Category: Reflections Articles

Sheila Taylor Wells, columnist for the Ft. Worth Star Telegram, recounted a true story in her December 22, 1994 column. She gives the source of the story as Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. Miss Lamott stated that this is the best true story of giving she knows.

An 8-year-old boy, whose younger sister had leukemia, was told that without a blood transfusion, she would die. His parents explained that his blood was probably compatible with hers, and if so, he could be the blood donor. They asked him if they could test his blood.

Sure, he said. So they did, and it was a good match. Then they asked if he would give his sister a pint of blood, that it would be her only chance of living. He said he would have to think about it overnight.

The next day, he went to his parents and said he would donate the blood. So they took him to the hospital where he was put on a gurney beside his little sister. Both were hooked up to IVs. A nurse withdrew a pint of blood from the boy, which was then put in the girl’s IV.

The boy lay on his gurney in silence while the blood dripped into his sister, until the doctor came over to see how he was doing. Then the boy opened his eyes and asked, “How soon until I start to die?”

Sheila Taylor Wells ended her column by saying, “That’s the best story of giving I know, too, and it’s also the best love story I’ve ever heard.”

I must confess that the story immediately brought tears to my eyes as well. That was a generous little boy, and he obviously loved his little sister very much. Also, I found it interesting that Mrs. Wells made the connection between giving and love. When a truly heroic example of giving is seen, invariably the motivation is love.

I have to say, though, that this story is not the greatest example of giving I know. That recognition is reserved for God sending his Son to the world to die. I might would be willing to give myself to save the life of another, but I doubt I would be willing to give one of my children for the same purpose. But God did, and once again, His motivation was love.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Perhaps you got a bit misty eyed when you read the above story of the little boy. That’s understandable. But I would like for you to think back to the last time that the contemplation of what God has given brought tears to your eyes. Are you touched by His great sacrifice?

If so, what will you give in return?

Do you feel good about yourself? Your relationship with God? Do you feel good about those with whom you have spiritual fellowship? Do you have joy without measure? A peace which passes understanding? Does a smile invariably crease your face when you contemplate your eternal welfare? It does? Good!…Now for the most important question. Upon what do you base all of these positive emotions?

Hopefully, you have a ready answer to this last question. The proper answer would be, “From a study of God’s word, I recognize that I have been obedient to His will, and am a partaker of the blessings that are reserved for His children.” Now, you might not word it in exactly the same way, but the point is that your good feelings, your emotions, are based upon an intellectual recognition. You know you have been obedient to God. You know that God has promised blessings to those who are obedient. You know that God keeps His promises. Therefore you are happy. However, many experience that same happiness without that intellectual foundation.

Emotions are peculiar in that respect. You can be happy, sad, peaceful, worried, etc., without a proper foundation. A mother can be worried about the safety of her child, when in reality the child is perfectly safe. A city can sleep peacefully in the supposed safety of its beds, not knowing an earthquake is imminent. A follower of Mohammed can glory in his certainty of an eternal reward, not knowing that salvation is to be found only through Jesus (cf. John 14:6). An emotion is valid only if it is based on fact. Worry is appropriate only if there is the potential of harm; a feeling of peacefulness only if there is actual safety; spiritual joy only if a relationship with God actually exists.

Herein resides the problem with the emotionalism prevalent among religious people today. Too many believe themselves saved, not because they have the facts, but rather because they feel good about themselves. We see that it would be unreasonable for a mother to fret about the safety of her child when she sees and knows her child is safe. Why is it so many can not see how unreasonable it is to base their salvation upon a “feeling in my heart.” There is a popular notion that the facts don’t matter. That we should stop emphasizing the scripture, and just love one another. That we should emphasize the Man instead of the plan. That it does not matter what you believe, so long as you are sincere. This is simply not so.

I feel good about myself and my eternal destiny because I have obeyed the gospel of Christ. I have heard the saving gospel, and have believed it (John 3:16). I have repented of my sins, and have been baptized to have them washed away (Acts 2:38). I have confessed and am willing to confess the Lordship of Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10). As such, I know that I have the hope of heaven. I worship and work with Christians who follow God’s word in matters of worship, work, and daily living. We have a “thus saith the Lord” for all of our practices, and are willing always to defend what we teach and do for God.

