Refer to the Manual
We depend on manuals, or handbooks, for many different things. In time we may get to know a manual’s instructions by heart; yet in the beginning we may carefully read every word.
If you are working for a company of any significant size, you may have an employee handbook. This handbook is a type of manual. It will list conditions of pay or benefits, give you dress codes, and tell you what conduct is expected. Some company handbooks will simply instruct you to refer to the manual when it comes to performing certain tasks.
When cooking at home, the recipe becomes a type of manual. A good recipe will instruct which ingredients you will need, and in what certain amounts. They may tell when to add ingredients, how to mix to a particular consistency, and how long to bake at what specific temperature. Many experienced cooks know favorite recipes by heart, and have learned to enhance the food (for flavor or health) by making small alterations. Yet the beginning cook would be well-advised to regularly refer to the manual to ensure a favorable outcome.
Automobiles come with manuals (when new). This information is absolutely vital for the correct maintenance and repair of the car. To find out what is the right part for your car, refer to the manual for that information.
My favorite manuals, by far, are those particularly needed for the home assembly of a product. Most of them are very good, but others leave you struggling to cope with the project! Sometimes the information is missing a step, sometimes parts may be missing. Human beings are flawed, so mistakes will be made.
When I am building furniture like this (made to be assembled by customer), I diligently refer to the manual. Even though I have some experience in such work, I will first and foremost refer to the manual. Why should I do this? Why not just use my existing knowledge to assemble it the way that I am familiar with ?
The creator of this “home assembly” type furniture designed it to be put together in a certain way. Specific parts go in particular places, in a sequence that makes it easier overall. Though all my thinking may be logical, and even have been successful in other situations, it simply will not fit the creator’s scheme. Even if the end result seems to work out, it will have fallen short of the creator’s intention.
It is just the same with the home assembly furniture, as it is to live a life pleasing to our own creator. To gain correct, solid instruction, we must continually refer to the manual (the Bible; see Acts 17:11). We will not be perfect, by any means! As we are growing in Christ, at times we will only find parts of what the Bible may have to say regarding a particular subject. We need to seek the Lord diligently through prayer and scripture study. We dare not trust our feelings or intentions (Jeremiah 17:9), nor should we simply accept the word of a highly esteemed leader (I John 4:1), nor evaluate ourselves in comparison to some peer (II Corinthians 10:12). We need the connected guidance of the Holy Spirit and God’s holy Word (I John 2:27, II Timothy 3:16,17).
Listen to what George Mueller, that man of great faith who lived in the 19th century, has to say about the combined leading of God’s Spirit and Word; “I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the scriptures and never contrary to them.” This is taken from the Moody Classic book, Answers to Prayer, page 11.
Even with all this having been said, we live today in an age of “anything goes” Christianity. Though most who profess to know Christ would agree with my “refer to the manual” assessment, extremely rare are those who actually practice it! They more or less believe that God will accept them when they are sincere and mean well, regardless of the ways in which their actions might contradict the Word of God. These do not take instruction from God. Instead, they are telling God to accept them in what they choose to do (Proverbs 21:2). Respect for the “manual” of God’s Word has been lost!
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Isaiah 66:1,2
This disregard for the manual of God’s Word is being brought forth even by the leadership within the organized church. These false teachers are promoting another gospel; one that is pleasing to the flesh, and will keep the money flowing. Scripture warns us of such men repeatedly.
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:32
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. II Timothy 4:3,4
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. II Peter 2:1-3
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4
Some time ago, we found an interesting article on-line, which included a video interview with the church pastor. This “church” was promoting attendance through a type of prize giveaway on a Sunday morning! I did not catch the full list of prizes, but a new car, and a big screen TV were among them! Yes, many people do outrageous things in the name of the Lord, and expect God’s blessing (Matthew 7:21-23). Before continuing, let me acknowledge my lack of specific information here. I saw the interview with the pastor, but I would not fuel gossip by providing specific details of identification. His judgment is in God’s Hands. I would use this example primarily as a warning to the Lord’s true flock. I will refer to this pastor by the pseudonym Ichabod (I Samuel 4:21).
When the Bible refers to the church, it is referencing a spiritual body of believers (John 4:23) which have been “called out” of the world. Today many refer to the organized church (a man made establishment) as the church spoken of within the New Testament; nothing could be further from the truth1 As the Lord knows each individual heart, there could possibly be elements of the true church within an organized church, but this does not sanctify the institution. Only too often these organizations are great examples of disobedience and unbelief, even among true followers of Christ. We have been told not to be unequally yoked together with unbelief (II Corinthians 6:14). This unbelief would be reflected in the spiritual fruit that each individual is bringing forth, and NOT in what they are claiming to be!
