Have I Spoken a Word?

In 2 Samuel 7, King David came up with the grand idea to build the Lord a house.  Nathan, by all indications a faithful servant of God, said, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you” (2 Samuel 7:3).  David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), had good intentions when he proposed building the Temple and Nathan, agreeing with said good intentions, granted his blessing.  In response, God said to Nathan, “…have I ever spoken word to anyone…?” (2 Samuel 7:7).  The good intentions of both faithful men of God did not matter when God had not spoken.  What was God’s point in asking such a question? That they (the faithful) needed to adhere to the word of God rather than their own good intentions (note that neither David nor Nathan went and asked God what He wanted). 

With the age of social media came the age of “sharing” ideologies quickly.  When a 10 to 15 paragraph essay is posted (Bible passages included) and it is shared less than 3 minutes later, have we really stopped and considered the principles set forth by the author? Even if the original post is, in fact, accurate, are we truly being careful? Can we, in under 3 minutes, delve into the passages and their contexts to ensure the Scriptural validity of the post? Or are we merely being a modern day Nathan and saying “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you”?

If our approach to Scripture is to say that the Bible says this or that, but here are a whole list of reasons why we don’t have to be obedient to those passages, then are we being careful with the Bible? In the aforementioned example, David and Nathan realized their mistake and corrected it with God rather than digging in and trying to explain why what God said did not really apply.  Often with social media, we dig our heels in and continue to perform mental gymnastics to explain away what God has so clearly instructed.  Such argumentation was put forth by King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:15, 20-21; in that instance, Saul claimed to have obeyed the commandment of the Lord (which was clearly dictated in 1 Samuel 15:1-3), but then he made excuses for why King Agag and the best of the flocks had been spared.  Why? Because God did not really mean what He said! Again, what was the response? “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORD?” (1 Samuel 15:22, emphasis is mine).  Intentions mean nothing when they ignore what God has actually said; we are not more gracious, nor are we more intelligent than God.  In Isaiah 55:6-9, we read:

Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the Lord,

And He will have mercy on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

As we read posts that examine (or claim to examine) the Scriptures, we need to be careful with each and every one of them (this post included).  If the poster is explaining away what the Scriptures plainly teach, then they are not teaching the word of God.  If, however, they are “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) by showing how they are applicable to us (rather than claiming that they are not), then they can be accepted.  As John wrote, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).  Although John was addressing a specific false doctrine in this instance, we would be foolish to think that we do not have to test other doctrines as well (which is a principle established throughout the New Testament, but boiled down in 1 John 4:1).  This is, in fact, part of what Paul wrote to Timothy in the previously quoted 2 Timothy 2:15.  Let us be fair-minded (see Acts 17:11) rather than simply placing our stamp of approval (such as Nathan did).

"Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord?"

In our Wednesday evening Bible class, we're currently studying from 1 Samuel. One thought that came to mind today was the rebellion of Saul in 1 Samuel 15. Here are a few thoughts:

The command issued by God was not difficult to understand: "Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey" (1 Samuel 15:3). What was difficult to understand about this commandment? God detailed for Saul exactly what he was to do.

Perhaps it is a guilty conscience, but Saul greets Samuel later in the passage by saying, "I have performed the commandment of the Lord" (1 Samuel 15:13). Samuel responds in an epic way, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" (1 Samuel 15:14) Essentially, Samuel was saying that the evidence stood against Saul. And yet, Saul persists in his belief that he has completed the word of God (see 1 Samuel 15:20). Additionally, he blames the people (who were involved, of course) for the disobedience (see 1 Samuel 15:15) and even God Himself (see 1 Samuel 15:20).

How often do we do the same things today as Christians? And perhaps even for the same reasons? In 1 Samuel 15:17, Samuel said to Saul, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel?" The insinuation here is that Saul was at one point humble ("little in your own eyes") and that he had now changed. This change is indicated in 1 Samuel 15:12, the latter of which reads, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself..." Does our own pride keep us from obeying the simple commands of God? Do we seek a way around what God has so plainly commanded? Often, in our pursuit of intellectualism, we seek something "new." Does this not spring from our own pride? As is stated in the passage, "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22).

