1 TIMOTHY 5
Paul closes this letter to Timothy almost abruptly, with advice regarding two aspects of church components: widows and elders.
Each local church should develop its own plan to accommodate and care for widows. The ages and circumstances noted by Paul could certainly be directly related to the culture and tie in which this was written, and good principles certainly carry through for today. In the middle of the discussion is listed some virtues of not just a godly widow, but of a godly woman overall.
My main focus on this chapter moves to verses 17 and following. The "double honor" may indicate both respect and payment.
But look at some very practical warnings for elders who sin. OK, the elders are human, so guess what? They sin! And care should be taken in how sin in church leadership is to be confronted. Yet the most striking aspect of elders sinning is that they are to be rebuked if they CONTINUE in their sin, just as any saved sinner should be, and that the rebuke be done in order to keep others from sinning. These church members are to be fearful of sinning, just as we shoudl be. How often do we hear that taught, that we ought to be fearful of sinning? Further, the warning is such that Paul cautions Timothy to not assign too many as elders too fast, because if they are in sin, it could make him guilty by association. Timothy needs to carry out leadership without haste, some might think poorly of caution, as slow movements might hint of inactivity, yet discernment in these types of decisions may just take some time and certainly prayer.
Paul “solemnly charges Timothy”, basically with God and His angels as witnesses, to maintain the principles Paul has laid out for Timothy. Paul knows that Timothy has a tough job, and also a great heart. And apparently Timothy suffered from some sort of ailments or illness, and Paul advises him to add a little bit of “fruit of the grape”, the word used is wine, to his water to help his stomach. This is certainly not a call for pastors to engage in the drinking of wine, nor is it a blanket endorsement for the Christian to enjoy alcohol. This “wine” was very much used medicinally here, Timothy could not drop by the local pharmacy to pick up some antacid tablets.
A sobering close to the letter. Both sins and good deeds are evident, and what is telling is that the good ones apparently can be concealed, but those deeds which are “otherwise” cannot. Paul seems to speak of humility in actions, having already warned a few verses back to keep oneself free from sin. Yes, that is a daily battle, and fighting it will be very well worth the cause of Christ, for Timothy as well as today’s believer. I am sure that Timothy’s striving for godliness was felt in positive ways by this church he led in Ephesus.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Speaking of Basics
1 TIMOTHY 4
Timothy had to deal with false teachings, strange doctrines, and apostasy in general. At such a time in the very early church, few people had copies of scripture, and many have made their own “gospel”, either from ignorance of truth or from a selfish motivation of monetary profit. Paul, of course, warns against this. How would such a warning apply today?
However you answer that question, a foundational truth must be recognized. It takes discipline to be a good minister. And I don’t mean “minister” as in that man preaching on Sundays, though it certainly applies there as well, and is the formal position Timothy was in. Yet, we as Christians should all be able to say that we are ministers, we proclaim God’s truth in defense of Him.
Such discipline, according to this passage comes as a result of specific practices. First, one must be constantly nourished spiritually by the Word. A daily reading of Scripture is a great place to start, and eventually a more constant nourishing should lead to more and more decisions being made with Biblical truth in mind.
Second, one must hold to sound doctrine, or teaching. If we boldly and faithfully proclaim something false, obviously the result is nonsense.
Third, Paul mentions bodily discipline. Getting enough sleep, eating well, getting exercise are all very simple and basic ways we can do this today. I doubt the early church-goers worried about exercise; their lifestyle would have demanded hard work anyway, so to them, this might have been more closely tied to discipline against temptation, fleshly desires, since Paul follows his statement up with the point that godliness is much more of a concern than the bodily discipline. In short, bodily discipline should be easier, and thus minor, compared to overall godliness.
Prescribe these things. I can’t help but think of a pharmacy script, necessary for one who is ill, either acutely or chronically. People get sick, they need medicine. Paul is essentially saying that people are ailing spiritually, and they need the prescribed treatment of the Word, doctrine, and godliness.
I must personally strive to remember to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Easy to say, tough to do, and those who know me best will know that the consistent life sometimes eludes us, more often than it should, for sure. And I pray that I can see the best in everyone, and hope that those same people see the best in me, overlooking where I fail. I pray I can overlook failures in others and see the hearts of God’s servants.
Timothy was no different than us in this way: he was a sinner, of course. So was Paul (he reminds us of that in several places). And yet they got so much work done for the Lord, and we get to read a brief glimpse of that.
Paul mentions the public reading of Scripture. When someone opens God’s Word and proclaims it for all to hear, we ought to pay some reverence to that happening. For such a reason, I believe, as simple as this sounds, that the Bible should be read aloud to a church congregation whenever that church meets. Not earth-shattering, but of vital importance.
Finally, we are to take pains to accomplish all this, sort of like strenuous exercise. Working hard in these areas will produce great results in the body of Christ. We are to be absorbed in them, and our progress should be evident. Not necessarily on display for show, but certainly not hidden.
Being a Christian brings with it a very large responsibility. And God is gracious enough to remind us of the basics in order to live it properly.
Timothy had to deal with false teachings, strange doctrines, and apostasy in general. At such a time in the very early church, few people had copies of scripture, and many have made their own “gospel”, either from ignorance of truth or from a selfish motivation of monetary profit. Paul, of course, warns against this. How would such a warning apply today?
However you answer that question, a foundational truth must be recognized. It takes discipline to be a good minister. And I don’t mean “minister” as in that man preaching on Sundays, though it certainly applies there as well, and is the formal position Timothy was in. Yet, we as Christians should all be able to say that we are ministers, we proclaim God’s truth in defense of Him.
Such discipline, according to this passage comes as a result of specific practices. First, one must be constantly nourished spiritually by the Word. A daily reading of Scripture is a great place to start, and eventually a more constant nourishing should lead to more and more decisions being made with Biblical truth in mind.
Second, one must hold to sound doctrine, or teaching. If we boldly and faithfully proclaim something false, obviously the result is nonsense.
Third, Paul mentions bodily discipline. Getting enough sleep, eating well, getting exercise are all very simple and basic ways we can do this today. I doubt the early church-goers worried about exercise; their lifestyle would have demanded hard work anyway, so to them, this might have been more closely tied to discipline against temptation, fleshly desires, since Paul follows his statement up with the point that godliness is much more of a concern than the bodily discipline. In short, bodily discipline should be easier, and thus minor, compared to overall godliness.
Prescribe these things. I can’t help but think of a pharmacy script, necessary for one who is ill, either acutely or chronically. People get sick, they need medicine. Paul is essentially saying that people are ailing spiritually, and they need the prescribed treatment of the Word, doctrine, and godliness.
I must personally strive to remember to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Easy to say, tough to do, and those who know me best will know that the consistent life sometimes eludes us, more often than it should, for sure. And I pray that I can see the best in everyone, and hope that those same people see the best in me, overlooking where I fail. I pray I can overlook failures in others and see the hearts of God’s servants.
Timothy was no different than us in this way: he was a sinner, of course. So was Paul (he reminds us of that in several places). And yet they got so much work done for the Lord, and we get to read a brief glimpse of that.
Paul mentions the public reading of Scripture. When someone opens God’s Word and proclaims it for all to hear, we ought to pay some reverence to that happening. For such a reason, I believe, as simple as this sounds, that the Bible should be read aloud to a church congregation whenever that church meets. Not earth-shattering, but of vital importance.
Finally, we are to take pains to accomplish all this, sort of like strenuous exercise. Working hard in these areas will produce great results in the body of Christ. We are to be absorbed in them, and our progress should be evident. Not necessarily on display for show, but certainly not hidden.
Being a Christian brings with it a very large responsibility. And God is gracious enough to remind us of the basics in order to live it properly.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Knowledge is Power
1 TIMOTHY 3
I was reminded in reading a book on marriage that knowledge is power. Actually, knowledge of sin is power, specifically when that sin is someone else’s. What does this have to do with 1 Timothy 3? I’ll try to get there from here.
One of the most vulnerable positions for a Christian to find himself in is to know that there are others who possess an intimate knowledge of one’s sin. Satan and his angels use that aspect of our fallen lives to bring about temptation to share what we know about others, especially the ugly parts. We talk much about protecting testimonies in our family, and the same applies to the Christian church, local and at-large. The hardest thing we can do, and yet likely the most important, is to protect the testimonies of brothers and sisters all around us.
Chapter 3 is most often used to lay out the qualifications for pastors, deacons, and ladies in the church. Knowing that Timothy was already in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), Paul was instructing him on what to look for in leadership, and yet we can certainly apply the qualifications to any Christian, as these are among the ideal to strive for. When I look at each one, I tend to say, “yeah, makes sense”, because in essence they are so very basic, and yet our sin often shows us and others around us just how short we can come.
Above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious (love that word, only in the NASB), gentle, peaceable, free from love of money, manage house well and with dignity, not conceited, good reputation outside of church. Great list there for the overseer. Similar for deacons and the ladies. You can read them there.
Paul also says to hold to the faith with a clear conscience. And the most reassuring thing going for me right now is that my testimony, including my sinful being, is in the hands of Almighty God. People know things about me that I wish they never did. Many have the power to very literally destroy any part of me that is still of good repute, friendships can be destroyed based on the trust I have put into the hands of other sinners. And I know the Holy Spirit can work if we will let Him. The Spirit gives all the assurance I really need.
You see? Paul knew that all these qualifications would all have to be working through people together to deal with what we see in everyone, what we should see in ourselves as well. And they all come into play within the realm of church, local and at-large.
The church is supposed to be the pillar and support of truth. Nothing else in this world is going to uphold the truth of God and His Word. That is the job of the church, and that takes people, and Paul explains this to Timothy after going through the list of spiritual qualifications. Christianity does not work well when His people do not work together. That seems to me a point worth hearing.
Very personally and honestly, I rest so very comfortably today, knowing this: how others respond to me, how they treat me, how they even view me as a person, may very well rest on the lips and in the ears of people who can build me up or tear me down. And God has my back, of this I am certain. And I pray for His help and guidance.
And may God also guard my eyes, ears, and tongue today as well, because that sword cuts both ways. There is always a choice, always a way to escape temptation. Like Paul, I want the church to thrive and succeed for the Savior. And what I and others know needs to be filtered through this list that Paul gives Timothy, in order to properly proceed along the Christian life.
I was reminded in reading a book on marriage that knowledge is power. Actually, knowledge of sin is power, specifically when that sin is someone else’s. What does this have to do with 1 Timothy 3? I’ll try to get there from here.
One of the most vulnerable positions for a Christian to find himself in is to know that there are others who possess an intimate knowledge of one’s sin. Satan and his angels use that aspect of our fallen lives to bring about temptation to share what we know about others, especially the ugly parts. We talk much about protecting testimonies in our family, and the same applies to the Christian church, local and at-large. The hardest thing we can do, and yet likely the most important, is to protect the testimonies of brothers and sisters all around us.
