Till I come
By DNL
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. - Luke 19:13
As the year 2009 comes to a close, we realize that the day when all the Lord’s people will be with Him is closer than ever. We find such beautiful descriptions of what it will be like in a few placed in the Word. What comes to mind is this one in the Psalms.
In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. – Psalm 16:11
I am sure you can think of others also.
We want to keep in mind, though, that not only will we experience such joy, but we will also have to give an account of how we passed the time, waiting for that moment.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. - Romans 14:12
I would like to bring before our hearts some things that would help us to have a good account to render.
I know that it is important to deal with any failure that I have had now so there will be no embarrassment then. I realize the importance of dealing with these failures, and I do not want to minimize its importance.
I also want to bring before our hearts that there is positive direction as to how to bring joy to Him during the time that we have before He comes. It, no doubt, is not necessary to say that it will not be long.
There are many precious things found in the Word of God. Often they are stated in such a way that even the most casual reader could not miss them, but others take some digging and meditation.
Intelligent Meditations
Meditating on God’s Word is a profitable exercise. Comparing scripture with scripture yields valuable results, yet caution is necessary as it is important that the Word of God form our meditations. Otherwise it becomes imagination. With this in mind it might be good to consider the difference between “intelligent” and “intellectual”.
Intellectual – Guided or developed by or relying on the intellect. (Webster)
The intellectual approach puts self as the source and is affected by ones experiences and abilities, or maybe inabilities, as well as ones own bent. I am sure that most can see this is a very dangerous path for the Christian to take.
Intelligence – Knowledge of an event, circumstance, etc., received or imparted; news; information. (Webster)
The intelligent approach puts self outside the picture and is based on facts, knowledge and sound information. Not all information is sound and it requires some investigation to determine its source and truthfulness.
In the case of the Christian we need to be sure we are clear, or intelligent, on two things:
A clear understanding of the Word of God.
A clear understanding of the circumstances that we are seeking to apply the Word to.
It is important that we have a clear understanding of the circumstances, or we end up misapplying God’s word.
It is so very important for the child of God to see that “intelligent” is very different from “intellectual”.
There are a number of verses that would help us; I will just mention a few.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your intelligent service. - Romans 12:1
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? intelligent, and he shall know them? For the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein. - Hosea 14:9
The heart of an intelligent man seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly. - Proverbs 15:14
It is interesting to note that in the Greek text there are nine different words translated as fool and in the Hebrew there are ten. The word for folly, in Proverbs 15:14, means, “Willfully turning away”, and here it is turning away from seeking knowledge and understanding that is found in God’s word.
Some seem to think that if they do not know the facts about a matter that they are relieved from responsibility. This is not being intelligent, sad to say it is folly.
See therefore how ye walk carefully, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. For this reason be not foolish, but understanding what is the will of the Lord. - Ephesians 5:15-17
There is another word that is often misused and that is “reason”. Like many other words, there are two sides that must be considered, or we risk being unintelligent about it.
Come now, let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. - Isaiah 1:18
If the Lord is bidding someone to reason, it must be a good and profitable exercise. In this case we can thank the Lord that we have divine guidance how to reason. He tells us in verse 10, “Hear the word of Jehovah, rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, people of Gomorrah!” We should not use intellectual ability to reason, that is folly. We should always use the word of Go to guide us so we can reason intelligently.
We are also told about those that are without reason.
But these, as natural animals without reason, made to be caught and destroyed, speaking injuriously in things they are ignorant of, shall also perish in their own corruption, -
2 Peter 2:12
There are also those who reason, but without the guidance of the word of God. When the word of God is not used to guide reason, people can come to wrong conclusions and anything can seem to be justified. Here are a few examples.
