You walk into a fast food restaurant and you have ordered one of their value meals. Let’ say you ordered a number seven from their menu which has a price of $4.97. They make your food and you are about to pay. The price with tax is $5.38 and the clerk asks for you to pay. You look at this person and say, “wait, I’ll give you $3.38 for this value meal.” That person is not going to deal with you. The price is set and there are no negations. On the other hand, you go to purchase a car. You offer $24,000 for this particular vehicle after noticing the sticker price is $26,599. The salesman begins the dickering with you and his boss. You know you can get a deal on this car because the price is negotiable. We come to understand certain principles in life and we know when things change and when things do not change. Well, today folks have found religion and the Bible to be more like a car dealership than anything else. They read what the Bible says and they talk to “religious people” thinking they can lower God’s expectations. God told Joshua this: “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:7). The Lord has not changed since he told that to Joshua (Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8). God took the same stance with man even before He told Joshua to do all His law without going to the right or left: “Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). Why is it that God has been very clear throughout His word showing that He expects man to obey all that He has said without deviating, but man always seeks to find another way? “Brethren” are like that too. They know what God has said about matters, but they seek to negotiate. We know about the false doctrine of unity in diversity (Amos 3:3, Mark 3:24, I Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 3:16, and II John 9-11). We know about the false doctrine of multiple causes for divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9, Romans 7:1-6, and I Corinthians 7:10-11). We have examined the false doctrine of continual cleansing (I John 1:7-2:6). We have exposed the false idea of unconditional forgiveness (Luke 13:3; 17:3-4). We have become good at pointing out the errors in the “brotherhood”. However, what about those we may seek more diligently to find excuses for ourselves? We know that the congregation here assembles on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursdays. We know that we should want to be with the brethren every time they assemble (Acts 2:42-46 and Hebrews 3:13). We even know that it is sinful to willfully forsake the coming together of the saints (Hebrews 10:22-25). Yet, don’t some still think that they can negotiate when they will or will not assemble with the brethren? There are times when it seems that way. It appears as though some know that discipline will occur when brethren are walking disorderly (II Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15), so some find a way to convince themselves and others that they are just “not able to be there”. Maybe you don’t feel well, but you would not miss an appointment if it were something other than assembling with the brethren. Maybe you have to work on this occasion, but if it were another occasion you could be there for that event. Folks, are any of us really thinking we can negotiate with God about our priorities? We all know that God MUST come first (Matthew 6:33; 22:37 and Luke 14:26-33). Maybe we don’t see worshiping the Lord and studying His word with the brethren as putting God first. What is it then? Maybe we are assembling faithfully, studying diligently, but still just can’t get the rest of our lives in order. In those cases, some have negotiated within themselves thinking that God will accept the appearance of faithfulness and close His eyes to reality. Come on, we know that God knows everything, including the times when we appear one way but inwardly are not so (I Samuel 16:7 and Luke 11:39-40). We cannot expect to act as though God, who is all-powerful (Job 37:23-24), is likened unto a car salesman. You are not going to ask God the price, which is your life (Matthew 16:24-25), and then expect that He’ ll accept anything less. Ah, but no one is perfect, right? Isn’t that one of the bargaining chips we use against the Lord? Some will gladly admit doing wrong by then exclaiming “all sin and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). While proudly exclaiming that, some miss that they have misquoted the verse. The verse really says “For all have sinned…”. God is plain and clear to us. He expects that we live our lives without sinning (Matthew 5:48, Ephesians 5:1, I Peter 2:21-22, and I John 2:3-6). If we sin (not WHEN), we do have an advocate with the Father (I John 2:1). Notice what God says in hopes that that’ll remove this “bargaining chip”: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (I John 3:7-9). Jesus asked: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matthew 16:26)? The only terms we can negotiate on is what we will sell our souls for. If you are a bargain hunter, maybe you can make a good deal. You can trade your soul for a marriage, friendship, lust, perverted speech, not having to assemble with brethren, the ability to dress immodestly, and all other sinful acts. However, we’ d all be wise to turn down the devils offers. We’d be wise to learn that our souls are not worth the pleasures that sin may bring which will only last for a season (Hebrews 11:25-26). |
| Volume VII ~ Issue XLIII ~ July 22nd, 2007 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| You Cannot Negotiate These Terms By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| Some Things “Brethren” Seek to Negotiate a Compromise On |
| Conclusion |