Chapter 3 is most often used to lay out the qualifications for pastors, deacons, and ladies in the church. Knowing that Timothy was already in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), Paul was instructing him on what to look for in leadership, and yet we can certainly apply the qualifications to any Christian, as these are among the ideal to strive for. When I look at each one, I tend to say, “yeah, makes sense”, because in essence they are so very basic, and yet our sin often shows us and others around us just how short we can come.
Above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious (love that word, only in the NASB), gentle, peaceable, free from love of money, manage house well and with dignity, not conceited, good reputation outside of church. Great list there for the overseer. Similar for deacons and the ladies. You can read them there.
Paul also says to hold to the faith with a clear conscience. And the most reassuring thing going for me right now is that my testimony, including my sinful being, is in the hands of Almighty God. People know things about me that I wish they never did. Many have the power to very literally destroy any part of me that is still of good repute, friendships can be destroyed based on the trust I have put into the hands of other sinners. And I know the Holy Spirit can work if we will let Him. The Spirit gives all the assurance I really need.
You see? Paul knew that all these qualifications would all have to be working through people together to deal with what we see in everyone, what we should see in ourselves as well. And they all come into play within the realm of church, local and at-large.
The church is supposed to be the pillar and support of truth. Nothing else in this world is going to uphold the truth of God and His Word. That is the job of the church, and that takes people, and Paul explains this to Timothy after going through the list of spiritual qualifications. Christianity does not work well when His people do not work together. That seems to me a point worth hearing.
Very personally and honestly, I rest so very comfortably today, knowing this: how others respond to me, how they treat me, how they even view me as a person, may very well rest on the lips and in the ears of people who can build me up or tear me down. And God has my back, of this I am certain. And I pray for His help and guidance.
And may God also guard my eyes, ears, and tongue today as well, because that sword cuts both ways. There is always a choice, always a way to escape temptation. Like Paul, I want the church to thrive and succeed for the Savior. And what I and others know needs to be filtered through this list that Paul gives Timothy, in order to properly proceed along the Christian life.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Live Godly
1 TIMOTHY 2
Paul has given Timothy an introductory overview of what ministry entails, focusing on the gospel, and checking one’s heart. Now he gets into some of the specifics, and he begins with prayer.
Prayer should be offered for all people, leaders and those in authority included. This is to be done with all godliness and dignity, and here, the main purpose is so that the Christian can lead a tranquil life, a quiet life. And Paul is speaking inwardly, with the idea of being at peace with oneself, having been able to pray for others. This is good, indeed.
I love the reminder that God desires all to be saved. This helps me realize that the frustration I may feel with those outside the body of Christ can be a direct result of their lack of a relationship with God, and the tension between God wanting them saved and them not wanting to be saved.
More than ever, personally, I appreciate the mediator I have in Christ. How great is He to go before the Father on my behalf, and in spite of my frailty and weaknesses, He allows the Father to see Him when He looks at me. I have so many days when I have a hard time looking at me, I can only imagine what God must feel, and yet He is willing to see Christ. This is news and the message that needs to get out more, and illustrating that aspect is Paul being called a preacher, actually the word is more like “herald”. We are to be the ones going colloquially through the streets announcing this great news.
Paul says, because of all this, PRAY! No wrath or dissension, just pray.
Women are singled out, and the principle applied to them works for us men, too. We want people to take notice of us? Then we should set our minds to having them notice our godliness, and then point them to Christ when they do, because the glory is His.
And since the women are to be submissive to teaching, who do we think is to be doing that teaching? That would be us leading them, men. If we as Christian men can’t lead and teach our wives, then who would we rather teach them?
Prayer is indeed a foundational, cardinal practice of the faith. I am reminded of 1 Peter 3:7, where I see how I am toward my wife and how that directly affects my prayer life.
Timothy refers to (as worded in the NASB) entreaties, prayers, petitions, thanksgiving. He expects the man of God to be pleading, to be asking, to be thanking God rather routinely and as a major focus of any ministry. Here he is speaking to one leading a church, yet it applies close to home as well.
Timothy was, as we are also, to lead this godly and tranquil life, at peace knowing that God is God, and that we need Him. Really knowing God should lead to that peace.
Paul has given Timothy an introductory overview of what ministry entails, focusing on the gospel, and checking one’s heart. Now he gets into some of the specifics, and he begins with prayer.
Prayer should be offered for all people, leaders and those in authority included. This is to be done with all godliness and dignity, and here, the main purpose is so that the Christian can lead a tranquil life, a quiet life. And Paul is speaking inwardly, with the idea of being at peace with oneself, having been able to pray for others. This is good, indeed.
I love the reminder that God desires all to be saved. This helps me realize that the frustration I may feel with those outside the body of Christ can be a direct result of their lack of a relationship with God, and the tension between God wanting them saved and them not wanting to be saved.
More than ever, personally, I appreciate the mediator I have in Christ. How great is He to go before the Father on my behalf, and in spite of my frailty and weaknesses, He allows the Father to see Him when He looks at me. I have so many days when I have a hard time looking at me, I can only imagine what God must feel, and yet He is willing to see Christ. This is news and the message that needs to get out more, and illustrating that aspect is Paul being called a preacher, actually the word is more like “herald”. We are to be the ones going colloquially through the streets announcing this great news.
Paul says, because of all this, PRAY! No wrath or dissension, just pray.
Women are singled out, and the principle applied to them works for us men, too. We want people to take notice of us? Then we should set our minds to having them notice our godliness, and then point them to Christ when they do, because the glory is His.
And since the women are to be submissive to teaching, who do we think is to be doing that teaching? That would be us leading them, men. If we as Christian men can’t lead and teach our wives, then who would we rather teach them?
