A Charge To Keep I Have

Hello Ladies,

This is Celia C. Tillman bringing you greetings and encouragement from the Honey-Comb of Praises. Our lesson for this month is A CHARGE TO KEEP I HAVE. What does this word mean to us? A “Charge” is a responsibility that has been entrusted to someone or something. Many of us however,  have responsibilities that have a need of being fulfilled during a short period of time or even a lifetime of an individual. Moses made it clear to the people of Israel that when they make a promise to the Lord that it must be kept but if it is broken, then it becomes a sin,(Deuteronomy 23:21-23). 

However, even in the New Testament we read about a husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit about some property they had sold and kept some for themselves. Peter makes it clear that the couple were punished because they misrepresented the truth and became very deceitful. Peter said “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of

the price of the land? While it remained , was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own power?  Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God, “(Acts 5:1-10).

We must remember that we can’t hide anything from God. However, when we lie unto him, we must suffer the consequences for our actions. When we make an oath unto God, he expects us to carry it out to the fullest. The Bible teaches us to let our conversation be” nay or ye” (yes, or no) anything else is evil,” (Matt. 5:37).

Yes, Ladies, since the beginning of time, and as far back as the first couple, Adam and Eve, they were given a “Charge” to keep and a God to Glorify. They were the First Human beings on earth and who were made in the image of God, (Genesis 1:26). They were the first to have dominion over the animals, the first to tend the garden; the first to be placed in charge of all the creatures, (Genesis 1:28-30). Yes Ladies, Adam and Eve accepted the “Charge” that God had given them but didn’t follow through with it. However, their ears were dull of hearing and they listened to the serpent, instead of God. They were punished, and driven out of their beautiful garden because of sin, (Genesis 3:24). Ladies, we must face disciplinary action when we disobey God. The Bible teaches that, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God,” (Hebrew 10:31).  Jesus Christ had a “Charge” from His Father, God to come to earth and die upon the cross, for the sin of mankind, yet He , himself, had no sins., (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus laid down His life that mankind may live again.

Mankind must hear how Jesus died; and was buried and rose again on the third day conquering death and the grave with all power in Heaven and on Earth, (Matthew 28:18). For those of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, have a “Charge.” Yes, Ladies, what are we to teach? We must teach all things that have been commanded of us and not our own human ideology.

Excuses. Many of us are guilty of making them. Ladies, how many of us have made excuses to God why we aren’t able to perform certain tasks for the lack of this or the other. God knows our heart, and for every excuse, God has a solution to our excuse making. Moses, in (Exodus 3:11-13) had big issues about his inability to lead God’s people, and he feared the people would distrust him, (Exodus 4:1); he also complained of having difficulties in speech (Exodus 4:10-14). 

However, when we continue to read the remainder of Exodus, it traces Moses’ from a fumbling start to him becoming one of history’s most powerful leaders. Moses with his leadership skills and Aaron, his older brother with fluency of speech worked together in leading the Israelites out of Egyptians bondage. Many of us in the Church today can identify with Moses’ behavior with our very own: We make excuses why we cannot keep the “Charge” that has been given to us to be faithful and to be an influence to others.

After the Resurrection of Jesus, appeared to his Apostles and gave them a “Charge” to keep. They were to go into the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things that they had learned from him. (Matthews 28: 19-20).

The Apostle Paul “Charged” young Timothy, to preach the word before God the Father, and Jesus Christ, who shall judge all men. Timothy was to be ready in any situation to deliver the word in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine because there will be times, when men will not listen to sound doctrine but they will seek out men who will tell them what they want to hear, (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

Ladies, all of our words are binding before the living God and his words shouldn’t be taken lightly. When we make an oath to God, he expects us to carry it out to the fullest. Everyone have a charge to keep, children to parents, and parents to children, employers to employees, (Ephesians 6:1-9); wives must respect and love their husbands, and the husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it, (Ephesians 5:21-33).

Many of us try to take charge of our lives without Christ, and we lose our way in this world. The Lord Jesus said, “I Am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me,” (John 14:6). Ladies, if we take the “Charge” and live for Christ, he will give us an eternal home in heaven, (II Corinthians 5:1).

 

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

  1. What were the charges that Adam and Eve had to be mindful of? (B) What happened to Adam and Eve?
  2. What are some excuses Christians make not to follow Jesus?
  3. What excuses did Mosses make to God about his charge to go to Pharaoh?
  4. As parents, what are our obligations or charges that are set forth in the scriptures?
  5. How should we communicate with God?
  6. How does God expect women to act toward their husbands?
  7. Men ought to ____________ their wives, as Christ _____________ the Church.
  8. Name some of the Bible characters that did not keep the Charge. (B) What happened to them?
  9. Who did Paul Charge to preach the Gospel? (B) Give scripture.
  10. How many times have you missed the opportunities to tell some lost soul about Christ?