Respecting Authority

Deep in the Old Testament there is the story of King Saul’s failure to respect God’s authority. After having only partially obeying God’s explicit commandments, he tried to make up for his self-willed action by promising to offer burnt offerings and sacrifices to God. At this point the Scriptures present one of the finest statements in the entire Bible concerning the importance of obedience: “Has Jehovah as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23) The principle of obedience runs through all of God’s dealings with man. It was a vital principle during the Patriarchal Age and the Mosaical Age, as it continues to be today during the Christian era. In all of the 1189 chapters of the Bible there is no more fundamental principle than that God expects man to obey His commandments. This is seen in a statement from the Prophet Isaiah, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land: but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:19-20) God created the universe for man and then placed him upon the Earth as His crowning work of creation. God then gave men guidelines about how to live in order to make his life happy and successful. These rules and commandments are not arbitrary, but are given out of the infinite love of God for mankind, for the purpose of making mankind’s life meaningful. When man violates these laws he destroys himself. It is seen more readily when man violates the law of gravity, but it is nevertheless true in the moral and spiritual realms that when man violates God’s laws, he crushes himself. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus Christ said, “Not everyone that says unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven,’” (Matthew 7:21). A similar statement is found in James 1:22, where the writer says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.” In the entire Bible there is no more fundamental principle than that of obedience. All of us are aware, out of our own experience, that it is not easy to be obedient to authority. It appears that there is an innate desire on the part of all of us to be independent and to have our own way. This seems to be an inborn, natural, universal tendency of man. Even our children do not like to be told when to get up, how to dress, what to eat, what to do, and where to go. Any superimposed authority from outside ourselves is likely to be met with resentment. But when we refuse to obey God, the results are always disastrous.

A Kingdom of Priests

Good morning, fellow priests and priestesses! That is not a typical greeting one hears when a church of Christ gathers, but it certainly is appropriate!

The New Testament teaches that all believers who have followed the gospel plan of salvation are to be priests in the service of their King. 4. Come to Him, to that Living Stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; 5. and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:4-5; 9 [RSV]) There is no longer any special class as there was under the Law of Moses with the Levitical priesthood, for no longer will God accept any mere man to act as mediator between Him and man. Why should He? He already has the perfect Mediator in His Son, Jesus Christ: “For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5 [RSV]).

With the advent of the New Covenant of liberty of Jesus Christ, which is far superior to the Old Covenant under the Law of Moses, we see fulfilled in this priesthood what God intended originally for the nation of Israel: 5. Now therefore, if you will obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My own possession among all peoples; for all the Earth is Mine, 6. and you shall be to Me a Kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6 [RSV]) Because of their disobedience, the priesthood fell to the tribe of Levi only, and Isaiah prophesied of a time to come when a new nation of priests would come to the Gentiles: “but you shall be called the priests of the Lord, men shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory” (Isaiah 61:6 [RSV]).

To become a priest under the Law of Moses one needed to undergo a consecration process involving a cleansing and an anointing ceremony. This ceremony involved a washing, an oil anointing and the sprinkling of sacrificial blood (Exodus 29:1; 4; 7 and 20). In the New Covenant of Christ we, too, are consecrated to be priests when we are cleansed and anointed. We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:26) our sacrificial Lamb (Revelation 7:14) when we are immersed into Him and clothed with His holy garments (Galatians 3:27), washing away our sins (Acts 22:15). We are simultaneously anointed with His Holy Spirit when we undergo baptism. The Apostle Peter said on the Day of Pentecost, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 [RSV]). This gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon all obedient believers in Christ, and it is also our down payment and promise of eternal life: 13. In Him you also, Who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14. Which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 [RSV])

To Know Him Is To Know Love

As we have discussed previously, the Gnostics believed they were better than everyone else. They believed they were the special, enlightened individuals who held secret knowledge only elites such as themselves were privy to, and from this secret knowledge they could unlock the mysteries of the universe and become gods themselves. Their very name Gnostic comes from the Greek word for knowledge, gnosis.

In his ongoing battle against the heretical Gnostics who denied that Jesus came in the flesh, the Apostle John, the beloved disciple of the Lord, wrote in 1 John 2:20-23 [RSV], 20. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all know. 21. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth. 22. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23. No one who denies the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.

