"...because we have  our hope set on the living God, who is the savior of ALL people..." 1 Timothy 4:10
1 Timothy 2:4
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Mercy, Grace, Kindness, Love

The Love of God and God's Purpose for Creation

Love of God

11/15/2020

 
    Our love of God can be measured. We can reflect on our lives each day and try to assess how much we love God. The way we love God, our Abba, can be seen and experience by others. Abba is probably the best word we can use to describe who God is to us more than any other. Abba is father and it is the way Jesus addressed his Father frequently and during the Sermon on the Mount Jesus called Abba, "your Father" and 
"my Father". I believe Jesus is attempting to get his hearers to understand the God, the God who sits in heaven in majesty and with great power, the one who commands deep awe and respect, is not just God, but is also their Father. Jesus is trying to bring them to a place where God becomes someone more to them, God becomes someone with whom they share a deep relationship. This is Abba.

​    A man asked Jesus a question in Mark 12, "what is the greatest commandment"? The man, a scribe, is looking for the shema as found in Deuteronomy 6 where God commands that Israel shall love God and Him only. In the Old Testament passage it declares, "hear o Israel", or "shema o Israel". But Jesus answers with something even further, he says their is a second commandment attached to the first which is to love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these. The scribe agrees, even though I am quite sure he was only looking for the first, and even steps up the conversation one more. The scribe not only agrees but adds that these are even more important than the sacrificial system. Perhaps Jesus answer recalls for the scribe Malachi 2 where the question is posed as to why Judah has been unfaithful to even its own. Maybe he is even thinking of Isaiah prophesying that coming judgment was not only for following after other gods, but because there was no justice. Justice meaning no care for widows, orphans, poor, sick, and the alien in the land. Elsewhere God found only bloodshed rather than justice and righteousness. God said that he was tired of their sacrifices and festivals. The scribe must have known these scriptures. 

   John, in his first letter, chapter 2, gives a "new commandment". This new commandment is not really "new", it is only new to his readers. New because John might have seen or heard that they were making wild claims about loving God while they still carried hatred for the brothers and sisters. John might be intending to limit this to certain group of believers, but we find more on this topic elsewhere. Paul also recited the Shema more than once, in different ways, but the intent is always the same, love others, all others. The song found in Philippians 2, about Jesus, is the shema of Jesus. Both Jesus and Paul declared that we are to love our enemies. How are we to love our enemies? The same way Jesus loved his, he went to the cross for them. Paul says we are living sacrifices for our Abba. We are not living sacrifices to atone for ourselves, we are such so that we can love as our Abba loves us. How does John say that we know who loves God, or is in the light? By their love.

   So, I can examine, or reflect, on each situation in my daily life and can know, how much do I love my Abba? According to Jesus, John, and Paul, I will know how much depending on how much I love others. Some might say it is easier to love God because of what his son accomplished, the love and therefor the gift. Even John says this, Abba was first, Abba initiates and we respond to him. This is a very important part of the believers life, the shema. Hear o child of Abba, he is one, and we love him with all of our heart, mind, strength, and all of our being, and we also love our neighbor in the same way we love Abba, completely. The shema accomplishes Abba's will on earth. I believe it is important for us to recite the shema everyday to remind us that we are chosen as separate from the world, we are lights that shine the love of God, of our Abba so the world might see him in us. The shema was not just for Israel, or Judah, or the Pharisee, it is for everyone. It is just what the world needs always, but especially wherever you are. 

Step Out of the Traffic

10/15/2020

 
Psalms 46:8-11 Brenton LXX 
(8) Come, and behold the works of the Lord, what wonders he has achieved on the earth.  (9)  Putting an end to wars as for the ends of the earth; he will crush the bow, and break in pieces the weapon, and burn the bucklers with fire.  (10)  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  (11)  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our helper.
 
    Be still and know. The Psalm is praising God for all that He is and has done. God is our fortress, a theme that recalls war and conquering armies of heaven. To the ancient Israelites God was called on for help in battling enemies and protecting their lands. This is what I find so amazing about this Psalm, it begins with God as a powerful protector against angry waves and shaking mountains, and nations in chaos. In most English translations God is said to have wrought great scenes of desolation and at his voice the earth melts. The scene is different in the Septuagint, the selection I chose. In this translation God has achieved wonders, miracles, things to look on and make the heart glad and still. Be still, have peace and comfort in who God is. God put an end to wars and broke the weapons used to sow chaos.
 
