Taking God At His Word
The Bible describes angels as amazing beings. Their appearance often excited fear and dread in the hearts of men (Lk. 1:11, 12, 28, 29). The strength of angels is unquestionable, as one slew 185,000 men of the Assyrian army (2 Kgs. 19:35). Though powerful and fear inspiring, angels are the friends of those who love God (Lk. 2:9, 10).
Some men in the past held that Christians could not be part of the government or even have a say in its form or function. This view still lingers, perhaps out of habit more than conviction. Still, it is an issue we must address.
God ordained governments. He raises them up and puts them down (Dan. 4:25). They exist by His will to serve His will. There are times when God used a wicked nation to destroy another wicked one; Assyria annihilated Israel and Babylon devastated Judah.
Note: In this material, the term “pastor” is used in its common usage; a leader of a denominational church. It is not used in the biblical sense as outlined and illustrated in the New Testament (Acts 20:17-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
5. Some Believers Will Burn In Hell
Not all believers are saved; shocking, but true.
The easy and obvious example is the demons. They believe in Jesus as the Holy One of God, but are doomed to eternal torment (Mk. 1:23, 24). Their failing is lack of submission to the Lord.
Other lost believers include those who work iniquity. Jesus said,
Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (Matt. 7:21-23).
This means some who are religious, diligent in their labors, and believe in Jesus as Lord will not go to heaven. The Lord will reject them. Why? Because they worked “lawlessness.” That is, they did not do the will of the Father in heaven. They did not listen to Him. They did not follow His Word, where His will is found (1 Cor. 2:7-13). This includes people who use instrumental music in worship, practice the social gospel, or pervert the plan of salvation. The typical denominational pastor will not say a peep about this.
Other believers are identified by the Holy Spirit as falling short of the glory of God.
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (Jn. 12:42, 43).
To place the praise of men above the praise of God is sinful. Paul said if we seek to please men above pleasing Christ, we are not His servants (Gal. 1:10). If you are not a servant of Christ, you are not going to heaven. It is that simple. Still, pastors will not tell you this.
Another category of believers who will burn in hell include the immoral. Paul gives various lists of sins throughout his inspired writings. One such list is found in Galatians 5:19-21. Among the sins he enumerates are fornication, idolatry, sorcery, jealousies, envy, drunkenness and so on. Remember, he is writing the “churches of Galatia” (Gal. 1:2). He is not writing heathens. Thus, he said saints involved in the works of the flesh “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21). In other words, they will burn in hell.
Why will many denominational pastors not tell you this? One reason may be they are afraid of running people off. After all, it is a nice, easy message to teach people just to believe and everything will be all right. If their numbers fall, so will their popularity, prestige, and, often, pay check.
What can we learn from all of this?
First, we must not think that belief alone saves. It doesn’t. We are also to confess that believe before men (Rom. 10:9-13). We are to repent and be baptized to have the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Second, once we are saved, we are not always saved. We can believe for a while and then fall away (Lk. 8:13). We may still believe Jesus is the Christ, but be lost.
Third, whether it is the demons or other believers, those who will burn in hell are those who do not submit to the will of God. They follow their own desires. They chafe under the gospel of Christ and want to live in the ways of the world.
The average denominational pastor will not deal with these issues. He is blinded by tradition and the doctrines of men. He is more of a hindrance than help.
It is up to each of us to examine what men say in light of the inspired, inerrant Word of God (Acts 17:11). If we do not, any faith we have is really not our own, but that borrowed from another. Therefore, let us diligently study God’s Word.
Note: In this material, the term “pastor” is used in its common usage; a leader of a denominational church. It is not used in the biblical sense as outlined and illustrated in the New Testament (Acts 20:17-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
4. Faith Alone Will Not Save You.
There are certain standard passages a typical denominational pastor will employ to prove that salvation is by faith alone. They include, but are not limited to:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
At first glance many people are persuaded that these passages do, indeed, teach salvation by faith alone. However, when they are examined in light of other passages and in context, it is readily apparent that salvation by faith alone is a pernicious lie.
Whenever studying any subject, all scriptures relevant to the issue must be considered. For instance, if we were to take Galatians 6:10 by itself, we would think it mandatory to help every single person who asked for or needed help. However, when we also consider 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat,” we know the command to help others is limited. It is limited to those who cannot help themselves or are in temporary need. The one who can work but does not, is not to be helped at any time.
