"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, Who is the Head, even Christ."
One of the greatest grievances to God (and, by extension, to those He calls as pastor/teachers) is believers who should be mature but still do not have their senses trained to discern spiritual danger. Paul knew the intense need for Christians (1) to move beyond gullible immaturity, becoming spiritual adults who are consistently stable; (2) to be alert to the schemes of the enemy; and (3) whose speech is replete with the truth, graciously given.
(1) Employing nautical imagery, Paul likens the immature Christian to a child adrift upon a storm-tossed sea. It is an ocean of doctrines, vast and varied, driven by the enemy's spirits for the destruction of the child's faith and testimony. To be anchored against such forces of drift, to become spiritually grounded in sound doctrine, requires ongoing diligence in study of the Scriptures for the purpose of increasing knowledge of the Lord Jesus (John 5:39). The greater the saturation of the truth, the greater the sensitivity to the false.
(2) Christendom is rife with false teaching and teachers. As in Paul's day, so today "works righteousness" in a myriad of forms permeates religious life. The most devastating teaching is not coming from the more obvious doctrine of cults and the like, but from the seemingly-orthodox ministries. Appealing to Scripture (giving the impression of soundness) interpreted to support their "grace plus" perspective, the false teachers render the cross of Christ needless, point their followers to themselves for authority, and do immeasurable damage to the body of Christ, as they give the false impression that works are necessary for salvation.
(3) For good or ill, everyone's mouth speaks from that which fills his heart (Luke 6:45). That upon which we think, meditate, ponder and dwell will be spoken. To mature, we must think the truth, speak the truth, and live the truth. No one produces godly fruit from error. The primary tool God has provided for this life-long quest is His Word (John 17:17), which is to be spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit, for the exposure and silencing of false teachers (Hebrews 4:12; Titus 1:11). In the delegated authority of our Head (Matthew 28:18), we are to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3), speaking Scriptural truth with the sincere desire for our hearers' salvation.
May our God grant grace to obey His Word, sensitive to His blessed Holy Spirit, as we have opportunity to speak His truth in love.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
Jude 3,4
"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."
With apostasy as its one theme throughout, the book of Jude is unique in the New Testament. Other writers make reference to it, of course, but only Jude devotes his entire letter to this important issue. Interestingly, his initial intention was to focus upon the salvation which is common to all the elect. Yet, the Holy Spirit impresses upon him the urgent need to, instead, exhort his readers to beware of apostates who have infiltrated their fellowships.
In so doing, Jude calls upon them to (a) know the faith, (b) exercise discernment, and (c) earnestly confront error.
(a) People act on what they believe... making sound doctrine of pivotal importance for godly living and acceptable worship of the living God. We either embrace and act upon revelation (God's Word) or speculation (our own ideas of what is right, wrong, and what God is like).
Jude's exhortation centers upon "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." The faith for which we are to contend earnestly is the body of truth known as the Scriptures. The sixty-six books are the completed and final revelation of God to His people, and the only Book containing God's promise of His infallible inspiration (II Timothy 3:16). The more diligently God's people know His Word, the better able they will be to earnestly contend for the truth to an unbelieving world.
(b) One of the greatest needs of the church today is discernment. As evidenced by the multitude of cults, apostate denominations, and sects, it is obvious that the enemy has been adroitly and insidiously planting tares among the wheat for centuries. At the same time he has cleverly used the infiltration of false brethren and teachers into the visible church, who have cast doubt upon the inspiration and literal interpretation of the Scriptures. Forsaking the divine authority of the Bible has contributed immeasurably to the decline in discernment, as well as spiritual-mindedness of the people of God. In our "information age," with its placing of a premium upon education and intellect, the church has by-and-large been intimidated into worldliness and conformity to the assumptions of a godless culture. An authoritative voice which evaluates society by God's Word has been largely lost, silenced into compromise and cowardice. Without determined commitment to the Bible as the Word of the living God, as well as unwillingness to submit to the Holy Spirit's operations, many of God's people move through their days blissfully ignorant of the continuous spiritual warfare raging on every hand.