    God has taken the chaos surrounding Israel and brought peace to their hearts. This is a miracle. The word “miracle”, as used in the Septuagint, is found many other times, and was often used to describe the wonders that Moses and Aaron did before the Pharaoh in Egypt. God performed these miracles through two faithful men. Moses was in constant contact with God and expressed worry and self-doubt. Moses made it through with God’s mighty help, a refuge for Moses to get him through. Hebrews 11 tells us that Moses was faithful, he followed his Savior, he communicated with his Savior for strength and peace.
 
    When I read such passages I stop and wonder, at times, why I do not do the same? God is with me, always and yet I do not always call on Him for peace. Things around us are often chaotic and seem hopeless, strained, and impossible. It seems there is so much going on around us and it is too easy to forget that God is with us. The world takes over and we slip into the frenzy. God can do miracles. This is what Israel found out and what the Psalmist reflects on. Did the mountains literally shake? Was the water in an uproar and foaming? Did God cause them to cease their roaring and rumbling? No, this is all poetic prose. Israel had real enemies and fought very real battles. They suffered casualties and death, and lost land, and homes. But they sought help from their LORD, and according to Psalm 46, he brought them peace.
 
    Be still and know that God is with us. No matter what we are going through, God is our refuge. For us, the miracle might not be a dissolution of our situation, it might be as simple as finding a little peace and confidence. The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson offers a different take on verse 10; "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything." This is perfect, “step out of the traffic”. Sometimes stepping out of the traffic is exactly what we need. Step out and pray, for anything, just talk with your savior, your refuge that is within you, the bringer of peace. There is some terribly busy traffic in the world today and rather than letting the traffic overwhelm us, we should take some time and shut it off, or shut it out. Rather than merging with the traffic or opening a new path for it to flow, stand against it and stand firmly, with the peace of God. This is what we are called to do as believers today. The Kingdom of God asks us to stand in peace against the tides of chaos. So, not only should we get out of the traffic and pray for our own sanity, we should do it because it is our responsibility, and the way God wants us to conduct ourselves in the world. A people who shine bright in the traffic, full of joy and peace. 

"They Just Need Jesus..."

9/6/2020

 
    “They just need Jesus”, a phrase, or one like it, is often said when everything goes wrong. When a person commits a terrible crime. When a person is experiencing deep sorrow. When the world is a mess, like in the United States right now. When someone is an addict. “If they only had Jesus”, what? If they “had Jesus” would things be so different? Maybe, it depends on so much, on so many people. Am I saying that Jesus does not make a difference? Not at all. Follow me here before you label me as a heretic.
​
    We must not think of Jesus as a miraculous answer to all our problems, to all the world’s problems. Jesus is the answer, but not how we generally think or wish. Knowing or having Jesus is only the first part of the equation albeit a particularly important part, because as Paul says, Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Jesus is the foundation, not the building. I, and you, are the buildings and how these buildings are constructed is important and will have direct and lasting effects on our lives, and the lives of those around us.
Jesus is a miracle, but just calling on his name will not suddenly solve our problems. Problem solving takes work, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and time, often a long and hard time. Jesus can help you through problems, but not by just making them disappear.

    Near my home, there is a city in turmoil. It is not pretty, people are angry, and when a mass of people act out in anger, or sorrow, things can look chaotic and not peaceful.  I will not turn this into a political discussion or talk about my feelings on the matter because my aim here is much different. I am quite sure that some, if not many, of the protesters are Christians, or believers in Jesus Christ. I am also sure that some police are also the same, as well as some on the city consul or government. Many criminals have Jesus. So, I must ask, has their belief in Jesus, their being Christians, changed anything?

    As I try to answer this question, please do not assume that I do not believe in protest, because I do. People have the right to make their voices heard. This goes much deeper than what is currently happening. The problem goes back much further than the birth of the United States. See, the world has had Christians in it ever since Jesus walked this earth, yet, the world always seems to be in chaos in some part, or in whole. So, if Jesus is in us, why are all the problems not fixed? Why don’t they just miraculously disappear? The answer is not that Jesus is not in all of us, that would be too easy.

    The answer is found in the writings of Paul where he says that we must endure with patience and grow in character. The character we grow into is that of Jesus our savior, and the savior of the world, it is of Jesus in action. Part of the problem is that most of Christianity believes that God is control of everything, and in that line of thinking nothing can be done, so why try? We do try, but our trying is usually limited and once it gets too hard, we stop and “put it in God’s hands”. That will not do if we want to live in peace and justice. We might say that we can change the world, but are we? Some are trying, without a doubt, and some are trying hard and giving it their all, but most of us are not. Most of us give a little, and sometimes only occasionally. We need to give more, much more.

