Geographical Religion
Some people are always complaining. If the weather is hot, they complain and wish it were cool. If the weather is cold, they are uncomfortable and wish they were warmer. In the wet season, they wish for sunshine and in the dry season they wish for rain. Will they ever be happy and fully satisfied? Is there any place on planet earth that has the ideal conditions for a perfectly happy existence – free from discomfort and worry? Physically perhaps they may find a location that suits them fine. But what about spiritually?
Often people make geographical excuses also for their lack of faithfulness. They blame their surroundings. “I am too cold to go out and do missionary work – if only I lived in a warmer climate then I would…” “It is hard to be faithful here in the city. If I lived in the country, life would be much better….” “I simply can’t be faithful living with worldly relatives, wait until I can move out and have my own place….”
They have made their religion geographical. They claim to be able to be faithful while in a certain geographical location. Usually this ideal geographical location is never achieved. As the saying goes, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
Some Christians aspire to do some great work for the Lord if only they could be a foreign missionary -but be faithful at home? That is much too difficult. They would rather fly to some unknown corner of the earth and preach the gospel, rather than share the message with their immediate neighbours.
I knew one lady years ago who had become a church member and was still sorely tempted by worldly friends coming to visit and indulging in bad habits in her presence. This was a great temptation for her and she wanted to attend the mission school in order to get away from her friends. She had very little will power in herself. Her father warned her that Satan is just as real at the mission school as he is here and she had better learn to be faithful here before heading off to mission school.
Sadly she is no longer a church member today.
Another friend was living with worldly relatives who had the TV quite regularly on and was tempted to sit in front of that TV. She found it really difficult to live a spiritual life because of all the TV watching. Instead of asking the Lord for will power to resist the temptation, this friend decided to move out of the situation thinking she would be safer somewhere else. In the new place, there was no TV running, and while living with seemingly more faithful people, Satan was still alive, well and on the prowl. She actually regressed, more in this second place, probably because she was trusting too much in being in a certain geographical location instead of trusting in God. The need to pray for strength was not as essential anymore as the original temptation was no longer there. Unfortunately Satan had other temptations to send her way. He got his way and today this person is no longer a church member either.
The devil is actively seeking to keep a person busy when he sees them making a move into a better location. He sees the move as a threat and so he is already working on it before the move actually takes place. Unless you make conscious efforts to change, you will continue the same way, no matter what environment you are in.
No, there is no ideal place on this earth where there are perfect conditions for a person to grow spiritually without being buffeted by Satan. On the other hand though, there is no place on this earth that the grace of God cannot reach. Into the deepest jungles of Africa, the Lord is there. In the midst of the worst crime centers of the large cities, the Lord is also there.
Does that mean we should never seek for a better place to live? We are counseled to live in the country as much as possible. “Instead of the crowded city seek some retired situation where your children will be, so far as possible, shielded from temptation, and there train and educate them for usefulness… Parents flock with their families to the cities because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the country. The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street education. From evil associates they acquire habits of vice and dissipation. It is your duty to cut off every influence, to break up every habit, to sunder every tie, that keeps you from the most free, open, and hearty committal of yourselves and your family to God.” T5 232. If the Lord opens up the way then we must go, but sometimes the way is not opened up, even if the desire and intention is there.
I was recently speaking with one sister in the faith who shared with me the fact that when her children were young they lived in a suburban neighborhood of a large city. For many years they prayed that the Lord would open up the way for them to move into the country which is a much better environment to raise children. The Lord delayed in answering this prayer for many years and at first this sister did not know why. However, when the way opened up and they finally did move, their previous neighbour became a Seventh-day Adventist. This neighbour was a good friend even though very little religion was spoken of during those years. What led this neighbour to seek the truth? She said that every Sabbath she saw them worshipping the Lord. They would go for Sabbath afternoon walks. The neighbour also noticed the excitement when a visiting minister paid them a visit. Only after the Lord opened up the way for them to move did they understand the Lord’s delay. The delay was for the salvation of this neighbour.
It is only safe to follow the leading of the Lord. We must never run ahead of the Lord, nor should we lag behind. All that we have belongs to the Lord and as we submit our lives and our possessions to the Lord, He will guide and direct our feet in the right pathway. With the Lord at the helm of our ship, we don’t have to worry – He will see us through every storm. It is a very calm and happy feeling to know that the Lord is in control So when is it that we should be content to remain where we are and when is it that we are to move? There is no rale that will fit every person and situation. The key is submission to the Lord. Yes, we may desire a better geographical location; we may even ask the Lord for it as long as we are asking for something that is reasonable, remembering that the Lord answers in three ways, either, “yes”, “no” or “wait”. Whatever the Lord decides we must be content with, believing that He will keep our feet in the right pathway should we be asked to remain where we are.
