MESSAGE FOR US TODAY - NOVEMBER 17 AND 18 NOVEMBER 17 But you speak the things which become sound Doctrine: Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (Titus 2:1, 9–10). “Sound Doctrine” pertains to the great Message of the Word of God, “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23). The word “servants,” as used by Paul, is “doulos,” which means “slaves.” These to whom Paul wrote were Christian slaves serving, for the most part, in pagan households. The freedom of the Gospel and its brotherhood conflicted with the institution of slavery, and ultimately abolished it; but meanwhile slaves were commanded to be subject to those who owned them; for in no rank of society was there more danger of the equality of Christians being misunderstood than in that of slaves. Hence, the large legislation given by the Holy Spirit affecting them (I Cor. 7:20, 24; Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22; I Tim. 6:1; I Pet. 2:18, etc.). So great a portion of inspired Scripture being given to slaves ennobles them, and reveals how warmly God loved them, and how largely they engaged His thoughts. The most amazing revelations from God before which great kings and mighty scientists stand dumb and stupid are in the Scriptures connected with slaves and revealed to them. The best testimony to the doctrines of the Gospel is to adorn them by a Christlike life. Some few carnal men might be ready to die for the Gospel, but only spiritual men can live it. God would have His Truth adorned even by slaves, whom the world at that time regarded as no better than beasts of burden. True liberty and true equality must reign in a Divinely governed and consistent Church. Its moral order secures both. Satan’s aim is to introduce disorder and thus, disrupt the fellowship and destroy its testimony. But if the precious proprieties ordained by God are not maintained, liberty perishes and carnal tyranny replaces Christian freedom. The Holy Spirit recognizes, even as is dealt with in this very Chapter, every relationship which God has formed. Age and youth, husband and wife, child and parent, servant and master, all have their own proprieties and ministries to maintain toward each other in the sweetness and power of the Grace that at its appearing brings health and healing to all men. So the conduct of Christian people among themselves in the Church, and their conduct among their fellow citizens in the State, are both based upon the great doctrines of Christianity. Grace appeared—not to a particular people—but to all men—and it did not bring them nutriment for their passions, but nourishment for their souls. It did not demand righteousness from men, but brought righteousness to them. They needed Righteousness. So Grace overleaped every obstacle in order to reach every man and to discipline him so that in relation to himself he should be sober; in relation to his neighbor, righteous; and in relation to God, pious (Williams). NOVEMBER 18 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey Magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men (Titus 3:1–2). The conduct of the Christian as a subject of the State is governed by the same principle as motivates our conduct as a member of the Church. We are to be obedient to the government, and to show to our fellow citizens, however hostile, immoral, debased, or degraded they may be, the same Grace that God showed to us, remembering that we possess the same corrupt nature as they, and that in that nature the seeds of all vile passions are also present. The governing principle of public conduct is foreign to, and opposed to, human nature. Self-interest, ambition, and love of ease, of money, or of position animate the ordinary members of society. The Christian’s conduct is regulated by his relationship to God as the Saviour. We recognize that that which makes us different from others is not any merit in ourselves, or any personal or moral superiority. In a sense, we are even as they. Grace makes the difference, and it teaches us to be as kind and merciful to others as God is to us. The sense of what we once were, and of the evil of the nature which dwells in us, and of the graceful action of our Lord toward us, all of this combines, or should do so, to govern our conduct toward others. The Christian is to cheerfully obey the government and to willingly volunteer to support it in “every good work,” unless something is done personally to us which violates our conscience. This is our duty, for the Magistrate is a Divinely appointed officer (Rom., Chpt. 13) to punish evildoers and protect society. In our own private lives and in our relationship to all men, however hostile and abominable they may be, the Christian is to be gentle toward those who attack us, and generally to pursue a course of peace and benevolence, because the principle of Grace excludes all violence of thought, language, or action. Some time back, a Television reporter did everything he could do to hurt us, even to destroy us. His last effort was over CNN, which went into some 157 countries. Every effort was made to besmirch, sully, hinder, hurt, and even destroy. In our prayer meeting the morning after the CNN program aired, I endeavored to pray for the reporter. The Scripture says that we should “pray for those who despitefully use us.” But, to be frank, I couldn’t pray. In my heart, I wanted something very bad to happen to him. His efforts actually had gone on for many years, with the CNN program only being the latest. Finally, I asked the Lord to help me. I knew my feelings were not pleasing to the Lord, and I knew that I needed His help to be able to handle this thing correctly. The Lord spoke to my heart and said, “You show him the same mercy that I have shown you.” That was all there was, and that was enough! All of a sudden, the entire complexion changed. I honestly could pray for the man. To this day, I don’t have a single thing in my heart against him. I realize how much Mercy and Grace the Lord has shown me. As such, how could I do less regarding him? POSTED BY PASTOR GIL TODACHINE, CIBECUE ASSEMBLY
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 23:36:27 +0000
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