Are You Wearing God Out?

This morning I was reading in Malachi chapter two and I came across these convicting and powerful words:

You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you ask, "How have we wearied Him?" When you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the LORD's sight, and he is pleased with them," or "Where is the God of justice?" (HCSB)

The LORD was speaking to the nation of Israel regarding their confused righteous behavior. You see God's people had become so engrossed in the pagan practices of foreign gods that they lost their bearings regarding what the One True God(Yahweh) had established as right and holy. They had begun to do whatever they pleased and then justify such behavior by believing God was okay with this because they continued to make token offerings in the Temple. They were wearing God out!

God's people in Malachi's day had lost all fear of God. They no longer believed that God would come in judgement and hold them accountable for their actions. In addition, they thought that even if God did come He would be pleased with their behavior simply because they were His children. They were trusting in what they felt was right and acceptable rather than what God had clearly said was right and acceptable.

These same beliefs and behaviors are prevalent in our society today. Many claim to be God's children. They say they believe in Jesus Christ. They call Him their Savior. They are convinced they possess the hope of heaven. Yet, their lifestyle is contrary to what God has said in His Word is right and acceptable.

I can not help but be reminded of the words of our LORD in James 2:14 when He says, "What good is it my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works? Can his faith save him?"(HCSB) James goes on to explain that the answer is a resounding NO! He writes, "In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself" (James 2:17, HCSB). The reality is many who claim to have faith in Jesus Christ really do not, because their life bares no "works" that validate such faith. On the flip side, there are many who fall into a different category. That is, they have a real faith. They have repented of their sins and trusted in Christ. Their lives have been forever changed by Him. However, they have slipped into a backslidden state by taking their eyes off of Jesus Christ and His Word and fixing them on the cares and ideologies of this world.

In one sense those who fall into either category can be identified with the nation of Israel in Malachi's day. They both wear God out! God will soon come in judgement. He will hold men accountable for their sins. And, when He judges it will be according to His Word, the Bible. Are you prepared for this or are you wearing God out? Think about it!

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Take Some Time Today!

When I was a kid there was a television commercial that always asked the question, "How long has it been since you've had some Wolf Brand Chili? Well that's too long!"(showing my age here I know). In actuality the commercial was really suggesting that setting down at the table to a hot bowl of their chili on a regular basis was a really good thing. I hated those commercials, but they were effective. They always made me want some chili! Perhaps what made them so effective was that they asked the right question. They asked, "how long has it been since you've had something really good?" As Christians we should ask ourselves the same question. No I'm not headed down the "just think positive" or "your best life now" road that so many biblically challenged preachers are on these days. I'm simply suggesting that we should ask the question, "how long has it been since I've had something really good, like some quality time in the Bible?"

It is just much too easy to become so caught up and even overwhelmed with the day to day issues of life that we forget about what is really good. Even as a pastor I have found myself too busy with what's "important" to take time to enjoy and be fed from the Bible. In fact, there have even been times when, shocking I know, I have thought, "I don't want to read the Bible today it's boring". Having said that, I cannot honestly think of a time when I have regretted taking the time to shut the world out and get into the Bible. The Bible is replete with everything we need to grow and mature spiritually, stand firm in spiritual warfare, a connect with Jesus. Believe it or not, it is really good!

I've decided to make a fresh personal commitment to spending quality time reading and studying the Bible some everyday. I know it's not going to be easy. But, I also know it will honor God, it's the right thing to do, and it will be really good! This year as you ponder new goals and resolutions for the coming year consider putting at the top of your list daily Bible reading and study. Go ahead, ask yourself the question, "how long has it been since I've had something really good?" Now go and reward yourself. Take some time today and get in the Word!

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