The story of The Rich Young Ruler is one of the most well known episodes from the life of Jesus. One of the least known of Christ's parables is the one about the landowner who hired workers for his vineyard at various times throughout the day, but he paid them all the same. These two stories are connected.
The context begins at Matthew 19:3 ends at chapter 20, verse 16. Before looking at those, we need to consider the background passage in Matt. 18: 1 – 4.
In the background passage, the disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the Kingdom. He uses a child as an example.
Why a child? In verse 4, Jesus says, “Whoever then humbles himself as a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” We don't often associate humility with children. We often think of childishness as a form of selfishness, but childlikeness as a form of virtue. What I see now is that children are transparent. When a child is being selfish, we can see it easily. Even when the child is pretending to be good while being bad, we can stil see it When a child is humble, he is truly humble.
Now in Matt. 19: 13-14, Jesus rebukes the disciples because they obstructed parents that brought their children to Him to have Him pray for the children. He adds, “for kngdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” How does a child receive a kngdom? The only way a child receives a kngdom is as an inheritance. He does not work for it. He does not borrow or save up to buy for it. He does not raise an army and go to war for it. The only thing the child can do is just receive it as an inheritance.
Next, we see The Rich Young Ruler, Matt. 19: 16 – 22, followed by discusssions on entering the kingdom (vs. 23 – 26) and a disciple's reward.
The key to understanding the story of The Rich Young Ruler is in how Jesus responded to the young man calling Him 'Good Teacher.' (Mark 10: 17 – 18) “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”
Was Jesus saying that He wasn't good? You better know better than that! No, what Jesus was saying is, “Do you realize that by refering to Me with a term that applies only to God, then you are recognizing Me as God?”
The Rich Young Ruler was focused on works, but he realized that something was missing. “What must I do to have eternal life?” he asks. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. The young man replies that he has done that, but he know he needs to do more.
Jesus tests him further by challenging him to dispose of his material possessions and to become a disciple of Christ. What Jesus was saying is, “If you reocgnize My divinity, you will submit to all My instructions, even if it costs you all that you own.”
At this point, people might assume that the young man might have missed out, because the Bible says he went away saddened. However, two accounts in the NASB (Matthew and Mark) say that he was grieved. Grief is a sadness felt at a loss. We can feel sadness over many things, including things that don't directly affect yus, but grief is always assoicated with our own loss. Maybe this man realized he was losing out on the Kingdom. But then, maybe he left to dispose of his property, give the proceeds to the poor, and then return to follow Jesus. He would then be grieving over the loss of his property. His position of authority as a ruler was probably tied to his property ownership, so he could have been been grieving over giving up that as well.
This very well may be what The Rich Young Ruler did, for in the next passage, Jesus speaks about how difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom. The difficulty lies not just in their attachment to their material things, in their pride in what they have accomplished or in the value of their stuff. For rich people to enter the Kingdom, they have to humble themselves and submit to the King. Jesus said it was difficult, not impossible.
Now, some would twist these passages into making poverty a virtue. Poverty is not a virtue. The Law of Moses and the book of Proverbs are very open about it being a result of sin and laziness. The only time that poverty does not come that way is as a result of being persecuted for righteousness' sake. Even then, the poverty is caused by the sin of the persecuter. Plus, Jesus speaks of the material rewards of discipleship in the next passage. In the Kingdom, what is important about material possessions is not what or how much you have, but how you got it, and what you're doing with it.
Finally, we come to the parable of the landowner and the vineyard workers. I have heard this presented from the perspective of the workers. But I want to look at this from the landowner's viewpoint.
The landowner saw nothing wrong with paying those who worked only one hour the same as he paid the ones who worked all day. He paid them what their labor was worth to him. Everyone who worked for him had an agreement as to what he would pay them, and he stuck to the agreed amount. “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own?” he asks. Of coourse it is! His vineyard, his vines, his grapes, his money are for him to do with as he pleases. If he wants to those who work one hour the same he pays those who work eight hours, that's his business.
Now, let me ask this: Whose Kingdom is it? God's Kingdom is God's. We inherit the Kingdom only because we are His children. We enter into our inheritance by humbling ourselves honestly the way a child would, recognize that God's Kingdom is God's for Him to do with as He pleases, and to submit ot His instruction even if it costs us everything.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Hope and Faith - They're Electric!
