General Articles

Go Ye Therefore :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR7

My wife and I were talking the other day about the sad state of affairs we are currently experiencing in our society. She then made a comment that really stayed with me. She said, “We evangelized the world but forgot about the person next door.”

The United States of America has produced and sent more missionaries abroad than any country on earth. We have witnessed to the world about Jesus Christ. We have shared that He is God in the flesh and will save any and all who come to Him to be saved. We have shared John 3:16 to all who would listen,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We have repeated Paul’s words of Romans 10:9,

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Neither have we neglected 1 Corinthians 15:3-4,

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Is it possible, however, that we who sat in the pews left this responsibility to those who were pastors and missionaries and excluded ourselves? I know for a fact that many people feel that “this is what we pay the preacher to do.” Was Jesus talking to just His disciples when He said the following?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).

I am not trying to be critical of the Christian in the pew. Most of us, including me, are the Christian in the pew. Besides, there is no point in crying over spilled milk. What’s done is done. Unfortunately, what has happened to our society? In a nutshell, we have become a pagan society. Maybe our downfall would not have been as swift and sudden if we had been more diligent.

As I’ve often stated before, I am of the age that I can easily recall when our society was not inflicted with the trash and perversions we are constantly bombarded with today. Much of it is in the churches! We have turned our backs on God, and it shows.

For example, did homosexuality exist when I was young? Yes, it did, but it was kept in the proverbial closet. Were babies murdered via abortion? Unfortunately, they were, but it was illegal. Even television shows were once without profanity and sexual innuendoes.

The few examples I have mentioned, as you well know, are just a drop in the bucket of the anti-God actions of most of our society today. Those of you who are older will more readily agree.

Even though our world is falling apart, there is no reason for us to do so. Jesus said this time would come just before His return. So, what should we do while we wait for His call?

Maybe we who are His need to repent, get in the Word, and witness … starting with our own family. CAUTION: We don’t need to hit people over the head with the Bible, but instead ask for the Lord’s guidance in how we should witness to each individual, starting with … letting our own light shine.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:6).

Many Christian folks are shy and insecure about actually talking to someone about their need to be saved, but we can all fulfill this word from Jesus about letting the lives we live for Jesus speak for us.

Another area I think is often overlooked is prayer. Prayer is a powerful tool that is often overlooked unless we are in trouble, but notice the following verses.

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:14-16).

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24).

“In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you” (John 16:26).

Many folks have become embittered because God didn’t answer their prayer, but let us understand right up front, God is not a genie in a bottle waiting to serve our wishes and then be put back in the bottle to await our next demand.

This is very important. If you are not a child of God (a true Christian), the only prayer He will answer is your plea to be saved by the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christian, think about this:

  • Sometimes God will not answer our prayers (for various reasons).
  • Sometimes God will answer our prayers (if they are in His will).
  • Sometimes God will answer our prayers, but we just don’t know it.

Matthew 6:10, Matthew 26:42 and Luke 11:2 contain three words that are critical. The three words are, “Thy will be done.” Are we praying that HIS WILL BE DONE? Also, John 15:14-16 (above) shows us that we need to be in his will by obeying Him and producing fruit in our lives. THEN, “whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

When you and I are in His will, our prayer requests may be totally different from what they were before. Is it possible that we could pray and pray for someone to be saved and they never come to Jesus? Yes, it is, but rest assured, they will have every opportunity a holy God can provide to come to Him and be saved. On the other hand, I am aware of many who have come to the Lord, been saved, and have done so because of prayer. We have all heard the occasional comment, “I sure never thought they would get saved,” but they did.

The Lord Jesus expects us to “Go ye, therefore” into our own home, to our neighbor, our co-worker, our friends, and then into the world. The Gospel didn’t start in Europe and proceed southeast toward Israel. No, it started in Jesus’ home town, then went out from there until it reached you and me.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

Useless Pursuit :: By Edwin Tan

Published on: by RR7

The Apostle Paul was very clear about his godly leanings in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, and this he stated in the second chapter, verses 4 to 6.

