IS THERE SAFETY IN NUMBERS ?
TO KEEP FROM FAILING — STAY WITH THE MAJORITY — REALLY?
IS YOUR LIFE OCCUPIED WITH FEAR BECAUSE OF MAJORITY RULE ?
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The Church of God, In Truth keeps God's true Holy Days, by using God's true calendar. We believe day one is when God tells us it is, (Gen 1:1-5). This separates us from many Church of God groups, who postpone day one for day 4, (Gen 1:14 when the crescent moon is seen.
I pray keeping the true Holy Days and being fewer in number does not embarrass you, frighten you, or make you feel uncomfortable. Why do I pray that? Because of something we should all recognize: precious gems are only of priceless value, if they are few in number!!
This is the analogy employed in God's word, and is related to those precious few through God's messenger - Malachi! "And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; [property - special people] and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him" (Mal 3:17). These are the true over-comers - whose names are recorded n the book of remembrance: Vs. 16, "Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another: And the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." Fear can be used in two ways: those who fear the Lord and those who fear man! That is the specific purpose statement of this article!
In the first chapter of the book of Psalms, we are introduced to two attitudes and two destinies! The first three verses shows us the successful way of following God's righteous way and the last three verses tells us we will fail if we do not follow God's righteous ways! "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper" (Ps 1:1-3). Those three verses describe a God fearing person - one who's foundational roots are positive, steadfast, fixed and anchored. They might be assailed by trouble and temptation, but they stand firm! The greater the trial, the deeper the root and the stronger they hold on to trusting God. Verse 3 ends with "Whatsoever the does prospers" or "in all that he does he shall prosper."
Verse 4 turns our thoughts to the negative, unproductive, and the un-fruitful - those that fail and are not spiritually prosperous and blessed: "The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away." In contrast to the tree in verse 3, the chaff has no root, it has no fixed place and it is dead, dry, and helpless. It is at the mercy of the elements, it goes wherever the wind blows it! In other words, the psalmist in verse 4 is saying, the ungodly are attached to nothing! They lack stability and cannot endure God's sound teaching. Verse 5-6: "Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way [the destiny] of the righteous: But the way of the ungodly [negative thinking sinner] shall perish."
God is aware of a persons lifestyle and judges their choice of motivations. This Psalm reminds me
of a short story I would like to share with you: A man had three sons. He wanted to test their ability to discern; so he gave each of them an apple with a rotten spot on it. The first ate the whole thing; the second threw the whole apple away; and the third separated the bad and ate the good. The father noted that the third was the wisest, and explained: when we receive instruction, some of us believe everything we hear, others reject everything because some is bad; but the wise separate the bad from the good and benefit from the good! This unknown father, and his third son seems to have read Proverbs 23 :23, and had bought the oil of truth.
For us to have this kind of wisdom and understanding, we will need nourishment from God's Word so we can discern the good from the bad, and truth from error. Christ, the first to quote Old Testament scripture, said to Satan when he was tempting Him, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matt 4:4). Studying and applying the positive fruits of God's Holy Spirit and not the negative fruits of the flesh will build the character God is looking for in His soon coming kingdom. The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, (those "gems" we read of earlier), "For whatsoever things were written beforetime [ancient times] were written for our learning, [written for our instructions] that we through patience [endurance and steadfastness] and comfort [that is encouragement] of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4).
As we encounter problems, conflicts, tribulations, and troubles, God's Word teaches us to be steadfast and not fear Satan's negative, aggressive action. It's no secret we are living in a time of great fear, distress and uncertainties. In fact, some of you reading this might be a little fearful. Being frightful is not uncommon today when reading and hearing today's news. The U.S.A. is experiencing 3 wars right now because of fear: Fear that weapons of mass destruction would be used against peaceful countries.
Terrorists have brought fear to citizens and nations allover this world. There is fear that new attacks on innocent people will be launched by unscrupulous, unloving and hateful suicide bombers, falsely called "freedom fighters."
