Archive of articles by Kent Heaton 2009. These articles are free to be reprinted with acknowledgment of authorship.
It was on the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:14-19) that God placed lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and to serve as signs and seasons, and for days and years. The sun would rule in the day and the moon would rule in the night. The design of the heavenly bodies was to give light on the earth and to divide the light from the darkness. “And God saw that it was good.”
Our world is not two thousand and nine years old. It is much older and no one knows the exact age of the earth. As we pass the milestone of 2009 we reflect upon the creation of time and the impact on man. The world is ruled by days and nights that have been established in a period of time since creation. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) declares that man lives in an envelope of time. Creation itself is divided into six days with the Lord resting on the seventh day. The garden where man first lived had a “tree of life” (Genesis 2:9) that would sustain the years of man’s existence forever. Following the rebellion of man in Genesis 3 the Lord God drove man from the garden “lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Genesis 3:22).
Moses writes of Adam living 930 years and his son Seth living 912 years (Genesis 5:5,6). The oldest man in the Bible is recorded as Methuselah at the age of 969 years (Genesis 5:27). Throughout the pages of scripture the Holy Spirit impresses upon the pages of time the years of man’s fleeting years. Life has been measured by the ruler of time since the beginning and how many new years have passed is known only to the Creator. The reality of life is that while we acknowledge a new year it is only an old reminder of the ages past where men have walked before.
Time is a fleeting vapor that “appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). The marking of transition between years serves as a reminder that we are mortal beings governed by the clock of time ever winding down toward a final end. Reflections are made from this past year of those whom we knew and loved that died. In that somber reflection we acknowledge that time has passed for that person. Man has a beginning and man has an end. There is no new year for them. Even if we were able to live as long as Methuselah we would find the same fate he found at the age of 969: “and he died.” Should this make us despondent or should this make us aware of our mortality?
The celebration of a new year should be a time of joy to share with one another in the blessing of God’s grace. Cognitive of this fact should cause us to think soberly upon the decisions that we made last year and the decisions we shall make this year. Moses declared in Psalm 90, “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (v12). We should number our days in the celebration of our years. The decisions made last year will find fruit in the plans we will seek in the coming year to be more keenly aware of our lives before an eternal God.
The Preacher of Ecclesiastes declared, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments for this is the whole of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Happy New Year in the year of our Lord 2009. May the blessing of God’s Son be our guiding light in this new year.
The Consequence Of Sin Can Outlive Us
The apostle Paul declared in Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” There has always been consequence to sin from the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden (Genesis 2,3). Man should not think that he can escape the eye of God.
King David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) and became the greatest king to sit upon the throne of Israel. Whenever David’s name is mentioned there is always a sidebar of remembering the incident with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah the Hittite. In 2 Samuel 11 we read of David walking on the roof of his house one evening when he “saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold” (2 Samuel 11:2). David brought Bathsheba into his palace and lay with her. Later she told the King that she was with child. Wanting to cover the incident up, her husband was recalled from the besieging of the city of Rabbah.
Uriah the Hittite was one of the mighty men of David (2 Samuel 23:39; 1 Chronicles 11:41). He was a man of honor and nobility in service to his king. When called home from the war, he refused to enter his house as long as his men and the ark were engaged in battle. Failing at other attempts to coerce Uriah into bed with his wife, David sent an order (by the hand of Uriah) to his general, Joab, to place Uriah in the heat of battle and then withdraw. Uriah carried his death notice and died in the battle.
It was later God sent Nathan the prophet to David to declare unto him the judgment of the Lord upon David & Bathsheba, the child and the descendants of David. The immediate consequence of David’s sin was the condemnation of God. The grace of God allowed David to live (2 Samuel 12:13) but the child would die. Further consequence that David would suffer is the sword would never leave his house and adversaries would rise up against him – even from his own household (see Absalom and Adonijah). The house of David suffered many years of hardship because of David’s sin.
The punishment outlined by Nathan (2 Samuel 12:7-15) was immediate at least in the lifetime of David. The sad part of David’s sin was that he would forever be marked as the man who took Uriah’s wife. When the account of Abijam’s reign in Judah is given in the book of 1 Kings it says: “Because David did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite” (1 Kings 15:5). The consequence of sin remained.
Remarkably when the genealogy of Jesus Christ is given in Matthew’s account, David is again marked with his sin. “Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6). Generations removed David is still remembered for what he did to Uriah and his sin with Bathsheba.
Sin will take you farther than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay. The lust of the flesh will mark a person for lifetime as the one who is known for what they have done. This does not dismiss forgiveness as God forgave David but the reality of the reaping of sin sowed in a moment’s reckless folly will blacken the pages of life – and sometimes long after the person has died. Many have walked that road today and bear a heavy burden. David cries from the grave long passed: “O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
John the Baptist was a fire and brimstone preacher. His appearance alone would strike fear into most hearts. “Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). His sermons were direct and not very commending to the religious order of the Jewish nation. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance’” (Matthew 3:7-8). He would warn them not to trust in their lineage for God did not approve of their hypocrisy.
When John was preaching to the people he would rebuke their pretense but then follow up with great words of encouragement. The historian Luke records such a sermon in Luke 3. After warning the multitudes to “bear fruits worthy of repentance,” John was asked by the people, “What shall we do then?” (Luke 3:10). John outlined five things they needed to do.
First, they needed to give to the needy. “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise” (Luke 3:11). Albert Barnes said of this passage: “In other words, aid the poor according to your ability; be benevolent, and you will thus show that your repentance is genuine.” John did not want to make the people think that repentance required only hardship but the attitude of heart that would reach out to other people. A changed heart toward God is a changed heart toward one another.
“And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than what you have been ordered to’” (Luke 3:12,13). Honesty is a characteristic of the people of God. Tax collectors were hated by the Jews because of their propensity to take more taxes than required by the Romans and pocket the rest for themselves. Zaccheus acknowledged if he had defrauded anyone he would return four times as much (Luke 19:1-10). The author Matthew was a tax collector. John exhorts the people to be honest before all men.
Remarkably, some soldiers came and questioned John the Baptist about what they must do. "’And what about us, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages’" (Luke 3:11-14). The final three admonitions are found in response to questions by soldiers. Soldiers had a powerful role in John’s world; whether as Romans soldiers or those who served Herod or Philip. Regardless of their place of responsibility, John admonishes them to be kind, be truthful and be content. What a powerful example the soldiers would make for the teaching of John the Baptist to fulfill those roles.
These lessons should not be lost on the people of God today. Our lives must be filled with benevolence (Matthew 25:31-46) for we will be judged by such. Honesty is the golden crown of a Christians life (Ephesians 4:15;25-32). Kindness and truth should be our garments of grace to others (Colossians 3:12-17). Being content is the admonition of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11 and 1 Timothy 6:8. The Hebrew writer also exhorts the Christians to “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). John the Baptist had a good sermon.
He Warned Them Not To Make Him Known
Jesus was a remarkable man. Beyond the obvious recognition of His deity and Sonship with the Father, Jesus is an example of humility. No where is this more clearly seen than the many times He healed great multitudes and individuals. Matthew writes, “Many followed him, and he healed them all, and warned them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well-pleased; I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A battered reed he will not break off, and a smoldering wick he will not put out, until he leads justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope" (Matthew 12:15-21). It would be very difficult to be healed of leprosy and not tell anyone. How could you not proclaim the praises of the one who gave you sight or made your legs walk again? How could Lazarus not say something (John 11)?
Jesus found it difficult to restrain those he healed to be quiet. Jesus told the leper in Matthew 8 to “tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” (v4). Luke tells us the “news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses” (Luke 5:15). How do you not tell others that Jesus raised your daughter from the dead (Luke 8:49-56)?
The explanation Matthew gives for Jesus asking those he healed not to make it known is found in Isaiah 42:1-4. Paul T. Butler writes about this passage: “The nature of the Servant of Jehovah will be diametrically opposed to all human concepts of saviourhood or messiahship. He will not put on a huge show and make a lot of noise. He will not advertise nor hire a public relations man to create for him a popular image. He will not call attention to himself merely for his own satisfaction. He will not seek his own glory. He comes humbly. He comes to save, not to win the acclaim of men. He comes to serve, not to be served.” [Bible Study Textbook Series; Isaiah Volume III; College Press, Joplin, Missouri]
Jesus proclaimed of himself, "I do not receive glory from men … I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges” (John 5:41; 8:50). The people wanted to make Jesus a king after he fed five thousand (John 6:15). The work of the Lord was not about the accolades of men. When Satan left Christ following the temptation recorded in Luke it says that the devil “departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). Satan did not cease to tempt Jesus. The old serpent tried again and again to tempt Jesus to fall down and worship him. Jesus lived daily with the temptation of the devil.
What fame Jesus would be able to attain because of his healing; what power to feed the masses and how so many would flock to him to be fed; through miracles Jesus could defeat all the armies that marched on the face of the earth. Yet, the humble servant knew that his work was not about fading glory but the glory of the Father. Many today need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as we all possess the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:1-11). The “Me-Me-Me” religion of today is not in harmony with the character of Jesus Christ. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Peter 5:6).
Justice is a fleeting mistress to many who refuse to obey God’s will. The world of Paul’s day was a “crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15) and where was the justice to punish such evil doing? The majority of people today serve the god of this world and walk “according to the course of this world” (Ephesians 2:2) without penalty. David lamented how the wicked prosper and “there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind” (Psalms 73:4-5). Why do the wicked prosper? Is there no reward for their rebellion?
The wise man declares in Proverbs 11 the end of all those who do not serve God. “The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed. When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes. The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place” (Proverbs 11:5-8). The wicked plants his own seed of destruction. Their actions are not unnoticed by Jehovah God. Moses reminds us of the omniscience of the Lord. “You have placed our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence” (Psalms 90:8).
The wicked become their worst enemy. “For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths. His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin” (Proverbs 5:21-22). There is nothing that men do that God is unaware. The wicked will suffer the consequences of their actions as one who sows must reap what they have sown (Galatians 6:7,8). When a man lays the groundwork for wickedness he will fall into the very calamity he has created. “He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them” (Ecclesiastes 10:8-9).
Haman plotted to kill Mordecai and built a gallows 75 feet high to finish the job. “So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai” (Esther 7:10). The enemies of Daniel convinced King Darius to declare a decree that would put Daniel in the lions den. Daniel was thrown to the lions but delivered by the Lord. “The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones” (Daniel 6:24).
The conclusion of the wicked is his “expectation will perish” (Proverbs 11:7). There is nothing to hope for and eternity is not life but death. Those who live righteous will receive blessing in death but those who are wicked will have nothing to live for but eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46). There is a place for the wicked and whether judgment is given in this life does not matter because “God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
No one will escape the presence of the Lord. “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against Jehovah; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Jesus Was The Father Of John The Baptist
Confucius made the observation that those who have no children know so much about child rearing. It is very difficult to imagine someone without children presenting themselves as an expert about children. All the books in the world will not prepare one for the reality of child rearing. This is true in many walks of life. A person who has never been married does not make the most reliable marriage counselor. The doctor who has never been in the operating room is very limited in the science of surgery. When a General commands his troops in war it is best suited when their leader has battlefield experience.
If you ask the common man on the street his opinion of the Bible you will receive a wide range of analysis, commentary and factual conclusions based upon a limited (if any) knowledge of the true content of scripture. Many of those who criticize the Bible have never spent any time examining the book itself. Round table discussions of the word of God include “facts” such as Jesus was really the father of John the Baptist; Mary Magdalene was a prostitute; Paul was a frustrated gay man; Lazarus really was not dead but just happen to come out of the tomb when Jesus called him; Jonah was never swallowed by a fish; the flood of Genesis 6 never happened; Jesus was married and had children whose offspring now live in Spain; and a myriad of other things that people candidly pass off as informative conclusions about the Bible.
What is clearly evident in discussions such as this is that usually the conclusions are being drawn by those who are not opening the Bible up and pointing the proof of their argument – but you can do that with the Bible. “But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John” (Luke 1:13). How can a person decide that Jesus was the father of John the Baptist when it plainly says that Zacharias was his father? Jesus and John were cousins (Luke 1:5,13,26,27,36) and that is about all.
The lesson is found in the importance of being honest with the Bible. There is more evidence (1000 fold) of the accuracy of the Bible than the writings of William Shakespeare. The reason that people approach the Bible with a kind of mythical view is because it allows them to dismiss the Bible as a fairy-story book of fables. The Bible demands faith and faith is based upon truth (Romans 10:17). To deny the accuracy of the Bible is to allow the reader to dismiss the necessity of faith. Through this action accountability is removed and the individual can live as he chooses; not under the servitude of the Creator.