(c) Consequently, there is relatively little interest nor intention to confront doctrinal error by believers today. "Live and let live" has become the mantra of this culture, and the church has absorbed the perspective into its very pores. "Who are we to judge?", and "Judge not, lest ye be judged," have been so widely communicated from world to church that we seldom search the Scriptures in context to discover the fallacy of such sentiments. Jude would call us to take God's truth seriously, both personally and corporately, and to love the lost enough to confront them with it. Truth is not popular today (and actually never has been), but we are called and commanded to speak it in love, consistently, courageously, with full conviction of the Holy Spirit. May He grant grace to increase our willingness and obedience!
With apostasy as its one theme throughout, the book of Jude is unique in the New Testament. Other writers make reference to it, of course, but only Jude devotes his entire letter to this important issue. Interestingly, his initial intention was to focus upon the salvation which is common to all the elect. Yet, the Holy Spirit impresses upon him the urgent need to, instead, exhort his readers to beware of apostates who have infiltrated their fellowships.
In so doing, Jude calls upon them to (a) know the faith, (b) exercise discernment, and (c) earnestly confront error.
(a) People act on what they believe... making sound doctrine of pivotal importance for godly living and acceptable worship of the living God. We either embrace and act upon revelation (God's Word) or speculation (our own ideas of what is right, wrong, and what God is like).
Jude's exhortation centers upon "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." The faith for which we are to contend earnestly is the body of truth known as the Scriptures. The sixty-six books are the completed and final revelation of God to His people, and the only Book containing God's promise of His infallible inspiration (II Timothy 3:16). The more diligently God's people know His Word, the better able they will be to earnestly contend for the truth to an unbelieving world.
(b) One of the greatest needs of the church today is discernment. As evidenced by the multitude of cults, apostate denominations, and sects, it is obvious that the enemy has been adroitly and insidiously planting tares among the wheat for centuries. At the same time he has cleverly used the infiltration of false brethren and teachers into the visible church, who have cast doubt upon the inspiration and literal interpretation of the Scriptures. Forsaking the divine authority of the Bible has contributed immeasurably to the decline in discernment, as well as spiritual-mindedness of the people of God. In our "information age," with its placing of a premium upon education and intellect, the church has by-and-large been intimidated into worldliness and conformity to the assumptions of a godless culture. An authoritative voice which evaluates society by God's Word has been largely lost, silenced into compromise and cowardice. Without determined commitment to the Bible as the Word of the living God, as well as unwillingness to submit to the Holy Spirit's operations, many of God's people move through their days blissfully ignorant of the continuous spiritual warfare raging on every hand.
(c) Consequently, there is relatively little interest nor intention to confront doctrinal error by believers today. "Live and let live" has become the mantra of this culture, and the church has absorbed the perspective into its very pores. "Who are we to judge?", and "Judge not, lest ye be judged," have been so widely communicated from world to church that we seldom search the Scriptures in context to discover the fallacy of such sentiments. Jude would call us to take God's truth seriously, both personally and corporately, and to love the lost enough to confront them with it. Truth is not popular today (and actually never has been), but we are called and commanded to speak it in love, consistently, courageously, with full conviction of the Holy Spirit. May He grant grace to increase our willingness and obedience!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Isaiah 30:18
"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him."
Three truths relating to our Lord's longing present themselves here:
I. He is characterized as wanting and waiting to be graciously compassionate toward His own.
II. It is right that He would long for His children so deeply.
III. Blessing is promised to those of His children who have His same yearning.
I. What a wonderfully-needed word for a weary soul! How good of our loving Lord to reveal His heart's yearning for His own. So similar is this to David's statements in Psalm 103: "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust," (vv. 8, 13, 14).
Lessons which come to mind:
a. I cannot disappoint my Father, for He knows me completely, knows that I am but dust. Nothing I do can ever catch Him by surprise, nor find Him making false assumptions about me. He has no unrealistic expectations which cannot be met.
b. He is never indifferent to me. The world about me often mocks the thought that God (if there IS one) would care one way or the other about this world, much less individual needs of the billions here. Yet the living God is as great in His minuteness as He is in His magnitude, and, as Paul reminded the Roman believers: "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (8:32)
c. My Father's eagerness to shower me with grace and compassion encourages me to pray! "Oh, Father! Heighten my sensitivity to the many ways You show grace and compassion to Your undeserving child. Call me and cause me to praise You, as You are worthy!"
