After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:9-10, ESV
Our hope is in the full redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, our peace and salvation. Therefore, we spread the Gospel of hope and peace to everyone.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6, ESV
So many of us strive to give up something or do something for God, yet He wants us to know Him and make Him known. Read the Word and spread the Gospel.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6, ESV
We ought to be more kind to those outside the Church, for they are lost, just as Jesus spoke kindly to lost sinners. May they see our gratitude for a kind Savior through our kindness yet firmness on truth.
saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42, ESV
Jesus did not enjoy His greatest work, preferring another way. Yet, His obedience to the point of death on the cross is not only our joy but also our example of faithfulness to God and spreading the Gospel.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32, ESV
How can others know the truth if we do not tell them? Let us show the world the Word and Truth of God that they may be freed from sin.
For the past few weeks and over the next couple of months, I will upload short messages based on the book of Malachi. It will probably be eight total and based on the section divisions in the English Standard Version of the Bible.
No special titles. Just taking a quick look at what was said.
So read along with me, and let us study what Malachi said to his people about 2,400 years ago.
Remember that Malachi literally means “my messenger”, so he is God’s messenger, as all the Prophets were.
Chapter 1 was about God’s love for His covenant people – those who obey and love Him – versus those who refuse to listen to Him. The priests offered lame, sick, and injured animals as sacrifices, basically taking the Lord’s name in vain by calling it acceptable even though they were worthless gifts.
Chapter 2 can be called the passage about “bovine scatology”, because priests then (and many now) led people astray with false teachings. So God rebuked them and showed they are outside of the covenant.
Chapter 2 finishes with God rebuking not only the priests but any who practice what God said not to, and leads into chapter 3 in which God calls out those who call evil good and vice versa (which leads to His eventual judgment!)
Now, on to discuss stealing from God:
5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”
God does not change: He is Father, even if we push Him away.
The tithes and offerings of ancient Israel went to feeding the Levites and those who served the Temple.
To not give offerings and tithes was to say:
“God does not need my offering.”
“I want the priests to starve.”
Breaks both great commandments!
Saying “I’m not called to preach or share the gospel” is saying it is vain to serve God.
Saying “Everything is so horrible, how can there be a good God?” pushes people from God.
Whether atheist or a Christian who refuses to share the Gospel or lives just like the world is also stealing from God:
Leading people from God is in essence stealing souls from Him and pushing them to eternal torment.
Refusing to tell people the Gospel is stealing souls from Him, because you only seek the benefits of His grace but refuse to share that grace with others (pay for services provided, if you will, such as shopping or eating out but refusing to pay).
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!
a simple man of God 