Category Archives: Culture

Come, Lord Jesus

Church Bulletin, Culture, Eschatology,

John was waiting for Jesus when he penned the above words from Patmos in Revelation 22:20. Aside from being exiled to a small island in the Aegean Sea, he was privileged to see a series of revelations about the past and the future. John saw a vision of heaven and saw the enthroned Creator and innumerable worshippers around him. But the images ended. He looked around and was still on the same rocky isle as before. “Come, Lord Jesus” was his cry. The contrast between heaven and Patmos must have been astonishing. John longed for Jesus’ return.

Always Waiting for Jesus’ Return

A devout disciple of Jesus is always homesick. Our minds are heavenward. We peer beyond the stars into the deep blues and blacks and dream of eternity. Our dreams are vivid because of our present reality. The stench of an evil world intensifies day by day. COVID, riots, political instability, saber-rattling, morality decomposition, financial fears, and broad malaise give our dreams urgency.

A desire for our heavenly home is good. Paul felt it (Philippians 1:18 – 26, esp vs. 23), and we should too.

We are Confused About Jesus’ Return

But I am concerned that some have confused a desire for heaven with a human doctrine of dispensationalism. I see it on social media when people assert that the end times must be near because of our troubles.

Dispensationalism is a collection of end-of-time ideas that have been popularized since John Darby in the 1800s. In our time, author Hal Lindsey penned The Late Great Planet Earth in 1970, seeming to forecast the “rapture” in the 1980s. Jerry B. Jenkins (no connection to Jerry Jenkins of Roebuck Parkway)  and Tim Lahaye published the Left Behind series of books. These stories present a fictionalized account of the return of Jesus. The rapture, AntiChrist, and an earthly reign of Jesus on a throne in Jerusalem are all part of the novels. Dangerously, these books, and similar social media posts, suggest a way to know when the Lord is coming. That’s an idea specifically refuted by Jesus himself.

We are waiting for Jesus, knowing he’s coming but unsure of when.

In the coming weeks, we will examine these various teachings and demonstrate from the Bible why they are in error. We will establish a biblical approach to these topics. We will point to something firm to stand upon when dreaming of heaven. Let’s start with timing.

His return date is not known

Jesus walked with his disciples in Jerusalem. Herod’s Temple was the centerpiece of Herod the Great’s building program. It was an imposing and magnificent edifice. The disciples were speaking of it when Jesus said, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). The following discussion, commonly known as the Olivet Discourse, includes this remarkable statement concerning Jesus’ second coming:

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only”.

Matthew 24:36

Jesus is speaking of his return. Previously, he told them precisely what to watch for and when to flee. He warned that the terrible things in verses 3 – 35 would occur in the lifetime of that present generation (Matthew 24:34). About 40 years later, Rome destroyed Jerusalem.

In verse 36, Jesus answers the second part of the question asked in verse 3: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” There is no answer to that question because Jesus himself did not know! If Jesus doesn’t know, I am confident no one posting on Facebook knows.

Jesus is coming, we just don’t know when!

Let’s conclude with Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:42: “stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

5 Ways to be a Christian After the Election

Bible General, Church Bulletin, Culture, Daily living, Government, ,

Chaos is the rule.

Trouble is brewing across the nation as we head into the final weekend of campaigning for the presidency of the United States. All of the congressional seats are up for grabs as are a third of the Senate seats. No matter what happens, somebody will be mad.

Philadelphia faces riots after the shooting of an African-American man. The protests are similar to what we saw earlier this year in the Northwest. ((Hurdle, J., Robertson, C., & Oppel, R. (2020, October 28). Days From Election, Police Killing of Black Man Roils Philadelphia. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/us/philadelphia-police-shooting.html)) In Washington D.C. protests turned violent after the death of a black man police were trying to stop. ((DeMarche, E. (2020, October 29). Protesters clash with DC police for second night over fatal moped crash. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.foxnews.com/us/protesters-clash-with-dc-police-for-second-night-over-fatal-moped-crash)) Armed adical right-wing and radical left-wing groups square-off to “protect” people from the opposing side. ((Fountaine, H. (2020, September 5). Armed group ‘patriots,’ local protesters face off near Jefferson Square Park. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/armed-patriot-group-local-protesters-face-off-near-jefferson-square-park/ar-BB18Km4h)) Thompson-Reuters news service reports that dozens of groups are preparing for protests, hopefully peaceful, depending upon the outcome of the election. ((Timmons, H., & Alper, A. (2020, October 29). Americans plan widespread protests if Trump interferes with election. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://news.trust.org/item/20201029090612-t69f4))

We could be facing civil unrest greater than many have ever witnessed. Christians must not contribute to the troubles. We are people of peace and witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether in-person or via social media we must not lend our voice to the voices of hate.

