– We want to decide…

 

In Deuteronomy 1:26 we read these discouraging words, “Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God…”

 

These are the words of Moses reprimanding the Israelite nation for their disobedience and unbelief at the Jordan River.  We see here the importance of (not only doing what God says to do, but also) doing things when God says to do them.  Moses continues in verses 37a & 40-45, “The Lord was angry… saying…. ‘But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.’  Then ye answered and said unto me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us.’ And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.  And the LORD said unto me, ‘Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.’  So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.  And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.  And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.”

 

God’s will was the exact opposite on Tuesday that it had been on Monday.  The Jews should have listened and obeyed, at the least they should have submitted on the second day – but they didn’t, and it cost them many, many lives.

 

Is this JUST a case of bad timing?  When God said, “Go up!” they would not.  When God said, “Do not go up!” they did it anyway.  The problem was deeper than simply doing the right thing at the wrong time.  It was not the job that they despised; it was the authority, power, position and sovereignty of God.  The timing of their actions revealed the deeper problem of their desire for self-determination and autonomy when they should have been submissive and subservient. 

 

They used the size and strength of the enemy to excuse their rebellion, but their later actions proved that they did actually believe that they could defeat the giants of Canaan – the real problem was that they had an attitude problem, they wanted to call the shots themselves. 

 

Second Corinthians 6:2 talks about the timing that is acceptable to God: (For he says, “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

 

Whatever God is telling you to do today; do it.  Tomorrow may be too late… 

 

Our problem is rebellion.

The solution is repentance.

 

And, of course, the result will be obedience which will bring blessings.

 

I confess – the blog is short and sweet today because I went fishing with our Assistant Sunday School Superintendent this morning (if I tell you his position in the church it makes it sound more legitimate, right?). 

 

:-)  

"What Was Jesus Teaching Concerning Prayer?"

 

In Matthew 6:9-13 (during the Sermon on the Mount) Jesus gave direction about how we ought to pray.  Again, in Luke 11:2-4 we have the record of Jesus’ response to His disciple's request to be instructed in prayer (even like John the Baptist had taught his disciples).  If the two passages are superimposed onto one another you can see how they compare. 

 

1. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
2. Thy kingdom come.
3. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

{OR} Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven

4. Give us day by day our daily bread.

{OR} Give us this day our daily bread

5. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.

{OR} And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

6. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
7. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
8. Amen.

I mention this prayer often in sermons and such because it is the core of my personal prayer life.  I heard Rev. Johnny Pope explain it years ago and have never escaped from the power of his (over 2 hour) sermon on the subject.

 

He divided the prayer like an outline and showed how to use it as a pattern for personal quiet time.

 

I know that God is not obligated to respond to repetitious rehearsals of this or any other exemplary prayer.  He is not a fairy tale spirit to be manipulated or controlled with spells and rituals, yet He is telling us what the content of Spirit led prayer will be.  I perceive it to be more of a standard to measure our supplication by; an aide in self-evaluation. 

 

Though, admittedly, there are many times that I use the prayer verbatim (except that I use the word “trespasses” instead of “sins” or “debts”), I recognize that it is the sincerity, humility, faith and submission of my heart that frees God to accept my petition, its not the formality of the words that I use in praying.  Truly, God does indeed obligate Himself to hear and to answer the trusting prayers of His children when we are yielding to the contrition that He works into us by His Spirit and through His Word. 

 

What topics should flow forth from our hearts when we pray?  At risk of oversimplification and maybe even exclusion of some vital things, allow me to make an alliterated list:

I.               Praise – a time to admire God.

II.             Prophecy – a time to consider the future.

III.            Presence – a time to recognize the effects of His company.

IV.         Provision – a time to admit our dependence upon Him.

V.           Penance – a time to declare our Godly sorrow for evil in our lives.

VI.         Petition – a time to request God’s merciful power.

VII.        Purpose – a time to renew our submission to His permanent position as Lord.

 

I know that there are other ways to put it; better ways even.  I just need a fresh approach periodically in order to restore my awareness of what I’m actually doing when I pray.

 

If there is an area of omission in which I struggle, it is this matter of prayer.  Example: For years (when eating alone) I have thanked God for my food after my first bite.  I have apologized (to the One who provides my sustenance) thousands of times, yet over and again He waits until after I’ve taken my first bite to remind me to show my gratitude.  If His goal is to maintain humility in my existence, He is surely succeeding.  My delayed appreciation for provender reminds me of just how self-centered and naturally deficient I really am; I’m reminded that without His mercy, I would be consumed (Praise God – His compassions fail not!). 

 

There are so many landmines in this field of communion with my Father.  Sometimes I forget to pray altogether, when I do pray I may drift off to sleep as the disciples did in the garden, or, I pray with doubts in my head and iniquity in my heart, and I pray selfishly knowing that He is not listening. 

 

I don’t know if it’s a good interpretation or not, but I have found encouragement in the wording of Luke 11:1, “It came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”  The disciple did not say teach us HOW to pray, he just said “teach us TO PRAY.”  I don’t think he meant (when he said that) what I mean when I say it, nevertheless, it is still true that many of us know very well HOW to pray, yet we do not pray. 

 

What if we were sincerely willing go boldly to the throne of grace every time the Spirit burdened us to do so?  How different our lives would be.

 

I John 5:15-16 is very firm and clear in declaring the effectual nature of prayer.  “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”

 

James 5:16 does not say that effectual prayer is periodically productive, intermittently productive, eventually productive, mildly productive, seemingly productive or unproductive; it says that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”  I think our problem is that we don’t believe that God meant what He said.  We would rather work and worry ourselves out our fixes rather than lay them at the feet of the One how longs to be our burden bearer.  Matthew 11:28-30 is still in the Bible: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  He is eager and willing to trade loads with you and me.  Honest prayer is the key to making that wonderful swap.

 

Let’s pray…

“The Positive Message We Carry”

 

I missed writing yesterday’s blog because I was taking the day off for Elijah’s birthday.  I ended up working a ten hour day yesterday anyway, so I think I’ll try again on Friday.  Enough about that – I need some laughs to “start” my week off.  If you are from the south (Florida excluded), you may find these mildly offensive, but worth the pain in order to bring a smile.

 

Here are your laughs for today, sent to me by my good friend from Mississippi:

 

“The South”

 

Alabama:

 

A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. 

 

"Where's Henry?" the others asked. "Henry had a stroke of some kind.  He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied.

 

"You left Henry lying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired. 

 

A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!" 

 

Louisiana:

 

A senior at LSU was overheard saying... "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana ". 

 

When asked why, he replied he'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world. 

 

Mississippi:

 

The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, "Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!"

 

Bubba replied, "Did you see who it was?"

 

The young man answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the tag number."

 

Georgia:

 

A Georgia State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-75. The trooper asked, "Got any ID?"

 

The driver replied, "Bout whut?" 

 

North Carolina:

 

A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it.  Then he got back in the car to wait. 

 

A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back.

 

He asked the fellow what the problem was. 

 

The man replied, "I have a flat tire."

 

The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"

 

The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back.  I never did understand it neither.

 

And the favorite:

 

You can say what you want about the South, but you never hear of anyone retiring and moving North!  

 

I’m from the south. 

Southern born,

southern bred,

when I die,

I’ll be southern dead.

…and I laughed loudly.  (By the way – Maryland IS below the Mason-Dixon line).

 

Well, no laugh should be without a good moral.  Now, Aesop I’m not, but I do have a brief thought for you today.  It’s about language.

 

Whether you are from Maine, Boston or Misterslippy – language is used for communication.  Communication is used to confer information.  And… the presentation of information has a purpose as well.  People’s motives are infinitely diverse when they are talking, writing, singing, sighing, smiling, crying or shouting “Yee-Haw” real loud.  But, universally, to promote clear and effective communication, one should actually speak the language of the audience.  If that includes using words like “yonder,” “reckon,” “fixin’” and “Ye-mom-n-em” – fine; if it requires the avoidance of such sophisticated lingo – that is well and good too. 

 

I’m not talking about some secular, generic and irrelevant conversation; I’m talking about the communication and publication of the good news of the gospel.  I was visiting (knocking on doors, evangelizing, soul winning, – whatever you want to call it) last week when I looked down at the tract (gospel literature) in my hand and began to read the highly religious verbiage within it – my heart began to sink.  I thought – you know, if the person in this house has never been to church, the very words in this little booklet will be so mysterious and confusing to them that they will likely just toss it in the trash as some irrelevant montage of specialized language or foreign mumbo-jumbo.

 

Do we have an obligation to transfer the absolute and unchanging message of truth to people in a form that they can actually understand, or are we required to stand within the confines of some imagined straight-jacket of liturgical rhetoric that sooths our conscience but bamboozles the average person outside our Christian culture.  We do actually have a growing heathen, pagan segment of our society that we are to be reaching with the gospel.  They are not our enemies, but they are enslaved by our enemy the Devil.  We must share with them the message of redemption, forgiveness and hope that we have already believed and received.  But, it is not enough to share – we should be coherent, clear, simple, understandable, intelligent and informed as we preach to people one on one. 

 

The apostle Paul wrote in First Corinthians 9:18-23 “…when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 

 

Am I misconstruing the sense of this passage to say that Paul purpose in conformity and compliance was to make communication more effective?  I think not.  Paul was not necessarily talking about his brogue or dialect specifically, but it is certainly included.  In fact, in Acts 22:2 it is recorded that “…when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence…”  Paul used the linguistic tool that he knew would be the most effective in getting the truth to these people who were actually extremely antagonistic toward him and the gospel.  And, later, when before the Sanhedrin, he adapted his speech.  When before Agrippa, he adapted his speech.  When in jail, he adapted his speech.