John goes on the offensive quite strongly here in defense of the true gospel of salvation found only in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The word translated “know” above comes from the Greek word ginosko. This word ginosko is gnosis on steroids for it means to come to understand completely. John uses ginosko 40 times alone in 1 John to drive home his point: Have nothing to do with those Gnostics for you know better. There is no secret mystery yet to be revealed to only a select few. That mystery “was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven, things into which Angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12 [RSV]) when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14 [RSV]). As the Apostle Paul put it, “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by Angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16 [RSV]).

God has given us all we need in order to have complete knowledge of where our salvation lies. It is this knowledge, this coming to understand completely, that gives us assurance, just as it did the Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 4:7-8), of our final and eternal salvation in Christ as long as we, too, remain “faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10 [RSV]) whereby we will receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10 [RSV]).

Finally, because we know Him in Whom our salvation lies we also know true love. As John writes, “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16 [RSV])

No Gods

After a drought of three years, Elijah presented himself to Ahab, the king of Israel, with the promise that the Lord would provide rain. Elijah then challenged 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a contest on Mount Carmel. “And Elijah came near to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word.” (1 Kings 18:21 [RSV])

Each side made sacrifices to their God without building a fire. The lighting of the fire was to be performed by the strongest god, and would thus reveal Jehovah as the true and liviing God.

During the battle between the Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal and Asherah, Baal was silent. Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal. The Bible tells us, 27. And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is musing, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice; no one answered, no one heeded. (1 Kings 18:27-29 [RSV]) Elijah poured a large amount of water over his sacrifice and asked Jehovah to reveal Himself by consuming the sacrifice. 38. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.” (1 Kings 18:38-39 [RSV])

Many people in this world who are seemingly successful and on the outside happy as can be are, in fact, completely miserable. They are miserable because they have placed their faith in the wrong things, just as those prophets of Baal and the Asherah did centuries ago. How tragic that is! Those prophets were sincere to the point of frenzy in their worship, but it was all to no avail. Elijah mocked them, but he also pointed out an important truth, which was that nobody was home. There was no voice and there was no answer to their please because there was no god to pay attention to their cries. Their religion was empty. And ultimately it caused their death (1 Kings 18:40).

Everything the world offers is likewise empty. The money, the fame, the “good times” cannot fill the void in our lives because they have no substance. They seem real when we casually observe them, but the moment the stresses of life hit, they dissolve like cotton candy. Eventually, they also lead to our death, which is eternal separation from the Father. Do not make the same mistake the prophets of Baal did! Make sure that what you put first in your life is real.

Lucifer and the Stones of Fire

The Book of Job, the oldest book of the Bible, mentions many known celestial objects by name:

31. "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? 32. Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?" (Job 38:31-32 [RSV]) The Pleides are a cluster of stars in the northeastern skies also known as the Seven Sisters. Orion is the most easily recognizable constellation in the winter skies and is also associated with the evil Nimrod of the Tower of Babel fame. Mazzaroth is another name for what we commonly refer to as the Zodiac. It is also noteworthy that the Latin Vulgate interprets Mazzaroth as "Luciferum." (This same word is translated "constellations" in 2 Kings 23:5.) The Bear is a great northern constellation that includes the very familiar Big Dipper within it.

I am beginning to think that the Book of Job, which gives a great insight into the relationship of Satan with God and how the Lord interacts with "the sons of God," the Angels, (Job 1:6; Job 2:1 and Job 3:8), may actually mention by name a planet that no longer exists, but did at one time in the ancient past. This planet's remnants have been left behind in what is now the asteroid belt that orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. I believe this planet's name was "Rahab."

11. The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astounded at His rebuke. 12. By His power He stilled the sea; by His understanding He smote Rahab. 13. By His wind the heavens were made fair; His hand pierced the fleeing Serpent. (Job 26:11-13 [RSV]) "Rahab" literally means "blustering pride." It was pride that was the downfall of Lucifer: "Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you." (Ezekiel 28:14 [RSV]. See also Isaiah 14.) I do not believe it is a mere coincidence that we are told the Lord smote Rahab and that He also pierced the fleeing Serpent in the same paragraph. We are told specifically in the Book of Revelation just who this Serpent is and where he was cast down to: it was the Earth: "And the great Dragon was thrown down, that ancient Serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the Earth, and his Angels were thrown down with him." (Revelation 12:9 [RSV])

The word translated above as "smote" in Job 26:12 is "machats" which literally means to smash or dash asunder. This very much describes what has been left behind in the asteroid belt. So it very possibly may be that "the stones of fire" Lucifer walked among as we are told in Ezekiel 28:14 just may refer to the planets themselves. But I could be wrong.

