Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
A Question About Dressing Modestly
I recently received a question about my posting: "Women: Put some clothes on!" It was a very good question so here it is followed by my answer:
Question:
While I agree with you in principal I have one question... how are we to know what is modest and godly? If we are to use the standard of society as a mesure than we risk breaking the rule. IE: If we use todays standard for modesty or even the 1950's idea of modest, than by the standard set forth during say... the crusades our women are dressed no better than an obvious prostitute. Society or what our curent godly friends might say is modest is purely subjective (this is unrefutible because if you ask an opinion of someone that opinion is always subject...that's why it is called an opinion.) than how are we to know what is right? I hope that wasn't to confusing to answer.
Answer:
I think the first step is for women to have an awareness that dressing modestly is an issue that they need to be thinking about when they go into their closets. Sometimes I think certain women are oblivious to the fact that they are wearing something that may be tempting the men around them. I understand that women are not wired the way men are and may not fully understand the power of visual stimulation. This is all the more reason for women to really think about what they decide to put on. So it starts with awareness.
I think the idea of modesty needs to start with women when they are still little girls. It is amazing what I see little girls wearing sometimes. No, they don’t have a developed body to show off and they probably aren’t tempting anyone by their dress. But these little girls will eventually grow up into women who will have bodies to show off and will think that dressing provocatively is completely acceptable because that is what they have been doing since they were a little girl. This is where the daddy’s need to step up. Daddy’s need to celebrate their daughters beauty, and I mean really make a big deal out of it, in the modest ways they dress. So, secondly, I think modesty starts at a young age and with the daddy’s celebrating their daughters’ beauty.
Once a woman is grown up enough to make her own decisions I think she has to ask herself some questions as she is dressing every day. Jesus always concentrated on the heart and motive behind the things we do and dress is no different. Women should ask themselves questions like “Where does this outfit draw attention to?” As John Piper says, "Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies." In the context of worship women should ask themselves “Am I in any way trying to draw attention to myself by wearing this?” So, thirdly, women should check their motivation for wearing what they wear.
Lastly, women should surround themselves with godly husbands, brothers, and fathers who will give them honest opinions about what they are wearing. This is probably the most practical and effective piece of advice. Men know what is inappropriate and what isn’t in a way that women never could. So seek the advice of Godly men and trust their opinion. Yes, it’s an opinion and as long as it is a Godly man, it is the correct one to seek and trust. If a Godly man thinks something is inappropriate and you don’t, you’re wrong, period. Trust me.
We should never use society as a standard for what is considered modest and appropriate. We should seek what the Bible has to say about the issue and consult Godly, mature Christians for counsel. Will the advice we receive many times be opinion? Yes, but it will be opinion guided into truth by the Holy Spirit.
Answer:
I think the first step is for women to have an awareness that dressing modestly is an issue that they need to be thinking about when they go into their closets. Sometimes I think certain women are oblivious to the fact that they are wearing something that may be tempting the men around them. I understand that women are not wired the way men are and may not fully understand the power of visual stimulation. This is all the more reason for women to really think about what they decide to put on. So it starts with awareness.
I think the idea of modesty needs to start with women when they are still little girls. It is amazing what I see little girls wearing sometimes. No, they don’t have a developed body to show off and they probably aren’t tempting anyone by their dress. But these little girls will eventually grow up into women who will have bodies to show off and will think that dressing provocatively is completely acceptable because that is what they have been doing since they were a little girl. This is where the daddy’s need to step up. Daddy’s need to celebrate their daughters beauty, and I mean really make a big deal out of it, in the modest ways they dress. So, secondly, I think modesty starts at a young age and with the daddy’s celebrating their daughters’ beauty.
Once a woman is grown up enough to make her own decisions I think she has to ask herself some questions as she is dressing every day. Jesus always concentrated on the heart and motive behind the things we do and dress is no different. Women should ask themselves questions like “Where does this outfit draw attention to?” As John Piper says, "Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies." In the context of worship women should ask themselves “Am I in any way trying to draw attention to myself by wearing this?” So, thirdly, women should check their motivation for wearing what they wear.
Lastly, women should surround themselves with godly husbands, brothers, and fathers who will give them honest opinions about what they are wearing. This is probably the most practical and effective piece of advice. Men know what is inappropriate and what isn’t in a way that women never could. So seek the advice of Godly men and trust their opinion. Yes, it’s an opinion and as long as it is a Godly man, it is the correct one to seek and trust. If a Godly man thinks something is inappropriate and you don’t, you’re wrong, period. Trust me.
We should never use society as a standard for what is considered modest and appropriate. We should seek what the Bible has to say about the issue and consult Godly, mature Christians for counsel. Will the advice we receive many times be opinion? Yes, but it will be opinion guided into truth by the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Female Pastors?
"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet."
These two verses are among the more controversial verses in Scripture. I’ll try to explain what Paul is saying in these verses but let me begin by making clear what he is not saying.
Paul is not saying that women are in any way inferior to men. He makes this clear in his letter to the Galatians when he says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” To be clear there is still a distinction between male and female as far as the roles God has assigned to them but they are in every way of equal value in God’s eyes. Paul is not saying that women are prohibited from speaking in church. Paul assumes that women will prophesy in Corinth (1 Cor. 11:4-5) and throughout Scripture women take part in speaking in church services (Ex 15:20; Col 3:16). Paul is not even prohibiting women from teaching in appropriate conditions and circumstances. Priscilla and Aquila both taught Apollos (Acts18:26), but only after they took him aside and were away from the worship setting. Women are also commanded to teach each other (Titus 2:3-4). As John MacArthur says “Nor does it mean women cannot pray, merely that they are not to lead the prayers during the public worship of the church. It does not mean that women do not have spiritual gifts in the area of public speaking and leadership. The issue is where they exercise those gifts.”
