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Be, Say and DoBy: Joseph H. MurrayPsalm 99:9 & Isaiah 6:3 1. Be – Lev. 20:7, Rom. 11:16, Eph. 1:4, 1Pet. 1:15–16, Rev. 20:6 2. Say – Luke 12:12, Acts 19, Matt. 10:16–20, 22 3. Do – John 2:5, Acts 19:6–7 God has only required of man to be what He already is, to say what He says for them to say, and last of all, to do what He has already done. God first of all asks us to be holy for He, Himself, also is a holy God. Moses under the inspiration of God instructed the Israelites, “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God” (Lev. 20:7). David tells us in his writings of the holiness of God upon whom Moses, Aaron and Samuel called upon and trusted in, and He (God) answered them (Ps. 99:1–9). Isaiah the prophet tells how he “saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple” (Isa. 6:1). Above the throne stood two Seraphim which cried one unto another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isa. 6:3). Jesus has also told His first disciples “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Paul wrote the Romans these words, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches” (Rom. 11:16). So, God requires us Gentile branches to be holy as He is holy. But remember, no one can be holy without the Holy Ghost, for this is all the holiness and godliness there is in this world, and the only thing that will take us to be with a holy, holy, holy God. Secondly, we are to say what He (Jesus) has already said, “Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say” (Luke 12:8–12). After Jesus having told his disciples how to be when He sent them forth as sheep among wolves also told them how they should speak in these words, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you” (Matt. 10:19–20). The conclusion of the whole matter of Christian living is to be led by the Holy Ghost. This is the consummation of a total and perfect obedience to God. I’m reminded of Jesus being at the Marriage Feast of Cana and the performing of His first miracle when His mother said, “His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5). Now, since Jesus is not here in person, we have to listen to what He is saying to us through the Holy Ghost, and do it. He, Jesus, had many things to say to His first disciples while here in person, but He didn’t quit talking after He ascended back to His Father. He is still speaking to us who are His followers today. After all, His Father is still giving Him words to say to us today. And, it is His Father who will tell Him when to return to earth again. It may be that God has already told Him by now, and it will not be told us except when He does come in the clouds of heaven to take us away to be with Him forever. Amen! That will be soon enough for us to know if we are blessed and holy enough to be in the first resurrection (Rev. 20:6). |
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