In reading through Romans recently i noticed that an identical phrase is used in the opening of the letter (Romans 1:5) and at the end. (Romans 16:26) Paul writes about the "obedience of faith" (ESV) He says he has received grace and apostleship to bring about this obedience of faith while in 16:26 he refers to the prophetic writing made known to all nations by the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith. ( ESV paraphrased) In 6:17 he thanks God, "that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed." (ESV) Put another way, faith produces obedience, something that mental assent, which we often mistakenly assume is true Biblical faith, cannot do. As a pastor friend told me, "The Bible does not know a faith that does not produce obedience." ( to the Lordship of Christ)
Another set of bookends containing one theme is found in the book of Acts. Chapter 1; 2-3 speak of Jesus giving commands for forty days through the Holy Spirit to the apostles and speaking to them about the kingdom of God. The last verse of Acts, 28:31, tells us that Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God with all boldness. Kingdoms imply a king, and a king is one whom the people of the kingdom obey. Those who rebel are punished. "An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him." ( Proverbs 17:11 ESV)
How do we know which Kingdom we are in? ( i.e. kingdom of darkness or kingdom of light) By whom we obey. What is a potential test? If we receive the Word of God. When the Word is patiently ministered in a reasonably complete and accurate manner and the person rejects or ignores it, then in all likelihood that person is a rebel. "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." ( 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV) May we follow the example of the Thessalonians.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
Running Head First into Reality
When i was in the first grade our school had a policy of having us go downstairs to the bathroom mid morning as a whole class. We lined up along one wall and then our teacher escorted us. It became a matter of intense competition among the boys to be the first in line so as soon as the teacher gave the signal to line up we raced towards the front of the line. Because of the position of my desk in the middle of the room I was not able to do this well. One day i determined that i would be first no matter what. In order to do this i needed to run through the desks to the wall, make a right turn and run along the wall until i made it to the door where the head of the line was located. When i heard the signal i ran as fast as i could towards the wall... but i was going so fast i did not make the turn. Instead i crashed into the wall and knocked myself out. Eventually a man brought me home to my mother as she did not have a car.
While i have not run into any physical walls since then, I keep running into reality. A long time friend who simply does not have time for friendship. That i am in a Brazilian church with services in Portuguese although i am not Brazilian and do not understand much of what is said. That despite every effort and prayer and fasting i do not see God moving around me. Other situations that i have prayed and hoped and yearned for over decades that do not change. The reality that it is unwise to have any expectations. That my years in the "desert" ( like Moses) do not seem to have ended.
On another topic, while reading in Romans, several things jumped out at me. Chapter 1, verse 5 says that Paul "received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith..." ( ESV) Not just faith but the obedience of faith. True Biblical faith produces obedience. Jesus must be on the throne of our lives, not just a part of our lives. In chapter two he goes on to write ( as inspired by the Holy Spirit cf. 2 Timothy 3:16) "He will render to each man according to his works; to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey ( that word again) the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." ( Romans 2: 6-8 ESV)
May I, may we, obey the truth.
While i have not run into any physical walls since then, I keep running into reality. A long time friend who simply does not have time for friendship. That i am in a Brazilian church with services in Portuguese although i am not Brazilian and do not understand much of what is said. That despite every effort and prayer and fasting i do not see God moving around me. Other situations that i have prayed and hoped and yearned for over decades that do not change. The reality that it is unwise to have any expectations. That my years in the "desert" ( like Moses) do not seem to have ended.
On another topic, while reading in Romans, several things jumped out at me. Chapter 1, verse 5 says that Paul "received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith..." ( ESV) Not just faith but the obedience of faith. True Biblical faith produces obedience. Jesus must be on the throne of our lives, not just a part of our lives. In chapter two he goes on to write ( as inspired by the Holy Spirit cf. 2 Timothy 3:16) "He will render to each man according to his works; to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey ( that word again) the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." ( Romans 2: 6-8 ESV)
May I, may we, obey the truth.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
May 22nd Reflections
Rainwater is streaming down the driveway but it is beneficial for the vegetable garden that just went in earlier this week.
