His methods of dealing with his people change, but the basic principles laid down in the Old Testament are still valid for us today.  "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4.) If we have God's presence in every battle of life, we can be assured of ultimate victory, but we must recognize that God will not deliver us from the battles but that he will see us through them.

     There is one particular commandment which is difficult for any modern-day Christian to accept and understand; the Israelites were to show no mercy to any of the inhabitants of Canaan.  No doubt many of them (the Israelites) were compassionate, and it was extremely difficult for them to utterly destroy young children and defenseless mothers, but God had commanded this.  What would have been the difference if God had sent a pestilence, or an earthquake or flood and destroyed them all? The inhabitants of Canaan represented all the evil in the world.  If we look at the total depravity of all men, death is the sentence under which all of Adam's posterity lives, and what does it matter whether God destroyed the enemies of his people by an overt act of his or by his servants at his command.  The end is the same.  We have become so aware of humanistic philosophy that we have lost sight of God's absolute sovereignty and have tried to substitute human dignity and intrinsic human worth which has been invented by Satan and introduced into the thinking of most men and women.

     Due to the compassion of the Israelites (and possibly other considerations), in several instances, the enemies of the Israelites were left alive and Israel provoked God to wrath and also suffered at the hands of those they spared when the mercy shown to them was forgotten.  The commandment given to Joshua was forgotten.  They were to keep all the commandments completely and we are just as obligated to do the same today.  Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15.)

     How thankful we should be that we are under a new economy; that of the gospel.  The commandments under the ceremonial law of Moses are no more.  As before observed, the day of grace did not set us free from the moral laws given to Moses, but a new code was given for our spiritual conduct, and God is exact in hisrequirements for our keeping those commandments.  The Israelites were told to slay their enemies -- we are told to love our enemies. 

     Which commandment do you suppose required the most perfect obedience? When we have started on the journey of discipleship, have put on the whole armor of God, we are in a position to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us.  Under the law they used violence.  Under grace we are told to use love.  

     Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (see Hebrews 3:1), gave us a perfect example of dealing with our enemies.Although he was in perfect control at all times (see John 18:4-8)and could have called legions of angels to defend him (see Matthew 26:53), he chose to fight the battle with love and submission, knowing that his primary mission was to glorify the Father by doing the Father's will.  When we are able to make our chief goal in life, that of following our Master, we will find that we will see new mercies every morning, and the more we live like him, the greater will be our showers of blessings.

     It appears that today most who aspire to discipleship have a desire to be like their contemporaries -- we want to keep up with the Jones'.  When God delivered the Israelites into Canaan, the government was a true theocracy -- God was their King and he gave them judges to rule over them as his lieutenants.  The people were not satisfied with this arrangement and wanted a king over them. When Samuel when to the Lord about it, God told him that the people had not rejected him (Samuel), but that they had rejected God. 

     After they had been warned by Samuel, they still wanted a king and God gave them Saul. (See I Samuel chapters 8 and 9.) This led to much grief for the people, and we today need to take particular heed to this lesson.  There is much instruction for all who aspire to discipleship.

     Jesus said: "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom . . . (Luke 22:29-30.)  Also, John the Baptist came  . . . preaching the gospel of the  kingdom  of  God,  and  saying,  The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand  (Mark 1:15-16.) Also: "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12.) And, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom is preached and every man presseth into it." (Luke 16:16.) So, we see that today true disciples are members of the kingdom which is a true theocracy again.  Jesus is the King and governs this kingdom with unfailing wisdom and power.  Every subject is under complete obligation to serve this King, but only those who are willing to pay the price of discipleship, to press into it by using whatever violence is necessary to crucify the flesh, can enter in; then only those who truly serve the King are privileged to enjoy the fullness of blessings available to the elect in this world.  As we look back to the national Israel and what their disobedience to their heavenly King's laws brought upon them in trials and afflictions, we should get a picture of what lies in store for us if we fail to obey the King's laws today.