 

The word “preach” means “to proclaim or publish.”  Preaching is nothing more or less than making the truth of God known unto men.  We may use good ol’ time pulpiteering, sophisticated sermonizing, didactic teaching, music, drama, printed literature, blogs, signs, movies, radio programs, commercials or even miming (for that matter) to make sure the truth is heard and that it is ingestible to our audience.  We can never compromise the contents of our message, but the format and method of presentation must be chameleonic in character.  It does not matter how true our message is – if the person that we are addressing can’t hear it because of our impotent or distracting mode of communication, then it is our job to change our conversational vehicle.  I have learned to quote Bible verses without the “thees” “thous,” and “-eth verbs” when I’m talking to strangers, because, otherwise, people get this glazed look in their eyes, like, “from where did this alien orator arise.” 

 

Read some of the New Testament quotes of the Old Testament and discover the tremendous variety in vocabulary (and, I’m convinced that it’s more than just a Hebrew–Greek–English translation thing).  Indeed - God inspired (breathed) the very Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words of Scripture, but His purpose was to communicate a message.  We may use synonyms, definitions, illustration, examples, colloquialisms and such like in our effort to spread the message, as long as we do not alter that message. 

 

May I give one example to make myself very clear?  The word “Lord” is certainly not obsolete these days, yet its meaning can be somewhat nebulous to those who are distant from theology.  It basically means “boss” – right?  You may accuse me of sacrilege, but it was a great moment of worship for me when I realized that my salvation was accompanied by a decision to let God be the boss.  I don’t say, “Hi boss!” in my prayers, I’m not necessarily comfortable with that myself, but doing so, for some people, might be the difference in heaven or hell.

 

The same is true with the word “believe.”  I’m not just asking people to recognize that Jesus died for them; I’m trying to get people to lean on Him, to “take their hands of the wheel and let Jesus drive.” 

 

That being said – one of the key elements in our arsenal of communication is the aspect of the aura around our message.  The passion, motivation and attitude behind the words that we use actually speak much more loudly than the words themselves.  With that in mind, we would do well to interject more life into our witnessing by unharnessing the power of a passionate delivery.  Tears, smiles, sweat and laughter must accompany our proclamations so that people will hear what we are saying.  Dead monotony in the statement of our faith only encourages people not to listen.  That’s why I started today’s blog with a few jokes.  It is not just “OK” to laugh, it is a brain reviver.  Imagining some bloke from Georgia mistaking “ID” for “idea” is a powerful way of reminding us that, if we want people to receive our Savior, we are going to need to condescend from our “spiritual” plane just like Christ did.  We could not (and can not) understand Him as God, so He became one of us so that we could “hear“ Him; so that we would pay attention to Him.

 

Lesson # 1 in reaching the world with the gospel: SMILE and LAUGH, we do actually have something real to smile and laugh about.  A cheerful, joyous, positive, happy and healthy spiritual testimony is going to be so much more palatable and appealing to the lost than some dead, dry, mop-faced recitations of bony religiosity.  And, hey – it shouldn’t have to be an act.

 

…nuff said….                 

 

Laughter is a universal language – use it for the cause of Christ.

Spiritual Emoticons

 

In a “thread” (new word for me) yesterday, I was conversing with one of my sisters about something irrelevant, when I made a simple discovery.  You’re going to think me silly, but it occurred to me that we use “emoticons” like… :-) & ;-) …online to reveal our emotions, but we don’t use “facticons” – to let people know that we are speaking the truth, “intellicons” – to inform others that we are speaking intelligently, “religicons” – to reveal our beliefs, “ficticons” – to show imagination or “politicons” – to indicate that we are lying.  Why?  I believe it is because emotions are the most important thing in life (or very close to it) to most of us.  Reject my hypothesis if you like, but at least hear me out first.

 

I read an article yesterday on FOX from which I give you this brief excerpt.     

 

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who has been put on the “fast track” to sainthood, was so tormented by doubts about her faith that she felt “a hypocrite,” it has emerged from a book of her letters to friends and confessors.

 

Shortly after beginning her work in the slums of Calcutta, she wrote: “Where is my faith?  Even deep down there is nothing but emptiness and darkness.  If there be a God — please forgive me.”

 

In letters eight years later she was still expressing “such deep longing for God,” adding that she felt “repulsed, empty, no faith, no love, no zeal.”

 

Her smile to the world from her familiar weather-beaten face was a “mask” or a “cloak,” she said. “What do I labor for? If there be no God, there can be no soul.  If there be no soul then, Jesus, You also are not true.”

 

….“I am told God lives in me — and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul,” she wrote at one point. “I want God with all the power of my soul — and yet between us there is terrible separation.”  On another occasion she wrote: “I feel just that terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not really existing.”

 

While I have a difficult time feeling optimistic about the claimed faith of anyone who remains within the dark confines of Roman Catholicism, truly I do not know the status of anyone’s soul but mine.  I know very little about this deceased nun, other than the fact that she was famous.  What strikes me, though, is the gravity and weight that is given to the emotional hollowness that she evidently professed to endure.  There is a gut wrenching disappointment felt in the response of this society to the discomfort and doubt which was apparently present within this woman’s mind and heart. 

 

See, if we are all searching for comfort, peace, assurance, significance, security, admiration, affection and awe; if we want to be pacified, ratified and satisfied; if we crave affirmation and direction; if we want purpose and meaning.  (At least, I think these things are basic and universal).  It must be helpful to realize that all of these things have to do essentially with our feelings. 

 

It makes me feel good to know without a doubt that I am going to heaven – but what about those who do not have that confidence?

It makes me feel great to know that the comforting Spirit of Christ lives within me and has promised to abide there till I die – but, oh, how much people must suffer who do not have His indwelling presence.

It makes me feel wonderful to know that I am in the place, with the people and doing the things that God has assigned for me – but, surely, it must be awful to live and work without that certainty.

 

I believe that people are so consumed with this issue of feelings that they get jealous, bitter, offended and even angry when other folk appear to be experiencing positive feelings that are seemingly unattainable to them.  I have met individuals who were irately irrational in their rejection of me and my faith, simply because of the assurance that I claim. 

 

Now, what place does feelings have within the framework of our faith? 

 

I’ve been taught that we cannot trust our feelings, but we can trust the Word of God.  And, I emphatically preach that, believe that and attempt to practice that principle.  But are feelings irrelevant?  Worse yet – are they wicked?  What does the Scripture say about being emotional?

 

Well, the Holy Spirit was not called the “Spiritual Fact Finder” or the “Divine Disciplinarian” or the “Eternal Critic” or the “Crusading Deity” – He was called the Comforter!  The one who comforts us – WELL GLORY!  I certainly need comforting.

 

I must begin by pointing out that God is an emotional God.  The Bibles says that He loves, He hates, He laughs, He gets angry, He is pleased, He is grieved, He is blessed, He is appeased, He is patient, etc… all of these things are intricately connected to the word, “emotion.”  If we were created in the image of God, surely we, who are emotional beings, must be children of an emotional God.  Jehovah is not presented to us in The Sacred Texts as some robotic computer issuing stoic mandates and directives; He is a person with a personality, with feelings, sensitivities and sensations.  I know that He is spiritual and immaterial, yet that doesn’t eliminate the reality of ambiance in heaven.  I’ll not be persuaded that the God who invented music, laughter, poetry, sex, peaches, dimples, sunsets and blue eyes is limited to thinking only in terms of analytical facts and figures.  I’m not saying that I know how God thinks – His ways transcend ours by far, but the Bible reveals this truth: our God is emotional.  Two obvious proofs are 1 John 4:8 & 16, “God is love” and Psalm 7:11, “God is angry with the wicked every day.”

 

Secondly, I optimistically repeat Hebrews 4:15 “…We have… a high priest which can… be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.”  That which bothers me also affects God; because, He cares about how I feel.  That which thrills me likewise affects God (for the very same reason).  1 Peter 5:7 “Cast… all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.” 

 

I know that there is an element in our society that is overzealously and sickenly drunk with emotionalism.  The question that is so horribly overused and abused is (say it with me): “So, how does that make you feel?”  It’s part of the feminization of our culture, I suppose.  By today’s standards, it seems that just about anyone could qualify as a talk show host, psychologist, counselor or friend just because they know how to ask that question and then how to just sit and listen.  Well, truly there is some wisdom in that, though I think it has gotten out of hand.  How people feel is indeed important, but, that which is right, just, true and good should be included in these conversations as well.  That which is wrong, evil, dangerous and stupid should be pointed out just as vividly.  Too much feely stuff leans too far toward hedonism for my willing acceptance of it.

 

But, again, I’m not calling feelings evil.  For my third point I take Galatians 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  Can we separate these characteristics from passion?  These products of the filling (controlling presence) of the Holy Ghost are inextricably connected to emotions.  Having a religion without having feeling is about as valuable as posthumously marrying a beautiful woman. 

 

My confidence rests in the promises of God’s Word – TRUE!  Sometimes I feel good about it and sometimes I don’t, but – I just have to say, it has been my experience (and I recognize that empirical evidence is sometimes fallible) that my lack of zeal always coincides with my lack of obedience.  Why not?  Psalm 119:165 explains, “Great peace have they which love thy law.”  Please don’t try to explain to me how peace can be emotionless. 

