Before I begin writing on this subject, let me ask you, “what do you think is meant by preaching Christ?” When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2), was he referring only to the message of salvation through the cross, or to something more? If any of His other epistles are of help in showing his message it was something more.
He preached a triumphant Christ, who had defeated every principality and power (Col. 2:15), a Christ who needs no additives or substitutes (Col. 2:10). He preached a Christ that is the Head from which all direction and nourishment flows (Col. 2:19). All of his multitude of rays of theology all found there source and purpose in the One of whom he wrote, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36).
Could one reason perhaps why we do not see results like Paul’s, be because we do not preach Christ like he did? We speak and see little response. We preach on modesty and yet are continually confronted with immodesty. We blame the sheep for being rebellious. Some of them are, but with many that is a symptom, not the disease. The problem is we have not really, fully preached Christ.
Let me show you a scenario. Imagine a marathon. Now in this marathon there is a runner who has a trainer instructing him. Imagine if the trainer tells him that the race doesn’t matter and he can run however he feels like and even in the wrong direction. Clearly something would be wrong with that. Now imagine that this trainer is constantly running alongside this runner and sometimes holding up a chocolate bar, saying, “come on if you take that next step you can have this.” At other times he has a whip and threatens, “if you don’t take that next step this is what you will get.” This image also is absurd, the trainer would be doing more work than the athlete. It all falls into place when the trainer has convinced the athlete that the race is worth winning. Once that has happened the athlete will prepare and discipline himself to the utmost so that he can win.
Paul understood this. We lay Christ before the people, by the grace of God in His entirety. When we have done that and they have grasped Him, the race makes sense. They no longer run aimlessly any way they want, nor are they motivated only by our threats and favours. They run to win Christ. They can only do that if they see Christ though. Many of our problems originate from trying to make people who have never really seen Christ try to discipline themselves to run. If we can show them Christ our problem will be keeping them back.
Paul having already preached Christ to his churches could challenge them to walk worthy of the one who called you (1 Thess. 2:12; Col. 1:10). In order to challenge someone with that they must have a proper idea of His worth. With this key, every door begins to open. It works first in our own lives. When I battle with unforgiveness, I remind myself, I do not forgive because the person deserves it. Whoever deserves forgiveness? I forgive because Christ forgave and He deserves that I should forgive others. If I battle with sin, I look to Christ is He not able to deliver me and change my desires. I am complete in Him. His power in me can snap whatever bondage, however long it has been a habit. If my manner of dressing offends someone in the church and I am aware of it. As I stand ready to dress for service, what do I do? “That is their problem they are too critical.” That may be true, but can you not wear something else out of love for Christ. Not because their opinion matters, whose does? Instead wear it because the Christ who died for you also died for them and would be grieved if you grieved them. On the other side, if I see someone wearing something I consider inappropriate, do I berate them? Can I not for the sake of Him who forbears much with me forbear with them for a short time. Am I upset because of the shame it brings to God, or is it more from the reproach it casts upon my church? We have to be careful, because often our desire to instruct is born out of busibodiness abetted by a mistaken belief that we are the “unto Him” to whom those in Jude v24 are committed.
The answer for every problem is Christ, the difference is merely one of attributes. Do we need His healing, His love, His patience, His wisdom, etc…
What do I do if they won’t listen when I point them to Christ? At that point there is not much you can do. I can only point people to Christ and show them what He desires, if they have no fear of displeasing Him, and no desire to please Him, than unless God changes their desires they are lost. God forbid that any man who will not listen to Christ should listen to me when I speak. As an ambassador, if you are at odds with my ruler, it would be strange if you were to be pleased when I speak on his behalf.
There is an everlasting gospel that we should focus on preaching. When we are in heaven we will still be preaching that. Should I be allowed the inestimable privilege of preaching in heaven, what would I be preaching? I would not there be preaching on wives submitting to their husbands or on husbands loving their wives, there would be no need. Nor would I be preaching on modesty, or many other things that are necessary now. However, I could still preach on the incomparableness of Christ, His love toward us which sparked our love towards Him, His nature and goodness. Nothing would be better than to see Him listening as I bare my soul’s love of Him and His greatness before Him and others. If He is lifted up He will draw men unto Himself. So let us lift Him up!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Preaching Christ
Before I begin writing on this subject, let me ask you, “what do you think is meant by preaching Christ?” When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2), was he referring only to the message of salvation through the cross, or to something more? If any of His other epistles are of help in showing his message it was something more.
He preached a triumphant Christ, who had defeated every principality and power (Col. 2:15), a Christ who needs no additives or substitutes (Col. 2:10). He preached a Christ that is the Head from which all direction and nourishment flows (Col. 2:19). All of his multitude of rays of theology all found there source and purpose in the One of whom he wrote, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36).
