The scriptures tell us that God expects the sanctity of His word to be respected and the message preserved. As we progress, we will see that those identified as faithful throughout the ages have done this. But is it enough to simply know the rules and mechanically follow them, or, is there something else to being a servant of God? In this chapter we will continue to look at what it means to be a Christian in light of God’s word.
The study has identified faith as the word that God has spoken which makes the body of revealed knowledge sacred. An identifying characteristic of those described as faithful is that they adhere to God’s word. The faithful base their hope on God and learn to trust Him and rely on the instructions He has given. We have seen that there is an all or nothing principle demanding full acceptance of God’s word as the final authority in all things. God recognizes and respects His word and His word only. The word tells us how the world has been blessed spiritually and provides instruction to avoid eternal separation from the Lord which He also promises as a negative consequence.
We found that those who kept the word of God are identified as faithful and blessed for their deeds but the all or nothing principle does not stop there. There is an added dimension involving the heart and the reasons for “following the rules”. This has to do with the love of God for mankind and the desire to return that love to the creator for the blessings He gives. Especially under consideration is the love God has shown by sending His son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world (John 3.16). With this in mind we can compare the love God has for us with the love we need to develop for Him. Important to this discussion is that the love we have for God must be in accordance with His will, or word, or laws, or commands, depending on the terms you choose to use. The scriptures give us ample information to understand this particular topic.
God is Lord of all the Earth, as was pointed out earlier. By right of creation, God has the sole authority over all things. Humans, and the mythological deities created by mankind, are corrupted by power of great magnitude as demonstrated by history and mythological accounts of thegods and their various weaknesses. God on the other hand remains pure with good intentions toward mankind. God provides all of mankind with blessings including life, the ability to sustain ourselves and the preservation of the environment which in turn supports physical life. Mankind throughout the ages has been relatively free to pursue a direction which many times is away from, not toward, the creator.
In the same way that God was grieved, and rightly angered, by the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3), so He has been grieved by the sin of mankind throughout history as recorded in the scriptures. At various times, and in extreme cases, God has intervened cutting cultures short due to their evil. God has wrongfully been given a bad name by some because of these actions and yet it must be remembered that God’s purpose and wisdom goes beyond what mankind can understand. God does not desire the destruction of the ungodly (Ezekiel 18.23) and provides the means to avoid this fate. The matter returns to thestate of the heart. If one loves God, then God’s commands, all of them, will be respected and cherished.
God’s love for mankind provides us with all spiritual blessings. He communicated His will to those who would follow him throughout the ages and revealed His word today in its current form. God desires for us to serve Him so we will not be lost. Finally, a point that is often completely ignored, is that God is quick to forgive if one genuinely repents and turns to Him. In this chapter we will discuss these points and draw some conclusions about what it means to serve God. We will find that love has to be involved as well as our commitment to the faith and the development of faithfulness as the word becomes part of our minds and actions. Finally we’ll look at the social implications of being a Christian and the impact it has on the lives of those who serve Him.
Some reject the idea of serving God. For many the Bible represents a frightening rulebook that takes the fun out of life. Others do not serve God because they feel they are too flawed and unacceptable to the Lord. Others have convinced themselves that God is so loving that no one will be lost. The focus of the latter group is self acceptance finding peace in the idea that God will love us in whatever state we may be. Each of these attitudes differ from what the scriptures teach and establishes a righteous-ess that has nothing to do with God. A more extreme view is one which denies the existence of God and dismisses the idea of sin, righteousness and eternal reward or condemnation. That which is seen and measurable outweighs the invisible that cannot be subjected to laboratory studies. People holding this view often regard believers as superstitious individuals who lack intelligence.
Diverse attitudes such as this make it difficult to convince someone that the scriptures are our only source of spiritualauthority and that they came from God. It is helpful to point out that God should be served and worshipped, not out of fear, but with a desire to please the one who has blessed us. A review of the scriptural narrative allows us to see how the separation from God came about and how much God has labored to reestablish the relationship.
In the beginning God created all things with a specific order and purpose in mind (Genesis 1). As the finishing touch upon creation God made man (Genesis 2). Mankind was placed in a position of management over the rest of creation. David writes, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet...” (Psalm 8.4-5).