The question that should gain our immediate attention come from Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:19: "Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord?" Saul had the commandment of God. Was it the fault of God or the people that Saul did not obey? Or was it Saul's own fault? Saul says, "...because I feared the people and obeyed their voice" (1 Samuel 15:24). Sometimes it is all too easy to allow the unpopular positions of the Bible to be trampled because we want to be popular or to be accepted. Rather than giving in, let the question of Samuel resonate in our heads and hearts, "Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord?" If we have the commandments of the Lord, then adhere to them and care not whether it pleases men. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10, "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."

Does Our Soul Loathe This Worthless Bread?

Recently, in our Wednesday evening Bible class we’ve been studying through Philippians.  As part of this study, we looked at the life of the Apostle Paul and how the events of his life tied into many of the encouragements that are included in the epistle.  In today’s world the rise of social media brought with it a rise in publically airing our complaints and the day-to-day difficulties of our lives (it is likely that most, if not all, who use social media have fallen prey to this at some point or another, myself included).  However, Paul wrote a few things that should change our perspective as Christians concerning complaining and the need for being content.

The book of Philippians is ripe with quotable verses, many of which you’ll see held up on cardboard signs at football or baseball games.  For instance, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:8).  Was Paul expressing that Christ helps football players win championship games? No, rather he was expressing a much deeper sentiment; tie this passage back to Paul’s plight as he was writing the epistle.  In chapter one, we learn that Paul was in prison, that he was unaware as of yet whether he would live (physically) through the ordeal, and that he needed boldness to persevere. There is an important application, then, to what Paul was writing in Philippians 4:8.

Sometimes we couch complaints about our lives with such verses.  Often, it is expressed in manner such as the following (paraphrased):

Some days, it is good to know God exists. My A/C went out, and so did the oil pump on my truck.  My dog ran away, and my kid has a cold (which means I can’t sleep either!).  The hot water tank leaked all over the floor and my boss has been really hard to work with lately.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

All this really does is let everyone know how “hard” our lives are.  It is a way of complaining that expresses the complaint, but spins it in a way that appears godly-minded.  Is it really godly, or is it merely complaining like the Israelites in the Old Testament (see Numbers 21:5 for an example)?

If we study the life of Paul, we can glean the deeper meaning to many of his writings.  In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Compare this to 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 where we see the sufferings of Paul and how he endured them (note: Paul wrote of these sufferings not to complain, but rather to express a specific point and to refute the false “apostles” discussed in 11:13). 

Remember that Paul wrote that we are to do “all things without complaining and disputing” (the ESV uses “grumbling” rather than “complaining” in Philippians 2:14).  Grumbling means “a mutter of discontent: complaint” (Merriam-Webster) and can easily be connected to the previous reference in Numbers 21:5 (“…our soul loathes this worthless bread”).  In the context of Philippians 2:14, Paul was expressing that we live our lives in obedience and as lights in this world, which requires that we live contentedly and peacefully (please see the context).  If we are grumbling over the bad things in our lives and ignoring the blessings of God (think of how the Israelites were freed from slavery and provided with food in the wilderness, but complained over the TYPE of food that was given them), then are we living as such lights? Or are we telling God that we loath the “worthless bread” He has given us? If our concentration is on all the so-called bad things that happen in our lives, are we meditating on all the good things God has given us (see Philippians 4:4-9)?

Near the end of Paul’s list of his sufferings (see above for his rationale for including such a list!), Paul wrote, “…besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28).  In other words, Paul wrote off his own sufferings and was concerned more for the welfare of the church.  We should echo this concern! Similarly, in Philippians 2:25-30, Paul discussed the sickness that plagued Epaphroditus, who worried not about being in such a plight, but cared more that the Philippian brethren were so concerned about him.  Rather than complaining, Epaphroditus focused his attention beyond the immediate physical difficulties he was experiencing, which mirrors the attitude of Paul himself in Philippians 1:19-26.  Consider also the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  If Paul could refer to a physical death as a “light affliction” (think also of his list of sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11 again), then do we have room to complain in our own lives?

