“WHY CAN’T WE AGREE TO DISAGREE?”

 

There are many lessons to be learned from the life of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. His reign is recorded in 2 Chronicles 17-20. At the time of his reign, God’s people were divided into two kingdoms. The larger northern kingdom of Israel had ceased following the law of Moses. Although they were still religious, God rejected their idolatrous worship because it was patterned after the “sins of Jeroboam”, which he had introduced at the beginning of the division between the two kingdoms (cf. 1 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 11:13-17). The smaller southern kingdom of Judah failed to learn from Israel’s idolatry and eventually “walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.” (2 Kings 17:19). The ultimate end of both kingdoms was captivity (2 Kings 17:7-23).

During the co-existence of these two kingdoms, they remained separated chiefly because of these differences in their worship. However, during Jehoshaphat’s reign, an alliance was formed between Israel and Judah. Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehoram, had been given in marriage to Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 21:6). This alliance was rebuked by Hanani the seer (2 Chronicles 19:2). It was during this time of alliance that the wicked king Ahab of Israel sought to reclaim Ramoth-gilead from Syria and solicited help from Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat sought counsel from a prophet of God before doing so. Ahab had already received the ‘go-ahead’ from 400 of his prophets, but Jehoshaphat wanted a prophet of God to be heard. Ahab mentioned that there was one such prophet: Micaiah. The messenger who was sent to bring Micaiah to the kings spoke these words to him: “Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth: let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.” (2 Chronicles 18:12). Micaiah replied, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” (2 Chronicles 18:13). Ahab had dealt with Micaiah before. He told Jehoshaphat, “I hate him; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but always evil…” (2 Chronicles 18:7). Sure enough, Micaiah prophesied doom for Ahab and Israel. There are many valuable lessons to learn from this. One lesson is that “agreeing to disagree” will never work.

Truth and error can never be in harmony. They are opposed by their very nature. The failure with the mindset of ‘agreeing to disagree’ as it relates to the positions of truth and error is that error is not required to change. For Micaiah, this meant that he would have to acknowledge these errors. Such is clearly condemned of God (cf. Galatians 1:8-9; 2 John 1:9-11). Jesus stated that every divided house falls even if it is Satan’s (cf. Luke 11:17-18). Micaiah couldn’t speak favorably of Ahab because Ahab had forsaken Jehovah (cf. 1 Kings 16:30-33; 18:18). ‘Agreeing to disagree’ would have brought condemnation upon Micaiah as well as Ahab. The same would have been true for Caleb, Joshua, and the other ten spies (cf. Numbers 13-14); and for Elijah and the 850 prophets of Baal (cf. 1 Kings 18). It was a ‘divided house’. As Jehu would say to Jehoshaphat, “Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah?” (2 Chronicles 19:2). When those proclaiming messages of truth and error agree to co-exist, both the proclaimers and their converts will “fall into a pit.” (cf. Luke 6:39). Works of darkness must be reproved, not fellowshipped (Ephesians 5:11).

The same fate will come to anyone who lives with a spirit of compromise. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24). As the prophet Azariah had stated, “Jehovah is with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2).

God does not send man conflicting messages. There is truth and there is error (1 John 4:6); there is THE gospel and ANOTHER gospel (Galatians 1:6-9); there is sound doctrine and fables (2 Timothy 4:4). They stand in opposition to each other. Fellowship between them is impossible (2 Corinthians 6:14, “…what communion hath light with darkness?”). The Lord made it clear through the pen of Paul the apostle of His people’s relationship to Him and their responsibility to those who walk contrary to His will: “for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be to you a Father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

“PERFECTION”

 

“If thou wouldest be PERFECT...” – Matthew 19:21 (ASV)

PERFECT is one of those words often misunderstood by many honest, God-fearing people as meaning a state of sinlessness. This misunderstanding can be attributed in part to the continued teaching of John Calvin’s theology.