There is a fear today that a nuclear war might be started by unpredictable leaders in certain countries that are suspected of possessing those weapons of mass destruction. There are fears of deep impacts with comets or meteors; there are fears of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, monsoons, tsunami, floods and tidal waves. There are fears of transmittable disease epidemics, such as aids, SARS and bird flu. Some may have fears of losing their ability to make a living, or that they may lose all of their savings in banks. The list seems to be endless.
People are afraid to fly, or to travel by train, by ship, or even by car, for fear of terrorist bombings. People live in fear because the Bible has prophesied that terrible calamities will strike as Christ expressed in Luke: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21 :25-26). In verse 28, notice that God expects His chosen people to have a different mind set, than these fearful types: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh" (Luke 21 :28). This word picture of salvation drawing near, should put us in a positive attitude. Whatever God allows to happen to us in this life is for a purpose. Nothing of any consequence will happen to us, unless God specifically allows it to happen!
We should by now recognize God is watching and observing us at all times. We read in 1 Cor 10, that He will not allow us to be tested or tempted beyond our capabilities. "There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor 10:13).
Our faith in God's promise to always help us has to be strong enough for us to bear all things that come our way. Complaining, murmurings, being fearful, negative and unbelieving is not putting Philippians 4:13 first in our thinking. "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Should the majority rule? I want to ask you: is being few in number with the Church of God, In Truth on the Sabbath phone hook up and internet hook-up, embarrass you or make you feel uncomfortable? Let me encourage you if you feel that way - think about this: Precious gems are only of priceless value if they are few in number! Christ said, "many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt 22:14). This is the analogy employed and related to certain specified persons in God's Word given through God's messenger Malachi. "And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; [precious gems] and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him" (Mal 3: 17). These are the true over-comers whose names are recorded in the book of remembrance. Verse 16 says, "Then they that "feared" the Lord spake often one to another: And the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." Keep this thought in mind as you go through this article.
Do the majority of God's called out ones today fear the Lord and think upon His name as being their authority in life? Will rule by the majority produce peace, happiness, and righteousness in administration or in an organization?
You've probably guessed the answer! The answer is obviously yes, when the majority is right, but NO, when it is wrong! With that thought in mind, it only becomes possible for a majority to bring about righteousness when the vote of the majority is in conformity with God's righteous laws!
The doctrines that show the desire of the majority as tantamount to expressing what's right, is in itself wrong! I'm sure that statement steps on some toes. Another question is: To what extent have we carried this doctrine of majority rule? If we have carried it to such an extent that popular vote has become the criterion of righteousness in judging issues, it is dangerous! This has led the masses to believe that they can make wrong right and right wrong and this is in a large measure responsible for many of the misguided evils in our midst today, both physically and spiritually.
There are certain laws, so fundamental that the people do not have the right to voice a majority rule. Some examples would be: the vote to burn the American flag in protest. Or that illegal aliens have a free right to our hospitals and schools and to take over jobs from American citizens. A "majority" vote in Washington D.C. did just that! What about abortion? Unborn children are being brutally killed in their mother's wombs. Doctors literally tear tens of millions of them apart during abortion procedures. Majority rule has brought this about!
What about the Churches of God today? They have their council of elders doing the voting for their organized groups. They use Matthew 18: 18 for an excuse that it is okay to vote - that they can "bind and loose." Is that what that's saying? Do the elders have the authority to change appointed times, or set dates or commanded days of worship for God? Do men have the authority to change what God has set??
Do the church leaders have the authority to bind a calendar for us to observe that is different from the one God gives us in the Bible, His written Word? "Verily I say unto you, whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt 18: 18). If you go back and read the verses that lead up to this verse, you will find Christ was giving the church authority to make decisions settling grievances and problems with the membership. It's talking about dis-fellowshipping, not the binding of an already adulterated Hebrew calendar!
There are basically two other reasons that the church leaders give for following the adulterated present day Jewish/Hebrew calendar: The first is Matthew 23:1-3, "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, saying, 'the scribes and the pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not." This is speaking of a civil seat Moses sat in, not a spiritual seat. This was addressed in a previous "Prove All Things" magazine.