 

If there is no spunk in one’s faith – either their faith is fake (or misdirected), or their fellowship with God is broken.  If (I said, “if”) Teresa’s faith was in her many “good deeds” – no wonder she felt empty.  (Romans 3:20 says “…by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” and Titus 3:5 adds, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost…”)  If your faith is in some projected conception of Christ rather than the revealed reality of His person, you too will remain empty.  And, even if your faith is in Him and your position is secure, you may still feel only doubt and despair if you are not walking in the light as He is in the light.  Isaiah 32:17 says, “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

 

I’m not claiming that I have covered every possible cause for emotional dryness in the life of a professing believer – surely there are spiritual and worldly influences that can hinder our joy, but I believe I have touched on the two greatest problems.

 

Don’t let your wholesome respect for doctrine and theology rob you of your need to express your worship toward God in appropriate expressions of your holy emotions.  Remember 2 Samuel 6:14 “David danced before the LORD with all his might…” – but, I’m sure he danced without feeling, emotion, sensation, excitement, zeal or passion, right?

 

We must have the right information (the true gospel), the right position (regeneration) and the right attitude (sanctification) if we expect our feelings to be right.  If I am yielded to Him and dependant on Him; if I am surrendered to Him and reliant on Him; if there is both repentance and faith in my soul – the holy feelings of fullness and worth will be an outgrowth and product of my acquiescence to His will.

 

Does that make sense? 

 

Oops, in keeping with the topic, I guess I should ask: "How does this meditation make you feel?"  ;-}

…In Him

 

Lies are complex monsters that evolve and morph repeatedly into larger and uglier demons.  Deceit multiplies and procreates naturally.  Pretense is cannibalistic and brutal.  Fiction and imaginations are elastic and susceptible to fluctuations and even annihilation.  But, truth… truth is static, steady, constant, absolute, clear, undaunted, constant and eternal.  No wonder Satan is called the “father of lies” while Jesus claimed to be the very embodiment of truth. 

 

II Corinthians 11:3-4 reminds me of the necessary exclusivity that surrounds Christ’s claims of sufficiency.   “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”  

 

Paul was afraid that the saints in Corinth might be patient, accepting and receptive toward false teachers.  He made no effort to hide the fact that he labeled false teachers as Satanic imposters.  Paul was a one God, one Christ, one Spirit, one gospel, one way, one truth kind of theologian.  This absolutism was not a product of pride, bigotry, ignorance or malice; it was the result of unflinching revelation, impeccable logic and undeniable experience.  Paul had met Jesus on that road to Damascus and had heard His claim that He was THE ONE that Paul was persecuting.  Paul had been sincere, educated, devout, zealous and busy in his effort to please Jehovah, but he had not received the Son (until that day) and had therefore been (as such) on the road to hell.  Paul (who was Saul at that time) had prayed a simple sinners prayer; “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

 

The word translated “simplicity” in II Corinthians 11 is translated “singleness” in Ephesians 6:5 & Colossians 3:22.  Jesus is not just a way to God, He is THE way, the single way, the one way, the only way…

 

John 14:6  “Jesus saith unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.’”

 

Acts 4:10-12  “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”      

 

Isaiah 45:22 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

 

To people outside of the faith - this absolutist exclusivity is the single most offensive doctrine in the Christian faith – yet it is also the most important truth that we have.  I have heard of many professed believers who have questioned Christ’s claim, but to entertain such thoughts is to risk blasphemous heresy and damnable apostasy.  It may be convenient, comforting or fashionable to flirt with some type of pluralistic maze of universalism, but it is contrary to the clear teaching of the inspired, authoritative, infallible, and eternal Word of God. 

 

Galatians 1:8-9; “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”  These are strong words.  The word “accursed” is the Greek word “anathema” which means “to be bound and doomed for destruction.”  It is an actual Biblical case of “excommunication” from the church and from God.

 

This “simplicity” may seem awfully negative to a rebellious heart – but it is such a reassuring and comforting thing to me.  I may lack many things: acute understanding, mountain-moving faith, miraculous power, unswerving consistency, grand influence or noble piety…. but…. but…. I do have Jesus Christ.  I have come to Him in simple and humble sincerity, looking to Him to do for me that which I can not do for myself, and… as a result… Hallelujah - I’m safe!  I’m saved!  I’m secure!  I’m a child of God and a brother to THE LORD JESUS! 

 

I have an exponential number of favorites in just about every category of things in life, however, I can’t help but list the great hymn “I Know Whom I Have Believed” as one of those favorites.  I feel like shouting!!!

 

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own.

 

I know not how this saving faith

To me He did impart,

Nor how believing in His Word

Wrought peace within my heart.

 

I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing us of sin,

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.

 

I know not what of good or ill

May be reserved for me,

Of weary ways or golden days,

Before His face I see.

 

I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noonday fair,

Nor if I walk the vale with Him,

Or meet Him in the air.

 

But I know Whom I have believèd,

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

Unto Him against that day.

 

Words: Daniel W. Whittle, in Gospel Hymns No. 4, 1883.

Music: James McGranahan     

 

That is true simplicity! 

 

PRAISE GOD!

“Advising God?”

 

I’ve never found a songwriter who expressed my thoughts more precisely than Todd Agnew does.  Consider his song: “If You Wanted Me”

 

I’ll admit I’m glad we’re not disciples

Out on a lake paralyzed with fright

‘Cause I’m afraid I might have laughed at Peter

Until he stepped into that stormy night

 

If you wanted me to walk on water

Why’d You make the solid ground seem so right?

 

I’ll admit I’m glad I’m not King David

Ruling over everything I see

‘Cause I think I’ve fallen for more than Bathsheba

Your creation’s a temptation for me

 

If you wanted me to love you only

Why’d you make the moonlight sparkle in her eyes?

 

I’ll admit I’m glad I’m not John the Baptist

In a jail cell waiting for my day to die

‘Cause at least down here I know what we’re chasing

And it’s hard to trust Your dreams are so much better than mine

 

If you wanted me to die to myself

Why’d you make me fall so deeply in love with life?

 

If You wanted me to surrender

Why’d You make these hands able to hold on so tight?

 

And if You wanted me to be like You

Why’d You make me like me?

 

Album: “Better Questions”

 

Just because I ask a question in my mind does not mean that it is automatically legitimate or that there is an answer available. 

 

In the song “If You Wanted Me” there is an odd mixture of humility and confusion.  We know that God is never the author of confusion, but that does not exempt us from such a detrimental state of mind.

Consider the last two lines of Todd’s song… “And if You wanted me to be like You, Why’d You make me like me?”

 

We obviously can not blame God for our faults.  Yet, even a simple mind can conceive of a world different than the one we live in.  God could have made this universe differently – but He didn’t.  He made it just like it is.  Though I do not contend that He created sin, evil, pain or death – He did make a world that eventually succumbed to these things.  Without rebellion; without skepticism; without doubt; without pride and without confidence – one can still ask the question, why did He make things like they are?  If God is holy and righteous (and He certainly is), why did He make a system that included the possibility of failure, disobedience and damnation?

 

I don’t pretend to actually know the answer to these questions.  I stand by faith on the truth of the Word of God.  It was said of Christ in Mark 7:37; “He hath done all things well…”  Well, of course.  He did all things well because He was God in the flesh.  God is good – absolutely and infinitely good!  He only does that which is good.  He is never evil.  Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him.”  We do well to take God at His word.  His ways are different from ours; higher than ours; impossible for us to grasp.  My Father quoted a wonderful verse to me last week from Deuteronomy 32:4; “He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.”

 

Yet, surely there is some sense to our predicament as fallen men, right?  There is light shed on these questions from the Scripture.

1.      We are taught that men have freedom to make choices in life.

2.      We are taught that God created all things for His own pleasure.

3.      We are taught that our faith in God produces pleasure for Him.

 

God could have produced a creation that did not have creatures with a free will.  He could have programmed us rigidly to do the right things every time, all the time, without any real potential for error.  But, He didn’t.  Why?  I believe the answer lies within the infinite nature of God.  I believe in God’s absolute omnipotence.  His power is infinite.  There is nothing that He doesn’t have the ability to do.  Obviously there are things that He will never do because they would be incompatible with His nature.  And, there are illogical things that He couldn’t do because they are beyond the scope of sane and orderly reason.  For example: God could not create a rock so large that He would be unable to lift it – duh!  So, His omnipotence has boundaries within the scope of eternal wisdom; yet, with foolishness set aside – I believe that His omnipotence is infinite.  Because of that, I do believe that God actually has/had the power to create humanity with a genuinely free will.  I can’t understand how He could make Adam purely innocent and good, yet with the potential to choose to disobey his Maker, yet, though I can’t understand it, I still believe it.

 

But that still doesn’t fully answer the question, why?  With individual prerogative and the ability to choose freely I see how things got messed up, but why did He do it this way?  (To me) our liberty to decide for ourselves whether or not to follow God does remove any imagined Divine responsibility for our wickedness.  But I still question His motives (not sarcastically or with a sneer, meekly).  I’m interested in how God "functions" (is that sacrilegious)?  I am sure that He doesn’t do things arbitrarily or haphazardly.

 

Again – consider His infinity.  His love is boundless – this was proved by His willingness to die for worthless rebels; His enemies; us.  Now, I believe that of all the trillions (at least) of ways that God could have designed things, this way was the best way.  The world that He created provided the maximum opportunity for Him to demonstrate His love, mercy, forgiveness, patience, grace and goodness – while at the same time receiving the maximum measure of pleasure, glory and honor. 

