Often the cry is heard: "It doesn’t matter which day you keep holy!!!" Or another cry: It doesn’t matter which church you belong to!!!"; or “You don’t have to follow the Bible exactly, it was written for simple minded people thousands of years ago!!!". But as we read the Word of God closely, we will notice that God IS particular!!! He DOES require obedience, even in smaller matters. He expects explicit obedience at His command. I want you to note that: To obey does not qualify us for salvation. We are obedient because we are saved. Obedience proves our faith. Salvation is a free gift, and is ours when we accept it, but if we disobey GOD’S WILL this is sin, and unconfessed sin will disqualify us from receiving the eternal reward. Therefore, obedience is a fruit of the born-again Christian. Disobedience is the fruit of Satan’s children. Disobedience is rebellion against God, — be it great or small. Let’s notice James 2:19 James 2:19 KJV [19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. The devils were once beautiful angels and probably still are. What makes you a devil is not how you look. It has nothing to do with looks. That the devil’s concept he wants you to have of him. Something that looks devilish but in actual fact when God created these angels they were beautiful. A real devil has it in his mind and thinks acts devilish. If Satan can get us believe he looks like a devil, or a demon or very ugly, he will be able to easily fool those who think he looks like that when he appears in he last days as a beautiful angel when he personates Christ. From Great Controversy: As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. {GC 624.2} Now you can see why Satan wants us to see him as a devil or demon so he can deceive us. You’ve heard it said about someone: He’s a real devil — and this was said because of his thoughts and actions. Those bad thoughts and actions make a very ugly person inside but their looks could be fantastically beautiful. Just remember this: GOD never created anything ugly or terrible. These demons want you to see them like that for the last great deception. But God told us in Ezekiel how Satan was created beautiful and perfect: Ezekiel 28:14-15 KJV [14] Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. [15] Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. You & I can make ourselves like a devil or demon by the way we think and act and our actions. Did you know that the devils believe? Let’s look at the book of James: James 2:19 KJV [19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Now back to our story: Let’s look at Genesis where Adam is commanded by God not to eat the fruit: Genesis 2:16-17 KJV [16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: [17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. In man’s eyes today It seems like such a small thing to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. After all, was there really anything wrong in eating a piece of fruit? In the eyes of man — No!!! But is was the principle behind this issue that mattered; not just the act of eating the fruit. The principle was obedience. It was a simple test of God to prove the integrity of Adam and Eve. One simple act of disobedience to God opened the floodgates of sin and woe upon this world. What effect do you think a little sin committed by you will have? To us it seems like such a little thing that Adam and Eve did, yet God revealed in this failure of our first parents that HE WAS PARTICULAR. He meant exactly what He said. DON’T EAT THE FRUIT. Suppose you have fruit on the table and command your child: DON’T TOUCH OR EAT THE FRUIT!!! Then when your not looking the child goes against your command and eats some of the fruit. You realise the disobedience of the child and you put into place a remedy for the disobedience. Well, we are made in God’s image are we not? As our children are to us — it is as God is to HIS children. We are made in God’s image. Because we love our children we use corrective measures when they need it. Jesus said in Revelation 3:19; Revelation 3:19 KJV [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Let’s delve further: 1 Timothy 2:14 [14] And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Even though Eve was deceived, she was nevertheless guilty. Her act was inexcusable, for she had chosen to believe Satan speaking through the serpent, rather than God. Adam’s sin was perhaps worse, because of the fact that he was not deceived, yet he deliberately chose disobedience to the command of God. He was prepared to share his wife’s fate because of his deep love for her. But this did not excuse him. Little did the first pair realize to what devastating results their disobedience would lead. Cain’s offering: Genesis 4:3-5 KJV [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. Genesis 4:3-5 KJV [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Genesis 4:3-5 KJV [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Human reasoning would tell us that Cain gave God a very good offering – the best of the fruits of his garden. But God would not accept his offering. First of all it was not what God had asked for. God had set in place a particular offering that would represent the future death and sacrifice of the real Lamb of God. Fruit and vegetables couldn’t represent such a sacrifice that would be made by Jesus for our sake for