03/24/2019

I Cor. 13:1

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

 My concern today is the whole of this chapter. In literature it is probably as classical production the most important production. It is an ethical masterpiece and a spiritual marvel. The simplicity and the beauty is personally beyond explanation to me.

Love as it is understood in the Bible is the fulfillment of the Law. It is least of all things emotion. It is knowledge and commitment. And for it to be real and worthwhile it must begin with God. The definition for love, and it is definable, is the commitment to do good in every way possible for the object of the affections. This is both God's love and ours. Bear in mind the brother in

I John is not loved unless his needs are met. In Malachi Israel is loved because she has God's provisions and protection. Esau’s denial of long term survival is the evidence of God's hatred.

When the writer tells us, "Now abides faith, hope, love but the greatest of these is love," he is not comparing these in quality or quantity.  But all things fail with one exception.  Faith becomes sight.  Hope becomes reality.  Love never fails or ceases. 

Remember!  If you love now, you’ll love then.

03/23/2019

Mark 4:2-3

² And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ³ “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.

⁴ And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. ⁵ Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. ⁶ And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. ⁸ And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” ⁹ And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

These parables found also in Matthew and Luke cannot be overemphasized in their importance.

Mark, in 4:13, makes the understanding of the sower and the seed the test for understanding of all parables.  That being so, what are we to learn from this parable?

What do we know?  We know first that the sower is the same in every instance.  Secondly the seed is the same also.  The only difference is the ground and the reception the seed gets.

In three instances the reception is so undesirable that there is no fruit at harvest time.  There is unconcern and disinterest, there is enthusiasm but no commitment.  There is interest but no perseverance, and yet in the one instance of fruitfulness there is attention, commitment, and perseverance with the satisfying results.

The lesson of this parable is an overruling principle of the Kingdom.  “Fruitfulness in the Kingdom of God is determined by your attitude toward the Word of God”.  cf Mark 4:20.

²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

03/22/2019

Habakkuk 3: 17-19

¹⁷ Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
¹⁹ God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's;
    he makes me tread on my high places.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

I was a very new Christian when I first read this text. I thought then as I now think fifty years later that is beautiful poetry and one of the most noble sentiments I have ever encountered.

What a commitment this is. It is to say no matter what my external circumstances are I have joy in a source that is unchanging. He is not describing extras. These are necessities. Naked, hungry and in the cold my joy is secure. This is what I want but does my faith give me that confidence? No! The sufficiency of grace is the hope that is sustaining.

Philippians. 3:1-2. Any thought of joy should bring us quickly to Philippians as this is Paul's letter of joy. The joy of this statement is followed by an admonition to watchfulness. The need for careful observation and caution with the new boys on the street is always a wise concern.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Our joy is to be constant and it is to be our strength, but it is a joy on the battlefield. And as long as you are on the battlefield you keep your sentries in place.

03/21/2019

Matthew 3:1-6

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ² “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ³ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.’”

⁴ Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

John the Baptist is a prominent and from Biblical fact an important person. But if you look at the gospel story the whole account of John could be left out and nothing would be missed. It becomes important when it is put in the context of the prophetic presentation of the Christ. John does three things.

1. He fulfills prophecy. These put Jesus in both history and prophecy in the time in which he lived. This is the work of an inspired book. John is not only necessary but important in this inspired account.

2. It places Jesus in a particular historic moment. As a real person He was a cousin of John but not a friend or perhaps as it appears He had never met him. It was a time of great freedom of travel, worship, and industry. At the same time the ruler could have someone executed at a whim.

3. John and his family were testimonies to the faithful who remained in Israel. When God said to the prophet He would have His seven thousand, He still had them. John's contribution which included his life was significant only to this account until eternity.

03/19/2019

I returned from Florida Saturday and promptly fell ill with an old fashioned chest cold.  I got to an M.D. yesterday and today I’m mending quickly. In general promises are either conditional or unconditional promises.  The best he can do is say “if I live”.  He has no guarantee of life and he cannot give his promise.

