All The Counsel of God

The Lord Jesus Christ is the fulness of God, of His wisdom, power, and love. “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16). “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The Lord Jesus is the One altogether lovely, and the chiefest among ten thousand. He is the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the King of kings, and Lord of lords (Song of Solomon 5: 16; Song of Solomon 5:1 0; Song of Solomon 2:1; 1 Timothy 6: 15; Revelation 17: 14; Revelation 19: 16).

This glorious Saviour is the life of every believer. In Him we find all the longings of our souls. From Him we drink the water of life freely, living waters that fail not. From Him we receive moment by moment light, strength, peace, and joy. In Him is the life triumphant, and as we abide in Him a constant victory over sin. His life, His power, His victory, His joy, His fulness become ours.

Are you enjoying this life triumphant? The Lord Jesus alone can transform your life and satisfy the deep longings of your soul. He is the center of the new creation life, the source of all blessings. It is not a doctrine, a creed, a church, singing hymns, or even listening to sermons. These all may point faithfully to Him, but they are not the Lord Himself. He is supremely greater than these, and must be the object of every true believer.

We may have correct doctrine, yet know little of the victory over the self life, and of the joy of intimate communion with Him. But when we realize that Christ is our goal, our life, our all in all, we find in Him our all-sufficiency in all things. Not a religion, but the Lord Jesus enthroned in your heart and life; a glorious, living, bright reality. The desire of the Apostle Paul, as expressed in his letter to the Philippians, was “For to me to live is Christ …” (Philippians 1:21).

Philippians 3:8-10, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

Beloved, you have been by faith to that place called Calvary; you have been cleansed from all sin by His precious blood, but have you fully surrendered your heart and life to Him who loved you and gave Himself for you, and now is at the right hand of the Throne of God, ever living to make intercession for us? (Read Hebrews 7:25.) May the Lord grant that our lives may be completely abandoned to the Lord, that His abundant life may flow through to others.

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Prayer holds the supreme place among the callings and privileges accorded to God’s children. What a great privilege it is that God the Creator, the Almighty God, gives man the authority to come before Him at any time, in any place, and commune with Him. God challenges man to ask God anything and to any extent.

A Simple Request

“Call unto me …” is exhortation for a simple request. “… men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). The prayer “…without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is to be made unto God. God does not ask man to do anything which is beyond his capacity to fulfil. Saints of old went to the throne of grace in every moment of need, and found God sufficient for their every need. Today God also asks His people to draw nigh to Him in prayer.

A Sure Reply

“…I will answer thee…” is the promise for a sure reply. Not a grain of doubt or hesitation need be in the heart of the believer when he asks God. For the one who needs deliverance from sin, Jesus says, “… him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). For the one in spiritual or physical need or trouble, God promises, “… call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee…” (Psalm 50: 15). God remembers His covenant with man through His Son and honours it. For a simple request God promises a sure reply.

A Shocking Revelation

“… and shew thee …” Here is the shocking revelation to everyone who seeks God’s face. Moses was transformed by God and commissioned to deliver Israel from Egypt’s bondage. Gideon and his three hundred men found victory over a vast army of the enemy.

How often the people of God forget that it is not they but the Lord of hosts who fights the battle for them, “… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). This world has yet to see what God can do through a man who is totally surrendered to His will and dedicated for His purposes. God’s eyes are searching for men in whom He can manifest His power. For a simple request God promises a sure reply and a shocking revelation.

The Surprising Result

“… great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” is the essential surprising result when God is at work through His chosen instrument. “Fear not, thou worm Jacob… I will help thee… Behold, Iwill make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth:thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff” (Isaiah 41: 14-15). The God of Abraham,

Moses, Elijah, and Zerubabel uses small but completely surrendered instruments to manifest His glory. The pages of human history are full of instances of great and mighty things which men of God did for Him: the invincible, vast Red Sea divided when the rod of Moses was lifted against it; at Elijah’s word, fire descended from above and consumed the sacrifice; George Mueller’s orphans were fed from the great store-house of Heaven. For everyone who believed God, surprising results were granted.

