“THANKSGIVING”

On October 20, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln issued this official proclamation (#118) regarding the observance of Thanksgiving:

“Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may then be, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid that on that occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the Great Disposer of Events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations.”

In the Bible, the manner in which ‘thanksgiving’ was expressed by those who feared God was most unique. It was by means of a sacrifice, by praising God, by a prayer, or through songs. While it was to be done willingly, and not out of constraint, it was always as God ordained in the language of the covenant between Himself and His covenant people. Thus, we see that thanksgiving is expressed both by words and by certain authorized acts.

Sadly, what has happened with love has happened with thanksgiving. How often do we hear (and say) the phrase, ‘I love you’? Does saying ‘I love you’ equate to loving someone? So also, saying your thankful does not necessarily mean you are thankful. The uniqueness of the thanksgiving of a Christian is that their deeds prove their words true. That is being Christ-like. In John 3:16, 1 John 4:19, and Revelations 1:5 the apostle John speaks of the love that God and Christ had. Is there any doubt that God and Jesus loves us? How do we know? We know because of how it was shown (John 15:13; Romans 5:8).

The uniqueness of the thanksgiving of the Christian is seen from 2 Corinthians 6:4. It is done “in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties…”. God has foreordained this. We are no more at liberty to determine HOW we will thank God any more than we are at liberty to worship God as we deem right. God has not left us “in the dark” as to how to ‘thank’ Him anymore than He has left it up to us as to how to worship Him. Worship is unacceptable when offered with heartless lip service and when the traditions we observe are contrary to what God has commanded (Matthew 15:8-9; John 4:24). Our worship is not to be unrestrained for we have divine guidance as to what to do. Likewise godly living is not an unrestrained life. Without divine guidance, people will become unrestrained (Proverbs 29:18). Likewise, the thanksgiving of a Christian is expressed by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-12).

The apostle Peter affirmed that God has given all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Christians are to add these ‘things’ to their faith, that they might not live unrestrained (2 Peter 1:5-9). Through this ‘adding’, the Christian expresses his thanksgiving. Worship and godly living are only acceptable when exercised in obedience. This is also true in regard to thanksgiving by the child of God. Thankfulness is a discipline that needs to be valued, for its spiritual benefits.  But like anything that is of value, it needs to be exercised (i.e., nurtured AND expressed). That it is to be expressed, is seen from such passages as, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!” (Psalm 118:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). But God has declared that our zeal must be “according to knowledge” (Romans 10:1-3).  Thus, the ‘nurtured’ aspect of giving thanks must be by this knowledge. Being truly thankful begins with recognizing how entirely dependent we are upon God’s mercy and His ability to provide. Thankfulness is expressed out of confidence that He will (James 1:17ff). When our thanks is expressed in obedience, an ‘on-going’ benefit is that pride will be rooted out of our life.  If not, pride will dominate in our life (James 4:6).

Thanksgiving and obedience are inseparable, for TRUE thanksgiving is ONLY in obedience to God’s will.  This is seen from the 50^th Psalm.  In condemning His own people Israel, God said: “Offer…a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High; call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”  But to the wicked God said, “What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? “ For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you.”  The only acceptable expression of thanks is in giving God what God most desires, and that, by His own declaration is our hearts (Psalm 51:17; Joel 2:13).

Let us return to Him in obedience, and recognize His rightful authority to rule over us.  What He promised (and did for) Judah, He will do for all who will ‘trust and obey’.  God said He, “let them find Him” (2 Chronicles 15:15).   Jesus gave the same assurance (John 7:17). Thanksgiving will always be blessed of God when it does as Jesus spoke: “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.” (John 14:23).

11/30/2020

rdb

“THE CHALLENGE OF DEFENDING THE FAITH” ~ Philippians 1:17

“But what I am doing I will also continue to do, so that I may eliminate the opportunity from THOSE WHO WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE REGARDED JUST AS WE ARE…” (2 Corinthians 11:12).

