Be careful

”Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work” (Psalm 62: 12).
When God created Adam and Eve, they had the prospect of living in the paradise forever. However, God commanded them not to eat of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2: 17). But when the devil came as a serpent, he coaxed them into believing that God deceived them. Of course, they had to make a choice: to obey God’s command or Satan’s. Unfortunately, they made the wrong decision which had an impact on the human race.
It is interesting to note that God did not make them to become like robots. He gave them freewill. But when they turned against God, they showed that they could live without Him. Thank God for His wonderful gift of salvation; the human race is once again opportuned to live in paradise again.
However, our lives are a major determinant of where we’ll spend eternity. Someone has said that each day we are building the house which we will occupy during eternity. We all have choices to make: to accept Jesus and have eternal life or to accept Satan and have eternal damnation. The current world events are clear indicators that the coming of Christ is near. Christians earnestly hope for this return in order to be glorified with Him. (Romans 8: 19). But unfortunately, many would be disappointed on that fateful day. The Bible continues to warn Christians to be careful. We are God’s representatives here on earth. Our focus is on Christ as the goal, on the crown of glory, on the throne we shall share with Christ when He comes. Nothing is more painful than living a righteous life and being cast away at the end, because of some unconfessed sin. Nobody wants this to happen. But we have to check our spiritual lives to ensure that we are on track.
Many Christians believe that preaching the Gospel and paying of tithes and offerings are not compulsory as long as our attitude speaks. This is an erroneous belief. The Bible says that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”(Romans 10: 17). We think that these things are not important, when God’s word show it as a command (Matthew 28: 19; Malachi 3: 8-9). When Christians withhold tithes, it hinders the work of the Lord and the gospel is not preached.
Again all Christians are warned against idolatry. The seriousness attached to this cannot be over-emphasized. It was repeated throughout the Scriptures. God hates all forms of idolatry. He brought severe punishments on the Israelites whenever they worshipped idols. In the New Testament John admonished Christians to keep themselves from idols (1 John 5: 21). He knew that Christians could not possibly set up idols as the Israelites did. But he knew that idols could be set up in the heart of men. Anything that takes the place of God in one’s life is an idol. The glory of God should be the aim of every Christian’s dealings. We can conclude that idolatry begets greed. When the love of money is central in a person’s heart, the idol of money has been set up in his heart. The Bible tells us that those who commit idolatry will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5: 20, 21).
It is therefore expedient that Christians should be very careful in all their dealings especially these days. We should all strive to enter the Kingdom of God which is of exceedingly greater importance than anything else. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12: 1); so that in the end we can have perfect peace in Christ Jesus.

 

Are persecutions and sufferings necessary parts of the Christian life?

All Christians who are fully committed to the Lord will at some time suffer persecution for His name’s sake (Mark 10: 29, 30; 2 Timothy 3: 12). And this is because the world hates the Lord Jesus Christ; therefore it hates those who are serving Him as well (John 15: 18; 1 John 3: 13).
Persecution does not necessarily involve physical danger and harm. Sometimes it takes the form of open ridicule. It may involve social ostracism. Perhaps it will be reflected in job discrimination. All these are continuing reminders that the servant is not greater than his Lord (John 13: 16; 15: 20).
It is one thing to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5: 10) and to suffer as a Christian (1 Peter 4: 16). But it is also possible that sometimes a Christian suffers persecution because of unwise decisions on his part. When he witnesses to his faith, a Christian must be careful not to be abrasive or condemnatory. He ought not to give the impression that he welcomes persecutions and mistreatment. We are cautioned that even “matyrdom” is unprofitable if it is not properly motivated by love (1 Corinthians 13: 3).

 

Defying the true God (Daniel 5: 2-4 KJV).

Of all the proud gestures of godless defiance recorded in human history, Belshazzar’s feast was one of the worst. Shut up in his palace, he probably thought Babylon was impregnable. He showed his contempt for the Persian invaders by celebrating with his harem and a thousand of his lords and their ladies.
The Hebrew indicates that Belshazzar was just tasting the wine in the sense of judging it for its flavour, aroma, and other qualities. However, it took a little alcohol to rob the king of his mental and moral vigour. Otherwise, he probably would not have commanded such sacrilege as to have the people drink from the gold vessels taken from the Temple in Jerusalem.
Though he knew how God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar, he had refused to learn anything from it. His desecration of the holy vessels from Jerusalem was a deliberate act by which he knowingly defied the living God, the God who is the very source of life and breadth, and the Giver of all he had. The handwriting on the wall came as a testimony against the king. In the night, he received his judgement.