Could one reason perhaps why we do not see results like Paul’s, be because we do not preach Christ like he did? We speak and see little response. We preach on modesty and yet are continually confronted with immodesty. We blame the sheep for being rebellious. Some of them are, but with many that is a symptom, not the disease. The problem is we have not really, fully preached Christ.
Let me show you a scenario. Imagine a marathon. Now in this marathon there is a runner who has a trainer instructing him. Imagine if the trainer tells him that the race doesn’t matter and he can run however he feels like and even in the wrong direction. Clearly something would be wrong with that. Now imagine that this trainer is constantly running alongside this runner and sometimes holding up a chocolate bar, saying, “come on if you take that next step you can have this.” At other times he has a whip and threatens, “if you don’t take that next step this is what you will get.” This image also is absurd, the trainer would be doing more work than the athlete. It all falls into place when the trainer has convinced the athlete that the race is worth winning. Once that has happened the athlete will prepare and discipline himself to the utmost so that he can win.
Paul understood this. We lay Christ before the people, by the grace of God in His entirety. When we have done that and they have grasped Him, the race makes sense. They no longer run aimlessly any way they want, nor are they motivated only by our threats and favours. They run to win Christ. They can only do that if they see Christ though. Many of our problems originate from trying to make people who have never really seen Christ try to discipline themselves to run. If we can show them Christ our problem will be keeping them back.
Paul having already preached Christ to his churches could challenge them to walk worthy of the one who called you (1 Thess. 2:12; Col. 1:10). In order to challenge someone with that they must have a proper idea of His worth. With this key, every door begins to open. It works first in our own lives. When I battle with unforgiveness, I remind myself, I do not forgive because the person deserves it. Whoever deserves forgiveness? I forgive because Christ forgave and He deserves that I should forgive others. If I battle with sin, I look to Christ is He not able to deliver me and change my desires. I am complete in Him. His power in me can snap whatever bondage, however long it has been a habit. If my manner of dressing offends someone in the church and I am aware of it. As I stand ready to dress for service, what do I do? “That is their problem they are too critical.” That may be true, but can you not wear something else out of love for Christ. Not because their opinion matters, whose does? Instead wear it because the Christ who died for you also died for them and would be grieved if you grieved them. On the other side, if I see someone wearing something I consider inappropriate, do I berate them? Can I not for the sake of Him who forbears much with me forbear with them for a short time. Am I upset because of the shame it brings to God, or is it more from the reproach it casts upon my church? We have to be careful, because often our desire to instruct is born out of busibodiness abetted by a mistaken belief that we are the “unto Him” to whom those in Jude v24 are committed.
The answer for every problem is Christ, the difference is merely one of attributes. Do we need His healing, His love, His patience, His wisdom, etc…
What do I do if they won’t listen when I point them to Christ? At that point there is not much you can do. I can only point people to Christ and show them what He desires, if they have no fear of displeasing Him, and no desire to please Him, than unless God changes their desires they are lost. God forbid that any man who will not listen to Christ should listen to me when I speak. As an ambassador, if you are at odds with my ruler, it would be strange if you were to be pleased when I speak on his behalf.
There is an everlasting gospel that we should focus on preaching. When we are in heaven we will still be preaching that. Should I be allowed the inestimable privilege of preaching in heaven, what would I be preaching? I would not there be preaching on wives submitting to their husbands or on husbands loving their wives, there would be no need. Nor would I be preaching on modesty, or many other things that are necessary now. However, I could still preach on the incomparableness of Christ, His love toward us which sparked our love towards Him, His nature and goodness. Nothing would be better than to see Him listening as I bare my soul’s love of Him and His greatness before Him and others. If He is lifted up He will draw men unto Himself. So let us lift Him up!
He preached a triumphant Christ, who had defeated every principality and power (Col. 2:15), a Christ who needs no additives or substitutes (Col. 2:10). He preached a Christ that is the Head from which all direction and nourishment flows (Col. 2:19). All of his multitude of rays of theology all found there source and purpose in the One of whom he wrote, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36).
Could one reason perhaps why we do not see results like Paul’s, be because we do not preach Christ like he did? We speak and see little response. We preach on modesty and yet are continually confronted with immodesty. We blame the sheep for being rebellious. Some of them are, but with many that is a symptom, not the disease. The problem is we have not really, fully preached Christ.
