Time is a fleeting thing. I knew this to be true, yet in the past few years this fact has become a greater reality to me. I have watched my children grow into adulthood before my eyes and begin their journey into the realms that God has prepared “beforehand that they should walk therein.” I have attended the 30th anniversary gathering of my high school graduation class to see my peers having aged and expanded, some more or less, than I have in the span of three decades. I have completed ten years of service as pastor here in the beautiful hamlet of Evergreen, mentally reviewing the many lives, both deceased and still living, of those who have touched mine during that time period. It is astounding how, in all of the above instances, it literally seems “just like yesterday”...and yet “my how time flies” to find us where we are today.
This same reality check avails itself to the Christmas story. We read it in the Gospels as if it were so very long ago, so very far away. Yet, the message it conveys to us should be “just like yesterday”, as close as our touch, never far from our memories because of the impact the birth of Christ has made on our lives individually and personally. We see Him in the manger and remember that the very purpose of this innocent little baby boy being born was to grow into a man to die on the cross for sinners, for “His people” (rf. Matthew 1:21), His “sheep” (rf. John 10:11). The angels attending the birth proclaimed “good news of great tidings which shall be for all the people”, the declaration of the Gospel. The Jewish shepherds, like the Gentile magi, came to worship at His feet. They would return sharing boldly the truth of the birth of the Promised Messiah.
As we celebrate Christmas, especially in an increasingly secularized society and culture, let us never grow so complacent with the holiday that we forget its inherent meaning, especially the true purpose behind it. Time may be fleeting and our memories undependable, but we should not let the treasures of our Christian past become mere relics of a bygone day. Rather, may we become proactive in keeping the realities of our faith very much alive by carefully explaining what we believe and why we believe them, especially as they apply to important holidays such as Christmas. Then, when our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. take forward and pass on our faith legacies, they will do so with the full knowledge of what these celebrations mean in respect to the Scriptures, Church history and the important role they are to our own personal walk with Christ. Then maybe they will be engulfed in the desire to keep up the good work of “redeeming the time”(rf. Ephesians 5:16 KJV) that we’ve been given, fleeting as it may be.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Being Thankful to Serve and Enjoy God Forever
Thanksgiving...a celebration borne out of hearts full of thankfulness and gratitude, emanating from spirits of humility and subjection in personal responses to a greater Majesty who has shown unmerited and generous beneficence. Wow! When we think of Thanksgiving in such a fashion, it definitely puts a different “spin”, not only on the holiday, but on the perspective of being thankful. Yet, Biblically, this is the concept of thanksgiving. It is understanding who we are in the light of who He is as God, that the good gifts we’ve been given are not a result of our own hard work, but, rather, a result of His generosity toward us.
This is especially true to those of us who call ourselves, “Christians”. We of all people should rightly understand this concept of thanksgiving. It is based on the principle of “grace”, the unmerited favor of Almighty God, the very thing upon which our salvation is founded. Without His grace, we would be headed to a literal and actual Hell on a fast track, clueless as to the eternal ramifications, enjoying the pleasures and the scenery all along the way! However, because of the intervening love and grace of God, He “called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light” (rf. I Peter 2:9). He then continues in His grace to mold us and make us into the image of Christ (rf. Romans 8:29), the theological process that we know as sanctification, all of which is accomplished because of His work in us and not by any works which originate within ourselves (rf. Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, we should be thankful.
As the Apostle Paul testifies in Ephesians 5, Jesus is making us, as individual believers, into one Body, His Church. While doing so, He is also purifying us, cleansing us, and preparing us to be presented eventually before Him as a bride before the groom at a Jewish wedding (rf. vs. 27). This is one of the reasons why we go through hard and difficult times individually. We are a part of the corporate “dross-lifting” process, when heat is brought to bear on the metal to relieve it from its impurities as they rise to the top and are scraped away. If we are truly members of His Church, we will endure this time and again while here on earth until we either die and enter into His Presence or are alive and join Him at His return at which time His Church is officially presented to Him clean and holy.
Why bring this up in the context of Thanksgiving? Well, notice how, according to the Apostle Paul, the Church is “to be subject to Christ...in everything” (rf. Ephesians 5:24) because “Christ...is the head of the Church” (rf. 5:23). The Church as well as every member of the Church (i.e. every believer in Christ) should be thankful for their individual salvation and, out of their gratitude, submissive to His Lordship and Headship in every area of their lives. However, many professed “Christians” today believe that Jesus is the one who is subject to them and to their desires, ideas, beliefs, etc. It is definitely a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. Let me give you an example.
In a recent advertisement for a new book, You Lost Me, by David Kinneman (co-author of UnChristian), the following quotes were given as examples by young people leaving the Church and their reasons why:
“I knew from church that I couldn’t believe in both faith and science, so that was it. I didn’t believe in God anymore.”—Mike
“When I write lyrics that not every Christian agrees on, I get hammered. What am I supposed to be using my talents for?”—Sam
Both of these quotes are designed to draw out emotional responses from the reader that will help you identify with those quoted. However, look beyond the emotions to the deep issues underneath. In both cases, Mike and Sam’s comments betray a belief that the Church is designed to dance to the tune of those who make up its constituency or, even worse, to adapt to the culture so that, in the first case, “science” (i.e. what is taught as fact in government schools) should be compatible with “faith” (i.e. Mike’s perception of Christianity) so as not to make one feel uncomfortable and, in Sam’s case, there should be no objective “Christian” standard against which lyrics should be judged so that anyone can write anything so everyone’s “giftedness” can be practiced with no limitations.
Again, how does this relate to Thanksgiving? Each of the above cases represents the reverse of what should be the proper attitude as followers of Christ. To cultivate thankfulness, we must practice submission and humility to Christ as individual believers and as His Church. We must remove ourselves permanently from the idea that Jesus and His Church exist to serve our individual interests and desires as well as what is popular or what is viewed as normative within the surrounding culture. Like the first entry in the Shorter Catechism states, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” We were created for God’s use and glory not visa-versa. The sooner we learn that truth, understand it, and practice it, the sooner we will grasp the true nature of thankfulness. Once gained, then Thanksgiving as a holiday will possess its full meaning in our hearts.
This is especially true to those of us who call ourselves, “Christians”. We of all people should rightly understand this concept of thanksgiving. It is based on the principle of “grace”, the unmerited favor of Almighty God, the very thing upon which our salvation is founded. Without His grace, we would be headed to a literal and actual Hell on a fast track, clueless as to the eternal ramifications, enjoying the pleasures and the scenery all along the way! However, because of the intervening love and grace of God, He “called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light” (rf. I Peter 2:9). He then continues in His grace to mold us and make us into the image of Christ (rf. Romans 8:29), the theological process that we know as sanctification, all of which is accomplished because of His work in us and not by any works which originate within ourselves (rf. Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, we should be thankful.
As the Apostle Paul testifies in Ephesians 5, Jesus is making us, as individual believers, into one Body, His Church. While doing so, He is also purifying us, cleansing us, and preparing us to be presented eventually before Him as a bride before the groom at a Jewish wedding (rf. vs. 27). This is one of the reasons why we go through hard and difficult times individually. We are a part of the corporate “dross-lifting” process, when heat is brought to bear on the metal to relieve it from its impurities as they rise to the top and are scraped away. If we are truly members of His Church, we will endure this time and again while here on earth until we either die and enter into His Presence or are alive and join Him at His return at which time His Church is officially presented to Him clean and holy.
Why bring this up in the context of Thanksgiving? Well, notice how, according to the Apostle Paul, the Church is “to be subject to Christ...in everything” (rf. Ephesians 5:24) because “Christ...is the head of the Church” (rf. 5:23). The Church as well as every member of the Church (i.e. every believer in Christ) should be thankful for their individual salvation and, out of their gratitude, submissive to His Lordship and Headship in every area of their lives. However, many professed “Christians” today believe that Jesus is the one who is subject to them and to their desires, ideas, beliefs, etc. It is definitely a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. Let me give you an example.
In a recent advertisement for a new book, You Lost Me, by David Kinneman (co-author of UnChristian), the following quotes were given as examples by young people leaving the Church and their reasons why:
“I knew from church that I couldn’t believe in both faith and science, so that was it. I didn’t believe in God anymore.”—Mike
“When I write lyrics that not every Christian agrees on, I get hammered. What am I supposed to be using my talents for?”—Sam
Both of these quotes are designed to draw out emotional responses from the reader that will help you identify with those quoted. However, look beyond the emotions to the deep issues underneath. In both cases, Mike and Sam’s comments betray a belief that the Church is designed to dance to the tune of those who make up its constituency or, even worse, to adapt to the culture so that, in the first case, “science” (i.e. what is taught as fact in government schools) should be compatible with “faith” (i.e. Mike’s perception of Christianity) so as not to make one feel uncomfortable and, in Sam’s case, there should be no objective “Christian” standard against which lyrics should be judged so that anyone can write anything so everyone’s “giftedness” can be practiced with no limitations.