Not everyone is dissatisfied. Some are extremely satisfied with their life — in fact too satisfied. They have found the perfect geographical location where they can live a relatively good life in a reasonable amount of comfort. These people do not feel they need the Lord. They are content where they are.
NERO’S HOUSEHOLD
What more forbidding environment could a Christian find themselves in during the first century? However, once these servants and attendants were converted, they did not ask for a change of environment. They kept on working in their environment, shedding the light of the love of God to those around them. These converts were made from the ministry of Paul during his two-year imprisonment, where he was able to rent his own house, but had to remain chained to a soldier. ” Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Christianity than in the Roman court. Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the last trace of the divine, and even of the human, and to bear the impress of Satan. His attendants and courtiers were in general of the same character as himself – fierce, debased, and corrupt. To all appearances it would be impossible for Christianity to gain a foothold in the court and palace of Nero. Yet in this case, as in so many others, was proved the truth of Paul’s assertion that the weapons of his warfare were “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4. Even in Nero’s household, trophies of the cross were won. From the vile attendants of a viler king were gained converts who became sons of God. These were not Christians secretly, but openly. They were not ashamed of their faith.” AA 463.
“The apostle and his associate workers might have argued that it would be vain to call to repentance and faith in Christ the servants of Nero, subjected, as they were, to fierce temptations, surrounded by formidable hindrances, and exposed to bitter opposition. Even should they be convinced of the truth, how could they render obedience? But Paul did not reason thus; in faith he presented the gospel to these souls, and among those who heard were some who decided to obey at any cost. Notwithstanding obstacles and dangers, they would accept the light, and trust God to help them let their light shine forth to others.
“Not only were converts won to the truth in Caesar’s household, but after their conversion they remained in that household. They did not feel at liberty to abandon their post of duty because their surroundings were no longer congenial. The truth had found them there, and there they remained, by their changed life and character testifying to the transforming power of their new faith.
“Are any tempted to make their circumstances an excuse for failing to witness for Christ? Let them consider the situation of the disciples in Caesar’s household – the depravity of the emperor, the profligacy of the court. We can hardly imagine circumstances more unfavorable to a religious life, and entailing greater sacrifice or opposition, than those in which these converts found themselves. Yet amidst difficulties and dangers they maintained their fidelity. Because of obstacles that seem insurmountable the Christian may seek to excuse himself from obeying the truth as it is in Jesus; but he can offer no excuse that will bear investigation. Could he do this he would prove God unjust that He had made for His children conditions of salvation with which they could not comply.
“He whose heart is fixed to serve God will find opportunity to witness for Him. Difficulties will be powerless to hinder him who is determined to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness….
“Not in freedom from trial, but in the midst of it, is Christian character developed. Exposure to rebuffs and opposition leads the follower of Christ to greater watchfulness and more earnest prayer to the mighty Helper. Severe trial endured by the grace of God develops patience, vigilance, fortitude, and a deep and abiding trust in God. It is the triumph of the Christian faith that it enables its follower to suffer and be strong; to submit, and thus to conquer; to be killed all the day long, and yet to live; to bear the cross, and thus to win the crown of glory.” AA 466-468.
JESUS
We have to learn to be faithful where we are. Jesus was born in Nazareth – a very wicked city. Nathaniel exclaimed, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” And yet something good did come. Jesus of Nazareth – our Saviour and Redeemer. In every city the Lord has faithful followers who are hungering and thirsting for the truth. The message of salvation will reach the ends of the earth.
Yet when Jesus was a young child, His mother provided the best possible upbringing in this wicked city. What did she do that was so successful? She simply home-schooled her son. When we see Jesus in the temple at age twelve conversing with the Rabbis, they were astonished with his wisdom and insight. The rabbis were perplexed and asked among themselves, “How hath this youth knowledge, having never learned?” “The rabbis knew that Jesus had not been instructed in their school; yet His understanding of the prophecies far exceeded theirs. In this thoughtful Galilean boy they discerned great promise. They desired to gain Him as a student, that He might become a teacher in Israel. They wanted to have charge of His education, feeling that a mind so original must be brought under their molding.” DA 80. Yet, the desire of the rabbis was not granted. Jesus returned home to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph and continued His education from His mother and His heavenly Father out in nature.
