Thou shalt lend to many nations, but….

March 19th, 2012

De 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

I know I know, that was the Old Testament so let’s ignore it. Or maybe, thats to Israel, so let’s ignore it. Well ignore the following…..

Religion
More churches face foreclosure with debts that fall beyond banks’ graces

Read more: More churches face foreclosure with debts that fall beyond banks’ graces – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20204117/more-churches-face-foreclosure-debts-that-fall-beyond#ixzz1pa3nQOZ1

“A congregation losing its house of worship, once a rare event, is now common in Colorado — part of a national trend of record foreclosures on churches.The real-estate information company CoStar Group looked at five years of distressed church sales and found only a handful of foreclosures nationwide prior to 2008, when the number jumped to 24. In 2009, the figure was 67.CoStar Group spokeswoman Angela Brown said the market saw a big spike in 2010 with 135 churches sold after a lender-initiated foreclosure. In 2011, there were 138 such sales.The states with the highest percentages of forced church sales often were those with some of the worst home-foreclosure rates, including California, Florida and Michigan.”

So how does this make the testimony of God’s church look? We bite off more than we can chew in the name of what?
 
“That takes most congregations out of the market,” Whittaker said. Instead, they are leasing space in schools, hotels, recreation centers and even movie theaters.

“I don’t see an end to this any time soon,” Whittaker said.

Neither does Senyard, who said his congregation could be healthier and happier integrated into the school and larger community than in its own giant edifice.

“I think that era might be over,” he said.”

Could it be that just maybe people are seeing the light? I hope so, otherwise there will be no way that people can see the true light!

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Good Fruit Bad Fruit

March 15th, 2012

In my last post I discussed the difference between works before salvation that will never get you to salvation and works that are a fruit after salvation. In my personal, as well as family study through Galatians, there appears sorting of fruit among believers and those that may not be yet call themselves believers. At an initial glance, Galatians 5:19-6:3 would almost seem like verses that promote passiveness. In all actuality it does not promote passive acceptance of wrong, but a loving spirit in light of the wrong. We will look at this toward the end of the post.

Initially Paul is doing some fruit sorting. This fruit sorting does and should challenge you regarding whether you are truly saved or not. I have said often that I believe that many in our churches are lost. That is not to say they are knowingly lost, but perhaps deceived in their lost state. While we still live in the flesh the flesh only has the power that we choose to give it.

Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Far too often we excuse away our “nature” or “besetting sins” as something we must struggle with. We claim that we are trying to get over issues, addictions, etc. I myself have resorted to some of these lame excuses. In all reality, when examining Galatians 2:20, we have merely chosen to not to put those issues under the power of faith. We basically are holding on to those areas in our lives. Why do we do these things? Because they are areas that we do not trust God with or do not want to trust God with.

Most addictions, besetting sins, etc ., all have some things in common. Those common things are a fear, wrong desire, insecurity or something else that we do not trust God to supply or solve. We can trace any of our frailties to those common things. If we look at men that struggle with sexual sins it is often that they seek to have a need met and do not trust God to meet it His way in His timing. It then feeds like yeast on sugar. We feed it with what we see when we do not guard our eyes. We feed it with our minds when we do not guard our minds. It is not a sin that cannot be controlled. It is a sin we do not wish to control as it would require a spiritual death to self.

We can also apply that to drugs, smoking, drinking ,etc. We may likely be using those things as a pacifier of sorts in order to keep our minds off of the things that we do not trust God with. Rather than surrender those areas to the Lord and trust him we cover them with these issues. Granted these areas can become chemical addictions in the sense of withdrawal, but the same God who delivers spiritually can deliver physically.

Insecurity is such a common factor here. Whether we are insecure because of how God made us, whether we are insecure in our present state, whatever the source insecurity is a lack of surrender to God’s will. I believe dealing with this area may be one of the secrets to a victorious Christian walk. So to complete the preface to what I am truly wanting to get to we can come to the conclusion that Gal. 2:20 teaches that we can have victory over ANYTHING in our lives and the answer is to live by faith.

Whew! Now on to the fruit evaluation. Oftentimes we may confuse someone being lost because they have simply backslidden. Now I am not excusing backsliding, but we are often quick to condemn a weak believer for a weakness while overlooking more obvious signs in others or maybe even ourselves. First off we must recognize a difference between occasional sinning and habitual sinning. Occasional sinning cannot be excused, but we may “slip” (I hate that usage as we actually leap into sin) when we take our eyes off of the Lord. We must also recognize that some who “slip” are genuinely saved and others who “slip” may have never been saved and are living quite a lie. Their “slip” is actually an area where they cannot be consistent in living the lie. While the others who are saved and “slip” may just be struggling, by their own choice I might add based on Galatians 2:20. We must take into account that many have never been taught or taught themselves correctly with the Word of God.

But how do we know which is which? As I said we have those who “slip” which one can only know by asking the Lord to search their hearts. But there are others that are a bit more obvious. Sadly we will excuse the obvious signs as character traits, personality, upbringing, etc. All of which fly in the face of being a new man in Christ.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

That is not to say that you are an instant “angel”, although you can be if you wanted to, but that your nature has changed. So let’s look at some verses that reveal much about the difference between fruit.