This attitude toward the word of God is how the Jewish leaders killed Jesus. Two false witnesses swore to the Sanhedrin that Jesus said, "I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days” (Matthew 26:61). Read John 2:13-22 to see how they twisted the words of Jesus. The Bible is twisted so many ways today that few can recognize the truth when they see it. The Psalmist declared the truth of God’s word: “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).
The apostle Peter wrote, “If anyone speaks, let him speaks as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). In other words, if you are going to say something about the Bible do it as one who is speaking the utterances of God – what is written on the page. Then you will not look as a fool before God (Psalm 53:1; Proverbs 10:8; 12:15; 13:16; 14:7; esp. 18:2).
What comparison can we ever give or try to give or imagine that would help us understand the kind of God we serve? It is not in the best prose to begin an article with a question but when faced with the declaration of Micah 7:18 what can man say? The best commentary on the verse would be without words for there are no words to convey the enormity of the thought. Who is a God like Jehovah? How do you measure His stature? How do you behold His glory? What is man to be mindful of Him?
“The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind” (Job 40:6) and what a storm that was. How do you compare the feeble ant like features of man to the universal expanse of the greatness of the Almighty? Reading Job 40-41 man is placed in his subservient role of the creation before the mighty hand of the Creator. O Lord, how large your ocean; how small my boat.
“Who is a God like you” demands answers in regard to the insignificance of man. We are not left without answer as Micah gives cry to the likeness of the Lord in His mercy, love, compassion and forgiveness. “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19).
What can man raise up to rival the pardoning of God? How often we rebel against Him and His word and yet He offers remission of sins. In Jesus Christ we have the blessing of redemption. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We fail to live up to the will of the Father and yet He is longsuffering (1 Timothy 1:16). Unlike men of earth in our rebellion the Lord does not retain His anger forever but releases our sins through His Son and holds no charge against us (Isaiah 57:16; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 8:12).
The Almighty loves to give grace and mercy to His people (Ephesians 2:4,5). His compassion brings about the breath of forgiveness and peace (Philippians 4:6,7). How do you compare what God does with our sins? In a figure the Lord cast our sins “into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). The psalmist defines this ‘deepness’ when he wrote, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12).
“Who is a God like You” is not a question but a declaration of truth. The answer is self-evident. There is nothing man has done or will ever do that can compare to the slightest hint of the border of the hem of the expanse of God’s love and forgiveness. R. M. Lehman wrote, “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky” (Hymn, The Love of God).
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends … For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again … For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 15:13; 10:17; 3:16). WHO IS A GOD LIKE YOU?
Life is filled with many challenges. In any length of time decisions will be made that will bring about sadness and regret. The reality of life is not that there will be no regrets but that those regrets will be few. Adam and Eve lived with the regret of one decision that forever changed their lives and the destiny of mankind (Genesis 3). Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and was a just man, perfect in his generations. He walked with God and moved with godly fear, prepared the ark for the saving of his household (Genesis 6-8; Hebrews 11:7). Yet he got drunk one day and indirectly led to the curse upon his own son, Canaan (Genesis 9:18-29).
Abraham is the father of the faithful (Romans 4:16) but his life is marred by the regret of his lack of faith when he lied to Pharaoh (Genesis 12) and Abimelech (Genesis 20). Moses, the great leader of the people of Israel, accomplished so much in his life and remains the image of the Old Testament covenant that bears his name (Joshua 8:31). The greatest tragedy of Moses’ life was not the killing of the Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15). Sadly when in anger he fails to give the Lord glory at Kadesh (bringing water from the rock) the Lord tells Moses he would not bring the people of Israel into the land of Canaan (Numbers 20:1-13).
King Saul would live to regret his decision to offer an unlawful sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:1-5) and for sparing King Agag (1 Samuel 15). His kingdom was taken away from him and David ruled in his place. The giant killer David lived a life worthy of following as he shows courage before Goliath, mercy to King Saul and friendship to Jonathan. However he is also remembered for the decision he made that would haunt him the rest of his life and be inscribed on the pages of God’s words until the end of time. Who does not know the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11,12)? His regrets were numerous as he caused the death of a noble man (Uriah), the death of the child born through the adultery with Bathsheba and the punishment from the Lord as Nathan explained in 2 Samuel 12:10-15). Later, Matthew would record the following words: “Jesse fathered David the king. And David the king fathered Solomon of her who had been wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6). Life with regrets.
The rich young ruler would regret his decision (Matthew 19:16-22), the Jews would regret their denial of the Messiah (Acts 2:36-39), Peter denied the Lord (Luke 22:54-62), Paul persecuted the church (Acts 26) and the list is legion of those who lived every day with regret. The only one who lived a complete life with no regrets was Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:21-24).
What is the value of the lesson? Because we are frail creatures of dust and disobey the Lord we will experience times in our lives when the event can never be changed and we will carry the burden of that knowledge our whole life. The victory is found in Jesus Christ who does not suggest there will not be failures in life but the ability to work through those failures. Through forgiveness we can know that our mistakes will not be eternal (1 John 1:5-9). We must strive to live life with fewer regrets! With all the people of God that lived with regret the one decision they made that had eternal consequences was to be obedient to the Lord. Failure to follow that pattern will lead to a regret that has eternal consequences (Matthew 7:21-23).
Consider The Cost First To Lessen The Debt Later
The burden of debt robs happiness and joy from life. In our economic crisis our world has been propelled into a dark period of hardship, sadness and depression. As many have spent their time enjoying whatever the heart finds to do the day of reckoning brings about the reality of life unbridled. Free spending of temporary wealth has plunged untold families into financial nightmares. Thousands have lost their homes, jobs and joy of life. Insurmountable debts are brought about by not given due consideration to the cost; throwing aside caution and wisdom to enjoy the passing pleasures of life. Reality is the wake-up call that for every action there must be a reaction. But we do not speak of the spending of money – we speak of the spending of lives marred by sin.
Paul reminds us that “whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). When we spend our lives enjoying whatever the heart finds to do there will be a day when the harvest will be gathered. It seems joyful for the moment but then reality settles in and the debt of sin overwhelms the soul. Eve thought that a little taste of the forbidden fruit would be enjoyable and she also gave some to her husband (Genesis 3:6). But then their eyes were opened and it was too late. They were ashamed and fearful at what they had done.
The nature of immorality is that it looks appetizing and appealing and fun; and we must know there is a hunger and desire that is pleasant and enjoyable. In those moments when Adam and Eve tasted the fruit there was enjoyment and pleasure. It was the aftertaste that changed their minds. Immorality is a tempting fruit of desire that brings fulfillment but for a moment. The aftertaste is a life of guilt, sadness, despair and ruin for the loss of innocence, purity and holiness before God.
Wisdom suggests that a clear picture of sin must be understood in the debt that will become a burden hard to bear. The crafty woman of Proverbs 7 is one that entices the young man with all the finery of her day and the alluring speech enticing his heart to lay with her. “With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:21-27).
The cost is the slaughter of ones life and what a high price is paid. If wisdom had been the guiding path and the cost would have been counted the young man would not have passed near her street (Proverbs 7:6-20). The proverb writer goes on to say that “the fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). Hating evil is to stay far away from it and counting the cost of coming near to evil. “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Consider the debt of sin before paying the ultimate price. “Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched” (Proverbs 6:27-28).
The period of a man’s life is summed up by our Creator as merely a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes away (James 4:14). The greatest challenge we face is the reality of our mortality and the brevity of that transient journey called life. It is hard to conceive that life can be so short when all around us is full of life and vitality. Yet the numbering of our days is suggested by the psalmist Moses in his prayer to God. “For all our days have declined in Your fury; we have finished our years like a sigh. As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away. Who understands the power of Your anger and Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:9-12).
Moses does not suggest that all men will live to be seventy but the fullness of life is measured by a span of time for man but only a glimpse of eternity from the view of Heaven. He lived to be 120 years of age and “his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated” (Deuteronomy 34:7). Our lives are nothing more than a sigh and soon passed away. The lesson is for all of us to number our days and receive wisdom from our mortality.
Viewing this passage from my own life I realize that Lord willing I have a span of eighteen years and if by strength twenty eight years. Added to this knowledge is the clear reality that my death can come today - at any moment. The lesson from Moses is not about the numbers but about the numbering. Wisdom helps us see through the eye of faith that life for the child of God must be viewed in light of eternity. Our lives are not measured by the marching of time but the time we march into that great city, the holy Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10-27).
Facing death is what we all share and our understanding of that determines our outlook of life. Some are fully aware of their death as disease has crippled them and left little time for their lives to continue. I cannot grasp the measure of faith that men like Phil Roberts had in facing death nor of the faith of Gary Ogden who now faces his mortality. Countless children of God have stood at the door of death and viewed it not with fear but with the longing faith of one who wants to go home to the Father.
Luke describes the death of Stephen as “falling asleep” (Acts 7:60) and Stephen was being murdered by a mob stoning him with stones. The horrible nature of death confuses our minds with the reality of death for the Christian. When Stephen was dying it was a terrible way to die; but he knew that in a moment of time his pain would cease and his life would be transformed from the earthly house to a “house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1-9).
Teach us to number our days and know the power of God that rests upon our lives now and especially the power of God that awaits us to carry us by angels to the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22). “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true’” (Revelation 21:4-5). May God grant us the eye of faith to see clearly the eternal home promised before time began (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 11:16).
Where Were You When I Laid The Foundation Of The Earth?
Job complained that God was not listening to his distress and that he wanted only to speak to the Almighty. He felt deserted by God. “Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment” (Job 19:6-7). The desire of Job’s anguished heart came true in Job 38. Whether Job believed God would hold audience with him, it came to pass from a whirlwind (Job 38:1ff).
Elihu had reproved Job for failing to consider his place before God. “Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's? For thou saidst, what advantage will it be unto thee? And, what profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand” (Job 35:2-7)? How could Job suppose to question the place of God or the integrity of God to his pitiful condition? As terrible a condition as Job found himself in, he needed to stop and consider the respect and honor due to the Creator.
Job 38-41 is a testimony that all men must read to understand how great Jehovah is and how insignificant man is. The achievements of man have lead to a false security that man is the greatest creation of the world. Pride elevates the nature of man to not need God and to rely upon his own wisdom for safety and happiness. Man has ventured far into space, explored the deepest parts of the ocean, conquered the highest mountains and created technology that goes beyond the imagination of any time in history. With this great wisdom comes the pride that expels any idea of God from the view of man.
God remains in the whirlwind declaring His majesty and power. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:4-7)? The answer is self evident. How can man measure himself before the Almighty? The world was created by the word of God (Genesis 1). Jehovah created man (Genesis 1:27)! Paul wrote, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus” (Romans 9:20)?
Isaiah describes man as grasshoppers in the sight of Him who “sits upon the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22). Nations are nothing more than a “drop in the bucket and are counted as small dust on the balance” before the Almighty (Isaiah 40:15). “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he” (Isaiah 41:4). Pride will lift the mind of man to glory in himself far beyond the honor due the Creator but He who made all things reminds man who is greatest when he strikes at man with nature. Can man tame the hurricane, ride the tornado, calm the seas or stop death? Man is no more than dust on the balance before the God who made the world.
What else should man do but honor a God so loving as sending His only begotten Son for the salvation of – dust on the balance (John 3:16)? Oh God how great your ocean, how small my ship, how great your salvation.
No Christian Was Ever Saved By Faith Alone
The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is a popular means by which many in the religious world have been deceived into believing they have obeyed the will of God and live under the presumption they are disciples of Christ. While the doctrine has been around for many years, Billy Graham did much to propagate the idea of salvation by faith alone. He writes, “Those who surrender their lives to Him and receive Him into their hearts. It is this act which makes you a Christian” (My Answer, 9/15/55). Pulpits throughout the land offer an invitation of false hope when honest people are seeking the way of salvation. What they are given is a doctrine of men that is not found in scripture.
Martin Luther said, "We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone." While he played with semantics, Luther suggested in opposition to the works salvation of the Roman Catholic Church that one had simply to have faith to be saved. Neither is true (salvation by works alone; salvation by faith alone) and yet many people are still being led to believe that accepting Christ as their Savior and Lord is all it takes to “make” a Christian.
Remarkably, the only place in the Bible (all sixty-six books) that “faith” and “alone” is found is written by James in James 2:17 – “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17 – King James Version). The American Standard Version renders the passage, “Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.” Martin Luther believed that James contradicted what Paul wrote but it never changed the truth of Paul’s writings nor James because “no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21).
Not one example of a person becoming a New Testament disciple by “faith alone” is found in scripture. There are many examples of conversion (Acts of the Apostles) but none are told to say “yes” to Christ and at that moment experience the new birth. Does eternal life begin the moment we accept Christ as Savior and Lord? Not according to the Bible. Why do so many people believe in such a doctrine when there is no evidence of teaching in the word of God?