What Paul is saying in today’s verses is that women are prohibited from preaching and teaching in church. In verse 12 Paul explains what he means in verse 11. Paul is saying that women are to remain quiet in the sense of preaching and teaching and should remain subject by not trying to undermine the authority of the elders by taking their role. Paul is merely prohibiting what God had already said would happen. In the garden of Eden God told Eve “Your desire shall be for your husband”, literally that she would desire her husband’s position of authority. Paul’s prohibition of women leadership in the church is part of his apostolic duty to remain true to God’s commands. In these verses Paul explicitly and clearly forbids women from having any kind of authority over men in the church. I agree with R.C. Sproul when he says: "All of us have been blessed by mothers, women missionaries and Sunday school teachers, and other females who have taught us the Word without being elders. Let us thank God for the many Godly women in our lives."
This will be controversial but let me be clear: The office of elder/pastor is for men only. If a woman calls herself a pastor she is going against the words of the apostle Paul and thus against the word of God. For any women who call themselves pastor I would encourage you to read and re-read these verses with an open heart and mind and let the Holy Spirit lead you to the truth.
For further study on male and female roles I would recommend "Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism", edited by Wayne Grudem and John Piper.
These two verses are among the more controversial verses in Scripture. I’ll try to explain what Paul is saying in these verses but let me begin by making clear what he is not saying.
Paul is not saying that women are in any way inferior to men. He makes this clear in his letter to the Galatians when he says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” To be clear there is still a distinction between male and female as far as the roles God has assigned to them but they are in every way of equal value in God’s eyes. Paul is not saying that women are prohibited from speaking in church. Paul assumes that women will prophesy in Corinth (1 Cor. 11:4-5) and throughout Scripture women take part in speaking in church services (Ex 15:20; Col 3:16). Paul is not even prohibiting women from teaching in appropriate conditions and circumstances. Priscilla and Aquila both taught Apollos (Acts18:26), but only after they took him aside and were away from the worship setting. Women are also commanded to teach each other (Titus 2:3-4). As John MacArthur says “Nor does it mean women cannot pray, merely that they are not to lead the prayers during the public worship of the church. It does not mean that women do not have spiritual gifts in the area of public speaking and leadership. The issue is where they exercise those gifts.”
What Paul is saying in today’s verses is that women are prohibited from preaching and teaching in church. In verse 12 Paul explains what he means in verse 11. Paul is saying that women are to remain quiet in the sense of preaching and teaching and should remain subject by not trying to undermine the authority of the elders by taking their role. Paul is merely prohibiting what God had already said would happen. In the garden of Eden God told Eve “Your desire shall be for your husband”, literally that she would desire her husband’s position of authority. Paul’s prohibition of women leadership in the church is part of his apostolic duty to remain true to God’s commands. In these verses Paul explicitly and clearly forbids women from having any kind of authority over men in the church. I agree with R.C. Sproul when he says: "All of us have been blessed by mothers, women missionaries and Sunday school teachers, and other females who have taught us the Word without being elders. Let us thank God for the many Godly women in our lives."
This will be controversial but let me be clear: The office of elder/pastor is for men only. If a woman calls herself a pastor she is going against the words of the apostle Paul and thus against the word of God. For any women who call themselves pastor I would encourage you to read and re-read these verses with an open heart and mind and let the Holy Spirit lead you to the truth.
For further study on male and female roles I would recommend "Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism", edited by Wayne Grudem and John Piper.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Jewelry is NOT a Sin.
"likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works."
A word about jewlelry: Paul is not forbidding the wearing of jewelry here, at all. There is nothing wrong with jewelry. Solomon’s bride in Song of Solomon wore gold and silver jewelry (Song 1:10-11; 4:9), as did Rebekah (Gen. 24:53). There is an appropriate time and place for that as affirmed by the words of Isaiah 61:10:
In Paul’s day, much like today, jewelry was, and is, used by people to flaunt their wealth to others or scream out “look at me!” Wealthy women in the church at Ephesus were doing just that and this is what Paul is forbidding in this verse. He is confronting anything that would cause people to desire the attention to be on themselves instead of Jesus. He is not forbidding the wearing of jewelry, period.
If you would like to discuss this further feel free to contact me. You know how to reach me.
A word about jewlelry: Paul is not forbidding the wearing of jewelry here, at all. There is nothing wrong with jewelry. Solomon’s bride in Song of Solomon wore gold and silver jewelry (Song 1:10-11; 4:9), as did Rebekah (Gen. 24:53). There is an appropriate time and place for that as affirmed by the words of Isaiah 61:10:
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
In Paul’s day, much like today, jewelry was, and is, used by people to flaunt their wealth to others or scream out “look at me!” Wealthy women in the church at Ephesus were doing just that and this is what Paul is forbidding in this verse. He is confronting anything that would cause people to desire the attention to be on themselves instead of Jesus. He is not forbidding the wearing of jewelry, period.
If you would like to discuss this further feel free to contact me. You know how to reach me.
Women: Put some clothes on!
"likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works."
“Women should adorn themselves” or as the NIV puts it “dress themselves.” We can stop right there for now. I don’t think most women have read this in their Bibles. Please, women, dress yourselves.
