Standing Firm For God

Therefore, since we are the offspring of God,

we ought not to think that the Divine nature

is like gold or silver or stone,

something shaped by art and man’s devising.

truly these times of ignorance God overlooked,

but not commands all men everywhere to repent,

because He ahs appointed a day on which

He will judge the world in righteousness

by the Man whom He has ordained.

He has given assurance of this to all by

raising Him from the dead.

Acts 17:29–31

            The apostle Paul in this passage is speaking to the Athenians who had many gods they worshipped and a god that they gave honor known as the UNKNOWN GOD. Paul adds such solemn words for us to think upon so that we are living according to Scripture and not according to the fables of men: Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame––who set their mind on earthly things
(Philippians 3:17–19). Paul is speaking in a frank and concise manner, not just some pejorative terms, rather that he might clean up the house of God for they are insubordinate and subversive leading people away from sound doctrine: “…whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain” (Titus 1:11). I spoke in the last blog about those denominations that hold as their doctrinal position that make cause for such things as not wearing of rings, or wearing hair in a certain fashion, or not allowing wine to be served in communion as if it were sinful, not required though and this is not to be condemned for using water, grape juice, for those things are the physical and visible elements that are not changed into some other form, but they do represent spiritual things, this then is sound doctrine, yet, we are to be prudent, to be aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters for is we are doing things which are stumbling them we must not only instruct them, but no to judge them: i.e., vegan’s are vegetable eating people, no meat, not dairy products, etc., and they are often condemned but there is nothing wrong with this, although they must, by teaching, be made aware of the vitamin needed, B12, along with B6, for their muscles for in meat, or dairy products outside of vitamins can those vitamins be found. Paul had things of this in mind when he wrote to the Romans, confounding ideologies that separate brothers and sisters: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean or itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean” (Romans 14:13–14). This is not admit that all things are clean for there are things which may in themselves be clean but they are misused; i.e., alcohol beverages, too much chocolate, etc., we are though to be cognizant of our brother’s consideration and be considerate ourselves, but we must be cautious in what we approve: “Do you have faith? have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemns himself in what he approves”(Romans 14:22). God is judging the heart and if we all our minds to be corrupted it is not God’s fault it is ours for we are disobedient and unreliable denying Christ not oly in our witnessing, but showing the world that we are conquered by vices and sins and act contrary to the commands of God; this is denial of God. Are we not called upon to praise him, to profess Him? Yes!

            Are you under some form of bondage? Are you a slave to something in life that is taking away the joy of God, and the life that God gives you in this world so that you are not only a slave to that thing, you are despondent because you know that you are being disobedient: “exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in things. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:9–14). Whose bondservant are you? A bondservant is one who works or gives service without wages. What use it when a person speaks one thing and does another in contradiction to what he spoke? Are we not to teach more by example than by words? Let us not be those to whom Isaiah when he wrote the words of the LORD: “Therefore the LORD said; ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,” (Isaiah 29:13).

            Today make the necessary changes that will be the witness God has called you to be, this is love, this is being a child of God. Are you living for this world? Do you really believe that you are already in heaven, just waiting for the time when you will die and your soul rest under the throne of God until the time of Jesus Christ’s appearing when we will have incorruptible bodies and live in those bodies eternally?

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,

            The Holy One of Israel:

“I am the LORD your God, who

            teaches you to profit

Who leads you by the way

            You should go.”

                        Isaiah 48:17

Stand Now For God

Richard L. Crumb