Morning Moments

1 Timothy 5:21 (KJV)
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

WOW! Verse 19 called upon the witnesses human, but this verse calls upon the witnesses heavenly. This is not a choice but a command. The word "observe" means "guard". Picture a running back that is given a football and told to "guard" the ball that it not be stripped from him.

Is he going to casually hold the ball, flipping it from one hand to the other, hoping he won't drop it or have it stolen from him? Absolutely not! He will tuck it away as to protect it with everything that is in him.

Let me ask a simple question - Has the truth we have discussed so far been fumbled or stolen from us? Are we obeying what the preceding verses command us to do? There is as much sin in the church as out and we pride ourselves on the "love and tolerance". Is something wrong with this picture? Jesus is not returning for a harlot, but for a virgin. The Biblical injunction is, "Cleanse yourselves from all the filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." And again, "Let every man (and woman) who has this hope within him PURIFY himself" - EVEN AS He is pure. Copy that Houston?

Stressful, sure the pastorate is, but it is not fatal. My fellow pastor, I know the resistance you get when you preach this truth. It is from the same crowd that doesn't want to hear preaching AGAINST anything: abortion, adultery, homosexuality, or anything else that is an abomination to God and an offense to the godly. But preach it anyway! Teach it; talk it, until the church is transformed by it. "BE YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY saith the LORD!

We used to sing a little chorus that went something like this: "It's not the pastor or the deacon but it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. It's not my mama or my daddy, my sister or my brother, but it's ME oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Malachi wrote: "...Take heed to YOUR spirit...", and that is the need of the hour. Feed the flesh and the flesh will devour you. Feed the spirit and God will devour you. Audrey Meier wrote, "I long so much to feel the touch of your consuming fire; consume me, O God, that's my desire."

Truth is a two edged sword, for it will bring tranquility to the consecrated and trouble to the carnal. Now let me close with a simple question: What response is there in your heart of hearts to the truth Paul is writing to Timothy here?

BLESSINGS!