Clean up, shut up, and get up

CLEAN UP, SHUT UP AND GET UP
Acts Chapter Five

36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Many will do an evil thing with daring, yet cannot bear to hear of it afterward, or to have it charged upon them. Many will sit on their hands and complain. This all amounts to our wanting to “do it our way.” Truly, in God’s eyes we have no way outside His way. Shame, timidness, fear, or an innumerable assortment of other fleshly excuses or super glue sticking God’s people to their pew. Though too weak to raise holy hands in worship to God or stand and sing praises to Him, they are first in complaints of physical conditions of the worship center as well as the validity of the words spoken who stand and deliver praise to God.

We cannot expect to be redeemed and healed by Christ, unless we give up ourselves to be ruled by him. We are his children only to the extent we keep ALL his commandments completely. We exalt Christ and display our repentance declare His dominion over us; His adopted ones. Had Christ, when He came to His chosen ones of Israel, the chief priests would have welcomed him. But repentance and remission of sins are blessings they neither valued nor saw their need of such. Therefore they, by no means, admitted his doctrine. Wherever repentance is wrought, remission is granted without fail. None are freed from the guilt and punishment of sin, but those who are freed from the power and dominion of sin. Those who are turned from it and turned against it are movers and workers and not sinners and pew warmers. Christ gives repentance by his Spirit working with the word toward us. Thus, He awakens the conscience to know sorrow for sin, and display an effectual change in the heart and life of believers. The giving of the Holy Ghost, is plain evidence that it is the will of God that Christ should be obeyed. Thus we show our love for Him; if we keep His commandments.

The Lord still holds all hearts the Father has given Him in his hands. Common sense tells us to be audible worshipers. Experience and observation show that the success of soul winning depends upon activity with God’s worshipers. True love for Christ is true preferment. This preference makes Christians conformable to His plan pattern, and serviceable to His interest. They rejoiced in it. The apostles did not preach themselves, but Christ. This was the preaching that most offended the enemies to His doctrine. But, it ought to be the constant business of gospel ministers to preach Christ Jesus; “Christ” only, and him crucified unto death, buried and resurrected. Christ, and him glorified; nothing but these basics and what has reference to them. And whatever is our station or rank in life, we should seek to make Him known, and to glorify his name in deed and by vocally praising Him. This will please and glorify God. Know God, know peace. Amen. 12-14-2019 BLL


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