“BLAMELESS: SINLESS, or OBEDIENT?”

Does God command that which is impossible? Can we be sinless? Can we be obedient? Notice from Gen. 17:1-2, what God COMMANDED of Abraham: “…I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect.  And I will make my covenant between me and thee...”.

Notice that the command to “be blameless” was the CONDITION upon which the covenant rested. It was the 'foundation' upon which the blessings would come. The condition of “be blameless” has characterized EVERY covenant offered to man by God. Was obedience possible from Abraham? Whatever definition is put forth for ‘blameless’, one thing ought not change....IT WAS A COMMAND given to Abraham. Being a command......IT WAS “DO-ABLE”!

The significance of being a command provides us with the evidence as to what ‘blameless’ both cannot mean, as well as what it MUST mean. ‘Blameless’ cannot mean 'sinless' (remember Rom. 3:23); it must therefore mean 'obedient'. Obedience is possible because of God’s grace/mercy, but still, obedience is commanded! However, grace/mercy are not commands, but promises from God. A promise cannot be obeyed; a command, however, can be. In connection with obedience, there is a command to repent, and it is this that God commands of ALL (Acts 17:30-31).

By this, we understand another aspect of God's grace/mercy; the long-suffering of God (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). God'
s long-suffering demonstrates His desire for man to repent (turn from) his sins and become obedient (submit to) His Son. In turning from sinful living to a submissive life of obedience, each does as God commanded of Abraham: “walk before me AND BE BLAMELESS”. 

This was what God purposed for man. In this, we understand the teaching of the apostle Paul in Eph. 2:8-10: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

“COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS”

  

“The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught.” (Isa. 50:4)

The words of Isaiah above, are certainly applicable to every Christian. What a blessing! Yet, as is true of all blessings, with them comes a great responsibility. To have such a gift to speak with encouragement, but fail to do so, is more than a waste; it is an injustice to both God who gave the blessing, and those who were not encouraged by your speech.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11).

The Hebrew writer declared, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today’, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:13).

In these two texts, we see encouragement being practiced by the church of Christ at Thessalonica and the reason for which encouragement is so needed by brethren in Christ is to prevent hearts from becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Brethren, let us be reminded of the deceitfulness of sin – it destroys our peace, unity, and love for each other. Let us give diligence to be encouragers: within our families, among our neighbors, but more so, among each other as brethren.

Sin can overtake any of us; don’t self-deceive that you are immune to Satan’s deceptions. Discouragement is all that it takes to open the door to self-deceit. Never allow this in our homes nor in our congregation. Read daily the words of Isaiah above and commit them to your life.   

“And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.” (1 Thess. 5:23-24).

DOCTRINE MATTERS ~ 2 Corinthians 11:12

"Those who desire an opportunity 

to be regarded just as we are”

~ 2 Cor. 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 would Paul dare to be so harsh and pass such judgment? It was because of their teachings. 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. Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 3:11; Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 5:6; Phil. 3:2; Col. 2:4, 8, 18; 1 Thess. 2:14-16; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2:2-4, 9-11; 1 Tim. 1;19-20; 4:1-2, 16; 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Titus 1:9-11)

Those who preach “other gospels”, i.e., messages that the apostles did not preach, are FALSE TEACHERS! Their doctrine is FALSE DOCTRINE!

False doctrine results in the damnation of both the teacher and his hearer. (Note especially the “hearer” in 1 Tim. 4:16 – “…both save thyself, AND THEM THAT HEAR THEE.” [Preaching ACCURATELY saves, both the preacher and the hearers.] and,

2 Tim. 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, why 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, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

They are false if their preaching does not match the preaching of the Lord’s apostles!

Now, 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

“ACCURACY OF THE BIBLE”

Over 2,200 years ago, a man measured the Earth… using shadows and a stick. In the 3^rd century BCE, in the great Egyptian city of Alexandria, lived a man named Eratosthenes. Some mocked him by calling him Beta — the second letter of the Greek alphabet — implying he was second-best at everything. But in truth, he was an Alpha in knowledge. Astronomer, geographer, philosopher, poet, historian, mathematician, and director of the Great Library of Alexandria — he was a true Renaissance man… centuries before the Renaissance.

