WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 13 of 37

NOT BOASTING WHEN PUTTING ON THE ARMOR

"So the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, ‘Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off'" (1 Kings 20:11).

The twentieth chapter of First Kings tells of "Benhadad the king of Syria," with a confederacy of thirty-two kings, horses and chariots. He went up against Samaria besieging it and making war against it. With boldness, he sent messengers to Ahab, king of Israel, boasting of his superiority. He told the king that his silver, gold, and the best of his wives and children belonged to him. Intimidated by the threatening force, Ahab replied, "My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have." His subservience was not enough for Benhadad. He said he was going to send messengers the next day to "seize everything you value and carry it away."

The king called the elders of Israel, telling them of "how this man was looking for trouble," not willing to be peaceful. All the elders and all the people counseled the king, "Do not listen or consent." The king sent the messengers back saying he would consent to the first demand, but not to the second. Upon hearing the response, Benhadad exploded, "The gods do so to me, and more also, if enough dust is left of Samaria for a handful for each of the people who follow me." It was at this point that the king of Israel responded, "Tell him, 'Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.'" The outcome of the whole affair was that Benhadad and all his hosts were soundly defeated.

One might wonder of what relevance this event is to the children of God. It states a kingdom principle that is addressed to those who are in Christ Jesus. The person who is fighting the good fight of faith must NOT conduct himself as though his battle has already been won. The chief battle has been won through Jesus Christ. However, we are left to "wrestle" against principalities and powers, and it is no small skirmish. This is a time for the armor to be put on, not removed. Further, our doctrinal persuasions should encourage us to speak and live with a lively awareness of the necessity of this armor.

TAKE HEED LEST YOU FALL

In speaking of the Israelites, God's great illustration, the Spirit reminds us they were all together in their deliverance from Egypt. They all were "under the cloud," and they all "passed through the sea." They were "all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." They "all ate the same spiritual food," and they "all drank the same spiritual drink." Lest we imagine this all had nothing to do with us, the Spirit adds, "For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ." Notwithstanding these signal benefits and experiences, "with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness." Is there any person who will say these people were really not God's people? Or that they really were not delivered? Or that they really did not eat spiritual meat and spiritual drink? If so, let them lay their hands upon their mouths. The Lord has spoken, and we are to give heed to His words.

Pointedly, we are told "these things became OUR examples." They are to teach US we "should not lust after evil things as they also lusted," or "become idolaters as were some of them," or "commit sexual immorality, as some of them did." Nor, indeed, are we to "tempt Christ, as some of them tempted," or "complain as some of them complained." And who is the "US' and the "WE" of this exhortation? Who are the people that are to profit from this example–an example that found many who escaped bondage NOT getting into the promised land. Here is an example of some who provoked the One who delivered them and were "destroyed of the destroyer." Who are the people to profit from this example?

The Holy Spirit leaves no question about the matter. "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." These are the people addressed as "the church of God at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1 Cor 1:2). These words are not addressed to the world, but to God's church! And what is the lesson to be learned from the events just cited? "THEREFORE LET HIM WHO THINKS HE STANDS TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL" (1 Cor 10:12). The person who "thinks he stands" is like the one who is charged with putting on the armor, boasting as though it were time to remove it. The word is not spoken to those out of Christ, but those who are "sanctified" in Him, and who are calling upon his name.

BE NOT HIGH MINDED

The example of Israel is frequently held before us. Speaking to the people of God, the Spirit brings the matter of the unbelieving Israelites before us once again. In this case, the rejected ones are said to be "broken off" their own olive tree and "cast away." Then, with our minds wrapped around these discarded branches, the Spirit warns those who have been grafted into their tree not to imagine those Jews were removed only to make place for some Gentiles. The words are pungent, and devastating to whole bodies of theological thought. "Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and YOU stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare YOU either" (Rom 11:20-21).

If your theology does not allow you to speak in this manner, then you must abandon it quickly. If it does allow you to say this, then say it. If you are a teacher, teach it. If you are a preacher, preach it! Do not try and convince us these words have no relevance to the people of God, for we will not believe you.

Not content to let this matter go, the Spirit continues to reason with us. Those in battle are not to talk as though there is no battle. They are not to boast as though it were time to put off their armor. "Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward YOU, goodness, if YOU continue in His goodness. Otherwise YOU also will be cut off" (Rom 11:22). Is it possible to be in God's goodness, and yet be "cut off?" How is it that men desire to stuff these words into their theological bag filled with holes? If this were not a possibility, these words carry no meaning at all – and they are spoken to those in Jesus Christ. The very thought of cutting branches off that were really not there in the first place is an insult to the pleading Spirit. Far better to give heed to His words. Do not imagine God cannot cut YOU off! In fact He will do so if you do not "continue in His goodness."

"See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall WE not escape if WE turn away from Him who speaks from heaven" (Heb 12:25). That is a word to believers!

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for these solemn warnings. I believe them, and ask for grace to remain in Your glorious goodness.

-- Tomorrow: IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY --