Friday, April 29, 2016
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Ashamed Of Jesus.
"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. And I say unto you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before angels of God. (Luke 12:4-9 NASB)Jesus warns us that we are not to fear man, who can only kill the body. Rather, we are to fear the one who after He has killed the body, can cast it into hell. This is a very solemn warning that we need to pay more careful attention to. It can be so easy to remain silent when those around us are mocking Christianity. Like the ten spies sent into the land of Canaan, we too are often overwhelmed by fear, and perceive that those who stand in opposition to Jesus Christ are much larger than they really are. Yet, as Jesus says, they can only kill the body and no more. We are not to fear them, but to fear God.We also receive the comforting promise that God cares for us. The same God who cares for the birds, cares for us as well. We read of Stephen, as the enraged mob was about to stone him,
But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55-56 NASB)God gave Stephen what he needed to face the hour of trial, the Lord Jesus himself standing up for His faithful martyr.
We are given the promise that if we confess Christ before men, He will confess us before the angels. We are also given the warning that if we deny Him before men, He will deny us. In Mark 8:38 we read,
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of Him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38 NASB)
Indeed, we live in an adulterous and sinful generation. There are many who compromise with the world around them. There are those who choose to remain silent out of fear, or out of a desire not to offend someone. To them, Jesus' warning is clear and sobering. We dare not be ashamed of the one who gave His life for us. His words are truth and bring life. How can we, His followers, be ashamed of Him and His words? Yet, the temptation is very real, and like Peter, even though we may say we would never deny Him, we so often do (Matt 26:33-35).
The same Peter who denied Christ, was filled with boldness on the day of Pentecost, as he stood before the jeering crowd and boldly proclaimed Christ crucified and risen from the dead. From that point on, we see the boldness and zeal of the early Church, as they spread the gospel in the face of persecution. May we possess that same spirit today, and boldly stand for Christ in our generation.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Was Jesus Teaching Law Instead Of The Gospel?
The teaching exists, and is in fact quite common, that what Jesus taught in the gospels is not gospel, but law. The idea is that Jesus came to people who were under the Old covenant; who were under law, therefore what He said to them has little or no application for us today. One must go to the writings of the Apostle Paul, they say, to understand the gospel of grace under the New Covenant.
The Sermon on the Mount, his teachings on anger, forgiveness, worry, laying up treasures, divorce and remarriage, turning the other cheek, etc. were all law given to people under law, and while they may have some merit today, they are quite unnecessary, as they have nothing to do with salvation in this day of grace. Many teachers exist, indeed have existed in the past as well, who explain away all of His teachings found in the gospels in this manner.
Jesus taught much in the three and a half years He walked upon this earth. Could it be true that what He taught, what He emphasized was only for a brief transition period between the dispensations of law and grace? Could it be possible that what He taught His disciples the night of His betrayal and arrest on obedience, abiding in the vine, and bearing fruit (John 14:21, 15:1-11), could be safely disregarded within the next few days after His resurrection? What about His severe statement found in Matthew 7:21-23? He states that not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of His Father in heaven will enter. Those who live disobedient lives will be cast out on the day of judgment, as workers of lawlessness. Is this a mere legalistic statement that we can now safely ignore as those who are not under law but grace? What about the sheep and goat judgment found in Matthew 25:31-46? Has this threat now passed from us under the New Covenant?
Look at what Jesus began to proclaim from the very start of His ministry.
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
(Matt 4:17 NASB)
And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."
And He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
(Luke 4:17-21 NASB)
Jesus begins His ministry preaching the kingdom of heaven. This is a new thing, not the chosen kingdom of Israel with all of it's rituals and laws, but the kingdom of heaven. He is proclaiming the gospel to the poor, and release to the captives, sight to the blind, and freedom for the spiritually oppressed. This is good news, as that is what is meant by the term gospel. This is not law, as so many believe, but the good news, the gospel. This same gospel of the kingdom was proclaimed by Philip (Acts 8:12), and the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:25, 28:30-31). Jesus was not teaching something temporary during a transition from law to grace, but was teaching the same gospel that was later proclaimed after His ascension. Jesus states, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come " (Matt 24:14 NASB)
When John the Baptist sent his disciples to question Jesus if He was the Messiah, Jesus replied to them in a similar manner. "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them (Luke 7:22 NASB). Once again, Jesus is not claiming to preach law, but the gospel. We read later on in Luke's gospel that the law and prophets were proclaimed until John (the Baptist). Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached (Luke 16:16). Once again the good news of the gospel, not law.