The great tragedy of the doctrine of salvation by faith alone is the deception it brings to the hearts of those who honestly are seeking the truth of deliverance from sin and in the mind of God fail to achieve that blessing. Why? The apostle Paul warned Timothy of the dangers of the doctrines of men. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is a falsehood.
Is faith necessary for salvation? “Without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6). What did Peter tell those gathered on Pentecost (Acts 2:36-41)? What instructions were given the Samaritans in Acts 8:5-13? How did the Ethiopian become a disciple of Christ (Acts 8:35-38)? How did Paul explain his conversion (Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-21)? Cornelius found the truth in Acts 10 as did Lydia in Acts 16:13-15; the jailor in Acts 16:25-34 and the Corinthians in Acts 18:8.
What must you do to be saved today? Follow the same pattern as found in the New Testament. That is the only way to be a Christian (Luke 6:46-49).
The Shortest Verse In The Bible
One of the favorite passages among young children learning to memorize scripture is John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” To memorize two words is very easy and if you were required to say a memorization passage this is the passage to be chosen (unlike Esther 8:9 which has ninety words). I heard a preacher recently refer to John 11:35 as the shortest verse in the Bible. This made me think of something I found in my studies –1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice always.” Of course, the term ‘shortest’ can be defined either by shortest passage in words (two) or shortest passage in syllables (John 11:35 has three; 1 Thessalonians 5:16 has four). I have always thought the shortest verse in the Bible meant how many words were in the verse (but what do I know).
The Bible was not written with chapter/verse divisions. As Moses penned the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) he did not begin with Genesis 1:1. He began in the Hebrew as “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light …” and so forth. When Paul wrote his epistles found in the New Testament, they were letters written to various churches and individuals. This is the pattern for all of the books. There were various divisions within Isaiah, Lamentations and of course Psalm 119.
Stephen Langton and Hugo de Sancto Caro established the division of chapters between 1227 and 1248. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this chapter pattern. The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into verses by a Jewish rabbi by the name of Nathan in A.D. 1448. Robert Estienne, who was also known as Stephanus, was the first to divide the New Testament into standard numbered verses, in 1555. The Bible in chapter/verse division is of recent history.
The lesson I draw from this illustration is that often we believe something that is not quite according to what the Bible says. I know that whether John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible or not has nothing to do with eternal salvation but the principle of how we come to certain conclusions may have a bearing on such. There are many “chimney corner scriptures” held fervently by people that have no basis in Biblical truth. Phrases like “All men are created equal … An idle mind is the devil's workshop … Cleanliness is next to godliness … Spare the rod and spoil the child … Give the devil his due … Blood is thicker than water … Bread is the staff of life … Familiarity breeds contempt … God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.”
Many people hold fervently to the idea that Jesus was born on December 25; wise men saw the baby Jesus in a manger; Mary Magdalene was a prostitute; Peter was a “Pope”; salvation is by faith alone; join the church of your choice; the early disciples worshipped with instrumental music; the anti-Christ is a man with 666 on his forehead; Jesus will return to earth to reign on David’s throne; Armageddon is a nuclear holocaust still yet to come … and so the list of myths abound.
Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). To His disciples Jesus declared, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Truth is what the Bible says and what the Bible says alone. We must be diligent to examine scripture and declare what the scriptures say in truth. If it is not in the Bible, it is not truth.
What Do We Do With The Old Testament
It is often thought of those in the Church of Christ that they do not believe in the Old Testament. It is a fair question to ask and worthy of consideration. The Old Testament is so named by the collection of sixty-six books describing the history of early man, the creation of the nation of Israel with its laws and covenants and the history of the Israel from its glory to its downfall. The book of Genesis is a book of “beginnings” telling the story of man’s creation, his dispersion over the face of the earth and the early traces of Israel’s history through the lineage of Abram of Ur Chaldee.
Exodus unfolds the story of Israel’s leader, Moses, who would lead the people out of Egyptian bondage and then to the borders of the promised land. Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy would unfold the covenant of God with the people of Israel and beginning with the conquest of the land seen through the eyes of Joshua, the promised land would be conquered. Following the conquest the land would be settled, established with kings and destroyed in captivity because of rebellion against God.
The Old Testament is largely the telling of the Law of Moses to the people of Israel. The Law was not given to any other nation but only Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-3). It is important to remember the Law of Moses (which included the Ten Commandments – Deuteronomy 5:4-22) was only given to one people – the nation of Israel. A man who lived in Europe during the time of David, King of Israel, was not accountable to the Law of Moses without being a proselyte of Israel. Often people read the Old Testament with the Law as if all men were accountable to the Law of Moses. They were not – only the nation of Israel.
When Christ came, He came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17) by living perfect to take away the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:10-14). The Law of Moses has been abolished with its commandments and regulations – including the Ten Commandments (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14). The Hebrew (8:7) writer describes the “better covenant” with “better promises” and “if that first covenant (Law of Moses) had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second” (Law of Christ). Paul declared we are “delivered from the law” in Romans 7:6.
As a body of law, the Law of Moses (including the Ten Commandments) is not binding today. Most people fail to see a distinction between the Old Testament as a body of law and the New Testament as a body of law. This does not suggest the Old Testament is not invaluable for the Christian because “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Romans 15:4 encapsulates the foundation of the Old Testament by reminding us of the lessons we learn from its writings (see also 1 Corinthians 10:1-13). The Old Testament tells us who God is, who we are and so many, many vital lessons for the Christians. The lessons are based on principles; not law. The law of the disciples of Christ comes from the New Testament and the New Testament alone. We serve Christ and seek authority for all we do from His law. The transfiguration clearly shows the law and the prophets are no longer binding as law (Matthew 17:1-5; see also Hebrews 1:1-4).
We cannot understand the New Testament without the Old. It is the word of God!
That We May Work The Works Of God
When Naaman the leper came to Elisha in 2 Kings 5 he was looking for a way to be healed of the certain death of leprosy. A captive maiden had told Naaman’s wife about a prophet in Israel that could heal Naaman of his leprosy. Standing at the door of the house of Elisha, Naaman is told what to do to be saved from this terrible disease. “Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean" (2 Kings 5:10).
At first Naaman was furious about the instructions and refused to obey. After the admonition of his servants, Naaman “went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14). The commander of the Syrian army was now free from the horrible consequences of leprosy because of two things: the grace of God and his own obedience to the will of God.
Salvation from sin (more horrible than leprosy) is cured in the same manner. The grace of God is abundant toward man through the offering of Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-14). However the grace of God is of no effect if we do not obey the will of God. This obedience is found in the implication to work fully the plan of salvation given to us by the grace of God (Philippians 2:12). Naaman was not saved simply by the grace of God nor when he believed in the grace of God. His salvation came about when he believed in the grace of God, embraced the message of the grace of God and acted upon the will of God by obedience in the Jordan river. There were no magic potions in the river but the obedience of Naaman to the instructions of the prophet of God is how he was saved. Was he saved by works? Obedience is works.
In John 6 the people asked Jesus, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:28-29). Remarkably we find that belief itself is a work. Salvation can never be without works because belief is necessary for salvation (John 8:24).
Could Naaman have been cleansed by faith alone? No, he had to follow the pattern Paul wrote about in Philippians 2:12 – “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). This idea of “working out … salvation” is to ‘finish, cause to happen’ and fortifies the Biblical teaching of man’s necessity of obeying the will of God. Noah would not have been saved if he relied solely upon the grace of God (Genesis 6:7,13,14; Hebrews 11:7) and not built the ark (Genesis 6:22). Salvation by grace alone would have destroyed Noah and his family and Naaman would never have been cleansed from leprosy. "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27).
Ephesians 2 reminds us that our salvation is not based upon our own merit but God’s grace but without works we are not justified. “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). Justified by works!
The sacrifices of the Law of Moses were ordained by God as a sign of the covenant between Israel and the Lord (Psalm 50:5). Reading the Law unfolds a myriad of sacrifices that required the people to offer oxen, sheep, goats, grain, drink offerings, peace offerings and so forth. “Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the Lord, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep” (1 Kings 8:63). During the course of the Law governing the sacrifices including the sacrifices of Abraham and the faithful of the Lord, millions of animals were slaughtered.
In David’s mournful Psalm of sorrow over sin the psalmist declares, “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Psalms 51:16-17). Israel lost the message of God’s true intent of sacrifices. It was not about the killing of animals but the destruction of a proud heart. In the midst of his sin with Bathsheba, David recognized that no amount of animal sacrifice could take away the guilt of his sin. He knew that what God required was a spirit broken with the grief of sin and a heart remorseful of the shame he brought to his heavenly Father.
Godly sorrow is the essence of repentance. “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). When one comes before the throne of God in sorrow it can only be from a heart broken by the weight of sin. Isaiah declares, “For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite’” (Isaiah 57:15).
Sorrow in repentance comes from a heart that has been crushed under the weight of bringing shame to the Heavenly Father, to His Son and to the Holy Spirit. “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). The relationship with the Father is based upon an earnest desire to please Him in everything. When we fail to do that and we follow our own desires, the feelings of sorrow should overwhelm us with untold grief as we realize we have been displeasing to God.
Nathan came to David and told him God knew what he had done. When faced with the realization of his sin, David did not react in pride and arrogance defending his actions. “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD’” (2 Samuel 12:13). David’s heart was broken and contrite. He experienced the grief of his sin within his own heart and when brought before God through the hand of Nathan, his grief increased dramatically. David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) because David understood that no number of animals could bring him closer to God without a heart that was broken down with guilt and overwhelmed with the knowledge of what sin had done.
Our view of sin must be based upon the understanding of its impact upon our lives. Repentance is the willingness to humble the heart in broken tones of deep remorse in the presence of God. “These, Of God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
Circumcision Made Without Hands
The covenant of circumcision was first given to Abraham in Genesis 17 and became a sign of the covenant between God and the children of Israel. The early church had numerous problems with Jewish converts trying to impose circumcision upon Christians (Acts 15). When the Law of Moses was abolished, the covenant of circumcision was also abolished. However, Paul uses circumcision to describe the avenue of salvation for all men. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:11-12).
While the circumcision of Abraham was a fleshly act, the covenant described by Paul was one “made without hands” signifying a spiritual cutting off the old man of sin. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Romans 6:6). The necessity of circumcision was imposed upon the children of Israel as the sign of God’s grace and mercy. “And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant" (Genesis 17:14). This same imposition is implied by Paul in the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh.
The circumcision of Christ is the antitype of the circumcision of Abraham as a sign of the covenant between God and His people. Without the circumcision of Christ man cannot enjoy the blessings of the covenant. When a Jewish male was circumcised on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3) he entered into covenant with God. When someone seeks to be saved today they must also enter into a covenant with God through the act of the circumcision made without hands. Paul describes this circumcision in Colossians 2:12 as baptism.
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5). When one obeys the gospel of Christ through faith and is baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:28) they become the “true circumcision, the people who are in covenant with God” (Wilbur Fields).
The act of fleshly circumcision involved blood and through the spiritual act of circumcision (baptism) the blood of Jesus Christ redeems us and makes us blood bought people in covenant with the Father. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant” (Hebrews 13:20; see also Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:16-10:18). Without the circumcision made without hands there is no covenant and without a covenant there is no salvation. Obedience requires submission to the covenant requirements of the law of God.
This time of year is filled with anticipation and excitement as young people who have spent more than half of their life in school will graduate and move on to the next phase of their lives. With eagerness graduates will enter the world with naïve expectations and goals. There will be many lessons to learn from the “university of hard knocks” and without proper guidance, these decisions will lead to life long regrets. How can the young secure their hearts to make decisions that will offer a life time of rewards? The answer lies within the pages of God’s word.
The fifth book of the Bible is a place of transition for a newly formed nation. From the days of Abraham in Genesis through the stories of the Exodus, the nation of Israel was formed and delivered from the bondage of Egyptian oppression. Because of rebellion, the nation had spent forty years wandering through the wilderness. Joshua has taken the lead of the nation following the death of Moses. The Lord’s advice to Joshua in Joshua 1 is an important foundation that young people should build their lives upon.
In verse two, Jehovah says to Joshua – “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” Joshua needed to recognize that the days of Moses were passed and that a new day dawned. There was a time of mourning for Moses (Deuteronomy 34) but those days were passed. There was work to be done and goals to accomplish. The Jordan River needed to be crossed to conquer the land. Joshua should focus on the task at hand without the regrets and disappointments of yesterday.