 

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

 

He is the potter.  We are the clay.  He does indeed want me to be like He is (Romans 8:29 “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren”).  But, He is pleased when we accept His will willingly – without coercion or preprogramming.  What pleasure would a man receive from a robotic wife programmed to automatically complement him?  What pleasure could God receive from our obedience if we had no choice in the matter?  He wants me to be like Him – but the option to refuse is actually present (unfortunately for us).  In fact, because of Adam’s choice, the option to refuse is both natural and ingrained in us – hence the necessity for grace, the Word and the Spirit.  Just remember – we were not made for our own benefit and enjoyment, but for His (and rightfully so).  He alone is worthy of such worship.  And, don’t forget – the story of redemption proves that He isn’t a selfish bully.  His mercy endures forever and permeates every moment in history! 

 

By the way, don’t tell me that I’m fiddling with things that are none of my business.  If that were the case, why would these two verses be in the Bible? 

 

Romans 9:20 “Nay but, O man, who are you that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, ‘Why have You made me thus?’”

 

Romans 11:34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or, who has been His counselor?”

 

These questions are natural (though somewhat fleshly and dangerous), but real nonetheless and certainly addressable, as long as we always return to the position of humble faith and willing obedience.  I admit that I wonder why He allowed me to be the way I am – then I remember that He only allowed me to be faulty; He did not design and instill those faults in me purposefully.  My flaws are a product of His absence and lack of involvement (because of intrinsic obstructions) in areas of my life – not a product of His presence or active involvement.

 

Hhhmmmm … I don’t suppose anyone will accuse me of being Calvinistic today.     

 

...and divorce

 

A friend sent me this message recently.  She wrote:

 

“My question for you is this... knowing that God is against divorce in most situations, is it possible that a woman is wrong in reconciling with her husband if he is involved in drugs?  Keep in mind that this woman has enabled her husband in his addiction and would be doing that in her decision to reconcile with him now.  I believe God may be working on the man and his drug addiction, but, from my view (which is not always God's, I realize) it seems that reconciliation now may quench or hinder the work that He is doing.” 

 

“I have a really hard time with some of the advice I’ve heard preachers give women about divorce…. Help me see what God says about the matter if you could.  I have asked God to prepare my heart for the answer...even if it's not what I want to hear.”

 

This question was asked from a heart of sincerity and humility and I want to answer it with the same attitude.  The first question seems to be about the timing and process of reconciliation, while the second is a broader inquisition about divorce in general.

 

Let’s start from the beginning.

 

Marriage was God’s idea – we know this.  He said that man shouldn’t be alone.  He made a woman designed perfectly for the man.  Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - Eve was a completion of Adam.  Matrimony was supposed to be a beautiful and harmonious relationship of giving and loving.  But, Satan and sin ruined God’s impeccable plan.  That which was originally immaculate and holy has degenerated into something that is frequently self-serving and unbearable. 

 

Many married couples are miserable today because of sexual infidelity, fiscal irresponsibility, selfish incompatibility, spiritual diversity, emotional imbecility, dishonest communication or even intellectual ineptitude.  Worse still – some relationships are apparently irreparable because of physical and emotional abuse, chemical and mental addictions, and even horrid perversions such as pedophilia, homosexuality, masochism, sadism and Satanism.

 

So, the question must be asked – since God’s original institution is now riveted with potholes and pitfalls, should marriage be abandoned?  The answer is a resounding – NO!  Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”  (SIDENOTE: The one bond that is to be reserved only for a husband and wife is the sexual bond that begins with the eyes and ends with pregnancy.  While marriage is a complex and intense partnership in many ways, the sensual intimacy of man and wife is unique and holy.  In fact, to put it bluntly, Paul wrote in First Corinthians 7:9 “…let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”  He was clearly referring to the natural, physical cravings for sexual pleasure that were calculated and instilled by the wise and gracious Creator of us all.  In that context Paul stated that there is honor in celibacy if one has been given that wonderful gift.  He pointed out the level of spiritual devotion that is possible for a eunuch, maid, bachelor, widow or widower… a plane of godly dedication and intensity that is not feasible for someone with a spouse.  Yet, he in no way belittled or condemned the glorious union of a bride and groom).  Marriage was God’s first and best instituted relationship for humanity.    

 

Thus, if marriage is still within God’s plan (and, it is), despite the dangers and delusions, who has jurisdiction over holy wedlock? Answer: God – exclusively!  Again, First Corinthians 11:3 “I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”  Stronger still is Matthew 19:4-6.  Jesus said, “Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.’”  In Ephesians 5:21-22 Paul wrote to men and women advising and requiring them to practice holy submission; “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”  God has complete power and absolute rights over this matter.  He should be The One who brings a couple together; He should be The Ruler of their lives individually and corporately; He should be The Only One to sever that lifelong covenant (and that by death).  But, that would be in a perfect world, right?  We do not live in a perfect world.

 

Now then, in this fallen and cursed existence that we endure, what is His perspective?  He hates sin – all sin.  But, He also hates separation and divorce.  Malachi 2:14-16 “The LORD hath been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant.  And did not He make one? …Take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says that He hates putting away [divorce]…”  The problem, dilemma and contradiction begins with personal wickedness and is magnified and exacerbated by governmental incompetence and ecclesiastical compromise.  Bear with me now, this is important.  The conversation that I borrowed from earlier today is continued in Matthew 19 with these words; “The Pharisees said unto Jesus, ‘Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put one’s wife away?’  He said unto them, ‘Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.  And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication [he did not say adultery here], and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away does commit adultery.’”  Notice the allowance that was made by Moses.  What did Jesus mean by His reference to the “hardness of the hearts”
of the people?  I say that He was speaking of their hardness against the commandments of God.  God had commanded the execution of any promiscuous bride-to-be or any adulterous spouse (Leviticus 19:20 & 20:10).  Obviously, there would be no need for divorcements if the transgressors were dead (in fulfillment of God’s commandment).  But, because of the people’s unwillingness to obey God in one matter (killing betrothed fornicators, married adulterers and whoremongers) – Moses was “forced” to regulate how these wicked survivors should be treated.  The same problem exists today.  If the government would execute perverts, then innocent wives could move on to a new and better life without worrying over God’s attitude about divorce in general.  And, within the body of Christ, if the church would turn rebellious saints over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (as we are commanded to do in First Corinthians 5:1-7), then we would not have to advise spouses so often on how to handle their wicked partners.  Imprecation for deviant professors of Christ is necessary.  Be that as it is, if the government fails to do its job and the church fails to do it’s job – then innocent spouses are left scrounging desparately for affirmation in their effort to live holy lives; separate from sin.  I’m not talking about excusing divorce for any cause – as the Pharisees mentioned – I’m talking about dealing with people who deserve to be dead: child molesters, wife beaters and such…

 

Since there are times when there is a juxtaposition of these two things (God’s hatred for divorce and his demand for justice), how and when does He provide an acceptable solution to tidy up the impossible messes that His creatures make?  Or, does He leave us to grovel in hopless desparation?

 

In Ezra 10 the prophet of God led the men of Israel (evidently according to God’s leadership) to divorce their idolatrous, gentile wives in order to preserve the purity of the Jewish line.  In Deuteronomy 24 Moses gave the people a ruling on divorcement (again, evidently within the permissive will of God Almighty).  What do we say today to women (mostly) who have these horrid circumstances with husbands of evil character who are obviously dangerous.  We must begin with revealed truth. 

 

First Corinthians 7:10-15

“And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, ‘Let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.’  But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: ‘If any brother hath a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  And the woman which has an husband that believes not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.’”

 

Consider a simple enumeration (with interpretation) of Paul’s statements:

1. Don’t separate.  Don’t divorce.
2. If you do separate or divorce – don’t remarry.
3. Seek for reconciliation with your estranged spouse. 
4. If you have an unbelieving mate – stick with them if they are pleased to continue together with you.
5. The sanctification (salvation) of the “wicked” spouse is possible.
6. If a Christ-less spouse chooses to sever the martial bond – let them go, you have no more obligation to them.  (Some say this even extends to one’s right to divorce and remarriage, to a believer of course.  I’m not convinced that this is the case, but, I do defer to individual soul liberty in such a condition.  I may not condone it, but neither can I wholeheartedly condemn it).

There was a time when I wouldn’t accept the notion of divorce under any circumstance and only separation under very extreme conditions of danger.  Admittedly, (borrowing words from a friend of mine) I may not be compromising, but I am realizing my former error. 

 

I have no authority to legislate morality for anyone.  I do not have the ability to write advice in one column that will cover all possible predicaments.  However, I do want to answer the questions that were put to me.  Reconciliation with a spouse who is a drug addict is a secondary issue.  The first question is this, “Is the drug addict a child of God?”  If they are not – either by declaration or evidence – then reconciliation is unnecessary and unadvisable.  If they are a believer, then reconciliation is certainly possible and even obligatory.  The timetable and conditions of that reconciliation may vary.  I can not speak to the specifics of those things since I have virtually no knowledge of the dynamics of situation.  I would be a fool to answer a matter without knowing the nature of the circumstances or the story of these people’s lives.

 

More generally, when someone is in immanent danger, fleeing from that danger is hardly reprehensible.  For the safety of a wife (usually) or children; separation, divorce or even defensive violence may be morally acceptable.  Too bad we don’t have a government or churches that can be trusted to deal with these lice who parade as men. 

