“…but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11
Dear Ones:
In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul puts the believers on notice that there are two standards by which we live and die. The first one deals with that which is of man. He speaks of being “spoiled,” or robbed by the philosophies of men, their vain pursuits and methods of thinking, and their traditions. (2:8) He speaks of the “rudiments of the world,” those principles and ideas which have originated in the hearts of unbelieving men, which can affect, and even turn aside the believer from trusting wholly in Christ. Later in this chapter, he goes on to warn the Christians that they can allow themselves to be “judged” by the criteria of men, and not that of God. (2:16) And finally, he puts them on notice that they can be deceived, tricked and fooled by a false religious humility which, as in the former cases, has its origin and practice in man, and not God. Why does he warn them, and make so clear the distinction between that which is of sinful man, and the “essence,” the true meaning and power of the life of Christ? It is so that they can be true men and women of faith, nurtured on the words of Christ, living by the peace which He gives, and actively believing Him for the hallowing of His name, the coming of His kingdom and the doing of His will. One can be a man or woman of the world, according to the world’s standards and criteria, but we are called upon to be so much more by the grace of God.
After Joshua had led the people of Israel into the promised land, there came a day when he addressed the people concerning the issue of BEING the people of God, or being deceived into trusting “strange gods.” He said to them: “Now therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth….choose you THIS DAY whom you will serve…As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14,15) What is he saying? He was challenging Israel to BE men and women of faith, NOT according to the world’s standards, but as those who have but ONE object of faith, Christ. As it was in the days of Joshua, so it would be in the days of the Apostle Paul, and even unto this present day.
The man of God is that individual who has come to grips with spiritual reality. That reality declares that God, in Christ, has dealt perfectly, entirely, and forever, with the need(s) of men. But that provision in Christ will only be realized in fullest measure, as a certain attitude towards the truth of Christ, and the Gospel, is embraced with the whole heart. The child is one who dabbles, or lives, in the shallows of the vast ocean of the grace and mercy of God, whose vision is small and whose maturity limited. The man of God is that one, who understands the word of God, His command, to launch out into the deep, and there to cast the net. What does this mean? It means that the choice is made, and the commitment embraced, to say and confess as Francis Havergal wrote: “I am trusting Thee Lord Jesus, Trusting ONLY Thee; Trusting Thee for FULL salvation, Great and free.” Here is the man who has staked not only his eternity on the Saving Savior, but His present experience and existence.
Dear Father, deliver us from the standards and criteria of men concerning being true men and women of faith. Give us to be those who are not content to live in the shallows, on the periphery of Thy highest and best. Strengthen us to BE no more children, tossed about by the slight and deception of men, but those who are established in Thee, because we have set our whole hope and expectation upon Christ, and Him alone. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad