THE PLATE
OF ACCEPTANCE
INTRODUCTION
The plate of acceptance is overflowing towards the ungodliness of man as many continue to add ungodly content that is being promoted as healthy rather than destructive. Nations that formerly were devoted to godly principles have allowed the deceptive practices of the ungodly to come to fruition rather than godliness.
There is a withdrawal from Biblical instruction with appeasement of the flesh as a replacement. There are venues such as the Internet, Social Media, and others, that promote ungodliness and disallow any godly instruction to be forthcoming.
The Plate of Acceptance
Provision for Man
God made a provision for man through sending His Son into the world. Scripture reveals: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
What a blessed gift from the heavenly Father in His willingness in sending His only Son towards the salvation of man! It is unfortunate that many have rejected His provision for man; with the plate of acceptance not as hoped for!
Darkness versus Light
Scripture reveals: This is the condemnation, that light (the Lord Jesus Christ) is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (exposed) (John 3:19-20).
It is unfortunate that the plate of acceptance is overflowing in regards to the sinfulness of man being promoted at all levels while the fruitfulness of righteousness is not expounded on as in previous years. Promotion of ungodliness has elevated in stature with voices speaking against such growing dimmer.
Perilous Times
Scripture reveals: This know that in the last days (which we are in) perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy; without natural affection, truebreakers, false accusers (slanderers).
Incontinent (without self control); fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady (reckless), high-minded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more (rather than) lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Identification of what should not be on one's plate of acceptance is spelled out in these verses! The believer who has not been drawn into acceptance can readily testify that the specified traits listed are in the ungodly society of today!
What is Allowed or
Disallowed
A genuine believer, as Lot in Sodom, observes ungodliness on a daily basis. Scripture reveals: God delivered Lot, vexed (oppressed) with the filthy conversation (conduct) of the wicked: for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed (tormented) his righteous soul from day to day, with their unlawful deeds (2 Peter 2:7-8).
The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust to the Day of Judgment to be punished (2 Peter 2:9). The plate of acceptance comes into focus in this verse due to the fact of what one allows or disallows to be placed on their plate of acceptance!
Deliverance Provided
Lot and his household were delivered from Sodom, prior to its destruction but Scripture reveals that Lot lingered, and the angels laid hold of his hand, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful to him: and they brought him forth, and set him without (outside) the city.
And it came to pass, when they (the angels) had brought them forth, that he (one of the angels) said, escape for your life; look not behind you, neither stay you in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed (destroyed) (Genesis 19:16).
Because of previous intercession God made a provision for Lot and his household. Scripture reveals: When God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham (who had interceded), and set Lot out of the midst of the overthrow (destruction), when he overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt (Genesis 19:29).
What So Captivated Lot
and His Wife
Scripture reveals: But his wife (Lot's) looked back from behind him (despite being commanded not to do so), and she became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). What so captivated Lot (who had lingered) and Lot's wife (who looked back), that they responded in the manner that they had?
Scripture reveals: In that day (the coming of the Lord), he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff (possessions) in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back; remember Lot's wife (Luke 17:31:32).
The plate of acceptance comes into focus as to how prepared one is when the Lord returns. It was noted that wholehearted devotion to God, as opposed to loving possessions of life itself, will be the only refuge in that day. The reminder "Remember Lot's wife" stresses the importance of whatever is left behind should not be more important than what is promised in God's Word!
Ungodly Agenda
Accepted
The plate of acceptance needs to be of concern; whenever it outweighs the Word of God, with ungodly agenda becoming acceptable and placed on it. There should be concern when the church allows ungodly influences to take hold; rather than the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God.
Scripture reveals: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear (1 Peter 4:17-18)? What is placed on the plate of acceptance is extremely important because it can be an influence as to what is accepted by the ungodly and sinner alike!
Dereliction of Duty
A legendary evangelist of the first Great Awakening, Charles G. Finney, stated: Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours to a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it.
If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let not ignore this fact; but let us lay it to heart, and awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.
Those words are more meaningful than ever before; as we see a dereliction of duty in promoting the eternal truths of God's Word, with the plate of acceptance being filled with worldly attributes; with God's Word no longer proclaimed as it once was!
Worldly Attributes
Scripture reveals: Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify (set it apart) and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Word of God); that he might present it to himself a glorius church, not having spot, or wrinkle, and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27).
I believe He (Christ) will find some in such a category, with the plate of acceptance not filled with worldly attributes but filled with "What Thus saith the Lord!" But some will have taken on the ways of the world; even linger as Lot or fail to keep the commandment "Do Not Look Back" as Lot's wife, and receive judgment instead of deliverance.
Words of Truth
Scripture reveals: The preacher sought to find the acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth (Ecclesiastes 12:10). Not to seek to please men with the niceties of God's Word but that which would make one sound in the faith, sincere and upright in heart, with a desire to live righteously and godly in this world.
Scripture reveals: Seeing (since) we are compassed (surrounded) about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us (the believer) run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). The plate of acceptance will come to fruition, towards the things of God, when what is placed on it is in accordance with God's Word!
Knowing What is
Acceptable
Scripture in reference to contrast between the wise and foolish reveals: The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks forwardness (perversity) (Proverbs 10:32). It was noted that the lips of the righteous know what is well pleasing to God and what minsters grace to the hearers; practicing such in their own lives, while the mouth of the wicked speaks what is contrary to truth and righteousness; flattering and lying to cover up the truth.
Unless one knows the truth (according to the Word of God); what is placed on the plate of acceptance comes into focus with one's acceptance of what is being presented. We are seeing what is happening in the world today; promoting untruths, seeking to hide the truth and motive for doing so. There is a desire to control mankind as a puppet before the puppeteer!
Scripture reveals: Proving what is acceptable to the Lord; have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (sinfulness), but rather reprove (expose) them (Ephesians 5:10-11). The plate of acceptable is not to combine the forces of evil and good; but rather to accept the good and reject (expose) the evil.
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