You may have enjoyed this series of essays on Romans 8, even learned a number of facts that you didn’t understand before; but do you feel that you own this chapter? Does it hold an important place in your life? Does a better understanding of it motivate you to share it with others? If this has been only a study of theology, no matter how thoroughly you have learned this chapter, you still have a long way to go. You need to keep studying until you make this chapter your own. I began my study of Romans with the greatest of interest in the spring of 1951 and was so moved by it that I entered the ministry that summer, compelled to share it with others for the next 58 years. While I was learning Romans, this inspired letter was possessing me. This series of essays on chapter eight is the culmination of my effort and the crowing achievement of my ministry. All along I have thought that these essays are too brief and simple, but in my heart I know this is the best way to teach. Wasn’t this how Jesus taught? And wasn’t this Paul’s method—even in a difficult letter like Romans? His themes are lofty and logical, yet simple and profound, and so appealing to the hearts of those who have hearts for God that anyone who tries will find the necessary food for a spiritual life. I want everyone who has been with me in this study to learn what I have learned and to enjoy the experiences I have had in this—the greatest letter ever written.
In this, the last essay on Romans 8, I am asking you to make a journey by yourself through this, the most encouraging chapter in the Bible. Read the verses as they are presented, study the comments following each reading, and pause to reflect and pray over what you have read. Set your mind to learn and to gain the great blessings of this chapter. When you feel that you must share what you have gained with others, you will know that your heart has been captured by the Holy Spirit and you will be closer to the Lord than you have ever been. You will have faith and joy beyond all you have ever known. If you chose to share your experiences with me, I will add your response to my next essay and thank you for your contribution to our study. May God bless you abundantly on your journey.
1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
“No condemnation!” Is this true? Why then have I felt guilty and condemned? I realize now that it is because I didn’t have faith enough to accept God’s grace and what my Savior has done for me. True believers are free from the sins of their past and their forgiveness is free for the asking. If the Spirit has set me free from the rule of sin and death, I am “free indeed,” as Jesus said. Jesus didn’t come to condemn me but to condemn the sin in me. I believe this. I accept this. There is no reason for me ever to feel condemned again. My mind goes back to my early life, my church connection and the guilt built up in my by those who influenced my life, but that was then; it has nothing to do with my present peace and joy in Christ. Jesus has given me life through His Spirit who dwells in me; I am content to live this life and forget the past. “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
12So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
So then, I have no obligation to my flesh but to the Spirit, who puts to death the passions and deeds of my body and gives me life. I gladly receive my adoption and joyfully call God my Father. I have no concern about what others may think of my faith and church affiliation, except that I want to be an example for Christ. I have two witnesses that I am a child of God—the Holy Spirit and my spirit. I shall never doubt this. Thank God, I am free.
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
I have taken my suffering far too seriously. The whole creation suffers, waiting to be delivered. Those who have the first fruits of the Spirit have always suffered while waiting for the redemption of their bodies. I cannot, by my own will, arrange to have a life of peace and joy, but I can live in hope and with patience for it. In this way I am led by the Holy Spirit and not just trying to please my flesh. My hope is in Christ, and I intend to staying close to Him. This is my life. In this life of confusion and conflict, thank God for hope.
26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are (called according to His purpose. 29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Prayer has always been a problem for me. Am I really talking to God or to myself? Do I have sufficient faith to expect God to hear and answer? Am I really praying of just saying prayers? What happens when I get quiet and start to pray but can’t find the words? I must believe that the Holy Spirit intercedes for me, even when I can only groan. God knows my heart and He will attend to my need.
God causes all things in my life to work together for my good because I love Him and He has called me according to His purpose. I shall be glad in His will and not be sad in mine. It is so good to know that in His foreknowledge I was predestined (appointed) to be justified, sanctified and glorified. Praise Him for His glorious grace!
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us? 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
How can I possibly thank God enough? What shall I say? How can I express, or even comprehend, my position in Christ, who set me free and gave me such blessings? In this position, who can be against me? God delivered His own Son to die for me, and He adopted me as His son; this nullifies all the charges others may bring against me. God justified me; it is not possible that anyone could condemn me. To do so would be to nullify God’s grace and overturn His decree, and this is not possible. Christ is on my side, interceding for me, why should anyone presume to have power over His intercession? In all things I will be given strength to overwhelmingly conquer through Christ who loves me. Thank God, I have joy unspeakable and full of glory.
This is what this chapter says and this is what it means! I must remember this and never again question my position in Christ or my standing with God. If you are right with God you are a righteous person, and you may make this great chapter your own. It will give you assurance and comfort and empower you for the rest of your life.
Thus ends our study of Romans eight. Has it been helpful?
I have been posting these True Beleier Essays weekly for six months and have not received a single comment. If anyone is reading them and would like to continue doing so, please let me know and I will continue posting them. Otherwise, this will be the last essay posted. ____________________________
Joel sent me the following quotation after my last essay on unspeakable joy. “Spiritual joy is: The settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for the believers’ good and His glory. Spiritual joy is not an attitude dependent on chance or circumstance. It is the deep and abiding confidence that regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord.--John MacArthur
Friday, July 24, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Your Joy is Unspeakable
5. You Joy is Unspeakable (vs. 31-39)
Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final. Your hope is sure. Your help is unlimited. Your joy is unspeakable.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us? 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You must believe that you are secure in God’s grace before you can be assured of your standing with Him. If you truly believe the word of God you will have this assurance. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1, 2). If you are right with God, you are righteous, and with Paul, you can say, “His grace is sufficient for me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Christians are always quoting Paul saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and “His grace is sufficient for me,” without giving enough thought to their actual standing with God. This reminds me of my little cousin who, intending to invoke God’s will said, “Lord we will go to grandma’s Sunday.”
If you are in Christ and confident of your standing with God, you are a righteous person, entitled to God’s blessings of grace, which include the freedom, adoption, hope, help and joy that we read about in this chapter. Having covered the first four of these subjects in previous essays, I now have the privilege of sharing with you the “unspeakable joy” that is yours by virtue of your calling. Following are Paul’s assurances of your security:
1. God is for you, just as all good father look after their children; who could possibly defeat you?
2. God gave His own Son for you; will He not also with Him give you all things?
3. Jesus died, was raised up and now intercedes for you before the Father; you are safe and secure in Him.
4. God justified you; no one can successfully condemn you in His presence.
5. Christ’s death and resurrection for you is your assurance that He loves you.
6. With this love and protection, nothing can separate you from God’s love.
7. You are more than capable of overcome anything that comes against you.
8. All of this is yours if you are right with God—if you are a righteous person.
How you feel at any given time neither reflects nor determines your standing with God. If you are right with Him you are a righteous person; your standing with God is based on what Jesus did for you, not what you have done for Him. This should give you assurance and overflowing joy, both for your own pleasure and as a witness to others of God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice and your own new life in Christ.
If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your joy is unspeakable.
Joy Unspeakable , Words and Music by Barney E. Warren, 1900
I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth ev’ry need; While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,I am free, yes, free indeed.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
I have found the pleasure I once craved, It is joy and peace within; What a wondrous blessing! I am savedFrom the awful gulf of sin.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
I have found that hope so bright and clear, Living in the realm of grace; Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,I can see His smiling face.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll! It is like a great o’er flowing well, Springing up within my soul.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final. Your hope is sure. Your help is unlimited. Your joy is unspeakable.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us? 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You must believe that you are secure in God’s grace before you can be assured of your standing with Him. If you truly believe the word of God you will have this assurance. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1, 2). If you are right with God, you are righteous, and with Paul, you can say, “His grace is sufficient for me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Christians are always quoting Paul saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and “His grace is sufficient for me,” without giving enough thought to their actual standing with God. This reminds me of my little cousin who, intending to invoke God’s will said, “Lord we will go to grandma’s Sunday.”
If you are in Christ and confident of your standing with God, you are a righteous person, entitled to God’s blessings of grace, which include the freedom, adoption, hope, help and joy that we read about in this chapter. Having covered the first four of these subjects in previous essays, I now have the privilege of sharing with you the “unspeakable joy” that is yours by virtue of your calling. Following are Paul’s assurances of your security:
1. God is for you, just as all good father look after their children; who could possibly defeat you?
2. God gave His own Son for you; will He not also with Him give you all things?
3. Jesus died, was raised up and now intercedes for you before the Father; you are safe and secure in Him.
4. God justified you; no one can successfully condemn you in His presence.
5. Christ’s death and resurrection for you is your assurance that He loves you.
6. With this love and protection, nothing can separate you from God’s love.
7. You are more than capable of overcome anything that comes against you.
8. All of this is yours if you are right with God—if you are a righteous person.
How you feel at any given time neither reflects nor determines your standing with God. If you are right with Him you are a righteous person; your standing with God is based on what Jesus did for you, not what you have done for Him. This should give you assurance and overflowing joy, both for your own pleasure and as a witness to others of God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice and your own new life in Christ.
If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your joy is unspeakable.
Joy Unspeakable , Words and Music by Barney E. Warren, 1900
I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth ev’ry need; While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,I am free, yes, free indeed.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
I have found the pleasure I once craved, It is joy and peace within; What a wondrous blessing! I am savedFrom the awful gulf of sin.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
I have found that hope so bright and clear, Living in the realm of grace; Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,I can see His smiling face.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll! It is like a great o’er flowing well, Springing up within my soul.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Your Hope is Certain
Assurance of the Righteous
Romans 8
Your Hope is Certain (vs.18-25)
Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final. Your hope is certain.
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
We all suffer and see our loved ones suffer, but suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us. (As strange as it might seem, at this point my phone rang; it was my wife calling from Arkansas where she is visiting a brother in a hospice who is dying of a very serious blood condition. Another brother died last month.) Suffering is not just for the afflicted but for those also who care for them. Add to this the unnecessary suffering people inflict on one another and you have our dangerous and suffering world. Even those who are saved and bear spiritual fruit suffer with the anxious creation as we wait for the redemption of our bodies. This glorious event is in our future, but since hope is “confident expectation,” it is real to those who have faith and are eagerly waiting for it. If we had already experienced our bodily redemption, we would not be living in hope but in reality, but not seeing it we groan as we wait eagerly for it. Isn’t it wonderful how Paul words this? We all suffer together in our present bodies. We persevere together as we wait eagerly for our redemption. We will be delivered into new bodies in freedom and glory. We accept this by faith; Jesus said He would come for us and we believe He will!
We expect certain things of others but we can’t always be confident that they will perform. People are unpredictable and life is uncertain. Doesn’t it hurt to be disappointed? Don’t we feel badly when we let others down? Perhaps all we can be sure of are death and taxes, but while we wait for April 15th and the end of life, we have God’s promise that our bodies will be redeemed and we will enjoy freedom and glory with Him because we are His children. We must suffer and wait with all of creation, but the glorious day will come when we are safely at home with our Father. Paul assures us that this hope is certain by saying, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13). “By the power of the Hoy Spirit,” how assuring!
If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your hope is certain.
______________________
Lisa wrote regarding my last essay (Your Adoption is Final): " I always have to work to remind myself that I’m not striving for my freedom, it is mine. I can honestly say that I didn’t 'get' the concept of grace until about four years ago. My thinking before was like a math or computer programming conditional IF/THEN statement: IF (I do certain things and don’t do others), THEN (I will go to heaven). Now I know that if I have faith and live righteously I can claim the gift that I have already been given!”
You are so right, Lisa. Paul said. “The righteous man shall live by faith” or “He who through faith is righteous shall live.” We gained our righteousness (our right standing with God) by faith and we live righteous lives by faith. In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith to faith.” One needs help to fail in understanding a clear statement like this, and we had plenty of help didn’t we?
Romans 8
Your Hope is Certain (vs.18-25)
Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final. Your hope is certain.
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
We all suffer and see our loved ones suffer, but suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us. (As strange as it might seem, at this point my phone rang; it was my wife calling from Arkansas where she is visiting a brother in a hospice who is dying of a very serious blood condition. Another brother died last month.) Suffering is not just for the afflicted but for those also who care for them. Add to this the unnecessary suffering people inflict on one another and you have our dangerous and suffering world. Even those who are saved and bear spiritual fruit suffer with the anxious creation as we wait for the redemption of our bodies. This glorious event is in our future, but since hope is “confident expectation,” it is real to those who have faith and are eagerly waiting for it. If we had already experienced our bodily redemption, we would not be living in hope but in reality, but not seeing it we groan as we wait eagerly for it. Isn’t it wonderful how Paul words this? We all suffer together in our present bodies. We persevere together as we wait eagerly for our redemption. We will be delivered into new bodies in freedom and glory. We accept this by faith; Jesus said He would come for us and we believe He will!
We expect certain things of others but we can’t always be confident that they will perform. People are unpredictable and life is uncertain. Doesn’t it hurt to be disappointed? Don’t we feel badly when we let others down? Perhaps all we can be sure of are death and taxes, but while we wait for April 15th and the end of life, we have God’s promise that our bodies will be redeemed and we will enjoy freedom and glory with Him because we are His children. We must suffer and wait with all of creation, but the glorious day will come when we are safely at home with our Father. Paul assures us that this hope is certain by saying, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13). “By the power of the Hoy Spirit,” how assuring!
If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your hope is certain.
______________________
Lisa wrote regarding my last essay (Your Adoption is Final): " I always have to work to remind myself that I’m not striving for my freedom, it is mine. I can honestly say that I didn’t 'get' the concept of grace until about four years ago. My thinking before was like a math or computer programming conditional IF/THEN statement: IF (I do certain things and don’t do others), THEN (I will go to heaven). Now I know that if I have faith and live righteously I can claim the gift that I have already been given!”
You are so right, Lisa. Paul said. “The righteous man shall live by faith” or “He who through faith is righteous shall live.” We gained our righteousness (our right standing with God) by faith and we live righteous lives by faith. In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith to faith.” One needs help to fail in understanding a clear statement like this, and we had plenty of help didn’t we?
