Blog
Welcome to the footnote¹ blog. Our goal each day is to examine a verse and give a short summary in commentary form or simply an encouraging note to help you remain faithful to God throughout the week. Either way we hope that the footnote¹ blog will comfort you through God's word and give you a better understanding of His will.
Angels
Angelic Examples
Monday, May 08, 2017Judges 13:2-21; 2 Peter 2:10-11; Jude 8-9; Zech. 3:1-2¹
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¹Angels are greater in might and power than we are, yet in the accounts above, we can learn a valuable lesson from their actions.
Even though we are people created by God, and then as Christians, a people for God’s own possession, we frequently make an unnatural separation between ourselves and our God. We put off our “selves” to put on Christ, yet that old man continues to creep back into our lives and make decisions and take actions that are not from our Savior.
This is where the angels above provide an example for us to follow.
Samson’s father wanted to pay respect and honor to the heavenly messenger who foretold his son’s birth. The angel knew his place. He knew his position. He knew he was simply a servant and messenger of God and refused such an offer. He redirected Samson’s father to the only One worthy of honor, Jehovah God.
Peter’s warnings about false teachers who carelessly revile is contracted to angels who, though mightier and more powerful, do not bring a reviling judgment before the Lord.
And even Michael, the archangel, in his dispute with the Devil would only state, “The Lord rebuke thee!”
We too are subject to God and only servants and messengers of our Heavenly Father and our Savior. We must be careful not to separate and exalt ourselves and assume too much power or authority. When someone wished to honor us, is it not God who rightly deserves the glory? Is it not He who is the source of all our successes and accomplishments? Is it not proper to redirect that honor to Him?
When we are filled with “righteous indignation”, do we revile against others? Do we take it upon ourselves to make a personal rebuke? Our do we, like Michael, in matters that clearly belong in His realm, defer the condemnation to the true judge?
Let us remember who we are. Let us keep our proper place. Let us remember we are simply men, servants of the Almighty God, and insure the One who is our judge is given everything that is properly His.
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The above was written by one of our members, Bill Brittenham.