witnessed waters turned to blood, the land corrupted by frogs, flies, dust turned to lice, all the cattle of the Egyptians die, ashes turn to boils on man and beast, hail fall mingled with fire that killed every man or animal in the field, innumerable locusts consume every green thing, darkness for three days which could be felt, and the death of every firstborn child or animal of the Egyptians. Also, these plagues only occurred outside of Goshen where the Israelites dwelt. You would be overwhelmed with the incredible power of God, wouldn't you? You would be amazed how the blood from the slain lamb applied to the doorposts and lintel caused the Spirit of God to pass over and spare your firstborn. Fast-forward to the parting of the Red Sea, when the Israelites walked through the sea on dry land with walls of water on the right and left. Then the children of Israel traveled to Mt. Sinai where God would descend with smoke, thunderings, lightnings, fire, and intense trumpet blasts. The people had been commanded to be sanctified three days, wash with water, put on clean clothes, and refrain from sexual activity. What would have been your view of God at that moment, when the sky grew dark with clouds and the Spirit of God descended upon Mt. Sinai? Probably a lot like the Hebrews, who trembled before God in reverential fear. God then imparted His laws unto them so they might know of His righteousness.
Here is the crux of my theory: because the Israelites were exposed to God's justice, power, and might, they reverenced God with fear. He chose the Jews out of all the nations by His grace and love for them. God was as gracious and loving then as He is now, revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. But the way Jesus will return is strikingly similar to the justice meted out upon the idols of the Egyptians, as the conquering King of kings. He is both Lamb of God and Lion of Judah. When we consciously avoid the justice, judgment, and wrath of God upon sin, we begin to take grace, love, and forgiveness for granted. We forget the fact that we deserve punishment. We forget God is concerned about not only our conduct but the attitudes of our hearts. We cheapen grace by neglecting the law. We treat forgiveness and mercy with contempt when we neglect our need for repentance. These Israelites were not apathetic: far from it! They stoned a man for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day because he broke God's Law! They policed themselves and went to Moses and his appointed elders for judgment because they did not want the wrath of God to break out among them. It seems like today we doubt this could even happen. For too long many have used the liberty ushered in by God's grace as a cloak for sins of themselves and others. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be!
I urge you friends, learn about the character of the God of the Bible. But the end is not knowledge, for it puffs up. Through the grace and love of God allow knowledge to take root in biblical truth. Don't settle for a second-hand relationship with God, living vicariously through the wisdom of others who have met with God. You need not settle for stories when you can have a living relationship with God in heaven. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Justice demanded the blood of a spotless Lamb, and Jesus paid that price. We see as in a mirror dimly, but soon we will see Him face to face. Let us do Him the honor of portraying God as He is: the Lion and the Lamb.
No person in the Body of Christ today will deny that apathy is a serious issue faced by the church today. There is a sense on entitlement which has crept into the Body, a selfishness that has bred under the surface like a cancer for decades unnoticed. It is the concept that God is my Savior, Jesus is my friend, and like my other friends it is my prerogative to decide when we will meet, how often I will call, and I get to choose the activity. If Jesus should challenge me in any way to go outside of my comfort zone, I am allowed to say no. I will do what is comfortable, what I feel like doing, and as long as it is not too costly I will serve God. While pure and undefiled religion before the Father is visiting the widow and orphan in their affliction and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world, we have somehow become the central figure. It is clear many have lost the fear of God, but it is more likely they have never had it. We must be convinced God is able to destroy us before we will believe He can save us.
Case in point: when we introduce people to God, we are likely to tend to point out qualities which are more appealing to the flesh. God's grace, mercy, kindness, faithfulness, love, gentleness, and He desires that none should perish are qualities often held forth. Few focus on judgment, wrath, justice, strength, and power. The way some people talk about God, we wouldn't even think Psalm 7:11 could be in the Bible: "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Verses like Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 are read at funerals like poetry and no one seems to notice what is being said. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: [2] a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; [3] a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up..." People are comfortable with planting and harvesting, but a time to kill? Yes, for Genesis 38:7 affirms, "But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him."