Someone once said, “We are victims of our past, prisoners of the present and judges of our future.” The days of High School are over and the expanse of life is before each graduate. An eye of anticipation should prevail as each graduate begins to set the course for his or her life. There may be regrets in life and disappointments but what matters now is establishing solid patterns of decisions that will lessen the regrets of the future. “Now therefore” signifies the face being set for the challenges of tomorrow.
God tells Joshua to “arise and go over this Jordan.” This is the importance of action and direction. Talking about conquering the land of Canaan did not get the job done. Crossing the Jordan and going about the work of God’s plan required action. In life, there will be many Jordan’s to cross. There will be Jericho’s that give us great victory (Joshua 6) and there will be failures as in the day of Ai (Joshua 7). The difference between Jericho and Ai is whether one trust in the Lord and obeys him.
Joshua was promised by God that in obedience, no man would be able to stand against the people of God nor would God forsake them. (Joshua 1:5) The most valuable tool the graduate can take with them in life is the promise of God given to Joshua. If one will fully trust in the Lord and seek His guidance in life, great victories will be achieved. Forsaking Jehovah will only bring failure. It takes courage to face the uncertainties of the future. “Be strong and of a good courage.” (Joshua 1:6) Be alert to the wiles of the devil (1 Peter 5:8) and follow the admonition of Paul in Ephesians 5:15,16 – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
The final advice is never to let the word of God depart from your life. “Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left … not depart out of thy mouth … meditate day and night … observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:7-8) The decision is yours graduate. Let Jehovah God rule in your life and guide your steps.
It was lying on the side of the road on the corner to my house. A single beer can discarded as a piece of trash by a person who had used its contents to fill a pleasure and then thrown out the window. I have seen hundreds of discarded cans and this one was no different with the exception of what it represented at that moment. The appeal of its contents had caused a person to purchase it and then consume the momentary feeling of pleasure. When the can was emptied, it had no use and was carelessly thrown out for someone else to pick up. It was empty. It had no use. It had lost its appeal. It was but for a moment. It was worthless.
Man has always sought for the momentary pleasures to fill his void. Looking for the appeal of alcohol man seeks out these cans of vipers poison and drinks his fill and while finding a sense of satisfaction for the moment realizes that it is only for a moment. His life is like the can he threw away – emptied, rejected, little use, shallow and unfulfilled. Lives have been destroyed because of intoxicating drink. Families are torn apart daily by its presence in the home. Young people live with consequences of their actions through the use of alcohol for the rest of their lives. As Herman Melville wrote in “Moby Dick,” it is truly a “demon.”
The wise man wrote in Proverbs 23:29-35, “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying, ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’”People of God have been shown by the Lord that alcohol has no value in their lives and no purpose. The great tragedy of its use is the end result – like a discarded can on the side of the road.
The appeal of momentary pleasure has driven many to the basement of alcohol’s deceit. There is no value in following a life of drunkenness or even flirting with the dangers of drinking as many do in what they refer to as “social drinking.” That makes as much sense as “social fornication.” The appeal of the Lord is for His people to be “obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14-16). Peter quotes from Leviticus 11:44 where the appeal of God to the people is for them to “sanctify” themselves before Him. One cannot sanctify themselves with a beer in hand.
Someone will pick the beer can up and throw it away. It will be left to families to pick up the pieces of shattered lives. Many who have found themselves in the slavery of alcohol will find their lives thrown on the side of the road as nothing more than an empty life. Christ has the answer and it is found in His love, His mercy, His forgiveness and His strength to overcome. He is the way out of sin, He is the only truth one can find about sin and He is the only one who can give life to empty lives (John 14:6). His path leads to the Father and to salvation. Don’t throw your life away. Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
I was cutting into one of those fine Ira Gore watermelons the other day when I realized the Satan liked watermelon also. Cutting the melon into quarters the first place I always go is the heart of the melon. This particular melon was a seeded melon and the heart is usually the sweetest part to me and less seeds. As I cut into that delicacy of fine melon flesh I thought that is exactly what Satan does with me – he aims for the heart.
When Satan appealed to Eve in Genesis 3, he did not come with showmanship and big bands and direct appeals to rebel against God. He went first after the heart. He said, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1). He did not take the fruit to her nor force her to partake. He sought the heart of Eve first to move her in the direction of rebellion. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6).
The battleground of righteousness and unrighteousness is the heart. Jesus said of the Pharisees, “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). The apostle Paul declared, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This is where battles are won and lost. Satan will always seek the heart of man to bring it into his submission.
In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) the Lord demonstrates the different types of hearts as being the wayside, the rocky, the thorny and the good ground. The reception of the seed (the word of God – Luke 8:11) depends on the kind of heart a person has. Satan takes the seed away from the hardened heart, kills the seed in the heart that is weak and causes the “cares, riches and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14) to make a good heart unfruitful. The only heart Satan has no control over is the heart broken of its hardness; the heart that has removed the rocks of worldliness; and refuses to allow the weeds of this life choke the productivity of the good ground.
God has always wanted the heart of man. He destroyed the world in Noah’s day because the “thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). David penned in Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” Later the Holy Spirit would say that David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). To win the battle of the heart we must “Love the Lord your God will all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). Satan cannot control that heart.
To protect against the unyielding oppression of Satan’s influence we must allow the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [to] guard [our] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). That is the only way to keep Satan from cutting out the heart. Refuse to open up to him and refuse to allow his influence in your life. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When we submit our hearts to the will of God the devil cannot stand. He cannot touch our hearts. Resist him!
To be a child of God is to enjoy the immeasurable blessings of a heavenly Father who grants gifts of mercy and grace to His children daily. Because of the sacrifice of the “only begotten Son,” (John 3:16) Christians embrace the warm relationship of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul declares the wondrous majesty of God’s people when he calls them the “elect of God, holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12). The Lord looks upon His people as said of Israel in Zechariah 2:8 – “For thus says the LORD of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.”
The elect of God are His own special people. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10). Christians are the chosen people of God and the priesthood established under Christ. As a nation of holy people we are to be that special gathering of mankind that enjoys the eternal blessings of the heavenly Father. Transformed from the power of darkness we are translated to the kingdom of light to show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness (Colossians 1:12-13).
The feelings of the Father toward His children are described as “beloved.” The Greek word “beloved” is the word ‘agapao’ or “love.” This word is used as a nobler form of love beyond the simple affectionate love ‘phileo.’ To be the “beloved” shows a deeper and constant love of the Father to His children. Ezekiel expressed in the description of God toward His people the loving care of God - "When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, says the Lord GOD.”
How can man compare the blessing of being the “beloved” of God with anything in this world? Not even the binding relationship of loving parents can instill the depth of love and the measure of peace given to the “beloved” by the Father. There is no measure. There is no confidence in the flesh. There is no thought that can transcend the essence of being under the wing of God and to know that a covenant exists where God says, “you are Mine.” With this kind of love we can dismiss the cares of the world and live with the peace of God every day. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
The elect of God enjoy the blessing of being the beloved of God. Our lives should reflect daily the respect for His name, the honor of His covenant, the privilege of being called the children of God. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). “How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light” (Psalms 36:7-9).
Standing on the beach is such a beautiful experience. Gazing across the water stretching beyond the horizon with the sun dancing playfully along its waves can bring a sense of calm. The lapping of water upon the shore feels sweet on bare feet. The soft breeze reminds one of the grandeur of God’s creation and His awesome power. It does not suggest a time of fear when viewing the tides rolling in and out. From the pen of the prophet Jeremiah comes the stern warning of the Lord when He inquires: “Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not: Do you not fear Me?' says the LORD. 'Will you not tremble at My presence, who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it” (Jeremiah 5:21-22).
While there is a feeling of calm repose enjoying the splendor of the oceans ebb the other side of reality is a reminder that the Creator has established laws that will not allow the waters to go beyond their habitation. There are many things man can look at of his creation and marvel at the ingenuity but how can man compare with the workings of the Almighty when he determines the boundaries of the waves? The Lord suggests to all men the need of fearing Him who is able to establish such things.
More than just a realization of the power of God through acts of nature man must also be in awe of another creation of God that is incomparable to the greatest works of man. “’For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’ says the LORD. ‘But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2). Few regard the word of God as a fearful book anymore. The pages of holy writ were held in honor and reverence by God fearing people who believed every word of its pages and sought to live under the grace of the message of God. The moral fiber of society has eroded the interest in the Bible to where it is seldom quoted, often neglected and impugned in character as a book out of touch.
The apostle Paul described the character of Jehovah in Romans 11:22 – “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22). The righteousness of God and the wrath of God is revealed in the word of God (Romans 1:16-18). The trembling of man’s heart is brought about by his recognition of how great Jehovah God is (the “earth is my footstool” Isaiah 66:1) and how dependent man is for everything (Psalm 96).
Trembling before the commands of the Lord is respecting the sacred message of the Book. “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up” (Nehemiah 8:5). The purity of the message must be honored. From the pages of God’s word is grace, mercy and truth. Our eternal destiny is bound in the pages of God’s word. Jesus Christ said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
Ezra pled with those who trembled at the commandments of the Lord to put away their unlawful wives (Ezra 10:3). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
Dead Faith And Faith Justified – Part 1
Salvation is of eternal consequence and all who believe in God must accept the will of God as He has given to man through His word. From the beginning of time requirements for salvation have been clearly outlined. Confusion has always come from the disregard man gives toward the law of the Lord. In the religious world of believers in Christ salvation has as many answers as the stars in the heavens. Can one be saved only by faith? Does grace alone save? What part do works have in my salvation? Can I be saved by works? These questions are paramount to salvation because a wrong answer will bring about dire consequences.
There are two kinds of faith and two kinds of works. There is a faith that is referred to as “dead faith.” James writes, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:17,26). Faith can be dead or of no power or invalid. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:1 of the faith justified. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This kind of faith is a righteous faith and acceptable to God.
There are two kinds of works: dead works and works that justify. The Hebrew writer urges his readers to “go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1). James describes works that make a person righteous before God. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Whether of faith or of works, there are those actions by the individual that will either condemn him before God or justify him before God.
Dead faith is characterized by Jesus in Matthew 6:30 when men fail to trust in God. He rebuked His disciples in Matthew 8:26 with their lack of faith during the storm. Faith alone cannot save as James illustrates: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble” (James 2:19). Felix was afraid but his trembling faith did not save him (Acts 24:25-27). The apostle John describes the rulers who believed in Jesus “but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).
Faith without works is a dead faith. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). Again in James 2:26 it says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” To believe that faith alone saves denies the clear teaching of God. The only time in scripture that ‘faith alone’ is found is when the Lord says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. The Hebrew writer declares in the great chapter on faith, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
The Bible shows that faith that is little, or trembling and without works is a dead faith – neither pleasing nor acceptable to God! Faith alone is a dead faith! Without faith man cannot please God! Next week we will examine faith justified and how man is saved by faith.
Dead Faith And Faith Justified – Part 2
Last week we looked at faith that was invalid or dead. James 2:17 & 26 tells us there is such a thing as dead faith. Faith that is little, trembling, without works and faith alone is a dead faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Thanks be to God that faith justified is a saving faith. Paul writes in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). This is the kind of faith that saves us and makes us whole before God.
Faith justified is like the faith of the centurion in Matthew 8:5-13. He had come to Jesus to heal his servant. When Jesus said he would come and heal him the centurion only ask for Jesus to speak a word to heal his servant. Jesus replied, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:10). This kind of great faith was exemplified by the gentile woman in Matthew 15:28. Having faith that will move mountains (Matthew 17:20) is a justified faith.
Many people deny that works saves and yet James writes that faith is made perfect by works. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:21-22). Faith justified is faith justified by works (James 2:18). Paul described it as “faith working through love” in Galatians 5:6. Saving faith is illustrated by Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Also in 2 Timothy 1:9, “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9).
Obedient faith is required to be justified before God. Obedient faith is exemplified by Abraham as the Hebrew writer illustrates. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise” (Hebrews 11:8-9).
The faith of Abraham was further tested when God instructed him to offer up Isaac as an offering (Genesis 22) and he obeyed. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17). James uses the same story to show how faith is justified. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:21-22).
Faith saves us and justifies us before the Father when it is the right kind of faith. We must have “faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1) to have a faith justified. Faith saves us when it is the right kind of faith. Next week we will examine works that are dead and works that justify us.
The story of Joseph is remarkable for many reasons. His visions set him at odds with his brothers who would eventually sell him to a passing band of Midianites (without Reuben’s knowledge). He would be sold on the slavery block to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard where he served honorably until unjustly imprisoned by the vengeful wife of Potiphar. Languishing in the king’s prison Joseph would be forgotten until the providence of God became full in Joseph’s rise to power as second only to the Pharaoh’s throne.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The faith of Joseph is noteworthy because of the hardships he endured as a young man. His trust in God is a worthy example of one of the greatest measures of hope given in scripture. He walked with God each step of his journey from the security of home to the humiliation of slavery and finally to the exaltation of honor in the court of Pharaoh. It would be twenty-two years from the time of his brothers cruel act until they day they stood before a ruler in Egypt begging for food.
