"But As For Me And My House..."

Joshua told the children of Israel exactly where he and his house stood in their relationship to the almighty God in Joshua 24:15. In a time where man was “doing their own thing” in their worship, Joshua told them to choose whom they would serve, the god’s of men, or the God of heaven. He encouraged them to put away the foreign gods and to incline their hearts to serve the Lord God of Israel. This man of God, Joshua, was a faithful and trustworthy servant of God. This man that we have grown to love by reading of him in the pages of the Old Testament was doing the work of the Lord, encouraging all who would listen to him to turn from the ways of the world and serve the one true God.

Sound familiar? Each Lord’’s Day across this great country of ours preacher after preacher stands before a congregation of people encouraging them to turn from the ways of the world and serve the true and living God of heaven. Many who hear the words of the preacher say to themselves that they will try to do better in their personal life and become more devoted to the Lord’s work. Yet, for many, this is only idle thought because they soon return to their homes and continue doing their own thing. However, there are a few that will listen to the preaching of the gospel of Christ and strive to do what they can to become obedient to our Lord. Every preacher should be as convicted as Joshua in their service to the Lord and are earnestly trying to encourage and help others serve the Lord.

Are we really trying to serve the Lord or ourselves? It would be so good to have a congregation full of Joshua’s that are proud to say “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”

That's Impossible

We have all heard someone say “that’s impossible” when responding to something that someone had just told them that they could do, knowing that it could not be done. Webster defines impossible as “not capable of being, being done, or happening.” Certainly there are many things which are impossible for man to do here on this earth.

In the religious realm there are also some impossible things to consider. God has told man that unless one has faith it is impossible to please Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). If we are not determined to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:18), gaining faith by reading His word (Romans 10:17), then we are not going to be pleasing to God. Do you think that individuals who are not pleasing to God will enter heaven? Think about it.

In Hebrews 6:18 we read “....in which it is impossible for God to lie...” Now if it is impossible for God to lie and he has told us that He is a rewarder of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him, then if we do not seek Him (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:2), then it is certain that we will not see Him in heaven. Again, the Hebrew writer penned, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (Hebrews 2:3). We see that it is impossible to neglect salvation and be saved. If we want to be saved then we will strive to do whatever God asks of us (Matthew 7:21).

Let’s consider some other impossibilities. It is impossible to be saved without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). It took Christ’s death on the cross, the sacrifice for our sins in order for us to be saved. Therefore, it is impossible to believe in Christ and obey Him and not be saved (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). It is impossible to enter into heaven without a birth of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5), and it is impossible to enter into the Kingdom (heaven or church), except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Galatians 3:27). If you think that you can and will be saved in eternity AFTER this life is over, without being obedient to Christ while living on this earth, that’s impossible (Luke 16:19-31)! We must all seriously think about these truths from the Bible, the inspired Word of God.

To Live Is Christ

Paul wrote in the Philippian letter: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:19-21). This beloved apostle taught us what living unto Christ is really all about. He is not ashamed but rather eager to tell and show these brethren that Christ was being “magnified” in his body. He was living a life for Christ, knowing that when he died that he would spend an eternity with Him.

Can it be said of each one of us “to live is Christ?” This is not a statement that just any Christian can make. Only those who are truly living their life for Christ can make such a statement. Can others see in each of us Christ being magnified as we walk our daily walk in this world? Can it be seen by others that we are not ashamed of Jesus and that our longing for the great expectation and hope is evident by the way that we live? Paul writes to Titus saying: “teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:12-13).

When we are determined to serve Jesus in our life then it will show to others. We won’t have to tell others that we are a Christian, because they will KNOW it by the example of our life. Considering this, can it be said of us that “to live is Christ?”

The Divine Authority

Matthew wrote: “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority” (Matthew 21:23)? Here we find two questions that these chief priests and elders asked Jesus concerning all the wonderful things that He did. They wanted to know by what authority He was able to do the things He did and who gave Him the authority in the first place. We know that God is the one who has all authority. The apostle Paul said "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1). God later gave this authority to His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus said: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). God told all men to listen to His Son (Matthew 17:5). 

Why Must We Receive Instruction From Jesus?

First of all we MUST listen to the words of Jesus and obey Him because it is He that has all authority to instruct us in righteousness today (Matthew 28:18). We learn from the Word of God that Jesus is the head of man and therefore we must obey Him. Paul writes in Colossians 1:18: "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." See also Colossians 2:19.

In addition, we are commanded to do everything as Jesus has instructed us. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17). If we do not receive our instruction from Jesus or change it to suit our own needs or wants then we WILL be destroyed. "And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:23). See also Matthew 7:21-23; Galatians 1:7-9; and 2 John 9-11)). The prophet referenced here is in fact the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

What Has Jesus Authorized Us To Do?

There are several things that Jesus has authorized us to do by His authority, given to Him by God, and passed on to the Holy Spirit, who instructed the apostles what to record in God's book, the Bible. Jesus has authorized us to preach the word to all creation. In Mark 16:15, Jesus told His disciples to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." See also Luke 24:47. We also need to lead people to believe (Acts 10:43), and to repent. In Luke 24:47, Jesus told His disciples "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." We know this was done when Peter preached His first sermon on the day of Pentecost and many responded to the gospel by repenting and being baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). It is also necessary for us to confess Jesus (Philippians 2:11), and to be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 10:48). 

