To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. -Jesus in Revelation 2:1-7
This letter prophetically describes the church from its start (AD33) to around the end of the century (AD100), also known as the Apostolic Age. There are a number of indications of this, especially when we look at the other letters and the rest of church history. One very clear indication is the fact that Jesus tells John that the lampstands (churches) and stars (angels) are "what is now and what will take place later." Just in this letter there is mention of those who claim to be apostles but in fact are false, which we know is something that went on while the apostles were leading the church (2Corinthians 11:13). And we can tell by the epistles that these false apostles were not tolerated. We also know that Christians in the Apostolic Age worked hard, persevered and endured hardship; the book of Acts is an indication of that. The conditions of Judea, Asia Minor and everywhere else Christianity had gone at that time, are also an indication that they persevered and endured hardship. Furthermore, we have reason to think there was a height to fall from. Its important to note that the church during the Apostolic Age is not just the apostles, but all Christians in that church. When the apostles were going out and making disciples, its not hard to think that it was a high time for the church. This is the "first love" that Jesus talks about. But as time progresses it can be hard to keep the fire and excitement alive. Just imagine those who witnessed all the miracles performed by Peter or Paul. After having seen those things, their hearts had to be on fire for the Lord. But decades later, its hard to have that same fire and love.
Consider for yourself what "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" means. It will become clearer when we take a look at the other churches, and how they are perfect descriptions of other church ages.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Deathbed Idea
That's just a name I came up for it; I know its not creative. This is the idea that a person can genuinely accept Christ on his deathbed and be saved from hell. It generally goes along with a defense of "faith only" teaching. If a person can genuinely accept Christ on his deathbed, then we would have to concede that good works are not necessary to enter heaven. There is a parable Jesus told that gives us understanding on this issue:
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last. -Jesus in Matthew 20:1-16
So we might ask ourselves the question: Does a person have to be a Christian (servant of God) for a certain time to enter heaven? The parable clearly indicates that the answer is no. It did not matter whether the workers were hired in the morning or late in the evening. And it did not matter whether they worked for 10 hours or 1 hour. The fact of the matter is that God can give eternal life to whomever He wishes. It is His to give. God can be gracious to anyone. We should not keep a scorecard. We shouldn't try to judge for ourselves what God will or won't give to this person or that. Instead we should accept what God chooses to do, because God can do whatever He wants. And we should be grateful simply that He has accepted us. That's what this parable teaches us - God can be gracious to whomever He wishes, and we are not in a position to second guess that.
But suppose there was a man in the marketplace that knew the landowner would pay the latecomer the same amount. Suppose he intentionally waited till the eleventh hour so he wouldn't have to work much. What do you think would happen to that man? If we already know of God and God's kingdom, and specifically God's grace, and we intentionally wait till our deathbed (so to speak) to repent and start serving God, then it won't be good. That's an attempt to cheat God. When the call to work for God comes to us we must respond. This parable is not meant to give people a reason for tardiness. This parable is not meant to say that salvation can wait till the deathbed. Anyone who puts off serving God till their deathbed, or just putting it off at all, faces the risk of missing it entirely. The point of the parable is to teach us not to have expectations of what we think God should do. It teaches us that God can do what He pleases, and we should not complain about it, especially when we receive the pay God promised. But it doesn't teach us that God can be cheated. The only reason the workers hired in the eleventh hour were paid the same is because no one had approached them earlier in the day. As the parable applies to reality, they would be the people who hear the word of God late in life. They're not the people who hear the word of God and intentionally decide to wait till late in life to repent and obey. And in no way does the parable make the point that good works are not required. Afterall, its a parable of workers working for pay. Could the workers put down their shovels if they knew the landlord would be gracious? No, of course not; it would invite the landlord's anger.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last. -Jesus in Matthew 20:1-16
So we might ask ourselves the question: Does a person have to be a Christian (servant of God) for a certain time to enter heaven? The parable clearly indicates that the answer is no. It did not matter whether the workers were hired in the morning or late in the evening. And it did not matter whether they worked for 10 hours or 1 hour. The fact of the matter is that God can give eternal life to whomever He wishes. It is His to give. God can be gracious to anyone. We should not keep a scorecard. We shouldn't try to judge for ourselves what God will or won't give to this person or that. Instead we should accept what God chooses to do, because God can do whatever He wants. And we should be grateful simply that He has accepted us. That's what this parable teaches us - God can be gracious to whomever He wishes, and we are not in a position to second guess that.
