Continued Thought by Larry Perry

Isaiah 29:12-14 English Standard Version

¹² And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”

¹³ And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
¹⁴ therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”

I will not disparage the practice of any administration of faith. We all have a responsibility to our God to worship him in Spirit and in Truth. That is a private matter. Nor can we stand in judgment of others in those things they practice. This leaves us with a self-examination of the motives within our own hearts.

I can only point to God’s Word as a guide to right judgment. Just a hint of motivations of the heart are given here by Isaiah. “Fear of me is a commandment taught by men.”

Acts 26:9-10 English Standard Version

⁹ “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.

These words are a confession by the apostle Paul. This was a man thoroughly educated in God’s Word by Gamaliel perhaps the greatest theologian of his time. It was not until Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus that Paul emerged in the light of the Truth.

Do we hear Jesus in our hearts when others speak? Truth does no waiver.

Revelation 1:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

I believe in Jesus Christ and His atoning works of the Cross, death and resurrection. I believe that I will not be allowed to be compromised on this issue.

I believe His Word is true. I believe I will not be compromised on this issue.

Then why have I not read aloud the words of this prophecy? Do I believe that only preachers have the right to read these words aloud? No. So why have I not read the words out loud to receive the blessing?

This will always be an issue within our ministries. Why do we hold to certain practices and ignore others? It is not ignorance, we know His word. We even believe this to be true and yet leave some things undone.

I will make no excuses for the things I have left undone.

Romans 14:22 English Standard Version (ESV) The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

Approving of a thing that is left undone might fit into His Word here. I should not take it upon myself to do a thing simply to avoid self-judgment. Judging ourselves is not the same thing as being commanded by the Lord. How many things do we practice in the name of faith that are nothing more than self-condemnation?

A wise elder once told me, “If you don’t feel like doing it, don’t.” It was an object lesson about motivations of the heart.

To be continued tomorrow.