Prior to His ascension, Jesus gave His disciples the "great commission." They were to go into all the world and make disciples, (Mark records Preach the gospel), teaching them to observe all that Jesus had commanded them (Matt 28:19-20). Jesus emphasized obedience to His commands.
God has always had a moral standard of righteousness that He requires from each and everyone of us. This has been true from the very beginning. In the Old Testament, as well as the New, we read that we are to be holy, as God is holy (Lev 11:45; 1 Peter 1:15-16), we are to love God with supreme love (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37), and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19; Luke 10:25-28). Jesus summed up the law and prophets by telling us to treat others in the same way we would like them to treat us (Matt 7:12). When God gave Israel the ten commandments (the moral law), He was not giving them some terrible, burdensome commandments to make life miserable for them. To the contrary, He was showing them how He expected them to live; how they were to worship and love Him, and how they were to treat one another. Paul repeats this theme in his epistle to the Romans when he states that loving our neighbor is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:8-10).
When Jesus ministered upon this earth, He set about to uphold the law, which had become twisted and made of non effect through the vain teachings of the scribes and Pharisees of the day. He was not imposing legal standards that must be rigidly kept if one was to be saved, but He was holding forth, for the world to see, God's holy standard of righteousness; what He expects from all people, namely, that we would give up our selfish devotion to our own welfare and lusts, and instead love God with supreme love, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
To refuse to do this, to selfishly pursue our own interests at the expense of our devotion to God, and our care for our fellow man, is rebellion. Paul tells us that the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God, refusing to be subject to the law of God. There is that word law again. Paul teaches us that if we are not in subjection to the law of God, we are His enemies, and are dead spiritually (Romans 8:6-8). Jesus teaches us that those who love Him will obey Him, and be loved by God, the Father (John 14:21). Once again, remember the solemn warning found in Matthew 7:21-23. God has always, and will always, expect obedience. this applies to the New Covenant, as well as the Old Covenant. God's standard of righteousness has not changed.
We read in Hebrews 8,
Prior to His ascension, Jesus gave His disciples the "great commission." They were to go into all the world and make disciples, (Mark records Preach the gospel), teaching them to observe all that Jesus had commanded them (Matt 28:19-20). Jesus emphasized obedience to His commands.
God has always had a moral standard of righteousness that He requires from each and everyone of us. This has been true from the very beginning. In the Old Testament, as well as the New, we read that we are to be holy, as God is holy (Lev 11:45; 1 Peter 1:15-16), we are to love God with supreme love (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37), and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19; Luke 10:25-28). Jesus summed up the law and prophets by telling us to treat others in the same way we would like them to treat us (Matt 7:12). When God gave Israel the ten commandments (the moral law), He was not giving them some terrible, burdensome commandments to make life miserable for them. To the contrary, He was showing them how He expected them to live; how they were to worship and love Him, and how they were to treat one another. Paul repeats this theme in his epistle to the Romans when he states that loving our neighbor is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:8-10).
When Jesus ministered upon this earth, He set about to uphold the law, which had become twisted and made of non effect through the vain teachings of the scribes and Pharisees of the day. He was not imposing legal standards that must be rigidly kept if one was to be saved, but He was holding forth, for the world to see, God's holy standard of righteousness; what He expects from all people, namely, that we would give up our selfish devotion to our own welfare and lusts, and instead love God with supreme love, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
To refuse to do this, to selfishly pursue our own interests at the expense of our devotion to God, and our care for our fellow man, is rebellion. Paul tells us that the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God, refusing to be subject to the law of God. There is that word law again. Paul teaches us that if we are not in subjection to the law of God, we are His enemies, and are dead spiritually (Romans 8:6-8). Jesus teaches us that those who love Him will obey Him, and be loved by God, the Father (John 14:21). Once again, remember the solemn warning found in Matthew 7:21-23. God has always, and will always, expect obedience. this applies to the New Covenant, as well as the Old Covenant. God's standard of righteousness has not changed.