Even theology has drifted from the mark. How many times have you heard it preached in Sunday Schools or the pulpit that the "angel of death" went throughout the land of Egypt during the 10th plague and killed the firstborn of man and beast? I was taught that. I can only assume some people were very uncomfortable with the idea of our modern "nice" God slaying a first-born child in his crib and placed this task upon this fictitious "angel of death." Not even a careful examination of scripture shows God Himself takes this upon Himself! Exodus 12:12-13 says, "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." He says again in Exodus 12:23: "For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you." People will grasp at the word "destroyer" and say that God might have used an angel to perform His "dirty work," but I disagree. God doesn't do dirty work. God commanded it, takes credit for it, and whether or not an angel was used matters. God was judging the idolatry of the Egyptian people, and Pharaoh hardened his heart against God. God raised up Pharaoh for this opportunity to reveal His power, strength, and judgment to the Egyptians and His own people, as well as all the surrounding nations. We do not need to apologize for our God. Interesting when the Bible conflicts with our perceived view of God, isn't it?
The 10 plagues in Egypt was how God introduced Himself to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the Hebrews alike. After over 400 years in Egypt, many Israelites began to serve the idols of Egypt. This is proven by Joshua's words after the exodus from Egypt, after the entry of the Promised Land, even after God drove out their enemies so they could inhabit Canaan! Just before his death Joshua says in Joshua 24:14, "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!" Even after the Egyptians were plagued, their army drowned in the Red Sea, after wandering in the wilderness forty years, after the fall of Jericho, and the destruction of their enemies on all sides, idols from Egypt were STILL among them. It stands to reason therefore a large group of the Hebrews while enslaved in Egypt did not fear the One True God.
Place yourself in the shoes of the Israelites. You have witnessed waters turned to blood, the land corrupted by frogs, flies, dust turned to lice, all the cattle of the Egyptians die, ashes turn to boils on man and beast, hail fall mingled with fire that killed every man or animal in the field, innumerable locusts consume every green thing, darkness for three days which could be felt, and the death of every firstborn child or animal of the Egyptians. Also, these plagues only occurred outside of Goshen where the Israelites dwelt. You would be overwhelmed with the incredible power of God, wouldn't you? You would be amazed how the blood from the slain lamb applied to the doorposts and lintel caused the Spirit of God to pass over and spare your firstborn. Fast-forward to the parting of the Red Sea, when the Israelites walked through the sea on dry land with walls of water on the right and left. Then the children of Israel traveled to Mt. Sinai where God would descend with smoke, thunderings, lightnings, fire, and intense trumpet blasts. The people had been commanded to be sanctified three days, wash with water, put on clean clothes, and refrain from sexual activity. What would have been your view of God at that moment, when the sky grew dark with clouds and the Spirit of God descended upon Mt. Sinai? Probably a lot like the Hebrews, who trembled before God in reverential fear. God then imparted His laws unto them so they might know of His righteousness.
Here is the crux of my theory: because the Israelites were exposed to God's justice, power, and might, they reverenced God with fear. He chose the Jews out of all the nations by His grace and love for them. God was as gracious and loving then as He is now, revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. But the way Jesus will return is strikingly similar to the justice meted out upon the idols of the Egyptians, as the conquering King of kings. He is both Lamb of God and Lion of Judah. When we consciously avoid the justice, judgment, and wrath of God upon sin, we begin to take grace, love, and forgiveness for granted. We forget the fact that we deserve punishment. We forget God is concerned about not only our conduct but the attitudes of our hearts. We cheapen grace by neglecting the law. We treat forgiveness and mercy with contempt when we neglect our need for repentance. These Israelites were not apathetic: far from it! They stoned a man for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day because he broke God's Law! They policed themselves and went to Moses and his appointed elders for judgment because they did not want the wrath of God to break out among them. It seems like today we doubt this could even happen. For too long many have used the liberty ushered in by God's grace as a cloak for sins of themselves and others. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be!
I urge you friends, learn about the character of the God of the Bible. But the end is not knowledge, for it puffs up. Through the grace and love of God allow knowledge to take root in biblical truth. Don't settle for a second-hand relationship with God, living vicariously through the wisdom of others who have met with God. You need not settle for stories when you can have a living relationship with God in heaven. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Justice demanded the blood of a spotless Lamb, and Jesus paid that price. We see as in a mirror dimly, but soon we will see Him face to face. Let us do Him the honor of portraying God as He is: the Lion and the Lamb.
