A Good Church

Read Malachi
 
Malachi 3:16-17 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. 17 “They will be my people,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.”
 
THERE are many in the world and even in the church who wonder, “Why know the Bible? Such an old book can’t be real for my life.” Such doubts and questions come from people who often hear God’s Word – maybe most Sunday mornings in church – but neglect to truly learn its powerful truths to affect each minute of our lives. Our sin nature forms our expectations to believe God’s will is done on earth only when he meets our desires. Our mindset is something like this: “Surely the LORD God is ready and willing to give me what I want. If he doesn’t, he’s not real for my life.”  We might also look upon wealthy, successful people who disdain God. Then we may complain as the faithless Jews, “What’s the use of serving God?” (Malachi 3:14)
   But we thank God for the faithful Jews, who feared the LORD and spoke with each other. What joy, too, that even in his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
   In other words, the names of God’s faithful people were written in a book as a testimony to their faith. These are the faithful people who understood God is holy. They believe God’s will is God’s will, not our desires, that will be done on earth. Our relationship with our Father in heaven becomes true when we fear – we respect, honor and revere him.   
   God promises such people, “They will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.” Think of this! God treasures his own. He holds you in high value. This is for you, church, who are all who faithfully strive to believe in God and to believe God.
   One commentator summarizes God’s promise in this way: (1) “The LORD promises to keep a permanent record of those who bring honor to him by the way they live. (2) God recognizes and remembers our faithfulness to him and our love for him. When we stand before him at the time of judgment, he will reward us eternally as we truly live in the fear of God, devoted to worship, honor, obey and love him.”
   In the way the Jews wrote the names of faithful believers, God is doing the same: Revelation 21:26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
          Is your name there? You will know the answer when you know how to answer the question, “Do you fear God?”