Are you happy? It is an important question. But the second is more important. WHY? Upon what do you base that happiness? Think about it.

I recently wrote a letter to a preacher discussing what consitutes Bible baptism. By this I mean the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5. It is the baptism that an alien sinner must submit to in order to receive the remission of his sins.

Our discussion centered specifically on whether individuals in denominations who were baptized “for the remission of sins” (Christian church; Mormons; Some Pentecostals) must be immersed again to be acceptable to God. He says they do not, and I disagree with his assessment. Following is a portion of my letter to him.

The Parameters of acceptable Baptism:

1. Salvation is predicated upon an individual’s acceptance of, and response to the word of God (cf. Rom 1:16).
2. An individual must believe the preaching of Jesus (cf. Acts 8), confess Him as the Son of God, Repent of his sins, and be immersed in water in the name of Jesus for the remission of his sins.
3. It does not matter where he receives that information which precedes his response, or from whom. (I have never believed that, and I don’t think that most preachers do either).
4. I recognize that a man could be taught by a Christian church preacher, a Baptist preacher, a Mormon preacher, or an atheist, and as a result of that preaching, be scripturally baptized if that preacher taught him the truth. He could learn it on his own, from a Correspondence Course, or in many other ways.

However, I also realize that the Baptist, the Disciple, the Mormon all teach what constitutes a perverted gospel (cf. Galatians 1) in which there is no salvation. The Mormon and the Oneness Pentecostal (both teach baptism for the remission of sins) don’t even have proper concepts of God!

My major point is this. Baptism must be in the name of our Lord (by His authority). It is not enough for it to be “for the remission of sins.” After all, John’s baptism was the same, yet was not in Jesus’ name. Teaching on baptism does not come in a vacuum, and I am firmly convinced that in almost every case, those who are baptized in denominations, “for the remission of sins”, are not baptized in the “name of Jesus.”

They are reacting to a perverted gospel taught to them, (even if it contains some truth). Their response to that gospel is intended to gain them entrance into that denomination (even though they believe it to be part of the universal church, it is not necessarily the case).

They are not added to the Lord’s church, not because Jesus has failed in His promise to them, but because they have not acceptably responded to His pure terms. I do not want to exclude any that Christ has accepted. At the same time, I am doing no favors accepting into fellowship those who I fear stand condemned before God.

The emphatic declaration of inspiration, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This passage, found in the book of Romans (10:17), shows with clarity only God could supply that our faith is objective. Faith is based not on our emotions or superstitions, but rather on the revealed will of the omniscient God of Heaven. It is our reception of the testimony concerning the good news of our Lord’s sacrifice and victory that gives us the hope that springs eternal.

It is impossible to separate the hearing of the gospel from saving faith. Paul affirmed earlier in the epistle, (1:16), “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.” The powerful word of God, working upon the open and tender hearts of men, cultivates an active faith that accomplishes the redemption of the believer.

Thus Paul reveals for us a fundamental truth concerning God’s plan of salvation for man. “…it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (I Corinthians 1:21). The apostle has much more to say about faith in the Roman epistle. Following are three lessons derived from his writings. For a more detailed discussion of these aspects of faith, the reader is encouraged to read Faith and The Faith, by Roy E. Cogdill.

The Debt of Faith

A great obligation weighed heavily upon Paul in view of the eternal blessing he received through faith. Because the life he now lived he lived “in faith” (cf. Galatians 2:20), it was his desire to be always fruitful in his service to the Lord. He stated in Romans 1:13, “Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.” Significant is the agency by which he sought to bring about this fruitfulness in his service to God. It would be through the gospel of his Lord!

Paul preached the gospel! He had obtained a precious inheritance because of his faith in God, and he felt a responsibility to make the means to faith available to the Romans. Indeed to all men. “I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (1:14-15).

The lesson to us is plain. We too have received a Hope through the preaching of the gospel. It engendered faith within our soul, and it is the only agency by which the world might be saved. Do you feel the obligation Paul felt? Are you willing, as much as is in you, to preach that gospel? Imagine the joy in the heart of one who believes the Word you shared! Truly, we are debtors.