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Church's Jubilee
“Jubilee” 1 a special anniversary, especially one celebrating twenty-five or fifty years of something. 2 In Jewish history, a year of emancipation and restoration, kept every fifty years. Perhaps the church’s jubilee could be Pentecost Sunday, since this is her birthday. For independent congregations it could be the anniversary of their establishment—their annual home coming. The Church of God Reformation Movement conducted annual camp meetings for many years, in which they celebrated their heritage and sang the many wonderful hymns written by their gifted musicians. Many Churches have annual conventions and lectureships in which they celebrate by being together and sharing their progress. Such occasions are times of joyful fellowship and worship. I’m not suggesting that the church establish an annual jubilee on the order of the Jewish celebration, but I do lament the absence of celebration and worship in the church and suggesting that it be restored. For years I have been deeply moved by Charles Naylor’s The Church’s Jubilee, which has stirred many hearts and caused many minds to consider the need for Christian unity and worship. On this, our National Independence Day, as we celebrate our freedom, I share this great hymn with you. Rejoice and celebrate with me on this special day. Lacy
The Church’s Jubilee
1. The light of eventide now shines the darkness to dispel,The glories of fair Zion’s state ten thousand voices tell;For out of Babel God doth call His scattered saints in one,Together all one church compose, the body of His Son.
Refrain
2. O church of God, the day of jubileeHas dawned so bright and glorious for thee;Rejoice, be glad! Thy Shepherd has begunHis long-divided flock again to gather into one.
Refrain
3. The Bible is our rule of faith, and Christ alone is Lord,All we are equal in His sight when we obey His word;No earthly master do we know, to man-rule will not bow,But to each other and to God eternal trueness vow.
Refrain
4. The day of sects and creeds for us forevermore is past,Our brotherhood are all the saints upon the world so vast;We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one,While love entwines about each heart in which God’s will is done.
Refrain
5. Oh, blessed truth that broke our bands! In it we now rejoice,While in the holy church of God we hear our Savior’s voice;And gladly to His blessed will submissive we shall be,And from the yokes of Babel’s lords from henceforth we are free.
Refrain
The Church’s Jubilee
1. The light of eventide now shines the darkness to dispel,The glories of fair Zion’s state ten thousand voices tell;For out of Babel God doth call His scattered saints in one,Together all one church compose, the body of His Son.
Refrain
2. O church of God, the day of jubileeHas dawned so bright and glorious for thee;Rejoice, be glad! Thy Shepherd has begunHis long-divided flock again to gather into one.
Refrain
3. The Bible is our rule of faith, and Christ alone is Lord,All we are equal in His sight when we obey His word;No earthly master do we know, to man-rule will not bow,But to each other and to God eternal trueness vow.
Refrain
4. The day of sects and creeds for us forevermore is past,Our brotherhood are all the saints upon the world so vast;We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one,While love entwines about each heart in which God’s will is done.
Refrain
5. Oh, blessed truth that broke our bands! In it we now rejoice,While in the holy church of God we hear our Savior’s voice;And gladly to His blessed will submissive we shall be,And from the yokes of Babel’s lords from henceforth we are free.
Refrain
Friday, July 3, 2009
Your Adoption is Final
Assurance of the Righteous
Romans 8
2. Your Adoption is Final (vs. 12-17)
Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final.
12So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
In Roman times, with all the destructive wars, there were many broken homes and orphans. Children were destitute and mothers could not provide for them when their fathers went off to war. Adoption laws were established to provide for these destitute children. A father or guardian would find someone who wanted to adopt his child and the child would be brought before the prospective father, who, in the presence of witnesses would be asked if he wanted to adopt the child. If he gave an affirmative reply, both parties would make certain vows and the child would belong to his new father, who would be as much his father as his biological father was. Paul draws on this reality to assure believers that we have been adopted by the heavenly Father, who regards us as His children, even entitling us to His inheritance along with His Son Jesus. Wonderful things happened on the occasion of our adoption. Our obligation to our baser nature, which was leading us to death, ended as the Holy Spirit put our old nature and its deeds to death and gave us a new nature. We may be certain of our adoption because there were two witnesses, “The Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Furthermore, we are “led by the Spirit” and we have received “a spirit of adoption.” Like the child in the Roman situation, we too call out to God, saying, “Father, Father,” as we recognize our new Father and acknowledge our sonship. (Preachers have made too much of the word “Abba,” saying that it is a term of endearment, such as “papa” or “daddy,” and even have us sitting on God’s lap calling Him daddy. (It’s strange how a “fuzzy” idea like this gets started and then encompasses the globe. I heard it preached during the Charismatic Revival 25 years ago. But the word is Chaldee and means nothing more than “father.” We have no way of knowing why Paul repeated the word in two languages). Our adoption made us heirs of God and entitled us to the same inheritance as His first born Son.
But our loving Father asks something of us. We must suffer with Christ that we may also be glorified with Him. We suffer, not for suffering’s sake but in the course of enduring whatever obstacles we encounter. Would you want it any other way? Do you expect the Father to swing low in a sweet chariot and sweep you up to glory, after seeing His natural Son suffer the ultimate abuse and die on a cross? We have our Father’s assurance that we will go where Jesus is; we are also told that we will have to go the way He went—through suffering and endurance. “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest....Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we might receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need”(Heb. 4:11, 16 ). Doesn’t this make you want to shout, “Father! Father!?” If it does not, you should have a talk with your Father and see if you can’t renew your relationship with Him. Whatever sorrow and suffering you have to bear in this life is more than outweighed by your blessings as a child of God. Paul writes of those whose loved ones die in Christ, “We do want you to be informed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope” (1 Thes. 4:13).
You may be unhappy with those who have been rude or unfair to you. You may dislike those who have failed to understand and encourage you. Your brothers and sisters, both in your physical and spiritual families, may have mistreated you, but if you are an obedient child of the Father who loves and adopted you, He will make all things right. You will love and praise Him for being so good to you. If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your adoption is final.
Sharon wrote the following: “I particularly like the fact that this lesson reiterates the fact that we can’t do anything but that He has done it for us. That is one of the hardest concepts I have in Christianity. I have a hard time remembering or accepting it sometimes. This is a good reminder and a good lesson. It is hard sometimes to remember that God is a loving God and is not out to get us. This lesson is also a good reminder that he doesn’t condemn us but our sin.”
Comment: King David understood this principle long before Jesus came. He wrote, “You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it ...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:16, 17). David was deeply convicted of his sins and came to God with a broken heart for forgiveness and healing. God forgave and restored him, and afterward called him, “A man after my own heart.” Then Jesus came and presented Himself to God as a sin offering saying, “Father forgive then.” We are saved, not by what we do but by what Jesus did for us. We love Him for this and remain faithful to Him, knowing that our sins are forgiven forever. Many of us were so conditioned by trying to work our way to salvation, and so guilty because we couldn’t do it that we lived in doubt and guilt rather than in faith and assurance. We should be living in eternal gratitude and joy, knowing that God accepted us and is keeping us for eternity, As to God’s part and our part in our salvation, let’s just say that God acts and we react. We don’t initiate the process, we only respond to the Initiator. Jesus said, “No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). And Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Pet. 1:3-5). In the initiation phase, we have no part at all; in the response phase, it is up to us to respond. I hope this will help those who are fixated on obeying laws and plans, and free them from the burden of always trying to do something to get right with God.
I appreciate comments, they tell me that my essays are being read and are doing what I send them out to do. Thank you much.
Romans 8
2. Your Adoption is Final (vs. 12-17)
Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final.
12So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
In Roman times, with all the destructive wars, there were many broken homes and orphans. Children were destitute and mothers could not provide for them when their fathers went off to war. Adoption laws were established to provide for these destitute children. A father or guardian would find someone who wanted to adopt his child and the child would be brought before the prospective father, who, in the presence of witnesses would be asked if he wanted to adopt the child. If he gave an affirmative reply, both parties would make certain vows and the child would belong to his new father, who would be as much his father as his biological father was. Paul draws on this reality to assure believers that we have been adopted by the heavenly Father, who regards us as His children, even entitling us to His inheritance along with His Son Jesus. Wonderful things happened on the occasion of our adoption. Our obligation to our baser nature, which was leading us to death, ended as the Holy Spirit put our old nature and its deeds to death and gave us a new nature. We may be certain of our adoption because there were two witnesses, “The Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Furthermore, we are “led by the Spirit” and we have received “a spirit of adoption.” Like the child in the Roman situation, we too call out to God, saying, “Father, Father,” as we recognize our new Father and acknowledge our sonship. (Preachers have made too much of the word “Abba,” saying that it is a term of endearment, such as “papa” or “daddy,” and even have us sitting on God’s lap calling Him daddy. (It’s strange how a “fuzzy” idea like this gets started and then encompasses the globe. I heard it preached during the Charismatic Revival 25 years ago. But the word is Chaldee and means nothing more than “father.” We have no way of knowing why Paul repeated the word in two languages). Our adoption made us heirs of God and entitled us to the same inheritance as His first born Son.
But our loving Father asks something of us. We must suffer with Christ that we may also be glorified with Him. We suffer, not for suffering’s sake but in the course of enduring whatever obstacles we encounter. Would you want it any other way? Do you expect the Father to swing low in a sweet chariot and sweep you up to glory, after seeing His natural Son suffer the ultimate abuse and die on a cross? We have our Father’s assurance that we will go where Jesus is; we are also told that we will have to go the way He went—through suffering and endurance. “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest....Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we might receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need”(Heb. 4:11, 16 ). Doesn’t this make you want to shout, “Father! Father!?” If it does not, you should have a talk with your Father and see if you can’t renew your relationship with Him. Whatever sorrow and suffering you have to bear in this life is more than outweighed by your blessings as a child of God. Paul writes of those whose loved ones die in Christ, “We do want you to be informed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope” (1 Thes. 4:13).
You may be unhappy with those who have been rude or unfair to you. You may dislike those who have failed to understand and encourage you. Your brothers and sisters, both in your physical and spiritual families, may have mistreated you, but if you are an obedient child of the Father who loves and adopted you, He will make all things right. You will love and praise Him for being so good to you. If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your adoption is final.
Sharon wrote the following: “I particularly like the fact that this lesson reiterates the fact that we can’t do anything but that He has done it for us. That is one of the hardest concepts I have in Christianity. I have a hard time remembering or accepting it sometimes. This is a good reminder and a good lesson. It is hard sometimes to remember that God is a loving God and is not out to get us. This lesson is also a good reminder that he doesn’t condemn us but our sin.”
Comment: King David understood this principle long before Jesus came. He wrote, “You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it ...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:16, 17). David was deeply convicted of his sins and came to God with a broken heart for forgiveness and healing. God forgave and restored him, and afterward called him, “A man after my own heart.” Then Jesus came and presented Himself to God as a sin offering saying, “Father forgive then.” We are saved, not by what we do but by what Jesus did for us. We love Him for this and remain faithful to Him, knowing that our sins are forgiven forever. Many of us were so conditioned by trying to work our way to salvation, and so guilty because we couldn’t do it that we lived in doubt and guilt rather than in faith and assurance. We should be living in eternal gratitude and joy, knowing that God accepted us and is keeping us for eternity, As to God’s part and our part in our salvation, let’s just say that God acts and we react. We don’t initiate the process, we only respond to the Initiator. Jesus said, “No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). And Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Pet. 1:3-5). In the initiation phase, we have no part at all; in the response phase, it is up to us to respond. I hope this will help those who are fixated on obeying laws and plans, and free them from the burden of always trying to do something to get right with God.
I appreciate comments, they tell me that my essays are being read and are doing what I send them out to do. Thank you much.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Assurance of the Righteous
Romans Eight
Introduction
Romans 8 has been called, “The greatest chapter in the Bible,” “The little Bible,” and “The greatest letter ever written.” Romans has been my constant companion and joy for many years, and I am pleased to share it with you in a series of essays, hoping that it will mean as much to you. If you are serious about being a righteous person and are receptive to the grace of God, be assured that Paul will assist you in this great chapter. While chapter eight does stand out, it does not stand alone. In chapters one and two we read of condemnation; in chapter three and four, justification; in five and six, sanctification, and in chapter eight, glorification. This is an ever ascending letter, from the depths of sin and despair to the heights of righteousness and glory, where “nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God.”
Roman 8 is Paul’s description of a righteous life. He states his theme early and then develops it in this letter. “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” he writes, “for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith’” (1:16, 17 NASB). The Revised Standard Version (RSV) says, “He who through faith is righteous shall live,” which is to say that one becomes righteous by faith and also lives a righteous life by faith. God’s righteousness is revealed by faith from beginning to end – “from faith to faith.” To be righteous is to be in right standing with God, just, upright, aligned with His will. We were saved by the Lord’s powerful gospel to an upright life, now Paul wants us to understand what this righteous life really is. And this is the purpose of these essays.
I always assume that I am writing to Christians, but you must not assume; you must be sure. If you are sure and have sufficient faith, you may go with Paul deep into the Romans mine of Christian theology and bring out treasures far more valuable than you have ever imagined. I have been working this mine for almost sixty years and from it I have drawn the greatest understanding and richest treasurers I have ever known. Upon hearing of the Romans class I am in at church and my upcoming essays on chapter eight, a good “old” (like me) preacher brother wrote, “My heart cries out for what you are pursuing. I wish I could attend the study on Romans. No matter how many times we travel its holy ground, our tank needs refueling. Keep up the great work. In Him, Bob.” I pray that you will have the same yearning—and the same experience.
I have divided this chapter into five sections under the heading, “Assurance of the Righteous.” There will be the following essays: 1.Your Freedom is Complete, 2.Your Adoption if Final, 3. Your Hope is Certain, 4. Your Help Is Unlimited and 5. Your Joy Is Unspeakable.
1. Your Freedom is Complete (vs. 1-11)
1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
If you are in right standing with God, you are a righteous person, under no condemnation whatsoever. And you have all the freedom you can accept. Christians are often hindered by their inability or unwillingness to accept the grace of God; they feel that they must “do their part,” not realizing that Christ has already done it all and there is no part for them to do. Following their shepherd is what sheep do best. It is their nature. “When he puts forth his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him because they do not know the voice of a stranger” (John 10:4, 5).
You can see at the outset that we are not dealing with obeying laws or plans or in any way working for salvation and righteousness. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law (rule) of sin and death.” Nor does the Law, under which generations before us lived, control our lives, “For what the Law could not do...God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirements of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” The spiritual mind is alive and at peace. This is your state if the Holy Spirit dwells in you and gives life to your mortal body.
