You Cannot Serve the Lord

You Cannot Serve the Lord

“So the people answered and said: ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods . . . .’ But Joshua said to the people, ‘You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.’ . . . And the people said to Joshua, ‘No, but we will serve the Lord!’ So Joshua said to the people, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord for yourselves, to serve Him.’ And they said, ‘We are witnesses.’”

From this we can learn that we have to be true in our innermost heart if we present ourselves to serve the Lord. It is not a game. We must not do it for the sake of seeking a reputation or gain.

“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” 2 Cor. 2:17.

Even in Paul’s days it was “the many” who were perverting God’s Word for personal gain. It goes badly with such people who present themselves as God’s servants, yet serve themselves. Rom. 16:18. “God is not mocked.” “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” When we speak in the church, we speak before God’s face. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt. 12:37. Many people speak the truth boldly and have a reputation of being sharp and radical, but they do not live these truths themselves, thereby pronouncing their own judgment. It would have been much better if they had never made themselves out to be servants of the Lord.

“By you alone I wanted to be known among all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Amos 3:2. Israel has experienced this throughout all the ages.

They chose to serve God of their own accord. Joshua warned them that God would not forgive their trespasses. When God punished them for their trespasses, they themselves were witnesses that God acted righteously.

“You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” Rom. 2:21. All of us who want to serve God must answer this question with the utmost seriousness, for God is not mocked.