Noise and God's Voice

Today I had a little project of re-routing air conditioning ducts at church.  Over the years rooms have shifted around and the hope is consolidating some branch lines will provide more even temperatures throughout the building.  As I worked, I was listening to a baseball game on my phone I carried around in my pocket.  I grew up using a trusty transistor radio to catch the games during baseball season so it feels quite natural.

After I was done moving ceiling tiles around, I vacuumed the carpets.  While it was very easy to hear the phone speaker in a quiet office building, the noise of the vacuum deafened the audio completely.  If you had told me, I wouldn't have believed the app on the phone was still working.  But the second the vacuum was switched off, the voices could be clearly heard again.  It struck me how this was a good illustration of how the world is full of noise--whether it be voices from a phone or the mechanical drone of a vacuum.  We can be so accustomed to needing some sort of visual or audio input we can neglect our need to seek the LORD in silence to hear His still, small voice.

When we are awake in this modern day our focus can be on beat of the pumping music, engaging with sermons and podcasts, listening to the news, scrolling socials or locked into a video game.  All this constant input reveals our need to intentionally set time aside to seek the LORD.  God's grace was ironically shown that despite the noise of the loud vacuum that drowned out the baseball commentators and advertisements, God was able to cut through it all like nothing and speak to me.  God is able to bypass the ears and go straight to the heart.  There are people who have become used to needing music to sleep or have a noise machine to help them drift off.  With all the noise in our lives, insomnia may be our needed break from the hubbub when God has us as a captive audience.

Today God reminded me of my need to seek and listen to Him intentionally throughout the day, even as we turn on an app to listen to a game or go to the maintenance closet for a vacuum.  The God who created the tongue and communication through language speaks to us.  If it has been a while since you have heard from the LORD it is not His lack of speaking but our hardness of hearing.  Make some of your time quiet time with the intention of drawing near to God, praying, reading His word and thinking about what He has said and is saying.  Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."  As we follow Christ, we ought to follow His example of praying, listening and obeying.

A Discriminating Ear

"And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."

Luke 24:45

Until Jesus opened the understanding of His disciples, they could not comprehend the spiritual and practical truth of God's word--despite their familiarity of passages, rote memorisation, obedience to the Law of Moses and teaching by Jesus.  This opening of understanding correlated with the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed upon them (John 20:22).  We must be spiritually regenerated before we can understand scriptures that are spiritually discerned.

This morning I spent an hour metal detecting and it provided an illustration of the importance of having our understanding opened by Jesus.  By waving a calibrated detector over sand, metal objects can be sensed which cannot be seen.  After a bit of practice the user can determine what sort of target lies under the sand by the volume, duration and clarity of the tone.  Unless the metal detector is turned on, it is of no value whatsoever.  On the flip side if it picks up all ferrous content in the sand or soil it is constant noise and cannot alert the user to dig a potentially valuable target.  Once the worthless iron and aluminium foil is tuned out (using discrimination), then a metal detector can be used effectively.

For the first 20 minutes of detecting, I did not notice my settings had been changed from the "pro" to the "coin" setting.  This meant I was not hearing everything I am accustomed to and likely missed many good targets.  Once this setting was adjusted I was able to better determine what objects were buried in the sand.  This prompted me to think about how reading a Bible without the aid of Jesus opening our understanding leaves us missing out why we read the Bible in the first place:  to know God, hear His voice, to receive correction, instruction and wisdom.  Reading the scriptures without having the help of the Holy Spirit to enlighten our understanding is like waving a metal detector without batteries over the sand:  no signals and thus no spiritual benefit.  Whilst there is great truth littering God's word in plain sight, there remain priceless nuggets of wisdom discovered under the surface.

How wondrous is the grace of God who opens the understanding of unlearned, ordinary people to receive divine truth faithful Old Testament prophets and angels are ignorant of!  Through faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enabled fisherman and tax collectors to walk in wisdom the learned chief priests and religious Pharisees could not comprehend.  Jesus grants His followers the ability to hear His still, small voice and strength to walk wisely.  A faint signal of a metal detector can indicate a great find, while a loud beep could be an empty soda can.  Let us be those who dig into God's word to discover what He is saying to us, valuing His wisdom over the worldly clamour all around us.  The sheep of the Good Shepherd hear His voice, and thus we learn to tune out the deceptions and distractions that are not of God, taking to heart His good word.

Know What is Good

A person does not need to be a dairy farmer with decades of experience or have a master's degree in microbiology to know milk has gone bad.  Children who have been drinking milk from infancy would be able to realise milk is sour by tasting it, and curdled milk looks and smells different as well.  A similar dynamic applies when we hear teaching from God's word.  Even a child who is born again and has been taught the scripture can know when doctrine is off.  A Christian does not need a degree in theology to realise a doctrine is suspicious or strange, even though we might not be initially able to put our finger on it.

Elihu exhorted his hearers in Job 34:2-4, "Hear my words, you wise men; give ear to me, you who have knowledge. ³ For the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. ⁴ Let us choose justice for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good."  Elihu spoke to men who had knowledge of God, and he bid them to wisely listen to his words and test what he said--even as our palates taste food.  From a child we are able to distinguish the difference between sweet, savoury, spicy and sour.  God is the source of wisdom and has given us His word to teach us what is good.  God has established the objective standard for what is true and does not change.  While the tastes of the world change concerning fashion, morality, philosophy and religion, God's word remains internally consistent and eternally relevant.

When I suspect food or drink is "off," I am not always convinced because I could be wrong:  maybe the milk tastes funny because I just brushed my teeth or used mouthwash.  So after confirming the milk is in date, passes a visual examination and sniff test, I might ask someone else for their opinion given the facts because they also know what good milk tastes like.  This is a wise thing to do when we hear Bible teaching or read a book that seems off:  ask a fellow follower of Jesus who loves God's word.  The danger of drinking sour milk is relatively minor, perhaps resulting in feeling ill for a short time.  The danger of drinking in false or heretical doctrine is most destructive, for when it is assimilated into our framework of interpreting scripture it can undermine and distort God's truth and have permanent consequences for ourselves and others we lead astray.

If you find an author or preacher who majors in doubtful doctrines and speculations, I recommend not making their teaching a primary source of your spiritual input.  When I buy a dairy product that habitually goes bad before the "Use By" date, I stop buying that brand.  I do this because I want to avoid wasting money and risking the health of my family, and far greater is at stake spiritually when we heed false doctrine or are so caught up in obscure theological wranglings we miss out on the plain truth.  The Bible is what is good and has no "Use By" date because it remains the words of life forever.  1 Peter 2:1-3 is a fitting exhortation for all Christians regardless of your depth of doctrinal knowledge:  "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."  Good doctrine goes to work on making us more Christlike and gives us a greater appetite for God's word.

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.

God's Wisdom and Word Outlasts

When my sons were younger they enjoyed watching Sponge Bob, and I have seen my fair share of episodes over the years as well.  Recurring characters Mr. Krabs, the owner of a successful diner, has a rival named Plankton who manged a floundering establishment called "The Chum Bucket."  Mr. Krabs knows the success of the Krusty Krab is due to their hugely popular menu item, the Krabby Patty.  Plankton's evil, always-foiled plan is to infiltrate the Krusty Krab to steal the Krabby Patty formula so he can be a successful restaurateur himself.  This sort of scheme is not limited to silly cartoons but occurs in business, sport, the military and wherever hidden information exists that could be potentially used to damage rivals or benefit self.  This happened in the early church, and it still occurs to this day.

After Jesus Christ appeared to Paul and revealed the Gospel to him, Paul boldly preached this message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus to the Gentiles.  Initially some Jews were skeptical of and even opposed this, supposing the reception of the Gospel was only for Jews--or those willing to convert to Judaism.  Paul wrote in Galatians 2:3-5, "Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. ⁴ And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), ⁵ to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."  Paul demonstrated the Gospel does not require a Gentile to keep the Law, for Titus (who was Greek) was not compelled to be circumcised.  This incident came about because false brethren infiltrated the church gatherings, not with the intent to worship the LORD Jesus and break bread in fellowship, but to sway people to keep the Law of Moses.  They had a hidden agenda and before long it became evident, and Paul was wise to their treachery.  He held fast to the truth of the Gospel and was bold to withstand them on the solid ground of the Gospel.

There is no shortage of people who claim to have a new revelation from God that detracts or deters from the Gospel, people who seek to infiltrate churches, Bible studies and home groups to poach believers for their own agenda, to make followers of their sects or themselves rather than Christ.  How blessed we are to have the unchanging, perfect word of God that prevents us from being led astray by false doctrines and undue emphasis.  By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit genuine believers are able to expose and outlast the schemes of false brethren and those who come into churches with false humility, who are wolves in sheep's clothing.  The Good Shepherd Jesus Christ is able to mark these deceivers who are deceived, and the gentle child of God need not fret over them.  Bible-teaching churches will have these sorts of visitors come and go, and may the word of God they hear preached move them to repentance rather than condemn.

In a chapter where Paul confronted the heretical view Jesus had not bodily risen from the dead within the church, there was no hand-wringing.  Instead he concluded the passage with thanksgiving to God and an exhortation to endure in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 :  "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."  God gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ, and therefore we can be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of God knowing our labour is not in vain.  The real brethren through Jesus will outlast the false ones.  Through our LORD Jesus our labour is not in vain in the LORD.  To Him be all glory, honour and praise, the God who girds us with strength, encourages us and give us victory now and forever.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Something stuck with me I heard a long time ago:  happiness depends on what happens.  Those who make happiness their aim will often be disappointed, for people and circumstances are always changing.  Happiness can be like a good dream perpetually dangled before us, and the pursuit might be more fun than actually achieving our goals--because they often cannot measure up to our expectations.

While preparing for a sermon my mind was drawn to the smiling, eager face of little children awaiting dad or mum blowing bubbles.  They watch intently as the wand is dipped in the solution, and in moments the air is filled with bubbles that dance away on the breeze.  Some prefer lots of tiny bubbles while others, like me, are always trying to make the largest bubble we can and admire it as it sags under its own weight.  Giggling with delight, happy children run with outstretched arms to the bubble.  Only the smallest touch of the bubble causes it to pop and be lost forever.  But no fear:  there's plenty of magic bubble solution left to make more.

These smiling children enjoy the repetitive game, yet at some point all fun things must come to an end.  Perhaps the fun ended prematurely because a clumsy lad poured out his bubbles or the solution was used up.  Then it is time to wash sticky hands or maybe even take a bath, something that is more a chore than chasing bubbles.  It dawned on me when we make happiness our pursuit, the idea of what will bring us ultimate happiness often drifts out of reach.  Yet should we reach our goal, we will surprisingly find ourselves empty.  The only temporary fix for our disappointment is to set our eyes on the next prize and set after it, imagining this will satisfy us.  The pursuit of happiness leads to emptiness.

The joy of the LORD is fundamentally different than happiness, for it does not depend on what happens.  Paul wrote to the church in Philippi to rejoice in the LORD always, and this is possible because God does not change.  No matter what happens to us we can rest in the goodness of God today and always because He is merciful, faithful, compassionate and loving.  For those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ He makes us a fountain of the Living Water of the Holy Spirit who fills our hearts to overflowing, and those who are in Christ lack no good thing because He provides all that pertains to life and godliness (1 Peter 1:3).  Knowing the joy of the LORD is ours by grace through faith in Jesus, we can be supremely happy in our awesome Saviour.

Who Do You Serve?

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

Matthew 6:24

Jesus spoke with all authority as the Son of God.  This is one of many absolute, simple statements we nod our heads in agreement with but in practice resist or reject as untrue.  We think we are able to do what Jesus said no one can do:  that we effectively can serve two masters.  The truth is we can pretend to serve many masters at once, but we cannot serve any of them fully.  I had an experience yesterday that illustrates this well.

Yesterday I did something a bit different and threw a small brisket on the BBQ.  It was a low and slow cook and historically I have always used the BBQ hood thermometer as the gauge I refer to.  This time I used a temperature probe to monitor the heat level because this prevented me from needing to go outside and check it.  It is convenient because I can work at my desk and have a real-time readout of the temperature of the BBQ as well as the internal temperature of the meat.  Generally the thermometer on the BBQ is not nearly as accurate as the probe and there can be a large discrepancy between them.  This was the case yesterday of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

George Thorogood sung, "Who do you love?" and I needed to ask myself, "Which thermometer do I trust?"  Would I go with the BBQ thermometer or the Thermopro?  Previously I had decent results by relying upon the BBQ hood, but digital probes tend to be more accurate.  I was tempted to adjust the heat to land in the middle, yet doing so was a clear indication I really didn't trust either of them.  So I went with the Thermopro reading and disregarded the BBQ thermometer.  This is a point Jesus was making:  it is impossible to serve two masters at the same time.  A master demanded total obedience, loyalty and love of his servants, and no master will be pleased with a servant with divided allegiance.  If they have divided loyalty, are they really serving him whilst moonlighting for another master or themselves?

Jesus said, "You cannot serve God and mammon."  "Mammon" is a word we never use today but what it represents is prevalent:  wealth, money, riches and property.  Jesus said it is impossible for a person to serve God and serve wealth and money.  Either we serve God with our money and stuff or we will serve our money and stuff as god.  A true servant of God will love and obey Him.  Attempts to divide our loyalty between God and the pursuit of worldly wealth will be in vain, for Jesus rightly says it is an impossible exercise.  When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all we need He adds unto us.  There is no one more wealthy or prosperous than the child of God in this life and the next, for God who gives wealth supplies wisdom for living.

It is good when we yield to God's word, submitting to the truth He has spoken.  Instead of our lives being a declaration of our love and loyalty to God they can be likened to an argument against Him, foolishly saying we can serve two masters.  Jesus tells it like it is:  we cannot serve two masters.  The question is:  who do I love?  Who do I trust?  Who am I serving?  May our lives answer and affirm we serve God with our money, property and stuff rather than the other way round, for all we have is a gift by His gracious hand.

Open the Door to Jesus

When we hear an unexpected knock at our front door, it is natural for our minds to quickly determine the proper course of action.  The first consideration when it comes to opening the door concerns our current personal state and appearance.  The second may be the state of our house.  If we are in the middle of cleaning or things are in disarray, we may choose not to answer or open the door.  There may be a situation, depending on who is at the door, that we would exit the door or close it behind us.  This way we can politely engage with our visitor without the welcome offer of hospitality.  There are those who invite people in and apologise profusely the place is not immaculate, and others that seem to pay the condition no mind whatsoever.  Our homes and our hearts are personal things we all handle differently.

Another reason we might not open the door is because we do not recognise the person and do not want to converse with strangers or sales people.  Even when we know the person who knocks at the door it does not guarantee we are inclined to open the door.  Like the bride in the Song of Solomon, we might not immediately open the door because it does not fit in with our plans.  When her beloved husband came to the door and knocked, the bride lamented she had just bathed and climbed into bed.  It was an inconvenience to shed the covers, put on a robe, and get up go to open the door.  In the song after awhile she decided she would open the door only to find her beloved had departed and no one was there.

In Revelation 3, Jesus describes Himself standing at the door of the church of Laodicea and knocking, calling out to those inside.  Jesus said in Revelation 3:19-20, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."  It is possible for people who know and believe in Jesus, genuine believers, to ignore Jesus at the door.  We can be more focused on how presentable we are rather than His worthiness to be joyfully welcomed as our Saviour.  It is good for us to be zealous in our repentance for sin even as Zacchaeus was when Jesus came into His life and volunteered to dine with him.  The chief tax collector responded joyfully and immediately offered to give half of his goods to the poor and if he had swindled anyone to return four-fold.

When we open the door of our hearts to Jesus, He comes in and contributes all that is needed for our forgiveness and cleansing from sin.  He does not condemn us but works to change us from within.  I remember when my mum visited my house and as we were talking she was putting away cutlery and casually pulled out the plastic tray and gave it a good clean.  This was done cheerfully and without censure, a beautiful picture of the cleansing work Jesus does in our hearts and minds when we simply let Him in and fellowship with Him.  As long as we hide behind closed doors and block His entry, we deny Him and ourselves the opportunity for growth in our relationship.  Praise the LORD Jesus loves us, stands at the door and knocks, calling out our name as His beloved brethren.  Let's open the door and welcome Jesus into our lives for His glory.

The Hidden Cost of Milk and Sin

Several months back I was driving and listening to a radio interview on ABC news.  The subject was a familiar one, that dairy farmers have been doing it tough for some time because of the demands placed upon them by retailers for low prices.  Therefore the price of milk was slated to rise $.50 a litre.  While the price of other commodities had been rising over time, for years milk stayed the same price.  The question was put forth, "Do you support paying more for milk to support Australian dairy farmers?"  The people who called and texted said they were fine paying more for milk.  The consensus among the host and callers was it was the least consumers could do.

As part of my weekly routine I buy groceries for my household.  Whilst the increase of the price of milk does not impact my ability to buy it, I have noticed something the ABC presenter did not explain.  I have noticed, not only the rise of the cost of milk, but the cost of all dairy products.  This makes perfect sense:  the increase of the cost of milk means it will cost more to make yogurt, cream, cheese, ice cream, etc.  The rise of the cost of milk is not in isolation and would impact the price of all offerings from the dairy industry.  With the cost of doing business these days it still might not be sufficient.

For many people this rise does not mean they are unable to buy milk or dairy products, but it would have been a good point of consideration up front to answer the question:  "Do you support paying more for milk?"  The result of raising the cost of milk has shown the original premise to be incomplete and flawed.  I believe this is a good example of how sin has a "knock on" effect in our lives.  The phrase "knock on" is a rugby term when a player loses control of the ball forward after touching a hand or like a fumble in gridiron.  The result of a "knock on" means the stoppage of the game and a change of possession.  One tiny fumble of the ball, one accidental brush by the tip of a finger, and your team forfeits the ball.  This can lead to losing the whole game.  Adultery in the heart can lead to fornication, estrangement from family, damaged relationships and ruined marriages.  Sin isn't something we can keep to ourselves but negatively impacts us, others and our relationship with God.

Hebrews 3:12-13 provides a warning and exhortation for Christians:  "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  Because of Jesus we do not need to fall for sin's deceitfulness, become hardened in heart or depart from the living God in unbelief.  Sin that can flourish like weeds inside us can be rooted out by the power of God, the wisdom of His word and godly fellowship with fellow believers.  Sin brings death, and praise God He has abolished death and brought immortality to light through the Gospel.  Let's not be tempted to think sin looks affordable when it is deadly and deceitful, for it is never isolated to a particular act.  Having received new hearts, may we keep them soft with swift repentance of sin and obedience by faith in God.  In doing so we will realise the blessing of Jesus Christ is infinitely beyond price.

God Explains so We Can See

One book Charles Spurgeon wrote that I enjoyed is titled, The Bible and the Newspaper.  The basic premise of the book is God can provide object lessons everywhere--even in the articles found in the newspaper.  Jesus used illustrations in His teaching and parables from ordinary life, and thus it is feasible with His guidance we can employ these wisely as well.  Spurgeon wrote, "The things which we have seen and noted we now give our readers, not merely for their entertainment, but that we may encourage in them the habit of looking for emblems and analogies.  It is a mental exercise as profitable as it is pleasant." (Spurgeon, C. H. The Bible and the Newspaper. Pilgrim Publications, 1973. Page v.)  Being grounded on the unchanging truth of God's word with open eyes and ears, I have found this to be the case.

The things we see and hear can have a profound impact upon us in a positive or negative sense.  An example of this is shown in the oddly named song "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by the alternative rock band Crash Test Dummies.  The song tells a story of three kids:  one whose hair turned from black to white after a car accident, a girl who had birthmarks all over her body and a boy who went to a church where people "shook and lurched all over the church floor."  These characters all shared something in common, the fact they could not explain these occurrences that made them stand out among other people.  The boy couldn't explain how cars crashing hard changed his hair colour, nor could the girl explain how she was born with birthmarks that led to self-consciousness.

The song says these two were glad because one kid had it worse than them--the one with the strict parents who made him come directly after school, the one who went to a church where people shook on the church floor.  The lyrics say, "He couldn't quite explain it, they'd always just gone there."  Truly this is the saddest case, and I don't fault the boy.  Christians are called to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us as Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."  We are called not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together with fellow Christians having been made one Body by faith in Jesus.  It is also wise to have our corporate worship guided by God's word, understanding what we are doing and why.  There is freedom for diversity in the Body of Christ, and with Jesus as our Head we are all united by the same Holy Spirit.

There are many people like the last boy and his family, going to church, doing religious activities because they always have or feel obligated to.  The faith of a Christian ought to be according to knowledge of God as revealed in scripture, the God who does things beyond explanation because He is almighty.  While I cannot explain all that God has done and is doing, it is possible to know and rely upon all God has revealed of Himself.  He is not the author of confusion but of peace.  In relation to the exercising of spiritual gifts in the church assembly (what the song alludes to), all things ought to be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40).  It is by God's unchanging word we can know what is orderly and out of order, what is decent or unbecoming for believers.  Our practices ought to be brought in line with the sound teaching of God's word.  This is how "Mmm" can turn into "Ah, I see!"

Let Go of that Hobby Horse

One benefit of personally reading and teaching through the Bible verse by verse is gaining broad exposure to God's word and wisdom.  It is a good practice to observe points of emphasis and repetition in scripture that we might heed them.  It is true that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, yet it is possible in teaching and ordinary conversation we major on the minors and thus miss the mark.  Years ago I remember a man who was obsessed to discern the validity of a popular Christian book.  His troubled mental state would have been far more greatly helped to stop debating or fretting over that popular book and rely upon God's word that remains true and relevant forever.

A primary aim I have in teaching is to present an accurate depiction of God's word under His guidance.  The grand, overarching themes of scripture that God created all things, Jesus Christ is God with us, the Gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit and our duty to love God and others ought to be regularly emphasised.  I discipline myself to exercise caution to avoid reading into passages and taking liberty to claim the Bible says things it does not explicitly say.  As we read each chapter hungry for a revelation of God and His wisdom, He is faithful to provide all the timeless truth we need so we might glean and receive it, far more than Boaz left Ruth in his field.  Should we cling to a "hobby horse" instead of God's word this preoccupation can distract us from the truth, cause us to dismiss what is plainly said and lead to unbalanced extremes--and even error.

It is good when our favourite topics align with those in scripture, and when they do I would not view this as a hobby horse.  A hobby horse is a toy (a stick with a horse's head mounted on it) that is not necessary for the health, growth or development of a child, and thus a hobby horse in preaching is unnecessary to the exposition of a text.  It is as strange and foreign to scripture as it is to see literal hobby horses brought by congregants at a church gathering.  A hobby horse does not have legs or power of its own and must be carried around for fun.  It could be used as a walking stick or for beating other people over the head.  It could be a source of comfort for the one who parades it into conversations to demonstrate the benefits to others.  I am not immune from the tendency towards hobby horses of my own, yet I believe they are better suited for a nursery than a pulpit.  The Holy Spirit who knows the hearts and minds of men is able to reveal the hobby horses I have taken up, and He is also able to convince me and others to release our grip by faith in Christ our LORD.

It grieves me to say I have had a reputation for many things but not always Christ.  Would to God people would say of me, "There is someone who loves Jesus" and then talk about how wonderful Jesus is because His love, grace and goodness shone through me.  How easy it is to be caught up in troubles of the day or dramas in the lives of people and take that up as a hobby horse in our thoughts rather than looking to the LORD in prayer for salvation, hope and help.  Instead of crossing hobby horses like lightsabers with fellow Christians, let us raise our hands to the almighty God in praise and adoration.  Let us place our faith in God and read His word with hungry hearts, knowing we will be filled and sustained by His grace.  Proverbs 23:23 says, "Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding."  Jesus is the Truth, the One who has purchased us and is wisdom for us.  Unlike a hobby horse, we do not carry Him:  the One who was lifted up draws us and all to Himself.

The Work of God

"Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" ²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

John 6:28-29

Belief in Jesus as the promised Messiah is not only the start of a relationship with God but the only way we grow as we exercise faith in submission to Him.  When the Jews asked Jesus about doing the works of God, likely thought about what they needed to do.  Jesus pointed to the work He desired to do inside them, that they would believe Jesus was the Christ and follow Him obediently.  It is much easier to attempt work for God rather than allow Him to work and continue working unhindered in us.

Jesus said 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."  The illustration Jesus used was an ox wearing a yoke, a device that allowed two oxen to walk along beside each other as a team.  Jesus extended an open invitation to whoever was weary to come to Him and find rest for their souls.  One might think the place of rest is not in a yoke but once the yoke is removed.  Jesus says when we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him we find rest for our souls.  Walking alongside Him we are greatly helped and our  crushing burdens lifted.

Yoked oxen walked together in cooperation according to verbal cues or a goad.  The farmer who directed the plough that cut through the soil behind them into furrows to prepare for planting.  As a trained ox recognises commands, Jesus always did the will of the Father.  Oxen could not see the "work" that was occurring behind them as they walked forward on hard-packed, fallow ground.  The relationship of a team to their trainer and owner was based on trust, and so is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  We might not realise the work ordained by God that taking place out of sight behind us.  The real work can begin when we humbly respond to the invitation to come to Him and take His yoke upon us by faith in Him.

A farmer might employ the strength of an ox to plough a field, to thresh grain or to pull a cart.  What was required of the oxen was fairly simple:  to obey the commands of the farmer.  How privileged we are to come alongside and to learn from Jesus who is gentle and lowly of heart, not condescending and arrogant.  No amount of working can earn God's acceptance or approval; no sacrifice is worthy of an audience with the almighty God.  The work of God is to believe in Jesus and that is the place where the weary labourer finds rest by God's grace.  It isn't the fields we clear or the furrows we cut that are evidence of the work of God in us but our position wearing Christ's yoke, a work that takes place in and then though us.

Alienated No More

I was impacted by a passage of scripture yesterday by its profound insight and relevance today.  Because God's word is true it is always relevant, but some assume the Bible must be outdated since it is ancient.  There have been many advances in technology, medicine and industry, and the evidence of scripture declares mankind to be the same:  prone to enslavement by lusts of the eyes, lusts of the flesh and the pride of life.

God utilised an object lesson with the children of Israel of two harlot sisters named Oholah and Oholibah (Samaria and Jerusalem).  The people of Samaria and the northern kingdom committed spiritual adultery through idolatry, and the people of Jerusalem followed suit.  In following her sister's lead, Oholibah was corrupted even further in her lust.  Jerusalem should have been faithful to the LORD God who was "married" to her and dwelt with her, but she was unrestrained in her desires.  This sort of thing plays out every day in our world facilitated by apps and websites--and it is nothing new.  God exposed his people for swiping right and sliding into their DMs--when they imagined they had been faithful to Him.

Read Ezekiel 23:14-16 for yourself:  "But she increased her harlotry; she looked at men portrayed on the wall, images of Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion, ¹⁵ girded with belts around their waists, flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like captains, in the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity. ¹⁶ As soon as her eyes saw them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea."  What happened next I found most intriguing in Ezekiel 23:17-18:  "Then the Babylonians came to her, into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their immorality; so she was defiled by them, and alienated herself from them. ¹⁸ She revealed her harlotry and uncovered her nakedness. Then I alienated Myself from her, as I had alienated Myself from her sister."

Oholibah liked what she saw and sent messengers to invite attractive, foreign men into her bed when she already had a husband.  As a result she was defiled and alienated from them.  She was left unfulfilled, dissatisfied and even disgusted by her encounters.  Because of her spiritual harlotry, God alienated Himself from her even as He alienated Himself from her sister Samaria.  To be "alienated" is to be estranged and isolated from someone.  Oholibah's soul was alienated from what she lusted after, and God was alienated from her due to her adultery.  The consequences of sin were unsatisfactory for both.  The problem was Oholibah in the illustration kept chasing after men she idolised, false gods that resulted in dissatisfaction and disgust over her illicit loves.

David wrote in Psalm 101:3, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me."  This is wisdom we ought to walk in.  There is nothing intrinsically wicked about images of captains in Babylonian attire:  the problem rested in the heart of God's people whose hearts were estranged from God.  Oholibah was like a sow returning to the mire, even as Israel had embraced idolatry in Egypt centuries prior.  God's people did not always remain faithful to Him, but He remained faithful to them and would pay the price to redeem all sinners to Himself through the Gospel.  The children of Israel would be taken into captivity in Babylon and Jerusalem would fall, but God would see it rebuilt and His people restored.  There is hope for people who stray from God, for our loving God does not remain estranged forever and draws near by grace with power to save and restore.  By God's grace may we be faithful to Him as He is faithful, now free from bondage to lust and pride.

Overcoming the World

Since moving to Australia years ago I have kept an eye on local baseball and football teams I supported from a young age.  The San Diego Padres have advanced in the playoffs through formidable opposition, some comparing their improbable victories to David over Goliath.  It is a common analogy employed when a big underdog beats a heavily-favoured opponent in sports, but it isn't a biblically accurate one.  

David was not an underdog:  he had no business being on the same battlefield.  The Padres and the teams they faced are all professional teams with players who honed their skills over a lifetime--and are paid handsomely for it.  Goliath was the giant champion of Gath and David was a teenage shepherd.  From a human vantage point, a true David and Goliath would be the Superbowl champion football team in a game of gridiron facing a team comprised of cheerleaders without any opportunity to prepare.  One combatant had state-of-the-art weaponry and protective equipment (with an assistant) while the other had 5 smooth stones and a sling.

The primary difference between David and Goliath was not their skill for battle, equipment or physical size.  What swung the odds of Goliath's victory to nil was his gods were powerless to help him and David fought by faith in the living God Who is mighty to save.  God had previously delivered David from the paw of the lion and bear, and David was convinced God would deliver him from the cursing Philistine before whom all Israel cowered from in fear.  David was not like a "Cinderella" team who had no business being at the Ball but was enabled to attend through the magical power of a Fairy Godmother who appeared in her time of need:  God had been with David all along.  God guided, protected and strengthened David for battle when he obeyed his dad to carry supplies to the front lines.

After David's brother insulted him in a rage 1 Samuel 17:29 reads, "And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?"  David was indignant Goliath had been permitted to curse God and his people and no one had done anything to stand up for Him.  David was not moved by national pride, the defense of his king, family or land, but saw a cause and opportunity to honour and glorify God by taking a step of faith to face the giant himself.  He would not be alone, for God was with him to deliver and save him.  David defeating Goliath is not the unexpected triumph of the underdog but a demonstration of how faith in God makes His children overcomers by faith, and this is the victory that overcomes the world.

Ezekiel's Example

I've been reading the book of Ezekiel each evening and I am always impressed by the intricate object lessons God provided His people through Ezekiel's obedience.  The prophet Ezekiel had an inquisitive audience who wondered over the strange things he did, like making a model of Jerusalem on a tile and laying siege to it, lying on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for 40 days, ate his food by weight (20 shekels a day) and drank water by measure (about 600 millilitres), and even baked bread with cow dung.  God made Ezekiel a sign to the rebellious house of Israel, to people who largely ignored God's warning of coming judgment.

It requires faith in God to obey Him, especially when it seems nothing positive comes from our efforts.  It would have been easy for Ezekiel to be discouraged if he looked to his hearers for justification to continue.  Some have said, "If only one person hears the message, it's worth it."  Every person is precious in the eyes of the LORD who loves them, yet I am convinced Ezekiel did not content himself with the hope one person heard and responded in obedience.  Ezekiel's motivation to open his mouth and do as God directed was simply obedience to the LORD God regardless of what others thought of him.  Ezekiel's primary audience was not the people or a person but the almighty God who is worthy of all praise, worship and obedience.  What a good example for us all!

The prophets detailed in scripture (from a human, worldly perspective) had varying degrees of success.  Over 100 years Noah was a preacher of righteousness who convinced only his immediate family to enter the ark while through the preaching of Jonah for 3 days all the inhabitants of Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes.  Sometimes prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel were not listened to at all, their words a testimony of God's love and grace to warn rebellious people who would refuse to heed.  If people applaud this ought not to boost our resolve to continue, and should they complain or not even show up this should not discourage us from obedience to our awesome God who has revealed Himself to us.  When no one turns up to a prayer meeting or Bible study we prepared to lead instead of losing heart we can take courage and be strengthened in Christ.

Because God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours we can wonder what He is doing when nothing seems to be happening.  It may be within our own hearts and minds God has much work yet to accomplish.  Know what God has promised He is able to perform (Rom. 4:21), the work He has begun He is faithful to complete (Phil. 1:6) and we are complete in Him (Col. 2:10).  Jeers and praise taken to heart both pose risks for the Christian who is tempted to play to the crowd or even one person rather than speaking forth and living out what God has written in His word.  Praise the LORD Jesus is wisdom for us, the Holy Spirit comforts us and helps us do our duty as God's servants with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness and self-control.

Open, Eat and Speak

As long as the Friday night Bible studies at church have been going, I typically bake a dessert to share and enjoy.  One of the most memorable (and funny!) moments involved a picky eater years back.  It was obvious she was not impressed with the appearance of the dish, looking at it like a person who noticed they stepped in vomit in a carpark.  Undeterred by her misgivings, I urged her to give it a try.  Hesitantly she placed the smallest morsel in her mouth and froze.  With pursed lips without chewing once, her body instinctively recoiled within from the foreign specimen.  Our eyes locked as she slowly reached for a serviette (napkin in OZ) and right in front of me spat the food (she didn't want in the first place) into it.  It was the funniest, weirdest moment ever in my history of baking.

This amusing situation was brought to mind by a passage I read today of God speaking to the prophet in Ezekiel 2:7-8:  "You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. ⁸ But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."  The order of God's command to Ezekiel entreated him to exercise faith:  to open his mouth and eat whatever God gave him.  As God created our bodies and knows the nutrients we need to survive and thrive, He knows what we need to receive His word by hearing and to live accordingly.  It was not up to Ezekiel to inspect what God offered before he would submit to "trying it."  It was not enough for him to take a bite.  Ezekiel was called to open his mouth by faith in God, receive all God said--chew it up and swallow it down--and then boldly speak forth God's word to a rebellious house.

It is no sin to be a picky eater concerning desserts, but it is sinful to rebel against God in unbelief.  The book presented to Ezekiel was filled with lamentation, mourning and woe.  Ezekiel would have been rebellious to pick and choose what he would say, ignoring God's pronouncement of judgment and camping on promises of peace and rest.  God chose Ezekiel as His prophet to say words God knew His people would not hear, but that wasn't to deter Ezekiel at all.  It was possible Ezekiel could have been rebellious like them, so God warned him from walking according to their folly.  Medicine may not taste good to our tongues, but it has properties designed to promote healing, alleviate pain or other negative symptoms and works to restore our bodies to full heath.  God urged Ezekiel to open his mouth in faith to receive all God spoke to him, and we ought to do the same.

No one can take someone else's medicine for them, yet part of God's ordained process was for Ezekiel to receive God's word by faith and for him to walk according to it.  He was doing more than simply delivering a message, for God's message was intended to correct, instruct and guide Ezekiel as much as the rest of the children of Israel.  The scriptures are not provided as ammunition to fire at others who err but are practical spiritual nutrition for us and to those with whom we speak.  We are not to urge other people to "try" what we refuse to taste ourselves.  Having tasted and seen God is good, we are thus equipped and prepared by God's grace to open our mouths and exhort others to walk by faith in God too.

Love and Restoration

The other day I contemplated refinishing a painted bookshelf.  As I took a closer look and saw the brush marks from previous applications of paint, I realised I was looking at a big job.  It would take a lot of time to strip the paint, sand all those little corners, prime and repaint.  It came down to a simple question:  did I love the furniture enough to restore it when I could easily replace it with something better?  The honest answer was no.

When it comes to restoration of people, did you know God has already answered in the affirmative?  He has done all the work required to restore lost souls to fellowship with Himself, redeeming lives from death by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  By the power of the Gospel we are not doomed to destruction (like many pieces of old furniture I have dismantled over the years) as God has extended His gracious offer of reconciliation to all sinners.  Restoration ought not be reserved only from unregenerate to saved but from falling into sin and being lifted up.

After David sinned he sang in Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit."  It is of the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, and He delights to deliver and save.  God restored David to the throne over all Israel after being usurped by Absalom.  Following a long season of captivity in Babylon God restored His people to the land of their inheritance.  Jesus restored the sight of the blind, and He restored a man's withered hand when stretched out in obedience.  Jesus restored full health to a woman with a flow of blood, restored good posture to the woman bent double by a spirit of infirmity, and even restored the dead to life again.

Galatians 6:1 shows we too as followers of Christ are to walk in His steps:  "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."  As the LORD demonstrated love by restoring us to Himself through the Gospel, so we ought to restore others who have been overtaken in any trespass.  Do we love people by gently restoring them, knowing we have been and are being restored by God's grace?  God restores because He loves, and seeing that old bookshelf drove this home.

Shoes and Self-Idolatry

I recently viewed a segment where a professional athlete led a video crew on a tour through his house.  He showed them his epic game room, salt-water aquariums and finally showed off a closet filled with shoes.  In a room spacious as a lounge room, shelves of pristine shoes lined the walls in individual pairs under coloured lights.  These shoes were collectible and very expensive, some of his first major purchases as a pro after he began making millions of dollars annually.  He explained when he looked at the shoes it was a reminder of his accomplishments and tangible evidence his hard work paid off.  His collection of shoes existed more than just for comfortable walking or fashion, for each pair had been carefully selected and gathered to pay homage to him.

One might look at the man's closet and assume shoes are that man's idol because of the sheer amount of expensive shoes in the collection or the customised space he created to accommodate them.  While this could be the case, based upon what he said it was more likely he was the object of the worship.  This gathering of shoes in actuality was a shrine to himself.  Every time he walked into a room without a word they sang his praises in their assigned places; the assembly spoke of his wealth, achievements and refined tastes.  He was pleased to receive the worship of these bits of rubber, leather, plastic and nylon that congratulated him and carried him around to public events like people hoist a graven image in a parade.  Idolatry is a matter of the heart objects may only be symptoms of:  those exotic cars, houses, properties and collections do not exist for themselves but can be assembled because they provide what a person prizes.  They speak in dollars of accomplishment, to gain envious attention from others and boost your pride.

Whether we have or do not have, there exists in the heart of men the desire to be honoured and glorified as God, one worthy of worship and praise.  Self-seeking is a core principle of all idolatry, for it seeks to earn a desired blessing or avoid a despised curse.  Dallas Willard in Renovation of the Heart wrote about how self-idolatry can corrupt our perspective.  He wrote, "...the fundamental pride of putting himself at the center of the universe is the hinge upon which the entire world of the ruined self turns." (Willard, Dallas, et al. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Form, 2021. page 54)  Man does not naturally see his need for God or have the slightest desire for God because he finds his greatest satisfaction in himself, his accomplishments and acquisitions.  We need not even have a pair of shoes to idolise them, and the shoes, clothes and jewelry we have can exist for our worship and praise.

