ACCEPT OR REJECT
The question that is so often asked by humans on planet earth is this: “What is my purpose in life and why am I here? We may have asked this question ourselves at one time or another but nonetheless, the eternal answer never changes and is surprisingly simple: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Eccl 12: 13) Our earthly obligation plainly laid out for us which is to honor, reverence, praise, worship, dread and submit to the Lord our God, while being obedient to His instructions, mandates, principles, directives and decrees. Being compliant with God’s Word applies not only regionally, nationally and globally, but universally as well.
Both the Old and New Testaments in the Holy Bible are rightfully referred to as God’s Word. And though separated by centuries, they are 2 different sides of the same coin, delivering instructions on re-establishing a right relationship with our Creator. The Old Testament puts us on the right path by showing us our inadequacies and how we need a Savior to deliver us from sin. That deliverance is revealed in the New Testament which is salvation through Jesus Christ.
Now it’s not that the Old Testament was wrong because Jesus Himself cites passages in the Old Testament such as Exodus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah and Psalms. Even Romans 7: 14 tells us “For we know that the law is spiritual…” It was just incomplete in the sense that it was never intended to save us, but to direct us to its perfect fulfillment in Christ. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matt 5: 17) So we understand that “…the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” (Gal 3: 24-25)
The Old Testament abounds in mercy, or in other words, not getting what we deserve. “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” (Lam 3: 22-23) The New Testament is a wellspring of grace, or getting what we don’t deserve. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…” (Eph 2: 8)
How grateful we are, and how exciting it is, to see the plan of God being fulfilled before our very eyes. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Gal 4: 4-6) Praise the Lord that the two-sided coin has flipped: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John1: 17)
God’s Word is the essential foundational element in our relationship with Him. And the personification of God’s Word is found in His Son, Jesus Christ. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 1 & 14)
You see, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim 3: 16-17) The Word gives us life, joy, peace, encouragement, victory, direction, warning, hope, freedom, comfort, truth, protection, provision, power, wisdom, understanding and light. But it also convicts, exposes, breaks down, transforms, eliminates excuses, restores, recovers, reconnects and revitalizes. Jesus Himself said, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” (John 6: 63)
And so, the question now is, “What are we going to do with the Word that God sent into the world to enable us to comply with Ecclesiastes 12: 13?” The answer should be obvious because Luke 11: 28 tells us, “…blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it.” Yes, blessed. Not fortunate, not lucky, not coincidental. But an extremely providential privilege granted by the Almighty.
As Ephesians 3: 20 says, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…,” we know that the strength of God’s Word is immeasurable. Here is how potent it is: “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4: 12) And though it was sent to help you, not everyone will have the same response to God’s Word. To some, as a result of their meek and lowly acceptance, it will penetrate deeply and inspire them to repent, igniting the fires of faith and bringing joy unspeakable to a humble heart. But to the prideful and adamant rejection of the hard-hearted, it will butcher them to pieces and they will react with rage, disappointment, insolence or indifference.
For example, after the upper room experience on the day of Pentecost where Jesus’ disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost, Peter preached a powerful sermon to the people about the Word of God, telling them that “…whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2: 21) You can just imagine the effect it had on those who had ears to hear. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2: 37-41) Absolutely glorious, don’t you agree?
Now on the other hand, when certain religious authorities came against our brother Stephen the Deacon, we see a completely different reaction. They were jealous of the power and wisdom with which he spoke, not to mention the great wonders and miracles that he did, particularly when Stephen preached to them an equally powerful sermon with the same Spirit that was in Peter. Only this time, the response was the opposite. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth….And cast him out of the city….And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7: 54)
Two different conditions of heart, two different reactions to the treasure from heaven. In Matthew 21: 44, Jesus used a fitting metaphor to describe these two events: “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken:…” (This represents choosing to humble yourself, surrendering your pride, and coming to Christ in repentance.) “…but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (This represents ultimate judgment. If someone rejects, ignores, or opposes Christ, they will ultimately face devastating consequences.) The bottom line is, if you can’t handle the truth, the truth will eventually handle you.
Now these aren’t isolated events. Here are other examples of both positive and negative reactions to God’s Word. Let’s start with the positive:
Remember after Jesus’ resurrection, two of His disciples encountered Him while they were walking on the road to Emmaus. As they walked, Jesus asked them what they were discussing and why were they sad. They didn’t recognize Who Jesus was and couldn’t believe that He wasn’t aware of the events surrounding the crucifixion because all of Jerusalem was buzzing about it. After they told Him what had happened, Jesus began to speak to them about God’s Word. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24: 27)
As they came to the village, they urged Jesus to stay with them because it was getting late. He agreed, then went in and ate supper with them. But as He blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they suddenly recognized Who He was, but He immediately vanished out of their sight! “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24: 32) Can you even imagine what it felt like to have the Word of God preach the Word of God to you? When was the last time you had your heart burn within you? Any touch from God deserves a robust Glory Hallelujah!
