Saturday, February 23, 2019

Whence Cometh Wisdom?

Zophar, Eliphaz and Bildad, the three friends of Job were aged and experienced, but could not answer as to why Job would not renounce his innocence, nor could they explain why Job suffered. (chapters 25 – 31)
So many people asked a similar question today…i.e. ‘whence cometh suffering…why does God allow bad things to happen to good people’, etc.
A young lad answered both Job’s three friends and Job. First, his reply to the 3 friends of Job, of whom he had listened, and listened, and listened….waiting for some words of wisdom to be uttered from 3 people who ought to have known the reason for Job’s suffering AND offer wise counsel. But none came.
Read carefully, young Elihu’s words, noticing an eternal truth that he states in his reply in Job 32:6-10:
6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you.
7 I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8 But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice.
10 “ Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’
11 Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to said,
12 I paid close attention to you; and surely not one of you convinced Job, or answered his words—

Notice Elihu’s words from verse 8: ‘THERE IS A SPIRIT IN MAN, AND THE BREATH OF THE ALMIGHTY GIVES HIM UNDERSTANDING’!
Physical longevity does not make one “wise unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15); THAT comes from the breath of the Almighty!
The apostle Paul explained it in 1 Cor. 2:9-14, saying:

9 “…as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Elihu was wiser than those older in physical age, because he had spiritual discerning. The scriptures will make one wise (knowledgeable) as to why suffering exists, for they explain how suffering is a result of our sins against God. Jesus was purposed to die for our sins, and teach us how to live a life apart from sinning. So, in His teaching, He taught how to be transformed from living self-FISH-ly, to living self-LESS-ly.
Elihu knew this, and understood the purpose for which Job suffered. Suffering is a means by which God, in His tender mercy, rather than punish us AS WE DESERVE; sends us instead, a ‘light affliction’ (2 Cor. 4:17). This is out of His desire to lead us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). By giving us a choice to take HIS yoke, we will inherit the eternal rewards for choosing to, “suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25).
Exercising our faith by obedience is how we “witness” to others. Obedience is the true evidence of saving faith. Obedience is the “works” whereby faith is said to “justify”. Abraham’s obedience is set forth as an example in James 2:20-24. The spiritual benefits of enduring suffering is seen from James 1:2-3. Suffering, when endured, declares our dependence upon God, (i.e., His power to deliver).
The wisdom God gives about suffering’s purpose, enables us to endure, because a greater reward than sin’s pleasures, is promised (Heb. 11:26).
Suffering is God’s way to strengthen our faith in Him, to the point of obedience, trusting that, whatever God says, will result. While we may not see the connection between the promise and the command, a trusting faith, does not question God’s love for us, nor God’s ways. In obedience, the genuineness of our faith is witness to others.
All this wisdom from God is in His word, the Bible. Do you understand why suffering is a part of human life? The scriptures will teach you of salvation from the suffering, caused by your sins.
Elihu was wiser than those older in physical age, because he had spiritual discerning. Remember from his counsel, the only source of wisdom, “…there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice.”
Does your life reflect that God’s wisdom rules your life? Evidence of its rule is seen from what James wrote in chapter 3:17, “…the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” Does this describe you? As James asked in chapter 4:14, “…what is your life?”
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Monday, February 18, 2019

CIRCUMSTANCES...


From the apostle Paul, we learn some vital lessons as to how we ought to view the 'circumstances' that result from our following the gospel of Christ. The text is Philippians 1:12-14. It reads:
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
We see that he suffered imprisonment, "for the cause of Christ". Rather than elaborate on being falsely accused, he says that it "turned out for the greater progress of the gospel". He mentions the encouragement it had given to other brethren, to "speak the word of God without fear".

