We refer not to black jackets and motorcycle gangs, but to those who assist the devil in his nefarious schemes. Far too many fork serve Satan, whether they intend to, or not. To work with the prince of darkness is a poor choice of life-style and will result in a motley crew of associates. When we oppose godliness and holy conduct, we surround ourselves with evil companions who corrupt good morals(1 Cor. 15:33). Truly, if we run with the goats, we will smell like them! There is a vast chasm between light and darkness, and when we try to mesh these two we do greatly err. "Who is among you that fears Jehovah, that obeys the voice of his servant? He that walks in darkness and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah and rely upon his God" (Isa. 50:10)
Indeed, we cannot serve successfully while we are straddling the fence: "No man can serve two masters....He that is not with me is against me and he that gathers not with me scatters" (Matthew 6:24; 12:30) Someone has wisely stated, "It is easier to fight for our principles then to live up to them". Instead of helping Satan through compromise, we desperately need to bring conviction and loyalty into our stand for truth. Division in the ranks of the soldiers of Christ causes the devil and his advocates to rejoice. Jesus clearly stated, "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand" (Mark 3:24-25)
Unity and singularity of purpose can be one of the best assets in our fight against the enemy of our souls. When we strive ardently to keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"(Eph.4:3) then the demons in hell tremble (James 2:19). Let us look at some of the "Servants of Satan."
1. Parents who want their children to be popular - rather than pure.
2. Christians with poor business ethics.
3. Preachers who lack courage to preach the truth.
4. Children who are unkind to godly parents.
5. Educated fools who mock God and the Bible.
6. Media leaders who corrupt young minds.
7. Governments that encourage abortion, homosexual behavior and licentious conduct.
8. Vulgar and obscene music.
9. Pessimistic Christians who constantly complain.
The apostle Paul made it clear that the devices of Satan tend to seduce us and gain an advantage for the side of evil: "That no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11) Men like Belshazzar, Balaam and Pilate represent such infamy. Women like Jezebel and Sapphira aid and abet the cause of the devil. Elymas withstood the gospel and David caused the opponents of godliness to blaspheme (Acts 13: 2 Sam. 12). Millions live and die in the service of hellishness and such desire to undermine all that is high and holy.
Those of us who love the Lord and His glorious cause must stand together in the beauty of Christianity and never waver in our pursuit of the abundant life of children of God. Pessimism must never be allowed, even though we are grossly outnumbered. Someone has glibly observed the following: "My inferiority complex is not as good as yours!"
Servants of God optimistically stand with the apostle Paul, who confidently wrote, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). He didn't depend on his own strength, but the Lord's. Hell's angels cannot ultimately win in the struggle of life, death and eternity. To be a friend of God overwhelms and overcomes everything that Satan holds dear or tries to accomplish in our lives: "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God" (James 2:23). An old gospel song forms a fitting closure for these remarks:
The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today.
The fight is on, but be not weary,
Be strong and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o'er us.
We'll sing the victor's song at last!
Hell's angels - the servants of Satan - just do not stand a chance.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Providence vs. miracles
Many people today are confused by the difference between miracles and the providence of God. Providence is God's use of the natural realm to provide for the needs of His creation. Because of God's foreknowledge, the laws of nature are in place to not only sustain our existence but to offer comfort and joy to our lives. Miracles are the superseding by God of His laws in order for His will to be done. It is this ignorance that has caused many to put their faith into experiences and not the Word of God.
The apostle Paul wrote, "I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2nd Tim. 1:12). Paul was secure in knowing that God would protect him from danger. The apostle made this fearless statement because he understood the providence of Him whom he served. Joseph also saw the work of God's providence in his life when he reminded his brothers that it was God who sent him to Egypt to prepare for the coming famine (Genesis 45). Joseph understood that God's goodness overcame the evil of his brothers (Gen. 50:20). This is providence, God working within the laws of nature to fulfill His will.