The following is an article I posted in two parts on my blog at IktusNETwork. It started with a seed from Gary Carpenter's Face to Face series. In those messages, he was reviewing a series of messages he received directly from the Holy Spirit ten years earlier, with the perspective of those ten years of additional experience of walking in the spirit. One of those messages is "The God of Hope," and it tells the importance of hope. (I recommend you go to his website, www.garycarpenter.org, and download the whole Face to Face series.) Gary's comments about Hope got me to meditating on the relationship of Hope and Faith, and this article came out of those meditations.
Today, we see a large number of "Faith" churches, teachers, and ministries, but hardly ever hear much about Hope, yet the Bible says a great deal about Hope.
Hope and Faith - They're Electric!
In recent months, Gary Carpenter has been teaching some on Hope in relation to Faith as part of both the Face to Face and the Ephesians series. The key verse has been one of the most famous verses on Faith, Hebrews 11:1.
Heb 11:1 (NASB) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The King James says "substance" instead of "assurance." The Greek word is hupostasis, which means: a support, substance, steadiness, hence assurance, or confidence. Faith gives substance or support to the things hoped for. But how does this relationship between Hope and Faith work? Let me tell you - it's electric!
Gary said several times that Hope applies to the future. That is the general view of Hope - it pertains to things of, or in, the future. Faith, on the other hand, is now. It changes future Hope into present reality.
Especially when speaking of people and situations in the future, we use another word, relating to Hope, that sprang into my mind and started me on this path. That word is "potential." We often say a person has potential if they demonstrate talent, skill or ability that needs developing. We speak of situations that are potentially dangerous if we notice a threat.
"Potential" reveals the electrical nature of the relationship between Hope and Faith.
In today's world, we use electricity often for work, lighting, heat, communications and entertainment. Over the last couple of centuries, man has developed electrical circuits and devices to serve human needs, starting with motors to do work through machinery. The invention of the telegraph gave us the first means to send information over a very long distance in a very short time, and became the foundation for electronics. We are all familiar with what electricity can do for us, but not all of us understand how it works.
The various electrical and electronic devices we use must be part of an electrical circuit to work. A basic circuit has a power source, a working device, and a conductive path that allows electricity to flow to and from the device, or to the device and then to ground. Men have developed electrical circuits to serve human needs and wants, and some are very complex. But the first electrical circuits exist in nature as part of God's design. More on those in a minute.
If you have studied electricity in depth, you know the term "difference of potential." For those not familiar with it, it's what makes electricity flow.
Let's take a quick review of basic electrical theory.
Everyone is familiar with the basic structure of the atom: a nucleus of protons and neutrons orbited by electrons. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge. Two protons not in a nucleus will repel each other. Electrons not in orbit around a nucleus repel each other. Protons and electrons attract each other. Thus the old saying that "opposites attract."
In some substances, electrons can move more freely than in other substances, and we call them conductors. The other substances are called insulators. Sometimes, even insulators will conduct electricity under the right conditions. Ever walk across an carpeted floor on a winter day and then touch a door knob? Your body became electrically charged by the friction between your feet and the carpet. As you reach out for the door knob, you set up a difference of potential between your hand and the knob. Air is normally an insulator, but when your hand got close enough, the difference of potential become strong enough to overcome the insulating properties of air and ZZZZAP! You complete the circuit, and electricity flows as a spark between your hand and the knob.
The difference of potential is the combination of repulsive and attractive forces working on the electrons and protons. You can have a very strong difference of potential but no flow or current unless the difference of potential is strong enough to overcome the insulating effects of any SUBSTANCE between the positive and negative charges, or you place a conductive SUBSTANCE between the charges.
Where have we seen that word "substance" before? Oh, yeah! "Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for!"
Hope is the difference of potential between human need and God's power, and Faith is the conductor that allows His power to flow to meet our needs! Hallelujah!
Now let's expand on this and take a closer look at electrical circuits.
As I said, the first electrical circuits exist in nature as part of God's design. You have probably seen them in action. We call them lightning. Here's how a lightning circuit works:
The surface of the Earth normally has a negative charge. When a thundercloud grows, it develops a negative charge at its base, and a postive charge towards the top.
You can already see a difference of potential has developed inside the cloud. Sometimes processes inside the cloud will create conductive paths between the base and the top of the cloud. I once observed a supercell move towards Sapulpa around sunset and it had numerous "anvil crawler" strokes going up the sides of the main storm tower. It was one of the most impressive and beautiful lightning displays I have ever seen.
Sometimes, lightning can happen between two different clouds, but what we usually see most is cloud to ground (CG) lightning.