In AN INTRODUCTION TO CALVINISM, Gene Taylor wrote: The central idea of Calvinism is the sovereignty of God. “The one rock upon which Calvinism builds is that of the absolute and unlimited sovereignty of the eternal and self-existent Jehovah.” (Ben A. Warburton, Calvinism, p. 169) Calvin did not discover the sovereignty of God. He isolated it as idea. His isolation of it is the problem. He exalted the sovereignty of God to the exclusion of other truths of Scripture. All of the five points of Calvinism flow from this basic premise. “These other doctrines are an expression of this one central theme. Thus if God is absolutely sovereign—the Alpha and Omega—then it follows that salvation depends entirely on him and not on man.” (Edwin H. Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism, p. 74).

Each person needs to understand whether it is sin or the penalty for sin (i.e., death) that is inherited from Adam. In answer, consider Paul’s words: “Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men…death reigned…” (Romans 5:12, 17). A person becomes a sinner when he violates God’s law not when he is born. (cf. 1 John 3:4). The grave consequence of Calvinism is the false sense of justification it gives to those living a lifestyle condemned by God: fulfilling the lusts of the flesh (cf. Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:17-23; 1 Peter 4:3-6).

Godliness is clearly a choice of man (cf. Colossians 3:1-10, “put off…put on…”). Repentance is not easy. While it involves making a choice to serve a new master, it also calls upon man to make a self-sacrifice: die to his own sins. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:15-18).

What possible motivation could be strong enough to empower a person to give up pursuing happiness and enjoyment as he deems best for himself and others? Nothing other than the promise of a greater life from a being who has the power to both create and sustain life.  (cf. Psalm 18:15; 33:6; Acts 17:25).  Who or what is powerful enough to cause a person to acknowledge the failings of his own way of thinking (cf. Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23)? Only a being who possesses a wisdom that man cannot know apart from God. “Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living…God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.” (Job 28:20-21a, 23).

God declared through the prophet Isaiah, “I am God, and there is none else; 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). The apostle Paul declared that God, “giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.” (Romans 4:17). All this power resides in God’s word. What He declares comes to pass (Isaiah 55:11). So, when Jesus spoke to the young ruler in Matthew 19:21 about achieving perfection, it would happen, because God declared it. Let us briefly note some facts about this perfection of which Jesus spoke.

~ It was to obtain eternal life – He asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” (v. 16).

~ It (eternal life) needed to be desired above all his other desires (his possessions—v. 22) – Jesus told him, “If thou wouldest be perfect…” (v. 21).

~ It involved respect for Jesus’ authority. Jesus told him, “…go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” (v. 21).

Eternal life is the equivalent of perfection in this text. Jesus told him how it is possible. It requires self-denial and discipleship in this life. Discipleship involves a cleansing from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1). It is with a view to godly maturity (cf. Philippians 3:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-13).

This is seen from v. 22, “But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.” This perfection (eternal life) will be revealed at Judgment. It is reserved for all who exercise faith in Jesus’ words (cf. 1 Peter 1:4-5).

“EYEWITNESSES OF JESUS’ MAJESTY”

 

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with I’m in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:16-19)

The ‘majesty’ is here defined as “honor and glory”. Jesus received this because of what he did, which pleased his Father (more on this later). All the apostles saw this. Notice, “…and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The majesty was not just the lone episode at the transfiguration (only three apostles were present then). The majesty was not only the dove descending upon him. This was to merely inform those present that Jesus was well pleasing to God. It is important that we understand why God was pleased with Jesus.

Jesus came to do the will of his Father, but this involved more than submitting to John’s baptism. John 4:34 states, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God.” The apostles received of this “fullness” from Jesus: “And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). This “fullness” was made known in their preaching: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:1-3).

What was this “fullness” that all of the apostles received, wrote of, and spoke of in their preaching? For what purpose did they write and preach about it? We find the answers to these questions in Ephesians 3:1-7, 14-19; 4:13-16.   

That which the apostles received of Jesus was a mystery until Jesus gave it to them. What was it and how did Jesus give it to them? John 17:6-8 has the answer for us. It was in Jesus’ words; in that which he taught. Grace and truth came by Jesus (John 1:17). It was this that the apostles witnessed. Jesus made known to them the things of God (not the purpose of Moses) and Jesus came to provide the sacrifice which the penalty of sin required. He did so for us. He did all of that which his heavenly Father commanded of him (John 17:4).

The majesty associated with Jesus, of which the apostles were eyewitnesses, from which they had received, and of which they preached, was regarding the things he taught. Jesus came to show man the necessity of submission and obedience to the will of God. He came to reveal who had a love for God and who didn’t. This he did by teaching those men given to him from the Father, sending them into the world as he had been sent (John 17:6, 18). They preached that we might know the things of God: “For what we proclaim is not of ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).

“LET US LOVE IN DEED AND IN TRUTH” [Part 5 of 5]

Here is the last point mentioned in the article entitled “THIRTEEN THINGS CHURCHES NEED TO KNOW”...

13. If you won’t handover the keys of the church to the next generation until they think like you and do things exactly like you … you’ll never handover the keys. You will lock up an empty dead church.

Preparing the next generation pertains to both evangelism and parenting. Preparing them to be responsible before the Lord, involves them developing a personal faith in God’s word. This preparation is not simply a continuation of the traditions practiced by ancestors. Personal faith is essential to fearing and pleasing God (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13; Hebrews 11:6). Faith is an exercise of our mind. “By faith we understand…” (Hebrews 11:3). Faith must be founded upon the right source: God’s word (Romans 10:17). Parents must nurture children in the chastening and admonition ‘of the Lord’. Children are to obey their parents ‘in the Lord’ (Ephesians 6:1, 4).

Faith is to be exercised in submission to the church’s head, which is Christ. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18). As head of the church, He equipped the church for continued existence. After His ascension, Jesus, “...gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ...”  (Ephesians 4:11-12).

In doing this, Jesus ‘turned the keys of the church’ over to the apostles (Matthew 16:19). We read that the church was, “…built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Strong’s concordance comments on the metaphorical use of ‘the keys of the kingdom of heaven’ as follows: “the keys which the Lord committed to Peter, by which he would open the door of faith, as he did to Jews at Pentecost, and to Gentiles in the person of Cornelius, acting as one commissioned by Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit; he had precedence over his fellow disciples, not in authority, but in the matter of time, on the ground of his confession of Christ; equal authority was committed to them”.

We find that the apostles equipped congregations for the future by ordaining elders in every local church. This was one of the purposes for Paul’s second missionary journey.  The Holy Spirit had called Paul and Barnabas for this work. In the church of Christ in Antioch, “the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). We find that they appointed elders in every church as they journeyed (Acts 14:23). This was equipping future generations to continue in the faith. This is how ‘handing over the keys to the next generation’ is to be done.

Traditions that were authorized from the head, Christ are not only beneficial, but binding. Paul wrote to the church of Christ in Corinth, “Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.” (1 Corinthians 11:2). To the church of Christ in Thessalonica, he wrote, “So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Paul went on to tell this church, “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from us.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6). But Paul warned the church in Colossae of traditions of men. “Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Prior to his conversion to Christ, Paul observed the traditions of his ‘fathers’. When he learned that justification was never purposed to come by the Law, but through faith in Christ, he gave up those traditions (Galatians 1:23-24).

The preparation that should concern us all is for the coming day of Judgment.  ^“For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Since every work and every hidden thing, good or bad will be revealed by God on that day, our preparation needs to focus upon this. Discernment between good and evil depends upon having our senses exercised upon God’s word. This is why spiritual growth is essential in preparing to stand before God in judgment with hope of eternity in heaven.

God’s word is the only source of this hope. Wonderful words of life which rejoice the heart because of the blessed assurance they declare from God. Let us remember the advice of Paul to the Ephesians concerning these words: “when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ…” (Ephesians 3:4).

“LET US LOVE IN DEED AND IN TRUTH” [Part 4 of 5]

Here are three more points mentioned in the article entitled “THIRTEEN THINGS CHURCHES NEED TO KNOW”...

10. Be a place where people are comfortable bringing their unchurched friends.

Inviting the ‘unchurched’ is an individual responsibility. Therefore, your unchurched neighbors need to be comfortable with you. People view or gauge the church as they view you. How well do you represent Christ in your daily living? King David was a man of great respect until he “despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight” (2 Samuel 12:9). His murder of Uriah brought this stinging rebuke from the prophet Nathan, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme” (2 Samuel 12:14). The Jews condemned themselves in their wrongful judgment against the Gentiles for things they themselves practiced. But Paul pointed out a greater damage in telling the Jews, ...“the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:24).  Christian servants (1 Timothy 6:1), and wives (Titus 2:5) have the same responsibility to take heed to their example. Loving in deed and in truth is a responsibility we have to both God and others.

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11. Understand that you will never make everyone happy, that’s okay.

Man’s concept of happiness is so different from God’s. There is great happiness (pleasure) in the satisfying of fleshly lusts. The pleasures of sin are short-lived (Hebrews 11:25). This type of happiness is to be avoided. 

Our aim must ever be to please God. Discipleship is about making people happy in the manner that God uses the term happy. That term is BLESSED. Israel was told, “Happy art thou, O Israel: Who is like unto thee, a people saved by Jehovah” (Deuteronomy 33:29). The queen of Sheba told Solomon, “Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, that stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.” (2 Chronicles 9:7). Eliphaz told Job, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17). The bible concept of ‘happy’ is being blessed by God.

In loving in deed and in truth, we have the example of Paul before us: “And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:20-23).

This does not promote the happiness most seek. The Christian must not become discouraged by this, to the point that they shrink back from offering true happiness to them. There is the ever-present lure to go back to the world (2 Peter 2:20-22). Therein lies the danger for God’s child. He must maintain a strong faith to prevent this (2 Peter 1:5-10).

His strength will come from practicing Paul’s teaching to the brethren in Rome: “The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth” (Romans 14:22).

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12. Take risks and NEVER be guilty of saying “But we’ve never done it that way before.”

Regret will rob you from the joy of the spiritual blessings that are available in Christ. We must not look backward but press forward (Luke 9:62; Philippians 3:13-14). A change of life, if for spiritual betterment, will be a decision never to be regretted, but it is a decision that requires faith in God’s lead, for you will follow a lead without visible markers. Abraham made such a decision. “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10).

The children of Israel embarked upon such a journey of faith. “And thou shalt remember all the way which Jehovah thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble thee, to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or not.  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by everything that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

Upon entering Canaan, Joshua reminded Israel of the need to continue in faith, saying, “ye have not passed this way heretofore” (Joshua 3:4). So is it with Christians today. We know not what awaits us daily, save what Paul stated to Timothy, “all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Faith is what empowers the Christian to overcome all such fears. Let us remember, “…we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:39).

“LET US LOVE IN DEED AND IN TRUTH” [Part 3 of 5]

Here are three more points mentioned in the article entitled “THIRTEEN THINGS CHURCHES NEED TO KNOW”...

7. Understand that, “The building is open, come if you want,” is not the same as, “go into all the world.”

Evangelism is not the process of placing a welcome mat at the front door. It is not in ad placements on social media. It is personally teaching the gospel ‘in deed and in truth’. People are drawn to God as they are taught His word. Jesus said, “everyone that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me.” (John 6:45). Two examples point this out:

1) Timothy followed Paul’s “teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, long suffering, love, patience.” (2 Timothy 3:10).

2) The Philippians were commanded to do the same (cf. Philippians 4:9).

Inviting people to ‘our building’ without any prior explanation of why ‘any building’ will not suffice is not evangelism. A ready, graceful answer as to why you personally don’t worship in just ‘any building’ is needful (cf. Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:15). Titus’ command from Paul to be “ready unto every good work” (Titus 3:1) is not just for preachers (cf. Acts 8:4). Those who were scattered, preached the word. Indeed, the reason for being forced out of Jerusalem was because they had been preaching the word.

This same principle applies in the home. Parents must be proactive in bringing up their children in the Lord’s nurturing and admonition. Punitive discipline, apart from instructive discipline, is not following the Lord’s example. Proper behavior must be exemplified before them. This is also true in evangelism. We must lead by example. We must forewarn about “other gospels” (Galatians 1:6-9).  Let us love in deed and in truth.

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8. Honor the past, but don’t live in it.

Don’t let your past hold you back from moving forward. Learn from past mistakes, but don’t let them define your present or your future.

The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah reminded the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob of this (cf. Isaiah 43:18-21; 65:17-18; Jeremiah 16:14; 23:7). Their past was not anything to be proud of; they had been delivered out of slavery in Egypt only to return to slavery by the Assyrians and Babylonians. These prophets encouraged and strengthened them that their past would be overcome through repentance and obedience of faith. So can yours.

