Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. Psalm 69:6
God’s saving grace to sinners will cause those sinners to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Salvation gives a new heart that desires to worship with God’s people whenever possible. That is not to say that God’s grace only affects the hearts of God’s children on Sundays and Wednesdays. God’s grace affects the believer’s walk EVERYDAY.
Each day part of our prayers should be that the Lord will keep us from saying anything that would bring reproach on the name of the Lord (Psalm 141:3). Since our actions speak louder than our words, we should also pray that the Lord will keep us from DOING anything that would offend our brethren, cause our brethren to stumble, or give the heathen a reason to blaspheme the name of the Savior.
You cannot separate faith and conduct. Our conduct should be a matching bookend to our doctrine. Perhaps that was what Brother Mahan meant when he wrote the following article.
BALAAM’S ASS SPOKE THE TRUTH BUT HE WAS STILL AN ASS!
I assume that you are Calvanistic in creed, fundamental in faith, and moral in manners or you would not be identified with this people. But has the grace you profess made you gracious? Has the love of God you claim made you a loving, tender, and kind person? Has the forgiveness of your sins taught you how to forgive? Has your friendship with “THAT GREAT FRIEND” taught you how to be a true and loyal friend? Having received the heavenly gifts freely from God’s merciful hand, have you learned to give to others freely and generously? You have studied the person and work of Jesus Christ, but HAVE YOU LEARNED CHRIST? The only true evidence that you or anyone else has of the fact that you know Christ and have truly been with Christ, is that you demonstrate in attitude and action the ways and will of Christ. Is this not what Paul is saying in I Corinthians 13? One may have the orthodoxy and knowledge, and gifts of religion; but if he does not have LOVE, he is NOTHING! Don’t just tell men about the grace of God; show them what His grace has done for you. Don’t just preach the love of God; demonstrate it! My friends, a contentious, unloving, ungracious person is a stranger to the grace of God; for the grace of God makes men and women gracious and loving in all areas. “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Balaam’s ass spoke the truth, but he was STILL AN ASS! SPEAKING the truth does not necessarily change one; LEARNING THE TRUTH DOES!
Older
Top
