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UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN. |
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THE DEMANDS OF MEN VERSUS THE DEMANDS OF GOD
The Lord plainly stated that man’s ways and thoughts are not the same as His (Isaiah 55:8,9). Man’s way of thinking is not always right (Proverbs 16:25), but God’s is. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and His word is truth (John 17:17). Sticking with God’s way is the only safe and wise course to follow. But, men oftentimes come up with their own demands or cast aside the Lord’s. Sometimes men demand too much by demanding more than the Lord does. Some Pharisees of Jesus’ day demanded that people keep the traditions of the elders. Jesus charged such Pharisees with rejecting the commands of God (Mark 7:1-9). In Acts 15 we read that some in the early church demanded that the Law of Moses be followed, including circumcising male babies (15:1,5). The Holy Spirit declared that no such things were required (15:28,29; Colossians 2:14-16). Some today demand that Christians refrain from working on Saturday. The gospel of the Christ contains no such instruction. We must be careful, lest we demand more that the Lord God does. Sometimes men demand too little by demanding less than the Lord does. Some in the first century taught that it was not necessary to obey God’s commands in order to know Him. The Holy Spirit says that such a person is a liar (1 John 2:3-5). Many today teach that sinners are saved before and without water baptism. Yet, God plainly commands baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). God says that a brother in the Christ that will serve as an overseer of the flock "must" possess certain character traits (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Some today don’t think that such is required. Friends, let us learn this truth: regardless of the topic, lowering God’s standard does not help sinners, does not help the church, and does not help anyone go to heaven! Let us be on guard lest we be guilty of requiring less than the Lord does. The only way to please the Lord is to comply with His terms/demands. "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). The God of heaven is the God of our salvation (Titus 2:11). He has given us the book of salvation, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:21,22). In His word we learn of His scheme of salvation that is through the blood of Jesus the Christ (Ephesians 1:7). On man’s part, obedience from the heart is required in order to have one’s sins washed away (Hebrews 5:9; Romans 6:17,18). After baptism into the Christ, God demands a life of faithful service and walking in the light (1 John 1:7). Regardless of the topic, let us lay aside our own demands and accept the Lord’s. -- Roger D. Campbell |
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