our salvation. God was particular. Also the offering was a symbol of the forgiveness of sin, and without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness. The blood of the lamb pointed to the shed blood of Jesus, and the finest of fruits could not be used to symbolize such a grand event. As humans we do not always see as God sees, therefore our only safety is to obey God implicitly without question. It is always safe to follow God’s instructions, but not our own judgment, without God’s guidance. Hebrews confirms and explains the reason for the shed blood of the lamb: Hebrews 9:22 KJV [22] And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Remission meaning forgiveness of sin. Cain was trying to buy God’s favour by good works, but forgiveness is only possible through the blood of Jesus after confessing our sins by faith. Many of today still do what Cain did back then — they try to buy God’s favour!!! Let’s look at another illustration: Genesis 7:23 KJV [23] And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. Out of the multitudes of people who lived in Noah’s day only 8 were saved. Why were all the others lost? Because God was particular!!!!!!! HE expected obedience!!!!! Those who obeyed the simple command to enter into the ark for safety were saved. The disobedient perished. God’s truth, His Word, is like an ark. We must get people into it so they will not perish. They perish for the lack of truth. Another illustration about Uzzah: Numbers 4:15 KJV [15] And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. God had made himself quite clear about touching any of the holy items in the sanctuary. What would happen if one disobeyed and touched a holy thing? 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7 KJV [3] And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. [6] And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. [7] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. From a human point of view Uzzah could be justified, for after all, he only took hold of the ark to prevent it falling from the cart. But again, God is particular, and He expected obedience. God had also given instruction on how the ark should be carried – on poles – NOT ON A CART. If the first point had been obeyed and it was carried between 2 poles like God instructed, Uzzah would never have needed to touch the ark. Disobedience to the command of God, caused the death of Uzzah. Exodus 27:6-7 WEB [6] You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with brass. [7] Its poles shall be put into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar, WHEN CARRYING IT. Like I said: If the command of God had been obeyed, Uzzah would never have needed to touch the ark. Disobedience to the command of God, caused the death of Uzzah. Again – God is particular!!! Now let’s look at another example about SABBATH: Isaiah 58:13 KJV [13] If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: You have just read how Sabbath is to be kept — God does not change, so this is how we should keep Sabbath today. We will do a full study on this in the future on how to keep the Sabbath. There are some who trample underfoot God’s holy Sabbath day. They say: "It doesn’t matter which day you keep, as long as you keep one day in seven". What does the commandment say? Exodus 20:8 KJV [8] Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. God has commanded that we remember the Sabbath – not any other day. He further says in: Exodus 20:10 KJV [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: …… No other day is said to be the Sabbath. Will we obey or not? Will we say that it doesn’t matter? Is God particular or not? Disobedience to this command will ultimately result in the same fate as Adam and Eve, the people who did not go into Noah’s ark, and Uzzah. Let’s check the Bible again about which day to keep: Exodus 20:10 KJV [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: God is greatly displeased when men fail to recognize the difference between the holy and the profane ie… the common or the thing that God did not command. It is very clear — God said: "the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God?" Then why do the Protestant Churches keep Sunday? That’s the Catholic Sun-Worship day. Some claim: - “oh, we keep one day in seven”. Most Sunday keepers don’t even keep 1 in 7. They only keep 1 hour out of the seven days. God commands that the whole day from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday is to be kept holy, not just part of it. Let’s go on: Ezekiel 22:26 KJV [26] Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane [common], neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. God is greatly displeased when men fail to recognize the difference between the holy and profane [common]. Here in this text is explained the corruption of the priesthood, demonstrated in their failing to recognize the difference between the holy and common. Notice also their failure to see the difference between common fire and holy fire. Leviticus 10:1-2, 10 KJV [1] And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. Leviticus 10:1-2, 10 KJV [2] And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. [10] And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; Nadab and Abihu, took common fire from a common fire instead of from the Sanctuary where they were instructed. At the time