Was there any benefit from these 'circumstances'?
What of our "circumstances"? How do we view them? Do we mope around with a depressing, hopeless disposition? Do we, in our daily talk, blame those who contributed to our plight? Do we see nothing but a dim future ahead, with no possible chance of things ever changing?
If we are true to our 'claim', in being a child of God, then why do we not view our 'circumstances' as the apostle Paul did his imprisonment?Rest assured, if we have faith in the saving potential of the gospel, we will choose to attain the same attitude as the apostle Paul. We will do as he wrote to others in the first century, "follow me as I follow Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). 
The gospel is God's power to save (Romans 1:16). To suffer for it, means that we defend it against all "other" gospels, which undermine and divide, rather than unite, and, result in condemnation rather than salvation (Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 1:13; Matthew 23:15)
Only when we attain to the attitude of the apostle Paul toward our own circumstances, will there be any benefit for ourselves, for other brethren, and result in "the greater progress of the gospel".
The key is in our attitude toward the message of the gospel. Just how important is it to us? Will we suffer persecution because we teach it as Paul did? What did Paul teach on how to "call on the name of the Lord"? What did Paul teach about division in the body of Christ? Why was Paul imprisoned in the first place? Whatever reasons we might give, first and foremost, it was over the things he preached. He took a stand to defend the gospel, and did not succumb to pressure or threats, even of his own life. Read what he said of his own life in view of the gospel (Acts -20:24).
Unless and until we grow to this level of faith, we will always give in to opposition from those who have no "love for the truth" (2 Thess. 2:10). Others, in Paul's day did, forsaking him and their own salvation (2 Timothy 4:16). Jesus had witnessed the same fear in His disciples (Mark 14:50). Yet, they overcame their fear later, and boldly proclaimed the doctrine that Christ commissioned them with. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).



Herein is the real test of our faith - to stand firm in teaching the doctrine of Christ, in the face of opposition from those who fear man more than God. These are the 'fearful' that are spoken of in Revelation 21:8. Their fate is clearly stated: "But the FEARFUL, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Saving faith will show courage when opposition sets the battle in array. Standing firm will result in "the progress" of the gospel; your example will give strength to other brethren to stand firm. 
Does my 'faith' have such courage? Paul's did. There were those who preached, seeking only to add to his bonds (Philippians 1:16). He stood firm. He said in Philippians 1:22, "...if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me..." 
Let us resolve to imitate the apostle Paul and not 'blame' circumstances for our failure to support the gospel.
Let us resolve to respond to our circumstances in the manner that Paul told the Philippians, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel..." (Philippians 1:27).

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Monday, February 11, 2019

LOVE and HATE...the growth process

The process of sanctification (the ongoing part of “becoming” a Christian) is a matter of growth, and that developing the Christian graces - the greatest of which is charity, or love (1 Cor. 12:31 -13:13) - - requires careful cultivation that is ongoing as a child of God matures.
One passage which describes this cultivation is found in 2 Peter 1:4-8; which concludes with the following statement: “For if these things be IN YOU, and ABOUND, they make you that ye neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v 8). Love is most assuredly one of the things that gives evidence that one is a child of God. And if love is present in the life, then the things Peter here lists, can be said to "be in" that person. But remember, that Peter said that these things must also ABOUND. In order for these things to "abound" they must be cultivated. In order for love to grow (abound); it must be cultivated...nourished...fed. Then, and only then will love RULE in one's heart.

But, think about this...
Hatred must also be cultivated if it is to grow. Hatred is NOT a Christian grace, nor should it be; BUT IT HAS TO BE ALLOWED TO BUILD AND GROW IF IT IS TO TAKE OVER ONE'S HEART. It may well be a “natural” thing in some respects; but it is incapable of growing out of control on its own.
For it to be that way, one would have to accept the implication that man is by his very nature evil - - which is certainly NOT the case. The reason we know this to be true is because God created man IN HIS IMAGE. This means, that, like as God, man can freely choose. God did, in creating us in His image. He didn't have to, but FREELY CHOSE TO!
This decision was made before we did good or evil. God purposefully, of His own free will, CHOSE to make man in His image. He didn't have to. He could have been "mindful" of something else in His creation, but He CHOSE to be mindful of man (Psalm 8:4 ~ Heb. 2:6). Being in God's image...having free will, (from God) man can choose good or evil (or, to love or to hate). Whichever he chooses, if it is to rule, it has to be nourished; fed and cultivated! It won't happen without nourishment. A man must choose whether to allow hatred to grow in his heart and consume his soul, or to cultivate love and the other Christian graces.
Hatred is a form of lust that a man allows by his choices; choices to nourish that lust. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15)
Let us remember that we are in control of which virtues (or vices) we cultivate and allow to grow in your heart. We're in God's image. May we choose to obey God, and cultivate the love He has shown us, by treating one another as He treats us.
"For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." (Eph. 5:29-30)

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