The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and
majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Thessalonians 5:26,
"Greet all God's people with a holy kiss."
We read about kissing in the Scriptures. Kissing is associated with
greeting one another as well as expressing relationship. In Romans
16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12 and 1 Thessalonians
5:26, we are told to greet one another with a "holy kiss." Peter tells
us to greet one another with a "kiss of love." 1 Peter 5:14. And, we
read of the Ephesian elders who embraced and kissed Paul in their
grief over the news they would never see him again (in this life), and
to send him on his way to Jerusalem, Acts 20:37.
Those who have studied this point out the kissing here was men with
men, women with women, and men with women within the fellowship.
Over the years I have heard of differing activities found in Scripture
that have been focused on as proving one is "in the faith" or at least
a "member in good standing." I have seen lists concocted that purport
the contents must be scrupulously followed or fulfilled (in the
"lister's" understanding of "how to") if one is to have any hope in
eternal life, let alone a good standing within the fellowship. I'm
sure you have run into these things as well.
For instance, baptism must follow certain guidelines in order to
qualify the "baptized" for eternal life. Not settling for that, others
have verbal formulas which must be recited in order for the required
ordinance to be "legitimate."
I think we are all too familiar with our charismatic brothers and
sisters who insist we must all be speaking in tongues. Hey, they did
it in the New Testament, didn't they?
Mass, the Lord's Supper, Communion, the Agape Feast, whether
considered as a sacrament or an ordinance is understood by many to
have to be done in certain ways, else, it just may not be "legit".
Almost always the Scriptures are pointed to as the grounds for
whichever position, even when the interpretations conflict.
I think you get my point here. Many things may be done in the church
today due to how something is perceived in the Scriptures. Oftentimes,
things done differently become the "distinctives" that set one group
apart from others, and in some cases, at odds, with other groups. I'm
sure we have all seen these things. And I am sure we have all
scratched our heads in wonderment over both the direction and the
tenacity with which some groups promote their "distinctives."
I have to say, though, I have never run into a kissing fellowship.
There is an abundance of distinctives regarding baptism, communion,
the "charismatic gifts", elder rule, etc. One might think, with the
same logic and the same approach, some groups might adopt kissing as
the demonstrable manifestation that one is "in the faith, in good
standing."
Of course, kissing, in our culture, is a bit different from the
kissing we read of in Scripture. In our society, kissing is typically
reserved for either romance or expressions of affection within the
immediate family. I'm certain there are exceptions, but the practice
of kissing in Paul's day is not quite the same as ours today. It is an
interesting subject to take up when attempting to understand cultural
issues in Scripture as they apply to the church in our culture today.
Why no kissing in our churches? If it was "good enough for Paul",
shouldn't it be good enough for us? And, isn't the literary formula
that tells us to kiss one another couched the same way as what many
consider as "commands" when speaking of other things?
I know I'm being a bit of a smart aleck here. But I think it helpful
to consider these kinds of things as we insist others follow us. Maybe
we might not be on as firm a ground as we assume... And, truthfully,
given our culture, I would not suggest we begin kissing each other as
was practiced in Paul's day.
After all, what might the neighbors think?
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 reply
and let me know.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Monday, October 9, 2023
Meeting the Lord in the Air! - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18,
Paul provided comfort and assurance for those who had lost believing loved ones. These believers, as all have, had been told that placing their faith in Jesus Christ would bring them into God's own family. This being the case, it sets an anticipation for the Lord's return for us to bring these things to fulfillment. But what of those who had by now passed away, believers whose bodies were now decomposing in the ground? Are they going to miss out on meeting the Lord when he comes for us - the big event? Not at all! As a matter of fact, they will rise first, while those who are still alive when the Lord comes for those who are his, will join them "in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Wonderful news!!
Not just wonderful, but very exciting! Exceedingly so! And we are to be encouraging one another with this coming event.
This scene that Paul provides of us of believers meeting the Lord in the clouds, rising to meet the Lord in the air, is the very same scene described to us when Jesus was last seen, at his ascension into heaven. When Jesus left this world following his resurrection, we read, "After he [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'" Acts 1:9-11.
Paul, who was not a witness to Jesus' ascension on that day, provides for us the completed picture. Just as the Lord rose in the air, up in the clouds to go to heaven, so he "will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." And we, likewise, will rise in the air to meet him when he comes from heaven for us. There is nothing in these accounts that lend them to some kind of a metaphorical interpretation, but are presented to us as quite literal accounts of what happened when Jesus ascended and what will happen when he comes back for us from heaven. In my mind, although separated by millenia, the two accounts are really two halves of the same account - Jesus leaving to go to heaven in the clouds in the air and then returning for us in the same way, but this time with us all joining him in the clouds in the air.
"And, so we will be with the Lord forever."
Somehow, I don't think my fear of heights will be an issue on that day...
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 reply and let me know.
"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
Paul provided comfort and assurance for those who had lost believing loved ones. These believers, as all have, had been told that placing their faith in Jesus Christ would bring them into God's own family. This being the case, it sets an anticipation for the Lord's return for us to bring these things to fulfillment. But what of those who had by now passed away, believers whose bodies were now decomposing in the ground? Are they going to miss out on meeting the Lord when he comes for us - the big event? Not at all! As a matter of fact, they will rise first, while those who are still alive when the Lord comes for those who are his, will join them "in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Wonderful news!!
Not just wonderful, but very exciting! Exceedingly so! And we are to be encouraging one another with this coming event.
This scene that Paul provides of us of believers meeting the Lord in the clouds, rising to meet the Lord in the air, is the very same scene described to us when Jesus was last seen, at his ascension into heaven. When Jesus left this world following his resurrection, we read, "After he [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'" Acts 1:9-11.
Paul, who was not a witness to Jesus' ascension on that day, provides for us the completed picture. Just as the Lord rose in the air, up in the clouds to go to heaven, so he "will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." And we, likewise, will rise in the air to meet him when he comes from heaven for us. There is nothing in these accounts that lend them to some kind of a metaphorical interpretation, but are presented to us as quite literal accounts of what happened when Jesus ascended and what will happen when he comes back for us from heaven. In my mind, although separated by millenia, the two accounts are really two halves of the same account - Jesus leaving to go to heaven in the clouds in the air and then returning for us in the same way, but this time with us all joining him in the clouds in the air.
"And, so we will be with the Lord forever."
Somehow, I don't think my fear of heights will be an issue on that day...
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 reply and let me know.
Friday, October 6, 2023
The Lord strengthens our hearts! - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Thessalonians 3:13,
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 reply and let me know.
"May he [the Lord] strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones."
As Paul expresses his joy to the Thessalonian believers over hearing of their steadfastness in faith in the face of persecution and the love they have and their longing to see Paul again, he offers up a blessing for them. He asks that the Lord provide them strength of heart that they might be found holy and blameless in the presence of God the Father when Jesus Christ comes "with all his holy ones."
The conscious awareness of the coming of our Lord for us is an important issue. It should retain a place of importance among the things that occupy our minds. The Lord is coming and our lives should reflect this in the joyful anticipation of his return for us. It should bring an "edge" of excitement in our relationship with him that is expressed in love, joy and faith that forms the appointed fullness for all of us who have embraced him in faith.
The outlook is very good that we be strengthened in him, as it is God's very faithfulness that Paul points to, in another letter, as the agent that makes it happen. "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. In Jude's wonderful doxology we read, "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25.
Just how wonderful is that?!
As Paul expresses his joy to the Thessalonian believers over hearing of their steadfastness in faith in the face of persecution and the love they have and their longing to see Paul again, he offers up a blessing for them. He asks that the Lord provide them strength of heart that they might be found holy and blameless in the presence of God the Father when Jesus Christ comes "with all his holy ones."
The conscious awareness of the coming of our Lord for us is an important issue. It should retain a place of importance among the things that occupy our minds. The Lord is coming and our lives should reflect this in the joyful anticipation of his return for us. It should bring an "edge" of excitement in our relationship with him that is expressed in love, joy and faith that forms the appointed fullness for all of us who have embraced him in faith.
The outlook is very good that we be strengthened in him, as it is God's very faithfulness that Paul points to, in another letter, as the agent that makes it happen. "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. In Jude's wonderful doxology we read, "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25.
Just how wonderful 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 reply and let me know.
Thursday, October 5, 2023
What Exactly is Sin? - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Thessalonians 2:16b,
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 reply and let me know.
"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 to 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?
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 to 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 reply and let me know.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Who Is Paul Speaking To? - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Thessalonians 1:1,
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 reply and let me know.
"Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you."
I note Paul addressed his letter to this church "in God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ."
He didn't address it to the Baptists in Thessalonica, not to the Episcopalians there, or the Presbyterians. I don't see he wrote it to the charismatics, the Calvinists or the Arminians. Paul doesn't mention the Roman Catholics or the Eastern Orthodox. I don't see the Pentecostals listed in this passage or the Methodists either. He addresses his letter to the church "in God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul doesn't mention the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Jehovah Witnesses, the Seventh Day Adventists or the World Wide Church of God. He doesn't mention the church the "completed Jews" fellowship with. He addressed his letter to the church "in God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ."
As God's apostle, as his emissary, Paul wrote to communicate to true believers. I suspect Paul would have had little interest in Baptist doctrine and theology and those who promote it, but in God's doctrine and theology and those who promote it. I suspect Paul would have had little interest in Pentecostal doctrine and theology and those who promote it, but in God's doctrine and theology and those who promote it.