 

I hope I’ve been helpful.

 

When talking as I have today, it is important to be reminded of Galatians 5:13; “Ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.“  The Bible is not our defense lawyers’ handbook of how to get out of legitimate guilt.  I have no desire to beat up people for past mistakes; but neither do I want to contribute to anyone’s current ideas of legitimizing or justifying disobedience to God’s directives.

 

And, of course, if we have messed up in the past – we should simply confess our guilt to God and to anyone we have wronged; be forgiven and forget it. 

“Family Matters”

 

Having just returned from a week of vacation, my thoughts are running a slightly different course than normal.

 

I’m so thankful for family!

 

My wife, my children, my parents and siblings, my kinfolk and even my in-laws…

 

The most thrilling thing, however, is the fellowship I have with my spiritual family.  It is a double blessing that my physical family is full of believers, because I find that the tie that binds me with people spiritually is so much stronger than any cultural, regional or even biological connection.  I know I am not alone, for Jesus said in Matthew 12 that the disciples were His family.  Read verses 46-50:

“While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him.  Then one said unto Him, ‘Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee.’  But He answered and said unto him that told Him, ‘Who is My mother? and who are My brethren?’  And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, ‘Behold My mother and My brethren!   For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.’”

 

Now are we the Sons of God!  We are children of the Most High!  He is our Father!  We are born again into this Holy family!  We will someday be fully adopted!  We are to be joint-heirs with Jesus Christ!  He calls us His brethren!  He calls us His bride!  I’ve got an eternal family that will continue to be significant long after my earthly roots have been forgotten. 

 

I would not judge myself to have forsaken much for Christ, especially not my physical family – not in actuality.  Yet, there is a powerful principle hidden in Luke 18:29-30 that I find true.  Read it…

“And He said unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.’”

 

I feel like I have more brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents and children than I can begin to count, much less keep track of.

 

Being one of God’s children I find affinity and fellowship at every turn.  While my family and I were in Alabama on vacation, I got to preach at my former high school for a chapel service – it was a thrill to me because of the kinship that I felt with those teachers and kids who love Christ as I do.  I was privileged to minister the Word in my Father’s church – it was a rush and a delight because of the attraction that I had to the folk there who, like myself, also hunger after righteousness.  I was honored to fill the pulpit at Bethel Baptist Church in Hartselle, and, again, I experienced such extraordinary liberty and freedom with those fellow Christians who labor in the work of the Lord as I do.  Singing, eating, talking or laughing with other believers has such a rejuvenating and encouraging effect on me.  It’s just like hanging out with my biological family – only deeper; better; more significant.  Listening to my Father teach a Sunday School class was like fuel in my tank – why?  It was such because, I perceived once again the undeniable link that we have to one another – not by DNA (though that is true) – but by the mutual possession of the same Spirit of Christ within our hearts.  As I talked with my mother about the Holy Scriptures, my soul burned with excitement.  As I listened to friends sing about their faith in Jesus – I was warmed and drawn closer to them.  I feel now like I have returned to my family at Grace Baptist Church – one week was too long to be away from my dear loved ones at Grace.

 

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God, washed in the fountain; cleansed by His blood!

 

1. There is no place like home – Alabama, where I was born and reared.
2. There is no place like home – Hurlock, Maryland, where my home, my ministry and my flock is located.
3. But, above all, there is no place like home – Heaven, where all of us, who are regenerated, will fellowship together in a perfect and pleasure filled relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, throughout all of eternity. 

 

Being a part of God’s family matters more than anything in the whole world. 

 

 

Now, for good measure, I’ve got to plug these ten mildly humorous “family-ish” jokes (about grandparents and grandchildren) in here.  Someone sent these to me just before I left for vacation.  They are actually unrelated to my blog, but I just have to share anyway:      

 

Grandparents and Grandchildren

 

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter as she'd done many times before.  After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!"
2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday.  He asked me how old I was, and I told him, "62."  He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?" 
3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin.  Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?" 
4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond.  I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard.  We rode our Pony.  We picked wild raspberries in the woods."  The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in.  At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!" 
5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo while I asked, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old," he replied. 
6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's computer keyboard.  She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read." 
7. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct.  It was fun for me, so I continued.  At last she headed for the door, saying sagely, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these for yourself!" 
8. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised. "Mine says I'm four to six." 
9. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today."  The Grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. “That's interesting," she said, "how do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'I and add 'es'." 
10. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," Said a teacher. A small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what the word pregnant means?" she asked. "Sure," said the young boy confidently. "It means carrying a child." 

“A laugh a day will keep the Devil away – well, it’ll help anyway.”

 

“A Laugh with the Shepherd”

 

My “media deaconess” sent me some more great blog material this morning.  It got me to thinking about Psalm 23.  First though, read these little jokes that she sent.  You may have read them before, (I had), but, if your memory is as bad as mine, you can probably even tell yourself jokes that you’ve never heard before and have good laughs.  Maybe it’s just that I’m schizophrenic, and so am I. 

 

THE STORY OF ELIJAH

The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal.  She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut a steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar.  And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar.  He had them do this four times.

 

"Now, asked the teacher, "Can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?"

 

A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know! I know!" she said, "To make the gravy!"

 

LOT'S WIFE AND DRIVER’S ED 

The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt when little Jason interrupted, "My Mommy looked back once while she was driving," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"

 

GROSSING OUT THE GOOD SAMARITAN

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead.  She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama.  Then she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"

 

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."

 

WHY NOAH DIDN’T FISH

A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?"

 

"No," replied David.  "How could he? He only had two worms?"

 

MOSES AND THE RED SEA

Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.  "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely.  Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements.  They sent bombers to blow up the bridge, and all the Israelites were saved."

 

"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.

 

"Well, no. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

 

A BLANKET OF ASSURANCE

One Sunday after church, a mother asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.  The daughter answered, "Don't worry - you'll get another quilt."

 

Needless to say, the mom was perplexed.  So, later in the day, when the pastor stopped by for tea, she asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.

 

He said "Fear not, for my Father shall give you another Comforter."

 

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible, Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse.  Little Rick was excited about the task, but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm.  After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

 

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous.  When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."

 

I can actually remember one of my children quoting this psalm in just about the same way.  I think it was, “The Lord is My Shepherd, and I don’t need anything else.”

 

After all, Psalm 8:2 says, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength…”

 

What better interpretation could be given?

 

Have you ever asked yourself – what would I do if I lost my health, my spouse, my children, my parents, my siblings, my family, my friends, my job and/or my possessions?  Could I still rejoice in the Lord? 

 

He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.  What a comfort it is to know, according to Hebrews 13:5, that “He has said, ‘I will never leave Thee, nor forsake Thee.’” 

 

David could have written that God was his Creator, his God, his Master, his King, his Lord or his Judge.  He could have used more endearing terms like Savior, Father or Friend.  But, he wrote of his Shepherd.  A shepherd has such compassion, knowledge and responsibility for his sheep.  I’m so glad my Jesus watches over me.  He should be all that I want.  I know that He is all that I need.  Without Him, I would be lost.

“Signs of the Times”

 

What do we normally get from Hebrews 10:25?  It says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”  Most commonly and appropriately we are reminded of the importance of being a faithful attendee at the assemblies of our local church.  This is a true and wonderful lesson to garner from the passage, and arguably the primary one as well.  But, recently I realized a different truth that is such a blessing and encouragement that I have to share it with somebody.  At the end of the verse it says that the need for faithful attendance and therefore exhortation will increase toward the end of the age. 

 

AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING…

 

Paul is assuming several things here.

1.      Significantly, “The Day” is coming.

2.      Faith will be of the utmost importance when that “Day” arrives.

3.      There will be indications that “The Day” is near.

 

Now, I’m no expert in Biblical prophecy, and this is a blog not a systematic theology textbook, but, according to my understanding of the eschatological timeline of the prophetic passages in Holy Scripture, here is the basic order of major events in the future:

1. An apostasy of the nominal church
2. The resurrection of church-age saints
3. The rapture of these resurrected believers and of the remnant of the body of Christ, followed by our reward ceremony in heaven
4. Revelation of the antichrist on earth
5. 3 ½ years of forced peace
6. 3 ½ years of total chaos and God’s wrath
7. The 2^nd advent of Jesus Christ with His saints
8. The revival of the Jews
9. The battle of Armageddon
10. The damnation of the man of sin and his false prophet
11. The imprisonment of Lucifer for 1000 years
12. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
13. The Millennial reign of Christ and us
14. The release of Lucifer
15. The Last Battle
16. The Great White Throne Judgment
17. Eternity…

 

I know I left out many things, but these are some of the primary landmarks along the future path that must be trod.  If you think I’ve gotten something out of order, feel free to tell me so. 

 

Either way, as I understand it, “THE DAY” that is approaching is the Day when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords takes possession of all that is rightfully His.  While I do certainly believe in the imminent return of Christ for His bride, I do not have any reason to accept an imminent return of Christ with His bride.  There are signs that must come to pass before the second coming of Christ to this earth.  Now, Paul said that our fellowship and exhortation will be increasingly vital as we near the end of this dispensation.  So, there will be (or should be) more meetings (perhaps), more importance in the ones we already have and the necessity of more exhortation of each other as we see the end coming.  This tells me that we should actually see the end coming – right?

