The Adult's Sunday School Class - Proverbs
22:28-29 Wisdom in work.
Scripture reading: #649
Sunday
evening Vesper's at
Wednesday, @
Therefore God killed Saul
I Chronicles
10.13. Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the
word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14. and did not
inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over
to David son of Jesse.
There is a
violent God and we will stand before Him.
Now that's not something popular in 21st century western civilization Christian
philosophy. Part of our arrogance as westerners is to believe that whatever fad
might be going on in our ‘culture’: whether political, religious, or
pop-secular – is THE way the world MUST be.
The reality is that world religions, definitely
including those acknowledging the God of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob and
Esau – see God in Old Testament/Torah/Koran terms…God is a severe God of judgment.
This is fundamental in the understanding of Muslims,
orthodox Jews, and fundamental Christianity (those branches of the ‘One God’
theology who believe in the writ of law).
The biggest difference between fundamental
Christianity and perhaps those of us here this morning is that the fundamental
Christian believes in an absolute God who was revealed in the Word with
pre-eminence and permanence – those of our ‘stripe’ believe Christianity is
directed primarily by the Grace of Jesus and ongoing revelation through the
agency of the Holy Spirit active in our lives.
For either
group to disdain the other is an indication of poor understanding as to the
nature of God and the changes intended by the birth of the church.
Those who see
God as an unchanging severe God of judgment are right…
"I am the
Lord, I change not..." Malachi 3.6
Those who
believe Christianity is directed primarily by the Grace of Jesus and ongoing
revelation through the agency of the Holy Spirit active in our lives are right…
Only those
accompanied by Grace will avoid the 'side' of God frequently seen in the Old
Testament.
The nature and
essence of God has not changed - but Jesus came to change the relationship of
mankind with God.
He didn't come
to do away with hell and judgment. In
fact, Jesus talked about the rich man in hell lifting up his eyes and seeing
Abraham and the beggar. There will, indeed, be a judgment and heaven and hell.
I am not worried about hell, but I am very concerned
with something emphasized by both Jesus and Paul - the judgment. There will be
a judgment for all, 'great and small.'
In my
acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus and the Grace of His Mercy, I don't fear
God putting me to death or sending me to hell.
In that, I also accept the responsibility of not trespassing His Grace by
doing things such as old King Saul did.
"...he
was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even
consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD." And God killed him…don’t like that? Doesn’t fit your
theology? Not my problem. That’s why there are lots of different churches,
mosques, synagogues and guys getting rich off of book sales and TV ministries.
The reality is that Saul was unfaithful to the LORD -
did not keep the word of the LORD - consulted a medium for guidance, and did
not inquire of the LORD."
Don't go
there! Be faithful. Keep the word of the Lord. If you need direction – seek
God.
It's not because I fear punishment, it's because I appreciate the Gift of
Grace. The 'fear' that I have is that I might well be disappointing to
the One Who gave me so much. My faithfulness is not exemplary, my obedience is
sketchy and I frequently take off on my own pursuits.
God, please forgive me and keep working on me.