God is in the center… November 5, 2009
Posted by JP in Absolute Favorites, Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture, Uncategorized.add a comment
The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117
The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119
The chapter in the centre of the Bible is Psalm 118
There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 and 594 chapters after Psalms 118.
Add these numbers up and you get 1188.
Is it coincidence that the centre verse of the bible is Psalms 118:8?
Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
The next time someone says, they would like to find God’s perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the centre of His will, just send them to the centre of His Word!
Work out your own salvation with trembling and fear October 20, 2009
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith.1 comment so far
Php 2:12-16 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). (13) [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (14) Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], (15) That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, (16) Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.
If indeed we are Saved by Grace (Eph 2:8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;), then what does Paul mean when he writes to the Philippians to “work out your own salvation with trembling and fear”? Are the scriptures in conflict? Does salvation come from our effort, and if so then why is the Gospel a message of salvation as a gift of God?
Notice that in this passage Paul does not say, “Work for your salvation” – it is not “work towards acquiring your salvation”, nor is it “work at your salvation”, nor is it “work up your salvation.” It is none of those things. Every true Christian has received salvation through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. They are all in the state of salvation at this moment. Salvation is God’s gift to them, accomplished by Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, what He himself freely and lovingly chose to endure in their place – the wrath of a sin-hating God. That salvation which was accomplished by Christ alone became ours when God opened our hearts and gave us a birth from above, applying all the benefits of the triumph of Christ to us.
Once again, we come to the distinctly different concepts of justification and sanctification, which are too often co-mingled in the single term of ‘salvation’. Justification is the gift of God through Christ’s sacrifice; sanctification is the process in which those who have been reconciled to God continue to become Christ-like.
John Piper tells us:
The connection between the sinner and the Savior is trust, not improvement of behavior. That comes later. It is this order that gives hope. “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). The basis of this wild and wonderful hope (the ungodly justified) is “Christ for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4, literal translation). Through faith alone God counts the ungodly as righteous because of Christ. “For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
So, to the passage in question: Paul is writing to the congregation of professing Christians in Philippi who have received salvation (justification). To these saved people he says, “work out your own salvation.” He is not talking about their status of being ransomed, justified, reconciled, forgiven or being clothed in the righteousness of Christ, telling them to work at getting all that. All that is already theirs as a free gift of God; it is all absolutely perfect and nothing needs to be added to it whatsoever. That is accomplished salvation: we have been saved once and for all: that is puncticular salvation.
What Paul is talking about here is linear salvation, progressive salvation, sanctifying salvation, which will not be complete until the day of Christ when we are going to see God and be like him. Paul is urging us here to be promoting that completed full salvation, to advance and encourage that transformation of our lives. “Work at becoming more like the Lord of your salvation.” That is what he is saying.
In other words, full eternal Christ like salvation (sanctification) is not something that is in the atmosphere above and around us – over which we have no control. It is not something that comes upon you when you go into a religious meeting and an atmosphere is created by the music and the lighting and skilful stories and emotional challenges such as going to the front, kneeling and weeping. The salvation about which Paul is speaking is going on in our thinking, and our decisions, and our enthusiasms, and our affections, and our choices, and in our very bodies today and every day. It is divine ‘work in progress.’ Every part of us is going to be saved and so we are being told to work that salvation out, in other words, work out the implications of it and advance it. Don’t sit back, don’t think to yourselves, “Well, it’s all over. I am saved.” Work at it until it is finished at death. While we live this salvation needs to transform all aspects of our lives. Show a new obedience to God in every part of your life. See what our text actually says, “Continue to work out your salvation.”
How to pray… September 8, 2009
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith.add a comment
Mat 6:5-13 Also when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already. (6) But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. (7) And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. [I Kings 18:25-29.] (8) Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (9) Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. (10) Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Almost everyone knows the “Lord’s Prayer”, either by acquaintance, or by use and intimate knowledge. I wonder though, do we really understand what Jesus was teaching us, or do we just accept the litany by rote?
Let us look at the reality of what Jesus was teaching us: not just a prayer to be recited, meaningless and dead in spirit, but a methodology of how we are to pray, what we are to pray for, and strong instruction by direct admonition, or by intentional omission, of how not to pray.
