The Parable Of The Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)

Before we look at this parable I would like to give a disclaimer. I have always had a unique take on verse 9, and in Theology unique is often not good. For thousands of years men have studied the Scriptures and if your idea seems unrepresented in commentaries there is often a reason.

Nevertheless, admitting that I may be wrong in my interpretation, let me point out that there is a difference between error and heresy. In our human fallibility we may take a verse in a way that it is not intended, or misinterpret it and yet still not be going into heresy. John Calvin refused to use Genesis 1:26 as a proof Scripture for the Trinity, not because he doubted the Trinity, but because he felt it was sufficiently ambiguous. He also did not feel it was necessary as so many other Scriptures showed it.

Ireneaus had a good knowledge of Scripture and was the first person that we know of to compare the four gospels to the four heads of Ezekiel’s vision. However in Book III of his Against Heresies, he gives an original rendition of 2 Cor. 4:4, where he interprets “Of this world” as being in reference to the unbelievers. Hence he interprets it as God blinding the unbelievers (who are of this world). This was the interpretation of this verse by many of the Church fathers. While it does follow along with some of the Apostle Paul’s other grammatical practices, I believe it to be an error. I would not call it a heresy, because belief one way or another on it would not cause a schism. That God blinds men is clear from Scripture, that He uses the devil as His instrument is also clear.

Luk 16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

From what follows it would appear that the steward was not unjustly accused of so doing.

Luk 16:2-4 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

As Wesley bring out in this passage, it is interesting that the steward was ashamed to beg, but had no shame in cheating. When people choose to act dishonestly, they lock themselves into a prison that keeps them from acting honestly. He was unfit for honest hard-work, and begging was beneath his dignity. The fact that cheating was not shows something of his character.

Luk 16:5-8 So he called every one of his lord's debtors [unto him], and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

The steward’s method of assuring for his security in the future is to fraudulently alter the receipts owed to his master so that he would have his master’s debtors in his debt. Worldly people often take great pains to advance their gain, though it be only temporal, as opposed to many Christians who are far more complacent about true gain.

Luk 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

The sense that I take this verse in is that Christ is stating it in a tongue and cheek manner. Paraphrased as “Go on, use ill-gotten gain to get friends, and when it fails, as it will, what will be the eternal result?”

This is the sense I take this verse, admittedly it is not a common interpretation of it, but I feel it does follow the sense. In the following verses the Lord then teaches the importance of our faithful handling of the money He entrusts us and our inability to serve two masters.

It is possible that I am wrong on my interpretation of this verse, however even in that event, it is clear from this parable that Christians should take care to be upright in our use of money and make sure that we get the maximum eternal reward out of what we have been entrusted. May God grant that we all do that! As John Wesley said, “Gain all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.”

The Folly of Making Someone Look Like Us

As human beings, we have tendency to judge everyone by ourselves. We, either consciously or unconsciously, place ourselves as the standard of life and conduct for those around us. To a degree this is not bad, and is normal, but if taken to an extreme it can ruin the work of God.

The Apostle Paul compares the church to the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12, and uses this comparison to address the various divisions which the church was battling at that time. In verses 19 He says, “And if they were all one member, where [were] the body?” If all of us had identical ministries and acted in uniformity, rather than unity, where would the body be? Of what would it be composed? What would it look like?

Imagine if in our body, we had a limb that began to grow, the rest of the body didn’t grow, just hat limb. Imagine that this limb, say a hand, overwhelmed all the rest of the limbs until all their was was a pair of legs with a hand on top. Would it win a prize in a beauty pageant or a freak show?

I know that sounds far out, but it is a trap we easily fall into. We want others to be like us, to act like us, to think like us in every way. However, if all Christians were like us the church would not be a better place (we all think it would be whether we realize it or not). It would be a monster... The irony of trying to make others into ourselves is that in our success we fail. If we succeed in making them into what we want, they will never be able to be what God wants. We create a uniformity, but fall short of unity. Every believer is unique, and created by God for unique purpose, they will never be happy in another position and there will be no grace for it either, because God only gives grace to accomplish His will. To attempt to make others into what we are is a sin, it is pride and esteeming ourselves to highly, it also is rebellion against God who formed that person for another purpose.

