Praying Pint

 

Psalms118:8-9  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Psalms 40:4    Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Psalms 62:8-9    Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Jeremiah 17:5-7    Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.

Psalms 118:5  Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.

 

We often assume that, had we lived during the time of Jesus, we would have responded differently—perhaps more faithfully—because we could witness His miracles firsthand and listen to His teachings in person. It’s understandable to feel this way. Yet, the reality is that the challenges to faith and openness to God’s truth remain just as present today as they were then. Our circumstances may change, but the struggle to recognize and follow God’s call is timeless.

 

The history of the nation of Israel and its relationship to the coming of Jesus Christ is a profound narrative within the Christian tradition. Often seen as the people best prepared to recognize and receive the Messiah, Israel’s response to Jesus has been a subject of theological reflection and debate. Let’s examine the readiness of Israel, the nature of their rejection of Jesus, and the implications for Christians today, emphasizing the dangers of self-righteousness and misplaced blame.

Israel’s Unique Preparation and Calling

The children of Abraham were set apart through an everlasting covenant with God. As a chosen people, Israel received the Law, the prophets, and countless signs pointing toward the coming of the Christ. Their spiritual heritage was rich with promise and expectation, making them uniquely equipped to identify the Messiah when He appeared. The anticipation of a deliverer was woven into the very fabric of their identity, and their scriptures foretold the advent of a Savior.

The Tragic Rejection of Jesus

Despite this preparation, when Jesus came to His own, He was not recognized as Lord and Messiah. This event is often described as the greatest moral failure in human history. Jesus openly taught about relying solely on the resources of God—a radical call that proved too challenging for many. For the multitude, the cost of discipleship seemed overwhelming, and so they turned away. The reasons for this rejection are complex, involving spiritual blindness, cultural expectations, and the human tendency to cling to tradition rather than embrace transformative truth.

The Christian Tendency Toward Blame

It is tempting for some Christians to look back and criticize Israel’s response, finding comfort in the notion that they themselves would have acted differently. This attitude can foster a sense of superiority and self-righteousness, ignoring the reality that Christians possess spiritual resources and revelations that were not available to the Jews of Jesus’ time. Such blame-shifting is not only unhelpful but also spiritually dangerous, as it distracts from self-examination and humility.

Lessons for Today’s Believers

The rejection of Jesus by His own people should serve as a cautionary tale, not a source of comfort or pride. Christians are called to reflect on their own openness to God’s truth and to guard against the same spirit of resistance that led to Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. As Jesus warned, rebuilding the “sepulchers of our fathers” by focusing on the failures of others rather than our own spiritual condition is a grave mistake.

Instead, believers must embrace humility, acknowledging that spiritual readiness is not guaranteed by heritage or knowledge alone. The call of Christ remains radical and demanding, requiring a willingness to trust in God and to respond in genuine faith. Rather than belaboring the shortcomings of Israel, Christians should seek to learn from them, striving to avoid complacency and self-justification.

Conclusion

The story of Israel’s preparation and subsequent rejection of Jesus is both sobering and instructive. It highlights the dangers of assuming spiritual privilege and the necessity of personal faith and humility. Christians are wise to resist the temptation to blame others and instead focus on their own readiness to receive and follow Christ. In doing so, they honor the lessons of history and move closer to the heart of the gospel. (Tozer)

 

2Corinthians 5:20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Is there anything but love that stands between God and your soul? There truly shouldn’t be. God abhors only sin and is displeased solely by it. We claim to reject and forsake sin. Once, we were estranged from God, but Jesus gave His life to reconcile us to Him.

Now, we openly declare ourselves as God’s friends—yet do our actions and words reflect this friendship? Do we find fault with God or with what He does? There’s no reason to, for His very essence is love, His wisdom is perfect, and His gentle mercy surrounds all He has made.

God wants us to be in a close, harmonious relationship with Him. It is amazing! He extends forgiveness for every sin, gives grace to transform us, and prepares heaven to receive us. He pleads with us to accept reconciliation, as if His deep love cannot be satisfied or complete unless we are truly His friends.

Dear friends, are you keeping your distance from God? Is there any lingering hesitation or reserve between you and Him? Through me, God urges you—and I appeal to you in Christ’s name—“Be reconciled to God.”

The throne is now covered by the atoning blood; why bear your burdens any longer? Jesus has taken on the curse for us; justice has acknowledged that the price is paid. So bow before Him and embrace the Son. COME AND WELCOME, SINNER, COME! (Smith)

 

 

Revelation 1:1-2  The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Revelation 1:9-20  I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Throughout history, the language of Christian devotion—especially as expressed in hymns—has often been met with misunderstanding and even contempt by those outside the faith. The imagery and sentiments found in hymns, centering on themes such as the sacrificial love of Christ, are sometimes dismissed as overly sentimental or irrational by those who do not share the same spiritual convictions.

The world frequently responds with “ineffable scorn” to the customs and expressions of Christians whose faith revolves around the redemptive suffering of Christ. Hymns containing lines like “Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood / Shall never lose its power” are perceived as distasteful or even offensive. Terms such as “Lamb,” “bleeding Lamb,” “dying love,” and “fountain filled with blood” evoke a strong negative reaction, prompting accusations of absurdity and irrationality. For many, religion is acceptable only when it is “sober and decorous,” stripped of emotional language and vivid metaphors.

