The Right Way To Obey God. Part [23] 01/18/2025 (Morning thought)

Matthew 25:Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

The issue of partial obedience, which has become mainstream in Christianity is what caused five of the ten virgins to fall short of God’s glory, for they were content with a superficial work, and they recoiled at the personal struggles that would step on their toes. Therefore, in this study, we will take up two issues which pertain to obeying God the right way, and as we study, let us remember what we had learned last week about obeying God from a positive view point.

[1] Obeying God the right way with your finances. The word money is mentioned approximately 125 times in the KJV Bible. However, in the scriptures, words such as gold, riches, silver and wealth are often used to refer to money. Therefore, the number of times money or anything related to it is mentioned, comes out to over 2000 times. So, if you want to know where a person’s treasure is you will have to pull their bank statements and their credit histories, for these would reveal where one’s priority lies.

One of the reasons why the folks in Malachi 3 were observed to be walking mournfully before the Lord of hosts is because of the issue of obeying God in tithes and offerings. When scrutinized very closely, we see clearly the benevolent, selfless character of God, manifested in what He does, and in the laws and instructions He gives to us. As a general rule, He gives more than He keeps for Himself.

Psalms 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

The Right Way To Obey God. Part [22] 01/18/2025 (Evening thought)

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

With some persons, this is not a problem, since sexual drive and such feelings, do not phase them, for whatever reason and because of this, our struggles differ from person to person, just as our faces differ. Yet, whatever might be your issue, and whatsoever may be our struggle, God has called us to obey Him in all things, and therefore, any other gospel that makes provision for the flesh, or that compromises truth and God’s law, to accommodate what persons prefer to do, contrary to God’s revealed will, could never produce the kind of obedience God is looking for.

[Christ’s Object Lessons pp 411] The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit's working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding.

The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character. “They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth, they show much love, but their heart goes after their covetousness.” Ezekiel 33:31. The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special characteristic of those who live just before Christ's second coming.

2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!