April 27: THE SPIRIT AS A GUARANTEE

Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. Therefore we make it our aim…[whether by life or by death]… to be well pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:5,9

There is great value to be gained in knowing history. Powerful glimpses into the great controversy between good and evil become center stage as they are dramatically played out on the earth. France became a battleground for all to see, both on the corporate level and the individual one, across all socio-economic classes, for there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11). Never underestimate the power that God can exert through a single soul who is fully surrendered to His Holy Spirit. Love for Him brings a response of obedience to His leading. Your will to be well pleasing to Him is readily aided by His Spirit and has a supernatural drawing power, so that others may hear God’s call towards that kingdom which shall never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).

The sister of Francis I, Princess Margaret, valued the truth of God above any earthly station or rank. Among other high-ranking individuals, there was a knight of noble birth, Louis de Berquin, whose devotion to study, courtliness, and polish of manners placed him under quite a spotlight. Like each of the aforementioned reformers, he had been steeped in Catholicism. But, having laid hold of the Scriptures, his studies amazed him. He found there, “not the doctrines of Rome, but the doctrines of Luther!” He was considered to be the most learned of the French nobility, generously endowed with courage, zeal, and influence. He was also a favorite of King Francis. Many regarded him as the one destined to reform France. But the papists declared him to be “worse than Luther” and sent him to the dungeon three times. And three times Francis I ordered his release.

To treat all people with kindness and courtesy is impossible without the grace that God imparts. The kind treatment of others—all others—is an extension of God’s invitation directly to the heart of those who doubt the love of God. My relationship with my Savior and King must remain ever before Him for constant refinement. This is the first priority in my life. The moment I look away is the very time that I am at risk of bringing harm to God’s cause. A shallow view of the third commandment is injurious to the cause of our Lord, teaching to simply refrain from using swear-words and foul language in day-to-day speech. How woefully incomplete this view is! Paul spoke of a principle of continually bringing himself to full surrender in Christ, lest “I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Taking the name of Christ, as a bride takes the name of her husband, is a commitment above all others to love Him supremely, bringing honor and glory to Him in the eyes of a hurting world!

Jeremiah tried to warn the people of Judah against choosing elements of God’s word to ignore. Over and over they would declare allegiance to Him, but their actions would show that they had changed their minds (Jeremiah 34:11). As a result, God handed them over to their enemies. The same is true today. Millions of God’s professed people are engulfed in Babylonian doctrines. Such beliefs lead to rejection of truth in favor of the lies of those who seek their life (v.20). Jesus put it like this: “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side…” (Luke 19:43)

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7