Jesus didn’t come to condemn you; He came to condemn the sin in you. Isn’t that why He said He had come? “God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him” (John 3:17). So you have been set free from sin to live a life of freedom, guided by God’s word and empowered by His presence. You have a spiritual mindset that keeps you “in step with the Spirit,” following your Shepherd You are free from everything that hinders you, except your own inhibitions; shake them off and you will be as free as a human being can be.
But this assurance of righteousness is not for everyone. No one who refuses to submit to God and do His will shall ever be righteous or know the freedom righteousness brings. Nor does church membership necessarily contribute to righteousness—sometimes it gives one a feeling of self-righteousness and superiority, which is destructive to humility and righteousness. Paul was writing to “the saints at Rome,” and by extension, to the saints of out time as well. His aim was to give assurance that the gospel is God’s power to save and that saved people are righteousness people. They are also free people. Your first assurance is this: “Your freedom is complete.”
_________________________________
Note: Dianne said, regarding my last essay, “I don’t know that I agree with you about the Weight Watchers program.” Perhaps I was too casual and simplistic. We all need support sometimes. If it works for you, go for it. Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. I have never been known for my iron will but as a teacher.
Introduction
Romans 8 has been called, “The greatest chapter in the Bible,” “The little Bible,” and “The greatest letter ever written.” Romans has been my constant companion and joy for many years, and I am pleased to share it with you in a series of essays, hoping that it will mean as much to you. If you are serious about being a righteous person and are receptive to the grace of God, be assured that Paul will assist you in this great chapter. While chapter eight does stand out, it does not stand alone. In chapters one and two we read of condemnation; in chapter three and four, justification; in five and six, sanctification, and in chapter eight, glorification. This is an ever ascending letter, from the depths of sin and despair to the heights of righteousness and glory, where “nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God.”
Roman 8 is Paul’s description of a righteous life. He states his theme early and then develops it in this letter. “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” he writes, “for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith’” (1:16, 17 NASB). The Revised Standard Version (RSV) says, “He who through faith is righteous shall live,” which is to say that one becomes righteous by faith and also lives a righteous life by faith. God’s righteousness is revealed by faith from beginning to end – “from faith to faith.” To be righteous is to be in right standing with God, just, upright, aligned with His will. We were saved by the Lord’s powerful gospel to an upright life, now Paul wants us to understand what this righteous life really is. And this is the purpose of these essays.
I always assume that I am writing to Christians, but you must not assume; you must be sure. If you are sure and have sufficient faith, you may go with Paul deep into the Romans mine of Christian theology and bring out treasures far more valuable than you have ever imagined. I have been working this mine for almost sixty years and from it I have drawn the greatest understanding and richest treasurers I have ever known. Upon hearing of the Romans class I am in at church and my upcoming essays on chapter eight, a good “old” (like me) preacher brother wrote, “My heart cries out for what you are pursuing. I wish I could attend the study on Romans. No matter how many times we travel its holy ground, our tank needs refueling. Keep up the great work. In Him, Bob.” I pray that you will have the same yearning—and the same experience.
I have divided this chapter into five sections under the heading, “Assurance of the Righteous.” There will be the following essays: 1.Your Freedom is Complete, 2.Your Adoption if Final, 3. Your Hope is Certain, 4. Your Help Is Unlimited and 5. Your Joy Is Unspeakable.
1. Your Freedom is Complete (vs. 1-11)
1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
If you are in right standing with God, you are a righteous person, under no condemnation whatsoever. And you have all the freedom you can accept. Christians are often hindered by their inability or unwillingness to accept the grace of God; they feel that they must “do their part,” not realizing that Christ has already done it all and there is no part for them to do. Following their shepherd is what sheep do best. It is their nature. “When he puts forth his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him because they do not know the voice of a stranger” (John 10:4, 5).
You can see at the outset that we are not dealing with obeying laws or plans or in any way working for salvation and righteousness. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law (rule) of sin and death.” Nor does the Law, under which generations before us lived, control our lives, “For what the Law could not do...God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirements of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” The spiritual mind is alive and at peace. This is your state if the Holy Spirit dwells in you and gives life to your mortal body.
Jesus didn’t come to condemn you; He came to condemn the sin in you. Isn’t that why He said He had come? “God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him” (John 3:17). So you have been set free from sin to live a life of freedom, guided by God’s word and empowered by His presence. You have a spiritual mindset that keeps you “in step with the Spirit,” following your Shepherd You are free from everything that hinders you, except your own inhibitions; shake them off and you will be as free as a human being can be.
But this assurance of righteousness is not for everyone. No one who refuses to submit to God and do His will shall ever be righteous or know the freedom righteousness brings. Nor does church membership necessarily contribute to righteousness—sometimes it gives one a feeling of self-righteousness and superiority, which is destructive to humility and righteousness. Paul was writing to “the saints at Rome,” and by extension, to the saints of out time as well. His aim was to give assurance that the gospel is God’s power to save and that saved people are righteousness people. They are also free people. Your first assurance is this: “Your freedom is complete.”
_________________________________
Note: Dianne said, regarding my last essay, “I don’t know that I agree with you about the Weight Watchers program.” Perhaps I was too casual and simplistic. We all need support sometimes. If it works for you, go for it. Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. I have never been known for my iron will but as a teacher.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Programs, Plans and Prayers
In the beginning the church was established and empowered by the Holy Spirit and given inspired instructions for it growth and development, but carnal and crafty men took control and changed it into something entirely different. Now the church is fallen, fragmented and false. It has become a curious thing, governed largely by programs, plans and prayers.
In 1937, a man named Napoleon Hill wrote a book titled Think and Grow Rich. The book sold over ten million copies and has influenced many - including Andrew Carnage, Clemet W. Stone, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuler and millions of others like them who have been committed to the positive thinking and success philosophy. Hill tells how he sat in a restaurant in Detroit, watching the rain form streams on a large windowpane and observing how they started out small, merged and increasing in size as they flowed down the glass. He was writing a series of small books on The Laws of Success, and these streams suggested seventeen titles. He wrote his books and summarized them later in his Think and Grow Rich.
The point I am making is this: Random thoughts need to be gathered up and formulated into plans, programs and prayers in order to make them coherent and communicable, but the church has gone too far; she has become enslaved to her programs, plans and prayers and neglect the inspired instructions given her. We shall spend considerable time later studying the divine instructions, but for now we need to look into these human functions. There is nothing original or inspired about these; they are copied directly from the social and business world.
The Programs
1. The Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) movement has a 12 step program for sobriety, which deals with confession, affirmation and growth. I commend them for both their program and their adherence, but it is regrettable how they become wedded to their program and defer living as they try to master it. “Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic,” they confess as they continue their struggle. Their aim is to “come clean” and grow, but by their self- depreciation they continue to relapse. Some are helped by this program, some succeed in spite of their program, and some become genuinely converted to Christ and don’t need a program. They serve a Savior not a self-help program.
2. The Weight Watchers also have a program that is so important to them that they spend more time studying calories and weighing food than they do enjoying life. Their adherents, who sincerely desire to lose weight, seem to overlook the simple fact that the best way to loose weight is to stuff less food into one’s stomach. If a diet program doesn’t work for them they look for another while they go on overeating.
The Plans
1. Those who teach must devise a lesson plan or find a work book that has one. Many teachers, just like many preachers, never learn how to analyze Scripture and develop an expository lesson. Eventually most of them discover that they are teaching a plan instead of the people, and they grow dull while the people become disinterested.
2. The Church of Christ has a five step plan of salvation. I talked with a members some time ago who told me how he had attempted to aid a seeker who had asked him what he would have to know in order to become a member of the church. “I told him that he wouldn’t need to know much,” the member related, “just the plan of salvation.” By that he meant, hear the Word, believe what you hear, repent of your sins, confess Christ and be baptized. This five step plan was introduced by Evangelist Walter Scott in the early days of the Campbell-Stone Restoration Movement. My brother could tell a man how to become a member of the “Church of Christ,” but I wonder if he could have told him about Christ? Can you imagine Philip giving the eunuch a five step plan when he wanted to know more about the Christ he had heard about in Jerusalem? Or Peter responding to the jailer’s question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” by answering, “You don’t have to do much, just the plan of salvation?” I must not have been a very effective minister or I would have taught him better. Tell seekers and others with whom you speak what Philip told the eunuch and Peter told the jailer: “Believe with all your heart” and “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved...” Before someone reminds me of baptism, I hasten to say that both of these men were baptized; that was what people did in those days when they believed in Christ. However, this biblical mandate is not as popular in our time as it was in the beginning because churches have now finished their programs.
3. Grandma’s pan plan. John and Mary were married. John watched his new bride make her first pot roast. She cut off about one quarter of the roast and put the remainder in the pan. John inquired, “The roast is not very large, why didn’t you put it all in the pan?” Lost for an answer, Mary replied, “I don’t know; that’s the way mom always did it. I’ll call her and find our.” So she called, “Mom, why did you always cut off part of the roast before you put it in the pan?” Mom replied, “I don’t know, Mary, that’s the way your grandma always did it. I’ll call her to find out and I’ll call you back.” So Mary’s mom called her mother, “Mary wanted to know why I cut off part of the roast before I put it in the pan. All I could tell her was that that’s the way I have always seen you do it; can you tell me why, so I can call Mary back and tell her? “Why child,” grandma replied, “didn’t you know that my pan was too small?” For two generations grandma’s family followed a tradition without even knowing why.
The Prayers
1. The prayer wheel is a Buddhist aid to prayer. As they pray, they spin a wheel to convey their prayers to their deity(s). They may begin with a single wheel on a long handle, but they eventually pray before a row of wheels, turning them all as they walk by them. They depend on their wheel and pray from the wheel rather than from the heart, and the wheel becomes a hindrance rather than a help.
2. The rosary is another distracting “aid.” Those who depend on such objects feel that they must have them in order to be successful in their prayers. But counting beads and spinning wheels, like so many other traditional practices, become the center of the worshiper’s prayer life and divert their prayers away from God to the object at hand. It’s as if the wheel or the beads are mediators and people can’t get through to God without them. Using them is habit forming, and people grow addicted to them.
3. Then there is the “little prayer” that is so popular today. Jesus encountered a rich ruler on the road one day, who asked Him what he had to do to have eternal life. Jesus said, “Sell what you have and give to the poor and come follow me.” He didn’t tell the man to give it all to the poor, as is generally said, but rather, stop hoarding and start giving; stop being selfish and start being generous. I read a modern version of this incident some years ago, which went like this: Jesus encounters a rich young ruler on the road one day and had a conversation with him. The man asked what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus questioned his convictions and commitments, and then said, “Say this little prayer after me.” The rich man repeated the little prayer and went on his way rejoicing because he had great possessions.
Conclusion: If you are free in Christ, stay free; don’t become enslaved to a program. Programs change in a progressive church and society. Nor should you reduce your theology to a pattern. Churches lead by pattern; God leads us by His Spirit and His Word. And don’t depend on a little prayer, a big prayer, a repeated prayer, a memorized prayer or any other kind of prayer except a heart prayer.
Hey good people! It’s well past time that we returned to God and His holiness and gave up “doing church” our way. Jesus Christ is our Lord, the Holy Spirit is our Counselor, and God is still our Father. Let us respect divine authority and not be entangled in either the maddening maize of worldliness or the dullness and confusion of unbelieving churches. But if you have a good church, be a good member, cherish and support it. Let your life be “a call to return.”
____________________________________
Note: I’m sending this essay early because I’m going to Columbus, OH to spend a few days with my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. It is always so good to be with them. They like me! You should receive number one in my series on Romans eight on Friday 26th.
In 1937, a man named Napoleon Hill wrote a book titled Think and Grow Rich. The book sold over ten million copies and has influenced many - including Andrew Carnage, Clemet W. Stone, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuler and millions of others like them who have been committed to the positive thinking and success philosophy. Hill tells how he sat in a restaurant in Detroit, watching the rain form streams on a large windowpane and observing how they started out small, merged and increasing in size as they flowed down the glass. He was writing a series of small books on The Laws of Success, and these streams suggested seventeen titles. He wrote his books and summarized them later in his Think and Grow Rich.
The point I am making is this: Random thoughts need to be gathered up and formulated into plans, programs and prayers in order to make them coherent and communicable, but the church has gone too far; she has become enslaved to her programs, plans and prayers and neglect the inspired instructions given her. We shall spend considerable time later studying the divine instructions, but for now we need to look into these human functions. There is nothing original or inspired about these; they are copied directly from the social and business world.
The Programs
1. The Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) movement has a 12 step program for sobriety, which deals with confession, affirmation and growth. I commend them for both their program and their adherence, but it is regrettable how they become wedded to their program and defer living as they try to master it. “Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic,” they confess as they continue their struggle. Their aim is to “come clean” and grow, but by their self- depreciation they continue to relapse. Some are helped by this program, some succeed in spite of their program, and some become genuinely converted to Christ and don’t need a program. They serve a Savior not a self-help program.
2. The Weight Watchers also have a program that is so important to them that they spend more time studying calories and weighing food than they do enjoying life. Their adherents, who sincerely desire to lose weight, seem to overlook the simple fact that the best way to loose weight is to stuff less food into one’s stomach. If a diet program doesn’t work for them they look for another while they go on overeating.
The Plans
1. Those who teach must devise a lesson plan or find a work book that has one. Many teachers, just like many preachers, never learn how to analyze Scripture and develop an expository lesson. Eventually most of them discover that they are teaching a plan instead of the people, and they grow dull while the people become disinterested.
2. The Church of Christ has a five step plan of salvation. I talked with a members some time ago who told me how he had attempted to aid a seeker who had asked him what he would have to know in order to become a member of the church. “I told him that he wouldn’t need to know much,” the member related, “just the plan of salvation.” By that he meant, hear the Word, believe what you hear, repent of your sins, confess Christ and be baptized. This five step plan was introduced by Evangelist Walter Scott in the early days of the Campbell-Stone Restoration Movement. My brother could tell a man how to become a member of the “Church of Christ,” but I wonder if he could have told him about Christ? Can you imagine Philip giving the eunuch a five step plan when he wanted to know more about the Christ he had heard about in Jerusalem? Or Peter responding to the jailer’s question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” by answering, “You don’t have to do much, just the plan of salvation?” I must not have been a very effective minister or I would have taught him better. Tell seekers and others with whom you speak what Philip told the eunuch and Peter told the jailer: “Believe with all your heart” and “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved...” Before someone reminds me of baptism, I hasten to say that both of these men were baptized; that was what people did in those days when they believed in Christ. However, this biblical mandate is not as popular in our time as it was in the beginning because churches have now finished their programs.