 

Now, if there are no signs of the rapture, but there are signs of the coming coronation of King Jesus – and if the rapture must happen at least seven years prior to the second coming of Christ . . . then, if we see signs of The great and terrible day of the Lord, logically, this should put the rapture even that much closer to today.  I can’t remember all of the signs that I have been taught over the years, but one of the most outstanding to me is wonderfully old and worn – it is the regathering of the Jews into the Promised Land. 

 

Mathew 24:32, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’”

 

For hundreds of years the Jewish people were scattered around the world among many nations, but, since Friday, May 14, 1948 the tiny nation between the Jordan and the Mediterranean has been steadily reviving as God’s chosen people have been returning to their homeland.  Is this a coincidence?  Or, is this something that should show us that the day is approaching. 

 

In Luke 18:8 Jesus said, “…when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?”  I assume He was talking about His descent onto the Mount of Olives, but the application to us is still powerful.  When Gabriel blows his trumpet and in a moment we go to meet Jesus in the air – will He find us looking for that blessed hope; for Him?  Or, will He find us distracted by our earthly interests.  We should live our lives in light of His coming – He could come today!

 

II Peter 3:3-18 is well worth reading at this juncture:

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.’  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”     

 

Shouldn’t we see it, if The Day is approaching? 

 

Do you see His Day coming?

 

Does it affect your attitude and behavior?  

 

Does it impact my decisions today?  It should!   

 

“Invalidating the Truth”

 

There is something about being a leader that troubles me.  It is the possibility of contributing to the demise of someone’s confidence in God. 

 

Any time a visible figure exerts influence on others, he or she accepts a tremendous amount of responsibility.  Our lives are open books, known and read of men.  Do we usually solidify the message that we claim to proclaim – or do we weaken it?

 

I know that we can do damage to the testimony of Christ through moral failures.  Revealed impropriety with money, time, words or people can destroy the effectiveness of a minister and a ministry.  But, that is not primarily the problem that is on my mind today.

 

Today I want to venture out into what I consider to be very dangerous territory.  I’m not trying to make enemies; I just want to challenge the conventional wisdom that I have always accepted and aped without examination.

 

What I am concerned about today is not overt moral compromise and how it can negatively affect one’s witness (though that is a worthy concern).  I’m troubled about over-compensatory, unfounded dogmatism and how it lends credibility to our enemies and damages our own position of trustworthiness. 

 

The church of the living God is supposed to be the pillar and ground of the truth in a warped and twisted society (I Timothy 3:15).  When we take the commandments, opinions, traditions and preferences of men and attempt to turn them into dogma and doctrine we risk losing the cardinal fundamentals to which we attach our own customs and nuances.  In Mark 7:7 Jesus said, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”  Are we guilty of empty, man-made worship?

 

Allow me to venture onto (potentially) some very explosive ground.  (If you want to quit reading before I upset you – I’m warning you, now is the time).

 

Within the bounds of Fundamentalism, what matters do churches and individuals divide and separate with each other over the most these days?  Well, if you want to draw a line in the sand and choose sides, all you have to do is start talking about music standards, personal appearance standards or Bible versions.  There are other divisive issues, but these three are sufficient enough to rile people up a bit.  There is no need to explain the various positions that are held on these topics.  Of course, even if I tried, I could not satisfactorily and accurately group everyone for the sake of differentiation. 

 

Assuming that you are a discriminating reader; you will see that this is not an argument that I am making but an observation that I am exploring.  For once, I’m not here to fight; I’m here to learn.  Besides, I can’t find two thinking people who will agree with each other on these issues; much less people who will agree with me and my inadequate intellect. 

 

Here we go:

If a preacher, a church, a denomination, a sect or a camp is most vocal and passionate about there chosen music style, while disparaging other styles – does this contribute to the apparent legitimacy of the gospel that they espouse; or does it detract from it? 

 

If a pastor, a congregation, a group, a segment or a fellowship is apparently only concerned with which version of the English Bible we use, to the negligence of obedience to the message within that infallible book – does not their zeal and dogmatism in one area, cast doubt on the significance of the rest of their faith.

 

If an individual or a whole movement becomes overachievers in the area of personal separation; going on a tirade about wearing ties in church, the “evil” of facial hair on men, pants on women or even baggy pants on teens (just a few examples) – can a clear description of the grace of God and faith of believers even be comprehended?

 

I’m not trying to do away with good strong positions on hot-button issues.  I pray that our church always sings “At Calvary” from page 155 in the red hymnal; but is it really beneficial for brethren to label one another as liberal new-evangelicals just because they also sing “I Love You Lord” while looking at the lyrics on an image projected on the wall?  There is certainly nothing wrong with an autonomous local church taking a stance, holding a position and maintaining a practice; but, what if we turn our tastes into supposed orthodoxy?  Do we not hinder the hearing of actual truth from God’s word?           

 

I’m not questioning the accuracy or the value of our 1611, Authorized, King James Version of the Bible.  I trust it completely.  I do not trust any other English version from which I have read.  I’m glad that it is the only accepted, officially usable version at Grace Baptist Church (from the pulpit or in teaching a class).  But, that does not mean that it is conducive to the spreading of the gospel or the edification of the saints for us to become Johnny-one-notes about the KJB, or to be more vehement about our version than we are about our Savior.  I’m convinced that some churches have become almost cultic in their reverence of this one translation.  Frankly, I want to encourage my people to read various versions – but, I want them to study from and only trust one; our beloved KJV.  (I have my reasons, but that is a discussion for a different day).

 

Again – do we think that we can take absolutist positions on things like beards and bell bottoms, and people will not see through our veil of manufactured holiness?  It may be comfortable for us to persuade people to conform to our self-appointed “superior” culture – but, just because our experiences and perceptions push us toward particular liturgical ways, that doesn’t mean that promoting our religious habits as supreme will add to the aura of believability that our exclusive faith demands.  Jesus Christ’s invitation is exclusive enough without us attaching “rider bills” of self-righteousness to His eternal legislation.  

 

Step away from those sticky topics for a moment and consider these illustrations of undermining one’s own positions.

1.      In a conversation - lumping all Mexicans in with those who are illegal immigrants does not make one’s arguments on that issue credible, it detracts from points that may be otherwise valid.  Why?  It does so, because obvious misrepresentative generalities casts doubt on an authors total argument.

2.      Stereotyping all African-Americans in the mold of one man, like Mike Tyson for example, reveals the ignorance and bigotry of the author of such stereotypification, it does not lend authority to his statements. 

3.      Distrust or hatred of all policemen because of the indiscretion of a few reveals an immaturity in a person and thereby undermines every other opinion or position that they hold.

 

I can remember hearing preachers condemn CCM because all of the lyrics were supposedly shallow.  I even repeated those claims, until I actually listened to some of it.  Then I realized that the CCM movement was just like Southern Gospel or traditional hymnody – some good, some garbage.  The claims that were meant to keep me away from modern musical ware, actually convinced me to adopt some of it – why?  This is why; because in zeal, the antagonistic enemies of popular culture overstated their case in an effort to make their case stronger.  Did they have a legitimate case against some of the artists and their music? Sure.  But, in an effort to dissuade any acceptance of the reprehensible they manufactured arguments against even that which was wholesome.  (And they proved Proverbs 18:13, “He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.”)  

 

I can recall hearing preachers say that if someone could show them a real error or a contradiction in their KJV, then they would eat that page and quit the ministry.  I understand why they said it, but the overemphasis of their confidence in the translation is what makes their position absurd and suspect.  I do not trust the NIV, ASV, RSV or The Message, but….  but…. but….  they are not poison.  They contain the Word of God.  They are inferior translations, yes!  But, they are valuable interpretations, summaries, commentaries and synopses.  I realized my error in emphasis when one of my students once tried to burn a New Living Translation that had been given to him.  The Holy Spirit smote my heart; I mean I was under serious and deep conviction for contributing to this young man’s horrid attitude.

 

If a visitor who is of meager means attends Grace Baptist Church and every person in the church is dressed in a suit or a nice dress, isn’t it likely that the visitor will feel so out of place that they will never return.  Yet I’ve heard pleas for the rejection of casual wear as if it were some kind of an abomination to dress casually at an assembly meeting of the body of Christ.  I understand people’s expectations and prejudices in this regard, but I’m convinced that we shroud the important things about godliness when we emphasize the irrelevant (I Peter 3:3). 

 

We claim that the Bible is our ultimate and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.  But, I’m convinced that we are double minded in this.  We are two-faced; speaking out of both sides of our mouths.  We claim to reverence the Scripture, which, for example, speaks of dancing before the Lord, yet we (I) look with disdain at those who would attempt to dance before Him today.

 

We are smug and comfortable.  We like our system; our ways; our methods.  But, what if our ways are extra-biblical hoodoo?  Can we swallow our pride and admit that we’ve overreacted?  For the sake of pleasing God, reaching the lost and retaining our own converts – can we stick with truth that is clearly outlined and emphasized in the Scripture.  I’m not trying to promote pragmatism here – just Biblicism.  There is no reason to change things just for change’s sake, but neither is there justification for using worn-out tools when good new ones are available. 

 

I’ll tell you where all this started.  I heard a statement recently (made by a professing Christian) about living in a bad neighborhood.  I knew why they thought that it was a bad neighborhood.  It was a racial thing with them.  And, when they revealed to me their contra-biblical position on race relations, they undermined their whole testimony.  They invalidated their entire system of logic and doctrine.  Everything they say to me will be suspect because they made such an audacious blunder in the manifestation of their worldview.  If I (with my open mind) can no longer trust them, what must the world think of their religion and their God?  Even unbelievers know that God is not Anglo-Saxon!