Recently I prayed for God to give me His compassion for other people, a request that I need to ask for periodically. Perhaps not coincidentally I experienced the longest bout of physical pain that I have experienced in many years. I ate Ibuprofen like candy and even prescription pain medication proved almost worthless. Now I have a renewed appreciation for people in physical pain.
Reading in the end of John several things jumped out at me. In 17:4 Jesus says, "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." I have long believed that glorifying God is the ultimate purpose for which we have been created. ( Phil 2:9-11, Isa. 43:6-7, 48:11, Romans 16:27 et. al) Yet how to do this can seem nebulous. Is it worship, praise, our whole lives? This verse provides insight that if we do the will of God we are glorifying Him.
Finished watching the Brazilian TV mini-series "Rei Davi," ( King David) for the second time in my ongoing effort to learn Portuguese. I have also watched Ester, ( Esther), Sansao e Dalila, ( Samson and Delilah) and Jose do Egito ( Joseph of Egypt). I am finally understanding a majority of what I hear. Of course it helps to have professional actors who are enunciating and pronouncing clearly, and the many clues provided by facial expressions and actions plus a solid knowledge of the underlying biblical accounts. While i remain a little dubious about recommending them due to the eighty or eighty-five percent that is fabricated, and occasional salacious scenes, I do like the musical scores, and I am learning the language.
Later in John 18 when Pilate is questioning Jesus, even a pagan foreigner understands that Jesus is claiming to be a king of a kingdom even though he doesn't understand the spiritual nature of that kingdom. Would that modern Christians understood and acted upon the revelation that Jesus is King of the Universe, and came to proclaim His kingdom and rule. "But he said to them, "I must preach the goods news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." ( Luke 4:43
Recently I prayed for God to give me His compassion for other people, a request that I need to ask for periodically. Perhaps not coincidentally I experienced the longest bout of physical pain that I have experienced in many years. I ate Ibuprofen like candy and even prescription pain medication proved almost worthless. Now I have a renewed appreciation for people in physical pain.
Reading in the end of John several things jumped out at me. In 17:4 Jesus says, "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." I have long believed that glorifying God is the ultimate purpose for which we have been created. ( Phil 2:9-11, Isa. 43:6-7, 48:11, Romans 16:27 et. al) Yet how to do this can seem nebulous. Is it worship, praise, our whole lives? This verse provides insight that if we do the will of God we are glorifying Him.
Finished watching the Brazilian TV mini-series "Rei Davi," ( King David) for the second time in my ongoing effort to learn Portuguese. I have also watched Ester, ( Esther), Sansao e Dalila, ( Samson and Delilah) and Jose do Egito ( Joseph of Egypt). I am finally understanding a majority of what I hear. Of course it helps to have professional actors who are enunciating and pronouncing clearly, and the many clues provided by facial expressions and actions plus a solid knowledge of the underlying biblical accounts. While i remain a little dubious about recommending them due to the eighty or eighty-five percent that is fabricated, and occasional salacious scenes, I do like the musical scores, and I am learning the language.
Later in John 18 when Pilate is questioning Jesus, even a pagan foreigner understands that Jesus is claiming to be a king of a kingdom even though he doesn't understand the spiritual nature of that kingdom. Would that modern Christians understood and acted upon the revelation that Jesus is King of the Universe, and came to proclaim His kingdom and rule. "But he said to them, "I must preach the goods news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." ( Luke 4:43
Friday, May 16, 2014
Who is Lord?
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ( Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)
"Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!" ( John 20:28 ESV)
"For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." (Romans 14:9 ESV)
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you shall be saved." ( Romans 10:9 ESV)
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I tell you?" ( Luke 6:46)
As I continue to speak to "Christians" about discipleship I am receiving similar responses. When I say that discipleship is not optional ( Matthew 28:18-20), and that it involves accountability (1 Cor. 3"5-10, Colossians 1:28, 1 Thess 5:12-14, Hebrews 13:17, and many examples of Paul with Timothy or Titus (1&2 Timothy, Titus) the response is "that's too rigid" or "that's too narrow."
Who is Lord of our lives? If Jesus is our Lord in practice rather than in theory, how would He exert His authority in our lives? Through our feelings? Or through the eternal, Holy Spirit inspired, inerrant Word of God? Why is the Bible soaked in the blood of many martyrs, those who died so that we could have this book in our own language?
