Emulation

One of the meanings for the word emulate is: to imitate a person or thing admired. They say, “Imitation is the truest form of flattery.” This may be true of the one, but certainly not of the impersonator. Emulation is said to be one of the works of the flesh. Therefore, no matter how good the performance, you can never please God.

George MacDonald writes, “No work noble or lastingly good can come of emulation any more than greed: I think the motives are spiritually the same.” He goes on to say, “When a man spends his energy on appearing to have, he is all the time destroying what he has and therein the very means of becoming what he desires to seem. If he gains his end, his success is his punishment.” And so, those who are always trying to be someone else will never know the love and plans God has for them, for they are never home when He calls.

“God help me to live in a morally and honest way, without pretending either to be what I am not or not to be what I am.” (J.I. Packer)

Pompous Piety

Oswald Chambers wrote, “Beware of the piety that denies the natural life.” He went on to warn, “Beware of passing off as a profound person; God became a Baby.” It is painful for many of us to admit to our flawed humanity. Rather than accept the fact, we have chosen to believe the devils lie, “Ye shall be as gods.” This is where “I thank thee, that I am not as other men are…” comes in.

Throughout the scriptures you find God coming to the aid of those who recognize their natural limitations and inabilities. Whenever we acknowledge our fallen humanity, there is hope. Our supernatural God will help His natural creation once we cease trying to pass ourselves off as miniature deities. I am afraid it is embarrassingly true, if it were possible that there was a vacancy in the Godhead, some are so pompously pious that they would apply for the position.

                                                                                                  

*Let God Be God

I believe one of the great, but passed-over, statements in the Bible was made by Elijah. Apart from a small remnant of seven thousand, the entire Nation of Israel was steeped in apostasy. The old prophet, standing alone upon Mount Carmel, challenged the powerless people of his day with these words, “Let him be God.”  That is, “Let God be God.” He believed if God was God He must, and would, act like a God.

There were no anemic excuses made by Elijah for his God. His God did not need any well intentioned helper to steady His ark. His God was a “hands off” God. Elijah’s God could take care of himself; He didn’t need puny, humanistic hands to aid Him. For, says He, “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.” God is independent of any and all of His creation. “In the beginning God…”

When dealing with God you’re dealing with a portrait, not a family picture. “When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.” Until all the great spiritual people (Moses and Elijah) are out of the picture, you’re refusing to “Let God Be God.”

The Two-Sided Saint

“What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” In life, it is important to realize that many, if not most, of our choices are determined by what others choose. How Paul acted was dependent upon the Corinthians’ actions. Whether he would comfort or correct—the ball was in their court. They would have to decide what to do with it.

A Scriptural saint is to have two sides to their life. Many are flaunting the fact of their love for the brethren, but are void of the side that seems to be unpleasant. They have difficulty reconciling one with the other. Yet, it is said of God, “As many as I love I chasten.” In our day, we seem to have sacrificed the one at the expense of the other.

Spiritual saints are sometimes saddened because they, of necessity, must reprove another. It is important at such times to realize, you did not choose to do this; the choice was made for you. There is no escaping these unpleasantries from time to time.

The wise man said, “Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”  Peter was severely rebuked openly before all his brethren by Paul. Later, Peter refers to him as, “Our beloved brother Paul.” Can we say this of the one God uses to rebuke us; even if He uses Balaam’s dumb ass to do it? (11Peter2:15-16)

Riches Without Sorrow

“...take not thy holy spirit from me.” Most will agree the Holy Spirit’s ministry of abiding and sealing was not the same in the Old Testament as it was after Pentecost. But I want to center our thinking on something with less controversy. The plain teaching of the text, which is not open for argument, is that David was more afraid of losing his spiritual blessings than the physical ones. “Take my child; take my crown; if need be, take my life,” cries David. “But don’t take your spiritual blessings from me.”

David had seen what happens to the man from whom God withholds His spiritual blessings. “But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.” And when this happened, a giant of a man was left both sad and sinful.

It’s not the physical birth we are to give priority to, but our spiritual birth; not a future, physical kingdom, but a present spiritual kingdom. And most certainly it is not the temporal earthly blessings, but the eternal Heavenly blessings that are spiritual. Remember; it’s the spiritual blessings that make one really rich, and He adds no sorrow to them.

The physical is necessary, but the spiritual is crucial.

With Him

“Father, I will that those which thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” My wife says, “I can understand me wanting to be with Him, but that He desires to be with me, I cannot comprehend.” Nevertheless, it seems to me that Christ will not be content till we are in His arms.

We saw this even when He was on earth. When He chose His disciples, we are told. “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” Their ministering for Him came second to their being with Him. It would seem He likes to have those He loves around Him.

Jesus is preeminently a people person. We should love to be in His presence always. And also, we should long to have Him at all the family gatherings of His children. Please pardon the expression but, “He is the Life of the party!”