The Standard of the Believer
Jno 17:3– “This is life eternal, that they may know Thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent..”
Throughout the Bible, both by command and statement, man is urged to “know God”.
In Hosea, the prophet’s lament was that there “is no knowledge of God” in the
land. (Hos 4:1), and that the people were destroyed “for lack of knowledge” (v.
6). Over and over, God reveals Himself to man so that man CAN “know” Him. It is
obvious that “knowing” God involves 1) an awareness of WHO He is 2) and an
ongoing relationship with Him (Jer. 22:16 –“...did not thy father eat and drink,
and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? He judged the cause
of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? Saith
the Lord?”) God wants us to be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4),
which involves “escaping the corruption that is in the world”. Such a course
requires a previous knowledge of that nature–part of what it means to “know”
God.
When called upon to act in specific ways, our eyes are directed toward God, and
we must use Him as our model:
Of holiness – “AS He which hath called you is holy, SO be ye holy in all
manner of living..” (1 Pet 1:15)
Of perfection – “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)
Of purity – “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even AS
He is pure..” (1 Jno 3:3)
It is the desire of heaven that we “should follow His steps” (1 Pet 2:21)
Knowing and Obeying God is the settled aim of the believer. Changing one’s
character and conduct to conform to the image of God is the ambition of his
life. Accomplishing this goal is the substance of his hope.
ALL men will bow before God (either now, or at the judgment–Phil 2:9-11), but
only those who “KNOW” Him will be welcomed “home”.
Too many of us are willing to “settle” for a lower standard by which to live,
and so are doomed to lose everything. “Life eternal” depends upon knowing God.
The TRUE BELIEVER looks upward, finding in the mind and character of God the
ONLY pattern worth imitating, and attaining to it the only goal worth striving
for. Honestly now, are YOU a true believer?
–AcBelue
But He Never Enlisted…
He served in the Army but "he isn't a soldier" We believe there is a lesson in
the following AP report:
"An Army spokesman said Friday that 15 year old Walter Lee Martin is not
recognized as a soldier -- despite two periods of
serving in Vietnam--because he did not enlist, was not drafted, and did not enter the Army through any regular means. ‘He
was not officially in, did not officially enlist or enter through any normal means,’ Barrante said. ‘He was, in fact, not a soldier.
He isn't a
soldier.’”
Two periods of service in Vietnam, twice wounded in action; yet, no purple
hearts, no honorable discharge, no veteran's benefits; he did not legally
enlist.
This reminds us of a host of men and women whom we have observed serving among
the soldiers of the army of the Lord. They serve faithfully and even
sacrificially. They reject the sins of the flesh and live a pure life. They
attend services regularly, give liberally of their money, and are ready to every
good work. They often study the Bible, defend the truth, and attack error.
Often, they are outstanding in their performance as soldiers, except that they
have never enlisted!
The “Captain of our salvation” knew in advance there would be such individuals.
He warned of the fate they may expect – “many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity’” (Mt. 7:22-23). What a
pity to spend a lifetime enduring “hardships as a good soldier” only to miss the
“veteran benefits” because of a failure to enlist.
There was no way that the young man described above could have legally enlisted,
he was ineligible. But anyone who is a sinner can enlist in the army of the Lord
if he is willing to leave his sins. The conditions are simple: “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). “Repent ye, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). –Sewell Hall
GOD NEVER ASKED ABOUT OUR ABILITY OR INABILITY, BUT OUR AVAILABILITY!
Are You A Careful Reader?
God is a careful writer. The Bible suggests that not only the word of God as a
whole but even the words that God used were chosen by Him. The apostle Paul
described inspired teaching when he said, “These things we also speak […] in
words […] which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual” (1Co. 2:13). How God guided the words of scripture while still
allowing the various personalities of the human authors to remain in the text is
a mystery we may not fully understand, but the revelation of God demands that we
accept that these words are indeed His.
The extent to which God directed the words of scripture is evident in the
textual arguments that Jesus and the apostles made. For instance, Jesus offered
proof of the resurrection by appealing to the tense of a word in the Old
Testament (Mt. 22:32). Paul argued that a singular form of the word seed was a
deliberate choice by the Holy Spirit to foreshadow the coming of Christ (Ga.
3:16). These facts require us to admit that “all scripture is God-breathed”
(2Ti. 3:16).
God is a careful writer; therefore, we ought to be careful readers. If we
believe the Bible is inspired by God, we must also believe that it is intended
to instruct us. The Bible is not a collection of love letters from God to man,
nor is it merely a compilation of wise sayings and general guidelines for
mankind. The Bible is an authoritative text by which we are to direct our lives.
Its message is intended to save us, but it can only do its saving work in the
lives of those who respond to it humbly, penitently, and obediently. “Therefore
lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness
the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word,
and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:21-22).
Paul said, “[W]hen you read, you may
understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4). Are we reading our
Bibles carefully? Are we reading them thoroughly and frequently? Are we giving
careful attention to the things that have been written for our learning? The
very words of scripture have divinely appointed significance. We would do well
to study them carefully and meditate on them day and night. –The Editors
ONE FINAL THOUGHT:
THOUGHTS ON SERVICE AND THE SERVANT’S HEART
There is a fundamental difference in attitude between the one who selfishly
consents to serve others when he finds it expedient to do so and the one who
selflessly presents himself as a slave to purpose of God in ministering to
others. The selfish server commends himself for his sacrificial humility in
ministering (cf. Luke 18:11-12). The selfless slave sees himself as merely
performing his duty to those he esteems better than himself. “Let nothing be
done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which
was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5).
Jesus didn’t serve our needs when He found it easy to do so; He chose to become
a servant and to take upon Himself the awful burden that we could never bear.
Now He calls each of us to willingly choose to do the same. Yes, it will
sometimes be inconvenient. Yes, from time to time we will be taken advantage of,
our goodwill exploited by those we seek to help. But in suffering these minor
grievances, we will be following in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if
anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in
himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load”
(Galatians 6:2-5). -JME