MATTIE'S CHRISTIAN PAGES

Most of us can obey simple commands but few of us understand those commands. We usually do not understand the spirit behind the command or else the spirit of the command itself! So, we either make excuses for ourselves or else think that we have fulfilled the will of those over us.

What does it mean to obey? The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary gives the definition as "to comply with the command of; or do as bidden." This statement gives us the most trouble in America today, in the church, as well as outside in the secular world, I believe. For many in the church--both men and women; but especially the men--take the position that whatever they say is law because God has given them that authority. While this is true, they fail to take into account the awesome responsibility that goes along with this authority!

Do we understand the Spirit of that authority? The same God who gave that authority to man has the Authority from which man’s authority proceeds. God Himself does not override the freewill of man and does not sanction when men try to do this horrible thing to other men or women!

God is longsuffering and kind and sends His love and mercy and grace to us by His Spirit as well and His angels and His servants to gently woo us and win us to His way of thinking. He even went so far as to send His Son to us so that we could better understand Him and His Laws.

Jesus is our example in this as well as all other matters. How did He use His Authority when He came to this earth? He not only had His Authority from God the Father; but He had the Authority of His own since He was the creator of all this earth! Can we get a picture of how God uses His Authority in Jesus? How do we obey God the Father? Jesus is our example and we are to follow Him. He did the will of the Father, plain and simple. That was the reason he came to earth; for He said, in John 6:38 — "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." This was the sole purpose for His being here! Jesus whole reason was to teach men about God and their relationship to Him. Men did not understand God. Jesus who proceeded from God both knew and understood God and all His aspects, including His love and grace!

He said in John 6:39-40 -- "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." (KJV)

We see from these verses that Jesus came to call men to a better understanding of who God the Father was and who Jesus was. He came to call men into a special relationship with God the Father and Jesus His Son. We call that special relationship salvation. He came to call sinners to repentance and to call men everywhere to believe on Jesus and to bring them to glory when they died by accepting Jesus and doing His will!

Men thought that they knew God. They saw his handywork everywhere. They even had His Laws whereby they could live holy lives. But they did not know God as God the Father. Maybe as God the Awful, or God the Terrible or God the Almighty; but Jesus came to show mankind the Father and the Father’s heart. They had not seen him as a loving Father! Only as a God to be feared and served or He would smite them and cast them away. Many of them failed to see the loving God in the Prophets who was long-suffering and gave many calls to repentance. Many men see God the same way today. They fail to see God as a God of love and mercy. They only see His power--not His Heart!

Jesus had the power to raise us up again after death, for he said, in John 5:26-30—"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (KJV)

In these verses, we clearly see that Jesus did the will of the Father and He expects us to do the same! Are we willing to do as he did? Are we as obedient to the will of God the Father as He was; or are we disobedient to the will of the Father in our lives? I think that most of us have been disobedient in the past and remain so, to a big extent, even today!

First, we see that Jesus knew the Father and knew His will for Jesus’ life. Do we know the Father and have we found His will for our lives? We need to discover these things if we are to truly do the will of the Father and the Lord.

In Acts 9:5 -- the Lord said to Paul, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. " (KJV) Paul was obedient to the Heavenly vision even as we are to be. He obeyed without question. Many times, we are hesitant to obey the voice of the Lord when we hear it. We need to get to know Him so that we will obey when He calls us even as He did Paul. He has work for us to do as well as Paul and the other deciples!

Paul was not disobedient to the heavenly vision that he had seen. He obeyed and went into the city as Jesus instructed him. Acts 9:8-22—And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.

Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. (KJV)

It was not easy for Saul to trust that he would not be killed, as he was so hated by the church for his prosecution of them. Yet, he obeyed! It was not easy for Ananias to have faith in the vision that he had when he was informed that Saul had been reformed either. Yet, we see that both men were obedient to the Holy Spirit and had faith in what the Spirit was told them! Both men obeyed the Spirit, for we see that both men recognized the Spirit and had faith in what He said!

Paul was a chosen vessel for the Lord to use, for the Lord told Ananias that "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

He had to suffer again and again; but still he was true to the vision that he had received. He believed and accepted the word of the Lord when He called him into His work. We must do the same. We must have faith in and believe in the call that God has placed upon our lives as well!.

Paul tells us many times of all the trials that he has had; but that he is always ready to do the will of the Lord. We see in Acts21:13-15—Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem." (KJV)

Paul tells us that we are to ever be living for the Lord and serving Him in Eph 5:14-21— "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (KJV)

Once we know the will of the Father for our lives and then learn to do the will of the Father, then we should learn what is the will of the God the Son for our lives and do that, also! The deciples found and did the will of the Son for their lives.

