The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Admonition

  • A Light in the Darkness

    “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
    1 Corinthians 10:11

    God often reminded His people what He expected of them. Before they were led into the land God promised to them, see what He told them: “Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes” (Deuteronomy 12:8). He also told them: “… thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 13:18).

    Not too long after the people were given these warnings, we read about a particularly tragic time. It is recorded in the book of Judges. A dominant theme is found within this book: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Notice that it doesn’t say they did wrong; they thought what they were doing was right. Although it didn’t appear wrong to them, it was wrong in God’s eyes. They did not obey the commands God had given them. We can read that the Israelites had rejected God as their king. They chose to be friends with the enemy nations. They also continually chose to turn to the enemy’s idol worship. However, we understand that God never left His people. When the enemy oppressed, God sent a judge (a champion) to deliver them from the hands of their enemies. Gideon and Samson are probably the most familiar judges. The book of Judges reveals some terribly vile things that took place. One excessively despicable event even led to civil war within the nation, almost annihilating one of the twelve tribes.

    God’s people were supposed to reveal to the world the love of God for those who follow and obey His Words. “1. And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2. And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). But instead, they rejected God and His Word to do what they thought was right. “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Because of this, we read what God said the consequences of not obeying the word of the Lord would be. “62. And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God. 63. And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought …” (Deuteronomy 28:62-63a). They were not a light, revealing God in the world. 

    There are so many examples in the Bible of which we should take notice. They are there to remind us of what happens when we cease to obey God’s Word and choose our own path. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Jesus wants Christians to be a light in this world. “14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). When the Christians in the churches cease to be obedient to God’s Word, it is much like a light that is put under a bushel. Compromising Christians hurt themselves, their families and their churches. Worse than that, they can also contribute to the decay of a whole nation. We can see this pictured in the book of Judges.

    Are you a compromising Christian, hurting loved ones and contributing to the decay of a nation?

    Or are you a light, showing Jesus in this world?

  • Why the History is Important

    “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
    1 Corinthians 10:11

    After reading 1 Corinthians 10:11, one can understand that God’s Word was written for us. In the Bible, we find examples of how we are to live our lives and to show us a picture of God’s plan. We are to learn from what is written in His Word. Each Bible “story” we have learned through the years is just a piece of the “puzzle” to complete the picture of God’s plan. History may appear boring, but we must understand how fascinating, and especially important, it is to be in our lives.

    Because the history found in the Bible is so important, we should desire to know that history – just like Peter, Stephen, and Paul knew it. We are to understand that history is there to help us better understand and know Jesus. The more we read in God’s Word, the more we begin to understand that God had a plan. In the Old Testament, men didn’t fully understand what that plan was, but through faith they believed. In the New Testament, God’s plan was revealed through His Son, Jesus. Men still didn’t understand until Jesus died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. But once they understood, they could not keep silent. They shared what they learned with others so they could know of God’s wonderful plan as well. 

    After Jesus ascended back into heaven with the promise to return, Peter preached the Old Testament history. He had a new understanding of who Jesus was ,why He had come, and that He would return one day. And what an amazing response he received! Three thousand believed! And when he preached again shortly thereafter, five thousand believed!

    But there was another man named Stephen who preached the same history, and he found a very different response to his message. The religious leaders stoned him to death. There was one specific young man who consented to Stephen’s death. His name was Saul. His initial response to the Gospel message of Jesus was to seek out anyone who believed in Jesus and imprison or even kill them.

    He made a special trip to find anyone, man or woman, who believed in Jesus. But on his way, he met Jesus. There was quite a transformation in his life. Instead of wanting to kill those who believed in Jesus, Saul (later called Paul) became a mighty preacher, and teacher, of the history revealing Jesus.

    Each of these men came to the understanding that all of the Old Testament teachings were just pieces of a great picture. As they began to contemplate the truths they had learned, they realized that they revealed the picture of God’s plan to send Jesus into the world to take away their sin – if they would only believe and receive Him.

    Have you ever worked on a puzzle? Each piece is only part of a greater picture. The picture is not complete without all of the pieces. You could guess what the picture was going to be, but you wouldn’t completely know without the final pieces. Once you put all of the pieces together, you can see that greater picture. But when you are missing a piece, the picture is incomplete. This is much like knowing some of the events of the Old Testament and missing pieces of it. You cannot see the complete picture without reading and learning all of the events in that Old Testament text. Throughout history, people would try to understand what God was showing them. They trusted that He held all of the pieces and would fit them into place in His own time. Once Jesus came, many understood that all of the Old Testament was recorded for us to understand God’s plan to send His Son, Jesus, into the world to redeem a sinful people back to Himself. He wants us to understand this plan so that we will know just how important it is to place our lives into God’s hand by trusting in Jesus.

    Do you enjoy doing a puzzle that doesn’t have all of the pieces? 

    Have you ever been so excited about Jesus that you shared with others what you have learned so they could know of God’s wonderful plan as well?

    Previously published at: Lighthouse Gospel Beacon