It
is generally thought that religion concerns do’s and don’ts. From one religion
to another just about everything in life is covered. Some religions forbid
eating of certain foods; others regulate what you can or cannot wear; others
are concerned about special days and feasts, etc., etc.
The
Bible says that the Law came by Moses; and, indeed, he was a law giver par
excellance. However, Paul writes indicating that Moses’ law has been superseded
by the New Testament grace of Jesus Christ, but some of Paul’s teachings have
been interpreted in diverse ways by different groups. In all these matters to
whom shall we look? Who has the ultimate answer?
Christ is the Answer
The
Lord Jesus Christ not only has the answer to this and to all questions, Christ is the answer. The problem is that man looks
on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. It is Christ in you that is the hope of glory. When Christ
is our life, the answer is within us.
When
Samuel saw Eliab he wanted to anoint him to be king. He was an extremely
impressive person, splendid in every way. “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look
not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused
him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Lately,
many faithful church goers have been shaken to their roots as the sins of some
of their most admired priests have been exposed by the media—and not Catholics
only—there have been Protestants also.
Someone
said, “You just don’t know who you can trust anymore.” Our answer is a solid
and resounding, “We do know Who you can trust, and we urge you to run to Him
and put your trust in Him.” He lived and died and rose again in perfect
righteousness, holiness, and victory. There is no fault in Him.
This
brings us back to our question. What is wrong with taking medicine? The answer
is Jesus Christ. Put your faith in Christ alone and submit your life to Him.
“None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.” (Ps 24.22)
The
Lord Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto
you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me ...for
without me ye can do nothing...” (Jn 15.1-14)
While
many may be concerned with, “Why can’t I do this or that?” God is concerned
about the faith and love of your innermost being. “Without faith it is
impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and
that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” When you believe in
the Lord, and love Him with all your heart, and put your trust in Him, you will
do the right thing from the heart. It will be the true person that you really
are shining forth —it will be Christ who is your life living within you.
Christ
shed His blood on the cross for the remission of our sins, and by His stripes
we are healed. Trusting in the Lord, even unto death, is a natural response to
loving Him with all our heart. Saints all over the world and down through the
ages have trusted their bodies to the Lord even unto great suffering, torture,
starvation, and death. “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the
violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
strong...Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder,
were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not
worthy...)” (Heb 11.33-38)
Such
lives are far above any law that could ever be written—it is the law of faith
and love. Sister Joyce’s testimony is elsewhere in this magazine. She was a
medical doctor, but she answered the call of her Lord and put her trust in Him
and clung to Him the rest of her life. Yes, she is dead and gone, but gone
where?—into the eternal arms of the Lord whom she loved and in whom she trusted
with all her heart.
Many
dear saints never think of asking questions like, “Why can’t I do this or
that?” Their heart’s quest is, “How can I draw closer to Him? How can I love
Him more, and serve Him better.” The Bible says, “There is no law against
love!” “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as
thyself ...this do, and thou shalt live.” (Lk 10.27-28)
Put
your complete trust in the Lord for this life and for eternity. Love Him and
seek Him with all your heart, and surrender your body to Him as a living
sacrifice. Eternal life is not a matter of do’s and don’ts. It is, “In Him we
live, and move and have our being.” God has appointed that all should die and
then the judgment, and this includes priests, druggists, and doctors. God is no
respecter of persons.
“I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reason-able
service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.” (Rom 12.1-2)
“If ye then be
risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on
the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ,
who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which
is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience...now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye
have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is
renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (Col 3.1-10).
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