Jesus plainly sent His disciples into the world. They were to preach the gospel, and make new disciples. These new disciples were then free to gather with the other true disciples in fellowship, which was always done simply in the various homes of the believers (Acts 2:46, Romans 16:5, I Corinthians 1:11, 16:19, Colossians 4:15). Please don’t be confused by the reference to the “temple.” The early church began as Jews, and continued to gather in the temple or synagogues for a time. Yet ultimately the Jews/Israel rejected Christ as the messiah, and persecuted true believers—their days in the temple were short lived!
Pastor Ichabod sought a large attendance at his church through this event. He invited the world at large into this place of worship, and expected about 8,000 people to come that day! I do not know what the ordinary attendance is for this church, but is must be quite large, because there did not seem to be an issue with the seating capacity. Suffice it to say, this giveaway probably stood to double the ordinary church attendance for a Sunday morning.
It was doubtless a financial windfall for this church, among other benefits (such as favorable media attention). Church members were directly responsible for providing the items for this giveaway, so any offering increase due to the attendance would all be on the plus side for the church establishment!
Jesus sent His disciples into the world (Mark 16:15), and promised that miraculous signs would follow them (Mark 16:17,18). Then when those disciples went forth and preached, the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word with those signs that followed (Mark 16:20). Can you see the problems which arise? Instead of going forth and preaching, making disciples, the professing church invites the world into its body; this is forbidden by the Word! Those claiming to follow Christ are being further corrupted by the unequal yoke they have placed themselves in bondage to. The powerful signs of Christ’s presence have left; Jesus is no longer working with them, for He is no longer the Lord of their lives!
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. I Corinthians 5:11-13
It is almost beyond comprehension that Ichabod could be so spiritually blind. Is he actually trying to promote new life in Christ by joining it with material prosperity? Brethren, this cannot be so! We find in Ichabod “an heart exercised with covetous practices”; a cursed child who has forsaken the right way and gone astray. “Following the way of Baalim the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;” See II Peter 2:14 & 15, with reference to the story found in Numbers 22:21-41.
The Bible plainly tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10), and that we are to be “content with food and raiment” (I Timothy 6:8). What message are you conveying to non-believers? Jesus said that we should consider ourselves unprofitable servants, and simply to do our obedient duty (Luke 17:10). Could Ichabod preach a message on being an unprofitable servant after he had bribed you into his congregation? It would be a house built upon the sand, and doomed to collapse! See Matthew 7:24-27. Let’s look now at several other Biblical applications to this situation.
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. Deuteronomy 18:9
God’s people are a peculiar people. Our striving is not a dependence on our own might, but rather striving to rest in God’s might; we hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Why imitate the prize-winning contests of the world? This is bad spiritual fruit!
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5
Ichabod’s “outreach” to the community is based upon trust in the arm of flesh; I thought we were to teach the unsaved to trust in the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7)! Morally bankrupt America does not need one more prize giveaway—it isn’t offering the lost anything of lasting, eternal value.
Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane,… Ezekiel 22:26a
God doesn’t work in the way of the world. Our own faith is proven when we trust in the ways of the unseen Lord of creation (Hebrews 11:1-3). Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us that there is “nothing new under the sun.” Ichabod’s violation of God’s law, putting no difference between the holy and profane, was also seen among God’s priests (mouth-professing) thousands of years ago!
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6
Those who reject the laws of God, and the knowledge He has given them, will ultimately be rejected by that same God they claim to serve! Bible colleges and seminaries are today teaching their students to reject God’s law. This has led to a kind of “anything goes” Christianity, which we see being promoted in these last days.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24
Pastor Ichabod clearly is serving and trusting in mammon (false god of riches). He did not evangelize according to Christ’s instructions, and used the unsaved world’s greedy methods in trying to bring about something “good.” We know who Ichabod’s master is!
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Jesus makes it a point to tell us that when we seek God and His righteousness first, all that we need will be supplied to us. The preceding verses even show us to not “lay up” treasures on the earth, or to go about working to provide for ourselves. God wants us to depend upon Him for all our needs, and not to work and scheme in our own might and wisdom.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13,14
Is Ichabod’s way broad, or narrow? Wouldn’t anyone like to win a new car? In Biblical terms, the majority is always wrong. Trusting God for provision would be the narrow way of faith; which Jesus indicated would be nearly extinct at the time of His return (Luke 18:8).
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
To “come after” Jesus means self denial; and the hard way of the cross. We receive great blessings in our walk here with the Lord, but eternal life through Christ is what it’s all about! Persecution and ridicule will abide with us here. If all of your earthly acquaintances hold you in high regard, there is something wrong!