But suppose there was a man in the marketplace that knew the landowner would pay the latecomer the same amount. Suppose he intentionally waited till the eleventh hour so he wouldn't have to work much. What do you think would happen to that man? If we already know of God and God's kingdom, and specifically God's grace, and we intentionally wait till our deathbed (so to speak) to repent and start serving God, then it won't be good. That's an attempt to cheat God. When the call to work for God comes to us we must respond. This parable is not meant to give people a reason for tardiness. This parable is not meant to say that salvation can wait till the deathbed. Anyone who puts off serving God till their deathbed, or just putting it off at all, faces the risk of missing it entirely. The point of the parable is to teach us not to have expectations of what we think God should do. It teaches us that God can do what He pleases, and we should not complain about it, especially when we receive the pay God promised. But it doesn't teach us that God can be cheated. The only reason the workers hired in the eleventh hour were paid the same is because no one had approached them earlier in the day. As the parable applies to reality, they would be the people who hear the word of God late in life. They're not the people who hear the word of God and intentionally decide to wait till late in life to repent and obey. And in no way does the parable make the point that good works are not required. Afterall, its a parable of workers working for pay. Could the workers put down their shovels if they knew the landlord would be gracious? No, of course not; it would invite the landlord's anger.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Is It Hard To Serve God?
One thing we can't deny is that serving God is necessary. A false teaching, and fanciful idea, entered the Christian church some centuries ago when Luther began teaching "sola fide" (by faith alone), meaning a person is saved by faith alone. The problem is two things: 1) The only place the phrase "faith alone" appears in the Bible is in James 2:24 ("not by faith alone"), and 2) People misunderstand Paul's teachings. When Paul wrote in his letters "by grace you have been saved, through faith... not by works" he was referring to regeneration. This should be so obvious when we think of it. He is writing to people alive on this earth and he says "you have been saved". Clearly he's not talking about them being in heaven (what people often assume when talking about salvation); he's talking about regeneration, being born of the Spirit and entering God's kingdom on earth. Apply his words to entering heaven and you have a contradiction with verses like Romans 2:6-8 or Revelation 22:12. So one thing is certain: We must serve God if we want to enter heaven and avoid hell.
This shouldn't be too hard. There really shouldn't be any resistance to the idea of serving God. Jesus says its easy.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30
That may sound odd, if you know much of the rest of the gospels. When we first read Jesus' teachings/commands we feel overwhelmed. Its radical stuff, and maybe not so easy, but if we seriously think about it, take a closer look and give it a try, I think we'll find that serving God actually is easy.
Abandoning the old
The thing that gets in the way, that makes it hard for us to serve God, is all of our worldly desires, responsibilities, worries, relationships and the like. We're set up with a decision: Do I live for myself, or do I live for God? Our nature pushes us to want to live for ourselves - to make our own lives as pleasing to our own selves as possible. That could be money or relationships or status or a bunch of drunk partying. All of these things have to be abandoned to serve God. And there's good reason to. I've told people before that you can be selfish and still be a Christian. What I mean is this: Giving up the small temporary rewards of living a worldly life for the eternal rewards of serving God is doing yourself a favor. If you really want to do the best thing for yourself, then you will serve God, because God can reward you extremely much better than the world can. So while it may go against our natural instinct, it actually is a smart (and maybe selfish) decision to serve God. Its a decision a man can make, and even though he's abandoning all worldly pursuits, he'll feel as though he's really losing nothing. That's where a person needs to start. Its impossible to serve God without first abandoning the pursuit of anything worldly. Once a person abandons the old, he'll find that serving God is actually quite easy.