    I will say that God is control because I believe God is at work in the world, drawing people to Jesus. God has a goal and in the book Isaiah it is said that those goals will be accomplished; this is echoed by the apostle Paul. In his letter to Timothy, Paul said that God desires, wants, wills, and will see the salvation of all. But what is happening now, while God is working? If God is truly working why do things often seem a mess? The initial answer is easy, God has us. God has placed his spirit in us, God is in us. We are God’s temple. So, what does God want us to do? Knock on doors and try to get people to be “saved”? Stand on the street corner screaming at people that they are “lost”? These are the means that Christianity have been trying, largely, to save the world, at least in the United States. We have massive churches with tens of thousands of members, TV preachers that reach audiences of millions, and fill football stadiums with thousands during “crusades” and tours. Yet the world continues with problem after problem. Worse, we place our trust in faith in the government and politicians thinking that they will set us right. No, we live in a kingdom, and this kingdom has one king, he is Jesus.

    So, do they just need Jesus, yes, and no. Why, no? Because many already have Jesus. The others do need Jesus but why would they want Jesus if those that have Jesus do not look like it? What does it look like to have Jesus? Read the Sermon on the Mount. Read the Gospels. Read Paul’s moral and spiritual edifications. Read the prophets and learn what God means by justice. Read Philippians chapter 2. The reason we have problems is not because we do not have Jesus. The reason we have problems is because we do not live like we have Jesus; we do not live like we are in his kingdom. Jesus said the kingdom was at hand, it was, and it showed up in full soon after his resurrection and ascension. The apostle Paul said we are transferred into the kingdom; we are in it; we are its citizens. We are not transferred to a kingdom in the sky or heaven, we are here, on earth, in his kingdom. The kingdom is right here on earth, as it is in heaven. The kingdom is here now, not coming. We need to stop longing for the future and focus on the present. The present focus is not trying to convert people; the present is to show who Jesus is by working with him in the world. “In the world” is the key; stop trying to pretend like at any moment you will be whisked away in the clouds and start acting like every moment we live matters. Paul also said it would be hard work, that we would suffer with Christ. People do need the gospel, but believers living the gospel rather than speaking it will lead to less problems in the world.

​    Live the gospel, this is the answer. Life is the answer. Life in Christ is the answer. Jesus is the answer, not only in word or prayer, but Jesus in action. Yes, people need Jesus, but having Jesus is not enough, they need to live like they have Jesus. We need to live like we have Jesus and it starts not on the state or national scene; it starts with you and those in your immediate reach as you interact with them not by clobbering them over the head with bible verses, but by living out those verses. Let them see and experience and they will someday be showing, and so it will spread, and then we will have less problems. 

God with Us

8/27/2020

 
Exodus 17:1-7 NRSV
 
(1)  From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. (2) The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"
(3)  But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" (4) So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." (5) The LORD said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. (6) I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. (7) He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"
 
        Israel has been traveling for some time now. They are tired, hungry, and thirsty. They left a place where, though they were slaves and oppressed, it was all most of them ever knew. At least they had some access to food and water, the necessities. Now they find themselves wandering the wilderness, to them not much different than being in Egypt, a sophisticated nation and ordered society. They still felt oppressed but instead of man it was nature, the wilderness they traveled through was unforgiving, hot, arid, and dusty. It is easy to read this and say we would feel different, the thousands of years removed quarterbacks! I spent a short time in Saudi Arabia while in the Air Force and I can tell you that is extremely hot, in September and October. It is sand and rocks, lizards, spiders, and scorpions. I had regular access to all the modern amenities of food, water, and shelter with air conditioning. It is still hard for me to imagine such a large group of people, an entire nation, traveling as they were, with everything they owned. How many times would we have reached our ‘last straw’? The outcome seems natural, tempers grew hot, distrust became the norm, and they wanted answers.
 
        Moses is becoming the scapegoat. They vilified Moses. I imagine Moses was intensely afraid. Again, he is being questioned as to the purpose of this journey. Why are we here? Where are you taking us? They accuse him of having no plan, no idea to why they were in such an inhospitable land and position. Death is all that awaits us! They have no peace, no security, no hope. Have you ever wondered how much of God they even knew or understood? Obviously, there was something, but after years of slavery in a pagan nation there is no doubt that many did not know much about their God, Yahweh. They cried out from Egypt and were heard; Moses appears on the scene and great wonders and works were seen and heard of. Then finally they were free, and though they had God to follow, when something went wrong, it was Moses who they came to.
 