they were under the influence of strong drink (V.9.) and failed to recognize the difference between the holy and unholy, and as a result they lost their lives. ONCE AGAIN GOD IS TELLING US THAT HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS. DON’T FORGET IT!!! Let’s CARRY ON: 1 Kings 13:13-26 KJV [13] And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the donkey. So they saddled him the donkey; and he rode thereon, [14] And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Are you the man of God that came from Judah? And he said, I am. [15] Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. [16] And he said, I may not return with you, nor go in with you: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place: [17] For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, You shall eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that you came. [18] He said unto him, I am a prophet also as you are; and an angel spoke unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. [19] So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water. [20] And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: [21] And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus says the LORD, Because you have disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you, [22] But came back, and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to you, Eat no bread, and drink no water; your carcass shall not come unto the sepulcher of your fathers. [23] And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the donkey, for the prophet whom he had brought back. [24] And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the donkey stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass. [25] And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. [26] And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD has delivered him unto the lion, which has torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke unto him. This man of God did not do what God had said. As a result the Lion killed him and stood by. The donkey also stood by. Here was a prophet who had done a mighty work for God in rebuking Jeroboam for his sin. However, God had given very plain directions and instructions on which road to take and how to conduct himself on the journey. You know God’s hand was in this because both the donkey and the lion stood by. Lions usually devour their prey for food but instead of devouring his prey, the lion, stood by. Further we know that when a donkey sees a lion it runs for its life — but no, the donkey stood by. These actions show God’s hand — when they stood by: Looking at what the prophet did: We may say that it wasn’t really his fault because, after all, the old prophet had lied to him and thus he was deceived. But he still had a choice of believing God or the prophet. He could have easily consulted God if there was any doubt in his mind, — but instead he blundered on in his own way and was guilty of disobedience to God’s specific command. Is this like us at times? I hope not!!! His disobedience cost him his life. You had better understand — when God commands — no one else can counter that command. It’s like the Sabbath question: God says "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Man says — “It doesn’t matter which day you keep.” Question is — Who shall we obey, God or man? READ ACTS 5:1-11 …… Acts 5:1-5 KJV [1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, [2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. [3] But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? [4] While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God. [5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and died: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. In New Testament times God requires the same kind of obedience as in Old Testament times. This couple had promised God the full price of the land, but when they received such a large amount, they decided to keep some for themselves, keeping it a secret. They didn’t have to sell it in the first place, God would not force them, but under conviction they agreed. It was the will of God that they give the whole price to His work for God had blessed the sale and they receive much more than they expected. But secrets cannot be kept from God, thus they were exposed. They didn’t have to sell it in the first place, God would not force them, but under conviction they agreed. It was the will of God that they give the whole price to His work for God had blessed the sale and they receive much more than they expected. They disobeyed by keeping some for themselves — and the portion they kept belonged to God because they promised all the money from the sale to God. This promise is why God blessed the sale and they received much more than they expected. They had promised the lot to God. In the New Testament God is still particular. So much so that I believe that we need to do all that God requires of us. What about mocking and calling someone a “BALD HEAD?” 2 Kings 2:22-25 KJV [22] So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake. [23] And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou BALD HEAD; go up, thou BALD HEAD. [24] And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. [25] And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria. In the Old Testament, Jehovah (Jesus Christ) said: Malachi 3:6 KJV [6] For I am the LORD, I change not; …. In the New Testament Paul repeated the meaning to those words again in Hebrews: Hebrews 13:8 KJV [8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. If Jesus, meaning Jehovah, is the same to all people in all times then, His being particular then will be the same now, as it was then. God is a particular god and has never been anything else. Matthew 7:13-14 KJV [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. The way to eternal life is a narrow and difficult path. It is God’s will that we follow this path implicitly and not deviate. To keep on the narrow and difficult way means to obey God’s every word. So, a few find the right way, not because God has made it obscure, but because people are not willing to take God seriously enough to follow His instructions exactly. They choose their own way because it suits them better, but only God’s way is right. Man’s way leads us to spiritual disaster. But God’s way is always best. Luke 9:23 KJV [23] And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Commenting on these matters the pen of inspiration said: {RH, November 18, 1890 par. 5} Those who are self-righteous, who claim that they are saved, are not always patterns of piety. We have found that those who say most concerning their sanctification, are most opposed to the principles of God’s law. Satan often deludes the mind, and men are led to erect false standards of their own, whereby they measure character. They exalt their own ideas, boast of their attainments, of their assurance, and place all their confidence in their feelings. They do not find a foundation for their faith in the word of God. Many have a fanciful religion. They talk of God’s love, claiming that he is not severe and exacting, but long-suffering and lenient; at the same time, they echo the suggestion of Satan, "Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? . . . Ye shall not surely die: "It was though he had declared that God’s threatening was all a pretense, and man need not be alarmed, for God would not be so severe and exacting. The very same reasoning is employed today in the Christian world. When the claims of the law are presented, men begin to frame excuses for continuing in disobedience, stating that God will not punish them for the breaking of his precepts. But let us think of it soberly. Will God change his holy law to suit my convenience? Will he sanction sin, and countenance disobedience? If God had a character of this kind, we could not reverence him. His authority could not be respected. God won’t and can’t change His law to suit us. It is HIS standard of Holiness for the cosmos. The LAW is a transcript of CHRIST’S character. What kind of Character would Christ be if HE changed HIS LAW? Christ does not flip flop and never will. Why is God so particular? He wants us to prepare for eternal life, that’s why. He knows that if we follow our own way we will be lost. The only way to the kingdom is on the narrow and difficult way. Jesus is the door to this path, made possible through Calvary. While ever we trust in Him, and do His will, we are safe and we will gain eternal life at last. GOD IS PARTICULAR. Let us determine to be particular and never deviate from the path of righteousness. A FEW QUOTES FROM INSPIRATION: God is particular, and his angels who are sent forth to do his will are grieved with your lack of spirituality, pureness, and godliness. You must bring yourself under strict discipline, and reform in life, or your labours will prove a curse instead of a blessing. {RH, August 0, 1862 par. 5} Christ is made the judge of every man's character. All judgment is given by the Father into His hands. Daily an examination of the characters of men and women is being carried on. God is particular in requiring everyone to conform to His standard of character. {ST, June 24, 1903 par. 7} He appeared to them in awful grandeur, and spoke in audible voice. He there revealed Himself to His people, as He never has at any other time, thereby showing the importance of the law for all ages. God is particular today that we keep His commandments. {1MR 106.3} Christ is made the Judge of every man's character. All judgment is given by the Father into His hands. Daily this examination of every man's character is being carried on. God is particular in requiring everyone to be truthful in speech, without the least prevarication and deception, after the world's way, and thus denying the righteousness of Christ. "By their words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." {18MR 164.2} Why is God so particular about a knowledge of His law? Because a departure from it means destruction, not only to the transgressor but to many others as well who have transgressed through his misleading influence. {2SAT 208.5} Our Relation to God. I have been shown that our relation to God is the same as that of little children to their parents. The God of heaven is watching His people, His church, just as loving parents watch their children. And we are as foolish as little children are; for how prone we are to think that we know everything, when really we have not begun to know what God is waiting to teach us when we show willingness to follow in His footsteps. {2SAT 208.6} Will you determine to be particular for God? MY RESPONSE TO CHRIST IS: □ YES □ UNDECIDED Email us at: admin@thebiblesays.net