THE IMPLICATION OF DISOBEDIENCE

There is much to be learned about obedience from a study of its antonym…DIS-obedience. There is also a common trait between the two. Think about this very simple axiom: 'DIS-OBEY' is the opposite of OBEY. Yet with either word, something must exist that can be OBEYED or NOT OBEYED. What would that be? It can only be a precept or command.

The Bible declares that sin is committed in one of the following ways:

Romans 14:23 - to act without faith in regard to what God commanded.

James 4:17 - to know to obey God, but not do so.

1 John 3:4 - to transgress a law of God.

1 John 5:17 - by wrong-doing (unrighteousness).

The only conclusion that can be drawn from these statements is that sin is disobedience, and disobedience is either going beyond or falling short in regard to what God has spoken. All humanity is under the same obligation in regard to what God has commanded (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Since sin is disobedience to a precept or command from God, forgiveness for sin would naturally come by obedience to God’s commands. If not, why not? Jesus stated that, in teaching the commands of God, He was speaking 'words' of eternal life, yet those words demand a response which involves turning from DIS-obedience to obedience.

Unrighteous living must be repented of and replaced by righteous living. The words Jesus spoke open our understanding to our plight because of our sin (John 15:22). Those words also contain specific commands that, if followed hold the promise of eternal life (John 12:49; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 5:9).

God’s commands are the criteria for revealing who belongs to Him and who belongs to Satan. Those who love, respect, and trust in His words receive spiritual blessings when they obey Christ’s commands (Hebrews 5:9). Those who hate Him refuse to obey those commands. It is in this way that God “put” (i.e., purposed) enmity to come between the seed of woman and the seed of Satan. Enmity is hatred. This hatred is over a "thus saith the Lord". It always has been and it always will be. This hatred is not mutual, rather it is from those who don’t want to acknowledge Christ's authority to command their lives toward those who DO. As Jesus was persecuted, so also will His followers be (John 15:20; Matthew 5:10).

Obedience is the only response to a command that expresses love for the one who loved in giving the command. Remember John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved…that He gave…”. Because of God’s love for man, it was the will of the Father to send His Son to bear our sin. Jesus loved us, but He loved His Father first. His love for His Father was why He obeyed the command of the Father. John 14:31 states, “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.” 

We are not sinners because we inherited another's disobedience but because of our own disobedience. Death, the consequence for disobedience, has passed on to us. “Just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). In Romans 5:18, we are told that “One transgression resulted in condemnation passing to all”. But notice that the reason condemnation passed to all was not because of that one transgression, but because “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).

Romans 5:18 goes on to explain that Jesus’ one act of righteousness resulted in “JUSTIFICATION OF LIFE TO ALL MEN”. It was this justification that passed; not Jesus’ act of righteousness. What was Jesus’ righteousness? Was it not His obedience to the Father’s will? Obedience pleases the Father (John 8:29). His love for His Father is seen in His willingness to be obedient even unto death (Hebrews 5:8). Jesus said in John 10:17-18, “the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

The consequence for sin that rightfully came upon Adam, will rightfully come to us, NOT BECAUSE OF ADAM’S SIN, BUT BECAUSE WE ALL SIN (Romans 5:14). Similarly, Jesus' obedience did not pass on to us any more than Satan's sin, or Adam's sin passed on to us. The WORD is what will continue. It will never pass away, but stand forever (Luke 21:33; Isaiah 40:8). We will be judged by those words (John 12:48).

Jesus’ obedience to His Father, does not guarantee my obedience. Neither does believing in His obedience, mean that I am forgiven. I must follow His example of obedience to His Father and obey Him. He WILLINGLY obeyed. So must I. In following His example, I will give up my life for Him, as He did for me. Whereas He gave up glory and riches (John 17:5; 2 Corinthians 8:9); I am to give up is my life of sin. Jesus died FOR my sin. I must die TO my own sin. Until I do, I am yet in my sin. As Peter stated, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (1 Peter 2:24).

God’s righteousness is revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:17). Righteousness is imputed to the obedient. (Deuteronomy 6:24-25). “What shall the end be of them that obey not…” (2 Thessalonians 1:8)?

2/28/2020rdb

"Predestined"...MAN or CHRIST?

Predestination IS in the Bible. It is also a popular doctrine, set forth in Calvinism, being "L" (limited atonement) of the T-U-L-I-P theory. In short, this point sets forth that God pre-determined that a limited number would be saved, thus a certain number of humans were pre-determined to be saved by God. This article seeks to address this. Does the Bible teach that God purposed to save only a certain number of people? 

Acts 4:27-28 - For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.

Rom. 8:29-30 - For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

1 Cor. 2:7 - but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;

Eph. 1:5 - He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

Eph. 1:11 - also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

From Acts 2:23-24, we find two things relative to the church:

1] There was preparation and,

2] there was a plan.

This article will focus upon what the Bible declares about: 
~ WHEN did preparations for the church begin?  
~ WHAT WAS THE PLAN for bringing it into existence? 