The providence of the Lord works hand-in-hand with proper decisions made by spiritual men. In Esther 4:14, Mordecai reflects upon a serious moment by telling Queen Esther, "Who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" God put these two people in the right place and the right time, as well as providing the opportunity for His will to be done. No miracles, just God working in the lives of His people. The apostle Paul writes of this same principle. Concerning Onesimus, he challenges Philemon to receive the ex-slave back: "For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that you should have him forever: no longer as a servant, but more that a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord". (Phile. 1:15-16) God had provided the occasion, and Paul then used that occasion to teach the truth of the gospel and send Onesimus back to Philemon as a Christian.
The god of our universe is a god of order. Our world is a testament of His foreknowledge and might. We must not overlook His wisdom in what may seem as simple chance events. God rarely parts the seas, rains down fire or makes donkeys speak, but His providence is all around us.
The apostle Paul wrote, "I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2nd Tim. 1:12). Paul was secure in knowing that God would protect him from danger. The apostle made this fearless statement because he understood the providence of Him whom he served. Joseph also saw the work of God's providence in his life when he reminded his brothers that it was God who sent him to Egypt to prepare for the coming famine (Genesis 45). Joseph understood that God's goodness overcame the evil of his brothers (Gen. 50:20). This is providence, God working within the laws of nature to fulfill His will.
The providence of the Lord works hand-in-hand with proper decisions made by spiritual men. In Esther 4:14, Mordecai reflects upon a serious moment by telling Queen Esther, "Who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" God put these two people in the right place and the right time, as well as providing the opportunity for His will to be done. No miracles, just God working in the lives of His people. The apostle Paul writes of this same principle. Concerning Onesimus, he challenges Philemon to receive the ex-slave back: "For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that you should have him forever: no longer as a servant, but more that a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord". (Phile. 1:15-16) God had provided the occasion, and Paul then used that occasion to teach the truth of the gospel and send Onesimus back to Philemon as a Christian.
The god of our universe is a god of order. Our world is a testament of His foreknowledge and might. We must not overlook His wisdom in what may seem as simple chance events. God rarely parts the seas, rains down fire or makes donkeys speak, but His providence is all around us.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
What is truth?
Pontius Pilate uttered these three words before Jesus, not realizing that the very embodiment of truth stood before him. Pilate did not believe truth could be grasped and so mocked the very notion of truly understanding it. His ignorance is understandable, though well educated as a Roman leader, he suffered under the prevailing mindset of his culture. The gods of his world were mere symbols of authority and order, something to pay homage to, but not genuinely fathom. After all gods were idols made of stone, wood or metal and he had never learned the slightest thing from any one of them.
In 2nd Thes. 2:10-12, we come face to face with the urgency of putting God's will absolutely first in our lives, as God speaks of some, who: "With all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not he love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judges who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Nothing is more central to our concept of God then the truth. Without it we are but one of many groups of people wandering aimlessly without hope. Sin began with a falsehood (Genesis 3) and Satan spreads his net with the idea that truth is subject to the current sensibilities of our society. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). When men put tolerance and peace before truth and are willing to turn a blind eye to sin for the sake of unity chaos rules. No longer does the Word of God come first, but the feelings and sentiments of the members become the overriding goal. Let us not be naive, God will allow us to harden our hearts with such mindsets (Eph. 4:17-24) and with our consciences seared (1st Tim.4:2) we will become overrun with error (Zech. 7:12-14). This is precisely why we dare not cultivate evil and error, and allow Satan to get his foot in the door (1st Peter 5:8).
In view of the coming of Christ, which may come at any moment, we must be active, busy and watchful in the Master's cause, The only way to be ready is to stay ready. Heaven is prepared for the prepared. Christ must be Lord of all or He will not be Lord at all. Only the truth can make us free. Learning it comes first, but that is not enough. We do not really cherish the Scriptures until we put it into action in our lives (Heb. 5:9). We cannot claim to stand up for the truth while allowing error to run rampant.
It is not because a issue has no right or wrong side that causes confusion but our inability to see it or accept it.
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