Again, how does this relate to Thanksgiving? Each of the above cases represents the reverse of what should be the proper attitude as followers of Christ. To cultivate thankfulness, we must practice submission and humility to Christ as individual believers and as His Church. We must remove ourselves permanently from the idea that Jesus and His Church exist to serve our individual interests and desires as well as what is popular or what is viewed as normative within the surrounding culture. Like the first entry in the Shorter Catechism states, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” We were created for God’s use and glory not visa-versa. The sooner we learn that truth, understand it, and practice it, the sooner we will grasp the true nature of thankfulness. Once gained, then Thanksgiving as a holiday will possess its full meaning in our hearts.
Compromise Not The Truth of God
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (rf. II Timothy 4:1-5)
If the Apostle Paul were present today, he would say the time of this prophetic word has arrived. The Western world, in particular, has fallen prey to the myths of self-indulgence and self-gratification. These are the things that are of foremost importance in the lives of most church-goers today—what pleases me, what gratifies my desires. It certainly is the predominant theme of the culture so it must be translated within the confines of the church. Thus, as the Apostle Paul puts it, the church body becomes adamant about “wanting to have their ears tickled”, their felt needs met, their self-esteem lifted, their egos stroked, so they feel better after having been to church, much like having gone to a sauna or received a massage, or, better yet, having attended a motivational lecture.
However, notice that the Apostle Paul does not equate these prophesied rising desires of the church masses to be originated by God nor driven by His Holy Spirit. He states clearly that this is a turning “away their ears from the truth” and a turning “aside to myths”. Anytime, we make a shift from God to self, it is not a positive move nor is it ever God-initiated. Again, if the Apostle Paul lived today he would be radically surprised and disappointed at how far removed we are from a properly Scriptural God-centered position. We need only to listen to the change that has taken place in contemporary Christian music in the last twenty years to see this reality. Two decades ago CCM used to be largely focused on giving praise solely to God for Who He is and what He is up to in the world. Now, most, not all, of CCM is centered on building the self-esteem of the Christian (or non-Christian) hearer, telling him/her how beautiful he/she is because of how God has made them and how Jesus can serve as the ultimate boy-/girl-friend. In making these comments, I am not being overly critical as much as I am being objective in listening to the actual lyrics and comparing them as a long-time listener of contemporary Christian music, ranging back to the days of Dallas Holm, Keith Green and Sandi Patti. I know from whence I speak (or write in this case).
CCM is only one example. The pulpit ministry is another. More and more ministers are being selected for service, not on the basis of calling, but whether or not they have “star” power. Denominations and churches have been overcome with the belief that entertainment value, powerful personalities, and dynamic visuals are the things that make successful ministries because they feel they must compete with a world and culture that is media driven. They have completely neglected the fact that it is Christ who is the Head of the Church and provides the people to serve within His fold according to the gifts needed at each location (rf. Ephesians 4:11-12; 5:23). It is all just another example of a people who have turned “aside their ears from the truth” and turned “aside to myths”.
The truth is exactly and is simply what the Apostle Paul shared in his encouragement to Timothy, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with... instruction...do the work of an evangelist, fulfill (the) ministry.” Jesus stated it plainly in the Gospel of John, “Thy Word is truth.” The Church must return to its roots of being grounded and centered on Scripture in all of its efforts and beliefs. That may sound simplistic, but it is what we are called by the Lord Himself to do. When we are obedient to that dictate, it makes us inherently distinct from the world and culture. Then, through this distinction and our reliance upon, as well as our disbursal of, His truth, we begin to see the lost in the world and culture come to salvation in Christ and become a part of the family of God. As long as we are faithful reflectors and proclaimers of His Gospel, He will use us to do “the work of an evangelist, fulfill(ing the work of the) ministry” to which He has called each of us.
Therefore, like Timothy, let us hold fast to His truth. Let us take this “solemn charge” seriously, repelling the culture, embracing the distinction, declaring the reality that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is central to every aspect of our lives as shown by all our words, thoughts and actions. May we be the starting point of God’s new work to revitalize His Church today!
If the Apostle Paul were present today, he would say the time of this prophetic word has arrived. The Western world, in particular, has fallen prey to the myths of self-indulgence and self-gratification. These are the things that are of foremost importance in the lives of most church-goers today—what pleases me, what gratifies my desires. It certainly is the predominant theme of the culture so it must be translated within the confines of the church. Thus, as the Apostle Paul puts it, the church body becomes adamant about “wanting to have their ears tickled”, their felt needs met, their self-esteem lifted, their egos stroked, so they feel better after having been to church, much like having gone to a sauna or received a massage, or, better yet, having attended a motivational lecture.
However, notice that the Apostle Paul does not equate these prophesied rising desires of the church masses to be originated by God nor driven by His Holy Spirit. He states clearly that this is a turning “away their ears from the truth” and a turning “aside to myths”. Anytime, we make a shift from God to self, it is not a positive move nor is it ever God-initiated. Again, if the Apostle Paul lived today he would be radically surprised and disappointed at how far removed we are from a properly Scriptural God-centered position. We need only to listen to the change that has taken place in contemporary Christian music in the last twenty years to see this reality. Two decades ago CCM used to be largely focused on giving praise solely to God for Who He is and what He is up to in the world. Now, most, not all, of CCM is centered on building the self-esteem of the Christian (or non-Christian) hearer, telling him/her how beautiful he/she is because of how God has made them and how Jesus can serve as the ultimate boy-/girl-friend. In making these comments, I am not being overly critical as much as I am being objective in listening to the actual lyrics and comparing them as a long-time listener of contemporary Christian music, ranging back to the days of Dallas Holm, Keith Green and Sandi Patti. I know from whence I speak (or write in this case).
CCM is only one example. The pulpit ministry is another. More and more ministers are being selected for service, not on the basis of calling, but whether or not they have “star” power. Denominations and churches have been overcome with the belief that entertainment value, powerful personalities, and dynamic visuals are the things that make successful ministries because they feel they must compete with a world and culture that is media driven. They have completely neglected the fact that it is Christ who is the Head of the Church and provides the people to serve within His fold according to the gifts needed at each location (rf. Ephesians 4:11-12; 5:23). It is all just another example of a people who have turned “aside their ears from the truth” and turned “aside to myths”.
The truth is exactly and is simply what the Apostle Paul shared in his encouragement to Timothy, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with... instruction...do the work of an evangelist, fulfill (the) ministry.” Jesus stated it plainly in the Gospel of John, “Thy Word is truth.” The Church must return to its roots of being grounded and centered on Scripture in all of its efforts and beliefs. That may sound simplistic, but it is what we are called by the Lord Himself to do. When we are obedient to that dictate, it makes us inherently distinct from the world and culture. Then, through this distinction and our reliance upon, as well as our disbursal of, His truth, we begin to see the lost in the world and culture come to salvation in Christ and become a part of the family of God. As long as we are faithful reflectors and proclaimers of His Gospel, He will use us to do “the work of an evangelist, fulfill(ing the work of the) ministry” to which He has called each of us.
Therefore, like Timothy, let us hold fast to His truth. Let us take this “solemn charge” seriously, repelling the culture, embracing the distinction, declaring the reality that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is central to every aspect of our lives as shown by all our words, thoughts and actions. May we be the starting point of God’s new work to revitalize His Church today!
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Historicity of Creation Account
Call me naive, if you will. One can definitely call me frustrated in the light of the latest trend in contemporary Christian academic circles. In one of the latest issues of Christianity Today magazine, the cover story highlighted the latest controversial debate to arise in our midst: the question over the historicity of Adam and Eve. Did they really exist? Or were they merely representations of the human race at large, especially in view of the theory of evolution?
You see the debate which started in the esteemed halls of academia now has arrived in the pews and pulpits of the church. This is due largely to the expanse of influence that the theory of evolution has made in the minds and hearts of God’s people who have accepted it as truth since they have been taught it now for at least two generations at the behest of the government school system. This theory (I emphasize “theory” because it is not a proven factual scientific modus operandi, mode of operation) which has been accepted on faith by the “secular” world is now the basis of all that is taught in every realm outside the church as well as endeavoring to undermine the relevance and receptivity of Scriptural truth. The sad fact is that most who claim to follow Christ are practical theistic evolutionists, believing that God used evolution to bring about creation, trying to harmonize two irreconcilable, contradictory theories to settle the issue. Sadly, it will not work because of the dynamic that they fail to consider, the discipline that stands in the way...theology...sound doctrine, as the Apostle Paul would put it.
