Why Good Men Fail God

[music] [music] >> Well, we know the story. A guy starts >> Well, we know the story. A guy starts >> Well, we know the story. A guy starts out full of faith. He does everything out full of faith. He does everything out full of faith. He does everything right, so it seems on the outside, but right, so it seems on the outside, but right, so it seems on the outside, but as the years pass, maybe even right at as the years pass, maybe even right at as the years pass, maybe even right at the finish line in the last few years of the finish line in the last few years of the finish line in the last few years of life, he completely blows it. life, he completely blows it. life, he completely blows it. He gets bitter. He loses his faith. He He gets bitter. He loses his faith. He He gets bitter. He loses his faith. He relies on himself. He stops trusting relies on himself. He stops trusting relies on himself. He stops trusting God. This seems to be what happened to God. This seems to be what happened to God. This seems to be what happened to King Asa in the Bible, and it leaves us King Asa in the Bible, and it leaves us King Asa in the Bible, and it leaves us wondering if someone so deeply devoted wondering if someone so deeply devoted wondering if someone so deeply devoted to God can just drift away at the end. to God can just drift away at the end. to God can just drift away at the end. What does that mean for the rest of us? What does that mean for the rest of us? What does that mean for the rest of us? Today on Ask Pastor John, why good men Today on Ask Pastor John, why good men Today on Ask Pastor John, why good men fail God. fail God. fail God. This weekend in our Navigator's Bible This weekend in our Navigator's Bible This weekend in our Navigator's Bible reading plan, we are reading about King reading plan, we are reading about King reading plan, we are reading about King Asa in the Old Testament, and to get Asa in the Old Testament, and to get Asa in the Old Testament, and to get ready for reading his life story, here's ready for reading his life story, here's ready for reading his life story, here's a question from an anonymous listener. a question from an anonymous listener. a question from an anonymous listener. Pastor John, thanks for the podcast and Pastor John, thanks for the podcast and Pastor John, thanks for the podcast and for taking questions. Mine is about 2 for taking questions. Mine is about 2 for taking questions. Mine is about 2 Chronicles Chronicles Chronicles 14 to 16. Those chapters, they're in our 14 to 16. Those chapters, they're in our 14 to 16. Those chapters, they're in our reading reading reading this weekend. I've been thinking a lot this weekend. I've been thinking a lot this weekend. I've been thinking a lot about the trajectory of a King Asa, about the trajectory of a King Asa, about the trajectory of a King Asa, especially in light of 2 Chronicles especially in light of 2 Chronicles especially in light of 2 Chronicles 16:9, where it says, "For the eyes of 16:9, where it says, "For the eyes of 16:9, where it says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the the Lord run to and fro throughout the the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to whole earth to give strong support to whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards those whose heart is blameless towards those whose heart is blameless towards him."