The second is Romans 3:1-2, "What advantage then has the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." As you can see this is talking about God's law on circumcision, not a calendar, as so many Churches of God teach! These verses do not give church leaders the authority to rewrite God's laws! Only a complete novice would believe they have the right to vote upon questions such as: Who should be their minister? Or, what day to keep God's annual Holy Days on, or, is it okay to go to restaurants on the Sabbath - which causes them to buy and sell on God's Holy Sabbaths!
It would be foolish for people to think they have the power of decision in such instances, just as it would be for them to decide whether or not they will recognize and accept the law of gravity! This is obvious, of course, yet there have been many occasions when an issue that was fundamentally wrong has been called "right" simply because the majority voted in favor of it.
We have on record a case where the majority did vote against the operations of the 10 commandments. The account of that vote and its results are recorded in the sordid history of Israel. The people had already heard the commandments that God broadcast on Mount Sinai. We can read of this in Exodus 20. Moses had ascended the mount for the hand written commandments from God's own hand on two tables of stone. While he was away the "majority" of the people decided to set aside the moral requirements of the ten commandments and convince Aaron the priest to accept their majority rule and erect a golden calf to worship! What happened then? - a promiscuous demonstration occurred. Did the demand of the people to Aaron make right that which was absolutely wrong? No, it did not!
The result of disobedience, a fundamental law brought death to thousands and suffering for all. Here we can see the majority tried to make wrong, right by legislating against a basic law of moral conduct.
The history of Israel reveals another interesting incident when the people refused to heed God's command and accepted a majority's report. This occurred when twelve spies returned from the Promised land as reported in Numbers 13 and 14. The preface to this story is, ten of the spies declared Israel was unable to overcome the inhabitants and possess the land God said He would give them. The two other spies reported that the people would indeed be able to do all the Lord had commanded. The people wrongly accepted the report of the ten against the two who counseled obedience to God.
Let's look at some historical background on those 12 undercover agents, called "spies." "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 'send Me men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall you sent a man, every one a ruler among them.' And Moses by the commandment of the Lord sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel." Verses 4-16, reveals the names of those that were chosen to spy out the land of Canaan. Verse 17, "And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, 'get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: and see the land, what it is; and the people that dwells therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; and what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be you of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land.' Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes. So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath" (Num. 13:17-21).
That was a sizeable inventory they were to take and report back to Moses. Verse 25 tells us, "And they returned from searching of the land after forty days." Two of the spies that returned, 'spoke unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, 'the land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey'" (Num. 14:7-8). Milk and honey is a phrase the occurs about twenty times in scripture and is illustrative of blessings, richness, and of the choices parts.
The other ten spies that were with Joshua and Caleb, expressed to Moses, Aaron and the people negative words of rebellion. "But the men that went up with [Joshua and Caleb] said 'we be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.' And they brought up an evil [negative] report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, 'the land, through which we have gone to search, is a land that eats up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight'" (Num. 13:31-33)
Contrast that with what Caleb said when speaking for Joshua and himself in verse 30. "And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, 'let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." Joshua and Caleb were of a different attitude and spirit than those other ten spies. Those ten spies' attitude were very fearful, disruptive and negative and their negative report caused Israel to wander in the wilderness 40 years while that whole generation died! "Now all these things happened unto them [Israel] for an example: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor 10: 11).
What can we learn from this incident of the 10 negative spies and the two positive spies? One: we learned there were two attitudes and actions involved among the 12 spies. The attitude and action of the ten spies who were the leaders over their tribes was altogether ignorant and negative, not knowing how to separate the bad from the good! Look again at Numbers 13:33 and see if we can determine their problems. Was it an inferiority complex or a self depreciation complex? "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." They saw themselves as fearful tiny little grasshoppers! Like a bug who would be crushed by the big giants.
Is there a lesson here for us to learn today? Many today whom God has called are like those 10 spies - afraid, unbelieving about what God tells them. They are not sure that God's calendar, that is plainly described in His Word, can be trusted! They are like the 10 spies that fear man and not God. They become overly cautious and want to be un-involved. Their motto is: "To keep from failing - stay with the majority!"
