The Testimony of Obedience

It's a crazy reality that people who believe in God can assume they know better than God.  This is not anything a sane person would claim from an objective basis, but let's face it:  we don't always live our beliefs.  We may say we trust God, but the fact we worry or give place to fear in our lives says otherwise.  We can protest all we want in this matter, but our strongest refutations resemble Peter spewing oaths around the fire he didn't know Jesus.  All we have to do is take an honest look at ourselves and make eye contact with the loving yet piercing eyes of Jesus to know we have fallen short of flawless faith.  We have presumed much and trusted little.  We have chosen to do what was right in our own eyes rather than simply obeying Him.

There is an interesting interaction Jesus had at the end of Mark 1 which always baffled me as a young Christian.  In context Jesus had called His disciples, healed people of diseases, and cast out demons.  Because the demons "knew Him" He did not permit them to speak as they were expelled.  He had a plan to reveal Himself in due time without the testimony of unclean spirits.  The people were amazed at His doctrine and authority He had over evil spirits, for they obeyed the commands of Jesus without fail.  When Jesus said, "Be silent and come out of him" the demons did (Mark 1:25-27).  This was unheard of, and the fame of Jesus began to spread throughout the region.

The chapter ends when Jesus was approached by a leper, someone who was deemed unclean and ostracised in society.  The fact he risked approaching Jesus demonstrates his belief Jesus had the power to heal him.  Mark 1:40-45 reads, "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." ⁴¹ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." ⁴² As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. ⁴³ And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, ⁴⁴ and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." ⁴⁵ However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction."

The thing which always confused me was, "Why didn't Jesus want the man to spread the word about what Jesus had done?  It seems like a good thing to tell others about Jesus."  The irony in reading this passage in context is the demons obeyed Jesus and were silent, but the man who came to Jesus for healing was disobedient to His strict commands.  Jesus gave several direct commands to the healed man:  say nothing to anyone, present yourself before the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things Moses commanded in the Law.  Reading from this text alone it seems the man did not obey a thing Jesus said.  Verse 45 begins with "however" suggesting his actions were a contrast from what Jesus commanded.  The healed man proclaimed freely the miracle Jesus performed and took intentional steps to spread the news.  There is no mention if he ever went to the priest or provided the sacrifice as a testimony to them commanded in Leviticus 13 & 14.  It seems he was more interested in telling his story and his notoriety than obeying the commands of Jesus.  The man could have claimed to have faith in Jesus and certainly had a miraculous experience with Him, but his choices showed he did not love Jesus.  The man desired to testify with his mouth what he thought best, but the testimony of obedience commanded by Christ was lacking.

The demons recognised the authority of Jesus and obeyed Him because they had to, but this man blessed with healing by the compassionate touch of Christ chose to disregard His commands.  Jesus healed the man even though He knew the man's heart.  Jesus commanded the man to offer a sacrifice, but it seems the man shrugged it off.  The prophet Samuel said, "To obey is better than sacrifice," and sometimes Jesus commanded His followers to make sacrifices - shockingly even in obedience to the Law.  Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."  When we walk in obedience to Jesus we abide in His love, even as Jesus always kept His Father's commandments.  Jesus has given us a new covenant, that we love one another.  Against such there is no law.  Love speaks and will also remain silent according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Love does not promote self or imagine I know better than Jesus.  We are under no such command of silence as the ex-leper was, but we are called to love God and others as Jesus loves us.  Let's trust God's Word, and whatever Jesus says to us let us do it without excuses.  Obedience to Jesus will always come at a cost, but the cost of disobedience is far higher - even when we think our way makes more sense.

The Stealth Test

When trials or struggles happen in the life of a Christian, we recall to mind how God uses our circumstances to test us.  We see this in the Old Testament when the children of Israel did not completely drive out their enemies from the land.  Because they were not faithful to obey God in this matter, God chose to allow enemies to remain.  He said in Judges 2:21-22, "I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, ²² so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not."  God uses opposition, pain, and enemies to put us to the test, to see if we will trust and obey God or not.

Tests are not limited to hard times, however.  Other portions of the Bible make it clear tests from God can occur when all seems to be going smoothly.  One such example is seen in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah.  God had wrought His wonders in the land by destroying the Assyrian arm, healed him from a deadly disease, and extended his life 15 years.  Emissaries came with letters from the king of Babylon and a present for King Hezekiah.  They came to inquire about the wonder done in the land, for no one had withstood the Assyrian onslaught.  Hezekiah was quick to spread threatening letters before the LORD in fervent prayer, but when he received a friendly letter from the King of Babylon no divine guidance was sought.  King Hezekiah was pleased with the audience of ambassadors and proceeded to show them all the treasures of his kingdom without concern.