Galatians 5: 19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

We can so often become literalist in the sense that we will use the Webster’s definition of these areas rather than God’s. Let’s examine these bad fruit.

Adultery, Fornication, Uncleaness, Laciviousness = All these are sexual sins. All these are misdirected desires. These are not only what you do physically, but how you think.

Mt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Pr 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Idolatry, Witchcraft – These are obvious enough, or are they? Idolatry can be anything that you put that takes a place before God. This may be one of the most overlooked sins in Christianity as we tend to only put a material description such as homes and cars when in fact there are many other things such as pride, comfort, ease of life, etc that fall into the description of idolatry.

 Hatred (we can be against things without hating the person)

 Variance = contention, strife, debate. Not that these are wrong, but to do them for the sake of doing them as well as the spirit in which they are done. This is one area that we may confuse and choose to be passive rather that defend God’s truth under the Spirit’s control

 Emulations (envy and jealousy) = This is definitely overlooked. We may be envious or jealous not just based on if someone has a possession that we do not have. We may not even want the possession, but may not want them to have it. We also may be envious and jealous that someone is something we are not.

 Wrath (fierceness, wrath, indignation) This may be the ultimate sign of lack of surrender to the circumstances that God has allowed us to be in. It is basically an argument with God saying that He has no right to do what He is doing.

 Strife = again it is not a matter of fighting for right, but a desire to fight.

 Seditions = cliques, pitting one against another, it is basically a sign of insecurity.

 Heresies = This falls a bit under sedition except that it allows for a desire to pair off due to doctrinal errors being promoted. This is very prevalent yet overlooked as due to bad teachings people may stray off or take up false beliefs without necessarily wanting to start a “sect”.

 Envyings, Murders, Drunkenness, Revellings, and such like: These are easy enough to understand and I like that the Bible uses “such like”. This basically mean things that are similar.

So if we are to be honest with ourselves, and most importantly with God, we must look and see if any of these things describe us. In fact, due to our flesh, it may be better to ask a friend or loved one if any of these things describe us. But be prepared, they may answer honestly. If indeed this describes you as a way of life or you never truly accepted Christ due to weak teachings regarding repentance then it is time to come to God and truly get saved and start on the walk of manifesting good fruit.

This leads us to the “good fruit”. The bad fruit was from the flesh. The good fruit cannot come from the flesh, but from the Spirit.

Ro 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Galatians 5: 22-25  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Note the distinction? As a believer you cannot trust the flesh. It must constantly be brought under the power of the Sprit of God. But we should also take a close note of the good fruits and how they tie into what I said earlier regarding addictions, insecurities, etc. Notice that the fruits called love, joy, peace all have to do with surrender. It doesn’t speak of circumstances, but with who you are in Christ. Not where you are in life. Not even who you are, but whose you are.

Love = We cannot give what we do not have

Joy = An acceptance that what you have and are experiencing is being allowed by God in order to make you complete. It is trusting God. If we do not have joy we do not trust God. We must not confuse certain emotional pain as lack of joy. Joy is a state not just a reaction. You can be a very joyous person and still cry over a loss. The issue is that the loss cannot steal your overall joy. God made our emotions for a reason, but to be used under His control and not the flesh.

Longsuffering = It cannot get more basic than that. Just turn the word around and it will explain itself. It means to be willing to suffer long, to endure, to be patient. That requires accepting what God has allowed.

Just the good fruit we have covered thus far can deal with any insecurity, addiction ,etc, if we only choose to put our lives under the influence of the Holy Spirit rather than feeding the flesh.

Gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. How is that for a mouthful?

Gentleness is in contrast to wrath. It is choosing to respond in a Spiritual rather than a fleshly manner. It is trusting God’s way rather than the way of the flesh. It is a decision between good fruit versus bad fruit.

Goodness = An upright way of life. A desire to be and do good unto others because of who(Holy Spirit) is in you.

Faith = Assurance, belief, trusting God. This is basically a good fruit that reproduces more good fruit. It is the core of all good fruit.

Meekness =  Another contrast to the pride of the flesh. It means putting others before yourself because you see them as more important than you are in a humbling and serving way. It is a tremendous manifestation of love. If we are not meek then what we are is weak.

Temperance = Self control. This speaks volumes regarding not only physical addictions, but self control in what we say, think, react, etc.

And finally……

Galatians 5: 24-25  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

How can I add anything to that?

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Works that are Seeds Versus Works that are Fruit

March 13th, 2012

During our family devotions we have been going through Galatians. Last night we covered a section that dealt with the law. Now you might say that the law is spoken of everywhere throughout Galatians and it is, but it is in a particular sense that we addressed it.

 Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

We often hear lost people speak of the law out of ignorance, especially so regarding ceremonial and dietary law. But what of moral law? That is what we dealt with. In sharing these verses I asked my kids if we were now exempt from the Ten Commandments. I knew that they knew that we were not. But this was all said to explain a point. The point that needs to be stressed is the difference between the law/works being a seed or a fruit.

We read later in Galatians that there is a very clear explanation for the purpose of the law.

Ga 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The law was a seed sown that was used to guide the Jews to the fulfillment of the law that was Christ Jesus.