One day, he read in a scroll that in the city of Syene (modern-day Aswan), on June 21st, the summer solstice, a vertical stick cast no shadow at noon. The sun stood directly overhead. But in Alexandria, on the same day and same hour, a stick did cast a shadow. Where most would overlook such a detail, Eratosthenes saw a cosmic clue.

He reasoned: If the Earth were flat, the sun’s rays would hit both sticks equally — the shadows would match. But they didn’t. So, what could explain the difference? Only a curved Earth. He measured the angle of the shadow in Alexandria. It was about 7 degrees — roughly 1/50^th of a full circle. He hired someone to measure the distance between Syene and Alexandria: about 800 kilometers. Then he did the math: 800 km × 50 = 40,000 km — the circumference of the Earth.

That’s astonishingly accurate. No satellites. No telescopes. No calculators. Just observation, curiosity, and a mind that dared to ask why. Eratosthenes became the first person to calculate the size of a planet — and he did it by watching how a stick cast its shadow.

“It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in…”. (Isa. 40:22).  

“When he established the heavens, I was there: when he set a circle upon the face of the deep…” (Prov. 8:27). 

by: Carl Sagan

“THE PLACE OF UNDERSTANDING”

 Job 28:1-11 - The wealth that is hidden in the earth cannot be obtained but with a great deal of difficulty. So is it true of spiritual wealth (TRUTH). It’s situated purposefully by God and can only be uncovered with great effort. Only those who pursue with all their heart will find it and benefit therefrom. Job observes in the remainder of this chapter:

“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The deep saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the heavens. Destruction and Death say, we have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.  

God understandeth the way thereof, And he knoweth the place thereof for he looketh to the ends of the earth,  and seeth under the whole heaven; to make a weight for the wind: Yea, he meteth out the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder; then did he see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

God’s wisdom is as the pearl of great value and the hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44-45). Once discovered, nothing should prevent us from possessing it. 

“Honoring the Father”

 Honoring someone is one of the highest forms of respect that can be performed,  especially when given with understanding. This is especially true in honoring God. God is a heavenly Father and He deserves honor from his children. God’s love for His children is the basis for which they give honor. God’s love for His children is stated in the following passages:

“My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of him; For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Heb. 12:5-7). Moses said: “as a man chasteneth his son, so Jehovah thy God chasteneth thee” (Deut. 8:5). God told David: “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind” (2 Sam. 7:14).

Solomon wrote of a father’s love: “He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” (Prov. 13:24). “Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death.” (Prov. 19:18). “Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol. My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine: Yea, my heart will rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long: For surely there is a reward; and thy hope shall not be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.” (Prov. 23:13-19).

Honoring God has great reward: “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; and he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him. Let thy father and thy mother be glad, and let her that bare thee rejoice. My son, give me thy heart; and let thine eyes delight in my ways.” (Prov. 23:24-26).

“THE BENEFIT OF BIBLE STUDY”

   

Gus Nichols (1892-1975), minister of the Lord's church in Jasper, AL, preached in a gospel meeting in Munford, AL, in 1937. During the meeting, he stated that he had studied the Bible five hours a day for twenty years. Franklin Camp (1915-1991), a young fellow, heard that statement. He decided that if a man of Gus Nichols' ability needed to study the Bible five hours a day, he needed to study it even more. He started then to spend at least six hours a day in Bible study. He would go to his study at four-thirty or five o'clock in the morning because he had learned that early morning is the best time for meditation. He believed that his greatest responsibility was to study God's word to be able to teach it to others. Think of the examples of Gus Nichols and Franklin Camp and admire them for devoting all those hours to Bible study, and the subsequent knowledge they gained for themselves and for teaching others.

If we believe the Bible is the word of God and the only guide for our lives in spiritual matters, how devoted to reading and studying it are we? The Bible is not just for preachers, it is for all people. Let us give ample time to its precious and powerful message and live by it.

“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.” (Proverbs 8:4-9).

There is a fountain of wisdom open to us in Bible study. Let us remember this when we sing, “There’s a fountain free; 'tis for you and me; let us haste oh haste to it’s brink”.