Sin has consequences, but they can be endured and overcome with God’s promised help. The apostle Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.” (Romans 8:18).

Past failures can prevent us from having a fruitful season in the present and rob us of our future hope (1 Corinthians 15:19). The past can only be overcome in one way: exercising faith in the words of Jesus. He said, “…He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Understand that your cleansing comes by your abiding in His word. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2). This cleansing involves pruning what is dead so that your life can be productive. In this manner, the word cleanses your life. This abiding must continue in the vine for the fruit to be good. The gospel declares, “put off...put on...” (Colossians 3:5-10). Cleansing is the result.

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 9. Be more focused on reaching the lost than you are keeping the saved happy.

Christians must remember this: as servants, pleasing our Master is our aim. Regardless of our earthly status (master or servant); in all our relationships we share a common trait. We all have the same Master in heaven and there is no respect of persons with Him (Ephesians 6:9).

Reaching the lost was Jesus’ focus. “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28). Paul wrote, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9). “For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, ‘The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me’.” (Romans 15:3). Clearly, our salvation was Jesus’ joy. Serving is the joy of His servants. The apostle Paul wrote, “doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one don’t, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” before them (Ephesians 6:6-8). There simply is no better way of reaching the lost than a godly example. We have that example from Christ.

Godly examples are needed to reach the lost. They are needed in our homes and with our brethren. Conversely, hypocrisy plants seeds that will bear the fruit of prejudice and division. Peace and unity will be destroyed, the name of God will be blasphemed, and souls will be lost (cf. Romans 2:17-24). Our example as citizens, spouses, parents, and brethren, will either give credibility to the gospel, or discredit it. Let us keep our focus on Christ’s purpose for redeeming us: “…that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness…” (1 Peter 2:24).

“LET US LOVE IN DEED AND IN TRUTH” [Part 2 of 5]

Recently, I ran across an article entitled “13 THINGS CHURCHES NEED TO KNOW”. The content aptly fits the topic of evangelism. Here are three more points mentioned:

4] It’s always better to have crayon on the walls of your nursery, than cobwebs in the corners of it. So don't sweat the small stuff.

Your child is a blessing from Jehovah (Psalm 127:1-5); however, with every blessing comes responsibility. Jehovah promised Abraham’s descendants to, “bless the fruit of your womb” (Deuteronomy 7:13; 28:4). This, as all other blessings, was contingent upon their strict adherence to the covenant made at Mt. Sinai (cf. Exodus 19:3-6; Deuteronomy 7:7-13; 28:15-18). The Israelites forgot these words (cf. Deuteronomy 32:18; Psalm 106:21). What of us? Have we, as spiritual Israel followed the error of physical Israel? (cf. Romans 9 and Galatians 3).

As was pointed out in the first article of this series, children need proper training. The greatest responsibility for every parent is being a godly example. This greatness is seen in that your example will either instill respect or incur spite for your words. The greater damage is that God’s words will be treated in the same manner. Parents need to remember that, in the tender eyes of their child, they are viewed as God. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). “The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.” The ‘rod and reproof’ in Proverbs 29:15 needs to be properly understood as the rod OF reproof. “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” (Proverbs 22:15).

Remember, Israel desired a return to Egypt rather than an inheritance in Canaan (Numbers 14:3-4). A blessing and a responsibility; that is your child. While this blessing may bring an occasional crayon on your walls, the desire for cobwebs will bring the same regret that Israel experienced in a return to Egypt.

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5] Don’t be afraid of change, but don’t change just for the sake of change.

Change for the spiritual betterment must always be out of faith in God’s will and God’s word. This applies in the home, in society, and in the church. It applies individually and collectively. Remember Israel wanted a king (1 Samuel 8:1-9). Do you remember why? Was it per God’s directive, or out of frustration with the ‘status quo’? When 10 of the 12 spies brought back an evil report and Jehovah pronounced a 40-year punishment of wandering, the people decided that a change was in order. Again, was this decision an act of obedience, or made from fear of the consequences of their disobedience? (cf. Numbers 14:39-45).

Leaving and cleaving involves a change, but don’t change just for the sake of change. Loneliness can instill a desire for change but change for your spiritual betterment. Beginning a family involves a change, but don’t change just for the sake of change. Remember God’s purpose for marriage. In all these situations, count the cost of discipleship; don’t change just for the sake of change (Luke 14:26-27).