We cannot go anywhere in today’s culture, even to church, where we don’t see women wearing inappropriate clothing. To the women: stop wearing skin-tight clothing that flaunts everything you have, stop wearing skirts too short , stop wearing shirts with necklines that show off your clevage, stop wearing shorts so short that your butt is hanging out the bottom. Please, listen to Paul, “dress yourself”, put some clothes on. As Ligon Duncan says:
We have a huge problem with sexuality in our culture. It is entirely too free and too flaunted. Sexuality is a beautiful thing. Within the context of marriage, the ability of the husband to enjoy the wife and vice versa is one of the greatest privileges that God has given us. But God did not expect that to be shown and shared with every human being who you pass on the street. You are to be modest and discreet in the way you dress. Invite godly friends, sisters and brothers in Christ, to help you dress in such a way that you honor the Lord. Paul is saying that there is a right way to dress and a wrong way to dress. He’s not saying that it’s all just subjective and in the eye of the beholder. There is a way that a person can dress, and it sends one message, and there’s a way that a person can dress and it sends another message. Paul is saying in this passage, “instead of aspiring to be seductive and provocative in the way we dress, let us adorn ourselves instead with a beautiful character and life.
So often today we hear that women do not want to be treated as objects or as pieces of meat but want to be treated with respect and dignity. To the women: if you want to be treated with respect and dignity then dress with respect and dignity. Do not expect to be treated with respect and dignity when you are flaunting what God gave you to anyone who wants to have a look. Stop wearing the low cut shirts and short skirts, start dressing yourselves with dignity and it will be given to you.
“Women should adorn themselves” or as the NIV puts it “dress themselves.” We can stop right there for now. I don’t think most women have read this in their Bibles. Please, women, dress yourselves.
We cannot go anywhere in today’s culture, even to church, where we don’t see women wearing inappropriate clothing. To the women: stop wearing skin-tight clothing that flaunts everything you have, stop wearing skirts too short , stop wearing shirts with necklines that show off your clevage, stop wearing shorts so short that your butt is hanging out the bottom. Please, listen to Paul, “dress yourself”, put some clothes on. As Ligon Duncan says:
I want to urge you to think long and hard about what you wear: blouses that are skin-tight and reveal everything; midriffs bared; diving necklines; skirts that are way too short or worn way too low. We need to think about dressing modestly and discreetly. It starts, Dad and fathers, with you. You should say to your wives, or to your daughters...they’re getting ready to go out in something they ought not go out in, and you’ll know, dad and father, “You’re not going out in that.” On the other hand, wives and daughters, it ought to be a desire on your part—perhaps it’s with your husband, perhaps it’s with other godly friends whose judgment you trust—to ask them the question: “Is this modest and discreet?” I want it to be beautiful and attractive, but I also want to be modest and discreet. Does this fit the bill? You ought to be approaching your husbands and fathers, instead of dreading them sharing their opinions. You ought to be inviting them, because it ought to be your desire to dress modestly and discreetly.
We have a huge problem with sexuality in our culture. It is entirely too free and too flaunted. Sexuality is a beautiful thing. Within the context of marriage, the ability of the husband to enjoy the wife and vice versa is one of the greatest privileges that God has given us. But God did not expect that to be shown and shared with every human being who you pass on the street. You are to be modest and discreet in the way you dress. Invite godly friends, sisters and brothers in Christ, to help you dress in such a way that you honor the Lord. Paul is saying that there is a right way to dress and a wrong way to dress. He’s not saying that it’s all just subjective and in the eye of the beholder. There is a way that a person can dress, and it sends one message, and there’s a way that a person can dress and it sends another message. Paul is saying in this passage, “instead of aspiring to be seductive and provocative in the way we dress, let us adorn ourselves instead with a beautiful character and life.
So often today we hear that women do not want to be treated as objects or as pieces of meat but want to be treated with respect and dignity. To the women: if you want to be treated with respect and dignity then dress with respect and dignity. Do not expect to be treated with respect and dignity when you are flaunting what God gave you to anyone who wants to have a look. Stop wearing the low cut shirts and short skirts, start dressing yourselves with dignity and it will be given to you.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Real Men Pray
"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling"
Paul’s addresses men in this verse. He desires that the men pray in every place. This may seem a bit embarrassing to men. Let’s face it in today’s culture Christianity is dominated by females and has a very feminine exterior. As Mark Driscoll puts it the church has produced "a bunch of nice, soft, tender, chickified church boys. … Sixty percent of Christians are chicks," he explains, "and the forty percent that are dudes are still sort of chicks." So men have a tendency to not want to identify themselves with Christianity that is so overtly feminine. That is why it is so important for men who are not “chickified church boys” to step up and lead the way for their families and churches. One of the places to begin is making sure that men are praying in every place. There are two reasons for this.
First, too often we separate our life on Sunday from our life the rest of the week. We may “pray, lifting holy hands” at church but are we doing it in the other places that Paul mentions? Do you have a disconnect between your “church life” and the rest of your life? If so, repent and give Jesus your whole life, not just Sunday from 10:30-12:00. Praying in every place means just what it says. Wherever you go, pray. If you’re out to eat, pray. If you’re at a ball game, pray. If you’re at work, pray. If you’re gathered with friends, pray. Praying in “every place” ties in with the second point I have.
People everywhere need to see real men, not feminine men, worshiping Jesus. We are to pray in every place as a testament to what Jesus has done for us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should pray as a show so that other would see us and praise us. I’m saying that real men realize that “to the King of ages…be honor and glory forever and ever” and we give thanks to him in prayer everywhere we go because that is the desire of a renewed heart. As a result, our lives will be preaching a gospel to those around us who need to see that Christianity is not led by “chickified church boys” buy strong, tough, dedicated, loyal, manly men.