On the matter of salvation, we need to consider all that the New Testament teaches. Yes, faith is required. Without faith it is impossible to please God and any subsequent service is vain (Heb. 11:6). Yet, faith alone does not save.
James makes the point that faith must be coupled to action, or works. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas. 2:17). “Faith by itself” is faith alone. Hence, the inspired writer says that faith alone is a dead faith, not a living faith.
He continued to drive the point home in 2:24, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” The only thing the Bible says about “faith only” salvation is that it is “NOT by faith only.”
There are some examples of those who had faith in the Lord, but were not saved. First, the example James gives is the demons (Jas. 2:19). They believed in God, but were not saved. They even confessed Jesus as the Christ (Mk. 1:23, 24). They were not saved because their belief did not lead them to obedience. Rather, they lived in rebellion.
Another example is found in John 12:42, 43.
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
That these men believed cannot be denied; the Spirit says they believed. That they were lost cannot be denied either. No man can place the praise of men above the praise of God and be saved. When this happens, a man is not the servant of Christ (Gal. 1:10). Who will argue that one can be a servant of Christ while seeking to please men above Him?
Salvation, then, requires more than belief in Jesus.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter established Jesus as the Christ (Acts 2:16-36). Many in the audience were convicted and asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter’s response was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). If all humanity were standing before Peter that day, would he have given a different command? No. We know, therefore, that all believers are to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins; for salvation.
We also know from the New Testament that we must confess Jesus as the Christ.
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Rom. 10:9-13).
Jesus will not confess us before the Father if we do not confess Him before men (Lk. 12:8, 9). Yes, there is a certain aspect of this confession that involves daily living. However, as in Romans 10 there is a verbal confession that is made with the mouth. An example of this being done is in the conversion of the Ethiopian. After Philip preached Jesus to him, they came to some water (Acts 8:35, 36). The Eunuch asked Philip what hindered him from being baptized. Philip told him he had to believe in Jesus. At this, the Eunuch confessed Jesus as the Christ and was promptly baptized (Acts 8:37, 38). This is a biblical example of belief, confession, and baptism.
The Bible also records the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and drag them back to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1, 2). The Lord appeared to him on the road (Acts 9:3-9). In the conversation it is apparent that Saul believed Jesus is the Christ. He said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:6). Will anyone deny Saul believed in Jesus at this point?
When Saul went into Damascus, he was penitent and praying (Acts 9:9, 11). No doubt, he was deeply grieved over the knowledge he had been fighting the Lord and persecuting the true children of God. We have no record of his prayers in this period, but it does not seem a far stretch to imagine his humility and petitioning of mercy before God’s throne. Nevertheless, at this point he was a believing, penitent, praying man.
Later in his life Paul recalls the events of the day when Ananias came to him. When Ananias arrived, he said to Paul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). A believing, penitent, praying man was told to get up and be baptized to have his sins washed away. This does not fit the mold of denominational preaching. Pastors will not tell a man to do this. The typical pastor of today would have told Paul that he was saved on the road when he believed and could rejoice because his sins were already forgiven. The Lord’s chosen messenger, however, told him to get up and have his sins washed away in baptism.
We see, then, that salvation is not by faith only. The average pastor will claim it is. He would never tell you salvation is NOT by faith only. Yet, that is exactly what the Holy Spirit revealed in many passages and specifically so stated in James 2:24. To whom shall we listen?
Note: In this material, the term “pastor” is used in its common usage; a leader of a denominational church. It is not used in the biblical sense as outlined and illustrated in the New Testament (Acts 20:17-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
3. Denominations Are Not The New Testament Church of Christ.
Have you ever heard a pastor admit this? Fact is, he probably doesn’t understand the concept very well. He may think his church is a “New Testament” church. He sees himself as a Christian, not Jew or something else. He would emphatically claim allegiance to Christ. However, when examined in light of the New Testament, the church he leads will fall far short of the Church of Christ.
Name. Most churches have names that are not found in the New Testament. Men chosen different ways of describing themselves, to distinguish themselves from others. For instance, those who followed Marin Luther called themselves Lutherans to distinguish themselves from Roman Catholics and let people know what they believed. Baptist called themselves such to let all know that baptism was integral to being a member of their church; namely adult baptism as opposed to those who sprinkled infants. Presbyterians are named after their form of church government, which distinguishes them from Methodists. All of these names and designations for the church are not found in the New Testament. They are extra-biblical; the doctrines of men (Matt. 15:7-9).