Trust Issues
 
        That was the error. They were relying on a man, a human being who existed in a broken human nature. A man who was still learning about their savior. Moses lost his composure with the people and in anger struck out against God. A defining moment in his relationship with Israel as a leader. A defining moment in his relationship with God. It is times like these a leader can lose leadership. Can you hear Moses in leaders that today begin to try and make sense of what is going on? They say things without thinking, they make themselves sound guilty and the more they talk the worse it gets. Moses, and Israel, are lost in the moment and there is not much that will ease the situation.  Can you hear them chanting against Moses? I am not sure how many they were, but it was in the high six figure range. Scary! Moses is truly frightened! He begins to try and appeal to their fear of Yahweh, it does not work.
 
        This is an important lesson we believer’s need to listen to. The mob mentality that seeks for someone to blame, at all costs. The threatening attitudes united in anger and hatred. Placing our trust and hope in another human being can lead to trouble, extreme trouble. Such situations lead us away from our Lord and into the state of the broken human nature (called the “flesh” by the apostle Paul) which readily takes over. Reason flies out the window and dangerous emotions take over. All of this can happen in varying degrees, whether the outcome is emotion or psychological pain, or physical harm and damaged property and communities, even death. On all levels, it is violence and chaotic, it is the opposite of the Spirit of God. We need to really on or savior and the Spirit given us for guidance and direction; this will always lead to peace and contentment, and any changes that need to take place will happen with trust.
 
They do not know God  
 
        After all the fledgling nation has seen of God, the miracles and wonders, the defeat of Egypt’s army, they still do not know who their real leader is. They still believe their leader is a man and not Yahweh. Moses was a great man, chosen by God to represent and lead them to their eventual home. Moses is similar the future judges, someone who calls out to the LORD for intervention and the people wellbeing. They lash out at Moses, and though they ask him where the LORD is, why isn’t the LORD here with us and taking care of us, Moses is the one in immediate view and the one who is about to take the brunt of Israel’s anger. If they knew their God, they would have approached Moses in a different way, with faithfulness and trust that God would provide. Instead it was in anger, and anger that transferred to Moses in his response.
 
The Response
 
        God responds, notwithstanding the anger and mistrust of His people, and provides them with water. The rock God used was a massive chunk of stone, it was no small boulder. Some believe today that a rock in the Sinai Peninsula, the rock at Horeb, found in the same wilderness that Israel was traveling through, is the rock that God made water to flow from. This might be possible, but I would not say for certain. The rock in question stands at 12 feet tall, 15 feet long, and 10 feet think. Moses struck it as instructed, and it split, pouring out water in quantities enough to water every person and animal.
 
        This situation should serve as a picture of Jesus and the future cross he was to bear. God told Moses that He would be standing before the rock. Just as God stood with His son on the cross. From that cross flowed streams of living water, just as would happen from the throne described in the book of Revelation. Jesus called to the festival goers in John 7.37, “all who are thirsty, come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink…”. At this point Israel had little belief, yet God showed grace and gave them living water.
 
The Cross
 
        Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10.1-4, that God feed them, guided them, and watered them. Paul says the rock followed them as they went and that the rock was Jesus. This was the second view of the cross in providing water, the first being at Marah, the bitter lake which Moses threw in a dead tree, and the water became sweet. This is how our Lord works, from the beginning of creation, with grace, mercy, and love. The book of John gives a few references of Jesus as the living water that humanity longs for and need. It is Jesus that we need. To the woman at the well Jesus said the water he gives
“will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." Water that we need not search for, it is always there, gushing in us.
 
        We need to search for Jesus throughout the entire bible. This is what Jesus told the two walking on the road in Luke 24, all the scriptures spoke of him. Jesus started with Moses and I have no doubt that this story was in their conversation.
 
God is with Us
 
​        God is with us, always. Jesus is with us, always. When do we quarrel with them? When we decide to join the mob (a mob of one, or a mob of many, the mentality is the same) and leave the water of life in the background. The way of the cross is the better way, always. This is what Israel never understood, even when the living-water stood in their midst, in physical form, as a man. They felt alone and abandoned, full of anger and resentment that was aimed at Moses. But God responded with grace, not anger. This was a missed sign; Moses would strike another rock, twice, in anger, for the same reason, in Israel’s near future. How could you do that Moses? The question should be how can we do that? Live in remembrance, drink from the gushing spring of Jesus, let him pour out of you to strengthen and draw others. Let us be who we are meant to be

Inheritance Part 4, (conclusion, for now)

8/25/2020

 

            So far, I have explored 3 different aspects of the inheritance Paul writes of in Ephesians chapter 1. The last aspect I would like to cover regards our inheritance as to being able to lose it. Paul discusses this in his letter, chapter 5 verses 1-5. It appears it is a possibility, a lost inheritance.
 
