Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? (John 3:10)

The above is a portion of a recorded conversation of Jesus with Nicodemus, a Jewish ruler.  This man was a member of the Sanhedrin, and an official ruler of Israel.  He was one who was to be well acquainted with Moses’ law and an instructor of the people. 

The question of Jesus is quite sobering.  Jesus plainly reveals the ignorance of Nicodemus.  Here was a man whose role was teacher in Israel who had missed simple truths of God’s word.  The Old Testament had plainly testified of the identity of the Messiah, yet many Jews rejected him when he was in their very presence!

Would Jesus ask us the same question?  Would he say to us, “You look in the Scripture, but you fail to understand my will”?  We must lay aside all of the prejudices and meticulously examine his word that we might understand his precepts.

By George Slover
 

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)

The “mammon” here represents anything that is worldly.  Actually, the word means “riches”, but the message and application is much broader.  Jesus is warning to watch for the divided heart.  He says, “You can’t have two masters.  You must make a choice: You must be loyal to God or loyal to the world.”

We are all probably more challenged with this than we would care to admit.  It is easy to sing “Holy to the Lord” on Sunday, but the real challenge comes when we leave the worship assembly.  That is where we feel the pull of the world.

Paul alludes to such struggles in Romans 7:19:  “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:19)  Notice the difference between what “I will” and what “I practice”.  It is easy for the God-fearing to resolve to abstain from worldly actions and attitudes, or resolve to bear the fruits of righteousness only to be exposed to the subtle influences of the world.

God does not want the divided heart. He wants every corner of your life.  We must find the places where the world seeps in, close up the gaps, and place our entire focus on the Lord!
 

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 
(1 Corinthians 2:1-3)

One of the primary reasons Christians fail to share the Truth with others is fear.  Jesus knew long ago the fear of man could hinder his disciples in proclaiming the good news.  Thus, Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)  Jesus tells them not to fear man, but trust God!  (vs. 26)  Do not fear man, but fear God!  (vs. 28)  When one develops a Divine perspective of eternity they should be emboldened to proclaim the good news!

In the Corinthian text Paul uses the word “fear” in another way.  Strange that Paul would say, “I was with you in fear”.  In fact he adds two other verbs to also describe his feelings- “weakness” and “trembling”.  “I was afraid”, Paul says, “but I still preached Christ.”  Trembling at the thoughts of what man can do is no excuse for timidity. Christ crucified should be burning so much in one’s heart that even though the knees tremble, he cannot contain himself from shouting the message!

It has been said that true courage is when one feels fear, but does it anyway.  Become bold, brother, in sharing the word of God.  One eternal soul may be waiting to hear!

By George Slover

"And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear, or whether they refuse." (Ezekiel 3:11)

I am impressed with the number of times in Ezekiel that the prophet uses the term “Sovereign Lord” (NIV) or “Lord God” (NKJV).  The Hebrew is “Adonai Jehovah”. These are the highest names given to God and used here to represent the truthfulness and fullness of the prophet’s message.  God is speaking to a hard-hearted people, to Hebrew exiles from Judah to Babylon.

A Sovereign is one who has supreme power and undisputed rule.  His word is absolute and in the case of God is unchanging.  In this setting God is revealing his truth to Ezekiel.  The prophet’s job, regardless of how it is received, is to preach to the captives.  Consider some lessons here.

First, God’s word is unchanging and does not depend upon human acceptance. Second, God’s word will be accepted by some and rejected by others.  Third, our responsibility is to teach God’s truth regardless of the reception.  

God has the right to speak and act as he wishes.  This is His role by reason of His position as Creator, Sustainer, and Savior.  Our job is to seek his approval and to be loyal to his righteous cause.

By George Slover
 

Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.”And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." (Acts 9:13-14)
 
The initial reaction of Ananias to God’s instructions to preach the gospel to Saul of Tarsus was not favorable.  One can imagine the fear that must have been in the mind of Ananias when he faithfully fulfilled his duty in preaching to Saul, the religious zealot.
 
Saul of Tarsus had been one of the most avid opponents of Christianity.  Luke records his activity in Acts 8:1-3.  Saul was a most unlikely candidate for the gospel.  In 2005 I came close to sharing the feelings of Ananias.
 
The Hatfield Community School is located in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, W.I.  Every year Christians from various states would converge on this area to conduct a Vacation Bible School.  It was my privilege to work with these Christians in this endeavor.  While some conducted the Bible classes, others went door-to-door searching for prospects for the gospel.
 
On our second day out my brother, L.J., and I knocked on a door and two men came to the door.  Both had knives in their hands and both made a display of their weapons.  L.J. said, “Would you like to study the Bible?”  They looked rather stunned by the request and promptly put away their weapons.  “No”, they said.  L.J. replied, “You mean you don’t want to know how to go to heaven?”  There was a long pause of silence after which they sheepishly declined his invitation.
 
Although our appeal wasn’t accepted, it reminds me that many of the First Century converts were also unlikely candidates for the gospel. The gospel changed the lives of religious zealots, murderers, prostitutes, homosexuals, and the devoutly religious.
 
The gospel is for all men.  It has the power to redeem anyone who will receive it.  As workers for the Lord our job is to offer the invitation.
 
By George Slover