The Law of Faith

The third chapter of the epistle deals with the universality of sin, and the way of escape from sin’s consequences. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). As such, the Jew was in no way superior to the Gentile. “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all” (3:9). The Jew was inclined to boast in works of merit, done under the auspices of God’s covenantal law. Paul takes this boast away from the Jew when he writes, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”

A recognition that Jesus died for our sins removes the possibility of boasting in our relative merit before God. The innocent man of God was sacrificed for me! I cannot address God as righteous based upon my deeds done under the law, rather only upon my faith in my Lord. The “law of faith” here mentioned references the requirements given me by God to acquire my redemption. That is, a faith in Christ as Lord, leading me to obedience to His will. Do I have reason to boast? “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). To God be the glory!

The Obedience of Faith

While I cannot claim a merited salvation, I understand that a proper concept of faith necessitates obedience to God. Paul makes this clear in the Roman epistle. He writes in his benediction, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith” (Romans 16:25-26). Brother Cogdill put it well. He states, “God’s plan is that men shall be made righteous through the faith of Jesus Christ, by their faith in the faith of Jesus Christ. But our faith in the faith must produce obedience to the gospel.” (Faith and The Faith, pg. 77). The Bible clearly teaches that faith alone, apart from obedience, cannot save us (cf. James 2:24). If you say you have faith, show it by your obedience to your Lord.

The Roman epistle is a sublime example of the prescience of God. Do you want to know the part faith plays in God’s scheme of redemption for man? Read Romans and bask in the glory of God’s wisdom!

One of the most interesting accounts of conversion during New Testament times is found in Acts, chapter 8. The account referred to is the conversion of the Samaritans by Philip, as recorded in verses 4-25 of the chapter. It is interesting as much for what it excludes from the conversion process as for what it includes.

As an example, one might note that Holy Spirit baptism is excluded from the conversion process. Verses 14-16 indicate that the Samaritans had been converted, and yet, “…He (the Holy Spirit) had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” In fact, it was not until the apostles sent Peter and John to lay hands on the new converts that they received the Holy Spirit. This obviously disproves any claim that “Holy Spirit Baptism” plays a part in the process of conversion.

The occasion of the apostles’ visit and their laying on of hands brings to our attention another example of what conversion does NOT include. It does not include the unconditional safety of the convert. In other words, Acts 8 teaches that it is possible for a child of God to apostatize, and as such be lost eternally.

In verse 13 of the text, a sorcerer named Simon is mentioned as being converted by the preaching of Philip. His conversion cannot be successfully denied. We are told that he believed, and he was baptized. This brings to mind the clear teaching of Jesus in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Notice the text is just as positive in stating his conversion as it is any of the others who were convinced by the preaching of Philip on that occasion.

Later on in the account we read of Simon committing a sin. He saw the apostles laying hands on the Christians there, and offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (verse 19). As Peter pointed out very clearly in verse twenty, it was sinful to try and purchase a gift from God with money! We must not lose sight of the scenario here in this context. Simply, we have a Christian, guilty of sin.

Now, notice carefully the statement of Peter in its entirety, recorded in verses 20-23. “But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.'” We have already determined by the passage that Simon was a Christian. He had believed, and he had been baptized. Therefore, he was saved. And yet just as clear is the import of the above verses. Simon had sinned. As such he was in danger of “perishing”. He was in need of prayer and repentance. He was bound by iniquity. The passage very clearly teaches that unless he repented and asked God’s forgiveness, he would be lost for an eternity. We are happy to note his repentance, and his request for the apostles’ prayer.

What we want to emphasize, however, is the possibility raised here of a child of God losing his soul. A very large contingent in Protestant denominations deny this possibility. The influence of John Calvin has so pervaded Protestantism that this issue presents itself quite often in Bible discussions. Calvin believed that salvation was in the realm of God, apart from any action of man. He reasoned that if God saved or condemned man according to His whim, then a man predestined to salvation could not endanger his safety by any activity, no matter how heinous it might be. In effect, “Once saved, always saved”, a doctrine more formally known as the “Impossibility of Apostasy”.

With due respect to Mr. Calvin, the text we have examined clearly teaches otherwise. And the example of disciple Simon does not stand unaccompanied by others. Many passages stating similar warnings can be cited.