In Song of Solomon Chapter 8, the beloved has grown in her relationship with the Lord and has responsibility over younger siblings, in verse 9 speaking of one of these she says, “If she [be] a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she [be] a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.” Note, the wisdom here... what is done is to aid the person in improving the ministry and gift of God which He has already formed in them, not in making them something else.

In Israel there were 13 tribes, 12 are found in Revelation, with Dan, the apostate tribe being removed from the list. The fact that there are 24 courses in David’s tabernacle and 2 groups of 144,000 in Revelation leads to the conclusion that there will be the 12 natural tribes (after their restoration) and the 12 spiritual tribes in heaven. Indeed, in Revelation 21 we are told that the New Jerusalem has 12 gates with the names of the tribes on them, one for each tribe, with an angel at each gate. Interestingly enough, in our modern scale of music there are 7 full tones and 5 half tones in an octave ( the eighth beginning the next octave) ie... 12 tones. I do not think that there is a song in the world that can be played using only one of those notes, but if you use all of them at the right time, anything can be played. Each tribe has its own resonance and is made to play a certain note, as we each become what God calls us to be, beautiful music can be made.

On a personal note, about four years ago the Lord spoke to me the name of my spiritual tribe. I had not ever thought of it, but one night right after I had finished praying, as I was about to go to sleep, He spoke. When He did, I looked up that tribe, and I began to understand myself. Things about me that I had wondered about... is that just my personality, or do I need to change? Things I had been unhappy with myself about, became clear. That was how God had made me, for a specific purpose. So, instead of decrying those traits, now I love them, because they please God. Without those traits I could not fulfill my ministry. I have no desire that others should be like me... believe me one of me is plenty, a little goes a long way. I do have a desire though, that you should be like Christ. Also that I may be like Christ. If we all grow to the full stature of Christ there can be no complaints. Amen.

Thoughts on the Letters to the Seven Churches

Recently, while I was reading this portion of Scripture (Rev. 2-3), I noticed something I had glossed over before. The Title that Christ gives to Himself for each of these Churches is very interesting.

To Ephesus He is the one who holds the Seven stars in His hand, and who walks among the seven Candlesticks, showing both his knowledge of their lack of love and also His ability to remove the candlestick unless they repent.

To Smyrna, He is the first and the last, who was dead and is alive. This is very appropriate for Smyrna, because they to were facing death, and were to be faithful to death. He shows forth His own death and resurrection to encourage them as to theirs.

To Pergamos, He is the one who has the sharp two-edged sword. This is the word of God, which can divide between the truth and the errors that were found in Pergamos. It also is the sword which He promises to bring against those who continue in their errors (Rev. 2:16).

To Thyatira, which had a firmly rooted problem of immorality and false doctrine, He is the one with eyes of flaming fire and feet like bronze. His eyes search the hearts of that Church and none can hide.

To Sardis He is the one who has the Seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. They need the Seven Spirits because they are alive only in name, and lack the true life of the Spirit.

To Philadelphia He is the one with the Key of David, who has power to open and shut irrevocably. He uses this power to open a door for this church.

To Laodicea He is the faithful and true witness, who always remains full of zeal and neither waters down the truth nor allows His zeal to cool. Laodicea has need of both these things.

I find it interesting that Christ’s self-revelation is linked to the need of His Church – truly He is all we need and we are complete in Him!

George Wishart – A Prophet of The Reformation

In 1543, Wishart was studying in Cambridge and apparently during that time became converted. In 1544, he determined to return to his native Scotland and preach the Gospel there. He preached for a short time at Montrose and then went on to Dundee.

While there an interesting event occurred, as he was preaching he was interrupted by one of the chief men of the town, who told him not to trouble the town any more. Wishart replied, “God is my witness, that I never minded your trouble but your comfort; yea, your trouble is more grievous to me than it is to yourselves: but I am assured to refuse God's Word, and to chase from you His messenger, shall not preserve you from trouble, but shall bring you into it: for God shall send you ministers that shall fear neither burning nor banishment. I have offered you the Word of salvation. With the hazard of my life I have remained among you; now you yourselves refuse me; and I must leave my innocence to be declared by my God. If it be long prosperous with you, I am not led by the Spirit of truth; but if unlooked-for troubles come upon you, acknowledge the cause and turn to God, who is gracious and merciful. But if you turn not at the first warning, He will visit you with fire and sword.”