How do we measure faith? With what rule do we look at Joseph’s life and understand the day to day hardship of loneliness, grief, hunger, sorrow and despair on the road to Egypt? “He sent a man before them— Joseph—who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions” (Psalm 105:17-21).
The story of Joseph must be viewed in the context of two decades of struggle before he could see his family again and finally proclaim through the eye of faith to those who sold him to slavery, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20). Faith can be viewed as something to have for the short time but how do you maintain your faith after twenty years? How do you keep your faith after the first five years and then ten and then fifteen and finally after twenty-two? Joseph understood something about faith that we all should take stock in.
He did not understand why his brothers sold him. How hard that must have been as he walked along in shackles to Egypt but he walked with God and he trusted in God. The slave block was a most humiliating and fearful thing but as he stood there sold as so much meat before slave buyers Joseph knew God had not abandoned him. Blessed with opportunity in Potiphar’s house he was cruelly punished for doing the right thing (Genesis 39). Seeing a ray of hope in the telling of the dreams of the butler and baker he was forgotten for two more years (Genesis 40; 41:1) but he knew that God had not forgotten him.
Our measure of faith is not marked by time but the hope we have in our Lord. Joseph sought a homeland (Hebrews 11:13-16) that helped him keep his eye of faith on those things beyond the physical suffering. The twenty-two years separated from his family would not compare to the joy of an eternal abode with the God he loved, the God he served and the God he trusted with all his faith. “God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) is the banner of faith we must carry when faced with hardship.
There is a remarkable thing that happens at the moment of death. When the spirit leaves the body and returns to Him who made us (Ecclesiastes 12:7) everything about our life is sealed permanently. There is no second chance for anything when death strikes. All of the accomplishments of life are ended. All of the opportunities given in life are over. The reality of death is the sobering truth of the finality of it all.
The Bible is our guide to the realm of the dead. Only from the mind of God do we have revealed the nature and character of life beyond this world. Without the revelation of God’s mind to man the knowledge of life beyond the grave would be unknown. No book ever written can lay claim to that distinction. Abel was the first to experience this event when he was killed by his brother, Cain (Genesis 4:8). From that time until now all men that have died found their fates sealed in the twinkling of the moment of death.
Luke tells us the story of two men who shared together the experience of death (Luke 16:19-31). One was a rich man who lived life to the fullest. The other man in the story was a poor, miserable beggar named Lazarus who finally embraced mercy when death took his life. They both shared the same fate – their destiny was sealed in death. The rich man desired for Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool his awful pain. Abraham said this could not be done. The rich man then pled with Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to tell his five brothers how awful the place of torment was. Again Abraham denied the request.
The rich man never asked to be sent back. He knew that he would not be able to leave the place of torment. His life was filled with unrighteousness and because of this he would remain in torment. Lazarus, who bore the brunt of human cruelty in life, would remain in the bosom of Abraham; content to dwell with the saints of God. Neither one would be able to change their place. Only one wanted to be somewhere else.
Jesus taught that eternal life would be granted to those who believed on Him and were obedient to Him (Matthew 19:29; 25:46; John 3:15,16; 10:28; 17:3). Eternal life means that life is eternal without any change. However, the same rule is applied to those who are disobedient. “Everlasting punishment” is reserved for those who are wicked (Matthew 25:46) and the punishment is without end. There is no change. Jesus describes the final resurrection in John 5:28-29: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29).
Death seals the destiny of each person. The coming of Christ will seal the fate of all mankind. No one can be prayed out of torment. No one can be baptized out of torment (as the Mormon Church teaches). No one can get a second chance. Death seals the fate of everyone. This reality should make us pause and consider our lives before God. Jeremy Taylor wrote, “God hath given to man a short time upon this earth and yet upon this short time eternity depends.” Your actions now will determine your eternal destiny (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The mercy of God ends in death. The grace of God ends in death. The invitation to come to salvation ends in death.
When Jesus comes (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) the blood shed on the cross will never be offered again. Are you ready for the Lord to come? Are you ready to die?
From The Question Box: Is It Okay For A Woman To Speak Out In Class?
The above question was submitted to the “Suggestion Box” with concerns of the role women (children and teenagers included) have in the classes “in the church.” Two passages were cited as concern for examination: 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. This is a very good question and one important to examine without a traditional view of how it has been done in the past or how a person may view this issue. What we practice at the Trenton church must be based upon proof text of the Bible and not tradition or opinions of men. The first question considers whether it is proper for a woman to speak during class time. The second question examines the Biblical authority for women classes in the church.
Should women speak during class time? It must be understood that the “modern” arrangement of services for the church is not a Biblical pattern of necessity. In almost all of the places I have worshipped we have had Bible classes on Sunday morning; a morning service and an evening service; a Bible class on Wednesday night. On occasion, there have been other gatherings on Sunday such as singings, group meetings, special studies and Bible classes. During the week gospel meetings are held, classes conducted and so forth.
The New Testament church was instructed to meet on the first day of the week and did so by example (Acts 2:40-47; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 1 Corinthians 12-14). They followed that pattern by divine command and we seek to follow the same pattern. When we meet on the first day of the week in worship to God we fulfill the divine command. In the last century efforts have been made to expand the work of teaching the Bible to families and Bible classes were encouraged for those who wanted to attend.
Meeting on Sunday morning and Wednesday night for Bible class is an extension of the work of what the elder’s desire for the church to grow. It is not a mandatory action commanded by the Lord but a time of exhortation to learn more about the word of God. It is important to note the difference between a Bible class and the worship commanded by the Lord on the first day of the week. Worship is commanded but Bible classes is an expediency. The “rules of engagement” are clearly set forth in worship and the expediency of Bible class is based upon the principles of communication between the participates. To engage in a Bible study requires communication. We find an example of a Bible study in Acts 18:24-26 when Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and “they … explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
It is proper for a woman to speak in a Bible class whether it is at home or in a classroom at the church building. The church building does not make a gathering a worship. In the process of teaching a woman there is a need to communicate and this does not go against 1 Timothy 2 nor 1 Corinthians 14. Sitting in a Bible class at the church building does not fall under the restrictions of worship.
Should the Trenton church have Bible classes? One of the tasks involved in the work of the church is “the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13). This can be done in many ways and one of the ways the Trenton church seeks to edify and equip the brethren is a concentrated study of the word of God – Bible classes.
In the context of these classes, the restriction of 1 Timothy 2 applies. “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Women cannot conduct classes that usurp the authority of the man. Participation in a class through discussion does not suggest a woman having authority over the man. If such were the case that a woman was using her place in a Bible class (whether in the church building or the home) to control the class, she would be in rebellion to God’s will. Priscilla did not usurp the authority of Aquila when “they” taught Apollos. This was not done in a worship setting but privately.
Women teaching women or children is found within the context of their role and important work within the church. Sometimes the question is raised whether a woman should teach a youth who has been baptized. Baptism makes a Christian, not a man and her role as a teacher does not usurp the role of teaching a youth the word of God.
It must also be noted the language that is used when trying to determine what can be done “in the church.” Often we say we are going “to church” when in fact we cannot “go” to church. The idea of ‘meeting in a building’ is ‘church’ is a misuse of the term church. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47) is not speaking of the building but the body of saved persons. The church is made up of people who have made a covenant with God through His Son.
When it comes to the worship on the Lord’s day (Revelation 1:10) there are specific commands that must be followed. “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church” (1 Corinthians 14:33-35). The church at Corinth was admonished to refrain from allowing the women from taking a role of authority (1 Timothy 2:11-15) and were forbidden from having a leadership role in the worship.
This command does not forbid them from singing (Ephesians 5:19) but rather the place of speaking with authority within the worship of the church. Women cannot be used in worship nor called on to lead prayers or preach. This is forbidden by the “commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). The Bible class is not the worship service. It is a time that individuals can come together and discuss the Bible in an open forum. If the church building is used for this forum the commands of 1 Corinthians 14 are not broken no more than if the class was held in a home, school auditorium or under the oak tree.
There is another distinction that is clear from Bible class to worship. The period of time devoted to Bible class does not include the taking of the Lord’s Supper as commanded by the Lord on the first day of the week. Saints gathering on the first day of the week does not require every gathering to have the Lord’s Supper. The command to remember the sacrifice of the Lord is fulfilled on the first day of the week when the Lord’s Supper is memorialized. If the church meets again that day for a singing the Lord’s Supper is not required for the purpose of the meeting is to sing. If the church meets for Bible class in the evening the Lord’s Supper is not required for the purpose of the meeting is to study the word of God.
This shows a distinction of the purpose of the gathering. Women speaking in Bible class does not apply to 1 Corinthians 14 but can apply to 1 Timothy 2. The worship service clearly is bound by the commands of 1 Corinthians 14 which is also fortified by the teaching of 2 Timothy 2. Is it okay for a woman to speak out in class? Within the confines of decency and propriety with submission the woman may do so. If her conscience does not allow her to do so then she will be bound by her conscience. Is it correct to have women classes in the church? Only in the context of the work of the church helping the members grow in the grace of the Lord.
Conducting Bible classes is a furtherance of the work the church but does not represent the command to worship on the first day of the week. If the church met only once on Sunday for the sole purpose of worship as directed by the New Testament pattern then it has fulfilled the command of the Lord. Anything else – while beneficial in many ways – is only an expediency to carry on a further work of the church.
Jesus said, “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet” (Mark 13:7). The reality of war is that as long as man will live on the earth he will die from the cruel nature of war. The Bible is filled with wars fought by the righteous and the unrighteous. God used war to punish His people. War is the conflict burning within man against his fellow man.
James defines the nature of war when he writes, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:1-2). The Lord fought righteous battles but men fight wars for their own lust whether lust for power, land, greed or revenge.
The Ten Commandments forbade killing. The meaning of the phrase “Thou shalt not kill” is “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Darrell Hymel in his book, “A Topical Study Of The Law Of Moses” writes: “The word RATSAH (kill) referred to murder (Exodus 21:12-14; Numbers 35:16-18) and manslaughter (Numbers 35:6,11,16-21; Deuteronomy 4:42; Joshua 20:3) … This does not forbid capital punishment (Genesis 9:5-6). In the three chapters following the Ten Commandments there are at least eight offenses named for which God commanded that men be executed. The apostles Paul and Peter believed in capital punishment (Acts 25:11; Romans 13:4; 1 Peter 2:13-15). Neither does “thou shalt not murder” forbid war. Wars were frequently instituted by God Himself (Exodus 15:1; Deuteronomy 20:1; Exodus 17:16; Numbers 10:9).” [page 42]
War is a terrible tragedy that takes away innocence never to be recovered. As people of God we must constantly offer prayers for our leaders. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Yves M. Congar wrote, “We often hear it said: ‘If God existed there would be no wars.’ But it would be truer to say: ‘If God’s laws were observed there would be no wars.’” [God, Man and the Universe, 1950]
The man who fears the Lord “will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (Psalms 112:7).
“Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). Ethiopia was 1500 miles away and the treasurer of Candace the queen was on his way home from Jerusalem. He had made the long journey to worship in Jerusalem (Acts 8:27) and was reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah. A man approaches his chariot and inquires if what he was reading was understood. He invites the man into his chariot and beginning from Isaiah 53 the stranger tells a wonderful story of the man of Isaiah 53.
The Ethiopian is amazed as Philip unravels the mysteries of Isaiah and shows through the “Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44) the promise of the Messiah and His coming. Like Peter on the day of Pentecost, he tells the story of “Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God … by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him … Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, [was] taken by lawless hands, [was] crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24).
The preacher describes the work of Jesus, His teaching and His commission to others to carry out the message of salvation. As the eunuch listened his heart burned within him and Philip opened the Scriptures to him (Luke 24:32). Finally they came to some water and the Ethiopian says, "’See, here is water. what hinders me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him” (Acts 8:36-38).
The eunuch went on his way rejoicing because his thirst for knowledge had been filled by the “Bible study in the chariot.” He thrilled to hear the story of Jesus and how the Son of God was raised from the dead. The preaching of Philip helped him understand more clearly the eternal purpose of God (Ephesians 1:3-12). As a sinful man in need of grace Philip shows the eunuch the rich mercy and grace of the Father (Ephesians 2:1-10). The blood of Christ stained upon Golgotha could now cleanse the treasurer of Candace from his sins (1 John 1:7)
Rejoicing came after the eunuch understood the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:3-9). He did not rejoice before he was baptized because his sins were not washed away yet. He rejoiced after they came up out of the water because he knew then his sins were washed away (Acts 22:16). What a great trip that was to Ethiopia. How excited he must have been to return home and spread the same gospel Philip shared with him in his chariot to his fellow man.
