[Biblemat] S) A LETTER TO A SEARCHER FOR GOD (1)

Fri Feb 2 05:00:17 CST 2007

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files.  Use to the glory of God.

A LETTER TO A SEARCHER FOR GOD  (1)

     From the very beginning of time men and women have be-
gun the quest to find God, to know His Truth, and to gain favor in His sight. 
 "...Then men began to call upon the name
of the Lord" Gen. 4:26.  You're not the first person to begin
such a search and neither will you be the last.  In the Bible we
encounter a long list of "searchers", people who were seek-
ing to find God, His Truth, and His acceptance.  "My soul
thirsts for God, for the living God" Psa. 42:2.  "And many peo-
ples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to...the house of..
God...that He may teach us concerning His Ways..." Isa. 2:3.
"...in those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the
garment of a Jew saying, Let us go with you, for we have 
heard that God is with you" Zech. 8:23.  "Come to Me, all who
are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest" Matt. 11:
28.  "that they should seek God..." Acts 17:27. "...And He is a
rewarder of those who seek Him" Heb. 11:6.  I write this letter,
because like the people in these passages, and yourself, I
once started that search for God.  I write this letter hoping to
give you guidance in this search, for the Bible reveals that
many sincere souls, like yourself, that have begun the quest
to find God, have become sidetracked and have failed.

     Some have failed because they began this task with false
expectations:  "...when affliction or persecution arises be-
cause of the Word, immediately he falls away" Matt. 13:20,21.
Others have failed because they weren't prepared for the God
that they found: "But when the young man heard this state-
ment, he went away grieved..." Matt. 19:22.  The truth is, Jesus Himself 
said, that many would fail:  "...Many will say to
Me on that day...And then I will declare to them, I never knew
you..." Matt. 7:22,23.  In fact, some who were searching for
God, because of the religious people that they became involv-
ed with or trusted or listened to their advice, actually ended
up in worse condition:  "...For you travel land and sea to win
one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as 
much a son of hell as yourselves" Matt. 23:15.

     It is my hope that you can avoid the pitfalls that are all
along the road to finding favor with God.  I write as one who
been along that road, who has seen the narrow and the broad
way (Matt. 7:12,13), and who has seen the various counter-
feits of the truth that the devil has set up (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
I write as one who can give guidance (Acts 8:31) and warning
(Ezk. 3:17ff).

YOU CAN FIND...  Friendliness In All Religious And Non-Relig-
ious Groups: -- So don't make the mistake of assuming that a
religious body is teaching the right way to God, just because
they happen to be "nice and friendly people."

     Religious cults are notorious for practicing what is known
as "lovebombing", i.e. where a potential member is hugged by
members, fed, given the impression that everything is pleasur-
able, involved in endless initiation discussions and receives
constant attention.  Someone has rightly called this practice,
"heavenly deception."  In addition, those who have been in the world can 
attest that you can find some very friendly peo-
ple in the "party-crowd".  (1 Pet. 4:3,4).

     Support And Encouragement In All Groups: -- At times even Christians 
will complain, "I found a lot more among sinn-
ers than in the church."  The truth is that you can find supp-
ort, encouragement, a listening ear, a pat on the back, finan-
cial help, etc...in virtually every group of people that exists,
religious and non-religious.  So don't make the mistake of thinking, "these 
people supported me, therefore, God auto-
matically approves of them."  God has revealed that even
sinners can be very encouraging and supportive.  "Who, knowing the righteous 
judgment of God, that those who prac-
tice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same
but but also approve of those who practice them" Rom. 1:32.
King Ahab in the Old Testament, had a very wicked wife, and
yet no one can say that she wasn't "supportive" (1 Kgs. 21:4-
7,25).  Our society is filled with various support groups, and
people do benefit from them, but realize the fact that "support" is a quality 
that lost and saved, saint and sinner,
right and wrong can both give.  Even the devil can be very
"supportive" (Gen. 3:4 -- "You surely shall not die!").

     We need to realize something about "support and encour-
agement".  While the Bible commands Christians to "Bear one
another's burdens..." (Gal. 6:2), it also reveals that there 
exist certain "loads" that only the individual can and must
bear for himself "For each one shall bear his own load" (Gal.
6:4).  In addition, God also commands Christians to care for
their own families (1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 5:22 - 6:1-4).  Hence, I need to realize 
that God is telling me, it's unrealistic (and un-
scriptural) for me to demand that Christians be at my every
beck and call.    (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord 
willing, JWS).
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