Paul’s addresses men in this verse. He desires that the men pray in every place. This may seem a bit embarrassing to men. Let’s face it in today’s culture Christianity is dominated by females and has a very feminine exterior. As Mark Driscoll puts it the church has produced "a bunch of nice, soft, tender, chickified church boys. … Sixty percent of Christians are chicks," he explains, "and the forty percent that are dudes are still sort of chicks." So men have a tendency to not want to identify themselves with Christianity that is so overtly feminine. That is why it is so important for men who are not “chickified church boys” to step up and lead the way for their families and churches. One of the places to begin is making sure that men are praying in every place. There are two reasons for this.
First, too often we separate our life on Sunday from our life the rest of the week. We may “pray, lifting holy hands” at church but are we doing it in the other places that Paul mentions? Do you have a disconnect between your “church life” and the rest of your life? If so, repent and give Jesus your whole life, not just Sunday from 10:30-12:00. Praying in every place means just what it says. Wherever you go, pray. If you’re out to eat, pray. If you’re at a ball game, pray. If you’re at work, pray. If you’re gathered with friends, pray. Praying in “every place” ties in with the second point I have.
People everywhere need to see real men, not feminine men, worshiping Jesus. We are to pray in every place as a testament to what Jesus has done for us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should pray as a show so that other would see us and praise us. I’m saying that real men realize that “to the King of ages…be honor and glory forever and ever” and we give thanks to him in prayer everywhere we go because that is the desire of a renewed heart. As a result, our lives will be preaching a gospel to those around us who need to see that Christianity is not led by “chickified church boys” buy strong, tough, dedicated, loyal, manly men.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
There is One God
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."
These verses are foundational to the understanding of Christianity. Unlike Hinduism, Mormonism, Buddhism, and Shinto, Christianity is a Monotheistic religion, meaning we believe in one and only one God. Verse five makes this clear: “There is one God.” Other verses in the Bible that state our belief include: “…the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.” (Deut 4:35), “…there is no god beside me” (Deut 32:39), “…you alone are God.” (Ps 86:10), “Before me no God was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” (Isa 43:10), “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God.” (Isa 45:5), “…the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God.” (1 Tim 1:17).
All other gods are demonic false gods. John 17:3 states that the God of the Bible is “…the only true God.” This lends itself to the knowledge that there are indeed false gods. If you worship any other god besides the God of the Bible you are worshiping a false god and a demon. You may be very devoted and give of your time and money to your church but if it is not a Bible believing, Jesus centered church you are sacrificing to demons: “They sacrificed to demons that were no gods.” (Deut 32:17). “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.” (1 Cor 10:20). You may even go around telling others that you are Christian. You may include the Bible in your doctrine and may even put the name Jesus Christ in the name of your church but if you are not a Bible believing, Jesus centered church you are worshiping demons: “And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Cor 11:12-15). People worshiping these demons may claim to have experienced miracles or other amazing things which convinces them that they are worshiping the true God. It should not be a surprise when people of other religions experience wondrous powers and miraculous signs because the Bible tells us “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders” (2 Thess 2:9).
If you get only one thing right in your life this should be it: that you understand “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Eternity for you and most likely for generations of your family after you hinges on your understanding and belief of this fact. Since there is only one God, He is the God of all creation, and He has given but one answer to the plight of sinners. There is one God over all the world, and so there is one message of grace that must be preached to everyone. If you put your faith in anyone or anything other than Jesus you will spend eternity being tormented in hell. If your faith is in the gods of Hinduism, the god of Islam, the gods of this world, the gods of Mormonism, the god of the Jehovah’s witnesses, the god of yourself, the god of money, or the god of anything else you will spend eternity in hell. Despite what Oprah has to say, there are not many paths to God, there is one and only one. Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He did not say that he as “a way, a truth, or a life” he said he is “THE way, THE truth, and THE life.”
Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all.” Think about that: Jesus, who is fully God, came to earth and gave his life as a ransom for all. This is an enormous difference, it is THE enormous difference between Christianity and other religions. The gods of other religions are all about what you can do for them. You’re entrance to heaven will be judged upon how much you sacrificed for them, or how much you gave to them, or how devoted you were to them, or how many people of other religions you murdered for them. In stark contrast, if you are a worshiper of the God of the Bible your entrance to heaven will not be judged on anything you have done, it will be judged by what Jesus did. Really take the time to meditate on this: the false gods of other religions demand you give up your life for them. The God of the Bible gave up His life for you. In other religions you give your life as a ransom to your demonic god. In Christianity Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all.”
There is one God and his desire is that you put your faith in Him that you may have eternal life. He gave his life for you and is offering to give you His righteousness. Will you accept the gift that has been offered?
These verses are foundational to the understanding of Christianity. Unlike Hinduism, Mormonism, Buddhism, and Shinto, Christianity is a Monotheistic religion, meaning we believe in one and only one God. Verse five makes this clear: “There is one God.” Other verses in the Bible that state our belief include: “…the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.” (Deut 4:35), “…there is no god beside me” (Deut 32:39), “…you alone are God.” (Ps 86:10), “Before me no God was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” (Isa 43:10), “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God.” (Isa 45:5), “…the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God.” (1 Tim 1:17).
All other gods are demonic false gods. John 17:3 states that the God of the Bible is “…the only true God.” This lends itself to the knowledge that there are indeed false gods. If you worship any other god besides the God of the Bible you are worshiping a false god and a demon. You may be very devoted and give of your time and money to your church but if it is not a Bible believing, Jesus centered church you are sacrificing to demons: “They sacrificed to demons that were no gods.” (Deut 32:17). “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.” (1 Cor 10:20). You may even go around telling others that you are Christian. You may include the Bible in your doctrine and may even put the name Jesus Christ in the name of your church but if you are not a Bible believing, Jesus centered church you are worshiping demons: “And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Cor 11:12-15). People worshiping these demons may claim to have experienced miracles or other amazing things which convinces them that they are worshiping the true God. It should not be a surprise when people of other religions experience wondrous powers and miraculous signs because the Bible tells us “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders” (2 Thess 2:9).