He left Dundee shortly afterwards. Four days later, a severe plague broke out and many of the townspeople began to die. When Wishart heard of this he returned to Dundee, in spite of attempts by his friends to prevent it, to see if they would be more responsive. They were, and many were then converted.

An attempt was made on his life there, by a priest who had a dagger concealed under his cloak. He was waiting for Wishart at the bottom of the pulpit after he had finished his sermon, but as Wishart went to him and grabbed the dagger that was in his hand but still hidden in his sleeves as he said, “My friend, what would you have.” The priest was startled and confessed his intentions. Wishart then had to intercede on his behalf as the people wanted to kill him.

Later a letter was sent to him as he was in another place to lure him into a trap. He began to go, but shortly said, “I will not go; I am forbidden of God; I am assured there is treason. Let some of you go to yonder place, and tell me what you find.” They went and discovered the plot. He then told them that while he would die by Cardinal Beaton’s hand it would not be in this manner.

Shortly before his martyrdom, he was heard by two of his friends to be praying one night very fervently. They asked him about it and he told them that his warfare was nearing it’s end, and asked them to pray that he might not shrink from it in the end.

He was burned at the stake on March 1, 1546, but shortly before this was done he saw Cardinal Beaton, watching the proceedings from the top of the castle, and told one nearby that he who was so at ease now would soon, be cast down ignominiously. This shortly came to pass.

The Rock

Here's a song that I just wrote. I recorded it on my mp3 player (Thanks again to all you who chipped in to buy it for me). The recording is now being uploaded to my multiply site. Please let me know what you think... the quality isn't the best.

G C G D
Moses struck and water flowed,
G C G D em
Showing forth Your very blood,
C G D
That You gave on that tree,
Em C G D
Flowing forth to cover me,
G C D
And supply my deepest needs

Chorus:
G-em-C-D G-em-C-D
You, You are my Rock, (Echo)
G-em-C-D G-em-C-D
You, You are my strength, (Echo)
G-em-C-D G-em-C-D
You, You are my hope, (Echo)
G-em-C-D G-em-C-D
You, You are my everything


G C G D
A sacrifice once for all,
G C G D em
Saving grace to all who call,
C G D
No more struck now you live,
Em C G D
Intercession for us You give,
G C D
To do a work in our lives


G C G D
A hiding place from the wind,
G C G D em
As I’m hidden in Your hand,
C G D
The tempest rages around,
Em C G D
But in Your presence I am found,
G C D
In Jesus my all in all

The Labourers in the vineyard ( Matthew 20:1-17)

Here’s just a few thoughts I was having on this parable.

There are three main interpretations of this parable which are valid.

The first one is comparing the various times in which one comes to the knowledge of Christ, and if they diligently work for Him, whether it be in youth or old age, if they are faithful from that time forward they are rewarded.

The second one compares the times to dispensations in the gospel, the first being with John the Baptist, going on to the day of Pentecost. In one sense this is a valid application, for while some were called of God during the time of John (like Andrew and John), others came later in Christ’s ministry. (James and Jude, the brothers of the Lord, in all likelihood only became disciples after the resurrection). However, at Pentecost all who had faithfully laboured, and waited in the upper room received the same blessing of the Holy Spirit.

The third one is the one I was thinking about recently, and is the one that I would like to apply to our lives today. I believe that in some ways we are in this parable now. Some of us are labouring in the vineyard of God and are waiting earnestly for God to send the revival He has promised and to see the reward for our labours.

It is interesting when you read of revivals in the past that often some of the people who prayed the hardest to see the move of God oppose it when it comes. Why? Because they see God promoting people who did not labour as they did. V12 “Saying, These last have done only one hour's work, and you have made them equal to us, who have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.”

Right now we are still in the heat of the day, and God’s Word and standards are being reviled in the world, but the day will come as the Gospel works that multitudes will rush into the Kingdom. When that happens, many will be raised up who did not struggle as we have had to for the glory, and when we see that it might stumble some of us to grumble like those in the parable. “Lord, How can you reward that person, I bore the hard work, he has just sprung up overnight.”