We also read that we no longer need that schoolmaster. In all actuality we never had the law as the Jews did, but we did have it within us in the form of conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Ga 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Once saved the law/works no longer serves as a seed for the faith, but now is a fruit of the faith. Before Christ we did the right things, or tried to, in order to please God as if doing right would get us to heaven. This is not much different than the Jews. But the Jews saw and were told that all their righteousness was as filthy rags as ours is as well.

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

 The literal translation is that our righteousness, even our attempts of it, are as menstrual rags. We could do nothing to be righteous. That is why Christ became sin for us as it took a righteous sacrifice to make an unrighteous man justified. This is obviously the only true way of salvation and that is to repent and accept the sacrifice of the Righteous One for the unrighteous.

But once justified we no longer needed seeds or works to draw us to God. What we need now is fruits of our faith. The very things people attempted in vain to do before to become righteous are the very things we should do as a thank you to God. I am not speaking of ceremonial or dietary laws as the Bible clearly calls those thing “weak and beggarly elements”.

Ga 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

We are now told to obey out of love and duty. Not a burdensome duty, but a grateful duty. I ask you today as I asked my own children as well as myself, do you enjoy doing good? Now that may seem like a trick question, but it is not meant to be. Do you enjoy pleasing others? It is easy to enjoy pleasing others when it is pleasurable to yourself, but in reality that equates to selfishness.

I mean do you enjoy getting your hands dirty for others? I asked my kids if they enjoyed their “chores”. I asked them if they really liked doing them, knowing good and well that cleaning, cooking, washing, etc is not fun for most. But why not? Because the focus is on the chore rather than who you are serving.

The same applies to use as believers. When we go through the daily grind and are burned out could it be that we lost focus of who we are doing it for? Fresh fruit is sweet, stale bruised fruit is disgusting. So what kind of fruit do you offer your spouse, parents, children, family in Christ, etc? Keep in mind that the fruit you are supposed to be serving is a product of your salvation and not the source of it. If it is a source then it is like artificial fruit. It may look real, but it is worthless as far as practical fruit goes. If it is a fruit of your salvation then we need to make it sweet as in reality it is being offered up to God.

So you are one of two people reading this. Either you are vainly trying to be righteous to get to heaven and are lost or you are saved and need to do the works of righteousness for His name’s sake.

If the former then you need to accept Christ as your attempts at righteousness are worthless. The fruit to righteousness has been presented. All you need to do is genuinely repent and accept Christ’s sacrifice. If the latter, then you need to seek to manifest fruits of salvation which come from a sweet personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you would like some help with either feel free to comment and your comment will be kept confident at your request.

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Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

March 9th, 2012

(this post came about regarding a few situations where the people asked for help, but the answer to their problems is something that they do not want to hear)

Yet another verse that is quickly passed over and we really never take a good hard look at it because it hurts too much. It is much like the person who has a splinter in a finger. The finger hurts because of the splinter, but it also hurts to take the splinter out. So is the person, who is your friend, an enemy because he causes pain in taking out the splinter? I have written before about the product versus process issue. That is where one likes the end product, but does not necessarily like the process to get there. In practice that is what applies here.

Last night I thought much about this theme. Today, much like the confusion between one’s want and needs there exists another confusion as well. That confusion is one between help and ease. We often hear people claim to ask for help when what they really want is just ease in a situation. But much like a child who wants the pain of the splinter to go away, they dread the process of removing the splinter.

But one key point is that the Christian walk, or better said, living as a Christian, the Bible does not say that it will be a life of ease. In reality it will be a life of pain in many ways. Many sacrifices need to be made in order to do things God’s way. But when one gives the counsel requested by another there seems to be a bristle as what was offered was not what was desired. Let me give a few simple illustrations.

Let’s say your child is struggling with math. There is a problem he just can’t figure out. His own solution would be that you sit down and write the answer out for him. But did you really help him? I mean you said and did what he wanted to hear. But did he learn anything? Yes, he learned how to avoid his current discomfort yet his problem remains. He still does not know how to fix what is broken. So in actuality you did not help.

Another example could be of someone who cannot or rather does not choose to manage their money. (man can this be used regarding our country’s financial state as well) So week by week they keep spending more than they earn. They are frustrated and want you to help. Their solution is to give them more money. But when you tell them that the solution is to spend wisely they will get upset and now see you as the enemy rather than their spending habits. This is also the case when it comes to Biblical counsel.

For Paul this was the case as well. He, in spite of his physical issues, was once well liked.

Gal. 4: 14 “And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.”

He was a great guy! He was fun to listen to. Probably humorous during fellowships, but he “rocked the boat” when he wanted to correct the errors of the church.

Gal. 4:9 “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”

In the case of the Galatians they went back to the law or as the Bible says  “the weak and beggarly elements”. So is the case with the local church. Now Paul questions if they wanted him to help why is his help now despised?

Gal. 4:15-16 “Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

What a contrast! They loved Paul when he said what they wanted to hear. But when he went against their pre-conceived notions, their traditions, etc. they bristled and Paul was no longer worthy to listen to. He then makes a very convicting question.

Gal. 4:11 “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.”

