Police Devotional 11-12-20
“…whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
“The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22:23-29)
The Sadducees were clergy who didn’t believe the Bible. A clergyman who doesn’t believe the Bible is like a cop or prosecutor who doesn’t believe in the law. He should be honest enough to find another job. At any rate, they questioned Jesus, trying to prove that there is no resurrection of the dead. They told the story of a man who married a woman, then died. According to Mosaic law, the man’s brother should marry the woman. According to their story, all seven brothers married her, then died in succession. Finally, she died.
Do you wonder if these guys made the story up? Not that the Scripture is untrue. It describes accurately what they said. Yet the story seems farfetched. Anyway, Jesus cut to the chase. He told them, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Obviously, they were familiar with the Scriptures but they didn’t “know” them in that they didn’t believe them. As a result, they didn’t know the power of God.
God deals wonderfully with people’s lives and hearts: “Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.” (Psalm 119:65) Note also how the psalmist said God does it: “…according unto thy word.” God works in people’s lives according to His Word.
Romans 1:16 says the gospel is “…the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;” God uses His Word powerfully to convince people of their hell-deserving sinfulness and guilt. He also uses His Word to tell of Jesus, God the Son, who died for their sins, was buried and rose again. Finally, God uses His Word to convince sinners to receive Jesus as Saviour. When they do, Jesus saves them by His power!
God’s Word also gives us much more! It gives us joy: “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:” (Psalm 19:8) It gives us wisdom: “For the LORD giveth wisdom:” (Proverbs 2:6) It gives us instruction: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16) It gives us words of hope for life and eternity: “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (Psalm 130:5) It gives us strength for trials: “…ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you,” (1 John 2:14) It also gives us the strength of purpose to live for Him: “For to me to live is Christ,” (Philippians 1:21)
Yet God doesn’t force people to believe His Word. Jesus even said, “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:9) People may choose to disbelieve and argue against God’s Word, reject Christ as Saviour, and die in their sins. Even saved people may ignore God’s Word in their daily lives and rob themselves of the joy of God working His power in their hearts and lives through His Word.
Jesus wants people to come to Him and be saved. That’s why He inspired the Scripture writers and why He gave His life on the cross! He doesn’t force conversion, but He deals with people, as our verse says, to “…take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17) If you aren’t sure you will be in heaven but you’d like to be sure, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 11/12/2020
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822