Government of God

One of the best known passages of Scripture is found in Isaiah 9:6-7. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulder, and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (ESV) While certainly not attempting to do exegesis on the whole passage, I would like to tackle the idea of government and kingdom.
    We tend to think of the word "kingdom" as a geographical area ruled by a monarch. The Word of God views this differently. The kingdom of God lives anywhere that a person is submitted to the rule of Jesus, the king of the kingdom of God. As Isaiah 9:6 refers to, the government is on the shoulder of the Son. "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom." (Hebrews 1:8 ESV)
     I find it instructive to realize that every other part of God's creation submits to His authority, except for humans...and demons.
     How does God govern His kingdom? Through His Word as revealed and taught by the Holy Spirit, who does not contradict Himself. "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior." (Titus 1:1-3 ESV)
    May all genuine believers receive the government of God through obedience to His Word.

Owe No Man Anything

The United States has three branches of government, executive, legislative and judicial. The legislative branch has two parts, the Senate of one hundred members, and the House of Representatives of 435. Senators have six year terms, and Representatives serve for two. Two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, vie for control. Currently the Democrats have the majority in the Senate 54-46. ( Two supposed Independents caucus with the Democrats) The Republicans have an approximately fifty seat majority in the House. This results in a divided Congress.

Several days ago a vote was taken on whether to increase the national debt. The people of this nation already owe nearly seventeen trillion (1,000,000,000,000) dollars in Federal debt, not to mention unfunded promises of an almost incalculable amount. Every year the Federal government runs a large deficit, spending more than the three trillion in revenue that comes in. In the Senate, only eighteen members voted against the increased indebtedness. In the House the nays came to 144 or one-third.

This tragedy is a symptom of a national reality. The majority of the people of this country wallow in debt despite our status as the wealthiest country on the planet. We are never satisified with what we have. Sadly, Christians are in the same boat. On a recent year long journey around the country, I found many Christians crippled by money problems, usually debt, even if they had good incomes by American standards. We have ignored the teaching of the Bible. “Owe no man anything, but to love one another...” ( Romans 13:8) “And the borrower is the servant of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

Mid October Thoughts

Enjoying "constitutionals" in mid October New England. An experience Thursday reinforced my conviction that the "Christian life" only works with those who are truly surrendered to Jesus Christ. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven but those who do the will of my Father in heaven." ( Matthew 7:21 NKJV)
   Friday trekked to Boston and had lunch with one friend, met a brother with a Baptist pastor background who has a ongoing home gathering, had a bagel with another friend (first one that he has ever had), and finally had an opportunity to preach about the Kingdom of God at another home gathering. As one of the Christian couples was dedicating their new baby to the Lord, there were a number of visitors (some unconverted). Although not a salvation message per se, I did have the opportunity to speak about the essence of sin (independence), obedience to God (the polar opposite), and the two kingdoms, one of light and one of darkness. Afterwards had the privilege of discussing topics such as identity in Christ, and the efficacy of seminary.
     Still later the same evening spoke with another friend and brother about the reality of persecution from "Christians." Saturday morning met with another brother who i have been mentoring for a number of years. I believe the difference between mentoring and discipling is the mentee accepts advice; the disciple accepts direction and discipline in a similar way as a player on a sports team gets from his coach.
    Saturday afternoon had time with another disciple. While there are many things that i do which are agreeable, or, not disagreeable, there are very few things in life that i truly enjoy. Ministering from the Bible is one of those truly enjoyable things.
    Sunday had the unusual opportunity to preach at a small regular church. Was led to speak about the kingdom of God, and surrender of our will to Jesus Christ in order to enter His kingdom. Afterwards some of us had lunch together, and then discussed the theme. Was impressed with their receptivity to a person that only one of them had any previous experience with. God is faithful.

An Historical Excursus

     Once upon a time i took a graduate school course on the origins of World War One, and as a life long history "nut", have read other books on the subject. "The Guns of August," by Barbara Tuchman is an accessible summary. Historians have advanced numerous views on the origin while they bewail the irrationality of a seemingly inevitable process.
    As the U.S. enters the ninth day of a government partial shutdown, and lurches towards a Oct. 17 date to increase the debt limit or not, only God knows the outcome. Yet the parallels seem obvious. A deeply divided Europe in 1914 resembles a deeply divided US a century later. The increasingly irrational and stubborn Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany has his counterpart in our current President. The ineffectiveness and unwillingness of other leaders seems eerily familiar.
     Perhaps a deal will be made. Very possibly the Republicans will cave as they have so often before. Certainly the roughly 250 billion dollars that the US Treasury takes in each month is more than enough to pay the 30 billion or so needed to pay the interest on the debt. But this paragraph assumes rationality on the part of the decision makers which their predecessors did not have.
    I believe that the Biblical key to understanding the rise and fall of nations is found in Acts 17:26. "And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place..." (ESV) Ultimately God determines the outcome of human history. One result of the First World War was the destruction of three Empires (Russian, German, and Hapsburg) and the mortal wounding of a fourth. (British Empire)
    What then should followers of Jesus Christ do in times like these? Preach the Kingdom of God, and make disciples.

