NEW COVENANT CHARACTERISTICS: “DOCTRINE, REPENTANCE, & COMFORT”

“Therefore we are comforted.” These words come from the apostle Paul.  He is describing a comfort that is unique to Christians.  It is based upon the fellowship that they have because of the gospel (Philippians 1:5; 4:15).  The reason for his comfort is attributed to the news he received of Corinthian brethren.  The Bible teaches that this comfort is unknown outside of Christ.  It is based upon a particular behavior that is ONLY produced by those who are growing from the ‘sincere’ milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2). 

Paul attributes comfort to God. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Paul points out how this comfort abounds to himself and his companions, as well as to the other apostles.  They held a unique position in the kingdom. In chapter 2:17, we read, “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”  They were entrusted with the gospel (Galatians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). Their message was a ‘ministry of reconciliation’. It is from their message of reconciliation that ‘comfort’ came to them from God, thus, God is the ultimate source of comfort (2 Corinthians 5:11-20). 

While God is the source of comfort, the context of 2 Corinthians 7 is specific as to how God provides this comfort.  The means through which comfort from God comes is in accordance with His eternal purpose for man.  This comfort was purposed to come as a result of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.  By it we are reconciled to God. This is why the gospel is a message of reconciliation.  The comfort that Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 7 spans a period of time and a sequence of events within the congregation at Corinth which was also prompted by news.  The initial news was in part why Paul wrote his first epistle. It provides the background for the comfort mentioned here in his second epistle.  In both instances, it was because of his concern for their souls that he addressed this ‘news’ of the circumstances within the congregation at Corinth.  In the second epistle, Paul describes his joy in chapter 7:4-13. There are many lessons for Christians in this context. A few such lessons are: how they can have joy in the midst of affliction; God’s comfort during their afflictions; there is a right way to grieve over afflictions and a wrong way to grieve over them (godly grief/worldly grief). We also learn that grieving does not save, but ‘leads’ to salvation. 

While all of these lessons are connected by the context; they point to a greater and more important lesson: repentance.  Repentance is an action that God has required of all men (Acts 17:30-31).  Genuine repentance will reflect a change in behavior in a specific way…a manner that evidences your change of attitude toward God’s word.  Since sin constitutes disobedience to God’s commands; forgiveness for that sin would necessarily involve obedience to those same commands of God.  It is impossible to repent without this specific change.  

This is why repentance is inseparably tied to the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42) and a part of the ‘form of doctrine’ they delivered to those in need of being made ‘free’ from sin (Romans 6:17-18). But godly grief is not repentance. It produces repentance, i.e., it is the motive for repentance. Repentance is accomplished through a particular behavior befitting the true gospel. The remainder of 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 explains the key component of true repentance and links forgiveness from God to man’s attitude and response to God’s word to man.

What was it about the Corinthians that brought joy, comfort, and refreshment to Paul and Titus?  What was it about the Corinthians that caused Paul and Titus to boast; to have affection and confidence toward?  Their repentance?  Certainly so, but what prompted their repentance? It was the message of truth; the gospel. This is why true repentance is tied to the true gospel message.  The key component of repentance as found in these verses is tied to their faith, and their faith is tied to the gospel message delivered to them (Romans 10:17; 6:17-18). 

The motivation to repent is with a view to be made “free from sin”. Only the doctrine of Christ will produce godly sorrow in man’s heart. Only godly sorrow will work repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Only repentance will lead us to eternal life (Acts 11:18). This is the comfort that comes to all who trust and obey.  

6/28/21

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“WHERE IS GOD’S HONOR?”

 

Today is designated as a day to honor fathers. Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. However, it was not until 1972 – 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day official – that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

Of Jesus we read, “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them…” (Luke 2:51). We know Jesus’ age at the time of the statement was twelve. There is nothing to indicate that Jesus ever ceased to honor his earthly parents, nor his heavenly Father. Honor is due God as the father of all humanity. The apostle Paul wrote, “…yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things…” (1 Corinthians 8:6a). He wrote in Ephesians 4:6 that there was, “one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” God was called a father to the nation of Israel by the prophets (Isaiah 64:8a; Jeremiah 31:9b). He had not only ‘formed’ (created) them from the loins of Abraham (Genesis 12:2); He sustained them throughout their existence. Pharaoh was told that Israel was His ‘firstborn’ (Exodus 4:22). He disciplined them as an earthly father is to discipline his son (Deuteronomy 8:5). This shows a father’s love for them (Proverbs 3:12).  

