That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." (Philippians 3:10)
We all make choices every day, some more
important than others. God has given each of us the capability and the responsibility
to choose how we live our lives. It is important that we know how to make good
choices. In this study, we will look at a key choice that Moses made and what
led him to choose as he did.
We are all familiar with the story of Moses, who was placed alongside the
river in a basket carefully prepared by his mother. There he was found by
Pharaoh's daughter who had compassion on him and raised him in Egypt as her own
son.
When Moses was forty years old, he reached a critical point in his life. He
was the son of Hebrew parents, one of God's chosen people. He was descended
from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the fathers of the nation to whom God had made
great and wonderful promises. But Moses had been raised as the son of Pharaoh's
daughter, with all the privileges and benefits that Egypt had to offer. Where
would his life go from here? Moses had a choice to make. He could choose the
way of the world and continue to enjoy his current life in Egypt, or he could
choose the way of the Lord and join himself with the people of Israel.
Moses' decision is recorded in Hebrews 11:24.
"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be
called the son of Pharaoh's daughter."
Moses chose to refuse his position in Egypt and all that this worldly nation
had to offer him. As a result of this important decision, we know that God used
him to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt and led them to
the promised land of Canaan.
When did Moses make this choice? The King James text says "when he was
come to years" and the New King James text says "when he became of
age." The Greek literally reads "when he became great." The
Greek word for "great" is "megas," from which we get the
commonly used prefix, "mega." This word can mean great in years,
grown, or mature, but it can also mean important, powerful, praised or
promoted. Moses had become mature in years, for Acts 7:23 tells us he was forty years
old, but he had also become an important and powerful person in Egypt.
- He had great position and prestige, for he was called "the son of Pharaoh's daughter" (Exo. 2:10).
- He had great privileges, for he was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians" (Acts 7:22).
- He had great power, for he was "mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22).
- He had access to great pleasures, for he was raised in a household which worshipped idols, a religious system accompanied by all the worldly pleasures of "wine, women, and song."
- He had great possessions, for as the son of Pharaoh's daughter, he was heir to and possessor of all the treasures of Egypt.
In spite of all this greatness that was his to enjoy, all that Egypt and the
world had to offer, Moses chose to give it all up — and for what? The children
of Israel were currently:
- Strangers and aliens in a foreign land.
- Slaves who were afflicted with hard labor under cruel taskmasters.
- Subjects of a king who hated them and would stop at nothing, even killing their baby boys, to keep his authority and control over them intact.
- Physically weak, poor, and utterly helpless to change their terrible condition.
- Spiritually weak, for they themselves had begun to worship the idols of Egypt (cf. Josh. 24:14).
Why would Moses give up Egypt to be associated with a group of people who
were in such a sad and seemingly hopeless situation? What led Moses to make
this choice? The answer is very important, for we face the same decision that
Moses did. Do we follow the way of the world, with its position, prestige,
privileges, power, pleasure, and possessions, or do we follow the way of the
Lord? We must make choices like this every day in regard to our education, our
work, our friends, our activities, etc.
As we continue reading in Hebrews 11, we find three principles
which guided Moses in his decision; principles which we can apply in making our
decisions as well.
Hebrews 11:25 goes on to tell us
that Moses' refusal, in verse 24, was based on his
"... choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people
of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
The word "choosing" could read literally "having
chosen," indicating that this choice occurred prior to his refusal and was
therefore the basis for his refusal. What did he choose? Moses chose to suffer
affliction (ill treatment) with the people of God rather than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin. He chose suffering over sin, even with all its enjoyment and
pleasure.
This verse makes it clear that sin does bring pleasure and enjoyment to
people. We do a disservice to children, young people, and even adults by
telling them that sin only brings misery, for when they become involved in some
type of sin, they find that they receive a great deal of pleasure from it. Sin
can be fun. It is pleasant to the flesh and to our old sin nature. We don't
need to lie and say that sin is not fun, for people will find out for
themselves that this is simply not true. What we do need to stress about sin is
that the pleasures and enjoyment it brings are only temporary. They only last
for a season and then they pass away (1 John 2:17). Moses chose sufferings
over the pleasures of sin because he knew that the pleasures afforded by Egypt
were only temporary. In fact, he also knew this was true about the sufferings
as well. They too would last only for a season, for God had made great and
wonderful promises to Israel; promises that Moses knew God would one day
faithfully fulfill.
