So... what is sin, exactly? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 2:16b, 

"In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit."

Paul points to the judgment sinful men have brought on themselves in their hostility toward those who promote the gospel of God. He says they "heap up their sins to the limit." By this, I understand Paul saying these sinful people, who have opposed the propagation of the gospel, have finally arrived at critical mass leading to their certain destruction in God's judgment of them. "The wrath of God has come upon them at last." Verse 16c. I don't exactly know what this wrath looked like but it must have been horrific.

The phrase referring to heaping up sins calls for an understanding of what sin is. I find specific definitions of sin in the New Testament, "Everything that does not come from faith is sin." Romans 14:23. "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." James 4:17. "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." 1 John 3:4.

We are given examples, "The acts of the flesh [sinful nature] are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21. "Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

The Old Testament provides us a great foundation for understanding what sin is. In the book of Leviticus, a major theme we are presented with is that there is that which is consistent with God and that which isn't. What is consistent with God's character and nature is presented us as "clean", "righteous" and "holy". That which is inconsistent with God is "unclean", wicked, and sinful. We are presented with a duality to teach us the concept of sin versus righteousness. In Leviticus we learn we are to shun the unclean and never mix it with the clean. Practical exercises in the law are given the Jews to teach them these things. "Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." Leviticus 19:19. God wants us to understand what is righteous and what is sinful, that a duality exists, and to never mix the two. While some have thought the dietary restrictions were primarily for health and safety reasons, no matter how well intentioned this reasoning has been, it misses the primary point: there is that which is "clean" and that which is not. Take the clean and shun the unclean: live a sinless life, a "godly" life. Never mix the two.

Sinfulness is that proclivity within the heart of mankind that has led him in rebellion against God. The acts of the sinful nature are those acts that result in all who have not fled to Jesus Christ for the redemption of those sins to be cast into that "fiery lake of burning sulfur." Worse yet is the realization that just sinful thoughts and impulses place us in the cross-hairs of God's judgment-- not only the sinful acts we commit. Consider what Jesus taught, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28.

Sin was brought into the human family by Adam and Eve. It has permeated our lives since their fall in the garden. The good news is that Jesus Christ came and died a miserable death to pay for the punishment of our sins. We are all sinful and we all need this atonement of Jesus for our sins. All he asks is that we place our faith and trust in him to be forgiven them.

Listen to Paul's wonderful words as he continues what he says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed,you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." How wonderful is that?! We can be washed, sanctified and justified from whatever sin we have engaged in!

Why would God do such a thing? He was prompted by his unfathomable love of all mankind to provide a way. "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12.

How about you? Do you wish to cling to your sin or flee to Jesus Christ and have his payment credited to your account in God's court?

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

People or God: who are you going to please? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 2:4,

"We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."

Here is an interesting personal observation or admission Paul makes of himself. He says he tries to please God, not people. The people he is thinking of here are those he shares the gospel with, as well as any who hear his message.

What did he mean by this? This has to do with Paul's commitment to execute his responsibilities as an apostle of Jesus Christ in sharing the gospel message. It was his perspective to do it in a way that pleased God, not necessarily those he preached to or others that might be nearby.

Much has been promoted over the past twenty years in sharing the gospel in engaging ways, structuring our ministries in "seeker-friendly" strategies and so forth. While I do believe there are real advantages in considering these, I sometimes wonder if we place a little too much importance on not offending folks while sharing the gospel. I'm not speaking of a needless disregard of people's sensitivities and sensibilities while sharing the gospel, but a possible over-importance placed on couching the gospel message in something more acceptable and amenable to unbelievers than God might intend. The gospel is a message that has been designed by God to offend, to bring remorse, to show otherwise independent and self-reliant people of their great need of salvation. It is also a message that brings untold hope and promise for all who accept it and place their faith in Jesus Christ - a tremendous message of God's love, mercy and forgiveness. The gospel message brings all of these.

