Might I Suggest . . .
During our lives, there is no doubt a number of suggestions that have been offered by well-meaning friends, family or acquaintances intended for our benefit. This time of year, especially while shopping for holiday gifts or while involved in other transactions, we might hear the words: “Might I suggest. . . ” Some have a bit of difficulty choosing in various areas of life. Suggestions are one of many ways to help folks make decisions.
The word “suggest”, by definition is: “put forward for consideration”. In the Christian life, one can only “suggest” to others, or put forward for their consideration, the Words of “truth and soberness” that come from God. As the Spirit directed, the apostle Paul used this phrase while standing before king Agrippa and Festus in Acts 26:25. He said: “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” These Words of truth and soberness were given Paul by the Spirit. These same Words were those to which the Lord Himself referred in John 6:63 where He said: It is the spirit that quickeneth; (makes alive) the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Even the apostles, who were given these Words of truth, had limits to what they could “command”. They could only “command” what the Spirit gave them. The word command means to “order” or “to direct with specific authority”. The apostles had been given this authority directly by the Lord. In Matthew 28:18-20 we see the Commandment of Christ given specifically to the apostles. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. The wording of this commandment makes it perpetual. This means that this duty applies to all Christians even today.
While Jesus was on earth, He indeed had authority. But He would often make “suggestions” to folks to direct their minds in a certain way. He made use of parables in many cases. In Luke 14:7 we read of this as He observed the lack of humility among many of the Jews. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,. He suggested they think on this, and then adjust their actions accordingly. He also gave the reasoning behind the suggestion in Luke 14:11. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Christ had the power and authority to Command them to be humble, but can one be humble on command? Isn’t man a free moral agent? God created man with this power of choice.
The greatest choice one can make is to become part of the kingdom of God – (the church) and remain faithful to that commitment. The mission of Christ on earth was to teach the Jews of the coming kingdom, then die on the cross to purchase the church. John 3:16-17 not only tells us what God gave, but also why He gave His Son, and what we “might” receive as a result. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Christ had chosen His apostles to reveal this kingdom, His church, and Salvation in Christ, after Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension as 1Corinthians 5:20 shows. Now then we (apostles) are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Today, we (Christians) cannot “command” anyone to do anything. We can only suggest. Other ways in which we encourage others to be obedient, then to remain faithful are to plead, extol, preach, teach and admonish. The “choice” is up to the hearer or reader.
Might I use the power of suggestion to direct your minds to what God has Commanded for reconciliation to Him through His Word? Then you can decide if you want the promise of eternal life, or not. Choose wisely. In His Word, God has Commanded for one to be saved they must. . . (1) Hear The Word – (Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (2) Believe in Jesus – (John 8:24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (3) Repent of past sins – (Luke 13:3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (4) Confess Christ before men – (Acts 8:37) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (5) Be Baptized into Christ – (Mark 16:16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (6) Remain Faithful unto death – (Rev 2:10) . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Also, if one has once “obeyed” the gospel, then has yielded to the suggestions of the world and become “unfaithful” God has provided the means for reconciliation. This is found in Acts 8:22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee
The Commandments of God are not suggestions. The decision is yours. Be careful of the “suggestions” you follow.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
