Musick-al Note # 157
We may often err in ignorance both in speech and deed, but it is a grave mistake to err with full knowledge that we are wrong when we do that thing. Paul said that the Corinthians were not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). How often we fall into his snare because we are ignorant of them and because of our lack of knowledge, we thwart the whole purpose of God. We are here for a purpose, we are saved for a purpose and we should fulfill that purpose for which God made us and saved us. Jesus spoke of the purpose of His followers in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.” Paul in Ephesians 2:10 spoke of that purpose when he said, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has previously ordained that we should walk in them.”
How then do we thwart the purpose of God? When we know to do good and refuse to do it, we thwart the purpose of God in our lives. When we know the command of God and disobey Him, we thwart the purpose of God also. We thwart the purpose of God when we do not live so that others can know we are Christians. Whether this example is by word or by deed, if others stumble because of our lives it thwarts God’s purpose for He would have all men to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4) He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires all men to repent. When we fail to work and serve in the kingdom, we thwart the purpose of God. Christ will save His church, which is His body (Ephesians 5:23) and if we, because of neglect, failure, or in willful disobedience, are separated from the body, what will our end be? If we forsake the assembly of the saints, where Christ has promised to be (Matthew 18:20), will we thwart the purpose of God who desires our worship? Yes, and we will thwart the purpose of God in that others will be drawn away by our example. Make any or all the excuses you wish as you live your life and when you finish, if the purpose of God has been thwarted, then you still stand condemned because you have not put His kingdom first nor given your life and influence to fulfill the purpose of God that all men be saved.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 