II. The uprightness of the LORD proclaimed by Isaiah echoes Moses's lyrics as recorded in Deuteronomy 32: "For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He," (vv. 3, 4).
One of Satan's most potent and pervasive tactics to deceive mankind is to question God's character. At the very outset of interacting with humanity, he asked Eve, "Has God said...?" From then to now his character of skepticism has not changed, and his spirit of rebellion is at the heart of all doubting God's uprightness, justice, and goodness. We lapse into this same attitude when we complain, contrary to God's command through Paul: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing," (Philippians 2:14). "Disputing" refers to questioning God, negatively... to criticize Him, either verbally or in our hearts. Such a stance steals our joy, grieves and quenches the blessed Holy Spirit, and breaks our fellowship with the Father. The antidote for such a poison? Unconditional thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:20).
III. "How blessed are all those who long for Him." This is both an observation and a promise. The most satisfied, fulfilled, and completed people on earth are those who long for the living God. This longing is at the very heart of why we were created. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" Answer: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever." Enjoying God, responding in eagerness to His eagerness, is possible only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Being dead in trespasses and sins, (Ephesians 2:1), the natural man is without saving faith, incapable of pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6), considering the things of the Spirit foolishness (I Corinthians 2:14). Thus, it is understandable that such a one would avoid God's presence as much as possible.
What does NOT make sense is the child of God, bought by the blood of the sinless Son of God, who experiences little eagerness to fellowship with his/her Father. The only explanation is sin. Sin it was, that caused Adam and Eve to try to cover themselves and hide from God's presence... and it has the same effect today. Oh that we would continually refuse and forsake all that would hinder the fellowship our Father desires to enjoy with us!
Three truths relating to our Lord's longing present themselves here:
I. He is characterized as wanting and waiting to be graciously compassionate toward His own.
II. It is right that He would long for His children so deeply.
III. Blessing is promised to those of His children who have His same yearning.
I. What a wonderfully-needed word for a weary soul! How good of our loving Lord to reveal His heart's yearning for His own. So similar is this to David's statements in Psalm 103: "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust," (vv. 8, 13, 14).
Lessons which come to mind:
a. I cannot disappoint my Father, for He knows me completely, knows that I am but dust. Nothing I do can ever catch Him by surprise, nor find Him making false assumptions about me. He has no unrealistic expectations which cannot be met.
b. He is never indifferent to me. The world about me often mocks the thought that God (if there IS one) would care one way or the other about this world, much less individual needs of the billions here. Yet the living God is as great in His minuteness as He is in His magnitude, and, as Paul reminded the Roman believers: "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (8:32)
c. My Father's eagerness to shower me with grace and compassion encourages me to pray! "Oh, Father! Heighten my sensitivity to the many ways You show grace and compassion to Your undeserving child. Call me and cause me to praise You, as You are worthy!"
II. The uprightness of the LORD proclaimed by Isaiah echoes Moses's lyrics as recorded in Deuteronomy 32: "For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He," (vv. 3, 4).
One of Satan's most potent and pervasive tactics to deceive mankind is to question God's character. At the very outset of interacting with humanity, he asked Eve, "Has God said...?" From then to now his character of skepticism has not changed, and his spirit of rebellion is at the heart of all doubting God's uprightness, justice, and goodness. We lapse into this same attitude when we complain, contrary to God's command through Paul: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing," (Philippians 2:14). "Disputing" refers to questioning God, negatively... to criticize Him, either verbally or in our hearts. Such a stance steals our joy, grieves and quenches the blessed Holy Spirit, and breaks our fellowship with the Father. The antidote for such a poison? Unconditional thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:20).
III. "How blessed are all those who long for Him." This is both an observation and a promise. The most satisfied, fulfilled, and completed people on earth are those who long for the living God. This longing is at the very heart of why we were created. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" Answer: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever." Enjoying God, responding in eagerness to His eagerness, is possible only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Being dead in trespasses and sins, (Ephesians 2:1), the natural man is without saving faith, incapable of pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6), considering the things of the Spirit foolishness (I Corinthians 2:14). Thus, it is understandable that such a one would avoid God's presence as much as possible.