The Bible warns rulers not to drink alcoholic beverages, “lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgement of any of the afflicted”(Proverbs 31: 5). This can be applied to anyone who is concerned about the rights of others and the glory of God. We may not be asked to guard a kingdom like Belshazzar, but we are the guardians of the souls of men. It is worthwhile to note that the same divine hand which had previously written the two tablets of the Law for God’s people and which later wrote on the ground in defense of a poor, fallen, but penitent woman, now writes the death knell of Belshazzar and proclaims his doom. Without previous warning, without being accompanied by terrifying thunder and lightening, the judgement of God fell and he was slain (Daniel 5: 30). The profanation of sacred things brought down the swift displeasure of JEHOVAH. Sometimes God’s judgements seem slow, but sometimes they may be surprisingly swift and sudden.

“Seeing then, how it went with this man, is there not reason for us to be a little anxious about how we stand in the celestial records? He was a heathen prince, and had not half our light and opportunities; we are the children of Christian lands and homes, reared under the sound of Christian-going bells, and familiar with all sacred knowledge from our infancy. He had but one great example to influence and direct him, we have thousands of them, and the ministers of many ages and divers dispensations… If ‘mene, mene, tekel, upharsin’ was written against the heathen Belshazzar, what, suppose ye, stands written today against those who so well know their duty, but do it not?” -Joseph A. Seiss

 

How should ridicule and opposition of the world be met by Christians?

The weapons of mockery, sarcasm, and ridicule were employed in an effort to demoralize Nehemiah and his builders. Despite the invective and threat, the work continued until the wall was half completed. The reason for the rapid progress was because “the people had a mind to work”. They refused to sit and mope over their difficulties. They didn’t spend their time in mere talk and faultfinding. Having a commission from God, having commended the work to God in prayer, having commenced the work in faith, the success of the project was certain as far as they were concerned.

In the face of opposition, derision, contempt, ridicule, misunderstanding, and indifference, we must pray and press on. Has not God warned us that in the last days there will come enemies who will mock (Jude 18)? These enemies ridicule the message we preach relative to the efficacy of the blood of Christ to secure our salvation. They scoff at our belief in the Lord’s return. They mock the ministry of the Holy Spirit. True servants of the Lord will find a mocking world about them. But “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4: 4).
The work of restoration was undergirded by prayer, the tasks were distributed to labourers by prayer, and opposition was overcome by prayer. What an example to the Church today!

 

Trusting in the Lord.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” Isaiah 26: 3-4.
These two verses of the scriptures form the basis of Christians trust in God. Trust, in its literal meaning, is the firm belief in the reliability, truth or strength of a person or thing. Everyone of us has trusted somebody or something at one time or the other. We trust drivers with our lives when we allow them to drive us to our various destinations, we trust our spouse; that’s why we remain loyal to them, hoping that they will reciprocate that commitment.

The human race today is ravaged by conflicts like never before. There are so many societal vices, job insecurity, indiscipline of the highest order, unemployment, etc. We tend to rely on someone or something which we think will alleviate our sufferings (If not totally eradicated).
But God knows our problems. He is able to sustain us. All we have to do is to trust Him and not to work an unscriptural deliverance for ourselves (Proverbs 3: 5).
Some people may ask: “what would you do if He should fail in helping you?”. To be frank, that cannot happen, as long as we trust in Him and do not live in sin. But if we were to forsake Him, the fountain of living waters and to hew out to ourselves broken cisterns which cannot hold water, by trusting in an arm of flesh; then we call upon Him in vain (Psalm 66: 18).
But the Lord has never failed us. We should be full of trust, and of good courage, though the storms of life may rage. If we seek to work for God and we know the blessedness of looking truly to God alone, and trusting in Him alone, we would see how soul-refreshing this way is. Earthly friends may alter their minds regarding the work in which we have been engaged; but if indeed we work for God, He will not alter His mind. Earthly friends may lose their ability to help us, no matter how hard they try to, but He remains throughout eternity the infinitely Rich One. Earthly friends may have their minds diverted to other things. He is able in all directions, to supply all that can possibly be needed, and does it with delight, where His work is carried on, and where He is confided in. Earthly friends may be removed by death; and thus we may lose their help, but He lives forever. If we have a large responsibility before us, we should be comforted that God is aware of it all, and it is for the glory of His name, for the good of the Church and the unconverted world. We should be willing to go this way, and to do it to the end of our course.