We read in Hebrews 8,
For if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. For finding fault with them, He says, "Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will effect a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in My covenant, and I did not care for them, says the Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
(Heb 8:7-10 NASB)
We also read this in Romans 8,
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
(Romans 8:3-4 NASB)
The problem was not the law, the law is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12). The problem lies within us. We do not wish to submit to it. the law serves to show us God's standard, but it does not empower us to obey it. The entire chapter of Romans 7 is a lesson on the futility of a person under the law trying to be good on his or her own. It cannot be done. Jesus tells us that the problem is found within the heart of man (Mark 7:20-23). The one who commits sin is the slave of sin (John 8:34). Paul agrees with this (Romans 6:16), as does Peter (2 Peter 2:19).
What the New Covenant provides is the willingness and power to subject ourselves to God's standard and will for our lives. We can now live victorious lives in freedom from the dominion and power of sin. Instead of being forgiven in our sin, we are forgiven and set free from the power of sin, and enabled to be obedient to the law of God. This is not a slavish obedience, but a loving surrender to the rule of Jesus Christ over every area of our lives. Jesus said that the one whom He sets free is free indeed (John 3:36). Back up a few verses, and you will read that it is essential to continue in His word if we would be His disciples, and find the truth that makes us free (John 8:31-32). Once again, obedience is essential to the life of a true disciple. Not legalism, but love.
We read that Jesus came to redeem us from this present evil age (Gal 1:4); that He came to destroy the devil's works, and as a result, the one born of God does not sin (1 John 3:8-9). Yes, we must be forgiven our past, as it stands between us and God. but it is also true that we are in desperate need of transformation, if we are to live a life pleasing to God by faith.
To many, it may appear that Jesus was teaching commandments and laws, while Paul was teaching salvation by grace through faith, but a careful reading of the epistles of Paul, as well as Peter, James, and the epistles of John, show us that it is all the same message, the same gospel that Jesus proclaimed as well. We must heed His warnings to the disobedient. We dare not become careless or complacent when it comes to His commands and teachings, for He requires of us that we be obedient to the faith, as Paul also agrees with (Romans 1:5; Titus 3:11-13).
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."
(2 Tim 2:19 NASB)
Thursday, December 24, 2015
The Christian's Response.
You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 23:9 NASB)
How do we put into practice the words of Jesus in these dark days of fear and hatred? What is the Christian's response to those who would close their hearts against another who is in need (1 John 3:17)? When others around you are demanding to close the borders against Syrian refugees, how do you respond? Could it really be true that terrorists are coming into this country in this way, or are we really being overly suspicious?
Look at the words of Jesus very carefully, because what He teaches us speaks to this situation. What He says goes completely against the ways of this world, yet it is a standard that He holds His followers to!
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
(Matthew 7:12 NASB)
"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also. And whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.
(Luke 6:27-28 NASB)
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
(Luke 10:27 NASB)
This is just a sampling of Jesus' teaching on love. Notice that Jesus does not limit love to those who love us back, but He extends it to all, even those who are our enemies (Matt 5:43-48). We are to treat everyone in the same manner that we would have them treat us! We are to love our neighbor in the same way that we love ourselves. And who is my neighbor? Your neighbor is anyone with a need that you can meet. This is not something that is defined by political or racial lines. A neighbor can be anybody, of any ethnic or religious background. He may be your enemy, but Christ calls us to love them. The true neighbor is one who shows mercy to one in need (Luke 10:29-37).