Be a Christian with your mouth

James says the tongue is incredibly dangerous.

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:5-8

Inspired Solomon says it this way:

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 16:27

Christians must not use their tongue (or keyboards) to foment hatred and chaos in the aftermath of the election. The winner is unimportant. How we behave is vital.

Be a Christian; Be salt

Participating in the democratic process is a perfect way to be the needed salt and influence the direction of our country. It was Jesus who reminded us that we are the salt of the earth.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Matthew 5:13

Salt that does not function properly is useless! Don’t use your presence on social media to sow discord. Salt the conversation with words of goodness, hope, and courage. Let the world see your light so that they will give glory to God for what you have said (Matthew 5:14-16). Think about it! God can be glorified because of you! For those weaned on vinegar how wonderful to garnish them with a proper pinch of salt. Maybe I’m weird, but I’d rather people glorify God instead of Biden or Trump.

Be a Christian; Talk Jesus

Conversation is political. If you meet a friend in-person or talk with them online, it is probable that politics is the topic. Often, that chat is pleasant because we agree. Still, the topic is Trump or Biden, not Jesus.

When the original Christians were savagely attacked, they became refugees and went everywhere preaching Jesus (Acts 8:4). Even when unfairly arrested by the religious leaders, Peter and John responded with a lesson about Jesus (Acts 4:5-12).

It doesn’t matter how the election ends; if we don’t know Jesus we are absolutely, unquestionably lost!

Be a Christian; Wander

I read Hebrews this morning. I was struck by this verse:

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Hebrews 11:13

In verse 38 they are described as wandering about but always awaiting the promised glory. We must not become so comfortable with this world that we are not homesick for heaven. Albert Brumley penned the immortal words of the song that begins, “This world is not my home I’m just a passing through…” Let that be our daily anthem. The Biden’s Trumps, Obamas, Clintons, and Bushs are all just temporary. Wander to thoughts of glory!

Be a Christian; Be peace

It’s ironic that an internet search for “peacemaker” returns stories and images of the classic Colt M1873 revolver which was called “The Peacemaker.((Colt Single Action Army. (2020, October 07). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Single_Action_Army)). Not far behind were pictures of the B36 bomber used during the Cold War Years.((Convair B-36 Peacemaker. (2020, September 23). Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-36_Peacemaker))

Christian peacemaking is different.

Jesus called us to peace and expected his people to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Wouldn’t it be great if we were known as people of reconciliation. What if we called for peace after the election? What if our bonding with Jesus were better known than our like for a particular candidate? What glory would flow to the Lord!

Some will claim that Jesus was no peacemaker and they will cite Matthew 10:34. Jesus claim had nothing to do with the everyday cares of the world and surely had no reference to politics! Jesus spoke of the conflict that between ultimate good and ultimate evil. The context is clear.

As I write this on Thursday and Friday before the election next week, I have no way of knowing the outcome. I will vote. Although I do not endorse candidates I suspect most know where I stand. I will promise my readers that I will be a beacon of light, a dash of salt and a voice of peace as I wander through our common future. Will you join me? Your comments are welcomed as always.

Jesus and Government

Church, Church Bulletin, Culture, Daily living, God, Government,

Christians live in two worlds, secular and spiritual. Christians live in the kingdom of God, governed by Jesus. We also live in an earthly, secular kingdom governed by whoever is in power at the moment. Tension always exists between the two kingdoms. The desires and expectations that the two kingdoms hold clash. We must carefully navigate between our two worlds.

Jesus showed us how to live perfectly in both worlds at the same time. By following his leadership, we can be faithful to the God of Heaven and to the laws of men.

His Words

Jesus was born into God’s kingdom: Israel. They were chosen by God to be his people. Still, Jesus spoke of another kingdom that was still to come (Matthew 4:17; 5:19, 20; 6:10, 33; Luke 11:2; 13:29; 19:11; John 3:3,5; 18:36).

Jesus also acknowledged the earthly kingdom of Rome. Jesus said, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21), thus acknowledging both the legitimacy of the Roman government and the requirement for Christians to obey it. His apostle Paul would voice the same command in Romans” “let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1ff). To Titus, Paul said, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work (Titus 3:1).

His Actions

Jesus applied his words to his actions. The kingdom of Judea, the remnant of Israel, was corrupt, vile and ungodly. Her king lived in open sin. Still, Jesus obeyed the Israelite rulers. When the Israelite religious leader, Annas, questioned Jesus, he submitted and answered him (John 18:19-24).

In his arrest, Jesus declared that he could call “twelve legions of angels” to deliver him. But he did not. (Matthew 26:53). Even as he hung on the cross, Jesus railed not against the Jews or the Romans.

His apostle Paul voiced his submission to Rome as he faced a death penalty. He responded to the governor that he would not refuse to die if he had done some wrong (Acts 25:11). We believe Paul would later die by execution.

His Non-Actions

There was plenty wrong with governments of the first century. Rome, like the Greeks before, was thoroughly pagan. Recall the picture of Athens, where Paul called the city “full of idols” (Acts 17:16). Rome worshipped anything. They even had an altar to the unknown God (Acts 17:23). Their worship was so twisted as to encourage intercourse between worshipper and priest. Some idol temples had male and female prostitutes who served their false gods. Soon, Rome would even demand worship of the Emperors. Meanwhile, a puppet family ruled the Jews. The Herodian Dynasty included every imaginable sin. Herod the Great was a known mass murderer (Matthew 2:1-18).

But that Jesus never embroiled himself in the politics of the day. The politics of Herod, Annas, and Caeser were not the focus of his wrath. He rebuked people for their sins, not their politics. His emphasis was to follow Him as the Savior.

Jesus led no boycotts. Jesus did not complain of high taxes. Jesus led no revolt against the troops of the Empire. He did not demand a letter campaign against Herod’s crazed behavior. Even when Rome was systematically executing Christians, there was no revolt. The business of the kingdom of God consumed Jesus. The zeal of God’s house consumed Jesus (Psalm 69:9; Luke 2:17).

We have opportunities to do good by being salt in the world. We can affect the direction of government through elections. But we must never speak more of the kingdom of men than of the kingdom of God. Like Jesus, be consumed with the Lord’s work.

Your comments are always welcomed.

Kingdom of God 6

Church, Church Bulletin, Culture, Daily living, God, Government

.”..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 3:18

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

Acts 5:29

The Kingdom of God reigns above any government of mankind. Earthly rule protects the believer from the avarice, greed, and violence of the worldly person who has no respect for God’s laws. The Christian is to be subject to those laws. However, when man’s laws contradict or oppose God’s laws, we must refuse to obey the government. Today, some engage in violent opposition to the government at the drop of a hat. They wrap themselves in the banner of the divine while breaking civil laws. We must not do likewise. The decision to engage in civil disobedience must come only after a careful study of the Bible.

Civil disobedience did not begin in the 1950s and 1960s with the civil rights movement or the anti-war protest movement. The two verses above show that resisting the authority of the state has been established for a very long time.  For us, we must take care to avoid a flippant appeal to disobedience. I offer three ideas to consider.

Civil Disobedience Requires the most Extreme Circumstances

God’s people have often found themselves in dire straits. They were attacked by other nations (Judges 4:2; 6:1; 10:7 et al.), enslaved (2 Kings 25), opposed by religious leaders (Acts 4:1-3), arrested and executed by kings (Acts 12:1-3) and generally persecuted by authorities (Hebrews 11:32-40). Despite all the opposition, civil disobedience was uncommon.

In Daniel 3, the king demanded that the Hebrews worship his pagan god. In Acts 5, the religious leaders demanded the apostles to stop preaching the gospel. In the USA, the Constitution constrains the government from issuing such orders. The time may come when such restraint is removed, but for now, we are blessed. Only an extraordinary assault on our faith would justify lawless opposition.

Civil Disobedience Is a Last Resort

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not initiate a confrontation. It arose as a response to their obedience to God. Obedience drove their actions, not publicity. Had the rulers left them alone, there would have been no clash. History records that when Rome tried to prevent Christians from worshipping,  they assembled in hiding.

Another blessing of our nation is the right to petition the government for redress (relief) from burdensome rules. Last week, a federal judge slammed the door on attempts by New York to single out houses of worship for restrictions during the health crisis. Often, our complaints are better addressed in venues other than the media or the street.