Let me show you a scenario. Imagine a marathon. Now in this marathon there is a runner who has a trainer instructing him. Imagine if the trainer tells him that the race doesn’t matter and he can run however he feels like and even in the wrong direction. Clearly something would be wrong with that. Now imagine that this trainer is constantly running alongside this runner and sometimes holding up a chocolate bar, saying, “come on if you take that next step you can have this.” At other times he has a whip and threatens, “if you don’t take that next step this is what you will get.” This image also is absurd, the trainer would be doing more work than the athlete. It all falls into place when the trainer has convinced the athlete that the race is worth winning. Once that has happened the athlete will prepare and discipline himself to the utmost so that he can win.
Paul understood this. We lay Christ before the people, by the grace of God in His entirety. When we have done that and they have grasped Him, the race makes sense. They no longer run aimlessly any way they want, nor are they motivated only by our threats and favours. They run to win Christ. They can only do that if they see Christ though. Many of our problems originate from trying to make people who have never really seen Christ try to discipline themselves to run. If we can show them Christ our problem will be keeping them back.
Paul having already preached Christ to his churches could challenge them to walk worthy of the one who called you (1 Thess. 2:12; Col. 1:10). In order to challenge someone with that they must have a proper idea of His worth. With this key, every door begins to open. It works first in our own lives. When I battle with unforgiveness, I remind myself, I do not forgive because the person deserves it. Whoever deserves forgiveness? I forgive because Christ forgave and He deserves that I should forgive others. If I battle with sin, I look to Christ is He not able to deliver me and change my desires. I am complete in Him. His power in me can snap whatever bondage, however long it has been a habit. If my manner of dressing offends someone in the church and I am aware of it. As I stand ready to dress for service, what do I do? “That is their problem they are too critical.” That may be true, but can you not wear something else out of love for Christ. Not because their opinion matters, whose does? Instead wear it because the Christ who died for you also died for them and would be grieved if you grieved them. On the other side, if I see someone wearing something I consider inappropriate, do I berate them? Can I not for the sake of Him who forbears much with me forbear with them for a short time. Am I upset because of the shame it brings to God, or is it more from the reproach it casts upon my church? We have to be careful, because often our desire to instruct is born out of busibodiness abetted by a mistaken belief that we are the “unto Him” to whom those in Jude v24 are committed.
The answer for every problem is Christ, the difference is merely one of attributes. Do we need His healing, His love, His patience, His wisdom, etc…
What do I do if they won’t listen when I point them to Christ? At that point there is not much you can do. I can only point people to Christ and show them what He desires, if they have no fear of displeasing Him, and no desire to please Him, than unless God changes their desires they are lost. God forbid that any man who will not listen to Christ should listen to me when I speak. As an ambassador, if you are at odds with my ruler, it would be strange if you were to be pleased when I speak on his behalf.
There is an everlasting gospel that we should focus on preaching. When we are in heaven we will still be preaching that. Should I be allowed the inestimable privilege of preaching in heaven, what would I be preaching? I would not there be preaching on wives submitting to their husbands or on husbands loving their wives, there would be no need. Nor would I be preaching on modesty, or many other things that are necessary now. However, I could still preach on the incomparableness of Christ, His love toward us which sparked our love towards Him, His nature and goodness. Nothing would be better than to see Him listening as I bare my soul’s love of Him and His greatness before Him and others. If He is lifted up He will draw men unto Himself. So let us lift Him up!
The Voice of the Son Of God
There is a voice like no other, a voice that called the world into being. There is a voice which speaks truth and is Truth. There is a voice which is Life and gives life, the voice of the Son of God.
Some Scriptures speak to the mind and heart and bring forth a good assent, to hear and obey them is good and the purpose for which they have been given. Other Scriptures thunder like a clapper striking a bell and posing the question “Do you ring?” Does your heart resonate with these truths? Has the infinite abyss of sin and weakness, which is man, called out to the infinite abyss of mercy and strength which is God? John 5:25-26 is such Scripture.
Joh 5:25-26 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”
Jesus begins this saying with what we translate in the KJV as “Verily, Verily.” Literally it is “Amen, Amen” The word “amen” when uttered by Him, who is the Amen, betokens not only the truth of what is to follow, but also the sure fulfillment of it without doubt or question.
Next in His words He reveals the time frame for what He is about to say. It is clear if you study this chapter in its entirety that it refers to the general resurrection from the dead. That is the hour that is coming. The hour that now is, however, can well apply to the personal resurrection of the soul that is dead in trespasses and sins.
Yes, praise God, the hour comes when all the dead shall hear His voice and rise again to judgment, but even now those who hear His voice shall live! He has life in Himself, not as a communicated attribute or state, and as a result can communicate this life to others. How does this communication take place? It takes place by hearing His voice.
Often today we tend to think that the life flows by saying the “sinner’s prayer” or otherwise responding to the preaching of the Gospel, but really it only happens by His voice. The “sinner’s prayer” or other similar methods are only valid if they are the response of a dead soul coming to life in response to the voice of the life-giving Son.