Note the language of the Psalm. Man is created only “a little lower than the angels”. In addition to this, mankind has been bequeathed the stewardship of the earth as God “... hast put all things under his feet”. Mankind’s position is a place of dignity and responsibility. Humanity was placed in an environment where they could achieve happiness (Genesis 2) which demonstrates God’s love for mankind. God’s character is revealed in the details of creation by His preparation of a suitable living place and provisions for meaningful activity and pleasure. What more could anyone have asked for having nothing to give in return for these blessings.
Some argue that God engineered the fall of man by setting a limitation before them in the form of the command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The goodness of God, however, can be seen in the fact that this command was not presented as an arbitrary rule to be followed, but, as a means of being respected and remembered. This is a small price to pay for the enormous blessings that were provided. Adam and Eve had the means to perpetuate their quality of existence with God indefinitely. The nature of mankind from the beginning has demonstrated a tendency to be distracted from God’s instructions. It was Satan, not God, who sought to destroy the peace God provided the couple.
Satan, from the beginning, has sought to taint and pollute the work of God. Satan cannot corrupt or overcome God but he can strike back indirectly by destroying mankind, created in the image of God (Genesis 1.27). Satan knew mankind was important and loved by God (Psalm 8.4-9) who does not desire destruction, even of the ungodly (Ezekiel 18.23,32, 33.11, 2 Peter 3.9). Given these facts, Satan’s actions throughout the ages have been directed against the God of heaven, not mankind. Satan knows evil cannot exist or be allowed in the presence of God and therefore mankind is a willing victim in the hurtful actions on the part of the Devil.
Christ stated that Satan was “....a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8.44). He is also known as the destroyer (Revelation 9.11, Thayer’s Greek–English Lexicon of the New Testament, Evangel Publishing Company, Wheaton Illinois, p. 65), and as the “accuser of the brethren...” (Revelation 12.10).
From the beginning Satan has attempted to thwart God by altering mankind’s opinion of the creator as seen in the deception of Eve (Genesis 3). Later, we find the devil at work in a similar fashion in the story of Job. Satan challenged God and the integrity of Job stating, “But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” (Job 1.11). Satan wished to discredit God by showing that He was mistaken about Job’s character. God allowed Satan to try Job with the limitation that he could not take his life (Job 2.6). In spite of personal loss and physical torment, Job maintained his righteousness and did not attack God as Satan was sure would happen (Job 42).
Satan has no shame or sense of guilt. This is seen in the fact that he tempted Christ to do his bidding, worship him and to challenge the power of God directly (Matthew 4.1-10). God, knowing the character of Satan, and the inherent vulnerability of mankind, had a plan for the repair of any breach once creation was established. This plan included Jesus Christ and was formulated before the world began (Titus 1.2, 1 Corinthians 2.7). Peter describes the devil as a roaring lion that searches for those whom he may devour (1 Peter 5.8). Satan has opposed and slandered God from the beginning desiring to take as many into destruction with him as will follow.
Once creation had been polluted by the influence of Satan, God’s work of redeeming or buying back mankind from the power of the Devil began (Genesis 3.15). In these early events the love of God is manifested for mankind in two ways. First of all, although mankind sinned, God allowed humans to exercise free will over their actions. God provided the means, by His commands, to resist the devil but did not force them to serve Him. The choice to sin was Adam and Eve’s. Secondly, God manifests love in the fact that, while certain sanctions were imposed on mankind following the introduction of sin, a provision was made for their lives to continue, and, for the eventual salvation of all mankind. Why God chose to do things in the way that He did, in spite of human criticism of the scriptures, remains as a testimony to God’s knowledge and wisdom (Deuteronomy 29.29, Isaiah 55.9).
From the beginning until now the Lord provides physical blessings that all mankind enjoys. Christ stated that God “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5.45). The Psalmist writes that the earth is “filled with the goodness of the Lord.” (Psalm 33.5). God did not intend for evil to destroy His creation and rule the mind and emotions of mankind. When this happened the provision for the salvation of humanity was put in motion by God who was able to bring it about.