God makes both conditional and unconditional promises.  Any promise of God that has an “if” in it is a conditional promise.  In the final chapters of Deuteronomy you will find conditional promises to Israel with the blessings that attend the promises if they meet the conditions.  But you can also find the curses they can expect if they fail to meet the conditions.

John 3:36 is an unconditional statement.  You can take this to the bank.

  ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

There is the fact that the believer has eternal or unending life.  This is not a conditional potential.  It is a present fact.  The unbeliever spends 24/7 with the determination of judgment before an Almighty Holy God and eternal destruction to follow.

03/14/2019

I'll be on vacation from my retirement until next Monday. I enjoy retirement so much an occasional vacation is demanded.

There is an earth destroying fact that is being ignored in the light of publicity that is being given to climate change. I do have a very simple question for the climate change fear mongers

But warming is not our problem. This old earth is going down under an ocean of garbage long before boil or bake. If you consider the ten largest cities on the earth and the garbage plus waste they produce each day, then add to that the ignorance and unconcern to even find or use an effective method of disposal and it is seriously frightening.

I once did the maintenance on a waste disposal unit for a 5000 population community. It was a 16" inch pipe running maximum capacity 24 hours a day. This does not include trash. Mexico City has 23,000,000 population and no concern. That’s scary!

03/12/2019

Matthew 6:9-10

⁹ Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

In verse 9 as Jesus begins this instruction the ESV translates it in this way, "pray then like this.”

 I am convinced, and I have never read a thorough student of Mathew’s Gospel that does not agree, that this is intended to be principles of prayer rather than a model prayer that we are to pray. Disclaimer: This is not a criticism of using a common reading of the prayer in a worship service.

 It is an acknowledgement of certain requirements that are recognized as necessities for true prayer. The first two are in these verses.

1.       Fellowship with God begins with a desire for the full realization of His work and witness. Whatever one’s understanding of the kingdom of God it is at least this. It does not matter if it’s present or future, our desire is that His kingdom prevails and that begins in us with our agreement and prayer

2.      The second is the agreement with the will of God. That is that we desire it, believe that it is best and commit ourselves to its accomplishments. “Your will be done” is your ultimate submission to God. It is the beginning of prayer.

03/09/2019

Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

I once worked for a company whose main products were caustic and chlorine. The source for these products was salt. We had salt ponds and salt mounds. I am familiar with salt and some of the products you can get from it.

Salt changes the taste of food. It is a preservative. It is abrasive and it is corrosive. And these are not the good features of salt. It can lose its ability to flavor and preserve, but it never loses its ability to destroy. Salt changes any environment--either for good or for bad. But even after it is no longer beneficial it is still destructive.

Christ's statement is that the believer is salt. Whether it is as flavor, or as preservative, or as abrasive, the Christian's responsibility is to change their environment and that for good. The recognition of the abrasive quality is but a recognition that the change we bring is not always appreciated.

Whether it be salt or light, with the introduction of this element a change has occurred. Change will most likely meet resistance. But the faith of salvation is the cross.

03/06/2019

Romans 2:1

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

Over the many years of being a Christian I am struck by the slight attention given to the principle in this verse.  The importance of it can be under-estimated.  It answers the question, “how are the heathens to be judged”.

It is a very simple formula.  What man knows he does not want others to do to him, he should not do to them.  He does not want others telling lies about him that hurt him.  He knows he should not do that to them.

He knows that whatever he wants others to do for him, he should do for them.  He knows if he is hungry he would like for someone to provide him nourishment.  He should do the same.  And this is the source of his judgment.

He will not be asked why he has not believed the gospel he has never heard.  He will be asked about the judgment he passed on another.  The accusation, true or false, he leveled against a thief,  and yet thought nothing of taking the overpayment in change returned from payment.  We know he knows.  He can accuse others.

I was told “Do for others as you would have them do for you” is not Scripture.  But it is.