“A DYING COAL”

 

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending their services regularly, suddenly ceased his attendance. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace, and waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, he took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember, and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless.

The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the ‘fiery’ sermon. I shall be back in the assembly next Sunday.”

What silent message would God have you share with someone today? “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16). A man may go to heaven...without health, without wealth, without fame, without a great name, without learning, without earnings, without culture, without beauty, without friends, and without ten thousand other things...but he can NEVER go to heaven without Christ. We need each other to keep the flame burning.

“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works” (Heb. 10:24).

“UNDERSTANDING NECESSARY INFERENCE”

 

To “infer’ is ‘to derive as a conclusion from facts or premises’ (Meriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dict.). It means to: judge, conclude, or perceive. Although ‘infer’ is not used in scripture, the synonyms “conclude”, “perceive” and “judge”, are found. Within the definition, the dictionary advises, “see imply”. That is because an inference can never stand alone. There must be an implication in order to qualify as a necessary inference. There can be no necessary inference unless it is based on information from statements, commands, approved examples, or some combination thereof. For an inference to be authoritative, it must be a necessary conclusion. There are many possible inferences we might make based on sketchy information, but unless we can determine that the Holy Spirit has implied something, we cannot draw a necessary inference. When one draws a conclusion without an implication he is merely surmising.

Three approved apostolic examples of the use of necessary inference:

1] From the events in Acts 10, Peter understood that ​people are accepted for their reverence to God and obedience to His will (Acts 10:34-35). That was the only conclusion he could reach from what GOD had revealed.

2] The apostle Paul could only conclude that GOD is the GOD of both the Gentiles and the Jews (Rom. 3:28ff); based on Abraham being justified by faith apart from the law (Rom. 4:1-3).

3] In Acts 15, we find the use of a statement, an example, and a necessary inference all in one context. In establishing authority for conversion of Gentiles, Peter makes a statement that GOD ‘chose’ that they “should hear the word of the gospel and believe” (v. 7). Paul and Barnabas then cited an example of GOD working signs among the Gentiles (v. 12). James draws the conclusion by saying, “I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to GOD” (v. 19).

As Doy Moyer put it, “Inferences are a natural part of all reasoning. These are conclusions we draw from the data we have. We all do it. We just need to learn to do it correctly.”

In honor of all “Mothers” and “Grandmothers”

“SOMEBODY”

Somebody said that a child is carried in its mother's womb for nine months. Somebody does not know that a child is carried in its mother’s heart forever.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you’ve had a baby. Somebody doesn’t know that once you’re a mother, normal is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct. Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring. Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver’s permit.

Somebody said if you’re a “good” mother, your child will “turn out good”. Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said “good” mothers never raise their voices. Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor’s kitchen window.

Somebody said you don’t need an education to be a mother. Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can’t love the fifth child as much as you love the first. Somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books. Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery. Somebody never watched her “baby” get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back. Somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married. Somebody doesn’t know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother’s heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother’s job is done when her last child leaves home. Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don’t need to tell her. Somebody isn’t a mother.

"He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!" ~ Psalm 113:9

“LOVE: THE WORK OF FAITH”

  

The story in Luke 7, of the sinner woman who entered Simon’s home while Jesus was there, contains many lessons for us. One such lesson concerns faith. Jesus pronounced her forgiveness (v. 48) yet stated that His forgiveness was because of her faith (v. 50). The context reveals crucial aspects concerning faith that apply to every occurrence of salvation.

We read in Gal. 5:6, that salvation is a result of “…faith working through love.” This means that faith is to be exercised in acts of love. Faith is to be exercised by an alien sinner and by a Christian (cf. 1 Thess. 1:3). James repeatedly spoke of works through which faith is perfected (James 2:18, 20, 22). As we look at this sinner woman, we will see what this means.

Her faith in Jesus’ power to forgive her was shown by her acts of love toward Him. The washing, weeping and anointing of His feet were works of love, not merit. Jesus acknowledged of her, “she loved much” (v. 47). Her faith was perfected by her love. Her love was exercised in works; not of merit, but of humility and serving. These acts of love were evidence of two things:

1) her unworthiness because “her sins were many” (v. 47); and, 2) her belief that Jesus was the Son of God, as He claimed (John 5:36).