It seems that this was a statement meant to stimulate thought. It suggests that maybe they are not even saved. Now he does not imply that they truly are not saved, but that their actions do not line up with how a believer should behave. So it is with the church today. Woe to the person that sees something wrong. That dares speak out. It is ironic that through the years the people who are condemned as mavericks and rebels are the ones that were once the welcome guest that all were blessed by.

I ask, do we really want to be helped to do the right thing, or do we just want ease?

There is a great difference between the two.

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

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Withstanding

March 6th, 2012

Gal. 2:11 “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.”

It is odd that when we read this portion of Scripture, hopefully within its context, we miss a tremendous nugget of truth. In this day and age of blind loyalty and following the leader we seem to miss the fact that our only blind loyalty should be to God and His Word and the only true leader is Christ. That is not to say that we have no other authority and direction, but everything within its God given realm. Today if you were to “withstand” someone in the face you would be labeled as a maverick or a rebel. But if so, who or what are you rebelling against? I am speaking regarding the local church.

Paul is seen in this passage as being one that stood for Scriptural truth and correcting Peter who had fallen into the trap of traditionalism as well as peer pressure. Let us examine this passage and how it does indeed relate to the church today.

 In examining verse 11 we see the word “withstood”. Some would delicately say that Paul confronted Peter, but the word actually means “to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose”. This sounds a bit harsh does it not? I mean Paul set himself against, withstood, resisted, and opposed what Peter was doing. Sadly, today we would have labeled Paul as a rebel. I mean after all, who did he think he was? This was Peter he was talking to. What in the world gave him the “authority” to oppose Peter? I mean, did he follow modern church policy? Wasn’t unity and submission the key thing? What would people think? Would it cause division? But in all actuality it was Peter’s actions that were divisive and we will see just what he was being blamed for.

Verse 12 “For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.”

Whoa Nellie! Peter was originally doing the right thing, but when his peers came along he forsook the truth or rather what is right for what is popular. He traded God’s direction for what seemed right in the eyes of man. He trusted in his own understanding rather than God’s. He chose to please himself and others rather than God. This painfully reminds me of the countless times that pastors in private discussed as well as agreed with many things that I discuss on this blog, yet when confronted by their peers they shrivel. This also reminds me of many good men that occasionally say that they stand for something, but are only willing to fight if it will not cost them something. But what effect did Peter’s actions have? You will see that one’s actions will influence the actions of others.

Verse 13 “And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”

It says here that Barnabas as well as others were carried away with dissimulation. That word means HYPOCRISY. They were hypocrites because they knew what was right to do, did it, and stopped doing it because of the fear of man. This correlates directly with many Christians today who know good and well in their hearts what is right to do and refuse to do so and have become the hypocrites that Peter, Barnabas, and others became in this passage.

Verse 14 “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”

This is the crux of the matter. Paul withstood/opposed men and his basis was “the truth of the Gospel”. It was not the fear of man, tradition, job security, etc. He stood for what is right against whoever he needed to and was not a respecter of persons. His fear of God was greater than his fear of man. He was not worried about winning a popularity contest with men. Paul would not be very popular in many churches today. Paul was more concerned with doing it right than just doing it. It was not about performance, but obedience.

Why is the local church in the sad state that it is in? Why is it that every cult is growing at a breakneck pace and our numbers are dwindling? Could it be because we are not men enough to withstand, or better worded, oppose what is Biblically wrong? The answer is obvious and this passage can be used as proof. If it is not according to the Gospel then it must be opposed. Otherwise we are merely hypocrites. That word hypocrite also denotes acting. For some this may be just a play and they are on a stage to be viewed and admired by people.

Please men? No thank you! Christians are supposed to be in the God pleasing business. When we do choose to do things God’s way we may well see results. Whether we see results or not it does not matter. We will be obeying God and that pleases God although it may not please men.

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Paul’s Thorn in the flesh – for him, for others, or for both?

March 2nd, 2012

 

As is usually the case a deep post has been conceived by a passage from my devotional time. This post will be one not so much to declare an obvious truth, but to stimulate thought within an already apparent truth. The following verse is what triggered it.

2 Corinthians 12:7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

So what’s the big deal? The big deal is reading the verse above with the verses that surround it back to chapter 10 as well as further in chapter 12. What aroused my curiosity is the translation issue. As has been the case lately I have begun to re-read to be sure that I have not understood “traditional” thoughts versus literal teachings. Without getting too much into the Greek this passage can be a bit confusing. In the Koine Greek there are different identifiers of verbs such as tense, mood, voice, person, and number. We will focus primarily on voice. There are primarily active, passive, and middle. Active states that the subject is performing the action. Passive states that the subject is having an action performed upon the subject. Middle states that the subject is performing an action upon the subject. (There is also what is described as middle-passive) So the issue comes on the usage of the word “exalted”. It is a middle voice word used in a passive voice. Basically it implies that the subject, which is Paul, is being kept from exalting himself. But the issue is in that it can be translated that Paul is being kept from being exalted by others. It could also mean both.

Why is this an issue? Because it can explain another idea of just what the thorn in the flesh was as well as the thought that the thorn was just for Paul. If indeed this thorn in the flesh was about Paul being kept by this thorn from self-exaltation then why would he ask for it to be removed in the first place? Otherwise, if it was there to keep others from exalting him it would make sense that he asked for it to be removed, either way he could ask for removal for pain’s sake, or even because it was humiliating.