For example, the book of Hebrews. In reality the entire epistle stands as a warning of the possibility of apostasy. The writer of that profound letter begins in chapter two by stating, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” In chapter five he chastises his readers for being so immature. He states in verse 12, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need {someone} to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” After this admonition, he encourages his readers to “go on to perfection” (6:1), in other words to continue to develop and mature. The operative question here is why? Why the need to grow and mature if at our conversion we are safe for eternity? His answer is found in verse 4 of chapter 6. “For {it is} impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put {Him} to an open shame.” God says that we must continue to go forward, and that to remain stagnant puts us in danger of being lost eternally. It is possible for one who was enlightened, having tasted the heavenly gift (obviously referring to a Christian) to fall away, and for it to be impossible for them to be renewed again to repentance (obviously referring to an eternally lost condition). The Hebrew writer penned his entire letter to warn his readers of the very possibility most of the religious world denies exists. A Christian who does not maintain his faithfulness and steadfastness CAN LOSE HIS SOUL!

Other passages could be cited which clearly warn of the possibility of a child of God losing his soul. The reader is encouraged to examine Romans 8:12-13; Revelation 3:1-5; 2 Peter 2:18-22; Hebrews 10:26-31; and Galatians 6:7-9.

It must be understood that the process of conversion is properly viewed as a beginning. When a person is baptized, his sins are washed away. He is a new creature. As long as he maintains his faithfulness to God he is promised an eternity in heaven. He is, however, obligated to that faithfulness. As our Lord wrote to the saints in Smyrna in Revelation 2:10, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw {some} of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

The third and final item in the list of three things that “abide”, given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:13, is love. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” You may note that Paul additionally asserts that the “greatest” is love.

The context of Paul’s statement is a chapter where love is defined through personification.

Continue reading “Love” →

(John 17)

In John, chapter 16, Jesus spoke to His disciples of His coming death. He said, (vs. 32), “Indeed, the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone , because the Father is with Me.” In preparation for their imminent separation, Jesus prayed for His disciples, as well as those who would follow after them. This prayer is recorded in chapter 17, and is followed by the betrayal and arrest of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane, recorded in chapter 18 of the text.

It is instructive for us to note the content of the prayer. In this, the final prayer spoken on behalf of His followers in their own presence, His prayer stands as a sermon on what is important for those who would follow Jesus.

Jesus Affirms His Deity

In verses 2 and 3, Jesus affirms that He is the Son of God, and has all authority, thus affirming His own deity. “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You. As You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.” Any man today who blatantly denies the Deity of Jesus, or who as a consequence of his doctrine denies His Deity on earth, directly contradicts the Lord’s affirmation of His own standing before the Father.

Jesus Prayed for the Safekeeping of His Disciples

In verses 6-19 of the text, a special prayer on behalf of His disciples was offered. It is interesting that the gist of the prayer was for the protection of his disciples. The need for this protection was evident because of the warfare they would wage; against the world with the truth. He states, (vs. 15-17) “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You sould keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” The truth of God’s word remains the only weapon we have in this spiritual war. Any call today for compromise or tolerance is tantamount to a dulling of “the sword”, or a laying down of the only weapon given us by God. It is the “power of salvation” (Romans 1:16), and must be “earnestly contend(ed)” for (Jude 3).

Jesus Prayed that You and I Might Have Unity

In verses 20-26, Jesus prayer was extended to all others who would believe through the preaching of the disciples. In effect, in this section of scripture we have revealed His prayer for you and me. Again, it is instructive to see what his sentiments were for us. Surely we ought to work for what Jesus so desperately wanted us to have. The verses reveal His desire was Unity for all who believed after Him. (vs. 20-21), “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they aslo may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Again, we must point out that His call for unity is attainable only in agreement with one another. There is a call today for tolerance of differences, instead of insistence upon unanimity of belief regarding the doctrine of the Lord and His apostles. Paul called for the disciples in Corinth to be of “one mind”, and “all speak the same thing”, not be tolerant of their differences (1 Cor. 1:10). John said, “do not receive him into your house nor greet him”, concerning the one who did not abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 10). The Bible is very clear on the basis of unity. It is based upon the “one faith” (Eph. 4:5).

