The farmer’s son.

Modern Christianity has been invaded by a liberal theology that says it doesn’t matter what we do. They say salvation is a relationship. This indeed is correct in what it affirms, but false in what it denies.

Does the good news of what Christ has done for us mean more works or less? Paul has the answer once again when he said in Romans 3:31, “Do we therefore make void the law through faith? God forbid, we establish the law.” When we see that it was the law that put Jesus on the cross, it puts it in a whole new light.

In the garden of Eden there was no mention of faith and love, only obedience as comprehending all else. Good works will ever be evidence of our faith and love towards God. Obedience to God and His commands is still today the outward sign of an inward condition.

Alas, in this modern age it is more fashionable amongst Christians, to be more spiritual than scriptural. And to decry outward observance as legalism. But so long as we are in this sinful flesh, all things of the Spirit will need an outward form.

Young Bill grew up on a farm and there was no question that he was going to be a farmer. He went to college and studied agriculture. His only problem being how he was going to get a farm of his own.

One day his father called him into the lounge and said, “Son I’m getting old, I need to retire, and your mother and I have decided to give you the farm. “  Bill was speechless.

His father continued, “But there is only one condition. For one year you must run the farm strictly according to my directions and then the farm will be yours. Bill thought that was fair and reasonable and agreed at once.

Over the next few days, they went around the farm together, from field to field. Bill took notes as Dad explained what to plant in each paddock. Afterwards, curious because of his higher learning, Bill got out his college soil tester and again went around from field to field. He was impressed with his father’s wisdom as he tested each paddock and found that Dad was right every time. Except that is, until he came to the last paddock where Dad said to plant corn, but he found that the soil was too sandy for corn, but it was perfect for peanuts.

Harvest time came. Father and son were seen moving from field to field. Bill’s dad said that the farm had never looked so good. They inspected the wheat, the potatoes, and the alfalfa. When they came to the last paddock, Dad said, “Son, where’s the corn?” Bill explained, Dad shook his head sadly. “Bill, you haven’t followed my directions in any of these fields. You’ve followed your own judgment in every case. It just happens that you agreed with me in all points except one, but as soon as there was any question, you did what you thought best despite what I had directed you to do.”

Millions of people today have their own personal analyzing Kits. Modern theology is being tailored to suit our lifestyle. Many today want to analyze and compare God’s directions written on slabs of stone and revealed to ancient prophets, to what they are taught in seminaries and universities in this sophisticated computer age. Too many people are planting peanuts when God has asked for corn. Millions are willing to follow God’s directions when they agree with them or when it suits their lifestyle but ignore them when they don’t seem to make sense, or it becomes a matter of our own priorities and not God’s.

A key statement that occurs throughout the book of Judges and indeed is the very last statement of the book is “and every man did what was right in his own eyes.” This is a succinct statement that tells us the root cause of the chaos and ruination of Israel during the period of the Judges.

No claim to know the gospel and the doctrine of justification by faith will give us an excuse to disobey the direct commands of God. If so, the gospel is mere mental acceptance!

This world’s history is to end as it began, with a test of obedience. The issue in the end is, are you going to do things God’s way or mans?  There is a need to pull back to where God has drawn the lines! The enemy is sowing tares in the gospel field by introducing such subtle ideas like; any concern for obedience to God is somehow tied to legalism.

Many years ago, when I was fresh in the ministry, we procured a beautiful German Shepherd pup. Delighted by its intelligence we proceeded to teach Angie all manner of tricks and commands. There was one thing though, that we could never teach it. To stay in the back yard. It would slip its collar and tether and literally climb the trellis fence like a person. No amount of discipline could keep that dog in the backyard at night.

To add to our embarrassment, Angie would often return with some neighbour’s shoe or boot to chew on. One morning there was a whole collection of shoes on our front doorstep from many neighbours. I had to take a box of shoes around the neighbours and find their owners.

Well, you guessed it already, the inevitable happened. We heard the screech one night followed by the yelping and now Angie is just a sermon illustration on the perils of disobedience to the one who would teach us lovingly to obey for our own benefit and wellbeing.