As the base of a thundercloud develops its negative charge, that charge repels the normal negative charge at the surface, and the surface develops a positive charge. This creates the difference of potential between the cloud and the surface. Research has shown that the attraction between the charges create ionized (electrically charged) channels that grow from the cloud base towards the ground, and from the ground towards the cloud. If they meet, a conductive path forms that completes the circuit, and zzzt-BOOM! LIGHTNING! If it happens close enough to me, I call it LIGHTNI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NING!
Now, CG lightning is known to be dangerous to humans, but we do benefit from it indirectly. When CG lightning hits topsoil, it generates nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen is a key ingredient in many fertilizers, so CG lightning helps to keep soil fertile.
Now consider for a minute these verses:
Heb 12:1-2 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a CLOUD of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We just looked at how clouds produce lightning. If we are surrounded by the cloud, we are in the cloud, and maybe we have become part of the cloud. Now consider that this discussion of Hope has come in the context of warfare. Is God calling us His stormtroopers?
Most electrical circuits designed by men serve some human need. Let's compare Hope & Faith circuits to these man-made circuits.
The Hope within us exists as an image of an all-powerful, loving God Who is more willing to use His power to bless us than to harm us. This image creates the difference of potential when compared to our need.
Faith is the conductor that delivers His power to the device that meets our need.
Most circuits that designed to meet human need have a switch. Our will is that switch.
As James said, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." Jas 2:17 (NASB) A wire not connected to a working device does no one any good. The works of Faith are the gifts and tools He has given us to use, from His Word, to our words, to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the armor of God.
1Cor. 13:13 (NASB) But now Faith, Hope, Love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
Gal. 5:6 (NASB) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but Faith working through Love.
Love is how we determine when and where to use the Hope & Faith circuit.
Every part of the circuit must be in good working order to use it according to the Father's will. Our Hope must be strong. Our Faith must be unbroken and free from obstruction and corruption. We need to keep our working devices clean and in a good state of repair. Our Love must be pure, focused on the needs of others more than ourselves, and on the needs of the Kingdom.
How can we maintain our Hope - Faith - Love circuits?
Jude (NASB) 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Today, we see a large number of "Faith" churches, teachers, and ministries, but hardly ever hear much about Hope, yet the Bible says a great deal about Hope.
Hope and Faith - They're Electric!
In recent months, Gary Carpenter has been teaching some on Hope in relation to Faith as part of both the Face to Face and the Ephesians series. The key verse has been one of the most famous verses on Faith, Hebrews 11:1.
Heb 11:1 (NASB) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The King James says "substance" instead of "assurance." The Greek word is hupostasis, which means: a support, substance, steadiness, hence assurance, or confidence. Faith gives substance or support to the things hoped for. But how does this relationship between Hope and Faith work? Let me tell you - it's electric!
Gary said several times that Hope applies to the future. That is the general view of Hope - it pertains to things of, or in, the future. Faith, on the other hand, is now. It changes future Hope into present reality.
Especially when speaking of people and situations in the future, we use another word, relating to Hope, that sprang into my mind and started me on this path. That word is "potential." We often say a person has potential if they demonstrate talent, skill or ability that needs developing. We speak of situations that are potentially dangerous if we notice a threat.
"Potential" reveals the electrical nature of the relationship between Hope and Faith.
In today's world, we use electricity often for work, lighting, heat, communications and entertainment. Over the last couple of centuries, man has developed electrical circuits and devices to serve human needs, starting with motors to do work through machinery. The invention of the telegraph gave us the first means to send information over a very long distance in a very short time, and became the foundation for electronics. We are all familiar with what electricity can do for us, but not all of us understand how it works.
The various electrical and electronic devices we use must be part of an electrical circuit to work. A basic circuit has a power source, a working device, and a conductive path that allows electricity to flow to and from the device, or to the device and then to ground. Men have developed electrical circuits to serve human needs and wants, and some are very complex. But the first electrical circuits exist in nature as part of God's design. More on those in a minute.
If you have studied electricity in depth, you know the term "difference of potential." For those not familiar with it, it's what makes electricity flow.
Let's take a quick review of basic electrical theory.
Everyone is familiar with the basic structure of the atom: a nucleus of protons and neutrons orbited by electrons. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge. Two protons not in a nucleus will repel each other. Electrons not in orbit around a nucleus repel each other. Protons and electrons attract each other. Thus the old saying that "opposites attract."