The gospel of salvation brings about joy. “And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). The eunuch had found the Savior. He rejoiced in the hope of the good news of salvation for the cleansing of his sins. Rejoice comes from the idea of “taking possession of.” He embraced his salvation with the grace of God and he took full possession of it during his ride home – and I suspect for the rest of his life.
What a wonderful story of the good news of God’s love to mankind. Through His Son we can rejoice in our obedience to the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
The story of Esther is filled with daring courage, humble dependence upon God and a view toward the providence of the place we all find ourselves throughout our lives. This Jewish maiden rose to become Queen of ancient Persia when Ahasuerus became displeased with Vashti (see Esther 1). Through Haman’s conspiracy against the Jewish people Esther would save her people from certain death. Haman was one of the rulers under Ahasuerus that despised the uncle of Esther, Mordecai. Because of his intense hatred of Mordecai (Esther 3:1-5) Haman planned to “destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus” (Esther 3:6).
A decree was made through the treachery of Haman that Ahasuerus would allow the extermination of a “certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces” (Esther 3:8) of the kingdom - referring to the Jews held captive in the land. Mordecai learned of the plot and pled with Esther to intercede for the Jewish people to the king. However, going before the king was not an easy task. It was, in fact, a very dangerous thing to do. Esther explained, “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days" (Esther 4:11). So they told Mordecai Esther's words.
The key message of the book of Esther comes in the answer Mordecai gives to Esther. "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14) Esther would go before the king trusting in God and be delivered from death and save her people (Esther 5-8).
How often in scripture do we find individuals in a particular place at a particular time and the work of God needing that person to act? Joseph came to understand his role in saving his people though he had been sold into slavery (Genesis 50:20). Moses was not ready to lead the people at the age of 40 but after spending time in Midian was brought back to Egypt to guide the people to Canaan (Exodus 3). The maiden of Israel was in the house of Naaman and told her mistress of the prophet who could heal the leprosy (2 Kings 5). The Spirit would guide Philip to the treasurer of Ethiopia and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing – no doubt telling others of Jesus (Acts 8:26-40)
We have innumerable opportunities to influence people for good and to share the gospel of salvation. How often we squander golden moments to be in a particular place at a particular time to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 6:13) or a light set on a hill (Matthew 6:14-16). What we learn from Esther is that we all have those moments time and time again where we have come to such an opportunity - “for such a time as this.”
We should always be looking for those times that we can say a kind word, extend a hand of friendship, lift a burden, begin a Bible study, comfort a broken heart; a myriad of little pieces of life that will impact others. It takes just a moment to create a lifetime of worth and to set the path of life more clearly for someone “for such a time as this.”
Bring Out The Blind People Who Have Eyes
The children of Israel struggled with idolatry and through the prophets were warned about their involvement with other gods. Their rebellion went to the heart of the Law of Moses that forbids worship of idols. “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make to yourselves any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:3-4). Jehovah forbade bowing down to idols and yet the people allowed the influence of the nations around them to corrupt their allegiance to the one true God. The prophet Isaiah cried out to the nation of Israel to “Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears” (Isaiah 43:8).
The futility of idol worship is described by Isaiah in Isaiah 44. It is absurd for man to take a tree and use part of it to warm him, part of it to cook his food and then a remaining part he bows down to worship as his god to deliver him (Isaiah 44:9-17). The totem often is nothing more than a representation of what man looks like himself. But the eyes of the idol cannot see nor do the ears hear. Those who worship an idol are the mirror of the idol itself as they have eyes but cannot see the uselessness of idol worship and ears but cannot hear the truth of Jehovah God. Isaiah is crying out for the people to open their eyes and open their ears. They have the capability of seeing and hearing but refuse to do so (Isaiah 42:18-20).
Rebellion is at the heart of idol worship. “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see and see not. They have ears to hear and hear not, for they are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 12:2). The heart of man rebels against the worship of the one true God. “You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them. For I Jehovah your God am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5). When man worships man Jehovah is left out. Man creates his own law and his own righteousness. Man worships man. The law of God is rejected because man wants to set his mind upon his own will.
Idol worship is not a problem of the eye or ear but of the heart. While a few religions today still engage in idol worship the reality of idol worship is found in the hearts of those who refuse to see the saving truth of Jehovah’s will. Explaining the use of parables Jesus said, Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not; nor do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which said, "By hearing you shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive; for this people's heart has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Matthew 13:13-15). Man has eyes to see but will not see the truth of God. Man has ears to hear the word of God but desires only to hear what tickles his ear. “For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Israel turned away from the truth and followed after idols. We must guard against the tickling of the ears to appease our own lusts. God wants all men to come to repentance (Acts 17:30) but we have to come to Him on His terms (Matthew 7:21). Idol worship takes on many forms today as man sets aside the will of God for his own way. The scriptures are written so that all men can read and understand the one truth (John 14:6; Ephesians 3:3-4). We are unlike idols that have eyes that cannot see or ears that cannot hear. God has given to man “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Paul’s mission was “To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18).
The title should not alarm anyone to some dark numeric revelation like the 666 of Revelation 13:18. It represents the ninth year of the century 2000 and the ninth day of the ninth month. Next year the sequence will fall in October (101010) with the following year as 111111 and then finally in the year 2012 the sequence will be 121212. This numerical sequence of twelve years will not happen again for 989 years. I doubt that 090909 really means anything more than the year, month and day but I suppose some prognosticator can come up with an elaborate scheme of doom having to do with the number nine being an upside down six and that the numerical sequence is in fact the holy grail of the Biblical code for 060606. Lord willing Thursday will come and the world will continue (if not this article will not be read).
I could not help but think about the unique order that our world has in simplicity and beauty. We measure days by hours and minutes; years by months and days; lifetimes by decades and sometimes a single century. Order reigns in the world as if by the hand of an infinite designer who has set the universe in an exact motion. Moses wrote in Genesis 1:14-18 the words of the Creator: “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to divide between the day and the night. And let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years. And let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night, and the stars also. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night; and to divide between the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:14-18).
After the flood, God promised Noah that “while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). [This disproves the theory of “global warming” and the end of the seasons.] The planets all go about in the exact order as God placed them in creation. The moon is the exact distance from the earth to influence the oceans of our world. The distance of the sun is so precise that a fraction closer would burn the earth and a fraction farther would freeze the earth.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote of the perfect order of creation and how the wonders of creation testify to the power of God. “Do you not fear Me? says Jehovah. Will you not tremble at My presence, I who have placed the sand for the boundary of the sea by a never-ending decree, so that it cannot pass it? And though they toss themselves, yet they cannot prevail; though its waves roar, yet they cannot pass over it? (Jeremiah 5:22). There is precise order in the design of the waves upon the seashore and the tides flowing in and out. The heart is a powerful testimony of God’s precise design as the cardiac muscles may contract at least 2 billion times in one lifetime. The brain processes an incredible amount of information and recalls millions of tidbits of stored data years beyond the event. “I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well” (Psalms 139:14).
Each time we write the date or take notice of the time we testify to the existence of God. His power is found in creation (Psalm 19; 33:6; Isaiah 40:22-26). The march of time also declares the end of time. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. And the earth and the works in it will be burned up. Then, all these things being about to be dissolved, what sort ought you to be in holy behavior and godliness” (2 Peter 3:10-11). Jeremy Taylor wrote, “Life is short and yet upon this short life eternity depends.” The order of things will end one day when the Lord chooses. What should 090909 cause us to do? “Seek Him who created the Pleiades and Orion, and who turned the deep darkness into the morning and He darkened the day into night. Seek Him who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the face of the earth; Jehovah is His name” (Amos 5:8).
I wonder what the face of God looks like? Neither the most radiant of sunrises nor the unmatched beauty of the earth can match the warmth of God’s face. Jesus declared that no man had seen God (John 1:28). Moses heard the voice of Jehovah say, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live" (Exodus 33:20). However, John the apostle in the Revelation tells us the saved will see the face of God and “His name shall be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4). What a day that will be to see the face of God!
The word of God is likened to a love letter from someone we have never met. The Lord writes to us with unseen face and yet through the beauty of His letter of love revealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) we can know what God looks like. But like all letters written with face unseen the real person looks little as we would suppose. For each individual the face of God is different. It is not because God is different but our perception of the face of God is relative to our knowledge of the Creator.
What does the face of God look like? Your answer says more about your depth of knowledge of God’s will than the truth of his true character. To some he is only a lonely figure sitting on a white throne with long flowing hair. To others he is a mighty champion of their faith as they have fought the good fight meting out justice, mercy and truth. Those who know Him best are those who spend time with His letter.
The Lord directed Aaron and his sons to give the following blessing to the people of God: "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them" (Numbers 6:24-27). The face of the Lord is like the sun shining down upon our world giving all the blessings, warmth and security of a protective Father. Often the expression imploring the face of God shining upon His people is invoked to bring blessing. “Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies' sake … God be merciful to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us … Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine and we shall be saved … Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes” (Psalm 31:16; 67:1; 80:3,7,19; 119:135).
When we see the Son we see the Father (John 14:9; 1:14). Those who are pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). But the day will come when we remove the shackles of our mortal tent and receive the “building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1) and then we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:1-2). The joy of salvation is being able to see the face of God. We will stand in His presence. We will look into His eyes. We will behold His beauty. We will immerse our spirit with His spirit. We will see the King in His beauty (Isaiah 33:17).
In the midst of his suffering, Job proclaimed his trust in His God. The conclusion of his speech rang with these words: “Whom I shall see for myself and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me” (Job 19:27). The power of God’s word is the earnest desire we have to see the face of God. The more we spend time with God’s letter the more anxious and desirous we are to see Him. Live for Him each day and look with longing heart to that moment in eternity you see God face to face.
The “begots” and “begats” of the Bible can be laborious at times and difficult to pronounce. Often throughout the scriptures time is devoted to account for the family lines of thousands of people. The chronology of these individuals are important for two reasons: [1] The nation of Israel was confirmed through the lineage of Abraham (Genesis 12:2); [2] God put them there to prove the lineage of His son as being the “son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1) and the “son of Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:38). It is easy to come to such readings and skip over them due to the difficulty of reading. However, embedded in these readings are fascinating stories that are important to the scheme of God’s revelation.
The family of Cain (Genesis 4) tells about him building a city and naming it after his son Enoch. Contrary to popular belief that early man lived in caves and grunted like dumb apes, the son of Adam and Eve understood science, math and engineering to build a city. Jabal “was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron” (Genesis 4:20-22). The family of Adam listed in Genesis 5 shows how long man lived in the early days. While Methuselah gets the vote for the oldest man (969 years) Adam was not far behind living 930 years. Enoch (father of Methuselah) is found in Genesis 5:24 and he “walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” which is confirmed by the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 11:5.
After the flood the sons of Noah represent the three basic cultural dispersions of the world. Japheth’s descendants are described as the “coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations” (Genesis 10:5). From the family of Ham came “Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord” (Genesis 10:8-9). It also says of Nimrod that he went “to Assyria and built Nineveh” (Genesis 10:11). The city of Nineveh is a vital part of Old Testament history. Noah’s third son Shem made up the eastern expansion and included the reference of “Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided” (Genesis 10:25).
Ezra’s chronicles are filled with genealogies. 1 Chronicles mentions the son of Judah, Er, who was “wicked in the sight of the LORD; so He killed him” (1 Chronicles 2:3; see also Genesis 38). Achan of Joshua 7 is referred to as Acar in 1 Chronicles 2:7. Abraham had eight children (1 Chronicles 1:28-32); David had nineteen children listed “besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister” (1 Chronicles 3:1-9). The great prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. “Seraiah begot Joab the father of Ge Harashim, for they were craftsmen” (1 Chronicles 4:14).
1 Chronicles 11-12 lists the great army of David which included Benaiah who “killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian's hand there was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear” (1 Chronicles 11:22-23). Great reading and great stories intended for our learning (Romans 15:4). See how many more stories you can find.
Whenever we think of something as a temptation we consider it as evil. The original Latin could suggest something good or bad but the evil sense has taken a predominate role in its definition. The idea of temptation is rooted in the challenge of character. Trials rightly faced are harmless, but wrongly met become temptations to evil. Overcoming temptations is the focus of a daily walk in a world given over to the indulgence of temptations.
