Five Illustrations To Understand God's Way Of Thinking

FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WAY OF THINKING

OUTLINE

1. REPROACH

2. REWARD

3. RENUMERATION

4. RETRENCHMENT

5. REGARD

THE MESSAGE

FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WAY OF THINKING

1. REPROACH: The story of Job:

Job 1:8-12. Job.2:3-7. Job.42:7-10.

Here we read God testimony about Job and Satan’s attacks on Job. The story of Job show show people can fail to understand the true nature of suffering and reproach. Job’s friends constantly accused him of sin and failure as the cause of his suffering. But in the end God vindicated Job.

2. REWARD: The Parable of Talents

Matthew.25:24-30.

Here we find God’s thinking about reward. The servant who received five talents had gained five more through his hard work. Similarly the servant who received two talents gained two more. The Lord commended both of them as good and faithful servants and gave them greater responsibility. But the one who failed to develop the one talent he had received was punished and even that one talent was taken away from him and given to the one who had ten talents. But he already had ten talents and some wondered why he should get it. Here we find God’s principles. He who fails to use what God has given him will lose it. The world may say take it from the one who has more and give it to the one who has less. But God’s view of equality goes deeper than the surface. Poverty through sloth and laziness will not receive God’s sympathy.

3. RENUMERATION: Parable of the Labourers.

Matthew 20:8-16.

Here again we find a conflict between man’s thoughts and God’s thoughts. The labourers who worked from the morning till evening had agreed for a penny and received it. But when they saw that the others who laboured less had received the same renumeration they grumbled. But we see that they Lord is firm in his principles. The master has the right to pay what he wills with his money. He has the right to be merciful and generous to those whom he pities.

4. RETRENCHMENT: Parable of wheat and tares.

Matthew.13:24-30.

Here we find the unexpected presence of evil and man’s haste to remove it. But the Lord is patient. He does not want the good to be destroyed inadvertently. He is willing to wait until both good and evil come to maturity so that there is a clear distinction between them. When good and evil can be clearly identified without doubt , then God allows his servants to separate them. Often man in his haste to rectify can do much damage to the good ones.

5. REGARD: Mary and the precious ointment poured on Jesus

John 12:3-8.

Here Jesus appreciates Mary’s love and regard for Jesus, Judas appears to be concerned about the poor and the wastage of money. But the Bible reveals his true character and motive. Judas wanted to steal the money as he was a thief and carried the money bag .He wanted Mary to give the money to him so that he can steal it . But Jesus said that the poor people are always with us and we can help them whenever we want. But to enjoy the physical presence of Jesus was a rare opportunity and Mary expressed her love for Jesus by giving the best gift that she had.

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