Relying on His power
The single biggest reason that serving God is easy is that God gives us the power to do it. He will answer all who call on Him (Matthew 7:7). He gives us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us (John 14:16-17). Think of it like this: If you were assigned the task of digging a six foot deep hole, four foot wide and eight foot long, and you were given a shovel, it would be hard wouldn't it? Now think of digging the same hole with an excavator. A few scoops and you're done - very easy. If you're well equipped to handle the task, the task will be easy. The Holy Spirit gives us what we need. Now let me give just one example of something God has given us, which makes serving Him much easier: The internet. So much of what we're commanded to do, like make disciples, edify one another and the like, is simply a matter of communication. The internet, specifically social networking sites, makes it so easy to communicate the gospel to nonbelievers and edification to believers. If you don't know what to do, do this simple thing: Post Bible verses as your Facebook or Twitter updates. Now isn't that incredibly easy? What could stop you from doing it? Oh yeah, worries of the world, like what people might think of you.
There's one last thing I want to point out, and that's the fact that serving God will not be the same for all people. Men and women are commanded to serve in different ways. Those who are given special gifts/talents are to use them. Some are called to lead and others to follow. Every person is unique, and the way each person serves God is not going to be exactly the same as the next. But the one thing that will always be the same is radical devotion. Serving God begins with a desire and commitment to make Him the number one of your life.
This shouldn't be too hard. There really shouldn't be any resistance to the idea of serving God. Jesus says its easy.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30
That may sound odd, if you know much of the rest of the gospels. When we first read Jesus' teachings/commands we feel overwhelmed. Its radical stuff, and maybe not so easy, but if we seriously think about it, take a closer look and give it a try, I think we'll find that serving God actually is easy.
Abandoning the old
The thing that gets in the way, that makes it hard for us to serve God, is all of our worldly desires, responsibilities, worries, relationships and the like. We're set up with a decision: Do I live for myself, or do I live for God? Our nature pushes us to want to live for ourselves - to make our own lives as pleasing to our own selves as possible. That could be money or relationships or status or a bunch of drunk partying. All of these things have to be abandoned to serve God. And there's good reason to. I've told people before that you can be selfish and still be a Christian. What I mean is this: Giving up the small temporary rewards of living a worldly life for the eternal rewards of serving God is doing yourself a favor. If you really want to do the best thing for yourself, then you will serve God, because God can reward you extremely much better than the world can. So while it may go against our natural instinct, it actually is a smart (and maybe selfish) decision to serve God. Its a decision a man can make, and even though he's abandoning all worldly pursuits, he'll feel as though he's really losing nothing. That's where a person needs to start. Its impossible to serve God without first abandoning the pursuit of anything worldly. Once a person abandons the old, he'll find that serving God is actually quite easy.
Relying on His power
The single biggest reason that serving God is easy is that God gives us the power to do it. He will answer all who call on Him (Matthew 7:7). He gives us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us (John 14:16-17). Think of it like this: If you were assigned the task of digging a six foot deep hole, four foot wide and eight foot long, and you were given a shovel, it would be hard wouldn't it? Now think of digging the same hole with an excavator. A few scoops and you're done - very easy. If you're well equipped to handle the task, the task will be easy. The Holy Spirit gives us what we need. Now let me give just one example of something God has given us, which makes serving Him much easier: The internet. So much of what we're commanded to do, like make disciples, edify one another and the like, is simply a matter of communication. The internet, specifically social networking sites, makes it so easy to communicate the gospel to nonbelievers and edification to believers. If you don't know what to do, do this simple thing: Post Bible verses as your Facebook or Twitter updates. Now isn't that incredibly easy? What could stop you from doing it? Oh yeah, worries of the world, like what people might think of you.
There's one last thing I want to point out, and that's the fact that serving God will not be the same for all people. Men and women are commanded to serve in different ways. Those who are given special gifts/talents are to use them. Some are called to lead and others to follow. Every person is unique, and the way each person serves God is not going to be exactly the same as the next. But the one thing that will always be the same is radical devotion. Serving God begins with a desire and commitment to make Him the number one of your life.
