Transformer - 02/14/2021

God Sees Everything

The election results have brought about much disturbance in our country. This article is not to discuss the election, but rather to discuss that God saw the actions surrounding the election.

There is agreement with the yard signs posted on the county and city roads, “God is in control.” An equally important feature about God is, He is able to see everything all the time. No one can go anywhere on this earth and do anything, without God seeing it firsthand.

King David said if he were to go to the “heavens,” God would be there; or go to Sheol (the place of the dead), God would be there. If he were to go to the “remotest part of the sea,” God would be there. Even in the darkest night (literally, not just figuratively), God would be there (Psalm 139:7-12).

Jonah (chapter 1) tried to hide from the presence of the Lord by going in a different direction than God wanted him to go. Jonah told the sailors of the boat about his intentions; but God saw Jonah get on the boat. God even saw Jonah when he was in the belly of the great fish.

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) thought they could lie about giving all of the money they received from the sale of their property. However, God saw it, sent the Holy Spirit to inform Peter, and punished them.

To the Hebrews (4:13), the writer says, “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

With all of these examples and statements about God being everywhere at the same time (omnipresent), one must conclude God sees everything we do. As to the current political situation, God saw what was done and by whom. All the talking by people who were not there as to what happened, is mere speculation. The truth may not be determined by any investigation, but God saw and knows what was actually done and by whom.

But there is a greater lesson here. Everyone needs to realize that God sees the actions of every person. For this reason, God will not need someone to testify as to what happened concerning any event in history; God saw the event as it unfolded. Because of this trait, God can be the ultimate, fair and final judge on any subject.

Whether we are treated fairly, or unfairly, God sees it. Even our disobedient and obedient actions, are seen by God. We may think He is not watching, but He is. Always remembering this quality of God, should motivate us to be living God’s way! - cgm

Exploring the Bible

Which book of the Bible comes after Psalms?

How old was Joseph (son of Jacob) when he gave a bad report about his brothers to his father (Genesis 37:2)?

King David said he wanted “the _______________ of my mouth and the _______________ of my heart to be _______________ in [God’s] sight” (Psalms 19:14).

Who was his rock and redeemer (Psalms 19:14)?

Where did John the Baptist baptize people as they were confessing their sins (Mark 1:5)?

What is the outcome when one’s faith is tested (James 1:3)?

Thinking on the Word…

Paul Gets Upset—Galatians 1:6

The Galatians were following a “different gospel;” it was not the one Paul preached and they had received. After visiting with them, possibly on his second missionary journey, he wrote them a letter in which he stated that he was “amazed” because they were so “quickly deserting” Jesus. Why would this upset Paul so much?

Some might argue that Paul was upset because they rejected his message. While this may be a possibility, it seems unlike Paul. It seems more reasonable to think it was because they had rejected the message of God.

Paul writes that they are following a “different gospel,” a distorted gospel. This gospel was different because it was not the gospel he had received “through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:12).

Paul was not upset because they had rejected him, but rather because they had rejected the message of Jesus Christ. Paul knew that by following this “different gospel” these brethren would be turning away from the truth and turning to something false. The message they were currently accepting was not a message from Jesus but rather a message which was “according to man” (1:11).

The application for the current generation is one must be following the revelation which was given not only to Paul but to the other apostles and prophets who wrote the New Testament. This is the message by which one should be living their lives. It is the message which will be used to judge them when this life is over.

If this is not true, then there are two questions to consider. One, will there be a judgment after we die; and two, if so, what will be the standard by which one will be judged?

Paul was upset because he cared about the people. He was upset because he wanted to prevent them from being separated from God eternally. Sometimes being upset motivates us to do great things. The book of Galatians is a very good example. – cgm

Words of Wisdom

“He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.” - Proverbs 15:27

A key to comprehending the many proverbs of Solomon is to understand the structure of the saying. In many instances there are two lines with the second line emphasizing or giving meaning to the first line of the proverb. Such is the case with our present proverb.

To fully understand the meaning of “will live” one needs to consider “troubles his own house.” The word “live” is not talking about continuing to breath, but rather has the meaning of existing in a house where there is peace and harmony.

A second parallel is the phrase “hates bribes” compared with “profits illicitly.” It seems the author is talking about government officials who want to make a personal profit because of what they can do in their official capacity.

The reason why so many people consider a bribe an undesirable “gift” is because it is used by some to get an unfair advantage in an event or business transaction. When people accept bribes then they have compromised their standards. While accepting the bribe will allow them to gain something monetarily, they have lost their objectivity in future dealings with this person. Because of this, their house is in danger of being ruined.

Bribes have been a part of society for many centuries, but that does not make them acceptable in society. Making a profit in a way other than true honest transactions will always bring problems to a man’s house. If he truly wants to “live,” he will not engage in this unacceptable and ungodly practice.

Everyone needs to make a profit. Doing so legally is the best way and brings the most happiness and satisfaction. - cgm