Category: Authority

A woman, in commenting on an article I had written, stated her belief that we are saved by grace (which is a given), then stated regarding her eternal salvation that yes, we need to follow Jesus, but that He does all the work. And, regarding her life, maybe Jesus hasn’t gone through all the steps as of yet.

This idea is a bit different from what is commonly stated by those who teach salvation by faith alone. They claim we do nothing, rather that we trust in the finished work of Christ.

To be clear, Jesus secured our hope for redemption when he shed His blood for our sins (cf. Matthew 26:28). After His resurrection, He ascended to the right hand of the Father. His work in redeeming men is finished. The gift of grace has been extended. But, if nothing else is clear in scripture, this is – God expects us to do our part!

Consider Hebrews 5:9, “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” If we want to be with Christ in eternity, there is work we too must do!

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Even though Jehoiakim took a knife to God’s word, he couldn’t rid himself of God’s prophecy. However, he did bring destruction upon himself. We need to learn from his mistake!

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The phrase, “rule of law” is bandied about in political discussions in our time. It is an interesting phrase, and an understanding of it has some interesting spiritual implications:

Continue reading “The Rule of Law” →

I came across an item of interest recently, stating that very few hymnals used by the religious denominations have a silk marker attached to the book.

Of course, every song book I have come across in the various places where I have worshiped has one. And yet, in the religious world at large it is rare.

Why do we have the silk ribbon? As far as I can tell, solely to mark our books for the invitation song. Consider the progression. Before the ribbon came the book, before the book came the concept of an invitation song, before the invitation song came the offering of an invitation.

Continue reading “The Patternists: That Little Silk Ribbon” →

Ezekiel 33 records an attitude toward the word of God that existed in that time, and in ours as well. The text verses 30-33) relate God’s words to the prophet regarding the reception of his message by the people.

“…they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them” (30-32).

Back in 1871, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown published a commentary on Ezekiel, where they attributed the following quote regarding this text to Jerome (4th century), “They praise thy eloquence, but care not for the subject of it as a real and personal thing; just as many do in the modern church.”

In Ezekiel’s day; in Jerome’s day; in the 19th century; in the 21st century; indeed in every age, among every people, there is the tendency to give lip service to God’s word.

“Oh, how beautiful it is, how soothing, how wonderful. It’s beautiful music to our ears.”

“…For they hear your words, but do not do them.”

How about you. Do you hear God’s words? Do you recognize how important it is to submit to Him? Do you obey God’s will for you?

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In ancient times, wealthy Romans and Greeks commissioned a slave to care for the well being and morals of their sons. This trusted slave was called a pedagogue (from the Greek pais – a boy; and ago – to lead).

In Galatians 3:23-24, Paul used the term to refer to the Old Covenant that God had with Israel. The NKJV translates the term “tutor.”

“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

The purpose of the pedagogue (the law) was to guard, protect, and lead to the Christ. It served its purpose well. Faith has come, and Christ is our Teacher, Savior and Lord.

Much can be gleaned about God and His interactions with men even today by perusing that previous covenant. But, it is the previous covenant. Verse 25 states, “But after faith has come, we are no longer under the tutor.”

Some Jewish Christians were seeking justification by an appeal to that previous covenant. With these words, Paul explained clearly that such efforts were vain and misguided. In chapter 5, Paul wrote, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (vs. 4).

Some today seek similar justification from that covenant. Whether it be the observance of the Sabbath, tithing, or the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, they should consider carefully the words of Paul before seeking such validation.

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It is interesting how foundational the concept of authority is to the Bible. Almost every page includes the concept, with calls to obey God, warnings about disobedience, and examples of those who experience God’s pleasure or wrath. Often the references are explicit, but there are innumerable implications as well.

In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul instructs his readers in the matter of spiritual gifts. He there explains that the gift of prophecy is of greater value than speaking in tongues. This is because prophecy can be understood, where tongue speaking can’t (without an interpreter). Paul writes, “Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue” (vs. 19).

He then writes, “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature” (vs. 20). One might ask, why is it so important to be mature in understanding? The answer is found in Paul’s contention in verse 37, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”

One wag said, “It is the 10 commandments, not the 10 suggestions. We need awareness of what scripture teaches, because scripture contains God’s commandments to men. These instructions, by nature, are not optional. Remember, Jesus “became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

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Lesson 6 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

Why do churches of Christ not use mechanical instruments of music in worship? Is it merely our tradition? No, it is divine tradition, a matter of how God authorizes the church to worship Him.