This is how the Bible defines love.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB)
According to this, love gives people the benefit of the doubt. Love is not suspicious of others, yet this is what we are seeing of so many people today, even among those who call themselves Christians. Is it possible that a terrorist may try to sneak in as a refugee? I imagine so, but yet, put yourself in the shoes of a refugee who is fleeing for his life. Wouldn't you desire help if you were in that situation? There are thousands upon thousands of people who are in this situation today. Yes they are Muslim, but they do need help, and they do need the Savior! Perhaps this is an opportunity to reach out to them with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The teachings of Christ run counter to the way we are used to doing things. In the natural, we are bent on self preservation, but Jesus calls those who would be His disciples to lose their lives for His sake (Mark 8:34-35). The follower of Christ understands that this world is only a temporal thing, and that if he or she was to die in the service of Christ, they have an eternal home with Christ. They understand what it means to lose all for Him. It is a different principle entirely from that of the world. Jesus calls His followers to selfless love, not self preservation. This be the response of all who name the name of Jesus.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
(Luke 10:27 NASB)
This is just a sampling of Jesus' teaching on love. Notice that Jesus does not limit love to those who love us back, but He extends it to all, even those who are our enemies (Matt 5:43-48). We are to treat everyone in the same manner that we would have them treat us! We are to love our neighbor in the same way that we love ourselves. And who is my neighbor? Your neighbor is anyone with a need that you can meet. This is not something that is defined by political or racial lines. A neighbor can be anybody, of any ethnic or religious background. He may be your enemy, but Christ calls us to love them. The true neighbor is one who shows mercy to one in need (Luke 10:29-37).
This is how the Bible defines love.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB)
According to this, love gives people the benefit of the doubt. Love is not suspicious of others, yet this is what we are seeing of so many people today, even among those who call themselves Christians. Is it possible that a terrorist may try to sneak in as a refugee? I imagine so, but yet, put yourself in the shoes of a refugee who is fleeing for his life. Wouldn't you desire help if you were in that situation? There are thousands upon thousands of people who are in this situation today. Yes they are Muslim, but they do need help, and they do need the Savior! Perhaps this is an opportunity to reach out to them with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The teachings of Christ run counter to the way we are used to doing things. In the natural, we are bent on self preservation, but Jesus calls those who would be His disciples to lose their lives for His sake (Mark 8:34-35). The follower of Christ understands that this world is only a temporal thing, and that if he or she was to die in the service of Christ, they have an eternal home with Christ. They understand what it means to lose all for Him. It is a different principle entirely from that of the world. Jesus calls His followers to selfless love, not self preservation. This be the response of all who name the name of Jesus.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Paul's Prosperity Preaching.
Paul, in his first epistle to Timothy, warns him that anyone who advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, including the sound words of Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, such a person is conceited, and lacks understanding. These individuals cause controversy and divisions, envy and strife, and friction among men of depraved minds who are deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1 Tim 6:3-5).
Indeed, there are those in ministry today that teach this. Their message appeals to the carnal flesh of man. In their greed they will exploit you with false words (2 Peter 2:3). The heart of selfish man is aroused by the promise of money and possessions, given to us by Christ if we will only believe. Of course, they are the only ones getting rich as they exploit others with this false gospel.
Paul goes on to say this about godliness and gain,
But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
2 Timothy 6:6-8 NASB
Paul speaks of contentment. We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave it in the exact same way. We need to be content! Can we say with Paul, that we too are content with the bare bone essentials of life, namely, food and covering (KJV translates this as raiment)? Would we still be content in Christ if we lost everything we owned? Now to be sure, there were New Testament Christians who owned homes and had other possessions just as is the case today as well. But we must also take notice of the fact that these Christians lived with open hands. They claimed nothing as their own, always ready and willing to give to a brother in need (Acts 2:44-45). To them life did not consist in the possessions they owned, but in loving others for the sake of Christ. To them, Christ was all! They knew how to be content (Phil 4:11-13).It is quite certain that the Apostles knew nothing of a name it and claim it, bless me, gospel. Consider the following,
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NASB
This is the exact opposite of what is being taught by prosperity teachers today. Paul warns us that those who desire to become rich fall into temptation and ruin. It is a trap that will destroy your soul. The one who loves money is a covetous being, and the covetous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Such a one is an idolater (Eph 5:5). The love of money lies at the heart of much of the evil in the world, and yet we see so many in the professed Church pursuing it as a "blessing" from God, twisting scriptures to somehow justify a teaching that is leading men into greed, and ruining their souls.