All claim to follow God and all claim to have the real scoop on the things of God. But when we begin to discover "distinctives" that set us apart from the rest of God's family and stick a label on ourselves, identifying us as such, we commit the same error Paul addressed to the church in Corinth, with their desire to separate themselves into differing groups.
Paul didn't acknowledge different groups. He condemned them."My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?" 1 Corinthians 1:11-13. Who Paul addressed in this letter were the true believers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and called them the church "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
I also note that Paul considered the church to be made up of believers. Real believers. Real believers constituted what Paul considered to be the church "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." We live in a day where there are many groups who call themselves churches but don't pass muster as believers. Many may have come from a heritage of real believers, but when those "distinctives" became the priority, faith in the living God became replaced with something else.
In a group claiming to be a church, the "pastor", in the Easter "worship service" questions the literal reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is not the church Paul would recognize. In a group claiming to be a church, homosexuality is embraced, weddings performed and the teaching of God rejected. This is not the church Paul would recognize. In a group claiming to be a church, the "historical Jesus" is promoted, stripping the gospels of all that is miraculous, sifting through the Scriptures to reject all that is found "objectionable." That is not the church Paul would recognize.
The true church to Paul was that group made up of folks who embraced Jesus Christ in faith. Not a Jesus of their own definition or imagination, but the Son of God who came to earth to die a miserable death to pay the penalty for our sins. The Son of God who performed miracles, who fulfilled prophecy, who confounded the wise and shamed the corrupt men of the day.
Paul's letter to the Thessalonians is for true believers. The Scriptures belong to believers, it is God's mail to them. Many claim it is theirs... But only those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith, the true Son of God as presented us in the Scriptures, can legitimately call it theirs.
I note Paul addressed his letter to this church "in God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ."
He didn't address it to the Baptists in Thessalonica, not to the Episcopalians there, or the Presbyterians. I don't see he wrote it to the charismatics, the Calvinists or the Arminians. Paul doesn't mention the Roman Catholics or the Eastern Orthodox. I don't see the Pentecostals listed in this passage or the Methodists either. He addresses his letter to the church "in God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul doesn't mention the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Jehovah Witnesses, the Seventh Day Adventists or the World Wide Church of God. He doesn't mention the church the "completed Jews" fellowship with. He addressed his letter to the church "in God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ."
As God's apostle, as his emissary, Paul wrote to communicate to true believers. I suspect Paul would have had little interest in Baptist doctrine and theology and those who promote it, but in God's doctrine and theology and those who promote it. I suspect Paul would have had little interest in Pentecostal doctrine and theology and those who promote it, but in God's doctrine and theology and those who promote it.
All claim to follow God and all claim to have the real scoop on the things of God. But when we begin to discover "distinctives" that set us apart from the rest of God's family and stick a label on ourselves, identifying us as such, we commit the same error Paul addressed to the church in Corinth, with their desire to separate themselves into differing groups.
Paul didn't acknowledge different groups. He condemned them."My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?" 1 Corinthians 1:11-13. Who Paul addressed in this letter were the true believers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and called them the church "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
I also note that Paul considered the church to be made up of believers. Real believers. Real believers constituted what Paul considered to be the church "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." We live in a day where there are many groups who call themselves churches but don't pass muster as believers. Many may have come from a heritage of real believers, but when those "distinctives" became the priority, faith in the living God became replaced with something else.
In a group claiming to be a church, the "pastor", in the Easter "worship service" questions the literal reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is not the church Paul would recognize. In a group claiming to be a church, homosexuality is embraced, weddings performed and the teaching of God rejected. This is not the church Paul would recognize. In a group claiming to be a church, the "historical Jesus" is promoted, stripping the gospels of all that is miraculous, sifting through the Scriptures to reject all that is found "objectionable." That is not the church Paul would recognize.
The true church to Paul was that group made up of folks who embraced Jesus Christ in faith. Not a Jesus of their own definition or imagination, but the Son of God who came to earth to die a miserable death to pay the penalty for our sins. The Son of God who performed miracles, who fulfilled prophecy, who confounded the wise and shamed the corrupt men of the day.
Paul's letter to the Thessalonians is for true believers. The Scriptures belong to believers, it is God's mail to them. Many claim it is theirs... But only those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith, the true Son of God as presented us in the Scriptures, can legitimately call it theirs.
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!
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Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Standing in the Will of God - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Colossians 4:12b,
"He [Epaphras] is always wrestling in prayer for you [the Colossian believers], that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured."
What does it mean to "stand firm in all the will of God"? We know that maturity and full assurance accompany it, as Paul says. I've listened to many prayers over the years that make appeal to knowing and understanding God's will in this or that. How can we find what God's will is?