What does NOT make sense is the child of God, bought by the blood of the sinless Son of God, who experiences little eagerness to fellowship with his/her Father. The only explanation is sin. Sin it was, that caused Adam and Eve to try to cover themselves and hide from God's presence... and it has the same effect today. Oh that we would continually refuse and forsake all that would hinder the fellowship our Father desires to enjoy with us!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Holding to a Wednesday Crucifixion
In his book, "Wednesday Crucifixion", George Miller clearly presents this position and the biblical rationale for it. In summary:
"Mark gives us a clear and uncomplicated series of entrances of the Lord Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.
His first entrance had to be on a SATURDAY, or He would have broken the Sabbath by walking from Jericho to Jerusalem the previous day. "And they brought the colt to Jesus and put their garments on it; and He sat upon it. And many spread their garments in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. And those who went before, and those who followed after, were crying out, 'HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; HOSANNA in the highest.' And He entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking all around, He departed for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late," (Mark 11:7-11).
His 2nd entrance (SUNDAY) was as Priest. "And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple," (Mark 11:15, 16).
His 3rd entrance (MONDAY), [from Bethany, again] was as Prophet. "And they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and scribes, and elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, 'By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?' And Jesus said to them, 'I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 'Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.' And they began reasoning with one another, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'From men?' -- they were afraid of the multitude, for all considered John to have been a prophet indeed. And answering Jesus, they said, 'We do not know.' And Jesus said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things,' " (Mark 11: 27-33).
TUESDAY was the Preparation Day, and after the trials He was executed on the following day: WEDNESDAY.
NOTE: In fulfillment of Exodus 12:3, 5, 6, the Lord Jesus (as the sacrificed Passover Lamb [I Corinthians 5:7], was inspected for FOUR DAYS, from the 10th day of the month (a Sabbath day), to the 14th day of the same month.
Three days and three nights (like Jonah [Matthew 12:40]) He was in the tomb. He then arose from the dead on the first day of the week (our Saturday night), the Jewish first day of the week."
"Mark gives us a clear and uncomplicated series of entrances of the Lord Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.
His first entrance had to be on a SATURDAY, or He would have broken the Sabbath by walking from Jericho to Jerusalem the previous day. "And they brought the colt to Jesus and put their garments on it; and He sat upon it. And many spread their garments in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. And those who went before, and those who followed after, were crying out, 'HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; HOSANNA in the highest.' And He entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking all around, He departed for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late," (Mark 11:7-11).
His 2nd entrance (SUNDAY) was as Priest. "And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple," (Mark 11:15, 16).
His 3rd entrance (MONDAY), [from Bethany, again] was as Prophet. "And they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and scribes, and elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, 'By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?' And Jesus said to them, 'I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 'Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.' And they began reasoning with one another, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'From men?' -- they were afraid of the multitude, for all considered John to have been a prophet indeed. And answering Jesus, they said, 'We do not know.' And Jesus said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things,' " (Mark 11: 27-33).
TUESDAY was the Preparation Day, and after the trials He was executed on the following day: WEDNESDAY.
NOTE: In fulfillment of Exodus 12:3, 5, 6, the Lord Jesus (as the sacrificed Passover Lamb [I Corinthians 5:7], was inspected for FOUR DAYS, from the 10th day of the month (a Sabbath day), to the 14th day of the same month.
Three days and three nights (like Jonah [Matthew 12:40]) He was in the tomb. He then arose from the dead on the first day of the week (our Saturday night), the Jewish first day of the week."
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
The Challenge of Waiting
"Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes look to the LORD our God until He shall be gracious to us," (Psalm 123:2).
Sustained attentiveness is tough. The disciples who followed the Master into the garden of Gethsemane found it to be so. The day had been long, the evening intense, and by the time they entered the garden their fatigue was complete. Yet, there was more than the need for physical endurance involved… the spiritual warfare in unseen realms was raging around them, as Satan sought to thwart God’s salvation plan by overwhelming the humanity of the Savior. Their struggle and failure to provide the prayer support the Lord Jesus charged them with is understandable.