Things Are Not Always What They Seem To Be

Sometimes, things are not what they seem at first blush. Take, for example, the following:

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the Angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matthew 24:36)

What Jesus stated above is what is called a Jewish idiom. In brief, an idiom is an expression taken to mean something entirely different from the normal definition of the individual words found within the idiom. We use idioms in our own speech all the time. Examples of American idioms commonly stated are "hold your horses" or "keep your pants on," neither of which has a thing to do with horses or pants, but instead they both mean "be patient."

So how does all of this relate to what Jesus said in Matthew 24:36? It means we are not to take these English words literally. This is a perfect example as why Paul instructed, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 [RSV]). It is incorrect for us to apply a literal meaning to these English words that were not meant to be taken in that fashion as they were spoken in the Aramaic (Hebrew) originally and understood by that First Century audience. So what, then, is meant by this Jewish idiom, "But of that day and hour, no one knows"? According to the Jewish rabbis I have researched, this is an expression used in reference to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year in which the shofar, the ram’s horn, was blown. The Jews operated on a lunar calendar year, not a solar one as we do, so the New Year began at different times from one year to the next, as much as 36 to 48 hours. That is why the Jewish Rosh Hashana is celebrated over two days, and not one, because it required two witnesses to determine the new month had arrived at dusk when the New Moon or sliver of the Moon first appeared in the sky. The Rosh Hoshana shofar ram's horn was then blown, and the celebration began. So Jesus was referring to Rosh Hashana in this verse!

So it is possible Jesus was saying that when these things occur He was speaking about in Matthew 24, a new day would be dawning for mankind.

A few themes linked to this Jewish festival of Rosh Hashana are resurrection, repentance, kingship, coronation and a marriage feast. Rosh HaShanah is not only the start of the Jewish New Year, it is also the day of the resurrection! It has to do with the Moon and its 29-day cycle of renewal.

In this period of slightly less than 30 days, the Moon goes from darkness to light and back to darkness again. This is not a haphazard occurrence attributed to evolution or science. God planned it for many reasons, one being as a picture of resurrection and renewal. With each cycle of nearly 30 days the ancient rabbis understood the Moon was being reborn or "born again" (Sefard Siddur, Mussaf for Shabbat and Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, p. 509 and 646-648). And that is why God had them operate on a lunar cycle as a constant reminder of resurrection in Him!

Fascinating!

God Is Light, God Is Life and God Is Love

“This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 [RSV]).

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5 [RSV]).

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5 [RSV]).

What the Apostle John is teaching here is that God is essential. When man sinned he was swept into darkness, no longer having that illuminated fellowship with his Creator. Just as all life depends on the light of the sun to exist, all who wish to return to that light of God lost in the Garden of Eden must do so by going through the light of the Son, Jesus Christ, for all light flows from this fountain of light. David prophesied 1,000 years before the time of Christ, “For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light do we see light.” (Psalm 36:9 [RSV])

When Jesus came He said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 [RSV]). “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35-36 [RSV])

We become “sons of the light” by coming to the Lord in obedient, saving faith, for only then are we clothed in His holy and pure garments (Galatians 3:27). It is only through Jesus that anyone is saved. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6 [RSV]). But we must remain faithful to the Lord and reject the darkness to continue in His fellowship. 6. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; 7. but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:6-7 [RSV])

In Jesus is both light and life. John writes, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (1 John 1:4). That light and life of men is also pure, unadulterated love. John continues, writing, “He who does not love does not know God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8 [RSV]). We must continue to remain steadfast and unmovable in this love. “So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16 [RSV]). God proved His enduring love to mankind by sending us His Son: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 [RSV]).

Hair Is the Covering

I was asked recently,

“How do we distinguish in Scripture what is literal and what is cultural? For example, we say head coverings is a cultural thing yet we say women not being able to preach is a literal thing even though when that was written women did not have the same rights or status as they do now. What are your thoughts?”