I happen to have almost mo knowledge of auto mechanics. If i have a problem with my car and take it to be repaired then i have no understanding to evaluate what the mechanic tells me is wrong and how much it will cost to fix. I have to base my decision on other factors.
I suspect most "Christians" have the same problem when someone presents something to them Scripturally. They simply do not know the Bible well enough to evaluate when someone speaks to them from it. I was in that place for too many years. But unlike auto mechanics, if Jesus is my Lord, then i have a mandate (2 Timothy 2:15) cf. Acts 17:11) to read and study to discover what He commands me to do. And so does anyone who confesses Him as Lord.
"Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!" ( John 20:28 ESV)
"For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." (Romans 14:9 ESV)
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you shall be saved." ( Romans 10:9 ESV)
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I tell you?" ( Luke 6:46)
As I continue to speak to "Christians" about discipleship I am receiving similar responses. When I say that discipleship is not optional ( Matthew 28:18-20), and that it involves accountability (1 Cor. 3"5-10, Colossians 1:28, 1 Thess 5:12-14, Hebrews 13:17, and many examples of Paul with Timothy or Titus (1&2 Timothy, Titus) the response is "that's too rigid" or "that's too narrow."
Who is Lord of our lives? If Jesus is our Lord in practice rather than in theory, how would He exert His authority in our lives? Through our feelings? Or through the eternal, Holy Spirit inspired, inerrant Word of God? Why is the Bible soaked in the blood of many martyrs, those who died so that we could have this book in our own language?
I happen to have almost mo knowledge of auto mechanics. If i have a problem with my car and take it to be repaired then i have no understanding to evaluate what the mechanic tells me is wrong and how much it will cost to fix. I have to base my decision on other factors.
I suspect most "Christians" have the same problem when someone presents something to them Scripturally. They simply do not know the Bible well enough to evaluate when someone speaks to them from it. I was in that place for too many years. But unlike auto mechanics, if Jesus is my Lord, then i have a mandate (2 Timothy 2:15) cf. Acts 17:11) to read and study to discover what He commands me to do. And so does anyone who confesses Him as Lord.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Heart of True Discipleship
While walking and praying this afternoon I believe the Lord reinforced the conviction that the heart of true discipleship is when we allow another human being to minister the Word of God to us, and we receive it so the Holy Spirit can make us more like Jesus. This is encapsulated in 2 Timothy 2:2 where Paul writes to Timothy, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (NKJV) Why does this happen so seldom?
Most "Christians" simply do not know the Bible well enough to minister a clear, complete instruction. They may be able to remember a phrase or an idea but could not show you where it was located. They are workmen who need to be ashamed. ( 2 Timothy 2:15) Many people do not have sufficient trust built up in a relationship with another person to accept a presentation from the Word if it disagrees with something they believe on other grounds. But the most important reality is that whatever a person may say that they believe, when it comes down to how they live their life, make decisions, form values and convictions, they do not accept the authority of the Word of God. Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." ( Matthew 4:4)
I encounter the above repeatedly as i attempt to minister the Word to people in adherence to 2 Timothy 2:24 "And a servant of the Lord must... be able to teach." Granted I may not be correct in my understanding and application of the Scripture but it is a very rare occasion when anyone attempts to present a Biblical refutation to me. Usually there is an appeal to feelings or changing the subject or denial with no Biblical support.
David writes that we are born in sin. ( Psalm 51:5) The heart of sin is rebellion against God. We want our will to prevail rather than His. This is why we are told to deny ourselves and pick up our crosses daily ( Luke 9:23) and to put to death the deeds of the body. ( Romans 8:13) "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." ( Galatians 5:24)
One of the most loving things that anyone can do for us to minister God's Word to our heart.