As I stated at the outset, some may say that I am naive to believe this way, but, hey, Paul likewise said that he would gladly be a fool for Jesus Christ (rf. I Corinthians 4:10a; II Corinthians 12:10-11). I do not mind joining him, being tagged in like manner. You see, my starting point in this discussion is the Person and character of Almighty God, not the science or the supposed facts that have been discovered. Having studied the Scriptures now for better than thirty-seven years (with hopefully many more years to do so), I have realized that God is Who He says He is. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere at once), omniscient (all-knowing), holy, just, all-loving, compassionate, all-righteous...His qualities and perfections go on and on. Indeed, words actually fail when trying to accurately describe Him. He is unlimited in power and scope, but limits Himself when it comes to His character by clearly stating that in His holiness and righteousness, He cannot sin nor perform any evil Himself. It is against His very nature. Wickedness cannot endure in His Presence. To allow anything unclean before Him, that thing must be made pure by His action. We have seen that truth operational in the lives of Isaiah (rf. Isaiah 6:5-7) and Joshua the High Priest (rf. Zechariah 3:1-7).
Referring back to God’s qualities, especially His omnipotence, it is amazing to me how quickly we as present-day professors of faith in Him relinquish this aspect of God in the face of a supposed scientific “evidence”. The one thing the theory of evolution must have, it’s required support mechanism, is time. Millions and billions of years are necessary for the theory to hold water. So, because we feel it necessary to reconcile our belief in God with this apparent truth of evolution, we conclude that God must have taken these needed millions and billions of years to create the heavens and the earth without regard to His omnipotence.
Yet, the Scriptures plainly teach “with God all things are possible” (rf. Matthew 19:26b) and “nothing will be impossible with God” (rf. Luke 1:37). Is it really too far fetched to take God at His Word, realizing how powerful He really is and simply believe He has the wherewithal to just speak the entirety of creation into existence at a whim? Is it beyond the scope of God’s power for Him to establish the 24-hour cycle of the day by taking each of six of the seven days as shown in Genesis 1-2 and systematically create the heavens and the earth with precision and beauty? Is that too much to grasp?
Or have we become too smart for God? Is that the real problem here? In our arrogance, have we reached the point of thinking that belief in a superior Being is intellectual inferiority because we have “evolved” beyond such juvenile behavior? Or is that He just doesn’t do the heart-stopping miracles and wonders that He used to do in the Old and New Testament times in order to “wow” us anymore, in order to give us reason to believe in Him anymore? I think these questions may be key to leading us to the “bottom-line” issue of it all.
The folks during the time of the building of the Tower of Babel (rf. Genesis 11:1-9) had the same attitudinal problem. They had grown prideful and arrogant. They believed that they didn’t need a relationship with God on a personal level. In fact, it was their understanding that they had the technology and intelligence to match God and so, to show that reality, they proposed to build this tower into the heavens so they could meet Him face-to-face on their terms. God knew their hearts, visited them in the midst of their efforts, and did to them what only God could do, something that they could not undo. He confused their language. The tower was left to ruin. The people dispersed, were dismayed and broken into various nations and new “tongues”. God once more showed man that He alone is God.
I am afraid, fellow believer, that this generation, specifically, this generation of His Church, is the Babel generation. God will not allow our pridefulness and arrogance to go unanswered. His silence is not to be construed as cowardice or compassion. Rather, He is giving us time to repent of our sin, to return back to the place of believing in Him in all His fullness, in all His qualities, in all His glory. He wants us to have full faith in His Word. We might not ever in this life understand all that is in His Word or how He accomplished all that He did in creation, redemption or even what He plans for the consummation. As He states, “His ways are higher than our ways..."(rf. Isaiah 55:9). This path that we walk, both in believing and in understanding, is still a matter of faith and trust. The science and facts will ultimately catch up with Him. It may take getting to heaven and having access to the mind of Christ before these paths actually converge.
You see the debate which started in the esteemed halls of academia now has arrived in the pews and pulpits of the church. This is due largely to the expanse of influence that the theory of evolution has made in the minds and hearts of God’s people who have accepted it as truth since they have been taught it now for at least two generations at the behest of the government school system. This theory (I emphasize “theory” because it is not a proven factual scientific modus operandi, mode of operation) which has been accepted on faith by the “secular” world is now the basis of all that is taught in every realm outside the church as well as endeavoring to undermine the relevance and receptivity of Scriptural truth. The sad fact is that most who claim to follow Christ are practical theistic evolutionists, believing that God used evolution to bring about creation, trying to harmonize two irreconcilable, contradictory theories to settle the issue. Sadly, it will not work because of the dynamic that they fail to consider, the discipline that stands in the way...theology...sound doctrine, as the Apostle Paul would put it.
As I stated at the outset, some may say that I am naive to believe this way, but, hey, Paul likewise said that he would gladly be a fool for Jesus Christ (rf. I Corinthians 4:10a; II Corinthians 12:10-11). I do not mind joining him, being tagged in like manner. You see, my starting point in this discussion is the Person and character of Almighty God, not the science or the supposed facts that have been discovered. Having studied the Scriptures now for better than thirty-seven years (with hopefully many more years to do so), I have realized that God is Who He says He is. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere at once), omniscient (all-knowing), holy, just, all-loving, compassionate, all-righteous...His qualities and perfections go on and on. Indeed, words actually fail when trying to accurately describe Him. He is unlimited in power and scope, but limits Himself when it comes to His character by clearly stating that in His holiness and righteousness, He cannot sin nor perform any evil Himself. It is against His very nature. Wickedness cannot endure in His Presence. To allow anything unclean before Him, that thing must be made pure by His action. We have seen that truth operational in the lives of Isaiah (rf. Isaiah 6:5-7) and Joshua the High Priest (rf. Zechariah 3:1-7).
Referring back to God’s qualities, especially His omnipotence, it is amazing to me how quickly we as present-day professors of faith in Him relinquish this aspect of God in the face of a supposed scientific “evidence”. The one thing the theory of evolution must have, it’s required support mechanism, is time. Millions and billions of years are necessary for the theory to hold water. So, because we feel it necessary to reconcile our belief in God with this apparent truth of evolution, we conclude that God must have taken these needed millions and billions of years to create the heavens and the earth without regard to His omnipotence.
Yet, the Scriptures plainly teach “with God all things are possible” (rf. Matthew 19:26b) and “nothing will be impossible with God” (rf. Luke 1:37). Is it really too far fetched to take God at His Word, realizing how powerful He really is and simply believe He has the wherewithal to just speak the entirety of creation into existence at a whim? Is it beyond the scope of God’s power for Him to establish the 24-hour cycle of the day by taking each of six of the seven days as shown in Genesis 1-2 and systematically create the heavens and the earth with precision and beauty? Is that too much to grasp?
Or have we become too smart for God? Is that the real problem here? In our arrogance, have we reached the point of thinking that belief in a superior Being is intellectual inferiority because we have “evolved” beyond such juvenile behavior? Or is that He just doesn’t do the heart-stopping miracles and wonders that He used to do in the Old and New Testament times in order to “wow” us anymore, in order to give us reason to believe in Him anymore? I think these questions may be key to leading us to the “bottom-line” issue of it all.
The folks during the time of the building of the Tower of Babel (rf. Genesis 11:1-9) had the same attitudinal problem. They had grown prideful and arrogant. They believed that they didn’t need a relationship with God on a personal level. In fact, it was their understanding that they had the technology and intelligence to match God and so, to show that reality, they proposed to build this tower into the heavens so they could meet Him face-to-face on their terms. God knew their hearts, visited them in the midst of their efforts, and did to them what only God could do, something that they could not undo. He confused their language. The tower was left to ruin. The people dispersed, were dismayed and broken into various nations and new “tongues”. God once more showed man that He alone is God.
I am afraid, fellow believer, that this generation, specifically, this generation of His Church, is the Babel generation. God will not allow our pridefulness and arrogance to go unanswered. His silence is not to be construed as cowardice or compassion. Rather, He is giving us time to repent of our sin, to return back to the place of believing in Him in all His fullness, in all His qualities, in all His glory. He wants us to have full faith in His Word. We might not ever in this life understand all that is in His Word or how He accomplished all that He did in creation, redemption or even what He plans for the consummation. As He states, “His ways are higher than our ways..."(rf. Isaiah 55:9). This path that we walk, both in believing and in understanding, is still a matter of faith and trust. The science and facts will ultimately catch up with Him. It may take getting to heaven and having access to the mind of Christ before these paths actually converge.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Past Experience Affecting the Future Marriage Relationship
Whether we like it or not or even want to admit it, the past can have a definite effect on our present (and our future) if we allow it.
Take, for instance, in reference to relationships. If our parents had an overall positive marital relationship and we get married, we will enter into our marriage relationship with the perspective that this relationship is of greatest importance, worth every effort necessary to protect, nurture and strengthen it as the years go by. We will see our mates as the “apple of our eye”, the one closest to our heart, the one we first fell in love with, the one we will want to grow old with. This is the one who means more to us than even our children, if God has blessed us with any. The positive of the past relationships has poured forth more positive in the present and will likewise do so in the future as the generations continue to see the healthy example of what a true Biblical marital relationship should be.
