Wise To Satan's Devices

Yesterday I read an article about a couple of male orcas named "Port" and "Starboard" that live off the cost of South Africa and are serial shark killers.  Over a short period of time, locals discovered large female sharks washed up on the shore with their livers and sometimes the heart expertly removed.  It is believed these killer whales single out their target shark, ram it suddenly from underneath, and this causes tonic immobility.  While the shark remains in this defenseless, catatonic state, the orcas are able to easily access and eat the parts of the shark they prize without much effort before seeking their next victim.

Similar to orcas which are the apex predator in the ocean, lions hold this title on land in Africa.  Lions are opportunistic hunters that stalk their prey, targeting the young or sickly.  They are not as picky as the infamous orcas Port and Starboard tend to be and will also feed on carrion or steal a kill from hyenas or dogs.  While lions do not have any natural predators, they are cautious about the animals they will try to engage.  The epic "Battle at Kruger" video shot during a safari shows a fierce conflict between a pride of lions, a herd of buffalo and crocodiles shows lions can try to bite off more than they can chew.  The strength of a few lions are no match for the strength of the herd.

The Bible compares Satan to a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  It is important to point out Satan, unlike orcas and lions, is not an apex predator.  As the Creator of all things, God has power and authority over everything and everyone He has made--including Satan.  Like orcas, lions and hyenas have tactics they use in hunting, Satan does as well.  He prowls around seeking isolated, sickly and easy targets.  Satan looks for people who are in sin and are too proud to confess it and repent.  When we walk according to the flesh, pride and the wisdom of the world we are most vulnerable.  An unguarded heart is  like leaving the front door of a house wide open for a squatter to settle down in.  It is no surprise Satan waited to tempt Jesus until He was alone and hungry in the wilderness after a long fast.  After being rebuffed three times by Jesus Who spoke the word of God, Satan departed without success.

Paul's exhortation to the church is most relevant today in 2 Corinthians 2:8-11:  "Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. ⁹ For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. ¹⁰ Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."  Previously Paul wrote to the church and told them to excommunicate a man in the church who was in open and unrepentant sin.  Having done so, now they were to receive the man who repented and reaffirm their love to him with total forgiveness.  Paul urged them not to hold a grudge or have animosity towards anyone--even for his sake.  Then Paul revealed their lack of love and refusal to forgive would allow Satan to take advantage of them.  Like orcas and lions, Satan uses tactics to devour prey Christian believers ought to be aware of.

Those who are born again by faith in Jesus can resist the devil and he will flee.  Yet if we justify disobedience to God and refuse to love or forgive others, we give Satan opportunities to attack and devour us.  The devil does not deserve the credit for many of our troubles, for many are self-inflicted wounds by unbelief and countless other sins.  It would be foolish for a sheep who chose to wander from the shepherd and the flock at night to blame being caught and cut in a fence on the existence of wolves.  When the sheep stay close to a vigilant shepherd the wolves will have little opportunity.  Having knowledge of Satan's tactics to divide, confuse and capitalise on our unloving and unforgiving hearts, we are equipped with God's wisdom and strength to avoid these common pitfalls.

Encouragement in Christ's Work

God who created us and provides for all our needs is able to bring encouragement when we need it too.  There may be some people whose constitution resembles iron, impervious to pretty much everything other than rust.  I have grown in my appreciation of the encouragement God brings that unexpectedly reveals how much I needed it.  The best encouragement comes from God, and He is able to use countless means and ways to apply it to our hearts and minds.  Even when our hearts are wearied by troubles, the LORD knows how to minister to and through us.

I took encouragement today from the benediction at the end of the book of Hebrews.  Hebrews 13:20-21 reads, "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."  Our God is the "God of peace," the almighty LORD who brings healing and wholeness by His grace.  We who were once strangers and far off from God have been brought near by the Gospel, united with the risen Christ.  As Jesus died and rose again, so we were once dead in sins and now have been raised to new life through the covenant in His blood shed for us.

Unlike those whose gods are crafted by the design of men from stone or wood that cannot speak, see, hear, know or do, the LORD Jesus is our Good Shepherd.  He protects and provides for us continually, and makes us complete in every good work to do His will.  God is working in us what is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, and this requires trust and submission to Him.  Perhaps we thought we could be merely passive observers or beneficiaries of this work without personal investment, yet we are called to work out our own freely received salvation.  It may surprise you it is to those who labour and are burdened Jesus tells to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him in Matthew 11:28-30:  "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  Our labours and burdens are too much for us alone, and thus Jesus calls us to come to Him and find rest--not a rest from labour or a promise of a trouble-free existence--but a new life sustained and encouraged by Him.

What is "well pleasing" in God's sight is often very different from what is pleasing to our view.  We want to see people or trying circumstances to change, whilst God is using those things to change us, make us complete in every good work to do His will and works in us what is well pleasing in His sight.  The God of peace that united the resurrected Son of God with a glorified body is able to finish the work in us He has begun by His grace.  We are often weak, forgetful, foolish, lazy and clueless about God's work, yet He is faithful.  God speaks to us and teaches us through His word, and the indwelling Holy Spirit continues to guide and leads us even when we are reluctant and contrary.  Today Jesus is making us complete in every good work to do His will, working in us what is well pleasing in His sight.  Knowing this, even when things are tiring, painful and hard there is always encouragement found in Jesus. 

The Aroma of Life

It is easy to read the Bible and imagine believers in scripture were a heartier stock than the modern-day believer, that we share little in common with them because they were vastly more faithful or fruitful.  Christians like Paul were used by the LORD to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, faced fierce persecution from all sides, and he remained steadfast in faith.  We can also look at missionaries, worship leaders, pastors and teachers who seem unfazed by life's problems.  Our fellow Christians who have suffered many major things beyond our experience seem to fare better than we do with our struggles over minor things.

The problem is, this isn't true.  It may be true we do wilt easily under the pressure others have discovered strength in God to overcome through faith, but know human frailty since the fall into sin has been constant.  Even Paul was transparent about struggles most people can identify with, and we might assume such troubles were beneath him.  Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:12-13, "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, ¹³ I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia."  Though Paul preached Christ though Whom we find rest for our souls, it did not follow Paul always experienced it.  He had an open door to preach by the LORD, yet he had no rest in his spirit.  Initially the trip to Macedonia was not pleasant either.

He explained in 2 Corinthians 7:5-6:  "For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. ⁶ Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus..."  Paul's spirit was not at rest in Troas, and in Macedonia the body had not rest either:  there were troubles, conflicts outside and fear inside.  While Paul was in a downcast and depressed state, Titus brought with him a comforting message from the church in Corinth.  He reported how well they received his corrective and instructive letter and took appropriate action to honour God in the church.  Paul rejoiced to hear this good report.  God placed the apostle Paul in the body of Christ the church, not only to bring forth the truth of God's word, but to receive the consolation by Christ's love and encouragement through His people.

Have you ever lacked rest in your spirit since coming to Christ?  Have you ever faced trouble and conflicts without and fears within?  Have you ever felt lonely or downcast?  If so, you have more in common with Paul than you may have thought.  And if you know Jesus Christ, having been born again, you are connected with the same Saviour who gives rest and comfort for our souls.  2 Corinthians 2:14-16 can be a source of encouragement for all Christians as we praise Him despite pain:  "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?"  The fragrance of frankincense is released when it is crushed, and when our souls are crushed by difficulties the fragrance of Jesus Christ is dispensed to the world to lead people to salvation by faith in Him.

Paul being downcast and crushed by circumstances can be an encouragement to us who also struggle.  Paul was not sufficient for the troubles common to life and people, and neither are we:  only Jesus Christ is sufficient for these things, and He is infinitely so.  Paul's attitude and flesh led him to be downcast, yet Jesus always leads us in triumph.  Thanks be to God who comforts the downcast and through us diffuses the aroma of Life leading to life.  The crushing circumstances of life have a way of leading us and others to Jesus.

Sober and Steadfast in Faith

Commonly quoted verses of the Bible sometimes stop short of important information and personal application, and I was reminded of this during a recent Bible study.  The speaker described how predators seek out easy prey that are isolated from the protection of the herd, ones that are young, old or injured.  He likened the one isolated from the pack as the Christian who is too self-conscious or embarrassed to confess their sin, isolated by their own pride.  Such a one may gather with believers on a Sunday or lead a Bible study and have many friends, yet they can foolishly go it alone in their struggle in sin.  "The devil is in the grey areas," he said.

I took the liberty of looking up the verse that describes Satan as a lion prowling about looking for prey in 1 Peter 5:8:  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  This is the passage many Christians are familiar with.  In the King James Version of the Bible, however, this verse does not end with a period but a colon.  Our proper response to this revelation is outlined in the following verse in 1 Peter 5:9:  "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."  Verse 8 is not intended to strike fear into your heart that Satan is like a lion because verse 9 says we are not called to flee from him but stand steadfast in the faith of Jesus.  Fleeing is a prey response that triggers the predatory instinct to pounce and pursue.  We cannot outrun temptation; we cannot overpower the devil in our flesh.

Having been born again by faith in Jesus Christ, we are given strength and wisdom to resist Satan as we remain steadfast in the faith as Jesus keeps us.  We can take comfort that we are not alone in our struggles, whether it is being overtaken in a trespass, temptation to sin or trials that result in suffering.  Peter explained believers are a brotherhood in the world, the flock of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd Who protects, guides, corrects and comforts us.  The only time we are on our own is when we stray from the Good Shepherd and fellowship with believers, ignoring the conviction of our conscience and choosing to isolate ourselves in our pride and self-reliance.  This is when we are most vulnerable and open to attack.  But God be praised:  though we do have an adversary who seeks to devour, we have a Saviour who seeks to save and deliver.  Like Daniel in the lion's den, God has the power to shut the mouths of lions so we are unhurt, our lives a testimony of God's presence and protection.

Conflict Creates Opportunity

Conflict is a part of life and especially in our closest relationships.  Instead of seeing conflict as a bad thing to avoid at all costs. Myron Rush wrote this:  "One of the key ingredients to maintaining a cooperative relationship is the attitude that conflict is healthy and not something to be avoided.  Conflict creates an opportunity for us to know each other better and to serve each other more." (Rush, Myron, and Stanley C. Baldwin. Richer Relationships: Leader's Guide. Victor Books, 1983. page 121)  One of the reasons why we might want to avoid facing conflict head on is to avoid offending people we love and care about.  However, if we truly do love others and care for their needs, dealing with conflict directly in a loving manner demonstrates that fact.  My avoidance of conflict can be self-centered rather than loving others at all.

Jesus did not shy away from conflict when He spoke the truth in love.  He did not pander to His listeners by telling them what they wanted or expected to hear.  Even the disciples of Jesus did not understand or agree with what He said, like when Peter responded to Jesus with, "Not so, LORD!"  When Jesus conversed with the self-righteous Pharisees He exposed their hypocrisy--not to humiliate or embarrass them or make Himself look good--but to lovingly rebuke them so they might consider their sinful ways, repent and be forgiven.  As it was they blindly were headed to destruction and compelled others to follow them.  The conflict arose when they did not believe the claims of Jesus He was the Christ and were envious of His attraction to the people they desperately wanted to influence themselves.  Jesus came to save them from sin and death, yet they were determined to kill Him.  Conflict between them was inevitable.

After Jesus identified the Pharisees as those who drew near to God with their lips, whose hearts were far from God and thus worshipped Him in vain, they were incensed.  Matthew 15:12-14 states, "Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" ¹³ But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. ¹⁴ Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  It is likely the disciples came to Jesus to inform Him of the Pharisee's offence because He did not give any impression it concerned Him.  The Pharisees avoided confronting Jesus publicly out of fear of losing face before the people.  Jesus, being God in the flesh, knew perfectly why the Pharisees were angry and offended over His remarks.  In His response to Peter Jesus was not apologetic or sorry, having spoken the truth of God's word with a heart of love and sincere care for others.

The reason for the offence of the Pharisees was because they were not planted by His Father, even as the tares were sown among the good seed by an enemy in the parable.  They were not to be preoccupied with trying to make peace with people with whom their could be no peace or unity, for they were of a different kind.  The Pharisee's offence of Jesus was not to be the concern of His disciples, for unbelief in Jesus had blinded them.  As blind leaders of the blind they would fall into a ditch shrouded in darkness, for they refused to acknowledge the Light of the World Who shone upon them.  The response of Jesus was not a callous, "Sorry, not sorry!" but pointed out the reason behind their offence and how their vain worship of God would lead to ruin.  Their offence and anger at Jesus made plain the hidden reality of hearts distant from God.

Because Christians are not Jesus, it is easy for us when facing conflict to fall into the snares of pride, selfishness, fear of man and frustration He expertly avoided at every turn.  Nothing Jesus ever said or did was regrettable or should He have apologised for, but there are countless times we should have repented when we justified ourselves.  We have been offensive and rude, not because we spoke the truth, but because we said it in a haughty, mocking manner or to make others look foolish.  We have avoided saying the truth because we knew it would be offensive and did not love others enough to meet their hypocrisy head-on, calling it what it is.  Thus we played the hypocrite despite knowing better!  The love of God and commitment to loving others means we can view conflict as an good opportunity to explore rather than something to selfishly avoid.  Because our eyes have been opened to see Jesus and receive His word, let us follow His leading to deal with conflict directly rather than sweeping it aside.  If others will stumble at Christ or fall into a ditch of offence, let it not be due to our lack of love or our sin.

Judge With Righteous Judgment

Christians and unbelievers can both cite scriptures to affirm they speak the truth or to accuse someone else of doing wrong.  One of the most classic cases of this involves a Christian calling something sin or expressing disgust, and the immediate reaction by someone else is that "Christians aren't supposed to judge."  Some may even quote Jesus partially in the hackneyed manner, "Judge not."  The irony is the one who calls out those who judge as doing wrong have committed the exact error they accuse the other of.

For those who are born again and have a working knowledge of Bible doctrine, it is abundantly clear God Himself has given people the capacity and responsibility to make judgments all the time--for good or ill.  Education, knowledge and the ability to reason are pointless without judgment.  Judging or deciding something is not wrong in itself, but why and the way we communicate this can be problematic and even sinful.  Those who delight in pointing out hypocrisy for the purpose of condemning others expose their own hypocrisy as it is written in Romans 2:1:  "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."  Jesus is the only One who pointed out a hypocrite without being one Himself.  Jesus was not sent to condemn this world but that sinners through Him might be saved.  

Did Jesus actually teach it was wrong to judge others?  He did no such thing.  What He did teach is that our manner and severity in judging others would be taken into account and establish the standard for being judged by God.  Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2, "Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."  If we will judge ourselves to determine our sinful actions and words so we might repent of sin and do what is righteous, we will avoid harsh judgment.  It is very easy to find fault in sinners, and thus our primary responsibility before God is to take action to identify and put away our own sin.  This involves judgment, and it is a godly way to live.  Our mistake is to be preoccupied, vocal and confrontational about others doing wrong when we have ignored our own faults.

After Jesus miraculously healed a man at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, the Jewish rulers were furious when the man told them it was Jesus who commanded him to carry his bed home.  In their view this violation of the Sabbath day revealed Jesus was an evildoer, and they literally sought to kill Him.  John 7:21-24 reads, "Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel. ²² Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. ²³ If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? ²⁴ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."  Jesus did not condemn the Jews who accused Him of sin for judging Him but revealed they judged unjustly and hypocritically.  He asked why they were angry He healed a man.  They found fault with Him because they were envious of His miraculous power and fame, and they used His alleged breach of the Sabbath to justify their murderous plot.  They conveniently ignored the miraculous power of God at work through Jesus to heal and blindly condemned the Son of God.

As followers of Jesus, let us be wise to avoid the retaliatory style of the world that cares more about pointing out the faults of others, proving them wrong or humiliating others rather than first examining our own hearts according to God's word and the Gospel.  When Paul spoke to Felix in Acts 24 he reasoned concerning righteousness, temperance and judgment to come, and it is vital we navigate conflicts and disagreements with these points in mind.  The righteous God has provided His word and wisdom, and He holds us accountable to exercise self-control even when others are wrong.  We Christians will all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so let us look beneath the surface and consider our own hearts when tempted to condemn others.

Rottenness of Unbelief

Today I made a disgusting discovery while putting potatoes away.  As I pulled out the basket where we keep them in a cupboard out of sunlight, the foul smell of decay hit my nostrils at the same time I saw a potato which had begun to rot.  I quickly carried the basket outside and deposited the potato in the bin.  Then I set about cleaning the cupboard and basket of any residue.

I found the damp spot inside the basket was quite small but moisture had seeped in a much larger area underneath.  I scrubbed the area with detergent, rinsed it thoroughly with water, then left the basket in the sun to dry.  It was surprising how the basket in a dry condition was strong and robust, yet moisture introduced by a spoiled potato in a matter of days caused areas of the basket to dissolve.  Had the bacteria-filled fluid remained longer, the whole basket might have been ruined.

Though the situation involved an inedible potato, ironically it provided food for thought.  The Christian's faith in Jesus Christ is a most practical thing, a gift from God that strengthens and enables us to serve our Saviour with gladness.  Faith is not only necessary but is useful as we take steps in obedience to God.  Like a rotten potato contacted the basket and began to weaken it, so doubt and unbelief can weaken our faith.  Jesus said faith in Him has the ability to move mountains, yet when we allow unbelief to permeate our minds we are the ones who move away from reliance upon God and His word.

The potato was secretly, silently rotting away in darkness, and so it is with unbelief in our own minds and hearts.  Unbelief is a sin which is the source of countless other sins like envy, fear, worry, lust, pride and malice.  Solomon wrote in Proverbs 14:30, "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones."  It was only a matter of time before the rotten potato was discovered, and it was important to remove the potato from the basket and throw it away rather than hoping in vain it would just disappear.  One bad potato put other potatoes and the basket itself in jeopardy of becoming useless, and thus it needed to be promptly and personally dealt with.

So it is with unbelief.  As a rotting potato is attended by offensive sights and smells, so unbelief reveals itself in our thoughts, words and deeds.  Unbelief is marked by refusal to trust and obey God, even as the children of Israel would not enter the land of promise due to unbelief.  They would not enter in and thus could not enter in, for faith in God was required to advance in obedience.  Left in a cupboard every potato will go bad, and thus is it not a matter of "if" but "when" we will discover unbelief has crept into our hearts.  Bringing sin into God's marvelous light by confession and repentance is God's prescribed way to restoration by His grace.  Unlike a basket that wears out over time our faith can grow and be strengthened more than ever as we obey.

Having Done All

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Ephesians 6:13

A small phrase of God's word can have huge implications.  Take for instance the phrase in this well-known passage "having done all."  The context of what preceded this verse in Ephesians 6 helps us to understand what "all" alludes to.

Paul began the chapter with specific directives for followers of Jesus Christ concerning their relationships with others.  Having been born again by faith in Jesus, he lays out plainly the responsibilities of Christians in Ephesians 6:1-9 as they submit to one another in love:  "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: ³ "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." ⁴ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. ⁵ Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. ⁹ And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him."

By faith in Jesus children were to obey their parents; instead of provoking their children fathers were to rear and train their children in the fear of God.  Slaves were to obey their masters and do the will of God from the heart, serving the LORD.  Masters were to do the same without threats knowing they were slaves of the most high God.  The commands set the stage for the believer's readiness and empowerment through the Holy Spirit in conflicts.  Ephesians 6:10 reads, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."  The courage and strength of believers to will and do God's pleasure is derived from the Holy Spirit we are called to submit to.  Spiritual battles take place in our own hearts, minds and situations that require us to choose if we will yield to our flesh, the world or the Holy Spirit.

Often when this passage is preached the primary emphasis is placed on our need to put on the whole armour of God and what that means.  The phrase "having done all" should not be overlooked, for unless we submit to God and obey His will in our relationships with others we will be unable to put on the whole armor of God.  Praying on each piece of the armour of God has merit, but if we have not first put off the old man marked by disobedience to parents, who provokes others to wrath, seeks to please men out of selfishness or greed for personal gain, threatens or demeans others, how can we stand strong in the LORD having put on the whole armor of God?  As much as depends upon us, we are called to walk peaceably and in submission to one another in the love of God.  Submitting to God in our relationships with our spouse, children and fellow men is a vital aspect of yielding in our relationship with God in the Spirit.  My view is the spiritual armor is more an analogy of all God provides for us through the indwelling Holy Spirit having done all than individual items we miss out on when not named specifically.

Let us not for a moment think we are in ourselves sufficient to do any of these things, for our obedience to Christ and ability to be strong in the LORD and the power of His might is all by His grace.  Jesus taught about our obligations to men and God in Luke 17.  In response to the request of the disciples to increase their faith, Jesus explained how it is proper for a servant to first prepare food and serve his master and when he was finished the servant would eat.  Would the master thank the servant for doing his required duty?  Of course not.  Then Jesus concluded in Luke 17:10, "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"  Our service unto God ought to be marked by humility, for we have only done what is our God-given responsibility to do:  to obey our parents, to train our children, to submit to those in authority over us and not to abuse authority in pride.  We are divinely enabled, having done all, to stand in the day of evil.  It is not by our might and power or even by effort to obey we can stand, but because of who we are in Christ Jesus, all by His grace.

The Pinnacle of Ministry

In some Christian circles, the teaching ministry of a pastor is seen as the most important role God gives people.  I do not believe this is true.  This view has unfortunately led to many preachers being elevated in the eyes of people within the church who can also aspire to be "up front" rather than being content to improve their service unto the LORD in their current situation.  The apostle Paul did not preach himself but Christ crucified and did not desire notoriety for himself.  In the minds of some people the opposite was true, for they criticised his manner of speaking lame and found his physical presence weak.  His detractors claimed Paul's letters were much more inspiring than seeing him speak in person.  Certainly they believed others were better suited for the teaching role--and maybe they thought they could do better.

While the teaching ministry of the church is critical and invaluable, there are countless other roles in the Body of Christ the church that are just as vital.  1 Corinthians 12:27-31 says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way."  God appoints people in the church to serve in a variety of ways as they use the gifts He provides by His grace.  Paul went on to say walking in love towards God and others is the highest calling in the church, and in every role or gifting God gives provides, the love of Jesus ought to mark us.  Since people will know we are Christians by our love for one another, Christ's love through us can lead others to salvation by faith in Him.

There are genuine believers in the church who will never teach a Bible study or preach a sermon.  That is perfectly sensible, even as a nose cannot walk or a hand cannot digest food.  It would be a grave error to imagine a preaching or teaching ministry is the pinnacle of Christian service when Jesus is the Head of the Church Who humbled Himself, washed feet, and gave His life for others.  It is far more profitable to have the mind that whatever God gives or gifts you to do, use it with all your might for His glory.  It may be God has given you skill in administration or helps:  put your hand to the plough in practicing and refining your ability doing what God has gifted and enabled you to do rather than thinking you must go to seminary to be a better Christian.  If God has given you a spouse or children, you are called to teach them by the manner of your life, from the scripture, with your mouth and by faithfulness to love as Jesus loves you.  The pinnacle of ministry is to love like Jesus.

The opportunities outside the church are just as important as service within the church as Christians are led by God to share His love everywhere they go.  Practical service is a powerful testimony of God's love to people whether they know Jesus or not.  Lending a tool, offering a lift, giving a financial gift, helping someone struggling to walk up stairs or listening to someone who is emotionally troubled are just a handful of ways we can give of our time and resources to minister to others in God's love--regardless if you have a paid position in a church fellowship or not.  No one is hindered in fruitfulness to the LORD because they are not currently serving in a formal teaching role.  Let the love of Jesus and the light of the Gospel shine through our lives in all we do whether we sing or speak up front, are on the sound team streaming the service, or if we follow along in our Bibles and take notes.  God orchestrates more opportunities than we can imagine to serve the LORD when we are willing and obedient to follow Him.

Living By God's Word

The value of the Bible in the life of a born-again Christian cannot be overstated because it is the primary means of God speaking directly to us.  It is the eternal plumbline of righteousness, the benchmark of God's truth and revealed character before which all notions, theories and opinions of man must yield.  The scriptures spoken by God make us wise unto salvation by faith which is in Christ Jesus.  God's word guides us to do the things that please Him and keeps us from sin.  Satan's question posed to Eve concerning what God said eroded her resolve to avoid sin and the deceivers tactics have not changed to this day:  plant seeds of doubt of what God has said, contradict God's word and encourage people to act as God by doing what is right in their own eyes.

It is no surprise when unbelieving people in the world butcher the scriptures, distorting them according to their own bias and desires, but it is tragic when this happens in the church.  Lately I have noticed a trend (which is not new) to take well-known passages of scriptures and use them to convey a message foreign to scripture.  Jesus responded to Satan's temptation in Luke 4:4, "...It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"  With an aim to encourage people to give money for social causes a pastor was recently quoted as saying, "We don't live by bread alone but by our giving we provide a voice, we provide funding to the voice of change."  Imagine that the word of God could be replaced by people giving money!  The word of God makes a man wise to eternal salvation, and it is incredible from the pulpit the voice of God would be shushed and altered.

On the subject of God's sovereignty and faithful provision Jesus commanded His disciples not to worry.  

He said in Matthew 6:31-33, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  The guiding principles of a modern Christian organisation said, "Seek first the opportunity to enable fruitful collaboration before doing anything alone."  Imagine substituting the priority of seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness with first seeking people to collaborate with--as if we could be fruitful in our human efforts without God who enables us to do everything He commands!  The righteousness of a Christian is by faith in Jesus alone, and when we cease looking to Christ our labours will be in vain.

Paul's passionate exhortation in 2 Timothy 4:1-2 is vital for pastor and parishioner alike in our conduct and speech:  "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."  According to the riches of His grace God has given us His word He exalted above His own name (Psalm 138:2).  As stewards of His truth by the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are to preach the word readily and faithfully.  A day will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but let us be those who proclaim it by walking accordingly always.  Jesus alone has the words of life, so let us live by them!

Sit in the Lowest Seat

"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 14:11

Jesus set forth this principle in His teaching we see exemplified throughout scripture.  He spoke a parable to the lawyers and Pharisees after observing how they jockeyed for position to secure the best seats for themselves.  In that culture and time the placement of a seat conveyed social status, and these men sought honour for themselves.  Jesus explained it was better to humbly take the lower seat at the feast and for the host to provide a better seat than to proudly take the best seat and be humiliated when directed by the host to take the worst seat.  The LORD Jesus used this dynamic to reveal spiritual truth they did not comprehend, for the one who humbles himself now before God will be exalted later by Him.

This principle applies, not only in social settings, but in the reading and study of God's word.  The Bible provides an unvarnished view of humanity throughout its pages, whether it describes the stubbornness and unbelief of the Hebrews in the wilderness or the disciples arguing about who among them was the greatest.  We wonder how people who witnessed the 10 plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea and the visible presence of God leading would refuse to enter into the promised land out of fear of man.  We might be tempted to laugh and mock at the apostles for foolishness that seems ironic because they had walked with Jesus for years.  Surely we would do better!  When we adopt this attitude, we exhibit those who have an exalted view of self.

It is vastly more practically and spiritually profitable for us to take the lowest place.  When we read of various people in the Bible who were unbelieving, hypocrites, slaves to vices, forgetful, spiritually weak Jews and Gentiles, we ought to assume that place and identify with them because we acknowledge we might as well be looking at ourselves in a mirror.  Consider the implications of Romans 2:1 when we stand in judgment of people in the scriptures for their faults with scornful pride:  "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."  To point out unbelief reveals we also are guilty of unbelief in varying degrees, for the Bible cannot be broken.  We like to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, and this is a vice we do well to acknowledge, repent of and forsake.  No matter how much we have grown, most of us have a long way to go.

Jesus humbled Himself and became the servant of all, and we are to have His mind whether we are choosing a seat at the table or reading a passage of scripture.  Jesus deserved the highest seat at the table and to be served, yet He chose to leave the seat of honour and humbled Himself to wash all the disciple's feet.  He gave us an example of humility that ought to permeate our thinking and choices whether we are at home with the family, at work or play, with our neighbours, in church or on holiday.  The one who exalts himself by thinking he is worthy or entitled to honour will be humbled, and he who humbles himself God will exalt by His grace.  This principle is a promise we ought to take to heart.

All These Things

At the beginning of the first Star Wars movie (Episode 4, A New Hope), Luke Skywalker was a farm boy in a barren desert who would rather be anywhere else.  His eyes were on the stars and his heart drawn to serve in the rebellion against the empire.  He was not interested to drive around in his land speeder when he could be flying through space in a starfighter engaged in combat on an important mission.  It seemed he was going nowhere in Tatooine, and all the meaningful opportunities that could offer excitement and satisfaction were somewhere else in the galaxy.

The perspective of Luke on Tatooine is not uncommon among people today.  Whether it be a dead-end job, the drudgery of school, a health struggle or conflict due to relationships, we might want to be "anywhere but here."  Dissatisfied with where we are or by what we are obligated to do, we imagine there is something out there that will provide what we are looking or longing for.  In His wisdom, God created man needy with hunger and desires.  He designed us to have physical, emotional and spiritual needs only He can supply.  While it is natural for man to pursue what he needs and wants and worry when supplies run out, Jesus taught His disciples to trust God to provide all we need now and forever.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  Jesus commanded His followers not to worry or be preoccupied, burdened with cares of their future.  Their eyes weren't to be focused on trying to find a better job, more money, a spouse or an open door to a mission field:  in seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things they needed would be added to them in due time.  In trusting and following Jesus Who is the Way, He would wisely lead them according to God's will step by step.  Instead of worrying about what is unknown or out of our control, there is rest in knowing God who rules over all.

Jesus is the Door to the kingdom of God open to all people by grace through faith in Him.  He is righteous, and by faith in Him God's righteousness is imputed to every believer.  Having received the Gospel, we are called to walk according to it.  Paul wrote in Romans 1:16-17, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."  Even as the righteousness and salvation of a Christian are gifts provided by faith in God, so is the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear, the job, shelter, relationships and ministry opportunities.  We need not be preoccupied with seeking open doors or worry we are missing out, for as we seek and follow Jesus He will open countless doors for us to enter no man can shut.  Righteousness and all we need for this life and that to come is abundantly supplied through Christ alone.

The Bible Verse Bungle

I was reminded recently of the time God used a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses who came to my door to teach me some valuable lessons.  I was running late for a Wednesday evening service when two fellows carrying magazines knocked on my apartment door.  At the time these men were unwanted obstacles who prevented me from going where I wanted to go.  I was in a rush but I thought it impolite to leave without saying something.

I had several personal interactions with Jehovah's Witnesses before and understood some important deviations in their theology from mine as a born-again follower of Jesus Christ.  After sharing my conviction that the Watchtower was a false prophet not to be trusted because of many historical errors, I told them I was convinced by scripture God has revealed Himself as one God in three distinct persons:  God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.  They seemed interested when I told them the Holy Spirit is referred to as God by Peter in the book of Acts in his confrontation with Ananias and Sapphira.

Then something unexpected happened:  one of the fellows held out his New World translation of the Bible and said, "Show me."  I knew the situation took place early in Acts, but I struggled to find the exact passage.  I don't know if it was because it was an unfamiliar Bible or that I was preoccupied that I was going to be later to church than I wanted, but for the life of me could not find it.  I sheepishly handed him back his book, encouraged them to look into the matter, locked the door and left them standing there.  It is not a fond memory to this day, for I barged past these men to rush to church--when a valuable ministry opportunity came right to my door.  Thinking back, it would have been better to be a godly witness to those men so they could be won for Christ and miss church rather than rushing off because I was embarrassed to be late.

This incident prompted me later to look up the verses I found easily enough in my own Bible in Acts 5:3-4:  "But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."  While I was initially annoyed by my failure to find the verses, that was a small issue compared to my callous indifference to the men who came do my door.  I demonstrated this by my unwillingness to lay aside my plans to patiently follow the LORD's leading in a friendly conversation.  I missed a prime opportunity to lovingly give an answer for the hope that is in me by faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Gospel.  I am thankful one regrettable mistake by God's grace has the ability to help us avoid others in a far greater scope.

Praise the LORD He is able to open the eyes of the blind and raise the spiritual dead to new life even when I bungled the conversation.  It is Jesus who is a Saviour:  I cannot change a heart or mind but Jesus brings transformation from within.  How blessed believers are to be born again and to be given chances again and again, not to redeem ourselves, but because Jesus is a Redeemer not willing any should perish.  He delivers His people from pride and lack of love through failure because He is faithful.  A bad memory of our failure can work to give us (and others!) a brighter future by God's grace.

Out of Our Own Mouths

It is ironic when unrighteous man tries to pin blame on God for His righteous judgments.  In addition to being holy and righteous, God has by His grace given each man a conscience so everyone from a tender age is keenly aware right and wrong do exist.  For all the times we know we have been correct, we have also been incorrect--and thus exposed our self-confidence as wrong too.

The final Great White Throne judgment of God is described in Revelation 20:12:  "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books."  God will judge the dead according to their works, and some take issue with this.  They are like a person pulled over for speeding and complain it was because the signage was poorly lit or partially blocked by a tree.  Such a one feels the system is unfairly rigged against them because the rules were not adequately communicated.  People charge God with wrong for judging them by His perfect righteous standard held forth in scripture when they have never read it, and perhaps they hope for a free pass due to ignorance.

The accusation that God is unrighteous in judgment cannot be sustained.  Say someone is ignorant of the scripture and has been raised in the most godless of environments.  To such a one God can say, "Out of your own mouth I will judge you!"  This is righteous and reasonable.  Because God has given everyone a conscience, we can consider how often we have failed to meet the standards we set as right for others--and realise by the words we have spoken we are condemned.  In a parable Jesus told, a nobleman was accused by his servant of being a harsh man for reaping where he had not sown.  The servant said he was so scared to displease his master he did nothing with the money entrusted to him.  Luke 19:22-23 records the response of the nobleman:  "And he said to him, 'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. ²³ Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?'"  The hypocritical dishonesty of the servant was revealed by his own mouth:  if the servant truly believed he was an austere man who would someday return, why didn't he invest the money in a way to gain interest?

Excuses will not be tolerated on the day of judgment when God has freely given every person a conscience and His word.  He has seen fit to have children born of two parents in a family that live in a society governed by rulers ordained to uphold law.  The structure of society is attended by many rules whether in a classroom, driving on a road or paying taxes.  Because man is created in the image of God the level of education or rank in society has no bearing on the responsibility of every soul to answer the almighty God on the Day of Judgment.  Through faith in Jesus Christ everyone today has an opportunity to have their name written in the Book of Life, and if we choose to do nothing we will be judged according to our works and even out of our own mouths.  It is a wise man who heeds the voice of his conscience and admits guilt rather than "Pleading the Fifth" to avoid personally incriminating himself because God heard every word he said he didn't mean--and will hold all to it as Jesus said in Matthew 12:36:  "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."  

The tendency of man to blame others was seen in the very first man created by God, Adam.  When confronted with his sin of disobedience he blamed the woman God gave him and thus insinuated if God had not given him Eve as wife, the whole situation would have been avoided.  This presumptuous statement was a veiled accusation against God and did nothing to release Adam from God's judgment for his sin.  So it will be on the Day of Judgment, for God will deal righteously and justly with sinners and give full payment for their wages of sin:  everlasting death.  Because of Christ's atoning sacrifice, there is the hope of forgiveness, pardon and everlasting life through the Gospel.  By God's grace believers are freed from the curse of sin and receive unfailing hope by admitting our guilt today, trusting in Jesus rather than ourselves for salvation.

Obeying Much More

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Philippians 2:12-13

One thing believers look for in fellowship with Christians is accountability so they might find motivation and resolve to put off sin and make godly decisions.  This can only be of enduring value to a person who first has fellowship with God, having been born again by faith in Jesus.  It is God who empowers a man to will and do for His good pleasure infinitely more than stoic personal resolve or a team of present and patient accountability partners.  Finding our need for guidance, strength and righteousness met by faith in Christ for eternity, we are graciously given all we need from Christ in the moment.

In Philippians 2 Paul urged believers based upon the consolation of Christ, comfort of love and fellowship of the Holy Spirit to be united as one in humility and care for one another.  If our aim for accountability is how it could benefit us we might be looking for an arm of flesh when God has already provided the Holy Spirit for our good so we might edify and encourage others.  Paul's desire was for believers to take their cues from looking to Jesus and following His example of obedience to the Father in taking up His cross.  Knowing they were beloved of the LORD, purchased with the blood of Jesus, was motivation to obedience for the Philippian believers as well as Christians today.

Paul urged Christians who obeyed when he was present or looking over their shoulder to be be much more obedient in his absence.  This was possible because it was not Paul's presence that should have made a spirtual difference at all.  Paul had not died for believers or purchased them; he was not their master or saviour.  Having been born again and saved by faith in Jesus, they were to put their eternal salvation into present practice with fear and trembling.  The divine power that raised Jesus from dead to life was at work in them both to will and do for God's good pleasure.  Knowing putting off sin and walking in obedience to God was only possible through the power of God at work in them, it prompted humility rather than a proud and independent spirit.

Let us take this exhortation to heart!  We can fall into the trap of blaming the lack of support or accountability for sin we alone are guilty of; we can be lifted up with pride because we imagine our "victory" over a sin has been obtained at great personal sacrifice rather than the precious blood of Jesus and God's grace.  It is God's will we would obey in the presence of fellow believers we respect and much more in their absence because it is God who loves us and works in us both to will and do for His good pleasure.

Obedience For Our Good

There is nothing more practical to living an abundant life than faith in Jesus Christ.  A problem arises when we reduce the reality of relationship with the living God to a selfish utilitarian exercise, that God exists primarily for our benefit than we do for His good pleasure.  Since our flesh is steeped in a humanistic and self-focused world, it is easy for worldly thoughts and feelings to have sway within us.  It is important to examine our motives in what we choose to do or avoid because there is a massive difference between action to earn blessing from God or actions because we are already blessed by God.

Some people put great emphasis on trying to explain why God's command "actually makes sense" according to modern science or medical discoveries.  I reject the premise that God's commands in Law of Moses were reasonable because they unwittingly benefited the Hebrews--for instance how their restrictive diet helped them avoid dangerous foods.  God is the God of reason and created man to do so, and thus every command of God is reasonable whether we understand how it benefits us or not.  God explicitly stated His commands were for the good of His people in Deuteronomy 10:12-13:  "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³ and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?"  Whether or not we can measure the benefit of obedience to God with scientific or medical data, it is always good for us to obey God.  Does God need a man to justify Him?

This draw to use a humanistic gauge concerning reasons for avoiding sin is also prevalent.  J. Vernon McGee observed in his commentary Thru the Bible:

"We sometimes get a wrong perspective of sin and our actions.  We think only of the effect that it is going to have.  There are many men and women in our churches who will not take a stand on certain issues.  Why?  Well, the little crowd they run with may not accept them.  They are with a little clique, and they don't dare stand for anything that the little clique wouldn't stand for.  It is never a question of whether it is right or wrong; it's a question of whether it ingratiates them to the crowd.  God have mercy on Christians who shape their lives by those who are around them and who are constantly looking for the effect their conduct is going to have on others.  They do not look on whether this is the right thing or the Christian thing or whether as a child of God this is something they should or should not do...It is a wonderful thing to stand for the truth, and when you stand for it, then you don't have to compromise." (McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee. T. Nelson, 1983. page 140)

How sin negatively impacts our own lives can be a deterrent to sin, but it is not enough of a reason to change us; as Christians it ought not be our primary reason.  We miss the point if the main thing that restrains us from hitting a co-worker in a rage is because we want to avoid jail, or we cut down excessive alcohol drinking every night because we don't want to lose our job or have a spouse leave us.  It is true sinful behaviour has negative consequences, and on the flip side God's commands are for our good.  The child of God ought to obey God our Father in light of His goodness, righteousness, sovereignty, justice and wisdom rather than motivated by fear of personal, negative repercussions for our sinful violence or the embarrassment someone will find out we're an alcoholic.  God goes beyond the surface evidence of words and actions and hones in on the condition of our hearts we ought to submit in faith by obedience to Him.

By God's grace we can go beyond justifying why God's commands are sensible and beneficial to childlike faith--even when we suffer for it and obedience is costly.  In the fear and love of God we have the privilege to know Him and walk in His ways, to serve Him with our heart and all our being.  As we obey the word of God we are kept in the right way, and all God's commands are for our good.

The Inevitable Judgment of God

I have been reading through Old Testament prophets and coming judgment is a common theme.  What might surprise people is the testimony of God's prophets were not so much an indictment against the heathen but focused primarily upon the judgment God would bring upon the Jewish nation, His chosen people with whom He made a covenant.  The apostle wrote in 1 Peter 4:17, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"  Peter's words affirm God's judgment of His people should not be relegated to the Mosaic covenant but is presently in full force in our age of the Gospel of grace.

It is imperative every man know, even in our post-Christianity world, every one of us will face the judgment of God in this life on earth and in the life to come.  Whether we preach from a pulpit or speak to a man on the street, we are addressing people who will experience personally the judgment of God.  It could be the judgment for sins committed or for the totality of our lives on earth:  a judgment of full reward or loss preceding eternal life, and a judgment that results in eternal death for sinners without the Saviour Jesus Christ.  Peter said it was time for judgment to begin with the house of God, and thus we must put our own lives and house in order before the living God who will judge all the earth.

Francis A. Schaeffer claimed decades ago he was living in a post-Christian world, and he used examples from the prophets in the past to suggest this was currently also the case among God's people in the church.  I believe many of his observations and claims have merit.  Since the Jewish kings, governors, priests and people refused to heed the message of judgment from prophets sent by God, it is possible and likely many people in the church who identify as Christians reject necessary messages of judgment today.  Schaeffer wrote in his book Death in the City in relation to churches departing from the orthodoxy of faith in Jesus Christ and God's word:

"And we as Christians today, what are we saying?  We are saying that we want reformation and we want revival, but still we are not preaching into this generation, stating the negative things that are necessary.  If there is to be a constructive revolution in the orthodox, evangelical church, then like Jeremiah we must speak of the judgment of individual men great and small, of the church, the state, and the culture, for many of them have known the truth of God and have turned away from Him and His propositional revelation.  God exists, He is holy, and we must know that there will be judgment.  And like Jeremiah, we must keep on so speaking regardless of the cost to ourselves." (Schaeffer, Francis A. Death in the City. CROSSWAY BOOKS, 2021. page 78)

It may be Schaeffer gives too much credit, for I do not know many people who are crying out for reformation and revival.  The hope of many might be for a more comfortable life now and the avoidance eternal judgment in hell--if it indeed exists.  It has become painfully obvious to me some Christians have no idea how to deal with the topic or word "hell" except to avoid it unless spoken as a mild expletive.  A doctor understands the need to state the negative things to an ill patient so they might be helped to recover.  The minds of people must be convinced by evidence to change a diet or lifestyle, and often it is the clearly stated inevitable bad outcomes that has turned the health and lives of many around.  Pastors and Christians ought to learn this lesson as well, not to coerce or manipulate our hearers by fearful threats, but by warnings out of love that point to Jesus Christ as our Saviour we all desperately need.

Knowing we Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ prompts us to consider our ways and words today.  If Jesus and the prophets did not shy away from the subject of God's judgment, should we?  I urge caution upon those who speak presumptuously, ascribing God's judgment for reasons God has not expressly stated.  When Pilate ordered the execution of Galileans or the tower of Siloam fell and tragically people died, perhaps some presumptuously claimed it was God's judgment for Jews breaking the Sabbath or neglecting to tithe of their firstfruits according to the Law of Moses.  Jesus did not say anything about why God allowed such tragedies.  He simply followed up by saying to children of Abraham:  "Except you repent, you will likewise perish."  The Bible reveals God judges nations, cities, families and people without exception.  1 Corinthians 11:31 makes the message of judgment individual and personal for Christians God chastens, not for our destruction but ultimate restoration:  "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged."

Knowing and Glorying in God

"You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you say, "In what way have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?"