Here is my train of thought. Hopefully it is not a de-railed train of thought. Back in 2 Cor. 10:10 this idea gets fed by the following:

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

If we tie that in with the reference to his thorn being an “infirmity” then we have a connection here.

2 Cor 12:8-10 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The Lord states that in reference to the thorn in the flesh it had something to do with weakness. Would not perceived weakness both physical and emotional be humbling both inward and outward? Would it not be a struggle to have to drag your way through life in this condition? But the point of the post is not about this, but about who the thorn benefitted or was intended for. Not only is it probable that Paul could feel exalted because of his experiences. Especially his heavenly vision that could not be uttered with words (that is ironic as modern Charismatics have fallen all over an un-biblical book titled “Heaven is for real” where a boy’s words are uttered regarding his supposed heavenly vision). So is it possible that the thorn was not exclusively to keep him from exalting self? Is it possible that through his visions and experiences that he would be likely to be exalted by some? After all he was held in contempt by some because of his weak appearance so it is just as likely that he was held in respect for his experiences.

Another reason for question is that Paul had gone through so much pain and suffering that he found joy in it, that there had to be something that would set this thorn in the flesh apart from 39 lashings, shipwreck, viper bites, stoning, etc of which he gloried in. Is it possible that the thorn was a “constant” pain as opposed to the other pains? Or is it possible that this was a whole new “pain” that would be outwardly visible in order to make Paul a plain paper letter as opposed to a frilly admired letter? Now that has an application for all of us and especially those in the ministry.

As hard as it is to accept the Christian walk is not a bed of roses. Our bed of roses will be in heaven. Today we do not deal with the rose’s bed, but the rose’s thorn. So perhaps your thorn is inward or maybe it is outward. Either way God has a purpose for that. And that purpose is that Christ will have the pre-eminence in all things. It is not all about us. It is all about God or at least it is supposed to be.

 

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Ignorance of the Law is no excuse

February 29th, 2012

We often use the title of the post in regard to human laws, but what about God’s laws? Obviously the same holds true. But there seems to be one law that is gravely misunderstood. That law is the law of sowing and reaping. Also there are many that confuse this verse with the verse of personal sowing in Galatians that’s speaks of you are what you do and what you do will always come back to you. These are two entirely different passages.

It would seem that as is typical we have taken a verse totally out of its context by teaching it as a standalone verse.

2 Cor. 9:6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

Some would have you to believe that in a sense this is our “Fundamentalist” version of a name it claim it/prosperity theology verse. They teach that if you give a lot you get a lot. If so then we have lost the true meaning of the verse. The context is in an offering that is being taken up by a church or churches in order to help another church or churches. It would in application and context translate better into “what you put into it will determine what comes out of it”, not what YOU get out of it. Why? Because if we read the verse in its complete context we see that this law of sowing and reaping has more to do with what we sow and what God reaps. The sowing itself is seed provided in the first place by the ultimate reaper. While we may “reap” in the labor sense the harvest belongs to the Lord.

Now if we look at the rest of the verses involved we can clearly see that. I will make comments throughout the verse

2 Cor. 9:1-15  “ For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

This is simply an offering of which they spoke of taking for the saints. He is making sure that the offering will be ready so as to avoid shame. He also warns them regarding covetousness.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Here is where context and application collide. I have heard it taught, especially at Mission Conferences as well as offering times that if you give a little you will receive a little and if you give a lot you then get a lot. Is this true? It is true in a sense and depending on many things. First off what are we sowing and what are we growing/reaping? If the thought is that we are sowing money therefore we are growing money then you have missed the point. What we are sowing is the expression of our love and obedience and what we are reaping we will see later in the verse, but suffice it to say we are reaping praises to God and blessing for us. Those blessings may in fact end up as money, but not necessarily. Those blessings may come in our treasures in heaven that we lay before the Lord. They may come in the blessings of just being able to help. They may come in this lifetime or the next, but they are all blessings just the same. We will see this as well in the passage albeit rarely from the pulpit. So to say that if we give to God we will proportionately receive what we gave to God is a false teaching at best.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

This is not to say that all these members had a choice of giving, but in the manner of giving or rather the attitude. Giving is expected, the ability or rather the amount is determined by God’s provision which we will see in the next verse. The key is the heart attitude which determines how and how much is given as well as how to manage the resources God has given him. Those resources can vary. Some may not be able to give financially as much as others, but money is not the only resource that we have to give. We can give in the many different resources that God has given us, whether in service or material objects. But let us not replace material giving with service out of selfishness either.

 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

God is the supplier of the seed to the sower. God does not promise a huge bounty, but a sufficient bounty in order to be able to obey Him in this giving and living.

  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Note that he is not saying increase money in your pockets, cars for your driveway, or any other material gain or return on your “sowing” investment. He is speaking of supplying your food or daily needs, more seed for sowing for Him, and fruit that may abound toward your righteousness.

  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Here is some of the fruit of the seeds. Our giving causes thanksgiving to God. We are not sowing for us, but for God. What God promises, is to meet our needs and to keep the seed bin full not for our glory, but for His. But again, the seed bin is not necessarily full of money. Also, we all have different size bins and all of our bins may contain different seeds.

