But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:8, 9
Peter makes a statement, almost offhand, that one day is as a thousand years. It’s unexpected although in context it makes perfect sense. It’s important not to misunderstand Peter’s point and make this into something that it is not.
Peter does not that one day literally equals one day. We know this because of the way Scripture uses the word day in other passages. For example, the Bible says in Genesis 11:26: “When Terah had lived 70 years, he fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran.” If Peter is taken literally, then Kenan was 25,550,000 years old when Abram was born (70 years x 365 days per year x 1000). In Psalm 90:10, using the same formula, the days of our lives are 25,550,000 years. Jeremiah prophesied that Judah would go into captivity for 25,550,000 years. They would still be there! “One day is as a thousand years” is not to be understood literally.
One Day is as a Thousand Years is Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a writing technique common to the Bible and common speech. Someone may ask the age of someone else. You might reply, “he’s as old as dirt!” You don’t mean that literally, you are saying that he is very old.
Mark says of John the Baptist that “all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem” were going to be baptized (Mark 1:5). Surely not every person was going out. Mark is emphasizing that many people were traveling to be baptized by John.
In 2 Peter 3, “One day is as a thousand years” serves to illustrate and highlight Peter’s following statement:
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Peter wants the hearers, and the scoffers (vs. 3), to understand that God does not operate on their schedule. God’s time is not our time. The hyperbole emphasizes Peter’s point.
One Day is as a Thousand Years Makes Perfect Sense
Taken in context we observe the following.
Some do not believe judgment is coming because it hasn’t happened yet.
Their justification for such a statement is the claim that nothing has changed since long ago.
Peter reminds them of the great flood; a waterborne judgment that looks toward the coming firey judgment yet to come.
It hasn’t come because God is not on man’s schedule, indeed “one day is as a thousand years.”
God may seem to delay only because of his patience toward men and his desire that all will repent.
When taken in its context, the statement as hyperbole becomes very clear. Nothing in the text suggests that it should be understood in any other way.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
Matthew 23:25,26
The hotel manager was asked about renovation plans for his facility. I was a few feet awaiting finishing a complimentary breakfast of scrambled bland eggs and tasteless sausage. “I think we’re two years or so away. I’ve not been given a date yet.” He paused as if looking around for spies and then continued, “Really, I hope they’ll just update the outside and forget about the inside. Maybe people will be impressed with a new exterior and they won’t notice the inside is old.” Frankly, it looks pretty good to me. I’ve stayed here before and I’ll be back. But his comment about overlooking the inside caused me to think. A new outside says nothing about the inside
To me, the inside is far more important. When I travel, I stay inside the hotel. I’ve never sat and gazed at an outside wall. Likewise, it’s the inside of man that is most important.
The Outside can be faked.
John Travolta created the cowboy image with his film Urban Cowboy in 1980. Suddenly, city boys were wearing cowboy hats and boots. The truth is, those guys wouldn’t know the difference between a bull and a heifer but they could fake the look.
In Matthew 23, quoted above, Jesus warned about the superficial cleansing commonly done by the scribes and Pharisees. It’s a message for us today too. You see, it’s pretty easy to fake the Christian look too. A well-placed cross pin, a crucifix necklace, and an ichthys-like bumper sticker (fish) and you’re super Christian.
Anybody can buy a crucifix, they are less than $20 at the box store. Changing the inside is so much harder,
The Inside is real
“Character is what you are when no one is looking” was a quote sometimes attributed to coach John Wooden, a great ball player, coach, and encourager. He’s right. True character is on the inside. Reputation looks at the outside, character inside.
The Jews were to circumcise male children shortly after birth. It was an external covenant marking. But the Lord also told them to do some work on the inside.
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.”
Deuteronomy 10:16
“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:6
“Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”
Jeremiah 4:4
In the New Testament, when covenantal circumcision was no longer required for Christians, Paul reminded the Jews of the practice and emphasized the important internal character of man.
“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”
Romans 2:28, 29
Faith and devotion to God has always been internal. Real change demands change on the inside and that is hard.
Changing the inside.
Let me offer a few thoughts on making permanent changes.
Are you ready to be changed? When does a person lose weight? When does he stop drinking? When he is ready! Until you are really weary of an empty life you will not make a change. Some say you must hit rock-bottom before you will alter your path. Stop waiting for God to snatch you up and change you. Paul said we must “seek” God (Acts 17:27). You must make your own decision.