     In modern Christianity, men decide that some of God's commandments are not really meant for their situation, that it must apply to someone else.  So many of us try to "fix" the laws of our King to suit our own notions.  Also, there is at times a tendency to forget that our King today knows all about our thinking and intentions.  He knows every evasive action we take to circumvent his commandments; knows every sin we commit and every sin of omission.  On the journey of discipleship, we must be constantly and keenly aware that our King is the lawmaker and lawgiver; the one who executes all of the laws of his kingdom, and then is the judge before whose judgment seat we must all appear.  Also, he is omniscient -- he has all the facts and there is no possibility of the miscarriage of justice.  When the Apostle Paul said that it was a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (see Hebrews 10:31), he understood what it meant to appear before the judgment seat of Christ.  He knew that Jesus redeemed us from the law of sin and death and brought us under law unto himself and is going to execute judgment on all of his children while they are in this world.  Whether one is amillenial or premillenial in his eschatology, he must recognize that Jesus is reigning in his kingdom now and is going to render to every man according as his work shall be.

     One might well ask: "If Jesus is so strict; if every disobedience receives a just recompense of reward, why pay the price to press into the kingdom?" Much of the answer to this question was covered in the section on the blessings of discipleship, but there are good valid reasons for wanting to live in the King's household.  This is so vividly portrayed in the story of Mephibosheth as told in II Samuel 9:1-13.  The reason for wanting to be in the King's household is shown in verse 11: . . . As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons." If we own him as our King, we want to be part of his court.  It is in the kingdom that the table of spiritual things is prepared.  A man that is born again has need for spiritual nourishment that he may abide in the vine and bring forth much fruit.  "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5.) Here is where it is really easy to abide in him.  As a minister, I realize that I am sheltered from much of the wickedness and corruption that is in the world, but when I happen to be in a crowd that is not interested in the things of the kingdom, it is often necessary to use my armor to keep from being enticed and drawn away.  If I am in the kingdom, it is an anchor and shield against much of the wickedness that is in the world.  I am sure that the experiences that I have are no different from those of anyone who truly wants to abide in the kingdom and enjoy the blessings of its fellowship and joys.  Jesus promised to sit down and eat and drink with us in the kingdom. 

     W. Oliver Cooper stated it very well when he ended one of his gospel songs with: ". . . Tis sweetest joy to know that where ever I may go, its just like heaven for Jesus is there." Is it not wonderful to sit at the King's table every day.  It is in the kingdom and if we fail to keep his commandments, we may be cast out of the kingdom of disciples and have to try to walk alone.

     Because there is so very little knowledge in America of how a king deals with his subjects, we have ceased to fear our King. There is an excellent television broadcast which originates in Memphis, Tennessee each Sunday morning with this line: "We now invite you to worship our loving God" This is a wonderful invitation and is entirely true, but there seems to be a tendency in America to forget that our King is a God of wrath also.  The love of God has been proclaimed until many do not believe that there is retribution for wickedness.  David said, "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes." (Psalm 36:1); also, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Psalm 10:4.) Solomon also said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10.) Then, Solomon concluded his exhortations in this manner: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

     With these statements in mind, let us look to Queen Esther, the beloved wife of King Ahasuerus.  Even though she knew his love for her; yet when it came time for her to approach him with a petition, fear gripped her very soul for she knew that if he did not hold out the golden sceptre to her when she went in without invitation that she would be put to death.  Yet her resolve was firm: "If I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16.) We need to remember that even though we have become dead to the law by the body of Christ and are now members of his household, that we are to fear and reverence him just as Esther did her king.  He is an absolute monarch and we must recognize him as such; be subservient to him and keep his commandments.  However, he has set us free from the law of sin and death, and has invited us into the "holiest" after our hearts have been sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (See Hebrews 10:14-31.) We are told that perfect love casts out fear. (See 1st John 4:18.) When we really fear God, we love him and the fear of the wicked one is cast out.  What a blessing!