Is it not interesting that the two things of most importance to Jesus are perhaps the two most important things for us today?

1. Santicification in the truth of God’s word
2. Unity based on that word.

Those who stand for truth have ever been persecuted and reviled because of that stand. They have been castigated for being too “harsh” and “unloving” for their insistence that unity be based upon agreement in the doctrine of Christ. This passage reveals however, that in making that insistent demand they are only fulfilling the final wishes of the Master Himself. May we be one that, “the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (vs. 23). And may the “love with which You loved me” (vs. 26) be in us. It is only through a stand for truth, tempered with the Love of Christ, that we can obtain the unity for which our Lord prayed. Is it not a worthy goal to which we should aspire?

Hope is listed by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:13 as one of three things which “abide.” “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Because of the great sacrifice of our Lord on the cross at Calvary, mankind will always have hope. Until the world ends, hope will continue. But, the concept of the Christian’s hope is one that may be unfamiliar to many.

Continue reading “Hope” →

Recently, while reading through a stack of bulletins, I came across the following pithy statement under the heading: Sentence Sermons:

“Many people fail in life because their wishbone is where the backbone should be.”

There is a lot of truth in that short statement, as it establishes the truth that each one of us must have conviction to be successful in any endeavor.

Continue reading “Backbone? Or Wishbone?” →

(Luke 16:1-15)

The parable Jesus spoke to his disciples in Luke 16:1-13 has elements in it that trouble some readers. Perhaps most bothersome is the notion some have that Jesus here commends dishonesty. This arises from a misunderstanding of the statement of the master found in verse 8, “So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” Such an observation obviously is mistaken, as our Lord is the antithesis of evil, and would not ever commend the unjust actions of others (cf. Eph. 5:8-14; James 1:13). The bafflement, therefore, is easily alleviated by a careful consideration of the context. An understanding of the purpose of Jesus’ teaching clears up any mistaken notions.

Context shows that Jesus’ purpose was to cultivate preparedness in his disciples. He taught of the value of the soul in the parable of the lost sheep (Lk. 15:1-7); the lost coin (15:8-10), and the lost or prodigal son (15:11-32). Rather than temporal considerations, Jesus is instructing his disciples in matters of eternal import. If the soul is eternal, and of great value, it stands to reason our Lord would instruct his disciples in how to prepare, that the soul might prosper in eternity. Later, Jesus’ recounting of the eternal destinies of a rich man, and a beggar named Lazarus (16:19-31) serves to illustrate the importance of preparedness. If we take the context into account the same lesson can be easily seen in the parable we now consider.

First, note the setting. A master was presented with an accusation regarding his steward. A steward in these times had much authority. He managed the financial affairs of the house, and had the authority to make loans, settle debts, and generally oversee the affairs of the master. One well known example of such a servant would be Joseph, who successfully managed the house of Potiphar in Egypt (Gen. 39). Obviously, a steward who was wasteful, when found out, would be required to give account of his actions. When such reckoning was required, we find the steward of our parable had no excuse. When he recognized he was going to lose his stewardship, he said, “What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg” (vs. 3).

Certain observations can here be made. The steward was wasteful; either handicapped or more probably lazy (“I cannot dig”); and overly proud (“I am ashamed to beg”). It can also be shown that he was dishonest, or unjust (vs. 8 ). To prepare for the time when he would be unemployed, he cut deals with his master’s debtors, so that, “when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses” (vs. 4). The first debt he forgave upon payment of only 50% of what was owed, the next with only 80%. No doubt other debts were resolved in much the same way. The picture we have here is of a despicable, disloyal man, who fleeced his master. Why then the statement of verse 8, “So the master commended the unjust steward”?