The Church in the New Testament is described in various ways, any of which is scriptural to use today. God’s people are collectively (universally and congregationally) known as the church (Acts 2:47; Matt. 18:17), the church of God (1 Cor. 1:2), the church(es) of Christ (Rom. 16:16), the body of Christ (Eph. 4:17), the kingdom (Col. 1:13, 18; Matt. 13:13), the house of God (1 Tim. 3:15). Each of these names describes a different relationship the church maintains. The church is merely those called out of the world, when attached to God or Christ it shows to whom the church belongs. The body describes a needed relationship between the various parts of the body and also submission to the Head’s direction (Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:4). The kingdom shows a governmental organization, a monarchy specifically, with rights for its citizens. House tells us the church is a family too with God as the Father and Jesus as the elder Brother (Heb. 2:11-14).
We know the names found in the New Testament are scriptural and pleasing to God, for He gave them. Those invented and used by men are without divine inspiration. They assume a place of authority that God has not given. A pastor will not teach this.
Note: Sometimes a church is designated by its location and/or those who are part of it (1 Thes. 1:1; Col. 4:16; Rev. 2:1; 3:14). This is never intended to be an official name where people in Rome would call themselves the church of Ephesus.
Organization/leadership. Generally, denominations have one man leading the local church. This is true even if their national or international organization is headed by a council. The typical leader in a church is a “pastor.” He is the minister and overseer of the work. There may be boards, but everyone knows who leads the church.
The Bible reveals something dramatically different. In the New Testament there is always a plurality of leaders in a local congregation. These men are variously described as elders (presbyter), bishops (overseers), or pastors (shepherds). There were “elders” at the church in Ephesus who were to “shepherd” (pastor) the flock of God among them (Acts 20:17, 28). These men who were elders had to meet certain qualifications to serve in the office and were also known as bishops (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim. 3:1-7). Again, there was always a plurality (2 or more) serving in local churches (Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:17). These terms were never used as titles, but merely descriptions of their duties or sphere of labor.
Today, men serve as the “Pastor.” Many love the important sounding titles, which are contrary to Jesus’ teaching (Matt. 23:2-12). They often lack the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9). Many are single men, when the Bible says they must be married with believing children. When they serve as the leader, they violate the scriptural principle of multiple leaders.
Also worthy of notice is the fact that an elder/pastor is distinct from a preacher/evangelist (Eph. 4:11). They are two different duties. One oversees the local church, the other serves as a teacher. Some of their labors may overlap, but nevertheless, they are different “offices.” Your average pastor will not acknowledge this.
Worship. Nearly all churches have forgotten worship is directed by God. He has revealed His will on the matter and not left it to man. The Holy Spirit guided the apostles and prophets into all truth (Jn. 16:13). There was not a truth they did not receive in New Testament times that we do not have today, and vice versa. Since the close of the New Testament near 100 AD, there has been no new revelation. Hence, all we know about God’s will for worship is in the New Testament of Jesus Christ; recorded and preserved for all generations.
The gospel reveals the saints engaged in five activities in their assemblies. They studied revelation, gave of their material possessions, observed the Lord’s supper, prayed, and sang songs (Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19). Let’s break it down. The “apostles’ doctrine” of Acts 2:42 is the teaching/studying done by the congregation. This is the preaching part of the worship (Acts 20:7). The “fellowship” of Acts 2 is the giving on the first day of the week, which was often used to help saints in need (1 Cor. 16:1, 2; Acts 4:32-37; 6:1-6). The churches also commemorated the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection with the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (Matt. 26:17, 26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). They did this on the first day of the week in the assembly (Acts 20:7). They prayed frequently (Acts 12:5). Saints also sang in the assembly (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). This was a simultaneous, reciprocal activity—a congregational activity, not a choir activity. They taught and admonished one another in this manner.
The typical pastor will go beyond what is revealed and direct a church in using instrumental music and incorporating multiple forms of entertainment into a worship service. He is leading the church outside the doctrine of Christ, and is therefore corrupting their worship (2 Jn. 9; Matt. 15:7-9).