The scriptures reveal that God continues to show mercy to those who oppose Him. The book of Jonah, for instance, is the account of God sending a prophet to warn a heathen nation to repent of their sins to avoid direct destruction by God. Moses gives an account of how God preserved the Hebrews as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years in spite of their criticism of the Lord. Moses quotes God stating, “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.” (Deuteronomy 29.5). God warned the nations of Israel and Judah to call them to repentance rather than immediately destroying them (2 Chronicles 36.16). Each of the prophets, addressing the people of God, reminded them of the blessings they had received from the Lord as part of the message they delivered.
In each of the situations discussed, God appears as a being, who through creation, showed love toward the created being man and continued to show His love throughout the following ages. God worked over the centuries to accomplish His reunion with mankind. In God’s heart is the desire to restore His relationship with mankind as a close and intimate one. In order to do this God was willing to perform a deed that caused enormous pain to Him in order to benefit mortals. He gave His son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world.
Separate from the influence of the Devil, another factor is responsible for the barrier that exists between man and God. Satan definitely has an influence as the apostle Paul states, writing to the Corinthians, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4.4). The other half of this equation is that mankind is essentially weak and prone to follow what we think and believe. Our thoughts and beliefs are often based on how we feel about something. Emotions, and the state of mind they invoke, is often the guide used to determine that what we believe is true in spite of fact and reality. Mankind has a tendency to base conviction on the relative state of the body, one’s physical needs and states and emotional reactions to information.
Such was the case with Cain. When he saw that his brother Abel’s, sacrifice was accepted by God he became upset (Genesis 4.3-8). God explained to Cain that he also could be acceptable by offering a sacrifice that was more pleasing to Him (Genesis 4.6-7). God’s love toward both of the brothers is manifested in the fact that God opens a door for Cain to gain acceptance. Instead of listening to God, Cain chose to kill his brother thinking he could hide it from the Lord (Genesis 4.8-10). God shows mercy and love for Cain by placing a mark upon him that would prevent others from taking his life and allowed him to live. Emotional states, coupled with how we view ourselves and the world around us, can lead to engaging in thoughts and actions that will prevent us from obeying God.
Physical needs and our tendency to allow them to direct us is evident in scriptures. Mankind chose to turn away from God, following the body and desires of the flesh, rather than those of the spirit. During the days of Noah men were “taking” wives of all that they saw and their violence was so great that it filled the Earth which caused God to decide to destroy the world (Genesis 6.1-12). Specifically, the record states that mankind had “corrupted his way” (Genesis 6.12). God did not send destruction on the world simply because a few rules were broken but because there was no love for Him or for other humans in the Earth. There was no restraint shown in mankind’s actions and therefore no end to the evil that was committed. God, in His love for mankind, preserved humanity while removing the evil that polluted and corrupted the world (Genesis 6-8).
This trend continues throughout the Biblical narrative. God provided the Hebrews with a land and the physical blessings needed to sustain their nation. The Israelites, desiring to be like their neighbors, demanded a king which exemplified their rejection of God as Lord of the nation (1 Samuel 8.1-22). A fitting summary of the Hebrews prior to this time period is that “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21.25). Rejection of God and His ways reflects a desire to determine what is right and wrong based on our own personal opinions and sense of comfort.
Paul describes the world’s passage into paganism and idolatry in his letter to the Romans stating, “...when they knew God, they glorified him not as God; neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1.21). In spite of God’s love and care for the creation, mankind turns away from Him, becomes prey to human ignorance and the influence of Satan, straying farther from the Lord. God’s love and patience continues until such a time as the situation is hopeless in terms of turning a culture, or the world, as in the days of Noah, back toward His paths (2 Chronicles 36.15-16).
God also demonstrates his love toward mankind in the fact that while He desires for us to obey Him, He does not force anyone to do so. The choice of following Him is left to the individual. The nation of Israel was established as a peculiar treasure among the nations (Exodus 19.5) and although it seems they had no choice in the matter, God provided them with blessings in abundance to show that they would be taken care of. Their voluntary obedience would make them stand out in the world as God’s people. In a similar way, Christians in the present world are to serve the same function as God’s peculiar people (1 Peter 2.9). Voluntary service, obedience to His word and demonstrating the type of character we need to develop will tell those around us that God is good.