            Please take the time to read the entire chapter, at least through verse 21. I will highlight from these verses to gather the full force of what I believe to be Paul’s intent.
 
Ephesians 5:1-5 NRSV
(1) Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, (2) and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (3) But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. (4) Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. (5) Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
 
            God has a purpose for us, and to fulfill God’s purpose requires certain standards. These are not required for salvation, they are not needed to put you in God’s good graces, Christ has already accomplished this for us. But there are standards needed to be effective in manifesting God, manifesting love, to the world around us. The standards are extremely high, and I am quite sure all of us have missed them and will miss them many times. I strongly caution anyone who “longs for the good old days”, when everyone lived with such standards, there has never been such a time in our history. Living outside of these standards or living as the world lives, reduces the effectiveness of the message. To me this is self-explanatory however, we probably need reminding just like the early church needed reminding in Paul’s day. Imagine your world where everyone lived in such a way; it would be vastly different, but I believe that is the idea!
 
            What is our acceptable sacrifice according to Romans 12? It is us. This is exactly what God and Jesus gave, everything. This is what Paul is driving at in verses 1 and 2 of our text; imitate God because God is love and sent His son who also imitated his Father to perfection, straight to the cross. Throughout this chapter that is the theme. All the behaviors and poor character traits Paul lists are the direct effects of living for the self. The final example of marriage is the same, husbands give up yourselves for your wives, and wives for the husband. The other always matters most. What are these things? Drunkenness, foolishness, fornication, obscene and silly talk just to mention a few. I believe this is only a small selection Paul uses, other behaviors not mentioned also apply. We are to walk in light and truth and to walk in darkness is to walk in a lie because Jesus is truth and light.
 
            In verse 3 Paul uses the word must not do these things. This is not a suggestion; it is a commandment. Not only must we not do these things, we must not even talk about them. Let us go even further, we should probably not watch or read about them either. We must put an enormous distance between us and these behaviors and desires. These things are the results of our broken human nature and we are a new creation, created to be zealous for good works. Certainly, this is not easy, and God is so patient and full of grace; God knows who we are and is working in us if we would listen. God does not condemn any longer those who are His! God sees us as pure in Jesus Christ, therefore we should walk as those who are pure, and knowing how God sees us, would we lose our inheritance? If one loses it, we all lose it.
 
The Prodigal Son

            As an illustration, I would like to use the parable of the prodigal son. I believe there are some lessons in this parable that might help to answer this question.

Luke 15:12 CLV

(12)  And the younger of them said to the father, 'Father, give me the part of the estate accruing to me.' Now he apportioned to them the livelihood."
 
            I am not going to recount the entire story as it is so familiar to us. I used the Concordant Literal Version because it correctly tells that the younger son asked for his portion of the livelihood. The livelihood is more than money, it is the families means of living, it is their trade; imagine a farm, or a textile business. Whatever their trade was, it afforded them a comfortable life. They all worked and managed this business together; it was a large part of who they were. Eventually the business would be passed to the sons, and maybe their sons, and so on. When the younger received his share, he probably had to sell it to acquire the riches he desired. So, he was not only desiring to gain riches, but he was looking to get out of the family business.
 
            The second thing we see is the family business was apportioned to both sons. The younger did not just get his money and run, but the older brother also received his portion of the family business. We know from the story that the older brother stayed in the business with his father. The family business continues, and their livelihood is secured to some extent. We do not know who purchased the younger brother’s portion; it is possible it was the older brother or other family member, but this is only speculation.
 
            Younger brother now goes and does everything Paul said not to do in Ephesians 5. In effect, he has lost his inheritance by squandering it away in the world. He followed the passions of the broken human nature which is so powerful and tempting. He did not keep his passions on heavenly things, but on those of the world. He eventually returns humbly to his father and is received. The younger brother is reconciled to the family livelihood with joy, but only after he has died to himself. The older brother becomes truly angry and must be consoled by their father who makes a particularly important point in our topic of inheritance.
 
Luke 15:31 NRSV
(31)  Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
 
            The father still has much to offer. When the sons received their portion of the family livelihood it did not mean the father had nothing left. It was not as if the father had died and all his wealth was transferred. The transfer was of the livelihood, the family business. All that is the fathers is all that is both brothers. How the younger is brought into the family livelihood again is not stated, but he might have to work his way back in. Regardless, he is welcomed back with open arms. The father always has more to offer, and it is enough for all.  
 
