Bible Thoughts

September 12, 2004

"Take away the dross from the silver, and there comethforth a vessel for the refiner"(Proverbs 25:4).

The cleansing of a metal will make it suitable for trade and for wearing. With the appropriate refinement, an ugly piece of ore can become a valuable jewel. It cannot be as it should be unless the dross("worthless material"), is removed from the object. The Book of God has the directions to cleanse the soul of any "dross." The alien sinner can take away the sins(dross) through obedience to the gospel of Christ in becoming a Christian and resolving to live a life that is pleasing to the Almighty Jehovah. Only the gospel can remove the "dross." The efforts of humans cannot, without the purity of God's word, and never will, remove sin or error in one's life. Obey the Lord: rid the dross.

"Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness"(Proverbs 25:5).

The desire of God is for those who are willing to govern or lead others to be free of the wickedness that too often enters and controls the hearts of men. Our nation needs to have men who are willing to rule by taking away the ungodliness and perversities that have stolen the hearts of many in our generation. The only cure for such transgressions is to put aside the immoralities of the present and resolve to live a life in which purity of soul is found. The real strength of a nation(or people) is the willingness to seek the commands of God and live a life of righteousness. Such a life begins with you and me. Could you envision such a society? Let each of us take away ungodliness in our lives .

"...and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not"(Numbers 17:10).

The word "quite" in the above means "To a considerable extent" (American Heritage Dictionary). The Hebrews saw the works of God. They tasted of the goodness that God provided. The people had a great leader(made possible by Jehovah). The Jews were unhappy with the leadership of Moses(actually the leadership of God!). How many are like the escaping slaves of that day! Even the saints sometimes murmur about the church, the brethren, the preacher, the elders, the Bible class teachers, and any one else that puts forth the effort to live a life that pleases the God of Heaven. And--occasionally even those of us who desire with all of our hearts to follow the Lord have a bad day. Murmurings accomplish little. The energy in such complainings could well be used in encouraging someone to do right, teach a lost soul, strengthening the brethren, setting an example for others to see what it is like to be a Christian--and a great list of other activities. One activity: take away the murmuring.

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers"(I Kings 19:4).

Were you ever so despondent that you could just turn over and die? Elijah felt that it would be better for him to die after he slew the prophets of Baal. It is not unusual for people to become unhappy and wonder why what is affecting them should be taking place. Elijah felt he had had "enough." From his perspective, it would be better to die than to live. Jezebel wanted the prophet to be killed. Hence, the man of God went "a day's journey" and "sat down under a juniper tree." Elijah requested that he might die. However, the Lord did not desire the life be taken from this great saint of God. Elijah escaped the wrath of Jezebel and continued to seek and fulfill the will of God. How bad may be one's circumstances, there is always help from Jehovah by studying and following his will. Only you can take away a life of righteousness: never give up--continue to be faithful to the commands of Jesus Christ.

"And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also"(Matthew 5:40).

Mistreatment of God's people is not confined to the Old Testament prophets and those who lived under Moses' Law. Jesus Christ is teaching the disciples how to live when they are mistreated. Doing good to the one who hurts you will make the mistreator aware of the goodness that is part of the life of a Christian. All of us have experienced hurt from others. The Christian does not retaliate with the unkindnesses as the one who did the hurt. The disciple of Christ seeks to make an enemy a friend, and leading one to obey the gospel of Christ.

"And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt"(Mark 14:36).

Jesus Christ willingly gave His life and shed His blood in order that men would be able to have their sins remitted. Can you imagine that one who is deity would leave the portals of Heaven and walk on this earth with all of its troubles and woes? All the Master intended to do was to lead people to the paths of righteousness. Jesus recognized that in order for me to have that righteousness, His blood would be the cleansing power for mankind. Would it not be wonderful if we could persuade those who are not children of God to take advantage of the blood that He shed for even them and as well as the worst sinner you have ever met? Each person needs to "take away" the ungodliness that exists within by obeying the gospel.

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book"(Revelation 22:19).

The only book that can lead one to Heaven is the Bible. Mankind has not been kind to the book of God. They pervert the words of the only book that reveals how one can remove sin from their lives. The denominations have replaced the Bible with the creedbooks and disciplines of men. Such human products lead men away from the truths of the scriptures. The Lord described, in the New Testament, the church that belongs to Him . One does not need the works of mortal men to find out God's will. They can find it in the pages of the inspired words of the Bible. Is it not time to destroy the words of fallible men and search the words of the inspired men of the scriptures and obey the message that God has given to all of mankind? The word of God does not make denominations or sectarians--it produces only Christians!