At the beginning of this passage Jesus specifically instructs us not to use repetitious, meaningless prayer, not to pray publically for the sake of being seen praying. We are to pray privately, keeping our prayer between God and ourselves. This instruction, this direct admonition, of what not to do, flies in the face of so many religious practices – Roman Catholicism specifically and many Protestant denominations as well – all who maintain repetitious prayer and reciting of creeds and litanies as part of their corporate worship. I could write exhaustively on this subject alone, however, that is not the point of this post. For now, let the point stand as made: Recitation of the “Lord’s Prayer” is meaningless and contrary to the instructions given to us by Christ Jesus.
What I really want to discuss are the elements of the prayer and the reasons Jesus instructed us to pray “in this manner”.
(9) Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
John Piper said:
The most important prayer is that the most important person in the universe do the most important act in the universe.
That is why Jesus put this request at the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer: “Hallowed be your name.”
God is the most important person in the universe – more important than all others put together…The whole-souled act of hallowing God’s name is the most important act in the universe.
To “hallow” means to “sanctify” which in God’s case means to set apart in your mind and heart as supremely great and beautiful and valuable.
“Hallowed be your name” means, “See to it that your name is hallowed. Use your infinite power and wisdom and love to stir up billions of hearts and minds to admire you and prize you above all things.”
(10) Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
There are two aspects of God’s Kingdom – personal and worldwide:
Mat 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
Mat 13:41-43 The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of offense [persons by whom others are drawn into error or sin] and all who do iniquity and act wickedly, (42) And will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth. (43) Then will the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears [to hear] be listening, and let him consider and perceive and understand by hearing.
In entreating God to bring His kingdom on earth we seek to let God be the Ruler and King in our lives now. His kingdom is a present reality wherever he rules as King. So when we pray, “Father, let your kingdom come,” we should mean, “Father, rule in my life. Be my king. Get the victory over my anxiety about life’s necessities.” This is the personal dimension of the coming of the kingdom.
Likewise, we are also asking God to draw history to a close and establish his kingdom on the earth.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
Joh 6:35 Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).
This is not referring to food and beverage for your stomach, but for your mind and your soul. It is referring to studying the scriptures of the Bible on a daily basis, and if you seek the word of the Lord daily, He will feed you with understanding of His word.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt.6:14-15 – For if ye forgive men (people) their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men (people) their trespasses; neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness is a two way street my friends. We cannot seek forgiveness if we cannot give forgiveness. There is so much to write on this subject as well but let me try to be succinct:
Mat 6:14-15 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.
Mat 18:23-35 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a human king who wished to settle accounts with his attendants. (24) When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents [probably about $10,000,000], (25) And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made. (26) So the attendant fell on his knees, begging him, Have patience with me and I will pay you everything. (27) And his master’s heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [cancelling] the debt. (28) But that same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about twenty dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe! (29) So his fellow attendant fell down and begged him earnestly, Give me time, and I will pay you all! (30) But he was unwilling, and he went out and had him put in prison till he should pay the debt. (31) When his fellow attendants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and told everything that had taken place to their master. (32) Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to. (33) And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you? (34) And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed. (35) So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.
The point is that if we hold fast to an unforgiving spirit, we will be handed over to the tormentors. We will lose heaven, and gain hell.
The reason is not that we can earn heaven, or merit heaven, by forgiving others, but that holding fast to an unforgiving spirit proves that we do not trust Christ. If we trust him, we will not spurn his way of life. If we trust him, we will not be able to take forgiveness from his hand for our million-dollar debt and withhold it from our ten-dollar debtor.
Paul said in Ephesians 4:32, “Forgive each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” In other words, God’s forgiveness is underneath ours, creates it, and supports it. So that if we don’t give it to others—if we go on in an unforgiving spirit—what we show is that God is not there in our lives – we are not trusting him.
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Mat 26:41 All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Jas 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.
Mat 4:1 THEN JESUS was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil.
So God does not do the tempting—he does not put evil desires in our hearts (for he can have no evil desires in his heart)—but he does bring us into the presence of many tests and temptations. In fact, every step we take is a step into the presence of temptation. There is no moment of your life that is not a moment of temptation—a moment when unbelief and disobedience is not a possibility.
The Lord’s Prayer does not teach us to pray against that kind of sovereign guidance. What it teaches us to pray is that the temptation does not take us in. Do not lead me into temptation. Deliver me from the evil that is set before me.
