Lesson 270: "Do You Qualify"
“I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22)! How would you describe being a man after God’s own heart? The answer is found in the second part of verse 22; “he will do everything I want him to do”! The way to God’s heart is to give oneself completely to Him and He searches the earth for such people (2 Chro. 16:9). To begin with you must accept the salvation that God offers through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Then the work begins! The love of Christ should control all Christians and we should no longer think and live as the world does (2 Cor. 5:11-23). People who minister in Christ’s name must be honest; phonies will be automatically disqualified and compromises are totally unacceptable. The outstanding characteristic of a Christian is unveiled frankness before God! Believers should become a mirror for others to see Jesus Christ’s reflection. “Beware of anything that would sully that mirror in you” (Oswald Chambers). In the short chapter 12 of Romans, only 21 verses, there are at least 28 things Paul lists that are qualifications for living for God. All of these verses speak strongly of love, being sincere, being devoted, be joyful and patient but the one thing Paul assures us we cannot do is to step in front of God and take revenge on anyone. “Vengeance is mine”, ‘says the Lord’” (Deut. 32:35, Rom. 12:19). Provided you pass the test in Romans 12, only shows you are doing your best to follow God. You are not to make God’s final decisions.
Followers of God must have a tender heart toward God. This comes through the wondrous work of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent to be our Helper during our service to God. We each are responsible to obey the will of God but we are dependent upon the Holy Spirit to empower us and do God’s will. The Holy Spirit gives us that tenderness of heart to say; “Lord I don’t understand but I trust you”. Through the Holy Spirit we have a tenderness of mind guiding our thoughts to spiritual, godly, heavenly things that brings life and peace. Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want (Rom. 8:17). “Do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do” (Eph. 5:17). When Jesus said He was going to send the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Spirit of truth and our Reminder of things we once knew and Teacher of things to come; He was giving us a clue. The promise of a Helper pre-supposed that we would need help in being a “man after God’s own heart”. Jesus was tipping us off to the fact that being a Christian and a true believer and follower of God would be impossible apart from divine help and intervention. We Christians miss out on a great deal when we either refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives or when we “forget” that His power is at our disposal and choose to leave the source untapped. God has transformed the believer into a new person. Live like it! Through the Holy Spirit you have received power (Acts 1:8). Use it!
We receive new life from the Spirit who produces within this life the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22:23). David did not “luck into” being one of the greatest kings in the Old Testament; he had training. We can look into our lives and ministries and compare our training to David’s. If one of these training steps appears to be missing or skipped we need to ask God to fill in the gap. The first step in David’s life of service to God was that very special touch through the anointing by Samuel. The prophet was sent to the young shepherd boy and from that “touch” on the Lord’s Spirit worked in David (1 Sam. 16:13). When god touches a person he is drawn to Jesus (John 6:44) and he is convicted by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8).
David then did a term of submission in the service of King Saul (1 Sam. 16:21). We too are to yield to the people in authority of this world (king and/or unfair) for the Lord’s sake (1 Pet. 2:13-19). Do not let criticism upset you (1 Sam. 17:28) but face your giants with courage, going in the name of the Lord (1 Sam. 17:45), remembering that our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strongholds (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Learn to listen to the sound in the tops of the Mulberry trees, trusting God for victory (2 Sam. 5:24). Finish the job! David made sure the job of killing the giant was completed by cutting off his head after downing him with one single stone (2 Sam. 17:51). Our daily prayer should be the same as David’s; “create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10) and Jesus’ response will be; “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see god” (Matt. 5:8).
It is no frivolous matter to hear the voice of God and certainly an awesome task to speak for Him. Luther said that preaching made his knees knock and Spurgeon, the brilliant British preacher said he trembled lest he should misinterpret the Word. Jesus spoke directly from His Father’s Word and those who follow Him must do the same. Come on! Follow God! You are going to love where He leads you!