So then tell me; how is winning a prize an appropriate motivation, in leading to the self-denial taught by our Savior? It simply cannot be! This verse is echoed also in Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23. It is important.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luke 16:25
Received “good” things—like a car! Luke 6:24 tells the rich that they have already received their consolation! This story emphasizes such a point. The consequences are eternal.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Acts 8:18-21
Simon was a convert who envied the “gift of God” which he saw working in the apostles’ lives. He even offered them money so that he (Simon) could have this power! Bad move, brother Simon…
While some may say that this example shouldn’t apply to Ichabod, I believe the principle is the same, even if the circumstance differs. You would think that ultimately, Ichabod would want salvation and the Holy Spirit to come to the new church attendees, right? Isn’t he trying to purchase that, with the bribe of a prize? Ichabod’s “heart is not right in this matter.”
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8
If we are in the flesh, we cannot please God. This is simple and direct! We need to reject all our fleshly wisdom and tendencies, to lay hold of what Christ has for us.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Developing a prize giveaway to attract church attendees is clearly conforming to the world and its ways. Salvation in Christ ought to bring about a transformation in thoughts and values (II Corinthians 5:17). Our love and reverence for God should motivate us to refer to the manual for instruction.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. II Corinthians 6:17
Come out and be separate. Stop returning to your old lifestyles and worldly ways, whenever you see fit. God wants us to be a holy people, and that means a separation from the world.
There will no doubt be some among you that would defend this giveaway, by rationalizing that perhaps some people attending had a real need for a car. Herein lies a great problem; if one, or a few, had a true and desperate need for a car, why were they subjected to taking long-shot chances in a prize drawing? Shouldn’t the church instead have worked to discover and meet the needs around them? This could have happened, had the church actually fulfilled the great commission!
This is a whole other aspect of this affair. I can’t help but wonder, where is the oft-admonished giving to the poor? Meeting the needs of food, clothing, and medical bills would all be legitimate extensions of Jesus Christ to the world surrounding this “church.”
The Bible tells us that “…in the last days…men would be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters…” See II Timothy 3:1 & 2. Self-love was plainly evident throughout this giveaway. It was done in convenience, motivated by men coveting status and money (large offerings), and plainly led to boasting in their own wisdom—a form of godliness which denied God’s power! We are instructed to turn away from such men.
Naaman the Syrian sought out Elisha the prophet, for the healing of his leprosy. He wasn’t thrilled about the instructions he had to follow—but he denied himself and obeyed! Once healed, no compensation was received by Elisha for the Lord’s work. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, deceitfully tried to take profit for himself, and suffered the consequences. Just look at these excerpts from II Kings chapter 5;
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused…And he said unto him (Gehazi), Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? II Kings 5:15,16…26
Not only did Ichabod truly not meet needs, but I have little doubt that he took much money from those who were needy!
John 5:1-9: This impotent man was deperate. Suffering for some 38 years, he continued to pin his hope on the healing touch of an angel, who would trouble a pool of water; he just could never get there in time! This man needed Jesus to come and touch him to be made whole. Brethren, aren’t we supposed to be as our Lord Jesus to the world around us? It is an easy observation for me to make; that those who were most in need, had no way to get to Ichabod’s church!
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:34-40
Aren’t these verses telling us to go into the world and meet needs? To have genuine charity and compassion toward our fellow men? Yes, Ichabod’s church may have some programs that are geared along these lines; but should he not have continued in obedience to Biblical instruction, rather than forging a path in conformity to the sinful world around us?
The Bible is rich with instruction regarding the poor, and our treatment of them. If you were to go into the world, you could with certainty meet the needs of the poor around you (material and spiritual; James 2:15,16; I John 3:18). There is really no intention of meeting needs, when it is being done through a random prize drawing. And as we have seen, it is also not possible to promote true salvation by attaching it to temporary, material good. What if this church had used the funds for these prizes for real service to those around them—like Jesus going to the impotent man at the sheep pool? What if they “did not their alms before men”, to be seen of them? What was done was only a gimmick, granting to them a favorable, short-lived notoriety among men. Here are just a few of the scriptures we are given in regard to the poor;
If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Deuteronomy 15:7,8
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Proverbs 14:21
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Proverbs 22:9
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isaiah 58:6,7
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. Daniel 4:27
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matthew 19:21
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. Luke 19:8,9
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Galatians 2:10
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? James 2:5
Brethren, we need to remember that “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”—Proverbs 16:25. I’m sure that to his congregation, pastor Ichabod is mostly a well-beloved man. Yet like so many of this last generation, he has chosen not to “refer to the manual” with obedient fear and trembling (see Isaiah 66:1-5). So do not be like him! Let Jesus be your Lord, and follow Him as sincerely as possible according to His Word. While yet trapped in our corrupt flesh, we will but “see through a glass darkly”; but grace and mercy through Christ will uphold us!
Our God has provided and preserved for us His Word, which is to be our manual. Refer to it often through the Holy Spirit, to receive instruction unstained by the corruption of men’s thoughts.
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48
WARNING: To avoid Satan’s snares and deceptions, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will tend to bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.
Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.
Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Word of God section and the section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security.