Sunday, 15 February 2015

Thermometer or thermostat Week 7 2015



It’s a handy instrument- the thermometer. As the temperature around it changes it also changes. Accurately reflecting the situations and changing with the weather. Every hospital has it; not so? But can we afford spiritually to be like that? And do not follow the customs of the present age, but be transformed by the entire renewal of your minds, so that you may learn by experience what God’s will is — that will which is good and beautiful and perfect Rom12:2(wey). Consider those who would be democratic. They change with the trend and times. Aaron who had seen God on the mountain with Moses and 70 elders in the space of less than 40 days built a golden idol because it was the popular demand of the people. With Moses he was hot and spiritual, but in the midst of the mixed multitude his conduct was cold and worldly. His excuse? Let not the anger of my Lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him Ex32:22-23(KJV) But who did God blame in the matter? And Moses saw the people how they were stripped; for Aaron had stripped them to shame before their adversaries Ex32:25(Darby) Simon Peter at Antioch out of fear behaved like a thermometer. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. Gal2:12(KJV). Are you afraid?
The thermostat is a very important instrument in hospitals also. It retains a set temperature irrespective of outside fluctuations. It is invaluable in preserving medicines and other equipment. Which modern household doesn’t have it? That’s the stuff fridges are made of! Incidentally God made us physical thermostats – our bodies are set to a specific temperature range irrespective of the outside. Whether in a freezing day or a hot desert. This is so because our bodies can only work well in that temperature range. Spiritually too we have to be thermostats: set on Jesus, set on what he has commanded irrespective of the opposition. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. Col3:2 (ASV). God had told Paul by the Spirit to get to Jerusalem, but out of fear for his life both his travel companions and the brethren in Caesarea weeping begged him not to go. His reply was, “What can you mean by thus breaking my heart with your grief? Why, as for me, I am ready not only to go to Jerusalem and be put in chains, but even to die there for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”Acts21:13(wey) The thermostat brought them all back on track: So when he was not to be dissuaded, we ceased … and said, “The Lord’s will be done!”Acts 21:14(wey)
The thermostat is active, driven by a power source it is connected to. A thermometer is passive; driven by its surroundings. Are you still connected or fearful of men?

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