To counteract this remember 2 things:

1. It is God’s vineyard. He can do what He wants in His vineyard. The important thing is not who He uses, but that He gets His harvest in. Amen!
2. God’s acceptance of others is not His rejection of us. He will faithfully reward us what is our due. If we are thankful for what God has given us, we won’t have a problem with what He gives others.

Anyway those were just the thoughts I had, may God grant that we all are faithful and cheerful labourers in His glorious vineyard.

The Labourers in the vineyard ( Matthew 20:1-17)

Here’s just a few thoughts I was having on this parable.

There are three main interpretations of this parable which are valid.

The first one is comparing the various times in which one comes to the knowledge of Christ, and if they diligently work for Him, whether it be in youth or old age, if they are faithful from that time forward they are rewarded.

The second one compares the times to dispensations in the gospel, the first being with John the Baptist, going on to the day of Pentecost. In one sense this is a valid application, for while some were called of God during the time of John (like Andrew and John), others came later in Christ’s ministry. (James and Jude, the brothers of the Lord, in all likelihood only became disciples after the resurrection). However, at Pentecost all who had faithfully laboured, and waited in the upper room received the same blessing of the Holy Spirit.

The third one is the one I was thinking about recently, and is the one that I would like to apply to our lives today. I believe that in some ways we are in this parable now. Some of us are labouring in the vineyard of God and are waiting earnestly for God to send the revival He has promised and to see the reward for our labours.

It is interesting when you read of revivals in the past that often some of the people who prayed the hardest to see the move of God oppose it when it comes. Why? Because they see God promoting people who did not labour as they did. V12 “Saying, These last have done only one hour's work, and you have made them equal to us, who have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.”

Right now we are still in the heat of the day, and God’s Word and standards are being reviled in the world, but the day will come as the Gospel works that multitudes will rush into the Kingdom. When that happens, many will be raised up who did not struggle as we have had to for the glory, and when we see that it might stumble some of us to grumble like those in the parable. “Lord, How can you reward that person, I bore the hard work, he has just sprung up overnight.”

To counteract this remember 2 things:

1. It is God’s vineyard. He can do what He wants in His vineyard. The important thing is not who He uses, but that He gets His harvest in. Amen!
2. God’s acceptance of others is not His rejection of us. He will faithfully reward us what is our due. If we are thankful for what God has given us, we won’t have a problem with what He gives others.

Anyway those were just the thoughts I had, may God grat that we all are faithful and cheerful labourers in His glorious vineyard.

Blogging Again

Well, after a season of not much activity, I am blogging again. I had been hoping to be able to publish at least twice a month, but that isn’t going to be likely, however I will still see if I can come close to that.

I finished teaching Romans, it went fairly well, I think (How do you gauge it, I wasn’t listening to myself, and I only know if I covered questions that were asked, not unasked ones that students might have had.)

Mom is teaching the Comforter now, so Dad is grading papers from the previous weeks and I am helping cook. Today is a Wednesday so I have more time, because we fast lunch. We have nearly 30 students here which is good, our maximum capacity is about 34, so it is a nice size. When the Bible school first started 6 years ago, most of our students took the courses in Chichewa, only about 3 out of 30 could understand enough English to do the courses in English. Now over 10 out of the 30 in this class are able to study in English (it is so much nicer to be able to interact without an interpreter). It is also a younger class than in previous years.

It is good to see progress in all areas here since I left 4 years ago. It shows the faithfulness of God and also gives us hope for the areas that are still so needy.

The Leading of God

One thing I’ve found myself praying recently is the psalmists prayer from Psa 43:3 “Oh send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill, and to Your tabernacles.”

It’s a cry of the soul for the fog which obscures the way to be lifted and for the beacon which ever shines on the hill of Zion to be seen by the pilgrim travelling there. Sometimes are way is unclear, and we need to cry out to see the way through. We also need to persevere and press on. As it says in Psa 97:11, “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” These are crops which can take time to grow, but as we continue they will grow up and we shall see their fruit. “To the upright there arises light in the darkness.”

Since I still am unsure of what my course is after my time in Malawi and since I am still seeking God for a broader idea of His plans for me on many levels, I just want to remind myself to carry on. To be patient in well doing, as Rom. 2:5-7 speaks of. If we continue patiently in well doing we will reap glory, honour, immortality and eternal life.