Paul warns Timothy to flee these things! What would he say to us today? Flee the prosperity preachers? Turn off TBN? He urges Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (1 Tim 6:1). That is what we are to pursue as well. This is the opposite of the materialism and worldliness that has caught so many in the Church today.
He instructs those who are rich in this present age not to be conceited or to fix their hope on their riches. Instead they are to place their trust in God, and live lives full of good works, generous and ready to share, laying up treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of life indeed (1 Tim 6:17-19). This is in keeping with what Jesus teaches about laying up treasure (Matt 6:19-20). Are we living for the temporal and material things of this present life, or are we living with eternity in view, letting go of the material things that will weigh us down to this earth?
Indeed, there are those in ministry today that teach this. Their message appeals to the carnal flesh of man. In their greed they will exploit you with false words (2 Peter 2:3). The heart of selfish man is aroused by the promise of money and possessions, given to us by Christ if we will only believe. Of course, they are the only ones getting rich as they exploit others with this false gospel.
Paul goes on to say this about godliness and gain,
But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
2 Timothy 6:6-8 NASB
Paul speaks of contentment. We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave it in the exact same way. We need to be content! Can we say with Paul, that we too are content with the bare bone essentials of life, namely, food and covering (KJV translates this as raiment)? Would we still be content in Christ if we lost everything we owned? Now to be sure, there were New Testament Christians who owned homes and had other possessions just as is the case today as well. But we must also take notice of the fact that these Christians lived with open hands. They claimed nothing as their own, always ready and willing to give to a brother in need (Acts 2:44-45). To them life did not consist in the possessions they owned, but in loving others for the sake of Christ. To them, Christ was all! They knew how to be content (Phil 4:11-13).It is quite certain that the Apostles knew nothing of a name it and claim it, bless me, gospel. Consider the following,
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NASB
This is the exact opposite of what is being taught by prosperity teachers today. Paul warns us that those who desire to become rich fall into temptation and ruin. It is a trap that will destroy your soul. The one who loves money is a covetous being, and the covetous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Such a one is an idolater (Eph 5:5). The love of money lies at the heart of much of the evil in the world, and yet we see so many in the professed Church pursuing it as a "blessing" from God, twisting scriptures to somehow justify a teaching that is leading men into greed, and ruining their souls.
Paul warns Timothy to flee these things! What would he say to us today? Flee the prosperity preachers? Turn off TBN? He urges Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (1 Tim 6:1). That is what we are to pursue as well. This is the opposite of the materialism and worldliness that has caught so many in the Church today.
He instructs those who are rich in this present age not to be conceited or to fix their hope on their riches. Instead they are to place their trust in God, and live lives full of good works, generous and ready to share, laying up treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of life indeed (1 Tim 6:17-19). This is in keeping with what Jesus teaches about laying up treasure (Matt 6:19-20). Are we living for the temporal and material things of this present life, or are we living with eternity in view, letting go of the material things that will weigh us down to this earth?
Saturday, October 17, 2015
The Prosperity Gospel According to Jesus.
Listen to these words of Jesus found in the Sermon on the mount,
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 KJV
Jesus teaches us the uncertainty of riches. They are only temporal things, here today and gone tomorrow. The markets may crash, thieves may steal, a valuable object may rust or be destroyed in some other manner. Yet we as human beings place such a high emphasis on the material things of this world. We live as if we must accumulate as much as possible. We stockpile things, we work hard to make more money just so we can buy more. We put away money and just sit on it, because it is ours and we might need it for a "rainy day."
Jesus knows the heart of man, that it is deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). It is so easily drawn away by things. Our stockpiles of material things are the proof of our allegiance to these things. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus has a financial plan for us so to speak. He calls us to lay up treasure in heaven. He shows us how this is accomplished.
Fear not, little flock; for it is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags that wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:32-34 KJV
Instead of accumulation, Jesus says to give it away! He tells us to sell our possessions and give to the poor. This is how we are to store up the true riches in heaven! This does not sound like the prosperity gospel that so many follow today. You see, we can't take it with us. We are entrusted with money and possessions in this lifetime to be used for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. There is a saying, "Only one life will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." This is what Jesus is talking about. We are blessed in this life to be a blessing to others. The scriptures abundantly teach us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. This involves the giving of ourselves, our time, our money and possessions, to live this out in our day to day lives.