If the typical church is not following the New Testament teaching of what a church is in name, organization, or worship, then it is not a New Testament church. It does not belong to Christ. Rather, it is a product of the traditions of men. Pastor help perpetuate this, leading people beyond and away from the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9). Such ought to be rejected; embracing the New Testament as the sole guide for the church (2 Jn. 10, 11; Col. 3:17).
Note: In this material, the term “pastor” is used in its common usage; a leader of a denominational church. It is not used in the biblical sense as outlined and illustrated in the New Testament (Acts 20:17-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
2. Jesus Will Not Rule On Earth For 1,000 Years. The overwhelming majority of denominations teach that Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth and reign for 1,000 years. The typical pastor will tell you at some point in the future there will be a rapture in which the righteous will be taken to heaven. Following this, there will be seven years of tribulation on earth when people get a second chance to receive Christ. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus will return with the righteous taken in the rapture, gather them with the tribulation saints, and establish His throne in Jerusalem. This is called Premillennialism and it has only one problem. It is utterly false.
There is too much in Premillennialism to answer in just one article. Thus, we will stick to some of the bigger points.
Neither the word nor the concept of the “rapture” is in the Bible. It is true the saints, both living and dead, will be taken with Jesus to heaven when He returns (1 Thes. 4:13-17). Note that these will remain with Him in heaven forever (1 Thes. 4:17). There will not be any returns to earth seven years later. Too, when the righteous are raised, the dead will be too; Jesus said the same hour. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice, and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (Jn. 5:28, 29). It also seems anti-biblical to teach that saints will go to heaven for seven years then return to earth for 1,000, and then go back to heaven for eternity. Something is wrong with that picture.
Connected to the Premillennial concept of the rapture and tribulation is that Jesus’ return will be invisible, but there will be signs indicating it is near. The return of Christ will be both visible and audible (Acts 1:11; 1 Thes. 4:16). A text used in support of “signs” of His return is Matthew 24. There the disciples commented to Jesus about the temple and He told them it would be destroyed (Matt. 24:1, 2). A little later they asked Him about it. They thought they were asking one question, when they were actually asking two. They said, “[1] When will these things be? And [2] what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3). They could not conceive of the temple being destroyed unless it was the end of the world and Judgment.
In answering these questions, Jesus explained there will two different events. First, there would be the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24:4-35). He warned them to watch for signs leading up to this so they could escape the tribulation of those days (Matt. 24:15-21). This tribulation is not worldwide, but tied to Judea. “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matt. 24:16). If it was worldwide, no escape would be possible. They are also told to pray that their escape is not on the Sabbath. Why? Because the gates of Jerusalem would be shut on the Sabbath.
Some raise the issue of Jesus coming on the clouds in verse 30. This is similar to the language in Isaiah 19:1, when God is described as judging Egypt. It is prophetic language. In Matthew 24:4-35, Jesus is talking about God judging Israel generally and Jerusalem specifically.
In Matthew 24:36, Jesus makes it clear that no one knows when “that day” will occur; only God. This is where He answers the question about the end of the age, the Judgment. It will be like in the days of Noah when there were no signs (Matt. 24:37-39). The only warning people were given was that a judgment, the flood, was coming. This is all the warning we are given. We are to simply be ready at all times, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44). How can Jesus speak of the same event by saying watch for the signs (Matt. 24:15) and there is no way to tell when it will happen (Matt. 24:36)? He is either contradicting Himself (which He is not), or He is speaking of two different occasions (which He is).
As for one being taken and the other left, Premillennial pastors say that is the rapture, when people will all of a sudden disappear and those left on earth will wonder what happened (Matt. 24:40, 41). This actually fits right in with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. When Jesus comes back in final judgment, only the righteous will be “taken up” with Him to heaven. The unrighteous will be banished to hell. There is a separation on the last day. That is all Matthew 24:40, 41 is describing.
Finally, Jesus has already established His kingdom. Peter preached that when Jesus was raised, He was raised to sit on David’s throne (Acts 2:22-31). He is now “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He is “King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:15). There are citizens in the kingdom, having been conveyed there by God (Col. 1:13).
There is no way Jesus will have an earthly kingdom, reigning on David’s literal throne in the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah prophesied no more descendents of Coniah would sit on David’s throne in Jerusalem (Jer. 22:30). Jesus is a descending of Coniah, also known as Jeconiah (Matt. 1:11). Hence, He cannot rule on David’s throne in Jerusalem without breaking Jeremiah’s inspired prophecy.