     Having observed the severity of God's judgments on those who do not keep his commandments and the sure chastening of his children who stray away from the righteous paths, we need to see what he does for those who truly walk with him.  As before observed, Enoch walked with God and God took him home when he had lived less than half as long as most of his contemporaries.  We are told: "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5.) No doubt his kindred mourned his rapture, but it was the ultimate blessing that God could bestow upon him for his faithfulness.  It is highly unlikely that any of us shall be translated as Enoch was, but if we should be alive and remain when Jesus comes back to earth, we, if we have been born again, will experience the very same translation that Enoch did.  This is the ultimate, but there are many rewards that are very delightful while we are still fettered and chained up in clay.

     When we look at the case of Daniel, a man who was faithful to his God in the face of almost certain death in a den of lions, we get a true picture of what is required of us in our walk in discipleship.  God shut the mouths of the lions and delivered Daniel.  When the king saw this miracle and the others that God performed, he came to the conclusion that the God of Daniel was a true God; that he was the only true God and acknowledged him as such.  Because of Daniel's steadfastness, the name of God was magnified in Babylon.

     Not only Daniel was delivered from the den of lions, but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were delivered through a furnace heated seven times hotter than normal with no smell of fire on their clothes when they came out.  This was because they were . . . steadfast,  unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58.) All four of these faithful servants were promoted in the kingdom of Babylon because they were faithful in the kingdom of their Lord.

     Elijah, the prophet, was faithful in his office, taking on the host of the priests of Baal and the whole of the government of Ahab and Jezebel when he called for the offering on Mt.  Carmel.  Four hundred fifty (450) priests of Baal against one prophet of the Lord; also, four hundred (400) prophets of the groves on Ahab's side.  Elijah knew what Elisha knew when the camp of Israel was surrounded by their enemies: "And he answered, Fear not: For they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (II Kings 6:16.) This has been the experience of so very many of God's children who are truly endeavoring to walk in discipleship.  The story of Elijah is recorded in 1st Kings 18th chapter.

     Ruth, the Moabitess, is a classic example of the rewards that God gives to those who are willing to sell all that they have and follow the lowly Lamb of God.  She came into the female line from which the Lord would be born as he took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh.  In becoming the wife of Boaz, she was a type of those who have become dead to the law by the body of Christ, that they may be married to another.  One cannot enjoy the rewards of discipleship until they are ready to forsake the past and turn to the Redeemer as their husband.

     When we begin to look at the rewards for discipleship portrayed in the New Testament, we are likely to come to the conclusion that there is more tragedy than joy.  All of the apostles suffered much, endured persecution, affliction and were denied by most of their own people.  The Apostle Paul aptly describes what he had to bear in order to be a disciple of his Redeemer:

           "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have  been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own          countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."  (II Corinthians 11:23-28.)

     Why would Paul endure all these things? The answer comes in his epistle to Timothy: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (II Timothy 2:10.) It could very well be said that Paul was a special case, but that is not the case when it concerns discipleship.  Paul knew that the blessings that come in serving God's people are the ultimate in abundant living in this world.  To share the good things of the kingdom gives more satisfaction than any other activity one can practice.  If it involved perilous undertakings, Paul did not shun to press right on. He knew the joy of observing the repentance of sinners through his admonition to them; he understood the blessings that came to him when Ananias, a disciple, came to him at Damascus and taught him the way of peace.  He remembered the joy that flooded his soul when he was baptized and left the burden of past sins in the grave of baptism and because he had so much concern for all the elect, both Jews and Gentiles, that he was willing to suffer the loss of all things that both they and he might have their calling and election made sure -- not to God but to themselves.  Then, in his final admonition to Timothy, he left us the very essence of what his discipleship procured for him:

          "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of         righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto    all them also that love his appearing."; and, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." II Timothy 4:6-8 and 18.)

     Paul had truly found the secret of an abundant life as the poet has so well said: "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow." Jesus had said: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35.) Paul's whole life from the Damascus road experience until his martyrdom in Rome was lost in the will of his Lord and Master.  We would all do well to share his commitment.