Change demands honesty. I’m not talking about being honest with others, although that’s important too. Be honest with yourself. Inventory your life. Make an assessment of your weaknesses. Only then can you begin to change. To pretend a problem doesn’t exist is to guarantee it will grow stronger. Look beneath the surface. What’s your sin problem? Speak it out loud, God already knows it, and steal its power. Paul says we are not ignorant of the way Satan works (2 Corinthians 2:11). So put your knowledge to work.
Empower the change. Virtually everyone in the world has access to the Scriptures but not everyone is changed. The problem is not the Bible. The problem lies with the reader. If you really want to make lasting change in your life you must tap into the power of the word. Romans 12:2 says we will be transformed by knowing Christ. You come to know him through a study of his word. Here’s a promise: The more you give yourself to Scripture and allow it to change you, the more you will become like Jesus.
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“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”
John 8:32
“relating to or existing in an environment in which facts are viewed as irrelevant, or less important than personal beliefs and opinions, and emotional appeals are used to influence public opinion: “
definition of “post-truth” from www.dictionary.com
Truth is not what it once was. We do not think of truth as we once did. Truth does not change. My understanding may change, but the underlying truth is the same. A lack of truth may be inconvenient as when an airline promises a seat after knowingly overbooking. But becomes catastrophic when eternal life is at stake. We offer 4 enemies of truth for your consideration.
Sadly, truth struggles today. Enemies of truth abound and endanger our future. We know who those enemies are, and we can fight back.
Enemies of Truth: Apathy
Years ago, a friend remarked that although he had studied a Biblical topic and knew what the Bible said, he just didn’t care. He didn’t think it made any difference. That approach to truth is apathy. It’s common today. Truth may exist, but so what?
Jesus said that we can know truth (John 8:32). But he also described the extent to which one may go to pursue truth. From the God of Truth (John 17:17), the Kingdom of Heaven is worth extraordinary effort to find and acquire.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44,45).
What would you do; how hard would you work to save a loved one from death? There is no room for apathy in the pursuit of truth.
Enemies of Truth: Compromise
Compromise is a necessary part of life. We bargain and eventually compromise when buying a car. In business, a contract is the result of negotiation and compromise. A man who does not compromise will have little success in life.
To compromise truth is to attempt to change the unchangeable. King Saul thought to compromise truth when he chose not to complete God’s mission against the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15).
For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23).
Truth cannot be changed. To attempt to do so is a fool’s errand.
Enemies of Truth: Fear
It takes real courage to change, even in the face of truth. Because such change will result in new loyalties (to Jesus) and new alliances (the church), we can expect vociferous opposition to those that currently see us as mirrors of themselves. Still, truth must be chosen over comfort.
King Herod knew that John the Baptist was a prophet, and he knew the people so-honored him. He wanted to hear the words of this great man. But because of his public promise to Salome, he feared the scorn of his associates if he did not give her as he had promised. Her request was the head of John. Herod ordered him to be beheaded (Matthew 20:14 – 2)
You know the truth. Perhaps you operate with an out-of-sight-out-of-mind philosophy. It could be that your career, social standing, or family standing is threatened. Carefully thinking about the eternal outcomes is always appropriate.
Enemies of Truth: Sloth
Study is hard work. Solomon said study wearies the body (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Jesus used examples of hard work when he described searching for truth (Matthew 13:44 – 45; searching for treasure). While a Bible is easy to find, its truths require study, thought, and deep personal resolve. A slothful man rarely finds success, and when he does, he quickly loses it.
Jesus told a parable of three servants entrusted with a rich man’s wealth. Two of the servants worked and produced a return for their master. But the third man was lazy and afraid.
But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:26 – 30)
Observe that the master did not accept the excuse of fear, and he says the servant was slothful. Did you see the outcome? The slothful one was cast away into “outer darkness.”
Laziness and fear are terrible enemies of the truth. Let neither be named in your life. As Paul encouraged Timothy, be a “worker who never needs to be ashamed” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Christians have questions. Sometimes we even question God. It would be nice if we all went around singing, “It is well with my soul,” but we don’t and probably never will in this life. We face profound challenges almost daily and we struggle to understand why we are facing them. Problems are for others, not for me. Why is this happening to me? Why did she die; she was so good?” Most of the time life doesn’t make sense to us. Do you agree? Have you been there? Did you find the courage you needed?
Three devout men found themselves facing an impossible choice. They could serve God or obey the king. At first, it seems an easy choice – a no-brainer. Except, the king would kill you in a most gruesome way if you did not obey. Many would crumble in the face of such a dilemma. But these three did not.