And Jesus knowing it, said, “Why reason ye among yourselves, O ye of little faith, because ye have taken no bread?” –
Matthew 16:8
And straightway Jesus, knowing in his spirit that they are reasoning thus within themselves, said to them, “Why reason ye these things in your hearts?” - Mark 2:8
Knowledge of God’s word is necessary to continue in the Christian liberty that we have been brought into. Those unscriptural ideas, ways and unwritten rules of men will take us into bondage that removes us from the Christian liberty that we have been given. It is of importance to maintain liberty. Yet, as we have been saying, that liberty must also be governed by the word of God.
We must show real care as we meditate on the word. There should always be a liberty to meditate on the word and have some thoughts of our own, thoughts that might have been developed through applying God’s word to our individual experiences in life. These experiences differ for everyone, and I can learn from applying the word to your experiences and you can learn from mine, thoughts that have been an encouragement to us that could also be an encouragement to others.
My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. - Psalm 45:1
With care then, let us search the word of God, meditate much upon it and, if we develop thoughts of our own, may they be for the glory of the Lord and the blessing of the Lords people, may they be intelligent thoughts formed by God’s word.
If we find that something in our thoughts is not correct, may we have the grace to be thankful that it was pointed out and then adjust our thoughts.
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord. –
Hebrews 12:5
Now that we have considered how important it is to be intelligent in our Christian walk, and that our intelligence is to be formed by the Word of God, I want to put some matters of great importance, before the hearts of my brothers and sisters. These matters have, for some time, been weighing heavily upon my heart.
What principles have we allowed to influence us that is not found in the Word of God? What guidance from others have we followed that we were not intelligent about?
Unintelligent submission does not help one to grow strong in the things of God. It is of great importance to be knowledgeable of the Word and to submit to God who makes no mistakes.
Blind submission has caused much sorrow among God’s people, and it discourages the Lord’s people from searching the word for themselves.
I am not saying that we cannot benefit from those who have given themselves over to searching the scripture. They can be, and often are, very helpful. But I am saying that we should always compare what we hear from others with the Word of God.
If we were young in the faith, it would be good for us to submit to such. But, we should not stay babes long. We should grow in our knowledge of the ways of God. And if there be any that would instruct us to follow anything that is contrary to God’s Word, we must obey God rather than man.
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, our precious Saviour would have us to make a real effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:1-3
That is to be having knowledge of the teaching of the Spirit found in the Word of God and making a real effort to put it into practice and abide in it.
Another very important item that is connected with what we have been considering is the spirit, in which we deal with others. It reveals much about our understanding of the ways of God today.
I beseech you, my brothers and sisters, when someone does something that we are not happy with, how do we respond?
In every situation it is very important that we do not jump to conclusions. Two people might do the very same thing for two completely different reasons. One might, deliberately, be doing wrong and paying no attention to the will of God found in His word. Another might have searched the Word and with a pure heart seeks to abide by what he or she finds there, though the understanding may be faulty.
How do we treat them? One may have no desire to pray and discuss the matter. The other may long for an opportunity to pray about it and search the Word together. But far too often both are kept at an arms distance and treated as if they both have done some deliberate and willful sin.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. - Ecclesastes 7:8,9
It is so important that we are very careful to display the right spirit when we come into contact with those that we think have done something wrong.
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. –
2 Timothy 4:22
Please, my dear brother and sister, ever keep in mind that we never really know the heart and motive of others until we have communicated with them and given them an opportunity to explain their position, as well as an opportunity for us to explain ours. We then might be able to help them – or it may be that they might be able to help us.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; - 1 Timothy 6:17-18
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. - Hebrews 13:16
The showing of Christian affection can go a long way.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. - Ephesians 4:1-2
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. - 1 John 2:5
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. - 1 John 2:28
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. - 1 John 4:21
God’s love will never set aside His righteousness, but God’s righteousness will never function outside of His love.
If He leaves us here, may the year 2010 be marked by the Lord’s people making a real effort to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
And may we be quick to hear the concerns and exercise of others and together search the Word, pray and seek the Lord’s mind as to how we can be here for Him and for His glory.
Till I come
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. - Luke 19:13