As seen in John 10:27-28, those who are Christ’s sheep are those who hear His voice. It is to those that hear His voice, are known by Him and follow Him that the promises made in these verses apply.
1. I give unto them eternal life. (this is not a once off donation, but is present and continuous in the Greek). The Father gave the Son to have life in Himself, we however constantly draw it from Him (John 15). It is a contemporary error that is very common to view eternal life as something we enjoy only in heaven. The life we live now is eternal so long as it is lived united to the Eternal One. Our deeds done now have an impact on our eternal reward and if we are living in oneness with Christ we should also be living with an eternal vision in our life.
2. They shall never perish. This is a very emphatic expression in the Greek. It is utterly impossible that they perish. The qualifications are hearing His voice, being known by Him, and following Him. These do not apply to those who do mighty works in His Name but practice lawlessness, because to those He says, “I never knew You.” Those who practice lawlessness can and do perish.
3. They shall not be plucked out of My hand. Jude commended those to whom he wrote “Unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless…” The power of Christ is boundless, and when worked for our good, what great good it will accomplish! It is my firm conviction backed from these Scriptures that Christ has never and never will lose one who comes to Him hearing His voice and following Him. The ones that are lost are those who listened to other voices and followed those other voices.
What voice are you listening to today? Have you heard the voice that is incomparable in your spirit? The second Adam is a life-giving spirit and He will quicken you as you hear His voice. If today you hear His voice and you are known of Him, then follow. As you follow your end is sure!
Some Scriptures speak to the mind and heart and bring forth a good assent, to hear and obey them is good and the purpose for which they have been given. Other Scriptures thunder like a clapper striking a bell and posing the question “Do you ring?” Does your heart resonate with these truths? Has the infinite abyss of sin and weakness, which is man, called out to the infinite abyss of mercy and strength which is God? John 5:25-26 is such Scripture.
Joh 5:25-26 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”
Jesus begins this saying with what we translate in the KJV as “Verily, Verily.” Literally it is “Amen, Amen” The word “amen” when uttered by Him, who is the Amen, betokens not only the truth of what is to follow, but also the sure fulfillment of it without doubt or question.
Next in His words He reveals the time frame for what He is about to say. It is clear if you study this chapter in its entirety that it refers to the general resurrection from the dead. That is the hour that is coming. The hour that now is, however, can well apply to the personal resurrection of the soul that is dead in trespasses and sins.
Yes, praise God, the hour comes when all the dead shall hear His voice and rise again to judgment, but even now those who hear His voice shall live! He has life in Himself, not as a communicated attribute or state, and as a result can communicate this life to others. How does this communication take place? It takes place by hearing His voice.
Often today we tend to think that the life flows by saying the “sinner’s prayer” or otherwise responding to the preaching of the Gospel, but really it only happens by His voice. The “sinner’s prayer” or other similar methods are only valid if they are the response of a dead soul coming to life in response to the voice of the life-giving Son.
As seen in John 10:27-28, those who are Christ’s sheep are those who hear His voice. It is to those that hear His voice, are known by Him and follow Him that the promises made in these verses apply.
1. I give unto them eternal life. (this is not a once off donation, but is present and continuous in the Greek). The Father gave the Son to have life in Himself, we however constantly draw it from Him (John 15). It is a contemporary error that is very common to view eternal life as something we enjoy only in heaven. The life we live now is eternal so long as it is lived united to the Eternal One. Our deeds done now have an impact on our eternal reward and if we are living in oneness with Christ we should also be living with an eternal vision in our life.
2. They shall never perish. This is a very emphatic expression in the Greek. It is utterly impossible that they perish. The qualifications are hearing His voice, being known by Him, and following Him. These do not apply to those who do mighty works in His Name but practice lawlessness, because to those He says, “I never knew You.” Those who practice lawlessness can and do perish.
3. They shall not be plucked out of My hand. Jude commended those to whom he wrote “Unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless…” The power of Christ is boundless, and when worked for our good, what great good it will accomplish! It is my firm conviction backed from these Scriptures that Christ has never and never will lose one who comes to Him hearing His voice and following Him. The ones that are lost are those who listened to other voices and followed those other voices.
What voice are you listening to today? Have you heard the voice that is incomparable in your spirit? The second Adam is a life-giving spirit and He will quicken you as you hear His voice. If today you hear His voice and you are known of Him, then follow. As you follow your end is sure!
Monday, October 27, 2008
On the Last Week Of This Bible School Term
This term I taught two weeks back to back (2nd-3rd). I taught Joshua and on Prayer. This term has been very good, we have around 19 students which is less than our more usual 30+. However, the ones we have are very good and the atmosphere has been the best we have seen since we began.
