Acknowledge the Truth and Step Up to the Bible Standard

The concept of sinning Christians is far, far below the standard of the true gospel message of grace and salvation. The true grace of God that brings salvation teaches and commands us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (see Titus 2:11-12), and to “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts … and … put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Eph. 4:22, 24. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17. But if I return to the old things that were passed away, “if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor” (Gal. 2:18). I am no longer a “new creature” and no longer “in Christ.” Because, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth NOT his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3-4.

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?…” Heb. 2:1-3a. “…O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:10b-11.

In meditating on these things, the story of the fate of a great “man of God” as recorded in the 13th chapter of 1 Kings came to my mind. (It would do us all well to read this chapter!) This prophet was a man whom God was using in a wonderful way! But he disobeyed a certain portion of the Word God had spoken to him. As a result of this one little disobedience, the God he served sent a lion to slay him on his way back home from an important mission! I have often thought, “What a severe punishment!” From a human standpoint, it almost seems “unfair,” especially since it was because of the “lie” of another prophet who persuaded him that the “man of God” disobeyed his Lord. But God is God. He means what He says, and EVERY transgression and disobedience shall receive a just recompense of reward.

Imagine the terror that must have gripped the heart of that disobedient prophet when the God-sent lion came out from the side of the road, took him down, and sank its teeth into his flesh!!! The same God who sent His angel and closed the mouths of the lions for His faithful prophet, Daniel, when he was thrown into the lion’s den, sent this lion to slay the “man of God” who had disregarded and disobeyed just one portion of His Word!

Somehow, this just doesn’t quite sound like the loving, tolerant, sin-condoning God that many preachers are preaching to the people about today! Sadly, multitudes of false prophets have the minds of the people thinking in unbalanced perspectives concerning God because they have presented His Word to them in some unbalanced way. While God is indeed loving, merciful, kind, good, and gracious (and that is a broad and wonderful subject in itself), He also holds every man accountable to all He has said in His Word. There is a “severe” side of God that weighs in an even balance with His “goodness.” Think about the following scriptures:

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil.

2:12-13.

“Wherefore we labor [work], that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2 Cor. 5:9-11a.

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Heb. 10:30-31.

“My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.” Psalm 119:120.

“… To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b.