However, just as the initial precept can be of benefit if approached positively, so it is true on the flipside...negatively. If one had an upbringing in a dysfunctional family situation, if abuse of a physical, sexual, verbal or an emotional nature were present within one’s parent’s marital relationship, a person tends to carry that baggage unwittingly into their own marriage relationship. Often times, this can show itself in one of two forms. (1) The person who has had a negative example of a marriage relationship can choose a mate much like the abusive mother or father, believing that by pleasing and submitting themselves to the abusive mate, they will be rectifying mistakes of the past as well as keeping this marriage together. This is officially called co-dependency. (2) Or the person with the negative past seeks to overcome it by ultimate control, making sure that the abuse witnessed in his/her parent’s marital relationship is not repeated again. Therefore, he/she diminishes or completely disengages from pursuit of a real relationship with his/her mate in the marriage, choosing to focus energies and attention on the children, if any, or hobbies, work, home repair, etc., while putting just enough care on the mate to keep the marriage going. Neither of these two responses to the past are healthy or Biblical.
God wants us to have the right perspective when it comes to handling the past in our lives. He is the God Who brings change when things of the past were negative and hurtful. He desires to take those “crooked” events and “straighten” them out so that we may experience the fullness of His will in our lives. Listen to His promise in Isaiah 42:16:
I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone.
Especially when it comes to marriage, which is earth’s reflection of Christ’s relationship with His Church, He wants us to experience the joy and gladness He intended for husband and wife within His designed covenant. The love that they share is blessed of Him (as is referenced in Song of Solomon and I Corinthians 7) such that they are to be the focus of each other throughout their time together; all others, apart from Him, are to be secondary (rf. Ephesians 5:22-33). This is to be the legacy that they pass on to their children and so on for the generations to come.
So, in general, if yours was a past that affected you positively, literally, thank God for it. Especially, if you had parents whose marital relationship was uplifting, mutually-beneficial, and had the proper, Biblical priorities in place, you were blessed with a great example. Promise the Lord to carry forth that legacy into your own marriage if that is His design for your life.
And, if the above was not your experience at all, do not be dismayed or discouraged. Rather, be honest with yourself and God. He knows already so you won’t be telling Him something new. Understand His promise to take the “darkness” of past experiences and make them into “light” according to what He has designed, according to His Word. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Commit to begin today to create a new legacy with Him, one that your children will look back and say, “Thank you for giving me an example to live by.”
God has and will always be in the business of transformation, of lives, of marriages, etc. He delights in taking the apparently impossible and making it happen. Are you ready to see Him so work in your life today?
Take, for instance, in reference to relationships. If our parents had an overall positive marital relationship and we get married, we will enter into our marriage relationship with the perspective that this relationship is of greatest importance, worth every effort necessary to protect, nurture and strengthen it as the years go by. We will see our mates as the “apple of our eye”, the one closest to our heart, the one we first fell in love with, the one we will want to grow old with. This is the one who means more to us than even our children, if God has blessed us with any. The positive of the past relationships has poured forth more positive in the present and will likewise do so in the future as the generations continue to see the healthy example of what a true Biblical marital relationship should be.
However, just as the initial precept can be of benefit if approached positively, so it is true on the flipside...negatively. If one had an upbringing in a dysfunctional family situation, if abuse of a physical, sexual, verbal or an emotional nature were present within one’s parent’s marital relationship, a person tends to carry that baggage unwittingly into their own marriage relationship. Often times, this can show itself in one of two forms. (1) The person who has had a negative example of a marriage relationship can choose a mate much like the abusive mother or father, believing that by pleasing and submitting themselves to the abusive mate, they will be rectifying mistakes of the past as well as keeping this marriage together. This is officially called co-dependency. (2) Or the person with the negative past seeks to overcome it by ultimate control, making sure that the abuse witnessed in his/her parent’s marital relationship is not repeated again. Therefore, he/she diminishes or completely disengages from pursuit of a real relationship with his/her mate in the marriage, choosing to focus energies and attention on the children, if any, or hobbies, work, home repair, etc., while putting just enough care on the mate to keep the marriage going. Neither of these two responses to the past are healthy or Biblical.
God wants us to have the right perspective when it comes to handling the past in our lives. He is the God Who brings change when things of the past were negative and hurtful. He desires to take those “crooked” events and “straighten” them out so that we may experience the fullness of His will in our lives. Listen to His promise in Isaiah 42:16:
I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone.
Especially when it comes to marriage, which is earth’s reflection of Christ’s relationship with His Church, He wants us to experience the joy and gladness He intended for husband and wife within His designed covenant. The love that they share is blessed of Him (as is referenced in Song of Solomon and I Corinthians 7) such that they are to be the focus of each other throughout their time together; all others, apart from Him, are to be secondary (rf. Ephesians 5:22-33). This is to be the legacy that they pass on to their children and so on for the generations to come.
So, in general, if yours was a past that affected you positively, literally, thank God for it. Especially, if you had parents whose marital relationship was uplifting, mutually-beneficial, and had the proper, Biblical priorities in place, you were blessed with a great example. Promise the Lord to carry forth that legacy into your own marriage if that is His design for your life.
And, if the above was not your experience at all, do not be dismayed or discouraged. Rather, be honest with yourself and God. He knows already so you won’t be telling Him something new. Understand His promise to take the “darkness” of past experiences and make them into “light” according to what He has designed, according to His Word. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Commit to begin today to create a new legacy with Him, one that your children will look back and say, “Thank you for giving me an example to live by.”
God has and will always be in the business of transformation, of lives, of marriages, etc. He delights in taking the apparently impossible and making it happen. Are you ready to see Him so work in your life today?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Listening to Wisdom
"Wisdom shouts in the street. She lifts her voice in the square. At the head of the noisy streets she cries out. At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof. I will also laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your dread comes, when your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would not accept my counsel. They spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” (rf. Proverbs 1:21-33)
You would think Solomon was alive and well and living in 21st century America, publishing this passage for consumption in his latest blog or newsletter article, hoping that we would read it and get his point.
One can see her desperately shouting to the passers-by, trying to get their attention. Wisdom endeavoring to warn them of what will befall if they will not heed her plain teachings. Most walk quickly by her as if she were a statue in the park, a lifeless relic of days gone by, a monument of values long forgotten. Others in their absolute foolishness seek to deify her as if she were a god, falling prostrate at her feet, worshiping her and singing her praises even as she defiantly kicks them away for their rank idolatry. She is, after all, the servant of the Most High God, not a competitor for His adoration and allegiance. Never would she brook such a rebellious thought in her own heart much less allow such an action her way.
Only a small few actually stand and listen to her words. They take in not only her warning but are prompted to run to the same Foundation upon which her words are based. Indeed, their eyes are opened to the reality that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”From that relational starting point, their lives are changed, their souls refreshed, their minds renewed. They are now ready to follow Wisdom’s path, prepared to face the challenges that life has awaiting them fully armed with the Master’s weapons of truth, faith and knowledge.
The question is this: Has Wisdom’s words of warning fallen on your deaf ears or have you been open to Wisdom as expressed in God’s Word? Though personified as a woman here in Proverbs, the wisdom of God is nonetheless intended for us to heed if we are to live our lives in accordance to His will. Thus, if God’s Word takes a distant back seat in our daily lives in terms of importance, then so does His wisdom.
The above warning is for us. If we despise His wisdom, we should not complain when our wisdom falls and our plans fail miserably. However, if we seek His wisdom, He promises not only to grant it in abundance, but also the blessings that accompany it. Personally, I will take His wisdom over mine anytime. Comparing the greatness of the God of the universe to my own pitiful qualities: No contest. His wisdom, without question!
You would think Solomon was alive and well and living in 21st century America, publishing this passage for consumption in his latest blog or newsletter article, hoping that we would read it and get his point.
One can see her desperately shouting to the passers-by, trying to get their attention. Wisdom endeavoring to warn them of what will befall if they will not heed her plain teachings. Most walk quickly by her as if she were a statue in the park, a lifeless relic of days gone by, a monument of values long forgotten. Others in their absolute foolishness seek to deify her as if she were a god, falling prostrate at her feet, worshiping her and singing her praises even as she defiantly kicks them away for their rank idolatry. She is, after all, the servant of the Most High God, not a competitor for His adoration and allegiance. Never would she brook such a rebellious thought in her own heart much less allow such an action her way.
Only a small few actually stand and listen to her words. They take in not only her warning but are prompted to run to the same Foundation upon which her words are based. Indeed, their eyes are opened to the reality that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”From that relational starting point, their lives are changed, their souls refreshed, their minds renewed. They are now ready to follow Wisdom’s path, prepared to face the challenges that life has awaiting them fully armed with the Master’s weapons of truth, faith and knowledge.