Today I will stand before innumerable temptations. That is what life is: endless choices between belief and unbelief, obedience and disobedience. Nevertheless, I pray almighty God: forbid that I would yield – hold me back from stepping inside the temptation.
… For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
This is an acknowledgement, a rightful acquiescence, of His sovereignty. The kingdom is His, all power is His, and all glory is His. We have no part in adding to His power and glory, nor do we have any business seeking credit for it.
The reason this is so important is because I know of no truth which is more fundamentally pervasive than God’s zeal to be glorified, which means his zeal for us so to think, to feel, and to act as to make him look as glorious as He is. We do not add to His glory – we want to make God’s glory shine. We want to make it visible. The goal of our lives’ should be to live such, that when people know us well enough, they would say, “God is glorious!”
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
The Seven-Fold Purpose of God’s Word September 7, 2009
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Faith, Scripture.add a comment
The Word of God, energized by the Holy Spirit, has a seven-fold purpose in our lives:
Enlightening
Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
Psa 119:130 The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
Under the illumination of God’s Word, we see ourselves in the light of God’s holiness. The Bible sheds light on behavior and actions that displease the Lord and lights up the path that God has designated for you to walk.
Convicting
John 16:7-11 However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. (8) And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: (9) About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; (10) About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; (11) About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him.
The Holy Spirit’s mission is to convict the world. When spiritually convicted, a person realizes that sin has been committed and that they are guilty before God. Through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will convict our hearts regarding three things:
- Sin – because men do not believe in me. The rejection of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ is the prime sin and the most serious one, for it exposes a person to the judgment of God. The eternal destiny of a human life hinges upon the receiving in faith of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:11-13) The Holy Spirit’s mission is to expose any pattern of thought or behavior that is an affront to God.
- Righteousness – because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer. Jesus is the standard of righteousness against which our lives are measured and the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict us of the stark reality of this fact. Compared to the righteousness of Christ, our own acts of righteousness are like filthy rags. (Isa 64:6)
- Judgment – because the prince of this world now stands condemned. Note that the judgment of which the Holy Spirit convicts is the judgment of Satan. The judgment that took place at the cross (Col 2:15) is the pivotal theme of the Holy Spirit’s work of conviction and is the core thread of the entire Word of God.
As long as we are open to the Holy Spirit and to his Word, we will experience this ongoing conviction process. This is a sign of spiritual health, for the Holy Spirit never leaves us in a place of conviction, but leads us into his answer for our lives. The Bible’s amazing answer to sin – righteousness and judgment – is the other side of conviction.
Heb 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
Washing
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, (26) So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, (27) That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].
The Word of God has a washing action (John 15:3). Through his Word, the Holy Spirit renews our minds – conforming our minds His way of thinking. As we expose ourselves to the Word of God on a daily basis, the Holy Spirit will cleanse our minda of the filth of this world’s thinking, which the Bible calls depraved (Rom 1:28) and hostile to God. (Rom 8:7)
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
We cannot be conformed to Christ while still being conformed to this world. The two objectives are totally opposed to one another. Therefore, a major function of God’s Word is to realign our thinking to God’s thinking. This new Bible-based kind of thinking involves:
- The Right View of God (Isaiah 40:18,21-28; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
- The Right View of Yourself (Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:3)
- The Right View of the World (Isaiah 40:15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:20-31)
The Bible is God’s tool for renewing our minds. God so wants to renew our thought processes that His way of thinking becomes our way of thinking.
Encouraging
Rom 15:4-5 for whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope. (5) Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.
Note that this passage attributes to Scripture that which is attributed to God – encouragement.
Paul writes to the Colossian Christians with the express purpose that they might be encouraged in heart:
Col 2:2 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).
This is a major purpose of God’s Word, not simply to make us feel good about ourselves, but to encourage us to continue to persevere in our faith.
Instructing
2Ti 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
Notice that Paul writes to Timothy and declares that all Scripture (not just some of it) is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
- Teaching shows us the right path.
- Rebuking shows us where we have wandered from the path.
- Correcting shows us the way back onto the path.
- Training shows us how to walk on the path.