The one commendable thing the steward did was prepare himself for the inevitable. He acted shrewdly, or prudently. When this is recognized and put in the context of our Lord’s intended lesson to his disciples, we find the commendation deserved. It also serves to explain certain other statements of our Lord in explaining the parable to his disciples. For example:

“For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light” (vs. 8 ). To illustrate, consider the values found in the world. A man determines that the most valuable thing in his life is his family. Therefore he makes every effort to protect and provide for his family. He educates himself, gets a steady job, buys life and health insurance, and saves for retirement. He acts prudently or shrewdly. Why is it that we who know what is truly important, the eternal soul, so often are lackadaisical or derelict in our protection and provision of it? Day by day we pass up, neglect, overlook, or avoid opportunities to secure our soul through study, prayer, edification, and work. We know preparation for eternity is most important, and yet let ourselves get caught up in the day to day, petty activities of our temporal lives. Truly, “the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.”

Notice the next point made in verses 9-12. What does Jesus mean when he says, “…make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail they may receive you into an everlasting home”? Simply put, there is a right and wrong way use your money. Notice that Jesus refers to these material possessions as “unrighteous mammon.” Paul revealed that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness” (1 Tim. 6:10). Examples abound. Achan brought hardship on Israel because of greed (Josh. 7). Judas went so far as to betray the Lord for a paltry sum (Matt. 26:15). Annanias and Sapphira lied to the Spirit and lost their lives for the same reason (Acts 5). Demas forsook Paul because of his love for worldly things (2 Tim. 4:10). Jesus obviously wanted his disciples to so use the material things they obtained to help prepare for eternity. There are right and spiritually beneficial ways to use our temporal possessions. Some that come to mind are expressions of benevolence, provision for family, charitable works, hospitality and the first day of the week contribution. The need to be a good steward in temporal matters is born out by our Lord’s statement in verses 11 and 12. Verse 11 states, “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” That is, the eternal riches that are spiritual in nature.

Our faithful stewardship of the physical blessings bestowed by the Almighty is a very good indication of our trustworthiness in regard to spiritual things.

The Pharisees “derided” Jesus because of his teaching. They missed the point. They could not see the point because they were blinded by their greediness. They loved money, and did not realize that love was “an abomination in the sight of God” (vs. 15).

As the disciples of old, we must recognize the importance of putting first things first. Material possessions, “unrighteous mammon”, can so skew our priorities as to jeopardize our eternal standing. We ought always remember Christ’s warning, “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” (vs. 13). May we serve God alone and acceptably, and in so doing insure ourselves an eternal abode with Him.

(Hebrews 12:12-15) “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be {dislocated}, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all {men}, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”

The writer of Hebrews discusses the need for endurance in the context preceding the above passage. In verse one he states the Christian’s life as being a race which must be run “with endurance.” The picture is of a marathon, not a sprint. We must maintain our steadfastness to the end of the race. We must continue to the finish. A suggestion is given here as to how we can maintain that focus, it is by looking to Jesus (12:2). When our eyes are locked on Jesus, and we see the hope He has made available to us by His sacrifice, we are given strength to endure to the end.

The idea of endurance is continued in verses 3-11, as the writer discusses God’s chastening of His children. As verse 11 states, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” This trek we are engaged on is sometimes difficult, but to maintain our steadfastness “trains” us and makes us righteous.

Having stated the need for great endurance, the writer now gives recognition to the inevitability of fatigue. Picture again the marathon runner. Is it possible for a man to run 26 miles, and not get tired? Of course not! The arms grow tired, causing the hands to “hang down”. The knees grow feeble, and the legs feel like lead weights. Therefore the writer says to “strengthen” the hands and knees!

How to strengthen and renew your spiritual vitality? There are two things we would do well to remember. First is the need for training. The marathon runner does not get too tired to continue because he has prepared for the race. He has trained. Exercising his body prepares him for the rigors of the marathon. The Christian must also train. He must study his Bible. He must pray. He must exercise his senses to strengthen them. Earlier in Hebrews, the writer discusses the need for study, and says, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, {that is,} those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Second, you must recognize your weaknesses. Some marathoners do not finish the race because they do not recognize their limits. They begin the race on too fast a pace for their training, or they begin the race too soon after an injury. The Christian is in danger of this as well. Hence, the writer states that we should, “…make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be {dislocated}, but rather be healed.” We must recognize the impediments littering the path of life, and try our best to remove them that we may not stumble. Proverbs 4:25-27 states, “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” While the image is slightly different, the lesson is the same. Stay away from evil, let your weakness (lameness) be strengthened. Do not allow yourself to be continually tempted with evil, but rather direct your paths in such a way as to stay as far away from temptation as possible.