 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

This is just a re-enforcement of what was just said. God not only gives them what they need through us the sowers, but also creates thanksgiving.

  Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

This application or manifestation of our faith is a testimony to those who receive due to our obedience to God. This then becomes one of our lanterns on a hill allowing for men to see our light shine before them. This not only reminds people of God’s goodness, but also draws others to God. It is sad that as I often say that we spend our resources on self while never spending it on what God commanded. Can you imagine what the lost world would think if we as churches were ministering, I mean TRULY ministering to the needs of others? We might even see more people saved. I am not speaking of bait and switch religion, but genuinely helping people who are in need. Over the years I have seen far too many instances of churches building buildings while lives fall apart. I have seen trinkets for the church purchased while families, church families, do without.

 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

And the greatest blessing of all, after you have sown bountifully, you receive bountiful prayers for YOU! And all of this comes because of the exceeding grace of God that is in you that is now pouring out of you rather than being stored with the rest of the wood, hat, and stubble.

 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

This is the ultimate reward and gift. It would appear that we may be truly ignorant of the law of sowing and reaping.

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Why do I need a translation of my translation?

February 27th, 2012

What would you think if you were in a foreign country and you hired a professional interpreter to, you know, interpret? I mean you hired the guy to interpret a language you do not understand or have the time to learn. But when you start speaking to nationals through the interpreter you don’t know what in the world he is saying, so in turn you don’t know what in the world they are saying. You may get the general jest of what is being said, but some words that seem to be possibly important are not being communicated. So someone suggests that you hire an interpreter so that you can understand the interpretation of the interpreter. Confused yet? I hope so. Does this scenario sound the least bit ridiculous? You may even say that it is so ridiculous that it could never happen. But it happens with more regularity than you can imagine or maybe ever realized.

This happens in most churches at most church services. Never knew it you say? Never realized it I say. This also happens during the average person’s devotional time. Are you ready for me to reveal it yet? It is called your Bible translation. In my case and many of my “kind”, we use the King James “translation”. Let me as usual make the disclaimer that I believe that the KJV is the best translation available and the only one I use in the English language. But back to the topic, if I have a “translation”, then why in the world do I need some words translated?

Have you ever heard some say, In the Greek that word translates to such and such? Obviously I have made many references to the Greek myself. But have you ever stopped and thought that we are interpreting/translating a translation? If we indeed have a translation then why must we translate? Simple logic would tell you that a translation should not need to be translated. If it does, then the translation needs to be completed. It is not that it is in error, but incomplete.

Many KJV defenders, in many cases closet Ruckmanites, will throw out the old “so are you saying the KJV has errors” argument knowing that you will then cower out of fear of being called a heretic.  That tactic is one that the liberal left uses with regularity as well as with great success. You create an unfounded premise to distract from the real issues at hand. So do we call it errors, or do we call it incomplete?

I, as well as many others love our KJV Bible, but want to see it updated revising the Elizabethan English with a “more understandable” English.  We would also like for some words in our translation to be “translated” so the average layman who has not studied Hebrew or Greek and does not want to carry a concordance and commentary with him may be able to read and enjoy his Bible.

I believe that we are spending far too much time studying how to study our Bibles in an academic exercise rather than absorbing what God has for us to hear in a Spiritual exercise. I must admit that this is the first time that I have ever realized that a translation of my translation is actually what is happening. When the thought struck me it seemed too ridiculous to even think about. But what is more ridiculous, the thought of it or the reality of it?

So as in the case of the interpreter is the answer to keep an interpreter for your interpreter or get a better interpreter? The answer to this question is the answer to the following question. Is the answer to keep translating a translation or are we better off updating our translation?

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Is the Song of Solomon JUST an allegory?

February 22nd, 2012

 

 a/k/a Is marriage just a religious business relationship?

Recently we had a discussion at home about the OT book The Song of Solomon. My intention is not to do a complete exposition on the book, but rather to initially deal with the issue of it being just an allegory, and if so, then to clarify what I see as an example of throwing a baby out with the bathwater. I also hope to deal with a few verses that have come to me as a question for clarification. When speaking to Christians you will get a broad range of opinions regarding the Song of Solomon. Sadly it seems that some of those opinions were arrived at based on what some considered logical academia as well as good old fashioned prudishness. Do not despair over the term “prudishness” as it will be clarified later. This is also written as a rebuttal to those that wrongly believe that there is no enjoyment necessary in marriage and that it is purely a religious relationship.

When debating any issue we must first accept a premise in order to base that debate on. While I can see that some can see this purely as an allegory let us first define what an allegory is. We will then look into the claims of that allegory.

 

allegory  (ˈælɪɡərɪ)
— n  , pl -ries
1. a poem, play, picture, etc, in which the apparent meaning of the characters and events is used to symbolize a deeper moral or spiritual meaning
2. the technique or genre that this represents
3. use of such symbolism to illustrate truth or a moral
4. anything used as a symbol or emblem

Since the premise is that the Song of Solomon is an allegory then let us then apply the above application of that definition.