Often before in our prayer meetings some of the students would get a little carried away when God's presence came in our prayer meetings. This has not happened this term, even though some that were more prone to this are here. It seems to be a good sign that they are learning how to respond to God's presence in a positive manner.
While I was teaching Mom was busy with our on-going food distribution things and Dad was busy supervising housing projects. Today I helped finish putting the door on one that he had been unable to complete.
Other than teaching I have been doing a fair bit of reading this month. Various writings of some Ante-Nicene Fathers, and more recently things by Tauler, Eckhart and other German and Dutch Mystics. It has been interesting. Call it the rounding of an education. These are all available at www.ccel.org. If like me you can't read them online you can download the Pdf files for a fee. I just downloaded a book by Sadhu Sundar Singh and will hopefully read it soon. Devotional literature is my favorite kind, but discipline is not my strongest virtue by any means...
Often before in our prayer meetings some of the students would get a little carried away when God's presence came in our prayer meetings. This has not happened this term, even though some that were more prone to this are here. It seems to be a good sign that they are learning how to respond to God's presence in a positive manner.
While I was teaching Mom was busy with our on-going food distribution things and Dad was busy supervising housing projects. Today I helped finish putting the door on one that he had been unable to complete.
Other than teaching I have been doing a fair bit of reading this month. Various writings of some Ante-Nicene Fathers, and more recently things by Tauler, Eckhart and other German and Dutch Mystics. It has been interesting. Call it the rounding of an education. These are all available at www.ccel.org. If like me you can't read them online you can download the Pdf files for a fee. I just downloaded a book by Sadhu Sundar Singh and will hopefully read it soon. Devotional literature is my favorite kind, but discipline is not my strongest virtue by any means...
Thoughts on Psalm 116:11
Psa 116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
David in his flight from King Saul and in the subsequent betrayals he underwent uttered these words. They are an exaggeration, as is shown even in this verse. It was in haste he said it. Yet, there is a great element of truth in this. Mankind naturally has a propensity to falsehood. If a man does not lie outright, yet he may still not give the whole truth, or may twist things in a hundred different ways. A truly honest man will be willing to tell the truth even if it does harm to him and his cause. In this almost all men fall short.
Guilelessness is a very rare trait, one which, initially, was only found in one of the twelve disciples, Nathanael (John 1:45-47). He was a very forthright person and did not try to sugarcoat things.
Christ was always a wonderful example of truthfulness, but never more than when He admitted to being the Son of God when confronted by the oath of the High Priest. He did this knowing that they would use this to put Him to death, but without hesitation He spoke the truth, the ever blessed truth, of which He is the embodiment.
While we are on the subject of truth and guilelessness, it might be relevant for me to mention one of my little quirks. To the best of my recollection, I have never ended a letter with “sincerely yours”. I have ended many with “yours” or other similar things, but it has always struck me that sincerity never claims for itself.
If there are to stores selling jewelry and the one offers “24 Carat Gold” and the other offers “genuine 24 Carat Gold”. Which is more likely to be real? The one says, “24 Carat if you doubt than test it.” The other says, “I’m genuine you don’t need to test me.”
Sincerity merely states the truth, and allows others to test. It rests on the assurance of its own reality. Guile boldly proclaims its genuineness so that it will not be tested and found wanting.
Without giving an exact quote, and trusting that I am not giving a false impression of what he wrote (the book “the Character Of God’s Workmen” is not currently in my possession), Watchman Nee once wrote that whenever we consciously say something in a certain way to someone to elicit a certain response, we are guilty of manipulation.
God does not speak the truth in a way that tries to trick us into doing it. He speaks the truth and whether we respond or not is based on our love of the truth.
When Christ declared Himself the Son of God, the judges all had opportunity to test that assertion. They none loved the truth and used it as a pretext to have Him put to death.
May God grant that all of us may one day be found in the company of those in whose mouth was found no guile (Rev. 14:5).
Yours,
Daniel
David in his flight from King Saul and in the subsequent betrayals he underwent uttered these words. They are an exaggeration, as is shown even in this verse. It was in haste he said it. Yet, there is a great element of truth in this. Mankind naturally has a propensity to falsehood. If a man does not lie outright, yet he may still not give the whole truth, or may twist things in a hundred different ways. A truly honest man will be willing to tell the truth even if it does harm to him and his cause. In this almost all men fall short.
Guilelessness is a very rare trait, one which, initially, was only found in one of the twelve disciples, Nathanael (John 1:45-47). He was a very forthright person and did not try to sugarcoat things.