Sermon on the Mount

            In Matthew chapters 5, through 7, there are instructions on how to inherit the kingdom of heaven (of God) with a warning of what happens to those who do not seek after it. Honestly, Paul implores us to do the same things as Jesus is asking his hearers to do. Paul models his life after that of Christ's, but with the total view of the accomplishments of the cross!
 
Matthew 7:21 NRSV
 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
 
            So, who can enter the kingdom? Elsewhere the disciples are worried that it is near impossible. I believe “the one” in this verse is singular. Some translations turn it into plural, as those who follow the principles laid out in the sermon of the mount will be allowed. I am not sure of this but remember that I am not a bible language scholar and am only a layperson but follow me for a moment. I do not believe there existed a person under the old covenant who could enter the kingdom. The kingdom was at hand, it was close. How was it close? I believe it was close in the way that people would soon be able to enter but that possibility was still a small way off. There was only one man who, at that moment, was able to enter the kingdom of God and that man was Jesus. The Jonathan Mitchell New Testament, an expanded version which is so valuable for study of the scriptures, says it this way.
"the one habitually performing the result or progressively producing the effect of the will, intent and purpose of My Father – the One within and in union with the heavens, and in the midst of the atmospheres – [will proceed entering]."  There was only one, Jesus Christ, and he eventually gave all on the cross so that all of those who believed on him and were found in him, could enter the kingdom!
 
            We have an inheritance. When I gave this series as a sermon, I stated that we probably could not be sure what the inheritance covered. After some more thought, I believe we can have some idea of what our inheritance is and will be. But as Paul says, he prays that we will grow in our understanding and experience; so, I believe that much will be learned as we progress in our lives in Christ. This progression is happening right now and may continue in the future realm.
 
What conclusions then can I draw? Here are four and there are probably others that you might find.
 
1- You have an inheritance- guaranteed, pledged through the Holy Spirit- through God's very breath. If it is guaranteed- if it is yours- how can it be taken away? It cannot.
 
2- Like the younger son, you have an inheritance- it is your livelihood, IT IS WHAT DEFINES YOU IN THE PRESENT- you are a child of God. Do not squander it away on darkness. This livelihood deserves only to be lived to its fullest possible potential while we walk this earth!
 
3- The only person who has ever, and will ever, live it to the absolute fullest is now sitting at the Father's right hand, Christ Jesus. There is not one single other person, ever, in all of history, out of billions and billions and billions, who is presently sitting, literally, next to God. As the next conclusion says, God does see my sitting next to Him in Christ.
 
4- Where are you, right now, in God's eyes, in God's mind? You are in Christ. Sitting right next to God. For all intents and purposes, the full inheritance is already yours, what will you do with it right now? This might be the biggest question I have asked myself of late- what will I do with it right now, in the present? It matters!
 
            What about those who will not inherit The Kingdom? Both Jesus and Paul say there are some who will not inherit, at least not yet. The parables of the lost things/people in Luke 15 tells us that God is seeking every single person in creation, and that God will not rest until everyone is safe in His arms. I believe this is the same as resting in His Kingdom. There is one way to gain entrance and that is through Jesus Christ. Only in Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord, can we be free of all the behaviors and poor character attributes Paul speaks of in Ephesians chapter 5. I believe Paul’s main point is that how we live today matters, it has wide ranging effects on those around us concerning the work of the Spirit.
 
 What matters now?
 
            I live in a kingdom; it is not controlled by any on this earth. It does not matter what is happening around me, I should have loyalty to one kingdom, and that is Christ's. This kingdom is based in the heavens, where my hope is, where my affections need to be. I see my inheritance as resting in a person- Jesus Christ. Not in anything physical, not in mansions or crowns, or gold streets. In the heavenly city, the “capital” of the Kingdom, is the throne which pours out a flowing river of life. That river is flowing all around us and through us. Someday, our full inheritance- quite possibly it is sharing in the full glory of God, will be realized, and that there is likely to be even more.
 

Inheritance Part 2

8/16/2020

 
         We are God's inheritance, just as Israel was during the old covenant. We are God's allotment, by the casting of lots, not by chance, but by and with purpose. God does not do anything without purpose, God is ordered ands does not wander aimlessly, everything has purpose. Everything is destined for purpose and reason, even when we yet might not understand what these might be. I believe the goal revolves around God being all and in all. Since humanity largely chose, and still chooses to live outside of God’s purposes, much of this goal is wrapped up in restoration. Restoration has been occurring in a slow and long transition since the first man and woman chose themselves over God.
 