Only after using venues of appeal and discussion may the Christian resort to civil disobedience. It is a tactic of last resort.

Civil Disobedience Demands Careful Consultation with the Lord

Before a person willingly breaks the law under God’s banner, he had best be sure his actions have divine approval. Daniel and the apostles were inspired. They received truth directly from on high. We do not. However, we have the inspired word of God that guides us into all truth (John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:19-21). How foolish to charge into lawbreaking without a knowledge of the word of God. So, the one planning disobedience does so only after an intense study and researching of God’s word.

Equally important is a prayerful spirit. Just as Bible study must be intense, our prayers must be fervent. Only then, after prayer and study, may we solemnly engage the exceptional act of disobedience. That prayer and study must be motivated by a desire to know truth. Approaching the Scriptures or bowing in prayer with our minds already made up is dangerous. We must seek to know the will of the Lord, not to find confirmation of our ideas.

Let us earnestly seek to be subject to the laws of government while being faithful to the real king, Jesus!

What are your thoughts? Please comment.

Beyond Myself

Bible General, Culture, Daily living, Jesus

Would you agree that most people today think first of themselves and then of other people? Would you also agree that for most people the world revolves around them? Galileo had nothing on today’s people. Most folks think they are the center of the universe. Consider the last 10 posts you read on Facebook. How many of them were begging you to like or in some way to indicate your approval of what the person had written? It really seems as if people have become infatuated with themselves and have lost concern for anybody else.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Jesus reasoned differently than modern man. According to the Lord, our first concern is to God. Our second concern is our neighbor. Only then do we begin to think about self. In Luke’s account of the same story Jesus follows up with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Remember that in that story a man greatly inconveniences himself both physically and financially as he provides care for someone else (Luke 10:29 through 37). It’s the kind of story that you don’t hear much today. I suspect most of us would be just too busy to stop and help somebody who is bleeding nasty and maybe even at the point of death. That’s a pretty serious indictment of our culture, I know. Just look around. We’ll see many people who are terribly needy and pitiful and no one stepping up to help them.

That is not Jesus’ way.

We live in an incredibly affluent society. We are sloppy rich compared to many people in the world. We have the means to help others if we look beyond ourselves. Jesus said in Galatians 6:10 that we are to do good to all men. We are to serve our fellow man. Do you remember what Jesus did in John 13? Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The washing of the guest feet was customary in ancient times. But on this occasion, nobody got around to the simple act of hospitality. Finally, Jesus got up took a towel and a basin of water and began to wash the dirty feet of his disciples. I imagine there was an awkward silence in the room. When Jesus finishes this humble act, he says: “if I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). In Mark 10:45 Jesus said he did not come to be served but to serve others. We live in an incredibly affluent society. We are sloppy rich compared to many people in the world. We have the means to help others if we look beyond ourselves.[bctt tweet=”We live in an incredibly affluent society. We are sloppy rich compared to many people in the world. We have the means to help others if we look beyond ourselves.” username=”Preachers_Study”]

That is Jesus’ way.

The man whose heart is anchored in the world looks at Jesus in confusion. Why would God leave heaven, come to this old earth, suffer disrespect, and finally death? What is the gain? What is the profit? What’s in it for God? The worldly man doesn’t understand because he spends his time focused on himself. [bctt tweet=”The man whose heart is anchored in the world looks at Jesus in confusion. ” username=”Preachers_Study”]

So here is my question and I pray that you will answer it honestly. When was the last time you did something that was completely selfless? When was the last time you went out of your way to help somebody else when there was absolutely nothing in it for you? Jesus says that it is by our love that other people will know that we are his disciples (John 13:35). You see, we don’t have to wear a crucifix around our neck or put the fish symbol on the back of our car for people to know that we are Christians. Instead, our love for the Lord, for one another and even for those outside of the body of Christ will demonstrate our faith in a way that cannot be ignored. [bctt tweet=”When was the last time you went out of your way to help somebody else when there was absolutely nothing in it for you?” username=”Preachers_Study”]

Let today be the day that you do something solely for Christ. Remember, Jesus loved the world enough to die. Let us reflect that love to a world that doesn’t even know him.

