After twelve years on active duty Regular Army and twenty-four years full-time National Guard, I retired. I was fifty-five years old. Too young to retire and I needed a job. A position was open for a counselor at the Region Three Alcohol/Chemical Treatment Program in Tupelo, Mississippi. Since I had training and experience as a counselor/instructor with the Army, I applied for the position, was interviewed and hired for the job. For the next five years, I experienced an unusual and a rewarding employment.
I remember one young man in his very early twenties. He had no problems with the law. He had a high school education, was well built and a very intelligent man. He was, however, homeless with no family support system. And yes, “he had burned all his bridges.” In a counseling session as I observed this young man with seemly no family ties, I knew he was “on his own.” He needed stabilization in his life. With no experience or skills in the employment fields, I asked him, “Have you ever considered joining the Army or one of the Armed Forces?” He was caught off guard; yet, he immediately gave a straightforward answer, “Are you kidding?” This young man had no desire for such. He would rather stumble along as a homeless man. Isn’t that something? Give up a chance to change, stabilize and advance himself. I don’t understand such reasoning, yet that was his choice.
What is our attitude toward God Almighty? Do we approach God and His commands in a flippant manner? Do we figuratively say, “Are you kidding?” To make light of our responsibility toward Almighty God is a common sin. Our God has given to mankind His plan for man. Shall we respond in a positive, obedient manner or in a glib way? It’s all up to us, is it not?
Our God Is Not Kidding
God’s Plan for Man: 1. Hear God’s Word (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17) 2. Believe in Jesus (John 8:24) 3. Repent of Sins (Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians7:10) 4. Confess Jesus’ Name (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 16:15-16) 5. Be Baptized (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4) 6. Live Faithfully Until Death (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10).
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:21-29 KJV)
In conclusion, let’s be gravely serious now! If you read the above concerning God’s plan for mankind and Matthew 7:21-29, can we honestly believe that God is just kidding?