 

I remember a waitress telling me once that queers and lesbians are the best tippers of all the customers that came to eat at her restaurant.  If true; what a shame!  Christians ought to be the ones who are famous for our hospitality, kindness and generosity.  Penny-pinching saints should eat at home and not undermine the testimony of Christ’s abundant liberality.  The Corinthian church had some major problems.  They were immoral, tongue abusing, self-indulging weirdoes; but at least they knew how to give (I Corinthians 16:3).  Being greedy of filthy lucre undermines our testimony.  Oops…. sorry, got off topic a hair.  

 

Anyway – there are ditches on both sides of the road.  To err is human, but to err is still to be in error.  May we never surrender willingly to error!  We must follow after the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

 

Emphasize what God emphasizes and we will be safe.  Being stricter than God or meaner than the Devil is not going to strengthen our ministry, it will only discredit it. 

 

Footnote: If you’re a liberal, interdenominational compromiser, my statements today do not mean that I’ve swung your way.  If you’re an old fashioned, leather lunged, hell-fire-and-brimstone, premillennial, pretribulational, Independent, Fundamental, separated, spit-in-the-Devil’s-eye, KJB Bible-believing Baptist – my comments today do not mean that I am forsaking the ranks (I know, you might just kick me out anyway though).  I’m just trying to adjust the theological volume of the high and low range sounds on the equalizer of our expressed dogma.  I don’t want my life to distract people from Christ; I want it to magnify Christ.

 

Hmm… I just can’t wait for the feedback on this one.

 

Maybe I should put bars on my windows.

“Being a Copycat”

 

As a kid, did you ever annoy your siblings by playing copycat?  While it may be terribly irritating to be parroted by a younger brother or sister, it can also be flattering (and sobering), as a parent, to be imitated by your children.  When my young’uns act like me, it makes me realize how important my behavior really is. 

 

This morning I preached at two different nursing homes in Cambridge, MD.  I preached the same message twice, but it’s still on my mind.  I talked about the importance of being like God; the necessity of imitating our Father.

 

Psalm 4:3 says that “the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for Himself…”  In English, the word “godly” can mean “God like” or “like God” – kind of like “wimpy” means “like a wimp.” 

 

We know that godliness (being like God) is great gain (I Timothy 6:6).  But, in what ways are we to be like God?  Obviously there are certain things about God that no one should ever claim for themselves.  In fact, the very source of evil originally was this attitude in Lucifer; he thought that he could be like God.  However, he wanted to be like God in authority and glory, not in love and holiness.  He was not satisfied with his designated station, but desired to attain to God’s position of status and significance.  Clearly we are not to envy God’s rightful place as the Owner and Controller of all things.

 

On the other hand, Psalm 82:6 states this; “I have said, ‘Ye are gods; and all of you are children of The Most High.’”  Then in John 10:34 Jesus asked, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘Ye are gods’’?”  On the other hand, we know that we are not “God.”  We are not even part of God.  But, we were created by Him, in His image and after His likeness.  We are everlasting beings with life, intelligence, a will and a moral compass (be it ever so warped).  We have been delegated much authority and many privileges as the crown of God’s creation. 

 

When God created humanity, He said to Himself, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion… upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26).  We were naturally like God in many ways.  We were made to be free creatures with a spirit and the ability to fellowship with our infinite Creator.

 

Yet, the Devil came along and persuaded Eve that she was not “godly” enough.  He said that if she would eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and of evil, then she could be truly godly.  It was all a big fat lie.  She was already as a god; in fact, she was like (as) the one and only true God of Heaven!  When she ate the fruit, she actually lost that likeness, lost the current experiential knowledge of good, marred the image of God that had been on her and became as or like Satan, knowing evil.  She and Adam are responsible for the twisting of our nature.  It is actually difficult (at times) for us today to perceive the difference between good and evil.  There was no doubt what was good and what was not good prior to the fall.  It was after humanity had besmirched the shape of our Devine Father (which had been imprinted upon our being) that we became confused and undiscerning between what is good and what is bad – evil became complex and extravagant, whereas the human perspective of it had been simple and distant before.  True, the experiential understanding of evil did not come until after they partook of the forbidden fruit, but did this empirical knowledge make them more like the one and only deity or did it make them less like the only deity in existence.  I am arguing that they were suddenly less like Him.

 

Today, we have three wonderful tools that God uses to bring us back toward His likeness.  In is His plan to transform and conform us into the image of Jesus Christ; He uses the Spirit, the Scripture and the Church.  Without endeavoring to list every character trait of God and how we should imitate Him in that way, let’s consider just four of His key characteristics that we should have.

 

1. We are to be Holy; Perfect
2. We are to be Loving
3. We are to be Forgiving
4. We are to be Longsuffering

 

Holiness:

I Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, ‘Be ye holy; for I am holy.’”

Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

 

We are to be separate from sin; segregated from evil; biased against iniquity; innocent of transgressions; loathing wickedness.  We are commanded to keep ourselves unspotted in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation.  Hebrews 12:14 even says that we are to “Follow… holiness,” because “without holiness no man shall see the Lord.”

 

Love:

I John 4:7-8; 19-20 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love….  We love Him, because He first loved us.  If a man say, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”

 

The greatest commandment ever given was for us to love God and to love our neighbor.  Why? Is it because we will automatically fulfill the rest of the law if we can do these things (indeed we will, but is that central)?  Or, is it (more precisely) because love is a godly trait and we are supposed to be like God?

 

Forgiveness:

Ephesians 4:32 “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Matthew 6:15 “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

 

God receives no pleasure in the death of even the wickedest of men.  He offers forgiveness freely to everyone who will come unto Him.  If God is eager and ready to forgive us – shouldn’t we offer that same gift to others?  No one has offended us to a greater degree than we have offended God, yet He still forgives.

 

Matthew 18:32b-33 “O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?”

 

Longsuffering:

II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

 

I struggle with fitting the word longsuffering into an outline (because it doesn’t have any convenient derivatives like “lonsufferingness” or “longsufferingly”).  However, I struggle much more with fitting it into my life.  Patient endurance is a GODLY trait.  If it weren’t – I’d be dead.  He has suffered long with me all my life.  At times He has allowed me to continue in my rebellion.  Frequently He has grieved over my failures.  He has suffered reproach and shame because of me.  He has watched with pain in His heart as I’ve taken wrong paths; paths contrary to His will, His leading and His desires.  He has tolerated my immaturity throughout lengthy spells of backsliding and callousness.  Yes, He is longsuffering.  Oughtn’t we also so to be?  If He can put up with us, shouldn’t we pass the favor along?  Indeed, we are responsible to emulate this characteristic as well.

 

Today, are you godly?

 

Or… is your behavior more devilish than “God like” – with honest introspection?

 

Currently - how godly is my behavior, my attitude and my thought life?  Just, be a copycat.  Imitate Christ! 

 

What Would Jesus Do?

 

By the way – I got many of my Bible quotations and definitions today from blueletterbible.org ß check it out sometime.

“Holding On or Letting Go”

 

Considerable time, meticulous patience, genuine interest and diligent concentration will be needed for you to survive today’s blog.  There are a host of Biblical quotations that are necessary for my point to be understood.

 

In a current study through the book of Hebrews, I have once again encountered the difficult verses on apostasy.  This is my second time preaching through this epistle, and, I feel less aptitude for explaining it this time than I did several years ago when I first took the challenge on.

 

(If you are in my Sunday School class, you will have heard some of this already; but, some of it is new and fresh to me.  I would treasure some analytical feedback, interpretation assistance and criticism on these thoughts and passages).

 

It is sensible (to me) to begin this lengthy study in Matthew 13:3-23.

“And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, ‘Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed,

1.      some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

2.      some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 

3.      And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

4.      but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 

Who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ 

And the disciples came, and said unto Him, ‘Why do You speak unto them in parables?’  

He answered and said unto them, ‘Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has.  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which said, ‘By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.’  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 

1.      When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 

2.      But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it; yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

3.      He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 

4.      But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.’”

 

Now in John 15:2 He said; “Every branch in Me that bears not fruit He takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”  Then, in Hebrews 12:6-8 Paul wrote, “Whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.  If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”  When I combine the guaranteed destruction of a useless branch with the certainty of discipline in the life of a wayward child of God, I must conclude that not all professors of Christ are likewise possessors of eternal life.  It is no surprise, of course, for Matthew 7:21- 28 teaches clearly that many “followers” of Christ are ignorantly unregenerate. 

“'Not every one that says unto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?’

And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’

Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.’

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine…”

Now, John 6:40 explains the will of the Father; “This is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  The way that we please God is through faith.  The will of the Father is that we trust in Him, that we take Him at His word and yield to His authority.  Reliance must include an attitude of humility and obedience.  Consider in this context, Luke 6:46; “And why call ye Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not the things which I say?”  And again, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).    

 

With that extensive foundation laid, let us consider these difficult passages in Hebrews.

 

3:6  “Christ [is] as a Son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

 

3:12-14 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end…”

 

4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”

 

4:11 “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.“

 

6:11  “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:”

 

10:23  “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)”

 

10:26-27  “If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

 

10:35  “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”

 

At this point a reminder is in order.  During Christ’s ministry, there were people who demonstrated an outward indication of “faith” in Christ, yet they were not redeemed.  John 2:23-25 “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did.  But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man.”  Did they place their faith in an illusion; in a manufactured image of what (or who) they thought Jesus was?  Or, did they have no faith at all, was their belief simply a “head knowledge” without a “changed heart”?  Then again, perhaps the problem was a lack of repentance.  Knowledge puffs people up unless they surrender to its mastery.  They were hearers of the word, but they were not doers of it.  