Psa 119:133 Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Remember, it is not only the New Testament which has been designed by God for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. In fact, the Scriptures that Paul is referring to when writing to Timothy is the Old Testament. The whole of Israel’s history has been chronicled in the Old Testament, not just as a lead up to the coming of Jesus, but also as exemplary instruction and strong .warnings for you. (Hebrews 3:15-19; Hebrews 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:6-12)
Defending
Luk 4:1-12 THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit (2) For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry. [Deut. 9:9; I Kings 19:8.] (3) Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread]. (4) And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God. [Deut. 8:3.] (5) Then the devil took Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time [in the twinkling of an eye]. (6) And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will. (7) Therefore if You will do homage to and worship me [just once], it shall all be Yours. (8) And Jesus replied to him, Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, You shall do homage to and worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. [Deut. 6:13; 10:20.] (9) Then he took Him to Jerusalem and set Him on a gable of the temple, and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, cast Yourself down from here; (10) For it is written, He will give His angels charge over you to guard and watch over you closely and carefully; (11) And on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. [Ps. 91:11, 12.] (12) And Jesus replied to him, [The Scripture] says, You shall not tempt (try, test exceedingly) the Lord your God. [Deut. 6:16.]
When Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus did not debate with him or even entertain any discussion. He solely relied on the authority of the Word of God. God’s Word is described as a sword:
(Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.; Heb 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.).
When Satan attacks, we can wield the full authority of God’s Word against him. However, we can only wield what has become written on our hearts. (Isa 49:2 And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand, has He hid me and made me a polished arrow; in His quiver has He kept me close and concealed me.)
Perfecting
Col 1:24-29 [Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. (25) In it I became a minister in accordance with the divine stewardship which was entrusted to me for you [as its object and for your benefit], to make the Word of God fully known [among you]– (26) The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), (27) To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory. (28) Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). (29) For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.
Paul’s declared goal, toward which he labored so vigorously, was to present everyone perfect in Christ. This is the exact same goal of God’s Word. As Paul said, he was commissioned by God to present to you the word of God in its fullness. That commission was fulfilled largely through his letters, which make up the bulk of the New Testament.
Eph 4:12-13 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), (13) [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
Paul’s purpose was God’s purpose – not just that we may be conformed to the image of God’s Son as individuals, but that together, as the corporate Body of Christ, we may reach the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
2 Co 3:18 And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
It is in the pages of God’s Word that we meet with the Lord on terms so intimate that the Bible describes it like looking in a mirror:
Jas 1:23-25 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; (24) For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. (25) But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
God’s Word acts like a mirror reflecting God’s glory. By revelation of the Holy Spirit we see, in the Word, dimension after dimension of his glory. This cannot but affect us! We are changed by what we see from glory to glory.
Be Still and know… May 12, 2009
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith.add a comment
Psa 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (11) Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
This passage is so key to a healthy and invigorating relationship with Him. There are two admonitions in this passage which we should take time to understand more fully.
Be still…
The word translated “be still” comes from the Hebrew term raphah. This word is found in various forms in the Old Testament, with different shades of meaning. It refers to that which is slack, or to let drop, or in some instances, to be disheartened or weak. The meaning would be better understood to say “cause yourself to be weakened or to let go”. In other words, we need to come to a place where we are willing to submit ourselves to God; acknowledging that He is in sovereign control.
In other contexts, those who let their hands “drop” from work are condemned. Those who are disheartened are commanded to take courage. In contexts where “being still” is condemned, we find that certain obligations were being neglected, and God’s people were admonished to take initiative to fulfill their duties.
There are those (myself definitely included) who are far from “still”; they try to “do all the work”. They believe that by “lifting up their hands” and by “taking courage,” they can survive and thrive by the sweat of their own brow. They can do it all on their own, without any divine dependence.
Here is the irony in this term “be still.” While we must take the initiative to fulfill our responsibilities and live our lives, the uncertainties of living in a world of sin and woe will continually challenge us. Personal initiative is no substitute for reliance upon God.
Jas 4:13-16 Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money. (14) Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air]. (15) You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing]. (16) But as it is, you boast [falsely] in your presumption and your self-conceit. All such boasting is wrong.
This command — “be still” — forces us to think on two things: that we are finite, and that God is infinite. That being the case, we need to drop our hands, go limp, relax, and “chill out.” Christian people ought to “come, behold the works of Jehovah,” (v. 
that we may enjoy a calm confidence in him who gave us his Son.