I suspect the most obvious observation is that the Scriptures contain the will of God. We call the Scriptures revelation. God reveals himself within its pages. Penned by human authors, the source is God himself, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21. God's desires, what God looks for in the choices people make are often clearly defined in the Scriptures. Even when it comes to things of a personal nature, in our relationships, etc.
As an example, consider what Paul had to say in the previous chapter, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:12-14. This covers probably most of what anyone needs to know regarding God's will in our relationships with others.
We, on the other hand, only want to bear with and forgive those who haven't really wronged us, not in a meaningful way, anyway. Those who have do not really deserve it and so we fashion ourselves some accommodation of one form or another. So, let's just disregard this-- and if we can't, maybe we can bear with and forgive someone who only slightly offended us to help us feel better about disregarding God's will about the bigger and more painful offenses. (If I've offended you here, I apologize, as I offer you an opportunity to put Colossians 3:12-14 into practice.)
How else can we determine God's will in a matter? I am reminded of Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Here we find there needs to be some transformation within us that requires effort on our part if we seek to "test and approve what God's will is." Retaining the aspects of our old, sinful nature, "the pattern of this world", will obscure our apprehension of God's will. If we participate in the renewing of our minds, clarity of God's will becomes evident.
How do we participate in the renewing of our minds? Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Again, back to the Scriptures, and, going back to Romans 12:2, doing what they say.
I'm fully convinced the prayerful reading and doing of the Scriptures is what opens our understanding of God's will in many things. Meditation, ruminating in the Scriptures, memorizing them, holding them near and dear to our hearts is key to ascertaining God's will. After all, the Scriptures are what God wants us to know of himself!
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 reply and let me know.
Monday, October 2, 2023
God Expressing Himself - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Colossians 3:25,
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 reply and let me know.
"Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism."
Setting aside the fact that this verse comes in a section of Scripture where Paul speaks of Christian living, it causes me to think of the two chief character traits of God and how at the end of the age each will be expressed, one toward those who embrace him in faith, the other toward those who reject him.
The Lord has two qualities he wants all of us to be aware of: he is just and he is loving. Note what he said in Jeremiah 9:24, "Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Here the Lord's love is represented in his kindness toward us. Jesus put God's love this way in his talk with Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." That is a whole lot of love by anyone's standards!
Equally, God's justice, his righteousness is on display in Revelation 21:8, "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." This is a horrifying picture of God's justice by anyone's standards! As Paul said, "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism." God's justice will find its full expression at the white throne judgment, where the sinful will be repaid for their wrongs.
God is not only loving. God is just. God is not only just, God is loving. Both find extreme expression in the things God does. There is nothing temperate in the cross of Jesus Christ, and there is nothing temperate in the white throne judgment at the end of things. God is not moderate in the things he does. Both God's love as well as his judgment are manifest in unbridled ferocity. He is not to be painted in pastels. God is bold and should be pictured in bright bold colors. Put quite simply, God's love is not to be taken lightly and in his judgment, he is not to be trifled with.
Those of us who have responded to God's love expressed in the gospel have our sins forgiven us and experience God's overwhelming love, paid for by Jesus Christ on that cross. Those of us who have not responded will face God's horrific judgment on that day, a day that is certainly coming.
Setting aside the fact that this verse comes in a section of Scripture where Paul speaks of Christian living, it causes me to think of the two chief character traits of God and how at the end of the age each will be expressed, one toward those who embrace him in faith, the other toward those who reject him.
The Lord has two qualities he wants all of us to be aware of: he is just and he is loving. Note what he said in Jeremiah 9:24, "Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Here the Lord's love is represented in his kindness toward us. Jesus put God's love this way in his talk with Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." That is a whole lot of love by anyone's standards!
Equally, God's justice, his righteousness is on display in Revelation 21:8, "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." This is a horrifying picture of God's justice by anyone's standards! As Paul said, "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism." God's justice will find its full expression at the white throne judgment, where the sinful will be repaid for their wrongs.
God is not only loving. God is just. God is not only just, God is loving. Both find extreme expression in the things God does. There is nothing temperate in the cross of Jesus Christ, and there is nothing temperate in the white throne judgment at the end of things. God is not moderate in the things he does. Both God's love as well as his judgment are manifest in unbridled ferocity. He is not to be painted in pastels. God is bold and should be pictured in bright bold colors. Put quite simply, God's love is not to be taken lightly and in his judgment, he is not to be trifled with.
Those of us who have responded to God's love expressed in the gospel have our sins forgiven us and experience God's overwhelming love, paid for by Jesus Christ on that cross. Those of us who have not responded will face God's horrific judgment on that day, a day that is certainly coming.
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 reply and let me know.
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