The applications speak of symbolism. When using symbolism we use parallelisms. I would never say that as a pig stinks so does your perfume smell sweet. That would be a contrast and not an allegory. I could say as a rose’s scent so is your perfume on you. Then I would be creating an allegory which relates a truth using another existing truth. So it would be fair to suggest that if indeed the Song of Solomon is purely an allegory then it is a truth based or compared to another existing truth. Otherwise what would be the rationale of using the comparison to human marital relationships?

In the Song of Solomon the basis of the allegory is what some suggest is exclusively a picture of Christ and the church. I am not prepared to say that it is not, but neither can I declare that it is based on Biblical proof. One thought that comes to mind is that if it is allegorical of Christ and the church then the Song of Solomon would in a sense be a prophetic book. Some will argue that it is an allegory of the OT church, but then we open a whole new can of worms in our definitions regarding the church which is his body. Christ did say that upon this rock he WOULD (future tense) build His church.

The issue is that many good men chose to “academically” come to a conclusion based on man’s wisdom rather than God’s declaration. But as I mentioned earlier it is also based on “prudishness”. I say this with a bit of disgust as we are to teach the whole counsel of God no matter how uncomfortable it may make us feel. This is evident when the Song of Solomon is read. According to Origen and Jerome they claim that Jews had forbidden it to be read by any until they were 30 years old. If this is the case then the logical question is why? If indeed it is purely an allegory then why not read it as such unless of course it aroused the senses regarding a totally pure subject within the realm of marriage?

This reminds me much of how much today we have fallen victim to some very unhealthy traditions. Much like the Jews not allowing the reading of this book until after the age of 30, the lack of using the word Jehovah out loud, so too are we guilty in our Bible of using the word LORD where God wrote Jehovah. In all three cases these were decisions made by men and not instructions given by God.

This is what leads us to what I stated as throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Those who write off the Song of Solomon purely as an allegory throw out some real truths within the allegory. This has lead to some very wrong thinking in regards to many new traditions such as the horrific belief that God does not want spouses to have emotional and romantic attachments. I chose the word horrific as throughout the Bible we are taught the beauty of emotions, romance, and attraction. That is not to say that these things trump Godly direction, but are a fruit, or rather a benefit within that Godly direction. Let us look at some examples:

  1. Do a study on the word “fair” and how many times the Bible speaks of attraction both good and bad based on a person’s beauty both inward and outward. The word fair appears 50 times in the Bible with the majority of usages dealing with beauty.
  2. Do a study on marital relationships and see what is taught regarding the sexual relationship between a husband and wife.
  3. Do a study on how the Bible teaches on how people should marry in order not to “burn”. This is not talking about burning toast. God gave us passions to be used under the proper context of marriage.

To attempt to diminish the beauty of a loving, romantic, emotional marriage relationship is to rob believers of the gift that God gave them. I am not sure where this thinking was hatched whether through the Puritans or any other group it is totally unfounded. What it creates is a pathetic marriage between two people and reduces it to a burdening chore where you cohabitate with another person in a religious exercise. This may be where the other false belief of arranged marriages came from.  I believe in Godly counsel from spiritual authorities in our lives, but I also believe in Biblical discernment.

Perhaps the best homework would be to do a study on the word “loved”.  And when doing this study, focus on its use between man and woman. God placed this love within us to be used between the man and the woman. The marriage is not just a religious duty. If so, then we are simply to be obedient servants who derive no pleasure from that duty. It is no wonder the divorce rate is so high among believers. What a miserable state to be in where there is no pleasure between husband and wife. I am not solely speaking in a sexual sense. There is pleasure in loving your spouse, caring for your spouse, and pleasing your spouse.

I for one can say that I am even crazier about my wife than I ever have been. She is a blessing of God given to me. I could not imagine being married to a co-Christian and to strictly fulfill our duties as parents, etc. At creation God made it clear that Adam needed a helpmeet. So we also need one today. The marriage we are told is compared to Christ and the church. When our children see the love or lack of love between parents this affects their view of Christ and the church as well.

When we discussed the illogical thinking that there is no romance or emotional attachment between man and wife, immediately verses that contradict that teaching came to mind. But where are the verses that support the illogical view? There are none. Only man’s reasoning can come up with that error.

Perhaps this erroneous teaching is more prevalent than we care to admit. We have become prudish to the point that the local church teaches little if anything about marriage as God intended it. We have turned it into a whisper and because of that what God made beautiful men have made obscene. I am not speaking of being immodest with the topic, but I am speaking of dealing with it as the Lord did in His Word.

This brings us back to the allegory. If indeed God used the marital relationship and its romance as a basis of reference or comparison then how can we deny that much of what is spoken of in the Song of Solomon should not apply to the marriage relationship? You cannot reject one truth then use that same truth as a basis for a belief. So the logical, and more importantly Scriptural conclusion, is that while it may be allegorical it uses the truths that exist between a Godly man and wife that are blessed in a holy and beautiful marriage relationship. God intended your marriage to be an enjoyable blessing, not a burdening chore.

Food for thought verses:

1Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. (Why burn? Is there a God given need that gets met?)