Sustained attentiveness is tough. The disciples who followed the Master into the garden of Gethsemane found it to be so. The day had been long, the evening intense, and by the time they entered the garden their fatigue was complete. Yet, there was more than the need for physical endurance involved… the spiritual warfare in unseen realms was raging around them, as Satan sought to thwart God’s salvation plan by overwhelming the humanity of the Savior. Their struggle and failure to provide the prayer support the Lord Jesus charged them with is understandable.
For, watching and waiting upon the
Lord elicit fierce opposition from the hater of our soul. Better than we,
he knows the spiritual power unleashed when the children of the Almighty give
Him their full & undivided attention. He better than we knows what's eternally at stake in the unseen regions around us, and spares no energy to thwart our persevering prayer.
Such opposition should spur us on to "pray without ceasing," surmising the eternal impact we can make for the sake of our blessed Lord's kingdom. Rather than becoming dismayed and leaving off praying, may the Lord use the very opposition, obstacles, and opportunities to quit instigated by the enemy to fortify our determination to "pray through."
Such opposition should spur us on to "pray without ceasing," surmising the eternal impact we can make for the sake of our blessed Lord's kingdom. Rather than becoming dismayed and leaving off praying, may the Lord use the very opposition, obstacles, and opportunities to quit instigated by the enemy to fortify our determination to "pray through."
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Psalm 46:10
"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
First, God commands us to be still, let go, relax. If we are to know the living God, our spirit must be free from the worries, anxieties and strife inherent within the world system. The prince of the power of the air incessantly seeks to sow seeds of discord, discontent, distraction, and destruction. He would have us stare at circumstances, dwell on situations, and be consumed with the cares of this world. And the degree to which we do so, is the extent to which we forfeit knowing God intimately and His peace personally.
Resting in the Lord is a byproduct of submission to His sovereignty. The greater our willingness to consider all of life as permitted by God's providence, the more consistently we will experience His peace. To the extent we chafe against His established throne in the heavens (Psalm 103:19), is the degree to which we lose His peace. Submission is an act of the will which may not be joyful, but sorrowful (Hebrews 12:11), yet the inner tranquility is peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Secondly, we are directly commanded by the living God to know Him. Contrary to the world's worship of the adage "know thyself" as the highest knowledge, the Creator of man asserts "know Me." Is this distinction crucial? Immeasurably!
Man in his ignorant arrogance is convinced that he knows his own heart, that it is a trustworthy source of truth, and therefore he needs no god (nor does he desire one). This perspective dovetails nicely with the prevailing notion of evolution, whereby it is denied that man is a creature (which implies accountability), and is seen as simply a highly-evolved animal. With the pervasive teaching of this God-excluding hypothesis to the point it is "generally assumed", the enemy of man's soul has enhanced the spiritual blindness of millions.
By contrast, the God who created mankind in the first place is the only One who really knows the heart of man: "I the LORD search the heart, I test the mind," (Jeremiah 17:10). Thus, being "intimately acquainted with all our ways" (Psalm 139:3), He knows that our greatest need in the quest to know ourselves is to know Him. In truth, the only way man gains correct perspective of his true nature is by knowing intimately the One who created him.
How is this possible? By looking to the Lord Jesus Christ in saving faith, who said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father," (John 14:9). The Lord Jesus, God personified, is "the exact representation of His nature," (Hebrews 1:3); only through Him can one begin to know the living and true God.
First, God commands us to be still, let go, relax. If we are to know the living God, our spirit must be free from the worries, anxieties and strife inherent within the world system. The prince of the power of the air incessantly seeks to sow seeds of discord, discontent, distraction, and destruction. He would have us stare at circumstances, dwell on situations, and be consumed with the cares of this world. And the degree to which we do so, is the extent to which we forfeit knowing God intimately and His peace personally.
Resting in the Lord is a byproduct of submission to His sovereignty. The greater our willingness to consider all of life as permitted by God's providence, the more consistently we will experience His peace. To the extent we chafe against His established throne in the heavens (Psalm 103:19), is the degree to which we lose His peace. Submission is an act of the will which may not be joyful, but sorrowful (Hebrews 12:11), yet the inner tranquility is peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Secondly, we are directly commanded by the living God to know Him. Contrary to the world's worship of the adage "know thyself" as the highest knowledge, the Creator of man asserts "know Me." Is this distinction crucial? Immeasurably!