Yet, the language criticized by skeptics is deeply meaningful to those who embrace the Christian faith. These expressions, drawn from scripture and centuries of spiritual tradition, encapsulate profound truths about sacrifice, redemption, and divine love. The “dying Lamb” is not merely a poetic image—it is a reference to Christ, whose death is central to Christian belief. For believers, such language serves as a conduit for worship, gratitude, and personal devotion to the divine.

Consider the value of sacred language and the role it plays in both earthly worship and the vision of heavenly praise. While the world may scorn what it does not understand, the language of hymns and prayers carries a depth of meaning that is cherished by believers and is celebrated in the presence of God. Far from being irrational or absurd, these expressions connect worshippers to a tradition of adoration that spans both time and eternity. (Bowen)

 

Revelation 2:45  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Revelation 2:13-14  “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:19-21  “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

Revelation 3:2-4  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

Revelation 3:15-19  “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

 

In our enthusiasm to gain new followers, it seems we’ve started to use modern sales tactics—highlighting only the appealing aspects of faith while glossing over the challenges. We approach people, promising them comfort, peace of mind, solutions to their problems, business success, family protection, and constant happiness if they accept Christ. Many are convinced by this message and join, but when difficulties arise, they are left confused and disappointed, often seeking answers and sometimes disappearing from the faith altogether.

However, Christ’s teachings show that He was a true realist. The Gospels never depict Him as overly idealistic or unrealistic. He always shared the full truth with His listeners, allowing them to make their own decisions. While He felt sorrow when someone turned away because they couldn’t accept the truth, He never chased after them with empty promises just to keep them. Jesus wanted people to follow Him with a clear understanding of the cost involved—and if they couldn’t, He let them go their own way.

Ultimately, this demonstrates Christ’s honesty. He is trustworthy. He understood that He wouldn’t be universally accepted, and He made it clear that His followers shouldn’t expect popularity either. The hardships He faced are the same ones His followers will encounter, and it is intellectually dishonest for us to pretend otherwise. (Tozer)

 

Joshua 24:15-17  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods, for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed.

1 Kings 18:21     And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

Exodus 34:15    lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited

Deuteronomy 29:18     Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit,

Judges 6:10    And I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.”

Deuteronomy 13:6-8  “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him.

Acts 11:23    When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

 

Psalms 101:2     I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;

Psalms 119:111-112   Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

In a world that often prizes the pursuit of personal interests, material gain, and fleeting pleasures, the decision to make God our central, all-absorbing interest can invite misunderstanding and even scorn. Christians are sometimes labeled as narrow-minded, out of touch, or hopelessly restricted by their devotion. But must we apologize for this choice?

Choosing Christ as our lifelong commitment is not a matter to be justified with embarrassment. It is not a retreat from life, but an embrace of its deepest meaning: to value eternity above the temporary, and heaven above the earth.

Does this commitment to seek good rather than evil, to live with courage so that we dare to die, make us harmful to anyone? Whose character has been diminished by our faith? Whose home has been robbed, or whose resources stolen? Whom have we led astray or into wrongdoing by sincerely following Christ? The honest answer is that a true Christian—one whose faith is lived out authentically—does not injure others by their devotion. If we ever do wrong, it is in spite of our faith, not because of it.

No person, no family, no community, and no nation is made worse by the presence of a genuine Christian. On the contrary, authentic Christian living inspires honesty, compassion, generosity, and service. It strengthens relationships, fosters peace, and encourages the flourishing of all.

Our commitment to God is not a cause for shame, but a source of hope and goodness. We stand firm in our choice, knowing that by seeking good and walking with God, we bring light and life to the world around us. (Tozer)

 

Hebrews 13:16   And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 

Hebrews 11:6   And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 

1 Chronicles 29:17   I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness.

Hebrews 11:5  By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

John 8:29   And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.

Proverbs 16:7   When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

 

1 Peter 1:2  According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

John 15:16    You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

2 Timothy 1:9    Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

 

Psalms 25:5  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

John 16:13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

1John 2:20  But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

Isaiah 8:20  To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

2Timothy 3:15-17    and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Psalms 32:8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Matthew 6:22  “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,

John 7:17  If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

Isaiah 35:8  And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

 

Acts 24:16  So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

Romans 2:15    They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness

Acts 23:1    And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

1 Peter 3:16    having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Hebrews 13:18    Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Titus 2:11-13    For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

 

Responsibility and Stewardship: Accountability for Conscience Use

Each individual bears responsibility for the care and use of their conscience. Scripture exhorts believers to “strive always to keep [their] conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16). This involves regular self-examination, confession of sin, and a commitment to live according to God’s revealed will. The conscience is not autonomous or self-legitimizing; it must be stewarded wisely, continually brought under the authority of Scripture and the lordship of Christ. Christians are called to act in accordance with their conscience, but also to seek its ongoing education and purification.

Conclusion: Practical Implications for Believers

The Christian doctrine of conscience offers profound insights for spiritual formation and ethical living. Recognizing conscience as a God-given moral monitor, believers are called to nurture and educate it through Scripture, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit. While acknowledging its limitations due to sin, Christians trust in the cleansing and renewal available through Christ. By maintaining a sensitive, well-informed conscience, and avoiding the pitfalls of weakness or searing, believers fulfill their responsibility before God, living with integrity and bearing witness to the transforming power of the gospel. In all things, the Christian is to heed the admonition: “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16).  (MacDonald)