Ge 24:67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (He loved her, do a search on the Hebrew word for love which includes “human love for one another including sexual”)

1Sa 1:5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: (same word as used in the previous verse)

Ge 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: (Fair spoke of an attractiveness. Why would God make someone attractive to another if it was unnecessary?)

2 Samuel 11:2 David looks at Bathsheba. I know many a pastor will use this verse as an example of guarding your eyes and rightfully so, but David’s sin was not what he was looking at, but who he was looking at. He sinned in that it was another man’s wife and not his own.

1Co 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. (This verse when translated literally speaks of the sexual relationship between husband and wife and the consequences when it is not fulfilled properly)

Ge 29:21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. (It is a given that this is a natural part of a marriage and there is nothing wrong with enjoying what God gave you to enjoy)

 

To be followed up with a post dealing with specific verses that in Song of Solomon are distorted by those who believe that the marriage relationship does not include romance and passion.

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TO DIE FOR?

February 21st, 2012

Have you ever heard or even said yourself that you would die for your wife and family?

Have you ever said you would be willing to die for the cause of Christ?

The questions above are in all actuality very easy to say. In all honesty they are easier to do than the alternative which is living. Recently just after writing my posts on bitterness and joy the Lord chose to allow me to be tested right off the bat. Guess what? I failed the test. The fact that I failed after such a huge eye opening study wasn’t the issue, but the quickness of which I did so was. After that failure I did some more soul searching and came up with today’s post. So what does one have to do with the other? The answer is EVERYTHING.

You see, whenever we make spiritual decisions or any other for that matter it is based on convictions. We can easily say that we will deal with things better based on relationships with those who are affected by our convictions. Let me give a simple example. Have you ever been upset with your wife/family/etc.? No, this is not a trick question. Now if you read my previous post about bitterness you will remember that bitterness is a part of our sin nature. I also would like to clarify that we will never really be free from bitterness because of that sin nature, but we should strive to have as much control as possible over it.

Well IF you have ever been upset with your wife/family/etc. is this the same wife /family/etc. that you have said you would be willing to die for? You may think “so what, who doesn’t get upset?” Well one way to not get upset is to think about the words “I would die for them”. As I mentioned before, that is a very easy thing to say. What is hard is to be willing to live for them. Now living for them involves one very important thing and that thing is dying for them. Confused yet? This may clear it up.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

You see in order to live for a loved one you must die to self. Bitterness is just a pesky reminder of how much we are not dead to self. It has been said that a dead man has no rights. Why, because a dead man with no rights cannot be offended, stolen from, hurt, etc. Why, because he is DEAD! In the same manner if we would die daily to self it would make it harder to allow others to upset us. But in this manner it is truly easier to literally die than to die to self. This is a sad, but true fact.

We would much rather think of being a heroic husband or father who throws himself in front of shooter in order to “take the bullet” for that special loved one. We would gladly give a life sustaining organ to a loved one at the risk of death in order to fight a disease. But have you ever thought that you may be that bullet or disease? You are when you become bitter and wound that loved one whether it be spiritually, emotionally, or even in some cases physically.

You may or may not be the bullet or disease, but you still may be willing to allow that bullet or disease to pass in order to keep from dying to self. One of the so-called secrets to the Christian life is death to self. I say so-called secret as it is openly spoken of in the Bible. “Death to self” means to put others before your self. It is to try and see things through the eyes of others. It is to have compassion. The very word compassion speaks of sharing a burden.

So a good thing to try is to ask yourself is not whether you would die for that special person, but whether you are willing to live for them. The next step is to do it. That would mean not jumping to conclusions, not thinking the worst, not putting your feelings before theirs, choosing not to take offense no matter how offensive what was said. It basically means to die to your methods of dealing with things and try to apply Christ’s. Initially it will indeed feel like death as it will eat at you that it seems that someone is getting away with doing you wrong. But if you are dead then it isn’t about you, but about others.

One of the roots of this problem is selfishness. This relates with what was discussed in the other post when we deal with bitterness. It relates in that bitterness is a manifestation of selfishness and visa versa. We are selfish in that we feel we have the right to be bitter and we are bitter because of our selfishness. It all goes back to the fruits of the Spirit that we also discussed. We cannot enjoy the fruits of the Spirit unless the Spirit of God is in control of our being and that cannot happen unless we are dead in the flesh to self.

It is much like driving a car. As far as I am concerned I only like to see one person at a time driving a car. Imagine if there were two people trying to drive the same car. One would try to turn the wheel right while the other may try to go left. One may try to give it the gas as the other applies the brakes, One would turn the right turn signal while the other turns on the emergency flashers and so on. So it is with the Holy Spirit of God and our flesh. The Spirit that dwells within a believer is trying to guide us one way and our flesh is automatically opposing the Spirit.

Romans 14-25  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man t19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

The only true way to deal with an enemy is to kill it. That enemy is not the person who irritates you. That enemy is your flesh. I am obviously not speaking of taking your own life, but the taking the life of your fleshly desires and taking them to the cross where your freedom was paid for.

So I regress back to the initial question, albeit rephrased. Are you willing to die in the flesh for your family so that you may live in the spirit for them? That death will hurt a lot more initially, but will accomplish so much more than your bodily sacrifice ever could have.  It may even save some lives in more ways than you can imagine.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

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