This is from the Church of God of Prophecy Global Prayer Network Facebook page :o)
Great Read: (I copied and pasted on blog for those who don't have facebook)
What is Our Complete Responsibility to God?
by Church of God of Prophecy Global Prayer Network on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 2:44pm ·
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
To fulfill our whole duty or complete responsibility to God we must:
Fear God first then Keep his commandments
Why do we fear God before we love Him with all our heart soul mind and strength (the first and greatest commandment)? Because, (Proverbs 1:7) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of 1 knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Psalms 14:1) "…The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…" 1 da'ath, (dah'-ath); (from yada'); knowledge, experiencing, encountering, awareness, the beginning or the principal thing required in fully knowing God.
I wonder if we are capable of keeping God’s commandments (obeying Him) being motivated only by our love for Him. David loved God and was so excited to bring the ark (the presence of God) back home. He made a brand new cart and very carefully and I’m sure very reverently, placed the ark of God on the cart. Then David and all Israel played and danced before the Lord with all their might. What a great display of their love and devotion that must have been. Then, as the cart moved on to the very smooth threshing floor of Chidon, the Oxen stumbled and Uzza, concerned about the welfare of the ark, put his hand out to steady it.
It would appear that the motive of David’s people was “right” at least in their own eyes but, when Uzza touched the ark and God’s anger was kindled and Uzza was struck dead. Why? ( 1 Chronicles 15:13NIV ) "It was because…We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." The KJV says “…we sought him not after the due order…” (1 Chronicles 13:12) "And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?" The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowingGod and knowing what God expects of us. This is the questioned David should have asked before he moved the sacred ark which was to be carried only by the priests on staves of wood. David searched the scripture, being motivated by the fear of God, understanding that God was serious about His specific directions for us. (1 Chronicles 15:12) "And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it."
As we study the history of God’s people it would appear that they never “got” the principle thing, to fear God. To fully know God we must be aware of those things that displease Him and the consequences of our disobedience. He very clearly informs us that: (1 Samuel 15:23) "…rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness (arrogance) is as iniquity and idolatry…" How do we acquire this knowledge? (Psalms 19:7) "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting (returning to the starting point or the principal thing) the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." God, in His wisdom, made His word quick and powerful so we could have knowledge of or fully know Him. He said: (Psalms 19:9) "The fear of the LORD is clean (everything connected with it is of a pure or holy tendency, adapted to cleanse the soul and to make it holy) , enduring for ever…" If we look for God, if we seek the knowledge of God, we will find it. By His word is: (Psalms 19:11) "…thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward…Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."
Our Abba Father has lovingly given us all we need to have knowledge of Him. He wants us to know of His awesome power so we will be assured that God is well and able to perform all that He has promised. He does marvelous works in our lives, to demonstrate His love for us, and what do we do?
(Psalms 78:9-11) "The children of Ephraim…kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law…forgat his works, and his wonders…" David goes on about all the miraculous things that God did and: (Psalms 78:17-22) "…they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High…And they tempted God in their heart… the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:"
God makes this very profound statement about His people as a warning to them and to us if we loose the fear of God . (Hosea 4:6) "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee …" (Isaiah 5:13-14) "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge…Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it."
How does this affect us? We are living under grace; God’s grace covers every thing! If we feel this way does it sound like we have the knowledge of God? Consider this: (1 John 3:15) "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." So Satan says “You still have eternal life you’re under the grace of God, you won’t die!” But, what is the whole duty of man? 1. Fear God: because no murderer hath eternal life in Him. We must have knowledge that there are consequences to our sin.
2. Keep His commandments: (John 13:34) "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
The same tempter is at work trying to keep us from our whole duty. We have access through grace, to an intimacy with God, enabling us to fully know Him. We must awaken ourselves to the fear of God. We must build up our selves on our most holy faith; we must pray in the Holy Spirit and let Him make intercession (on a regular basis) for us according to the will of God. (2 Corinthians 11:3) "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Remember our complete responsibility, our whole duty:
Fear God, keep His commandments
(Psalms 36:1-3) "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good."
(Proverbs 2:1-6) "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, (hide my word in your heart)turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,and if you callout for insight and cry aloud for understanding,and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
(Isaiah 29:13-14) "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:…behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people…for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." (Ephesians 5:21) "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."phobos, to be put in fear; alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.