The answer to both questions is stated in the text above. It is a part of Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. It reads:

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

Notice that Peter mentions Jesus as being delivered up according to a DEFINITE PLAN, and according to GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE. This "delivering" of Jesus, of course refers to His death which was for man's sins. The connection to the church is seen from the apostle Paul, when he explained that Christ's blood "purchased the church" (Acts 20:28).
If Christ's dying was according to a definite plan, and in accordance with God's foreknowledge, then so was the church. To be "in Christ", is one and the same as being a member of His body, the church, for redemption is in Christ  and the church is made up of the redeemed (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). This then, explains the connection of Christ being "delivered up" to the establishment of the church (Matt. 16:18).

Peter would again mention this 'foreknowledge' in one of his epistles, 1 Peter 1:18-20. He explained as follows: “…you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you…”

The phrase ‘foreknown before the foundation of the world’ tells us WHEN the preparation for the church began:

IT WAS IN THE MIND OF GOD BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!

The church was purposed by GOD, for God purposed to save man through His Son (Eph. 1:3-5). His Son came to "seek and save" that which was lost (Luke 19:10); and yet, to "build" His church (Matt. 16:18). This is the story of salvation and redemption, and it was purposed from eternity and gradually developed according to a definite plan (Acts 2:23). 

This gradual development of God's eternal purpose to create a spiritual seed through Christ, (the church), is seen in that God ALWAYS acted in accordance with His eternal purpose:

~ Psa. 57:2 - I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

~ Psa. 138:8 - The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me.

~ Prov. 16:4 - The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

~ Prov. 19:21 - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

~ Isa. 46:9-10 - I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose; '

~ Isa. 55:11 - so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

From these, we see that God’s ETERNAL purpose was set forth as GOING TO BE FULFILLED...i.e., it was yet in the future. Both good and wicked men would be utilized in the fulfilling of this plan. We see this from the apostle Paul's pen:

"What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory" (Rom. 9:22-23).

Notice in regard to this plan ~ the order within the plan. It was in accordance with God’s purpose:

-- Eph. 1:5 - "...he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will...

-- Eph. 3:9-10 - "...making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will..."

-- Eph. 3:11 - "This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord..."

 -- 2 Tim. 1:9 - "...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began..."

Accordingly, we find Jesus saying in John 12:27, "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.”

To Pilate, Jesus replied in John 18:37, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."

The preparation for Christ’s coming into the world is seen in God’s dealing with Abraham:

Rom. 4:11- He (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,

[Rom. 9:30; 10:6; Phil. 3:9; Heb. 11:17 ~ righteousness which is by faith...]

Heb. 6:17- So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, (to Abraham)

The benefactors?

Rom. 8:28- "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

God CHOSE and CALLED us through Christ. That was what HE purposed to do. Preaching makes this known. For all who have responded to the "call" of the gospel, the apostle Peter reminded them of a grave responsibility in regard to God's calling and choosing: ""Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you" (2 Peter 1:10-11).

Those who are “called according to His purpose” are those who make up Christ’s body, the church.

2/21/2019

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"Expertise" Evangelism

Jesus once told the Pharisees and scribes, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God..." (Mark 7:9). The bottom line was, they were setting aside a command of God. This is a much repeated behavior. It reminds me of how some people will work harder at not working, than they would ever work, if they simply did the work. God gave a command in connection with the preaching of the gospel: GO AND DO IT! (Mark 16:15)

This command to "go" is for a specific purpose. But the "going" must be done. The means of travel is not specified, they could walk, ride, travel on land or by sea, but they must GO! Could you imagine getting so wrapped up in "fine-tuning" the method of going that you never actually went and preached the gospel? Consider the following story about fishing that makes this point:

"Now it came to pass that a group existed that called themselves fishermen and there were many fish in the waters about them. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes and the fish were hungry. Week after week and month after month and year after year the group that called themselves 'fishermen' met in meetings and talked about those called to fish, the abundance of fish, and how we might go about fishing. Year after year they carefully defined what fishing meant, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing be the primary talk of fishermen. These fishermen built large beautiful buildings for local fishing headquarters and their plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and that everyone should fish. However, the one thing they did not do, THEY DID NOT FISH!

In addition to meeting regularly these men determined to send out fishermen to places where there were many fish. This sending committee was headed by those who had great vision and had courage to speak about fishing and to promote the idea of fishing in faraway streams and lakes. They held meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to decide what new streams should be thought about. But the one thing the staff and the committee members did not do, THEY DID NOT FISH!

Large, elaborate training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years courses were offered on the needs of the fish, the nature of the fish, how to find fish, and the psychological effects of fishing. Those who taught had doctorates in 'Fisheology'! But the teachers DID NOT FISH! They only taught about fishing.

Further, the fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and night to produce material solely devoted to fishing methods. A speakers' bureau was also organized to schedule special speakers on fishing. After one stirring meeting entitled 'The Necessity Of Fishing,' two young men left the meeting and actually went fishing and one of them actually caught two fish! He was honored for his great catch and was scheduled to appear at all the big meetings to tell how he did it. So he quit fishing in order to have time to tell his experiences to the other fishermen!

Now it is true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and had to put up with the smell of dead fish. Some had to endure the ridicule of some who made fun of these fishermen's clubs because they claimed to be fishermen, but THEY DID NOT FISH!

And they wondered about those who thought it was of little use to attend meetings and talk about fishing. I mean, after all, were they not following the Master who said, "Come and I will make you fishers of men"? Imagine their dismay when someone actually suggested that they were not really 'fishermen.' Yet it did make sense. Can we rightfully call a person a fisherman if year after year he never fishes? Can a person really be following Jesus if he is not fishing?”

Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). Evangelism relates to our stewardship as disciples. The gospel is God’s. He has given it to us handle faithfully.  We have responsibility both individually and collectively. Our fellowship in the gospel is seen from Philippians 4:15…giving and receiving. Our fellowship in the gospel is active, not passive. Evangelism is to be “done”, not just talked about. We need to follow through, not on our intentions, but on our responsibility. Laborers are needed. Let each of us examine our hearts that we are never found trying to evade the task of evangelism. An old hymn makes the point:

“When in the better land,

before the bar we stand;

how deeply grieved our souls may be.

If any lost one there,

should cry in deep despair,

‘YOU NEVER MENTIONED HIM TO ME’!

We cannot ‘outsource’ our responsibilities in evangelism. The individual disciple and the local church are God’s authorized agents to do the work of evangelism. To ‘outsource’ our evangelism amounts to nothing more than working hard at avoiding our work. As the apostle Paul said on another matter, "Now therefore perform the doing of it..." (2 Corinthians 8:11).

February 7, 2020

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Abolishing the Stumbling Block

That the apostles suffered persecution is without dispute. Peter and John were imprisoned (Acts 5) and repeatedly threatened. James was put to death (Acts 12). The apostle Paul was a prisoner (Acts 20). Others, such as Silas and Stephen, were persecuted and/or killed (Acts 7:16). Yet, all these were “faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10). Have you ever given thought as to why persecution was directed toward them? 

On the part of those who suffered persecution, it was a result of preaching salvation through Christ. One the part of those who did the persecuting, it was because salvation through Christ was preached. At first glance, you might say, “Well, it was the same reason for both.” I submit that such was not the case at all. The reason I know this is true is because not all who heard of salvation through Christ reacted by persecuting those who preached. In fact, many readily accepted the same message that others rejected. It was this difference in the reaction to the message (i.e., the gospel) that relates to the title of this article: “Abolishing the Stumbling Block.” 

Christ was prophesied to be a “stumbling block” and a “rock of offense”, not in the sense that God intended for people to “stumble” over Him and thereby eternally lost (1 Timothy 2:4), but in the sense that, in their rejection of him as a savior - as the only means of salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), He would be the cause of stumbling and offense. It is here that a most important Bible truth be understood. There are many texts that relate to this, but one will suffice: 1 Peter 2:6-8: “For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in him will not be disappointed.’ This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the Word, and to this doom they were also appointed.” 

Notice the phrase “disobedient to the Word.” This explains how Jesus would be a “rock of offense” and a “stone of stumbling” - His Word! This is a simple, yet most important truth that is missed, as it relates to why some react in disobedience to the Word, whereas others obey the same Word. The Word is what is disobeyed. This Word refers to Jesus’ teachings. This is crucial, because the Word is that which instructs man how to respond to God’s offer of salvation through Jesus. This Word also explains and reveals what sin is: Disobedience to God’s Word. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s Word, and all who disobey God disobey his Word. Disobedience is what “stumbling” at the Word means.

Why do some “stumble” whereas others do not?

The apostle John explained why in John 15:18-25. Notice especially what is said in vv. 22 & 24. It relates to the Word and explains why some “stumble” and are “offended.” Jesus’ word (i.e., his teaching) brought an awareness and a conviction of sin, as well as its “wages” (Romans 6:23). To avoid these consequences, according to this Word, one must repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God. However, to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God means acknowledgement of God’s Word, which Jesus taught (John 12:48-50). 

Those who didn’t want to acknowledge this Word persecuted Jesus. In John 15, Jesus informed those who were commissioned to preach this same message that they would also receive persecution for the same reasons. Jesus had told Nicodemus in John 3:19-21, “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” 

This explains why some react with persecution. Their “stumbling” is their disobedience to the Word. The Word is the “stumbling block.” The abolishing of the stumbling block can be done in one of two ways. One way is by persecuting the teacher of the Word because of hatred of the Word. Another way to “abolish” the stumbling block is to accept the Word by obeying it. It is a simple concept. If “stumbling” is by disobedience to the Word, then the “stumbling” is removed by obedience to the Word. The response to the Word reveals the nature of the heart. A good heart obeys. An evil heart disobeys (1 Peter 1:22-23).  

Our attitudes toward God’s Word reveals our hearts. Attitudes govern actions. If you consider yourself “born again,” it was by the message that Christ and the apostles delivered. If you believed the message, you obeyed something that the message commanded. If you were “born again” apart from obedience, then the message was not what Christ and the apostles delivered. The apostle Paul said, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18). 

February 4, 2020

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