In some substances, electrons can move more freely than in other substances, and we call them conductors. The other substances are called insulators. Sometimes, even insulators will conduct electricity under the right conditions. Ever walk across an carpeted floor on a winter day and then touch a door knob? Your body became electrically charged by the friction between your feet and the carpet. As you reach out for the door knob, you set up a difference of potential between your hand and the knob. Air is normally an insulator, but when your hand got close enough, the difference of potential become strong enough to overcome the insulating properties of air and ZZZZAP! You complete the circuit, and electricity flows as a spark between your hand and the knob.
The difference of potential is the combination of repulsive and attractive forces working on the electrons and protons. You can have a very strong difference of potential but no flow or current unless the difference of potential is strong enough to overcome the insulating effects of any SUBSTANCE between the positive and negative charges, or you place a conductive SUBSTANCE between the charges.
Where have we seen that word "substance" before? Oh, yeah! "Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for!"
Hope is the difference of potential between human need and God's power, and Faith is the conductor that allows His power to flow to meet our needs! Hallelujah!
Now let's expand on this and take a closer look at electrical circuits.
As I said, the first electrical circuits exist in nature as part of God's design. You have probably seen them in action. We call them lightning. Here's how a lightning circuit works:
The surface of the Earth normally has a negative charge. When a thundercloud grows, it develops a negative charge at its base, and a postive charge towards the top.
You can already see a difference of potential has developed inside the cloud. Sometimes processes inside the cloud will create conductive paths between the base and the top of the cloud. I once observed a supercell move towards Sapulpa around sunset and it had numerous "anvil crawler" strokes going up the sides of the main storm tower. It was one of the most impressive and beautiful lightning displays I have ever seen.
Sometimes, lightning can happen between two different clouds, but what we usually see most is cloud to ground (CG) lightning.
As the base of a thundercloud develops its negative charge, that charge repels the normal negative charge at the surface, and the surface develops a positive charge. This creates the difference of potential between the cloud and the surface. Research has shown that the attraction between the charges create ionized (electrically charged) channels that grow from the cloud base towards the ground, and from the ground towards the cloud. If they meet, a conductive path forms that completes the circuit, and zzzt-BOOM! LIGHTNING! If it happens close enough to me, I call it LIGHTNI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NI-NING!
Now, CG lightning is known to be dangerous to humans, but we do benefit from it indirectly. When CG lightning hits topsoil, it generates nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen is a key ingredient in many fertilizers, so CG lightning helps to keep soil fertile.
Now consider for a minute these verses:
Heb 12:1-2 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a CLOUD of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We just looked at how clouds produce lightning. If we are surrounded by the cloud, we are in the cloud, and maybe we have become part of the cloud. Now consider that this discussion of Hope has come in the context of warfare. Is God calling us His stormtroopers?
Most electrical circuits designed by men serve some human need. Let's compare Hope & Faith circuits to these man-made circuits.
The Hope within us exists as an image of an all-powerful, loving God Who is more willing to use His power to bless us than to harm us. This image creates the difference of potential when compared to our need.
Faith is the conductor that delivers His power to the device that meets our need.
Most circuits that designed to meet human need have a switch. Our will is that switch.
As James said, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." Jas 2:17 (NASB) A wire not connected to a working device does no one any good. The works of Faith are the gifts and tools He has given us to use, from His Word, to our words, to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the armor of God.
1Cor. 13:13 (NASB) But now Faith, Hope, Love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
Gal. 5:6 (NASB) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but Faith working through Love.
Love is how we determine when and where to use the Hope & Faith circuit.
Every part of the circuit must be in good working order to use it according to the Father's will. Our Hope must be strong. Our Faith must be unbroken and free from obstruction and corruption. We need to keep our working devices clean and in a good state of repair. Our Love must be pure, focused on the needs of others more than ourselves, and on the needs of the Kingdom.
How can we maintain our Hope - Faith - Love circuits?
Jude (NASB) 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Basic Messages
The Lord has given me three basic messages to teach everywhere I go. I won't go into the details of the messages here, but their titles are:
The Two Biggest Dangers of Religion
Jesus Plus Nothing
Jesus and Pentecost
They do flow together. The first message tells you to watch out for the junk that is taught, preached, or done in God's name. The second tells you how to tell what is junk. The third shows that the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is not junk.
After I've had a chance to present these messages live, I will post the highlights here, unless the Lord directs otherwise.
