A messenger went to Jehu and said, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons.” So Jehu ordered, “Pile them in two heaps at the entrance of the city gate, and leave them there until morning.” In the morning he went out and spoke to the crowd that had gathered around them. “You are not to blame,” he told them. “I am the one who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these? You can be sure that the message of the LORD that was spoken concerning Ahab’s family will not fail. The LORD declared through his servant Elijah that this would happen.” Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab’s relatives living in Jezreel and all his important officials, his personal friends, and his priests. So Ahab was left without a single survivor. [2 Kings 10.8-11]
Wouldn't it be a shame to do the will of God, even fulfill prophecy, and yet, not have a relationship with God? That is precisely what Jehu did.
In this way, Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel. He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin. Nonetheless the LORD said to Jehu, “You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation.” But Jehu did not obey the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. [2 Kings 10.28-31]
Regardless what prescriptions that I, or anyone else may make to have a relationship with God, every individual is responsible to tend to their own relationship with God. Jehu faithfully fulfilled Scripture in annihilating Ahab's dynasty and wiping out Baal worship for God and yet in the Bible's eyes he "did not obey..." David, on the other hand, resultant to an adulterous relationship, conspired and murdered one of his most faithful men, and David went down in history as a "man after God's own heart..." In comparison, both men indeed did most of what God directed them to do.
To further compare Jehu and David only confuses the matter because 2 Kings says Jehu did not obey the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart, and yet David, completely disregarded and disobeyed the very same "Law of the LORD" in committing adultery with Bathsheba and premeditated murder upon her husband.
As I consider the conundrum presented in the previous paragraph, I can think of one thing that uniquely distinguished David from Jehu: David was a worshiper. From the Bible accounts of David's tendencies to worship all the way to the numerous Psalms he wrote, David's proclivity to worship is historically established. Is worship then the key to relationship with God?
Before we answer the previous question, we must understand that the Bible's clues about Satan indicate that he was perhaps the worship leader in heaven before his fall... So, not even worship secures an eternal relationship with God!
First, we must understand that there is only one relationship with God that is secure for all eternity and that is the relationship with God that existed before time even began. That relationship is the relationship between God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Consequently, no other relationship with God is secure for eternity... oh wait... yes, there is one other: God's relationship with the Holy Spirit. Okay, now, there are only two relationships with God that are eternal: His relationships with His Son and His Holy Spirit.
Feeling left out?
Because the statements made above are true, our only hope then of eternal relationship with God (salvation) is "in Christ" - filled with the Holy Spirit He provides in return for our repentance and faith. It's not about what we do or don't do otherwise but about being in Christ!
We have no record that Jehu was a man looking to God in faith. David's open faith on the other hand has been an example to countless believers for centuries. In fact, many of David's Psalms prophetically point to Jesus Christ. And so, here is the key to relationship with God: faith in Jesus Christ (whether before, during or after His Advent). Faith in Jesus Christ connects the believer to the Holy Spirit. The resulting three-braided cord of Jesus bound together with man by the Holy Spirit is the only possible way to have eternal access to and relationship with God. Then, it is no longer about pleasing God through the Law of the LORD but about pleasing God by faith in Jesus Christ. And, even though it makes most theologians and Christians alike quite uncomfortable, Jesus was very clear about how we could know our faith in Him is indeed reality:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
It should come as no surprise then, in light of the exclusivity of John 14.12, that Jesus also made the following declaration:
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.14]
Before declaring me a complete radical, just be sure that it is me you discount and not God's Word. What does God's Word say?
Father, may the progression of my thoughts here lead me to my knees in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ! I want my relationship with You to be real, but I know it is completely counterfeit unless Jesus Christ is intimately involved. So be it.
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