Good intentions!?
V23 n33
Many times in life, one will do things with good motives or intentions, and yet many times the end results are not quite what one expected, or anticipated. (Some might refer to the end results as a disaster). One often thinks or rationalizes that they can help or assist God with their good intentions, not aware of the fact that most often that they are tying God’s hands from moving or operating in the situation. And at the same time, this will push people who were watching or observing, further away from a sincere relationship with God.
How
often (or how recently) has it been that you have bought or received something
which claimed to have simple assembly instructions, where one could assemble
and use immediately? In a moment of pompous pride or arrogance, one will proceed
to attempt the assembly of the product, while totally ignoring the
manufacturers instructions. In some instances, the product will be assembled,
but never quite look like or resemble the picture on the instructions, nor
function the way the manufacturer said or intended. In other instances, one
will progress only so far, only to observe that things are not quite as they
should be. Eventually, one will have to read the enclosed instruction manual,
disassemble all which was done wrong, and now start again from the beginning,
and now go according to the instructions. Does this in any way sound familiar
to you?
How
often does one also do this with God and His Word? Many of the traditions and
doctrines that one hangs onto, can cause a person to operate in total
opposition to the instructions that God has put forth in His instruction manual
(the Bible), concerning a Christians life and operations in accordance with His
plan or blueprint.
For
many, they have spent the bigger or greater part of their lives trying to
assemble or put together their walk with the Lord, by what other people have
told them they should be doing, rather then establishing a relationship with
God, so they can hear His instructions directly from Him. Yet, with something
so crucial as salvation, they are quicker to hear and follow some man’s
instructions, rather then to seek out God and His Word. (Rom 1:22, Rom 10:2-3).
It does not matter how good of intentions one has, if they are operating
outside of His Word and His righteousness, the end results will be an
improperly assembled life, that is not capable of operating or functioning in
accordance with God’s master plan and design. One often forgets that He is the
“Potter”, and that we are the clay. And yet, how often do we the clay, try to
instruct the “Potter” and how “we think: things should be done? (Ezek 33:31-32,
Isa 29:13-16, Matt 15:7-9, Mark 7:6-9).
Often
times one will hear the instructions that God has put forth, but one will still
have the tendency to follow the example of that which the crowd or majority of
people are doing. (What would have happened if Noah had followed the crowd?)
Even the Lord Himself asked why we call Him Lord, Lord, and yet do not the
things which He says, and asks of us. Can you tell me why this is?
Luke 6:46, And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do
not the things which I say? KJV
Let’s
look at a few comments by Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry in regards to this
verse.
[Lord,
Lord] God judges of the heart, not by words, but by works. A good servant never
disputes, speaks little, and always follows his work. Such a servant a real
Christian is: such is a faithful minister, always intent either on the work of
his own salvation, or that of his neighbour; speaking more to God than to men;
and to these as in the presence of God. The tongue is fitly compared by one to
a pump, which empties the heart, but neither fills nor cleanses it. The love of
God is a hidden spring, which supplies the heart continually, and never permits
it to be dry or unfruitful. Quesnel. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
VIII. It is not enough to hear the sayings of Christ, but we must do them; not enough to profess relation to him, as his servants, but we must make conscience of obeying him.
1. It is putting an affront upon him to call him Lord,
Lord, as if we were wholly at his command, and had devoted ourselves to his
service, if we do not make conscience of conforming to his will and serving the
interests of his kingdom. We do but mock Christ, as they that in scorn said,
Hail, King of the Jews, if we call him ever so often Lord, Lord, and yet walk
in the way of our own hearts and in the sight of our own eyes. Why do we call
him Lord, Lord, in prayer (compare <Mt. 7:21-22>), if we do not obey his
commands? He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer shall be
an abomination.
2. It is putting a cheat upon ourselves if we think that a bare profession of religion will save us, that hearing the sayings of Christ will bring us to heaven, without doing them. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)
Luke 6:47-49, 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth
my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a
man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock:
and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could
not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth
not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth;
against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the
ruin of that house was great. KJV
One
needs proper instructions in order for there to be a proper completion to the
task that is given a person in regards to salvation. One must not only read the
instruction manual, they must also hear what the instructions say. Then, once
they have heard and understood the instructions, they must carry them out or
live them, in accordance with the Master’s plan.
Note:
How the Lord explains those who hear the instructions given, take what is said
to heart and begin to apply them to their lives, and do all within their
ability to bring His task given to completion. Many start down this strait and
narrow path with good intentions; yet, along the way, they start to follow the
path and example of others (the wayside), where it is then easy for the devil
to snatch or take away that which had been sown in the heart.
Note:
that the Lord tells us that we must dig deep, and then lay the proper
foundation. (1Cor 3:11, Acts 4:10-12). Many people when digging or planting a
garden, will want nice plants and vegetables, but will not want to take the
time, nor make the effort to get rid of all the debris and stones that will
hinder the growth of the plants, or that will allow the roots to grow deep.
Likewise, they never take the time, nor make the effort to dig deep within
their own life to get rid of the garbage and refuse that will hinder the growth
and depth of their walk with the Lord. Eventually, the Word dies from lack of
pure nourishment.
Still
others will start off with good intentions, but the cares of this world, and
the deceitfulness of riches, then enter in and choke out the Word. Many start
to build the foundation with good intentions, but then one tries to take
shortcuts, or skimp on building materials (proper or adequate time with Father
in His Word), or even use inferior building materials, and thus a proper
foundation never gets laid or set. Thus when the storms of this life come (and
they will come), the building is soon toppled because of inadequate
construction. And when that happens, the Lord tells us that the ruin of that
house is great. (Heb 3:6, Acts 17:24).
1 Corinthians 3:11, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. KJV
What
are you intentions or motives, when you hear the Word this day?
That you may
know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.
From the Bunya mountains in Australia,
Larry Gazelka
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