The Two Biggest Dangers of Religion
Jesus Plus Nothing
Jesus and Pentecost
They do flow together. The first message tells you to watch out for the junk that is taught, preached, or done in God's name. The second tells you how to tell what is junk. The third shows that the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is not junk.
After I've had a chance to present these messages live, I will post the highlights here, unless the Lord directs otherwise.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Meditations on Ephesians
After reading the letters of John, I went on to Ephesians, because my church is focusing on spiritual warfare and the authority of the believer.
03 Feb 09
Ch. 1, verse 4 gives us insight into holiness and exposes why some who label themselves as "holy" have such rotten attitudes.
This verse says we were chosen in Him (Jesus) to be "holy and blameless before Him (the Father) in love." This tells us that holiness should be motivated by love.
When holiness is not motivated by love, then those seeking holiness will base their holiness on external things - clothes, hair, jewelry, etc. Even if someone is aware that holiness is not based on what you wear or don't wear, they can still base their holiness on external expressions and activities - such as making a show of how much one prays, fasts, reads the Bible, etc.
True holiness will show itself, but it starts within. It is motivated by love for the Lord and a desire to be closer to Him. You want to be more holy? Then love God more.
04 FEB 09
Ch.1, verses 5 and 8 have similar phrases. First we see "the kind intention of His will." Then we see "His kind intention."
The Father intends to be kind towards us. Religion paints a picture of an angry god who intends to use his power to inflict punishment on a sinful, wayward world. The truth is that the Father would rather use His power to bless people with forgiveness, salvation, healing, health, and prosperity. When we reject His blessings, we are left to reap destruction because we have sown to the flesh.
23 FEB 09
Ch. 1, verses 6, 12, and 14 have variations of an awkward sounding phrase: praise of glory. This sounds awkward because of a possible redundancy in the words "praise" and "glory."
Glory is often defined as fame, and praise is the giving of of fame to someone or something. But glory can also refer to the reason or cause of fame, especially when referring to an intrinsic characteristic that makes someone or something worthy of fame. In the Bible, the word "glory" then applies to the manifest presence of God in this sense of the word.
04 MAR 09
Unity is the major theme of Ephesians. Passages concerning unity stretch from Chapter 2 to Chapter 4, and the theme is implied on Chapters 5 and 6 as well.
First, in Chapter 2, we see that Christ's death opened the door for people of all nations to have access to God, and not just Jews. Gentiles are now no longer separated by the Law. Jew and Gentile are united in His Church, His Body. Next, in Chapter 3, we see Paul explaining how his ministry serves to spread this message of unity.
Then in Chapter 4, Paul points out the importance of unity, and how the goal of the fivefold ministry (all ministry, actually) is the unity of the faith.
The general instructions in Chapters 4 and 5 are meant to preserve unity in the Body of Christ.
The specific instructions in Chapters 5 and 6 are meant to preserve unity in families.
The goal of taking up the whole armor of God in Chapter 6 is to preserve unity in the Body of Christ.
03 Feb 09
Ch. 1, verse 4 gives us insight into holiness and exposes why some who label themselves as "holy" have such rotten attitudes.
This verse says we were chosen in Him (Jesus) to be "holy and blameless before Him (the Father) in love." This tells us that holiness should be motivated by love.
When holiness is not motivated by love, then those seeking holiness will base their holiness on external things - clothes, hair, jewelry, etc. Even if someone is aware that holiness is not based on what you wear or don't wear, they can still base their holiness on external expressions and activities - such as making a show of how much one prays, fasts, reads the Bible, etc.
True holiness will show itself, but it starts within. It is motivated by love for the Lord and a desire to be closer to Him. You want to be more holy? Then love God more.
04 FEB 09
Ch.1, verses 5 and 8 have similar phrases. First we see "the kind intention of His will." Then we see "His kind intention."
The Father intends to be kind towards us. Religion paints a picture of an angry god who intends to use his power to inflict punishment on a sinful, wayward world. The truth is that the Father would rather use His power to bless people with forgiveness, salvation, healing, health, and prosperity. When we reject His blessings, we are left to reap destruction because we have sown to the flesh.
23 FEB 09
Ch. 1, verses 6, 12, and 14 have variations of an awkward sounding phrase: praise of glory. This sounds awkward because of a possible redundancy in the words "praise" and "glory."
Glory is often defined as fame, and praise is the giving of of fame to someone or something. But glory can also refer to the reason or cause of fame, especially when referring to an intrinsic characteristic that makes someone or something worthy of fame. In the Bible, the word "glory" then applies to the manifest presence of God in this sense of the word.