The men sent to congratulate King Hezekiah with a gift were a test from God, even as bloodthirsty enemies who sought to destroy Israel in Joshua's day.  Hezekiah passed the humility test when he was helpless, but when faced with the stealth test of fame and recognition he failed.  2 Chronicles 32:31 contrasted Hezekiah's dealings with the ambassadors of Babylon with all notable good accomplished during his reign:  "However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart."  Both in times of hardship and plenty God tests the hearts of men, and pride renders us senseless to recognise these tests.  It is only through a posture of humility and reliance upon God in faith where we find grace to walk in the way which pleases God.

What test are you more apt to pass:  a test comprised of hardship or flattery, one of warfare or ease?  Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we endure and stand strong in the LORD and the power of His might.  

When You’re Not “The Man”

There’s something inside every person which wants to be noticed, even recognised by others as exceptional.  I remember laughing to myself during a scene in Tom Cruise’s “Minority Report” where a man paid to have a virtual experience with people shouting the affirmation, “You’re the man!” despite his denials of false humility.  Dropping coin for compliments is not manly to be sure, yet he was willing to pay a price to be called “the man” even for a few fleeting moments.  Deep inside I’m sure the man knew he wasn’t “the man,” nor would he ever be.  His conscience could never agree fully with assessment, as much as he coveted the title.

No matter what a man’s accomplishments or successes, he will always be simply a man.  All men are born and die, leaving only a fading memory which is forgotten and lost over time.  It is common for people to assume we can find lasting satisfaction and significance through our efforts or career advancement.  But no matter how high we climb or soar, we are never able to measure up to the desperate longing of our souls for fulfillment.  Pride comes before a fall, and any aspirations in thinking we are something leads to the grave with everyone else.

There is only one person who can be aptly termed “the Man”:  the God-man Jesus Christ.  After He was born of a virgin, lived a life free from sin, did many signs and miracles, and preached the Kingdom of God, He was betrayed by a follower and crucified as He predicted.  Before He was led to the cross He was scourged by the Romans and presented by Pilate before the mad crowd.  John 19:5 says, “Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!"  There He was, not the man any person aspires to be.  He was a mess of blood and the object of scorn and ridicule, despised and rejected by His own.  Jesus did not protest or say a word, because what Pilate said was true.  He was the Man sent to seek and to save the lost, the true Messiah, the One who would three days later rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and will someday return to rule in righteousness.  Jesus is indeed “the Man” and wise men will view Him as such.  He humbled Himself more than any other man and so God has exalted Him above all.

No man ought to think more highly of himself than he ought, and in recognising Jesus Christ as “the Man” we can be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the men and women God created us to be.  It is only by faith in Jesus Christ we discover the purpose and significance we thirst for.  Seeking fulfillment in this life through earthly pursuits is the equivalent of a dog vainly spinning in circles trying to bite his own tail, a donkey carrying a heavy burden that never is able to sink his teeth into the carrot being dangled before him.  Praise God Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  There is no lasting satisfaction apart from Him.  Everything else is vanity and grasping for the wind.

All For God

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

What does it mean to do something for the glory of God?  Jesus said if any man desire to come after Him, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him.  Self-denial compelled by love for God's sake, even in a decision so trivial as what we choose to eat and drink, brings honour to our worthy Saviour.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can be intentional in doing anything in obedience to the LORD in denial of our own desires or for the benefit of others.  We know when to do or not do something is our natural inclination, and when we choose God's way in any matter He is free to work in and through us.

Isn't it amazing we can bring glory to our God in the simplest of choices?  Whatever we do can be an offering of praise and love unto the LORD.  Even the satisfaction of temporal necessities can be divinely converted into eternal gain and glory for God.  No longer are we to be governed by the opinions of men, a desire to please others or measure up to an arbitrary standard, or pressured by guilt to conform:  we who have been transformed by the indwelling Spirit are quickened to will and do God's good pleasure.  The children of Israel fasted for months at a time, but God revealed it was for them and not for God because when they chose to eat and drink it was not unto Him (Zech. 7:5-6).

Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33, "Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."  Paul lived for the glory of God, and his labours for God were governed by God's love and grace.  He did not seek His own profit but the profit of many.  In the smallest decisions of our lives, even in the matter of what we choose to eat or drink, do we seek to give God glory?  How amazing is that?  What opportunities God has provided us in this life to honour and glorify Him!  If we eat and drink unto ourselves, which is a very small thing in the scope of eternity, how can we say we live for God's glory in the "big" things?  Those who are faithful over a little will also be faithful over much (Luke 19:17).