The Christian church today is largely devoid of power. We have all forms and rituals of worship, but not the spirit of worship. The apostles said, “… Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The twentieth century church has silver and gold, but not the power of God. We belittle God’s power by teaching that miracles of God’s grace are a thing of the past, meant for a former age only. How great a day it will be when the scales fall off from our eyes, and we see that God is still on the throne and can do great things today.

We need to pray that we will regain our sight so that we see the wretched, miserable condition of the church and of Christians today, and then turn back to God, turn back to the cleansing, sanctifying blood of Jesus for forgiveness, and to the Spirit of God for a new manifestation of God’s might. We will never pray as we should until we see it is a necessity. “…men ought always to pray…” (Luke 18: 1).

To the prophet Jeremiah, God gave the promise that for a simple request there is a sure reply, shocking revelation, and surprising results. Are we willing to ask God? God is willing to give. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:8).

“…I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons  and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). We beseech all Christians to try and prove God, to hold a fast and cry unto the Lord, placing all their burdens and needs in His presence, and find the answers as per the promises. Will we tarry in His presence and receive from God the power, the power of the Holy Spirit, the streams of Living Water, until we are filled to overflowing?

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (Luke 14:28)

            Can you afford the high price of not being saved? Many times when being saved is discussed, we often speak of what we must give up to be saved. Certainly, there must be repentance of sins, and a turning from the world, but look at the other side of the story. Just what are you losing by not being saved? If you choose to live your life without Jesus Christ, it will cost you:

1.  FORGIVING LOVE

            Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world. Dying in our stead on the cross, He has made forgiveness a reality for us. The invitation is for you and me to come by faith to Jesus, accept Him as our Savior, and know this forgiveness. This, alone, can make us acceptable with God. Can you afford to reject His offer of love and forgiveness and go your own way, only to meet Him in judgment and go to hell?

2.  FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS

            In the world of the unsaved, no man cares for your soul. Everybody lives for themselves and what they can get out of life. In Jesus, however, there is abundant fellowship. Because we have been forgiven, we have fellowship with God and with all the saints. The people of God are real friends who care for you and love you. There is the plenty of the Father’s table that is always set full and free. Can you afford to miss this?

3.  ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD

            If you die without Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will surely be “turned into hell” (Psalm 9:17). It will cost you your soul to live in sin in this world and reject God’s Son as your Savior. Where will you be ten thousand years from now? Can you afford the cost of not being saved? No. None of us can, so “flee the wrath to come” (Luke 3:7) and run to Jesus now while you can. Thank God! He said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

• Text:  1 Samuel 15
• Intro:
  • I believe why the majority of Christians fail in their walk with the Lord and end up defeated is because of their lack of total obedience or partial obedience to the Lord.

• In other words failing to do what God told them to do and the way to do it.

• Most Christians today put their own spin on what God commands them to do even though the word of God is very clear.

• Then when things don’t work out they have the tendency to blame someone else instead of acknowledging their sin of disobedience.

• What is the result for the Christian?

• They do not lose their salvation.

• However, they can lose their crowns or rewards at the judgment seat of Christ and the privilege to rule with Christ on the earth during the Millennium.

• I believe we will see this sin of partial obedience well illustrated in the life of King Saul.

• As a result of his partial obedience, Saul lost his crown and his right to rule.

• I.  1 Sam 15:1-4 – God’s command to Saul.

• -The LORD’s command very clear.
• -Not subject to interpretation.
• -See v. 3.
• -Simply put – “Utterly destroy Amalek and all they have”.

• II.   1  Sam 15:6-9 – – Saul’s sin of partial obedience.

• -V. 7 – Shows Saul did obey the Lord’s command in that he smote the Amalekities”
  • -Vs. 8-9 – Notice Saul’s sin of partial obedience.
    • *He kept Agag, the king of Amalekites alive.
    • *Kept the best of the livestock and everything and utterly destroyed the vile and refuse.
  • -Remember the Lord’s command in v3. to utterly destroy all life both human and animal and all that the Amalekities had (material  possessions.)