When we realize that we are incapable of controlling life, we can surrender our will to God’s will. It may be a matter of finally saying we trust Him. This will open the door so that we may experience the fullness of all God wants and has for us. He is our Creator and has a perfect plan for us when we let Him orchestrate it.
and know that I am God…
It is of import to note that this passage does not say “be still and feel your God”. We are admonished repeatedly in scripture to KNOW God, not to rely on our feelings, but our knowledge. We are commanded to study Him and His word to learn to recognize Him and His works and His truth, not to rely on what we feel is right.
I’ve said it many times; Christianity (faith) is very much an intellectual process. We have faith in Him not because we ‘feel’ him – feelings ebb and flow like sifting sand. We have faith in Him, we abide in Him because we know Him. We know who He is and what He has promised us – knowledge is a foundation of rock.
Jesus tells us that the first commandment is:
Mar 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God out of and with your whole heart and out of and with all your soul (your life) and out of and with all your mind (with your faculty of thought and your moral understanding) and out of and with all your strength. This is the first and principal commandment. [Deut. 6:4, 5.]
The word translated ‘know’ come from the Hebrew yaw-dah’. Meaning ‘discern’, ‘comprehend’, ‘have knowledge’, ‘be learned’. Amongst those meanings lies my favorite connotation: familiar friend
Our God is to be our familiar friend. We are to know Him as we would a close friend, or familiy member (our Father). We are to have knowledge of who and what He is, what He has done and what He would do, just as we would understand and know a person we have lived closely and intimately for our whole lives.
Ultimately the two elements of the phrase ‘be still and know’ play off of each other. We are able to ‘be still’ – to let drop our hands, to be weak – because we know our God and we know that He is faithful to protect, provide, guide, and love us. On the flip-side, we cannot experience the promises of our knowledge of Him unless we are ’still’, unless we let go and let Him do His work in our lives.
Fireproof… February 17, 2009
Posted by JP in Absolute Favorites, Bible Study/Reference, Discussion.3 comments
My wife and I watched the new movie “Fireproof” the other night… wow!
If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it. I can tell you that the acting may not be ‘oscar worthy’ but it isn’t so bad that you cannot enjoy the movie and get the message behind the movie.
I would love to discuss some scenes, but I don’t want to put out any spoilers yet… tell me what y’all think and we can talk about it.
Here are some links and resources for you (I’m thinking of doing a series on marriage/relationships and some of the “Fireproof” resources my be referenced):
Ex-Christians? February 2, 2009
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.add a comment
Is there such a thing as an ‘ex-Christian’? Can one fall from grace, or abandon their faith, or does the idea of Once Saved Always Saved come into play somehow? These are the questions I have been pondering for a few days.
John 2:19 They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us. ”
This Scripture makes it abundantly clear—there is no such thing as an ex-Christian. If a person is truly a Christian, he/she will never depart from the faith “…for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us…” If a person who claimed to be a Christian denies the faith, he/she was not truly a Christian. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us…their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” No, there is truly no such thing as an ex-Christian.
It is important to distinguish between a true Christian and an “in name only” Christian. A true Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. A true Christian is a person who understands what the Bible says about sin, sin’s penalty, who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us, and how that provides for the forgiveness of sin. A true Christian is a person who has received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, has been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and is progressively being transformed into the image of Christ. A true Christian is a person who is kept a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:13, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). This true Christian can never become an ex-Christian. No one who has truly and fully trusted in Christ as Savior could ever deny Him. No one who truly comprehends the evil of sin, the terror of sin’s consequences, the love of Christ, and the grace and mercy of God, could ever turn back from the Christian faith.
There are many in those world who claim to be Christians, but are not. Being a Christian does not mean recognizing that Jesus was a great teacher or even seeking to follow His teachings. Being a Christian means being a “little Christ” (the meaning of the word Christian) and a servant of Christ. There are people who have had some connection to a “Christian” church and then later renounced that connection. There are people who have “tasted” and “sampled” Jesus Christ, without ever actually receiving Him as Savior. There are some who prayed the “sinner’s prayer” and claimed the mantel of Christian only to later fall away, or reject that title. However, there is no such thing as true ex-Christian. A true Christian will never, and could never, renounce the faith. Any person who claimed to be a Christian, but later rejects the Christian faith, was never truly a Christian.