Monday, September 26, 2011
What The Bible's Paradoxes Teach Us
The Bible contains many paradoxes. If a person didn't know that, he would probably have a hard time understanding the Bible. So we should ask ourselves why there are paradoxes in the Bible. Why wouldn't God make it simple and plain?
I'll start by stating what I believe the paradoxes of the Bible teach us: They teach us not to put God in a box. When we start to think that God is always this way or that way, there's a verse that proves us wrong. But if we take an opposite view, there's still verses that proves us wrong. Let me give some examples to show what I mean.
For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11
This is supported by Acts 10:34 and John 3:16. This is what causes people to say "God loves everyone". But if people are ignorant of Scripture they might think that's true. Paul also writes in Romans:
Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Romans 9:13
Paul quoted Malachi 1:2-3. So we have Paul writing that God does not show favoritism, but then he quotes an example where God clearly showed favoritism. What is going on? Its a paradox. We should acknowledge that God does not show favoritism, but we should not think that He can't show favoritism. God can do anything He pleases. We should look at this with humility. Never should we say, and judge for ourselves, that God does not love a certain person. At the same time, never should we take God's love for granted for ourselves. The Scripture says "Esau I have hated", so do not assume that God will love you. Do not assume that God would never hate you. Always look at it with a low view of yourself and a high view of God.
Here's another one to consider: Was Jesus omnipotent when He was here on earth? We all know that God is omnipotent; He created the heavens and the earth, so that's a no-brainer. But Jesus said the Father is greater than He (John 14:28). So how could Jesus be omnipotent? But Jesus also said the Father and He are one (John 10:30). If the Father is omnipotent, and the Son and the Father are one, then Jesus would be omnipotent too. But it may be for a time, while Jesus was on earth, that He was not omnipotent. We know Jesus is eternal (John 1:1), and we can assume that He is eternally omnipotent (Matthew 28:18). But we know of at least one thing Jesus couldn't do on earth, perform miracles in His hometown (Mark 6:5), and we know that Jesus didn't know the time of His second coming when He said "nor the Son" (Matthew 24:36).
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
All things are possible with God, but can God make a boulder so big He can't lift it? Could God make an omelet so hot He can't eat it? The answer to both is yes. The paradox allows for it. The fact that God the Father has no limits, and that God the Son did have limits while He was here on earth, and the Son and the Father are one, shows us that God can make a boulder so big He can't lift it, and God can make an omelet so hot He can't eat it. Because God the Father did indeed make many boulders so big that Jesus could not have lifted them (if He wanted to). And if God had made an omelet hotter than the sun, Jesus would not have been able to eat it. In other words, God is so unlimited, God can even put limits on Himself. Since all things are possible for God, making something impossible is even possible.
I know this sounds weird, and it may be hard to comprehend. But the basic point of all these paradoxes is this: Do not put God in a box. Do not think you have God all figured out; you don't. The minute you think you can neatly describe God, He will show you that you're wrong. He shows us all that He is far too magnificent to understand or put into words.
I'll start by stating what I believe the paradoxes of the Bible teach us: They teach us not to put God in a box. When we start to think that God is always this way or that way, there's a verse that proves us wrong. But if we take an opposite view, there's still verses that proves us wrong. Let me give some examples to show what I mean.
For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11
This is supported by Acts 10:34 and John 3:16. This is what causes people to say "God loves everyone". But if people are ignorant of Scripture they might think that's true. Paul also writes in Romans:
Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Romans 9:13
Paul quoted Malachi 1:2-3. So we have Paul writing that God does not show favoritism, but then he quotes an example where God clearly showed favoritism. What is going on? Its a paradox. We should acknowledge that God does not show favoritism, but we should not think that He can't show favoritism. God can do anything He pleases. We should look at this with humility. Never should we say, and judge for ourselves, that God does not love a certain person. At the same time, never should we take God's love for granted for ourselves. The Scripture says "Esau I have hated", so do not assume that God will love you. Do not assume that God would never hate you. Always look at it with a low view of yourself and a high view of God.