In Galatians 5:11 Paul speaks of the "offense of the cross". The gospel message is for people who have a problem. Some folks are not interested in hearing they have a problem or any shortcoming. They resent any accusation of such and feel that it is demeaning and judgmental for anyone to assert otherwise. Additionally, there are those who are simply animated by the spiritual forces of darkness and greet the gospel message with great hostility and animosity. I suspect many who are hostile to any vestige of Jesus Christ at Christmas time, in displays, in schools, in the public square, in social occasions and particularly when the gospel is being preached, are animated by these spiritual forces of darkness. (It will not be a surprise to find attempts to identify the sharing of the gospel message with children as acts of "child abuse", wait and see...)

Do such people need to hear the gospel? Does God love them and expect us to share what we can of the gospel with them, even if they find it offensive? Absolutely. I am of the firm persuasion that since all are sinful, all need to hear God's message of redemption. We all need to hear that we are sinful and facing God's certain judgment at the end of the age unless we avail ourselves of God's forgiveness through faith as told in the gospel. Even when we find some might be offended by that message. I am quite certain that over the years many, who had previously been hostile to the gospel, have embraced Jesus Christ in faith and have become wonderful workers in the Lord's great harvest. Paul would count himself among that number.

"God our Savior...  wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. Some people do not like the notion of repentance, having to change directions, being accused of things they had not considered or contemplated, of a coming judgment they had not been considering. Here is where resistance to the gospel is found and here is where Paul chose not to please people but God.

Paul claimed to not allow what he did be influenced by what pleased people, but by what pleased God. How about us?

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

What is it that animates you? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:3,

"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith..."

Paul acknowledged the work of the Thessalonian believers was produced by faith. What does he mean by that? 

Faith is an inner confidence, an assurance of things unseen. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1-2. This is a definition that clearly lacks any aspect of "maybe" or "I suppose" or "possibly". Certainty and utter confidence are hallmarks of the biblical understanding of faith.

Being wishy-washy won't do. James speaks of the lack of any value this kind of "faith" has when he speaks of prayer, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." James 1:6-8. 

Biblical faith, the kind Scripture speaks of has backbone, it is firm, it is strong. Our model of faith is that of Abraham as provided us by Paul in Romans 4. Of Abraham's faith, Paul said, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed... he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:18-22.

When it comes to work produced by faith, we know that faith prompts us, inspires us in what we do. Biblical faith, the kind of faith that brings us into God's family is the kind that impacts us in such a way that it finds its expression in the things we think, do and say. James provides us wonderful teaching on this, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." As I say, saving faith finds its expression in the things we think, do and say.

James goes on to say, "You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." Why not by faith alone? Because faith that does not find its expression in our lives by the things we do is not biblical faith, saving faith. The kind of faith God looks for from each of us impacts our lives.

Likewise, things we do, if not from faith, do not engender God's acceptance, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Just as faith, if not accompanied by action, is dead, so our good works, apart from faith are useless.

If we really believe that Jesus died for us to pay the penalty for our sins, if we believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, demonstrating God's acceptance of that payment, if we really believe we are heaven bound, if we really believe we have eternal life, a life of pleasures at the right hand of God, Psalm 16:11, it will influence us in the choices we make and the things we do.

Biblical faith produces good work in our lives.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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How important is prayer? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 

 

"We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers."

Why did Paul continually mention these believers in his prayers? Was it because he had nothing else to do? Was it because it made him feel religious, as in "it is the religious thing to do"? Was it because somebody told him in Sunday School that all good Christians are supposed to pray? Why did he pray for these believers?

In three short words: they needed it. These believers needed praying for. Over and over in the Scriptures we are told to pray and to pray for one another. We all need to be taken before God in prayer. The conclusion cannot be escaped that if we do not pray for one another, some things are really not going to happen that would and should otherwise. Good things, important things, the avoidance of bad things may not ever take place if we do not call out to God and ask him.