 

Giving thanks

“I will praise thee with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto thee” (Psalm 138: 1 KJV). Everyone of us has probably appreciated what others have done for us, we thank them for their kind gesture towards us. We also keep memories of the good deeds others have done to us.

The Psalmist knew the essence of praising God. He had the boldness to sing unto God even if he was among the heathen. He knew the wondrous works of God. Even Jesus Christ thanked God because He had a firm assurance that God has answered Him even before He asks anything. His faith did not waver because He knew that when He thanks God, His requests will be granted Him.

Philippians 4: 6 teaches that thanksgiving constitutes the lifeblood of Christian’s prayer. Giving of thanks to God opens up the channel in which we can communicate our needs to Him. When Jesus was to feed a multitude of hungry and weary people, He gave thanks before He have them bread. (Matthew 15: 36).
Our task is to glorify God no matter the circumstances. Thanksgiving stirs up the hand of God to work mightily in one’s life. The fulness of His Majesty would be revealed in every area of our lives- only if we praise Him. His presence and glory will be made manifest.

The most important reason to thank God is because of the fact that He sent Jesus Christ to redeem us from our sins. We have direct fellowship with God through honest confession and repentance of our sins. Even if we don’t have any other thing to thank Him for, we should thank Him because we have hope of eternal life, which is of exceedingly greater importance in comparison to secular achievements.
It is worthwhile to note that thanksgiving does not only incur God’s blessings, it is also an important weapon to fight against our enemies. When Jehoshaphat was confronted by enemies, he set up singers to sing unto the Lord. In the end, total victory was theirs (2 Chronicles 20: 19).
If we can lift up our hearts to praise the name of the Lord exclusively, we would continue to enjoy God’s divine providence and our lives would be modified for the better.

 

Is it wrong for Christians to think about eternal rewards?

The Scriptures repeatedly promise the blessings of heaven for those who are steadfast in their faith. It certainly is not wrong for a Christian to be motivated by the rewards which God himself has promised. There is no greater reward awaiting the Christian than the words of his Lord, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25: 21).
But our primary motive in serving the Lord should not be either fear of punishment or hope of reward. Christianity is more than “pie in the sky, bye and bye.” We ought to run the race well simply out of gratitude to the Lord for all that He has bestowed upon us. Yet there is no question that one sure way to avoid spiritual discouragement is to keep the vision of a final reward always before us.

 

In what ways can Christians neglect God’s great salvation?

The danger with some Christians is not that they will reject their salvation but that they will neglect it. But if a person neglects his salvation long enough, this is tantamount to rejecting it.
Secularism is one of the most common attitudes of life endangering the Christian. It is preoccupation with the things and affairs of this life. Often these are legitimate in themselves, such as one’s job, a hobby, a recreational activity, one’s family and friends. Whenever inordinate time and attention are given to matters such as these, there is real danger of a secularistic attitude towards life. The person’s walk with the Lord suffers by default, not as a result of deliberate planning. In every circumstance, the attitude of the Christian must be “God first” (Matthew 6: 33).
Neglecting our salvation may also result from failing to avail ourselves of the means of grace God has provided. Indifference to prayer and meditation in the Word of God are common failures among God’s people. Jesus tells us “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26: 41, New American Standard Bible). The psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119: 11). The blessed man is the one who meditates day and night in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1: 2). We are also enjoined not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10: 25). A Christian receives spiritual strength when he joins with other Christians in times of fellowship, prayer and praise.
But none of these things must be done mechanically or from a sense of compulsion. We must pray, but our attitude in prayer must be one of joy at being in the presence of the Lord. We must read and meditate in the Scriptures, but we must do so from a sense of delight because by His Word God speaks to us. We must join other believers in times of worship and fellowship, but we must do so because we receive strength thereby and may also be the means of encouraging a fellow Christian.