Prayer is indeed a foundational, cardinal practice of the faith. I am reminded of 1 Peter 3:7, where I see how I am toward my wife and how that directly affects my prayer life.
Timothy refers to (as worded in the NASB) entreaties, prayers, petitions, thanksgiving. He expects the man of God to be pleading, to be asking, to be thanking God rather routinely and as a major focus of any ministry. Here he is speaking to one leading a church, yet it applies close to home as well.
Timothy was, as we are also, to lead this godly and tranquil life, at peace knowing that God is God, and that we need Him. Really knowing God should lead to that peace.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Teachable?
Doctrine is teaching. And if I am ever to be serious about teaching, I would do well to really take a hard look at what is taught, and who does the teaching. The Lord laid it upon me to read through 1 Timothy last night, and I did. Then I read it again. Then I decided to make some specific notes as to where the Lord has me these days, though I am pretty sure I have put myself “there”, and He just happens to be good in that He is willing to teach me from “there”, or so it might seem.
Paul’s letters to Timothy are likely the last writing he did, and he took time to instruct a young pastor in the important areas of ministry, how to deal with people. All the while, Timothy was to keep the good faith, and he was going to continue leading a church in Ephesus, and that took skill that perhaps could only come from experience. So Paul’s point was to stand true in the faith, because that may be the only thing that keeps you going in the middle of the fight. And there will be a fight, or else Paul would not have mentioned to “fight the good fight”.
Paul’s goal is stated early, “love from a pure heart, keep a good conscience, and keep the sincere faith. And while the Law was instructive, and there is a need to keep learning while doing, our sin will keep us on our toes regarding how we get God’s work done.
The apostle explains briefly how he acted ignorantly in unbelief. He’s not making excuses, because he’ll explain later that he is not perfect. But you know what, I have easily acted ignorantly while in BELIEF. I think I am safe to say that I have Paul beat when it comes to sin, hands down. And I think I am very much more safe in resting in the truth that Christ came to save sinners. The gospel always carries that blessed hope.
It is really hard, especially lately, to see how Jesus has the patience for me. I can honestly say that I have wondered aloud if He is simply weeding me out, perhaps rendering me unusable for Him. I know that His glory does not depend on what I do (God is glorious all by Himself, he does not need my help), and I shudder at the thought of how I have not been reflecting His glory. My wife has not seen Christ in me. My friends have not seen Him in me, and I really hope and pray that God will bring me back out the other side of this time a better servant for Him, if He will even still consider me for that service.
Fight the good fight.
Pray.
Work to keep a good conscience.
Hymenaeus and Alexander shipwrecked their faith. In those days, ships that wrecked simply sank. Better for them to be at the bottom of the see than on display, useless, I suppose.
Good teachers expose what needs to be learned, and God is the perfect and master teacher. He knows what needs to be fixed, and he has shown me. Goodness, he’s shown everyone around me what needs to be fixed. And I can only hope and pray that He wants me vulnerable to show me how much I truly need Him, and then I pray that I am receptive to that teaching. I’ll strive to live like He is teaching me, for those reading along, please hold me to that.
Paul’s letters to Timothy are likely the last writing he did, and he took time to instruct a young pastor in the important areas of ministry, how to deal with people. All the while, Timothy was to keep the good faith, and he was going to continue leading a church in Ephesus, and that took skill that perhaps could only come from experience. So Paul’s point was to stand true in the faith, because that may be the only thing that keeps you going in the middle of the fight. And there will be a fight, or else Paul would not have mentioned to “fight the good fight”.
Paul’s goal is stated early, “love from a pure heart, keep a good conscience, and keep the sincere faith. And while the Law was instructive, and there is a need to keep learning while doing, our sin will keep us on our toes regarding how we get God’s work done.
The apostle explains briefly how he acted ignorantly in unbelief. He’s not making excuses, because he’ll explain later that he is not perfect. But you know what, I have easily acted ignorantly while in BELIEF. I think I am safe to say that I have Paul beat when it comes to sin, hands down. And I think I am very much more safe in resting in the truth that Christ came to save sinners. The gospel always carries that blessed hope.
It is really hard, especially lately, to see how Jesus has the patience for me. I can honestly say that I have wondered aloud if He is simply weeding me out, perhaps rendering me unusable for Him. I know that His glory does not depend on what I do (God is glorious all by Himself, he does not need my help), and I shudder at the thought of how I have not been reflecting His glory. My wife has not seen Christ in me. My friends have not seen Him in me, and I really hope and pray that God will bring me back out the other side of this time a better servant for Him, if He will even still consider me for that service.
Fight the good fight.
Pray.
Work to keep a good conscience.
Hymenaeus and Alexander shipwrecked their faith. In those days, ships that wrecked simply sank. Better for them to be at the bottom of the see than on display, useless, I suppose.
Good teachers expose what needs to be learned, and God is the perfect and master teacher. He knows what needs to be fixed, and he has shown me. Goodness, he’s shown everyone around me what needs to be fixed. And I can only hope and pray that He wants me vulnerable to show me how much I truly need Him, and then I pray that I am receptive to that teaching. I’ll strive to live like He is teaching me, for those reading along, please hold me to that.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Know that I am God
PSALM 46
Fill in the blank for verse 10: “____ __________ and know that I am God”. Such a simple verse, and it is so easy to forget that it comes as part of an entire psalm, not ever intended to simply stand on its own.
Now is a troubling time in society for lots of reasons. I guess in many ways it’s always been that way, or maybe it’s always been seen that way for God’s people. It has also been a troubling time for me personally, and not because of the world around me, and not because of what others may do that could affect me, but because of this: I have found myself working against the Lord and His direction.