Later in this letter we are told, "pray continually", 5:17. This is an important theme that is found throughout the Scripture. Jesus told us, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22. Luke tell us Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow "to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1. Within the four gospels we read of many accounts of Jesus himself praying to the Father. His wonderful prayer for us is found in John 17.

We are told the early church joined together "constantly in prayer". Acts 1:14; 2:42. We are asked to be faithful in prayer, Romans 12:12. Paul said he would be helped by the prayers of the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 1:11. Paul prayed for the believers in many of the churches we know of: the Romans, the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, the Thessalonians. He prayed for Philemon, verse 4.

Paul said, "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Ephesians 6:18.

Is prayer important? Anyone who believes what the Bible has to say knows prayer is vital, necessary and expected of us. We all need to be prayed for and we all need to be praying for one another. If Luke 18:1-8, the parable of the persistent widow, is to be believed, then we must be assured that without prayer some good things from God are simply not going to happen. Is that important? 

If you are not praying, you are leaving the rest of us in a vulnerable and unsupported position. Over the years I have not been faithful in prayer myself, but have found since, that I can scarcely call Jesus "my Lord" if I neglect what he asks of me. If you have not been faithful in prayer, right now, this minute, is the time to respond to the One you call "Lord" and bring your concerns before him.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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20 ways to wait for Jesus' next coming - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10,

"They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."

Paul tells the Thessalonians of what he has heard of them. They had turned from idols to live for God and to wait for Jesus' coming back from heaven for believers. In this letter Paul provides some direction as to how we are to live our lives as the wait continues for God's perfect timing, "You know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus." 4:2. These are the directions on how "to wait for his Son from heaven":

1. "You should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. 4:3-6.

2. "in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia.Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more..." 4:10.

3. "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 4:11.

4. "Therefore encourage one another with these words." 4:18. "These words" refers to Paul's explanation of how those who have died in the Lord will precede those still living and remaining at the Lord's return, for us all to be caught up with the Lord "in the clouds" to meet him in the air, to be with him forever, 4:17.

5. "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." 5:8. Faith, hope and love.

6. "Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 5:11.

7. "Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." 5:12-13.

8. "Live in peace with each other", 5:13.

9. "And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive", 5:14.

10. "encourage the disheartened", 5:14.

11. "help the weak", 5:14.

12. "be patient with everyone", 5:14.

13. "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong", 5:15.

14. "always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else", 5:15.

15. "Rejoice always", 5:16.

16. "Pray continually", 5:17.

17. "Give thanks in all circumstances", 5:18.

18. "Do not quench the Spirit", 5:19.

19 "Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all", 5:20-21.

20. "hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil." 5:21-22.

These twenty things are not what brings us God's love and they do not bring us God's acceptance. These are instructions for believers and believers have already received God's love, and, through faith, have already secured God's acceptance. These are things believers are to do while we await Jesus' coming for us at the end of the age. 

Are any optional? I didn't note any options provided in this letter. As Paul was the Lord's apostle, his emissary, these are the things the Lord asks of us. We can claim Jesus is our Lord, but doing these things proves he is our Lord.

May we all demonstrate the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives through the way we await his return!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Our great need for a refuge - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Psalm 61:1-3,

"Hear my cry, O God;
    listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the foe."

David felt a vulnerability - a real threat from his foe. In his weak estate, in his need, "as my heart grows faint", he reached out to God. He had faith that God could provide him deliverance from his foe, God would be a refuge and a strong tower for him.

God has chosen for himself all who will place their faith and trust in him. Why should, why would, anyone reach out to God? David clearly did in this psalm. His motivation for doing so was the danger he felt, the vulnerability he felt. He did not feel secure, he did not feel safe. He felt a need to reach out to God in his trust that God would deliver him.

I find this as a dynamic that God uses to draw us all to himself. If we have trust in him, if we have faith in him, if we feel we can count on him for deliverance, we will turn to him. But... we may never do that unless we feel a threat, a need for safety, a need to escape danger.

