For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”  (I Thessalonians 4:13)

The phrase “will of God” not only refers to God’s commandments but also that in which God delights.  In verse one he says, “we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God.”  He then proceeds to describe the kind of life in which pleases God.

Mankind was designed for holy living.  He is to exercise self-restraint, abstaining from fleshly passions.  God has not called us for the purpose of unclean living, but purity!  This is God’s will!  This is God’s delight!

How grieved and disappointed he must be to look upon the conduct of humanity!  From the beginning of time until now the general behavior of man is not a pretty picture.  How disgusted he must be with those who flaunt their animal-like behavior.  What an ugly portrait!

However, since the beginning of time, there has always been a remnant of faithful ones striving to fulfill God’s desires.  Though they are not perfect, they are living holy lives that please God.   They are a work of beauty in a world of ugliness.

It has been my fortune to have known a few of those individuals.  The list includes teenage boys and girls who are keeping themselves from those defilements that are tempting their peers.  It includes elderly men who come to the late stages of life full of joy, love, and hope instead of bitterness.  And there are elderly women whose bright smile and innocence is a striking contrast to those who have lived the hard life of unrighteousness.

These shine as lights in a world of darkness!  In these God must truly take pleasure!
 

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” (2 Timothy 2:3-6)

Three illustrations given to Timothy to describe his work as an evangelist are three pictures that describe all Christians to some degree: soldier, athlete, and farmer.  

The Christian is a soldier enlisted in God’s army.  His enlistment is not for a short term of three or four years, but for life!  His duty is to avoid being absorbed in the temporary affairs of this world and to focus on pleasing Jesus Christ, his Commander in Chief.  Satan is the enemy (Ephesians 6: 12), God is our ally (Ephesians 6:10), and the battle is real.  The Christian must be willing to suffer the hardships necessary to win.  

The Christian is called upon to strive for the masteries, which means to contend in the games.  Like any dedicated athlete, he wants to win and will do everything possible to succeed.  
(I Corinthians 9:24-27) To finish strong, he must first train and exercise.  Unfortunately, the only exercise some Christians engage in is jumping to conclusions, running down friends, and side-stepping responsibility.  Next, he must strive lawfully, forgetting the gimmicks of man.  God gave us sixty-six books, and each one of them is important!  So, the Christian must know the rules and he must run the race! 

Finally, the Christian is a farmer. Before the husbandman can enjoy the fruit of his labor, he must engage in hard work.  Facing uncertain conditions, and unwilling soil, he tills, plants, and waters.  If he works diligently, he will have joy in this world, and chiefly in the world to come.  

Soldier, athlete, and farmer - these three should describe your life to some degree.  

By: George Slover

"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." (Luke 19:5)

What would you do today if a stranger walked up to your door needing a place to stay?  Your guest doesn’t look that impressive.  His only possessions are the clothes on his back.  After further inquiry, you discover he was born the son of peasants.  He owns no home, nor does he even aspire to such.  This man of twenty-five years never went to college.  He has no high position in a corporation and has no such ambitions.  He has never been out of state, except while in exile just after his birth.  In fact, he has done nothing that by world standards would be deemed successful.  Would you invite him to be your guest?

The city of Jericho was a great taxation center.  Some have called it the Las Vegas of Palestine.  It was just the right place for an ambitious tax collector.  Zacchaeus was head of the customs department in Jericho.  It was an occupation where it was easy to commit injustices and thus become rich.

On the day Jesus entered Jericho, Zacchaeus’ life would be forever changed.  Jesus made a startling announcement to him: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  Against incredible odds, Zacchaeus gladly receives him as a guest.  Surely one of such status would want to protect his belongings and reputation.

Why would he invite this road weary stranger to sit on his couch?  Who is he to sit at his table?  What if he refuses to leave?  He has nothing to offer materially in return.  Would you have accepted Jesus’ challenge?  Be honest.  Look at him from a purely fleshly viewpoint.  He has no wealth.  He has never written a book, nor founded a college.  He has no fancy building for a place to preach.  Would you have invited him into your home?

What would motivate Zacchaeus to take such a risk?  The answer is simple:  He was rich, but lonely.  Despised and hated by men he sought the love of God.  This man, short in stature, climbed into a tree hoping for just a glimpse.  However, Zacchaeus’ ambition was rewarded beyond his wildest imagination!  “Salvation” came to his house!

Now here is the challenge.  Would you have invited Jesus into your home?  Consider these words of Jesus.  Speaking of caring for the needy, the infirmed, and the prisoner, he said, “I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my Brothers, however lowly, you did it to me.'” (Matthew 25:40 TCNT)  Do you see the connection?  When we have served the lowly, we have truly served Him.
  
Tomorrow Jesus may be passing through your hometown wherever it is.  He may want to have dinner with you.  He wants to talk with you about eternal matters.  What about it?  Has he knocked on your heart’s door?  Have you let Him in?     Zacchaeus left the path of common sense and made a leap of faith that radically changed his life.  What about you?

By George Slover

By George Slover    |    Visit www.smcofc.org or www.ibiblestudy.net

By George Slover    |    Visit www.smcofc