            Paul says there were some where “the first to set our hope on Christ”. Who were these folks? I used to think we, the “church”, were the first. However, I now understand that we are a long way off from these people, and that their hope was to have immediate results and influence on those around them. Christ’s return was eminent!
 
Ephesians 1:11-14 NRSV
 (11)  In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, (12)  so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. (13)  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;  (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
 
              How were we made God's inheritance?  According to verse 11, we are made so “in Christ”. We could also say it is through Christ and his cross. We enter a union with Jesus, the anointed one. We enter a sphere of influence, so to speak, and this being permanent. This sphere of Christ allows us to enter union with the Father. The Father encompasses all, but we need to be in union with the Anointed one, Jesus, to effectually live and operate within the Fathers embrace. This how we are made, and receive an inheritance, now. But it was not always this way because before the cross, in the old ways or old realm of humanity, Christ had not yet come and accomplished this most important work.
 
            I believe it is important to understand the difference between the old covenant inheritance and that of the new. The reason of importance is the purpose of God behind the inheritance. God chose a man to begin God’s inheritance among humanity, for the specific purpose of brining the rest into God’s embrace. God embraced one man who eventually bore many, bore a great nation to be God’s inheritance. This nation, Israel, gained only part of their inheritance, land. They failed to reach goal and thus they missed out on their ultimate inheritance. But some, by faith, as Hebrews 11 proclaims, did reach more fully despite the absence of the cross, and as Hebrews says, they did not see the purpose fulfilled.
 
Peace with God
 
Romans 5:1-2 NRSV
(1) Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2)  through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
 
                   We have peace with God due to the faith of Jesus Christ! Due to his work! Due to his suffering, his endurance, his character, and his hope! So, we can follow in his example of suffering, endurance, character, and hope- God's work in us, through Christ. This is our hope. So, there were some faithful in Israel, and they mattered. The question is this, did Israel have peace with God?
 
            If we read through the Old Testament, we find God’s inheritance was rarely at peace. God’s inheritance was continually fighting against their purpose and working hard to be just like everyone else. God was incredibly patient, seemingly forgetting about them at times. Searching for the word “peace” in the Old Testament, it is found primarily within the books of prophecy. Most occurrences are as a vision of the future, others warn of false peace. A few of those speaking of future peace, in Isaiah, tell of the coming Messiah. Unfortunately, Israel not only failed to understand these prophecies, they also murdered the Messiah as Peter proclaimed in the book of Acts. The unfortunate events of A.D. 70 were the result of their failure.
 
            It is no wonder that Israel could never find peace with God. They were given a law which they could rarely keep. I believe the law they were given was not difficult but that they added to this law. The additions became so complicated that they were destined for failure. The reason was that Israel was never satisfied with the system of heaven that God offered. Israel’s system was filled with contingencies that required their own doing, doing, doing. Our own times are not always vastly different. Despite the peace with God that is ours, we still devise our own systems because we can not just accept that the cross has done it all. Life in God is meant to be full of life and enjoyment of God and others, but it becomes competition and pits us against each other and God.
 
            Jesus was the manifestation of the very character of God on this earth. God is love and this is what Jesus ultimately displayed and characterized, love. Anything that is outside of love is not of God. Some will say that we cannot comprehend God's love. While agree to an extent, I also do not agree to a larger extent. If there is no possible comprehension, then how can I possibly have any idea of how to live a life that if after God? How did David become a man after God's own heart? We want, or should want, to be a people after God’s own heart. The story of the relationship between God and Israel is an example of what not to do if one wants to be after God’s own heart. Paul, in Romans chapter 9, warns us that we should take this example to heart and understand that we are as capable of failure as Israel was. There is however a shinning difference, we are in Christ! We are in the anointed and as a result are anointed.
 
The Law
 
Matthew 5:17-20 NRSV
 (17)  "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. (18)  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. (19)  Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20)  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
 
            What 'law' did he come to fulfill? The law of God- love. The law on which every other law God gave hangs. The perfect law. The law that exceeds that of men. Any law that falls outside of the cross Philippians 2:5-11. I do not believe that Jesus came to fulfill the entire Mosaic law because it was not needed. The Mosaic law was never intended to be the absolute means of man reaching God. In fact, I believe much of this law may have been born in the hearts and minds of men rather than God. We have an example of this idea in the sermon on the mount.
 