3. Grandma’s pan plan. John and Mary were married. John watched his new bride make her first pot roast. She cut off about one quarter of the roast and put the remainder in the pan. John inquired, “The roast is not very large, why didn’t you put it all in the pan?” Lost for an answer, Mary replied, “I don’t know; that’s the way mom always did it. I’ll call her and find our.” So she called, “Mom, why did you always cut off part of the roast before you put it in the pan?” Mom replied, “I don’t know, Mary, that’s the way your grandma always did it. I’ll call her to find out and I’ll call you back.” So Mary’s mom called her mother, “Mary wanted to know why I cut off part of the roast before I put it in the pan. All I could tell her was that that’s the way I have always seen you do it; can you tell me why, so I can call Mary back and tell her? “Why child,” grandma replied, “didn’t you know that my pan was too small?” For two generations grandma’s family followed a tradition without even knowing why.
The Prayers
1. The prayer wheel is a Buddhist aid to prayer. As they pray, they spin a wheel to convey their prayers to their deity(s). They may begin with a single wheel on a long handle, but they eventually pray before a row of wheels, turning them all as they walk by them. They depend on their wheel and pray from the wheel rather than from the heart, and the wheel becomes a hindrance rather than a help.
2. The rosary is another distracting “aid.” Those who depend on such objects feel that they must have them in order to be successful in their prayers. But counting beads and spinning wheels, like so many other traditional practices, become the center of the worshiper’s prayer life and divert their prayers away from God to the object at hand. It’s as if the wheel or the beads are mediators and people can’t get through to God without them. Using them is habit forming, and people grow addicted to them.
3. Then there is the “little prayer” that is so popular today. Jesus encountered a rich ruler on the road one day, who asked Him what he had to do to have eternal life. Jesus said, “Sell what you have and give to the poor and come follow me.” He didn’t tell the man to give it all to the poor, as is generally said, but rather, stop hoarding and start giving; stop being selfish and start being generous. I read a modern version of this incident some years ago, which went like this: Jesus encounters a rich young ruler on the road one day and had a conversation with him. The man asked what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus questioned his convictions and commitments, and then said, “Say this little prayer after me.” The rich man repeated the little prayer and went on his way rejoicing because he had great possessions.
Conclusion: If you are free in Christ, stay free; don’t become enslaved to a program. Programs change in a progressive church and society. Nor should you reduce your theology to a pattern. Churches lead by pattern; God leads us by His Spirit and His Word. And don’t depend on a little prayer, a big prayer, a repeated prayer, a memorized prayer or any other kind of prayer except a heart prayer.
Hey good people! It’s well past time that we returned to God and His holiness and gave up “doing church” our way. Jesus Christ is our Lord, the Holy Spirit is our Counselor, and God is still our Father. Let us respect divine authority and not be entangled in either the maddening maize of worldliness or the dullness and confusion of unbelieving churches. But if you have a good church, be a good member, cherish and support it. Let your life be “a call to return.”
____________________________________
Note: I’m sending this essay early because I’m going to Columbus, OH to spend a few days with my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. It is always so good to be with them. They like me! You should receive number one in my series on Romans eight on Friday 26th.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Who is Returning?
Drifting and fallen churches are not returning to their original holiness; these don’t return, they just keep drifting and falling. They also change their names in order to become more relevant. “Crossroads” and “Community” are popular names that are often used together. Long-established congregations in various denominations are using these names while still affiliated with their respective denominations. It’s as if they no longer wish to be recognized as Baptist, Church of God etc., but prefer to go with the contemporary flow, supposing that this, being more popular, will gain them members. And with the change in name comes the change in doctrine and practice. Preachers are preaching contemporary topical sermons rather than biblical expository sermons. In “Bible Study” the Bible is replaced with booklets from their home publishing house. Progressive theology is spreading like a plague and progressive denomination are proud to be “emerging.” They never know just when they left the Lord; they only know that they are “progressing.”
But individuals are returning to the Lord and to the holiness of the early saints. I have been attending a large Bible Class of seniors, in which there are people from various backgrounds with their Bibles open to Romans and their hearts open to the Holy Spirit. This time I am studying Romans, not only to learn new truths but also to have new experiences. Others are doing the same. This is a double blessing for me: I am learning and having new experiences and also seeing others discover the meaning of Romans for the first time. Our lives will never be the same.
I remember an occasion in which a Christian College professor was speaking about our need to broaden our vision, look deeper into biblical subjects and gain spiritual experiences from Scriptures as we study them. He said, “It is as if a Bible teacher is standing before his classes with a wall of cubbyholes behind him, a compartment for each verse of the Bible. As he moves from verse to verse he asks, “What does this verse mean?” Then he takes the accumulated meanings of the verse being studied from its respective cubbyholes and read them. There are meanings written in previous generations, by our favorite commentaries and what we decided the verse meant the last time we studied it. “That’s all we have on this verse,” he says as he moves to the next cubbyhole. Most preachers are cubbyhole preachers rather than biblical expositors. We have asked for a lifetime, “What does this verse mean?” And for a lifetime we get the same reply, “It means what it says and says what it means!” But that’s not good enough. We must study the context, understand the meaning of the words, rely on other verses for help, and pray for spiritual understanding. Then the light will shine and we will understand what we read in the Bible. Millions will return to holiness if they can just see this light.
Many churches that do well in their first generation cool off in their second generation and die off in their third generation. If they do not die they exist as a vegetative spectacle in their communities; but they never return to their original zeal and holiness. If there is anything in a community more destructive than a dead church, it is a dying church. This is where sincere souls are disappointed, deceived and destroyed as they leave their first love. When I was a much younger preacher, I spoke to an older preacher about the indifference and deadness I was encountering in my churches. I must have supposed that he, being more experienced, would give me some magic formulae by which I could preach new life into my church. He listened to my plaintive appeal and that responded, “You won’t change them brother.” Another experienced Christian said, “It is easier to have a baby that it is to raise the dead.”
But individuals are returning to the Lord and to the holiness of the early saints. I have been attending a large Bible Class of seniors, in which there are people from various backgrounds with their Bibles open to Romans and their hearts open to the Holy Spirit. This time I am studying Romans, not only to learn new truths but also to have new experiences. Others are doing the same. This is a double blessing for me: I am learning and having new experiences and also seeing others discover the meaning of Romans for the first time. Our lives will never be the same.
I remember an occasion in which a Christian College professor was speaking about our need to broaden our vision, look deeper into biblical subjects and gain spiritual experiences from Scriptures as we study them. He said, “It is as if a Bible teacher is standing before his classes with a wall of cubbyholes behind him, a compartment for each verse of the Bible. As he moves from verse to verse he asks, “What does this verse mean?” Then he takes the accumulated meanings of the verse being studied from its respective cubbyholes and read them. There are meanings written in previous generations, by our favorite commentaries and what we decided the verse meant the last time we studied it. “That’s all we have on this verse,” he says as he moves to the next cubbyhole. Most preachers are cubbyhole preachers rather than biblical expositors. We have asked for a lifetime, “What does this verse mean?” And for a lifetime we get the same reply, “It means what it says and says what it means!” But that’s not good enough. We must study the context, understand the meaning of the words, rely on other verses for help, and pray for spiritual understanding. Then the light will shine and we will understand what we read in the Bible. Millions will return to holiness if they can just see this light.
Many churches that do well in their first generation cool off in their second generation and die off in their third generation. If they do not die they exist as a vegetative spectacle in their communities; but they never return to their original zeal and holiness. If there is anything in a community more destructive than a dead church, it is a dying church. This is where sincere souls are disappointed, deceived and destroyed as they leave their first love. When I was a much younger preacher, I spoke to an older preacher about the indifference and deadness I was encountering in my churches. I must have supposed that he, being more experienced, would give me some magic formulae by which I could preach new life into my church. He listened to my plaintive appeal and that responded, “You won’t change them brother.” Another experienced Christian said, “It is easier to have a baby that it is to raise the dead.”
Friday, June 5, 2009
Reform, Restore, Restructure, Return
In the first article in this series, “A Call to Return,” I wrote the following paragraph, which I have expanded here to accommodate the present article. “The New Testament church was established in the first century; it also began falling away (apostatizing) in the first century. By the second century it had become something entirely different from what it was in the beginning – Christ’s spiritual body was taken over and organized by men. A hierarchy replaced congregational independence and eldership oversight, and the church was ruled from above (not heaven above but men in high paces). The church became rich and powerful, political and cruel, waged wars, demoralized and exploited her people, and fell into “the dark ages” that lasted for a thousand years. But light came with the Great Reformation of the 16th century.
As the church was reforming it was also fragmenting into many denominational factions. Then there came the Great Awakening of the 18th century, followed by a number of significant reformations, restorations and revivals in following years. Later there came the restructuring and progression that gave rise to the progressive post-modern church of the 20th and 21st centuries. By then many of the denominations who were rich and powerful had formed themselves into the World Council of Churches (WCC) and were fleecing their flocks to support this monster in its quest for global dominance. The idea of returning and the quest for holiness were largely forgotten. Many of the churches that did not join the WCC merged, compromised their faith for the sake of unity, and formed new and larger denominations. Others, claiming to be the Lord’s exclusive church (and there were a great number of them), separated themselves to protect their doctrine, and in doing so became cold and legalistic. The Great Reformation and the Great Awakening, along with the following reforms, restorations and revivals, ran their course and were largely replaced by the restructuring and progression of our time.” Add to this the dullness and deadness of the fragmented groups and you will realize the need for a return to the holiness that the early saints knew.
Now I want to comment on four methods men have used in an attempt to get back on track. While these methods overlap, each has its own distinctive characteristics.
1. Reform: Martin Luther was reading Romans when he came upon 1:17, which read, “The just shall live by faith.” Being the scholar that he was, he knew this meant that those who have faith are considered righteous and that justification does not depend on works. Righteousness is both realized and retained by faith. This insight and the power of this truth broke the bonds of the apostate church that held millions captive and began the great Protestant Reformation. But it had a down side; Luther was a Catholic monk who brought deeply held traditions and Catholic interpretations of the Scriptures into the new movement with him. This process was repeated with every attempt to reform the fallen church. This was the beginning of contemporary denominationalism. Other reformers have followed this pattern, only to develop their own theology, impose it on the Bible, and teach it as Scripture. History has shown that long-established churches cannot be reformed because they become so committed to their own particular theology that they cannot be moved. But they can divide and form new churches after their kind; this is what usually happens. These churches and their theologies hinder the cause of Christ by enforcing human rules and regulations rather then allowing the Holy Spirit to form new lives in the image of Christ. Reformation hasn’t worked.
2. Restore: In the early 18th century, some good men, seeing the futility of reformation, set out to restore the original church. If they could “do Bible things in Bible ways” and “speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent,” surely they could restore the New Testament church. This gave rise to a century of debate and division, resulting in a number of separate groups, each claiming to be “the Lord’s church” that was “follow the pattern.” While they began by restoring the church they eventually claimed to have restored the church. Then they developed the attitude that “We are right because of who we are.” This thinking was exemplified in a letter I received recently, which said, “The church (name given) is nearest to the first century church that I have found so far. Even though they show their lack of faith, are gossipy, show their lack of respect of others, are closed minded and rude.” I responded by saying. “My mind is having trouble processing such a contradiction.” I should think that this kind of a church, in spite of its achievements and restoration claims, is most unlike the New Testament church. Attitudinal values are the greatest of values. The church will not have been restored until the Holy Spirit has been welcomed back and she bears the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (and) self-control. Until then we are pretending. Restoration hasn’t worked.
3. Restructure: In the 1960’s churches were “restructuring,” just as banks and motor companies are today. This amounted to accommodations and compromises – unity by conformity, and led to deeper division in the Restoration Movement, crystallizing segments of it by making them fiercely independent and competitive. In 1964, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who had preferred the term “Disciples of Christ” over a denominational name ever since its beginning in 1810, became a leader in the restructuring movement, and gladly took “The Christian Church” as a denominational name in order to be in a position to negotiate for Christian union. They formed a consultation group of seven denominations under the title Consultation on Christian Union (COCU) and tried to work out a merger with these churches. For many years churches have tried to find ways to merge and unite in the interest of global unity. They tried everything except returning to the Word of God and submitting to His Will. Restructuring didn’t work. What are we to do now? There must be some way to get back on track and be the New Testament church again. There is one way: return.
4. Return: But Churches won’t return. Every attempt men have made in their own strength to advance the cause of Christ has resulted in Babel (Gen. 10:10-11:9) rather than in the church. But individuals can return to the faith and holiness of the early saints. As Christian individuals, we can read our Bibles for ourselves and come to our own understanding. We can practice what is holy, no matter what position our denomination holds. Churches will inevitably grow dull and fall into traditional patters of belief (and disbelief), and when they do they will demand loyalty to their cherished doctrines and traditions. I have known many Christians, even ministers, who grew so weary with church doctrine and practice that they just quit attending or left the ministry. As Alexander Campbell said, “Sometimes all one can do is put his hand over his mouth and walk out the door.” Some find other churches, some remain “unchurched,” and others proclaim their freedom from church doctrine and traditional restraint and feel at home among godly people wherever they found them. All who are serious with Christ will be loyal to Him, denomination doctrine and tradition not withstanding. Nothing, not even the church, can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”
Ever since the church fell away, God has been calling for a return. And ever since the church fragmented, men have tried to put the pieces back together, or else have claimed that their piece is still the New Testament church. Rather than engaging in a futile attempt to reform, restore or restructure the church, we must simply and sincerely return to Christ and be His church. Many sincere people are leaving the churches because they can no longer endure the confines, conflicts and contradictions. Some go from church to church trying to find a suitable place for fellowship and worship. Others quit trying and stop going to church altogether. Many sincere seekers are learning that when they became Christians, “The Lord added them to the number of those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47), and that their salvation does not depend on belonging to one church rather than another; it is enough that they belong to Christ and have been added to His church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all return to Him and be His church—one holy brother and sister at a time?