 

Look at some additional passages that appear to fit within this study:

1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

 

Colossians 1:21-23 “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven…”

 

2 Peter 2:15-22 “[Some] have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

 

Titus 1:13b-16 “…be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

 

I John 2:18-19  “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

 

It would be one thing if there was one or two obscure verses about spiritual defection, but the host of unabashed statements are impossible to hide from.  Do these verses teach that a man who is saved; indwelt by the Spirit; born into the family of God, can actually loose his relationship with God and be condemned to hell?  If that was the true interpretation, what would we do with the clear texts like John 6:37?  In that verse the eternal security of a believer is described unequivocally by these words; “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  And, how about John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.”  My salvation is not dependant upon me holding on to God, but upon Him holding on to me – right?  Paul spoke vehemently about our security in 2 Timothy 2:13 where he cried out to young Timothy, “If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself.”  He who has begun a good work in us WILL perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Our destiny is sure.  As God’s children we will all (100% of true believers) be changed, sanctified, glorified and adopted.  We are His sheep, sure, and, indeed there are unregenerate goats (and wolves) among us; but they were never “IN” the body and bride of Christ, therefore they can not “get out” – their cursed and fallen condition can be discovered; perhaps they may even be saved while they are among us – but they can not lose a salvation that they do not even have.

 

Gladly I share with you Hebrews 10:38-39; “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”  Following yet another warning to the potential apostate, Paul reassures true believers by saying that we WILL NOT draw back.  There is therefore now no condemnation to those of us who are in Christ Jesus.  We do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  We do not face The Tribulation, The Judgment or The Second Death.  We are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.

 

But, having said that; lets read Hebrews 6:4-12:

“It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.  For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: but that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” 

Just like he does in Hebrews 10, Paul reassures us in the remainder of this portion of chapter 6…

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.  And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

 

God promised eternal life, rest and joy in His presence to those who would call upon Him in faith.  How do we know if our faith is genuine?  Shouldn’t we take stock of our heart periodically, affirming that we are truly trusting in the finished work of Christ and yielding to the final authority of the Spirit and the Word?  In John 5:39 Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.”  Paul stated it more strongly in II Corinthians 3:5-7a; “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil…”

 

Conclusion (for now): An apostate is one who has the truth and the opportunity to be born again; who accepts the validity of the gospel but never surrenders to it’s compelling control.  In the end, the apostate forsakes his religion (though it is the true one) because it was never really his; he experienced some of the holy environment, but in the end was unmoved.  Paul was speaking to Jews who had assented to the claim that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, but they had never personalized His invitation.  He was encouraging them on toward an actual conversion – many did not heed his exhortation.

 

Don’t let these verses scare you into forsaking the true “grace” soteriology of orthodox Christianity or the “once saved always saved” position of faithful expositors and theologians.  True believers do persevere until the end.  False professors may or may not remain in the “fold” of the assembly; but, to be sure, those who do not persevere; who do forsake Christ without being disciplined or destroyed – they were never saved in the first place.

 

Here is confirmation of your redemption - I John 2:3-5; “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.  He that says, ‘I know Him,’ and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keeps His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.”

 

Another comforting (or convicting) passage is I John 4:7 “…love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.  He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.”

 

I’m sure I could go on and on – but time restraints will not allow it…

 

I hope I haven’t confused anyone.  I’m striving for clarity and truth – feel free to send me any specific questions that this blog spurs forth.  I may not know the answer, but I’ll sure look for it.

Honorable Men

 

Renée Gamble introduced me to a song entitled, “God, Give Us Good Men.”  It goes like this:

God, give us good men,

Men who are great and strong,

Men who for truth and honor’s sake

Stand fast and suffer long;

Brave men who work while others sleep,

Men who dare while others flee;

Men who build a nation’s pillars deep

And strive to keep men free.

 

God, give us meek men,

Men who know how to pray,

Men who will worship God alone

And walk with Him each day;

Wise men who know the Word of God,

Men who always will do right,

Men who walk in deep humility

And trust in God’s great might.

 

God, give us bold men,

Men who have hearts ablaze,

Men who with broader vision

Seek none but God’s own praise;

True men with great integrity,

Men whose hearts the Lord has won,

Men who live in humble gratitude

For all that God has done.

 

God, bless our nation;

May she be always strong,

Trusting in truth and honesty,

In right that shuns the wrong.

Keep her from pride and anarchy,

Grant her wisdom from above,

May her people live in liberty

And thank You for Your love.

(Ralph Waldo Emerson, Frank and Flora Jean Garlock.  Copyright 1986 by Majesty Music, Inc.  Available in the songbook, “Praises III”)

 

Do such men exist?  Have such men ever existed?  Today, can we be men (and women) that people can trust; who keep their word. 

 

I know that the Scripture says that it is an inferior stay for one to place their confidence in men.  Psalm 118:8-9; “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”  Men are not typically dependable.  It can be supposed that every man has his price; that, if a man has never sold out his principles, it is because he has never been offered an emolument that was adequately high; that, if a man has never given up in his tasks, it is because the way has not yet become sufficiently difficult; that, if a man has remained loyal to his love, it is because God has protected him from some ample temptress or circumstance.  After all, it is of God’s mercy that we are not consumed – He promised that He would not allow His own to be tempted above what could be born.  There are many good reasons to pray, “Lead us not into temptation.”

 

Yet, can’t a man have true character?  Isn’t it possible to live a life that exemplifies genuine integrity, honor and honesty?   

 

In Psalm 15:1-5 the question is asked, who can fellowship with God?  The answer is strong; “He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.  He that doesn’t backbite with his tongue, doesn’t do evil to his neighbor… contemns vile people and honors them that fear the LORD.  He that swears to his own hurt, and changes not; he that doesn’t put out his money to usury and takes no reward against the innocent; he that does these things shall never be moved.”

 

This passage speaks of the stereotypical man of integrity.  This man will live up to his word, even when he realizes that it will be self destructive.  His word is his bond. 

 

Why does it generally take 20 signatures in the presence of a notary and a lawyer to buy a house these days?  These binding props are necessary because so many people have no character.  People agree to this or that and then change their mind on a whim and renege.  Commitments and promises are hollow and temporary.  Agreements are elastic.  Loyalty is nonexistent.  In much of our society, self-sacrifice is no longer expected; nor is it willingly offered. 

 

Think of the integrity of Job. 

Job 2:3  “And the LORD said unto Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although you moved Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”

Job 2:9  “Job’s wife said unto him, ‘Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.’”

Job 27:5b  “…till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.”

Job 31:6  “Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”

Job passed the integrity test.  Here was a man who seemed to have no price.  He lost everything - except his integrity.  He was willing to die in unjust affliction without forsaking his faith; his principles; his integrity. 

 

Integrity is defined as “possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards” 

(Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2005. © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation). 

 

A man of integrity will do right even when it is inconvenient.  A man of integrity will be honest when it is uncomfortable.  A man of integrity will deny his own desires in order to live up to the standard that he knows to be just. 

 

We need to be people of integrity – it will take courage, discipline, diligence, sacrifice, endurance and faith; but to do less is to compromise and fail. 

 

Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” 

Thomas Jefferson said, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” 

Both men were (in my opinion) assuming the necessity of integrity.  A man of integrity does what needs to be done.  He is vigilant and persistent.  He is undaunted by danger and brave despite the probability of failure. 

 

I wish I could say that I have no price.  I wish I could say that I am a man of character and integrity – but, only God knows and only time will tell.  There have been men who I considered to be heroes; great men with a strong composition and steady disposition – yet they failed me.  I’ve seen leaders who seemed impregnable, unassailable and invincible – yet, when the pressure came, they crumbled like a brittle clod of dirt.  Our nation, our churches and our families need men who will stand for what is right regardless of what everyone else does. 

 

At the Diet of Worms the great reformer Martin Luther concluded his defiance of the Roman Catholic demands by saying, "Here I stand, I can do no other, God help me. Amen!"  He stood by his doctrines with no regard to what the critics and accepted authorities believed.

 

I understand that the father of Greek orthodoxy once said, “If the world goes against truth then Athanasius goes against the world.” 

 

To some extent, we naturally respect a person who stands for what they believe in, even if we do not agree with what they believe.  Remember Aaron Tippin’s song “You've Got To Stand For Something”?

Now Daddy didn't like trouble, but if it came along

Everyone that knew him knew which side that he'd be on

He never was a hero, or this county's shinin' light

But you could always find him standing up

For what he thought was right

 

He'd say, “You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string

Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything”

 

Now we might have been better off or owned a bigger house

If Daddy had done more givin' in or a little more backing down

But we always had plenty just living his advice

“Whatever you do today you'll have to sleep with tonight”

 

He'd say, “You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string

Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything”

 

Now I know that things are different than they were in Daddy's days

But I still believe what makes a man really hasn't changed

 

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string

Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

 

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

(Aaron Tippin/Buddy Brock)

 

Again, he was talking about integrity.  It’s seems to be a rare trait these days; endangered and nearing extinction. 

 

God help me to have character; to be sincerely honorable; to be a man of integrity.

 

When the going gets tough, may we be tough, and get going.  After all, the last part of the word integrity is the word “gritty” – right?