Bill Stockham
Upper Room Prayer Cell Coordinator
To fulfill our whole duty or complete responsibility to God we must:
Fear God first then Keep his commandments
Why do we fear God before we love Him with all our heart soul mind and strength (the first and greatest commandment)? Because, (Proverbs 1:7) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of 1 knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Psalms 14:1) "…The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…" 1 da'ath, (dah'-ath); (from yada'); knowledge, experiencing, encountering, awareness, the beginning or the principal thing required in fully knowing God.
I wonder if we are capable of keeping God’s commandments (obeying Him) being motivated only by our love for Him. David loved God and was so excited to bring the ark (the presence of God) back home. He made a brand new cart and very carefully and I’m sure very reverently, placed the ark of God on the cart. Then David and all Israel played and danced before the Lord with all their might. What a great display of their love and devotion that must have been. Then, as the cart moved on to the very smooth threshing floor of Chidon, the Oxen stumbled and Uzza, concerned about the welfare of the ark, put his hand out to steady it.
It would appear that the motive of David’s people was “right” at least in their own eyes but, when Uzza touched the ark and God’s anger was kindled and Uzza was struck dead. Why? ( 1 Chronicles 15:13NIV ) "It was because…We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." The KJV says “…we sought him not after the due order…” (1 Chronicles 13:12) "And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?" The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowingGod and knowing what God expects of us. This is the questioned David should have asked before he moved the sacred ark which was to be carried only by the priests on staves of wood. David searched the scripture, being motivated by the fear of God, understanding that God was serious about His specific directions for us. (1 Chronicles 15:12) "And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it."
As we study the history of God’s people it would appear that they never “got” the principle thing, to fear God. To fully know God we must be aware of those things that displease Him and the consequences of our disobedience. He very clearly informs us that: (1 Samuel 15:23) "…rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness (arrogance) is as iniquity and idolatry…" How do we acquire this knowledge? (Psalms 19:7) "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting (returning to the starting point or the principal thing) the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." God, in His wisdom, made His word quick and powerful so we could have knowledge of or fully know Him. He said: (Psalms 19:9) "The fear of the LORD is clean (everything connected with it is of a pure or holy tendency, adapted to cleanse the soul and to make it holy) , enduring for ever…" If we look for God, if we seek the knowledge of God, we will find it. By His word is: (Psalms 19:11) "…thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward…Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."
Our Abba Father has lovingly given us all we need to have knowledge of Him. He wants us to know of His awesome power so we will be assured that God is well and able to perform all that He has promised. He does marvelous works in our lives, to demonstrate His love for us, and what do we do?
(Psalms 78:9-11) "The children of Ephraim…kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law…forgat his works, and his wonders…" David goes on about all the miraculous things that God did and: (Psalms 78:17-22) "…they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High…And they tempted God in their heart… the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:"
God makes this very profound statement about His people as a warning to them and to us if we loose the fear of God . (Hosea 4:6) "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee …" (Isaiah 5:13-14) "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge…Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it."
How does this affect us? We are living under grace; God’s grace covers every thing! If we feel this way does it sound like we have the knowledge of God? Consider this: (1 John 3:15) "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." So Satan says “You still have eternal life you’re under the grace of God, you won’t die!” But, what is the whole duty of man? 1. Fear God: because no murderer hath eternal life in Him. We must have knowledge that there are consequences to our sin.
2. Keep His commandments: (John 13:34) "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
The same tempter is at work trying to keep us from our whole duty. We have access through grace, to an intimacy with God, enabling us to fully know Him. We must awaken ourselves to the fear of God. We must build up our selves on our most holy faith; we must pray in the Holy Spirit and let Him make intercession (on a regular basis) for us according to the will of God. (2 Corinthians 11:3) "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Remember our complete responsibility, our whole duty:
Fear God, keep His commandments
(Psalms 36:1-3) "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good."
(Proverbs 2:1-6) "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, (hide my word in your heart)turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,and if you callout for insight and cry aloud for understanding,and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
(Isaiah 29:13-14) "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:…behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people…for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." (Ephesians 5:21) "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."phobos, to be put in fear; alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.
Bill Stockham
Upper Room Prayer Cell Coordinator
No comments:
Post a Comment