him." him." That is a precious text that you That is a precious text that you That is a precious text that you explained really well 2 years ago in APJ explained really well 2 years ago in APJ explained really well 2 years ago in APJ 2064, 2064, 2064, God is eager to work for you. I love God is eager to work for you. I love God is eager to work for you. I love that episode. that episode. that episode. What I struggle with is the contrast What I struggle with is the contrast What I struggle with is the contrast between the start and end of Asa's between the start and end of Asa's between the start and end of Asa's reign. reign. reign. Early, he's described as doing what is Early, he's described as doing what is Early, he's described as doing what is good and right in the Lord's eyes in 2 good and right in the Lord's eyes in 2 good and right in the Lord's eyes in 2 Chronicles 14:2, but near the end, he is Chronicles 14:2, but near the end, he is Chronicles 14:2, but near the end, he is rebuked for relying on the king of Syria rebuked for relying on the king of Syria rebuked for relying on the king of Syria instead of the Lord in 2 Chronicles instead of the Lord in 2 Chronicles instead of the Lord in 2 Chronicles 16:7-10. 16:7-10. 16:7-10. And then when he becomes seriously ill, And then when he becomes seriously ill, And then when he becomes seriously ill, the text says that he sought help from the text says that he sought help from the text says that he sought help from physicians, not from the Lord in 2 physicians, not from the Lord in 2 physicians, not from the Lord in 2 Chronicles 16:12. He also seems angry Chronicles 16:12. He also seems angry Chronicles 16:12. He also seems angry and bitter when confronted. At the same and bitter when confronted. At the same and bitter when confronted. At the same time, 2 Chronicles 15:7 and 1 Kings time, 2 Chronicles 15:7 and 1 Kings time, 2 Chronicles 15:7 and 1 Kings 15:14 says, "Asa was wholeheartedly 15:14 says, "Asa was wholeheartedly 15:14 says, "Asa was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord all his life." devoted to the Lord all his life." devoted to the Lord all his life." So, how should we make sense of this? So, how should we make sense of this? So, how should we make sense of this? How can someone be described that way How can someone be described that way How can someone be described that way and still seem to drift or harden near and still seem to drift or harden near and still seem to drift or harden near the end? And what does Asa's story teach the end? And what does Asa's story teach the end? And what does Asa's story teach us about finishing well both for our own us about finishing well both for our own us about finishing well both for our own faith and for how we think about older faith and for how we think about older faith and for how we think about older believers whose lives maybe don't end as believers whose lives maybe don't end as believers whose lives maybe don't end as spiritually strongly as they were spiritually strongly as they were spiritually strongly as they were earlier.

earlier. earlier. >> Yeah, that's a really good question. And >> Yeah, that's a really good question. And >> Yeah, that's a really good question. And then I I share the the struggle about then I I share the the struggle about then I I share the the struggle about Asa. I you love him and then you say, Asa. I you love him and then you say, Asa. I you love him and then you say, "What?" "What?" "What?" >> [laughter] >> It seems to me that one of the >> It seems to me that one of the overarching lessons overarching lessons overarching lessons that God intends for us to learn from that God intends for us to learn from that God intends for us to learn from the Old Testament is that sin has the Old Testament is that sin has the Old Testament is that sin has corrupted the best of men. corrupted the best of men. corrupted the best of men. I think that's one of the big lessons. I think that's one of the big lessons. I think that's one of the big lessons. And the implication of that lesson for And the implication of that lesson for And the implication of that lesson for the world all of us, all the nations, the world all of us, all the nations, the world all of us, all the nations, not just Israel not just Israel not just Israel is that God's chosen people Israel under is that God's chosen people Israel under is that God's chosen people Israel under all his favors, if they under all his all his favors, if they under all his all his favors, if they under all his favors favors favors could not produce a godly society or could not produce a godly society or could not produce a godly society or even any persons even any persons even any persons who are not corrupted in some measure by who are not corrupted in some measure by who are not corrupted in some measure by sin, then there's no hope sin, then there's no hope sin, then there's no hope for the rest of the world to be pleasing for the rest of the world to be pleasing for the rest of the world to be pleasing to God. And we're all in need of a to God. And we're all in need of a to God. And we're all in need of a savior from God. I think that's the savior from God. I think that's the savior from God. I think that's the point of Romans 3:19 point of Romans 3:19 point of Romans 3:19 following, "Now we know that whatever following, "Now we know that whatever following, "Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are the law says, it speaks to those who are the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that's Israel, so that under the law, that's Israel, so that under the law, that's Israel, so that every mouth, that's all of us every mouth, that's all of us every mouth, that's all of us may be stopped and the whole world held may be stopped and the whole world held may be stopped and the whole world held accountable to God.