Malachi 2:17

The LORD of hosts who keeps Israel does not slumber or sleep, yet He was wearied by the words of His people.  He pointed out two specific ways God was tired of the claims made by His priests and people.  Previously in the passage God critiqued His people for their treacherous conduct with family members, how they profaned the holiness of God by mixed marriages to idolators and how they treacherously divorced their wives.  To deal treacherously is to have broken faith, to go back on their promises and vows they had made.

God was wearied by people who justified themselves, even distorting God's word to approve of what was sinful.  As God's chosen people they imagined they were good and pleasing in the eyes of God when they chose to disobey His commands.  Today some have the same view, that because God is loving, gracious and merciful it causes Him to dismiss their sinfulness and overlook transgression.  This is a lie.  They also wondered why the wicked seemed to prosper and wrongly attributed it to God's approval.  God does not delight in those who do evil, for He is just.  As it is written in Psalm 7:11, "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day."  God's love, anger and justice all compliment one another rather than contradict.  God was tired of the lies and hypocrisy of God's people, and unless they repented He would take action to judge those who did evil--regardless of their spiritual calling.

The LORD was also wearied by His people words who asked, "Where is the God of justice?"  God had not abandoned His people, but it was they who departed from Him by lack of faith and disobedience.  They wondered why He was negligent to take action against the wicked and did not comprehend their wickedness rivaled that of the heathen despite having His presence in their midst and righteous laws.  Imagine, God's unjust and treacherous people criticising the just Judge and God of all the earth!  As they had become weary of God's service, He was weary of them for their faithless, hopeless view of Him.  In due time God's judgment would come upon the wicked, and He included the hypocrites among His own people.

In Isaiah 1 God said He was also weary with feasts, fasts and prolonged prayers by people who did evil rather than repenting of and ceasing to sin, seeking judgment, relieving the oppressed and pleading for the widow.  God delights in those who delight in Him and His word, who seek God to do His will.   Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴ but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."  Those who delight in the  knowledge of the LORD will glory in Him, knowing He sovereignly executes lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth.  Instead of wearying God with words filled with doubt, let us delight in the revelation of God in His word and do what He delights in.

Speaking of Jesus

"But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. ⁵ And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Genesis 33:4-5

Jacob had many reasons to be concerned when meeting his brother Esau after being away for 20 years.  When Jacob departed years prior, Esau comforted himself with a plan to murder Jacob for stealing his blessing.  Upon his return Jacob sent droves of animals as presents and bowed himself to the ground 7 times to give honour and respect as a servant to a master.  Esau shed any regal bearing and ran to his brother, embraced him like a beloved friend and they wept tears of joy.  When Esau asked who the women and children who accompanied Jacob were he answered, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Jacob returned from his uncle Laban's house a changed man, having been touched and blessed by God who was with him all those years.  I am impressed how Jacob was forthright about God and His grace to give him a large family to someone who, based upon his character in scripture, could be called a heathen.  It takes boldness, courage and faith in God to give Him credit and honour before people who do not regard Him.  History tells us the people of Edom, descendants of Esau, worshipped many idols.  This did not deter Jacob from plainly crediting God as his provider and gracious giver of all he possessed.

I have witnessed a persistent tendency over the years (and I include myself) to carefully adapt our language to those around us.  I have seen working men marked by salty language clean up their conversation during a formal dinner.  Children shouting obscenities on the playground can speak very differently when their strict parents are present.  I have observed people entirely change their manner of speaking when they discover I am a pastor.  In the same way people change their language to suit their perceived audience, Christians can strike mentions of Jesus from our vocabulary because the people we address do not believe or trust in Him.  We can be intimidated to speak of God to those who deny His existence while we might freely share with Christians.  Jacob's examples demonstrates this ought not to be.

Brother and sister in Christ, let us be ones who say the name of Jesus and extol the awesome glory and virtue of our God who has graciously given us all things.  Everything we have is a gift from God, and thus there is no shortage of things to express our thanksgiving to God to others regardless of their opinions.  If we restrict our mentions of God to those who already know Him, how can others come to know Him?  By faith in God let us be bold and courageous to humbly credit God with praise for all we have regardless to whom we speak.  If we would have Jesus confess us before the Father and angels we have not seen, we can rejoice to speak His name to those we meet--even when they don't know or fear Him.

God's Glorious Word

God created people with the capacity to think and make choices for themselves.  There is satisfaction in being intrigued, formulating a strategy and solving problems.  I find for this reason I enjoy strategy games, puzzles of various kinds and movies that prompt me to consider themes true to life.  Because God created man to reason, it should be no surprise the Bible is the greatest source of thought-provoking and confronting truth in existence.  God's word is authoritative, not an opinion piece or like a documentary designed to sway you to a particular conclusion.  God tells us like it is, and careful thought places before us the decision if we will agree with Him.

Sometimes passages of the Bible do not immediately make sense.  Even after reading the Bible through countless times and studying it for decades in the most familiar passages there is much to learn.  It is not always a new concept or teaching, but it sheds more light on established truth as we use scripture to interpret scripture.  I came across a passage like this last night in Acts 12 when the people of Tyre and Sidon flattered Herod in Caesarea.  After he gave an oration before the people in royal apparel they shouted in unison, "It is the voice of a god, and not a man."  Then a most unusual thing happened in Acts 12:23:  "Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died."  Herod chose not to give God (Who created man's mouth) the glory for his speech, and he was struck down for his transgression.

Acts 12:24 goes on to say, "But the word of God grew and multiplied."  The conjunction "but" shows these verses are connected, and it may not immediately be clear why.  A point Luke made was Herod's oration was not God's word, regardless how regal and sophisticated it may have been.  After that speech Herod and his words were silenced permanently, and it is not even recorded for us in scripture what he said.  In contrast to Herod's words silenced by the grave, God's word grew and multiplied.  God's word endures forever that speaks of His glorious goodness and power to kill and make alive, to wound and bind up.  The enduring truth of God's love, grace, righteousness and salvation has been and will be proclaimed forever, and no one can silence God.  No one can shut God's mouth or make void what He has written.

Verse 24 is a great cause of rejoicing for God's people in a world today because it still rings true.  The good seeds of God's word are still taking root in the hearts of people, saving sinners and making wise the simple.  Great thinkers of the world still peruse its pages, unable to shake the gravity and undeniable truth that speaks to mankind's purpose and need.  Some scoff and scorn; others speak swelling words of pride against God and condemn what He has spoken.  One day they will all lie in the dust and be silenced forever in the grave while God's word will continue to grow and multiply.  Let us be those who heed God's word over man's word and give Him the glory we can think and speak.