Randy Stonehill: "Big Ideas (In a Shrinking World)"

This Christian artist was led to Christ by Christian rock pioneer, Larry Norman. He became one of many singers and bands in the Jesus People movement of the early seventies but he kept releasing records long after the movement fizzled. Listen to one of his songs here.

Just like the people with big ideas today, the early church had their own pompous people. As Galatians 6:3 (Bible in Basic English) reads, "For if a man has an idea that he is something when he is nothing, he is tricked by himself"

Paul also worried that proud Christians would laud themselves rather than giving all praise to Christ. As 1 Corinthians 4:6 and 7 (BBE) says, "My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother. For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?"

Paul also knew some folks would fool gullible believers with feigned humility. That's why he wrote in Colossians 2:18 and 19 BBE), "Let no man take your reward from you by consciously making little of himself and giving worship to angels; having his thoughts fixed on the things which he has seen, being foolishly lifted up in his natural mind, And not joined to the Head, from whom all the body, being given strength and kept together through its joins and bands, has its growth with the increase of God."

Peter likewise wrote in 1 Peter 5:5 (BBE) regarding the value of humility. "And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low."

If the longed-for return of Christ hasn't happened by Saturday, I hope to feature a song about a sniper.

This is one of those science fiction songs which could inspire a movie. In it, important individuals are waiting for the pilot to fly them away from the disaster they created. Of course we know that there's no safe place, especially now with so many countries developing nuclear weapons.

Listen to this classic song from 1979 here:

We, who place our trust in Christ, know that there's no avoiding judgement either. Ezekiel 18:4 (BBE) is a stark reminder of whom we all belong to. "See, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so the soul of the son is mine: death will be the fate of the sinner's soul."

But the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:13 (BBE) of those folks who will escape eternal damnation. "For if you go in the way of the flesh, death will come on you; but if by the Spirit you put to death the works of the body, you will have life."

The high and mighty of this world aren't immune from consequences, as Psalms 82:6 and 7 (BBE) declares. "I said, You are gods; all of you are the sons of the Most High: But you will come to death like men, falling like one of the rulers of the earth."

Even pious individuals won't escape God's righteous condemnation for their prideful arrogance. In John 8:24 (BBE), Christ argued with the Pharisees who figured they were holy and needed no saviour. "For this reason I said to you that death will overtake you in your sins: for if you have not faith that I am he, death will come to you while you are in your sins."

God hates pridefulness, as 1 Peter 5:5 (BBE) explains. "And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low."

On Monday, providing Christ doesn't return beforehand, I hope to post about our heritage to our children.

God Rewards Sanctified Deeds

In light of what I've presented so far, what does God want of us? Humility is what the Lord treasures in his people.

We read this answer in Micah 6:8 (BBE) regarding what God requires of us. "He has made clear to you, O man, what is good; and what is desired from you by the Lord; only doing what is right, and loving mercy, and walking without pride before your God."
 That puts an end to working for one's righteousness.

The Lord also delights in diligent conduct. When we work for an employer, we must work as if Christ is our boss. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:6 (BBE), "Not only under your master's eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart;"

Submitting to elders is another way we show that we are truly Christ's people. In just one example from 1 Peter 5:5 (BBE), we see why we must do so. "And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low."

We see even in marriage that there needs to be submission and love. Colossians 3:18 and 19 (BBE) says, "Wives, be under the authority of your husbands, as is right in the Lord. Husbands, have love for your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Even kids don't get a break from submission, as is proper in God's family plan. Colossians 3:20 (BBE)) admonishes, "Children, do the orders of your fathers and mothers in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord."

Giving must also be voluntary. Though God did command various sacrifices, the obeying of them wasn't for salvation but for teaching the sinfulness of sin. We read in Exodus 35:5 (BBE) how people volunteered to give materials for the tabernacle. "Take from among you an offering to the Lord; everyone who has the impulse in his heart, let him give his offering to the Lord; gold and silver and brass;"

Paul also understood the value of a freewill offering. Check out what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (BBE) about giving. "Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by force: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver."

The commonality in all these verses is the attitude of love-filled submission. Nobody is to think of themselves more highly than they ought for God judges the hearts.

I'll be emphasizing this in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Proud people think they're doing God a favour but it's the opposite way around. It's God who shows us favour since we can't earn it.

On Saturday, I hope to post about a song which reminds me of the hypocrisy I experienced in one house church.