Abortion…Again

Abortion, Church Bulletin, Culture, Daily living, ,

Recent legislative actions leave Christians aghast at the possibility that a child, delivered alive, could be killed without legal punishment. At the same time, some state legislatures are resisting federal courts and asserting their right to govern their states without interference from those courts. They are crafting very restrictive laws which would limit or abolish abortion for all but the most narrowly defined cases. They hope to force the U.S. Supreme Court to review their laws and dismantle abortion-on-demand laws that are common in our country. The outcome of such a ruling is uncertain. Still, abortion has regained its spot as the hot topic moral issue of our day.

Christians do not need to be confused about their role in this debate.

Jesus told his disciples that they were both salt and light (Matthew 5:13, 14). The undeniable application of these verses is that Christians must assert Godly principles where possible. In homes, in schools, in communities, and in the public square, the followers of Christ must affect their world.

Jesus was a Jewish man who lived under the occupation of the Roman empire. He had no input into the political affairs of the day. Even Paul, a Roman citizen by birth, had little input into the affairs of state (c.f. Acts 22:22-29). Today, our world is different.

A person born in the United States gains the right to vote at 18.  Even before that, he enjoys a “right of redress” provided in the 1st Amendment which recognizes the citizen’s undeniable right to petition the government to correct wrongs. It is this right, and the Biblical admonition to influence the world, that should drive Christians to petition on behalf of the most vulnerable among us: the unborn.

Life is the unique province of the Lord. He spoke humanity into existence. He began with plant life (Genesis 1:11, Day Three), then animal life (Genesis 1: 20, Day Five) and finally, humanity (Genesis 1:27, Day Six). But notice verse 26. “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Man was fundamentally different from every other living creature God had created. The text shows that this newly created species was to have dominion over the rest of the creation. Man was different. He was special. Genesis 2:7 has God breathing life into mankind. He never did that with any other creature.

God controls the taking of life. Divinely ordained capital punishment is biblical. Paul writes that government, ordained by God, does not carry the sword in vain. He argues that evildoers should, therefore, be afraid of government (Romans 13:1-7). God even regulates combat and the taking of life in warfare. When nations warred without divine approval and leadership, failure followed (c.f. 1 Samuel 4, 5).

Let the reader see that life is precious to God. Humanity does not determine who lives and dies. Only God does. Therefore, we conclude that abortion is wrong for it encroaches on that which God has reserved for himself. We conclude that apart from the actual life of the mother, there is no acceptable rationale for abortion.

Let us fervently pray that abortion will end up on the garbage heap of social injustice like slavery. It is a stain upon our national character. Christians should use their influence with elected officials to bring an end to this despicable act.

Neither Jew nor Greek, Millennial or Boomer

Church, Culture, ,

The title butchers the verse. Galatians 3:28 really says:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

It is one of Paul’s great unifying statements on the oneness of the Christian family; the household of God. Spiritually, there is no substantive difference. We are all one and all enjoy the same glorious promises. This was especially important in the 1st century when bias ran high against people with different backgrounds and heritages.

The same is happening now, I fear. There is a divide in the church. It’s not among racial lines but between ages. The millennial generation (those born from about 1980 – 2000) are gaining influence economically, politically and religiously. Some boomers (birthed from the mid-40’2 to the mid-60’s) have acquiesced but others resist. The result is that Christendom is divided by the date on your driver’s license.

That’s sinful.

Paul called on the Corinthians to be one (1 Corinthians 1:10). This echoes the prayer of Jesus who sought unity among his disciples (John 17:11). The only way we defeat the Lord of Chaos is by a solid, unified front of righteousness.

Millennials and Boomers Suffer the Same Fate

We are all sinners (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:9, 19, 23; Galatians 3:22; 1 John 1:8). Regardless of our DOB, we are all “wretched, pitiable, poor blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17). None is righteous (Romans 3:10; Psalm 14:1-3).

Because we all suffer from the same cancerous condition of sin, we all face the same fate. We are lost and are facing eternal hell; we face forever condemnation. The price of our sin is well earned (Romans 6:23). Despite the great experiences and wisdom of age, despite the march of science and technology, we are all lost and all march toward the flames of an eternal hell.

Millennials and Boomers Need the Same Thing

We all need deliverance. We need saving. We need a savior. We need something to free us from our common fate.

We need Jesus.

Jesus came to deliver us from that common fate. Our salvation was the reason Jesus came. Nearing his death Jesus said, it “was for this purpose I have come to this hour (John 12:27). To reclaim us from the fate of death was his plan from before the world was created (Ephesians 1:4).