accountable to God. accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being For by works of the law no human being For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight since will be justified in his sight since will be justified in his sight since through the law comes the knowledge of through the law comes the knowledge of through the law comes the knowledge of sin." In other words, sin." In other words, sin." In other words, no matter how hard anyone has ever tried no matter how hard anyone has ever tried no matter how hard anyone has ever tried or ever will try or ever will try or ever will try the human heart is simply too sinful for the human heart is simply too sinful for the human heart is simply too sinful for us to establish our own righteousness. us to establish our own righteousness. us to establish our own righteousness. We must have a savior. We must have a savior. We must have a savior. And Jesus is the one, the only one. And Jesus is the one, the only one. And Jesus is the one, the only one. There is in the Old Testament this There is in the Old Testament this There is in the Old Testament this strange mingling strange mingling strange mingling of judgment and mercy and hope. The of judgment and mercy and hope. The of judgment and mercy and hope. The stories, even the best of them, stories, even the best of them, stories, even the best of them, are tinged with sin. Adam and Eve were are tinged with sin. Adam and Eve were are tinged with sin. Adam and Eve were created good and they rebelled. Noah was created good and they rebelled. Noah was created good and they rebelled. Noah was good and then he failed in his good and then he failed in his good and then he failed in his drunkenness. drunkenness. drunkenness. Abraham was good to his nephew Lot and Abraham was good to his nephew Lot and Abraham was good to his nephew Lot and less than perfect with his wife. less than perfect with his wife. less than perfect with his wife. Isaac was wrong to prefer Esau over Isaac was wrong to prefer Esau over Isaac was wrong to prefer Esau over God's chosen seed Jacob. Jacob was a God's chosen seed Jacob. Jacob was a God's chosen seed Jacob. Jacob was a trickster all his life. His sons sold trickster all his life. His sons sold trickster all his life. His sons sold their brother into slavery. The period their brother into slavery. The period their brother into slavery. The period of the judges is just anarchy without a of the judges is just anarchy without a of the judges is just anarchy without a king. And the first kings of Israel, king. And the first kings of Israel, king. And the first kings of Israel, they're all mixed. Saul disobeyed and they're all mixed. Saul disobeyed and they're all mixed. Saul disobeyed and was deposed. Solomon was ruined by 700 was deposed. Solomon was ruined by 700 was deposed. Solomon was ruined by 700 wives. David commits adultery. And when wives. David commits adultery. And when wives. David commits adultery. And when the kingdom divides, all the kings are the kingdom divides, all the kings are the kingdom divides, all the kings are tainted, all of them.

tainted, all of them. tainted, all of them. Or worse. Or worse. Or worse. And And one of those kings is Asa. And And one of those kings is Asa. And And one of those kings is Asa. So, Asa's story, So, Asa's story, So, Asa's story, starting well and ending badly, fits the starting well and ending badly, fits the starting well and ending badly, fits the pattern. pattern. pattern. It It shouldn't be surprising. But what It It shouldn't be surprising. But what It It shouldn't be surprising. But what we have to figure out, textually, we have to figure out, textually, we have to figure out, textually, exegetically, is what the author of exegetically, is what the author of exegetically, is what the author of First Kings means in chapter 15, verse First Kings means in chapter 15, verse First Kings means in chapter 15, verse 11 to 14, when he says this: 11 to 14, when he says this: 11 to 14, when he says this: Asa did what was right in the eyes of Asa did what was right in the eyes of Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord as David his father had done. the Lord as David his father had done. the Lord as David his father had done. So, there's a clue because David didn't So, there's a clue because David didn't So, there's a clue because David didn't do everything well. That's a clue. Asa do everything well. That's a clue. Asa do everything well. That's a clue. Asa put away the male cult prostitutes out put away the male cult prostitutes out put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols of the land and removed all the idols of the land and removed all the idols that his father had made. He also that his father had made. He also that his father had made. He also removed Maacah, his mother, from being removed Maacah, his mother, from being removed Maacah, his mother, from being queen mother because she had made an queen mother because she had made an queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Ashera, and Asa cut abominable image for Ashera, and Asa cut abominable image for Ashera, and Asa cut down her image, burned it in the brook down her image, burned it in the brook down her image, burned it in the brook Kidron.