Jesus is teaching us that to cling to our material possessions will bankrupt us in the end. It is a law of the kingdom of God that we lose ourselves for Christ's sake if we would find life. This includes our possessions. Christ commands us to renounce all that we have if we would be His disciples (Luke 14:33).
True sowing and reaping is not about sowing a financial seed into a ministry so that we can get more money back; it is about making the kingdom of God our priority, evidenced by our giving of what we have to others for the sake of Christ. After all, isn't it the Fathers good pleasure to give us the kingdom?
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 KJV
Jesus teaches us the uncertainty of riches. They are only temporal things, here today and gone tomorrow. The markets may crash, thieves may steal, a valuable object may rust or be destroyed in some other manner. Yet we as human beings place such a high emphasis on the material things of this world. We live as if we must accumulate as much as possible. We stockpile things, we work hard to make more money just so we can buy more. We put away money and just sit on it, because it is ours and we might need it for a "rainy day."
Jesus knows the heart of man, that it is deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). It is so easily drawn away by things. Our stockpiles of material things are the proof of our allegiance to these things. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus has a financial plan for us so to speak. He calls us to lay up treasure in heaven. He shows us how this is accomplished.
Fear not, little flock; for it is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags that wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:32-34 KJV
Instead of accumulation, Jesus says to give it away! He tells us to sell our possessions and give to the poor. This is how we are to store up the true riches in heaven! This does not sound like the prosperity gospel that so many follow today. You see, we can't take it with us. We are entrusted with money and possessions in this lifetime to be used for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. There is a saying, "Only one life will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." This is what Jesus is talking about. We are blessed in this life to be a blessing to others. The scriptures abundantly teach us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. This involves the giving of ourselves, our time, our money and possessions, to live this out in our day to day lives.
Jesus is teaching us that to cling to our material possessions will bankrupt us in the end. It is a law of the kingdom of God that we lose ourselves for Christ's sake if we would find life. This includes our possessions. Christ commands us to renounce all that we have if we would be His disciples (Luke 14:33).
True sowing and reaping is not about sowing a financial seed into a ministry so that we can get more money back; it is about making the kingdom of God our priority, evidenced by our giving of what we have to others for the sake of Christ. After all, isn't it the Fathers good pleasure to give us the kingdom?
Sunday, October 11, 2015
The Law and the Conscience.
In John 8:1-11 we read of the scribes and Pharisees bringing a woman whom they caught in adultery, before Jesus. Hoping to catch Him in a trap, they wanted to know His opinion on what they should do with this woman. Should they stone her according to the law of Moses? What was Jesus' opinion?
Jesus stooped down, and with His finger, he began to write on the ground. We do not know what He was writing, the scriptures do not tell us. Many people guess He was writing down the ten commandments. Once again, we do not know this for certain, it is only a guess by some commentators and teachers, but it could be a possibility.
The men were persistent in asking Jesus what they should do to this woman. Rising up, He told them that the one without sin should be the one to cast the first stone. He again stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this the men began to leave one by one.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. John 8:9 KJV
There is an important thing to observe here. These men were convicted by their consciences. As Pharisees, they placed high value upon the praise of man. They went about appearing righteous to others, even believing they were good in the eyes of God Himself. Yet something happened during this confrontation with Jesus, that spoke directly to their consciences. All of their goodness, their self righteousness was stripped away in a moment as they were convicted within their hearts, and they walked away.
Paul speaks of the judgment of God as being impartial (Romans 2:11-16). There are those such as the Jews who had the law, they knew it inside and out. They would be judged by the law; did they obey it or not? This is the standard. Think about those in the western Church today who have many bibles, and go to church, and hear thousands of sermons. Just like ancient Israel, we have much light. Many of us are familiar with the commandments of God. We have a good understanding of right and wrong.
Then there are those who have no bibles. They have never heard of God. They know nothing of Jesus or the gospel. What happens to them? Can they be judged for something that they have never heard?
Paul tells us that they have the law written upon their hearts. They have a conscience!
