Time with Jesus - 6 Dec 2013
Hi all,
The e-Toll Highway of Un-holiness
Whether you or I approve the new e-tag and toll system in
RSA, doesn’t seem to matter. SANRAL and the ANC have decided that it will go ahead.
Indeed, as I write this message, the e-toll system is in place. Many people
have stated that they are not prepared to pay these tolls. It is a sort of
civil disobedience, not seen in our country since the late 1980’s. 
You may
recall how the people in the townships refused to pay rates, lights and water.
This went on for many years and there may be places where these charges are
still not paid.
It remains to be seen what will happen if the vast majority
of South Africans refuses to pay. In the end the system would fall apart and be
cancelled. But will it happen? In addition, what is the Christian response to
paying these tolls?
Some say that it is our duty to obey the laws of the land.
It follows that we should pay these tolls. But is it as simple as that? I’m not
sure. If we bear in mind that in a democracy, government is elected on the
basis of a majority vote by the people. What happens when the vast majority say
the law is wrong? Christians also have a responsibility of taking a stand for
what is right.
Perhaps the best illustration of this is the fact that
in the 1800’s, women and children worked in the coal mines of Britain under very
dangerous conditions. At that time, the law permitted this. The laws were
gradually changed as more and more people objected to this form of abuse. The
action taken by ordinary people was not always completely legal. In the end,
the law was changed. It was much the same with the abolition of slavery. In the
end, the UK government paid 20 million pounds to slave owners to free their
slaves. In terms of today’s money it must be in the order of several billion
pounds.
What about you? Have you decided to pay, or to refuse to
pay? I don’t plan on paying. However, for me the question is a bit unfair.
Phyllida and I don’t use the highways all that much. As pensioners, there is no
need for us to travel on the highways very often. So it won’t affect us that
much. Not directly anyway. What will happen is the poor will be greatly
affected. No doubt businesses will pass on the cost of the tolls by increasing
their prices. If I was a business owner, I suspect doing so would be automatic.
It isn’t rocket science to know that prices will increase sharply. It seems, the
government doesn’t care. 
The Highway of Holiness:
Matthew Henry’s comment on this Highway is as follows: Judea was prosperous in the days of Hezekiah, but the
kingdom of Christ is the great subject intended. Converting grace makes the
soul that was a wilderness, to rejoice with joy and singing, and to blossom
abundantly. The feeble and faint-hearted are encouraged. This is the design of
the gospel.
Assuming his interpretation is correct, Isaiah was
referring to a time in the future in the Kingdom of God; a time that continues
to be future for you and me.
The Scripture states: 8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel
on it. It will be only for those who walk in God's ways; fools will never walk
there. 9 Lions will not lurk
along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other
dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Isa 35:8-9 NLT
An examination of the Scripture suggests Matthew Henry’s
interpretation was correct. Since the days of Isaiah, such a Highway has not
yet been constructed. Certainly, the Romans didn’t do so. They are probably the
only occupying force that might have attempted to build such a road. However,
even if they had done so, it could not have been as safe as the one described
by Isaiah. Furthermore, only in God’s Kingdom will it be possible for only the
redeemed to walk on it.
Today, we take good roads for granted. But in the
ancient world, a good road - a highway - was an amazing blessing for travel,
progress, and business. Isaiah announced that in the ministry of the Messiah,
there will be a wonderful highway, a road, known as the Highway of Holiness.
Also, it is thought that our English translations literally says: “a high-way.”
It speaks of a raised road, lifted above the ground. It is a high, glorious
road to travel on!
The construction of this Highway of Holiness would be
the greatest engineering feat ever accomplished. Spurgeon commented, “Engineering has done much to tunnel through mountains
and bridge abysses; but the greatest triumph of engineering is that which made
a way from sin to holiness; from death to life, from condemnation to perfection.
Who could make a road over the mountains of our iniquities but Almighty God?
None but the Lord of love would have wished it; none but the God of wisdom
could have devised it; none but the God of power could have carried it out.”
The unclean shall not pass over it: This highway isn’t for everyone. It has a “toll booth,”
but you can’t make it on this highway by paying your way. You are only allowed
on this highway if you are cleansed by the great work of the Messiah. When we remain
on God’s Highway of Holiness, even though His work in us isn’t complete yet -
we may still be in some ways a fool - yet we are safe because we are on His
highway!
There are guardrails on the dangerous curves, and He keeps us from
falling off as He develops the wisdom and maturity in us that will also keep us
on the highway. (Courtesy Enduring Word
Media)
This should be our objective.