Men of Unbelievable Courage
The king commanded all to bow to an idol image he built. Failure to do so meant certain death. Three men said no! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
I’ve read this story since I was a child. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego were Bible school heroes because they went into the fiery furnace and survived. They didn’t even smell like smoke! But lately, their hero status has increased because of three words, “but if not.”
These three servants of God stood before Nebuchadnezzar and staunchly proclaimed their confidence in the God of heaven. Then, after the king confronted them and threatened them with death by fire, they said: “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.” They were confident in God’s ability to protect them from the fire and in his ability to defeat the king’s plans. Maybe they recalled Solomon’s proverb: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will (Proverbs 21:1). God’s mighty victory over Pharaoh, generations before, could have given them strength too.
But If Not
Like courageous Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we know that God can deliver us from troubles small and great. Our problem is that we assume God will always act the way we think he should! That’s the power of their next statement to Nebuchadnezzar. “But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (vs. 18). “BUT IF NOT.”
If God has a different plan, we’re ok with that too. The three did not doubt God’s ability to save them. Instead, they doubted their understanding of the Lord’s marvelous plans. The Lord said it this way in Isaiah 55:8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. Oh, how we wish God would answer our prayers our way!
You know how this story ends. Nebuchadnezzar did not change his mind. The soldiers threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the deadly fire. It was then that something truly stupendous happened. The king looked into the fire saw an angel protecting the men! “Come out, come here,” he ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The fire did not singe their hair. God had a plan all along! By doing things God’s way, the Lord provided a timeless story of trust and faith. Plus, Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful ruler of his day, was humbled by God’s show of power.
“Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.”
Daniel 3:28
God’s people gained a great victory that day, for the king issued a decree that protected the Hebrews from any assault on their worship. As for our three heroes, they were promoted to higher positions in Babylon.
God Cares for You Too
God will deliver us, but if not, the end result will always be better. May we live with Habakkuk’s courageous attitude:
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17, 18
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Youthful adventures into the old Malone homeplace ensured my friends and I a good time every afternoon. Mr. Malone and his family moved and sold the land to a developer. I remember the dirt roads that led through the property. We explored constantly. Once the heavy equipment came in we would wait until the workers left and we crawl onto the great machines and into their scoops and buckets. When houses began to emerge from the red clay soil we would explore them too. It was great to be a kid.
But I have a strong memory of the dirt roads, especially after a long dry spell. The parched earth would crack and curl like the land was suffering from some awful skin condition. Dirt clods would explode in your hand leaving only a dusty cloud behind. Before long, the clumps of weeds and tall grasses would turn brown and begin to bow their tops toward the earth. They needed water. I’m sure that if dandelions could pray they would beg the good Lord for a refreshing shower.
Our world has become much like Mr. Malone’s farm road after a long drought. It’s dry. It’s parched. It’s scorched. But our world doesn’t need rain, at least not here on the Gulf Coast.
I suspect world rainfall totals are pretty consistent year-to-year. Our sunbaked world yearns not for water, but for love.
As I write this article war is looming between Israel and the Palestinians. In Birmingham, Alabama a teenager was killed in a drive-by shooting last night. Two employees at a box store near me almost came to blows right in front of the store. You don’t need a long list. You know exactly what I mean. Love is gone.
Unlike COVID their is no vaccine for meaness and hostility. You cannot inject love. But you can learn from the most loving teacher of all, Jesus.
Preaching Love: Jesus
Jesus entered this world in the midst of oppresive government and harsh religious oversight. Yet he taught love to his followers.
Among the first words Jesus uttered, he preached love:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48
It wasn’t just loving. Jesus was preaching love of your enemies! Obviously, if you love your enemies you will easily love your friends. But it’s worth noting that even back then, 2000 years ago, the world needed refreshing. What they didn’t know was that a torrent of love was about to be poured out. Dusty, cracked hearts were about to be shattered by the teachings and life of this carpenter from Nazareth.
According to Mark, Jesus elevated love to the greatest command. First, to love God and second, to love one’s neighbor.
Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 10:29 – 31
There is no command here to love self, at least not specifically. Love of self is assumed as it is the example of the kind of love one should show others.
Jesus preached love of others first.
The example of his love is even stronger than his words. Let’s begin with the Golden Text of the Bible
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
The immense love that brought Jesus to us in the first place is taught in these several words. The implication is that man was perishing and needed saving. Therefore Jesus came to save. But it even clearer in Romans.
