GOD SPEAKS

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Philip 4:5

As a follower of Christ, you should know how to avoid the extremes of behavior, more particularly your anger. You know our God is slow to anger. The Bible says-The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy Psalms 103:8. If you say that you love Jesus, why do not you acquire this from the Lord? The Lord said that whoever loves me shall do all my commandments. If a man love me, he will keep my words:…John 14:23. This particular quality of behavior needs to be acquired by all who say that they are followers of Jesus. If you learn to exhibit this character in you, all those who hate you may become your friends.

Many examples can be seen in the Bible in this regard.“And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water”. Genesis 26:19 Isaac loved the Lord and was prosperous in all things he had done as the Lord was with him to bless. Therefore, in all his attempts whether digging of well or sowing seeds in the times of famine, whatever it may be, you could see he was successful as the Lord’s hand with Isaac.

The herdmen of Gerar came strove with Isaac’s herdmen, saying the water is ours. What did Isaac do then? Did he fight with them? No, he simply left the well and digged another well. The Bible says the hedmen of Gerar came and strove for that well too. Again, Isaac never preferred to strive with them and showed his moderation. He digged another well, which he called it Rehoboth because the herdmen did not come again to strive with him. His quality to slow to anger, which is the Lord’s quality, made the people of the Land to make a peace covenant with Isaac. (Read Genesis 26:19-31)

In this context, you may see two things (1) They realized that the Lord was with Isaac and Isaac was mightier than them (2) They themselves came to make a covenant of peace with Him. In other words, his enemies were become his friends. Therefore, let your moderation be known unto all men so that they can realize the power of the Lord and be drawn near to the Lord.

Involve yourselves in every single work of the Lord though it seems to be a small work unto you. You may see how Our Lord Jesus has done it and how he has set himself as an example before us. This principle seems quite opposite to the manner of this world where the people do not wish to do even a small portion of the entire work and always try to push it on the heads of the others. This can be seen in your offices, in our home, everywhere.

Look at the following verse: After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciple’s feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. John 13:5.

The Lord himself poured the water into a bason, washed the disciples’ feet and wiped them. Could not He ask the help of his disciples before He had started this work? Will they say- “no” if he asks? You may see that he himself poured the water into the basin! Why? This is an example to you and me. Taking up the work of the Lord and involving your selves in every stage of the completion of the work is really a great attitude which our Lord likes much. Do you really like to do His work? If yes, do you wish to involve yourself at every small stage of His work?

Do the work of the Lord with all your heart. Most of the people differentiate the work. They differentiate by assigning values to the work they do. They see how they shall be considered by the others if they do such work. They cannot see the dignity of the work. This happens in this world. On the contrary, the principles of the Lord are different. He does not see what work you do in His name. He sees how you do it with your heart. For God, there is no distinction between a great work and a small work. For Him, the work done with all your heart is most important. Lord began to wash the disciple’s feet. Washing the feet of others seems to be very humiliating work by this world. But the Lord did it! Why? Whatever may be His work, if you really make your heart ready to do His work, it shall be a great blessing. He that humbles shall be exalted is theme of the Bible.In this regard, consider how He humbled himself before His disciples? Are you greater than your Master Jesus? Then, why do not humble before the world for His name? Do everything though it seems very small thing in your sight or in the sight of the world.

Finally, He wiped the feet with the towel. Learn to complete the work assigned to you. Most of us get excited to start a new project. But how many of them do really finish it? Here, the Lord ended His work by wiping the feet of the disciples with the towel? If He leaves without wiping them, will not they get dry? Is there any necessity to wipe them all with His towel? Yes, it is better to complete a work than to start a work. In this regard, read this verse- Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luke 14:30. Do you have this attitude to complete His work though the circumstances seem to be difficult to proceed further? Learn from the Lord to finish the work assigned to you. Know and ask Him for which you are appointed on this earth.

But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. Revelation 2:25.

Do you know what you have already? After you are saved by the Lord Jesus, you should know what the Lord has given to you as you need to take care of such things throughout your journey on this earth.  As most of us unaware of these things, they might lose them. It is better to say our enemy may steal them from you! Let us see some of the things the Lord has granted to you.

In this connection, the following verse may be considered an example to understand what the Lord has granted to you.. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet : Luke 15:22. We know that each letter of the Bible has its own significance and spiritual meaning too.

In the context of the above parable, the father has given three important things to his prodigal son. These are given to him after his son has repented for his rebellion (or disobedience to his father) against his father.

1. The best robe
2. A ring to his hand
3. Shoes to his feet

If we take this verse or context of the parable from the spiritual point of view, it tells us what the Lord has granted to you after you have repented for your sins and accepted the Lord as your savior.

Let us see in detail:

1. The best robe:

This robe represents the garment of salvation and the wedding garment. It has been given to you when you have accepted him as your savior.                                                        If you are unaware of this fact, it is purely your own ignorance and you are only responsible to answer His questions during his visitation. It is not possible to enter the kingdom of God with the garment of salvation.

In this connection, it is relevant to read this verse: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment : and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment ? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness ; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 22: 11-13.

Here we need to understand that church, wherein you are a member, is going to marry the Lamb. We all wait for this great occasion. You are part of the marriage. You need the wedding garment to be part of this. This is the reason for his asking a man who has no wedding garment. The Bible says-Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Revelation 19: 7-8.

Therefore, it is important —

1. To know that you are given a garment of salvation/wedding garment
2. You need to keep this garment with you till you reach His kingdom. In this connection, read this verse- Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his  garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Revelation 16: 15.
3. If you do not keep this with you, he may ask you – Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment ? And he was speechless. Matthew 22: 11-13.

 2.A ring to his hand:

Ring from the father represents his delegation of the authority. Sometimes, it may also mean full authority granted as a representative. In this regard, read this verse: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck ; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had ; and they cried before him, Bow the knee : and he made him ruler over  all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-43. In this verse, you may see the symbolic meaning of the ring given by the King Pharaoh to Joseph.  It conveys the transfer of authority. If the earthly king gives a ring to a mortal man means transfer of authority, how much more does it mean when the King of Kings gives it you? and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:6.

The father of the prodigal son has given the ring to him. This would mean that the son has regained his lost authority to be with his father. To live in a king’s house as an heir, you need to be his son or daughter. You know you have become his heir. (And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son ; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6-7).  It is generally accepted that son of king has the authority too.

Therefore, you should not lose this authority given to you to be an heir in the kingdom of God. Never lose your Ring of authority to be HIS heir!

3.Shoes to his feet

In the context verse, the prodigal son is ready to do any work under the sun. In fact, after he has left his Father, He has lost everything he has! He is even ready to work under Satan. This can be seen in this verse: And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. Luke 15: 15. Usually, the swine is said to be unclean animal and uncleanness represents the Devil. In this regard, read this verse: And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you : ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. Deuteronomy 14: 8.

But the same prodigal son, after his repentance, has been given shoes to his feet. Usually, we put on shoes when we go out but not when we come into house. In this context, the son has been given shoes while he is coming into his father’s house. Therefore, the shoes have their own significance. Shoes represent your readiness to do His work. Read this verse: and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace Ephesians 6: 15. This tells us that you are also given shoes and have the responsibility to work for His gospel. The same prodigal son, who has worked to feed the swine, now has to do his father’s work. Therefore, it can be understood that you are also given shoes to do his work to spread the gospel. From the above, it may be understood how important to know and keep all that the Lord has given to you!