Neither of these are the basis of a work of merit. Jesus came to “call sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). Her works of love also evidenced her repentance. Her works of love validated her belief that Jesus would show mercy to sinners by granting forgiveness (Matt. 9:13).

In ‘coming’ to Jesus we will exercise our faith in Jesus’ promise of life abundantly (John 5:40; 10:10). Thereafter, adding to our faith validates our faith in Jesus’ promise that doing so ensures our entrance into the eternal kingdom (2 Peter 1:5-11). That is faith working by love. Pardon is the reward for our work of faith, but pardon does not precede our work of faith.

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:7).

“JESUS, THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE”

Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live…” (John 11:25). Our hope of life after death rests upon these words. Without this hope, we have no real reason to live, nor any reason to have scruples. Indeed, a life without faith and hope of life beyond physical existence is “vanity and a striving after wind” (Eccl. 2:26).

It is sad to read of some whose love of “all that is in this world” (1 John 2:15-17), drove them to a persecution level of hatred toward those who preached a resurrection from the dead through Jesus (Acts 4). Most of their ancestors of the nation of Israel doubted God’s power to fulfill His oath to Abraham (1 Cor. 10). Their lack of faith also turned to rebellion and persecution of God’s messengers and appointed leaders. They boasted of being Abraham’s seed yet failed to acknowledge that the blessing of Abraham was through the righteousness of faith, regardless of physical lineage (cf. Rom. 4; Gal. 3). They rejected the message of the prophets, that Christ was a confirmation of the “promises made unto the fathers” (Rom. 15:8).

Jesus was the one promised to bring a blessing upon all families of the earth (Acts 3:25). That blessing has come because Jesus lives. His soul did not see corruption. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father and has given us the Holy Spirit as assurance of our eternal inheritance (cf. Rom. 8; Eph. 1). Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, is God’s assurance to us that all who die in faith, will be raised to eternal life. As God raised the Lord, God will raise up us through His power (1 Cor. 6:14).

“He is risen” declared the angel (Matt. 28:6). Because He lives, we have the, “…promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). Let us pray for one another lest there be, even the slightest resentment of Jesus’ resurrection, simply because of what we are called upon to give up in this life (cf. Heb. 11:25-26). 

“THE JOY OF DISCIPLESHIP”

The Hebrew Christians are reminded in Heb. 12:1 of a host of witnesses who, by their faith, gained God’s approval (cf. Heb. 11:2, 4-5, 39). These witnesses’ faith and hope were in Jesus and the resurrection through which they would, one day, obtain a better resurrection (Heb. 11:35); and the promise of eternal life (Heb. 11:39). That Jesus had risen from the dead, as prophesied, is seen from Heb. 11:40, “…apart from us they should not be made perfect.” Why is this statement important? Paul explained it as follows: “if Christ hath not been raised…ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Cor. 15:17). Simply put, there would be no “us” (Christians). For this reason, we read of Jesus, “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2).

It takes the proverbial eye of faith to see the unseen. To ‘see’ by faith, is to comprehend or understand why physical pain and suffering are connected to an incorruptible crown of life. It is known only through wisdom and understanding provided in God’s word. (cf. 1 Cor. 2:9-10).

The joy set before Jesus enabled Him, in the flesh, to endure the cross. Do you know that you and I were that joy? Jesus deemed the value of our souls well worth the shame of the cross. He looked beyond the physical suffering and physical death to the resurrection. His joy was to make that possible for us. His resurrection is our hope and assurance for a resurrection to eternal life (1 Cor. 15).  

What of our joy? In view of this great love for us, does it not renew our spirit within us? Let us encourage one another, lest we become weary. The Lord has provided the means to address that very thing: assembling. This is the path to joy: “not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.” (Heb. 10:25). In this, the saying is fulfilled, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Prov. 27:17).

 

“THE BENEFIT OF SELF-EXAMINATION”

In Jeremiah 5:7, the prophet records a most sobering question which God ask of the Israelites: “Why should I pardon you?” The Israelites were in a covenant relationship with Jehovah, based upon the events at Mt. Sinai (cf. Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5). They had sworn to obey this Law (Exodus 19:8; Deuteronomy 26:17). However, as Jeremiah 5 details, they had BROKEN their promise. So, Jehovah puts forth the question, “WHY SHOULD I PARDON YOU?”