That’s kind of like me trying to move an old oak tree by pushing it with my hands, or expecting a mountain to relocate if I lean on it hard enough. I know it won’t happen, and if my family would watch out the back window and see me trying to move by hand even our measly 11-year-old maple tree, they would think I was crazy. I could grunt and groan and pull and push and become exhausted, and obviously nothing will be accomplished. Then if I were to do that day after day after day, well, they would probably need to find me some help, and I don’t mean help to move the tree!
When one is in the midst of troubling times, what is he to do? OK, we’re talking about a psalm, and the bible, and God, and so the obvious answer is “turn to Him.” It has become so automatic a response that it can lose its urgency, its clear call to help one find his way out of despair and terrific danger. But we tend to not live life with that urgency, we have it pretty good, and so troubles and trials can go unchecked or pushed aside, because honestly, life IS good here where we live. This verse above has been on my mind for a while now, I sat to read its context to get a better understanding.
I regularly read the NASB, and recently I acquired an old (pre-1995 update) copy very cheap. Many consider the NASB to be “wooden”, I still haven’t figured out why, but hey, the ark was made of wood, so I figured they were saying good things about my bible. It is a very literal-reading text, and so I like that its translators tried diligently to present the actual, closest English words that would make sense to us, when they translated the texts. Yet I also love to compare texts, what does the ESV, or KJV, or NIV say? And why all this? Well, when I plopped open my bible last night to look for this one verse, I found the whole psalm and began to read.
I know God is my refuge and strength, but I can forget that he is a very PRESENT help in times of trouble. God does not move. He’s there. Look at all the natural and man-made disasters that could occur in the psalm (earthquakes, wars), God is in the middle of it ALL, He will not move. People on the earth made all kinds of chaos, and the psalmist says God simply raised His voice, and the earth melted. Such will be the case someday.
But what am I to do with God, this God who protects and cares and does not move? Well I could try to push Him, and get Him to do what I want to do, or I can turn to Him for support and protection, both in the big and small things in life.
OK, did you fill in the blanks above? All those other versions I mentioned say “Be still… The NASB says “Cease striving and know that I am God”. Cease striving, literally “let go and relax”. How can I be “still”? It was good to say it, but how do I do it? When I read “cease striving”, I knew. I have been pushing so hard on the Lord, working so hard against His will, and eventually that can only lead to exhaustion, because He does not move. He’ll move me, if I let Him, but He is the stable one, the solid one, He is that very present help in times of trouble. He’s that very present help when life is good, too. I very much needed (and still need) to relax and let Him work in me.
In the second part of verse 10, God says “I will be exalted”. Life, now and later, eternally, is about Him. Join me in praying that we will let Him move us, that we will stop trying to move Him. Both options are hard, but only one will actually work and result in joy. God is with us. Amen? Amen.
Fill in the blank for verse 10: “____ __________ and know that I am God”. Such a simple verse, and it is so easy to forget that it comes as part of an entire psalm, not ever intended to simply stand on its own.
Now is a troubling time in society for lots of reasons. I guess in many ways it’s always been that way, or maybe it’s always been seen that way for God’s people. It has also been a troubling time for me personally, and not because of the world around me, and not because of what others may do that could affect me, but because of this: I have found myself working against the Lord and His direction.
That’s kind of like me trying to move an old oak tree by pushing it with my hands, or expecting a mountain to relocate if I lean on it hard enough. I know it won’t happen, and if my family would watch out the back window and see me trying to move by hand even our measly 11-year-old maple tree, they would think I was crazy. I could grunt and groan and pull and push and become exhausted, and obviously nothing will be accomplished. Then if I were to do that day after day after day, well, they would probably need to find me some help, and I don’t mean help to move the tree!
When one is in the midst of troubling times, what is he to do? OK, we’re talking about a psalm, and the bible, and God, and so the obvious answer is “turn to Him.” It has become so automatic a response that it can lose its urgency, its clear call to help one find his way out of despair and terrific danger. But we tend to not live life with that urgency, we have it pretty good, and so troubles and trials can go unchecked or pushed aside, because honestly, life IS good here where we live. This verse above has been on my mind for a while now, I sat to read its context to get a better understanding.
I regularly read the NASB, and recently I acquired an old (pre-1995 update) copy very cheap. Many consider the NASB to be “wooden”, I still haven’t figured out why, but hey, the ark was made of wood, so I figured they were saying good things about my bible. It is a very literal-reading text, and so I like that its translators tried diligently to present the actual, closest English words that would make sense to us, when they translated the texts. Yet I also love to compare texts, what does the ESV, or KJV, or NIV say? And why all this? Well, when I plopped open my bible last night to look for this one verse, I found the whole psalm and began to read.
I know God is my refuge and strength, but I can forget that he is a very PRESENT help in times of trouble. God does not move. He’s there. Look at all the natural and man-made disasters that could occur in the psalm (earthquakes, wars), God is in the middle of it ALL, He will not move. People on the earth made all kinds of chaos, and the psalmist says God simply raised His voice, and the earth melted. Such will be the case someday.
But what am I to do with God, this God who protects and cares and does not move? Well I could try to push Him, and get Him to do what I want to do, or I can turn to Him for support and protection, both in the big and small things in life.
OK, did you fill in the blanks above? All those other versions I mentioned say “Be still… The NASB says “Cease striving and know that I am God”. Cease striving, literally “let go and relax”. How can I be “still”? It was good to say it, but how do I do it? When I read “cease striving”, I knew. I have been pushing so hard on the Lord, working so hard against His will, and eventually that can only lead to exhaustion, because He does not move. He’ll move me, if I let Him, but He is the stable one, the solid one, He is that very present help in times of trouble. He’s that very present help when life is good, too. I very much needed (and still need) to relax and let Him work in me.