     Not only Paul, but all of the disciples at Jerusalem who were truly contending for God's ways felt the mercies and providence of God touch their lives.  Jesus had prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem, but had promised those who were faithful disciples that they would be spared if they were truly obedient.  According to secular history, all of the faithful disciples of Jesus were led or delivered out to Pella before the destruction of the city by the Romans in the year 70 A.D. and escaped the tribulation that came upon those who did not obey the gospel.  This is a very important lesson for us today.  Discipleship will not deliver from trials and afflictions, but God will make a way of escape for us if we truly walk in truth and thereby give us the assurance that he that has been with us in six trials will not forsake us in the seventh or when we face our last enemy, death.

     Although all of the apostles suffered death or exile; yet we do not hear one word of complaint from them in the scriptural account.  Then, as we come on down to the times of persecution, the true disciples went willingly to death, many of them even singing praise to God as the flames which were burning them alive licked their breath away.  God has never forsaken a true disciple when the time of that disciple's departure comes.  This has been demonstrated time and time again by so many who have heard heavenly music, or as Stephen did when being stoned to death, are able to look into the very heaven itself and catch a glimpse of heavenly glory, or the radiance of the glory of God shines round about them as their spirits are wafted to .  Discipleship does not procure the eternal home, but it does procure such an earnest of it that those who are let to mourn their passing have blessed assurance that all is well with their souls.

     In all the experiences of God's people with which I am acquainted, I know of no one who ever became a true disciple and then became sorry for his actions.  In the many books that I have read, there has been no account of someone repenting that he committed his life to be a disciple of Jesus, the one before which every knee is one day going to bow and every tongue is going to confess that he is Lord and King.  If we fail to confess him now, how will we feel when we have to confess him as our King before all the hosts of heaven and earth? For his children, even the sin of not confessing him before men will have been put away, but the agony of the last hours on earth for those who have built their house of hay, wood or stubble; when their work shall be burned; or if they have built their house on the sand and the fall of their philosophical house leaves them destitute of all in which they have trusted.

     It is such a great blessing to understand that discipleship is not the procuring cause of eternal bliss, and that if one misses the joys of discipleship, it does not cause him to lose his eternal inheritance.  The Jews who were blinded by God have not stumbled that they should fall.  All but a remnant have been denied the blessings of discipleship by God and will never fully be restored to the place that they can believe until the fullness of the Gentiles is come.  We do not know when that time shall be, but what a joy to know that they will not be eternally damned because God blinded their minds.  Also, when we look at the millions of Moslems, Buddhists, Hindus, Shintoists, etc., not to exclude the American Indians and their happy hunting ground religion, it gives great delight to understand God's precisely perfect plan for the population of heaven with people from every kindred and tongue; how that God fits them for heaven by his own sovereign power used according to his abundant mercy so that ". . . in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."(Acts 10:35.) "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:6.) For those of us who are really concerned about the salvation of men, it is such a blessing to know that God does not depend upon the unstable efforts of feeble man to bring eternal salvation to the heathen or to our next door neighbor for that matter, but that we have been given the responsibility to make them into disciples that their joy (and ours) may be full while we live in this world.

     If humanistic tendencies had not affected the early church and the theologians of the third century had stayed with the New Testament pattern of endeavoring to make disciples of lost sheep, rather than expending much effort to try to make goats into sheep, the Christian church would have been much more effective as a force for good and the way to an abundant life than it became after it was led astray by Satan, who put forth as much effort then as he is putting forth now, to destroy the peace of God's children by leading them away from God's way.  The inconsistencies that prevailed during the dark ages were not much worse than many that are being put forth today in order to try to do the impossible, usurp the work of God in getting men born again.  No wonder so many intellectuals are disgusted with religion and become agnostics.  If men are asked to serve a God that is portrayed as standing, begging for men to come and be born again; a God that wants all men to be saved, but cannot save them unless they will let him, he is perceived as being no better than Dagon or Baal.  "But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." (Job 23:13.) He predestinated all that he loved to be conformed to the image of his Son.  This is his desire and this he will do.  He offers discipleship to as many of his children as are mature and spiritually rational, who hear the gospel and are willing to obey it, but this has nothing to do with his predestination, except in the case of the remnant who are chosen to believe the truth.  The invitation went out: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30.)

     It is high time to awake out of sleep.