God Needs You

Occasionally I hear believers say, “God doesn't need us…we need Him.” Of course, I agree with the latter part of that statement but have to take issue with the first part.

Throughout the Bible, God used man to help accomplish His plans and purposes. What if Noah had refused to build the ark? Except for animals that live in the sea, all of creation would have perished in the flood. 

What if Moses didn’t go before Pharaoh and told him to let his people go? The Israelites might have stayed in captivity longer until God raised up someone else to be the deliverer. In fact, Moses killing an Egyptian in Exodus 2:12 and then going into exile delayed Israel’s time of deliverance. Instead of 400 years as originally prophesied in Genesis 15:13, Egypt’s affliction upon Israel lasted 430 years.

Look at this passage in Ezekiel 22…

30 “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 

31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

God desired not to bring judgment upon Jerusalem but did so because there was no intercessor willing to mediate between Him and man. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah might have been spared had Abraham continued interceding instead of stopping at ten righteous men (Genesis 18:22).

When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He delegated authority to us…the church. Through dreams and visions, some individuals have received the truth about Jesus like what happened to Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus Road. Nevertheless, the gospel will not be preached throughout the whole world without man’s cooperation. Romans 10:14 says, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”

Some events such as the Second Coming will come to pass regardless of our individual actions. Until then, the Lord is calling people to enlist in His army to be His hands and feet as well as His mouthpiece. Will you answer the call?

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14

Free to Think

People who refuse to believe in God are becoming more “evangelistic” in spreading their message of unbelief. Last weekend in front of a Florida courthouse, a group of atheists unveiled a monument next to a granite slab listing the Ten Commandments. American Atheists President David Silverman stated in a press release that his New Jersey-based organization plans to erect 50 more monuments at public sites across the country.

Many atheists pride themselves as being “freethinkers.” They believe that by not adhering to Scripture, they are free to think for themselves. On the other hand, Sid Roth released a book called “They Thought for Themselves”, which features testimonies of “ten amazing Jews” who found out the truth about Jesus as their Messiah.

I heard one motivational speaker claim the human brain didn’t come with an owner’s manual. The truth is the Bible gives many instructions on how to use our minds. Here are a few of them…

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” - Matthew 22:37

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”  - Romans 12:3

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” - 2 Corinthians 10:5

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” - Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Christians are often criticized for being too narrow-minded. It’s true that God’s people need to “think outside the box” more. Well-meaning religious leaders have stifled many creative ideas because it didn’t fit their paradigm for ministry. Congregation members may not have chapter and verse to back up every divinely inspired plan. Noah could have been accused of not having Scripture to verify the Lord’s instructions to build an ark to save his family and all those animals.

When it comes to a person’s eternal destiny, one shouldbe narrow-minded if he doesn’t want to end up in the wrong place. Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke wrote on his Facebook page, “Someone said I was 'too dogmatic.' But how many people would board an aircraft if the pilot kept 'an open mind' about the destination? Passengers want A VERY dogmatic pilot. Hell or heaven - what is your destination? Join Jesus and your arrival in heaven is guaranteed.”

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” - Matthew 7:13