It is important we do not fall into the legalistic trap of imagining shoes, cars and houses are idols in themselves.  These are perfectly fine gifts from God we can own without fear of corruption.  But it is important we guard our hearts and consider our motives, for even in the regenerated heart of a child of God we can lapse into self-idolatry.  The safeguard against this is to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging all we are and all we have is a gift from God, giving God His just due.  Such are not embarrassed to own what God has provided and are not envious of others who have more than us.  This one is not preoccupied with what he has or does not have, for Jesus Christ is our all in all.  To be deprived of or to lose things of  great monetary value does not wound us because they were never entangled with our affections which cling to God in faith.  Those who live as if they are God will remain empty--regardless of what they achieve or accumulate.  Blessed is the one whose God is the LORD, for He is our exceedingly great reward in Himself.

The 17 Shekel Promise

God instructed the prophet Jeremiah to make a head-scratching business decision for His redemptive purposes.  Before his cousin Hanameel visited him, the word of the LORD came Jeremiah to purchase the field that was in Anathoth.  Jeremiah had been saying for a long time the nation of Israel was going to fall before king Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army.  If all the land was going to be under the rule of Babylon and the inhabitants taken into captivity to Babylon, what was be the point of buying land?  God had a point to make by making a promise beyond price.

When Hanameel came to Jeremiah and asked him to buy the land in Anathoth because the right of redemption was his, it confirmed the word God had already spoke to Jeremiah.  In the presence of witnesses he weighed out 17 shekels of silver, a very small amount of money for a parcel of land, and the details of the sale were written down.  According to the current rate of exchange, 79 grams of silver is valued at about $45 USD.  Jeremiah handed the receipt to Baruch, and Jeremiah 32:13-15 explains the reason behind this odd land purchase:  "Then I charged Baruch before them, saying, ¹⁴ 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Take these deeds, both this purchase deed which is sealed and this deed which is open, and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may last many days." ¹⁵ For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land."'

What some saw as a financially dumb decision was actually wisdom at work as it illustrated a promise God would be faithful to keep.  Even as the title deed was preserved in an earthen vessel, God promised that "Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land."  The time of captivity in Babylon would be long, but God would keep His word.  God would cause them to return to the land He had given His people by lot according to their tribes and families as an inheritance.  The children of Israel would again settle down and be sheltered in their own land where they would work fruitful fields, tend vines and harvest grapes pressed into new wine.  A land currently marred by violence and made desolate would be possessed again by God's people He would preserve and cause to return--even as the title deed was safely stored in an earthen vessel.

People would have given all the shekels of silver they possessed and even go into debt for that promise to be presently fulfilled, yet for the price of 17 shekels God provided proof of His gracious care in the present and future.  God would bring them back in due time, for He is always faithful to keep His word without fail.  How grateful I am God provides us assurance of His care in this life and for eternity!  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead and His ascension confirms He is able to forgive sinners, deliver us from death and grant us eternal life with Him in heaven by His grace.  No matter how difficult circumstances may be now, we have assurance God will keep Christians and present us faultless before the Father with exceeding joy (Jude 24-25).  For the follower of Jesus Christ we have assurance that the best is yet to come for all eternity.

Celebrating Christ's Victory as One

Yesterday I watched a series of video clips that showcased spectacular plays to win football (gridiron) games.  One thing I noticed is when a player celebrated scoring a touchdown, everyone on the field who was part of his team celebrated too.  Linemen who had never caught a pass or scored a touchdown themselves looked as happy as the one who did because they were all part of the same team.  They all shared in the glory of victory.  This is one thing I appreciate about team sports:  it brings together people with different skills and levels of ability and joins them together to compete, to win or lose as a team.

It occurred to me that after a player scores the winning touchdown or breaks a record, they do not celebrate alone.  Teammates rally to congratulate the stellar play that resulted in victory the entire team and coaching staff, fans and a whole city celebrates.  It reminds me of the dynamic at work in the Body of Christ, which is the church, referenced in 1 Corinthians 12:26-27:  "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."  If my finger is throbbing with pain, the rest of the body notices and seeks to render aid.  When believers suffer, others in the church feel their pain.  Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."

A team plays as one when individuals put the team above themselves and also celebrates the accomplishments of each one.  A football game is full of one-on-one matchups, and individual victories pave the way for the success of the team.  The church is different in that Jesus our Head has already been victorious and always leads those who are in Him in victory.  As I saw football players celebrating together, I wondered if many times believers go it alone in the battles they face.  Strongholds were overcome by faith in Jesus when they refused to sin and chose to honour God in obedience.  Yet it is possible no fellow disciples of Jesus rally to them to encourage and exhort them to keep up the great effort because no one even knew a battle was taking place.  Of course Jesus knows about all the trials and struggles He allows, but He has seen fit to make us part of a Body and members of one another.  When we walk in victory it is only due to Jesus Christ, yet it is commendable and edifying to suffer with those who suffer, and rejoice with those who rejoice.

The encouragement and edification of the Body of Christ only functions as designed when we are in fellowship with other believers.  There are some who seek honour for themselves by perpetually lamenting their struggles or boasting in pride, yet our aim ought to be to honour Jesus Christ by loving one another.  Because we are members of one another, Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29-32:  "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."  We can only follow the "one another" commands by being in fellowship with Jesus and one another, and when we do so we glorify Him.