Category: Reflections Articles
Articles printed in the weekly bulletin of the West Side church of Christ
Christian Worship: Preaching / Teaching
In Hebrews 10:24-25, the Hebrew writer expounds upon one of the primary purposes for the worship assemblies, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” When we come together, it is for edification.
Edification is accomplished by several means. As we speak to one another in song (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16); pray (cf. Colossians 3;16); declare the Lord’s Death in his supper; (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:26), etc.; we are built up in Christ.
Continue reading “Christian Worship: Preaching / Teaching” →
A Plea for Purity
The apostle Paul apparently felt that sexual sin was a constant threat to the welfare of Christians in the first century. He continually warned about it, writing such things as, “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); and “Nor let us commit sexual immorality…” (1 Corinthians 10:8).
Christian Worship: Praying
C.R. Nichol and R.L Whiteside, in their Sound Doctrine workbooks, said of prayer, “Perhaps no one can be entirely free from his environments; but to keep this prayerless spirit of the present age from overwhelming us, let us diligently read the Bible, and thus associate with God and Christ and the praying men of God – and pray. Prayer is the very breath of the Christian” (Vol. 2, pg. 68).
“Prayer is the very breath of the Christian.” This is a sentiment, which if embraced by Christians, will lead to the type of spiritual maturity and mindset needed to combat the evil of our day.
Christian Worship: Giving
Our Lord serves as a wonderful example of sacrificial giving. Though divine, he gave up his position in heaven to dwell on earth as a man, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Of this action, Paul told the Corinthians, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
God’s command to give “as he may prosper” (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2), allows His children to follow their Lord’s example of sacrifice. Such sacrifice enriches us spiritually even as we contribute to the Lord’s cause. We have received so much, it is only proper that we give back a portion of that with which we have been blessed.
The Peace of God
The apostle Paul spoke of the peace of God in his letter to the Philippians. The verse reads as follows:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Whatever this “peace of God” may be, you will note that its reception is conditional. It depends upon the trust we place in God. We must be willing to cast our cares upon our Father, praying to Him, confident that He will take care of us when we are beset by the trials and tribulations of this life.
Christian Worship: Singing
One of the most edifying acts of worship authorized by the Lord for Christians is “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).
There is something about poetry set to a pleasant melody which uplifts men. This fact was recognized by James when he wrote, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13). We are indeed blessed that God instructs us to edify and uplift one another as we praise Him in song.
Revisionist History
Mel Gibson, a famous Hollywood actor and director, recently made a movie entitled “The Passion”, which purports to accurately depict the biblical accounts of the crucifixion. Without defending the movie, (Hollywood is hardly known for “accuracy”), it is interesting to note that the movie has incited quite a tumult as many groups are protesting the film’s depiction of Jews.
In the October 4, 2003 edition of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, R. Scott Colglazier, the senior minister of the University Christian Church in Fort Worth, wrote an article titled “Gibson movie opens old wounds of anti-Semitism.” Among other things, the article states:
“…in making this film, he has unwittingly opened a deep theological wound by portraying the Jews as killers of Christ.”
Readers of the New Testament are no doubt aware of the gospel accounts, which detail the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. (cf. Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19).
The Five Acts of Collective Worship
Quantifying the collective worship of the local church is a rather simple thing to do. One need only read the New Testament and find out exactly what acts of worship the Christians of that time engaged in. If we are able to establish what God commanded the disciples to do, or to establish examples of them engaging in worship that was endorsed by God, we can then know what is constituted in God’s divine directives for congregational worship.
Surely You Have It Turned Around!
There are several things necessary for worship to be “true worship.” First, God must be the object. By this we mean the one true God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God referred to by Paul when he told the Athenians, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands…” (Acts 17: 22-24). The God to which Paul refers here is the One true God. He is the Creator of the universe. He is the omnipotent, omniscient, self-existent One. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). All other gods are figments of man’s imagination.
The Concept of Worship to God
Man is a worshipful being. Through the history of mankind, in every culture, whether in ignorance or knowledge, man has appealed to someone or something outside of himself for guidance and protection. Pagan idolatry is an example of that “ignorant” worship. Paul declared to the idolatrous Athenians, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23).
God’s Attitude Toward Sin
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
It has been established that God is holy, and demands holiness from those who would belong to Him. God demands and rightfully expects obedience from man because he is God, “Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37).
Holiness As Defined by Christ
In the Old Testament, the concept of sanctification and holiness was broad. It included not only living in accord with God’s standard of morality, but, for the Jews, it also included the ritualistic requirements of the covenant He had with Israel.
The book of Leviticus contains many laws required of the Israelites that they might be undefiled before Jehovah. It was necessary that they observe these laws, both moral and ceremonial, in order to be considered clean and worthy of worshipping Him. Concerning these laws, Jehovah said, “Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37). Continue reading “Holiness As Defined by Christ” →
Sanctify God In Your Heart
A series of articles dealing with moral issues from the standpoint of Man’s call to be sanctified, based upon the Holiness of God
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
Peter’s text expresses the fundamental nature of discipleship. The term sanctify (hagiazo) is defined by Arndt and Gingrich as “treat as holy, reverence.” Thayer states “to render or acknowledge to be venerable, to hallow.” The Lord God is to be enthroned in our heart. Such veneration is logical, as He is Lord. A failure to reverence Him is a failure in discipleship.