• III.  1 Sam. 15:10-11 – God’s reaction to Saul’s sin.

• -It greatly displeased God.
• -God had a change of mind about making Saul, king.
• -I believe when we are not totally obedient to the Lord, that it displeases Him.
• -It makes God change His mind about us.
• -Maybe withholding a blessing from us.
• -Or taking something that He has given us back.
  • *Material Possession.
  • *Good Health.

• -Notice, also in v. 11, the man of God, Samuel’s reaction.
  • *”…it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.”
• -When a pastor’s sees his people not being totally obedient to the Lord, it grieves him and makes him cry over their sin.

• IV. 1 Sam 15:12-13 – Saul’s Self-Deception.

• -Notice v. 13 – Saul convinced himself that he has done everything the Lord commanded him to do.
  • -Sometimes when we sin, we don’t want to the face the fact that we have.

• V.  1 Sam 15:14 – The exposure of Saul’s sin.

• -Notice the bleating of the sheep exposure Saul’s sin.
• -v3. Saul commanded to destroy everything including livestock.
• -God does have a sense a humor.
• -Here has the bleating of sheep to expose sin.
• -One way or another your sin will find you out.

• VI. 1 Sam. 15:15 – Saul’s justification for his sin.

• -Notice he blames the people.
• -Notice however in v.9 both Saul and the people made the decision together to spare Agag and the best of the livestock.
• -Notice Saul says but for a good cause, a religious reason.
• -“sacrifice unto the Lord.

• VII. 1 Sam. 15:16-18 – Samuel Reminds Saul.

• -How Lord had blessed him and made him king when he was nobody.
• -How the Lord commanded him to destroy the Amalekites.
• -I believe it is the man of God, the pastor to remind the people.
• *How God has greatly blessed them by saving them from a sinner’s  hell.
• *Of the Lord’s commandments as spelled out in the Word of God.

• VIII. 1 Sam. 15:19 – Samuel Confronts Saul with his Sin.

• -Samuel asks Saul why he could not obey the Lord.
• -Samuel calls sin for what it is “evil in the sight of the Lord.
• -Again, it is the man of God responsibility to confront a person with their sin with the preaching of the Word of God.
• -And spell out what sin is and how God views it as evil.

• IX. 1 Sam 15:20-21 – Saul answers Samuel and sticks to his story.

• -v 20 – Saul’s responds I did obey the Lord.
• -v.21 – However, the people disobeyed the Lord but for a good reason, religion.

-Remember, The king or leader is to set the example for the people to follow but he did not.

• -Again, v. 9 – says Saul and people together choose to disobey God.
• -Saul was a bad example.
• -He caused the people to sin.
• -Regardless, if the animals were to be sacrificed to Lord still obeyed God’s command.
• -Principle need to see “It never right to do wrong to do right.”

• X.  1 Sam 15:22 – Samuel tells Saul what is important.

• -V. 22 – Read.
• -The Lord values obedience to His commands and His word more than He does religious and formalistic rituals.

• XI. 1 Sam 15:23 – Samuel Describes the Seriousness of Saul’s Sin And the Results.

• -Rebellion not doing it God’s Way is as the sin of witchcraft.
• -We know in the Old Testament those who performed witchcraft were to be put to death.
• -Stubbornness, doing it our way, refusing to yield to God, is as iniquity and idolatry.
• -Result of Saul rejecting the Word of the Lord, he loses his kingship.

• XII.  1 Sam 15:24-25 – Saul’s Reaction.

• -V. 24 – Saul changes his tune.
• -He shows sorrow.
• -However, it is worldly sorrow – Sorry that he got caught.
• -See 2 Cor. 7:9-10 – wordly vs. godly sorrow
• -Godly Sorrow – Sorry sinned against God and disobeyed God

not for being caught.