Most "Christians" simply do not know the Bible well enough to minister a clear, complete instruction. They may be able to remember a phrase or an idea but could not show you where it was located. They are workmen who need to be ashamed. ( 2 Timothy 2:15) Many people do not have sufficient trust built up in a relationship with another person to accept a presentation from the Word if it disagrees with something they believe on other grounds. But the most important reality is that whatever a person may say that they believe, when it comes down to how they live their life, make decisions, form values and convictions, they do not accept the authority of the Word of God. Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." ( Matthew 4:4)
I encounter the above repeatedly as i attempt to minister the Word to people in adherence to 2 Timothy 2:24 "And a servant of the Lord must... be able to teach." Granted I may not be correct in my understanding and application of the Scripture but it is a very rare occasion when anyone attempts to present a Biblical refutation to me. Usually there is an appeal to feelings or changing the subject or denial with no Biblical support.
David writes that we are born in sin. ( Psalm 51:5) The heart of sin is rebellion against God. We want our will to prevail rather than His. This is why we are told to deny ourselves and pick up our crosses daily ( Luke 9:23) and to put to death the deeds of the body. ( Romans 8:13) "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." ( Galatians 5:24)
One of the most loving things that anyone can do for us to minister God's Word to our heart.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Translation
For the first time i have had the fascinating experience of translating a document from Portuguese into English. This was an e-mail giving a report about the extraordinary moving of the Holy Spirit with six or seven hundred young people in Brazil. I have been reading ( primarily the Bible) in Portuguese for about two and a half years. With a non-technical subject not requiring specialized vocabulary I comprehend eighty-five or ninety percent of what I read. This e-mail had about a dozen words that i was unsure of. Apart from that I had no difficulty with the vocabulary.
My goal was to do word for word literal translation as best as i could while retaining the flavor and fervency of the original. Most of the time this was possible although in a few cases I had to paraphrase. One challenge is that word order in a sentence can differ between the two languages. Another is that the enthusiasm of the author sometimes produced sentences quite lengthy for an English reader. Occasionally I found that i needed to put a word for clarification in parenthesis.
Although the process took several hours to translate from the e-mail into longhand in a notebook, then typed on a Word Doc, and then revised as i looked for errors, the resultant joy made up for all the work. The reality that I could then send the finished product to bless and encourage those that do not read Portuguese is blissful. I am looking forward to other opportunities.
We finally have true spring weather here in New England although my experience is that we have another full month of potentially cold, raw weather days. Getting out for walks again in the countryside is renewing of body, soul and spirit.
Reading in Luke today this verse jumped out at me. "But he said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well for I was sent for this purpose." ( Luke 4:43 ESV)
My goal was to do word for word literal translation as best as i could while retaining the flavor and fervency of the original. Most of the time this was possible although in a few cases I had to paraphrase. One challenge is that word order in a sentence can differ between the two languages. Another is that the enthusiasm of the author sometimes produced sentences quite lengthy for an English reader. Occasionally I found that i needed to put a word for clarification in parenthesis.
Although the process took several hours to translate from the e-mail into longhand in a notebook, then typed on a Word Doc, and then revised as i looked for errors, the resultant joy made up for all the work. The reality that I could then send the finished product to bless and encourage those that do not read Portuguese is blissful. I am looking forward to other opportunities.
We finally have true spring weather here in New England although my experience is that we have another full month of potentially cold, raw weather days. Getting out for walks again in the countryside is renewing of body, soul and spirit.
Reading in Luke today this verse jumped out at me. "But he said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well for I was sent for this purpose." ( Luke 4:43 ESV)
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Morning Thoughts
Readers with good memories may recall me writing about the Daniel Plan, based on Daniel 6:10, featuring three dedicated times of private prayer daily with a minimum of fifteen minutes per, followed upon completion by a short e-mail to others who are committed to doing the same. Almost three months after beginning I find this approach extremely helpful. It helps to prevent the "drifting" by refocusing me on the Lord. Normally I pray for my needs, questions and situations in the morning, intercede for a number of people daily in the middle of the day, and free form in the evening. Always I try to open with appreciation and gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done and is doing. Often I incorporate the Lord's prayer ( Matthew 6, Luke 11) into my prayers. And I am especially thankful to know that both the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding. ( Romans 8:26, 34)
This morning i received a inkling of what Paul expresses in the beginning of Romans 9. "That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." ( Romans 8:2-3 ESV) When i receive ongoing revelation of the independence and rebellion of not only my fellow North Americans but also of the believers in this country I weep. The theme of John the Baptist as a voice in the wilderness becomes real to me. And i am painfully aware of how much independence and rebellion lurks in my own heart.