We often feel that Satan is our foe. And he is a foe. Peter calls him our enemy, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8. However, we face an even greater foe. Peter tells us we can resist the devil, but this other foe we cannot. He can utterly destroy us. Jesus said, "I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Luke 12:5. Who is this? God himself! When we are born into this world, God in his justice is our greatest foe, our greatest enemy, our greatest threat. "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them... Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:11-15. Paul calls us God's enemies, "while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son..." Romans 5:10.

God wants us to know this. He wants us to know of the grave danger his judgment represents to us. We are told that sinners will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur at the end of the age, Revelation 21:8. He has told us of this ahead of time. To demonstrate to us our sinful condition and the perilous predicament we are in, he provided us his law. Some feel God gave us the law that we might all become do-gooders to make him happy. However, we are told the law was given us to show us we are sinners, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." Romans 3:20. Knowing we are sinners and knowing that all sinners will be cast into an eternal hell provides us the occasion of opportunity to feel what David did when he recognized his plight and was compelled to reach out to God in faith during his time of need for refuge and safety.

Without going into specifics (think of "global community", "safety nets", etc.) the world makes every effort in its attempt to thwart our felt need to reach out to God for help, to be saved, to provide a refuge. However, God, in his love, goes to great lengths to draw us to himself, that we might not fall subject to his judgment at the end of the age.

I suspect there are many times in each of our lives, even after we are saved, that the Lord sends us reminders of how much in need we are of him, how he is our refuge and strong tower for us.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

God's will for daily living - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18,

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

I have often heard people ask what it is that is God's will for them. Over the years I have included myself among that number. Here Paul tells us what God's will is for each of us: rejoice, pray and give thanks in all circumstances.

Why rejoicing? Why prayer? Why thanksgiving?

As I consider who God is and what he has done for me, I find it cannot be any other way. To not rejoice, to not continually approach God in prayer, to not be thankful to him in all things would deny the reality of my own true existence and estate.

As I think that God the Father sent his own Son out of an incomprehensible love for me, that he came and died a miserable death on that cross to pay the penalty for my sins in God's court, how can I not rejoice? To not rejoice would betray a failure to consider these things. As I think that Jesus Christ came to be the way for me, John 14:6, providing me an opportunity to join God's own family, a place at his table and become a co-heir with Jesus Christ, how can I not rejoice? To not rejoice would betray a failure to consider these things. As I think that Jesus Christ came to make eternal life possible for me, that I might experience eternal pleasures at the right hand of God, Psalm 16:11,  how can I not rejoice? To not rejoice would betray a failure consider these things.

As I think of my helpless estate, that I am nothing without God and his aid, hopeless in life, how can I not pray? To not pray would betray a failure to consider these things. As I consider that only through God can I live, move and have my being, how can I not pray? As I consider that God is the only source for facing life successfully, that he is the only true strength and refuge in life, how can I not pray? To not pray would betray a failure to consider these things.

As I consider that God is our Creator, that he is the one who provides for my daily existence, how can I not be thankful? To not give thanks would betray a failure to consider these things. As I consider he has given me his Holy Spirit who dwells within, as I consider he has given me his word, the Scriptures, that I might know him better and his agenda for us all, how can I not be thankful? To not give thanks would betray a failure to consider these things. As I think of the wonderful brothers and sisters he has raised up in my life, teaching me, encouraging me, sharing their lives and the gifts God has given them, how can I not be thankful? To not give thanks would betray a failure to consider these things.

How can it not be that rejoicing, praying and giving thanks not be a big part of each of our lives? Certainly, these have to be found within the essence of each of our daily lives. How could it possibly be any other way?

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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Our personal God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:6,

"You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."

Paul and his entourage were models, or patterns the Lord used to express what it was he desires from us all. Paul acknowledged it was the both the Lord and himself, together with his team, that showed the Thessalonians the way into God's kingdom. The proof of their acceptance of the "message", the gospel, was in their following the Lord and Paul as patterns.