Shalom
|
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 6 Dec 2013
|
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
||||
|
©
|
These
devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright
protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it
is for non-commercial Christian purposes
|
©
|
||||
|
INTRODUCTION
|
DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
|
THE
HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS
|
||||
|
One
of my late father’s favourite expressions was, “He is a bigger liar than Tom
Pepper”. Be that as it may, the question remains, “Who was Tom Pepper”? It is thought his
name originates from Naval Expressions (Nelson’s time), who, according to
nautical tradition, was kicked out of hell for being a bigger liar than His
Satanic Majesty! The term is mentioned by J. A. Gardner in his "Recollections,"
and appears to have been in use in 1787." If this is the case, believe
it or not, I’ve worked with one of his offspring. Sadly, during my sojourn
through this life I’ve come across many of them in English speaking Christianity.
They may still have one or two tricks to learn from their antecedents but
they are making great strides to be another Tom Pepper.
Now I certainly don’t want to
pretend to be free from lies myself. A better expression may be “economic
with truth”. What bothers me is that in the Book of Revelation we are told: 8 But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the
immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars--their fate is in the fiery lake of
burning sulphur. This is the second death."
Revelation 21:8 NLT. Now I don’t pretend
to be an expert in interpreting Revelation. But when I read this portion of
Scripture, I am drawn to the conclusion, the people cast into the lake of
fire, included Christians and non-Christians. So, if you are one of those included
in terms of this passage, the fact that you made a commitment to Jesus Christ
20 years ago is irrelevant.
The essence of this really is
where does the “work” of God cease and the “work” of man begin. Extreme
Calvinists will tell you that everything has been predestined. So if God
chose to save me, I am saved whether I want it or not. Mankind has no
influence on the decision. It’s God’s will and is irresistible. At the other
end of the scale, we have some believers who believe that they are saved by
baptism. From then on, we must live a sin free life. But logic tells us you
cannot love God or anyone else by command. Love can only be love if it comes
voluntarily from the heart. Furthermore, God could have made robots to do that.
He didn’t. He gave us freedom of choice. Freedom of choice must therefore be
inviolable. He has given it and He will not change it at all in any way. You
cannot predestine freedom of choice. That would not be freedom at all. As the
Divine Omniscient God, He knows what I will choose. But He will not “make me”
do it. I like to explain the difference in terms of giving money to God. I
can do so because He commands it. But if He touches me such that I want to
express my love for Him, my hand will go into my pocket and give Him all I
possess. Not because I have to, but because I want to express my love for Him
truthfully.
Jim &
Phyllida
Strickland
|
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are
the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Psalm 25:5 ESV
|
It’s all about our holiness and how we have behaved.
It’s all about our thought life and the things for which we’ve craved.
It’s all about our attitude and how we glorify,
The King of Kings eternal; and how we magnify,
The only One Who matters. The only One Who cares.
The only One Who loves us and listens to our prayers.
This is the truth You’ve taught us, on which we can rely.
From before time started, ‘til eternity’s passed by.
Your Word says that You knew us before we had been born.
That from Your loving fingers, we never can be torn.
Such absolute security! Above what we can think.
You are the source of everything. You are our food and drink!
The Captain of Salvation who came and looked for me
When I was more disgusting than anyone can be.
Why did you even bother? Why should you care at all?
The God of all infinity! To love someone so small
That an electron microscope would never spot a thing!
And You say I am sheltered ‘neath the shadow of Your wing.
You sent to us Your Spirit. He took us by the hand,
To lead us and to guide us, into Your Promised Land.
The One Who breathed the Scriptures into the minds of men.
Who watches us and steers us, in ways beyond our ken!
The One Who gives instruction and points the way to go.
The only One, by Whom Your truth, each one of us may know!
The “author” of the “Handbook” by which we all must live
And even when we “miss it” You say that You forgive.
What sort of Being is this? Perfect in every way!
And yet You dwell with sinful men who long to disobey!
O Lord, How do You do it! I’m sure I’d flee the scene,
If I was with a person half as bad as I have been.
But You keep persevering and getting us equipped.
When we would all have given up and some of us had “flipped”!
And later, on reflection, we see how we have grown.
In spite of all the wild oats each one of us have sown.
So lead us to that Highway where Holiness abounds.
Where sin is swiftly banished and righteousness is found.
Help us Lord to get there and from it never stray.
And all of our ambitions are focused on Your way!
Jim Strickland
Written
6th
December 2012
|
||||
|
13 But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he
will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.
He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about
to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said.
John 16:13 MSG
|
||||||
|
20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given
you His Spirit, and all of you know the truth.
1 John 2:20 NLT
|
||||||
|
20 They should go to the teachings and to the written
instructions. If people don't speak these words, it is because it doesn't
dawn on them.
Isaiah 8:20 GW
|
||||||
|
15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from
childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that
comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All
Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to
make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong
and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every
good work.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT
|
||||||
|
8 The LORD says, "I will instruct you. I will teach
you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.
Psalms 32:8 GW
|
||||||
|
22
"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for
your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.
Matthew 6:22 NLT
|
||||||
|
17 Those who want to follow the will of God will know if
what I teach is from God or if I teach my own thoughts.
John 7:17 GW
|
||||||
|
8 And
a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the
unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong
to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go
astray.
Isaiah 35:8 ESV
|
||||||