I believe the Apostle Paul supplies the answer to this question himself when he says in 2 Timothy 2:11-14,

11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Verse 13, in particular, is your answer. Man (Adam) was first formed, and he was not deceived. That has nothing to do with one's culture. It is just the way it is. Additionally, Genesis 3:16 still applies everywhere, regardless of culture. "Unto the woman He said, 'I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.'" Do women still have excruciating pain during childbirth? Yes, they do, and since they still do, then men are to rule over them, and the women are not to usurp authority over them.

As for the head covering, I do not believe that is cultural, either, because I believe the head covering in question is the woman's hair. Culturally, it was men who wore a head covering in the Jewish synagogues, called a sudarium, which is a white linen cloth. Today, they wear what is called a Yarmulke, or "Kippa" in Hebrew. So to believe Paul was telling the men in Corinth it was a shame for them to be covered with a Kippa is without merit.

It is just as equally fallacious to believe that Paul was telling the women it was a shame for them to pray uncovered without a hat or veil. Once again, this is not a cultural issue, either. It has to do with how God has always wanted men to be men, and women to be women. Look at what Paul says in this chapter:

7. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the Angels. (1 Corinthians 11:7-10)

13. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15. But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Corinthians 11:13-15) So there you have it. Paul says the woman’s hair is her covering, not a hat or a veil. Her hair is her glory.

Some people claim Paul was going back and forth here, talking about hair in one verse, and then talking about hats in others. That, too, is an inaccurate conclusion to draw because Paul was not schizophrenic and confused, going back and forth between hats and hair as if he had no idea what he was teaching. Hair is the covering. What Paul is doing is condemning the practice of androgyny in which men try to dress and look and act like women, and women try to dress and look and act like men. Paul says this goes against nature itself (verse 14). Women should have feminine hair styles, and men should have masculine hair styles. Man is the glory of God, and woman is the glory of man (verse 7). Again, this has nothing to with culture at all, but with the very fact of how God created us, and that has never changed.

May the Lord bless you and your family!

Don't Blame God

The following is the first public devotional my 12 year old son, Damien, gave last night at our mid-week Bible study.

It is easy being a Christian when everything is going well, but for some people as soon as the going gets rough they leave. They want to just give up. Jesus talked about this type of person when He said in Matthew 13:20-21, 20. What was planted on rocky soil is the person who hears the message and accepts it with gladness right away. 21. However, he does not have deep roots in himself; he doesn't last long. When, because of the message, trouble or persecution comes, he soon gets discouraged and gives up.

One of the hardest things to do as a Christian, then, is to remain loyal and true to the Lord even when things aren’t going so well. As you probably know, this past Sunday evening I was bit in the face by one of our dogs. It’s possible I might be disfigured from this, but at the least, I will have scars. I didn’t want this to happen to me, I don’t know why this happened to me, but it did. Maybe this is part of the cross Jesus said I should take up and bear (Matthew 16:24).

My Mom and Dad have always taught my brothers and me that regardless of what happens in life, we should never blame God or quit serving Him. I’m so glad they have done this, because it’s also true that Jesus never said that being a Christian meant nothing bad would ever happen to us again. No, He didn’t say that, but He did say that He has promised that He will always love us and be with us forever. And I believe and trust that, and I take comfort in those words, even when bad things happen to me!

So whenever something goes wrong in your life please remember what the Lord tells us in Hebrews 13:5:

“God Himself has said this: ‘I will never leave you. I will never abandon you.’”

And if we truly believe and trust in Him then one day we will get to hear those great words,

“Fine! You are a good and faithful servant. I see that I can trust you with small things. Therefore, I will put you in charge of important things. Come and share your master's happiness.” (Matthew 25:23)

Discernment

In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus made an interesting statement in Matthew 7:6 [RSV] when He stated, "Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” Jesus did not just make this statement out of thin air. He made it in context of exercising and using proper judgment.

So how is one to determine if one is casting pearls before dogs and pigs? Well, when you hear the snort of scoffing that is against your message, you are dealing with a pig! And if you hear the snarling after giving your message, you are dealing with a dog!

When you see a lack of interest in your time and spiritual truths you have to offer, you know you are dealing with swine and dogs. Jesus advised us in Matthew 7:16 [RSV], “You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?”

If we turn to God in prayer and ask Him to grant us wisdom and discernment in these matters, we need to trust that He will do so. We are urged to ask God for wisdom in these and other matters. James, the Lord’s brother, writes in James 1:5-8 [NRS],

5. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, Who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. 6. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7. for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, 8. must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

We must realize that sometimes the right thing to do is to say, “No.” A good steward learns when those times are.