We need Jesus.

The retiring executive needs Jesus as much as the rising 30-something building his career. We all need Jesus and cannot be saved apart from him. Jesus said, “no man comes unto the father but by me” (John 14:6).

We all need Jesus

Millennials and Boomers Need Each Other

Nearly-teen Jesus needed to be about his father’s business by talking and listening to the older teachers in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-51). Paul needed young Timothy to aide his mission work. Obviously, Timothy needed Paul. John described himself as the elder in his writing to the churches in 2 John 1 and 3 John 1. (“elder” is likely used as a descriptor of age, not office here.)

Christians need one another without regard to age. The tech-savvy millennial can teach the wise boomer how to use technology to reach millions while the aged can pour forth his wisdom and experience to the younger to help him avoid pitfalls that are common in every age.

We are family and we desperately need one another.

There are differences between age groups. Methods for outreach will differ but the core teachings of truth do not change. Let there be no “millennial church” and no “traditional church.” Let us be one as Jesus and his father are one!

 

Who Are You Listening To?

Culture, News, ,

Unrighteous church gossipI was studying Psalm 1 this morning and it suddenly hit me. God’s people need a better filter. We need to screen out the empty words of the wicked from our lives. That seems obvious but there is more to it; it has a greater impact than you might think.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the of the wicked…”

(Psalm 1:1)

Let’s say it in our way of talking: The blessed man doesn’t listen to the wicked. Would you agree that is an accurate restatement? It is. A man who is blessed by God isn’t guided by the wicked but by the words of God, “his delight is in the law of the Lord” (vs. 2). God’s words or man’s words. Our choice. But it is also our consequence to bear. The blessed man is sustained and preserved by God while the wicked will perish (vss. 5, 6).

Now, my sudden insight: We are all listening to the wrong people!

How many radio talks show hosts have “enlightened” you this week? We hop in the car and turn on the radio and there they are, feeding us all the bad news possible. On the internet there are thousands of influencers trying to conform our thoughts into a replica of their opinions.

Even the evening news programs have blurred the line between facts and opinions and hope to convince us of their way of thinking.

There are many bloggers, like me, who do the same thing. It seems everyone is trying to conform you to their way of thinking.

The Bible says be careful of who you listen to.

Suffering Job was surrounded by friends who tried to convince him that he had failed. Even his wife advised him to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). I’m glad Job rejected her words, aren’t you?

Jesus rejected the counsel of Peter. The Lord was describing his suffering to his apostles when “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him” (Mark 8:32). Jesus’ response? “Get behind me Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man”         (Mark 8:33). Jesus rejected unsound counsel and so should we.

 

Many years ago my wife, Bobbi, and I installed an under sink water filter in our home. The first time changed the filter we were shocked at the filth that had been blocked by the filter. We’ve never been without one since. We must filter the influx of opinion from worldly minded people We must be  more discerning of our chosen news and opinion providers.

Even more, I insist we spend more time having our thoughts transformed by the word of God.

 

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”

(Romans 12:2)

 

 

Why So Much Hate?

Church Bulletin, Culture, Daily living,

The world is an angry place. Venom runs deep. It is ugly, even nauseating to see it running so deeply through our world. Why? Where did this mess come from?

Anger and hatred can be classed into a half dozen very broad categories: Crime, Politics, Revenge, Anti-Authority, Economics, and Narcissism. These are in no particular order but simply group comments and actions together based on similar actions. In a sense, the classification is not relevant. Hate is hate and is bad. Likewise, there are at least a half dozen outcomes from hate: Pain & Suffering, Chaos & Confusion, Stress & Anxiety, Depression, Division & Isolation, and Sin.

There are no good outcomes from hate.

Does anyone profit from all this trouble? Who gains the most from it all? If you are a Christian, a person of faith, you know the answer. Satan!

We are not ignorant of Satan’s efforts or his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). We know how he operates. We have seen his lies in the past, and we take note of his horrible tortures of Job and the many prophets slain for speaking against him (Hebrews 11:32-38). We remember that Satan was the driving force behind the mob shouting “crucify him, crucify him” (Matthew 27:22, 23; Mark 15:13, 14; Luke 23:21). The anger and hatred we see today must be laid at the feet of the evil one. He alone profits from the troubles.

