Help

There are 107 verses in the Old Testament that contain ‘help.’ Forty of those verses are in the Psalms alone. Only ten verses with that word are found in the New Testament.

We all need help along the way. David was never too proud to ask for it, as Pastor read from one of his psalms last night:

Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (Psalms 12:1 KJV)

It appears that way today, as we hear of churches closing or splits within denominations. One such denomination was in the news last night. Separation within the American portion of the Anglican Communion has ended up in secular courts, one side requesting secular help in determining a religious question.

Paul wrote against this specifically:

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? (1 Corinthians 6:1 KJV)

Paul then goes into the Christian’s job description:

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:2-3 KJV)

(There! Did you see it again? That verse that piqued my curiosity in a previous post? I do have to come back to the training for that one of these days.)

Back to the subject – I believe one of the main reasons for these separations is a lack of adherence to scriptures defining the New Testament church. Had the denomination in question held to the scriptures, part of their congregations would not have left. But the groundwork is laid when portions of the Bible are deemed unusable in today’s society; when church leaders believe societal changes are more important than following God’s word.

Has God changed? Or have people simply decided that following Him is not worth their time. Most people have determined that God may exist, therefore acknowledge and say He is worshipped, but don’t let that interfere with what feels good. Above all, don’t offend anyone by saying God sets limits. Never exclude. Quote John 3:16, hold fast to John 3:17, but ignore:

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18 KJV)

I believe Paul was being rhetorical when asking about wise men:

I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (1 Corinthians 6:5 KJV)

Don’t be ashamed – seek God’s help before seeking man’s.