This idea concerns me, and others, for often evangelicals teach that saying that prayer gains salvation, yet how then can we explain the ‘ex-Christians’ who seem to abound? How do we reconcile that so many fall away, ‘back-slide’ or never experience the full joy of regeneration or demonstrate the fruits of the spirit?
These are the ideas I want to explore here, starting with the fruits of the spirit:
I’ve tried to coin the phrase “fruit of the root”, but when I say it people just look at me like I’m an idiot. The idea is that true Christians demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit which is the root of our salvation and regeneration. These fruits are not a laundry list of things we must do, or ways we must act, in order to be ‘Christian’, but instead they are symptoms of our internal regeneration, they are the naturally resulting fruit based upon the roots by which we are grounded.
Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, (23) Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (24) And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. (25) If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
“…let us also walk by the Spirit” That is a powerful phrase. We do not behave as if we are Christians, or disciples of Christ; our behavior is a natural outpouring of that foundation which drives us, leads us, speaks to us, and reforms us. Our behavior is a fruit born of the roots of the Spirit embedded within our hearts.
Many of us, myself tops on the list, struggle daily with experiencing the fruits of the spirit. We (I) struggle with having the symptoms evidence the fact that our foundation is based in Christ and not the flesh.
I have sought answers for this predicament and have come to the conclusion that the problem, and the solution, resides in one simple word: abide.
To “abide” is to live, continue, or remain; so, to abide in Christ is to live in Him or remain in Him. The phrase “abiding in Christ” denotes an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance.
The difference between those abiding in Christ and those not abiding in Christ is the difference between the saved and the unsaved.
Abiding in Christ is taught in 1 John 2:5-6, where it is synonymous with “knowing” Christ (verses 2 and 3). Later in the same chapter, John equates “remaining” in the Father and the Son with having the promise of eternal life (verses 24 and 25).
How can we experience the symptoms of a symbiotic relationship if we do not maintain a close connection with those whom are in that relationship with us? Can you maintain a healthy marriage if you do not see, interact with, communicate with, your spouse? Can you fully experience the relationship if you do not share your joys, trials, concerns, victories, failures, loves, dislikes? My experience has been that one cannot fully expect a beneficial, life-changing symbiotic relationship with someone which you are only acquainted.
In John 15:4-7, Jesus tells His disciples that having salvation is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine. Without that vital union with Christ which salvation provides, there can be no life and no productivity. Elsewhere, the Bible likens this union to that of a head and a body (Colossians 1:18).
I’m particularly enamored of how Christ Jesus spoke of this relationship and the necessity to abide in Him in John 5:
Joh 15:1-16 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vine-dresser. (2) Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. (3) You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. (4) Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (6) If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (8) When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. (9) I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. (10) If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. (11) I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. (12) This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. (13) No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. (14) You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. (15) I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] (16) You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.
I spoke of the ‘fruit of the root’ earlier and I wanted to point out that the esoteric aspects of personality are not the only fruits born by the root system that is within us.
We also bear the fruit of obedience to Christ’s commands (1Jn 3:24 All who keep His commandments [who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and] abide in Him, and He in them. [They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.] And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He [really] lives and makes His home in us: by the [Holy] Spirit Whom He has given us. ); following Christ’s example (1Jn 2:6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. ); living free from habitual sin (Jn 3:6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him--deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. ); and the awareness of a divine presence within one’s life (1Jn 4:13 By this we come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us: because He has given (imparted) to us of His [Holy] Spirit.
Allow me to once again stress this point: These fruits are not things we do, ways we act, something we strive for; they are symptoms of an internal condition. They are natural aspects of the regenerate life. To attempt to portray these aspects on our own merits is hypocrisy.
Do we (I) exemplify these fruits? If not, then we need to go back to the source: Christ Jesus. We must involve Him in our daily lives through prayer and study, we must abide in Him, and He in us, and we must know that the impetus for this union comes from Him and Him alone, nothing of ourselves, thus we must call upon Him to instill His Spirit in us, as we know from His Word that it is only from Him:
2Co 5:17-20 Therefore if any person is [in-grafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (18) But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. (19) It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). (20) So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.
The Mind of Christ… November 23, 2008
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.1 comment so far
1Co 2:16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart
In 1 Corinthians 2:16, Paul quotes Isaiah 40:13 and then makes a statement concerning all believers: “We have the mind of Christ.” Having the mind of Christ means sharing the plan, purpose, and perspective of Christ, and it is something that all believers possess.
