[FamilyofGod] Do Not Learn the Way of the Gentiles
Do Not Learn the Way of the Gentiles
Thus says the LORD: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. (Jeremiah 10:2). This does not come as a suggestion or as a means to adjust our life; but as a command from our Lord for us to follow.
We read in the book of 1 Samuel 8, when Samuel was old, the people of Israel wanted to have a king for them. The elders of Israel came and said to Samuel "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." (1 Samuel 8:5); Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." (1 Samuel 8:19,20). Here we see two important quotes made by Israelites; first they said "make us a king" then "like all the nations".
God has chosen them as a holy people, a special treasure separated for Himself (For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6). But they wanted to be like all other nations. Bible says, "And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also" (1 Samuel 8:7,8). For their request and action, the Lord said they have rejected Me and forsaken Me.
Did they get what they wanted? Yes, they got a king for themselves and Bible says, God gave them a king in His anger (I gave you a king in My anger, And took him away in My wrath. Hosea 13:11). Here we see that instead of following the commandments of God, keeping Him as their sovereign Ruler and seeking the Lord for their good, Israelites wanted a king for them "like other nations".
And these are written for us to see ourselves and our lifestyle as Christians to the worldly people. We are a chosen, separated, holy people unto God to walk in His ways, standards, commands for the glory of His name. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
In Bible world is referred to material things (Matthew 6:24) and says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). Here we see "the world" referring to people and "the things in the world" referring to material things. Yes, we are commanded not to follow the ways, ideas, pattern, and lifestyle of the worldly people. For our lives, our family, our Church and our work, Bible is our standard and Jesus is our focus. We know that God did not choose us because of our abundance or intellect or riches or wisdom, but because of His love for us (Deuteronomy 7:7,8).
We see world has taken many things from the Bible, twisted it or modified it as wisdom words to suite current trend or pleasing to people and has given it to the world with names "positive attitude", "positive thinking", "self development"
In our life we have to face problems, make decisions, give solutions, progress and prosper, serve our Lord God, take care of our family, work, etc. And we need to do all these things in our knees in prayer looking unto God and search through Bible to know the ways of the Lord for our lives. Is that what we are practicing in every part of our life, our family, in Church, to serve God, worship Him, sing songs and in our work place?
Today we see Christians as individuals, family, Churches, missions and ministries bringing the way of the world to serve the Lord, solve problems, take decisions, arrange gospel meetings, Church gathering, teach and present word of God to people, worship, etc.
Bible teaches us to forgive and love one another, humility, submission to one another, kneel down and pray, exalt the name of Jesus and word of God, depend on Holy Spirit, worship in truth and Spirit, sing songs with spirit and understanding, etc. But we see ways of the world has taken root in many part of Christian life like compromise, relationship theories, group discussions, self development articles, decision making books, sentiments, loud music like rock music, sing songs with emotional dancing and worship, etc.
Bible says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12); also, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts" (Proverbs 21:2). Dear brethren, the ways of world takes the "form of godliness"; but our Lord has given us the way of true and pure "Godliness" through Bible. Sometimes, even other Christians, churches, ministries may follow a pattern, and their experience or example may seem to be good; but what our Lord say about us, our family and Church counts and not what other people say.
My beloved brethren, for our life, our family, our Church, to serve Lord, our work, let us not look into the ways of the world; but look into Bible the word of God and pray to our Lord in our knees. We may fail, our ideas, wisdom and plans may fail; but the word of God will never fail (Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35) and God will surely answer our prayers as He has promised ("Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3).
Let us surrender to our Lord, ask Him to search our heart and reveal to us whether we have given way to the things of the world, in our life, family, church and work. If so, let us ask for forgiveness and pray for the Lordship and Sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ in all areas of our life. Our Lord God is merciful and gracious to forgive, restore us to have a wonderful relationship with Him for the glory of His name.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, (2 Peter 1:5,6)
to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:7,8)
All praise and glory to our Lord God,
Love & Prayers,
Michael J. Knight.
http://groups.
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, "I used everything that you gave me."
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