Oh God, may we receive Jesus as our King. May we understand that it is not about us, but about Him. That it is an undeserved privilege and honor to enter your Kingdom. That we enter by faith that produces obedience. That a King is someone whom we obey. Let us seek first the kingdom of God ( Matthew 6:33) that we may "inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." ( Matthew 25:34) May we be part of the kingdom when Christ "delivers the kingdom to God the Father." ( 1 Corinthians 15:24a ESV) May we surrender to King Jesus.
This morning i received a inkling of what Paul expresses in the beginning of Romans 9. "That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." ( Romans 8:2-3 ESV) When i receive ongoing revelation of the independence and rebellion of not only my fellow North Americans but also of the believers in this country I weep. The theme of John the Baptist as a voice in the wilderness becomes real to me. And i am painfully aware of how much independence and rebellion lurks in my own heart.
Oh God, may we receive Jesus as our King. May we understand that it is not about us, but about Him. That it is an undeserved privilege and honor to enter your Kingdom. That we enter by faith that produces obedience. That a King is someone whom we obey. Let us seek first the kingdom of God ( Matthew 6:33) that we may "inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." ( Matthew 25:34) May we be part of the kingdom when Christ "delivers the kingdom to God the Father." ( 1 Corinthians 15:24a ESV) May we surrender to King Jesus.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Learning the Language
Am reading a book titled "Less Than Words Can Say," by Richard Mitchell, a Professor of English. He decries meaningless jargon, emphasizes that we normally think with words or the underlying things that they represent, and that vague usage of words and how they fit together in sentences and paragraphs reflects fuzzy thinking. Written in 1979 with many then current examples, it helps to clarify why people indoctrinated rather than educated in our public educational system cannot think rationally. Of course this is by design because people who think clearly are more resistant to propaganda and biased information.
One of the many ramifications of this is found in the preaching by pastors in conservative evangelical churches. I have personally found it difficult to find preaching or teaching centered on the Bible. Much of it is more properly characterized as efforts to entertain or to relate. Some pastors tell stories. Others tell jokes. Many use modern technology to show things on screen or use examples from current culture like the most recent blockbuster movie. Perhaps i am incurably anal but i want to hear what the Bible says. I want to hear the truth of the Word of God.
I suspect that the difference between my desire and that of many church-goers is that by the grace of God, i have read and studied the Bible intensively for many years. I know the language. I can interact with what the speaker is saying. In my head i am mentally cross-referencing with other verses. For most people I think listening to a truly Scripturally based sermon sans entertainment is like listening to Turkish or Japanese. They simply do not understand the language.
This takes work. I am trying to learn Portuguese. I need to study every day. I do a half hour computer program and then repeat it later in the same day. I am listening to the Bible in Portuguese, watching videos in the language, speaking to people when i can, reading etc. If I just listened for thirty minutes once a week i would never learn. We must read and study for ourselves. Sadly, this is not common.
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)
One of the many ramifications of this is found in the preaching by pastors in conservative evangelical churches. I have personally found it difficult to find preaching or teaching centered on the Bible. Much of it is more properly characterized as efforts to entertain or to relate. Some pastors tell stories. Others tell jokes. Many use modern technology to show things on screen or use examples from current culture like the most recent blockbuster movie. Perhaps i am incurably anal but i want to hear what the Bible says. I want to hear the truth of the Word of God.
I suspect that the difference between my desire and that of many church-goers is that by the grace of God, i have read and studied the Bible intensively for many years. I know the language. I can interact with what the speaker is saying. In my head i am mentally cross-referencing with other verses. For most people I think listening to a truly Scripturally based sermon sans entertainment is like listening to Turkish or Japanese. They simply do not understand the language.
This takes work. I am trying to learn Portuguese. I need to study every day. I do a half hour computer program and then repeat it later in the same day. I am listening to the Bible in Portuguese, watching videos in the language, speaking to people when i can, reading etc. If I just listened for thirty minutes once a week i would never learn. We must read and study for ourselves. Sadly, this is not common.
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)
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