Obedience For Our Good

There is nothing more practical to living an abundant life than faith in Jesus Christ.  A problem arises when we reduce the reality of relationship with the living God to a selfish utilitarian exercise, that God exists primarily for our benefit than we do for His good pleasure.  Since our flesh is steeped in a humanistic and self-focused world, it is easy for worldly thoughts and feelings to have sway within us.  It is important to examine our motives in what we choose to do or avoid because there is a massive difference between action to earn blessing from God or actions because we are already blessed by God.

Some people put great emphasis on trying to explain why God's command "actually makes sense" according to modern science or medical discoveries.  I reject the premise that God's commands in Law of Moses were reasonable because they unwittingly benefited the Hebrews--for instance how their restrictive diet helped them avoid dangerous foods.  God is the God of reason and created man to do so, and thus every command of God is reasonable whether we understand how it benefits us or not.  God explicitly stated His commands were for the good of His people in Deuteronomy 10:12-13:  "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³ and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?"  Whether or not we can measure the benefit of obedience to God with scientific or medical data, it is always good for us to obey God.  Does God need a man to justify Him?

This draw to use a humanistic gauge concerning reasons for avoiding sin is also prevalent.  J. Vernon McGee observed in his commentary Thru the Bible:

"We sometimes get a wrong perspective of sin and our actions.  We think only of the effect that it is going to have.  There are many men and women in our churches who will not take a stand on certain issues.  Why?  Well, the little crowd they run with may not accept them.  They are with a little clique, and they don't dare stand for anything that the little clique wouldn't stand for.  It is never a question of whether it is right or wrong; it's a question of whether it ingratiates them to the crowd.  God have mercy on Christians who shape their lives by those who are around them and who are constantly looking for the effect their conduct is going to have on others.  They do not look on whether this is the right thing or the Christian thing or whether as a child of God this is something they should or should not do...It is a wonderful thing to stand for the truth, and when you stand for it, then you don't have to compromise." (McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee. T. Nelson, 1983. page 140)

How sin negatively impacts our own lives can be a deterrent to sin, but it is not enough of a reason to change us; as Christians it ought not be our primary reason.  We miss the point if the main thing that restrains us from hitting a co-worker in a rage is because we want to avoid jail, or we cut down excessive alcohol drinking every night because we don't want to lose our job or have a spouse leave us.  It is true sinful behaviour has negative consequences, and on the flip side God's commands are for our good.  The child of God ought to obey God our Father in light of His goodness, righteousness, sovereignty, justice and wisdom rather than motivated by fear of personal, negative repercussions for our sinful violence or the embarrassment someone will find out we're an alcoholic.  God goes beyond the surface evidence of words and actions and hones in on the condition of our hearts we ought to submit in faith by obedience to Him.

By God's grace we can go beyond justifying why God's commands are sensible and beneficial to childlike faith--even when we suffer for it and obedience is costly.  In the fear and love of God we have the privilege to know Him and walk in His ways, to serve Him with our heart and all our being.  As we obey the word of God we are kept in the right way, and all God's commands are for our good.

The Inevitable Judgment of God

I have been reading through Old Testament prophets and coming judgment is a common theme.  What might surprise people is the testimony of God's prophets were not so much an indictment against the heathen but focused primarily upon the judgment God would bring upon the Jewish nation, His chosen people with whom He made a covenant.  The apostle wrote in 1 Peter 4:17, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"  Peter's words affirm God's judgment of His people should not be relegated to the Mosaic covenant but is presently in full force in our age of the Gospel of grace.

It is imperative every man know, even in our post-Christianity world, every one of us will face the judgment of God in this life on earth and in the life to come.  Whether we preach from a pulpit or speak to a man on the street, we are addressing people who will experience personally the judgment of God.  It could be the judgment for sins committed or for the totality of our lives on earth:  a judgment of full reward or loss preceding eternal life, and a judgment that results in eternal death for sinners without the Saviour Jesus Christ.  Peter said it was time for judgment to begin with the house of God, and thus we must put our own lives and house in order before the living God who will judge all the earth.

Francis A. Schaeffer claimed decades ago he was living in a post-Christian world, and he used examples from the prophets in the past to suggest this was currently also the case among God's people in the church.  I believe many of his observations and claims have merit.  Since the Jewish kings, governors, priests and people refused to heed the message of judgment from prophets sent by God, it is possible and likely many people in the church who identify as Christians reject necessary messages of judgment today.  Schaeffer wrote in his book Death in the City in relation to churches departing from the orthodoxy of faith in Jesus Christ and God's word:

"And we as Christians today, what are we saying?  We are saying that we want reformation and we want revival, but still we are not preaching into this generation, stating the negative things that are necessary.  If there is to be a constructive revolution in the orthodox, evangelical church, then like Jeremiah we must speak of the judgment of individual men great and small, of the church, the state, and the culture, for many of them have known the truth of God and have turned away from Him and His propositional revelation.  God exists, He is holy, and we must know that there will be judgment.  And like Jeremiah, we must keep on so speaking regardless of the cost to ourselves." (Schaeffer, Francis A. Death in the City. CROSSWAY BOOKS, 2021. page 78)

It may be Schaeffer gives too much credit, for I do not know many people who are crying out for reformation and revival.  The hope of many might be for a more comfortable life now and the avoidance eternal judgment in hell--if it indeed exists.  It has become painfully obvious to me some Christians have no idea how to deal with the topic or word "hell" except to avoid it unless spoken as a mild expletive.  A doctor understands the need to state the negative things to an ill patient so they might be helped to recover.  The minds of people must be convinced by evidence to change a diet or lifestyle, and often it is the clearly stated inevitable bad outcomes that has turned the health and lives of many around.  Pastors and Christians ought to learn this lesson as well, not to coerce or manipulate our hearers by fearful threats, but by warnings out of love that point to Jesus Christ as our Saviour we all desperately need.