Rainy Saturday reflections

Once again I find that i must reduce my expectations of what people will do ( or not do) and increase my expectations of what God can or will do. I believe that this is a key to the peace that Jesus promises us. "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do i give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ( John 14:27 NKJV)
     Another reality that i encounter on a regular basis is the idea that general truth eliminates specific teaching. For example: "God is love." ( 1 John 4:16) . "Let him who stole steal no longer..." (Ephesians 4:28) Somehow people rationalize that it is ok to steal because God loves us. In truth both statements are valid and harmonize together. While this is an obvious example i find that people continually discard specific teaching with the God is loving or gracious saying.
    Currently i am reading a series of booklets in Portuguese  about the fundamentals of the Christian faith that are given to new converts in a large church in Brazil. Gaining understanding of how believers from a different culture do and perceive things helps me to discern what is merely cultural and not truly Biblical in my own thinking.
    I find it instructive to see how two Christians can read and study the same passage and come up with widely different understandings. May we not rely on our own human intellects and feelings but diligently seek the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
" He said to them, 'I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." )Luke 4:43)
    

The ARA, the cross & an orphanage

     Today I finished listening to, and following along in, the Almeida Revista & Atualizada version of the New Testament in Portuguese. This is an older version with a formality of language and vocabulary which is not often encountered in every day conversation nor, apparently, used that much by Brazilian Christians in the US. I also have a newer version on audio CD as well. The renderings are far more dramatic than their counterparts in English. Over time, I have listened to the KJV, NKJV & the ESV on audio CD or cassette. In the Portuguese, a different person speaks each part in contrast to one person narration as is usual in English. The background music is louder, often disconcerting, and occasionally disturbing like a horror movie. Background music is English narration is either non existent or very subtle.
     As I recognize that the majority of my readers do not read Portuguese, and so are unable to understand the blog of my friend Samir, linked to on my home page, I'd like to give a quick summary of his 8/25 post. He is opposing the easy, false gospel of God as a Santa Claus figure who exists to bless us and give us what we desire as oppose to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, the crucified life. "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14) "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24) "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke 9:23 NKJV)
     Recently i have been made aware of an orphanage in a Moslem majority country, poor and ravaged by war, in which live a number of children with severe physical, mental and or emotional challenges. Essentially unadoptable, these children have no toys, extremely limited food, and terrible conditions. A very small group of Christians volunteers visit, pray for and encourage these orphans. I am thankful for the opportunity to give to this need. Even the poorest in this country have incredible wealth in comparison to many people in the world.

Testimony of Discipleship

     Regular readers of this blog are aware that I have been posting on the theme of discipleship on a regular basis. A disciple of Jesus Christ is a whole hearted follower who has surrendered his life to His Lordship, and is committed to learning and obeying all of His commands. This is best accomplished by having a discipler, someone who is dedicated to the disciple's growth and maturity in Christ. Commitment by both parties is imperative.
     One month ago i asked a young man if he would make such a commitment. He had been very honest with me in saying that he was drifting away from Christ, and had not read the Bible all summer. He agreed and has proven faithful to the commitment that he made. In turn I have met with him one on one once a week ever since in addition to seeing him at our regular gathering and a mid week Bible study. In addition i committed to praying for him every day.
     Yesterday as I was praying for and reflecting on the transformation in his life over the last month, i felt led of the Holy Spirit to ask this brother what had changed in his life. As we got together last night I raised the question. He said that it was the accountability of the one on one times that God had used as the tool. We both acknowledged the work that God has done and is doing in his life. For example, instead of not reading the Bible, he is both reading and studying. He ministered some of this to me, and showed me pages of notes that he has taken. His entire approach to life in Christ has changed. While he still faces at least two huge challenges in his life, God is preparing him to meet them.
    This is not because i am such a wonderful discipler. I believe God is honoring our efforts because we are trying to do His will, namely, make disciples. Jesus said, "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19a)