This is more of a personal note to myself than anything else, but it doesn’t hurt to remind myself that no matter what happens I must do what is right, if I do God will lead me by His light. Sometimes I may not feel very hopeful, but if I abandon what is right, what hope do I have? If I do what is right, eventually I will reap both light and gladness, what a harvest!

Anyway, God bless all you readers out there. May you also reap His light as you continue in His ways.

Sunshiny Day

Yesterday dad and I worked on afixing barbed wire to posts at the top of our wall. Most of the wall had been done already, it was just the last side that needed to get done. It was the first sunshiny day we’ve had since I got here to do it in (It isn’t called the rainy season for nothing, it’s been raining bucket-loads). It was really hot and humid and now I have a sunburn in several places (including my scalp – now that I’m almost 30 my hair doesn’t cover like it used to). It feels good to have one project out of the way though.

In spite of the rain we have only had 2 power outages so far and they were of very short duration (under 30minutes). So that’s something to be very thankful for.

Tomorrow, I will be speaking to a group of teenagers from the surrounding area, I still need to prepare for that.

Columba – the Hawk turned Dove

Columba lived in the middle of the sixth century and was an Irish missionary to Scotland who personally founded the monastery at Iona, and was responsible for the founding of many monasteries in Scotland and Western Europe. Names associates with his movement include Dallan Forgaill, credited with writing “Be Thou my vision” and later missionaries including Anskar, known as the Apostle to the North, one of the first missionaries to Denmark and Sweden.

Columba means “dove” and in later life he was called “the dove.” However, he wasn’t that way in the beginning, by all accounts in his youth he was a hot-head. His missionary endeavours did not begin in the usual way, his began with a war. He had been involved in copying a book that he had borrowed from someone from another area, and after a dispute over the terms of the loan of the book, both groups got enflamed and went to war. After many people had been killed in the dispute, Columba saw the error of his way and left Ireland in self-banishment to Scotland vowing he would not return until he had seen at least as many conversions as there were casualties in the war.

He wandered somewhat in Scotland eventually establishing his abode on Iona and setting up a community there. From this place much of Scotland and even other parts of the British Isles were evangelised. Columba, himself, gained a reputation for wise counsel and apparently flowed in the prophetic office. I have read accounts of several times when he prophesied of various things to people who came to him. The most noted thing though was that he became known as a man of peace, Columba the dove.

His last day was spent transcribing the Psalms, followed by the evening devotions during which he collapsed. He died shortly afterwards with a peaceful countenance.

I think the best lesson to learn from this man is that how you start is not the most important thing, but how you end. He may have been a hot-head in his youth, but in the end he became a calming influence on those around him and his work remained and was a light to the nations for the next 200 years.

Consistency Thou Art a Jewel

The downside of having a blog is I feel guilty if I don’t write for a while… I feel like I am failing all my precious readers. Hey, if you are going to take time to look at something I wrote, then I need to ensure that I respect you and write something worth reading and write regularly enough to make it worth your while to visit.

Well, here I am in Malawi, having been a little unsettled for a few weeks it’s been hard to write. Now I hope to be able to get an article out once a week (more isn’t feasible). We’ll see how that goes, in the mean time, thanks for dropping by.

Having written this I had a very difficult time in sending it, the Internet Cafes here have such slow connections that my blogging might be very eratic… we’ll see.

Be Careful What You Say

I don't know if I am the only one, but sometimes when I prepare to speak I have a specific illustration that I feel to share and I just know that it's going to happen. Eg. Shortly before I left Singapore I was sharing on humility and I mentioned that one reason we should be humble is because we can't even keep ourselves from getting a cold... about a half an hour later I started getting a sore throat. I ended up about as sick as I have ever been for 2 weeks (the cough is better now, for those wondering). It's something that has happened before, there are actually some messages I dread speaking on because I don't want to experience them... on the other hand I have to speak what I feel God has, and it would be awful to speak something and not be willing to live through it.

There are sometimes I just have to say to myself as something is coming up that I just spoke about, "Well, you spoke on it, let's see if you can live it."

Tha Faithfulness Of God

Well, since it's New Year's Eve I was thinking of writing something on the faithfulness of God... Yet another year has passed and He is still faithful. I am supposed to lead songs tonight for the watchnight service here in Erie, and I've picked out some songs on faithfulness, because I think it's one of the most important attributes of God. Imagine if God were like us, changing, unstable, mutible, we would be in trouble. God would do something for us if He were in a good mood but otherwise He wouldn't.