May the Lord bless us all and give us the wisdom and courage to give not what is holy to the dogs and to cast not our pearls before swine!

The Seven "I AM" Statements in John

Of all the accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of John arguably provides the most evidence of His Divine nature, and probably none more so that the seven “I AM” statements Jesus makes about Himself. Each of these seven declarations gives insight into the Godly character of Jesus as the Son of God.

“I AM the Bread of life” (John 6:35 [RSV]). Jesus was the Manna from God, but He also is the Living Word that sustains mankind (Deuteronomy 8:3; John 1:1).

“I AM the Light of the world” (John 8:12 [RSV]). “God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 [RSV]). Can it be any clearer Who Jesus is?

“I AM the Door” (John 10:9 [RSV]). Jesus is the passage to the Father that all must pass through for salvation from their sins.

“I AM the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11 [RSV]). “The Lord is my Shepherd” wrote David in Psalm 23:1. Jesus is that Lord!

“I AM the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25 [RSV]). Only those in Christ will be resurrected to eternal life, something only God can bestow.

“I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6 [RSV]). Jesus, and only Jesus, is the pathway to the eternal truth of God and life in Him.

“I AM the True Vine” (John 15:1 [RSV]). Any other vine is false and will lead to utter and eternal destruction from God’s Presence.

Perhaps the most compelling statement of His Divinity came when Jesus forthrightly declared in John 8:58 [RSV], “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Anyone could make such a claim, but only Jesus could back it up. The miracles He performed culminating in His resurrection proved He was Divine. Jesus was and is the Living God Who took on human flesh!

May the Living God bless you and your family!

Without Excuse

In Hebrews 11:1 [NKJ] we are told, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Yes, it is true that God expects us to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7 [NKJ]), but unlike other belief systems, ours is not a blind faith. God’s word tells us that He has revealed Himself to mankind in many and various ways. David writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1 [NKJ]). In the conclusion of his Gospel account of the ministry of Christ John relates in John 20:30-31 [NKJ], 30. And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31. but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Additionally, the Apostle Paul states in Romans 1:20-23 [NKJ], 20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21. because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22. Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things.

David, John and Paul are all saying the same thing: No one has been denied the opportunity to come to a belief and faith in the Lord and Creator of the universe. All who reject Him are without excuse. As Paul continues, 24. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25. who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:24-25 [NKJ])

May the Lord bless you and your family!

Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song written by Robert Burns in 1788 and sung in the English speaking world each year since as the New Year dawns. Burns’ lyrics were inspired heavily by an earlier work composed by James Watson in 1711. Watson’s poem, in turn, has roots in an earlier old Scottish song from Scotland’s ancient past.

The words auld lang syne are indeed Scottish and the literal word-for-word translation means “old long since.” A better, more clearly understood English meaning, however, would be either “long, long ago,” “days gone by” or “old times.” So the opening line of the chorus for auld lang syne would be best understood as saying “for old time’s sake.” The words till dine in the fourth verse mean “dinner time.”

The song begins, then, by asking poetically, "Is it best for us to forget our loved ones, those who have gone before us?" The chorus, then, answers this question by saying, “No, it is better to remember our loved ones fondly and in memory of all the good times they gave us for old time’s sake."

It breaks our heart to lose our loved ones to death, but in reality for those of us in Christ we know this is really not true. They have not been lost at all to death, for death no longer holds sway over those who lived their lives faithfully in Christ due to His victory over the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Because of the great sacrifice He made on our behalf we are assured that our loved ones have been called home to life eternal with their Lord. So let’s all take a cup of kindness yet in their memory for auld lang syne, and rejoice in their blessed state they now are living!