Here's another one to consider: Was Jesus omnipotent when He was here on earth? We all know that God is omnipotent; He created the heavens and the earth, so that's a no-brainer. But Jesus said the Father is greater than He (John 14:28). So how could Jesus be omnipotent? But Jesus also said the Father and He are one (John 10:30). If the Father is omnipotent, and the Son and the Father are one, then Jesus would be omnipotent too. But it may be for a time, while Jesus was on earth, that He was not omnipotent. We know Jesus is eternal (John 1:1), and we can assume that He is eternally omnipotent (Matthew 28:18). But we know of at least one thing Jesus couldn't do on earth, perform miracles in His hometown (Mark 6:5), and we know that Jesus didn't know the time of His second coming when He said "nor the Son" (Matthew 24:36).
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
All things are possible with God, but can God make a boulder so big He can't lift it? Could God make an omelet so hot He can't eat it? The answer to both is yes. The paradox allows for it. The fact that God the Father has no limits, and that God the Son did have limits while He was here on earth, and the Son and the Father are one, shows us that God can make a boulder so big He can't lift it, and God can make an omelet so hot He can't eat it. Because God the Father did indeed make many boulders so big that Jesus could not have lifted them (if He wanted to). And if God had made an omelet hotter than the sun, Jesus would not have been able to eat it. In other words, God is so unlimited, God can even put limits on Himself. Since all things are possible for God, making something impossible is even possible.
I know this sounds weird, and it may be hard to comprehend. But the basic point of all these paradoxes is this: Do not put God in a box. Do not think you have God all figured out; you don't. The minute you think you can neatly describe God, He will show you that you're wrong. He shows us all that He is far too magnificent to understand or put into words.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
What Kind of Dirt Are You?
In Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:2-20 and Luke 8:4-15 Jesus tells us the parable of the sower.
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:3-9
We are told clearly what the seed is in Luke 8:11 - the word of God. There are four different types of ground the seed falls on:1) The path - This is people who do not understand the word (Matthew 13:19), and Satan comes and snatches it away. We are led to think, since the path is hardened dirt, that these people's hearts are hard. And the devil coming and taking away the word of God must involve lies of the devil. So it would be people who do not understand the word, and are led away from it by Satan's lies.
2) The rocky ground - These are people who receive the word at once with joy (Matthew 13:20). But Jesus says nothing about them understanding the word. We do know that they have no depth, no roots. So as soon as a time of testing comes along, they fall away (Luke 8:13). This should teach us that its more important to understand God's word than to receive it with joy. And this teaches us to dig in for a long war and be ready for persecution.
3) The weedy ground - These are people who hear the word, but other things compete with God's word. They are choked by life's worries, riches, pleasures and desires for other things. And they do not mature (Luke 8:14). These people do not mature in the word of God, because they allow other things like family and career and their image to distract them.
4) The good ground - These are those with a noble and good heart (Luke 8:15), they accept the word (Mark 4:20), and they understand it (Matthew 13:23). They produce a crop by persevering (Luke 8:15).
One thing you might notice with this parable, since it is recorded in all three synoptic gospels, is that some words are mentioned in one gospel that aren't in another. Putting these three gospels together gives us a better understanding of the parable. For example: Matthew tells us that the good soil understands the word, and Luke tells us the good soil perseveres. Both are characteristics of the good soil, but to get both of them you have to read both Matthew and Luke.
Another thing we should take note of is the subtle differences between the different grounds. The rocky ground receives the word quickly and with joy. We might assume that is a good thing, but knowing its the rocky ground, we know its not a good thing. And the parable says nothing about the good ground receiving the word quickly or with joy. And Jesus says in Matthew 21:44 that anyone who falls on the capstone (Jesus) will be broken to pieces. So we should not think that new believers should be full of joy; it could be the exact opposite. The joy comes with growth. And the parable says nothing about the good ground receiving the word quickly. It very well may take some people quite some time to accept the word, but during the process they are growing roots. Its better to come slowly to Christ and persevere than to come quickly to Christ but fall away later.
So what kind of dirt are you?
