THE MAN AND WOMAN OF GOD must constantly be placed in the fire of refining. Our nature leans towards selfishness, sin and destructive ways; therefore as Paul tells us, “Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith”. EXAMINE YOURSELF. Now, you do not measure and compare yourself by another nor do you measure up by your own nature, but rather we must look into God’s Word and measure ourselves to His holy standards. The Word is our plumb line.
The great prophet Amos was given a vision of a plumb line which would become the symbol of the standard by which God’s people would need to live. It represents a standard by which the faithful need to live, and a measure from which divine judgment is gauged. In case you’re not familiar with a plumb line, it is simply a weight suspended from a string and is used to determine an exact vertical. It is a reference line used by carpenters to keep their work straight. The plumb line sets the standard and it does not change with the whim of the carpenter. It remains true and all work must line up with it. In Amos’ prophecy, God was using the plumb line to measure Israel’s faithfulness to His Law. Sadly, they did not line up.
Most of Amos’ prophecy is an indictment of the nations, including Israel and Judah, for their sins against Him and one another. All failed to measure up to God’s plumb line, and because He is a God of justice, judgment would fall on the guilty. Israel was singled out because they were His privileged people. He had chosen them, made a covenant with them, delivered them from slavery in Egypt, and given them His Law.
His Law was their plumb line, but they had despised it. They exploited the poor, were ungrateful for God’s mercies, and silenced the prophets from speaking the truth. They worshiped idols and failed to honor God. So He asked them a rhetorical question, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed” (Amos 3:3)? Of course not! When you walk with someone you must walk in the same direction and at the same pace. But Israel had strayed far from God, far from the plumb line of His law. They were not walking with God. With their mouth they honored Him, but their hearts were far from Him.
God did not give His law to be a burden to Israel, but to be a blessing — to enable them to live peaceful, prosperous, happy, and holy lives. But the Book of Judges tells us they did not want to live God’s way. They wanted to do what was right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6, 21:25), and so that is what they did. They refused to live according to God’s standard, so they had no standard at all. They lived by their own whims, much like today’s church.
Let me ask you a few questions:
How are you spending your time? For yourself and your own interests? Or are you regularly in the Church Body, feeding and loving the sheep?
Where do you spend your money? Do you tithe or is your money spent all on YOU and your own interests? Are you generous towards the things and people of God?
Do you serve others or yourself? Are you devoted to your own needs and self interest or are you devoted to God’s holy church?
How do you pray? Are your prayers all about you and how God can bless YOU and bless your endeavors? Or are your prayers for others? Do you pray for repentance with a humble heart?
Do you obey the Lord’s commands? Or do you do what you want? When was the last time you sacrificed to the Lord? Or is that not even a part of your vocabulary?
Words are easily spoken, but actions prove a person’s sincerity. Be honest with yourself. One day you will stand before Jesus and give an account of your life. Did you build God’s kingdom or your own kingdom? How will you fair by His plumb line?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
