I love the way God works in me! He lets me hear a great teaching… and I am 100% sure the purpose was not only for my ears, but for me to share it with you. So I’m going do just that. This teaching is a warning to those who have a false security and a false confidence in their salvation. Let’s first see God’s consistency in how He gets His messages across by looking at the Prophet Nathan and the Apostle Paul. If you have a Bible handy, open to 2 Samuel Chapter Two…
So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with His children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.”
David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.”
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul.” 2 Samuel 12: 1-7
We see how Nathan indirectly rebukes David. This story stirs up David’s anger at the injustice that was done. Nathan uses this story to speak to David in a way that would make him aware of his wrong actions (In this case, the killing of Bathsheba’s husband in order to cover up the fact that it was David who impregnated her).
We see the same approach taken by Paul in the New Testament. If you can, open to Romans Chapter One… Paul begins his message to the Romans by vividly portraying the sinfulness of all people, explaining how forgiveness is available through faith in Christ. The beginning of Chapter 2 reveals God’s judgment of sin, and how God’s kindness is intended to turn people from sin. Paul specifically said that people are condemned not for what they don’t know, but for what they did with what they know. When Paul’s letter was read in the Roman church, no doubt many heads nodded as he condemned idol worshipers, homosexual practices, and violent people (Nathan also got David’s agreement about the injustice that was done). But what surprise his listeners must have felt when he turned on them and said in effect, “You are just as bad, and you have no excuse!” Paul was emphatically stressing that we have all sinned repeatedly, and there is no way apart from Christ to be saved from sins consequences. In the middle of chapter two, Paul addresses the Jews that were in the Roman church. These first century Jews had very prideful and arrogant spirits…
“You who call yourself Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught this law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.” Romans 2: 17-20
Paul says, “You are the ones I am referring to.” Does this remind you of someone else? Some 21st century Christians maybe? Some people who call themselves Christians think their salvation is sure just because they’re going through the “Christian motions.” This is coming out of Jesus’ mouth… “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” Matthew 7: 21-23
Some self-professed athletes can “talk” a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic skills. And not everyone who talks about heaven has a personal relationship with God. Jesus is more concerned with our walk than our talk. What we do cannot be separated from what we believe. Many people think that if they are “good” people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the judgment.
“Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the scriptures say, “The gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” This is written in Isaiah 52: 5…”What is this?” asks the Lord. “Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is blasphemed all day long.”
Do you practice what you preach? Are you depending on things and not Christ? Paul was essentially saying that these first century Jews knew the law so well that they had learned how to excuse their own actions while criticizing others. Paul is talking about hypocrisy. It’s easy to tell others how to behave than to behave properly ourselves. If you claim to be one of God’s people, your life should reflect what God is like. When we disobey God, we dishonor His name. People may even be blaspheming or profane God’s name because of you. What do people think about God as they watch you?