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:3-9
We are told clearly what the seed is in Luke 8:11 - the word of God. There are four different types of ground the seed falls on:1) The path - This is people who do not understand the word (Matthew 13:19), and Satan comes and snatches it away. We are led to think, since the path is hardened dirt, that these people's hearts are hard. And the devil coming and taking away the word of God must involve lies of the devil. So it would be people who do not understand the word, and are led away from it by Satan's lies.
2) The rocky ground - These are people who receive the word at once with joy (Matthew 13:20). But Jesus says nothing about them understanding the word. We do know that they have no depth, no roots. So as soon as a time of testing comes along, they fall away (Luke 8:13). This should teach us that its more important to understand God's word than to receive it with joy. And this teaches us to dig in for a long war and be ready for persecution.
3) The weedy ground - These are people who hear the word, but other things compete with God's word. They are choked by life's worries, riches, pleasures and desires for other things. And they do not mature (Luke 8:14). These people do not mature in the word of God, because they allow other things like family and career and their image to distract them.
4) The good ground - These are those with a noble and good heart (Luke 8:15), they accept the word (Mark 4:20), and they understand it (Matthew 13:23). They produce a crop by persevering (Luke 8:15).
One thing you might notice with this parable, since it is recorded in all three synoptic gospels, is that some words are mentioned in one gospel that aren't in another. Putting these three gospels together gives us a better understanding of the parable. For example: Matthew tells us that the good soil understands the word, and Luke tells us the good soil perseveres. Both are characteristics of the good soil, but to get both of them you have to read both Matthew and Luke.
Another thing we should take note of is the subtle differences between the different grounds. The rocky ground receives the word quickly and with joy. We might assume that is a good thing, but knowing its the rocky ground, we know its not a good thing. And the parable says nothing about the good ground receiving the word quickly or with joy. And Jesus says in Matthew 21:44 that anyone who falls on the capstone (Jesus) will be broken to pieces. So we should not think that new believers should be full of joy; it could be the exact opposite. The joy comes with growth. And the parable says nothing about the good ground receiving the word quickly. It very well may take some people quite some time to accept the word, but during the process they are growing roots. Its better to come slowly to Christ and persevere than to come quickly to Christ but fall away later.
So what kind of dirt are you?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
What About The Old Testament Law?
This is an area of much debate in the church: Does the Old Testament law matter for Christians, and do we have to follow it? Some contend that the New Testament (New Covenant) made the old obsolete. Others believe the Old Testament is still in effect along with the new, and that Christians must follow the written code of the Old Testament. Still others take a position somewhere in between.
One reason some believe the Old Testament law must be followed is what Jesus said:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. -Jesus in Matthew 5:17-19
What makes this difficult to understand is what Paul wrote:
He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14
This has led some to believe that Paul came along later and modified the religion; that Paul preaches something different than Christ. But that makes even less sense for two reasons: 1) Christ commissioned Paul, and God knows everything, knowing exactly what Paul would teach in advance, and 2) some things Jesus said support Paul's teaching. Here is a good example:
Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' -Jesus in Mark 7:15
And in verse 19 of the same chapter Mark writes that Jesus declared all foods "clean". This would mean that Jesus abolished the dietary laws. And in Matthew 12:3-8 Jesus downplayed the importance of the Sabbath, and He clearly taught that in some circumstances a person can break the law and still be innocent. So what should we take from all this?
Its about the principles. Each and every law in the OT was made to teach a principle. The clean and unclean laws were made to teach the Israelites purity and holiness, and being set apart. This is also why Jews were commanded not to associate with Gentiles. Consider the principle here:
A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. Deuteronomy 22:5
With this command God teaches us that we must not blur the line between male and female. God made man and woman, and He made us different, so blurring the line between man and woman is perverting the natural order made by God. But does it mean that a man sins by dressing like a woman in a comedy play? If you hold strictly to the law, then you would have to say yes. That is why Jesus set us free from the law; free from legalism. But we must obey the principle laid out: Men must not try to look like women, and women must not try to look like men.
