Because I Said So!

By Louis Rushmore, Editor

    Often it may not be that way anymore, but there was a time when a mother or a father said to his child, if that child was so bold as to quiz his parent, “Because I said so!” That mom or dad said something was enough reason and authority for one’s child to obey. Though it might have been encouraging to the child to know the reason why for certain instructions, really, the reason why was immaterial and irrelevant to the parental command. Years ago, any child foolish enough to disobey his mother or his father could expect punishment without fail.

    Now Friends, God in heaven is our Father. That God (through the Bible) has said something is reason enough and authority enough for one to obey him. Though it might be encouraging to the child of God to know the reason why for certain instructions, really, the reason why is immaterial and irrelevant to the divine, parental command. Surely, any right thinking individual who is foolish enough to disobey our heavenly Father can expect divine punishment without fail.

    The Bible abounds with example after example of failed as well as successful interaction between mortal man and our heavenly Father. It behooves us to learn from the mistakes of others, lest we also face the wrath of an angry God. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-12, the apostle Paul recounted the failures of Israel following the Exodus and concluded that Christians could avoid similar sins. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12). God does chastise his children, just as earthly fathers chastise their children (Hebrews 12:5-11). Surely, we prefer divine reward instead of divine punishment (James 1:12; Hebrews 5:9).

    Consider some biblical examples of failed interaction between mortal man and God. Lot’s wife is a curious episode in biblical history of punishment for disobeying divine instruction (Genesis 19:17, 26); this biblical account was so well known that our Lord simply said, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). Nadab and Abihu’s deaths are a stunning and divine declaration by God of the awfulness of disobedience toward God (Leviticus 10:1-2); anyone who was a witness to and a survivor of God sent fire from heaven to consumer sinners could not help from being impressed with the reaction of God toward sin. Moses striking the rock when God told him to speak to it cost Moses the prize toward which he marched a rebellious nation for 40 years (Numbers 20:7-12); he was forbidden to enter Canaan.

    Consider some biblical examples of successful interaction between mortal man and God. King David’s life mirrors the lives of most (if not all) mortals who sometimes serve God well and sometimes commit the most shocking sins; though a man after God’s own heart, David was also guilty of the sins of adultery and murder (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). The apostle Paul is a remarkable specimen of an enemy of Christ and his church, who when converted by the Gospel became an untiring servant of God. “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). The apostle Peter became a powerful servant for Jesus Christ, though because of fear he denied our Lord three times (Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75).

    We concluded that because “God said so” is sufficient reason to do whatever it is that through the Word of God (Bible) he tells us to do. Besides this, remember, that God punishes the disobedient and rewards the obedient (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:9). Why do Bible students acknowledge that salvation occurs at the point of immersion in water for the remission of sins; it is because “God said so” through the Bible (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). Why do Bible students acknowledge that salvation from the sins of Christians occurs following repentance and prayer; it is because “God said so” through the Bible (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). Irrespective of what the particular subject may be, because God (through the Bible) said so is sufficient reason enough to do whatever God instructs.