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend and give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will of draught, for auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

True Peace

John Lennon was a very talented and gifted musician, author and composer. Few have achieved the level of success that John Lennon did during his lifetime. But as is the case with most individuals thusly blessed, John Lennon was misguided in many ways. One of the most hauntingly melodic pieces ever written was the song called Imagine. As beautiful a tune as this is, it is simultaneously revealing of the fallacious notions that are brought forth in its lyrics. Within this song are found the following words:

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No Hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

Although desiring to live in a world full of peace is admirable, indeed, it will never be achieved simply through human means. True peace only comes through the only One Who is able to offer true peace to the world, and that comes from Jesus Christ, the begotten Son of the Almighty Living God. On the day of His glorious birth, an Angelic Host proclaimed to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night as they were abiding in the fields, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14 [NKJV]) Just before His death as Jesus entered triumphantly into the city of Jerusalem the people shouted, “Blessed is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38 [NKJV]) Yes, it is only through Jesus Christ that true peace can be achieved. Any attempt outside of Christ by men is doomed to failure. Jesus gives the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7 [NKJV]) because only in Him will one be found righteous because He is righteous and no longer will one be considered an enemy of God due to his or her sins (Romans 5:10). It is this peace with God that Jesus was referring to when He stated in John 14:27 [NKJV], “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Praise God He does exist, He loves and He gave us His Son (John 3:16)!

Abomination of Desolation

Hanukkah is also called the Feast of Dedication, the Feast of Lights, or the Feast of Maccabees. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament as the events memorialized in this holiday festival took place when the Jewish people broke free from under the Syrian rule in 165 BC and the Temple worship was restored and rededicated. This time frame is referred to as the inter-testament period.

Although it is not mentioned in the Old Testament (it is mentioned in the apocryphal books of 1 and 2 Maccabees), it does make its way into the Gospel of John in chapter 10. 22. Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23. And Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon's porch. 24. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:22-24 [NKJV])

The Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes, in fulfillment of prophecy, had defiled the Second Temple by offering as a sacrifice a swine on the altar in the Temple in mockery of God and the Jewish people and their faith in AD 169. Daniel foretold of this in Daniel 8:11-13 [NKJV], 11. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. 13. Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, "How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?'' Daniel later added, “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31 [NKJV]).

Jesus spoke that when His disciples see the "abomination of desolation...standing where it ought not," they should flee (Mark 13:14-18; Matthew 24:15). The abomination at the time of the Maccabees was the sacrifice of a swine on the altar in the Temple and in the First Century it also occurred at the Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Under the New Covenant of Christ in which we live, the Temple is the tabernacle of men (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) who comprise the body of obedient believers in Christ (Ephesians 1:22). The "abomination of desolation" today is the negative thoughts and intents of man's mind that should no longer be there since we have been reborn in Christ with the first resurrection, which occurs at our immersion into Christ (Romans 6:1-4). We are no longer bound to rules and regulations as the people were under the Law of Moses, but are now under universal principles found within the Law of Liberty (James 1:25) in Christ Jesus. Violating these principles causes all kinds of psychological and spiritual fear, grief, anxiety, depression, guilt, etc. These negative attributes should not be in our heart if our mind has been rededicated and we are in communication with the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to cast away the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) from our consciousness or resurrect our minds to a state of peace (Galatians 5:22). We will then no longer be the enemies of God (Romans 5:10) we once were while we remained in rebellion against Him.

Good and Perfect Gifts

It is that time of year again when people are seen everywhere rushing around in search of the perfect gift to buy for their loved ones. As long as it is kept in its proper perspective, this is okay, but please remember that the gifts that are the best, the gifts that are the most valuable and the gifts that are most precious are not found in a store and neither do they come bundled up in bright wrapping paper bedecked with ribbons and bows. No, the best and perfect gifts come from our Lord above.

Our Founding Fathers seemed to grasp this concept of all gifts coming from God our Creator, Sustainer and Savior better than most people seem to do today. In 1781 Thomas Jefferson stated,

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot…sleep forever."

Yes, what Thomas Jefferson said centuries ago is absolutely true today. All of our liberties and all of our blessings come from God. James writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17 [NKJV]) We must never forget this as individuals, and we must never forget this as a people. I believe it is also very important, too, that our children taught and understand where our blessings and liberties derive, and that they understand the high price it has cost so many to ensure our liberties are protected. John Quincy Adams, our nation’s sixth President, commented for the benefit of future generations to come regarding the great payment the founding of our nation cost his own generation by saying,

“Posterity – you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”

God’s greatest gift of His boundless grace was His love for mankind in that He demonstrated this love by giving us His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It was freely bestowed upon us, but it was not without cost. This gift came with the ultimate price tag: The suffering, shed blood and death of Jesus on behalf of all of mankind. We must never forget this! Jesus “Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 [NKJV]) What a great and perfect gift, indeed!