Kidron. Kidron. But, the high places were not taken But, the high places were not taken But, the high places were not taken away. away. away. Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the the heart of Asa was wholly true to the the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days. That's the perplexing Lord all his days. That's the perplexing Lord all his days. That's the perplexing sentence. sentence. sentence. So, he didn't take away the high places, So, he didn't take away the high places, So, he didn't take away the high places, but his heart was true wholly true to but his heart was true wholly true to but his heart was true wholly true to the Lord. This is pretty clear that the the Lord. This is pretty clear that the the Lord. This is pretty clear that the writer wants us to view Asa mainly in a writer wants us to view Asa mainly in a writer wants us to view Asa mainly in a positive light. He does. positive light. He does. positive light. He does. He only mentions that the high places He only mentions that the high places He only mentions that the high places were not taken away, were not taken away, were not taken away, and he says and he says and he says uh Asa did what was right in the eyes of uh Asa did what was right in the eyes of uh Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. And and we know from 2 the Lord. And and we know from 2 the Lord. And and we know from 2 Chronicles that there were other sins. Chronicles that there were other sins. Chronicles that there were other sins. He relied upon Syria at one point. He He relied upon Syria at one point. He He relied upon Syria at one point. He didn't consult God, but he consulted didn't consult God, but he consulted didn't consult God, but he consulted physicians when he got this disease in physicians when he got this disease in physicians when he got this disease in his feet. So, it's clear that both in 2 his feet. So, it's clear that both in 2 his feet. So, it's clear that both in 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings, Asa was a mainly Chronicles and 1 Kings, Asa was a mainly Chronicles and 1 Kings, Asa was a mainly good king, but good king, but good king, but made some serious made some serious made some serious sinful blunders. So, the question is sinful blunders. So, the question is sinful blunders. So, the question is what does 1 Kings 15:14 what does 1 Kings 15:14 what does 1 Kings 15:14 mean when it says mean when it says mean when it says the high places were not taken away, the high places were not taken away, the high places were not taken away, nevertheless, nevertheless, nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the the heart of Asa was wholly true to the the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days.

Lord all his days. Lord all his days. So, we're not just dealing with a So, we're not just dealing with a So, we're not just dealing with a tension between 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings tension between 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings tension between 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings as though two different authors as though two different authors as though two different authors contradicted each other. No, no. In the contradicted each other. No, no. In the contradicted each other. No, no. In the very same verse, very same verse, very same verse, the the writer of 1 Kings says he didn't the the writer of 1 Kings says he didn't the the writer of 1 Kings says he didn't take away the high places, yet his heart take away the high places, yet his heart take away the high places, yet his heart was wholly true to the Lord. So, we need was wholly true to the Lord. So, we need was wholly true to the Lord. So, we need to know what does wholly true to to Lord to know what does wholly true to to Lord to know what does wholly true to to Lord mean, and how it can coexist mean, and how it can coexist mean, and how it can coexist with something that God disapproves of. with something that God disapproves of. with something that God disapproves of. So, here's my suggestion. So, here's my suggestion. So, here's my suggestion. I did a search in the Hebrew phrase on I did a search in the Hebrew phrase on I did a search in the Hebrew phrase on the Hebrew phrase behind the Hebrew phrase behind the Hebrew phrase behind holy true to the Lord. What does that holy true to the Lord. What does that holy true to the Lord. What does that mean? mean? mean? It literally it's whole with the Lord. It literally it's whole with the Lord. It literally it's whole with the Lord. Shalem im Adonai. Shalem im Adonai. Shalem im Adonai. And I just clicked on that and and And I just clicked on that and and And I just clicked on that and and searched it. searched it. searched it. Here's the interesting parallel in 1 Here's the interesting parallel in 1 Here's the interesting parallel in 1 Corinthians to to 1 Corinthians 15:14, Corinthians to to 1 Corinthians 15:14, Corinthians to to 1 Corinthians 15:14, namely 11:4. namely 11:4. namely 11:4. When Solomon was old, his wives turned When Solomon was old, his wives turned When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, away his heart after other gods, away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not holy true to the and his heart was not holy true to the and his heart was not holy true to the Lord his God, as was David his father's.