When Paul included a list of his own sufferings, it was not meant as a competition FOR complaining.  Too often today, complaints are used to show how much worse our lives are than someone else’s might be.  “Oh, that’s what YOU have to deal with? Well let me show you what I have to deal with!” Such perspectives are not Christian in nature.  Consider the words of Paul, who wrote, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).  This requires humility, which is an attribute that needs constant maintenance rather than viewing it as having been achieved (those who list themselves as humble probably are not so).  Paul went on to say that we need to have the same mind as Christ, who lowered Himself and became obedient (see Philippians 2:5-11). 

Finally, let us live out the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Do all things, as Paul wrote, without grumbling!

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Abomination

Recently, we studied the concept of "abomination" in a Sunday morning sermon here in Bozeman, MT.  Abomination means, "something regarded with disgust or hatred: something abominable" and "extreme disgust and hatred: loathing" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). This is a rather strong term to utilize, especially by God; if He says that something is an abomination to Him, then we should take note and avoid that which He hates and is disgusted by.

Paul wrote, "Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord" (See Ephesians 5:8-12). Clearly, if an action is an abomination to the Lord, then it would not fit the criteria discussed by the Apostle Paul. Further, John wrote, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:1). If we are the children of God, then that designation determines what we participate in and what we support. The term "pure" means, "free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes,” “containing nothing that does not properly belong,” and “free from moral fault or guilt" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Clearly, works identified as abominable to God are not pure (remember the description of sin in 2 Peter 2:18-22). If they are not pure, then Christians are not to partake in or condone such activities. Paul also wrote, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret" (Ephesians 5:11-12).

Our current society mirrors that which the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 1. Reading through that passage, it is clear that a society without God digresses into debauchery. Unfortunately, many today advocate for the sins discussed in that passage, which is contrary to Paul's command, "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." Sadly, it fits more with the Romans 1:32, "...who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." That is a sad, but sobering thought. It is best, then, to adhere to the admonition of "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). The King James translation reads, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil."

"Nor Did They Know How to Blush"

Jeremiah 8:10-12

Over the last few weeks, there have been numerous marches that have taken place in Washington, D.C.  One such march was the “Women’s March,” in which the following ideologies were promulgated: homosexuality, transgenderism, and “reproductive rights & justice,” among other agenda driven goals.  Some Christians chose to drive hundreds of miles in order to participate in this event and proudly wielded signs declaring not just their “tolerance” for the aforementioned ideologies, but their support of them.  These Christians argued that this approach should be used in hopes that someone might eventually obey the Lord, and therefore homosexual/transgender and “reproductive” rights were “stood up for” in the name of Christ.  Additionally, these Christians argued that this is exactly what Christ would want them to do and that the Bible supported this perspective.  Any opposition to this view was shot down as uncaring, unloving, and uncompassionate and any use of Scripture used to correct the view was condemned as a twisting.  Arguments such as these are nothing new.  In fact, the Corinthians were puffed up in their so-called tolerance for a brother in sin in 1 Corinthians 5.  However, did the Apostle Paul applaud their tolerance of sin or did he condemn it? The question was clearly answered in the context when Paul wrote, “And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:2).  To argue that the Apostle Paul, who was directly inspired by the Lord God Himself, would have condoned this man’s sinful lifestyle would be a blatant twisting of Scripture (reference also 2 Peter 3:16). 