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
The world needed to be refreshed and Jesus was the answer.
But, even these words and actions are shadow by the greatest act of love ever recorded. As our Lord hung on a cursed tree, his words there, as he was dying, ring loudly today. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:24).
Preaching Love: Our Words and Actions
Jesus combined his intentions, words, and actions into a single mighty message. His people ought to do the same.
While prepping this article I came across an author who has obviously looked at our public image from a political perspective. His article was first written in 2012 but has been updated. I commend Bryan Robert’s 7 Things Christians Need to Remember About Politics.
But politics is not the only venue for review. Consider our everyday lives; those moments when we come into contact with others who do not know Jesus and who know his people only through the shallow caricatures of the media. How do we show Jesus love at Walmart? How do we model real love in a traffic jam? How do we show people that the Lord’s disciples are different? Consider this from Jesus:
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35
Only by showing love for one another, and by extension, those we come into contact with, will we ever show the world that we are different. It is a difficult task, but that one that can be accomplished.
The rains restored those old dirt roads on Malone’s property. Soon they became awash in mud which was a young boy’s dream. I know that the refreshing love of Jesus’ disciples can set the world awash in newly discovered joy as well.
Creeds and catechisms are, most simply, words to live by. I can imagine a man declaring, “Honesty is the best policy! That’s my creed!” A catechism is a summary of rules or principles, usually intended for study. Today, both words almost exclusively speak of religious principles or beliefs. Creeds and catechisms are often revered and are the basis for much teaching even though not inspired.
And, Creeds and Catechisms serve another purpose. They delineate beliefs, doctrines, and values which set a given denomination apart from everyone else. For example, the Catholic church publishes a lengthy volume calledThe Catechism of the Catholic Church. The publisher says, “Here are the essential elements of our faith presented in the most understandable manner, enabling everyone to read and know what the Church professes, celebrates, lives, and prays.” It is a how-to manual for Catholics.
Another notable creed is the Westminster Confession of Faith. First adopted in the 1600s. It has been refined into the “Larger Catechism” and the “Shorter Catechism.” Together, these have been honored, even revered by the Church of England, the Church of Scotland, and the Presbyterian church. They are clear that this confession is subordinate to the Bible.
The Southern Baptist Convention produces The Baptist Faith and Message, a document setting forth their teachings. As with the Westminster documents, they declare their document subordinate to the Bible.
The Role of Councils, Synods, and Assemblies for Creeds and Catechisms.
Each of these documents is produced by a gathering of people. I will not impugn their motives, but they have obviously failed to produce truth. We know this because the documents contradict one another and sometimes even contradict past iterations of the same writings. But, most importantly, they sometimes contradict the Scriptures.
Such errors are not surprising as any man will produce errors. The problem is that these errors preserve and promulgate false teachings across generations of believers. At their core, they promote division among those who believe in Jesus as the Savior. They drive continued denominationalism. Jesus prayed for unity among his followers (John 17:20, 21). Paul called for brethren to be “united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10), because the message of salvation is hurt by the undeniable division in Christendom today.
To move toward perfect unity, we ought to destroy every creed and every catechism which divides followers. There is a better way. Truth is already with us and needs no assistance or enhancement.
It’s a reasonable question. Why do we have creeds and catechisms if all we need is the Bible? To begin, many of us do not have a creed nor catechism. Still, others do, and they figure prominently in their doctrine. That’s a terrible mistake.
Creeds and Catechisms vs. The Bible: Inspiration
The Bible is inspired. In Scripture, we read: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Here, translators correctly use the phrase “breathed out” (KJV uses inspired) to describe the process by which God moves truth from Himself to man, through man, and for man. The words of the Bible originate with God and flows from him to the various Bible authors. The Holy Spirit protects and watches over that flow of truth, ensuring that what is recorded is reliable (2 Peter 1:21). More than 500 times, the Bible claims that the words spoken were from God.
Authors and users of creeds and Catechisms cannot and do not make such a claim about their writings. Catholics claim that the Pope’s utterances on particular occasions are inspired, but that empty claim is easily refuted in a future article. In the end, every creed and catechism is penned by men. They may be highly educated and very respected, but they are not God.
Creeds and Catechisms vs. The Bible: Sufficiency
The Bible is complete and needs no additional supplement. Jude said:
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Jude 3
The last phrase is important: “once for all delivered.” The resulting words from God through inspired writers is so precious that it is protected with the most solemn warnings.