I love what 2 Timothy 2:13 says, "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."

God's overall purposes are never dependant on us, even if we don't believe He will fulfill HIs will, He may have to use someone else, but His will will be done. He does what He has promised because He is faithful, there is no shadow of changing with Him.

This verse even reminds me of a few times in my life where I had virtually given up hope, I couldn't say that I deserved God to intervene in my life at that time or even that I would have a right to ask Him to. Yet He did, He took me and drew me and lead me in the right path. Why? Even if we falter He is still faithful. That is what He is, the essence of Himself. He is faithful through and through, He can't deny who He is.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love,

Here's my heart O take and seal it,

Seal it for thy courts above.

Lord in this coming year may I serve You more faithfully than ever, may You steady me in the course You have set for me and keep me faithful to You both now and forever.

Apologies to my readers

Thanks to all you guys for dropping by to read my little thoughts. I have a couple things that I will probably write on soon... maybe over Christmas.

Thanks for swinging by, your patience is greatly appreciated.

Blessed Are The Merciful

This is just a quick thought I was having on Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."

Actually it's a contrast of 2 people in similar circumstances who went down 2 different paths. They were both fighter pilots in WWI - their names were Ernst Udet and Edward Mannock.

Udet flew throughout the war and in the beginning he showed mercy to many enemy pilots. He initially would fly behind them and force them to land rather than actually shoot them down. Later this act of mercy was repaid when he was involved in a dogfight with a famous French ace. Udet's machinegun's jammed and while he was struggling to unjam them the Frenchman manouvered behind him and had him in his sights. However when he noticed his enemies predicament he broke off his attack pulled alongside Udet and saluted him before heading for home. By being merciful Udet reaped mercy.

Edward Mannock was another very adept fighter pilot who after losing a friend in combat became so filled with hatred towards the enemy, that he would not only shoot them down but would shoot the fuel tanks so that the pilots would have the choice of burning to death or jumping (without a parachute) from the burning plane. Not surprisingly, after he started to do this he began to have nightmares of himself burning to death in a plane. To counter this he began to carry a pistol on him and say that he was going to use it rather than burn to death. In the end his plane was shot down and did go down in flames, it is unknown whether or not he used his pistol.

I think these examples show that we do reap what we sow, whether for good or evil. It also shows how when someone gives themselves over to wickedness, evil spirits begin to lead them to their destruction and will even taunt them concerning their end, and if there is no repentance that's where they go.

If we must err in this life, let it be on the side of mercy.

My Current Plans

To all my faithful readers:

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I feel really guilty, but I haven't had much internet access where I've been.

I'm currently staying with Pastor Dan Caram, and will be here in Erie, PA, until mid-January. I will then head to Malawi for 7-8 months. Starting mid-February I will teach Romans for a week at the Bible School there (Romans is a little beyond my depth I fear, but I'll do my best). I never really think of myself as a teacher but others are encouraging me, so maybe I am being stretched a little.

Anyway that's the news... Maybe I can write a quick article a little later...

What I Love About The Church

You know, when we look around at the Church as a whole sometimes we can see many things that sadden us. That can be depressing...unless you look at the Word of God.

There we see in Revelation 17:1 the unfaithful church, and in Revelation 21:9 the faithful church, the Lamb's wife. I love to take certainty in the inevibility of it. The great thing is that we know who wins. Christ will have a spotless Bride, that is unfailable, inevitable and certain. The Church can look as motley, weak and confused as anything, yet Christ will have His Bride.

False prophets can preach false doctrine and drag away souls from the true faith and yet Christ will have His own. The greater the gates of deception that are built, the greater glory God will have when they are stormed. The truth will have to be contended for as never before in the coming days, but the truth will prevail. I can take comfort in that.

Even if friends of mine veer off, or even if I were to veer off the truth would still prevail. That effects me in 2 ways: firstly, it encourages me to make sure I am on the side of truth, that I walk with God. Secondly, it means that I don't have to worry about the state of other areas of the Church, I just need to tend the area God has given me. I just need to be truthful and honest to those in my sphere of influence.

Glory to the Lamb of God!

