Beech Tree News Network

Jesus warned the apostles: “These things have I spoken unto you … the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service….” (Jn. 16:1-3). This is an eye-opening statement to me. Jesus warned of folks who would kill the apostles, and in so doing, think they were serving God! How wrong can people get?

    Sadly, Saul of Tarsus was one who fit the description of John 16. In his younger days, Saul consented to the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1). In later years, he admitted that he thought, “That I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth…” (Acts 26:9-11). How could he end up making such a wrong decision? I think a key point in Paul’s case was his admission from Acts 26:9. Somewhere in his life, he began selfishly following the whims and wishes of men rather than selflessly following the pure will of God!

    How do I know this is what happened? It is because if he had followed the pure will of God, he would have accepted Christ rather than rejected Him! Remember Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (Jn. 8:56)! Remember, Moses wrote about Christ (Jn. 5:46)! Therefore, if he (or any other person who had rejected Christ) was following the pure will of God, he would have listened to the words of Abraham and Moses, and would have accepted Christ. Those who accepted the truth from the inspired words of Abraham, Moses, and other prophets followed Christ! Yet, because folks like Saul of Tarsus were following the whims and wishes of men, they were taught to kill Christ and Christians, and “do God service.” How tragic!

    What can I learn from this? I can learn that just because I think something is “good” or “holy” or “righteous” does not make it so. The inspired word of God that equips us for “every good work” reveals what is “good,” “holy, “ and “righteous” (II Tim. 3:16-17). Therefore, if what I am doing does not have its basis and authority from the Scriptures, it is not a good work! It is time we examined our lives (II Cor. 13:5) and made sure what we are doing is what has been authorized by God in His Scriptures. If we find we are following the will of man instead of God, then we need to repent, or be guilty of the same thing those Jews were guilty of in the first century. Specifically, guilty of doing something sinful, and saying it is being done “in God’s service.”

    Some 700 years before Christ, God said there were folks guilty of calling “evil good and good evil  … (putting) darkness for light, and light for darkness; … (putting) bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isa. 5:20). God continued, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isa. 5:21). Today, it is the same. Woe to people who exchange their “think-so’s” for God’s word and then claim they are following the Lord! If we are guilty of this, beware, for we fool ourselves into thinking we are “doing God service” when in actuality, we are sinning. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thess. 5:21). Follow God’s will only, and forsake man’s will. Let us not be guilty of sinning while claiming to “do God service”!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167