The nature of the Hebrew nation, being the offspring of Abraham, obscures an overlooked point. The children of Israel had a relationship with the Lord but this was not completely exclusive. Foreigners were not barred from serving God although the extent of their involvement at that time was limited. God has always accepted those who desire to serve Him. Under the Law a provision was made for foreigners to live in the land (Leviticus 19.34, Deuteronomy 10.18-19). Solomon, at the dedication of the temple, prayed that those who were of other nations would be heard by the Lord if they sought Him and called upon His name. Solomon prayed, “Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake; for they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm; when he shall come and pray toward this house; hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house which I have builded, is called by thy name.” (1 Kings 8.41-43).
God’s love and concern for the spiritual wellbeing of all mankind can be seen from passages in the New Testament as well. The Temple is used in a figurative sense to demonstrate the plan of God for saving all people. Discussing the relationship of the Law and the responsibilities of newly converted Gentile Christians, note what is said by James concerning God. James states, “Men and brethren hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, after this I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” (Acts 15.13-18).
God was mindful of the Gentiles who failed to preserve the knowledge of God in their cultures and prepared a way in which they could be saved. From the first Gentile conversion of Cornelius by the preaching of Peter, called by the name Simeon above, to the preaching of the apostle Paul and his companions, God made and presented a way for the Gentiles to be saved. The door was open to all who would accept and live by it.
Paul comments about this in his address to the Athenian philosophers on Mars hill. The apostle noted their superstitious desire to include all deities in their worship going so far as to dedicate a monument to the unknown god, whom Paul had come to declare to them. Paul stated, “God that made the world and all the things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing that he giveth to all life and breath and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” (Acts 17.24-27).
Peter notes God’s concern for all humanity when he states that God is “longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3.9). In the beginning it was man’s sin that caused the separation from God. Since that time God has labored to provide the means by which we may draw closer to Him. Since it was the decision of mankind to sin it must also be our decision to return to the Lord. God invites those who are willing to be His followers to learn and obey, desiring that all should turn to Him in repentance. The sacrifice of Christ is God’s provision for closing the breach between Himself and man. Through Christ’s sacrifice, the door is open to anyone who would enter into the mercy of God.
Christ spoke of God’s love to Nicodemus stating, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3.16). Christ stated He had come to “finish” the work of the Father (John 4.34) which was to save man from the power of the Devil who deceived the world.
God’s love is manifested in the ordinary blessings of every day, the revelation of His word and the provision of Christ. These call to those who will hear and obey. God has appointed a time in which he will judge the world (2 Thessalonians 1.7-10) and in preparation for that day has provided the means to escape destruction. There is an appeal to serve the Lord out of a willing heart, with a willing mind, in thankfulness for the blessings He has given us.
God’s love is great and His willingness to forgive complements His giving nature (1 John 1.9) but throughout the scriptures there is encouragement to remain “unspotted from the world” (James 1.27). The need for this is not so that one may be rigidly self-righteous but to honor the name of the God of Heaven in all that is done. When one fails to live the life God would have us lead we tarnish the reputation of the Lord. Paul states that we have been bought with a price and therefore should glorify God in our bodies and our spirit (1 Corinthians 6.20). The price that was paid for this redemption was the blood of Christ. Peter states, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot...” (1 Peter 1.18-19).
Activities of this life that sometimes promise the greatest amount of enjoyment, or relief from the stress of living, many times conflict with the law of God. Paul lists some of these activities that are common to people of all times (Galatians 5.19-21). Thinking about what we do to make life better we often create more problems than solutions. For example, when marriage does not suit one’s needs, the solution sometimes is to engage in extramarital affairs or divorce one’s mate. The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual consequences of this are damaging as many can attest to. Alcohol seems to be an innocent stress reliever but the physical problems and other difficulties, including the negative influence brought into a family by such practices, make even moderate drinking a risky practice. There are things that take life from us and things that can truly give life when they are practiced. Mankind has a tendency to pursue those things that take life and rob us of real pleasures. God’s word provides enjoyment, peace and life without regret or fear.