Christ was always a wonderful example of truthfulness, but never more than when He admitted to being the Son of God when confronted by the oath of the High Priest. He did this knowing that they would use this to put Him to death, but without hesitation He spoke the truth, the ever blessed truth, of which He is the embodiment.
While we are on the subject of truth and guilelessness, it might be relevant for me to mention one of my little quirks. To the best of my recollection, I have never ended a letter with “sincerely yours”. I have ended many with “yours” or other similar things, but it has always struck me that sincerity never claims for itself.
If there are to stores selling jewelry and the one offers “24 Carat Gold” and the other offers “genuine 24 Carat Gold”. Which is more likely to be real? The one says, “24 Carat if you doubt than test it.” The other says, “I’m genuine you don’t need to test me.”
Sincerity merely states the truth, and allows others to test. It rests on the assurance of its own reality. Guile boldly proclaims its genuineness so that it will not be tested and found wanting.
Without giving an exact quote, and trusting that I am not giving a false impression of what he wrote (the book “the Character Of God’s Workmen” is not currently in my possession), Watchman Nee once wrote that whenever we consciously say something in a certain way to someone to elicit a certain response, we are guilty of manipulation.
God does not speak the truth in a way that tries to trick us into doing it. He speaks the truth and whether we respond or not is based on our love of the truth.
When Christ declared Himself the Son of God, the judges all had opportunity to test that assertion. They none loved the truth and used it as a pretext to have Him put to death.
May God grant that all of us may one day be found in the company of those in whose mouth was found no guile (Rev. 14:5).
Yours,
Daniel
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Thoughts on 1 Thessalonians 5:14
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
This is one of the Apostle Paul’s ending exhortations to this epistle, along with exhortations to prayer and thanksgiving. Like those exhortations it is not directed at the leadership alone, but to all believers. These exhortations are all expressed in a martial way, using words that anyone vaguely familiar with the military would understand.
1. To the unruly
We are to warn the unruly. The unruly are literally those who step out of line. The ones with attitude problems, who are insubordinate, need to be warned. They require a firm admonition that such behavior is displeasing to God and cannot be allowed.
2. To the feebleminded
It is important to discern between these two groups. Feebleminded (Greek – Small souled, faint hearted) people are those who through some spiritual or emotional trauma are discouraged. To warn one in that state would be to drive them to despair. A certain person I know was once in a very confused state of mind through several situations that had occurred. This was compounded by a warning that a well-meaning person gave. In the person’s confused state, it almost caused the person to think that he had no hope. John Bunyan was for several years in a very confused state, and at one time even thought that perhaps he had committed the unpardonable sin. When he approached a fellow believer and told him this, the man agreed. It was only God’s mercy that saved him from the pit of despair he had been plunged into then. Job’s wife was another one to whom this term could be applied.
3. Support the weak
The word support here is another military word and means to stand opposite from. A good illustration of this principle occurred at Waterloo. During this battle there was a captain of an artillery battery that contrary to usual practice stood at his guns the whole time, rather than seeking cover in infantry squares during the calvary charges. His reason was that the infantry near him were inexperienced, and if they saw him taking cover, they would break and run. It is important for those wavering to see someone stand so that they know it is possible to stand.
The most important part of this exhortation is given at the end. “Be patient (or longsuffering) to all.” If you have been in any position of responsibility for people for longer than two weeks, you probably realize that the 3 things given above require repetition. Mr. Unruly is not going to become Mr. Saint instantly because you spoke to him, even if he listens and obeys in one area, he will likely still be unruly for a time in other areas. Feebleminded people will be that way for a time, and weak people will need support until they can stand themselves. So to continue to do these things until God can produce a change in them requires longsuffering. It is worth it, a unruly person can become a Hudson Taylor, a feebleminded one a John Bunyan, a weak one a Peter. That is why longsuffering is so important.
This is one of the Apostle Paul’s ending exhortations to this epistle, along with exhortations to prayer and thanksgiving. Like those exhortations it is not directed at the leadership alone, but to all believers. These exhortations are all expressed in a martial way, using words that anyone vaguely familiar with the military would understand.
1. To the unruly
We are to warn the unruly. The unruly are literally those who step out of line. The ones with attitude problems, who are insubordinate, need to be warned. They require a firm admonition that such behavior is displeasing to God and cannot be allowed.
2. To the feebleminded
It is important to discern between these two groups. Feebleminded (Greek – Small souled, faint hearted) people are those who through some spiritual or emotional trauma are discouraged. To warn one in that state would be to drive them to despair. A certain person I know was once in a very confused state of mind through several situations that had occurred. This was compounded by a warning that a well-meaning person gave. In the person’s confused state, it almost caused the person to think that he had no hope. John Bunyan was for several years in a very confused state, and at one time even thought that perhaps he had committed the unpardonable sin. When he approached a fellow believer and told him this, the man agreed. It was only God’s mercy that saved him from the pit of despair he had been plunged into then. Job’s wife was another one to whom this term could be applied.