From time to time I marvel at how the Lord has decided to use us, one another, in each others lives. He chose not to use a dusty old theology book to inform us of his program of redemption, but to use a living message, a message with great power, Romans 1:16, and the example of others he brings into our lives, to both draw us to him and show us the way to spiritual maturity in him. And, he has decided this be done on a personal basis, requiring the sharing of lives. A living message residing in living beings.

Paul speaks of this in his letter. He reminds the Thessalonians that he and his fellow workers cared for them "Just as a nursing mother cares for her children." He also mentions he dealt with them "as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God..." Paul "parented" these folks as he built up this church. Not an impersonal seminar, not in the sterility of a classroom setting, not in the distance of a stadium-sized "worship service" conducted by the leadership up front. Paul and his fellow-workers established and grew this fellowship in the intimacy of personal relationships, likened to that of parents caring for their children.

So successful was Paul in his efforts, this growing fellowship became a model or pattern for "all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." 1:7. Paul replicated himself in these believers in Thessalonica as he shared his life with them.

God's plan of redemption is of relationships, of contact and communication. It requires the sharing of lives, lives that have been gifted by God himself to reach out to the rest of us. I am reminded of Peters words, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10. It is God himself that has designed it this way and his choice to do so says something about himself. Peter goes on to say, "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11.

God is a personal God. He does take his seat on the throne of power over all that exists, and yet he is personal. He cares for each of us in an intimate way. It was this love he has for us that prompted him to send his Son to die a miserable death on that cross for each and every one of us, that we might spend eternity with him. His love and care for us is acknowledged even in our physical deaths, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants." Psalm 116:15.

I think a lot can be gleaned about the heart of God in how he requires our hearts to be engaged in what he desires to do through us in the lives of others.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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What are WE doing? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:3,

"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

As Paul speaks of his thanksgiving to God for these believers in Thessalonica, he mentions their work, labor and endurance produced, prompted and inspired by their faith, love and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. These Thessalonians were attested by Paul as authentic believers through their reception of the gospel and the demonstration of their faith by what they did, choices they made, how they lived their lives.

What did they do? They did work, they did labor and they endured. Paul speaks of their endurance in hardship, 1:6 and 3:1-6.

James tells us that the kind of faith that brings us salvation finds its expression in the things we think, do and say, James 2:14-26. These believers in Thessalonica are a wonderful model for us as to what the fellowship of believers should look like. One thing that stands out is their care and concern for others. Christianity was not merely the selfish fulfillment of the spiritual needs we all feel - not for these believers. These brothers and sisters expressed a love, a care and a concern for others.

Paul talks of the reception they provided him, 1:9, their longing for Paul and memories of him, 3:6, that they were, in fact, living to please God, 4:1. Paul points to the love they had for one another and all God's family, 4:9-10 and their encouragement and edification of one another, 4:11. They lived for the Lord and for one another.

I don't read anything in this letter about who got to run this ministry or that committee in the church. I don't read about how satisfied/dissatisfied any of them were over the sermon, the selection of hymns for the service or what color the nursery should be painted. I don't read anything about how consumed these folks were with themselves. These believers are clearly noted for the wonderful expression of faith they had in how they lived for the Lord and for one another.

May we all live out our faith in such a way that Paul might proclaim of us, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?" 1 Thessalonians 3:7-9.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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A message that must be given! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16,

"They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit."

Paul speaks of opposition encountered when preaching the gospel. The "speaking" and "hearing" spoken of in verses 13-16, make clear Paul is talking about the proclamation of the gospel message. Evangelism. Explaining how Jesus Christ died for sinners and that his death on the cross would be credited to one's account in the court of God with forgiveness of sins and salvation if one places his faith and trust in him.

I can't help but notice Paul's connection with "speaking" relative to salvation in verse 16. God designed his program of redemption to be carried out by the proclamation of the gospel and its acceptance. Paul notes the opponents of Christianity attempted to stop the "speaking to the Gentiles" with the view of preventing them from being saved. According to Paul in verse 16, not speaking the gospel to others would prevent their salvation.