Paul wrote:
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:8, 9).
John wrote:
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
(Revelation 22:18, 19).
The Bible is all-sufficient. Creeds and Catechisms are not. Notice 2 Timothy 2:16, 17 again. The Bible makes a man complete. It is not possible to be more complete. We either are or are not, complete.
Creeds promote the division inherent in denominationalism. Instead of all standing together in one place, we all stand on our own creed and prevent true unity. Wouldn’t it be great if we were all of the same mind and all stood on one foundation?
“What’s so special about Jesus? Can’t I learn how to live a fulfilling life by studying other great people of wisdom from ancient times?”
“Jesus was a great teacher, but was he really divine?”
“Does it matter if I believe Jesus is the Son of God?”
These are fair and very good questions that deserve good answers. It’s a multicultural world and there are many legitimate questions. The search to find depth in our lives is compelling. We seem to innately know that deep inside we are spirit beings who long for growth and development.
May I suggest Jesus?
Why Jesus? Because Jesus offers truth
There’s plenty of fantasy in the world but that is not what you are looking for is it? You know that fables and fantasy do little to empower your life. You seek reality. You seek truth.
First, Jesus claims to speak truth. In John 17:17 Jesus said of his father, “thy word is truth.” It’s interesting that John uses the same word describing Jesus in John 1:1-18, Jesus is the word. Paul, the great apostle of Jesus wrote that Scripture is “inspired,” meaning that it is truth from God. Jesus does not arrive at some formulation of truth by experience; his time on the earth was only about three years. Jesus knows and speaks truth because it is his nature. Truth is a necessary part of who Jesus is. Any deviation from truth would destroy his divine nature.
It is very easy to declare something true. Remember? “Talk is cheap.” Just making a claim does not make it so. Modern man is rightly skeptical of any claim, especially a claim to absolute truth. So how does Jesus back up his claim?
The single greatest proof of Jesus’ truth is seen in his resurrection. A full discussion of the resurrection is for another article but let me lay out seven reasons I find the resurrection believable.
Jesus was executed publically.
Jesus appeared to many people publically after the resurrection including 500 at once.
The beginning and incredible growth of the church began less than two months after Jesus was crucified.
The beginning and incredible growth of the church began in the same city where he was both crucified and where he walked after his resurrection.
The resurrection was predicted centuries before it happened.
Stalwart opponents to Jesus became Christians
The resurrection could easily be proven false if it did not happen.
For me, the resurrection settles the truth question for God would never have given such approval to a false teacher. This leads directly to our next point.
Why Jesus? Because Jesus lives
In the last 50 years, there has been increasing curiosity about so-called Eastern religions. These include faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Taoism, and Sikhism. These groups all originated on the Indian subcontinent or in regions of Far East Asia. Generally, though not always, these religions are polytheistic, that is, they adhere to the concept of multiple gods. They have become attractive to the Western mind because of their emphasis on calm, peace, meditation, and the prospect of a better life.
Reincarnation is a common teaching of each of these religions: a continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. According to their teachings, their founders have discovered a way out of the reincarnation cycle. For example, in the case of Buddha, he discovered the path to enlightenment and left behind his teachings for his followers.
Jesus is unique. Like these founders, Jesus left teaching for his disciples to follow. But unlike these instructors, Jesus died a physical death and was resurrected (not reincarnated) to a visible life before men (John 20, 21 especially 24:24 – 29). A few weeks later, Jesus ascended back into heaven (Luke 24:50 – 53). Jesus did not ascend into heaven and leave his disciples to fend for themselves. Jesus remains intimately involved in the daily life of his people. Perhaps most importantly, Jesus mediates between mankind and God (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus remains the high priest for his church (Hebrews 8:1 – 7).
Even though they may not believe that Jesus is God (John 1:1 – 4), many do believe that a great teacher, known as Jesus of Nazareth, walked the earth in the 1st century. But Jesus is not simply an ancient guru. He is a living teacher! We must shout from the rooftops that Jesus lives! This was Paul’s message to the skeptical Greeks in Athens in Acts 17:29 – 34. The resurrection of Jesus was a common theme in the preaching of the early church. One might even say that the Christians were obsessed with the idea that Jesus was alive.
Why Jesus? Because Jesus Loves
Love the foundational teaching of Jesus Christ. According to Jesus, the two greatest commandments revolve around love. Man must love God, and a man must love his neighbor (Matthew 22:34 – 40). The parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25 – 37, expands the understanding of neighbor to all people. We must love all people not just those with whom we are comfortable with but everyone.