Therefore, we oppose the hatred by opposing the evil behind it. Darkness is often a metaphor for evil. It describes the horrible reality that is commonly our world. By driving out darkness, we establish light. While that sounds easy, it is not. The world loves darkness despite the fact that the light of Jesus has entered (John 3:19). Jesus described the hours of his arrest and crucifixion as being in the power of darkness (Luke 22:53). He calls upon his people to oppose and rebuke darkness (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14)

Christians must be careful not to contribute to the darkness through our opposition to it. How can we oppose, even rebuke evil, without being evil ourselves?

Love is the Centerpiece of Our Response

Scripture says we are to speak truth in love, and apart from love, we are only noise (1 Corinthians 13:1; 16:14; Ephesians 4:15). Our Lord was motivated by love (John 3:16; Romans 5:8, 10) so we must be so motivated too.

At the beginning of his work, Jesus declared that people in darkness were seeing the light that would deliver them (Matthew 4:15, 16). The battle persists between light and dark and will so long as the world stands (John 1:5).

Motivations Matter

Ask yourself, “why am I opposing this statement, behavior or event?” If we cannot link our motivations to an overriding concern for the individual involved, we should probably pause and rethink our approach.

At his first coming, Jesus did not come to judge, although he had every right to do so. His motivation was to “seek and to save the lost” (John 12:47; Luke 19:10).

Think of Yourself Too

By examining self, we will purge out the darkness of our own hearts. The well-known parable of the log in our own eye is very instructive (Matthew 7:1-5). It reminds us that we have weaknesses and failing that must be addressed before assailing another. Paul warns that we should “take heed lest he falls” (1 Corinthians 10:12; c.f. Galatians 6:1) while Solomon reminds that “pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

Our goal is not to save others at the expense of our own souls, but to save ourselves and others too.

We can combat the horrible environment in which we live. There is little I can do on the world’s stage compared to what I can do in my own corner of the globe. The danger is doing nothing. We can change the world one soul at a time.

 

War

Culture, Daily living, Sin, ,

mushroom cloudThere’s a war going on. It’s not in Syria. Our opponent is not Russia, Iran or North Korea. The bombs are not made by Raytheon, and there are no Admirals or Generals leading armies. This war is far more destructive than any conflict humanity has ever witnessed. More will fall than in all the previous wars and conflicts combined.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

Christians must stand strong against those forces that would condemn us to eternal damnation. Instead, we befriend culture while knowing that “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Those who support and encourage sin and sinful lifestyles are our enemies. They intend us harm!

1. The Christian is a Soldier

Paul uses the word “wrestle” in Ephesians 6:12 (ESV). Other translations have struggle, battle or fight. This is the only time this Greek word appears in the New Testament, but the concept is well known. Christians fight against evil. We prepare ourselves with appropriate armor (Ephesians 6:13-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Romans 13:12).

The life of a soldier is not easy. He is often in physical discomfort and many times lonely as he meets the foe. Still, we stand firm. Timothy is told to “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). He is to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18).

In our Christian conflict, there are no positions in the rear echelon. We must all serve on the front lines in this eternal conflict.

2. This War is Different

Paul is clear: Our battle is not against people but powers. The descriptions here are of non-human forces “in heavenly places.” Like so many Bible words, context is always vital. Heaven may be the place where God and the glorious host reside, or it may be the sky and space. Here, it is the celestial realm, the place of spirit beings.

Our battle, with immortal consequences, is waged against immortal enemies. Satan and his minions have long been at work against the Lord. Although their defeat is certain, they continue to wage war against the Christ and his saints. Cruise missiles, smart bombs, and bullets have no effect against these enemies.

3. Our Weapons are Spiritual

Physical combatants often wage war for the “hearts and minds” of the people. In most cases, such battles are secondary to the main event of explosions and destruction. In our case, “hearts and minds” are primary.

We combat the evil forces with the absolute weapon of truth. Satan has been a liar from the beginning in Eden (Genesis 3:4,5). When he speaks, he lies for that is his character (John 8:44). When we speak truth, we oppose him and always do damage to him. Again, truth always hurts the devil. As a soldier carefully loads ammunition into a gun, we load truth into our lives by the study of truth, that is, the word of God. As we live by truth, we reject the devil’s lies, and we defend ourselves against his lies.

Are you a good soldier? Are you prepared? Are you trained? Press against the forces of evil and show yourself a good soldier for Jesus Christ!