Not So Lord

		*Crying In the Wilderness* *Web Ministry*
Home Reference Articles/Sermons		Not so Lord As Christians, it often appears that we can be the hardest and least ready to forgive. As the scriptures teach us plainly, after the Lord had sent Peter to the house of Cornelius on the Authority and direction of the Holy Spirit, they that were of the circumcision contended with him. They that were of the circumcision represent legalism. While we have the precious Word of God as our roadmap, instruction, guideline, and while His Word is infallible, we must never forget that our interpretation of His Word is not. Often times in my journey, I've thought that I had it all figured out just exactly as God intended only to find out I couldn't be more wrong. Now, we all have a right to our opinion but with this comes another privilege, the right to be wrong. The one constant that I've found, the one precept that I've never been wrong using is this, if God bears witness of the song, prayer, testimony or sermon with His Holy Spirit, He is pleased with it. You shouldn't judge it, criticize it, speak against it or try to improve on it. I've encountered many that seem to be just as the circumcision was in Peter's day. God could send them one of the greatest blessings ever but if didn't come wrapped up in the traditions and the legalisms their fathers taught them, they would do as Peter did on the rooftop and say "not so Lord". Fortunately, after Peter replied to God "not so Lord", Peter heeded when God said in Acts 11:9; "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" and Peter was obedient as indicated when he said in Acts 11:12; "And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting". That is the part that I've witnessed lacking in so many Churches today and among so many of God's children. Now as you read this, you might think that I'm too modern or I have an ulterior motive, or maybe I'm trying to justify myself and exalt my status. That almost appears to be the same way the circumcision was treating Peter. As we read further, although it was Peter that the Lord used to first preach the unsearchable riches of Christ unto the Gentiles, one would get the impression that he did allow the circumcision to hinder him. Let's look at how Peter and the Apostles received Paul's report concerning the gentiles when he came to Jerusalem. Acts 11:18; "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Now, being a child of God, I believe that rejoicing and glorifying God should have preceded anything as wonderful as the news that God had visited the Gentiles for this meant redemption in reach of all and demonstrated how immeasurable God's love and power truly is. I do notice how my brother Paul withstood Peter when he came to Antioch. Let's look at Galatians 2:11 and 2:12 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision." Here we see Peter, the first that God sent to the Gentiles but when he faced the circumcision, you get the impression that he was not as bold as was common to his personality. Now I believe that we've all fell short in this same area. If it's outside the normal, if it's something that you haven't seen done before, if it's something that folks might think you strange, it's easy to follow Peter's example. We should be like Peter was earlier when he and John were warned not to speak in Jesus' name. Peter was bold and said "we ought to obey God rather than man." If God calls, you should just follow that calling nothing doubting. Romans 11:29; "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." As God's children we should always remember Acts 11:9; "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common". I mentioned earlier how I believe the circumcision hindered Peter and I must confess, I've let them hinder me as well. One thing to remember, the circumcision did not save you, call you, carry you, care for you, feed you, guide you and will not raise you up in the last day. If God instructs you, do not fear the circumcision, do not fear the legalists, do not fear the status quo for none of these are the beginning of wisdom such as the fear of the Lord. Peter being hindered, as I believe, we see the Apostle Paul shortly becomes the focus of the book of Acts. We also find that Paul is called the Apostle of the Gentiles, Romans 11:13 "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:" I will make a statement now that may be contrary to some of your beliefs but I can't help that. If we don't perform that God has called us for, He will raise someone else to do so. You will remember how the Pharisees or circumcision if you will, admonished the Lord to rebuke His disciples as our Lord entered into Jerusalem before He suffered. My Master replied in Luke 19:40; "And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Now if you are not willing, if you are not obedient, you will suffer but God will still complete the mission! In parting let us remember, when God speaks to us, we should be most careful not to make the mistake that Peter did. We should never say "not so Lord". Yeah, rather, we should say "here am I Lord, send me."