Knowing we Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ prompts us to consider our ways and words today.  If Jesus and the prophets did not shy away from the subject of God's judgment, should we?  I urge caution upon those who speak presumptuously, ascribing God's judgment for reasons God has not expressly stated.  When Pilate ordered the execution of Galileans or the tower of Siloam fell and tragically people died, perhaps some presumptuously claimed it was God's judgment for Jews breaking the Sabbath or neglecting to tithe of their firstfruits according to the Law of Moses.  Jesus did not say anything about why God allowed such tragedies.  He simply followed up by saying to children of Abraham:  "Except you repent, you will likewise perish."  The Bible reveals God judges nations, cities, families and people without exception.  1 Corinthians 11:31 makes the message of judgment individual and personal for Christians God chastens, not for our destruction but ultimate restoration:  "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged."

Knowing and Glorying in God

"You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you say, "In what way have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?"

Malachi 2:17

The LORD of hosts who keeps Israel does not slumber or sleep, yet He was wearied by the words of His people.  He pointed out two specific ways God was tired of the claims made by His priests and people.  Previously in the passage God critiqued His people for their treacherous conduct with family members, how they profaned the holiness of God by mixed marriages to idolators and how they treacherously divorced their wives.  To deal treacherously is to have broken faith, to go back on their promises and vows they had made.

God was wearied by people who justified themselves, even distorting God's word to approve of what was sinful.  As God's chosen people they imagined they were good and pleasing in the eyes of God when they chose to disobey His commands.  Today some have the same view, that because God is loving, gracious and merciful it causes Him to dismiss their sinfulness and overlook transgression.  This is a lie.  They also wondered why the wicked seemed to prosper and wrongly attributed it to God's approval.  God does not delight in those who do evil, for He is just.  As it is written in Psalm 7:11, "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day."  God's love, anger and justice all compliment one another rather than contradict.  God was tired of the lies and hypocrisy of God's people, and unless they repented He would take action to judge those who did evil--regardless of their spiritual calling.

The LORD was also wearied by His people words who asked, "Where is the God of justice?"  God had not abandoned His people, but it was they who departed from Him by lack of faith and disobedience.  They wondered why He was negligent to take action against the wicked and did not comprehend their wickedness rivaled that of the heathen despite having His presence in their midst and righteous laws.  Imagine, God's unjust and treacherous people criticising the just Judge and God of all the earth!  As they had become weary of God's service, He was weary of them for their faithless, hopeless view of Him.  In due time God's judgment would come upon the wicked, and He included the hypocrites among His own people.

In Isaiah 1 God said He was also weary with feasts, fasts and prolonged prayers by people who did evil rather than repenting of and ceasing to sin, seeking judgment, relieving the oppressed and pleading for the widow.  God delights in those who delight in Him and His word, who seek God to do His will.   Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴ but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."  Those who delight in the  knowledge of the LORD will glory in Him, knowing He sovereignly executes lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth.  Instead of wearying God with words filled with doubt, let us delight in the revelation of God in His word and do what He delights in.

Speaking of Jesus

"But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. ⁵ And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Genesis 33:4-5

Jacob had many reasons to be concerned when meeting his brother Esau after being away for 20 years.  When Jacob departed years prior, Esau comforted himself with a plan to murder Jacob for stealing his blessing.  Upon his return Jacob sent droves of animals as presents and bowed himself to the ground 7 times to give honour and respect as a servant to a master.  Esau shed any regal bearing and ran to his brother, embraced him like a beloved friend and they wept tears of joy.  When Esau asked who the women and children who accompanied Jacob were he answered, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Jacob returned from his uncle Laban's house a changed man, having been touched and blessed by God who was with him all those years.  I am impressed how Jacob was forthright about God and His grace to give him a large family to someone who, based upon his character in scripture, could be called a heathen.  It takes boldness, courage and faith in God to give Him credit and honour before people who do not regard Him.  History tells us the people of Edom, descendants of Esau, worshipped many idols.  This did not deter Jacob from plainly crediting God as his provider and gracious giver of all he possessed.

I have witnessed a persistent tendency over the years (and I include myself) to carefully adapt our language to those around us.  I have seen working men marked by salty language clean up their conversation during a formal dinner.  Children shouting obscenities on the playground can speak very differently when their strict parents are present.  I have observed people entirely change their manner of speaking when they discover I am a pastor.  In the same way people change their language to suit their perceived audience, Christians can strike mentions of Jesus from our vocabulary because the people we address do not believe or trust in Him.  We can be intimidated to speak of God to those who deny His existence while we might freely share with Christians.  Jacob's examples demonstrates this ought not to be.

Brother and sister in Christ, let us be ones who say the name of Jesus and extol the awesome glory and virtue of our God who has graciously given us all things.  Everything we have is a gift from God, and thus there is no shortage of things to express our thanksgiving to God to others regardless of their opinions.  If we restrict our mentions of God to those who already know Him, how can others come to know Him?  By faith in God let us be bold and courageous to humbly credit God with praise for all we have regardless to whom we speak.  If we would have Jesus confess us before the Father and angels we have not seen, we can rejoice to speak His name to those we meet--even when they don't know or fear Him.