WHEN MAN ASSUMES OF GOD (T. Sean Sullivan)

 
Introduction:

When is it safe to assume? There are ways in which we learn that assumption is not a very good practice in real life. For example: If we go out to eat at a restaurant and, for some reason, my wife is delayed from the table, I refuse to order her beverage, because when I assume she wants a Cola, she wants water and lemon, and vice versa. If I can't safely assume on part of the one person in this world whom I know more closely than any other, for whom could I assume? No matter how much I think I know what she is thinking, I can only know if she tells me-that is an important lesson for me to learn.
Now, let's take that lesson to a much bigger scenario. How many people assume what God wants? Many, many, people look past what He has said to do all sorts of things; assuming that He desires such.

It's not just today, throughout history we have many instances of people "assuming of God." Let's consider some of these instances and learn to not repeat their mistakes in our own time. Let's open the Scriptures together, looking at these points
 
Old Testament Examples:

There are many times in the Old Testament where man assumed of God, the first one to consider is found in Leviticus 10:1. Let me set the scene: Part of Old Covenant worship, at the time of Nadab and Abihu, was the burning of incense on the altar of incense, to God (Exodus 30:1-10). Aaron and his sons would be responsible for burning this incense. They would have to do so morning and evening, according to God's instructions. So there is a lot about what they did, that was right: It was the right people-the sons of Aaron.             

It was the right place-the altar of incense; in the tabernacle. It was the right incense and the right censer to carry it-it is said that they were "their" censers. It was even the right purpose-to offer incense to God. So, what's the problem? The problem was that they assumed God wouldn't care where they took fire from, to light the incense-God had commanded specific fire from the coals of the altar in the tabernacle, to light the censers (Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 16:46). Nadab and Abihu assumed fire is fire; so, "What would it hurt?" To this assumption, God's response was clear (Leviticus 10:2). We are told, "So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and so they died before the Lord." God proclaimed, 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.'" (Leviticus 10:3)

Another example to consider is found in 1 Chronicles 13:10. Setting this scene: David had become king of Israel and he wanted to bring correction to a situation that has been going on for 20 years (1 Samuel 6:2). The Ark of the Covenant had been stolen away by the Philistines and after God sent a great plague upon them, they attempt to return the Ark to Israel (1 Samuel 5). They sent it away, with a large offering of gold to appease God, for having taken the Ark. It did not make it back to Jerusalem, it was in the house of Abinadab, where it had remained for 20 years. David wanted the Ark to be returned, as it should be. David wanted to have the Ark transported, but assumed that there was a better way than God's commanded way-which was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levities (Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15-16). Instead of listening to God's command, David consulted with the people and they assumed that God would be okay with carrying the Ark on a cart. Uzzah was one of the men who was given the responsibility of driving the cart; and during the journey the oxen stumbled and compromised the Ark. It was then that Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark with his hand. It was right there that Uzzah was struck dead by God, for touching the Ark.  According to God's command, there was only one way to move the Ark. David knew the right way, the whole time, but assumed of God (1 Chronicles 14:11-15). David's assuming of God cost Uzzah his life. 

Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah clearly warn us not to assume of God.
 
New Testament Examples:

We are not going to find the same dramatic results as the Old Testament examples; we are not going to see people instantly consumed with fire or dropping dead from touching something-no, we are going to find an even harsher punishment. Jesus clearly teaches us that men assume God will accept their own take on worship and doctrine.        

Jesus declares that such worship is "vain" (Matthew 15:8-9). Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, defines "vain" as "void of result".   Worship based on man's assumptions, does not worship God. There are many who assume that they can do what they want religiously and God will accept them (Matthew 7:22). There are many who know Jesus is supposed to be their "Lord". There are many who do religious things "in His name". But Jesus declares that they have no relationship with Him-he never knew them. They were told to "depart" from Jesus (Matthew 7:23). The reason for Jesus saying this is found in verse 21, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."              

Those who were told to depart were doing something other than God's will. This sentence of "departure" is described as "everlasting punishment" of "outer darkness" where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30, 46).

Paul also spoke of those who practice assumptions, not truth. Paul says, the Jews of his day, were "zealous for God" but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:1-3)-not according to the knowledge of God's word (Romans 10:17 "hearing the word of God"). They were practicing their own version of "righteousness", instead of submitting to God's righteousness. Because of this, they were not saved-they were lost! Those who do not submit to God; and those who do not obey His gospel, will face condemnation, when Christ returns (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

The result of assuming that "self-directed religion" will be accepted by God, clearly warns us not to assume of God.
 
Will We Assume of God Today?

If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Will we repeat the mistake of Aaron's son, doing what is convenient, instead of what God has commanded; assuming that it will be okay? Will we look for a "better way" like King David and ignore the commands of God? Uzzah should teach us otherwise. Will we seek our own standard of righteousness, like the Jews discussed in Romans 10? Will we use the name of Jesus, without His approval? 

We have God's will today, we must not assume of God. God has given us one doctrine-the Doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). From which, all believers must unite in one mind and one judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10). God has given a plan for souls to be saved (Matthew 28:18-20). Respecting Christ's authority in all that we do; becoming followers of Christ by baptism; and continuing in His commands. We also must consider every example of conversion in the Book of Acts, where literally thousands of people obeyed the gospel and their examples teach us how to do the same. God has provided for our worship and our daily service-by His authority we act; without His authority we must not act (Colossians 3:17). We must read, study, and give ourselves entirely to His instructions (1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16). We must seek to "rightly divide" His word (2 Timothy 2:15); never twisting it to our whims and wants, which will destroy us (2 Peter 3:16). We are not do "think beyond that which is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6). We must be "doers" of HIs word (James 1:17-25).
God throughout His word warns us not to go beyond, or without, His word-it is not our right or privilege to assume of God. 
 
Conclusion:

When is it safe to assume? Well, as I have learned in this life, it's just not a safe thing to do. As we have learned through the Scriptures-we must never assume of God.

God has revealed His will to those who are willing to submit to its doing. The hope of His promises are only found through obedience to the instructions that He has revealed through the word. 

One area of life wherein many assume is that of being saved. We must not ignore or twist the Scriptures to fit our own wants; and we must not "think beyond" what God has said, in the assumption that we are okay. We know that God's will has been given, it is up to us to just do what it says. The opportunity for you to follow God's will in truth, is yours right now.