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6] Be in the people business. When it comes to your building, God doesn’t care about the color of the carpet or the paint on the walls. He does care about people.

Christians need constant reminding of the nature of their calling. Christians are called to become saints (Romans 1:7). Christians need to remember the nature of the ‘hope’ of their calling. Is our calling from God conditional or unconditional? We must know not only which one it is, but why it is one and not the other.

Many are taught that once Jesus gives them eternal life, nothing can ‘undo’ that gift. John 10:28 is cited in support of this. Jesus said, “and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.” Does this passage teach that our salvation is unconditional? Such ‘proof texts’, when cited without regard for their context, seem to teach this. However, John 10:27 says that Jesus’ sheep, upon hearing His voice FOLLOWS Him. A simple reading of both verses will show that Jesus is teaching that eternal life is conditioned upon the sheep following the Shepherd. Does this harmonize with other inspired teaching? Ephesians 4:1 says that Christians are to “walk worthily” of their calling. Peter commanded brethren to, “give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). Certainly, the scriptures teach that our calling (Hebrews 13:1) is conditioned upon our obedience to God’s will. Obedience completes our faith.

God cares about the lost (Luke 19:10). For this reason, we are to be in the people business. God’s love for man makes the saving of a soul the most important matter in life. A child has a soul; so, does your spouse, your family, your neighbor, your co-worker, your boss, your employee...and so does your enemy. As a Christian, you must arm yourself with this attitude: “I am in the people business.” Have love for a lost soul. Have love for a saved soul (Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7). Love in deed and in truth.

“LET US LOVE IN DEED AND IN TRUTH” [Part 1 of 5 series]

 

Recently, I ran across an article entitled “13 THINGS CHURCHES NEED TO KNOW”. The content aptly fits the topic of evangelism. Here are three of the things mentioned:

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1] There’s a 0% growth rate in churches that tell their kids to sit down and shut up.

I wonder how often parents have taught their children in the home in this manner? The teaching from Ephesians 6:4 is, “…fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.” Is there any clearer example of provoking a child to wrath than “sit down and shut up”? Do we as parents fully understand (and practice) ‘nurture’? The Lord chastens and admonishes with compassion (Psalm 103:13). Jehovah’s goal was restoration of fellowship between Himself and the outcasts of Israel in building up Jerusalem.” (Psalm 147:2). Jesus described His compassion as a hen gathering her chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37). Does the “sit down/shut up” approach fit with nurturing or provoking?

 

A fitting reminder:  A child’s view of God’s chastening will be as the parents’ chastening was. If it is done in the home, it will certainly have a long-lasting effect upon the child’s behavior in the assembly. Will the sit down/shut up approach have a --positive effect upon evangelism? Acknowledging failure is not enough. Parents’ nurturing of children must exemplify the chastening and admonition of the Lord.

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2] Spend 100% more time talking about Jesus than you do about issues.

If preaching reflects this, the congregation will in time, view ‘issues’ as a part of the gospel. Issues can vary in nature, however, think of what you hear discussed among your acquaintances, friends, and family. Those conversations constitute YOUR ‘current issues’. Address those issues discussed by those with whom you interact on a regular basis. Whatever the ‘issue’ they are obsessed with; don’t let it become your obsession. Rather, interject Jesus into the conversation. A simple change of subject will often present an opening for evangelism. Is Jesus your ‘obsession’? Is His word, your meditation? The words of the psalmist need to be etched in the forefront of our minds: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; and on his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2). If you are honest with yourself, what do you talk about more: issues or the Bible?

 

As with idolatry, wherein we become what we worship; we likewise become the person we talk about. If we gossip, we become gossipers. If we slander, murmur, whisper, backbite, etc., we become the very person we talk so much about. What’s more, we sow seeds of prejudice in the ears of all who hear us! As parents, we do the greatest injustice and abuse to our children by implanting prejudice into their hearts with unwholesome words. It will forever plague them as much as the behavior of the Israelite parents plagued the lives of their descendants. A perverted gospel will plague future generations, just as Jeroboam’s calves in Dan and Bethel plagued Israel.