“By His own example the Saviour has shown that His followers can be in the world and yet not of the world. He came not to partake of its delusive pleasures, to be swayed by its customs, and to follow its practices, but to do His Father’s will, to seek and save the lost. With this object before him the Christian may stand uncontaminated in any surroundings. Whatever his station or circumstances, exalted or humble, he will manifest the power of true religion in the faithful performance of duty.” AA 467.
This is a very real option for us also, should we find ourselves in a disagreeable environment with our children. We are given the option of homeschooling also. We do not need to subject our children to the temptations of the world. Our children were given for us to raise, not for governments to raise. The Lord will call us into account for the way we raised our children, and may the Lord help us to show that we have faithfully done our duty and not given the duty to a worldly institution. The Lord may not remove us from the city or some other disagreeable environment when we first ask, but He has shown us how we can manage while in this environment. He has promised to be with us as we seek to do His will.
MOSES
WP read about Moses going to the court of Pharaoh at the age of twelve. Here he was educated in all the knowledge of the Egyptians. However he never forgot his people, and why is this? What kind of education did he receive for the first twelve years of his life? He also was homeschooled. Although there were not public education systems in the nation of Israel at that time, his mother took special care to instruct him in the way of the Lord, knowing that at the age of twelve he would have to leave home and enter a completely worldly environment. Could he stand alone and be faithful in this environment? Would he succumb to the temptations in the worldly court? “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:24-27.
“From his humble cabin home he was taken to the loyal palace, to the daughter of Pharaoh, “and he became her son.” Yet even here he did not lose the impressions received in childhood. The lessons learned at his mother’s side could not be forgotten. They were a shield from the pride, the infidelity, and the vice that flourished amid the splendor of the court.
“How far-reaching in its results was the influence of that one Hebrew woman, and she an exile and a slave! The whole future life of Moses, the great mission which he fulfilled as the leader of Israel, testifies to the importance of the work of the Christian mother. There is no other work that can equal this. To a very great extent the mother holds in her own hands the destiny of her children. She is dealing with developing minds and characters, working not alone for time, but for eternity. She is sowing seed that will spring up and bear fruit, either for good or for evil. She has not to paint a form of beauty upon a canvas or to chisel it from marble, but to impress upon a human soul the image of the divine. Especially during their early years the responsibility rests upon her of forming the character of her children. The impression now made upon their developing minds will remain with them all through life. Parents should direct the instruction and training of their children while very young, to the end that they may be Christians. They are placed in our care to be trained, not as heirs to the throne of an earthly empire, but as kings unto God, to reign through unending ages.” PP 244.
JOSEPH
At the young age of seventeen we read about Joseph being sold as a slave by his own brothers. He was taken to Egypt without the hope of ever seeing his family again. Here he would remain – perhaps for the rest of his life – surrounded by heathen worshippers of false gods.
“With a trembling heart he looked forward to the future. . . Alone and friendless, what would be his lot in the strange land to which he was going? For a time Joseph gave himself up to uncontrolled grief and terror….
“Then his thoughts turned to his Father’s God. In his childhood he had been taught to love and fear Him… Now all these precious lessons came vividly before him. Joseph believed that the God of his fathers would be His God. He then and there gave himself fully to the Lord, and he prayed that the Keeper of Israel would be with him in the land of his exile.
“His soul thrilled with the high resolve to prove himself true to God -under all circumstances to act as became a subject of the King of heaven. He would serve the Lord with undivided heart; he would meet the trials of his lot with fortitude and perform every duty with fidelity. One day’s experience had been the turning point in Joseph’s life. Its terrible calamity had transformed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, courageous, and self-possessed.” PP 213/214.
In reading of the life of Joseph in Egypt, we see how faithfully he kept to this resolve. He spent two years in prison for his faithfulness, but in the end he was blessed by the Lord and was re-united with his family in an unexpected manner. Not one complaint was uttered from the lips of Joseph about his situation. Never did he use his geographical location as an excuse to sin. He faced many more temptations than many of our young people growing up today are facing. Yet he faithfully stood firm in his resolve to serve the God of his fathers. That God was with him as closely in Egypt as He had been with him while tending his father’s sheep in Canaan. The Lord was a present help and comfort to Joseph and we see the blessing that was left behind.
DANIEL
When the nation of Judah turned away from following the Lord, the Babylonians came to oppress them and the Lord did not protect His people. Rather He sent the Babylonians to punish His chosen people. King Nebuchadnezzar took many captives to Babylon. Did he take only the unfaithful ones? No, we see at the beginning that he took the best men of the nation. Among those men were Daniel and his three companions. They could have argued that God was not fair in sending them to Babylon because they had been faithful. Only the unfaithful ones should have been taken. Nevertheless, they uttered not one complaint. We see their faithfulness written in the book of Daniel.
