Category: – The Patternists Articles
Articles written for The Patternists Facebook page
The Patternists: Authority & Moral Issues
One of the most glaring departures from God’s will for man comes in the area of morality. Men now champion fornication of all types, have normalized abortion and homosexuality, and have rejected God’s definition of marriage. An earlier contention that homosexuality is a genetic trait has been exchanged by many for a more extreme view that sexual expression is fluid, and that alternate sexual practices should be tolerated and encouraged.
Greed, pride, selfishness and hate have long been encouraged in the business world. These attributes are predominant in positions of power in government circles as well, to the point that any proclamation of humility and selflessness is met with rolling eyes and incredulity.
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The Patternists: Conditional Promises
After Moses and a generation died in the wilderness of Judea, Joshua prepared to lead the new generation into the promised land. It is helpful to remember that the previous generation was not allowed to enter into the land because of rebellion against God.
God spoke to Joshua, and said the following: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:2-5).
The Patternists: Measuring Themselves by Themselves
In 2 Corinthians 10 Paul addressed the sentiments of his opponents. It appears that some had said unkind things about the great apostle, and it is probable that some in Corinth had a negative view of the great man of God.
Paul’s appeal to be heard by them was centered in the authority he derived from Christ. He belonged to the Lord (vs. 7); the authority he exercised in edifying them came from the Lord (vs. 8); and as such he promised to come to them with weight and power in his words of admonition (vs. 9-11).
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The Patternists: Defining “My” God
I came across a survey taken last December by the Pew Research Center. The title of the survey, “When Americans say they believe in God, what do they mean?”
The survey sampling revealed that 80% of people believe in God, and another 9% believe in some kind of higher power/spiritual force. That’s 9 in 10 Americans.
However, of the 80% that believe in God, only 56% percent of them believe in God as described in the Bible. More and more individuals feel free to describe God in their own terms rather than the terms He used to describe Himself!
The Patternists: “Saul died for his unfaithfulness”
1 Chronicles, chapter 10 describes the death of Saul at the hands of the Philistines. As the battle turned against Israel, the King and his three sons all retreated with the Philistines hard on their heals. All three sons were killed, and Saul was wounded by the archers in the Philistine army. Saul requested his armorbearer kill him, “lest these uncircumcised men come and abuse me” (vs. 4). When his servant would not, Saul fell upon his sword and died. The Philistines the next day came upon Saul, they beheaded him, and “fastened his head in the temple of Dagon” (vs. 10).
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The Patternists: The Man Who Acts Presumptuously
Deuteronomy 17 proclaimed that idolatry was a sin worthy of death. If the guilt was certain, no trial was necessary. Upon the testimony of two or three witnesses, the idolater was to be taken to the gates of the city, and stoned. “So you shall put away the evil from among you” (vs. 7).
In matters that were difficult to judge, where the guilt or innocence, or the appropriateness of punishment could not easily be determined, instructions were given to go to the priests, Levites and judges (vs. 9). Inquiry would be made, and judgment would be pronounced. When that judgment was pronounced, the Israelites were bound to obey it. “According to the sentence of the law in which they instruct you, according to the judgment which they tell you, you shall do; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left from the sentence which they pronounce upon you” (vs. 11).
What if a man was unwilling to submit to the pronouncement of the priests in the matter? He was labeled as presumptuous.
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The Patternists: How to View the Bible
There is a large disparity in thinking among religious people regarding how to view the Bible. Among those who self profess as Christians, some view the Bible as the product of ancient men who were plagued by superstition and fallibility. Others view the Bible as a simple declaration of love by God for man. While common in centuries past, few today consider the Bible God’s will for man, to be heeded, obeyed, and used as the guiding pattern for a life acceptable to Him.
The Patternists: “Just as we heed Moses”?????
In Joshua chapter 1, following the death of Moses, it was time for the children of Israel at long last to inherit the land that God had promised to them.
Joshua was chosen by God to lead the people after Moses. God promised him, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (1:5-7). Joshua had certainly shown himself to be a faithful servant of both Moses and Jehovah. Israel would be well served by his leadership.
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The Patternists: The Promise of Rest
The Jewish Sabbath serves as a type of the ultimate rest available to the Christian. This truth is made evident by the Hebrew writer in the fourth chapter of that letter. In verse 4, the reference is to Genesis 2:2, “For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.’”