 

Let us, as disciples, remember the admonition of Jesus: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).

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3] If the only thing your community knows about your church is where it’s located, then you are failing.

 

Consider this: Are you ashamed for anyone to know where you attend? Are you ashamed for certain people to know where you attend? There is a difference. Could it be that you don’t want anyone to know about ‘your church’, because you are ashamed of yourself? If you were to address sin among your peers/acquaintances, would it be “out of character” for you? (cf. James 3:10). One who practices sin yet condemns it in others is condemned (Matthew 7:1-5). One who practices righteousness before others is blessed and glorifies His heavenly Father (Matthew 5:1-16).

 

What the young preacher Timothy was told by the aged Paul, needs to be taken to heart: “Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8). Are you ashamed of Jesus? Are you ashamed of His body? The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Are you ashamed of the truth? These questions are related to the first two points. No one whose meditation is the law of the Lord is ashamed of Christ’s church. No one who hates his brother has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15). But he who does hate in his heart, will speak evil of his brother in the hearing of his children (Luke 6:45). In doing so, he provokes his child to wrath.

 

“…let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.”

(1 John 3:18).

“FAITHFULNESS”

Clarence Jordan was born on July 29, 1912. His nephew, Hamilton Jordan, served as the White House Chief of Staff during the Jimmy Carter administration. If you’ve ever heard of Habitat for Humanity, Clarence Jordan was instrumental in its founding. Here is some history that has been published on Clarence Jordan:

From an early age he was troubled by the racial and economic injustice that he perceived in his community. Hoping to improve the lot of sharecroppers through scientific farming techniques, Clarence enrolled in the University of Georgia, earning a degree in agriculture in 1933. During his college years, however, he became convinced that the roots of poverty were spiritual as well as economic. This conviction led him to the Southern Baptist theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, from which he earned a PH.D. in the Greek New Testament in 1938.

Tim Hansel, in his book ‘Holy Sweat’, relates the remarkable story of Clarence Jordan. It is from this story that we have the context whence the quote came. Clarence and his wife, Florence, decided to help poor people in rural Georgia-both black and white. So, in 1942the founded Koinonia Farm in Americus, GA.

His idea didn’t resonate well at that time with folks in the deep south. Segregation was a way of life. Ironically, the resistance often came from church folks. They tried everything to discourage and defeat Jordan from boycotting him to slashing his workers’ tires when they came to town.

Finally, in 1954 the Ku Klux Klan had enough of Clarence Jordan. One night they came with guns and torches and set fire to every building on the farm, except Jordan’s house which they riddled with bullets. They chased off every family, except one black family who refused to leave.

The next day a local newspaper reporter, who had participated in the raid under the cover of a white sheet, came out to see what remained of the farm. Amid the smoldering rubble, he amazingly found Clarence Jordan working out in the field.

“I heard the awful news”, he called to Clarence, “and I came out to do a story on the tragedy of your farm closing.”

Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. The reporter said in a haughty voice, “Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.’s and you’ve put fourteen years into this farm, and there’s nothing left of it at all. Just how successful do you think you’ve been?”

Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blue eyes, and said quietly but firmly, “About as successful as the cross. Sir, I don’t think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We’re staying. Good day.”

Jordan and his colleagues began rebuilding and Koinonia farm is still going strong today. Faithfulness is what we as Christians are about. Some confuse faithfulness with success. One can be successful, but unfaithful in stewardship. Remember, faithfulness is not determined by success, but success IS determined by faithfulness.

Faithfulness is defined with great clarity in the Bible. One such text that explains faithfulness is Hebrews 3. To walk by faith is, of course, to be faithful. The true Christian does so (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:7). Paul explained walking by faith as follows: “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 14:18).

Faithfulness is the simple concept of obedience. “Know therefore that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations…” (Deuteronomy 7:9; cf. 5:10). The example of the nation of Israel provides us indisputable proof that faithfulness (obedience) and unfaithfulness (disobedience) were the two conditions for which Jehovah blessed and punished His people. This is clear from Psalm 78. We find in vv. 36-37 that they “flattered him with their mouth” yet “lied unto him with their tongue” because “their heart was not right with him”. It is recorded they were not “faithful in his covenant”. Clearly, faithfulness equates to obedience.