3. Support the weak
The word support here is another military word and means to stand opposite from. A good illustration of this principle occurred at Waterloo. During this battle there was a captain of an artillery battery that contrary to usual practice stood at his guns the whole time, rather than seeking cover in infantry squares during the calvary charges. His reason was that the infantry near him were inexperienced, and if they saw him taking cover, they would break and run. It is important for those wavering to see someone stand so that they know it is possible to stand.
The most important part of this exhortation is given at the end. “Be patient (or longsuffering) to all.” If you have been in any position of responsibility for people for longer than two weeks, you probably realize that the 3 things given above require repetition. Mr. Unruly is not going to become Mr. Saint instantly because you spoke to him, even if he listens and obeys in one area, he will likely still be unruly for a time in other areas. Feebleminded people will be that way for a time, and weak people will need support until they can stand themselves. So to continue to do these things until God can produce a change in them requires longsuffering. It is worth it, a unruly person can become a Hudson Taylor, a feebleminded one a John Bunyan, a weak one a Peter. That is why longsuffering is so important.
Daniel Learns a New Word
For my previous post as I was gathering my thoughts and trying to describe the union with Christ, the word came to me hypostatic union. So I was thinking, “It sounds nice, does it convey the right meaning.” The word has several meanings, three of which are relevant. I try when writing to find words that sound nice when read (that’s my poetic side), of course, not just sounding nice, they also have to convey the right message. Sometimes you find a word which is ideal in both accounts. The meaning of hypostasis as found in my mother’s trusty old dictionary. I would give you the edition, but since she has had it for years and it survived five children growing up it has lost its front page and anything antecedent to “Ag”. As found there Hypostasis, akin to Latin Substance, means: 1. Foundation; 2. Person; 3. The substance or essential nature of an individual. As such a Hypostatic Union would be: 1. A foundational union; 2. A Personal Union; 3. A union of our deepest essence with the deepest essence of God. Number 3 is the one I like best, though the others also contain some of the substance of the thought.
Thoughts on Hosea 5:7
Hos 5:7 They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah; for they have borne strange children: now shall the new moon devour them with their fields. (ASV)
The book of Hosea is really the book of God’s marriage covenant with Israel. It is seen in other portions of the Old Testament, but it is the central theme of Hosea, and most clearly portrayed there. Israel as a whole was His bride, chosen from among the nations round about when it was helpless and small, chosen for the sake of the fathers (Eze. 16; Rom. 11:28). God’s purpose in His nation (as well as marriage in general) was a godly seed (Mal. 2:15). However, here the Lord speaks that Israel has betrayed Him and has begotten strange or foreign children.
Foreign children are children who are apart from the covenant of God. In the Old Covenant God was married to Israel and the Father of the children of Israel (Isa. 63:16). These children were outside that covenant and had a different father. Because of that they also had a different nature, not the nature of God the Father, and they were not taught His law. They were born outside of the covenant because of the idolatry of the nation of Israel and its backsliding.
This is relevant to the Church today. We in the New Covenant are the Bride of Christ. James tells us that friendship with the world is spiritual adultery and enmity with God (James 4:4). So what happens when the Church courts the world? It ends up having strange children. Converts who do not bear the image of Christ, but the image of another. They don’t have the desires of Christ, but instead the desires of their father. In short they are just like the world.
Christ’s desire is that His Church individually and collectively is joined to Him in a hypostatic union from which His image is implanted upon us. Once His image is implanted upon us it can then be implanted upon others as they are drawn to the nature of Christ within us. Christ is the express image (Greek – Character) of God. The word “Character” has a twofold meaning, 1. The tool that makes an impression; 2. The impression or image made by that tool. Christ is the image of God, He is also the tool which God uses to form that same character in us. As that is accomplished we become tools to convey that same character into others.
This is the call of the Church!
The book of Hosea is really the book of God’s marriage covenant with Israel. It is seen in other portions of the Old Testament, but it is the central theme of Hosea, and most clearly portrayed there. Israel as a whole was His bride, chosen from among the nations round about when it was helpless and small, chosen for the sake of the fathers (Eze. 16; Rom. 11:28). God’s purpose in His nation (as well as marriage in general) was a godly seed (Mal. 2:15). However, here the Lord speaks that Israel has betrayed Him and has begotten strange or foreign children.
Foreign children are children who are apart from the covenant of God. In the Old Covenant God was married to Israel and the Father of the children of Israel (Isa. 63:16). These children were outside that covenant and had a different father. Because of that they also had a different nature, not the nature of God the Father, and they were not taught His law. They were born outside of the covenant because of the idolatry of the nation of Israel and its backsliding.
