As a speaker, it's fascinating to see how differently people respond to the same message. One person might laugh, another might stare blankly, someone else might get mad, and yet another might find profound meaning in the same statement. This diversity of responses isn't limited to just human interactions; it's also how we as Christians respond to God.

Consider the verse "Jesus wept." One person might see a God who cares deeply for others, while another might focus on the need for tissues. Some might see Jesus' humanity, others might feel a personal connection, and some might just want to choose it for their memory verse because it’s the shortest in the Bible. Each response reveals something about the person's heart.

In Malachi 3:13-18, we see a stark example of how responses to authority—specifically, God's authority—reflect our hearts. Malachi doesn't mince words; he addresses the Israelites' attitudes toward God head-on. The passage breaks down into two main parts: the wicked response of the Israelites (verses 13-15) and the righteous response (verses 16-18), followed by a summary in verse 18.

The Wicked Response

The Israelites had a troubling view of serving God. They saw it as useless, vain, and futile. They believed they weren't gaining anything from serving God, but in reality, they weren't truly serving Him—they were merely going through the motions out of a sense of religious obligation.

Saw God’s Law as Useless

In verse 13, the Israelites complain that serving God is futile. They’re essentially saying, "What good is it if there's nothing in it for me?" They viewed God's law as useless because they weren't receiving immediate, tangible rewards.

Viewed God’s Law with License

When people view God's law as useless, it can lead to living with a sense of license—to do whatever they please, indulging in anything they want, believing that God's forgiveness will cover all their actions. This attitude is addressed in Romans 6:1-2, where Paul asks, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!"

Obeyed God’s Law with the Expectation of Rewards

The Israelites' obedience to God's law was transactional. They sacrificed animals, not to seek forgiveness, but to see what God could do for them. They participated in festivals, not to glorify God or remember His protection, but for personal gain. This attitude prevails in many Christian churches today, where people seek positions of power and recognition rather than being thankful for the salvation God has already provided.

The Righteous Response

In verse 16, Malachi shifts focus to what a righteous response to God looks like. He emphasizes the importance of a healthy fear of God, not as a cringing fear but as a respectful awe and humility before Him.

Respect God in Your Attitude and Actions

A healthy respect for God should be evident in both our attitudes and actions. Verse 16 tells us that when the Israelites feared the Lord and spoke to one another, God took notice and listened. This fear is not about terror but about recognizing God's greatness and living in a way that honors Him.

Know That God Is Keeping Track of Your Righteous Actions

God keeps a record of our righteous deeds, actions, and motives. This "book of remembrance" mentioned in verse 16 is a testament to God's attentiveness to those who fear Him and highly regard His name. Every time we act in righteousness, God sees and honors those decisions.

For instance:

• When a woman respects her body and rejects intimacy before marriage, God sees and honors that decision.

• When a husband refuses to engage in immoral talk or look at pornography, God sees and honors that decision.

• When you keep your mouth closed instead of gossiping, God sees and honors that decision.

• When a Christian family opens their home to witness to others, God sees and honors that decision.

• When you share the Gospel with a lost friend, neighbor, or coworker, God sees and honors that decision.

Live Like You Are His Special Treasure

Verse 17 tells us that we are God's special treasure, His treasured possession. This is a profound promise, implying that God highly values His people. Our righteous response should be to live like we are His special treasure, knowing that God will save us not because of our deeds but because of His promise to our forefathers.

Summary

Verse 18 summarizes the passage, contrasting the wicked and the righteous responses to God. It highlights the importance of responding to God's authority with the right heart.

Reflecting on this passage, it’s clear that our responses to God’s authority reveal our hearts. Do we see God's Word as useless? Do our actions show that we view it as a license to do whatever we want? Or do we respect and honor God in all we do, knowing that He keeps track of our righteous actions and values us as His special treasure?

Our response to authority—God’s authority—shows our heart. We must ask ourselves:

• Do our actions demonstrate that we believe God's Word is useless?

• Do we see God's Word as a license to sin?

• Why are we Christians? Why do we come to church? Is it truly to worship God, or are we seeking personal gain?

God chose us because we are His precious treasure, called to fear Him and do righteous works because He is righteous and He is our God. He has called us out of the miry clay and made us His own.

How do you respond to God?

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Reflect on Your Response: How do you personally respond to God’s authority in your life? Can you think of a specific instance where your actions reflected either a righteous or a wicked response?

2. Understanding Motives: Why do you think the Israelites viewed serving God as useless? Have you ever felt that your efforts in serving God were futile? How did you overcome those feelings?

3. Healthy Fear of God: What does it mean to have a healthy fear of God? How can this fear positively influence our daily actions and decisions?

4. God’s Book of Remembrance: How does knowing that God keeps track of our righteous actions motivate you to live differently? Can you share a time when you felt God honored your righteous decision?

5. Treasure of God: What does it mean to you to be considered God's special treasure? How should this identity shape our lives and interactions with others?

6. Addressing Misconceptions: How can we guard against viewing God's Word as either useless or a license to sin? What practical steps can we take to ensure our motives align with God's will?

7. Church Involvement: Why do you come to church, and what do you hope to gain from your involvement? How can we shift our focus from personal gain to genuine worship and service?

If you want to learn more about how to respond rightly to God’s authority, Shepherd Thoughts exists to help you live out your faith. If you or a friend needs support or resources to love God and love others more, please reach out to us today. We’d love to help.