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There are many things in this present world that do not make sense. It often occurs when man decides to place a great deal of trust in his own understanding rather than in what God says about the matter. Solomon says,
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).Also, we read, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts," (Isaiah 55:9). Oftentimes, we will say or do things amiss, and not realize that our words and deeds do not make sense. But, on the other hand, we can be just as guilty if we know to do the right thing, but never do anything about it (James 4:17). Let us examine a few of the things that doesn't make sense.
It doesn't make sense when we say that we are too busy to worship on the first day of the week, and yet have time to attend to worldly pleasures. Hebrews 10:25 says,
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.God desires that all men will worship Him "in spirit and in truth," (John 4:24). Therefore, this commandment applies to both Christians and those who are outside the body of Christ. When we neglect our responsibility to worship the Lord on Sunday, we are not doing as He commands. It is one thing to be unable to attend worship on Sunday because of illness, for example, and yet another to intentionally be absent.
It doesn't make sense when a person, who is afforded the opportunity to be saved, decides to wait for a more convenient season even though he desires to become a Christian and knows that another opportunity may not arise again. Such was the case with Felix.
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee (Acts 24:25).
I am reminded of what P. P. Bilhorn wrote concerning an incident which occured in 1892 that prompted him to write the hymn "Not To-night". Bilhorn published both the hymn and the account in his "Crowning Glory Revised" hymnal. He said:
This hymn was suggested by an incident which occured during a tent-meeting conducted by the author. One evening the front seat was occupied by a party of young ladies and gentlemen. One of the young men became anxious about his soul and was personally invited by the author to accept Christ. When about to rise, one of the young ladies gave him a significant touch with her foot. This caused him to settle back, laughingly shake his head and say, "not to-night." On their way home that night they derisively re- enacted the solemn scenes of the meeting. One played the preacher, one the singer and the others would rise for prayer, weep, and then laughingly say, "not to-night." A stump caused the carriage to upset. The horses became frightened and ran away. The young man who became anxious about his soul but said, "not to-night" was killed.
There is no better time to obey the gospel than the present moment. The Scripture says, "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation," (2 Corinthians 6:2).
It doesn't make sense when a church bids God speed to men who they know to teach false doctrine. John, in 2 John 10-11, says
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.When the elders of a church invite a known false teacher to preach to and have fellowship with the flock, it is likely that the leaven will grow and cause division. Some churches of Christ have erred in inviting denominational preachers as well as false brethren to preach from the pulpit under the umbrella of unity-in-diversity. As a result, the leaven of false doctrine corrupted those churches (1 Corinthians 5:6).
It doesn't make sense when a church believes what the word of God teaches about apostasy, but fails to watch for the warning signs and avoid the road that leads toward it. In his exhortation to the elders of the church at Ephesus, Paul says,
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:28-30).
Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church about the eminent danger of apostasy. This passage is applicable to the church today. A further explanation along with instructions on how to confront the dangers of apostasy is found in 2 Timothy 3:1-4:5.
Ira Mikell
ira@thechristianexaminer.com
America today seems to be a country of great wealth, with a healthy economy and a commanding world presence. This country also, however, suffers from a great dearth of knowledge of the things of God. Ignorance of simple Bible stories and truths can be seen throughout the land, and it should be to our shame.
This time in our country is reminiscent of the end of the northern kingdom of Israel, as recorded by Hosea. The people of Israel had fallen away from the living God, and had worshipped the Baals. What was their problem? Why had they fallen away? God answers in Hosea 4:6:
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being my priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.This is a great charge, and should be frightening. Lack of knowledge of the things of God leads to separation from Him! Yet the priests are the ones who are blamed in Hosea 4 for the ignorance of the people, as they did not teach the law of God.
We as Christians are members of a "royal priesthood," (1 Peter 2:9), and also are charged to instruct people in the things of God. Jesus commanded us to "make disciples of all nations" in Matthew 28:18, and as Paul asks in Romans 10:14:
How shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?Clearly, one of our obligations as Christians is to preach the truth to others so that none may perish.
Ignorance of the things of God is not limited to the world. Yes, even the church can be ignorant of the truths which God has spoken. As Paul condemned the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:34-35:
Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.Some in the church had no knowledge of God! How shameful! We must always strive as brothers and sisters to constantly exhort and study with each other, as parents to instruct our children in the knowledge of God, and as individual Christians, continually study to show ourselves approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15).
Ignorance of the things of God is a great plague in this world today, and every Christian should strive to help reprove ignorance wherever he may come upon it. It is our obligation as Christians to help those who do not know the things of God, be it a worldly person or a member of the church. We must keep studying to make sure that we do know the things of God, and communicate these things, so that all may have at least the knowledge of the path of salvation.
Ethan R. Longhenry
ethan@thechristianexaminer.com
www.deusvitae.com
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