This is relevant to the Church today. We in the New Covenant are the Bride of Christ. James tells us that friendship with the world is spiritual adultery and enmity with God (James 4:4). So what happens when the Church courts the world? It ends up having strange children. Converts who do not bear the image of Christ, but the image of another. They don’t have the desires of Christ, but instead the desires of their father. In short they are just like the world.
Christ’s desire is that His Church individually and collectively is joined to Him in a hypostatic union from which His image is implanted upon us. Once His image is implanted upon us it can then be implanted upon others as they are drawn to the nature of Christ within us. Christ is the express image (Greek – Character) of God. The word “Character” has a twofold meaning, 1. The tool that makes an impression; 2. The impression or image made by that tool. Christ is the image of God, He is also the tool which God uses to form that same character in us. As that is accomplished we become tools to convey that same character into others.
This is the call of the Church!
About “That Day”
There are many things that I love about the Scriptures, one of them is their ability to upset and rearrange our entire lives in very few words. It is not verbosity that is needed to change us, but merely an understanding of what is required and a quickening of our spirits by the Spirit of God.
One very short phrase that can radically change your outlook on life is “That Day”. The apostle Paul uses this expression a few times in an off-hand way, but this very fact is what is so important. All days are not created equal, some days are very significant. Every student of History knows of D-day. It marked a significant step in World War II, and a hastening of the end of that war. Paul refers to “That Day” as if it is the only day that matters. As if no other day that has been in existence since the world began is as important. So what day is he referring to?
The Day of the Lord, the Day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:16). The Day when He will be glorified in His saints (2 Thess. 1:10). The day when Paul would rejoice in those he had fathered in the Gospel (2 Cor. 1:14; Php 2:15-16). The day when our works will be tried and rewards received (1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:8). It is a day of revelation, when all that is hidden (good or bad) will be revealed.
I would like to invite you to breathe in this 1st century air for a minute. You will find it more bracing than the best sea breeze. It will do wonders for your spiritual constitution. It is unpolluted by the materialism and unbelief that choke many in our current age. It is the breath of faith.
It is also a realization, every day I live is a preparation for that day. That Day the opening night of the eternal show. This life is only our preparation for that Day. We rehearse now so that we might perform then. We practice now so that there we can compete. Even as sports teams practice so that on the match days they are ready. This is the day in which success and failure are ultimately determined. The knowledge of this day should color our every thought and deed. It did all of the apostles (2 Peter 3:10-12; 1 John 4:17).
Some, such as the false prophets in Jeremiah, run after a temporary success which they obtain. However in THAT DAY, they receive an everlasting shame and reproach (Jer.23:40).
I don’t know about you, but my heart thrills with the words “That Day”. It’s the day I want to live for, not the past days I’ve had, or the present as if that is the best life has to offer, or any future attainment no matter how good.
See you on “That Day!”
One very short phrase that can radically change your outlook on life is “That Day”. The apostle Paul uses this expression a few times in an off-hand way, but this very fact is what is so important. All days are not created equal, some days are very significant. Every student of History knows of D-day. It marked a significant step in World War II, and a hastening of the end of that war. Paul refers to “That Day” as if it is the only day that matters. As if no other day that has been in existence since the world began is as important. So what day is he referring to?
The Day of the Lord, the Day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:16). The Day when He will be glorified in His saints (2 Thess. 1:10). The day when Paul would rejoice in those he had fathered in the Gospel (2 Cor. 1:14; Php 2:15-16). The day when our works will be tried and rewards received (1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:8). It is a day of revelation, when all that is hidden (good or bad) will be revealed.
I would like to invite you to breathe in this 1st century air for a minute. You will find it more bracing than the best sea breeze. It will do wonders for your spiritual constitution. It is unpolluted by the materialism and unbelief that choke many in our current age. It is the breath of faith.
It is also a realization, every day I live is a preparation for that day. That Day the opening night of the eternal show. This life is only our preparation for that Day. We rehearse now so that we might perform then. We practice now so that there we can compete. Even as sports teams practice so that on the match days they are ready. This is the day in which success and failure are ultimately determined. The knowledge of this day should color our every thought and deed. It did all of the apostles (2 Peter 3:10-12; 1 John 4:17).
Some, such as the false prophets in Jeremiah, run after a temporary success which they obtain. However in THAT DAY, they receive an everlasting shame and reproach (Jer.23:40).
I don’t know about you, but my heart thrills with the words “That Day”. It’s the day I want to live for, not the past days I’ve had, or the present as if that is the best life has to offer, or any future attainment no matter how good.
See you on “That Day!”
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