The question is this: Has Wisdom’s words of warning fallen on your deaf ears or have you been open to Wisdom as expressed in God’s Word? Though personified as a woman here in Proverbs, the wisdom of God is nonetheless intended for us to heed if we are to live our lives in accordance to His will. Thus, if God’s Word takes a distant back seat in our daily lives in terms of importance, then so does His wisdom.
The above warning is for us. If we despise His wisdom, we should not complain when our wisdom falls and our plans fail miserably. However, if we seek His wisdom, He promises not only to grant it in abundance, but also the blessings that accompany it. Personally, I will take His wisdom over mine anytime. Comparing the greatness of the God of the universe to my own pitiful qualities: No contest. His wisdom, without question!
Being Holy
“Be holy, for I am holy”
This is a command given by God to His people, repeated four times in the OT (Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2, 20:7) and once above with clarity and power in the NT (I Peter 1:16). By “holy”, God is not requiring His people to be perfect as without all sin for He knows such a standard would be impossible for us to achieve on this side of heaven. However, we must understand that this does not give us liberty to go out and sin as much as we feel is possible without the vexation of conscience (rf. Romans 6:1-14). He does want us to refrain from sin as much as possible with the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit, depending on Him not on ourselves to accomplish this.
The very NT context of the passage surrounding “Be holy” shows that God’s expectation of “holiness” has a direct connection to our actions.
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior...” (rf. I Peter 1:14-15)
Moses in the Old Testament and Peter in the New both mean by “holiness” being separate from the world by the way that we live, the things that we do and say as we obey the teachings of Scripture, God’s Holy Word. Specifically, in the NT, the teachings of Jesus Christ provide all the guidance necessary for us to follow God’s precepts to live holy lives. As stated before, He also gives us the indwelling power and Presence of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be obedient to this task.
If we were to take this truth of being holy seriously (since it is a command), we would surely be a much different people of God, expressed as the Church today, than what we are at present. We would not be complicit with the attitudes and actions of our culture. Rather, we would be counter-cultural in all that we do. We would not be encouraging the ways of anti-Biblical movements whose practices and beliefs that run cross-grained to the historically-held truths of the Christian faith. We would be speaking truth into these groups with the love of Christ in the hope that, by being agents of light and grace, we could be a transforming influence to each and all.
We should also address within our own ranks the growing ills of rampant adultery, drunkenness, fornication/living together, lying, cheating, pornography and the many other sins that have subtly increased like cancers in our midst. Our church fellowships are sickened by hypocrisy because they have brought into the sanctuary the god of “political correctness”, the philosophy of mutual toleration, a new cover for the “multitude of sins” and have set it up for all to bow down to and worship. This new idolatry allows for church members to freely use Saturday nights for bar-hopping and then come to church on Sunday as a matter on conscience-soothing penance. On the opposite end of the spectrum, for those of the “holier-than-thou” mentality, one can just as well act “super-spiritual” while masking a heart full of pride and self-righteousness. In either case, as long as “political correctness” occupies the sanctuary, no one will ever bring up the subject of accountability or submission, the two words most abhorred and feared in the realm of idolatry.
Yet, in reality, these are two of the greatest needs in His Church. Reasserting our submission to Christ and our accountability to Him and His Word are paramount. We must “come clean”, confessing and repenting of our individual and corporate hypocrisies. Only by doing this can we start afresh and have the correct foundation upon which a holy life can be firmly built.
If God has commanded us to “be holy” (and He has), then we have no other option, no other choice, than to be obedient if we truly want His blessing upon us. Therefore, may we take an honest look at our own lives. Do away with the things that are unholy and start living like the “peculiar people” He wants us to be. Others might not want to be around us anymore. We may lose friends as a result. Family members could think us as strange. So be it. The most important thing for us to remember is that we should be obedient to the One Who has purchased us with His blood. He is the One Whose acceptance and pleasure of our actions and heart attitudes counts the most in the end.
This is a command given by God to His people, repeated four times in the OT (Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2, 20:7) and once above with clarity and power in the NT (I Peter 1:16). By “holy”, God is not requiring His people to be perfect as without all sin for He knows such a standard would be impossible for us to achieve on this side of heaven. However, we must understand that this does not give us liberty to go out and sin as much as we feel is possible without the vexation of conscience (rf. Romans 6:1-14). He does want us to refrain from sin as much as possible with the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit, depending on Him not on ourselves to accomplish this.
The very NT context of the passage surrounding “Be holy” shows that God’s expectation of “holiness” has a direct connection to our actions.
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior...” (rf. I Peter 1:14-15)
Moses in the Old Testament and Peter in the New both mean by “holiness” being separate from the world by the way that we live, the things that we do and say as we obey the teachings of Scripture, God’s Holy Word. Specifically, in the NT, the teachings of Jesus Christ provide all the guidance necessary for us to follow God’s precepts to live holy lives. As stated before, He also gives us the indwelling power and Presence of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be obedient to this task.
If we were to take this truth of being holy seriously (since it is a command), we would surely be a much different people of God, expressed as the Church today, than what we are at present. We would not be complicit with the attitudes and actions of our culture. Rather, we would be counter-cultural in all that we do. We would not be encouraging the ways of anti-Biblical movements whose practices and beliefs that run cross-grained to the historically-held truths of the Christian faith. We would be speaking truth into these groups with the love of Christ in the hope that, by being agents of light and grace, we could be a transforming influence to each and all.
We should also address within our own ranks the growing ills of rampant adultery, drunkenness, fornication/living together, lying, cheating, pornography and the many other sins that have subtly increased like cancers in our midst. Our church fellowships are sickened by hypocrisy because they have brought into the sanctuary the god of “political correctness”, the philosophy of mutual toleration, a new cover for the “multitude of sins” and have set it up for all to bow down to and worship. This new idolatry allows for church members to freely use Saturday nights for bar-hopping and then come to church on Sunday as a matter on conscience-soothing penance. On the opposite end of the spectrum, for those of the “holier-than-thou” mentality, one can just as well act “super-spiritual” while masking a heart full of pride and self-righteousness. In either case, as long as “political correctness” occupies the sanctuary, no one will ever bring up the subject of accountability or submission, the two words most abhorred and feared in the realm of idolatry.
Yet, in reality, these are two of the greatest needs in His Church. Reasserting our submission to Christ and our accountability to Him and His Word are paramount. We must “come clean”, confessing and repenting of our individual and corporate hypocrisies. Only by doing this can we start afresh and have the correct foundation upon which a holy life can be firmly built.
If God has commanded us to “be holy” (and He has), then we have no other option, no other choice, than to be obedient if we truly want His blessing upon us. Therefore, may we take an honest look at our own lives. Do away with the things that are unholy and start living like the “peculiar people” He wants us to be. Others might not want to be around us anymore. We may lose friends as a result. Family members could think us as strange. So be it. The most important thing for us to remember is that we should be obedient to the One Who has purchased us with His blood. He is the One Whose acceptance and pleasure of our actions and heart attitudes counts the most in the end.
The Reality of Hell
In the latest issue of Time (April 25, 2011), on the basis of the recent release of megachurch pastor Rob Bell’s latest book, Love Wins, the magazine asks the question on its cover, “What If There’s No Hell?” This question arises due to the premise of Bell’s work wherein Bell challenges the Biblical doctrine of Hell and God’s judgment of those who reject the message of Christ in His Gospel. Bell surmises that the love of God is so great as to overcome every obstacle, even our sin of unbelief and the death that might prevent us from exercising said belief in the end. He states his assertion that God will ultimately win in bringing His saving love to bear upon the most adamant of unbelieving souls to prove how great and glorious a God He really is. Thus, though we should still encourage others to believe in Christ during this life, it really will not matter in the end because eventually Love Wins according to Bell.
One readily understands the sentimentality that Bell exudes when thinking about the subject of Hell. We all have folks in our lives that we do not want to go there...if, according to Bell, Hell even exists (which, by the way, he doesn’t). After all, in Bell’s own humble and self- perceived accurate opinion, we know “good” people, even “great” people (take Gandhi for Bell’s example) who do not or would not deserve to go to such a place of eternal punishment. Indeed, if “God is love” according to Scripture, why would He even conceive of creating a location like Hell? It would seem in our sensibilities to be a contradiction in His character. This is the reasoning of folks like Rob Bell. They endeavor to appeal to our emotions, tugging at our heart strings.
Yet, reality is not to be judged by human emotions. Rather, we should heed the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:14-15...
“...we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ...”