Moses' decision illustrates the first principle for making good choices.
Eternal versus Temporary
As believers, we need to make our choices in view of what will last for
eternity rather than what is only temporary. The apostle Paul stressed this
very principle in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward
man is perishing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary,
but the things which are not seen are eternal."
What do you look at when you are faced with decisions in life? The things
you can see and feel and experience here and now, or the things which you
cannot see, but you know will last for all eternity? We sing a simple little
chorus that says,
With eternities values in view, Lord. With eternities values in
view. May I do each day's work for Jesus, With eternities values in view.
When we apply this principle, we will conclude, as Paul did in Romans 8:18,
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in
us."
Returning to our passage in Hebrews 11, verse 26 tells us that
Moses' refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, as well as his
choice to suffer affliction with the people of God, was based on his
"... esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than
the treasures in Egypt."
The word "esteeming" could be translated, more literally,
"having esteemed," indicating that this occurred prior to his choice
to suffer and prior to his refusal of Egypt, thus forming the basis for these
two decisions.
The word "esteem" refers to what you judge or deem to be important
or valuable. This verse gives us a view of Moses' value system. Moses looked at
two options: (1) the treasures (or storehouse) of Egypt versus (2) the shame or
reproach of the Christ.
As the son of Pharaoh's daughter, Moses had access to the vast storehouses
of earthly treasure associated with the king of Egypt. He was, no doubt, a very
rich man. If he forsook Egypt and joined himself to the people of God, he knew
that he would not only be giving up all those riches, but he would also
experience shame and reproach from the people of Egypt. He would be ridiculed
and verbally abused by the very same people who had once been his friends and
family. It is interesting to note that this shame or reproach is said to be
because of "the Christ." Even at this early point in Israel's
history, they knew of their promised Messiah or Christ (lit. "the Anointed
One") who would be their Deliverer. Moses knew that aligning himself with
the people of God would result in his suffering shame for the sake of this
promised Christ.
If Moses had been fleshly minded, he would have chosen the treasures of
Egypt. Most of the people of the world today have this mindset, even many
believers. They esteem the physical things of the world to be more valuable
than the spiritual blessings God has to offer.
Moses demonstrated that he was spiritually minded. He knew that suffering
shame and reproach with God's people for the sake of their promised Christ
afforded him greater riches (wealth) than all the treasures Egypt had to offer.
The same is true today. The apostle Paul told the Philippian believers,
"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not
only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake."
The word "granted" is the Greek word "charizomai" which
is closely akin to the word "grace." The opportunity to suffer for
the sake of, or on behalf of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is a gift
freely given to us by God. If we would keep this in mind, it would make it much
easier for us to bear up under the sufferings and tribulation which come our
way.
The twelve apostles, in Acts 5, illustrate the proper attitude
believers should have regarding trials and sufferings. The apostles had been
imprisoned and interrogated by the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem because of
their testimony concerning Jesus Christ. Many of the Jewish leaders wanted to
put the apostles to death, but a Pharisee named Gamaliel intervened on their
behalf. The apostles were beaten, commanded not to speak anymore in the name of
Jesus of Nazareth, and then released. Upon their release, the apostles
"... departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:41)
Moses had the same value system as the twelve apostles. He knew that greater
riches were to be found in suffering shame for Christ than in all the treasures
in Egypt.
Moses' value judgment illustrates the second principle for making good choices.
Spiritual versus Fleshly
If we, as believers, are to make good choices, we need to base our decisions
upon the correct values. Fleshly, physical treasures are only temporary. There
is no guarantee that they will last. In fact, we know that they will not last.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus taught this
same principle as part of His "sermon on the mount."
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where
moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also."
As God's dear children, the things that are truly valuable to us are not the
treasures this world has to offer, but the spiritual treasures we receive from
God; treasures that are found in His Son. Colossians 2:3 tells us that
"In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge."