To accompany the opening discussion, the argument is often made that Christ would not have wanted to offend those who might become Christians. It should be asked, do the Scriptures support this claim? One clear example is that of the “rich young ruler” in Matthew 19:16-22.  In this passage, Jesus dealt with the specific sin in which the young man was entangled: materialism.  Jesus instructed him on exactly what he would have to do, and that was to give up that which was separating him from God.  The young man “went away sorrowful” because he did not like the answer.  Did Jesus change the answer? Did Jesus comfort this man’s ungodly sorrow (reference 2 Corinthians 7:8-12)? The message was the same and Jesus did the man the service of being clear and forthright about what obedience would cost him.  John 6:60-66 presents another clear example of this principle.  In this passage, Jesus taught very difficult concepts and the result was the offending of many of His disciples.  In John 6:61, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked, “Does this offend you?” The indication is that the majority had been “offended” by His teachings, and we are told that from “that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66).  Those who chose to leave Him at this time were not justified in their walking away merely because He had “offended” them.  Hiding the truth under the guise of “compassion” is not compassionate in the least, but rather it is to the detriment of those who need salvation. 

What about treating sin as something disdainful? Often, people argue that it is more compassionate to not say anything than to address what sin really is in the eyes of God.  Sin is an abomination (see Proverbs 6:12-19 and 2 Peter 2:18-22), and not an “alternative lifestyle.”  The inspired Apostle Peter compared sin to “a dog returning to his own vomit” and “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”  Which of these depictions of sin leaves the impression with the reader that they are acceptable or something to be desired and advocated for? This is, in fact, how God sees sin.  Further, Paul wrote that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).  At what point in God’s wrath has He ever condoned sin? Paul also wrote that “God gave them up to vile passions.  For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful” (Romans 1:26-27).  While some argue that advocating for homosexual “rights” is the moral thing to do, Paul defined these as “vile passions.”  Vile means “morally despicable or abhorrent,” “physically repulsive: foul,” and “disgustingly or utterly bad” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).  How can something defined by God as morally despicable, abhorrent, disgustingly and utterly bad be the “moral” thing to advocate?

Additionally, Paul wrote that “they did not retain God in their knowledge” (Romans 1:28).  If we willfully choose to support sin when God has so clearly condemned it, then we have certainly not retained Him in our knowledge.  Paul continued the thought and wrote that, “God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting,” after which he included a rather extensive list of sins.  Paul did not call these sins “alternative lifestyles,” nor did he depict them as something to be advocated.  Rather, he stated that taking part in them was due to a “debased mind” that came from not retaining God in our knowledge. 

But what about supporting those who commit such sins? Can we not advocate for their “right” to commit these sins in hopes that they will one day turn to God? Paul actually addressed this in Romans 1 as well.  In Romans 1:32, Paul wrote, “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”  Advocating for sin is the approval of sin and clearly fits with what Paul wrote.  Earlier in Romans 1, Paul wrote, “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen” (Romans 1:22-25).  While some claim moral superiority and great wisdom because they advocate for such “rights,” Paul defined them as “fools” because they have corrupted the glory of God.  They have “exchanged the truth of God for the lie” in an effort to fit in and not “offend” sinful men.  In doing so, they have exchanged God for the worshipping and serving of the lustful desires of mankind.  Why does such happen? As Paul wrote, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

Contrary to an ever increasingly popular argument, standing opposed to sin is not a twisting of Scripture.  The passages utilized here clearly condemn sin and the advocating of such lifestyles, and these are but a few among many.  The twisting of Scripture is not, in this instance, found among those condemning such lifestyles, but among those who advocate for them.  For the words of Paul in Romans 1 to be misunderstood, they must be twisted.  Peter wrote concerning Paul that “untaught and unstable people twist” his words “to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” and he then warned us to “beware lest” we “also fall from” our “own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (2 Peter 3:16-17).  Finally, Paul wrote, “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 NKJV).  In the KJV, this is translated as “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”  Christians cannot advocate for sinful lifestyles and choices without partaking in such evils, and we are foolish to believe that such is acceptable to the Lord God above.  Such sins are not “what is acceptable to the Lord,” but they are rather “the unfruitful works of darkness” and it is “shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:8-14).