It is sad to read of the degradation of holy people. Yet, it is even sadder to read of holy people who are in denial of their sin. Spiritual blindness and hardening of the heart are constant dangers for the people of God. Satan is relentless in his attack upon our minds. It is why self-examination is so vital in our spiritual walk (2 Corinthians 13:5). Self-examination ensures that our worship will be in order. “Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body. For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:27-32).

Self-examination guards our minds from being self-deceived that material prosperity is proof that we are walking by faith (cf. Romans 10:3). Many will anticipate pardon on Judgment Day, based upon the teaching of Matthew 7:21-23. Their disappointment will be a result of their failure to self-examine their life by God’s standards. Self-examination will spare us, as God’s elect, from such disappointment on Judgment Day because we can know with certainty whether we are being rich toward God in our life (Luke 12:12). Pardon comes by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). As David put it, “Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him…in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

“LET IT BEGIN WITH ME”

Daniel Sommer (1850-1940), a gospel preacher, foresaw the controversy and division among brethren over the issues of the missionary society and instrumental music. He opposed such innovations. In the excerpt below, he wrote about the different attitudes he saw among brethren while he was still in college at Bethany.

“But before leaving that eventful period of my college life altogether, and taking the reader’s mind to my after life, I regard it important to retrospect and chronicle a few items of interest. Early in my life at Bethany I saw there was a difference between disciples and disciples. It became evident that some disciples were of the primitive or apostolic type, while others were of a modern or plastic type. Those constituting the former class I saw had stability, while those constituting the latter class had flexibility. The former disciples held that the world should bend to the church; the latter disciples held that the church should bend to the world. This was to me a saddening discovery! When I went to Bethany the name ‘disciple of Christ’ was to me a synonym for all that was true, upright, honorable, in religious character. Hence when I was compelled to recognize there was a difference, and that two classes of characters were found among disciples, I felt unhappy! The word ‘disciple’ then came to have a two-fold meaning. It thenceforth meant professed Christians who were entirely satisfied with what was written in the word of God, and professed Christians who were in certain respects unsatisfied with what was therein written. In other words, the term ‘disciple’ came to mean those who taught that the Bible is a perfect revelation from God to both sinners and saints, also those who held that the Bible was perfect revelation for guidance of sinners, but not for guidance of saints” (Daniel Sommer: A Biography, pp. 91-92).

OBSERVATIONS: Do you recognize such a difference in disciples today? If this situation exists, is it not a kingdom destined to fall (cf. Mark 3:24)? The ‘old paths’ still must be honored and practiced (Jeremiah 6:16). The “faithful word” must be the regular diet for the flock. Sound doctrine produces healthy disciples (Titus 1:9). As hymn title #150 in our supplement says, “Let It Begin With Me”. 

“SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER”

Ephesians 6:12, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities…the powers… the world-rulers of this darkness…the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We see only what is before our eyes, and the work we do in the preaching of the gospel. Paul says, it goes way beyond that. Our prayers are crucial to our victory in this war.

(SETTING: Daniel 10:1-11:1) Daniel has spent twenty-one days fasting, mourning, and praying. After this, a man appears ​to him in a vision. He reveals to Daniel what has been transpiring during this time and of the spiritual forces involved ‘behind-the-scenes’. He begins by informing Daniel that his coming, the vision he will rehearse, and the things he is doing is because “before your God, your words have been heard​... I have come because of your words” (10:12). God’s response to Daniel was already on the way from the first day Daniel began praying. Twenty-one days later, he receives God’s response.

Commenting on this, Dale Ralph Davis said, ‘Our timing and sense of urgency and God’s timing and sense of urgency are truly on different schedules! That should, maybe, give us some pause. We often bow at the shrine of immediacy and rapidity, and to humble us – or challenge us – God doesn’t allow our panic to force him to speed things up’.