I would be pleased to publish helpful comments on this subject.
As the church was reforming it was also fragmenting into many denominational factions. Then there came the Great Awakening of the 18th century, followed by a number of significant reformations, restorations and revivals in following years. Later there came the restructuring and progression that gave rise to the progressive post-modern church of the 20th and 21st centuries. By then many of the denominations who were rich and powerful had formed themselves into the World Council of Churches (WCC) and were fleecing their flocks to support this monster in its quest for global dominance. The idea of returning and the quest for holiness were largely forgotten. Many of the churches that did not join the WCC merged, compromised their faith for the sake of unity, and formed new and larger denominations. Others, claiming to be the Lord’s exclusive church (and there were a great number of them), separated themselves to protect their doctrine, and in doing so became cold and legalistic. The Great Reformation and the Great Awakening, along with the following reforms, restorations and revivals, ran their course and were largely replaced by the restructuring and progression of our time.” Add to this the dullness and deadness of the fragmented groups and you will realize the need for a return to the holiness that the early saints knew.
Now I want to comment on four methods men have used in an attempt to get back on track. While these methods overlap, each has its own distinctive characteristics.
1. Reform: Martin Luther was reading Romans when he came upon 1:17, which read, “The just shall live by faith.” Being the scholar that he was, he knew this meant that those who have faith are considered righteous and that justification does not depend on works. Righteousness is both realized and retained by faith. This insight and the power of this truth broke the bonds of the apostate church that held millions captive and began the great Protestant Reformation. But it had a down side; Luther was a Catholic monk who brought deeply held traditions and Catholic interpretations of the Scriptures into the new movement with him. This process was repeated with every attempt to reform the fallen church. This was the beginning of contemporary denominationalism. Other reformers have followed this pattern, only to develop their own theology, impose it on the Bible, and teach it as Scripture. History has shown that long-established churches cannot be reformed because they become so committed to their own particular theology that they cannot be moved. But they can divide and form new churches after their kind; this is what usually happens. These churches and their theologies hinder the cause of Christ by enforcing human rules and regulations rather then allowing the Holy Spirit to form new lives in the image of Christ. Reformation hasn’t worked.
2. Restore: In the early 18th century, some good men, seeing the futility of reformation, set out to restore the original church. If they could “do Bible things in Bible ways” and “speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent,” surely they could restore the New Testament church. This gave rise to a century of debate and division, resulting in a number of separate groups, each claiming to be “the Lord’s church” that was “follow the pattern.” While they began by restoring the church they eventually claimed to have restored the church. Then they developed the attitude that “We are right because of who we are.” This thinking was exemplified in a letter I received recently, which said, “The church (name given) is nearest to the first century church that I have found so far. Even though they show their lack of faith, are gossipy, show their lack of respect of others, are closed minded and rude.” I responded by saying. “My mind is having trouble processing such a contradiction.” I should think that this kind of a church, in spite of its achievements and restoration claims, is most unlike the New Testament church. Attitudinal values are the greatest of values. The church will not have been restored until the Holy Spirit has been welcomed back and she bears the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (and) self-control. Until then we are pretending. Restoration hasn’t worked.
3. Restructure: In the 1960’s churches were “restructuring,” just as banks and motor companies are today. This amounted to accommodations and compromises – unity by conformity, and led to deeper division in the Restoration Movement, crystallizing segments of it by making them fiercely independent and competitive. In 1964, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who had preferred the term “Disciples of Christ” over a denominational name ever since its beginning in 1810, became a leader in the restructuring movement, and gladly took “The Christian Church” as a denominational name in order to be in a position to negotiate for Christian union. They formed a consultation group of seven denominations under the title Consultation on Christian Union (COCU) and tried to work out a merger with these churches. For many years churches have tried to find ways to merge and unite in the interest of global unity. They tried everything except returning to the Word of God and submitting to His Will. Restructuring didn’t work. What are we to do now? There must be some way to get back on track and be the New Testament church again. There is one way: return.
4. Return: But Churches won’t return. Every attempt men have made in their own strength to advance the cause of Christ has resulted in Babel (Gen. 10:10-11:9) rather than in the church. But individuals can return to the faith and holiness of the early saints. As Christian individuals, we can read our Bibles for ourselves and come to our own understanding. We can practice what is holy, no matter what position our denomination holds. Churches will inevitably grow dull and fall into traditional patters of belief (and disbelief), and when they do they will demand loyalty to their cherished doctrines and traditions. I have known many Christians, even ministers, who grew so weary with church doctrine and practice that they just quit attending or left the ministry. As Alexander Campbell said, “Sometimes all one can do is put his hand over his mouth and walk out the door.” Some find other churches, some remain “unchurched,” and others proclaim their freedom from church doctrine and traditional restraint and feel at home among godly people wherever they found them. All who are serious with Christ will be loyal to Him, denomination doctrine and tradition not withstanding. Nothing, not even the church, can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”
Ever since the church fell away, God has been calling for a return. And ever since the church fragmented, men have tried to put the pieces back together, or else have claimed that their piece is still the New Testament church. Rather than engaging in a futile attempt to reform, restore or restructure the church, we must simply and sincerely return to Christ and be His church. Many sincere people are leaving the churches because they can no longer endure the confines, conflicts and contradictions. Some go from church to church trying to find a suitable place for fellowship and worship. Others quit trying and stop going to church altogether. Many sincere seekers are learning that when they became Christians, “The Lord added them to the number of those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47), and that their salvation does not depend on belonging to one church rather than another; it is enough that they belong to Christ and have been added to His church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all return to Him and be His church—one holy brother and sister at a time?
I would be pleased to publish helpful comments on this subject.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Life and Times of Pentecost
Pentecost: “This word is derived from the Greek word Pentecoste, fiftieth, because the feast of Pentecost was celebrated the fiftieth day after the sixteenth day of Nisan, which was the second day of the feast of the Passover. The Hebrews called it the Feast of Weeks, Ex. 34:22, because it was kept seven weeks after the Passover.” Alexander Cruden
“You shall count seven weeks for yourselves; you shall begin to count seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. Then you shall begin to celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God with a tribute of a free will offering of your hand, which you shall give just as the Lord your God blesses you; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name” (Deut. 16:9-12).
Historical timeline: Moses’ deliverance, Judges’ rule, King David’s wars, King Solomon’s peace, the Prophets preaching and prophesies, Israel divides into Israel and Judah, Israel taken captive by Assyria, Judah by Babylon, Many return to Judea , some remain in Babylon, others are scattered throughout the 120 provinces of Persia
World powers: Assyria, Babylon, Persia
Assyria and Babylon became strong in the East, Greece and Alexander strong in the West
Babylon and Alexandria become centers of culture
Western Jews are influence by Greek culture; eastern Jews by Babylonian culture
Babylonian languages: Aramaic, Chaldee, Syriac
Greek language becomes universal
ALEXANDRIA
Greek language
Great library
Philo, the great Hebrew scholar
Septuagint translation, Old Testament Hebrew into Greek
Egyptian mysticism, pagan gods, mystical interpretation of Scripture
Scriptures stripped of Jewish nationalism, everything Jewish became symbolic
Biblical truth replaced by intellectual “truth” (reason)
Beauty and reason prevail
Hebrew compiled Apocryphal (mythical) writings (As does the church after she fells away)
ASSYRIA
A world power, destroys Israel and takes many captives
Troubles Juda but unable to destroy her
Is overthron by Babylon
BABYLON
Overthrows Assyria and other nations
Destroys Jerusalem and takes many Jews captive
Is overthrown by Persia, who releases the Jews from captivity
ROME
Unites Alexander’s fragmented empire
Makes Judea a Roman province
Appoints Herod king, an Idumean (Edomite), a descendant of Esau), whose family has been forcibly converted to Judaism)
Appoints high priest in Jerusalem
JUDEA AND JERUSALEM
Hebrew literature:
Mishna—Interpretation of Law
Midrah---Commentaries and preaching
Targum---Paraphrase of Scripture
Kabala----Mystical writings (Babylonian)
These writings, rather than the Scriptures, were read in the synagogues
Pagan culture permeates Hebrew nation
Simon, a Maccabean leader, opposed Greek culture, founds the party of the Pharisees
Onias II encouraged Greek culture, founds the party of the Sadducees
Jerusalem became oppressed and poor and finally a slum city
Jews make treaty with Rome
Gamaliel is the most prominent conservative teacher of the Law – a Pharisee, Paul’s teacher
Hilleal is the most prominent liberal teacher – a Sadducee
Pharisees become the ruling party (strict and troublesome) Legalists
Sadducees are priests (political and less religious) Liberals
Publicans are Jews who collect taxes from the Jews for Rome
This is a time of freedom, peace and travel with synagogues everywhere
God fearing Gentiles becoming converts (proselytes) to Judaism
Passover was established through Moses and practiced until Jesus died
Jesus is born, lives, dies, is raised from death and ascends to heaven
Fifty days later, Pentecost! The Holy Spirit comes! The church is born! The rest is in the Book.
“You shall count seven weeks for yourselves; you shall begin to count seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. Then you shall begin to celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God with a tribute of a free will offering of your hand, which you shall give just as the Lord your God blesses you; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name” (Deut. 16:9-12).
Historical timeline: Moses’ deliverance, Judges’ rule, King David’s wars, King Solomon’s peace, the Prophets preaching and prophesies, Israel divides into Israel and Judah, Israel taken captive by Assyria, Judah by Babylon, Many return to Judea , some remain in Babylon, others are scattered throughout the 120 provinces of Persia
World powers: Assyria, Babylon, Persia
Assyria and Babylon became strong in the East, Greece and Alexander strong in the West
Babylon and Alexandria become centers of culture
Western Jews are influence by Greek culture; eastern Jews by Babylonian culture
Babylonian languages: Aramaic, Chaldee, Syriac
Greek language becomes universal
ALEXANDRIA
Greek language
Great library
Philo, the great Hebrew scholar
Septuagint translation, Old Testament Hebrew into Greek
Egyptian mysticism, pagan gods, mystical interpretation of Scripture
Scriptures stripped of Jewish nationalism, everything Jewish became symbolic
Biblical truth replaced by intellectual “truth” (reason)
Beauty and reason prevail
Hebrew compiled Apocryphal (mythical) writings (As does the church after she fells away)
ASSYRIA
A world power, destroys Israel and takes many captives
Troubles Juda but unable to destroy her
Is overthron by Babylon
BABYLON
Overthrows Assyria and other nations
Destroys Jerusalem and takes many Jews captive
Is overthrown by Persia, who releases the Jews from captivity
ROME
Unites Alexander’s fragmented empire
Makes Judea a Roman province
Appoints Herod king, an Idumean (Edomite), a descendant of Esau), whose family has been forcibly converted to Judaism)
Appoints high priest in Jerusalem
JUDEA AND JERUSALEM
Hebrew literature:
Mishna—Interpretation of Law
Midrah---Commentaries and preaching
Targum---Paraphrase of Scripture
Kabala----Mystical writings (Babylonian)
These writings, rather than the Scriptures, were read in the synagogues
Pagan culture permeates Hebrew nation
Simon, a Maccabean leader, opposed Greek culture, founds the party of the Pharisees
Onias II encouraged Greek culture, founds the party of the Sadducees
Jerusalem became oppressed and poor and finally a slum city
Jews make treaty with Rome
Gamaliel is the most prominent conservative teacher of the Law – a Pharisee, Paul’s teacher
Hilleal is the most prominent liberal teacher – a Sadducee
Pharisees become the ruling party (strict and troublesome) Legalists
Sadducees are priests (political and less religious) Liberals
Publicans are Jews who collect taxes from the Jews for Rome
This is a time of freedom, peace and travel with synagogues everywhere
God fearing Gentiles becoming converts (proselytes) to Judaism
Passover was established through Moses and practiced until Jesus died
Jesus is born, lives, dies, is raised from death and ascends to heaven
Fifty days later, Pentecost! The Holy Spirit comes! The church is born! The rest is in the Book.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Remember, Repent, Return -- A Memorial Day Sermon
The following is from a survey taken by George Barna, founder of The Barna Group and author of books analyzing research concerning America's faith, which appeared in Word Magazine April 14, 2009 titled, “Most U.S. Christians don't believe Satan, Holy Spirit exist.”
· The majority of American Christians do not believe that Satan is a real being or that the Holy Spirit is a living entity. (Perhaps our author should have said “nominal Christians” rather than “Christians.”)
· Nearly six out of ten Christians agreed that Satan "is not a living being but is a symbol of evil." In contrast, about 35 percent of American Christians believe Satan is real.
· Only one-third of Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is a person. Interestingly, about half of those who say that the Holy Spirit is not a living entity, agreed that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
· Most Americans, even those who say they are Christian, have doubts about the intrusion of the supernatural into the natural world.
· Hollywood has made evil accessible and tame, making Satan and demons less worrisome than the Bible suggests they really are. It's hard for achievement-driven, self-reliant, independent people to believe that their lives can be impacted by unseen forces.
· More than six out of ten (61 percent) of American Christians strongly agreed with the idea that a person must either side with God or with the devil - that there is no in-between position.
Believing that we all tend to drift from the way of holiness, I have three Scriptures that tell us what we can do about our condition.
1. Israel in the days of the prophets: God spoke through Micah to Israel saying, “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statues and have not kept them. Return to Me and I will return to you....” The people replied, “How shall we return?” Like Micah, I am calling for a return to God and to holiness, and like Israel, Christians are saying, “How hall we return?” This is not a penitent question; it is a denial. “Where have we gone wrong that we should return? What do you mean, ‘Return,’ we haven’t been away!” One must realize that he is away from God before he will return to Him.
2. The prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable. When the prodigal son “came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my fathers hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’ And he got up and came to his father...The father said...this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found...let us eat and be merry” (Luke 16:17-24).
3. Jesus’ words to the drifting church of Ephesus: “Remember” He said, “from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). Remember, repent and return.