There are many valuable lessons for earthly fathers from the heavenly Father in the Bible. There is nothing ‘new under the sun’ in terms of what any earthly father has, or will face in his lifetime that our heavenly Father has not experienced. Let us consider a few of these truths.

First of all, God had a Son, Jesus. Although Jesus was God, the Word in the beginning (John 1:1); Jesus became a son when he emptied himself of the glory he had in the beginning with God. “…who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8). As a son, Jesus, in coming to earth was under the same obligation as all humanity. God is the father of all (read again 1 Corinthians 8:6a and Ephesians 4:6 above).

Yet, Jesus became a son for us. We have done as God’s firstborn son (Israel). We have failed to honor our heavenly Father. The prophet Malachi wrote in chapter 1:6, “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor?” All have sinned (Romans 3:23). It was for this reason that Jesus “…humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8).

I point this out to remind us that God knows what it’s like to experience disobedience from his children. It is what all earthly fathers know. It hurts; it causes a father to regard himself as a failure. No, Jesus didn’t cause this pain upon his heavenly Father, but here is the demonstration of love that we find from God, our Father. Because we failed to give God the honor due Him, He had to treat His only begotten Son as if His only begotten Son HAD DISHONORED HIM! God’s Son bore OUR sins!

He did this because of how much He loved the humanity that He created (John 3:16). He then revealed this great love for us in His word, so that we would cease our rebellion and honor His Son. Philippians 2:9-11 states, “For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Many a father has had to turn his back upon a child because of that child’s disobedience and rebellion. The grief and suffering which began, continues as the disobedience persists. The entire family suffers because of it. God’s family, the church, suffers in the same way when a member dishonors God. Amidst tears, the pain and suffering continue. As God had to turn His back on His Son; His family is often faced with when to make that same decision.

God, as a father suffers when we dishonor Him. Where is God’s honor? All suffering begins when God is dishonored. The remedy must begin there. All our failures, no matter how long they have existed or how severe they have been, are not hopeless. There is forgiveness from our heavenly Father. Let there be forgiveness from earthly fathers. This forgiveness will come as God’s honor is restored. Do as Jesus did in Luke 2:51. If you have dishonored your earthly father, do as the wise son did in Matthew 21:28-29. His father told him to go work in his vineyard. Initially he said ‘I will not’, but afterward…went. Let us each address our own rebellion and disobedience to God as God desires (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

6/20/21

“...LIKE GOD, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL…”

Have you ever desired to be like God? If you knew that you could become like God, would you desire it? Think about that for a moment.  Adam and Eve were presented with such a decision. However, they were not the only two people faced with a decision to be like God. You and I will have the same opportunity each and every day of our lives, and even numerous times within the course of each day. Let us notice from the Bible, what is said of Adam and Eve on this matter and understand from their decision how we too can benefit or suffer from a desire to be like God.

While they lived in Eden, Eve was told, “For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5). This statement was uttered to Eve by Satan. Sadly, it is one of the few times (cf. Matthew 4) that Satan spoke truth. We find Eve and Adam acting upon their desire to become like God. “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked...” (Genesis 3:6-7). Adam and Eve’s desire to be like God was a life-changing experience. Had they decided to obey God, it still would have been a life changing experience. Their decision actually cost them their lives, yet discipleship necessitates giving up our life. In discipleship however, losing our life preserves it. That is a huge difference. Jesus made this clear in John 12:25: “The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.”

The Bible clearly teaches that there are two ways to know good and evil. One way is by heeding God’s promises and warnings (Genesis 2:16-17). The other way is to disobey God (Genesis 3:11, 17). Adam and Eve believed Satan’s words and disobeyed God. Let us consider the way of disobedience. To disobey God is to commit sin. When we sin, our eyes will be opened in like manner as Adam and Eve’s. But gaining knowledge of good and evil in this way (i.e., by committing sin) will not bring us joy. Instead, we will experience what Adam and Eve experienced: fear and shame. Adam said, “I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10).

