Section C: God’s Truth and You
In this Know Your Bible Correspondence Course, much has been taught by the Scriptures. Possibly many of these lessons brought back to your mind old truths long forgotten and truths which are very familiar. In addition, you have learned other truths which may be entirely new to you. The important question now is how to relate to these truths. We hope that throughout these lessons you have followed the example of the noble Bereans when new truths were brought to your attention. The Bereans did not close their minds, nor did they just unquestioningly accept the teachings presented to them. They “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11
But searching the Scriptures and accepting truth because it is truth is still not sufficient. The Lord calls for a decision which translates into action. Some people find decision making very difficult. Many like to maintain the status quo. A true child of God will not have such feelings. He will want to grow and develop spiritually. He or she wants daily to have a closer walk with Christ.
Many times throughout history God has called for a firm decision. One of these occasions occurred when Elijah challenged the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel, with all the people of Israel present. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow Him. And the people answered him not a word.” 1 Kings 18:21. At that point it was not popular to worship God – in fact, it almost never is! Each person waited for the other one to acknowledge the true God. Elijah stood alone.
Often God”s people have had to stand alone – apparently with the entire world against them. But in their standing alone, the history of the entire world has also been changed! The ungodly virtually owe their existence to God’s faithful few who have made the decision to serve Him regardless of the earthly consequences. See Genesis 18:20-32.
No person can afford to procrastinate when Christ’s voice is speaking to him. The Lord calls for decisive action. “To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts,…” Hebrews 3:15. Tomorrow may be forever too late!
The story is told of a young girl who attended some public lectures. Afterward she talked to the minister, who encouraged her to give her heart to Christ. “Oh,” she said, “I still want to enjoy life a while! I don’t want to give my heart to Christ now!” The minister entreated her in vain, reminding her, “Today, if ye hear His voice…”
The girl returned home and went to bed but found no rest. The minister’s appeal kept ringing in her ears – Today, today! After some time, when she could find no rest, she arose; taking a piece of paper, she wrote, “In three years, I will give my heart to Christ.” Returning to bed, she thought surely now she could get to sleep. But sleep refused to come. At last she arose, crossed out the “3” and wrote “2” above it. Still no rest! Always, ‘Today, today!” kept ringing in her ears. Again and again she got out of bed, crossed out what she had written before, and wrote a shorter time period – 6 months, 1 month, 1 week. At last, distraught and exhausted, she scribbled, “Tomorrow I will give my heart to Christ!” Falling into bed, she at last fell asleep.
In the morning the girl was to go to work. As usual, her mother knocked on her door to awaken her. Receiving no answer, she knocked again louder. Still no sound. She opened the door, and there in bed she found her daughter – dead. Even tomorrow was too late!
How sad the record is of King Agrippa after he had heard the gospel message from Paul. Paul called upon him to make a decision. “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Acts 26:27,28. Almost is not enough! To be almost a Christian is to be no Christian at all. To refuse to accept all the truth God has revealed to you will bring spiritual disaster. No one is as unhappy as the one who knows what is right but is unwilling to fully yield his heart to Christ.
Indecision is like a dull knife which hacks and tears and leaves behind ragged edges. Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight. Often we are like the turtle that withdraws into his shell; as long as he remains in the shell, he will never get ahead. So it is in the Christian life. Step out in faith now, never doubting the Lord’s guidance. ”
…Without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that His is, and that He is a rewarded of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.
The Spirit once came to an innocent child
With pleading and tender tone;
“Dear little one, let Me come into your heart,
And make it forever My own.”
“Oh, Spirit,” he cried, “please go away;
For childhood is only for fun and play;
Some other day, some other day,
When I am older I’ll bid Thee stay.”
The Spirit came back to the fair, stalwart youth,
With loving and tender plea:
“The harvest is ready, there’s work to be done,
Arise, God is calling for thee.”
“Oh, Spirit,” he cried, “leave me, I pray,
The pleasures of earth hold me in their sway;
Some other day, some other day,
Then, Holy Spirit, I’ll bid Thee stay.”
The Spirit plead thus with the toil weary man,
“Make haste while God’s grace shall last;
The years are adorning with silver thy brow,
Thy days are now slipping by fast.”
“Oh, Spirit,” he cried, “I should obey,
But I am too busy and tired to pray;
Some other day, some other day;
When I have time I will bid Thee stay.”
The aged man leans on his frail, trembling staff
With quivering, bitter sigh:
“I’ve wasted a lifetime in sin,” he cried,
“And now I am going to die:
The Spirit, long slighted, has flown away;
No hope and no God, now I cannot pray;
No other day, no other day;
The Holy spirit Has gone to stay.”
–Gertrude Manly Jones
If you have not done so already, give your heart fully to Christ today. Follow, obey, and live – for eternity!