Paul was willing to do the will of Jesus when he recognized him. Acts 9:4—And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Acts 9:5-6 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (KJV)

Peter tells us that we are to suffer for and live for the Lord, not for ourselves. He says that we are to glory in persecution if it for the Lord's sake. However, he tells us not to suffer for our own wrong doings in 1 Pet 4:1-19—"For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." (KJV)

Paul tells us that we are to submit one to another in Eph 5:21 -- Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (KJV) Most of us have a problem with this question of submission to the authority of another, male or female. Yet Paul teaches us that we are to submit in order for peace to reign both in the church and our lives! We are to ever do good works and live for Christ.

Next, he makes it still more personal. It is sometimes easier to obey the authority figures in our lives than in our own homes. Yet, Paul taught us that we must obey for it to bring peace and order into our families. Individual freedoms sometimes must be subjugated to the authority of others for peace to truly reign in our homes and lives. This is hard and we do not like it. It takes away some of our freedom of choice.

He says in Eph 5:22 -- Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (KJV)

But, he quickly goes on to the husbands part. . Eph 5:23-33 -- Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (KJV)

Then he moves on to the children in Eph 6:1-20—"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (KJV)

We see from these scriptures that all should be order and peace. Yet we in the church, much less the US and the world are so far from the ideal presented here.

Lord may we truly learn to hear your Spirit and to obey that Spirit in our hearts and lives. May we ever live for you and others that we may show forth the love that you impart to all those who seek you. Amen.

Peter also tells us to use our authority for peace and to show forth God's love as we minister to all who are lost and in need of prayer and help!!! 1 Pet 5:1-14—"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen." (KJV)

We see from all these examples that the authority that the Lord has given the church and the families of the church is from God. What we do wtth that authority is sometimes in question. We must be very careful not to fall into the trap that the devil has laid for us in misusing this God-given authority. God is all-wise, all-knowing, and has all-understanding. He uses His authority wisely. Even when men rebel, he gives them many opportunities to repent and return to Him and His ways as seen in all of the Prophets in the Bible.

Man, unlike God, is not all-knowing or all-understanding or all-wise! Man makes mistakes; therefore, he is the under-ruler of his wife and his household for only God knows how to treat them fairly and justly and lovingly! Man must not only follow the rulership of God in his own life but in the lives of his wife and his household! He is not capable of being an absolute ruler since he does not possess all the Godly attributes needed to carry out this, so very great and terrible, responsibility!

Think of man as an absolute ruler--his house, his home, his chair, his bed, his sink, his dishes-probably dirty, his food, his dirty clothes, his trash, his way of doing things and his way of placing things in his house, all are his and--no matter what his wife may think or feel or say--nothing belongs to her, no home, no bed, no dishes, no status but a slave, no possessions! If she is foolish enough to marry him because he says that he believes in God and follows Him and His laws and goes to church and loves and serves God with all his heart , then she has been reduced to slavery all in the name of God and His Authority!

She is at the mercy of an absolute ruler--not always a kind one at that--not always one, who goes to church, or reads his Bible or prays openly and with her, unless it is his idea!

She has been tricked into believing what he said; but now she is trapped in her own promise and in her ability to perform what she has spoken! She must submit to this absolute ruler in all things--even in serving God as he wants her to!!! If she doesn’t comply with his wishes or ideas of how she should serve God; then, he berates her and tells her what a bad and disobedient wife she is; and then orders her to leave "his house" if she cannot obey everything he says for she is in rebellion, both to him and to God because he has given this authority to the man.

She is either humiliated or angered to the point of rebellion and he wonders what is wrong with her! Why can he not see that slavery in any form is against our country’s and God’s Laws? He would fight with her or anyone else over the black man’s rights while he calmly takes hers away from her! God help us -- to use your authority wisely!!!

Can he not see that he will not only answer for putting her into slavery; but for causing her to commit the sin of rebellion? He well knows that rebellion is the same as witchcraft and quotes that to her all the time and yet he has caused her to rebel! He also knows quite well, but chooses to ignore the fact, that control of another human-being is also witchcraft -- plain and simple!!! If he would only put himself into her shoes and remember what it was like when he was a child and under the absolute rule of his own parents. Maybe then he would possess more patience and understanding and the ability to govern fairly.

May we in the church, whether male or female, mother or father, black or white, red or yellow remember the Lord's prayer for us in John 17:11 -- And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

And then further in -- John 17:20-22 -- Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (KJV)

John 17:26 -- Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (KJV)

Lord, grant that we may indeed be one even as You and the Father are one as You have said in the statement above. Lord, help your people to truly want to be one and to learn to love one another as you have commanded us to do that indeed your name will be glorified as well as the Name of the Father. Grant us peace, Lord, both in our homes, and in our churches and in our land.

May your word go out and heal our land and our hearts;
Turn the hearts of the husbands to the wives, Lord;
Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, Lord;
Turn the hearts of the children to the parents
and the grandparents, Lord;
May the lost be saved;
the sick be healed in body and soul;
May thy people prosper in the land
as we learn to serve you as
Jesus our Lord did!

Amen.

by Rev. Mattie Westbrook
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