10 April 2010
An Imperishable Crown
I enjoy a very occasional game of golf from time to time. I would rather be playing golf than watching it on T.V. But when the PGA televises the Masters hosted at Augusta National in the spring, I always tune in if I can. There is no course more historic or well-designed in my opinion, nor a course more immaculately manicured. It seems almost every hole on the course comes with a nickname and a slice of history. For whatever reason, the hole placements and difficulty of the course brings out the best in golfers seeking the most-coveted of all major PGA championships. What is the prize these men compete for besides the purse money? A green jacket. When Phil Mickelson won his first, he admitted later he slept in the green jacket that night.
Here is a snippet from a Wikipedia post concerning the green jacket: "The green sport coat is the official attire worn by members of Augusta National while on the club grounds; each Masters winner becomes an honorary member of the club. Winners keep their jacket for the first year after their first victory, then return it to the club to wear whenever they visit...The green jacket is only allowed to be removed from Augusta National by the reigning champion, after which it must remain at the club."
This reminds me of 1 Cor. 9:24-27: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. [25] And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. [26] Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. [27] But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." No one just "happens" into a green jacket. Years of hard work, dedication, and expense goes into the earning of that green jacket. The Augusta National club does not just give those away. It is a highly-exclusive club, and there is no application process to become a member: it is by invitation only. One must qualify to play in the Masters, and only past winners have an automatic invitation extended to them the following year. At the end of all that hard work there awaits a green jacket, a jacket that over time will grow old, faded, and likely too small! Even if a man is buried in a green jacket, he will never get the satisfaction or status he received during life. It is a perishable crown. It is glory which fades and passes away.
If a man can discipline himself to wake up every morning and hit golf galls for the unlikely hope of a green jacket which he will only enjoy for a season, how much more should we strive for mastery of walking humbly, righteously, and godly in this present age - we who have been offered the exceedingly precious promises of God! 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you..." God has granted us this assurance through His own Son. Paul brought his body under submission, denying himself so God might have all the glory. He was not uncertain in his preparation and execution: he knew the will of God and did all in his physical power to achieve it. He lived a life fully committed to God in every aspect. We do not labor to obtain this crown, but are motivated by love of God for His wonderful gifts freely bestowed upon his children.
Only one person every year is awarded a green jacket as Master's Champion at Augusta National. God is exclusive in another way. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation through His shed blood is available to all people. You do not need to be a world-class golfer to qualify. Though any can respond to this gift of salvation through faith, there is only one way to receive: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes onto the Father but through Him. There are many cheap and expensive imitations, many options have been offered as substitutes, but there is only one way to heaven. The Way is exclusive, and that Way is Jesus. He is the Door to enter into God's heavenly sheepfold. Let us labor so hard according to God's grace that people might think we are working to earn heaven, though entrance to heaven is gained only through resting in Christ's finished work. No one should work harder at pleasing God than His own children.
Here is a snippet from a Wikipedia post concerning the green jacket: "The green sport coat is the official attire worn by members of Augusta National while on the club grounds; each Masters winner becomes an honorary member of the club. Winners keep their jacket for the first year after their first victory, then return it to the club to wear whenever they visit...The green jacket is only allowed to be removed from Augusta National by the reigning champion, after which it must remain at the club."
This reminds me of 1 Cor. 9:24-27: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. [25] And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. [26] Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. [27] But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." No one just "happens" into a green jacket. Years of hard work, dedication, and expense goes into the earning of that green jacket. The Augusta National club does not just give those away. It is a highly-exclusive club, and there is no application process to become a member: it is by invitation only. One must qualify to play in the Masters, and only past winners have an automatic invitation extended to them the following year. At the end of all that hard work there awaits a green jacket, a jacket that over time will grow old, faded, and likely too small! Even if a man is buried in a green jacket, he will never get the satisfaction or status he received during life. It is a perishable crown. It is glory which fades and passes away.
If a man can discipline himself to wake up every morning and hit golf galls for the unlikely hope of a green jacket which he will only enjoy for a season, how much more should we strive for mastery of walking humbly, righteously, and godly in this present age - we who have been offered the exceedingly precious promises of God! 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you..." God has granted us this assurance through His own Son. Paul brought his body under submission, denying himself so God might have all the glory. He was not uncertain in his preparation and execution: he knew the will of God and did all in his physical power to achieve it. He lived a life fully committed to God in every aspect. We do not labor to obtain this crown, but are motivated by love of God for His wonderful gifts freely bestowed upon his children.