Having the mind of Christ means we understand God’s plan in the world—to bring glory to Himself, restore creation to its original splendor, and provide salvation for sinners. It means we identify with Christ’s purpose “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). It means we share Jesus’ perspective of humility and obedience (Philippians 2:5-8), compassion (Matthew 9:36), and prayerful dependence on God (Luke 5:16).
In the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we note some truths concerning the mind of Christ:
1) The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man (1Co 2:5-6 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. (6) Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away.).
2) The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed (1Co 2:7 But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God–[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].).
3) The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God (1Co 2:10-12 Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]. (11) For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.).
4) The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit (1Co 2:14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.).
5) The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters (1Co 2:15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].).
In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ (Joh 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name-; 1Jn 5:12 He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. ). After salvation, the believer lives a life under God’s influence. The Holy Spirit indwells and enlightens the believer, infusing him with wisdom—the mind of Christ. The believer bears a responsibility to yield to the Spirit’s leading (Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).) and to allow the Spirit to transform and renew his mind (Rom 12:1-2 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. (2) Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].).
False Teachers… August 7, 2008
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.1 comment so far
The false teacher is deceptive. Verse 15 of today’s passage describes him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He appears to want people to know the “real” truth about God, but his interpretation of Scripture may contain outright lies or a distorted mix of fact and error. Since wise believers study God’s Word, they can detect a “sheepskin” starting to slip. The wolf is further exposed by his personal life, which won’t be consistent with righteousness (Matt. 7:16). A close study of his decisions, actions, and words will reveal that he does not follow the Lord’s will or biblical principles.
The false teacher’s life and message are self-indulgent. His enticing ideas appeal to his listeners’ fleshly nature. In fact, he’ll often permit activities prohibited in Scripture. Some deceivers describe God’s grace as a license to live without restraint (Jude 4). Paul clearly denounces this lie, teaching that believers have died to sin and shouldn’t live in it (Rom. 6:2).
The body of Christ is expected to use Scripture as the standard against which to measure a leader’s lifestyle and words. When we seek divine truth, we are given the discernment to know a holy message from a misleading one.
A false teacher wants to create uncertainty in his listeners. In order to gain followers, he must persuade his audience that he possesses knowledge they lack. The people who accept this misleading information as absolute truth will usually return to the false teacher for more. Having followers strokes his ego and provides “proof” that he is right.
Those who have a sound doctrine won’t be led astray. That’s why it is so important for our faith to rest on biblical truth—for example, Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind, the Holy Spirit dwells in believers, and Christians will be resurrected bodily. Defeating false teachers takes more than “my pastor says . . .”When confronted, we must defend our faith with Scripture we ourselves have studied. By regularly reading and applying God’s Word, we will be better prepared when confronted with untruth.
Building a sound doctrine protects believers from misleading messages and arms them to defend the faith. Do not be caught unprepared. If you haven’t already started, begin to study the Bible today. Should you need help, ask your pastor or a godly mentor for guidance.
The 10 Commandments…. conceptual truths July 3, 2008
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.add a comment
The ‘big 10’ offers more than just list of what to do or not to do. It reveals deeper conceptual truths that guide us in our walk with God, and a righteous path in this life. It also gives us a method of living that is beneficial, physically and spiritually.
Let us look at these commandments from God and their deeper meaning and applicability:
Exo 20:2 I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
This first contains an essential truth to spiritual/religious righteousness: There is one True God, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. This One is the Lord.
Lord is defined as one who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler. One exercises authority from property rights. God is the creator; all things exist from Him and for Him. His sovereignty and authority over all things is absolute as He alone has the ‘property rights’ for that which is His by His creation.
(3) You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. (4) You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; (5) You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, [Isa. 42:8; 48:11.] (6) But showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
This is the commandment against idolatry. It speaks not just to worshipping little statues, but to placing ourselves under the control of anything other than the One True God.
Many things in this life gain control over us, or rather, there are many things that we place in positions of importance in our lives more so than God: Money, prestige, success, sports, drugs, relationships, etc.