On the other hand, those who trust and fear God, are like Joshua and Caleb. They are willing to follow God's instructions and will ultimately achieve success in the things that God sets their hearts to do. Joshua and Caleb knew where their protection and strength comes from. "Only rebel not you against the Lord, neither fear you the people of the land; for they are bread for us." This expression displays great faith in God's ability and willingness to carry out His promises! They were willing to "fight the good fight," as the Apostle Paul did. They were not afraid to swim against the current, nor did they fear the giants. Their thoughts were on a positive channel, "I can do all things through Christ that strengths me" (Phil 4: 13). Verse 9 of Numbers 14 continued to say, "Their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: Fear them not."
Fear and majority rule can paralyze one from doing what they ought to do. We must remember we are not our own, we have been bought with a price! "For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. You are bought with a price; [Christ's sacrifice] be not you the servants of men [the servant of fear and majority rule]" (1 Cor 7:22-23). The Apostle Paul, when facing martyrdom took time out to remind Timothy (and us), that God has not given him, nor us a spirit of fear or cowardice. "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, [strength and ability] and love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1 :7).
Paul's life story sets a good example of how the spiritually strong work hard at overcoming fear and majority rule. The ten spies displayed a fearful, pessimistic, evil, negative spirit when evaluating their 40 day trip. Negativism, is one of Satan's most powerful tools. If he can find a pessimistic fearful attitude, he takes advantage of it, just as he did with those ten spies - using them to spread a negative report and planting doubt in the congregation of Israel's mind. Look at what that kind of attitude caused: "And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, 'would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness!'" (Num 14:2). The evil report of the ten spies sparked terror in the hearts of the weak and fearful Israelites. So God granted them their wish and allowed them to die in the wilderness! We must be careful what we ask for!
When emotionalism takes over, good sound Biblical reasoning is thrown out the door. When Joshua and Caleb tried to give their evaluation of the trip, all the congregation of Israel sought to stone them with stones! Emotionalism can close one's mind to truth, serving God and using proper, sound reasoning.
The word "unbelief' used in the book of Hebrews, sums up their problems. "While it is said, today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [meaning the time Israel was coming out of Egypt]. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: how be it not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was He grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom swear He that they should not enter into His Rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief' (Heb 3: 15).
Fear caused them to doubt and have unbelief and that caused them to question their ability to take the land even though they had already seen God's might and power during the ten plagues in Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. This reminds me of a story I read, "An atheistic teacher was trying to belittle the Bible to a class of college students by saying that crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites was no miracle at all because they crossed at a place where the water was only six inches deep. A young man in the back of the class raised his hand, and said, "Praise God for the great miracle." The teacher said, "what miracle?" The young man said, "God drowned the whole Egyptian army in only Six inches of water!"
The majority of Israelites should have trusted and relied on the power, strength and ability of God! Remember what God told Joshua: "Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the Lord your God is with you where so ever you go" (Joshua 1 :9).
Just as Joshua, today we need to be brave and courageous and face our trials: those "giants" and the "majority" that want to rule our lives! If it be suffering, hardship, discouragement persecutions, something we fear to do, or whatever; we all need to face life's challenges head on with a fearless attitude.
All of us need to work on having a positive and optimistic spirit, as Joshua and Caleb did. "And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Num 13:30). Joshua and Caleb had deep rooted faith in God and God's promises for the nation Israel. Do we have that same kind of dedication?
Today there is no outstanding call in America for God's blessing upon our undertaking. We have substituted the mandate of the people for the blessing of God.
We have made the demands of the majority our standard of righteousness. What is the remedy for these and other difficulties this nation of America is facing? First and foremost, we must accept the fact that certain laws exist and are eternal in their operation and the principles of these laws must never be violated. The moral code must be kept and we must see to it that the majority can never change its requirements.
"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling an election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth" (2 Peter 1:8-12).
“HAVE NOT I COMMANDED THEE? BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE; BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE THOU DISMAYED: FOR THE LORD THY GOD IS WITH THEE WHITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST." Josh 1:9
James Russell
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