So you see there is a paradox at work in the Bible. Jesus clearly said that the Law and the Prophets will not pass away, but Jesus also freed us from the written code. We no longer have to keep a list of rules, but we must follow the principles expressed in those rules. We must keep ourselves clean, as the dietary laws teach, but we are free from the laws themselves. And another thing to understand: Some matters of the law are greater than others. Jesus made this clear a number of times.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. -Jesus in Matthew 23:23
One reason some believe the Old Testament law must be followed is what Jesus said:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. -Jesus in Matthew 5:17-19
He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14
This has led some to believe that Paul came along later and modified the religion; that Paul preaches something different than Christ. But that makes even less sense for two reasons: 1) Christ commissioned Paul, and God knows everything, knowing exactly what Paul would teach in advance, and 2) some things Jesus said support Paul's teaching. Here is a good example:
Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' -Jesus in Mark 7:15
And in verse 19 of the same chapter Mark writes that Jesus declared all foods "clean". This would mean that Jesus abolished the dietary laws. And in Matthew 12:3-8 Jesus downplayed the importance of the Sabbath, and He clearly taught that in some circumstances a person can break the law and still be innocent. So what should we take from all this?
Its about the principles. Each and every law in the OT was made to teach a principle. The clean and unclean laws were made to teach the Israelites purity and holiness, and being set apart. This is also why Jews were commanded not to associate with Gentiles. Consider the principle here:
A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. Deuteronomy 22:5
With this command God teaches us that we must not blur the line between male and female. God made man and woman, and He made us different, so blurring the line between man and woman is perverting the natural order made by God. But does it mean that a man sins by dressing like a woman in a comedy play? If you hold strictly to the law, then you would have to say yes. That is why Jesus set us free from the law; free from legalism. But we must obey the principle laid out: Men must not try to look like women, and women must not try to look like men.
So you see there is a paradox at work in the Bible. Jesus clearly said that the Law and the Prophets will not pass away, but Jesus also freed us from the written code. We no longer have to keep a list of rules, but we must follow the principles expressed in those rules. We must keep ourselves clean, as the dietary laws teach, but we are free from the laws themselves. And another thing to understand: Some matters of the law are greater than others. Jesus made this clear a number of times.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. -Jesus in Matthew 23:23
Saturday, September 17, 2011
What Would Jesus Do?
I know, its become a cliche. But seriously, its something to consider as we face decisions in life. I'll try to portray some possible circumstances to get your mind running, and see if we can answer that question.
Its the middle of the school year, and you've just found out that this guy, who bullied you for the last six years, broke his leg in practice. Since he can't come to school for a week, his math teacher asks if you would take all his tests and assignments home to him. But since his neighborhood is less than safe, your mother has forbidden you to go there. So what would Jesus do? Would He tell your teacher about your mother's rule, or would He take the assignments to him anyways?
I guess there's two issues here: 1) Whether your bully even deserves for you to do him a favor, and 2) If its okay to go against a parent's wishes if it means doing good for someone else. The first one can simply be answered with this:
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. -Jesus in Matthew 5:44-45
Jesus would certainly do good for someone who never did good for Him. But would He do it against His parent's wishes? In Matthew 15:4-6 Jesus reiterates the Old Testament law to honor your father and mother. In a case like this, I believe Jesus would let his teacher know of His mother's rule. If it were something more serious, then it could be justified. Jesus gave us good indication that pleasing our parents is not the highest priority. In Matthew 12:47-48 it seems that Jesus ignores His mother, and in Luke 12:52 Jesus gives us the indication that we must be willing to leave our family for the kingdom of God.
Now you've graduated from High School. Your parents want you to go to college. A profitable company has offered you a job with starting pay at $15 an hour. But in your heart you feel inclined to start a ministry. So what would Jesus do?
Its a matter of pleasing your parents, getting an education and possibly having fun at college, or making lots of money with the potential for more, or working to further the kingdom of God on earth. The Sunday School answer is obvious, but putting it into practice is difficult
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. -Jesus in Matthew 6:33
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? -Jesus in Mark 8:36
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. -Jesus in Luke 14:27
You're trying to serve the Lord, but you've noticed that many other ministers in various churches are living a double life. You've come to realize that the religious leaders, some of whom you work with, are doing a very poor job of leading, are hypocritical, or are not preaching a biblical message. So what would Jesus do? Would He gently tell them to change their ways, or would He overturn tables in righteous indignation, or would He ignore them altogether?
