John Wayne Was Not A Hebrew

[dave c]

simpletruth #138i Re-Written 12May10 salicart@msn.com

HOSEA 10:12—Part Nine: John Wayne Was Not A Hebrew

by rev. dave c

Hosea 10:12, Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you (NKJV).

I have now spent a lot of ink discussing the first four words of Hosea 10:12 as the key verse for this series. I pray that we are allowing the Holy Spirit to drive deep into our hearts God’s Law of the Harvest: We reap what we sow, and we sow what we reap—trust God to multiply what we are sowing and reaping. Additionally, we have learned that the Bible speaks of four factors that effect our sowing: 1) What are we sowing? 2) Where are we sowing? 3) How much are we sowing? And, 4) Why are we sowing? Several times we have referenced Second Corinthians, Chapter 9, verses 6 and 7—and Paul’s thought is finished in verses 8 through 11 regarding the purposes of sowing generously; that is, giving generously from a joyful heart:

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2Co 9; NIV).

Please keep in mind that this letter is being written to the Church at Corinth, and by extension to the Church Universal. God is saying through Paul that the fellowship will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. It is not a promise to the individuals belonging to the fellowship that they will each become personally wealthy. Back in Chapter 8:13-15 of Second Corinthians we are told, Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality; as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. (NIV)"

Our culture teaches and honors a spirit of independence that makes it difficult for us to enter into God’s will for the Church to function as a literal family. This is the “John Wayne Syndrome” for old school folks, or “Vin Diesel” for the new. “I don’t need anybody for anything—I’ll do it, and I’ll do it my way.” Proud, fierce, and defiant...these are the characteristics of a man’s man, of entertainment’s bad boy heroes...and of Satan as described in Isaiah 14:13&14. This is not the way God designed us when He said, “Let us make man in our image and in our likeness...” (Ge 1:26). God, Himself, is three persons Who is one in perfect love, communication, and discernment. The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone..." (Ge 2:18; NIV). We are each created to exhibit the very nature of God...within a community. We are designed to be social creatures.

First John 2:15-17 commands us, Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (NIV). While we are not created to be independent of one another, these verses definitely instruct us to be independent of World systems. In Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul makes it perfectly clear what God’s will is for us as members of Christ’s Body and Bride: As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (NIV).

God’s promise to His children is that through the Church there will be a sufficiency to meet our needs when our individual harvest is lacking, IF we are joined with, committed to, and united in an obedient fellowship of Believers. I may be a great eye ball, but of what use am I unless I am in place and connected to the body. It is through the Body that I receive life sustaining blood and it is through the Body’s nervous system that I can effectively send and receive messages to the Head, which is Jesus Christ. The Son of God may be able to keep a dismembered body part alive, but that part is unable to do the work for which He created it. If we will humbly obey His commands by accepting our place within the corporate Body...We will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ep 4:15&16, NIV).

[dolfan]

Good word, Dave.