Sobering insight is given to those with hearing ears in 2 Peter 2:20-21, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
Anyway one may stack it up, it is a most serious thing to turn away from the truth presented in the Holy Word after having received and understood it.
Still, the world of ustawasers sees no decline in population. It is appalling to note that most cults report the major number of proselytes they make come from a Baptist background.
Once I had some legal work completed by a rotund, jolly fellow who upon learning of my religious standing roared, “I used to be a Baptist!” Curiously, I asked what he was now. He replied, “Now, I am a -------- --. I used to worry about living correctly, but now I don’t have to do that anymore. I let my priest take care of that.” Believe it or not, he was serious!
Having conducted more revival meetings than most ministers in a time when such was popular, I have personally witnessed to numerous wayward, backslidden and truth rejecting people who gave an intelligent testimony of their personal salvation, but whose common chorus was “I usta.” Sadly, they usta be a Baptist, or they usta be a faithful church member; they usta read the Bible, engage in private prayer, etc. What a choir they would make, all singing “I usta!”
What happens to folks that causes them to become usta-wasers? Perhaps they never did achieve a good comprehension of the faith once delivered to the saints. Regardless, once exposed to the ultimate truth of the Bible, they succumb to the temptation to follow the ways of men out of desire, or out of escape mode from ridicule. The amazing thing about most of them is that they tout their former state with seeming pride. “O, yes, I usta be…..” They have forgotten, perhaps wilfully, that we must ALL stand before the Creator God of the universe and give an account of ALL the deeds done in the body whether they be good or bad. To me that is most sobering! There will be no acceptable explanation for having turned from the Holy Commandment delivered from God Himself to us for our belief, understanding, and code of conduct. The only usta-waser I want to be noted for is that I usta be a subject for a devil’s hel , but Jesus saved me by grace through faith, and praise His name, I am not that anymore! I hope it is true for you, dear reader,as well!
FOR THOUGHT: How many usta-wasers do you know? Do you have enough fingers and toes to count them? What do you think lies ahead for usta-wasers when they meet Jesus? Do you perceive the spirit of a usta-waser creeping into your life? If so, what will you do about it?
VERILY, VERILY, AMEN, AMEN!
An old story is told of a man who visited a church in a nearby city. The minister’s homily touched on scriptural truths precious to the guest. Accordingly, he responded with a hearty
“Amen!” After the second such response, the minister paused as said, “Sir, I wish you would be quiet. You are interrupting my sermon.” The man replied, “But I have joy in my religion.”
Whereupon the minister replied, “Well, you did not get it here!” In this, sadness outweighs the humor. Moreover, it is quite a discomforting scenario since it underscores a present reality in too many churches. But, why would anyone respond with a hearty “Amen” in a worship service anyway? Think about it with me!
The exclamation or affirmation, implied and inferred by the term, “Amen!” is that of truth.
If one is in solid agreement with what is said it may produce emotional joy evoking the response, but it is not heard in modern times so much as it was in generations gone by. The term comes from the Bible. Jesus often used it, but most often at the beginning of a statement rather than in response to one. It is his introduction to several statements, as in John 3:3.
“Verily, verily.” Without further need of emphasis, hearers understood that what was to follow was extremely important and should be particularly heeded. The words so translated as “verily, verily,” may be read “truly, truly.” The English translation “verily” is from an Anglo-Old French term,“verus” and/or Latin “veritatem,” all of which mean “true” and gives us such terms as
“verify, veritable, veracity,” etc. However, when the Greek term for “verily” that actually comes from an old Hebrew word “Aval,” is transliterated it reads “Amen” (This is true!). Thus, the term is commonly used at the end of a prayer to mean, “This is true, so mote it be.” It is also a positive, interjectory response of agreement to any statement, but particularly one of spiritual import.
So, the next time you enjoy a statement of spiritual truth go ahead and express your joy with a hearty “Amen!” Chances are good that it will be appreciated, even fueling the speaker, especially if in a Baptist Church. If you enjoy your religion, you just might have gotten it there.
Who knows? It may even awaken those nearby who have gone to sleep. Amen! and Amen!, Verily, Verily! So mote it be!
FOR THOUGHT: How long has it been since you heard the term “Amen!” shouted from a congregation in response to a truth spoken from the pulpit? Do you ever use the term, “Amen”
to agree with friends even if the context is not spiritual? What benefits do you think may come from the employment of that word now and then?
VIGILANT: AN IMPORTANT BIBLE “BE”
From the writings of the beloved apostle Peter, comes this underscored admonition to all of God’s people throughout the age: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” I Peter 5:8. But, in the view of modern, twenty-first century enlightenment, one may question the need for such ancient warnings, so think with me about it for a minute. What is this verse saying?
To be vigilant is to be extremely alert and watchful for any snare that would spoil the most important asset one has: his influence. Satan knows, perhaps better than any mortal that he cannot damn the born-again spirit of man, but he also knows just as well that he can negate the influence of a person’s life so that it has a significantly diminished impact on others.
Thus does the striking admonition come to us metaphorically as a roaring, devouring lion. That lion is the same lion inhabiting the folk who yel ed “crucify Him” with reference to Jesus standing before Pilate. It is the same lion that entered Judas to betray the Lord. It is the same lion who came to Adam and Eve in the form of a serpent, and who is responsible for every form of evil, and delusion in the lives of people today. Thus does the apostle appropriately warn.
Moreover, Paul put it plainly to the church at Corinth, and to us all in 2 Cor. 11:13-15 that the emissaries of Satan appear as ministers of righteousness even as Satan himself appears as an angel of light.
So, how is one to know! Be vigilant! But what will enable one to be so vigilant?
Familiarity with the eternal Word of God. Here then is the catch!
Satan appeals to the reasoning of mankind, who does not take into account that sin has already monkeyed with his mental faculties. Thus, with one reasoning, and judging what is good and moral from only the repository of his own experience or even that of another man, will find himself far afield from the truth of the inerrant, plenary Word of the Creator. The Bible word for this is not vigilance, but “iniquity.”
Men would do well to acquaint themselves with the Word on a firsthand basis. One of Jesus’ most focused and forceful warnings is “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Mark 13:37. Watchfulness, then is the insurance of safety. Vigilance: what an important Bible
“Be!”
FOR THOUGHT: Spiritual vigilance is only as keen as one’s spiritual knowledge. Does this not underscore the importance of acquiring deeper bible knowledge? Do you think acceptable service to God depends upon certain knowledge that it may be done correctly? What is the danger of vigilance from a human perspective apart from God?
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