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves. which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. Romans 2:14-15 KJV
Deep inside, we all know right from wrong. We have a sufficient moral understanding. Someone living in a remote place, perhaps deep within a jungle, has the same guilty conscience when he has done wrong, that someone living in a "Christian" nation has when he has sinned.
We can harden our hearts however, and as a result, sear our conscience (1 Tim 4:2). We no longer hear our conscience accuse us when we sin. We may become self righteous, just like the Pharisees. We trust in our "goodness" and shut out the voice of our conscience. We no longer hear it when we sin, because we have convinced ourselves otherwise.
This is a dangerous place to be in, as our conscience is given us by God as a warning to us that we are not acting right in the things we choose to do. A guilty conscience should drive us to the Savior, but if it is seared, if we no longer hear it, we will be content to persist in our lost condition.
Before I go further, I want to make clear that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8). Without the work of the Spirit in the life of a sinner, that individual will never repent of his sin and come to Christ. It is absolutely essential that the Holy Spirit is at work to convict and convince someone of their lost condition and desperate need.
That being said, let's now look at the law. David tells us that the "Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7). Paul tells us that the law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith (Gal 3:24). He also tells us by the law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).
The law (moral law/ten commandments) speaks to our conscience. As we have seen, we have a conscience, we have a sense of moral right and wrong. We know when we have sinned, and we know when we have done right. Our conscience tells us. Everyone of us has experienced this. We can all relate to that guilty feeling we have when we know we did something wrong. Again, many of us tend to shut out the voice of our conscience. We persist in sin, ignoring the guilty feeling we have until it goes away. We may convince ourselves of how good we are. We may justify our wicked deeds until our conscience is silent.
When someone is confronted by the law however, it awakens that voice of conscience. It begins to plow up the hard ground of the heart. A hardened sinner may once again feel guilty, gnawed by an uneasy dread of their sin and its consequences. A self righteous person now begins to see that they are not good, that they do indeed fall short of God's glory. They see by the work of the law in their hearts that they are not good, they are sinners, they do deserve the just wrath of God. The law Stops every mouth so that the world may become guilty before God (Romans 3:19). In other words, we have no excuse, no self justification, we stand guilty before God, and we know it! We have been confronted with God's righteous standard, not our own idea of what is right and wrong. Our awakened conscience agrees with God's standard and convicts us of our guilt.
A man may consider himself a good person, but when confronted with the fact that he has told lies, he now realizes that he is a liar. The same with theft, or adultery, or using God's name in vain. Paul was convicted as a lawbreaker when He realized he was a covetous individual (Romans 7:7). An individual may look at a woman with lust, but think there is nothing wrong with that as long as he does not commit the physical act. Jesus however declares this is adultery as well (Matt 5:27-28). All of a sudden, when confronted with God's perfect standard, a man's goodness fades away, and leaves him with the knowledge that he has violated God's law.
It is just like a man on trial who hopes to get off the hook. He may have rejected a plea bargain. He believes he has an air tight alibi. He is sure he will get away with his crimes. His hope is completely dashed when the prosecuting attorney confronts him with the irrefutable evidence of his guilt. So it is with the law of God. We may fool others, we may fool ourselves, but we will never fool God.
God's word is living and active. it shows us the truth about ourselves, the things that we hide deep down inside. Like a mirror, when we look at His law, the perfect law of liberty, we see what we truly look like, who we really are in the eyes of God (Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22-25).
Jesus stooped down, and with His finger, he began to write on the ground. We do not know what He was writing, the scriptures do not tell us. Many people guess He was writing down the ten commandments. Once again, we do not know this for certain, it is only a guess by some commentators and teachers, but it could be a possibility.
The men were persistent in asking Jesus what they should do to this woman. Rising up, He told them that the one without sin should be the one to cast the first stone. He again stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this the men began to leave one by one.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. John 8:9 KJV
There is an important thing to observe here. These men were convicted by their consciences. As Pharisees, they placed high value upon the praise of man. They went about appearing righteous to others, even believing they were good in the eyes of God Himself. Yet something happened during this confrontation with Jesus, that spoke directly to their consciences. All of their goodness, their self righteousness was stripped away in a moment as they were convicted within their hearts, and they walked away.