Conclusion:
On this Memorial Day We remember those who have gone before us. We remember the truth they taught us and the holy lives they lived before us.
We remember our own sincerity and dedication, from which we have drifted.
· We remember the cause we advanced with zeal but have now largely forsaken. Martyrs die for their cause, which they consider to be greater than their lives. Missionaries deprive themselves of the comforts of life so those who have never known Christ may have life. Dr. Viktor Frankl spent three years in a Nazi concentration camp, and after his release he said, “Somehow, suffering ceases to be suffering when one has a cause.
· How shall we pay tribute to the dear ones who have gone before us? We shall remember, repent and return to God to live holy lives for others as they did for us. This is our memorial to them.
“Return to Him from Whom you have deeply defected” (Isa. 31:6).
· The majority of American Christians do not believe that Satan is a real being or that the Holy Spirit is a living entity. (Perhaps our author should have said “nominal Christians” rather than “Christians.”)
· Nearly six out of ten Christians agreed that Satan "is not a living being but is a symbol of evil." In contrast, about 35 percent of American Christians believe Satan is real.
· Only one-third of Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is a person. Interestingly, about half of those who say that the Holy Spirit is not a living entity, agreed that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
· Most Americans, even those who say they are Christian, have doubts about the intrusion of the supernatural into the natural world.
· Hollywood has made evil accessible and tame, making Satan and demons less worrisome than the Bible suggests they really are. It's hard for achievement-driven, self-reliant, independent people to believe that their lives can be impacted by unseen forces.
· More than six out of ten (61 percent) of American Christians strongly agreed with the idea that a person must either side with God or with the devil - that there is no in-between position.
Believing that we all tend to drift from the way of holiness, I have three Scriptures that tell us what we can do about our condition.
1. Israel in the days of the prophets: God spoke through Micah to Israel saying, “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statues and have not kept them. Return to Me and I will return to you....” The people replied, “How shall we return?” Like Micah, I am calling for a return to God and to holiness, and like Israel, Christians are saying, “How hall we return?” This is not a penitent question; it is a denial. “Where have we gone wrong that we should return? What do you mean, ‘Return,’ we haven’t been away!” One must realize that he is away from God before he will return to Him.
2. The prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable. When the prodigal son “came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my fathers hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’ And he got up and came to his father...The father said...this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found...let us eat and be merry” (Luke 16:17-24).
3. Jesus’ words to the drifting church of Ephesus: “Remember” He said, “from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). Remember, repent and return.
Conclusion:
On this Memorial Day We remember those who have gone before us. We remember the truth they taught us and the holy lives they lived before us.
We remember our own sincerity and dedication, from which we have drifted.
· We remember the cause we advanced with zeal but have now largely forsaken. Martyrs die for their cause, which they consider to be greater than their lives. Missionaries deprive themselves of the comforts of life so those who have never known Christ may have life. Dr. Viktor Frankl spent three years in a Nazi concentration camp, and after his release he said, “Somehow, suffering ceases to be suffering when one has a cause.
· How shall we pay tribute to the dear ones who have gone before us? We shall remember, repent and return to God to live holy lives for others as they did for us. This is our memorial to them.
“Return to Him from Whom you have deeply defected” (Isa. 31:6).
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sanctification
“Sanctification” is used of (a) a separation to God, (b) the course of life befitting those so separated... Sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter by faith, and to which their sole title is the death of Christ... Sanctification is also used in the NT of the separation of the believer from evil things and ways. This sanctification is God’s will for the believer... and His purpose in calling him by the Gospel;... it must be learned from God as He teaches it by His Word... and it must be perused by the believer earnestly... For the holy character is not vicarious, i.e., it cannot be transferred or imputed, it is an individual possession, built up, built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the Word of God, and of following the example of Christ... in the power of the Holy Spirit...The Holy Spirit is the Agent in sanctification...” W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary
Sanctification is both a Christian experience and a possession—a verb as well as a noun, which has neither been properly understood nor appropriated by contemporary Christians. Does it happen when one is justified? Does it happen as a subsequent experience, a “second work of grace”? Or is it a gradual process, “built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the Word of God, and of following the example of Chris?”
Christians once debated these views, but there is little debate now because there is little interest. The purpose of this essay is to reintroduce the subject of sanctification and apply it to our lives as we engage in a spiritual restoration.
Prior to James Arminius (1560-1609) and John Wesley (1703-1791), sanctification was thought to be a gradual life-time experience. With these two theologians came the doctrine of entire sanctification or “Christian perfection.” With the fading of sanctification theology and the churches that held it, the former view returned. But all of this seems irrelevant now because churches of different views `have abandoned not only their view of sanctification but also the infallibility and inspiration of the Bible. The best I can do is to set forth the simple teaching of the Word and ask my readers to accept it by faith. I have no interest in debating the subject because
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me
.
I am convinced that if we would just leave our opinions out of this process and take Paul’s word at face value, we would have an adequate understanding of sanctification. Here is what Paul says: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved completely, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who called you and He also will bring it to pass” (I Thes. 5:23, 24). If God will bring it to pass, why don’t we let Him and quit speculating about it? We’re not trying to impress anyone with how holy we are; we are grateful to God that He has sanctified us and made us holy. If you are a Christian, this is who you are; if you are not a Christian, salvation will make you a member of the Lord’s church and endow you with these heavenly blessings.
I suspect some of my readers will ask, “Why didn’t you tell us what people must do to be saved?” I reply that if God will bring it to pass we must not get in His way by trying to do it ourselves. I chose to believe that Jesus is who He says He is, to turn away from my sins by dying to them, and by being buried in water and raised to a new life in Christ (Rom. 6:3, 4).
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I came to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
No one needs to ask what to do to be justified before God or to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.; the work has already been done.
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Saved from wrath and make me pure.
The “double cure” is justification and sanctifications. Justification is being saved from wrath and sanctification is being made pure.
“Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.”
Sanctification is both a Christian experience and a possession—a verb as well as a noun, which has neither been properly understood nor appropriated by contemporary Christians. Does it happen when one is justified? Does it happen as a subsequent experience, a “second work of grace”? Or is it a gradual process, “built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the Word of God, and of following the example of Chris?”
Christians once debated these views, but there is little debate now because there is little interest. The purpose of this essay is to reintroduce the subject of sanctification and apply it to our lives as we engage in a spiritual restoration.
Prior to James Arminius (1560-1609) and John Wesley (1703-1791), sanctification was thought to be a gradual life-time experience. With these two theologians came the doctrine of entire sanctification or “Christian perfection.” With the fading of sanctification theology and the churches that held it, the former view returned. But all of this seems irrelevant now because churches of different views `have abandoned not only their view of sanctification but also the infallibility and inspiration of the Bible. The best I can do is to set forth the simple teaching of the Word and ask my readers to accept it by faith. I have no interest in debating the subject because
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me
.
I am convinced that if we would just leave our opinions out of this process and take Paul’s word at face value, we would have an adequate understanding of sanctification. Here is what Paul says: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved completely, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who called you and He also will bring it to pass” (I Thes. 5:23, 24). If God will bring it to pass, why don’t we let Him and quit speculating about it? We’re not trying to impress anyone with how holy we are; we are grateful to God that He has sanctified us and made us holy. If you are a Christian, this is who you are; if you are not a Christian, salvation will make you a member of the Lord’s church and endow you with these heavenly blessings.
I suspect some of my readers will ask, “Why didn’t you tell us what people must do to be saved?” I reply that if God will bring it to pass we must not get in His way by trying to do it ourselves. I chose to believe that Jesus is who He says He is, to turn away from my sins by dying to them, and by being buried in water and raised to a new life in Christ (Rom. 6:3, 4).
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I came to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
No one needs to ask what to do to be justified before God or to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.; the work has already been done.
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Saved from wrath and make me pure.
The “double cure” is justification and sanctifications. Justification is being saved from wrath and sanctification is being made pure.
“Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.”
Friday, May 8, 2009
Hollow or Holy
If something is hollow, it is empty inside. If the hollow object is a person, he is “lacking of significance or sincerity.” If an object is not hollow, it is solid or sound. This essay is about the kind of people it will take to restore the holy church of the first century. I say “restore” rather than reform, because an apostate church cannot be reformed; they choose to restructure instead, as the Christian Church did in the 1960’s.
Let me suggest that you look inside yourself and be keenly aware of what you see—or don’t see. You will know what is in your heart and life, whether you are empty or full, hollow or solid, lacking in significance and sincerity or sincere and fulfilled.
In my first essay in this new series, I asked you to accompany me in a quest for holiness and restoration. We must begin by looking inside ourselves to see if we are capable of such a task. We shall also look inside the church to see how far she has drifted from her original holiness. I have hope for individuals but I am not very optimistic about churches. Hosea was committed to the task of restoring Israel, but after consideration he said, “Since Israel is stubborn like a stubborn heifer, can the Lord now pasture them like a lamb in a large field? Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone” (Hos. 4: 16, 17). So God left him alone and he was taken into captivity by Assyria. He will be no less severe with a stubborn unfaithful church. Like Hosea’s adulterous wife, who could not be restored, the church will have her way to the end and we, like Hosea, can do nothing about it. But we can restore the principles and the passion of the early Christians, and in doing so have a holy church in our time.
Scores of years ago President Lincoln, faced with a national crisis as we are faced with a church crisis, had some wise words that can be adapted to our situation. “It is...for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ... We here highly resolve ... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom...”
You and I cannot go back to the first century to prevent the apostasy, we cannot altar history, we cannot change the post-modern church; but we can dedicate ourselves to the great task before us and highly resolve that, under God, there shall be a new burst of holiness that will fill hollow lives and result in a spiritual restoration. Why not a new birth of holiness! Holiness was a leading characteristic of the early church, but one hardly thinks of holiness as a characteristic of the post-modern church. It is far better to be holy than hollow. Most folk think about being healthy, happy, successful and secure, but how few give serious thought to being holy. People need holy models. One could do nothing better for his family, friends and church than to show them that the holiness of Christ still lives in sincere dedicated people. Why not do this for the sake of Christ? You will see others blossom as they come to know what you know and experience what you experience. This is not an impossible request that I make to you; it is the normal Christian life that you have longed for ever since you began your walk with Christ.
Isn’t it amazing what people stuff into their bodies and minds without the slightest thought as to whether it is healthful or holy? Obese people would have shapely bodies if they would control their eating. Obscene people would have healthy minds if they would stop feeding them the stuff that offends normal decency. Churches are either hollow or so stuffed with useless traditions and contemporary doctrine that they have no room for holy matters. They justify themselves to one another rather than safeguarding their justification before God. People are more concerned about relevance, progression and conformity than they are about restoration, soundness and sanctification. “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness’” (2 Tim. 2:19).
When we have submitted to the authority of Christ, welcomed the Holy Spirit into our lives, followed the Word of God as our guide and our conscience as our witness, and recognized our spiritual kinship with every blood-washed one, we will be holy rather than hollow, and a spiritual restoration will have begun.
Let me suggest that you look inside yourself and be keenly aware of what you see—or don’t see. You will know what is in your heart and life, whether you are empty or full, hollow or solid, lacking in significance and sincerity or sincere and fulfilled.
In my first essay in this new series, I asked you to accompany me in a quest for holiness and restoration. We must begin by looking inside ourselves to see if we are capable of such a task. We shall also look inside the church to see how far she has drifted from her original holiness. I have hope for individuals but I am not very optimistic about churches. Hosea was committed to the task of restoring Israel, but after consideration he said, “Since Israel is stubborn like a stubborn heifer, can the Lord now pasture them like a lamb in a large field? Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone” (Hos. 4: 16, 17). So God left him alone and he was taken into captivity by Assyria. He will be no less severe with a stubborn unfaithful church. Like Hosea’s adulterous wife, who could not be restored, the church will have her way to the end and we, like Hosea, can do nothing about it. But we can restore the principles and the passion of the early Christians, and in doing so have a holy church in our time.
Scores of years ago President Lincoln, faced with a national crisis as we are faced with a church crisis, had some wise words that can be adapted to our situation. “It is...for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ... We here highly resolve ... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom...”
You and I cannot go back to the first century to prevent the apostasy, we cannot altar history, we cannot change the post-modern church; but we can dedicate ourselves to the great task before us and highly resolve that, under God, there shall be a new burst of holiness that will fill hollow lives and result in a spiritual restoration. Why not a new birth of holiness! Holiness was a leading characteristic of the early church, but one hardly thinks of holiness as a characteristic of the post-modern church. It is far better to be holy than hollow. Most folk think about being healthy, happy, successful and secure, but how few give serious thought to being holy. People need holy models. One could do nothing better for his family, friends and church than to show them that the holiness of Christ still lives in sincere dedicated people. Why not do this for the sake of Christ? You will see others blossom as they come to know what you know and experience what you experience. This is not an impossible request that I make to you; it is the normal Christian life that you have longed for ever since you began your walk with Christ.
Isn’t it amazing what people stuff into their bodies and minds without the slightest thought as to whether it is healthful or holy? Obese people would have shapely bodies if they would control their eating. Obscene people would have healthy minds if they would stop feeding them the stuff that offends normal decency. Churches are either hollow or so stuffed with useless traditions and contemporary doctrine that they have no room for holy matters. They justify themselves to one another rather than safeguarding their justification before God. People are more concerned about relevance, progression and conformity than they are about restoration, soundness and sanctification. “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness’” (2 Tim. 2:19).
When we have submitted to the authority of Christ, welcomed the Holy Spirit into our lives, followed the Word of God as our guide and our conscience as our witness, and recognized our spiritual kinship with every blood-washed one, we will be holy rather than hollow, and a spiritual restoration will have begun.