Heres’ another positive example from Paul’s 2nd missionary journey with Silas in Acts 16: While in Philippi, they were being pestered by a girl with a spirit of divination. After several days, Paul cast out the demonic spirt in the name of Jesus. This infuriated those who had charge over the girl because she no longer had the ability to tell fortunes, therefore they couldn’t make money off of her anymore. They then accosted Paul and Silas, turned them over to the ruling authorities accusing them of disturbing the peace and teaching people to break their laws. This incited an angry mob, causing the governmental officials to strip off Paul and Silas’ clothes, have them beaten and whipped, then threw them into prison, ordering the jailor to make sure they stayed put.
The dutiful jailor took them to the deepest part of the prison, restraining them in heavy, wooden blocks used to lock and immobilize their feet. But even though they had been beaten and whipped, were locked up in prison with uncomfortable foot restraints, at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God while the other prisoners were listening!
Then suddenly, there was a great earthquake which shook the foundations of the prison, all the prison doors were immediately opened and everyone’s shackles were unfastened. When the jailor came in and thought everyone had escaped, he was terrified because he knew what would happen to him for allowing the jailbreak, so he took out his sword and intended to kill himself. “But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” (Acts 16: 28-33) Wow! Are you stirred up yet? How can you not be spiritually uplifted about those wonderful interactions with God?.
Now, here are some examples of negative responses to the Word of God. We’ll start with an event that occurred in Mark 10 where Jesus was roaming the country doing what the Son of God does, teaching, preaching, healing and saving souls. But during this particular time, the following happened:
[17] And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?[
18] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but One, that is, God.
[19] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
[20] And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.
[22] And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Sad and grieved are truly understatements to describe this young man’s desperate spiritual condition. The reluctance of the flesh to submit to the Spirit always has devastating consequences.
And one final example of a negative response contained in Luke 4:
While out and about, Jesus came to the rural village of Nazareth, the town where He had grown up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as He would normally do. He stood up to read and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the passage where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year to the Lord.” (Luke 4: 18-19) Closing the book, He handed it back to the minister and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue intently stared at Him. He then said to them, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4: 21) He was basically telling them that He was the Messiah they had been waiting for!
The people were initially amazed at the gracious words that came from His mouth, but then asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”, even though, again, He had just told them Who He really was, but they didn’t get it. Then Jesus switched from Himself and focused on the hardness of their hearts and their rejection of Him, then wove His commentary into the fabric of biblical history by comparing them to past events where God sent prophets to help non-Israelites, suggesting that His goodness and grace was not restricted by borders or race, but extended to where, when and to whom He chose. Just because they were Israelites did not mean they had exclusive rights to the love of God. They were not special considering the fact that Jesus was sent from God that the whole world might be saved, whether they liked it or not.
He spoke the truth in love, but again, the reaction of prideful, unrepentant hearts is predictable:
[28] And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
[29] And rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong.
[30] But He passing through the midst of them went His way…
Now of course there are more examples of good and bad reaction to God’s Word such as the wonderful belief and baptism of the Ethiopian Treasurer in Acts 8, or the snobbish dismissal by the people in the Greek city of Athens in Acts 17. But you get the picture.
So back to the main point of this writing which is, “What is your reaction to the Word of God?” Does it prick or does it cut? Are you inspired or are you triggered? Are you prone to accept or hardened to reject? We have to look deep inside of ourselves and not only recognize, but acknowledge our sinful state and ask the Lord to help us daily to humble ourselves and realize there is only one reasonable response to God’s loving offer of restoration and salvation that He graciously makes to every human being. And that answer is, “Yes, Lord!.”
According to John 3: 3, Jesus says that in order to inherit the Kingdom of God you have to be born again. That means somebody’s got to change, and it ain’t gonna be God. “For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Mal 3: 6) God doesn’t need to change because He’s perfect. But we need to change, and when we do it’s glorious. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5: 17) And with this change God gives you the ability to fulfill what we talked about earlier in Ecclesiastes 12: 13. As the New Living Translation puts it, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new Spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put My Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.”
So I pray that God’s Word will be a well of living water for you, springing up into everlasting life, a source of peace in any storm, endurance for every situation, comfort in countless calamities, strength to overcome all obstacles and power to rise on the last day. Just as God has engineered nature for a specific purpose, His Word has been dispatched with a mission as well. Let it work for you. “[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: [11] So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. [12] For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isa 55)
Joyfully receive the Word of God and all of creation will rejoice with you! “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Rev, Chapts 2 & 3) And then choose Jesus.
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