Our beliefs are based on the clear teachings of God’s Word which reveal the whole picture of Who God is in all of His qualities and character. These aspects are not a buffet table on which we have the authority to pass through and choose the things we like to keep and which ones are to be dismissed because we do not understand them. As God clearly points out in Isaiah 55:8-9:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Oddly enough, Hell was never a subject of ambiguity for Jesus. He spoke very frequently about it throughout His ministry, using the trash dump that was always aflame outside of Jerusalem, Gehenna, as His point of illustration for the spiritual place of eternal punishment. He also made it plain that entrance into this eternal torment was by virtue of disbelief in and denial of Him as well as disobedience of His teachings (rf. Matthew 10:24-28; Luke 12:4-9). The basis of Hell and its creation was God’s justice on all ungodliness and wickedness (rf. II Peter 2:4).
In fact, it is Jesus Himself who states that He alone is “the way, the truth and the life” and that only by believing in Him can one gain access to the Father and eternal life (rf. John 14:6). As the Good Shepherd, He makes it plain that His ministry is to secure His sheep into His fold, both Jew and Gentile (rf. John 10: 10-11, 14-16, 25-29). Yet, for those who do not believe and do not follow Christ’s teachings, these are deemed “goats”, not His sheep, and have a much different destiny when time has reached its conclusion, when the bar of judgment is open and the gates of Hell swing wide awaiting new arrivals (rf. Matthew 25:31-46). Indeed, if God had not made Hell for those who did not abide by His rules and will, He would not be a God of love at all. One would not want to follow a God who thought so little of His servants as to not ultimately distinguish good from evil, much less to negate the evil as He refused to protect and extol that which was righteous. If that is the god that Rob Bell and others like him serve, then Love does not win...it rather fails and does so miserably.
Following Bell’s logic, removing the doctrine of Hell takes away both the need to believe in Jesus as Messiah and God’s requirement for the atonement, the cross as the sacrifice for our sins, the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior! As the Apostles’ Creed itself declares, “He (Christ) descended into Hell”, echoing the words of Paul in Ephesians 4:9-10:
“Now this expression, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.”
If it’s not necessary for Jesus to die on the cross and be resurrected in order for us to be saved, then the entirety of the Christian faith is a sham! As Paul states in I Corinthians 15:13-19:
“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
However, thanks be to God, false prophets like Rob Bell will not thwart us because we know the Truth, the Life, and the Way—Jesus Christ. He is our Good Shepherd. We are His sheep as we have trusted in Him and His Word to us. We know there is a Hell for those who do not believe in Him and it is our calling to “make disciples”, bringing the “lost sheep” back into His fold. We praise Him for being both just and merciful so that when time is over, seeing the Lord in all of His glory and splendor as His judgments are concluded, the righteous will loudly, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God”! God’s Holiness and Love will win!
One readily understands the sentimentality that Bell exudes when thinking about the subject of Hell. We all have folks in our lives that we do not want to go there...if, according to Bell, Hell even exists (which, by the way, he doesn’t). After all, in Bell’s own humble and self- perceived accurate opinion, we know “good” people, even “great” people (take Gandhi for Bell’s example) who do not or would not deserve to go to such a place of eternal punishment. Indeed, if “God is love” according to Scripture, why would He even conceive of creating a location like Hell? It would seem in our sensibilities to be a contradiction in His character. This is the reasoning of folks like Rob Bell. They endeavor to appeal to our emotions, tugging at our heart strings.
Yet, reality is not to be judged by human emotions. Rather, we should heed the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:14-15...
“...we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ...”
Our beliefs are based on the clear teachings of God’s Word which reveal the whole picture of Who God is in all of His qualities and character. These aspects are not a buffet table on which we have the authority to pass through and choose the things we like to keep and which ones are to be dismissed because we do not understand them. As God clearly points out in Isaiah 55:8-9:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Oddly enough, Hell was never a subject of ambiguity for Jesus. He spoke very frequently about it throughout His ministry, using the trash dump that was always aflame outside of Jerusalem, Gehenna, as His point of illustration for the spiritual place of eternal punishment. He also made it plain that entrance into this eternal torment was by virtue of disbelief in and denial of Him as well as disobedience of His teachings (rf. Matthew 10:24-28; Luke 12:4-9). The basis of Hell and its creation was God’s justice on all ungodliness and wickedness (rf. II Peter 2:4).
In fact, it is Jesus Himself who states that He alone is “the way, the truth and the life” and that only by believing in Him can one gain access to the Father and eternal life (rf. John 14:6). As the Good Shepherd, He makes it plain that His ministry is to secure His sheep into His fold, both Jew and Gentile (rf. John 10: 10-11, 14-16, 25-29). Yet, for those who do not believe and do not follow Christ’s teachings, these are deemed “goats”, not His sheep, and have a much different destiny when time has reached its conclusion, when the bar of judgment is open and the gates of Hell swing wide awaiting new arrivals (rf. Matthew 25:31-46). Indeed, if God had not made Hell for those who did not abide by His rules and will, He would not be a God of love at all. One would not want to follow a God who thought so little of His servants as to not ultimately distinguish good from evil, much less to negate the evil as He refused to protect and extol that which was righteous. If that is the god that Rob Bell and others like him serve, then Love does not win...it rather fails and does so miserably.
Following Bell’s logic, removing the doctrine of Hell takes away both the need to believe in Jesus as Messiah and God’s requirement for the atonement, the cross as the sacrifice for our sins, the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior! As the Apostles’ Creed itself declares, “He (Christ) descended into Hell”, echoing the words of Paul in Ephesians 4:9-10:
“Now this expression, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.”
If it’s not necessary for Jesus to die on the cross and be resurrected in order for us to be saved, then the entirety of the Christian faith is a sham! As Paul states in I Corinthians 15:13-19:
“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
However, thanks be to God, false prophets like Rob Bell will not thwart us because we know the Truth, the Life, and the Way—Jesus Christ. He is our Good Shepherd. We are His sheep as we have trusted in Him and His Word to us. We know there is a Hell for those who do not believe in Him and it is our calling to “make disciples”, bringing the “lost sheep” back into His fold. We praise Him for being both just and merciful so that when time is over, seeing the Lord in all of His glory and splendor as His judgments are concluded, the righteous will loudly, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God”! God’s Holiness and Love will win!
Do Not Fear the Future
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you...”
(rf. Matthew 24:3-4)
“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”
(rf. Mark 13:32)
Earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan. Civil war in Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain. Economic turmoil throughout the known world breeding uncertainty as to the future. Many are running to the Scripture to find not only comfort and peace amidst troubling times, but also reasons for the things that are happening. They believe that what was written so long ago is as determining as the newspaper headlines printed for today. Added to that are the harbingers of woe from the secular world telling us that, according to the prophets of the Mayan culture predominantly along with the foretelling of Nostradomus of the 16th century, the world will undoubtedly come to an end in December of 2012.
However, if we are to be Biblical Christians and follow the words of Christ specifically, we should be a people of hope and not despair. After all, as the Apostle John tells us in I John 4:18-19, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.”
Fear of the future should not be a part of our pedigree. We should trust in our God without question. He has promised to take care of His people...period. Therefore, we should live our lives in perfect peace, knowing that we are totally secure in Him. Whether we live or die, we are His and He will never leave us nor forsake us ever. He has promised to provide for our every need regardless of the circumstances. So, again, we should not fear the future.
Therefore, having such an encouragement, let us look at what the Scriptures actually state above so we will not fall prey to foolish nonsense that desires to captivate the unsuspecting and ignorant among us. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 24 in answering the two questions of His disciples that He wants no one to mislead them as to what the signs of His coming and those of the end of the age, two separate events, will be. To correctly interpret this passage, we must understand that Jesus is speaking to His disciples in the first century, not the twenty-first century. We must never look at the passage first through the lens of our own time, but through the time period in which the passage was originally spoken or written in order to correctly exegete or grasp the meaning.
Secondly, Jesus’ use of “coming”, especially in reference with clouds, power and glory (vs. 30) is an Old Testament pseudonym for judgment (rf. Psalm 97:1-6; 104:1-4; Nahum 1:2-3). If that were true, then His “coming” to the disciples would have been understood as judgment to Jerusalem and to the Jewish people for rejecting their Promised Messiah, a judgment foretold in Matthew 23:37-39 in the same context. Indeed, Jesus spends the first thirty or so verses of Matthew twenty-four simply warning His disciples to flee from Jerusalem when these signs appear because the judgment that He brings will be so severe (rf. Matthew 24:5-31).
Jesus goes on to state (rf. Matthew 24:32-25:30) what the signs of the end of the age would be by virtue of parables, a feature common to the teaching style of Jesus. He shares the parables of the fig tree, the thief in the house, the ten virgins and the talents to give different dynamics of what to look for as signs that the end of the age is coming, of how his followers are to prepare themselves for when He returns to bring all things to their final culmination. He then provides the capstone of this discussion with His disciples by disclosing what the last judgment will look like (rf. Matthew 25:31-46) with Christ separating the people into two groups, His sheep into one with all the rest as the “goats”.