Only one person every year is awarded a green jacket as Master's Champion at Augusta National. God is exclusive in another way. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation through His shed blood is available to all people. You do not need to be a world-class golfer to qualify. Though any can respond to this gift of salvation through faith, there is only one way to receive: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes onto the Father but through Him. There are many cheap and expensive imitations, many options have been offered as substitutes, but there is only one way to heaven. The Way is exclusive, and that Way is Jesus. He is the Door to enter into God's heavenly sheepfold. Let us labor so hard according to God's grace that people might think we are working to earn heaven, though entrance to heaven is gained only through resting in Christ's finished work. No one should work harder at pleasing God than His own children.
08 April 2010
What God Says, Speak!
For our family reading tonight after dinner, we read II Chronicles 18. King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked King Ahab of Israel to inquire of the LORD before a battle at Ramoth-Gilead. King Ahab had 400 "prophets" who were "yes" men. They always encouraged the king to do whatever he wanted. When Jehoshaphat heard these men speak he said, "Isn't there a real prophet of God we could speak to?" These men had props to illustrate their points, and were all in agreement. Could they possibly all be wrong? King Jehoshaphat was a godly king who sought the LORD and delighted to walk in His ways. He recognized they operated according to another spirit - a lying spirit who the true prophet Micaiah later revealed.
I admire men like Micaiah. He was told by King Ahab's messenger in so many words, "Alright Micaiah. All the prophets - and I mean all 400 of them - are all in agreement and speak well of the king's plans. Why can't you just agree with them? Please just go along with whatever they say." Micaiah's response is found in 2 Chron. 18:13: "As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak." This sets the bar very high. Forget "What Would Jesus Do:" how about "Say Whatever God Says!" James says that the tongue is a world of iniquity, full of deadly poison, and is set aflame by the fires of hell. He says in James 3:2, "...If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." Micaiah was not a perfect man, being born into sin. But he was a man who would speak whatever God spoke. He didn't just say what he thought needed to be said: he was a man who knew God and spoke His truth. Micaiah was not afraid of what King Ahab might think or do. He served God and sought to please Him.
The man who will speak fearlessly for God will be granted insights into God Himself. God is not seeking for the most creative, flashy, bold, or eloquent person to speak on His behalf. Listen to the testimony of Micaiah in 2 Chron. 18:18: "Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left." While Zedekiah pranced around with iron horns he had made promising great victory, Micaiah saw a vision of the heavenly realm. Who would you rather listen to? From whom would you expect the truth? After proclaiming the word of the LORD, Micaiah was arrested, placed in a prison, and fed with the food and water of affliction. I am confident that although he faced dreadful conditions, he was a man who had peace with God. God comforted Him in way that good food, a soft pillow, and a comfortable spot on the couch never could. God gave Micaiah rest for his soul. He was one of those referenced at the end of Hebrews 11 in the "Hall of Faith," a man whom through faith subdued lies, deceit, and wickedness. Of godly men such as these the world is not worthy, for they have found grace and a good report in God's sight.
As a preacher I must constantly affirm it is for God that I speak. I do not speak because I have truths hidden from the foundations of the world or I have thoughts which reach from the deepest depths to the highest heaven. I must never seek the accolades or praise of men. Instead, I must speak as God speaks, proclaiming boldly the words He has put in my mouth. I freely confess to you this is something I cannot do. I am a man: I want to be liked, I desire to be accepted. But because of the Holy Spirit who has filled, teaches, and guides me, He gives me strength to speak the truth motivated by love. It is very easy to say what everyone wants to hear. I praise God Jesus did not do that! I'm so thankful He didn't tell me that deep down I'm really a good person, and God wants to make me happy. I would be headed for hell without hope or knowledge of my certain destruction. His Word tells me there is none righteous, no not one. He also says the wages of sin is death. But if I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Jesus has ascended to heaven and is currently preparing a place for me and all who repent and trust in Him. I will never be separated from Him or His love for me.
