The Truth In Print, April 2007 Vol. 13 Issue 3

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ

  2375 W. 8th Street,

 Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-539-7089)

 

 

The Foolishness In Forgetting God’s Word

 

 

Trials Should Not Cause Us To Forget God

 

   Consider these words, “All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. [18] Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; [19] Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death” (Psalm 44:17-19 ). Some of the Hebrews in the New Testament had forgotten God and fallen away (Cf. Heb. 6:4-6). Because one has tasted the kindness of God they should lay aside the old  man of sin and desire growth, Peter said (Cf. I Pet. 2:3).  

 

Strength In Remembering Past Trials Persevered In

 

   The Hebrews were exhorted to remember their former days when they endured a great conflict of sufferings, and accepted joyfully the seizure of their properties (Cf. Heb. 10:32-34). They were mistreated and all the while sympathetic to those who were being mistreated! They endured such knowing all the while that they had “a better possession and an abiding one” in Heaven.  Now much later they are told, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward” (Heb. 10:35).  Habitually remembering their past trial would help to prevent this! How does one speak when they forget God? Certainly not with the assurance of Heaven! Their attitude changed and thus their language reflects that change! The point is that through endurance one receives the eternal reward (Heb. 10:35; 2 Tim. 2:11-13, 4:7-8).

 

 

The One Who Perseveres Does Not Shrink Back

 

   The man who perseveres is the one who does not shrink back. Hear again, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:38-39). To “draw back” in verse 38 means to “withdraw, cower, shrink back, withhold out of sight” (Cp. Gal. 2:12). We must not be among those who “draw back to perdition.” Here the words “draw back” mean “a departure, defection, or apostasy.”

   Compare Paul’s statement concerning young widows who fall away:  “But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; [12] Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith” (I Tim. 5:11-12).  Sensual desires led to the casting off of their faith! The words “casting off” convey the thought of setting aside, despising or disesteeming something.  This is when one says, “I didn’t care what I did anymore!” Listen carefully. If your temperature is 105 and heart rate 145 then you are in great danger. One can die physically any minute. Concerned reader, “spiritually” these scriptures show when one is in great danger. If they die physically they are going to Hell eternally! Do you understand?

 

Concerning Both The Mind And Conscience

 

  We have this warning: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (I Tim. 4:1-2). The conscience that is “seared” is one “rendered insensitive.” Compare this, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:15-16). The word “defiled” means “to stain” with color, thoroughly, i.e. as a piece of garment can be completely changed in color! Both mind and conscience is thoroughly stained with the vices of the world by contact with the world!

 

 What Is Happening When One Forgets God?

 

A. One is Forgetting His Word.

 

     Hear James, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Ja. 1:25). There are degrees of unfaithfulness and “forgetting.” The Psalmist said, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments” (Ps. 119:176). If we delight in His statutes we won’t forget His word: “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. [16] I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word” (Ps. 119:15-16).  Moreover the precepts are such that they restrain: “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word” (Psalm 119:101). Be glad they do! We will not forget God’s law even when surrounded by the wicked: “The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law” (Psalm 119:61). Not even when in life and death situations will we forget God’s law! Read again, “My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law” (Ps. 119:109).  Even when we are small and despised by those about us we will not forget His law! Again, “I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts” (Ps. 119:141). Mark this — one who forgets His law will become your enemy (Ps. 119:139). The one who forgets no longer hates being double minded! (Ps. 119:113). When one forgets we must ask what kind of company they have been with (Ps. 19:115). Heed this warning, those who wander will be made light of by God! (Ps. 119:118).

   Concerned reader, James analogy describing Christians who forget is that of looking into a mirror and then immediately forgetting what their faces looked like! (James 1:23). He or she forgets the relationship between speaking, listening, and anger! (James 1:19). He forgets that his wrath does not work the righteousness of God! (James 1:20). Moreover he forgets what a Christian needs to clean out of his or her life in order to be righteous! (James 1:21). Above all he forgets the relationship between listening to God’s word and doing it! (James 1:22). Yes, this one who forgets God is the one who did not listen to the warnings and admonitions! We must exhort all guilty of forgetting. Heed this, “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. [23] Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God” (Ps. 50:22-23).  

 

B. One is Forgetting God’s Benefits — Read Psalms 103.

 

   The important consideration here is what shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me (Ps. 116:12). I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and supplications (Ps. 116:1). If we love Him because He hears, then we’ll render to Him because of His benefits! We should seek the kind of benefits that enable us to keep His word continually (Ps. 119:117).

 

C. One Would Be Forgetting His Past Deliverances — Read Psalms 106.

 

   Israel’s rebellion by (at) the Red Sea, Ps. 106:7, is “before” they crossed over (Ex. 14:11). Notice that they didn’t understand God’s wonders, i.e. His marvelous acts of power and control over their enemy (Pharaoh) in Egypt. Although they saw the plagues, and that they were exempt, they didn’t gain any deep insight! (Compare Mk. 8:14-21, Mk. 6:47-52, 37-44).  Nevertheless God saved them from their enemies. And “then” they believed but it was short lived! (Ps. 106:8-13). The “quail” incident is next referred to where God sent a plague to destroy them (Cf. Nu. Chapter 11). If  you are getting what you want but with chastisement that’s a sure sign that you are not learning (Cf. Nu. 13:2, 14:1-2 and 14:32). They did this often in the wilderness (Ps. 78:40-53).  Israel could have been strengthened by remembering God’s wonders of old but they didn’t. We need to put our confidence in God and not forget His works.

 

D. One Would Be Forgetting They Saw The Futility Of Man’s Wrath In The Presence Of God’s Anger Which Is Far Greater —Read Psalms 76.

 

   Man’s wrath was often over ruled by God so as to display His justice, glory and power so they would fear God. This happens in our lives too. We don’t ever want to forget His power to deliver us and uphold us.

 

E. One Is Forgetting That God’s Victories Display His Righteousness (Righteous Judgment) —-Read Psalms 98.

 

   Dear reader, having read Psalms 98 now read  Psalms 95 and do not harden your heart! We should be afraid of God’s judgments (Ps. 119:120).

 

H. One Would Be Forgetting The Lovingkindness Of The Lord — Read Psalms 107.

 

   Evidence of God’s care for us makes our enemies ashamed. God shuts their mouths and rightfully so! The wise considers all these things we’ve studied, and the lovingkindness of the Lord!

 

Conclusion:  Please read Psalms 11 now and contemplate what we do see in God as we study His wonderful word and works.

 

By Bob Lovelace

 

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