If you get only one thing right in your life this should be it: that you understand “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Eternity for you and most likely for generations of your family after you hinges on your understanding and belief of this fact. Since there is only one God, He is the God of all creation, and He has given but one answer to the plight of sinners. There is one God over all the world, and so there is one message of grace that must be preached to everyone. If you put your faith in anyone or anything other than Jesus you will spend eternity being tormented in hell. If your faith is in the gods of Hinduism, the god of Islam, the gods of this world, the gods of Mormonism, the god of the Jehovah’s witnesses, the god of yourself, the god of money, or the god of anything else you will spend eternity in hell. Despite what Oprah has to say, there are not many paths to God, there is one and only one. Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He did not say that he as “a way, a truth, or a life” he said he is “THE way, THE truth, and THE life.”
Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all.” Think about that: Jesus, who is fully God, came to earth and gave his life as a ransom for all. This is an enormous difference, it is THE enormous difference between Christianity and other religions. The gods of other religions are all about what you can do for them. You’re entrance to heaven will be judged upon how much you sacrificed for them, or how much you gave to them, or how devoted you were to them, or how many people of other religions you murdered for them. In stark contrast, if you are a worshiper of the God of the Bible your entrance to heaven will not be judged on anything you have done, it will be judged by what Jesus did. Really take the time to meditate on this: the false gods of other religions demand you give up your life for them. The God of the Bible gave up His life for you. In other religions you give your life as a ransom to your demonic god. In Christianity Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all.”
There is one God and his desire is that you put your faith in Him that you may have eternal life. He gave his life for you and is offering to give you His righteousness. Will you accept the gift that has been offered?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Word of God
In order to get a better understanding of Christianity I am going to be writing a series of short papers on the basics of the faith. I'm going to be going straight through Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology so almost everything will be taken from there. This is not an attempt to come up with anything new or add to Grudem's work. A lot will be taken word for word from the text so please don't be offended if you feel I'm plagarizing, I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what I believe and writing it down helps. So, here is the first topic on the word of God:
In Christian circles we hear the term “the word of God” a lot. But what does that actually mean? What are we referring to when we say “the word of God”? In this short paper I will attempt an explanation of what “the word of God” refers to and cite several passages of Scripture to back up my explanation.
The first thing “the word of God” can refer to is Jesus himself. In this instance “the word of God” refers to a person. In Revelation 19:13 we see that “He (Jesus) is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.” In John’s Gospel we also see Jesus referred to as “the Word”. Chapter one verse one tells us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then in verse 14 John tells us “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Jesus “has the role of communicating the character of God to us and of expressing the will of God for us.”
The second thing “the word of God” can refer to is actual speech by God the Father. We see this in a few forms. God speaks in decrees, or orders as we see in the creation account of the first chapter of Genesis. Psalm 33:6 also tells us:
God also sometimes addresses man personally. This is seen in Scripture when man hears the actual voice of God. Examples include God speaking to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17 and 3:16-19. God audibly spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai in giving the Ten Commandments. In the New Testament we see God speaking at the baptism of Jesus when He says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Additionally, God chooses human lips through which He speaks. Throughout Scripture God raises up prophets to proclaim His word to His people. Although human lips physically speak these words they still carry the weight and authority as being the word of God. Deuteronomy 18:18-20 tells us:
Lastly God’s words are also in written form (the Bible). The first instance of this written form was found in the Ten Commandments: “And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God” (Ex. 31:8). “The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets” (Ex. 32:16). Men appointed by God beginning with Moses did further recording of God’s word. “Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel (Deut. 31:9). “And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord (Josh. 24:26). God commanded Isaiah “And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever (Isa. 30:8). Likewise God commanded Jeremiah “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you” (Jer. 30:2).
In the New Testament we see the authors writing with the same authority as the writers of the Old Testament. In 2 Peter we see Peter referring to Paul’s writings as Scripture, referring to the books of the Old Testament:
Three major benefits arise from the recording or writing down of God’s word. First, there is a more accurate presentation of God’s word for future generations. Second, the opportunity to continually read, review, and test God’s word is available in written form. And lastly, God’s word in written form is much more accessible to many more people than when it can only be proclaimed through oral repetition.
To review, “the word of God” can be used to refer to Jesus himself, who is the Word incarnate, or “in the flesh”. It can also be used to speech by God in the forms of decrees which cause things to happen or create out of nothing (ex nihilo), personal address by God in which His voice is audible, speech through human lips like those of the prophets, and speech in the form of His written word, the Bible.
In Christian circles we hear the term “the word of God” a lot. But what does that actually mean? What are we referring to when we say “the word of God”? In this short paper I will attempt an explanation of what “the word of God” refers to and cite several passages of Scripture to back up my explanation.
The first thing “the word of God” can refer to is Jesus himself. In this instance “the word of God” refers to a person. In Revelation 19:13 we see that “He (Jesus) is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.” In John’s Gospel we also see Jesus referred to as “the Word”. Chapter one verse one tells us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then in verse 14 John tells us “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Jesus “has the role of communicating the character of God to us and of expressing the will of God for us.”
The second thing “the word of God” can refer to is actual speech by God the Father. We see this in a few forms. God speaks in decrees, or orders as we see in the creation account of the first chapter of Genesis. Psalm 33:6 also tells us:
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
God’s decrees cause something to happen or make things come into being. God also sometimes addresses man personally. This is seen in Scripture when man hears the actual voice of God. Examples include God speaking to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17 and 3:16-19. God audibly spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai in giving the Ten Commandments. In the New Testament we see God speaking at the baptism of Jesus when He says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Additionally, God chooses human lips through which He speaks. Throughout Scripture God raises up prophets to proclaim His word to His people. Although human lips physically speak these words they still carry the weight and authority as being the word of God. Deuteronomy 18:18-20 tells us:
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.
Similarly in Jeremiah 1:9 we read, “Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, ‘Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.’” As I said earlier God’s word spoken through human lips carries the same authority as if coming from God himself. “To disbelieve or disobey any of them was to disbelieve or disobey God himself”Lastly God’s words are also in written form (the Bible). The first instance of this written form was found in the Ten Commandments: “And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God” (Ex. 31:8). “The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets” (Ex. 32:16). Men appointed by God beginning with Moses did further recording of God’s word. “Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel (Deut. 31:9). “And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord (Josh. 24:26). God commanded Isaiah “And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever (Isa. 30:8). Likewise God commanded Jeremiah “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you” (Jer. 30:2).
In the New Testament we see the authors writing with the same authority as the writers of the Old Testament. In 2 Peter we see Peter referring to Paul’s writings as Scripture, referring to the books of the Old Testament:
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
Likewise in 1 Timothy 5:18 we read, “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’” The first part of that quote is taken from the Old Testament (Deut 25:4) and the latter from the New Testament (Luke 10:7) although both are referred to as “Scripture.” “Once again it must be noted that these words are still considered to be God’s own words, even though they are written down mostly by human beings and always in human language.”Three major benefits arise from the recording or writing down of God’s word. First, there is a more accurate presentation of God’s word for future generations. Second, the opportunity to continually read, review, and test God’s word is available in written form. And lastly, God’s word in written form is much more accessible to many more people than when it can only be proclaimed through oral repetition.
To review, “the word of God” can be used to refer to Jesus himself, who is the Word incarnate, or “in the flesh”. It can also be used to speech by God in the forms of decrees which cause things to happen or create out of nothing (ex nihilo), personal address by God in which His voice is audible, speech through human lips like those of the prophets, and speech in the form of His written word, the Bible.
Thoughts on 1 Timothy 2:3-4
"This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
"Evangelistic prayer for all people is rooted in the fact that God desires all people to be saved. It appears that Paul is countering an exclusivist tendency in the false teachers or at least their downplaying of the importance of evangelizing the Gentiles (along with their emphasis on the Jewish law). This statement figures prominently in theological disagreements over the extent of the atonement. It cannot be read as suggesting that everyone will be saved (universalism) because the rest of the letter makes it clear that some will not be saved (4:1; 5:24; 6:10; cf. Matt. 25:30, 41, 46; Rev. 14:9–11)” (Neste, 2008).
This is a controversial verse which many who hold to Arminian theology will argue opposes predestination. The question becomes can God desire something that does not come to pass? The answer is clearly yes. It is clear that God loves all men and Paul’s statement here that God desires all men to be save is completely in line with God’s character. God does not want anyone to perish, but that they would sincerely repent (cf. Ezek 33:11). 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Although God desires all people trust in Him, it is clear from the rest of Paul’s letter to Timothy that some will not be saved (4:1; 5:24; 6:10; cf. Matt. 25:30, 41, 46; Rev. 14:9–11).
How then do we reconcile God’s desire for all to be saved with the fact that not all people are saved? John Calvin states that by “all people” in this current context “the Apostle (Paul) simply means, that there is no people and no rank in the world that is excluded from salvation; because God wishes that the gospel be proclaimed to all without exception. The present discourse relates to classes of men, not to individual persons; for his sole object is, to include in this number princes and foreign nations.” So “all people” here is referring to all types of people, all classes of people, Jews and Gentiles, men and women, sinners and saints.
R.C. Sproul says “the Lord desires one thing more than the salvation of all – His glory (Isa 48:11). In one sense, God can truly want all who have ever lived to be saved; however, this desire always defers to His will to glorify Himself, the will in view when the Bible says His will is always done. The Lord is glorified when sin is punished in hell, and so God’s supreme desire is met even when people are not redeemed.”
However one understands the extent of the atonement, this passage clearly teaches the free and universal offer of the gospel to every single human being; “desires” shows that this offer is a bona fide expression of God's good will.
"Evangelistic prayer for all people is rooted in the fact that God desires all people to be saved. It appears that Paul is countering an exclusivist tendency in the false teachers or at least their downplaying of the importance of evangelizing the Gentiles (along with their emphasis on the Jewish law). This statement figures prominently in theological disagreements over the extent of the atonement. It cannot be read as suggesting that everyone will be saved (universalism) because the rest of the letter makes it clear that some will not be saved (4:1; 5:24; 6:10; cf. Matt. 25:30, 41, 46; Rev. 14:9–11)” (Neste, 2008).
This is a controversial verse which many who hold to Arminian theology will argue opposes predestination. The question becomes can God desire something that does not come to pass? The answer is clearly yes. It is clear that God loves all men and Paul’s statement here that God desires all men to be save is completely in line with God’s character. God does not want anyone to perish, but that they would sincerely repent (cf. Ezek 33:11). 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Although God desires all people trust in Him, it is clear from the rest of Paul’s letter to Timothy that some will not be saved (4:1; 5:24; 6:10; cf. Matt. 25:30, 41, 46; Rev. 14:9–11).
How then do we reconcile God’s desire for all to be saved with the fact that not all people are saved? John Calvin states that by “all people” in this current context “the Apostle (Paul) simply means, that there is no people and no rank in the world that is excluded from salvation; because God wishes that the gospel be proclaimed to all without exception. The present discourse relates to classes of men, not to individual persons; for his sole object is, to include in this number princes and foreign nations.” So “all people” here is referring to all types of people, all classes of people, Jews and Gentiles, men and women, sinners and saints.
R.C. Sproul says “the Lord desires one thing more than the salvation of all – His glory (Isa 48:11). In one sense, God can truly want all who have ever lived to be saved; however, this desire always defers to His will to glorify Himself, the will in view when the Bible says His will is always done. The Lord is glorified when sin is punished in hell, and so God’s supreme desire is met even when people are not redeemed.”
However one understands the extent of the atonement, this passage clearly teaches the free and universal offer of the gospel to every single human being; “desires” shows that this offer is a bona fide expression of God's good will.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Prayer for Obama
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly an dignified in every way."
It is important to Paul that Timothy pray for all types of people. He specifically mentions “kings and all who are in high positions.” Because ancient rulers were so often cruel and disrespectful to God and His people, they were most often targets of bitterness and hostility rather than prayer. Paul urged Timothy to pray for them and be an example to his congregation to do so as well. For us today this means that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” be made for President Obama. This may be a shock to some evangelical Christians but it is a mandate from God. We may not agree with everything or anything that President Obama is doing but that does not mean that we are not to have him in our prayers daily.
I was talking with a friend the other day and the topic of Satan came up and the fact that Satan is a finite being who can be in only one place at a time. I asked him who he thought Satan was most likely harassing today. His answer was either the Pope or President Obama. These are two of the most powerful men on the planet and if Satan can only be in one place at a time either of those two men would be a prime target. Just as in war it is more advantageous to take out the General’s rather than the Private’s so too in spiritual war would it be advantageous for Satan to sway the leader of the free world. Think about that for a moment. Can you imagine the temptation put before you if Satan himself was the one tempting you? I am in no way saying that President Obama is possessed by Satan or anything like that. I am saying that as President I’m sure he is tempted in ways that most of us can’t even begin to understand and he needs our prayers.
Why should we pray for our leaders? Paul tells Timothy so “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Prayer for those in authority will create societal conditions favorable for the church’s missional efforts. As John MacArthur puts it “when believers are committed to praying for all their leaders it removes any thought of rebellion or resistance against them. It makes the people of Christ into peacemakers, not reactionaries. As Paul wrote Titus:
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.”
There Paul again calls the believers to tranquility and submissiveness to the pagan or apostate governments over them. He urges us to be subject, eager to do good, never to slander or contend, to be meek and considerate, because we understand that they are sinners like we used to be, incapable of righteousness.”
Although God is concerned with the well-being of His people, the peaceful quiet life spoken of here is not so that we can live comfortable lives. God is more concerned with the spread of his kingdom and the carrying out of His mission than he is with our well-being. As I said earlier the purpose of the peaceful life is for the advancement of the Gospel without any unnecessary hurdles. As always, it’s not about you, it’s about Him and His kingdom.
It is important to Paul that Timothy pray for all types of people. He specifically mentions “kings and all who are in high positions.” Because ancient rulers were so often cruel and disrespectful to God and His people, they were most often targets of bitterness and hostility rather than prayer. Paul urged Timothy to pray for them and be an example to his congregation to do so as well. For us today this means that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” be made for President Obama. This may be a shock to some evangelical Christians but it is a mandate from God. We may not agree with everything or anything that President Obama is doing but that does not mean that we are not to have him in our prayers daily.
I was talking with a friend the other day and the topic of Satan came up and the fact that Satan is a finite being who can be in only one place at a time. I asked him who he thought Satan was most likely harassing today. His answer was either the Pope or President Obama. These are two of the most powerful men on the planet and if Satan can only be in one place at a time either of those two men would be a prime target. Just as in war it is more advantageous to take out the General’s rather than the Private’s so too in spiritual war would it be advantageous for Satan to sway the leader of the free world. Think about that for a moment. Can you imagine the temptation put before you if Satan himself was the one tempting you? I am in no way saying that President Obama is possessed by Satan or anything like that. I am saying that as President I’m sure he is tempted in ways that most of us can’t even begin to understand and he needs our prayers.
Why should we pray for our leaders? Paul tells Timothy so “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Prayer for those in authority will create societal conditions favorable for the church’s missional efforts. As John MacArthur puts it “when believers are committed to praying for all their leaders it removes any thought of rebellion or resistance against them. It makes the people of Christ into peacemakers, not reactionaries. As Paul wrote Titus:
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.”
There Paul again calls the believers to tranquility and submissiveness to the pagan or apostate governments over them. He urges us to be subject, eager to do good, never to slander or contend, to be meek and considerate, because we understand that they are sinners like we used to be, incapable of righteousness.”
Although God is concerned with the well-being of His people, the peaceful quiet life spoken of here is not so that we can live comfortable lives. God is more concerned with the spread of his kingdom and the carrying out of His mission than he is with our well-being. As I said earlier the purpose of the peaceful life is for the advancement of the Gospel without any unnecessary hurdles. As always, it’s not about you, it’s about Him and His kingdom.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thoughts on 1 Timothy 1:18-20
"This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."
I see two main points in these verses. First the Christian life is an all out war. When I first became a Christian I expected life to get much easier. I looked around at the “Christians” I knew and they always seemed to have a smile on their face and a jolly demeanor. None of them looked as if they were involved in any type of war. When I gave my life to Christ my experience was nothing like what I thought it was going to be. Life got very very hard. The battle between the flesh and the spirit had begun. When you become a Christian you get a new heart (Ezek 36:26-27) and the desires of your new heart are in direct conflict with your former desires (lust, greed, idolatry etc…) (Gal 5:17). Every day becomes a non-stop battle against the desires of the flesh. As hard as it was (and still is) I had a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I had not felt before. Life was difficult but I was not alone and I was joyful to be engaged in the battle. I knew I was fighting the good fight and that the Holy Spirit was giving me the ability to do so. If you are reading this and you are considering giving your life to Jesus please understand that your life will become much more difficult. You will be enlisting in a war that won’t end until Jesus comes and redeems creation. Life will be hard but you will not be alone and you will experience joy and purpose like you have not known before.