03/04/2019

Acts 13:48

⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. ⁵¹ But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

This is a good translation.  The word “appointed” is in a Greek sense that will allow no other honest translation.  It must be the action of a third person who is actively carrying out a task of his own determination. It in no way can be attributed to the one who is the receiver or the one appointed. 

Though the translation is certain there are differences of interpretation.  Note:

1.      Vs 44 - There was a large number present, both Gentiles and Jews, and “when” the preachers, Paul and Barnabus had finished their message.

2.      The Gentiles heard this message, whatever transpires is a result of hearing.

3.      “As many as” notes the division between the ones present at this sermon.  There were some who believed and some who didn’t.  This difference is a result of the objective appointment.

4.      Vs 52 - The faith of the Gentiles, their joy accompanied by praise for God, and the unbelief with angry activity of the Jews brought joy and the further activity of the Holy Spirit in the church.

This statement in Acts 13:48 is non-sectarian and matter of fact.  It is not a considered theological pronouncement.  Here it is.  This is what happened.  God appointed.  Men believed.

03/01/2019

Matthew 11:27 II

²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Jesus states the Father’s method of Gospel revelation.

A.     Everything pertaining to salvation of the elect has been delegated to the Son.  Psalm 2 and Psalm 8 make this plain to the reader.  In Psalm 2 God has placed the Son in the position of authority in the Church to be the final arbiter of all things.

B.     The full and final revelation of God is given to Jesus.  He alone has the authority and ability to fully reveal God.  He not only has the right but He alone owns the will to determine who will have this privilege.

In every instance in which the Scripture speaks of who reveals God it is always Christ who is designated.  This statement in vs 27 is again stated plainly in John 1:18. 

¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

In II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15 and Hebrews 1:3, He is said to be “the image of God.”

This is a plain statement that He so perfectly represents God that to worship Him is no disobedience to the first commandment.

If John 17:3 has any meaning we understand that all saving knowledge is found in Jesus.  Not only is it found in Him, it is delegated to Him to dispense as He wills.  We do not find the human will here.

³ And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

02/28/2019

Matthew 11:25-30

²⁵ At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This is one of the greatest passages in the Bible.  It is also one of my favorites.  So let us begin with a brief analysis.

1.       Matthew 11:25-26  Jesus praises the Father for Sovereign oversight of Gospel revelation.

2.       Matthew 11:37  Jesus states the Father’s method of Gospel revelation.

3.       Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus states the Gospel invitation and why it should be heeded.

a.       The saving truth of God must be revealed.

b.      The saving truth is hidden from some.

c.       Jesus gives thanks for the exercise of this prerogative.

d.      The distinction of revealing and hiding has its ultimate cause—the will of God.

That the points listed above are the content of vss 25-26 can hardly be disputed.  They are stated in the words of the context.  Next comes the matter of interpretation.

The context appears to me to be a statement of God’s sovereign control of the means of salvation.  He hides and He reveals, therefore He controls the reception.

02/26/2019

I John 1:5

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 

In John’s first letter verses 1-2:2 are a preface.  In nothing that follows will John contradict what is in this preface.  Therefore when he writes in 2:9 that a believer does not sin it is in the context of 1:1-2:2.

1.      He does not walk in darkness. Whatever darkness may be, to me it is a moral evil, it is the opposite of the light of God.  This darkness is not the environment of one born of God.

2.      

He does not say he has no sin, “but” if he sins, repents, and receives the forgiveness and cleansing of conscience that comes from Christ.

3.    

  He does not say he has not sinned.  As he in 1:6 confesses an Adamic nature, in 1:9 he confesses polluted activity.  Those who claim sinless perfection butt heads with John here.  Through the years it has fascinated me to hear Wesleyans try to sophisticate 1:9.  John plainly says believers sin and if they deny it they are guilty of accusing God of lying.

4.      “And if anyone sins” is not an admission of human sin, but an encouragement to know and receive the provision made for that of faith in an advocate.

First we should know that a sensible man does not contradict himself in so short a statement.  Second John writes about faith and its benefits.  cf I John 5:4.