Then the delay is explained to Daniel: “…the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but… Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for many days.” (10:13-14). This behind-the-scenes conflict between Daniel’s prince (Michael), and the prince of Persia was a result of Daniel’s prayer – ‘I come because of your words’ (v. 12), ‘but other forces fought to keep me at bay’ (vv. 13-14). Understanding the forces doing battle for, and against us, may be ‘above our paygrade’​, but never underestimate this: “the supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.” (James 5:16).

[Related readings: 2 Kgs. 6:15-18ff; 7:6; 2 Chron. 32:1-8; 1 Kgs. 22:19]

“WRONGFUL ENEMIES”

 

"They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: they that would cut me off, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty…". ~ Psalm 69:4

A 'wrongful' enemy is one who hates without cause. Sadly, there are those who, for whatever reason, are so driven by insincere motives, that all sense of reason is lost with them. As David said here, " I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none." (v. 20).

David was innocent, and so today, many are innocent of any wrong, yet suffer because of a ‘wrongful' enemy. God knows who is truthfully innocent and who is guilty. Therein lies the consolation: "Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: Mine adversaries are all before thee." (v. 19).

God tries the heart of His child, to purify, and strengthen the child’s faith. Therein is the benefit. This trial period serves not only a benefit for the one under trial, but it also ‘proves’ by exposing the love of other children. If their love is genuine, they will "weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15). If their love is lip service they will be exposed as a 'wrongful' enemy, in their treatment of the brother under trial. Thus, there will be an exposure of the genuine from the fake.

Many times, during a trial of our faith, others, (even brethren) will look at the situation as Job's three friends did toward Job. David described it in Psalm 69:26 as follows: "For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they tell of the sorrow of those whom thou hast wounded."

They may revel when others suffer, yet God knows, and will, in His time, recompense the wicked and reward the innocent.

Those whom the Lord chastens will find consolation in these words of David in v. 13, “O God, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness, answer me in the truth of thy salvation." It will enable them to emerge from their trial, stronger. But for those who are wrongful enemies, the words of David in vss. 27-28 are a sobering reminder of their final end: "Add iniquity unto their iniquity; and let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous."

“THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART”

The relevance of Jesus’ teachings (i.e., doctrine) to man’s salvation is undeniably affirmed in the Bible. Despite this, Jesus’ teachings continue to be treated in the same manner as He personally was treated: with neglect, contempt, and malice. The same treatment continues toward all who advocate strict adherence to Jesus’ teachings, for Jesus forewarned, “A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20).

The level of spite toward Jesus’ teachings is seen from the fact that even His miracles of instantaneous healing and restoring life gave no credibility to His words. Even His miraculous power was attributed to Satan (Matthew 10:25; 12:24). “Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” (John 15:20-24-ASV).

While it is sad that Jesus’ words are rejected, it is worse when rejection comes from Jesus’ own disciples. Jesus explained why this happens in John 3:19-20: people love the darkness more than they love the light; and they act in accordance with what is in their heart. Jesus’ teachings expose the presence of the love for darkness within the heart. There are two possible reactions to this exposure: repentance or hatred. Truth “cuts to the heart”. An honest heart responds as those in Acts 2:41, gladly receiving the news that their transgressions will be forgiven. Whereas an evil heart reacts with hatred, as those did toward Stephen in Acts 7:54. An evil heart behaves as Cain did when confronted with his disobedience. “And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12). The abundance of the heart is evident by our behavior (cf. Isaiah 3:9). Truly, “the wicked are like the troubled sea” (Isaiah 57:20).

Truth exposes and condemns wickedness within the heart (Romans 1:29-32). We may succeed in hiding our wickedness from man, but it is known by God (Psalm 44:20-21-ASV). The desire to commit these acts exists in the heart (mind – cf. Job 15:35; Psalm 7:14; Isaiah 59:4). That desire yearns to be satisfied, and satisfaction comes when the act is committed. When we act, our lust has conceived, bringing forth sin, which ends in death (James 1:14-15). The most obvious way that a person reveals the abundance of wickedness in their heart, is by a rejection of God’s words.