The text is very similar to a passage found in the book of Isaiah. The King James version renders Isaiah 8:13, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” A contrast is here made between men and God. God is the one to be feared. He is the one we are to concern ourselves with, rather than men. The Christian ought never to make decisions based upon what men think. Rather, our sole concern should be to please God. Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
Leviticus 19 serves to establish what God expects of man, and why. Note the following examples:
“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God” (vs. 3).
“Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God” (vs. 4).
“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.” (vs. 11-12).
“You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (vs. 30).
“Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the LORD“ (vs. 37).
God requires us to live lives of righteousness, submitting ourselves to His will. This is required of us because He is “the LORD.” Remember Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'”
Here is the lesson: In order for us to truly sanctify God in our hearts, we must live consecrated lives. This truth is established time and again in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul wrote of the past conduct of some of the Christians in that city. He wrote of fornication, idolatry, homosexuality, thievery and drunkenness. Concerning those characterized by ungodliness, Paul wrote in verse 11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
As we are “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:2), we must put off sinful practices, and live lives of holiness before Him.
Paul stated it clearly to the Thessalonians.
“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7).
God desires that we be holy and righteous in our life. When he called us, (remember, sanctify basically means to consecrate or set apart), he did not intend for us to live as does the world. The calling of God is of a higher order and requires moral, ethical and doctrinal purity. In this specific context, we are to “abstain from sexual immorality,” but the principle applies equally in every facet of our lives before God.
As Christians we will be tempted to compromise our calling. A lowering of standards is unacceptable. Remember, we must hallow God in our hearts. Paul wrote:
“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter [in this context, false doctrine], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:21-22)
We are sanctified (called out) to live holy (sanctified) lives. This we must do if we are truly venerating (sanctifying) the Lord God in our hearts.
The Holiness of God
A series of articles dealing with moral issues from the standpoint of Man’s call to be sanctified, based upon the Holiness of God
In 1 Peter 1:13-16, the apostle Peter wrote:
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Here Peter revealed the basis of the appeal made to holy living on the part of those who name Christ as their savior. We are to be holy because God is Holy. It is not an arbitrary requirement, nor is it capricious. Further, holiness is to be defined by the nature of God rather than the customs of men. Finally, holiness should be present in every aspect of the Christian’s conduct.
Because the call to holiness is so important, God’s children should have a clear idea of what is required of them. In our time the call is muted and distorted by the static of worldliness. Too often Christians either ignore or are unaware of the standard God has set for his people. They compromise the mark God has set, and are guilty of embracing a morality that has its genesis in the mind of man rather than the mind of the Creator. Let’s examine the basis of God’s call to his children to be Holy.
The Holiness of God
The reference in 1 Peter is to a passage in Leviticus, (the phrase is used in 11:44-45, 19:2; 20:7). In Leviticus 19:1-2, it is recorded:
“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.’”
The phrase bookends a section of scripture detailing various laws prescribed by God to maintain the purity of the people. Sins such as fornication, adultery, incest and idolatry are condemned. The term holy is the Hebrew qadowsh, and is defined as “pure, clean, free from defilement of crimes, idolatry, and other unclean and profane things.” (Gesenius, pg. 722). While application will later be made regarding the call for holiness on our part, note that characteristically, God is holy. He is pure, clean, and free from any defilement. As James wrote, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:13). He is perfect in His holiness.
Numerous Old Testament passages can be cited to establish how Jehovah God was known to Israel. Note the following:
“To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing” (Isaiah 40:25-26).
“God came from Teman, The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of His praise” (Habakkuk 3:3).
“Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:41).
Isaiah again and again referred to God as the “Holy One of Israel” (cf. 1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:17, 20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19, 23; 30:11, 12, 15; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17).
What becomes obvious, both in the view Israel held toward God, and God’s own actions against sin and ungodliness, is His utter abhorrence of anything unclean.
An interesting example of this is the law given to Israel respecting the purging of human filth from the camp in Deuteronomy 23. Verse 14 says, “For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.” The term holy here is the same qadowsh, and here indicates cleanliness.
The message of the Old Testament trumpets the Holiness of God. When God first introduced himself to Moses as he tended the flocks of Jethro, He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5)
Israel at Mount Sinai was not able to go up the mountain, as it was consecrated in the presence of God. God said, “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain” (Exodus 19:12-13). And, it was necessary for the priests to “consecrate” (purify, sanctify) themselves before approaching God “lest the Lord break out against them” (vs. 22).
When the tabernacle was built, and later the temple, the inner sanctum of Jehovah was designated at the Most Holy Place. “Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim” (2 Chronicles 5:7).
When Nadab and Abihu offered profane fire in a sacrifice to God, “fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” God gave the reason for such a punishment, saying, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified” (Leviticus 10:3).
Conclusion
The text of Leviticus 10 establishes the same principle stated by our initial text in 1 Peter 1. Because God is holy, we must also be holy. To conduct ourselves in a manner less than that prescribed by the nature of God is to treat Him with contempt. His nature and treatment of man demands a commensurate respect and obeisance on our part. The Old Testament shows this in Israel’s fear and respect for Jehovah, and in God’s response when they rebelled. He expects no less from His children today.
An Addendum
Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 9 and Final of Series)
The assertion of thiese articles (Later self-published in booklet form) has been that the Lord’s teaching regarding marriage and divorce is straightforward, and easily understood. Simply stated, it is: One man, One woman, for a lifetime. Continue reading “An Addendum” →