Sometimes we have this idea that when we speak the truth we must be hard, gruff, and unfeeling. This is far from accurate. Jesus was a man who often spoke with tears in His eyes. I shouldn't wonder if Micaiah shed many tears over King Ahab and those false prophets, the blind leading the blind. A man who is close to God is profoundly affected by His love for all people, and that love is seen in every believer. Jesus has commanded we love others as He has loved us. Jesus wasn't interested in winning arguments or screaming matches. His primary focus was not on showing people how right He was and how wrong they were. He was pleading for the salvation of souls. He wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:42 "saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." Again He lamented in Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
If you will make Jesus your LORD and Messiah, a product of this relationship is He will grant you truth to share with the world. In His strength you will overcome! May we speak as He speaks and love as He loves. He is alive and unfailing. Let us resolve to speak righteously in the right manner.
I admire men like Micaiah. He was told by King Ahab's messenger in so many words, "Alright Micaiah. All the prophets - and I mean all 400 of them - are all in agreement and speak well of the king's plans. Why can't you just agree with them? Please just go along with whatever they say." Micaiah's response is found in 2 Chron. 18:13: "As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak." This sets the bar very high. Forget "What Would Jesus Do:" how about "Say Whatever God Says!" James says that the tongue is a world of iniquity, full of deadly poison, and is set aflame by the fires of hell. He says in James 3:2, "...If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." Micaiah was not a perfect man, being born into sin. But he was a man who would speak whatever God spoke. He didn't just say what he thought needed to be said: he was a man who knew God and spoke His truth. Micaiah was not afraid of what King Ahab might think or do. He served God and sought to please Him.
The man who will speak fearlessly for God will be granted insights into God Himself. God is not seeking for the most creative, flashy, bold, or eloquent person to speak on His behalf. Listen to the testimony of Micaiah in 2 Chron. 18:18: "Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left." While Zedekiah pranced around with iron horns he had made promising great victory, Micaiah saw a vision of the heavenly realm. Who would you rather listen to? From whom would you expect the truth? After proclaiming the word of the LORD, Micaiah was arrested, placed in a prison, and fed with the food and water of affliction. I am confident that although he faced dreadful conditions, he was a man who had peace with God. God comforted Him in way that good food, a soft pillow, and a comfortable spot on the couch never could. God gave Micaiah rest for his soul. He was one of those referenced at the end of Hebrews 11 in the "Hall of Faith," a man whom through faith subdued lies, deceit, and wickedness. Of godly men such as these the world is not worthy, for they have found grace and a good report in God's sight.
As a preacher I must constantly affirm it is for God that I speak. I do not speak because I have truths hidden from the foundations of the world or I have thoughts which reach from the deepest depths to the highest heaven. I must never seek the accolades or praise of men. Instead, I must speak as God speaks, proclaiming boldly the words He has put in my mouth. I freely confess to you this is something I cannot do. I am a man: I want to be liked, I desire to be accepted. But because of the Holy Spirit who has filled, teaches, and guides me, He gives me strength to speak the truth motivated by love. It is very easy to say what everyone wants to hear. I praise God Jesus did not do that! I'm so thankful He didn't tell me that deep down I'm really a good person, and God wants to make me happy. I would be headed for hell without hope or knowledge of my certain destruction. His Word tells me there is none righteous, no not one. He also says the wages of sin is death. But if I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Jesus has ascended to heaven and is currently preparing a place for me and all who repent and trust in Him. I will never be separated from Him or His love for me.
Sometimes we have this idea that when we speak the truth we must be hard, gruff, and unfeeling. This is far from accurate. Jesus was a man who often spoke with tears in His eyes. I shouldn't wonder if Micaiah shed many tears over King Ahab and those false prophets, the blind leading the blind. A man who is close to God is profoundly affected by His love for all people, and that love is seen in every believer. Jesus has commanded we love others as He has loved us. Jesus wasn't interested in winning arguments or screaming matches. His primary focus was not on showing people how right He was and how wrong they were. He was pleading for the salvation of souls. He wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:42 "saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." Again He lamented in Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
If you will make Jesus your LORD and Messiah, a product of this relationship is He will grant you truth to share with the world. In His strength you will overcome! May we speak as He speaks and love as He loves. He is alive and unfailing. Let us resolve to speak righteously in the right manner.
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