God’s words were Jesus’ words (John 12:49). Jesus’ words were given to the apostles (John 17:8). These words were proclaimed “in all creation under heaven” (Colossians 1:23). Those who did not receive Jesus’ words, blasphemed Him in taking His words out of context. We see this from John 2:19 – “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” JESUS WAS REFERRING TO HIS OWN BODY BEING RAISED. Yet Jesus was accused of saying that He would destroy the physical temple and then rebuild it in three days. The apostles’ words were likewise taken out of context, in an effort to silence them from exposing the sins of those who hated truth (cf. “…these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.” (Acts 17:8).

Jesus calls upon us to fill our hearts with “…with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” A heart filled with the knowledge of Christ, will admonish others (Romans 15:13-14). As Solomon observed, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17). Our heart is filled with these things by accepting them into our daily walk.  “He that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25).

Jesus stated the ultimate reward of those with a pure heart: “…they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). Let us remember the power of the heart’s abundance: “The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:35). 

“TRUST AND OBEY; FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY”

 

In Jeremiah 7 we find God instructing the prophet Jeremiah to proclaim a message to Judah. BACKGROUND: The kingdom of Judah consisted of the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, which remained loyal to the rule of David, Solomon, and Rehoboam.  Following the division of the twelve tribes into two kingdoms, Israel, the northern kingdom followed Jeroboam and was taken into captivity by Assyria for punishment of their disobedience. Judah, the southern kingdom remained for some 120 years longer, before being punished for the same reasons, and with the same fate, at the hands of Babylonia.

The similarities among these two physical nations of God’s people, which resulted in their punishment, also exist among God’s people today. The Lord’s apostles warned Christians against practicing idolatry, self-righteousness, stubbornness, and hypocrisy. Nevertheless, these sins were committed. They are natural fruits, of what Jeremiah called “lying words” (cf. chapter 7:8). Lying words were just that: lies. The lies failed to warn and condemn the sinful living of God’s people. This was seen from what Jeremiah said to another prophet, Hananiah, in chapter 28:15: “Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.” Several others were guilty of “lying words”:

PASHHUR – “…all that dwell in thy house shall go into captivity; and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and there shalt thou be buried, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied falsely.” – 20:6

SHEMAIAH – “…prophesied…and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie...” – 29:31

PROPHETS – “...Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; and they have not uncovered thine iniquity…but have seen for thee false oracles...” – Lamentations 2:14

As a result, the people assembled regularly to offer sacrifices to God while doing the same to other gods. This, of course, revealed their hypocrisy. God’s message through Jeremiah was to condemn this, calling upon the people to repent and serve God alone. 

Ezekiel had a similar message. “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own heart, Hear ye the word of Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing.” (Ezekiel 13:2-3). “Because with lies ye have grieved the heart of the righteous…and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive…” (Ezekiel 13:22). “And her prophets…divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken..” (Ezekiel 22:28).

HOW did they "trust" in lying words (Jeremiah 7:8)? It was not through faith alone, or by a prayer, for we are told how they trusted from Jeremiah 7:9-10. God revealed the specifics of their hypocrisy when He said: "Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—that you may do all these abominations?"

Then in verse 13, God stated, "And now, because ye have done all these 'WORKS'...". This word refers to their disobedience. Other words found in various translations are: evil things, sinning, wicked things, and sins. As there can be works that classify as disobedience (cf. Ephesians 5:11), there can be works that classify as obedience (cf. John 6:29; James 2:21-24). Trust is done through belief and acting in accordance with your belief. If your belief is in lying words, your obedience to lies will be disobedience to God. If your belief is in the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11), your obedience will be rewarded.

Jeremiah was told: "Therefore, PRAY NOT thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee." (Jeremiah 7:16).

False teaching is characterized by one dominant aspect. It downplays commands and obedience. Jesus died for "the world (John 3:16), yet is the author of salvation TO THOSE THAT OBEY (Hebrews 5:9). You obey Jesus by obeying His commands (2 John 1:9-11). Conversely, truth will stress both God’s commands and man’s obedience. This is what separates truth from error. Trust and obey are the principles upon which salvation has always been purposed. We see this from another prophet, Isaiah.

THE CONDITIONS: Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds; cease to do evil...

THEN: Learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression...

IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow... (Isaiah 1:16-19).

Read the entire chapter of Jeremiah 7 to see the similarities between Jeremiah's day and our day. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.