Why am I sharing this brief synopsis of Matthew 24/25 with you? For the very same reason Jesus shared with His disciples: “See that no one misleads you.” The only way that we as believers can safely navigate through troubled times like these is to hold on tightly to God’s Word rightly understood. There are too many folks out there who are trying to profit from the fears of others, exploiting turmoil, and, yes, using God’s Word as a tool to accomplish their ends. Do not be fooled by them! Remember Jesus’ words in Mark: “But of that day or hour no one knows”. If anyone makes a prediction concerning the end of the world or the coming of Christ, etc., mark them down as a false prophet regardless of their credentials!
Make no mistake. Jesus will return in His own time according to the Father’s will. When He does, He wants us to be about the Father’s business. That is what should be our primary concern. We should be ready to welcome Him here nor wringing our hands about when will He be coming! If our hearts are pure, it will not matter when He returns after all. Will it?
(rf. Matthew 24:3-4)
“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”
(rf. Mark 13:32)
Earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan. Civil war in Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain. Economic turmoil throughout the known world breeding uncertainty as to the future. Many are running to the Scripture to find not only comfort and peace amidst troubling times, but also reasons for the things that are happening. They believe that what was written so long ago is as determining as the newspaper headlines printed for today. Added to that are the harbingers of woe from the secular world telling us that, according to the prophets of the Mayan culture predominantly along with the foretelling of Nostradomus of the 16th century, the world will undoubtedly come to an end in December of 2012.
However, if we are to be Biblical Christians and follow the words of Christ specifically, we should be a people of hope and not despair. After all, as the Apostle John tells us in I John 4:18-19, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.”
Fear of the future should not be a part of our pedigree. We should trust in our God without question. He has promised to take care of His people...period. Therefore, we should live our lives in perfect peace, knowing that we are totally secure in Him. Whether we live or die, we are His and He will never leave us nor forsake us ever. He has promised to provide for our every need regardless of the circumstances. So, again, we should not fear the future.
Therefore, having such an encouragement, let us look at what the Scriptures actually state above so we will not fall prey to foolish nonsense that desires to captivate the unsuspecting and ignorant among us. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 24 in answering the two questions of His disciples that He wants no one to mislead them as to what the signs of His coming and those of the end of the age, two separate events, will be. To correctly interpret this passage, we must understand that Jesus is speaking to His disciples in the first century, not the twenty-first century. We must never look at the passage first through the lens of our own time, but through the time period in which the passage was originally spoken or written in order to correctly exegete or grasp the meaning.
Secondly, Jesus’ use of “coming”, especially in reference with clouds, power and glory (vs. 30) is an Old Testament pseudonym for judgment (rf. Psalm 97:1-6; 104:1-4; Nahum 1:2-3). If that were true, then His “coming” to the disciples would have been understood as judgment to Jerusalem and to the Jewish people for rejecting their Promised Messiah, a judgment foretold in Matthew 23:37-39 in the same context. Indeed, Jesus spends the first thirty or so verses of Matthew twenty-four simply warning His disciples to flee from Jerusalem when these signs appear because the judgment that He brings will be so severe (rf. Matthew 24:5-31).
Jesus goes on to state (rf. Matthew 24:32-25:30) what the signs of the end of the age would be by virtue of parables, a feature common to the teaching style of Jesus. He shares the parables of the fig tree, the thief in the house, the ten virgins and the talents to give different dynamics of what to look for as signs that the end of the age is coming, of how his followers are to prepare themselves for when He returns to bring all things to their final culmination. He then provides the capstone of this discussion with His disciples by disclosing what the last judgment will look like (rf. Matthew 25:31-46) with Christ separating the people into two groups, His sheep into one with all the rest as the “goats”.
Why am I sharing this brief synopsis of Matthew 24/25 with you? For the very same reason Jesus shared with His disciples: “See that no one misleads you.” The only way that we as believers can safely navigate through troubled times like these is to hold on tightly to God’s Word rightly understood. There are too many folks out there who are trying to profit from the fears of others, exploiting turmoil, and, yes, using God’s Word as a tool to accomplish their ends. Do not be fooled by them! Remember Jesus’ words in Mark: “But of that day or hour no one knows”. If anyone makes a prediction concerning the end of the world or the coming of Christ, etc., mark them down as a false prophet regardless of their credentials!
Make no mistake. Jesus will return in His own time according to the Father’s will. When He does, He wants us to be about the Father’s business. That is what should be our primary concern. We should be ready to welcome Him here nor wringing our hands about when will He be coming! If our hearts are pure, it will not matter when He returns after all. Will it?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Church Members and Church Attendance
Recently I was privy to a discussion on the subject of church membership. I have always been amazed at how touchy people can become when the issue of membership arises among "the brethren". It stems, I believe, from the erroneous notion based in tradition that one's membership in a church is a sacred bond or trust, tantamount to a stock investment in a company, never to be touched or changed by the corporation, or in this case the church, only by the member or stockholder himself/herself.
This perception on first glance might seem right on target, especially in the light of the "Entitlement"-prone culture in which we presently live. However, our standard of measure is not the culture, but the Scripture, God's Holy Word. When this perspective is lined up accordingly, what we find might actually surprise us.
First of all, church membership, as we know it, being an official name on a roll for statistical purposes and denominational "bragging-rights", is not all to be found in either the Old or New Testaments. What we will find is a very different definition of church membership than what we have come to understand. Church membership in the New Testament, in particular, is the Providential location where God has chosen to place a person for service and worship. Proof of one's faith in Christ was shown in one's life and devotion to His teachings as well as time spent with fellow believers in worship and spiritual growth. It did not reside in the files of church offices and stay there until requested by members or other churches. It went automatically with the believers as they traveled from place to place.
This is why Paul's letters are addressed literally to the "assembled believers" (ekklesia) at Ephesus...Colossae...Philippi, etc. Wherever the believers in Christ were located, they were "members", that is, there they worshiped and served. They were already members of Christ's Body, the universal Church. Location didn't matter. When they moved from Ephesus to Philippi, they didn't "transfer their letter"; they simply moved and attached themselves to one of the house churches at Philippi and started serving and worshiping Christ there. In other words, their "membership" went with them. There was no such thing as leaving one's membership at a previous location for any reason.
Secondly, the New Testament makes it clear that, unless one is hindered by sickness or physical constraints that prevent one's being a part of worship and service at the local fellowship, not to do so brings into serious question one's own salvation at best if not invalidating it altogether at worst. For those who elect not to join in fellowship with the church in which they are members because 1) they have been offended by actions or words by others within the church or 2) they don't like the way the church has decided to do this thing or that or 3) a myriad of other possibilities that they can pursue, hear what the Scripture says:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (rf. Hebrews 10:25)
Note the encouragement at the beginning for those who are of the household of faith: "...hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering...consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds". Obviously, we must be together to do these things. That's why "forsaking (the) assembling together, as is the habit of some" is detrimental not only to do those who do it, but also to the rest of the fellowship because it weakens us all when we all are not present.
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (rf. I John 2:19)
John here in context is establishing the principle that true faithfulness in fellowship is one of the key signatures in real and abiding salvation. We are drawn together because of Jesus Christ, secondarily because of our love for each other. If we have a problem with either of those two reasons, then the problem is with our own hearts and salvation has more than likely never been experienced.
However, assuming that I have been saved and I am a church member, simply put, to be a part of Christ's Church is a huge responsibility. Although the church body is responsible for displaying to its members the love of Christ (rf. John 13:34-35) and for extending to me opportunities to worship the Lord and fellowship with His people, I am responsible to be a viable asset of the particular gathering of believers God has selected for me at this time in my life. I am responsible to worship Him there in the lifting up of my voice in prayer and praise as well as in the giving of my tithes and offerings consistently to the work of His kingdom. I am responsible for serving Him through the various ministries and missions opportunities afforded me through this particular local fellowship. If I expect this fellowship to do these things in my stead or to beg me to do that for which I alone am responsible, then I am the one who is self-centered, disobedient and sinful. In such a state, I can expect no great blessing from God until I repent and return to the path of obedience and faith once again.
May this walk down "membership lane" serve to encourage us all to take serious stock of the great benefit God has given us in being a part of Christ's Church. After all, if Jesus gave His lifeblood for Her, is it too much to ask that we be committed members in service to Him?
This perception on first glance might seem right on target, especially in the light of the "Entitlement"-prone culture in which we presently live. However, our standard of measure is not the culture, but the Scripture, God's Holy Word. When this perspective is lined up accordingly, what we find might actually surprise us.
First of all, church membership, as we know it, being an official name on a roll for statistical purposes and denominational "bragging-rights", is not all to be found in either the Old or New Testaments. What we will find is a very different definition of church membership than what we have come to understand. Church membership in the New Testament, in particular, is the Providential location where God has chosen to place a person for service and worship. Proof of one's faith in Christ was shown in one's life and devotion to His teachings as well as time spent with fellow believers in worship and spiritual growth. It did not reside in the files of church offices and stay there until requested by members or other churches. It went automatically with the believers as they traveled from place to place.