One way we in which we can view the Bible is as a plea to not hurt ourselves through activities that increase the probability that one will be miserable both physically and spiritually. God, in His wisdom, has provided a book by which one may truly derive enjoyment from life in ways that have lasting meaning with positive eternal consequences. Jeremiah stated, “...it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10.23). Satan introduced deception, creating an artificial reality, one in which mankind could sin, increase one’s enjoyment without God, and become like God (Genesis 3.1-6). Human imagination, coupled with this deception created a barrier separating man from God. The scriptures direct one’s attention to the lasting joys that come from knowing that one is doing that which is right in the sight of the Lord.
The Bible therefore represents the love of God and is a plea for those who will listen to return that love and be saved. Christ stated that if one loves Him we must keep His commandments (John 14.15). John stated that in order to be pleasing to the Lord we should not “love the world neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2.15-16).
Love for God begins with the realization that He has given first in His provisions and blessings. One needs to recognize that while serving God represents a struggle, there is a reward that is to be gained as well. The reunification with God in the eternal home is that for which we strive. What type of attitude should one display or seek to develop toward one from whom we wish to receive such a gift? In the material world if someone offered us a free house we would probably develop some very affectionate feelings toward that person. God is no different and we need to train our minds to see and appreciate the things God has done for us and promises to do in the future.
When God promised to spare Noah and his family from the flood, Noah had never seen rain, but he built an ark. Abraham had never seen Canaan, but was willing to leave his home and family and go where God sent him. Moses had the splendor of Egypt that could have been his but he served God instead without receiving entry into the land he led the people to. Many of the faithful died without seeing the end result of all that they worked for but their love and respect for God caused them to do what He asked (Hebrews 11.39-40).
Our situation today is no different. We have not seen Christ and so we must rely on the scriptural record. The purpose of this study has been to demonstrate that there is a reasonable foundation for trusting in God. We have as much to go on as anyone did in the past and therefore are linked with all of the faithful through God’s word. The things we might do that are sinful in God’s sight hurt not only ourselves, but also take away from the reputation and memory of God. One who loves the Lord will strive to correct one’s life so that the name of the Lord will not be slandered or forgotten. In this day and age, as has always been the case, the real struggle we face is against ourselves and our inability to see beyond the physical world.
The sin of Israel and Judah was not so much that they violated a few rules but they caused the name of God to be blasphemed. Because of the sin of Judah, the Babylonians would be allowed, by God, to bring His vengeance on the nation. The true tragedy of this is the fact that the Babylonians would then ascribe this ability to their gods (Habakkuk 1.11) thus tarnishing the reputation of Jehovah. Those in the world today who claim to represent God must do so in the spirit of love, seeking to further God’s interests and influence by the teaching of His word. When other doctrines are taught, or religion is used as a mask for greed, God is the one who ultimately loses. Mankind has a tendency to look on the concrete reality around us, owing to the absence of a spiritual mind, and thus equate the actions of the believer with God. How many souls, that would otherwise have rendered obedience to God, have turned away because of the deceptions perpetrated by religious false teaching or actions of those claiming to be servants of the Lord?
Serving God is more than being spiritually correct as well. It is possible to have the facts straight concerning the scriptures and teach them. However, if one is not living as one ought, that is, if our teaching is not consistent with our lifestyle, others will be able to see through this and refuse to hear what one has to say about God. This type of influence is not temporary either. Some have been damaged by lies and deceit of those professing to be followers of the Lord. Falsehood leaves lasting scars creating permanent prejudice that will keep souls from obeying God and being saved eternally.
It is possible to do all these things and still lack the quality of love that is required. A survey of the things God has done for us provides the information necessary to render the reasonable service that Paul speaks of (Romans 12.1). Is it too much to ask for us to put away some of the attitudes that prevent us from serving God fully? He has promised that there is a home for us after this life is over when our labor has ended. What price are we willing to give for this great blessing seeing that God has done the hardest part.
The battle for the heart of man is a battle for the mind. In the following chapters we will discuss the character of the servant of God and what it means to be what God wants us to become. The conversion of one to God is a change of heart that includes the mind which then shapes our emotions and causes us to act with full conviction in a manner that is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord preserving His image in the world as a merciful and loving being.