James exhorts us to “count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations” or “trials” (James 1:2). Barnes said, “Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation (act of congratulating).” Paul reminds us that nothing will be put upon us that we cannot overcome with the power of the Lord. “No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our prayers are to be laced with exhortations of faithfulness. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil” (Matthew 6:13).
No matter our best efforts we stumble and give in to temptations. Often we succumb to temptations because we fail to know the way of defeating temptation. Jesus offers the answer to defeating temptation in the garden of Gethsemane as He exhorts the disciples. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. Truly the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). The two part answer to temptation is to be watchful and to be praying. The only way we can stand against temptation is to stand on the pillars of watch and pray.
Jesus did not say look and pray; He said watch and pray. The word “watch” carries with it the idea of vigilance and being alert. Often we see temptation and invite it in. Being watchful is being careful of what we are allowing to happen in our lives. Many things in life we cannot control but allowing that thing to remain and become a temptation is when sin happens. In defining sin, James said that temptation comes about when “each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).
Being watchful about temptation is to remove those things that would bring about temptation. We are to pray for the Lord not to lead us into temptation (Matthew 6:13) but we do not need to go running into it either. To the discerning mind sin is easily defined by watching out for it and being aware of the dangers of giving in to temptation. As Barney Fife would say, “Nip it in the bud.” Good advice.
The second pillar of strength to overcome temptation is vital: prayer. Watching for temptation helps us identify sin but prayer helps us defeat sin. Prayer is powerful (James 5:13-18). Prayer made the sun stand still (Joshua 10:12-14); the dead rise (2 Kings 4:32-37); the rain stop for three years and six months (James 5:17). The knee bent in prayer will keep the feet from running to evil. A humble heart of prayer will melt the fiery desire of temptation. In our text Jesus is in the garden before His death earnestly praying to His Father for strength. The cross was the greatest temptation Jesus faced. He had the power to destroy all those who sought to kill Him but He chose to give His life a ransom. He overcame temptation through prayer.
The Lord will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist; provided we are watching and praying. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is an admonition to help us overcome temptation “without ceasing.” Constant vigilance and watchful care for those things that will tempt us with harm and the continued spirit of prayer will defeat temptation. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Not everyone has a mind to work as diligently as the man Nehemiah, cupbearer of King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah was driven by his devotion to God and his earnest desire to help his people. While serving in the king’s court, Nehemiah was overwhelmed with the plight of his people in Jerusalem as he explained, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire” (Nehemiah 2:3)? The king allowed Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem and under the oversight of this man of faith the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in fifty-two days (Nehemiah 6:15).
Throughout the book of Nehemiah the ridicule, fear, guile, corruption and vicious attacks did not hinder his goal of rebuilding the walls of the city. His work did not end with the building of the wall as he went on to help Ezra reestablish the Law and to exhort the people to confess their sins. The key to Nehemiah’s success was rooted in his deep love of prayer. Before approaching the king with the request to go to Jerusalem and before undertaking the enormous task that lay before him – Nehemiah went to God.
“O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” (Nehemiah 1:11). There are four things that Nehemiah prayed for that will help you and I come to a fuller understanding of the nature of prayer.
First, he begins by asking God to hear his prayer. This is where faith opens the door of prayer. “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:6-8). Faith had declared in Nehemiah’s prayer the “awesome” (Nehemiah 1:5) God and repentance representative of the nation of Israel and plea for forgiveness (Nehemiah 1:5-7). He pleads the promises of God (Nehemiah 1:8-10) and asked for mercy in his prayer. Our prayers should begin in faith and the recognition of the sovereignty of Him who is “awesome” and “Our Father which is in heaven (Matthew 6:9). There is none like Him (Isaiah 40:18).
Second, Nehemiah recognizes the importance of fear before the Lord. Those who do not fear the name of the Lord will not prosper (Proverbs 1:28-33). "If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD” (Deuteronomy 28:58). Prayer is coupled with the fear of the Lord. Nehemiah will need this courage later in the story (Nehemiah 4:14) and the people will proclaim it in Nehemiah 9:32.
The third part of his prayer is asking for the Lord to allow him to prosper and to do the work he wanted to do. The request was tempered by the fourth element of prayer – the mercy of God. Nehemiah only wanted to serve the Lord and his prayer was to seek prosperity not of himself but the cause of his God. How often do we pray that God’s will be done (Matthew 6:10) and not our own and to accept the answer given by God – even if is not the answer we desired. Prayer is the expression of our faith in the wisdom of God to carry out His will through us. Nehemiah guided the people to the incredible task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. What can we accomplish with prayer?
Roman soldiers brought the condemned out of the city to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, “Place of a Skull.” A scene of carnage and smell of death welcomed all who came to this knoll outside Jerusalem. Death lingered long here as a place of execution. The curious and the religious gathered around to watch the execution of three men upon wooden instruments of Roman justice. Flickering in the eyes of the crowd two thieves were nailed to their crosses and between the two another was nailed. These men were suffering the justice of Caesar’s law upon those accused and found guilty. The crowd gathered to watch men die.
A mob of people sat and watched three men agonize in painful cries of misery and suffering. The two robbers reviled the one in the middle “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). The religious zealots saw a criminal; the people saw the Son of God. Jesus of Nazareth, "a Man attested by God … by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him … delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, [was] taken by lawless hands … crucified, and put to death” (Acts 2:22-23). He died alone.
Roman soldiers took the sandals, girdle, outer robe, head-dress and garments of Jesus and cast lots among themselves for possession. The coat of Jesus was included in the casting of lots. It was without seam (as would be found in the tunic of a high priest; Josephus, Ant. iii.7.4) and was bundled away with the soldier who won the lot. They laughed, argued and gambled away the last earthly possessions of God’s Son while Jesus died alone.
The Jewish leaders came to watch Jesus die. Only a few moments earlier they had cried out to Pilate, "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar!" (John 19:15). Standing in the stench of Golgotha the chief priests, rulers, scribes and elders of the Jews looked with hatred upon Jesus. They mocked him with reviling words and insults while Jesus died alone.
Crowds of people passed by railing on Jesus and wagging their heads at him in derision. The voices sounded loud and rang in the ears of God’s Son as he suffered a slow death. People murmured among themselves talking of what they saw and laughing and jeering and Jesus died alone.
Among those gathered were a great multitude of disciples mourning and lamenting what they witnessed (Luke 23:27). “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25). John the apostle was there (John 19:26). But Jesus died alone.
Jesus died to bear “our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). He died alone in that scene of chaos on Golgotha because only He could bear that cross (Matthew 20:28). As Jesus died alone at Golgotha He was not left alone at Calvary. “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (John 16:32). In His death Jesus has not left us alone (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Our promise in life is that we do not have to die alone.
The Bible is the most wonderful book anyone could ever read. Contained within its frail pages is found the eternal message of the One who has existed before time began. Holding the wealth of sixty-six books man is able to explore his beginning, his reason for living and his hope beyond the grave. No book ever produced by man can make that claim. The Bible reveals the creation of the world by the hand of an Almighty Creator. Explained upon pages of holy writ man learns of his nature and his needs. As a light shining in darkness the words of God open for man the revelation of grace, mercy and saving love. History marches through its pages as sentinels of time marking the progress of man and the failures of men seeking wisdom apart from God’s word. The Bible is a most remarkable book.
Written by different men spanning hundreds of generations with diverse backgrounds this simple yet complex manuscript of eternal wisdom unfolds the character of the Creator. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) declares the mysteries that will be unfolded in the thousands of stories that range from a garden of paradise to the wilderness of man’s struggle with obedience to his creator. There will be times of great victory when men stand for truth and righteousness; yet many times when men turn from God’s word and find destruction and death.
The Bible is a book of grace. Measured from the love of a graceful Creator man finds he is not alone in the world. Grace is given for man’s potential and not for what man shows himself to be. A promise is given early of a seed (Genesis 3:15) that will redeem the failed nature of man and explodes upon the pages of the Bible in the nature of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). The early disciples of Christ describe in detail upon ancient parchments the words, deeds and character of the Creator’s Son. Jesus becomes the revealed hope of all man’s failures. The Bible sets forth the path of peace leading to the throne of God.
There is no book found among men today that can rival the depth of the Bible. Nothing written by man can go before creation and see into the mind of God; nor delve beyond the grave and peer at the endless expanse of eternity. All books are second nature to the Bible. “Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalms 40:5). “He has made His wonderful works to be remembered … The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness” (Psalms 111:4,7-8).
The oldest book ever written still finds itself forgotten upon the tables of neglect and carelessness as men fail to listen to its message. How sad that in the Bible God has revealed “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) and yet as a people we spend little time among the pillars of its wisdom. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17) and lacking the wisdom of the word of God we have little faith. We blame God for the failures in our lives when truth reveals the failure is our neglect in listening to Him. “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalms 119:165).
Basil said, “Drunkenness is the ruin of reason. It is premature old age. It is temporary death” (Homilies, c. 375). There are few things engaged in by man that is as self-defeating and destructive as drunkenness. Quite frankly it is stupid beyond reason. A radio commentator recently described a time he had so much to drink he could not remember going home, how he got home nor who took him home. The sad part his remarks is that it was a boast with laughter intermixed of his drinking exploits. I thought of his wife who had to put up with a drunk coming home; possibly children. What about what they had to endure?
The pride of the drunkard is described in Proverbs 23:29-35. “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’" The remarkable part of this scenario is after all the pain endured the man seeks another drink.
“Drunkenness is a vice which is painful and sickly in the very acting of it” (Jeremy Taylor, 1651). Billions of dollars are spent each year to promote drunkenness and billions of dollars are exacted to pay the health, mental and family crisis that is caused by the foolishness of alcohol. The news is filled with stories of pain and sorrow because of the impact of drunkenness. The word of God gives stern warnings of its consequence. Because of drunkenness Noah was uncovered before his family (Genesis 9:20-27) and Canaan was cursed. The daughters of Lot committed incest with their father when they got him drunk (Genesis 19:30-38). David got Uriah drunk trying to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:13).
There is no glory in drunkenness. “A drunken man staggers in his vomit … For all tables are full of vomit and filth; no place is clean … Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness! You are filled with shame instead of glory. You also—drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised! The cup of the Lord's right hand will be turned against you, and utter shame will be on your glory” (Isaiah 19:14; 28:8; Habakkuk 2:15-16).
The greater sadness is found in moments of reckless folly here will only lead to an eternal sadness in Hell. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived … drunkards … will [not] inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). It will not be funny to be a drunk in Hell. There will be neither pride nor boasting of drunkenness in torment; only the sad realization that life was about living with God and not dying through the bottle.
Children of God have enough to deal with in temptation stone sober than to cause a greater temptation through the drinking of alcohol. “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’" (1 Peter 1:15-16). Don’t be a fool!
Jesus promised to build His church in Matthew 16:18. He bought the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28) and reigns as King and only head of the church (Revelation 19:16; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:15; 5:23). After His resurrection Jesus spent time with His disciples instructing them and preparing them for the work that was to begin at Pentecost (Acts 1:1-3). Luke reveals in Acts 2 the birth of the promised church as the first converts were “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
The historian of Acts continues to reveal the character and nature of these early followers of Christ as a “company” of people (Acts 4:23), and the “multitude of those who believed” (Acts 4:32). Great fear came upon “all the church” when God took the lives of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). “Believers” are spoken of in Acts 5:14 and the “numbers of the disciples” were multiplying in Acts 6:1,7. Following the death of Stephen a great persecution rose up against the “church” as Saul made “havoc of the church” (Acts 8:1,3).
The church is described as “disciples of the Lord” when Saul was breathing threats and murder against them (Acts 9:1). The early Christians are referred to as “disciples” thirty-one times in the book of Acts. Luke records a remarkable description in Acts 9:2 when Saul is seeking out “any who were of the Way” (Acts 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22; see also John 14:6). Early Christians were called “saints” (Acts 9:13,32,41; 26:10). The “church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied” (Acts 9:31).
Antioch was where Barnabas brought Saul (Paul) and “for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Paul would later call for the “elders of the church” (Acts 20:17) and instructed them to oversee the “church of God” as shepherds (Acts 20:28). Festus simply refers to the disciples as “their own religion” when he explained the case of Paul before Agrippa (Acts 25:19). The power of Paul’s persuasive speech led King Agrippa to say, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian" (Acts 26:28).
In the epistles we find many different descriptions of the church. “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). Paul refers to the “church in Cenchrea … church in their house … whole church” and the “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:1,5,23,16). “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2). There are many terms used to describe the nature of the church (called out, household, kingdom, body, temple, vineyard, bride … see especially Hebrews 12:22-24).
What lesson do we draw from this? First, there is no single name attached to the church; but there is a New Testament name ascribed by God. Second, the New Testament does not reveal the names of most churches listed in the phone book. The name of Christ’s church is the name you can find in the New Testament and if that name is not found in His book then it is not the church Jesus built.