“But we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness – God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

Some forty-plus or more years ago, there would not be much difficulty finding pulpits that mirrored the stance of Paul – preachers of the Word who diligently placed God over the whims and fancy of those in the pews. There was little fear of whatever hints of disapproval that could emanate from the congregation. Like it or not, the bitter medicine was for His glory and ultimately the eventual benefit of its recipients – even if considerable discomfort was encountered. No questions asked.

Some people freaked out and deserted the pews; wherever they went would be anyone’s guess! But there were those who realized the value of an unadulterated education where souls were concerned. Call it a process of toughening up in the spiritual sense. Most importantly, it all boiled down to pleasing God and nobody else. Following His statutes and commandments, more joys than pains doing so because this is the only pathway to the peace that surpasses all human understanding. Oh yes! The peace of mind that comes from the realization that God is in control of all situations, which enables the trusting individual to lead a victorious life free from undue stress!

A lot of people that have started off trusting the Lord and are still doing so are very likened to steady vessels regardless of the sailing conditions. This being the case even in these trying moments of the pandemic plus its heinous fallout. Yet a lot of these folk are aghast at the sight of a troublesome and truly spiritually unwholesome trend – swathes of men- pleasers! Not just sitting in the pews but standing in the pulpits.

Enter churches that might wield financial muscle but are close to tottering under the weight of increasing depravity. Depravity that feeds on that me-first mantra. Teachings and sound advice from Holy Writ were systematically replaced by worldly wisdoms. Stuff spewing out from charlatans from the New Age stressing on the self versus God. Purely ceremonial became quite the practice that cloaked the true intent; subtle brainwashing drove the unthinking crowds toward putting creation above the Creator. When faith in the Lord is snuffed out of a church, it is very much like a sheep pen minus the guardian sheep dog. Heightened vulnerability only makes the enemy very happy. Why so? The answer is clearly stated in Matthew 6:24.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

From the above passage of the Good News, there is no way God can work on an equal footing with His creation. He has to remain supreme; but once this order is scuttled, there is just room for the enemy to wreak havoc, largely through confusion that is energized by misinformation. Cunningly making falsehoods appear to be the truth. All through ignorance, this negative thrives in an environment devoid of Scriptural truths but laden with heaps of myths. When the Holy Spirit is not welcomed, then the seducing spirits are given a virtual welcome mat!

Herein lies a very serious problem. Man is light years away from the might and glory of the Creator. The Maker of mankind is omnipresent, omnipotent and infinite in resources. Flesh is not only limited in numerous aspects but sporting a vulnerability that is grossly underestimated. Without the grace and mercy of the Heavenly Father, all flesh can only end up as virtual playthings of the wicked one. Capable of conning while being duped, hating while stoking angst in others, and the propensity to pedal every vile thing – all that for everybody to see. Pretty pathetic! Things could have been a whole lot worse if not for the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary. If not for the Son of God, all humanity would be doomed!

Why be so sanguine to put everything on that which is truly fallible and tagged with limitations, no matter how awesome the outward show might be? Things of earth are breakable in spite of pen and paper, but with the Lord, His invisible Hand will make what He has said become hard reality.

There is absolutely no gain in seeking high approval ratings from flesh and blood. In spite of this, there are imperfections that will lead to disappointment and anger. Hatred stemming from envy will abound; sometimes it is even evident at deathbeds. The large numbers at a wake could suggest the greatness of the dearly departed. However, does this matter to the Righteous Judge? One thing is very clear in Jeremiah 17:5-6.

“Thus says the Lord; Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord, For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.”

We undoubtedly live in a time where evil is ramping up and the wicked one is close to being on a rampage. Scary to those who put everything in the hands of created beings and their earthly products. But when God is at the helm of your life, fear not. He can only be capable of loving and blessing so long as you walk closely with Him.

Yours in Christ

Edwin

Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com