Let God: Part One

I hear a certain phrase from time to time and it really bothers me. It comes in various forms and sounds rather simple to the average person but it's usually loaded with false implications. The phrase as I hear it usually comes across in these words, "You have to let God work in your life."

Sounds simple right? Its a statement the average person can hear or say and feel like they have stumbled upon some deep theological jackpot that solves all of life's problems. But is it accurate?

The Greatest Generation Or A Holy God?

"And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. 

Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. "- Judges 2:14-15

We know that Israel served God all the days of Joshua and in the years after his death and the death of the elders who served alongside him. Were they sinless? No, but they kept God first and worshiped Him alone. So what happened? Is this proof for the naysayers that God is really unjust and not loving? It is in fact proof of the opposite.

There Is Another Verse In Joshua 24?

It's not uncommon for us to encounter some form of decoration, especially in the home of Christians, which reference Joshua 24:15. Most of us know the phrase by heart.

"....but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Why only the last quarter of the verse is used and not the previous 14 and three quarters is beyond me. Why wouldn't they want even the next nine verses listed also? There is a context here that is very important for Christians.  In fact, a great foundation is being laid in this chapter not only for the history of the Church but also as an example for her. Besides, how awesome would it be to have the entire twenty fourth chapter of Joshua painted across your wall? But that's another topic for another time.

Does The World Hate Me?

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”  (John 15:18)

As a Christian living within the church friendly confines of the Deep South in America I've always read over this verse nodding my head and thinking, “Well if Jesus said so,”  not ever really thinking it through and seeing the truth. There is a historical significance for the early Church because of the events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and also for Christians who lived and were killed for the faith up to just a few hundred years ago.  But this is America. This is the South.  Everyone knows of Jesus.  Every family has some tie to Christianity.  We generally don’t feel hated.   

Those were my basic thoughts on this verse if I had heard a sermon on the topic or read over it in a casual reading. That is until recently.  In light of all the talk in the news of our government officials and agencies being involved in scandals and (mostly verbal or principle) attacks against conservatives (though I recognize this group is not all composed of Christians) I paused as I read over this verse. 

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”  (John 15:19)

 Homosexuals are fighting hard to make sure they are recognized in a favorable light by the government and society at large.  They are painting Christians as a group of outdated bigots.  A monument to Atheists has been erected in the State of Florida while all across the country local governments struggle with whether the Ten Commandments can be displayed.  Anyone looking for sound reasoning in a matter automatically discredits the person who quotes the Bible in his answer.  As I thought about these things I realized that even people who call themselves Christians are participating in these very acts! (Though we judge by the fruit they bear if they are of Christ at all.) And furthermore, as some of you well-seasoned Christians have likely already thought to yourselves, these things are not new! Not to America and not even to the South!

 What happened?!

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20)

Oh.  Could it be that stemming from the great freedoms we saints have enjoyed in this land we have become complacent?  Could it unfortunately be that we have without even realizing it considered ourselves greater than our Lord? “Oh please, this is the twenty first century; there is no persecution!  My neighbor doesn't hate me!” Are we so foolish that we think ourselves wise?  The very Son of God in whom all our hope rests said, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;” and yet we think we’re exempt! Jesus, being God incarnate, did not lie!

False teachers have crept in through the years and have been fervently, effectually, and religiously spreading other gospels than that of Jesus (though they try to attach His name) while we rest idly in the comfort of our freedoms doing little to keep the goats far from the sheep.  Instead, we have invited them in among us.  Congregations across this country open their doors and hearts to everyone.  Claiming to be “seeker friendly” many have become seekers of friends among the world forgetting that Christ said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:” (John 6:44a)

 What has Christianity as a whole done?  Have we gone astray like the great whore Jerusalem? Did we think ourselves greater than Jesus that we could escape what He is telling us in these verses?  “But sir! You talk of persecution and being hated yet if we let them have this small matter they’ll leave us alone and we can worship in peace.”  And what handful of dirt did we offer years ago that the world demands an acre now.  So what are we to believe? Plainly, you cannot love Christ and be loved by the world.  Jesus simply said,

“But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” (John 15:21)

So it is inescapable while we live on this earth.  But rest assured the church is not lost.  The gates of hell will never prevail against her.  The true church will persevere, being the salt of the earth, shining the light of Christ in darkness and she will be persecuted for it until the end.  Yet, for those who know the voice of Jesus and have heard him say, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:” (John 15:16a) also know that there is hope in Him.  The fruit is born of God and will not sour.  If we labor in Christ it is not in vain.

God cannot lie.  Therefore His Word must be true.  He has declared that those who hate Jesus also hate His people.  “But Jesus was a friend of sinners,” and so we ought to be as well but the world was never a friend of Jesus and nor will it ever be to His church.  ”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)