“The prophets emphasized the sole deity of Jehovah, pointed out His majesty, holiness, righteousness, and justice, and made known the principles on which He would act toward people – both His own and the heathen” (Homer Hailey, “A Commentary on the Minor Prophets; page 12). The richness and fullness of Jehovah is vividly painted upon the canvas of the Old Testament prophets. During a time of moral degradation and national ruin, great men rose up to preach the needed message of repentance to God’s people. Influenced by the carnal influence of a sin oppressed world, the nation of Abraham’s seed spiraled headlong into a dark chasm of idolatry, pride and sensual immorality. The people had forgotten Jehovah God.
From the pen of the prophets comes the recurring theme of what happens to every nation that forgets God. "So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth” (Jeremiah 7:28). The psalmist admonished, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalms 9:17). As a nation, Israel had removed the holy being of Jehovah from their lips and their hearts. They no longer desired to serve the Creator but rather to worship the creation (Romans 1:18-25). The prophets sought to stir the hearts of the people back to God and back to a holy devotion to the Law.
Isaiah is rich in his descriptions of the majesty of the Lord. How could man find anything to compare to Jehovah? What in the wisdom and power of man could match the awesomeness of the Lord God Almighty? “All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless. To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him” (Isaiah 40:17-18)? Immediately we see the insignificance of man before the one who calls Himself the “Holy One” (Isaiah 40:25). Consider the might and power of the Holy One: “Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; Not one is missing” (Isaiah 40:26). The greatest minds of men could never match the hem of Jehovah’s garment in comparison to His majesty and power – not even Solomon in all his glory (Matthew 6:28-29).
Isaiah declares the infinite wisdom of God. “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure'” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Nations are nothing more than a “drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust on the balance” (Isaiah 40:15). Jehovah knows all things whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14). How can man stand before such an awesome God (Psalm 111:9)?
Nehemiah prayed, “Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments” (Nehemiah 1:5). Donald M. Alexander wrote in that wonderful hymn, “There is none like Him none can compare; no god His equal, no prince His heir! Lift up your eyes and see His great might! Soar like an eagle, on wings of flight” (Saints Lift Your Voice). Soar with the Almighty, the Lord God – the Holy One.
The hands of a new-born child are a most wonderful thing to behold. Ten little fingers with tiny fingernails reaching forth with innocent purity. One can only imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt as their first newborn reached up and touched their face. They were literally looking into the face of God (John 1:14). As Jesus grew he learned how to hold things and reach out for things. Jesus waddled around their home in Nazareth, learning to pull himself up, pick up sticks, grasp at his food and inspect a carpenter’s tool. In time, he would share his home with his four brothers and sisters and his hands would find time to help them and play with them.
Following in the footsteps of Joseph, Jesus would have learned the carpenter’s trade. The Creator of the world (Colossians 1:16) would use his hands to create things on the earth. He would help his mother and help their neighbors. His diligence would lend itself to be held in favor with men (Luke 2:52).
Like Daniel of old, the hands of Jesus learned early to pray (Daniel 6:10). He would spend untold hours talking with his heavenly Father in prayer. As a young man growing up in a morally corrupt world of Roman dominance, the hands of Jesus learned early to spend time with the ancient words of Moses, the prophets and the poets of Israel. He filled himself with the wisdom that comes from above. As early as twelve years Jesus was in the temple “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46); his hands gesturing with truth and righteousness.
At the age of thirty, the hands of Jesus went to task for the mission his Father had sent him to do. His hands became wet with water as he arose from baptism and immediately gathered in prayer (Luke 3:21). Satan sought to destroy Jesus in the temptation but the hands of Jesus kept the devil at bay with the word of God (Mark 4:1-13). He took hold of the book of Isaiah and showed the people he was the fulfillment of the prophecy (Luke 4:16-30). His hands drove out “those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves” (Matthew 21:12). His hands were powerful.
Jesus laid his hands on the sick and afflicted. He touched the leper and made him whole (Matthew 8:3). Many others he healed with his touch (Mark 5:23; Luke 4:40). The Lord reached out with his hands and saved Peter from drowning from little faith (Matthew 14:22-33). “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray” (Matthew 19:13).
At the Passover feast the hand of Jesus and the hand of Judas found themselves together in the betrayal. "He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me” (Matthew 26:23). His hands were later bound as the Roman soldiers led him out of Gethsemane to be tried, convicted and executed. The final act of the hands of Jesus was to spread them forth before all mankind in a simple sacrifice of love, mercy, justice and compassion for a lost world (John 19:17-18). The hands of Jesus lay folded in death as Joseph and Nicodemus prepared the body for burial (John 19:38-42).
A person’s life can be traced by their hands. The hands of Jesus tell the story of his life and his purpose. His hands were always serving his Father. What do your hands say? Do they serve only your interest and your desires or do your hands show the wear of diligent service to the cause of Jesus Christ?
It Is Not For You To Know Times Or Seasons
The inquisitive mind of man has always sought to know what lay just beyond the horizon of the unknown. Our desire to search out the outer limits has led man to find great discoveries. From the early days of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) man went into the vast regions of the world (Genesis 10:25,32; 1 Chronicles 1:19). Our country was created from those who dared cross the unknown. Great men of science led mankind to set foot upon the moon and send machines far into the outer reaches of our universe. Medicine has kept in check many diseases through the continual pursuit of wanting to solve the riddles of the human body.
It is from this pursuit of knowledge that man is able to find God. Paul said on Mars hill, “So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). All men can find God if they look for Him. “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
Finding God has its limitations though. Jehovah has revealed Himself through natural revelation and through the special revelation of His Word (Psalm 19). Peter wrote the Lord by “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Yet man can only go so far in this pursuit of knowledge. God has placed a limitation on what man can and will know (Acts 17:26).
"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). All that we can know is revealed to us through the word of God. Beyond those words there is no knowledge. No one can stand in the counsel of God and know His mind (Jeremiah 23:18).
The early disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:6-7). They wanted to know but it was not to be revealed to them. In the discourse Jesus had with Peter in John 21 the Lord described the persecution Peter would face. Peter then asked the Lord what would happen to John. The answer Peter received was basically to let God take care of those matters; it was not any of business to know (John 21:20-23).
Do you hear men today talking about the coming of the Lord and how we are living in the “end times”? Prognosticators declare the Lord is near and the world is coming to an end during our life time. Whether or not the Lord is coming today, tomorrow and next week is not relevant to man because he does not know. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Every generation is scared into believing the Lord is coming because the signs point to the imminent return. One generation will be right (because He is coming – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) but not because they knew He was coming.
The times of seasons belong to God and not to man. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
The disciples entered the boat and began sailing to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22). As common in this part of the world, a strong storm suddenly came upon the boat and began lashing the crew with waves of water. It was early morning and the wind was quite contrary and the disciples struggled to keep their course. They had traveled about three or four miles (John 6:19) when through the wind whipped sea of foam the men saw an apparition that terrified them. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus” (Matthew 14:27-29).
Much is said about Peter’s lack of faith in the next few verses when he became afraid and beginning to sink, crying out for the Lord to save him. An equal amount of purpose should be given to the incredible focus he had to even attempt to step out of the boat. The first reaction of the disciples was pure terror at the image of the Lord coming (Matthew 14:26). They could not imagine what spirit would be walking on the water toward them. Peter’s first response was like the other disciples.
Something amazing happened in the mind of Peter upon the Lord’s assurance to be of good cheer and fear not. Peter immediately recognized the situation for what it was. He was witnessing the awesome power of God and he wanted to be a part of it. "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water" (Matthew 14:28). Peter possessed something none of the other disciples had – wonder working faith. No other disciple offered to step out of the boat. Peter did and he meant to follow through. This was not idle request.
Peter had focus. He could see through the impossible and believe in the impossible. Gabriel told Mary, “With God nothing will be impossible" (Luke 1:37). Mary believed in the impossible because she had a single focus upon the power and will of God. When the disciple of the Lord sought permission to walk on water he asked for the power of God. Jesus said, “Come” (Matthew 14:29). What was Peter to do now? Was it only a hesitant plea of courage that caused him to ask? Would he dare move to the side of the boat and put his leg over? Could he believe to do the impossible and walk on water? Peter had focus.
He moved to the side of the boat. The other disciples watched in shock and dismay and disbelief as Peter made his way over the side. To their wondering eyes Peter did not sink. To the courageous faith of Peter he was walking on water. The fisherman was now walking on water. He had focus. He had purpose. He had the power of God doing the impossible in his life. Jesus called Peter by the name Simon Bar-Jonah in Matthew 16:17. How fitting one surnamed the son of Jonah was now walking on water.
Peter had focus. Imagine what you and I can do with the focus that took Peter out of the boat and on to the water. Would we be among the disciples who remained in the boat with little faith and little courage to expect the impossible? Can we have the focus that Peter had in the Lord to do the impossible? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). It takes focus. It takes courage. It takes stepping out of the boat of doubt and laziness and walking on water. Keep your eyes on Jesus!
There are many things to look at in the world that are beyond description in beauty. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalms 19:1). A baby’s smile will make the heart fill with love. The expression of love in an older couple is a wonderful testimony to the nature of devotion. The list is endless of those things that will inspire the eye with beauty. The wise poet of Psalm 119 made an observation about what we should not look at. “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way” (Psalms 119:37).
Sadly, there are many “worthless things” that we look at. These things are vain and foolish desires that corrupt the heart and lead us astray from the holiness of God. Our possessions can become what we focus on more than God. Covetousness is the problem of looking at our “stuff” as more important than serving the Lord. Achan admitted the reason he took the forbidden things was that he coveted after them (Joshua 7:21). As a result he lost his life along with the life of his “sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor … So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones” (Joshua 7:24). He should have turned his eyes away (Proverbs 23:5).
King David one evening “arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold” (2 Samuel 11:2). Instead of turning his eyes away he inquired of the woman, brought her to his house and committed adultery (2 Samuel 11:3-4). The result was a baby born which then died as punishment for the sin of David and Bathsheba. Further judgment was brought upon the house of David because he did not turn his eyes away (2 Samuel 12).
The Lord warns against lusting with the eyes. Job declares that he had “made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman” (Job 31:1)? Jesus admonished in the mountain sermon, “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). In our world filled with immodesty, pornography (internet especially) and no restrictions on television we must follow the Psalmist in turning our eyes away from worthless things.
How do we turn our eyes away? In our text of Psalm 119:37 it says “Revive me in Your way.” Only by letting our lives be found in God and walking with God will our eyes be turned away from evil. “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:25-27). Albert Barnes writes, “A man should be thankful in this world that he has eyelids; and as he can close his eyes, so he should often do it.”
The prophet Isaiah exhorts the people of God to shut their eyes from evil so that “Your eyes will see the King in His beauty” (Isaiah 33:15-17). We are what we look at and allow to fill our hearts with (Matthew 15:17-20). Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23). Watch what you see!
The last day of the year is a day to remind us that everything comes to an end. Each year has a beginning and an end as does each month, each week and each day. The new year is only the beginning of twelve months that end on December 31. Life is expressed in the cycle of time that has a beginning and has an end. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
As we begin to reflect upon the new horizon of 2010 we should also pause to reflect the sober reminder that we are mortal creatures that have a beginning and at least on this earth – an end. Yet the irony of this message is that we still exist beyond death. Our ending here is a beginning in eternity and upon the frail time of space we share in life eternity depends. “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
The last day of the year is a day of reflection. It reminds us that time does not stand still. We grow older with each passing year and draw nearer to our eternal abode. Paul looked at his life near its end and said, “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). He looked back on his life and forward to the life to come. The apostle had confidence in his life in service to Christ. His last day was fast approaching and he could see the fight coming to an end; the race nearly completed; the maturing of his faith in God as nearly complete. Can we have the same hope as Paul on this last day?
He also looked forward to a new day coming. This hope was built upon faithful service to the Kingdom of God. Paul knew that his last day on earth would propel him to that eternal home with God. What vision to live with faith in this life that will guide us across the final day. The final day for the Christian is the beginning of the eternal day with the Father. The last day of mortality will be the beginning of our immortal joy. “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).
The last day is a day of victory. It will be a time when all the grace of God is revealed and the joy of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ will be revealed in the resurrection. The last day of this year should be a time of victory to see how we have grown in our faith toward God - looking forward to that final last day of our life; whether in death or in the glorious coming of our Savior. December 31 – the last day! What a great day to reflect and enjoy the blessings of God. The new year gives opportunity to strive with more zeal to live for the last day. It will not be a day of sadness but a day of awakening. The last day is a day that will last in eternity when we are found faithful.