Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. There are certain phrases
that are commonly used among people who are somewhat familiar
with the Bible that while containing some elements of truth are nonetheless
not exactly scriptural in the way they are used. One that comes
readily to mind that is used frequently among those who wish
to express the open invitation of Christ to sinners is the Bible
says, whosoever will may come. Yet the Bible nowhere actually
says that. John does say in the book of
the Revelation, Whosoever will, let him take of the water of
life freely. But he is not making a blanket
invitation to all of humanity, but is specifically addressing
those who hear and those who are thirsty. Another one is,
God is not willing that any should perish, as if to say that the
fact that some men perish is something that frustrates God's
purpose. Yet again, this is not at all what the Bible means or
says when Peter said, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise,
as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to usward,
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Once more the statement is not made in a general sense, but
Peter is speaking of a long-suffering which is directed at a specific
group of people. He says to us-ward. The us is
the same as the beloved in verse 8. We are brought to consider
another catchphrase which is widely used. And that is, if
it is His will. Now one thing that we can be
certain of is that all things are going to be done according
to His will. But the little phrase, if it is His will, is many times
used as a kind of escape clause to excuse our laziness, lack
of discipline, and weak commitment. An example of what I mean is
this. I'm asked to attend a meeting or to perform some service for
someone at a future time. I'm not sure that I want to do
this or not, but I don't really want to just come right out and
say that. So I say, sure, I'll do that if the Lord's willing.
Now I'm off the hook. If I decide I really don't want
to do the thing asked, I can always fall back on my escape
clause. Some try to support such action
by saying that's what the Bible says in the book of James. Actually,
James says the opposite. To paraphrase what James says
is rather than saying we're going to do something for certainty,
we should say we are certainly going to do something if God
does not take our life. Obviously, as creatures, we are
always subject to the fact that the unfolding purpose of God
may cause us to change our course of action. But that fact should
not prevent us from being straightforward and honest with our commitments
or expressing our intentions plainly. And speaking to the
Corinthians, Paul said, But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord
will. The Corinthians had no doubt
Paul would do everything in his power to come to them. And if
he did not come, the only reason would be that God did not allow
him to do it. So I believe we need to be very
careful in the commitments we make. Understand that God may
prevent us from accomplishing those commitments, but don't
allow ourselves to use God's will as a way to beat around
the bush with those obligations. I remember as a kid, if someone
promised to do something and their sincerity was questioned,
they might respond with, I swear on a stack of Bibles, as if the
quantity of the scriptures sworn upon ensured compliance. As the
Lord's children, we do not need to swear on anything at all.
Our word should be our bond. The Lord said, A good man out
of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is
good, for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
As the children of God, let us speak truthfully. Lie not one
to another, saying that ye have put off the old man with his
deeds. The truth has made us free. Plainly, seeing then that
we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech. The truth
does not need any enhancement. We should speak slowly. Wherefore,
my brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,
slow to wrath. Truth does not require a speedy
reply. and we should speak boldly. And
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the
word of God with boldness. Speaking truth causes fear to
flee away. What can men do to us? We should
speak with grace. Let your speech be always with
grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to
answer every man. Knowing truth makes us wise.
And lastly, we should speak soundly, sound speech that cannot be condemned,
that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed. Truth mounts
its own defense. How do you speak? For a free
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