Category: Reflections Articles
Articles printed in the weekly bulletin of the West Side church of Christ
God Is Fair!
I recently read the comments of a referee who said that if at the end of the game both sides were angry with him it was probably an indication that he had done a good job. As my kids are athletes, I can attest to the fact that we parents often have a difficult time being unbiased in our assessment of such efforts.
Perception often colors reality. What we believe to be true may not be. The only way to be sure of a matter is by removing the “filters” or biases that may color our perception. This is especially true and important in spiritual matters. For example, some see the inequity and unfairness that exists in the world, and claim that it is as a result of God. “God is unfair!” is the claim, and, (repeated time and again), becomes the common perception of our day.
Abnegation
In my personal study, I recently came across a word with which I was not familiar. The term is “abnegation.” It is interesting that in consulting dictionaries about the word, one didn’t have it, several defined it simply as “self-denial”, and only two (both online dictionaries) gave the meaning that coincided with its usage in the example I had encountered. WordNet gives as the primary meaning of the term, “the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief.”
Though the term might be a bit rare, the concept or phenomenon of denying and rejecting a doctrine or belief is commonly found in scripture.
Pharisaism
During Jesus’ ministry, there were three main sects of the Jews that influenced Jewish politics and culture. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes.
Interestingly, the Essenes are not mentioned in the New Testament writings. Perhaps their tendencies toward asceticism and monasticism separated them from the common Jew, and limited their influence upon Jewish culture. (Note: It is believed that it was an Essene community, Qumran, that was responsible for the penning of the Dead Sea Scrolls).
The Sadducees were characteristically liberal and secular in their outlook. They were political animals, often affluent, and held the highest political offices among the Jews. “They were a political party, of priestly and aristocratic tendency, as against the more religious and democratic Pharisees” (ISBE, Vol. IV, pg. 2659).
The Pharisees were, as noted above, more religious. In fact, at least in outward form, the Pharisee seemed to mirror most closely the teaching and philosophy of our Lord. For example: 1) The Pharisee contended for the importance of separating himself from ungodly and worldly influences; 2) The Pharisee was very attentive to the Law of God, and careful in his exposition of its teaching; 3) The Pharisee emphasized the importance of diligent obedience to the Law of God; 4) The Pharisee was eager to convert others to his beliefs, and was active in proselytizing; 5) The Pharisee was very active religiously, and many saw the expressions of his faith.
Pretending to be Righteous
In Luke 20, the historian records an attempt of the Pharisees to incite Jesus to say things which would get him in trouble with the Roman government. It may be that they felt Jesus would not answer them forthrightly if He knew who they were, so they sent men to Him who were to play the part of innocent, truth fearing men, to question Jesus with apparent sincerity. Luke put it this way, “So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor” (vs. 20).
Martyrdom
Martyrdom is defined as “the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one’s religious faith” (Webster’s). In respect to the Christian faith, martyrdom is dying because of the profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Perhaps the best known example of such a death is also the first example, that of Stephen, whose stoning is recorded in Acts 7:57-59, “Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
The Deceitfulness of Riches
Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 “and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).
Jesus revealed in his explanation of the Parable of the Sower that one of the real dangers threatening the faith of children of God is the inordinate desire for material things.
We certainly live in a rich society. Even families of the most modest means normally have such things as automobiles, homes, food, televisions, and now the ubiquitous cell phones.
Of course, none of these things, or the many toys, possessions and luxuries that many Christians enjoy are inherently sinful. They do, however, have a tendency to divert our attentions and priorities from that which is truly important.
Songleading Suggestions
This past Wednesday evening we had our monthly singing, and I believe everyone was uplifted by the time we spent together in song. It is always a favorite night of the month for me personally, as I truly love to sing spiritual songs!
The men of the congregation are to be commended for their ability and efforts in leading the singing. We are truly blessed with talented and able men, who have the ability to lead the congregation in singing. In addition to the 9 men who led on Wednesday, I can think of at least 5 others who did not lead that night, but have done a fine job in the past.
There is, of course, room for improvement. All of us can get better in our song leading, and it should be our desire to improve. With that thought in mind, I want to make note of some things I observed at Wednesday night’s singing, and ask that the song leaders take note of them in good humor.
The Start of Summer
(Click here to view the Baldo cartoon to which this post refers)
(To those who are unable to view the cartoon, or if the link ceases working, the cartoon consists of four frames. The first three frames show Baldo’s little sister talking about how she had been looking at bugs and insects, and saying that you can learn a lot by staring at nature’s beautiful creatures. She then asks Baldo, who is dressed in his swim trunks with a towel over his shoulder, where he is going. In the last frame, Baldo puts on his cool sunglasses, and says, “I’m heading to the public swimming pool, to work on my doctorate!”)