When Pilate asked Jesus about being a king, He said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (Jn. 18:36). Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual, not physical. The battle fought by and for Him is not carnal, but spiritual (2 Cor. 10:3-5). It is a cheap perversion of the Son’s kingdom to say it will be on earth; physical, carnal, worldly. If that is what He wanted, He would have done it the first time.
Much, much more could be said about the errors of Premillennialism. Pastors push it and people believe it. It contradicts the Word of God. Therefore, we must reject it.
Note: In this material, the term “pastor” is used in its common usage; a leader of a denominational church. It is not used in the biblical sense as outlined and illustrated in the New Testament (Acts 20:17-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
1. Baptism Is Essential For Salvation.
Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). Pastors want to quibble about this and say that the only condition for condemnation is non-belief. Fundamentally, this reasoning is flawed because if you do not believe you will not be scripturally baptized. Too, the two conditions given for salvation are belief and baptism.
By inspiration Peter told believers on Pentecost to “repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Again, pastors will explain this away by saying “for” in this verse means “because of.” The exact same language is used in Matthew 26:28 where Jesus said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” The “for” in this verse cannot be “because of,” otherwise Jesus shed His blood after men had their sins forgiven.
When Ananias spoke to Saul for the first time, he said, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). This was said to Saul after he spent three days in repentance and prayer (Acts 9:9, 11). No pastor can honestly contradict this. Saul believed on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:6), but he was told three days later to have his sins washed away in baptism.
All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3). In Him we are chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven (Eph. 1:4-7). The Bible teaches the way into Christ, into those spiritual blessings, is through immersion in water.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3, 4).
We put on Christ in baptism based on our faith in Him, repenting of our sins, and confessing Him with our mouth (Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26, 27). Denominational pastors do not teach this.
Paul wrote that sins are cut off and cast away in baptism (Col. 2:11, 12). It is not through an individual’s efforts that God is somehow indebted to him. Rather, being baptized for salvation is a matter of humble submission to our Lord’s commands. Notice, Paul says we are “raised with Him through faith in the working of God.” He did not say that being immersed in the water and raised again had anything to do with faith in the working of man. It is faith in the working of God. God does the forgiving through the blood of His Son. It is simply our part to believe in this as we obey the command. Pastors will not preach it, to their eternal shame.
Future Subjects On Five Things A Pastor Won’t Tell You
2. Jesus Will Not Rule On Earth For 1,000 Years.
3. Denominations Are Not The New Testament Church of Christ.
4. Faith Alone Will Not Save You.
5. Some Believers Will Burn In Hell.
Some people are under the impression that God did not hold people in the Old Testament accountable for their sins and will not in the Day of Judgment. This thinking is sometimes based on Acts 17:30, “Truly, the times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Is this saying God excused those who lacked knowledge of right and wrong?
We can know this is not true because of what Paul wrote in Romans 1. He said the Gentiles were under the wrath of God because they rejected Him (Rom. 1:18-22). When this happened they went into idolatry and all forms of immorality (Rom. 1:23-32). Will all this be overlooked in Judgment?
One example should suffice: Sodom & Gomorrah. “as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7). The “similar manner to these” has reference to angels who sinned and are “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (Jude 6). The wicked people of Sodom and the surrounding area are going to hell; God has not and will not overlook their sin.
So, what “ignorance” did God overlook? It was the ignorance of His plan for redeeming man. The nations had not known God because they rejected Him (Rom. 1:18-32). The Jewish nation received the Law of Moses as a special people to God; entered a covenant with Him. This covenant, however, was not an evangelistic one. The Jews were not told to go and convert the heathen. Rather, they were told to destroy them (Deut. 7:1-5).
Now, under the covenant of Christ, the people of God are to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19, 20). This covenant is an evangelistic one. God wants His messaged dispersed throughout the world.
Did God not care about the nations in the Old Testament? Yes. There are glimpses of Old Testament of God dealing with them. There was a law He expected them to abide by, otherwise not one member of those nations would ever have been guilty of sin (cf. Rom. 4:15). He simply did not deal with them like He did the Jews.
“The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
He will beg during harvest and have nothing.”
Proverbs 20:4
What do you think of a lazy man? Me too.