A Light For My Path

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

Ever since I was a small boy these have been some of my favorite passages of Scripture to be found anywhere in God’s Holy Writ. Although it is true that many things we hold and cherish most dearly in our youth often fade as the years flow downstream along the currents of time, my appreciation for these passages has increased, rather than diminished, through the subsequent intervening years. Even though these verses were written millennia ago, I believe they continue to hold significant lessons for us today.

One of the lessons to be gleaned from these verses is that the world around us is in utter spiritual darkness. The opportunity to achieve advanced education may be at all time record high levels, but true and abiding wisdom among men has plummeted reciprocally. Just as in the days of Paul in the first century when he was penning his epistle to the church in Corinth, mankind has exchanged the wisdom of God in favor of the foolishness that emanates from the darkness engulfing the world. The darkened world rejects the Light of the glory of God in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:31), Who is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and the Word of God incarnate in the flesh (John 1:8).

Secondly, we can discern that our pathway is distinct. Our Lord has marked out a plan of salvation from our sins and disobedience back into His fold, and that path is through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). As we walk with the Lord we need have no fear as to where He will direct us (Psalm 23:4). The way of the Lord leads to blessings and holiness, for the way of the Lord ultimately will bring the believer to the very throne of God!

Thirdly, we can see that as we tread each footfall of our journey, the Light of Jesus Christ illuminates our path ever greater, directing our steps towards our goal. We can almost hear Him whisper softly and gently in our ear, "I will teach you patiently, my child, to learn to walk by faith, and not by sight. But do not fear! For I will not suffer to leave you in the darkness and blind." The Lamp of the Word of God will not be extinguished, and it will not lead us astray, for it is none other than Christ Himself. Be encouraged that the way of salvation has not been hidden under a bushel but is manifest for the entire world to see. Jesus Christ is the way, He is the Word and He is the Light. Let the Light of life guide you as your pilgrimage takes you through this world of darkness today!

Praise God Jesus Died That We Might Sleep!

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 [NKJV], the Apostle Paul writes, 13. But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. This hand-picked by the Lord Apostle to the Gentiles made a point throughout his letters of encouragement to the churches scattered throughout that first century world that Jesus Christ’s triumphant resurrection and victory over sin and Death had removed forever the fear that Death had so long held over mankind. Those who are in Christ need no longer cower in the face of Death. No longer would the curse that had afflicted the entire world throughout the ensuing millennia, ever since sin first entered the world in the Garden of Eden so very long ago, hold sway and power over man. Death had been utterly and completely defeated by the Savior of the world for all of time when He bore our sins at Calvary. You see, we can sleep because Jesus died.

Nowhere in God’s word do we see any reference to Jesus sleeping when He died. Jesus had to suffer completely in order to be the payment and sacrifice for our sins. Paul states, 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:8-10 [NKJV]). Jesus died. He did not sleep.

Our Lord has made it so very easy for all of us, but unfortunately, the world as a whole still chooses to remain in disobedient defiance of their Creator. God has designed that man still face death, but it is symbolic in that our death of our carnal nature occurs at baptism Paul explains this so very eloquently when he writes in Romans 6:3-11 [NKJV], 3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6. knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7. For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9. knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Praise God Jesus died that we might sleep!

In Whom Is All My Delight

In Psalm 16:2-3 (NKJV), David writes, 2. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3. And to the saints who are on the Earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all My delight.” We are not the Lord’s delight because we are the best at what we do, or the brightest person there is, or because of anything that we do upon this Earth. Nothing of ourselves makes us God’s delight. No, we are the Lord’s delight for nothing more than being His children, for no one other than His child is called a saint. It is because of His implanted righteousness brought about through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we can come to Him in obedient, saving faith and be adopted into His holy family.

As His child, sometimes we will face His discipline. The Hebrews writer states, 5. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6. for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” 7. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? (Hebrews 12:5-7 [NKJV]) It is this loving discipline from God that will bring great reward to the faithful child of God. David later penned, 4. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:4-5 [NKJV])

Ultimately, our greatest reward will come when the Lord calls us home. David writes again, saying in Psalm 116:15 [NKJV], “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” When we look at death from God’s perspective, we will understand that Death does not extinguish the lights of our lives, as many believe; but rather, it turns out the lamp because the Light of the new day has dawned!

Because Jesus died, we now can sleep. Jesus triumphed over death so that we no longer need to fear it. The Apostle Paul tells us, 51. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55. “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57 [NKJV])