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1 Kings 18 records a conversation between Ahab, the evil king of Israel, and the prophet Elijah. Elijah was a thorn in Ahab’s side. Elijah told Ahab that a drought would afflict the land beacuse of his sin, and it came to pass. The drought was God’s way of chastising Ahab and the nation for their sins. But, Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought, and sought his life.

Elijah ran for his life, and evaded the king for the three years of the drought. God then instructed Elijah to go to Ahab. When they met, Ahab said, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah’s response is instructive, “And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals'” (vs. 18).

Too often religious people criticize those who stand for truth as being divisive. To contend for a standard, and fidelity to God’s commands brings charges of “judging”, “intolerance” and “sectarianism.” In fact, standing with truth is not the problem. The problem is, as Elijah so eloquently said, with forsaking “the commandments of the Lord.”

Fortunately, Elijah stood tall against the king. His victory over the prophets of Baal led the people of Israel to proclaim, “The Lord, He is God” The Lord, He is God!” (vs. 39).

In the same way, we must stand for truth in the face of those who would lead God’s people astray. Hear and heed the words of Jude, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

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Some who claim to be disciples of Jesus will seek to justify their doctrinal positions by an appeal to the Old Testament. For example, why do people advocate tithing, or Sabbath keeping, or the use of instruments to accompany the hymns they sing in congregational worship? The only appeal that can be made is to the Old Law. “David did it!”

In Galatians 4:21, Paul wrote, “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?” His point was that the law spoke of its own end, and that the children of promise would be free through faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul concluded, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free” (Galatians 4:31). By extension, one can’t argue from the Law to justify his practice as a Christian.

Consider these truths as examples:

• Christians don’t tithe, they give as prospered (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
• Christians don’t keep the Sabbath, they worship on the first day of the week (Sunday) (cf. Acts 20:7)
• Christians don’t worship with instruments, they sing songs (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)

The warning is severe: “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have follen from grace” (Galatians 5:4).

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There are civil laws governing how involved churches may become in the political arena. More importantly, there are guidelines that the church and individual Christians are given by God. These must be respected and obeyed!

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At the end of his epistle to the Colossians, Paul makes reference to several of his fellow workers. One of these, Epaphras, is described as as “a bondservant of Jesus Christ” who is “always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12).

In this verse there are several things that point to the need to respect the authority of Scripture:

First, Epaphras is described as a bondservant. The greek word here translated (doulos) is defined by Thayer, “a slave; metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another’s will.” Those who refuse to limit themselves to what is authorized in scripture can’t rightly be called bondservants.

Second, Epaphras’ prayer was for their perfection and completeness (both words that indicate an “all in” mentality) toward “all the will of God.” Again, those today who seek to minimize any aspect of God’s will miss the point of these words.

Don’t believe anyone who tells you that God is pleased when you do things your own way. God wants you to be His bondservant, fully invested in doing His will.

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The United Church of Canada has been in the news of late, as the institution is trying to figure out what to do with one of its pastors. Gretta Vosper was ordained by that church in 1993. She has been, for a number of years, an avowed atheist! She has declared that it is time for the Christian church to give up on “the idolatry of a theistic god.” While some in the denomination wish for her to remain a pastor, others are not so sure. I wonder if anyone ever thought to consult the Bible to find out what God thinks?

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good” (Psalm 14:1).

Continue reading “Have You Ever Asked, “What Does God Think?”” →

The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians for their receptive attitude towards God’s word. He wrote in his first letter to them, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (2:13).

The Thessalonians recognized the authority of the apostle, and that the words he delivered to them were inspired of God. As such, they respected and obeyed it.

There is a difference between the words of men and the words of God. It is a difference that is ignored by the large majority of religious people today. Put simply, if God said it, we must heed and obey! Respect for God requires that we regard all scripture as authoritative and binding!

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Bible believers have long defended the text of Scripture against the attacks of skeptics. For a long while this defense, specifically regarding the text of the Old Testament, was made more difficult by relatively recent manuscript evidence that formed the basis of the Hebrew text.

Continue reading “Reading a Lump of Coal” →