The statement above was made by the apostle Paul. The context shows that he was speaking of evil men who sought to be “regarded” as Paul and other apostles of the Lord. Paul, however, has severe scorn and rebuke for these ambitious men. In vss 13-15, he states, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”

Why was the apostle Paul so harsh with his words toward these men? It was not out of personal revenge. Yes they had attacked him personally, but Paul’s concern was not for his own reputation. He had a much greater concern. The message of truth was under attack. In fact, truth was more important to Paul than his own life. We need to give heed to Paul’s concern for purity in the message and come to the defense of the gospel when it is being perverted. Accuracy in the message has become a thing of insignificance. It is no surprise that defense of this accuracy has given in to fear of “judging”! Feelings and sincerity of motive have taken precedence over doctrinal purity. Indeed, a love for truth is misguided when there is no love for soundness in doctrine. Truth is not based upon or determined by the existence of faith. Remember Jacob sincerely believed Joseph was dead, but that did not make it so (Genesis 37:31-35).

As we lose our love for soundness in doctrine, we are losing our first love (Revelation 2:1-4). Ephesus and Pergamos were two of the churches in Asia who had some who “held” to the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans. Both of these doctrines were false! They had to be exposed and opposed! Not all in these two churches “held” to these false teachings. Those that didn’t had the same responsibility as Paul had in dealing with these false apostles in Corinth. Doctrinal purity must be defended against any and all who would attempt to pervert it. This is what Paul was doing; defending the gospel with which he had been entrusted (1 Corinthians 9:17; 1 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3). Paul, in both his epistles to Timothy commanded Timothy to GUARD this message (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14).

An accurate, sound, message is crucial. No passage better states WHY accuracy in the message is essential than Romans 1:16, “it is the power of God for salvation…”.The power of salvation resides in God’s message! Doctrine matters! Defending the purity of the message is equally crucial. Paul’s words were not gentle toward these brethren. They were false and deceitful because their message was false and deceitful! As Paul would later tell Titus, their mouths needed to be stopped (Titus 1:11). Timothy was told by Paul to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Paul had a love for truth and for them (Proverbs 27:5). In wanting to be regarded as apostles, these false apostles wanted their message to be regarded as inspired from God. But they taught DIFFERENTLY from what the Lord’s apostles taught by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As such, they were giving people a false hope in regard to their salvation. Earlier in this chapter (vss. 3-4), Paul said of these false teachers, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (Paul wrote similar words in his other epistles: (cf. Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 5:6; Philippians 3:2; Colossians 2:4, 8, 18; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2:2-4, 9-11; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 4:1-2, 16; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Titus 1:9-11).

We cannot deny the reality of false gospels in the world. The division in religion is proof of false gospels. False doctrine results in the damnation of both the teacher and his hearer. Note especially the “hearer” in 1 Timothy 4:16 – “…both save thyself, AND THEM THAT HEAR THEE.” [Preaching ACCURATELY, saves, both the preacher and the hearers.] and in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “…THEY (i.e., the hearers) WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, but after their own lusts…heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears…turn away…from the truth…unto fables.”

A most relevant question for everyone…DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REALITY OF FALSE DOCTRINE? A related question will perhaps drive the point home. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REALITY OF HELL? If there was no such thing as false teaching, would there be a need for HELL?Beware of those who come in sheep’s clothing…false apostles disguised as apostles of Christ…those WHO DESIRE TO BE REGARDED AS AN APOSTLE IN WHAT THEY TEACH! TEST THEM! As the apostle John warned in 1 John 4:1. They are false if their preaching does not match the preaching of the Lord’s apostles! What did the Lord’s apostles tell people to do to be saved? What did the preacher who preached to you, tell you to do to be saved? Did their messages match? This is why doctrine is so important in religion.

Jesus taught:

“Take heed WHAT ye hear” — Mark 4:24

“Take heed HOW ye hear” — Luke 8:18

Why? Because DOCTRINE MATTERS!

11/26/2020

rdb