But that is not all, Jesus has authorized us to worship Him (Mark 7:7; Hebrews 1:6), and to do so in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Those that do not obey Jesus and insist on doing their own thing, contrary to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, must be disciplined. The inspired apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian brethren that were having fellowship with a brother who was committing fornication. He instructed the church in Corinth to discipline that brother so he will be shamed into repenting and doing what is right before God (1 Corinthians 5:4-5). Let us ensure that whatever we do and whatever we say, that we are doing and saying those things to the glory of God (Colossians 3:17). Are we truly acting by Divine Authority in everything that we do in the name of religion? If not, we need to repent and follow Jesus Christ, the one who has ALL AUTHORITY!

Living In Godliness

In 1 Timothy 4:8 it says: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” From this verse we can learn that it is godliness that is the most profitable for us because it is through godliness that we have the promise of eternal life. Therefore knowing this, we should strive diligently to ensure that we are doing everything we can to live our lives in a godly manner which is formal (2 Timothy 3:5) and true (1 Timothy 6:3,11). 

Finding True Godliness

We can find true godliness only in the gospel. In 2 Peter 1:4, Peter writes: “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” When we open the pages of the New Testament we find what God expects of each of us as we journey through this life. He fully expects that we live our life in accordance with His will (Matthew 7:21). When we are determined to live godly then it will show in our daily walk, which everyone in the world will be able to see (Titus 2:12). 

Why Live Godly?

There are several reasons why we must strive to live a godly life. The Bible teaches that ungodliness is condemned (Jude 4:15). When we live an ungodly life, we will NOT get the opportunity to live forever with God. We need to live a righteous life because it is profitable (1 Timothy 4:8), and commanded (2 Peter 1:6). We can live godly by denying sin (Titus 2:12), professing our faith before others (1 Timothy 2:10), and by practicing living a Christian life daily (1 Timothy 4:7)

The Results of Living Godly

First of all, when we live a godly life, doing all of God’s will, be ready to suffer some persecution. Paul told Timothy: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12). Understanding that this will happen, we should gain strength through His Word because godliness will result in great gain (1 Timothy 6:6), and the promise of eternal life (1 Timothy 4:8). Are you living your life in such a way that it “professes godliness?”

Our Duty to Ourselves

In Galatians 6:4-5 the apostle Paul writes: “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. or each one shall bear his own load.” The greatest thing we can do for ourselves is to make sure that we are doing everything that we need to do to be pleasing to God. In order to do that, we must examine our own work, making sure that it is being done in accordance with God’s directions. Through the pages of the New Testament individuals are instructed on how to live their lives according to righteousness. One thing that gets many people in hot water is thinking “too highly of themselves”. Yet in Romans 12:3 we can read where it says: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” God’s Word says it, now we have to listen and obey. That is our Christian duty in this life. The Christian that reads the Bible and then practices those things that are contained therein, will gain respect from the brethren because they can see in that Christian that they are truly living their life in accordance with the Bible. But isn’t that every Christian’s responsibility? Sure it is. We are told in Jude 21 to keep ourselves in “God’s love”, and to remain “unspotted” (James 1:27). In 1 John 5:18 we are told to “keep ourselves from the evil one”. Other duties include “denying ourselves” (Matthew 16:24), “controlling ourselves” (2 Peter 1:6), “humbling ourselves” (Matthew 18:4; 23:12), and to “guard ourselves” (1 John 5:21). If we would read and understand what the Bible tells us to do in Galatians 6:4-5 then we will be able to “glorify God”. Are we doing our duty for God?

The Christian Life

Every Christian should strive to live the life that they have been raised to live. The apostle Paul said in the latter part of Romans 6:4 that “even so we also should walk in newness of life.” The Christian life is a life of faith (Romans 1:17). Our old life was buried and now we serve the Lord in “newness of life.” Paul said in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” The “true” Christian realizes that the “old man” was crucified with Christ and now lives a “new”, pure life before God. John wrote: “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).

The Christian life is also a life of self-denial. Jesus said that “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). Some have trouble living the Christian life because they have NOT determined to really let Jesus rule their life, denying anything that would stand between them and their service to the Savior.

Peter writes: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8). The Christian realizes that Satan is active and working to destroy all those that try to do good. The Christian life is not an easy life. The apostle Paul told Timothy: “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). If we feel that we are suffering some type of persecution as we live our Christian life, then we must be doing something right. “Count it all joy when you encounter various trials and tribulations” (James 1:2). 

The Christian life is also a life of prayer. Every Christian should be spending time talking to God every day (Matthew 26:41). God wants and expects us to pray to Him (1 Timothy 2:8). Are you spending time talking to God? When we talk to God it shows Him that we are trying to do His will and we are seeking his help and guidance, along with praising Him for all that He has done for us. The Christian life is a life of obedience to God, knowing that Jesus is the “author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

In addition to all these things, the Christian life is a life of growth (1 Peter 2:2), and a life of abiding in Christ (John 15:5-6). May we all strive to live the Christian life because after all, we are wearing Christ’s name aren’t we? Are we really living the kind of life that our Savior Jesus Christ would be proud of?