Everything Is O.K.?
No, the title of this article is not in improper order. The question mark at the end is to draw attention to the title because of a real problem that exists and some are totally unaware of it. Many take for granted that things are O.K. in their relationship with God when they aren’t. This is not a new thing. Even in the days of Jeremiah, there were those of Israel that had lapsed into such complacency, they were seemingly unconcerned about the sin in which they were involved. Everything was NOT O.K.
In Jeremiah 6:7 the Spirit has the prophet describe Israel in this fashion: As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds. Then in verse 8, the Spirit had the prophet warn them to heed the instruction of the Lord, and why they should do so. Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. Through their sin, they would forfeit their reward.
God has continually communicated His Will to His people. We are told in Hebrews 1:1 that God spoke to Israel through the prophets. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,. Unfortunately, some of the prophets, and priests, who were supposed to be serving God were actually serving themselves. As we look to Jeremiah 6:13 this becomes apparent. For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They lied to the people to convince them that all was well, as Jeremiah 6:14 indicates. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. This must have satisfied the people because they were not inclined to change. They were “happy” with the way things were. Their own selfish desires were being fulfilled. All was not O.K. as their souls were in danger of eternal punishment.
The Spirit again had the prophet bring this to their attention by asking a question, answering the question, then telling them what would happen to them in Jeremiah 6:15. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. He also offered a way to make things O.K. in Jeremiah 6:16-17, but Israel refused. Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Refusal to heed God’s warnings will bring destruction upon a people.
How was this warning expressed to God’s people in the New Testament age? In 1Corinthian 6:9-10, we find a list of heinous sins. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. However, these had become “God’s children” as verse 11 shows, even though some had once been participants in the aforementioned sins. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
We are aware of the fact that not everything was O.K. with the early Corinthian church. They had a multiplicity of issues. There were divisions; they tolerated incest; went to law against each other, excused sexual immorality; stumbled over eating meat sacrificed to idols; had issues over head coverings; abused the Lord’s Supper, and had troubles over spiritual gifts, to name a few. 2Corinthians 6:14-17 provided them the instruction needed. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Things seemed to be better for some of the other early congregations. The church in Philippi was commended by the Spirit through the pen of Paul as he wrote in Philippians 1:3-5. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; But past obedience and former faithfulness does not make everything O.K. All who would continue to “be O.K.” today, must heed the inspired advice given by the Holy Spirit to this same group of Christians. Philippians 2:12 still applies today. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Won’t you strive to be “O.K.” spiritually? Let’s all get to work so everything will be O.K. for our souls.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