Crying In the Wilderness

Web Ministry

Not so Lord

As Christians, it often appears that we can be the hardest and least ready to forgive. As the scriptures teach us plainly, after the Lord had sent Peter to the house of Cornelius on the Authority and direction of the Holy Spirit, they that were of the circumcision contended with him. They that were of the circumcision represent legalism. While we have the precious Word of God as our roadmap, instruction, guideline, and while His Word is infallible, we must never forget that our interpretation of His Word is not. Often times in my journey, I've thought that I had it all figured out just exactly as God intended only to find out I couldn't be more wrong.

Now, we all have a right to our opinion but with this comes another privilege, the right to be wrong. The one constant that I've found, the one precept that I've never been wrong using is this, if God bears witness of the song, prayer, testimony or sermon with His Holy Spirit, He is pleased with it. You shouldn't judge it, criticize it, speak against it or try to improve on it. I've encountered many that seem to be just as the circumcision was in Peter's day. God could send them one of the greatest blessings ever but if didn't come wrapped up in the traditions and the legalisms their fathers taught them, they would do as Peter did on the rooftop and say "not so Lord". Fortunately, after Peter replied to God "not so Lord", Peter heeded when God said in Acts 11:9; "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" and Peter was obedient as indicated when he said in Acts 11:12; "And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting". That is the part that I've witnessed lacking in so many Churches today and among so many of God's children.

Now as you read this, you might think that I'm too modern or I have an ulterior motive, or maybe I'm trying to justify myself and exalt my status. That almost appears to be the same way the circumcision was treating Peter. As we read further, although it was Peter that the Lord used to first preach the unsearchable riches of Christ unto the Gentiles, one would get the impression that he did allow the circumcision to hinder him. Let's look at how Peter and the Apostles received Paul's report concerning the gentiles when he came to Jerusalem. Acts 11:18; "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Now, being a child of God, I believe that rejoicing and glorifying God should have preceded anything as wonderful as the news that God had visited the Gentiles for this meant redemption in reach of all and demonstrated how immeasurable God's love and power truly is.

I do notice how my brother Paul withstood Peter when he came to Antioch. Let's look at Galatians 2:11 and 2:12 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision." Here we see Peter, the first that God sent to the Gentiles but when he faced the circumcision, you get the impression that he was not as bold as was common to his personality. Now I believe that we've all fell short in this same area. If it's outside the normal, if it's something that you haven't seen done before, if it's something that folks might think you strange, it's easy to follow Peter's example. We should be like Peter was earlier when he and John were warned not to speak in Jesus' name. Peter was bold and said "we ought to obey God rather than man."

If God calls, you should just follow that calling nothing doubting. Romans 11:29; "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." As God's children we should always remember Acts 11:9; "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common". I mentioned earlier how I believe the circumcision hindered Peter and I must confess, I've let them hinder me as well. One thing to remember, the circumcision did not save you, call you, carry you, care for you, feed you, guide you and will not raise you up in the last day. If God instructs you, do not fear the circumcision, do not fear the legalists, do not fear the status quo for none of these are the beginning of wisdom such as the fear of the Lord. Peter being hindered, as I believe, we see the Apostle Paul shortly becomes the focus of the book of Acts. We also find that Paul is called the Apostle of the Gentiles, Romans 11:13 "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:" I will make a statement now that may be contrary to some of your beliefs but I can't help that. If we don't perform that God has called us for, He will raise someone else to do so. You will remember how the Pharisees or circumcision if you will, admonished the Lord to rebuke His disciples as our Lord entered into Jerusalem before He suffered. My Master replied in Luke 19:40; "And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Now if you are not willing, if you are not obedient, you will suffer but God will still complete the mission!

In parting let us remember, when God speaks to us, we should be most careful not to make the mistake that Peter did. We should never say "not so Lord". Yeah, rather, we should say "here am I Lord, send me."