VIII - Obedience

(1 Corinthians 1:21)  "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

Some would say man is destined to choose unwisely. It’s his destiny. He can’t help himself.  If this is so, it would mean that the “…foolishness of preaching…” cannot save those that believe, because believing would be a wise choice. Isn’t the Gospel God’s Word? Isn’t God’s Word the vehicle of hearing? Isn’t hearing the Word the vehicle of faith? Faith, God’s gift, enables a man to wisely choose. If he still chooses unwisely, he does so knowingly. He is “…willingly ignorant.” It’s usually because fear of what others may do or think combined with the doubt sown by the “whisperer” We are commanded to be of “good courage!” God enables men with His Word!

(Romans 10:17)  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

(Romans 1:16)  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

The dead spirits of men stir when the Word of God falls on their ears, just as the dead ears of Lazarus heard the command to come forth. Man is not dead physically, he is dead spiritually. He can’t hear God speak, but he can hear a man speak God’s Words. If man speaks/preaches the Gospel of Christ to him, the Word of God comes to him through the foolishness of that preaching, and faith by that Word. God’s Word is the power unto salvation, not the preacher, his preaching, or any works of the listener. If I hear God’s Word preached, it brings faith to me by its own virtue, and I am subsequently enabled by that faith to believe and be saved. If I reject what I then know to be the Truth, I have no one to blame but myself. I made my choice. No one forced me one way or the other.

(Romans 1:19-20)  "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. {20} For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse"

You might say Lazarus came forth because Jesus used his name. God’s Word is clear.

(Acts 17:30-31)  "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: {31} Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Men are not predestined to hell by God’s choosing, but their own!

(Romans 1:19)  "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them." (Romans 1:21-22)  "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,"

It is because that when they knew God they glorified Him not! Every man in Hell received “The Gift” of the truth and by it faith, but rejected it like Adam and Eve, because of their own vanity, and chose the lie.  “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Preaching the Gospel of Christ is a foolish activity by man’s reasoning, but it is the way God has chosen to save men. It depends entirely upon the power of the Word of God to succeed. Therefore, it will succeed in the bringing of faith! Men can receive the gift, or they can reject it at their own peril! We need more preachers of the Gospel.

(Mark 16:15)  "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Matthew 28:19-20)  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Did God command them to preach the gospel to every creature? Are we to obey as well? Do you believe God? Faith demands obedience. If there is no obedience, there is no faith. It is like separating wet from water.