This is why Paul's letters are addressed literally to the "assembled believers" (ekklesia) at Ephesus...Colossae...Philippi, etc. Wherever the believers in Christ were located, they were "members", that is, there they worshiped and served. They were already members of Christ's Body, the universal Church. Location didn't matter. When they moved from Ephesus to Philippi, they didn't "transfer their letter"; they simply moved and attached themselves to one of the house churches at Philippi and started serving and worshiping Christ there. In other words, their "membership" went with them. There was no such thing as leaving one's membership at a previous location for any reason.
Secondly, the New Testament makes it clear that, unless one is hindered by sickness or physical constraints that prevent one's being a part of worship and service at the local fellowship, not to do so brings into serious question one's own salvation at best if not invalidating it altogether at worst. For those who elect not to join in fellowship with the church in which they are members because 1) they have been offended by actions or words by others within the church or 2) they don't like the way the church has decided to do this thing or that or 3) a myriad of other possibilities that they can pursue, hear what the Scripture says:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (rf. Hebrews 10:25)
Note the encouragement at the beginning for those who are of the household of faith: "...hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering...consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds". Obviously, we must be together to do these things. That's why "forsaking (the) assembling together, as is the habit of some" is detrimental not only to do those who do it, but also to the rest of the fellowship because it weakens us all when we all are not present.
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (rf. I John 2:19)
John here in context is establishing the principle that true faithfulness in fellowship is one of the key signatures in real and abiding salvation. We are drawn together because of Jesus Christ, secondarily because of our love for each other. If we have a problem with either of those two reasons, then the problem is with our own hearts and salvation has more than likely never been experienced.
However, assuming that I have been saved and I am a church member, simply put, to be a part of Christ's Church is a huge responsibility. Although the church body is responsible for displaying to its members the love of Christ (rf. John 13:34-35) and for extending to me opportunities to worship the Lord and fellowship with His people, I am responsible to be a viable asset of the particular gathering of believers God has selected for me at this time in my life. I am responsible to worship Him there in the lifting up of my voice in prayer and praise as well as in the giving of my tithes and offerings consistently to the work of His kingdom. I am responsible for serving Him through the various ministries and missions opportunities afforded me through this particular local fellowship. If I expect this fellowship to do these things in my stead or to beg me to do that for which I alone am responsible, then I am the one who is self-centered, disobedient and sinful. In such a state, I can expect no great blessing from God until I repent and return to the path of obedience and faith once again.
May this walk down "membership lane" serve to encourage us all to take serious stock of the great benefit God has given us in being a part of Christ's Church. After all, if Jesus gave His lifeblood for Her, is it too much to ask that we be committed members in service to Him?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Different Meanings of Love
The calendar turns again to reds and pinks as a reminder to us that February is the month of “love”. Whether with hearts or Cupids, spelled out or implied, we are everywhere immersed in the concept. It is interesting how we so flippantly bounce that word around, “love”, that is, especially in the English language. We say, “I love you” to our spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, dog, cat, favorite car, stuffed animal, pile of cash, etc. There is no difference in the wording, only the meaning we may place on the wording in our hearts.
It is a far different thing in the Greek language. At least the Greeks were wise enough to use distinctions in their words to differentiate their meanings so one would not have to look at the context to discern what or who a person really loved. Let me give you some examples.
If affection was being shared between brothers and sisters or within a family context or even between friends, those using the Greek language of the New Testament times would employ a form of the word, phileo (pronounced fil-ay-o). An example of this usage would be Matthew 10:37 where Jesus declares that we cannot have greater love and affection for our family members than for Him. This is not to say that this type of love is condemned, not all. It has its rightful place within the family or friend context, just not as superior to Christ.
Though it is not employed as a word specifically in Scripture but definitely in concept, eros is the term the Greeks utilized when referencing romantic, intimate or sexual feelings between men and women. Eros would be akin to the KJV’s application of “to know” as in “Adam knew Eve” (rf. Genesis 4:1a). It obviously means so much more than intellectual knowledge; it is the sharing of one with another on a deep, intimate level, heart-to-heart as well as fulfilling the “one-flesh” command. The eros concept in Scripture is most vividly and beautifully portrayed in the symmetrical interaction of lovers in the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon). Included within the Wisdom literature of the Bible, it is intended to show that intimate love within the marriage covenant is to be a practiced art and is both a God-given gift to man and an expression of praise to our Creator.
Finally, there is the highest and greatest level of love, the unconditional version. Agapeo (pronounced a-ga-pay-o) is the word we most commonly associate with Biblical “love” because it is the love that God has for us as His children. Rather than “love if someone will do this for us” or “love because someone is this to us”, agapeo is simply “I love you period...understanding who you are, what you’ve done, where you’ve come from, etc.” As powerful a concept as it is for God to have this kind of love for us, it is even more daunting to realize that He actually expects us to have this same kind of love for each other. Jesus makes this point very clear in John 15:12: “This is My commandment, that you love (version of agapeo) one another, just as I have loved (version of agapeo) you.” Wow, what a target we must reach, huh?
So, as we proceed through this “month of love”, let us be far more mindful of what we mean when we use that term “love”. When we say to our fellow Christians in church (or anywhere else for that matter), “I love you”, do we really mean it, first of all, or is it just a glib saying to assuage our consciences? If we do “love” them, do we love them enough? Is it just phileo or agapeo? And when it comes to our spouses, has the eros gone completely out of our tires, leaving only phileo to bind us together? Could it be that a good dose of the Song of Songs is in order?
Maybe this month we should pray that the Spirit of God Who dwells within our hearts and knows best what distinguishing types of love we need most in our lives, relationships and marriages will instill and ignite just the right ones in just the right spots for just the right purposes. He alone sees our deficiencies and knows exactly how to correct them. With His leading we can apply these phileo, eros and agapeo principles accurately with the desired Scriptural results. Then, as Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one toward another” (rf. John 13:35).
It is a far different thing in the Greek language. At least the Greeks were wise enough to use distinctions in their words to differentiate their meanings so one would not have to look at the context to discern what or who a person really loved. Let me give you some examples.
If affection was being shared between brothers and sisters or within a family context or even between friends, those using the Greek language of the New Testament times would employ a form of the word, phileo (pronounced fil-ay-o). An example of this usage would be Matthew 10:37 where Jesus declares that we cannot have greater love and affection for our family members than for Him. This is not to say that this type of love is condemned, not all. It has its rightful place within the family or friend context, just not as superior to Christ.
Though it is not employed as a word specifically in Scripture but definitely in concept, eros is the term the Greeks utilized when referencing romantic, intimate or sexual feelings between men and women. Eros would be akin to the KJV’s application of “to know” as in “Adam knew Eve” (rf. Genesis 4:1a). It obviously means so much more than intellectual knowledge; it is the sharing of one with another on a deep, intimate level, heart-to-heart as well as fulfilling the “one-flesh” command. The eros concept in Scripture is most vividly and beautifully portrayed in the symmetrical interaction of lovers in the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon). Included within the Wisdom literature of the Bible, it is intended to show that intimate love within the marriage covenant is to be a practiced art and is both a God-given gift to man and an expression of praise to our Creator.
Finally, there is the highest and greatest level of love, the unconditional version. Agapeo (pronounced a-ga-pay-o) is the word we most commonly associate with Biblical “love” because it is the love that God has for us as His children. Rather than “love if someone will do this for us” or “love because someone is this to us”, agapeo is simply “I love you period...understanding who you are, what you’ve done, where you’ve come from, etc.” As powerful a concept as it is for God to have this kind of love for us, it is even more daunting to realize that He actually expects us to have this same kind of love for each other. Jesus makes this point very clear in John 15:12: “This is My commandment, that you love (version of agapeo) one another, just as I have loved (version of agapeo) you.” Wow, what a target we must reach, huh?
So, as we proceed through this “month of love”, let us be far more mindful of what we mean when we use that term “love”. When we say to our fellow Christians in church (or anywhere else for that matter), “I love you”, do we really mean it, first of all, or is it just a glib saying to assuage our consciences? If we do “love” them, do we love them enough? Is it just phileo or agapeo? And when it comes to our spouses, has the eros gone completely out of our tires, leaving only phileo to bind us together? Could it be that a good dose of the Song of Songs is in order?
Maybe this month we should pray that the Spirit of God Who dwells within our hearts and knows best what distinguishing types of love we need most in our lives, relationships and marriages will instill and ignite just the right ones in just the right spots for just the right purposes. He alone sees our deficiencies and knows exactly how to correct them. With His leading we can apply these phileo, eros and agapeo principles accurately with the desired Scriptural results. Then, as Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one toward another” (rf. John 13:35).
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