Secondly, we must fight this battle while holding on to faith in Jesus and with a clear conscience. If at any point in battle we begin to get proud and think we can fight on our own we will begin to transfer our faith in Jesus to faith in ourselves. The only way we have a chance in this war is through faith in Jesus living lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must also fight with a clear conscience. This means keeping short accounts of our sin and repenting daily to Jesus who died on the cross so that we could be forgiven. This means living the Christian life with one goal in mind: glorifying God. We should never live so that our motivation is the compliments and praise of others. This means that we cannot live as hypocrites, preaching the Gospel and not living by it. What we preach with our mouths must line up with what we preach with our living. If we fail in either of these areas Paul says we will make a “shipwreck of our faith”, living unfruitful lives in an attempt to glorify ourselves.
I see two main points in these verses. First the Christian life is an all out war. When I first became a Christian I expected life to get much easier. I looked around at the “Christians” I knew and they always seemed to have a smile on their face and a jolly demeanor. None of them looked as if they were involved in any type of war. When I gave my life to Christ my experience was nothing like what I thought it was going to be. Life got very very hard. The battle between the flesh and the spirit had begun. When you become a Christian you get a new heart (Ezek 36:26-27) and the desires of your new heart are in direct conflict with your former desires (lust, greed, idolatry etc…) (Gal 5:17). Every day becomes a non-stop battle against the desires of the flesh. As hard as it was (and still is) I had a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I had not felt before. Life was difficult but I was not alone and I was joyful to be engaged in the battle. I knew I was fighting the good fight and that the Holy Spirit was giving me the ability to do so. If you are reading this and you are considering giving your life to Jesus please understand that your life will become much more difficult. You will be enlisting in a war that won’t end until Jesus comes and redeems creation. Life will be hard but you will not be alone and you will experience joy and purpose like you have not known before.
Secondly, we must fight this battle while holding on to faith in Jesus and with a clear conscience. If at any point in battle we begin to get proud and think we can fight on our own we will begin to transfer our faith in Jesus to faith in ourselves. The only way we have a chance in this war is through faith in Jesus living lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must also fight with a clear conscience. This means keeping short accounts of our sin and repenting daily to Jesus who died on the cross so that we could be forgiven. This means living the Christian life with one goal in mind: glorifying God. We should never live so that our motivation is the compliments and praise of others. This means that we cannot live as hypocrites, preaching the Gospel and not living by it. What we preach with our mouths must line up with what we preach with our living. If we fail in either of these areas Paul says we will make a “shipwreck of our faith”, living unfruitful lives in an attempt to glorify ourselves.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thoughts on 1 Timothy 1:15-17
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
Paul makes two points in these verses. First that Jesus left heaven to come to earth and save sinners among whom Paul identifies himself as the “foremost” sinner. He says that Jesus had mercy on him and his point is that if he, a persecutor of Christians, can receive mercy, then nobody is beyond God’s mercy. His second point is that the whole reason he received mercy was so that Jesus might glorify himself in displaying is perfect patience as an example for those who were given to him by the Father. Recognizing God’s glory, Paul then moves directly into praise and worship of our Lord giving him “honor and glory forever”.
Because of God’s grace, Paul sees his condition and correctly recognizes that Jesus has saved him from it. I think that is important for all of us. Usually people fall into one of two categories. Either they don’t see themselves as sinners much less foremost among sinners or they believe the lie that they have done so many bad things that they are beyond the love of God and cannot receive His grace and mercy. We should all recognize the fact that we are indeed sinners unable to save ourselves and desperately in need of a savior. We should also understand that nobody is beyond the love and grace of God. That is Paul’s whole point when he says that God used him as an example because he was such a wretched man. If you believe you are beyond the love and mercy of God you are wrong. You have correctly identified yourself as a sinner but underestimated the power of God’s love for you.
If you believe that you are beyond the love of God please read and meditate on Paul’s words in the book of Romans: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Paul makes two points in these verses. First that Jesus left heaven to come to earth and save sinners among whom Paul identifies himself as the “foremost” sinner. He says that Jesus had mercy on him and his point is that if he, a persecutor of Christians, can receive mercy, then nobody is beyond God’s mercy. His second point is that the whole reason he received mercy was so that Jesus might glorify himself in displaying is perfect patience as an example for those who were given to him by the Father. Recognizing God’s glory, Paul then moves directly into praise and worship of our Lord giving him “honor and glory forever”.
Because of God’s grace, Paul sees his condition and correctly recognizes that Jesus has saved him from it. I think that is important for all of us. Usually people fall into one of two categories. Either they don’t see themselves as sinners much less foremost among sinners or they believe the lie that they have done so many bad things that they are beyond the love of God and cannot receive His grace and mercy. We should all recognize the fact that we are indeed sinners unable to save ourselves and desperately in need of a savior. We should also understand that nobody is beyond the love and grace of God. That is Paul’s whole point when he says that God used him as an example because he was such a wretched man. If you believe you are beyond the love and mercy of God you are wrong. You have correctly identified yourself as a sinner but underestimated the power of God’s love for you.
If you believe that you are beyond the love of God please read and meditate on Paul’s words in the book of Romans: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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