20 September 2009

They Shall See His Face

(Kent Heaton)

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.

Four Common Mistakes Christians Make About Denominationalism

(Edwin Crozier)

Common Mistake #1: “We’re Church of Christ.” Regrettably, one of the reasons other folks believe we are part of a denomination is because too many of us act like we are. When we say things like, “We’re church of Christ,” or, “He’s a church of Christ preacher,” or, “Are they church of Christ?” we are using the language of denominationalism. Individuals cannot be “church of Christ.” Rather, Christ’s church is made up of individuals. “Church” represents a collective, therefore an individual cannot be “church of Christ” nor can a preacher be “church of Christ.” We may be members of Christ’s church but we are not Christ’s church.

Think of it this way. Would you ever say, “He’s Christ’s church” or “He’s a Christ’s church preacher”? If you can’t substitute the phrase “Christ’s church” in the sentence you are making then you can’t use the phrase “church of Christ.” That is all “church of Christ” means. It is a reference to the church that belongs to Christ.

Of course, some will say, “Oh, but we know what they mean. It’s too much trouble to explain.” That’s right. We know what they mean and they are mistaken. We must not sit idly by and just further their misunderstanding . . . we need to be clear.

Common Mistake #2: That church of Christ is calling itself non-denominational. That’s awful. To be honest, I’m almost amazed I have to deal with this issue. But sadly, one of the reasons folks outside of churches of Christ are accusing us of being a denomination is because too many members think the same thing. I remember hearing a Christian ridicule a congregation because their listing in the phone book was under the heading of “Non-denominational Churches” instead of under “Church of Christ.” That is just sad. Perhaps we should consider placing our listing under that same heading if it will eliminate confusion. Non-denominational is not a bad thing. It is what we teach and practice. Or it should be.

Common Mistake #3: They have to wear the name “church of Christ” to be one of us. The fact is the New Testament never names Christ’s church. It offers descriptions. One description is “churches of Christ” in Romans 16:16. That doesn’t mean that was their name. That means Paul was referring to groups of people who belong to Christ. There is also the example of 1 Corinthians 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 1:1 in which Paul described the church as “the church of God which is at Corinth.” Why? Because that is what they were. They were the group of people in Corinth that belonged to God. Paul referred to the churches in Galatia as “the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2).

Why? Because that is what they were. Groups of people in Galatia. He referred to the congregation in Thessalonica as “the church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1). Why? Because they were a group of people that were Thessalonians making up that church.

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Sadly, folks accuse us of being a denomination because many among us are thinking and being like the denominations when it comes to our name. We have chosen the name “Franklin Church of Christ” because we want folks to know we are a church belonging to Christ and we meet in Franklin (Tennessee). However, we could just as easily be a church belonging to Christ if our sign read “The Franklin Church of God.” We could just as easily be a church belonging to Christ if our sign read “The Church of God in Franklin.”

We could just as easily be a church belonging to Christ if our sign read “The Franklin Church.” We could just as easily be a church belonging to Christ if our sign read, “Christ’s Church” or “Christ’s Church in Franklin.” We could just as easily be a church belonging to Christ if our sign read “Christians assemble here Sunday at 10 am.”

While we certainly need to describe ourselves in biblically accurate ways, we need to realize we are doing more harm than good by acting like the only way to refer to the congregation is the phrase “Franklin Church of Christ.”

Common Mistake #4: “That’s denominational.” One of the common mistakes members of a church of Christ make about denominationalism is thinking that anything a denomination does is denominational. That is just not true. I don’t know how many times I have heard Christians claim something is wrong or shouldn’t be done and their sole argument is, “That’s denominational.” What do they mean? They simply mean a denomination does it.

We need to understand that the word “Denominational” refers to one error. It refers to the error of establishing a governmental organization over multiple congregations and establishing a hierarchy of offices governing more than one church. It is not the catch all for everything that is error. The fact is most denominations believe in Jesus Christ. Is believing in Jesus Christ denominational? Most denominations take the Lord’s Supper. Is taking the Lord’s Supper denominational? The fact that a denomination does something doesn’t make it wrong. The fact that a denomination doesn’t do something doesn’t make it right.

Allow me an illustration. I believe, and the Franklin (Tennessee) church teaches, that a congregation should participate in the Lord’s Supper every Sunday (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20; 16:1–2). Many denominations participate in the Lord’s Supper annually, semiannually, quarterly, or monthly. Do I believe they are practicing something incorrectly? Yes. Is taking the Lord’s Supper quarterly denominational? No. It has nothing to do with the organization of the churches. We must not let the word “denominational” become our catch all word for everything we think is incorrect. That only confuses the issue.

Therefore, if we believe something is unauthorized, we need to demonstrate that from scripture. We cannot simply say, “A denomination does it. That’s denominational.” That is not sound logic but laziness and it is far too common of a mistake.

Denominationalism is an unscriptural method of congregational organization. There is nothing in the New Testament that supports the practice. Therefore, we need to understand that we are not part of a denomination. We need to speak and teach clearly about denominationalism. Further, if we think something is wrong, we need to refrain from the lazy argument of “That’s denominational.”

They Could Not Blush

(Robert Turner)

The fat is in the sun — and, we may add, “in the fire” for all who question the various stages of undress seen in the stores and on the streets these days. The more angular and misshapen the woman, or the more knobby-kneed the man, the less propriety and modesty is shown. And no one blushes! Jeremiah prophesied against Jerusalem saying, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush“ (Jeremiah 6:15).

They could not blush. It is a terrible thing when a people can no longer blush. It means there is no sense of shame — the con­science is seared. They have so lowered their standards that “abominations” appear acceptable. Self-respect has been de­stroyed, and there is no personal pride to urge them to better, higher, more noble attainments. Their moral “slip shows” and they “couldn’t care less.” Further, they frequently compound their degradation by a blasé smugness, as though their calloused hearts were marks of high honor. He who blushes (should one remain) is a “square,” or maybe a “cube.”

Once my wife and I visited a woman whose attire was almost non-existent. We were so embarrassed for her that we sought to excuse ourselves; but apparently she thought her clothing (?) perfectly adequate. She sat, chatting gaily, until her three-year-old, wearing training panties, walked into the room. Then she rushed  the child away with a “spat” saying, “You know better than to come in here undressed like that!” I suppose psychology has some explanation for it.

Paul commends “shamefastness”—a word meaning “bound, or controlled by a sense of shame—modesty.”  As abedfast person is “bound” to the bed by physical disability, so a shame-fast person has a built in sense of right or propriety that “binds” and forbids appearing in public carelessly or improp­erly clothed (1 Tim. 2:8-10).

When a friend of mine commented on the gross immodesty that prevailed in a western resort city, he was told, “After awhile you’ll get used to it.” My friend replied that he hoped not. “Getting used to” something that degrades character and lowers moral standards is no inducement to one who can still blush and is proud of it.

Psalm 16

(King David)

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You." As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take up their names on my lips. O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Tied To Old Habits

(Selected)

A drunken man entered his row boat one night to cross the river. He picked up the oars and pulled away-so he thought. He rowed all night but did not reach the destination. When daylight came, he was surprised to find that he was just where he started the night before. He had forgotten to untie his boat. So it is with many of the Lord's followers. They are tied to their habits, desires, wills, or some cherished idol or idols of the heart. Consequently, their lives are fruitless. Shorebound Christians never flourish and are of little or no help to others.