Man in his ignorant arrogance is convinced that he knows his own heart, that it is a trustworthy source of truth, and therefore he needs no god (nor does he desire one). This perspective dovetails nicely with the prevailing notion of evolution, whereby it is denied that man is a creature (which implies accountability), and is seen as simply a highly-evolved animal. With the pervasive teaching of this God-excluding hypothesis to the point it is "generally assumed", the enemy of man's soul has enhanced the spiritual blindness of millions.
By contrast, the God who created mankind in the first place is the only One who really knows the heart of man: "I the LORD search the heart, I test the mind," (Jeremiah 17:10). Thus, being "intimately acquainted with all our ways" (Psalm 139:3), He knows that our greatest need in the quest to know ourselves is to know Him. In truth, the only way man gains correct perspective of his true nature is by knowing intimately the One who created him.
How is this possible? By looking to the Lord Jesus Christ in saving faith, who said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father," (John 14:9). The Lord Jesus, God personified, is "the exact representation of His nature," (Hebrews 1:3); only through Him can one begin to know the living and true God.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Heart of Hypocrisy: Saying & Doing
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," (Matthew 23:13).
The three offices held by the Lord Jesus Christ were: Prophet, Priest, and King. In this encounter with the scribes and Pharisees, He is speaking as Prophet, delivering seven oracles of judgment ("Woe to you") in this 23rd chapter of Matthew's gospel account. As Prophet He also spoke oracles of blessing (Matthew 5:3-11), but here declarations of condemnation.
Having begun by addressing the crowds and His disciples (v. 1), the Lord then turns His attention to the conservative religious leaders in verses 13 and following. Six times He includes the term "hypocrite" in His stern reference to them. He explains the basis for such a label in verses 2--12. Verse 3 summarizes His appraisal: "all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them."
Believer, the crying need for every conscientious Christian is for discernment... to be taught of the Lord the true state of his own heart. Rightly does Scripture declare that "the heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). The answer implied: no one. Only as He reveals our heart to us through His Word of truth will we rightly mourn for the hypocrisy there. The more intimately we know Him, (through prayer and meditation on His Word), the more deeply we love Him, the more intense our desire to please Him, then greater will be the consistency between what we say and what we do.
"Father,
You who are intimately acquainted with all our ways know perfectly the areas of hypocrisy in each and every one of Your children's hearts. We can deceive ourselves, and one another, but never You. Thank You for Your faithful Holy Spirit, who uses Your Word to reveal to us the depth of our depravity...increase our willingness to accept, confess and repent, as You show us our heart.
In the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen."
The three offices held by the Lord Jesus Christ were: Prophet, Priest, and King. In this encounter with the scribes and Pharisees, He is speaking as Prophet, delivering seven oracles of judgment ("Woe to you") in this 23rd chapter of Matthew's gospel account. As Prophet He also spoke oracles of blessing (Matthew 5:3-11), but here declarations of condemnation.
Having begun by addressing the crowds and His disciples (v. 1), the Lord then turns His attention to the conservative religious leaders in verses 13 and following. Six times He includes the term "hypocrite" in His stern reference to them. He explains the basis for such a label in verses 2--12. Verse 3 summarizes His appraisal: "all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them."
Believer, the crying need for every conscientious Christian is for discernment... to be taught of the Lord the true state of his own heart. Rightly does Scripture declare that "the heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). The answer implied: no one. Only as He reveals our heart to us through His Word of truth will we rightly mourn for the hypocrisy there. The more intimately we know Him, (through prayer and meditation on His Word), the more deeply we love Him, the more intense our desire to please Him, then greater will be the consistency between what we say and what we do.
"Father,
You who are intimately acquainted with all our ways know perfectly the areas of hypocrisy in each and every one of Your children's hearts. We can deceive ourselves, and one another, but never You. Thank You for Your faithful Holy Spirit, who uses Your Word to reveal to us the depth of our depravity...increase our willingness to accept, confess and repent, as You show us our heart.
In the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen."
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