Lord his God, as was David his father's. Lord his God, as was David his father's. So, so there's the exact phrase, and it So, so there's the exact phrase, and it So, so there's the exact phrase, and it seems to me that the author of 1 Kings seems to me that the author of 1 Kings seems to me that the author of 1 Kings means by a heart being holy with the means by a heart being holy with the means by a heart being holy with the Lord is not the absence of sin, but the Lord is not the absence of sin, but the Lord is not the absence of sin, but the absence of idolatry. Can we make that absence of idolatry. Can we make that absence of idolatry. Can we make that distinction? I I think he wants us to distinction? I I think he wants us to distinction? I I think he wants us to make that distinction. Those high places make that distinction. Those high places make that distinction. Those high places that Asa did not remove, I don't think that Asa did not remove, I don't think that Asa did not remove, I don't think were a sign of Asa's idolatry. That's were a sign of Asa's idolatry. That's were a sign of Asa's idolatry. That's what we're prone to think. I don't think what we're prone to think. I don't think what we're prone to think. I don't think so because in verse 12, it says he so because in verse 12, it says he so because in verse 12, it says he removed all the idols that his fathers removed all the idols that his fathers removed all the idols that his fathers had made. Those high places did not had made. Those high places did not had made. Those high places did not represent Asa's turning to other represent Asa's turning to other represent Asa's turning to other gods. So, my conclusion is gods. So, my conclusion is gods. So, my conclusion is that the writer of both 2 Chronicles and that the writer of both 2 Chronicles and that the writer of both 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings portrayed Asa 1 Kings portrayed Asa 1 Kings portrayed Asa as never turning away from the Lord as as never turning away from the Lord as as never turning away from the Lord as his true and only God. his true and only God. his true and only God. And that's what he means. And that's what he means. And that's what he means. The one he worships. He worships this The one he worships. He worships this The one he worships. He worships this God. But rather God. But rather God. But rather there were lapses there were lapses there were lapses in some of his political and personal in some of his political and personal in some of his political and personal dealings that were inconsistent dealings that were inconsistent dealings that were inconsistent with that devotion to the Lord.

with that devotion to the Lord. with that devotion to the Lord. So, stepping back then, So, stepping back then, So, stepping back then, old man John Piper, old man John Piper, old man John Piper, uh trying to think this through for me, uh trying to think this through for me, uh trying to think this through for me, it seems to me that the lesson for me it seems to me that the lesson for me it seems to me that the lesson for me and and really for all of us, especially and and really for all of us, especially and and really for all of us, especially as older people, as older people, as older people, is first that we need a savior. Oh, how is first that we need a savior. Oh, how is first that we need a savior. Oh, how we need a savior. We will never be able we need a savior. We will never be able we need a savior. We will never be able to establish our own righteousness. We to establish our own righteousness. We to establish our own righteousness. We need the righteousness of Christ to be need the righteousness of Christ to be need the righteousness of Christ to be accepted before a holy God. Second, accepted before a holy God. Second, accepted before a holy God. Second, we should tremble. I should tremble at we should tremble. I should tremble at we should tremble. I should tremble at the possibility that I could bring the possibility that I could bring the possibility that I could bring reproach reproach reproach upon the Lord by failing in old age to upon the Lord by failing in old age to upon the Lord by failing in old age to act consistently act consistently act consistently with my faith. with my faith. with my faith. And third, I should we should take heart And third, I should we should take heart And third, I should we should take heart that God knows our frame. that God knows our frame. that God knows our frame. He remembers that we are He remembers that we are He remembers that we are dust dust dust and that our salvation does not depend and that our salvation does not depend and that our salvation does not depend on our perfection, on our perfection, on our perfection, but on Christ but on Christ but on Christ and our cleaving to him.