The faithfulness of most of the Israelites was as ‘the morning dew’ (Hosea 6:4). This was because their heart was not completely devoted. This was the case with Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:21). The heart must be fully devoted to do Jehovah’s will to obey His commandments. This is why Caleb and Joshua stood out from the other ten spies in the matter of spying out the land of Canaan. These two alone made it from Egypt to Canaan because they ‘fully followed’ Jehovah. (Numbers 14:24; 32:11-12). This simply speaks to their commitment and obedience.

Christians, as God’s building (1 Corinthians 1:9), are not to be obsessed with being successful, rather with being faithful. The increase is God’s end of the stick to whittle on. We are to be purposed in heart as was the apostle Paul: to magnify Christ in our body, whether by life or by death (Philippians 1:20). Let us remember the admonition and encouragement from the apostle John, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10).

“IS IT NOTHING TO YOU?”

In the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah expresses a series of laments. First and foremost of these laments are those over God’s chosen people Israel. Because they have sinned grievously, God has punished them severely. Jeremiah asks this question in chapter 1:12: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?  Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”

The reaction of the people during Jeremiah’s day over this should have been as Jeremiah’s: grief and mourning. Sin had been committed for a long period of time by those who professed with pride their status as God’s chosen. Yet the very God who had chosen them, had now punished them. Jeremiah said, “the Lord has caused her grief because of the multitude of her wrongdoings…” (Lamentations 1:5). Society’s reaction was to hiss and taunt, as if it was nothing to them. Jeremiah said, “The adversaries saw her, they laughed at her ruin.” (Lamentations 1:7). We see in their reaction, the same attitude that Cain held toward his brother Abel, when he asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9).

In this, we see that what was true in Jeremiah’s day was true in Adam’s day. It is still true today. Things that ought to be important are nothing to society as they pass through this life. Many are unconcerned about the prevalence of religious division. Rather than mourn the perversion of the one true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9); many rejoice in the availability of a church of one’s choice. When things of eternal consequence are ‘nothing’, it is cause for mourning. Our religious neighbors speak with ridicule of the church that Christ built (Matthew 16:18). They speak derogatory of those who advocate unity apart from diversity (John 17:20-21). These things mean ‘nothing’ to many people. What about you dear reader? Do you regard yourself as a Christian? Are religious divisions and perversions of the gospel of no concern to you? It should be. Jeremiah mourned over the sins of God’s people. He mourned over the fact that no one cared. Jeremiah recognized what many fail to acknowledge…this was God’s doing. He acknowledged that God had afflicted him (1:12). God’s justice had been exercised because of sin. This was to bring about repentance from sin. For those who did, God would be merciful and heal. 

Have you been afflicted by God? How have you reacted? With bitterness or with sorrow? An unconcerned attitude toward these matters has eternal consequences. Christians are to be “fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:11); “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14); “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58); and to “stand fast in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Yet, there are those who are unconcerned in regard to their responsibilities toward God and toward one another. Why is it that there is a lack of concern among the people of God with regard to these two responsibilities?  First, let us consider the responsibilities as brethren.

The apostle Paul identified some brethren as ‘strong’ and others as ‘weak’ (Romans 15:1). Judgments must be made by brethren toward one another. Paul also distinguished between those ‘in’ Christ and those ‘outside’ of Christ as those ‘within’ and those ‘without’ (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). In either case, judgments must be made by all based upon righteousness (John 7:24). Jude also recognized the differences in spiritual maturity of brethren in his epistle. He wrote, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (Jude 1:22-23). Righteous judgment requires wisdom. In our consideration of one another, let us remember this: “...consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). We have all been made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The value of a soul thus created is of greater value than the world in which we live and all that is therein (Mark 8:36-37). 

So likewise, we need to remember these principles in the relationships we sustain with brethren and with those of the world. All souls are of equal value in God’s sight. Don't let this truth mean ‘nothing’ to us. The salvation of a soul is greater than gaining the whole world. The gospel must go forth in word and in deed by Christians. Our support of the gospel should not be taken lightly either. Does our contribution reflect that the gospel is of little or of great value to the saving of a soul? The Bible declares that it alone is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16-17). Does the purity and integrity of the gospel matter to you?