In the second part of verse 10, God says “I will be exalted”. Life, now and later, eternally, is about Him. Join me in praying that we will let Him move us, that we will stop trying to move Him. Both options are hard, but only one will actually work and result in joy. God is with us. Amen? Amen.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Selfless vs Fondness
JOHN 21
Jesus, now resurrected, visits the disciples again in person, and they are doing what they know best, fishing. Luke, in his account we call Acts, tells us that the disciples were to stay in Jerusalem until Jesus sent the helper He promised. Some see a contradiction in Scripture, because they were told that, yet they were now in Galilee fishing. In Matthew 28, they are told that Jesus will appear to them in Galilee, and later in the same chapter they are told of their mission to spread the Gospel, with Him teaching them while in Galilee. Later, as Luke explains, just before Jesus ascension, He tells them to stay in Jerusalem, which they then do. OK, not really the main point here, but little tidbits like that kind of keep me going.
What I personally love about this last chapter in John is Jesus’ three-fold restoration of Peter. And forgive me for digging into the text a bit deeper, I trust it will not be too boring. It is easy to look over the passage and see the word “love”. Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, Peter says yes, I love you, and so on. We know how this goes. Taking a closer look, we can see that Jesus is making a specific point to Peter, and it carries on beyond their main discussion.
In verse 15, Jesus uses the word “agapas”, a form of the word agape meaning to selflessly give which would read, “Peter, are you giving all of yourself to Me?” In short, this word is literally “you are loving”; it is a continual action, and is uses the selfless giving word in the Greek.
Peter answers with the word “philo”, a form of the word phileo, which implies a brotherly love (Phila-delphia, city of brotherly love?), and put simply, Peter’s reply would be “Yes, Lord, I am being fond of you”. Also a continual action, yet showing the affectionate side of love.
Verse 16 repeats the same, and then in verse 17, when Jesus asks Peter a third time, Jesus uses the “philo” word, and Peter responds with the same. What follows then is very telling. Jesus basically lays out for Peter that he will die a martyr’s death, carried away and arms stretched out, a picture of execution, likely by crucifixion, and He makes the point that he wants and needs Peter to give all of himself for the cause of Christ, even to the point of death. It is good that Peter is fond of Jesus, and Jesus stresses the requirement to selflessly give, above all the emotional aspect of loving Him.
Finally, Peter questions why John might get to live a long life while he does not. Always impetuous, this Peter. Jesus is rather blunt, “what is that to you?” He asks. If I am Peter, I hope I am saying, ‘OK, good point, I’m fine now”. I call this “looking up, not around.”
We all, like Peter, like John, have work to do for Christ. And we can sit around and be so very fond of Jesus, we can love Him like Peter said he did, after fishing. After all, Peter was thrilled to see his friend. Or we can take the next step and give it all, as Peter then went on to do. I’m not looking for any of us to be martyred, and yet Jesus demands so much more than simply our affection. We need to never stop being thankful that He would save us, and then we need to put that emotion into real action. How does that look for me, or for you? It’s a great question to wrestle with.
John was there, he saw the life of Jesus unfold, and he wrote it down. I trust what he says he witnessed. John wants us to see how glorious Christ is, and then trust and worship Him, and Him alone.
Jesus, now resurrected, visits the disciples again in person, and they are doing what they know best, fishing. Luke, in his account we call Acts, tells us that the disciples were to stay in Jerusalem until Jesus sent the helper He promised. Some see a contradiction in Scripture, because they were told that, yet they were now in Galilee fishing. In Matthew 28, they are told that Jesus will appear to them in Galilee, and later in the same chapter they are told of their mission to spread the Gospel, with Him teaching them while in Galilee. Later, as Luke explains, just before Jesus ascension, He tells them to stay in Jerusalem, which they then do. OK, not really the main point here, but little tidbits like that kind of keep me going.
What I personally love about this last chapter in John is Jesus’ three-fold restoration of Peter. And forgive me for digging into the text a bit deeper, I trust it will not be too boring. It is easy to look over the passage and see the word “love”. Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, Peter says yes, I love you, and so on. We know how this goes. Taking a closer look, we can see that Jesus is making a specific point to Peter, and it carries on beyond their main discussion.
In verse 15, Jesus uses the word “agapas”, a form of the word agape meaning to selflessly give which would read, “Peter, are you giving all of yourself to Me?” In short, this word is literally “you are loving”; it is a continual action, and is uses the selfless giving word in the Greek.
Peter answers with the word “philo”, a form of the word phileo, which implies a brotherly love (Phila-delphia, city of brotherly love?), and put simply, Peter’s reply would be “Yes, Lord, I am being fond of you”. Also a continual action, yet showing the affectionate side of love.
Verse 16 repeats the same, and then in verse 17, when Jesus asks Peter a third time, Jesus uses the “philo” word, and Peter responds with the same. What follows then is very telling. Jesus basically lays out for Peter that he will die a martyr’s death, carried away and arms stretched out, a picture of execution, likely by crucifixion, and He makes the point that he wants and needs Peter to give all of himself for the cause of Christ, even to the point of death. It is good that Peter is fond of Jesus, and Jesus stresses the requirement to selflessly give, above all the emotional aspect of loving Him.
Finally, Peter questions why John might get to live a long life while he does not. Always impetuous, this Peter. Jesus is rather blunt, “what is that to you?” He asks. If I am Peter, I hope I am saying, ‘OK, good point, I’m fine now”. I call this “looking up, not around.”