and our cleaving to him. and our cleaving to him. >> Amen, Pastor John. Yeah, the Old >> Amen, Pastor John. Yeah, the Old >> Amen, Pastor John. Yeah, the Old Testament certainly isn't hiding the Testament certainly isn't hiding the Testament certainly isn't hiding the flaws of its heroes. Actually, it's it's flaws of its heroes. Actually, it's it's flaws of its heroes. Actually, it's it's highlighting them for us to draw lessons highlighting them for us to draw lessons highlighting them for us to draw lessons like these. And one of the overarching like these. And one of the overarching like these. And one of the overarching lessons that God intends for us to learn lessons that God intends for us to learn lessons that God intends for us to learn from the Old Testament from the Old Testament from the Old Testament is that sin has corrupted the best of is that sin has corrupted the best of is that sin has corrupted the best of men. men. men. The best of men. The best of men. The best of men. That's sobering. That's sobering. That's sobering. And if the nation of Israel couldn't And if the nation of Israel couldn't And if the nation of Israel couldn't produce flawless people, then there is produce flawless people, then there is produce flawless people, then there is no hope for the rest of the world to be no hope for the rest of the world to be no hope for the rest of the world to be pleasing to God. And we are all in need pleasing to God. And we are all in need pleasing to God. And we are all in need of a savior from God. of a savior from God. of a savior from God. Amen. The Old Testament just Amen. The Old Testament just Amen. The Old Testament just consistently shows that even the best consistently shows that even the best consistently shows that even the best people are corrupted by sin. All of us people are corrupted by sin. All of us people are corrupted by sin. All of us need Christ. need Christ. need Christ. Uh and like we saw last time on Monday Uh and like we saw last time on Monday Uh and like we saw last time on Monday that forgiveness in Christ means that we that forgiveness in Christ means that we that forgiveness in Christ means that we are freed then to focus on daily present are freed then to focus on daily present are freed then to focus on daily present holiness rather than obsessing over our holiness rather than obsessing over our holiness rather than obsessing over our past failures. That is an awesome past failures. That is an awesome past failures. That is an awesome reality. I mean, what hope would we have reality. I mean, what hope would we have reality. I mean, what hope would we have apart from Christ? We would have none. apart from Christ? We would have none. apart from Christ? We would have none. On this topic of finishing well, we've On this topic of finishing well, we've On this topic of finishing well, we've covered a lot of territory. If you've covered a lot of territory. If you've covered a lot of territory. If you've been following this podcast, I mean, we been following this podcast, I mean, we been following this podcast, I mean, we started it after Pastor John reached started it after Pastor John reached started it after Pastor John reached retirement age of 65. And so, we've retirement age of 65. And so, we've retirement age of 65. And so, we've talked a lot about finishing well over talked a lot about finishing well over talked a lot about finishing well over these 13, almost 14 years.

these 13, almost 14 years. these 13, almost 14 years. And all of that you can see in my And all of that you can see in my And all of that you can see in my summary of several episodes in the Ask summary of several episodes in the Ask summary of several episodes in the Ask Pastor John book, uh, beginning on page Pastor John book, uh, beginning on page Pastor John book, uh, beginning on page 429. If you have that book handy, check 429. If you have that book handy, check 429. If you have that book handy, check out that section, uh, on finishing well, out that section, uh, on finishing well, out that section, uh, on finishing well, beginning on page 429. beginning on page 429. beginning on page 429. This need to remain vigilant and This need to remain vigilant and This need to remain vigilant and faithful until the very end. That's what faithful until the very end. That's what faithful until the very end. That's what we saw today. That's what we're going to we saw today. That's what we're going to we saw today. That's what we're going to see next time. What if Jesus returns see next time. What if Jesus returns see next time. What if Jesus returns tonight? How would you live differently tonight? How would you live differently tonight? How would you live differently today if you knew Jesus was coming today if you knew Jesus was coming today if you knew Jesus was coming tonight? tonight? tonight? I'm Tony Reinke, and if Christ doesn't I'm Tony Reinke, and if Christ doesn't I'm Tony Reinke, and if Christ doesn't return, we will see you on Monday. return, we will see you on Monday. return, we will see you on Monday. Thanks for listening.