Thursday, February
20, 2014, 6:30 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “Only In Him” in mind this morning. Speak, Lord, your words to my
heart. I read Isaiah 31 (NIV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+31&version=NIV
Relying on the Flesh
Woe
to those who go down to Egypt for help,
who rely on horses,
who
trust in the multitude of their chariots
and in the great strength of their
horsemen,
but
do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
or seek help from the Lord.
Is it wrong to seek the help of others, or to seek godly
counsel from those whom we believe to have a close relationship with Jesus
Christ? I don’t believe this passage and its New Testament counterparts are a
prohibition against allowing others to help us when we are in need, or that it
is speaking against seeking godly counsel, wisdom and advice. God gives us the
body of Christ, the true church, to help encourage, strengthen, build up, exhort,
teach, instruct and counsel one another (with gifts of wisdom and knowledge). Yet,
what I do believe this is teaching is that we are not to put our reliance upon
(dependence in; trust in; confidence in) human and/or ungodly counsel or wisdom,
and/or in human strength and help, and most especially not in place of the
wisdom and counsel of God and his strength, help, love, joy, peace, and protection
(shelter). We should not look to self or to others to meet needs within us only
to be met by God, or that only God can truly meet.
The Apostle Paul addressed this issue of putting our
confidence in human flesh in several of his God-breathed writings. In
Philippians 3 he addressed the situation of believers being influenced by those
who would try to convince them that they had to be circumcised physically as
part of their salvation. Paul made it clear that believers in Christ are
circumcised already of the Spirit of God, where it counts, and that is in the
heart in the putting away of fleshly and worldly desires. He made it quite
clear that no matter what we have gained in our flesh or in worldly
accomplishments, they mean nothing for eternity.
He also taught that our troubles, sufferings and hardships
in this life are for a purpose, actually many purposes, one of which is so we
learn to not rely on ourselves (on our own human flesh) but on God. When we go
through difficulties in this life we quickly learn just how limited our own
resources are, how truly frail we can be at times, how emotionally we are just
not strong enough to handle some things that come into our lives, and how much
we really need God. As well, Paul taught us not to rely on worldly wisdom but
on God’s grace which “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly
passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present
age” (See 2 Co. 1:9, 12; Tit. 2:11-14).
Mere Mortals
But
the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God;
their horses are flesh and not spirit…
There are many reasons we should not place our confidence
and trust in human flesh, especially not over and above or in place of sincere
and unadulterated trust in Almighty God. The main reason is that, as humans, we
are mere flesh (mortals) and we are not spirit, i.e. we are not God. And, God,
who made us, has commanded us that we not put any other “gods” before him, but
that he is to be our only God in whom we place our trust.
Another aspect of us not being God is that we are not all-knowing
and all-powerful nor are we infallible. We can make no guarantees. Our wisdom
is imperfect, as is our knowledge. Humans make mistakes. They fail us. They may
even try to lead us astray. They don’t always keep their promises. Sometimes
they just forget. Other times it is because they never intended to from the
beginning, i.e. they can be liars, deceivers, and manipulators, as well as they
may betray us, turn on us, and/or forsake us, even in our time of deepest need.
Even among the godliest of humanity we should never put our absolute faith and
trust in humans, because they are still not God. We should always examine
everything we hear against the word of God to make sure the truth of scripture
is what is being taught.
Yet, many are putting much faith and confidence in mere
mortals, and they do so in place of trust in God, or over and above their faith
in God. Either way, God is being replaced in their hearts by the flesh of
mankind. Paul addressed this issue when he told the Corinthian church that he
was jealous for the church with a godly jealousy. He had promised them to one
husband only, namely Jesus Christ, so that he might present the church to
Christ as a pure (unadulterated) virgin (spiritually speaking). Yet, he was
deeply concerned that the Corinthian believers were being led astray, by
humankind, from their sincere and pure devotion to Jesus Christ, for they were
putting up with those who taught “another Jesus” and another gospel other than
what they received from the apostles (See 2 Co. 11:1-4). James also warned
against becoming spiritually adulterous in our relationship with Jesus Christ
via us “making nice” with this sinful world. Jesus jealously longs for us to be
in pure (unspoiled) fellowship with him at all times, because he loves us (See Jas.
4:4-6).
Paul talked about this with his brother in Christ; his
fellow minister in the gospel, Timothy, in his letter to him. He exhorted him
strongly to preach the word and to be prepared at any time to correct, rebuke
and to encourage with great patience and careful instruction (See 2 Tim.
4:1-4). And, then he warned him that a time would come when people would not
put up with sound doctrine, but that they would, instead, gather around them a
great number of teachers to say what their “itching ears” want to hear. I
believe that time has come! We have so many so-called preachers and evangelists
right now, especially here in America, who are saying just what people want to
hear. They have forsaken the truths of scripture and of the gospel in favor of
a false grace teaching which gives people a free license to continue in sin
while making claim to their “ticket” into heaven. May that never be!
Return and Reject
Return,
you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against. For in that
day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands
have made.
“In that day” refers to a time of judgment God was going to
bring on his people due to their stubborn rebellion, their adulterous ways, and
their idolatry, and because they refused to listen to God but went their own
way and chose to put their trust in humans in place of God. These Old Testament
books are filled with such prophecies of judgment against God’s own covenant
people because they strayed from their pure relationships with him, they went
after other gods, got caught up in the passions of their sinful desires, and
they closed their eyes and ears so as not to hear God and to obey him. Yet,
such prophecies are not peculiar only to the Old Testament, and, in fact, many
of these OT prophecies are speaking against those who are God’s people (the
church) in these last days. There are New Testament passages, as well, that
warn us against falling away, and which call for repentance and obedience, and
which also warn of judgment if we do not repent and obey (See Rev 2-3, for
instance). I believe very much that God is presently warning his adulterous
church in America to turn from her sin and to make him her only God or she will
face judgment.
Coming to Christ
means that we die to sin and to self daily, and we follow Christ in obedience
and surrender to his will for our lives – not I but Christ living in me. We
can’t walk in the light of Christ in fellowship with him and still walk in
darkness (See 1 John 1). Jesus doesn’t want part-time or casual or occasional followers.
He gave his life as a ransom for us, buying us back for him. I wish we could
all get this! Christ doesn’t want just a little bit of us that we are willing
to give to him when we decide to give it. He wants it all! He wants us as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, no longer living by the pattern of
this world’s system, but transformed in heart and mind by the Spirit of God in
order to live our lives completely in his will and under his command. Will you
give him your all today?
ONLY IN HIM / An
Original Work / February 19, 2014
Based off Isaiah 30
Woe to those who look
to man’s help;
Who turn away from Jesus
Christ;
Forming an alliance
not in step with God;
Making their own
plans, and praying not.
Willing not to listen
to truth,
They close their ears
to what is right.
Pleasing words are all
that they’ll hear;
Feel good messages
that bring cheer.
Trust in your Lord;
turn from your sin.
Put your faith now ONLY
IN HIM.
Do not turn to idols.
They’ll not satisfy.
Jesus will save you.
That’s why He died.
Your Lord will be
gracious to you.
He cares all about
you, ‘tis true.
He forgives you all of
your sin
When you give your
life up to Him.
Oh, how truly gracious
He’ll be
When you bow to Him on
your knees;
Turning now from your sin;
walking in his ways.
He’ll lead and guide
you all of your days.
Now you will sing
praises to Him.
He delivered you from
your sin.
You’ll tell others now
of His grace,
So they may see Christ
face-to-face.
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