04 MAR 09
Unity is the major theme of Ephesians. Passages concerning unity stretch from Chapter 2 to Chapter 4, and the theme is implied on Chapters 5 and 6 as well.
First, in Chapter 2, we see that Christ's death opened the door for people of all nations to have access to God, and not just Jews. Gentiles are now no longer separated by the Law. Jew and Gentile are united in His Church, His Body. Next, in Chapter 3, we see Paul explaining how his ministry serves to spread this message of unity.
Then in Chapter 4, Paul points out the importance of unity, and how the goal of the fivefold ministry (all ministry, actually) is the unity of the faith.
The general instructions in Chapters 4 and 5 are meant to preserve unity in the Body of Christ.
The specific instructions in Chapters 5 and 6 are meant to preserve unity in families.
The goal of taking up the whole armor of God in Chapter 6 is to preserve unity in the Body of Christ.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Meditations on 1 & 2 John
After Philemon, I read the letters of John
1 John 12 NOV 08
The key verse in this letter is 4:11, for it ties together the two major themes of God's love for us and our love for each other. If God the Father did love us enough to send Jesus to die for us, then it naturally follows that we have experienced this love would have that same love for others.
1John 02 DEC 08
Ch. 3: 11 - 12 John tells us again to love one another and to not be like Cain. Cain slew Abel because Abel's deeds were good, and his own deeds were evil.
This tells us that Cain did evil before he murdered Abel. What evil did Cain do? He despised his brother. Why did Cain despise Abel? Pride. God accepted Abel's sacrifice and not Cain's. Cain also wanted to be accepted by God, but on his own terms. He wanted to be able to brag about his relationship to God. That is self-righteousness. So, the evil that Cain did included pride, envy, spite and self-righteousness before he added murder.
God accepted Abel's sacrifice because it was based on God's plan. When God dealt with Adam and Eve after the fall, He made clothes for them out of animal skins. That means that some animal had to give up its life. Its blood was shed to provide a covering for man. Abel recognized that any relationship between God and man must be based on blood. The only type of continuing relationship man can have with God must be a blood covenant.
1 John 12 DEC 08
Follow up on comments on 1 John 3: 11 - 12: The larger context is that those who are born again are marked by love for one another. To not love your brother is evil. Cain did not love Abel before he even killed his brother. That lack of love manifested as pride, self-righteousness, envy, and spite before it culminated in murder.
2 John 01 JAN 09
Notice verse 8: "Watch yourselves that you do not lose what we have accomplished..." This is obviously an appeal to protect yourself against regression, or going backwards spiritually. What might not stand out is that this appeal is made to individuals for the benefit of all.
"Watch yourselves" is an appeal to individuals because "self" refers to an individual, and "selves" means more than one individual. The "you" in this verse could refer to an individual or a group, but in this case it refers to both, because the admonition is to preserve "what we have accomplished."
John wrote this letter to "the chosen lady and her children." Scholars believe this was a way of addressing a church, or the Church in general. Either way, this gives us a picture of the Church as a group of individuals, but we are all interconnected by sharing of the same Spirit.
2 John 22 JAN 09
Notice verse 9: "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God..." This verse confirms the pre-eminence of Christ, or the "Jesus Plus Nothing" teaching. Notice it does not say "teachings," but the "teaching of Christ." This refers not only to what Christ taught, but to teachings that focus on Him or are based on Him. I have often said that any teaching that cannot be related back to Jesus, or that you cannot use Him as an example of, is to be suspected as false.
1 John 12 NOV 08
The key verse in this letter is 4:11, for it ties together the two major themes of God's love for us and our love for each other. If God the Father did love us enough to send Jesus to die for us, then it naturally follows that we have experienced this love would have that same love for others.
1John 02 DEC 08
Ch. 3: 11 - 12 John tells us again to love one another and to not be like Cain. Cain slew Abel because Abel's deeds were good, and his own deeds were evil.
This tells us that Cain did evil before he murdered Abel. What evil did Cain do? He despised his brother. Why did Cain despise Abel? Pride. God accepted Abel's sacrifice and not Cain's. Cain also wanted to be accepted by God, but on his own terms. He wanted to be able to brag about his relationship to God. That is self-righteousness. So, the evil that Cain did included pride, envy, spite and self-righteousness before he added murder.