We all, like Peter, like John, have work to do for Christ. And we can sit around and be so very fond of Jesus, we can love Him like Peter said he did, after fishing. After all, Peter was thrilled to see his friend. Or we can take the next step and give it all, as Peter then went on to do. I’m not looking for any of us to be martyred, and yet Jesus demands so much more than simply our affection. We need to never stop being thankful that He would save us, and then we need to put that emotion into real action. How does that look for me, or for you? It’s a great question to wrestle with.
John was there, he saw the life of Jesus unfold, and he wrote it down. I trust what he says he witnessed. John wants us to see how glorious Christ is, and then trust and worship Him, and Him alone.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
He's Alive!
JOHN 20
If the crucifixion is vital to recall and remember, then so much more is the resurrection for us to do the same, proclaim His triumph as we await His return, when He will meet His church in the air. Just how does the resurrection heal the soul? Allow me to explore, using two people in this chapter as examples.
Having already contrasted Peter and Judas, now take a look at Peter and Thomas. Peter might be easy to defend, Thomas, perhaps not, but I’m going to try hard to do so.
Peter is so very famous for the denial, and yet he does not slink off somewhere in despair. He knows he needs to be with these people who have followed the Lord this far. But what is he thinking? Really, what was he even doing when he heard the news from Mary early that Sunday morning? We can see he did not hesitate to go explore the announcement. I can imagine he so desperately wanted to believe her. And knowing Peter as we do, he was probably aggravated that John outran him!
John looks in, and Peter? Well he just barges right past John and goes down into the tomb to see as up close and personally as he can. He sees the linen cloths there, separate from the face cloth. Much in the area of apologetics has been written about this aspect of the resurrection, and I encourage those interested to read up on the subject. This passage is unclear, however, as to whether or not Peter really believed at this point. John, did, we are told. Peter turned to go back to his home. Perhaps Peter could not yet shake the shame of what he had done just a couple days prior.
Another account of this in Mark 16, has the angel specifically tell the women to go find Peter, mentioning him by name. It was important for the Lord to make sure Peter knew He was alive. Regardless, Peter is in the room when Jesus appears to them, leaving no doubt he is alive.
Then there is Thomas, and I’m sorry, but I really do not buy the idea that Thomas is harshly rebuked for his “doubting”. In verses 19-24, all the other disciples got to see Jesus in person, resurrected, and are shown His hands and side. So they did get to see and believe. Thomas, as the text says, was not there. I’m not excusing him, by any means, and he was clearly at a disadvantage compared to the others when they told him what they had seen. Sure, he should have believed him. Jesus makes it clear to Thomas, though, when he appears the next time.
Thomas’ response to Christ is my favorite exclamation in Scripture, “My Lord and My God!” Exactly how the believer must respond to Christ! He is God, and He is the Lord.
SO WHAT…?
So, we have not seen the crucified or risen Christ. So we are those “blessed” referred to who have not seen and yet believe. It can be hard to really grasp the reality of these events as they happened. Yet, once we recognize our sinful state, and turn away from it, accept Christ and His payment on our behalf, our desire should be to live for Him through the work of the Spirit. “Blessed” indeed, for there is no better life.
As an aside, Allen Asbury has performed a remarkable piece of music called “He’s Alive”, written by Don Francisco, which parallels Peter’s life with the Christ. It stirs the emotions and does a great job at putting you into the mind of Peter, as much as possible, I suppose. A video is on his website, at http://www.allenasbury.com/fr_intro.cfm.
If the crucifixion is vital to recall and remember, then so much more is the resurrection for us to do the same, proclaim His triumph as we await His return, when He will meet His church in the air. Just how does the resurrection heal the soul? Allow me to explore, using two people in this chapter as examples.
Having already contrasted Peter and Judas, now take a look at Peter and Thomas. Peter might be easy to defend, Thomas, perhaps not, but I’m going to try hard to do so.
Peter is so very famous for the denial, and yet he does not slink off somewhere in despair. He knows he needs to be with these people who have followed the Lord this far. But what is he thinking? Really, what was he even doing when he heard the news from Mary early that Sunday morning? We can see he did not hesitate to go explore the announcement. I can imagine he so desperately wanted to believe her. And knowing Peter as we do, he was probably aggravated that John outran him!
John looks in, and Peter? Well he just barges right past John and goes down into the tomb to see as up close and personally as he can. He sees the linen cloths there, separate from the face cloth. Much in the area of apologetics has been written about this aspect of the resurrection, and I encourage those interested to read up on the subject. This passage is unclear, however, as to whether or not Peter really believed at this point. John, did, we are told. Peter turned to go back to his home. Perhaps Peter could not yet shake the shame of what he had done just a couple days prior.
Another account of this in Mark 16, has the angel specifically tell the women to go find Peter, mentioning him by name. It was important for the Lord to make sure Peter knew He was alive. Regardless, Peter is in the room when Jesus appears to them, leaving no doubt he is alive.
Then there is Thomas, and I’m sorry, but I really do not buy the idea that Thomas is harshly rebuked for his “doubting”. In verses 19-24, all the other disciples got to see Jesus in person, resurrected, and are shown His hands and side. So they did get to see and believe. Thomas, as the text says, was not there. I’m not excusing him, by any means, and he was clearly at a disadvantage compared to the others when they told him what they had seen. Sure, he should have believed him. Jesus makes it clear to Thomas, though, when he appears the next time.
Thomas’ response to Christ is my favorite exclamation in Scripture, “My Lord and My God!” Exactly how the believer must respond to Christ! He is God, and He is the Lord.