As then, there is still remaining today opposition to the clear and simple proclamation of the gospel. Often it is done by confusing and obscuring the gospel message. Hollywood portrays Christians as lunatics and fruit loops - so no need to listen to the true gospel message. Cults, counterfeit religions, false religions, isms and schisms all have their own message - so no need to listen to the true gospel message. Some say God has already appointed certain ones - so no need to listen to the true gospel message. All kinds of ways today that seek to do the same thing as what the opponents tried to do to Paul's Thessalonian believers: keep people from the gospel message to keep them from being saved.

The gospel message is clear and unambiguous in the Scriptures: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10. It is a message that must be preached to the lost that they may be saved. When proclaimed, those who respond in faith are saved, are given eternal life. 

Where does that faith come from? Paul goes on to tell us in Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Therefore, the telling of the gospel is of utmost importance. It provides the context for faith to find its expression in Jesus Christ. When we hear that Jesus is Lord, that he died for us and was resurrected, demonstrating the Father's acceptance of his sacrifice, we either embrace it in faith, bringing us salvation, or reject it and seal our fate in God's wrath.

The gospel is an all-important message that must be proclaimed. All believers must promote the message and carry it where ever they go to whomever they encounter. Of it Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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God's horrific wrath! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10,

"They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."

Paul observed how believers throughout Macedonia, Achaia and everywhere recognized the faith of the Thessalonian believers. As he does so, he makes a comment about God's Son in heaven, "who rescues us from the coming wrath."

Whose wrath is this? What is the provocation for the wrath?

We read in another letter about God's wrath, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness..." Romans 1:18. John the Baptist spoke of God's wrath, "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:35.

God is wrathful. He harbors wrath against "godlessness and wickedness of people." Sin feeds the wrath of God, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." Colossians 3:5-6. Beyond that, God maintains his wrath against all who reject Jesus Christ. Additionally, Paul tells us that when people are stubborn and unrepentant, they store up wrath against themselves, "for the day of God's wrath." Romans 2:5. All people are deserving of God's wrath, "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath." Ephesians 2:3.

The Scriptures foresee the coming of God's wrath, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?" Revelation 6:16-17. At the end of the age, Jesus Christ is seen returning to earth in the "fury of the wrath of God almighty." Revelation 19:15.

The culmination of God's wrath is seen in the casting of all who have rejected Jesus Christ into a fiery lake of burning sulfur to suffer eternally, "The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.This is the second death."

Salvation is salvation from this wrath of God. It is God himself as our judge we need to be saved from. Our only escape, since we have all sinned, is through Jesus Christ, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!" Romans 5:8-9.

All God asks is that we trust in him, "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." Romans 1:12. Are you storing up wrath against yourself, for the day of God's wrath? Or, will you allow yourself to be rescued from God's certain coming wrath?

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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Seeing is believing or believing is seeing - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5,

"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."

Paul was thankful to God for the Thessalonian believers. He told them he always thanked God for them and prayed to God for them, verse 2. He expressed his assurance of their salvation due to what he saw in their lives.

In his observations, Paul did not mention their baptism. He did not mention they joined the membership roll of the local church and sealed it by signing on to its "covenant", by-laws or constitution. He did not make note of them speaking in tongues, being kissed by the Pope, christened in the church or completing confirmation classes. He doesn't point out they made their way up to the "mourner's bench" at the end of the service or frequency of communion, mass, Sunday School attendance or contributions to the building fund.

Here is what Paul observed in these wonderful believers: he noted their work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by their hope in Jesus Christ, verse 3. He also points out that when they heard the gospel, their response evidenced power, the presence of the Holy Spirit and it brought deep conviction, verse 5. These believers welcomed the gospel message, with the joy the Holy Spirit brings, even "in the midst of severe suffering", verse 6. Their faith had become well known among other fellowships, "everywhere" because of their actions, verses 8-9.

Paul observed these believers embraced the gospel, not simply as the words of men, "but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." Verse 13.