God accepted Abel's sacrifice because it was based on God's plan. When God dealt with Adam and Eve after the fall, He made clothes for them out of animal skins. That means that some animal had to give up its life. Its blood was shed to provide a covering for man. Abel recognized that any relationship between God and man must be based on blood. The only type of continuing relationship man can have with God must be a blood covenant.
1 John 12 DEC 08
Follow up on comments on 1 John 3: 11 - 12: The larger context is that those who are born again are marked by love for one another. To not love your brother is evil. Cain did not love Abel before he even killed his brother. That lack of love manifested as pride, self-righteousness, envy, and spite before it culminated in murder.
2 John 01 JAN 09
Notice verse 8: "Watch yourselves that you do not lose what we have accomplished..." This is obviously an appeal to protect yourself against regression, or going backwards spiritually. What might not stand out is that this appeal is made to individuals for the benefit of all.
"Watch yourselves" is an appeal to individuals because "self" refers to an individual, and "selves" means more than one individual. The "you" in this verse could refer to an individual or a group, but in this case it refers to both, because the admonition is to preserve "what we have accomplished."
John wrote this letter to "the chosen lady and her children." Scholars believe this was a way of addressing a church, or the Church in general. Either way, this gives us a picture of the Church as a group of individuals, but we are all interconnected by sharing of the same Spirit.
2 John 22 JAN 09
Notice verse 9: "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God..." This verse confirms the pre-eminence of Christ, or the "Jesus Plus Nothing" teaching. Notice it does not say "teachings," but the "teaching of Christ." This refers not only to what Christ taught, but to teachings that focus on Him or are based on Him. I have often said that any teaching that cannot be related back to Jesus, or that you cannot use Him as an example of, is to be suspected as false.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Meditations on Philemon - Part 3
30 OCT 08
We can see from some of the things that Paul says that he must have met Philemon at some time in the past. This is interesting, because Paul had never been to Colossae before he wrote the letters to Colossae and Philemon. Philemon might have been part of the ministry team that started the church at Colossae. Paul did travel to through Laodicea, near Colossae, and Paul probably met Philemon there and converted him.
However their relationship came to be, Paul's letter is an example of how close friends can be even when separated by great distances. This letter is about Paul's relationship with Philemon as much as it is about Philemon's relationship with Onesimus.
01 NOV 08
In verse 19, when Paul puts into his own handwriting his pledge to cover an damages or loss caused by Onesimus, he does not say that he will pay, but that he will repay. Paul assumed the debt of of Onesimus as his own. This shows the depth of love and friendship Paul felt towards both men.
We can see from some of the things that Paul says that he must have met Philemon at some time in the past. This is interesting, because Paul had never been to Colossae before he wrote the letters to Colossae and Philemon. Philemon might have been part of the ministry team that started the church at Colossae. Paul did travel to through Laodicea, near Colossae, and Paul probably met Philemon there and converted him.
However their relationship came to be, Paul's letter is an example of how close friends can be even when separated by great distances. This letter is about Paul's relationship with Philemon as much as it is about Philemon's relationship with Onesimus.
01 NOV 08
In verse 19, when Paul puts into his own handwriting his pledge to cover an damages or loss caused by Onesimus, he does not say that he will pay, but that he will repay. Paul assumed the debt of of Onesimus as his own. This shows the depth of love and friendship Paul felt towards both men.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Meditations on Philemon - Part 2
27 OCT 08
Paul never refers to himself as a prisoner for Christ, but as a prisoner of Christ. He does this to show that he is always conscious of his "obligation" to Christ.
On the road to Damascus, Christ "captured" Saul and began to transform him into Paul. Saul was acting in rebellion to the Good News, so he was an outlaw, spiritually speaking, who needed to be arrested. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul states that he was apprehended (KJV) by Christ.
27 OCT 08
Paul's letter is not just addressed to Philemon. His greeting includes Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets at Philemon's house. Paul probably included them in this letter because they too were harmed when Onesimus ran away.
Because Archippus is mentioned in Paul's letter to the Colossians, and is mentioned as being a minister, we know that these people lived in or near Colossae. Philemon must have owned an estate near Colossae, Apphia or Archippus lived with him, and he hosted or pastored a church that met at his house. Apphia and Archippus were probably relatives of Philemon. Apphia was most likely his wife, but could have been his mother or sister acting as the lady of the estate. Archippus was most likely Philemon's brother or son.
Onesimus could have been assigned to serve Apphia and Archippus, and so they would have been harmed when he ran away. If he was assigned domestic duties in the house,he could have been used to prepare the house for church meetings,and his loss would have harmed the church.