Paul speaks of the judgment of God as being impartial (Romans 2:11-16). There are those such as the Jews who had the law, they knew it inside and out. They would be judged by the law; did they obey it or not? This is the standard. Think about those in the western Church today who have many bibles, and go to church, and hear thousands of sermons. Just like ancient Israel, we have much light. Many of us are familiar with the commandments of God. We have a good understanding of right and wrong.
Then there are those who have no bibles. They have never heard of God. They know nothing of Jesus or the gospel. What happens to them? Can they be judged for something that they have never heard?
Paul tells us that they have the law written upon their hearts. They have a conscience!
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves. which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. Romans 2:14-15 KJV
Deep inside, we all know right from wrong. We have a sufficient moral understanding. Someone living in a remote place, perhaps deep within a jungle, has the same guilty conscience when he has done wrong, that someone living in a "Christian" nation has when he has sinned.
We can harden our hearts however, and as a result, sear our conscience (1 Tim 4:2). We no longer hear our conscience accuse us when we sin. We may become self righteous, just like the Pharisees. We trust in our "goodness" and shut out the voice of our conscience. We no longer hear it when we sin, because we have convinced ourselves otherwise.
This is a dangerous place to be in, as our conscience is given us by God as a warning to us that we are not acting right in the things we choose to do. A guilty conscience should drive us to the Savior, but if it is seared, if we no longer hear it, we will be content to persist in our lost condition.
Before I go further, I want to make clear that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8). Without the work of the Spirit in the life of a sinner, that individual will never repent of his sin and come to Christ. It is absolutely essential that the Holy Spirit is at work to convict and convince someone of their lost condition and desperate need.
That being said, let's now look at the law. David tells us that the "Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7). Paul tells us that the law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith (Gal 3:24). He also tells us by the law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).
The law (moral law/ten commandments) speaks to our conscience. As we have seen, we have a conscience, we have a sense of moral right and wrong. We know when we have sinned, and we know when we have done right. Our conscience tells us. Everyone of us has experienced this. We can all relate to that guilty feeling we have when we know we did something wrong. Again, many of us tend to shut out the voice of our conscience. We persist in sin, ignoring the guilty feeling we have until it goes away. We may convince ourselves of how good we are. We may justify our wicked deeds until our conscience is silent.
When someone is confronted by the law however, it awakens that voice of conscience. It begins to plow up the hard ground of the heart. A hardened sinner may once again feel guilty, gnawed by an uneasy dread of their sin and its consequences. A self righteous person now begins to see that they are not good, that they do indeed fall short of God's glory. They see by the work of the law in their hearts that they are not good, they are sinners, they do deserve the just wrath of God. The law Stops every mouth so that the world may become guilty before God (Romans 3:19). In other words, we have no excuse, no self justification, we stand guilty before God, and we know it! We have been confronted with God's righteous standard, not our own idea of what is right and wrong. Our awakened conscience agrees with God's standard and convicts us of our guilt.
A man may consider himself a good person, but when confronted with the fact that he has told lies, he now realizes that he is a liar. The same with theft, or adultery, or using God's name in vain. Paul was convicted as a lawbreaker when He realized he was a covetous individual (Romans 7:7). An individual may look at a woman with lust, but think there is nothing wrong with that as long as he does not commit the physical act. Jesus however declares this is adultery as well (Matt 5:27-28). All of a sudden, when confronted with God's perfect standard, a man's goodness fades away, and leaves him with the knowledge that he has violated God's law.
It is just like a man on trial who hopes to get off the hook. He may have rejected a plea bargain. He believes he has an air tight alibi. He is sure he will get away with his crimes. His hope is completely dashed when the prosecuting attorney confronts him with the irrefutable evidence of his guilt. So it is with the law of God. We may fool others, we may fool ourselves, but we will never fool God.
God's word is living and active. it shows us the truth about ourselves, the things that we hide deep down inside. Like a mirror, when we look at His law, the perfect law of liberty, we see what we truly look like, who we really are in the eyes of God (Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22-25).
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