".....For Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him." (Mark 6:20, NASB)
Herod is indeed a tragic figure in history. He loved to hear the truth, was convicted by the truth, and to hear truth often. But alas, when his base desires got the best of him, he killed the prophet. Cain did this with Abel. It's been going on ever since.
According to the Bible, all people can recognize the truth, "so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Yet many people today speak of the disobedient with almost sympathy and pity. But how can one justify such an attitude when people deliberately choose the evil over the good?
There is a grave warning here for all of us. Love for the truth, constantly reading and hearing the truth, does not necessarily produce an obeyer of the truth. Maybe it all has something to do with what Jesus says to us. "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Loving "truth," ideas, high sounding phrases and talk can blind us to the real object of our, "love of the truth," Jesus Christ. When I continue to, "run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus," then I will not be self deceived into thinking love for the truth equates with salvation, righteousness, obedience, pleasing God. The problem with Herod was that he loved to hear good things, but refused to,"hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep the commandments, for this is man's all."
Father, in Jesus' Name, by Your grace help me to see when I am just loving ideas rather than You. Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