The lesson here is that the situation was not just about Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. Apphia, Archippus, and the house church also needed to forgive Onesimus and accept him as a brother in Christ.
28 OCT 08
In verse 18, where Paul pledges to cover any loss to Philemon caused by Onesimus, commentators often state the possibility the slave might have stolen some money or other property from his master when he ran away. What we might not see is that Onesimus could have cause loss in other ways.
For one thing, his labor was not available to Philemon, and Philemon had to have someone else do that work: either someone hired, or a new slave, or the work given to other slaves and their workload increased as their productivity decreased. So Philemon had to pay the wages of a new hire, or the price of a new slave, or he lost money due to less output from his estate.
This pledge by Paul shows how much he loved both men!
This also shows us a picture of propitiation. As Paul pledged to satisfy the debt caused by Onesimus, so Jesus pledged His life to satisfy our debt of sin.
30 OCT 08
In verse 6, Paul prays " that the fellowship of your faith may become effective..." Notice that Paul did not say "fellowship of the faith..." Paul is talking about a fellowship based on a personal faith. Fellowship is also a sharing of resources and responsibilities as in a partnership.
Paul goes on to say that this fellowship becomes effective "through knowledge of every good thing" that is in Philemon "for Christ's sake." Paul is calling Philemon to remember the positive thing that Christ has placed in Philemon because of his faith, and these things were placed their for Christ's benefit. Of course, the most important thing Christ placed in Philemon is love, which he demonstrates by his treatment of the saints.
In short, Paul is telling Philemon to remember his faith in Christ, how that faith changed him, and how he treats other believers.
Paul never refers to himself as a prisoner for Christ, but as a prisoner of Christ. He does this to show that he is always conscious of his "obligation" to Christ.
On the road to Damascus, Christ "captured" Saul and began to transform him into Paul. Saul was acting in rebellion to the Good News, so he was an outlaw, spiritually speaking, who needed to be arrested. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul states that he was apprehended (KJV) by Christ.
27 OCT 08
Paul's letter is not just addressed to Philemon. His greeting includes Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets at Philemon's house. Paul probably included them in this letter because they too were harmed when Onesimus ran away.
Because Archippus is mentioned in Paul's letter to the Colossians, and is mentioned as being a minister, we know that these people lived in or near Colossae. Philemon must have owned an estate near Colossae, Apphia or Archippus lived with him, and he hosted or pastored a church that met at his house. Apphia and Archippus were probably relatives of Philemon. Apphia was most likely his wife, but could have been his mother or sister acting as the lady of the estate. Archippus was most likely Philemon's brother or son.
Onesimus could have been assigned to serve Apphia and Archippus, and so they would have been harmed when he ran away. If he was assigned domestic duties in the house,he could have been used to prepare the house for church meetings,and his loss would have harmed the church.
The lesson here is that the situation was not just about Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. Apphia, Archippus, and the house church also needed to forgive Onesimus and accept him as a brother in Christ.
28 OCT 08
In verse 18, where Paul pledges to cover any loss to Philemon caused by Onesimus, commentators often state the possibility the slave might have stolen some money or other property from his master when he ran away. What we might not see is that Onesimus could have cause loss in other ways.
For one thing, his labor was not available to Philemon, and Philemon had to have someone else do that work: either someone hired, or a new slave, or the work given to other slaves and their workload increased as their productivity decreased. So Philemon had to pay the wages of a new hire, or the price of a new slave, or he lost money due to less output from his estate.
This pledge by Paul shows how much he loved both men!
This also shows us a picture of propitiation. As Paul pledged to satisfy the debt caused by Onesimus, so Jesus pledged His life to satisfy our debt of sin.
30 OCT 08
In verse 6, Paul prays " that the fellowship of your faith may become effective..." Notice that Paul did not say "fellowship of the faith..." Paul is talking about a fellowship based on a personal faith. Fellowship is also a sharing of resources and responsibilities as in a partnership.
Paul goes on to say that this fellowship becomes effective "through knowledge of every good thing" that is in Philemon "for Christ's sake." Paul is calling Philemon to remember the positive thing that Christ has placed in Philemon because of his faith, and these things were placed their for Christ's benefit. Of course, the most important thing Christ placed in Philemon is love, which he demonstrates by his treatment of the saints.
In short, Paul is telling Philemon to remember his faith in Christ, how that faith changed him, and how he treats other believers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)