Listen to inspiration in this matter, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed {is} willing, but the flesh {is} weak” (Matthew 26:41). “{Let} love {be} without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12).

Remember, as indicated in verses 14-15 of the text, the danger is of defilement. Without maintaining steadfastness through exercise and focus, we can fall short of our goal. Therefore we should “pursue peace with all men”, pursue “holiness”, and be diligent, “lest anyone fall short of the grace of God.”

Brethren, let us not falter. We need to exercise ourselves through prayer and study. We need to resist evil, and carefully place our steps on the straight path. And finally, we need to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”

In 1 Corinthians 13, as the apostle Paul concluded his great treatise on love, he wrote “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Setting aside the final statement of the superiority of love, we note that each of the three “abide”, and wish to focus the attention of this article to the first of the three, faith.

Continue reading “Faith” →

Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:1, set forth a two-step process which is integral to a Christian’s “Walk By Faith.” The process could be best described as 1) A subtraction; and 2) An addition. Notice the passage, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” This two step process, “cleanse (-ing) ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, (and) perfecting holiness in the fear of God”, will be explained momentarily. But first, it must be determined what the “promises” are which are alluded to in the verse.

To determine the nature of the promises, you must go back to chapter 6, and notice verses 14-18. (Please read them now). Paul exhorted the Corinthians to not be “…unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” The reason for his exhortation is clear. It is not appropriate for a Christian to have an accord with someone who is so obviously his opposite. The two are antithetical. This is born out by the parallels drawn in verses 14-16. A Christian being yoked to a non-Christian would be like righteousness fellowshipping lawlessness, light communing with darkness, Christ striking an accord with Belial, or the temple of God having an agreement with idols!

This is obviously inappropriate, and Paul emphasized the obvious by pointing out the promises we have, predicated upon our separation and purity. He quoted, in verse 16, “I will be their God, and they shall be My People” (cf. Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27). In verse 17 and 18, it is recorded. “…I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters.” BUT, the promises are predicated upon their acknowledgement and obedience to the command, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean” (cf. Isa. 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41).

Paul’s statement in 7:1 merely builds upon this premise. He stated first that believers are not to be unequally yoked together with, or have a part with (6:15) unbelievers. Next, he gave the reason why a yoking would be inappropriate. It is so because reception by God (the promises) is predicated upon separateness. You can’t expect for God to “dwell” in you, to be your God, to “receive” you, and to be a “Father” unto you if you refuse come out from among the world, and be separate. Beginning chapter seven, Paul in essence stated the parameters of this separateness. Read it again, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” How do we “come out from among them, and be separate?” By “cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and by perfecting holiness in the fear of God!” (The aforementioned “two-step” process).

A wise man (an elder in the Lord’s church) once told me, “Before you go and yank the rug out from under someone, make sure there is something there to catch them.” Jesus stated the same in Matthew 12 when describing the cast out demon. The demon walks about looking for a home, and finding none, returns to his former abode. He finds it empty (the man not having replaced the evil with good), and inhabits it again with seven other demons more insidious than himself. The importance of this principle was not lost on Paul. He stated here that 1) evil must be banished, and 2) good must replace it.
Sin defiles. It defiles the flesh and the spirit. We are not to actively engage in sin. Immorality, idolatry, and unlawful behavior are to be expunged from our lives. We are not to be guilty of such sins as envy, hatred, jealousy, and lust. This evil is indeed filth of the flesh and spirit. Separateness demands purity. If we want the benefit of God as our Father, then we must “…cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit…”

When we remove the filthiness from our lives, we must replace it with that which is perfectly holy. In reverence and godly fear, we must seek to conform ourselves to Christ’s example. The easiest way to explain it may be in referring to Galatians 5. Paul there gave a list of the lusts of the flesh. These are the things we are to “cleanse” ourselves from. Then Paul gave the list of the “fruit of the Spirit”, which is, “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (vs. 22-23). A man who incorporates into his character the “fruit of the Spirit” is one who is perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

One fact should be remembered by any individual who wishes to please God. Namely, God demands separateness. This separateness is necessary if we claim to be “walking by faith”, and it is defined as a purifying of flesh and spirit, and a perfecting of holiness in the fear of God. Are you “Walking by Faith”?