Elias Letwaba - An Exceptional If Little-Known Man

You probably have never heard of Elias Letwaba, even though was a man of exceptional ability and character. There are several reasons for his not being well-known. Firstly, his ministry was in rural Africa, the Upper Transvaal in the first half of the twentieth century. That on its own would take him somewhat out of the lime-light. When you couple that with the fact that he was blcak and that his own denomination, the AFM, followed a policy, at that time, where non-whites were second-class members of the church it becomes even more easy to believe that he would not be well known.

He was one of John G. Lake's early converts and many believe he was the one that received Lake's mantle for healing. He is credited with over 10,000 healings and miracles during his ministry. Lake himself, wrote of one incident where a baby had a broken neck and he had no faith to see it healed, so he left so as not to rob Elias of his faith. The baby was healed, and Lake had to repent of his unbelief. He realized that his greater medical knowledge of the seriousness of the condition was actually a hindrance in this case.

He started a Bible School called Patmos Bible School in Potgietersrus, this school trained thousands of Christian workers that spread the Gospel throughout the rural areas of South Africa. It was never formally recognized as a Bible School for training Pastors, by the AFM, so most of its graduates were forced to do the ministerial work without any recognition by their denomination.

Elias was obviously a man of exceptional humility. Most people who have worked that many miracles and are doing a good work for God would have a hard time staying in a denomination that held separate baptismal services for whites and non-whites, and as a structure made it clear that the non-whites were second-class members. Yet Elias not only stayed true, but he refused to be sidetracked from what he believed his call was to dabble in politics, or fight against the racism in his denomination.

That's the thing I like best about him and why I thought he should be better known. Don't let anything sidetrack you from your call. If people are unfair, ignore it, do what God has called you to do. He's the one we are working for after all.

Is Someone Watching You?

I know you are probably thinking that you already know what this post is about. You probably think that I am going to write about God always watching you and walking in the fear of the Lord. But I won't. That is important, but in this post I want to cover 3 other groups of spectators.

In 1 Cor. 4:9, Paul says, "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."

The language here has to be understood in the time of that day. Most of us today do not understand the concept of public excecution, but in the days of the Apostle Paul when a man was condemned to execution, he it was public and many people would stand and watch. The word "spectacle" meant one who's death was on display. One on who all could gaze and wonder how will this one die? Will he cry for mercy, will he be defiant, will he mock his fate? What will he do?

In another place Paul says that he was like the offscouring of the earth, like the filth that is scraped off of cooking pots and thrown away when they are washed. That was the contempt with which Paul was treated. How did he undergo this? Why did he endure it?

Part of the secret lies in the second part of our text, he was a spectacle to the world, angels, and men. He had others watching him. Firstly, he had the world, he was placed on display by God to bear witness of the truth to the world. He had to always act in a manner which showed Christ, in life or death. He had to overcome the world through his faith. He was on trial here, a trial by ordeal.

Secondly, he was being watched closely by angels, both good and fallen. Paul writes in Eph. 3:8-11, "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." The Lord has an eternal controversy with His adversary. Fallen angels are greater in power and strength than man, they have a wisdom that is beyond man's as well. They should conquer us in any degree, but when we manifest the wisdom of God as Christians, God enables us to defeat them. This gives God glory and humiliates them. It reproves them for their own sin against God, which they committed without a tempter. It reproves their self-will, because here are creatures of a lower stature and weaker will yielding to God. When we trust in God and endure difficulties by God's grace, we stop the adversaries mouth. It also is part of the process that qualifies to rule in the world to come which God has not given to angels (Heb. 2:5).

Lastly we have the great cloud of witnesses looking on(Heb. 12:1). Those who have run their race are cheering us on. I think heaven will be a wonderful place. The communion of the saints will be very real there. There are some saints that by God's grace I am going to meet and thank for the impact their writings had on me, even though I never met them. I am part of their reward, and they have an interest in my race. They desire that we press further than they did, because it is part of their reward.

One day in heaven, we will see each other, and we will there know what we went through on earth was worth it. We will be able to talk of what the Lord brought us through and give thanks to God. We will be able to see our scars we received for the Gospel and remember that we followed Christ in the day of that battle.

May we all be able to rejoice on that day, because we have wholly followed the Lord. And may we hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."