Friday, May 1, 2009
A Call for a Spiritual Restoration
The New Testament church was established in the first century; it also began falling away (apostatizing) in the first century. By the second century it had become something entirely different from what it was in the beginning – Christ’s spiritual body was taken over and organized by men. A hierarchy replaced congregational independence and eldership oversight, and the church was ruled from above. The church became rich and powerful, political and cruel. It waged wars, demoralized and exploited people, and fell into “the dark ages” that lasted for a thousand years. But light came with the Great Reformation of the 16th century. As the church was reforming it was also fragmenting into many denominational factions. Then there came the Great Awakening of the 18th century, followed by a number of significant reformations, restorations and revivals in following years. Later yet came the restructuring and progression that gave rise to the progressive post-modern church of the 20th and 21st centuries. By the 21st century there were many who called themselves Christians but by then the church had become a political organization and the quest for holiness had been largely abandoned. Some still claimed to be the Lord’s exclusive church, while others were merging and striving for ecumenical unity and global control. The Great Reformation and the Great Awakening, along with the following reformations, restorations and revivals, ran their course and were replaced by the restructuring and progression of the post-modern church. Add to this the dullness and deadness of the fragmented groups and you will realize the need for a “spiritual restoration.” As in earlier times, there is still a remnant that is loyal to Christ and follows the Bible, but many of them left the church of their family and early life and went in search of a place to be that they could call home; they were neither able to accept the exclusive claim to the Lord’s church nor the post-modern drift of the human cause. They do not believe that the present-day confusion is the Lord’s church of the first century, but that it contrasts with the first century church instead. Nor do they believe that just doing things as the first century church did is a restoration of the first century church. The church must be restored in spirit as well as in letter, and this is scarcely being done. This essay pleads for brothers and sisters in Christ to assist in a spiritual restoration of the New Testament church.
If you have been blessed in a free church that recognizes the love and grace of God and is recognized by showing this love and grace to others, you should jump for joy! Many of us were not so blessed. We are more familiar with legalism, self-justification, arrogance and disrespect for others, while at the same time claiming to be the restored New Testament church. Seeing this some years ago, I saw also that it is a mistake for a church to equate itself with the apostolic church while is holds unscriptural views and manifests unchristian attitudes. The early church had its rotten apples to be sure, but it also had it “saints and faithful brethren,” as Paul said. These are the ones we must emulate if we are to have a spiritual restoration. Let us be very serious and see if we can’t establish some high and holy principles on which to engage in this grand adventure.
1. We must recognize the need for a spiritual restoration and ask Christ to ignite a spiritual fire within us to fit us for the task. This Spiritual Fire in Scripture is the Holy Spirit. Restoration always begins with informed, inspired individuals and spreads to others who pass it on. Lord, restore us and us in your work of spiritual restoration.
2. All who are informed and inspired to work must work in unison and in accord with the Holy Spirit in order to restore what the church has lost. Bind us together, Lord, and use us as one in your holy cause.
3. The cause must be greater than the cost. Martyrs die because they consider their cause greater than their lives. Missionaries deprive themselves of the comforts of life so that those who have never known Christ may have life. Dr. Viktor Frankl spent three years in a Nazi concentration camp, and after his release he said, “Somehow, suffering ceases to be suffering when one has a cause.” What might we suffer? What will we learn? What shall we profit by giving our lives totally to Christ and live as He directs us?
If you are with me, I welcome your prayers and input as we engage in this spiritual restoration and quest for holiness.
If you have been blessed in a free church that recognizes the love and grace of God and is recognized by showing this love and grace to others, you should jump for joy! Many of us were not so blessed. We are more familiar with legalism, self-justification, arrogance and disrespect for others, while at the same time claiming to be the restored New Testament church. Seeing this some years ago, I saw also that it is a mistake for a church to equate itself with the apostolic church while is holds unscriptural views and manifests unchristian attitudes. The early church had its rotten apples to be sure, but it also had it “saints and faithful brethren,” as Paul said. These are the ones we must emulate if we are to have a spiritual restoration. Let us be very serious and see if we can’t establish some high and holy principles on which to engage in this grand adventure.
1. We must recognize the need for a spiritual restoration and ask Christ to ignite a spiritual fire within us to fit us for the task. This Spiritual Fire in Scripture is the Holy Spirit. Restoration always begins with informed, inspired individuals and spreads to others who pass it on. Lord, restore us and us in your work of spiritual restoration.
2. All who are informed and inspired to work must work in unison and in accord with the Holy Spirit in order to restore what the church has lost. Bind us together, Lord, and use us as one in your holy cause.
3. The cause must be greater than the cost. Martyrs die because they consider their cause greater than their lives. Missionaries deprive themselves of the comforts of life so that those who have never known Christ may have life. Dr. Viktor Frankl spent three years in a Nazi concentration camp, and after his release he said, “Somehow, suffering ceases to be suffering when one has a cause.” What might we suffer? What will we learn? What shall we profit by giving our lives totally to Christ and live as He directs us?
If you are with me, I welcome your prayers and input as we engage in this spiritual restoration and quest for holiness.
Friday, April 24, 2009
"I Want to be a Member of the Colossian Church"
(The quotation at the beginning of this essay is so full of meaning that I have spent hours of study and writing on this single page. Think! See if it doesn’t move you in the same way.)
After reading my essay #9, “Beloved Brethren,” Sharon wrote the following note.
“I want to be a member of the Colossian church! They sound like wonderful people. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back in time to the purity of the first churches and meet them? I can picture their faces when I read this; how inspiring!”
This comment says something about both the Colossian church and the American church, but does it not also leave something unsaid about both? I bought a bag of apples at the supermarket and found a rotten one in it. I remembered the good apples I used to eat as a child and wished I could have a bagful of them instead. But a second thought reminded me that there were also rotten apples back then. Every season has rotten apples, both in the market and in the church. And every age and church has beautiful people who God calls the “apples of His eye” (Psa. 17:8). Don’t we all long for something more than what we have in our present life and relationships? Browning wrote, “Our reach must exceed our grasp else what is heaven for.” Sharon’s statement prompts me to make a number of comments about the church.
1. The American church, like the Colossian church, contains “saints and faithful brethren.” Paul wrote to the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae.” The first major thing to consider is that these saints and faithful brethren were “in Christ.” Not all church members are saints and faithful brethren in Christ. We who identify with the Colossian saints and wish to be with them will embrace Paul’s message. In this way unity is achieved—we are in Christ with the saints of all time and places. And with this understanding we discover the saints of our time. Every child of God is my brother or sister.
2. The American church, like the Colossian church, is plagued with human philosophy and deception. Paul wrote, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ ... Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of angels, taking their stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by the fleshly mind” (Col. 2:8. 18). No church has ever been totally faithful; in each there have been members who were deceived by the “traditions of men.” In this way the church of different times and places are very much alike. The philosophy that deceived the Colossian church is the same philosophy that is deceiving the American church. The traditions of men, self-abasement, worship of angels, a stand on visions and inflated fleshly minds still exist. In our time the old age philosophy of the Colossians is called “New Age theology.
3. The American church, like the Colossian church, is composed of two kinds of people—the resigned and the restless. The former will live out their lives just being church members and will never understand nor experience what the Colossian saints enjoyed. The latter will be dissatisfied and will search for understanding and experience until their faith finds a resting place in Christ alone. There they will find the saints and faithful brethren they have been searching for.
4. The American church, like the post-modern, progressive church everywhere, is unlike the Colossian church in that it is far removed from Paul and his message. We have always said, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” But this is not true, as many of us service men can affirm. We lost our sweethearts and wives while we were away in the war. We changed that statement to, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder—for someone else.” And so it was with Christ and His bride. The early church began as the faithful bride of Christ, but very soon she fell for someone or something else. The American church, with the exception of the “saints and faithful brethren,” is the result of that adulterous relationship.
I am proud to announce that Sharon is my daughter who lives in Columbus, Ohio. She and I want to be examples for others who are looking for something more. Seeing our example, perhaps others will say, “I want to be a member of your church.” We shall say, “Salvation makes you a member.”
After reading my essay #9, “Beloved Brethren,” Sharon wrote the following note.
“I want to be a member of the Colossian church! They sound like wonderful people. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back in time to the purity of the first churches and meet them? I can picture their faces when I read this; how inspiring!”
This comment says something about both the Colossian church and the American church, but does it not also leave something unsaid about both? I bought a bag of apples at the supermarket and found a rotten one in it. I remembered the good apples I used to eat as a child and wished I could have a bagful of them instead. But a second thought reminded me that there were also rotten apples back then. Every season has rotten apples, both in the market and in the church. And every age and church has beautiful people who God calls the “apples of His eye” (Psa. 17:8). Don’t we all long for something more than what we have in our present life and relationships? Browning wrote, “Our reach must exceed our grasp else what is heaven for.” Sharon’s statement prompts me to make a number of comments about the church.
1. The American church, like the Colossian church, contains “saints and faithful brethren.” Paul wrote to the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae.” The first major thing to consider is that these saints and faithful brethren were “in Christ.” Not all church members are saints and faithful brethren in Christ. We who identify with the Colossian saints and wish to be with them will embrace Paul’s message. In this way unity is achieved—we are in Christ with the saints of all time and places. And with this understanding we discover the saints of our time. Every child of God is my brother or sister.
2. The American church, like the Colossian church, is plagued with human philosophy and deception. Paul wrote, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ ... Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of angels, taking their stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by the fleshly mind” (Col. 2:8. 18). No church has ever been totally faithful; in each there have been members who were deceived by the “traditions of men.” In this way the church of different times and places are very much alike. The philosophy that deceived the Colossian church is the same philosophy that is deceiving the American church. The traditions of men, self-abasement, worship of angels, a stand on visions and inflated fleshly minds still exist. In our time the old age philosophy of the Colossians is called “New Age theology.
3. The American church, like the Colossian church, is composed of two kinds of people—the resigned and the restless. The former will live out their lives just being church members and will never understand nor experience what the Colossian saints enjoyed. The latter will be dissatisfied and will search for understanding and experience until their faith finds a resting place in Christ alone. There they will find the saints and faithful brethren they have been searching for.
4. The American church, like the post-modern, progressive church everywhere, is unlike the Colossian church in that it is far removed from Paul and his message. We have always said, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” But this is not true, as many of us service men can affirm. We lost our sweethearts and wives while we were away in the war. We changed that statement to, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder—for someone else.” And so it was with Christ and His bride. The early church began as the faithful bride of Christ, but very soon she fell for someone or something else. The American church, with the exception of the “saints and faithful brethren,” is the result of that adulterous relationship.
I am proud to announce that Sharon is my daughter who lives in Columbus, Ohio. She and I want to be examples for others who are looking for something more. Seeing our example, perhaps others will say, “I want to be a member of your church.” We shall say, “Salvation makes you a member.”
Friday, April 17, 2009
Faith's Resting Place
As I was composing the final paragraph of my last Colossians essays, the grand old hymn, My Faith Has Found a Resting Place, popped into my mind as a timely revelation. This heavenly message flooded my mind as I was writing the following paragraph (slightly modified here).
“Since Paul’s time, the church that Christ established has debated, fought, divided, contorted, conformed, deformed, reformed, restored, replicated and apostatized, until one can scarcely find the true church. I spent years in legalism with those who are certain that they are right and everyone else is wrong. My brethren used to preach a sermon titled, ‘The Way That’s Right and Can’t Be Wrong.’ I also spent years in liberalism with a church that has the grandest slogan I have ever heard: ‘The church where salvation makes you a member.’ I observed and learned but I didn’t subscribe to their progressive theology. People came and went, giving more thought to their church connection than to their Christ connection. When I asked a leader about the church’s failure to ground new members in the faith he replied, ‘The church is open ended; we have to make room for people with different views.’ Different views in matters of opinion to be sure, but certainly not in matters of faith! These experiences helped me to see that my salvation does not depend on belonging to either the right church or the left church but belonging to Christ. My brothers and sisters are not decided by a church membership buy a Christ relationship. Those who have submitted to Christ as their Savior and Lord and are following Him to the best of their ability are my brothers and sisters. With this understanding, my faith found a resting place in Christ alone.”
My Faith has Found A Resting Place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
Refrain
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Refrain
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
Refrain
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.
Refrain
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
Refrain ---Eliza E. Hewitt in Songs of Joy and Gladness, 1891
“Since Paul’s time, the church that Christ established has debated, fought, divided, contorted, conformed, deformed, reformed, restored, replicated and apostatized, until one can scarcely find the true church. I spent years in legalism with those who are certain that they are right and everyone else is wrong. My brethren used to preach a sermon titled, ‘The Way That’s Right and Can’t Be Wrong.’ I also spent years in liberalism with a church that has the grandest slogan I have ever heard: ‘The church where salvation makes you a member.’ I observed and learned but I didn’t subscribe to their progressive theology. People came and went, giving more thought to their church connection than to their Christ connection. When I asked a leader about the church’s failure to ground new members in the faith he replied, ‘The church is open ended; we have to make room for people with different views.’ Different views in matters of opinion to be sure, but certainly not in matters of faith! These experiences helped me to see that my salvation does not depend on belonging to either the right church or the left church but belonging to Christ. My brothers and sisters are not decided by a church membership buy a Christ relationship. Those who have submitted to Christ as their Savior and Lord and are following Him to the best of their ability are my brothers and sisters. With this understanding, my faith found a resting place in Christ alone.”
My Faith has Found A Resting Place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
Refrain
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Refrain
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
Refrain
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.
Refrain
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
Refrain ---Eliza E. Hewitt in Songs of Joy and Gladness, 1891
Friday, April 10, 2009
Beloved Brethren
Colossians 4:7- 18
7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9and with him Nesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas's cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand Remember my imprisonment Grace be with you.
Observations
· As Paul concludes his letter to the Colossian church, he introduces us to some of his faithful and beloved brothers. There is Tychicus, the “beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, Onesimus, the “faithful and beloved brother from the Colossian church to which Paul is writing; Aristichus, a fellow prisoner who sends his greetings to this church; Barnabas, cousin of Mark and fellow traveler with Paul on his missionary journeys, of whom the church had received instructions and who was to be welcomed; Jesus called Justus who was among the fellow workers for the kingdom of God; Epaphras, who was also a member of the Colossian church and bondslave of Jesus Christ, who always labors earnestly in his prayers for his Colossian brothers, that they may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God, and who also has a deep concern for his brothers and sisters in Colossi, as well as other churches in that area; Luke, the beloved physician, who traveled with Paul, sends his greetings; and Demas, who is also Paul’s fellow missionary, but who had once left him because of his love for this present world. Paul also sent greetings to the saints of Laodicea and also to Nympa and the church that meets in her house. And finally, there is Arichippus, who the church is to instruct to Take heed to his ministry and fulfill it.”
