Rejecting God

Dear class,

Many apologies for the long period of absence. Lord willing, I will resume more regular writing from this point on.

Just a late post on today's readings in 1Sam 7-9 and Eph 5:1-16

Israel, after having gone through the "dark ages" of the judges have added injury to insult, so to speak, by rejecting God as we read in the account. (1Sa 8:6,7)

Two important observations:
1) "God allows" does not equal "God approves"
Here is a classic case. Did God approve of the institution of physical kings? Quite obviously not. Yet they exist and it seems that it was God that allowed it to happen. The fact of the matter is, God allows man to chose for himself. Man just can't choose the consequences. Israel was warned of the consequence of having physical kings yet they ignored the warnings and basically just did what they wanted. And we can certainly extend this concept to various areas - most notably denominationalism. Does it's existence mean that God approves of it? How can God approve of something that is contrary to His teaching about the ONE Church? How can God approve of something that is so utterly confusing in doctrine and teaching. How can God approve of something that doesn't even agree on the true way to salvation?
Again, we see that God allows man the choice. Right from the beginning when Adam and Eve chose to eat of the forbidden fruit, this was so. God could not have been clearer in His instruction to the couple, just as God could not have been clearer in His demonstration of Kingship to the Israelites, just as God could not have been clearer about the ONE TRUE Church that Christ has established and the way to be added into that Church. All that has happened that God allowed is as summed up by Paul of people "having itching ears" and turning away "their ears from the truth" (2Ti 4:3,4). Brethren, let us not be deceived - we CAN know the truth (Jhn 8:32). It's only a matter of whether we chose to respect and obey it.

2) Rejecting God
This idea sounds like a serious charge! "No no Samuel, we have all respect to God, we know all that He has done for us, but we just need a more able leader you know, doesn't help that your sons aren't exactly a chip of the block...but you see how our neighbours and even enemies are so successful with their kings..." This sounds like what the Israelites might have been thinking. Fact of the matter is, God said they rejected Him. When we do not follow His will, no matter how sincere, how seemingly beneficial our actions are, they are considered rejection of God's authority and disobedience. Even today, as we profess our faith in Christ, are we truly accepting God's authority? bro Swayne preached an excellent lesson last Sunday about our treasure in heaven. How precious is it to us? How closely are we following His commands to live a godly life? Or do we care enough only to profess with the mouth but well nigh reject God with out actions? (c.f. Mat 15:8,9)
Brethren, we need to be very careful and critical of ourselves. Rejecting God is not as far away or uncommon as it may seem. The greater danger is when we think we are doing fine and make excuses for our continual rejection. Wherefore as we've often read in my sign off - exhort one another daily...lest (we) be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13)

Let us be sober, vigilant (1Pe 5:8), ever tender hearted and contrite, and let not our conscience be seared with hot iron (1Ti 4:2), dead and numb, but always examining our lives and making sure we are right in His sight (2Co 13:5).

In Him
Paul



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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:8-10