THE WORD WE MUST FACE

Musick-al Note # 186
Jesus said the words He uttered while here would judge us in the last day (John 12:48). John said that these words were written that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ and believing we can have life through Him (John 20:30-31). How can we say we are ready for judgment when we do not know His will? Jesus came into the world that we might have eternal life (John 10:10-28). We can know His will only when we know His Word. Yet it is so easy to neglect the study of the Bible. It is easy to find some excuse for not attending Bible classes and worship. We may declare that we believe that Jesus came into the world and we honor him as Lord but if we do not do his bidding, what good is it? (Luke 6:46-49). We promise ourselves that we intend to get started someday, and the promise of doing right in the future gives our minds some ease. However we never get around to it. Are all these promises going to help us when we stand before the Lord to be judged by the Word we have neglected? Not at all, for merely promising and not doing avails nothing. We must not only begin to study the Word of God but we also must begin to do His will. A promise, if not kept is only a forfeit of good intentions. It may give us temporary relief, but if not kept, it only increases the burden which we thought was erased. If you don’t like to hear about giving, it may be because you don’t like to give! If you don’t like to hear sermons on personal work, it may be because you don’t like to call on people concerning their souls. If you don’t like lessons on prayer, maybe you need to examine your prayer life. If you feel unwelcome and strange when you attend services, it may be due to your irregularity and lack of friends.
Jesus said that to know him and God is to know eternal life (John 17:3). To know and love Jesus is to keep His words (John 14:23). John also said, “This is love for God to keep his commands and His commands are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3). I urge you to begin reading the Bible every day and listen to others who speak concerning God’s words and commandments to obey them. It is wrong to ignore the Word of God and it is wrong to teach anything that contradicts its message. Follow the Word! It is life eternal!
Gordon Musick