• -Only changed after he heard lost his kingdom.
• -Notice he feared the people.
• -The Bible says “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
• -v.25 – Notice he asks Samuel to pardon Him.
• -He needs to ask God to pardon his Sin.

• XIII.  1 Sam 15:26-29 – Samuel Responses.

• -Samuel rejects Saul because he rejected the Word of the Lord and the Lord rejected Saul.
• -Saul of all people the king of Israel should have known better.
• -He was held to a higher level of accountability because of his position.
• v. 27 – The renting of Samuel’s mantle represents the renting of the kingdom from Saul.
• -Principle: Sometimes the man of God has to reject those and separate from those who will not truly repent and get right with the Lord.

• XIV.   1 Sam. 15:30-31 Saul’s final plea to Samuel & Samuel’s response.

• -Saul asks Samuel to worship the Lord with him.
• -Samuel responds to Saul’s plea and I believe has one last time of pray and worship with king Saul.

• XV.  1 Sam. 15:32-33 Samuel Finish the Job.

• -Samuel finishes the job that Saul was suppose to do.
• -Remember, if the Lord commands you to do something and you don’t do it, He will raise someone else to do it.
• -And that person will end up with the blessing originally intended for you in this life and the life to come.

• XVI.  1 Sam 15:34-35 Samuel(Saint) and Saul(Sinner) Go Their Separate Ways.

• -v. 34 – Read
• -v. 35 – Notice, Samuel never to see Saul again until the day of his death.
• *But still mourns for Saul and his sin
• -I believe as a pastor, that I will always mourn over those who refused to get right with God because I know the consequences that face them.

• -For the unsaved who reject Christ – all of eternity in a lake of fire.

• -For a Christian who refuse to obey God totally.
• *In this life – A life of constant turmoil with no peace and joy.
• *In the next life  – Lost of rewards at the judgment seat of Christ and miss out ruling and reigning with Him during the Millennium.

Jeremiah felt keenly the disaster which had come upon his people. As he gazed upon a desolate Jerusalem, he said, “For these things I weep…because the enemy prevailed” (Lamentations 1: 16). This terrible loss – the fall of Jerusalem – was the result of disobedience. The people had hardened their hearts against God and His Word and were now suffering the consequences.

We cannot compare ourselves with the great prophet Jeremiah, but we sometimes weep as we consider our present situation. While false cults and counterfeit religious systems forge ahead, Christians drag their feet. Then enemy is prevailing in many areas today because of the sad spiritual state of believers.

“For these things I weep…”

SHALLOWNESS: In the early days we really knew the Lord and sought after the deep things of God. We served Him with sacrificial devotion. Now there is much superficiality among us. We fritter away our energies on the passing things of time, neglect our Bible reading and prayer time, and complain about “appeals” for the Lord’s work. How painfully our footsteps drag in His ways! Wholehearted service is the only kind that counts with God.

COMPROMISE: Everyone knows that there has been a profound theological shift in our generation. Compromise is the order of the day. What havoc is being wrought in the churches! The ecumenical movement is on the march. Full attention is being directed toward union with Rome. The state of things in the religious world today makes it imperative that we do more to give out the Word of God. If we fail – who can tell what forces will dominate the world spiritually during the years to come?

UNBELIEF: We know why it was that Israel failed God so miserably. They did not believe. They shut God out. And there is much skepticism, indifference, and apathy in our day. Unbelief is not only a blind and senseless reasoner, but a dark and gloomy murmurer. It neither gets to the right side of things, nor to the bright side of things. It is always in the dark, always in the wrong, simply because it shuts out God and looks only at circumstances. But God never fails a trusting heart. We can never go too far in counting on Him and trusting in His infinite resources.

“For these things I weep…” Do I weep alone or do others feel as I do? Together we can turn our tears into prayers that God may revive us again.