You can tell in the gospels that the way Jesus responds to people depends mostly on who He is responding to and what the circumstances are. Its very clear that Jesus showed some righteous indignation, and He was not always kind to certain people. Read Matthew 23 and consider the temple-cleansing episode. But sometimes He responded with gentleness and kindness, like with the adulteress woman in John 8. It would be hard to miss the fact that Jesus' righteous indignation was always directed at the religious leaders of His day. They were corrupt, and He let them know it (John 8:44). So if there are corrupt leaders in the church, and these are leading others astray, I would have to say that Jesus would display some righteous indignation. This might even mean stepping on the toes of a friend. But if any of these ministers are of God, they will take a rebuke graciously. If they respond with anger and rejection, then it shows that they are as corrupt as the Jews who would not believe Jesus, and you wouldn't want them as friends. Whether you get to that point or not will depend largely on how they respond to a polite gentle rebuke.
Its the middle of the school year, and you've just found out that this guy, who bullied you for the last six years, broke his leg in practice. Since he can't come to school for a week, his math teacher asks if you would take all his tests and assignments home to him. But since his neighborhood is less than safe, your mother has forbidden you to go there. So what would Jesus do? Would He tell your teacher about your mother's rule, or would He take the assignments to him anyways?
I guess there's two issues here: 1) Whether your bully even deserves for you to do him a favor, and 2) If its okay to go against a parent's wishes if it means doing good for someone else. The first one can simply be answered with this:
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. -Jesus in Matthew 5:44-45
Jesus would certainly do good for someone who never did good for Him. But would He do it against His parent's wishes? In Matthew 15:4-6 Jesus reiterates the Old Testament law to honor your father and mother. In a case like this, I believe Jesus would let his teacher know of His mother's rule. If it were something more serious, then it could be justified. Jesus gave us good indication that pleasing our parents is not the highest priority. In Matthew 12:47-48 it seems that Jesus ignores His mother, and in Luke 12:52 Jesus gives us the indication that we must be willing to leave our family for the kingdom of God.
Now you've graduated from High School. Your parents want you to go to college. A profitable company has offered you a job with starting pay at $15 an hour. But in your heart you feel inclined to start a ministry. So what would Jesus do?
Its a matter of pleasing your parents, getting an education and possibly having fun at college, or making lots of money with the potential for more, or working to further the kingdom of God on earth. The Sunday School answer is obvious, but putting it into practice is difficult
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. -Jesus in Matthew 6:33
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? -Jesus in Mark 8:36
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. -Jesus in Luke 14:27
You're trying to serve the Lord, but you've noticed that many other ministers in various churches are living a double life. You've come to realize that the religious leaders, some of whom you work with, are doing a very poor job of leading, are hypocritical, or are not preaching a biblical message. So what would Jesus do? Would He gently tell them to change their ways, or would He overturn tables in righteous indignation, or would He ignore them altogether?
You can tell in the gospels that the way Jesus responds to people depends mostly on who He is responding to and what the circumstances are. Its very clear that Jesus showed some righteous indignation, and He was not always kind to certain people. Read Matthew 23 and consider the temple-cleansing episode. But sometimes He responded with gentleness and kindness, like with the adulteress woman in John 8. It would be hard to miss the fact that Jesus' righteous indignation was always directed at the religious leaders of His day. They were corrupt, and He let them know it (John 8:44). So if there are corrupt leaders in the church, and these are leading others astray, I would have to say that Jesus would display some righteous indignation. This might even mean stepping on the toes of a friend. But if any of these ministers are of God, they will take a rebuke graciously. If they respond with anger and rejection, then it shows that they are as corrupt as the Jews who would not believe Jesus, and you wouldn't want them as friends. Whether you get to that point or not will depend largely on how they respond to a polite gentle rebuke.
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