God tells us that all things in this life are secondary to Him and His Lordship in our lives. This causes me to think on my own life and my struggle with alcoholism. I’ve been recovered for just over 8 years now, and I remember back to when I was deep in the bottle, it wasn’t that my life was in shambles from drinking that caused me to seek recovery, because for the most part I was an extremely functional alcoholic. But I realized that alcohol had control over my life, everything I did or thought about doing revolved around the idea of drinking. Often times when planning an outing, or going out to dinner, or visiting friends, I thought about whether or not there would be drink available, and sometimes that made the difference in what I did or did not do.
(7) You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
This isn’t about simply cursing using the name of God profanely or frivolously. It speaks to us on a deeper level of respect, love, and reverence. To train a person not to take for granted the name of that which is of paramount importance in their lives teaches that person to demonstrate respect for those things. By commanding us not to treat His name frivolously or falsely, He teaches us to learn respect by demonstrating respect.
( 8 ) [Earnestly] remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (withdrawn from common employment and dedicated to God). (9) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, (10) But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, your domestic animals, or the sojourner within your gates. (11) For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it [set it apart for His purposes].
Ah, the ‘4th commandment’ – that which separates so many who would have us earn our salvation through works and religious observance…
This, in its simplest terms, is an instruction on how to care for our lives and ourselves.
Work is an unfortunate necessity. We must work to earn a living, and often times we must work hard. This commandment teaches us that all work and no rest is a bad thing. We must rest our bodies and our minds; we must take the time to let our physical and mental selves rejuvenate and recuperate.
God demonstrated this necessity for us although I would offer that He needed no rest, but chose to do so. We are not omnipotent, thus we must take the physical rest.
There is also the spiritual aspect here regarding the foreshadowing of the Gospel of Christ. Jesus Christ is our spiritual rest. It is His salvation that provides us rest from the pursuit of righteousness through works which is the law given in the OT.
(12) Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.
Respect and obedience to authority – this is something we learn as children, or do not learn depending upon how one is raised. God instructs us to honor (respect) our parents and this is the first step in teaching a person respect for authority.
In the New Testament, we are told to respect and adhere to the authority of the government, and throughout scriptures, we are admonished to respect and adhere to the authority of God. This respect begins at home, with the parents.
(13) You shall not commit murder.
Wow, so much to discuss regarding murder, what it is and what it is not, and why we should not do it….
Murder is defined as the unlawful killing of another person. It is not simply killing someone, thus government-sanctioned executions do not apply, and accidental killing does not apply, slaughtering animals for food does not apply.
There are many psychological ramifications involved here that I will not go into at this time however, but this idea of ‘not committing murder’ may make an interesting post of its own some day…
(14) You shall not commit adultery.
(15) You shall not steal. [Prov. 11:1; 16:8; 21:6; 22:16; Jer. 17:11; Mal. 3:8.]
(16) You shall not witness falsely against your neighbor. [Exod. 23:1; Prov. 19:9; 24:28.]
I am taking these three together as they all lean towards a central issue: Trust, reliability, and righteousness.
To lie, cheat or steal irreparably damages, or destroys trust. One who lies cannot be trusted, one who cheats on his/her spouse cannot be trusted. One who steals cannot be trusted.
God desires for us to re-become the image of Him, and God has demonstrated to us that He is ever faithful, and ever honest. We cannot become like Him if we do not demonstrate the essential qualities that He possesses.
Additionally, we cannot be the witness, the testimony of His love, wisdom, and faithfulness if we demonstrate the opposite, and if we cannot be the witness to His glory then we are not doing the job He has given us to do.
(17) You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s. [Luke 12:15; Col. 3:5.]
Coveting… that carnal desire to have that which belongs to someone else – it is a destroyer of souls. Scripture tells us that the root of evil is the love of money. This is an intricate part of coveting – loving something other than God.
When we covet what are we doing, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally? We are sublimating our love of our Lord with a desire for material things. We are setting the stage for idolatry.
When one becomes covetous, it leads into a downward spiral of other issues. If we want something someone else has, and we want it badly enough we easily fall into lying, stealing, yes… and adultery.
Ultimately, God’s commandments given to Moses to share with His chosen people give us the basic blueprints on how to succeed in life, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Adherence to these commandments will disciple us, keep us from our own naturally carnal tendency to self-destruction, and provide us with a strong witness and ability to share the Gospel of Christ crucified and risen from the dead.
