. . . Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel . . . (Ezra 4:3)
In this verse of scripture, the nation of Judah was now free from Babylon and were sent of God to rebuild the Temple. Then came adversaries who desired to build with them (v1). They wanted to mix their pagan gods with the worship of the Living God. But Zerubbabel resisted and said, “Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God . . . ”. Believer in Christ, this world of false religion is always seeking to mix their free will and works with the gospel of God’s free grace in Christ (Romans 11:6). Therefore we must resist compromising with them. But as these adversaries caused Judah trouble, even so, when the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached without compromise, this world will hate you and the message you preach. When we preach the message of Salvation by the free Grace of God through faith in Christ alone, we will be mocked and rejected (Eph.1:8-10). If we hold that the Bible is the infallible word of God and that it is all about Jesus Christ, we will be counted ignorant and unlearned (1 Peter 1:24-25; Luke 24:27). They will ask, “You don’t mean that God chose a people before the world began (Eph.1:2-3)?” “You don’t mean that Jesus Christ died only for those elect and that the Holy Spirit will quicken them all to life and faith in Christ (John 6:37-40)?” “You don’t mean that all who will not believe on Jesus Christ alone as the only way to God will go to hell (Mark 16:16)?” The answer we give must be a very compassionate but a firm “yes!” From then on, beware. They will try to trip you up or delay the ministry that God has given us to do; “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Believer, beware! When you are following the will of God, trouble is not far behind. But rejoice. For the trial of your faith is much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire. And herein is our comfort; that we who believe — who hold fast to the end — shall be forever received of our Lord Jesus. (1 Peter 1:5-7)
– Fred Evans
