My Utmost for His Highest
All men would be tyrants if they could - “James Madison”
I am reading a fascinating book called the “Founders Speech” by Stephen Raab that is 147 pages of only direct quotes and speeches by our founding fathers i.e., Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, and many others. The Founding Fathers of our Constitution wrote something significant when designing the articles of our republic. Because they studied human nature based upon the foundation of the Bible, they realized that men and women’s passions override reason. They knew of the depravity of man and studied Democracies in past history, including the ancient Greeks who were tyrannical and used the democratic rule of majority to crush the minority of the other side once they had power.
George Washington and Alexander Hamilton both stated that “government is needed because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.” Simply stated, “the passions of men are commonly more potent than their reason. James Madison wrote, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” The best form of government is an absolute dictatorship where the Supreme Ruler is full of grace, mercy and truth, unconditional love, perfectly righteous, and just. ONLY God in Jesus Christ qualifies for this role. “And the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
The disciples had a “holy huddle” mentality in view of God’s work. "We’re the only ones that are really doing anything for God around here." Jesus responded in verse 41, If you have given a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.”
While the disciples were building walls, erecting hierarchies and in fighting over who is the greatest, Jesus cut off any temptation to minimize the size of someone’s works. Some will show their sincere faith in Jesus in great ways, but genuine faith can also be seen in simple acts of faith like sharing a cup of water with someone in need. We also must be careful not to look down on or minimize any genuine work of faith.
Jesus understood that Man’s selfish passions are stronger than his reason if not constrained and checked by a power greater than himself. We many times cause others to “stumble” who are weak in their faith. (Mark 9:42)
I Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Jesus' point is that we must deal ruthlessly with sin in our lives, cutting off the harmful practices in our lives. The hand may symbolize what we do; the foot, where we go; and the eye, what we see. He is saying to us that if there are practices in our lives that drag us down, we must cut them off through self-denial and self-discipline. We must not only not cause our brother to stumble, but we must also not cause ourselves to stumble.
In verse 50, the disciples are described like salt, as a source of life and health, as a preservative. It is a portrayal of us as disciples making an impact on society—preserving it, exerting a purifying influence, and enriching it.
Have we become tasteless? Some things to consider:
· Are our eyes are filled with the same trash of the world?
· Do our feet walk the same bad paths of the world?
· Do our hands grasp for the same things of worldly desires?
· What use is salt that has lost its saltiness?
Lyrics “He will Hold me Fast “– Selah – Words and Music by Keith and Kristyn Getty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unLKmJJPExk
~ Steve Byers and his wife Debbie have lived in the Charlotte area since 2017 and have been attending LIFE Fellowship for six years. Steve is a musician and songwriter and sings in the Oxygen Choir. Steve and Debbie, have one son, Josh and a daughter-in-law, Avery. They are grand parents to Jaxon and Grayson.