“Among the children of Israel who were carried captive to Babylon at the beginning of the seventy year’s captivity were Christian patriots, men who were as true as steel to principle, who would not be corrupted by selfishness, but who would honor God at the loss of all things. In the land of captivity these men were to carry out God’s purpose by giving to heathen nations the blessings that come through a knowledge of Jehovah, They were to be His representatives. Never were they to compromise with idolaters; their faith and their name as worshippers of the living God they were to bear as a high honor. And this they did. In prosperity and adversity they honored God, and God honored them.” PP 479.
These young men did not complain that the best years of their life were to be spent in captivity in a foreign nation, living amongst heathen people. They resolved to remain faithful to the Lord wherever they were. The Lord had allowed them to be brought to Babylon and in Babylon they would continue to serve the Lord, and this they did. Their influence was felt far and wide. Their circumstances were not ideal to Christian growth -they were not living in a country setting, they were not around their own people, yet they remained true to God in the heathen king’s court. Their faithfulness proved a great blessing to King Nebuchadnezzar in bringing about his conversion.
JOHN
John, the beloved disciple, lived to be very old. He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the beautiful temple. He was the last survivor of the disciples who were closely connected to Jesus. The Jews hated him bitterly for his faithfulness in preaching about Christ. John was summoned to Rome to be put on trial for his faith. He was sentenced to be put to death. They cast him into a cauldron of boiling oil. The Lord, however, preserved his life as He did the three Hebrew worthies in Babylon when they were sent to the fiery furnace. Since this did not work, John was banished to the Isle of Patmos. Patmos was a barren rocky island in the Aegean Sea where Rome banished its criminals. Did John complain of his forbidding surroundings? He was cut off from family, friends and church members, yet his faith did not falter. The Lord had not rejected him. On this island John found refuge. Among the cliffs and rocks he held communion with the Lord.
“The history of John affords a striking illustration of the way in which God can use aged workers. When John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, there were many who thought him to be past service, an old and broken reed, ready to fall at any time. But the Lord saw fit to use him still. Though banished from the scenes of his former labor, he did not cease to bear witness to the truth. Even in Patmos he made friends and converts. His was a message of joy, proclaiming a risen Saviour who on high was interceding for His people until he should return to take them to Himself. And it was after John had grown old in the service of his Lord that he received more communications from heaven than he had received during all the former years of his life.
“The most tender regard should be cherished for those whose life interest has been bound up with the work of God. These aged workers have stood faithful amid storm and trial. They may have infirmities, but they still possess talents that qualify them to stand in their place in God’s cause. Though worn, and unable to bear the heavier burdens that younger men can and should carry, the counsel they can give is of the highest value.” AA 572/273.
No complaint came from John concerning his surroundings. He simply took up the work where the Lord had placed him.
PAUL
Paul never asked for a change in his surroundings. He simply asked for healing from his infirmity. Three times he asked the Lord and three times the Lord said “No”. Paul may have thought he could serve the Lord better had he been healed, and He asked the Lord how he could be efficient with this ailment. Jesus’ answer to him was, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12: 9.
If we pray for a change in our geographical location, or circumstances and the Lord says, either “no” or “wait”, He promises us the same thing He promised Paul. We may wonder how we can be faithful in our present location and if we ask the Lord, He will tell us, “My grace is sufficient.” The Lord gives grace according to need. While it may be true that there is much more corruption and evil in this world today than there was perhaps one hundred years ago, if we are led to wonder how we or our children could possibly remain faithful, remember the promise to Paul, “My grace is sufficient.” The Lord will be with us. He will give us strength to be faithful in whatever situation we are in. This doesn’t mean we should never make an attempt to change our situation if we are in a disagreeable situation. We are to ask the Lord if we feel a change is necessary, but be ready if the Lord says, “no”, to accept His will. We must never make our service to the Lord conditional on our geographical location.
The Lord wants every soul to hear His message today. There are so many people crowded into the cities and who will go and warn them? Shall we become exclusive as were the Israelites and leave the heathen to perish because we fear contamination from them? The Lord is calling His people today to come into line and spread the message. Even John the Baptist, who spent most of his early life in the wilderness, made regular visits into the city. If we are blessed with a home in the country, we must still do our duty to our fellow men in the cities.
May the Lord help us to prove faithful where ever we may be on this planet and not have a religion that is dependant on a certain geographical location. My prayer is that we would all have the same vision that Abraham did. “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10.
AMEN.