Can you imagine a more needful teaching in our world today? The late Jerry Clower, famed country comedian from Mississippi, once observed that people always told him what the world needed most. While Clower appreciated their observations, he disagreed. In his thinking, what the world needed more than anything else was love. We agree.
The emphasis on loving others, as taught by Jesus, appeals to the people of our world. People need to be loved. People want to see others being loved. The Christian needs to show love in his own life while promoting love among others.
With all their mysteries and rituals, Eastern religions cannot come close to the message of Jesus Christ. Those who seek peace and solace in this world can find it in Jesus, not in idol gods.
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Marriage is best learned from God, not the Gates. The Bill and Melinda divorce is big news. The Gates are not the perfect couple even though some reporters seem to think so. I was ignoring this celebrity collapse because it happens so often. In fact, it’s only news when a celebrity couple actually marries and stays together for more than a few years. Then, I opened the Washington Post website. There was the desperate headline:
He’s an extraordinary entrepreneur, and together they are one of the most charitable couples in the world. So, the reasoning goes, if these two wonderful people cannot make a marriage last, then we are all doomed to divorce! Frankly, that’s pretty shallow, even for WAPO.
I am certain that God is better than the Post on marriage. He started it and he is a far better marriage counselor. Let see what he says.
Marriage is about Commitment
People are supposed to stick together. Husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25). We could spend much time talking about the original language word, agape, which speaks of total commitment. But that’s not necessary because Paul explained it perfectly when he said, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” Jesus doesn’t run out when our love runs out. He doesn’t head for the door because the future is better without us. He stays and he cares. The same should go for us too. The ideal is developed at the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis: One man, one woman, one lifetime.
The Daily Mail, a British newspaper reports that Bill never left his old girlfriend. The paper quotes Time magazine from 1997 when Bill said he asked his old girlfriend for permission to marry Melinda. Then, Bill and Melinda married but agreed to allow Bill one weekend a year with his girlfriend.
That’s not commitment. (Pardon me while I go take a shower. After that last paragraph I just feel slimy. )
Marriage is about more than Children
Experts are being quoted as saying that many people, once they’ve raised their children, feel they are finished with a major responsibility and can now move on. Maybe the experts are correct; maybe people are thinking wrongly more often than we know. The Washington Post reports that the divorce rate among those over 50 has doubled since 1990. That’s a horrible statistic but I’ve no reason to doubt it. Maybe children are the glue for many marriages.
God created man and woman to meet one another’s needs (Genesis 2:18). They were told to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28), which they did. Children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3 – 5). But a man and a woman commit to each other first and then raise their children.
Children are not marriage glue.
Marriage Doesn’t Break; Commitment Does
In her divorce filing, Melinda said their marriage was “irretrievably broken.” Their eldest child, a daughter, said the family had recently gone through a “challenging stretch.” We have no idea what popped up after 27 years of marriage but something, or someone, shattered their commitment. Every marriage must be underpinned by commitment (Genesis 2:24). When commitment fails, the marriage will crumble.
Jesus realized that humans are fragile and once destroyed commitment may be impossible to restore. While God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) he permits it in Matthew 19:1 – 12). But it is never good. Since the beginning, the goal has been one man, one woman, one lifetime.
Marriage demands commitment.
Marriage Doesn’t Depend on Money
The Gates are worth about $130 Billion, which means nothing to a happy marriage. Many impoverished people have succeeded where the unimaginably rich have failed. You simply cannot buy love.
A woman married for several years once reamrked that early marriage was stronger because they were so poor. She described the teamwork that it took to work through the financial challeneges. Now, she and her husband were financially comfortable but the marriage was noticably weaker. Wealth doesn’t mean happiness and must not be the goal of a married couple.
Remember the Lord’s words through Paul:
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
(1 Timothy 6:9, 10)
Of course, “pang” means pain or woe. Maybe we’re better off with a little less, maybe even with a lot less. There’s a scene at the end of the 1940’s classic movie Citizen Kane, where the main character finds himself alone in his massive mansion surrounded by his belongings. It means little to him since his wife had gone.
Let’s be guided by God’s words. It will bring a happier life now as well as in eternity. I’ll not affix blame but Bill and Melinda Gates have failed in the most basic social contract. Salacious details are already pouring forth. But they are not, and never have been a model for the rest of us little guys. The Washington Post should know that.