Paul made further observations about these believers. What these observations make clear is that there were changes in the lives of these believers that were recognizable, even to those they may not have met, as verse 8 might indicate. Specific, recognizable changes that existing believers recognized. What comes to my mind is that we ought to search out these apostolic observations in the Scriptures and replace contemporary notions of evidence of salvation with the apostolic and biblical evidences provided us.

These changes in the lives of new believers brings to mind the thought of how impossible it would be for an unsaved natural man, without God, without the indwelling Holy Spirit, un-redeemed and un-sanctified, to not evidence change in their lives following an embrace of Jesus Christ, with a new and real hope, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (now in conflict with the sinful nature within), to not look different, to not act different, to not be different. How could it be there is not a recognizable, a visible change in someone following such a truly life-changing event?

James asks a very important question, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" James 2:14. The answer is no. The faith that must greet the gospel brings life changes. If not, whatever it is, it is not saving faith. James goes on to say, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." Verse 18. Real faith is seen in the lives of believers.

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." Verse 26.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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What part of us is Paul talking to? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Colossians 3:1-2,

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Paul lays out his exhortation as to how one might be successful in "restraining sensual indulgence." Colossians 2:23. He tells his readers to set their hearts and minds on "things above." Clearly he is speaking to his readers to focus, to control their hearts as well as their minds. Obviously, his appeal is to something other than people's minds and people's hearts, and that something "other" is to control the mind and the heart. If you follow me, there is that within us that is neither the mind or the heart, but that which can control both. In another letter we see Paul making the same appeal, except that it is the body that is to be controlled, "each of you should learn to control your own body..." 1 Thessalonians 4:4. It is to that part of us in God's design that we call our "spirit" that Paul speaks. He speaks directly to our spirits.

Here we see some part of our being addressed that is not our hearts, not our minds and not our bodies. Our "spirit" is that part of us that connects with God and is that part of our being Paul speaks to in the above verses. We read verses like "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." Romans 8:16. Our spirit is separate from our minds and other faculties, "For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them?" 1 Corinthians 2:11. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, we see Paul distinguishing between our spirit, soul and body. The writer of Hebrews makes a distinction between our souls and spirits, "The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.

Something we need to know is that when we die physically, our spirits remain, "So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord." Death is defined by James as that time when our spirits depart our bodies, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

Paul also speaks of that which can contaminate both our bodies and spirits, 2 Corinthians 7:1. Spirits can be imprisoned, "After being made alive, he [Jesus] went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built." 1 Peter 3:19-20.

Paul talks about his spirit praying, 1 Corinthians 14:14, and singing, verse 15. We see that spirits can be refreshed, 2 Corinthians 7:13.

Perhaps this observation may be of little consequence, but it does help us understand how wonderfully we are made and what it is of us that is not extinguished when we experience our physical deaths. Our spirits live on following our deaths, that part of us that was directly spoken to by Paul and others in Scripture, that part of us that relates to God, that part of us where our conscience dwells, that part of us that is to bring all other parts into obedience. It is also that part of us that will be reunited with our resurrected bodies.

"May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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Chosen by God! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5,

"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."

To be chosen, to be selected, to be picked out of a group can be a tremendous thing, whether it is for a proposal of marriage, selected by a little league team for short-stop, or getting that job that others interviewed for as well. Imagine the "selection" of us believers out of all humanity and what that brings!

John tell us, "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." John 1:12. God has chosen for himself all who will embrace him in faith. These Thessalonian believers did just that. Upon hearing the gospel, they placed their faith in God and became one of his "chosen ones." I am aware that many see it in reverse, but I am fully assured they are getting the cart before the horse. Paul observed of these believers, "our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:5. They modeled what Paul told those in Rome as to how faith comes about, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17.

But don't let the fine print obscure the wonderful message of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. All believers have been chosen by God to join his family, to inherit eternal life, to experience eternal pleasures at God's right hand, Psalm 16:11.

How amazing is that?!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com