This experiencing of fear and shame causes us to do as Adam and Eve did: seek to hide from God (Genesis 3:9). This, of course is futile (Psalm 139:8). All humans react alike once their eyes are opened by sin. Sin is not an abstract thing. It is an act of disobedience to God’s word. Because we are ashamed of our actions, we are now afraid of God. What we fear is God’s wrath. God’s wrath is only to be feared by those who disobey (Ephesians 2:2; 5:6; Colossians 3:6; Hebrews 2:2).

We need to give much thought about wanting to be like God. It can be a good thing or it can be disastrous. It depends on our motive. What do we actually want? Is it power? Knowledge is power. Is our concept of being like God, just having knowledge about everything? How do we intend to use that knowledge? Does man know how to use knowledge apart from what God has spoken? This is the real issue. Adam and Eve didn’t. They were badly deceived, but their desire for knowledge overruled their trust in God to know how to use that knowledge. “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).  

The word of God and wisdom are synonymous. God is the source of wisdom. In Proverbs 8:27 we read of wisdom and God, “When He established the heavens, I was there; when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep”. God has revealed the wise way to be like Him. Job 28:28 states it as follows: “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Psalm 111:10b says, “…All those who follow His commandments have a good understanding”. Proverbs 1:7b declares, “The fear of the Lord is knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction”. Becoming ‘like God’ is only possible by yielding to God’s word. This God-ordained way brings happiness and joy to life. It encourages one to seek out God and ensures fellowship with Him. Do we desire this type of happiness and joy?

Let us honestly consider how our desire to be like God will be pursued. Let us consider our motives. Do we want to RESPECT God’s authority or BE the authority? Do we want the attributes of God (omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscience) to use as we see fit? Do we just want to know everything about everybody? These are soul-searching questions that address our heart. Let us give serious consideration to the question asked in a hymn, “Is Thy Heart Right With God?” 

6/19/21

The Day of God's Visitation

In the King James Version, the phrase “day [or time] of visitation” is found in the following passages: Isaiah 10.3; Jeremiah 46.21; 50.27; Micah 7.4; 1 Peter 2.12. A reading of these passages shows that this phrase refers to God’s justice (blessing or cursing) being pronounced upon individuals or nations. God announces what will be done when he “visits” in justice.

Quite often, people pass judgment upon one another based upon what is seen externally. One may be undergoing a rough period in his or her life, suffering gravely in the process. It may be assumed that the person is being punished by God. Prosperity may likewise be wrongfully judged as a sign that God is blessing, or has blessed, that individual. When the day of God’s visitation comes, justice will be served.

Job is one such example of one whose suffering was misjudged. He was wrongfully accused by his friends of having committed sin, then refusing to acknowledge it, therefore deserving his suffering (Job 2.9; 4.8-9). However, Job pleaded to God: “Thou knows that I am not wicked (Job 10.7). God “visited” Job. Afterward, Job said in v. 12, “…thy visitation hath preserved by spirit.” Job was not guilty as his wife and friends had charged him. After God “visited” Job, Job’s integrity was vindicated.

At other times, God’s “visiting” does find his people indeed guilty, although men may not see it that way. Still, justice was served. The prophet Jeremiah wrote of the day of visitation upon the people of God in his lifetime in Jeremiah 5. God’s people were indeed guilty. They were inwardly wicked, although outwardly religious and reverent. Yet, when the day of God’s visitation came upon them, they asked, “Why?” Here was God’s answer through the pen of Jeremiah: “And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, ‘Wherefore doeth the Lord our God all these things unto us?’ then shalt thou answer them, ‘Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.’ Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, ‘Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me?’ saith the Lord: ‘Will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?’ But this people hath a revolting and rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, ‘Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’ Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they thing: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. ‘Shall I not visit for these things?’ saith the Lord: ‘Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?’” (Jeremiah 5.19-29). We need to live life in view of the day of God’s visitation. If we fear God, as Ecclesiastes 12.13 states, we will rejoice in that day, being vindicated (1 Peter 3.15-16).

6/5/21

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