“God’s Authority Over Man”

Jarrod Jacobs

            Many pay lip-service to God’s authority, but few seem to realize the extent of it. We live in a time when men want to “call the shots” and run their own lives. This is just not possible if we are going to please God. What is the extent of God’s authority over man?

            First, it is God who must direct our steps. Jeremiah said, “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, it is not in man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Man is not able to direct his steps correctly. Allow God to do it!

            God has also told us how to worship Him. Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Our worship is not “do as you please”. Our worship is not geared toward pleasing people, but pleasing God! Our worship consists of singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16); prayer, teaching, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and giving of our means (Acts 2:42; I Cor. 16:1-2). This is what God told us to do!

            Finally, the extent of God’s authority is seen in Colossians 3:17. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This verse covers our whole lives. God has complete authority over man!

            Let us stop living selfishly, but live a fulfilled life by submitting wholeheartedly to the authority of God!!

“God Said It; I Believe It; That Settles It.”

Jarrod Jacobs

            The above statement has been popular for some years, now. I am sure most of our dear readers have heard this from time to time. It has been on multitudes of bumper stickers, and in fact, one book I own has this phrase at the end of every chapter! It is a good thought, and I appreciate the sentiment expressed. This statement conveys the message that since God said it, then I believe it. It is then “settled” because I will not argue with my God about it, nor will I listen to anyone who may try to get me to question the word of God.

            There is an even more accurate way to state this truth, though, and it is: “God Said It; That Settles It; I Believe It.” Put simply, once God says something, that settles it, regardless of whether or not I believe it! When God speaks the truth, it is settled (Ps. 119:89). If one fights and argues against the will of God, a man’s “unsettled” mind has no effect upon God’s truth (Ex: II Kings 5:10-14). At the same time, when one accepts God’s word completely, the acceptance and obedience to His word had no effect on the truth, either (Acts 2:41, 47)! God said it, and that settles it! Therefore, I need to believe it.

            God’s word has been man’s standard from the beginning. So long as we live upon this earth, this standard will not change (Matt. 24:35; I Pet. 4:11).

"Do Not Be Deceived"

Jarrod Jacobs

            God warned man many times in the Bible not to be deceived by certain things. For instance, He warned the Israelites not to let their heart be deceived by serving false gods (Deut. 11:16). Let us consider some other occasions when men were told not to be deceived.

            The apostle Paul told the Corinthians: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (I Cor. 6:9-10). In the same book, he also said, “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals” (I Cor. 15:33). To the Galatians, Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

            Today, instead of saying, “Do not be deceived,” we might say, “Don’t fool yourself!” This is what God was saying -- don’t fool yourself, there are certain things that are true regardless of time and circumstances. Don’t fool yourself! You will reap what you sow. Your friends have an influence on you that can be dangerous. Sin will not be tolerated by God. Remember to not be guilty of worshipping false gods (idols). Yes, idolatry is alive and well today (Col. 3:5)!

            Don’t let anyone fool you; sin brings death (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:15).

First The Cross, Then The Crown

Jarrod Jacobs

            Before Christ received His crown, He had to die on the cross. This is seen in passages like Philippians 2:5-11 and Hebrews 2:9, as well as Ephesians 1:20-23 and I Timothy 6:15.

            In like manner, if we today are going to receive the “crown of life” (Rev. 2:10), we must first die at the cross. Our old man of sin must be put to death (Col. 3:5). Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). He later wrote, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14). The letter to the Romans made it clear that those who “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine” delivered to them were “then made free from sin” (Rom. 6:17-18).

            What did they do? They portrayed Christ’s death, burial and resurrection in their putting to death the old man of sin, being buried in the waters of baptism, and rising to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). In doing so, Paul said they were “buried” with Christ in baptism, “risen with Christ” and “are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 2:12, 3:1, 3). Based on this, they could look forward to their crown. Friend, are you looking forward to your crown? First comes the cross!

Some Things God Will Not Do

Jarrod Jacobs

            Did you know that there are some things that an all-powerful God refuses to do today? It is true. What are some things God will not do today?

            1) God will not flood the earth. After the flood of Genesis 7, God promised never to destroy the earth by water again (Gen. 9:8-16). He has kept that promise since then.

            2) God will not accept just any worship! The things we do must be according to His will (Col. 3:17). We must do it God’s way, or God will not accept it (Matt. 15:9). God expects worship to Him to consist of: singing (Eph. 5:19); prayer (Acts 2:42); preaching (Acts 20:7); taking the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7); and giving (I Cor.16:1-2) on the first day of the week.

            3) God will not lie to us. In fact, it is impossible for God to lie to man (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). We can trust what the Lord says in the Bible. God’s word is truth (Jn. 17:17).

            4) God will not save us if we have not been baptized. This is not the only step, but this is the step that has been debated for centuries. We know God will not lie. Therefore, let us accept what the Lord has said about baptism being necessary for salvation (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Rom. 6:17-18; Col. 2:12; I Pet. 3:21) God will not save you if you have not obeyed His plan!