Converted to the Man But Not the Saviors Plan

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The Beginning Days of Solomon:

Converted to Man But Not the Saviors Plan
From the Kings of Israel & Judah

A spiritually fatal mistake within the Christian striving to be purpose driven is the unconscious conversion to man and his system(s) and not to the overall faith of God through Christ. Solomon the preacher said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Christ is the conformity rubric every Christian life must be based upon. If Christ is not the center and purpose for a Christians behavior, it is vain. Christian actions can never be based upon a human man. God uses human men to help men and women see Christ through His Word (Ephesians 4:11).

In the early years of Peter as a disciple of Christ he denied knowing Jesus because he was not converted to Him. He was converted to Christ superficially as an influential, charismatic, honest, and powerful man, but not as the anointed Christ. When it came time for Peter to show his allegiance to the Son of God he failed (Luke 22:54-62). Christ said to Peter, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:33).

In the beginning days of Solomon as king, he had to deal with two men who were actually converted to a system and a person as opposed to the true goals of God. When the ties of Christians are stronger with people and traditions than with the one faith, the work of the ministry suffers tremendously. This result occurs because so-called Christian work becomes conditional. Internal questions arise such as:

Ø Will there be food?

Ø How long does he preach?

Ø How long does service last?

Ø Which congregation is hosting?

Ø Who else will be there?

Ø Might I be the only one?

Ø Who is facilitating?

Ø Who is cooking?

Ø Who is teaching?

Ø Whose idea was it?

Ø Who is preaching?

Ø Who is the preacher?

King Solomon had to confront and deal with two men converted to systems and not the pure purpose of God, Shimei and Joab. Shimei provides a blatant example fictitious conversion while Joab’s lack of true conversion was concealed.

While king David was on the run from his son Absalom, Shimei felt it was safe for his true feelings to be revealed. Shimei was converted to the Sauline way of living (2 Samuel 16:5). Shimei remained in hiding during the death of Saul and changing of the guard. However, as Jezebel went into hiding, Shimei came out. He felt David was weak and compromised; therefore he could really share his disgust. When he saw David he walked towards him cursing and throwing stones. He directed choice words at David and even as he departed he threw stones and dust (2 Samuel 16:6-16). The ordeal was so out of line Abishai wanted permission to take his head off. Shimei was not converted to the God-ordained Israelite way of living he was converted to Saul. David spared the life of Shimei but he warned Solomon of his guilty nature (2 Samuel 19:19-23; 1 Kings 2:8-9). Solomon eventually murdered Shimei (1 Kings 2:46). No one ever escapes sin.

Joab’s lack of conversion was concealed. During the sickness of David (1 Kings 1:1-7), Joab turned to Adonijah who had made himself the new king (1 Kings 2:28). Adonijah was David’s fourth son (2 Samuel 3:4). While David was powerful and in total control Joab remained glued to his side, but in David’s sickness he turned to his son Adonijah.

Customarily the new king was appointed after the death of the deceased king and as ordained by him. Joab knew David was near the grave, therefore he affixed himself to the man he thought would be the next king. Joab was not converted to the God-breathed religious system of Israel, he was secretly converted to a man which sent him in a tailspin looking for the next man. As a result his life was snatched (1 Kings 2:28-32).

If a person is going to be pleasing to God they must be holistically committed to Him. Do not follow someone because of who they are. If anyone is to be followed it is not because of who they are but who they are following. When people consciously or unconsciously follow after something for the wrong reason(s) they are bound to be failed and negatively impacted. At the conclusion of the death of Adonijah, Joab, and more notably Shimei, the kingdom of Solomon was established. Live a purpose driven life powered by Christ and His Word!!!

Questions for Self-Examination