That “rest”, and the fact that the disobedience of God’s people led them to lose out on the promise of rest in the promised land (cf. vs. 6), leads to an object lesson for Christians today.
Consider the expressed reason why God said to them, “They shall not enter My rest” (cf. Psalm 95:11). The text states, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (vs. 2). Also, note verse 6, “Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience.”
The Patternists: Fear Him
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:4-7).
We all have read these words from Jesus, but do we know what they mean? To wit, how does fearing the One who has the ability “to cast into hell” impact your life?
The Patternists: When Men Dictate in Religion
Paul’s letter to the Colossians contains his defense of Christ as the basis of our standing with God. He speaks of Christ’s preeminence (1:15-18). He contends that reconciliation comes through Christ’s sacrifice (1:21-22). As such, he warns “every man” to labor and strive as he did, “according to His working which works in me mightily” (1:28-29). Notice, we are to strive according to His working.
In chapters two and three, he contrasts the salvation which is in Christ with false influences which endanger Christians. For example, he notes in (2:1-10) that human philosophy is deceptive. In Christ “are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3).
He also calls for a rejection of lustful passions in (3:10-11), “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (3:3). Because of this, the Christian is to “put off” (3:8), the sinful inclinations of the flesh.
Our attention is centered in (2:11-23). This section of the text is unfortunately labeled “Not Legalism but Christ” in my NKJV. The label misses the point of what Paul is saying.
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The Patternists: According to All
For those who are seeking to please God, it is instructive to do a concordance search of all the times the phrase “according to all” is used in scripture. The phrase occurs on multiple occasions in the Old Testament (in English translations such as the King James, New King James and American Standard versions). The phrase is inclusive of what the “all” encompasses. Often the “all” concerns the commands of God. Consider the example in Joshua.
“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7-9).
True obedience to God requires obedience to all He has commanded. It is not acceptable to pick and choose the commandments we desire to obey, and ignore the rest. Joshua’s admonition came with the promise that if they were faithful in their obedience to all of God’s commands, that they would have “good success.” The Old Testament reveals both the truthfulness of that statement, and the sad end of Israel when God’s commands were not followed.
This object lesson is applicable to men today. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is why it is necessary to obey the entire pattern revealed in the scriptures. As Peter said, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).
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The Patternists: The Basis for Paul’s Exhortation
In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul exhorted his brethren to abound in their obedience to the commandments of God. He was especially concerned with their moral purity, instructing them to “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” (4:3-5).
Sexual Immorality is the phrase used in the New King James version to translate the Greek term porneia. The term is defined by Thayer as “illicit sexual intercourse.” It is a broad term that would be inclusive of any sexual activity outside of the marriage bed, including adultery, homosexuality, incest and other perversions. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).
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The Patternists: Feel Compelled
Religious people typically act in accord with the dictates of the conscience. This is commendable. Paul made clear that we should always do what we believe to be right, “for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
What is equally true is that many, in doing what they think is right, are actually violating God’s will. In other words, they are convinced they are doing what God wants them to do, but they are mistaken. This is a serious problem, as noted by the Lord Himself:
The Patternists: Hold Fast
In 2 Timothy 1:13, the apostle Paul exhorted Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
The words “hold fast” in the text (echo) means to have or hold fast, to adhere or cling to. Consider a small child who depends upon a blanket or stuffed toy for comfort.
The word “pattern” in the text (hupotuposis) indicates an outline, sketch, brief, example or pattern. Consider the idea of a pattern used by a seamstress, or a blueprint used by a contractor.
The word “sound” in the text (hugiaino) is used metaphorically to refer to something that is free of any mixture of error.
The exhortation to “hold fast the pattern of sound words” is modified by specifying the way that they are to be held, “in faith and love.” Adam Clarke well said, “Faith credits the Divine doctrines. Love reduces them all to practice.”
Much is said of faith and love. All are in agreement that these things are necessary. What is often denied is that we must “Hold fast the pattern of sound words.” Here Paul clearly shows this to be required by God.
Paul here emphasizes that God’s word is a pattern for us. He expected Timothy and us to properly respect and revere the Holy Spirit’s guidance in delivering to us “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us” (2 Peter 1:3). Our respect for God’s word requires us to obey it, in so doing showing our love both to God (cf. John 14:15), and to others (1 John 2:10).
Are you holding fast “the pattern of sound words”?
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