Laziness really troubles me deep down. It is hard for me to have any manner of respect for the person who simply will not work: man, woman, child.
The Proverb writer points out the lazy man will have a problem. He will not get out and “plow because of winter;” the conditions are not just right. When it comes time to reap the benefits of hard labor, he will get none. He may even go to his neighbors seeking help, but they will extend none. He is starving and no compassion is extended.
Is this right?
Yes. The Bible teaches that if a man “will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thes. 3:10). What does this mean? He should be allowed to starve to death. Shocking? It shouldn’t be.
This does not apply to the person who cannot work (age, infirmity, illness, etc.). It does not apply to one who has repented of his laziness and is now willing to work. Rather, the point is the person who can work, but will not, does not have the right to expect others to care for him. The pain and suffering he experiences due to lack of food, clothing, shelter, ought to prod him to change his ways. It does not do a sinner, in this case the lazy man, any good to coddle him in his sin. Tough love is in order.
Is there another application to this Proverb?
What about the one who is spiritually lazy? The person who has little interest or motivation spiritually is not to be coddled.
For example, the man who will not read his Bible, pray to God, or attend services, either all together or some combination thereof, does not deserve our pity. He knows better, he just won’t do it. Do we feel sorry for him and his problems with his wife (his problems not hers)? Do we tell him we understand and wish he was not having so many difficulties in life? Or, do we rebuke him for his laziness and tell him to stop sinning by being luke warm (cf. Rev. 3:16, 17)?
For the indifferent man or woman, there is coming a time when they will “beg for bread.” If they truly turn from their sinfulness and apply themselves to growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, then we need to help them (Gal. 6:1, 2). We would even give the benefit of the doubt and strive to help them. However, if there is no repentance, there can be no forgiveness. If they intend on remaining in their laziness, then it is a waste of time to deal with them.
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matt. 7:6).
For the spiritually lethargic, the time to sow and harvest will come to an end. When the Lord returns their true condition will be known by one and all. They will stand before the Judge of the universe and “beg for bread,” but receive none. Remember what Jesus told us about the “wicked and lazy servant”? “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25:30). This man was given an opportunity to serve the Lord but was too lazy to take advantage of it. He said, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed” (Matt. 25:24). Yet, he was “afraid” (Matt. 25:25). Again, His Master said he was “wicked and lazy,” and during the reckoning showed no mercy to this man.
Let us not waste our opportunities. Get to the work, even though it is “winter.” If we do not, there will be no harvest for us, no rejoicing in the fruit of our labor, no “bread of life.”
“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Psa. 130:3, 4).
We Are Guilty
It is a manifest fact that we all sin (Rom. 3:9-23). None of us is righteous in-and-of ourselves. We rebel against God at some point in time and cross that barrier from being innocent to being guilty…and there is nothing that we can do purely by our own power to get out of it. This is abundantly clear from the life of Abraham, as Paul argues in Romans 4:1-4.
We cannot do enough “good works,” even religious ones, to have our sins overlooked by the Lord. Many people do things for the Lord, but will be turned away by Him (Matt. 7:21-23).
Too, our physical and spiritual heritage cannot justify us (Rom. 2:28, 29). The Jews could not claim the blood of Abraham nor the centuries of Judaism as their grounds for righteousness.
The cold, hard fact is that if God “marks” our iniquities, we are doomed (Rom. 6:23).
God Makes Us Innocent
Thankfully, we need not remain in a guilty condition. God is merciful. Right after the Spirit convicted all men of sin, He revealed the compassion of God (Rom. 3:24-26). It is extended through His Son, our Savior (Eph. 1:7). His blood is the basis for forgiveness. And, take note, the only basis of forgiveness; all other ways are false (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12).
Forgiveness in the Son is extended to us through the Word of God. The gospel leads us to know and understand God’s mercy in Jesus (2 Thes. 2:13, 14). It is His power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). Without the Word, we remain in darkness and ignorance; without faith or hope.
When we receive the Word, we have faith in Christ. This faith is submissive, not self-willed. It is obedient faith (Heb. 11). Peter said, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit” (1 Pet. 1:22). The Spirit revealed all truth, and when we obey it, our souls are purified; they are pardoned (Jn. 16:13).
Let us rejoice that though we are guilty of sin, we can appeal to God for pardon and peace (1 Pet. 3:21; Phil. 4:6, 7).