One of the most beautiful passages in all of scripture, illustrating the exalted virtue of loyalty, is found in Ruth’s statement of love for her mother-in-law Naomi.

“But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, {or to} turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people {shall be} my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if {anything but} death parts you and me.'” Ruth 1:16-17

Certain aspects of this relationship between a woman and her daughter-in-law strike me as especially notable.

The Selflessness of Naomi

Naomi had endured a great deal of hardship in a very short period of time. A famine had hit Judah, necessitating that the family of Elimelech go to the country of Moab to survive. While in that country, Naomi lost Elimelech to death. Naomi’s two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, had taken wives from the daughters of Moab, Orpah and Ruth. After ten years spent in Moab, both of Naomi’s sons died as well. Naomi determined to return to the land of Judah, the famine being over. Now, just imagine for a moment the grief and loneliness of this woman as she was about to undertake her journey. All alone, her family buried in a foreign land.

It is from this backdrop we read her entreaty to her daughters-in-law. “And Naomi said to her two daughters in law, ‘Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.’ Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept” (Ruth 1:8-9). Others may have implored that they stay, but Naomi, even in the midst of her grief and loneliness, concerned herself with the needs of those two women she dearly loved. Truly, she put them before herself.

The Loyalty of Ruth

It would be wrong to say that Orpah was disloyal to Naomi by giving heed to her, and returning to her mother’s house. She did no wrong, and her actions are completely sustainable. However, the loyalty of Ruth, crystallized in the beautiful speech above, is remarkable. A young maiden, willing to go to a foreign land, willing to give up the ties of her past, because of her love of this godly and virtuous woman.

After returning to Judah, she went into the fields of Boaz, and gleaned barley, to feed and support herself and her mother-in-law. The character of Ruth serves as a sterling example to all women, and men, concerning the comeliness of loyalty to others.

The Reward of Loyalty

The ending of this story is familiar to all. Boaz married Ruth, she bore a son named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David (cf. 4:17). Thus a Moabite woman, a foreigner to Israel, became a link in the lineage of our Savior, Jesus the Christ (cf. Matthew 1).

Surely, this teaches us all the importance and rewards of fidelity and love. Brethren, think on these things.

The Hebrew word which is translated holiness in our English Bible is defined as, “A sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity…” (Strong’s). As such, it generally denotes something that is set apart from sinfulness. In effect, if a thing is holy it is sanctified, pure, whole. The term is used with reference to both God and man. Notice the following:

The Holiness of God

Holiness is an attribute of God. In God alone is holiness complete. When we speak of the holiness of God, we are referring to the fact that He is completely separate from evil. There is no sin in God. He is wholly good. There are many passages which affirm the holiness of God. Exodus 15:11, “Who {is} like You, O Lord, among the gods? who {is} like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Psalm 99:9, “Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the Lord our God {is} holy.” Psalms 111:9, “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome {is} His name.” Truly, God is the epitome of holiness.

The Holiness of Man

When we speak of holiness with regard to any man, we recognize that the attribute is not complete in man. In other words, no man is wholly good. We read from Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Notice the following from Unger’s Bible Dictionary, page 495, “…(4) Holiness, so far as it appears in man anywhere, is an outcome of God’s gracious work in salvation, and yet not without the proper exertion of one’s own free will, and the putting forth of strenuous effort (Eph. 4:22,24).”

The passage referenced by Unger is very revealing. Paul writes, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). We must realize that we are saved by the grace of God. However, that salvation and resulting holiness is available only as we “put off” the old man, and “put on” the new man.

If we really apply ourselves, it is possible to attain a high degree of holiness in this life. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). It takes dedication and effort, but it is possible for us to maintain our purity and be sanctified, even in the midst of an ungodly and hostile world.

In fact, God demands that we strive to be holy. Too often Christians are willing to embrace certain worldly influences, and in so doing compromise their holiness. Immodest dress, immoral hobbies, and ungodly associations all adversely affect our claim to holiness. Remember the solemn warning of scripture, “Pursue peace with all {men}, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14).