Pray that God will put upon many -who up to this time have been living a shallow Christian life – a burden of personal responsibility. The Gospel will avail nothing unless those for whom Christ died have the opportunity to hear and believe the message. Our part is to see that the message is heard.

Pray that God will enlighten His people concerning the dangers of the ecumenical movement. We can hardly imagine the harm that is being done to others because of the pressures this movement is bringing to bear upon them.

Pray that God will deal with the wicked sin of unbelief so prevalent in the hearts of His people today. God’s promise to our hearts at all times is, ” … Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). Unbelief robs us of the blessing of proving this promise and of proving the all sufficiency of God.

This is a great day of opportunity. Let us take stock of ourselves and present to God a broken and contrite heart. Let us stand fast for the faith once delivered unto the saints. May God keep us believing!

“Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou has wrought for us” (Psalm 68 :28).

The Lord imparts unto us that primary strength of character which makes everything in life work with intensity and decision. We are “…strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3: 16). And the strength is continuous; reserves of power come to us which we cannot exhaust.

“The Lord is my strength” to go on. He gives us power to tread the dead level, to walk the long lane that seems never to have a turning, to go through those long reaches of life which afford no pleasant surprise, and which depress the spirits in the sameness of a terrible drudgery.

“The Lord is my strength” to go up. He is to me the power by which I can climb the difficult hill and not be afraid.

“The Lord is my strength” to go down. It is when we leave the bracing heights, where the wind and the sun have been about us, and when we begin to come down the hill into closer and more sultry spheres, that the heart is apt to grow faint.

“The Lord is my strength” to sit still. And how difficult is the attainment! Do we not often say to one another, in seasons when we are compelled to be quiet, “If only I could do something!” To do nothing, just to sit still and wait, requires tremendous strength.

“The Lord is my Strength!”

FIRE: The Bible is a fire that bums up the dross of sin within us. “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD…” (Jeremiah 23:29).

LAMP: The Bible is a light for our understanding. It guides our footsteps even in the darkest night. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

MIRROR: The Bible is a mirror for our self-examination. It reveals the stains of sin that need cleansing. “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:23-24).

SWORD: The Bible is a sword for our conflict. Our enemy, Satan, and all his evil hosts will flee before it when it is properly used. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

HONEY: The promises and precepts of the Bible are for our delight. “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).

HAMMER: The Bible is a hammer in that it breaks up the heart that is hardened by unbelief. “Is not my word…like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces” (Jeremiah 23 :29).

MEAT: The Bible is meat for our spiritual strengthening. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

MILK: The Bible is milk for our nourishment. It helps us to grow in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).

SEED: The Bible is seed for our sowing. “A sower went out to sow his seed…Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:5,11).

GOLD: The Bible is gold for our enrichment. “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (Psalm 119:72).

A colporteur of the Bible Society in a European country came to an orchard bearing nice ripe fruit. Seeing the owner, he asked him, at a very low price, to buy a copy of God’s precious Word, and at the same time commending it for its great worth. The owner of the orchard said, “You tell me that your Book is the Word of God, but you do not prove it so.” To this the man of God made no direct reply, but stood admiring the fruit trees loaded with their luscious fruit, then said, “What fine looking pears! But what a pity they are of such poor quality.” “What!” exclaimed the orchardist, “Of poor quality! It is quite plain that you have never tasted them. Pick one or two and try them!” The colporteur did as he was bidden, and after eating one, said “Yes, you are right,” smacking his lips at the same time. “The pears are excellent; but, sir, you must deal with my Book as I have dealt with your pears. Taste and you will see that the Word of God is good.”

Many millions have in the past, and millions now have not only taken a sample taste of the precious Word of Life, but they continue to delight in the precious truths revealed therein and will do so forever; and they are so abundantly satisfied with them that they are continually recommending one and all, saying, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).

The Word of God contains invaluable truth. Few seem to really believe it is God’s Word; but it most assuredly is such! Disproof is impossible! God is speaking in and by it today to sinners as well as to His people, and by the redeeming work of His Son is proclaiming a free, full, and eternal salvation to one and all, and absolutely free for

one and all who will repent of their sins and by faith take it. There is nothing deceptive about it, as millions can testify; but they are deceiving themselves who imagine for a moment that God’s Word can be slighted with impurity. “… he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6: 14-18).

FIRST, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE EXISTS AN ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE BORN OF GOD AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT.

The difference between the sons of God and the children of wrath is both great and conspicuous. It is the difference between light and darkness, pure religion and paganism.

SECOND, WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE DANGERS OF CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH THE MORALLY OR DOCTRINALLY IMPURE.

Unequal yoking- intimate associations between the people of God and the world ought not to exist.

There should be a separation in religious fellowship. The Apostle Paul cautioned the Corinthian church against fellowship with the doctrinally impure. The only sound basis of religious fellowship is truth.

There should be a separation in marriage. The question of religious equality ought ever to be the prime question. Among many professors of Christianity today the question hardly arises, and in direct disobedience to Holy Scripture, ministers unite such unequally yoked couples in marriage.

Reading material, the use of the media, time, energy, and pursuits are all matters about which the Christian believer needs to have great concern. “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

There should be a separation in friendships. The power of friendship is great for good or for evil. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27: 17). A wise man will choose his friends with care. Believers need friendships that will help and not hinder them.

There should be a separation in business.Business partners are closely yoked, their actions need to largely agree. Such partnerships between a Christian and non-Christian will always ultimately hit trouble. Stress and strain will build up in the relationship until both partners discover the wisdom of the question, “…what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:15).

THIRD, WE NEED TO REFLECT UPON THE FACT THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF THE GODLY TO EXTRICATE THEMSELVES FROM ALL UNEQUAL YOKINGS.

The Christian must sever unscriptural ties and break away from all unprofitable bindings. Such separation is to be entire. “…touch not the unclean thing…“(2 Corinthians 6: 17). We are to have no contact with moral or doctrinal impurity.

The Christian is in the world. Christ did not pray that His people should be taken out of the world, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17: 15). There may be relations that we find difficult to sever or are truly impossible to break, but in these situations the believer must be most careful and diligent in maintaining his independence as an individual carefully rendering to God the things that are God’s.

The Christian is not of the world. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). Although the child of God is in the world, he does not adopt the principles, practices, or maxims of the worldly.

The Christian is to be above the world. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind …” (Romans 12:2). He is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Therefore through divine grace and gracious enablement he masters worldly principles and resists worldly influences. The children of God are not only to be separated from the world and theworldly by the careful watching of their actions and habits, but by an attribute of mind which brings a natural nonconformity. Having renewed minds, believers are enabled to discern the “… good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Only a blast of ram’s horns and a shout – and God made the walls of proud Jericho crumble to their foundations, and the key of all Canaan was in the hand of lsrael (Joshua 6).

Only two women: one, Deborah, who inspired courage in the fainting hearts of lsrael’s men; the other, Jael, who with a hammer and nail laid Israel’s master low; thus the end came of twenty years of mighty oppression (Judges 4-5).

Only an ox-goad, but with it six hundred Philistines were slain, and Israel was delivered by Shamgar’s God (Judges 3:31).

Only a trumpet blast, the smash of lighted pitchers, and a shout, but by these, and Gideon, God delivered Israel from the seven-year yoke of the Midianites (Judges 6-8).

Only the jawbone of an ass, yet heaps upon heaps of Philistines fell before it, because God strengthened Samson’s arm that wielded it (Judges 15).

Only a sling and a stone, but with unerring precision, directed by Almighty God; and that day Philistine’s mighty men were put to shame, the Philistine giant licked the dust, and God’s honour was vindicated (1 Samuel 17).

Only a few ignorant, unlettered, yet whole-hearted and consecrated men and women, but by the power of God they taught men the way of salvation, which transforms its possessors into the likeness of the Son of God Himself and brings them into eternal glory (Acts 1-2).