DO IT FOR GOD
TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 19:1-11.
🔑KEY VERSE “And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgement. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts” (2 CHRONICLES 19:6,7).
During the swearing in ceremonies for public office holders in many parts of the world, such officers are usually reminded of their sacred responsibility to discharge their duties according to the rules of the land. They are made to pledge their allegiance to the constitution of the land and affirm their readiness to carry out their duties without fear or favour. But too often, we find most of these officers flout the vows they made and carry out their duties in the way that please them and not in the way prescribed by the laws of the land.
In swearing in the judges he had appointed in the land, King Jehoshaphat, in our text, made it clear to them that they were to judge the people as God’s vice regents. He is the judge of all the earth and the human judges appointed over the lands are to act as representatives over His people.
As Christians, we must understand that we represent God in whatever office we may occupy, be it secular, political or religious. We are not to separate our Christian callings as lights of the world and representatives of Christ from our secular involvements. We must do our duties as though we are doing them for God. It is sad when we have those who are only Christians in the church but at home, places of work and neighborhoods, they put on another identity and display untoward characters.
Has your conduct at work done any form of damage to your Christian testimony and the glory of God? Then, you must repent today. It is not too late to make a change and redeem your image. When you have been unfair, unjust and corrupt, make necessary restitutions and resolve, by the grace of God, to always do the right thing at the right time. Be conscious that you are God’s representative where you are!
✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Don’t misrepresent God; reflect His righteousness everywhere.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: JOB 25-29.
Right attitude after a rebuke
- Partnership with the world
a. Jehoshaphat escaped death by a whisker when he joined the enemy of God, Ahab, in a partnership, in the name of brotherliness, 18:31.
b. That was a form of rebuke and the reason was given in v2. God can use different things, including accidents, loss of valuable things, failures, sufferings etc. to rebuke His loved ones, especially when the person has been insensitive to His voice.
c. The anger of God against partnerships and marriages with the ungodly, etc is still very severe and deadly, even though many believers toy with them, James 4:4.
d. Friendship with the world in dressing, worship, lifestyle, entertainments, purposes, ambitions, ceremonies, celebrations etc is tantamount to enmity with God, v2, James 4:4. How many professing Christians are in reality seen by God as His enemies!
Q Do you want to be classified as a friendly foe to God? - Right response to a godly rebuke
a. Jehoshaphat’s attitude to such a strong or “harsh” rebuke was of repentance and reconsecration to God, v4.
b. He used the occasion to bring the whole nation back to God from worldliness, for which he was rebuked, and idol worship, thus causing a revival of righteousness, v4.
c. He aligned with the justice of God by instituting a strong legal system with a legal code that is opposed to bribery, partiality and unrighteousness, vv5-7.
d. He had the chief priest as the head of spiritual legal issues and his Chief Administrative Officer as the head of secular legal matters, v11.
Q How do you respond to godly rebukes generally, whether directly from God or His agents, including parents, employers, spiritual leaders etc.? Hebrews 12:7,8.
God, I am determined not to be conformed to the world. Cleanse me from all worldliness and give me grace to stand🙏
Lord, give me the discernment to always discern your rebukes🙏
Lord, give me the right attitude of humility and teachability when I am rebuked🙏
Lord, deliver your Church from the virus of worldliness of all forms entering the Church🙏