SO WHAT…?
So, we have not seen the crucified or risen Christ. So we are those “blessed” referred to who have not seen and yet believe. It can be hard to really grasp the reality of these events as they happened. Yet, once we recognize our sinful state, and turn away from it, accept Christ and His payment on our behalf, our desire should be to live for Him through the work of the Spirit. “Blessed” indeed, for there is no better life.
As an aside, Allen Asbury has performed a remarkable piece of music called “He’s Alive”, written by Don Francisco, which parallels Peter’s life with the Christ. It stirs the emotions and does a great job at putting you into the mind of Peter, as much as possible, I suppose. A video is on his website, at http://www.allenasbury.com/fr_intro.cfm.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
JOHN 19
Yes, it has been a while since I posted a new blog entry. To be honest, I have been reading and studying lots lately, and have just not taken the time to put thoughts to paper for this forum.
When we last left off in John, we were coming to chapter 19. Judas had betrayed Jesus, Peter had denied Him, and knowing what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was alone; His followers had deserted Him. All, but John, that is. He apparently had some connections to get into the inner courts where the trials would take place.
I really can’t focus on much else in chapter 19 than the crucifixion. To try to find some deep meaning in some of the goings on would do a disservice to the narrative, at least from my perspective. I try to read these passages, imagining what it was like to have been there to see this unfold. Let’s forget for a moment that the resurrection is just as real, and focus on what Jesus was willing to do for the Father, and for all of mankind.
Multiple Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled through these events. And for anyone to think that Jesus was doing what He did in order to be self-serving or to self-fulfill prophecies, I can only reply that the hatred toward God must be immense in order to really and truly believe that.
But we are so far removed from the crucifixion. It really is hard to grasp. Such an agonizing death, and we say that, and yet do we really get it? I can only speak for myself, and say that no, I can’t get it. I accept it, and I accept what Jesus has done for me, and I really cannot fully get my head around the physical agony that He endured, the spiritual anguish He suffered when the Father turned His face away.
There is so much activity going on around the cross: soldiers gambling for His garments; a few followers of Jesus, including His earthly mother, are standing by; people fetching drinks; soldiers tending to the day’s events, with likely a steady stream of people coming and going. Business as usual also went on in the city. A crucifixion was not a daily spectacle, but yet it would not have grasped the attention of the entire city. Many would have felt this was just Rome being Rome, and an “I’m glad it’s not me” mentality would have prevailed in many.
Joseph of Arimathea gets it, even if he does so privately. His providing a tomb is foretold in the servant song in Isaiah 53. I wonder if he knew that. He may have certainly looked back on the day and realized how God had used him for that burial purpose.
SO WHAT…
So this would be an easy place for a big evangelizing point to be made. But my challenge is to myself and other Christians. How often do we make the crucifixion just a side event in our minds? Sure, today I have work to do, both on a job and at home. But does the crucifixion still hit me as something awesome Christ was willing to do for me, for everyone? Business as usual will go on, and it is very easy to let all the other events of life overshadow who Christ is and what He has done for us. I pray today that we “get it” a little deeper, and take time daily to thank God for that unspeakable, indescribable gift.
Yes, it has been a while since I posted a new blog entry. To be honest, I have been reading and studying lots lately, and have just not taken the time to put thoughts to paper for this forum.
When we last left off in John, we were coming to chapter 19. Judas had betrayed Jesus, Peter had denied Him, and knowing what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was alone; His followers had deserted Him. All, but John, that is. He apparently had some connections to get into the inner courts where the trials would take place.
I really can’t focus on much else in chapter 19 than the crucifixion. To try to find some deep meaning in some of the goings on would do a disservice to the narrative, at least from my perspective. I try to read these passages, imagining what it was like to have been there to see this unfold. Let’s forget for a moment that the resurrection is just as real, and focus on what Jesus was willing to do for the Father, and for all of mankind.
Multiple Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled through these events. And for anyone to think that Jesus was doing what He did in order to be self-serving or to self-fulfill prophecies, I can only reply that the hatred toward God must be immense in order to really and truly believe that.
But we are so far removed from the crucifixion. It really is hard to grasp. Such an agonizing death, and we say that, and yet do we really get it? I can only speak for myself, and say that no, I can’t get it. I accept it, and I accept what Jesus has done for me, and I really cannot fully get my head around the physical agony that He endured, the spiritual anguish He suffered when the Father turned His face away.
There is so much activity going on around the cross: soldiers gambling for His garments; a few followers of Jesus, including His earthly mother, are standing by; people fetching drinks; soldiers tending to the day’s events, with likely a steady stream of people coming and going. Business as usual also went on in the city. A crucifixion was not a daily spectacle, but yet it would not have grasped the attention of the entire city. Many would have felt this was just Rome being Rome, and an “I’m glad it’s not me” mentality would have prevailed in many.
Joseph of Arimathea gets it, even if he does so privately. His providing a tomb is foretold in the servant song in Isaiah 53. I wonder if he knew that. He may have certainly looked back on the day and realized how God had used him for that burial purpose.
SO WHAT…
So this would be an easy place for a big evangelizing point to be made. But my challenge is to myself and other Christians. How often do we make the crucifixion just a side event in our minds? Sure, today I have work to do, both on a job and at home. But does the crucifixion still hit me as something awesome Christ was willing to do for me, for everyone? Business as usual will go on, and it is very easy to let all the other events of life overshadow who Christ is and what He has done for us. I pray today that we “get it” a little deeper, and take time daily to thank God for that unspeakable, indescribable gift.
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