Remarks
· These were Paul’s beloved brethren. We too have beloved brothers and sisters whom we should hold in high regard and love from our hearts as Paul loved and greeted his dear ones from prison. But, since Paul’s time, the church that Christ established has debated, fought, divided, contorted, conformed, deformed, reformed, replicated, restored and apostatized, until one can scarcely find the true church. I spent years in legalism with those who are certain that they are right and everyone else is wrong. My brethren used to preach a sermon titled, “The Way That’s Right and Can’t Be Wrong.” I also spent many years in liberalism (although I didn’t subscribe to their progressive theology) I was with a church that has the grandest slogan I have ever heard: “The church where salvation makes you a member.” But people came and went as they pleased, giving too little thought to the matter of their salvation. When I asked a leader about this failure, he replied, “The church is open ended; we have to make room for people with different views. Different views in matters of opinion to be sure, but certainly not in matters of faith! Through these experiences I came to realize that my brothers and sisters are those who have submitted in faith to Christ as their Savior and Lord and are following Him to the best of their ability. I also learned that faith does not depend on one's belonging to either the right church or the left church but to Christ. And with this understanding, my faith found a resting place in Christ alone.
7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9and with him Nesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas's cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand Remember my imprisonment Grace be with you.
Observations
· As Paul concludes his letter to the Colossian church, he introduces us to some of his faithful and beloved brothers. There is Tychicus, the “beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, Onesimus, the “faithful and beloved brother from the Colossian church to which Paul is writing; Aristichus, a fellow prisoner who sends his greetings to this church; Barnabas, cousin of Mark and fellow traveler with Paul on his missionary journeys, of whom the church had received instructions and who was to be welcomed; Jesus called Justus who was among the fellow workers for the kingdom of God; Epaphras, who was also a member of the Colossian church and bondslave of Jesus Christ, who always labors earnestly in his prayers for his Colossian brothers, that they may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God, and who also has a deep concern for his brothers and sisters in Colossi, as well as other churches in that area; Luke, the beloved physician, who traveled with Paul, sends his greetings; and Demas, who is also Paul’s fellow missionary, but who had once left him because of his love for this present world. Paul also sent greetings to the saints of Laodicea and also to Nympa and the church that meets in her house. And finally, there is Arichippus, who the church is to instruct to Take heed to his ministry and fulfill it.”
Remarks
· These were Paul’s beloved brethren. We too have beloved brothers and sisters whom we should hold in high regard and love from our hearts as Paul loved and greeted his dear ones from prison. But, since Paul’s time, the church that Christ established has debated, fought, divided, contorted, conformed, deformed, reformed, replicated, restored and apostatized, until one can scarcely find the true church. I spent years in legalism with those who are certain that they are right and everyone else is wrong. My brethren used to preach a sermon titled, “The Way That’s Right and Can’t Be Wrong.” I also spent many years in liberalism (although I didn’t subscribe to their progressive theology) I was with a church that has the grandest slogan I have ever heard: “The church where salvation makes you a member.” But people came and went as they pleased, giving too little thought to the matter of their salvation. When I asked a leader about this failure, he replied, “The church is open ended; we have to make room for people with different views. Different views in matters of opinion to be sure, but certainly not in matters of faith! Through these experiences I came to realize that my brothers and sisters are those who have submitted in faith to Christ as their Savior and Lord and are following Him to the best of their ability. I also learned that faith does not depend on one's belonging to either the right church or the left church but to Christ. And with this understanding, my faith found a resting place in Christ alone.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Private Devotion and Public Conduct
Colossians 4:2- 6
2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Observations
With so much emphasis on methodology, lots of people have full notebooks who are not fully engaged in the Lord’s work. On the other hand, many are engaged who are not prepared. This paragraph of six verses has the answer to this dilemma—three verses on preparation and three verses on practice.
1. Preparation means private devotion.
Devote yourself to prayer. I have heard people say prayer since I was a kid, and I have said them most of my life; but I have too seldom heard or experienced genuine prayers of devotion. Do people say the same prayers in their private devotions that they say in public worship? Paul didn’t say, devote yourself to repetition but “devote yourself to prayer.”
Keep alert in prayer. One doesn’t have to be very alert to mutter memorized words that he has repeated a thousand times, but he does need to be alert if he is attempting to express the deep thoughts and feelings of his heart to God. Two pioneer evangelists in an American restoration movement stopped at a frontier tavern for a draft of spirits and a meal. As they prayed, one of them drank the others portion. After the prayer and the startled look of the man who lost his drink, the other said, “Jesus said, ‘Watch and pray,’ and you weren’t watching.” The best negative example I know is that given by C. S. Lewis in his Screwtape Letters. Satan (Screwtape) assigns a demon nephew (Wormwood) to watch new Christians as they pray. His task was to divert their attention away from Christ to other objects. He was instructed to cause his subjects to pray to a picture of Jesus on his bedroom wall as he knelt at his bed to pray. Wormwood’s greatest success has been in diverting his victims from Christ to icons and “sacred” objects that surround them. In a little country church in WV, as the members were observing Communion, Wormwood diverted someone’s attention from Jesus to a ground hog sunning himself on a rock, and the new discovery buzzed throughout the assembly, diverting everyone’s attention. But the best positive example I know is that given by Benjamin Franklin in his Autobiography. He relates how his grandfather had a Bible secured under the seat of a chair. When devotion time came, someone would turn the chair upside down while grandfather read from it. Another watched at the door to make sure no one saw them reading the Bible. They were watching while they prayed. Paul says “Devote yourselves to prayer; keep alert and be thankful in it.”
· Be thankful while you pray. My maternal grandfather always said the same prayer at the table. As if he were anxious to get it over with and start eating, He prayed so rapidly that we were unable to understand what he said. “We thank Thee Father” he would say, “for these and all blessings of life. Stand by us in sickness and in death save us in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Failing to understand him, my younger brother tried to impersonate him by saying, “Vizer viser thank the father, vizer viser thank the father.” I wonder if we don’t often say, “Vizer viser thank the father” rather than devoting ourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
· Pray for others who serve that they may speak forth the mystery of Christ, making it clear in the way they ought to speak.
2. Practice means public performance. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”
Conduct yourself with wisdom toward outsides. Paul is assuming that Christians will conduct themselves properly toward one another, even though he has to deal with this matter elsewhere. But Christians often behave in such an appalling way toward outsiders that they become totally unattractive to those they are supposed to be winning for Christ. A Christian must certainly be wise when dealing with the world. It is hard to realize and harder yet to face the way we violate the covenant we made with Christ in the beginning. This very minute is the time to change that.
Make the most of the opportunity. In Bible College I had a grand old English and speech teacher named W. Claude Hall, who also conducted a “spoken English class.” He made our language come alive, particularly individual words. When one of us mispronounced a word, he would grieve over its abuse. “Just look at that poor little word lying there,” he would say, “you have wounded it and it is bleeding. He was severe with us, but he taught us to be exact in our speech, and we were recognized throughout the brotherhood as students of Brother Hall, who meant for us to “make the most of our opportunity” when we became ministers.
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt. We sometimes think of “rude” and “crude” rather than grace as being connected with speech. But “grace” also means refinement, loveliness and charm. No rude person can communicate the grace of God to others. Salt is a preservative; it is also a seasoning. So, treat your speech as you would treat the food you are serving others.
Know how you should respond to each person. Gracious speech is certainly a good place to start in responding to both “outsiders” and insiders. But we have such varied backgrounds and temperaments that we must learn how to communicate with them individually. Years ago I heard Dr. Wayne Oats, a prominent psychologist and educator, speaking on how to train a child. He quoted a professor he had known as interpreting Prov. 22:6 to means, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will be himself.” This seems radical but it is profound! The text does say “child” and “he” and not children and they. Each child, just as each of those to whom we respond, is different, and his difference needs to be respected and treated with grace. If each child were “trained up” in this manner, he would be himself rather than some sort of a “generic” person.
Remarks
· During my years in ministry, I have served in a restoration movement, a reformation movement and a number of factions that weren’t moving at all. I have studied and written about movements, cults, sects, creeds, and a host of other aberrant systems, only to learn that most of them, using the same Scriptures and the same arguments, have claimed to by the “Lord’s church,” the “true church,” and the “only church.” But men have not been empowered to judge who belongs to Christ and who does not. “The Lord knows who are His (II Tim. 2:19). No sect or faction is solely and exclusively the “beloved brethren” in Christ, no matter how loudly it persists. If it were it would not be, fighting, debating, dividing, reforming, restoring, replicating restructuring and apostatizing until it is no longer recognizable as the Lord’s church. Men’s lives belie their claims.
· I have always been disturbed by the legalistic strictness of church theology – the example its devotees set for outsiders and the way they treat their members. I have also been disappointed by churches that are so lax that they have no standard of membership verification. I have decided that it is better to join Christ than to join a church, knowing that to belong to Him is to belong to His church. “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Observations
With so much emphasis on methodology, lots of people have full notebooks who are not fully engaged in the Lord’s work. On the other hand, many are engaged who are not prepared. This paragraph of six verses has the answer to this dilemma—three verses on preparation and three verses on practice.
1. Preparation means private devotion.
Devote yourself to prayer. I have heard people say prayer since I was a kid, and I have said them most of my life; but I have too seldom heard or experienced genuine prayers of devotion. Do people say the same prayers in their private devotions that they say in public worship? Paul didn’t say, devote yourself to repetition but “devote yourself to prayer.”
Keep alert in prayer. One doesn’t have to be very alert to mutter memorized words that he has repeated a thousand times, but he does need to be alert if he is attempting to express the deep thoughts and feelings of his heart to God. Two pioneer evangelists in an American restoration movement stopped at a frontier tavern for a draft of spirits and a meal. As they prayed, one of them drank the others portion. After the prayer and the startled look of the man who lost his drink, the other said, “Jesus said, ‘Watch and pray,’ and you weren’t watching.” The best negative example I know is that given by C. S. Lewis in his Screwtape Letters. Satan (Screwtape) assigns a demon nephew (Wormwood) to watch new Christians as they pray. His task was to divert their attention away from Christ to other objects. He was instructed to cause his subjects to pray to a picture of Jesus on his bedroom wall as he knelt at his bed to pray. Wormwood’s greatest success has been in diverting his victims from Christ to icons and “sacred” objects that surround them. In a little country church in WV, as the members were observing Communion, Wormwood diverted someone’s attention from Jesus to a ground hog sunning himself on a rock, and the new discovery buzzed throughout the assembly, diverting everyone’s attention. But the best positive example I know is that given by Benjamin Franklin in his Autobiography. He relates how his grandfather had a Bible secured under the seat of a chair. When devotion time came, someone would turn the chair upside down while grandfather read from it. Another watched at the door to make sure no one saw them reading the Bible. They were watching while they prayed. Paul says “Devote yourselves to prayer; keep alert and be thankful in it.”
· Be thankful while you pray. My maternal grandfather always said the same prayer at the table. As if he were anxious to get it over with and start eating, He prayed so rapidly that we were unable to understand what he said. “We thank Thee Father” he would say, “for these and all blessings of life. Stand by us in sickness and in death save us in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Failing to understand him, my younger brother tried to impersonate him by saying, “Vizer viser thank the father, vizer viser thank the father.” I wonder if we don’t often say, “Vizer viser thank the father” rather than devoting ourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
· Pray for others who serve that they may speak forth the mystery of Christ, making it clear in the way they ought to speak.
2. Practice means public performance. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”
Conduct yourself with wisdom toward outsides. Paul is assuming that Christians will conduct themselves properly toward one another, even though he has to deal with this matter elsewhere. But Christians often behave in such an appalling way toward outsiders that they become totally unattractive to those they are supposed to be winning for Christ. A Christian must certainly be wise when dealing with the world. It is hard to realize and harder yet to face the way we violate the covenant we made with Christ in the beginning. This very minute is the time to change that.
Make the most of the opportunity. In Bible College I had a grand old English and speech teacher named W. Claude Hall, who also conducted a “spoken English class.” He made our language come alive, particularly individual words. When one of us mispronounced a word, he would grieve over its abuse. “Just look at that poor little word lying there,” he would say, “you have wounded it and it is bleeding. He was severe with us, but he taught us to be exact in our speech, and we were recognized throughout the brotherhood as students of Brother Hall, who meant for us to “make the most of our opportunity” when we became ministers.
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt. We sometimes think of “rude” and “crude” rather than grace as being connected with speech. But “grace” also means refinement, loveliness and charm. No rude person can communicate the grace of God to others. Salt is a preservative; it is also a seasoning. So, treat your speech as you would treat the food you are serving others.
Know how you should respond to each person. Gracious speech is certainly a good place to start in responding to both “outsiders” and insiders. But we have such varied backgrounds and temperaments that we must learn how to communicate with them individually. Years ago I heard Dr. Wayne Oats, a prominent psychologist and educator, speaking on how to train a child. He quoted a professor he had known as interpreting Prov. 22:6 to means, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will be himself.” This seems radical but it is profound! The text does say “child” and “he” and not children and they. Each child, just as each of those to whom we respond, is different, and his difference needs to be respected and treated with grace. If each child were “trained up” in this manner, he would be himself rather than some sort of a “generic” person.
Remarks
· During my years in ministry, I have served in a restoration movement, a reformation movement and a number of factions that weren’t moving at all. I have studied and written about movements, cults, sects, creeds, and a host of other aberrant systems, only to learn that most of them, using the same Scriptures and the same arguments, have claimed to by the “Lord’s church,” the “true church,” and the “only church.” But men have not been empowered to judge who belongs to Christ and who does not. “The Lord knows who are His (II Tim. 2:19). No sect or faction is solely and exclusively the “beloved brethren” in Christ, no matter how loudly it persists. If it were it would not be, fighting, debating, dividing, reforming, restoring, replicating restructuring and apostatizing until it is no longer recognizable as the Lord’s church. Men’s lives belie their claims.
· I have always been disturbed by the legalistic strictness of church theology – the example its devotees set for outsiders and the way they treat their members. I have also been disappointed by churches that are so lax that they have no standard of membership verification. I have decided that it is better to join Christ than to join a church, knowing that to belong to Him is to belong to His church. “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
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