Continuing from our last post, let’s dig deeper on this subject of presumption and see how pervasive this is in the church today. To name a few examples:
- The observance of Christmas and Easter are visible examples of presumption from the world, as is
- The doctrine that once one accepts Jesus as His Savior, his salvation is absolutely assured.
**These presumptions and many more have led to a wide variety of religions—actually mass confusion as to which is the true religion—and a world in which true values are lost in an ocean of conflicting opinions as to how to live. The corollary to this confusing state—that everybody is worshipping the same God—can lead a rational but carnal person to conclude that, in fact, God does not care what one believes or that correct doctrine is unimportant to daily life! Presumption reigns over the whole earth because Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9).
Most people do not deliberately intend to go astray but drift or wander into their presumptions. For the truly converted Christian, to do this is a form of “neglecting one’s salvation,” as it is termed in Hebrews 2:1-3. Yet, whether one wanders into it or deliberately determines to do what is wrong, the result is the same (Proverbs 8:36).
1 Peter 1:18 speaks to the huge body of religious beliefs and practices has accumulated, which Peter terms “aimless conduct” (1 Peter 1:18). These presumptuous additions were deeply entrenched in the way of life of many Jews in Jesus’ day, and He warned them that to follow these practices as part of the worship of God was vain, futile, and useless (Mark 7:7). They did not know it, but they loved death, as the proverb says, despite being quite religious.
Might God consider some practices of ours to be presumptuous? The line between assuming and presuming is often very thin. To assume is to take for granted and can include the stronger sense of “arrogating to oneself.” At the base of much presumption is an assumption.
While His longsuffering may have made it long time since God has reacted with dramatic suddenness during the course of anyone’s presumptuous behavior [we none the less need to take heed to the pattern of His displeasure with presumption]. God’s pattern of executing divine justice reveals that presumption is very serious business.— **Forerunner Bible Commentary
Consider the following examples:
Strange Fire – Leviticus 10:1-7
What did these men do that was so awful? They were priests, sons of Aaron, the High Priest, nephews of Moses. If anybody had a close relationship with God and would receive a measure of leeway in judgment, it was these two. Nevertheless, there was none; with God, there is no respect of persons in judgment (see Romans 2:11). They were wiped out on the spot. This incident involved no Temple prostitutes, no human sacrifices, just “strange fire.” Surely, such a little thing would not matter! God’s reaction allowed no time for a trial; there was just a summary execution, a terrifying supernatural judgment by God… Aaron was shocked into an emotional reaction that may have ranged from pitiful wailing to a consuming anger toward God, but Moses cautioned him to control himself and give no outward demonstration of his emotional state! Why? Moses understood that they had sinned grievously and got what they deserved. Aaron was told that, despite the shocking nature of what had happened, he should express no disagreement with God’s judgment.
Considered in the larger context… Leviticus 1 follows the sequence of events, showing God giving the sacrificial rituals to be performed at the Tabernacle. In Leviticus 8, Aaron and the priesthood are officially consecrated. In Leviticus 9:1, the priesthood’s ministry formally begins. In verse 24, a startling occurrence takes place during that first offering: “. . . and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar.” This signaled God’s acceptance, showing that all had been done according to His will. — **John W. Ritenbaugh
So, the incident in Leviticus 10, represented the commencement of true worship in Israel, a beginning that must be established without corruption!
The term strange means “what is alien to.”… In this case, the fire used by Nadab and Abihu was alien to what God had commanded regarding fire. Together with Exodus 30:7-9, their infraction becomes clear. The priests were to make the morning and evening incense offerings only with the special incense mixture God commanded, and they were to take the coals for these offerings only from the continually burning fire under the altar of burnt offerings, which He started in Leviticus 9:24.
In Leviticus 10:3, the Lord says, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.” Nadab and Abihu were among those chosen to come near Him in service. They revealed their disrespect for Him by treating His command regarding the fire as something common. They simply did not follow His instructions.
They added or subtracted to what God said and did, attempting to get by with what they carnally assumed was acceptable to Him. By this incident, holiness is defined. Among those who are consecrated to serve God, His instructions must be explicitly followed. Thus, this example appears especially pointed toward the ministry. — **John W. Ritenbaugh
This is a message specially for those who have been called to ministry. Dearly beloved,
holiness is not merely consecration or dedication to a god, but it is both moral and ethical as well. True holiness is what results from His consecration, but the consecration must be combined with our submission to His commands. — **John W. Ritenbaugh
There is no place for moral, ethical and doctrinal error. As a final note, Leviticus 10:8-10 gives the clue to what they did:
Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.” Leviticus 10:8-10 NKJV
The influence of alcohol may have contributed to what Aaron’s sons did. Perhaps they were not drunk but had been drinking. Alcohol deludes one into thinking he is in control when he is not. — **John W. Ritenbaugh
So, dearly beloved, what have you presumptuously allowed in your life? Do not take His forbearance for granted. Today is the day of repentance! Selah
Pastor Afolabi Oladele
Kate Nwaozichi Akpulonu
Thank you sir. We receive grace.