On June 21st, summer officially began. Of course, the hot weather has been around for some time now, and as is the case every year, is the reason why many drop any pretensions of modesty in the name of comfort and fashion.
The world embraces immodest dress, and as seen in the cartoon above, does not hesitate to glory in lasciviousness. In this, the world seems more able to see the nature of immodest dress: “For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light” (Luke 16:8).
Young ladies, please understand that young Baldo in the cartoon above is not the only young man who seeks a doctorate from staring at the female form. The cartoon was written because of its obvious truth. No Christian lady should ever be guilty of parading herself in front of the leering men. “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
“Get Behind Me, Satan!”
In the fourth chapter of Luke’s gospel we have recorded the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. None other than the devil himself (vs. 2) took the opportunity of Jesus’ fast in the wilderness to put stumbling blocks before the Son of God.
The second temptation placed before the Lord, to reject the work of redemption for the glory of the world’s kingdoms, brought this response from Jesus, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (vs. 8).
Worship to Baal
Baal, or Ba’al was the principal male god of the Canaanites. Actually, the term Baal means “Lord” in the Hebrew language, and was used in the Old Testament in reference to many different gods, including Jehovah.
In fact, in the days of Hosea the worship of idols had become so prolific that God equated the unfaithfulness of Israel with whoredom.
It Depends on How You Interpret It
In about 512 B.C., as Darius I of Persia led his armies north of the Black Sea, the Scythians sent him a message comprised of a mouse, a frog, a bird, and five arrows. Darius summoned his captains. “Our victory is assured,” he announced. “These arrows signify that the Scythians will lay down their arms; the mouse means the land of the Scythians will be surrendered to us; the frog means that their rivers and lakes will also be ours; and the Scythian army will fly like a bird from our forces.”
But an adviser to Darius said, “The Scythians mean by these things that unless you turn into birds and fly away, or into frogs and hide in the waters, or into mice and burrow for safety in the ground, you will all be slain by the Scythian archers.” Darius took counsel and decided that the second was the right interpretation, and beat a retreat!
Today in the Word, January 1992, p.22.
It does matter how you interpret scripture. There is the true interpretation of a passage, and then there are other interpretations which men assert to their own peril. We can know the truth, but we must set aside our own preconceptions, and let the word of God say what it says! “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
“You Can’t Take It Literally and be Happy”
At the height of her fame as the other woman in the Ivana and Donald Trump breakup, Marla Maples spoke of her religious roots. She believed in the Bible, she told interviewers, then added the disclaimer, “but you can’t always take [it] literally and be happy.”
Chuck Colson
The Body, p. 124
Certainly an honestly stated sentiment, and one that is fairly typical of our day. You can’t take the Bible literally and be happy, because the Bible condemns your ungodliness! Too many, when faced with the choice of either ceasing their sin, or rejecting the Bible, choose to reject the Bible. “No servant 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” (Luke 16:13).
Internet Pornography
The viewing of pornography, in the past, necessitated a bit of moxie on the part of the viewer. If one wanted to look at a magazine or other materials, he had to go to an “adult” establishment, or lay a magazine on the counter of the local convenience store, and risk being seen by someone he knew.
Of course, if a man was profane, this did not deter him. However, the danger of being “found out” precluded some Christians who might otherwise have been tempted to sin in this manner.
An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
In the first verse of 1 Corinthians 7, the apostle Paul began a discussion of questions asked him by the Corinthian Christians. “Now concerning the things of which you wrote me…” While the Corinthians no doubt had an exact knowledge of those questions, we do not. It is important that we deal carefully with the text of this chapter. The exegesis is a difficult one, and brethren have struggled with the passage for many years.
After discussing some general principles concerning the sexual aspect and obligations of marriage in the first seven verses, the apostle answered certain questions concerning special groups in verses 8-16. First, the unmarried, in verses 8 and 9 were given the advice to remain unmarried during the “present distress” (cf. vs. 26), unless their passion precluded such a celibate state.
An Exegesis of Luke 18:28-30
This section of scripture in Luke 18 recounts a conversation recorded by the physician between Jesus and his disciples. The exchange is also recorded by Matthew (chapter 19), and Mark (chapter 10).
The conversation immediately followed Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man desiring to know, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life” (vs. 18). When Jesus revealed his covetousness (putting his riches before service to God), the young man went away sorrowful. Jesus told his disciples that it was extremely difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, but “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (vs. 27). What is obviously established in this teaching is that nothing can come before God in our lives. This elicited a response from Peter contained in the text under consideration:
