Go For It
I’m sure we’ve all heard the title of this article at some point. This phrase was ubiquitous for a while. In the 1980’s, it seems that every time someone announced they were planning something or had decided to embark on a project, they heard “Go for it”! Seemingly, it didn’t matter what was being considered. This phrase was utilized by nearly everyone for every reason. In fact, we likely heard it so often, many of us were glad when this phrase fell out of vogue and some other idiom took its place.
This short motivational phrase supposedly helps one move past any hesitation, and put forth the maximum effort required to finally achieve what you truly want in this life. Therein lies the problem. What do we want in this life, or more importantly what “should we want” in this life? Should we not want that which will yield “good results” for that which is beyond this life? If the things we “want” in this life lead to pain, suffering, and destruction, should we not abandon them for better things.
In the Deut. 10:12-13 account of the of the giving of the Law of Moses to Israel, we see what God expected of His Old Testament people. And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
From the time Israel was given the tables of stone until the close of the Old Testament, God, through the Spirit told His people to “go for it”. But what were they to “go for”? In Isa.1:19-20 we are told. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. When Israel chose to “go for” the wrong things, they brought death and destruction upon themselves.
But what of us today? We are not under the same Law or system as was Israel in that dispensation of time. At that time, only Israel was under that Law, but all others were under the Patriarchal dispensation. Today, all are under the Law of Christ, as we all live in the “last days”. God requires the same of us today in the New Testament age as He did of His Old Testament people; keep His Commandments. In every age, faith and obedience has been part of God’s plan. God has laid out His final plan for the Salvation of souls and through inspiration has written it down for all to read and follow. Rom. 16:25 tells us the Word was a mystery at one time. But Rom.16:26 tells us: But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: The rewards for the obedient and faithful, as well as the punishment for the disobedient and unfaithful are there for all to read and understand.
Therefore, everyone today needs to carefully search God’s Word to see what it is they are to “go for”. God’s Word contains the Promises of God as well as what He desires. We are told in 2Pet. 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. All His Promises are available and attainable. However, those who refuse to “come to repentance” (be obedient), will suffer eternally for their disobedience. This will occur when the longsuffering of God has run it’s course and this world and its works burn up. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2Pet. 3:10)
Perhaps if we seriously consider the Words of Rom. 2:6-10 and compare the scenarios and the results, we can surely understand what God desires all to “go for”. Verse 6, speaking of God states: Who will render to every man according to his deeds: Verses 7 & 10 show God’s Promise to those who obey and are faithful – 7-To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 10- But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: Contrast this with verses 8-9 and God’s Promise to the disobedient and unfaithful. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; This means everyone.
So, “go for it”. That’s what God wants us to do. He wants us to seek the Salvation He planned before the foundation of the world. But we can only go for it while in this life. From the Old Testament in Eccl. 9:10 we learn: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. We’re all going to die, but while here, all have to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:10).
Obey the gospel, remain faithful from that time until you pass from this life. Only then can one be pleasing to God and receive the reward. Go for it. You’ll surely be blessed.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