In Philippians 3, Paul indicates the
proper value system believers should have. In verses 4-6 Paul lists all the
"fleshly" things he had once valued and placed his confidence in.
Then in verses 7-8, Paul expresses his new value system as a believer in
Christ.
"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss
for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ."
What do you esteem to be important and valuable to you? Is your heart set on
the treasures of this earth, the physical things which may satisfy the flesh,
but are of no value spiritually? Or have you, as Paul, counted all these things
as loss for the single most important thing in life; that you may gain Christ?
Remember, that your value system will determine the type of choices you make in
life.
As we proceed to the latter part of Hebrews 11:26, we find the third
principle for making good choices. Here we read that Moses,
"looked to the reward."
The word "looked" is the Greek word "apoblepo" which
means "to turn the eyes away from all other things and fix them on one
thing." The verb form used indicates that Moses "was continuously
looking" to the reward.
Moses, as he grew up in Egypt, had a spiritual heritage, probably received
from his faithful Hebrew parents (Heb. 11:23). He knew that God had made
promises to their father Abraham in Genesis 15, that following their
captivity in Egypt, God would bring them out of Egypt and into the land of
Canaan. Having this knowledge of God's promises and understanding God's
character (i.e. He is faithful and true), Moses looked continuously beyond
Egypt to the reward in Canaan. No doubt, Moses longed to be a part of this with
God's people, therefore he fixed his eyes on this future reward.
During this present dispensation of grace, we too need to fix our eyes on
the reward that God has promised us as His people. Paul stresses the importance
of where we focus our attention in Titus 2:11-13.
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to
all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
We are not only saved by the grace of God, but we are taught by this same
grace how to live for the Lord. We are encouraged to choose, as Moses did, to
"deny ungodliness and worldly lusts" and to "live soberly,
righteously, and godly" in this present age. Moses was able to choose as
he did because "he looked to the reward." If we are to make this same
type of choice, we must be continually "looking for" our blessed
hope, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ for His church. Our reward is not to
be found here on earth, but in heaven! Philippians 3:20-21 tells us,
"Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly
wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body
that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by
which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."
We are to be continually looking for and looking unto our wonderful Savior,
who will one day come for us and transform our lowly, sinful bodies that they
may be made like His glorious body. By keeping our minds and hearts focused on
Him, we are able to make choices which are pleasing to God. We must heed the
admonishment of Colossians 3:1-4.
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your
mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life
is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you
also will appear with Him in glory."
Here then is the third principle for making good choices.
Heavenly versus Earthly
Believers are heavenly citizens. We are to continually stay focused on our
heavenly reward and on the Person who is our blessed hope, our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ. We are to look away from all other things, that is the things of
this earth, "looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher (Perfector) of
our faith" (Heb. 12:2).
Conclusion
As we live out our lives here on earth, these three principles for making
good choices are not easy to put into practice. They are especially difficult
for young people, who seem to have their whole lives before them. We must
discipline ourselves to think soberly about these issues. Think about what will
matter for eternity, not just the here and now. Ask yourself this question,
"What will matter to me 1000 years from now?" You know that you will
not be here on earth anymore. Live your life and make choices with eternity's
values in view.
Consider what is really more important to you. Is it physical things you can
see and feel, or spiritual things such as love, peace, joy, and warm
relationships with others? Most people, if they are honest, will acknowledge
that money and possessions cannot provide true happiness. When we consider the
most important relationship of all, our relationship with God, this becomes
even more apparent. The love, joy, and peace that comes from knowing Jesus
Christ as Savior, far exceeds anything that this world has to offer. Your
values will determine the type of choices you make.
Remember that this earth is not your eternal home. You are truly a pilgrim
here on earth. You are a citizen of heaven, and one day the Lord is going to
come and take you home to live with Him in heaven for all eternity. The Lord
Jesus Christ is your blessed hope. Keep your mind and heart continually fixed
on Him. Get to know Him, love Him, and serve Him with all your heart. Continually
looking unto Him and the reward He promises, will enable you to make good
choices—choices that please and honor God.
Mp3
Studies By Pastor Gregg Bing
Ephesians
- 06 - The Fullness of the Times
How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
Posted By Cecil and
Connie Spivey
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