 Matthew 5:43-48 NRSV
 (43)  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44)  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45)  so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. (46)  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (47)  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (48)  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
 
            Who was saying this? God was saying this as we know Jesus said everything he said and did came from the Father. I believe that here we have an example of God saying what God has always said, love others completely and wholly. There is one God, the same in the New Testament as in the Old. There are no contradictions in the heart of God. Was Jesus then contradicting his Father? No! Humanity has contradicted God at every possible turn. Israel could not fulfill the purpose of their inheritance because they relied on man written defilements of God’s law. They lacked faith in God and instead placed faith in themselves and the rest of humanity.
 
Romans 9:30-33 NRSV
 (30)  What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; (31)  but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. (32)  Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, (33)  as it is written, "See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
 
            I believe that we see the wrath of God at work in verse 33 of Romans 9. Israel’s need to follow their own desires, including laws that could never bring them to peace with God. God simply let them experience the outcome of their own actions and desires. Enter Christ Jesus and his cross, the end of the old ways, the ways of man. The beginning of the ways of God and Christ within us!
 
Romans 10:1-4 NRSV
 (1)  Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (2)  I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. (3)  For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness. (4)  For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
 
            Humanity is not capable on our own. Humanity without God is not enlightened. There is no "peace with God" from our end. Enter Christ- Romans 5 (one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture), enter peace! Peace is now not only possible, it is a reality, for all.
 
Setting Their Hope
 
            The nation of Israel, corporately, did not set their hope on Christ. But some of them did, those that finally understood through the apostles and disciples who taught them through the scriptures that Jesus was their true King and that the Kingdom was present. They understood that they had peace, both Israelites and gentiles. The idea of a corporate Israel being an inheritance to fulfil the purpose of God ceased. A transitional period had come, the exiting of the old covenant had come. These who were the first to place their hope on the Messiah had an important place in the fulfilment of prophecy to gain as many as possible out of corporate Israel and draw them into the arms of the Father before the eminent return of Christ. They lived for the praise of his glory! A new day was dawning. As Paul proclaimed, there was now one new man, no longer was there Jew or gentile. God’s purposes would be fulfilled in this new glory. The final destruction of the old occurred and now we to can have this hope in inheritance.
 
 Ephesians 1:13-14 NRSV
 (13)  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
 
            God chose a nation as His own inheritance with the goal of making everyone, all of creation, His inheritance. Has that goal changed? Israel was to be His people, but as Paul said not all Israel was of Israel. See, Israel was more of an idea than a nation. Today there is still a people of God with no divisions between them. That is us, and we are God’s inheritance with a purpose! All who believe are grafted onto the root, Jesus Christ. The result is a tree of incredible fruit which is ever growing and spreading over the entire world. God’s inheritance becomes ours, and the seal of the Holy Spirit is our pledge. 

Inheritance in Ephesians

8/5/2020

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I would like to look at the word "inheritance" as Paul uses it in his letter to the believers in Ephesus. This series of articles will be based on a series of sermons that I gave recently. Though the series had an end, it led to other questions which I hope to also turn into article form shortly.
 
        If we understand exactly what is being referred to, or what the desire of the writer is, we will gain a greater understanding of the work that God has accomplished, and is accomplishing, for us. As we will see, there can be differing thoughts on some passages of scripture. At times, it is the best we, as English-speaking people, can hope for. I believe this is o.k.! I also believe that as we are told, God will eventually give us understanding in all things, key word, 'eventually'. Differing thoughts can result in different translations of words and phrases which can help us gain a better understanding of what God is trying to tell us. We should not be afraid of this; we should embrace it. The lay person, like me, has access to an incredible amount of information to be used. This does not make us scholars, experts, or theologians, but it does help us to try and understand and to communicate, with God. What if someone comes up with a different thought than what we believe? Pray about it, search it out, and remain open, and do not rush to judgement. As believers, we have a uniting factor that outweighs everything else, that is the cross of Christ, the great unifier.
 
        Having said all that, I believe it is important to understand inheritance as Paul uses it as it involves thoughts of future or present glory regarding believers in Christ. Paul, as he said in Galatians, is a Hebrew. Paul was an apostle to the nations, but he always was addressing other Hebrews as well, some believers, others not. Often, examples Paul uses were found in the scriptures which were of course, the Old Testament and related to Hebrew folks. So, we will lean on the biblical understanding of inheritance as we progress.
 
        It is important that we ask, “what exactly are we inheriting?”. In Christianity we find many different responses to this question. I wonder if I took a poll, what would the answers be and what would be the diversity of opinions? If we are going to use this word inheritance, and make claims for ourselves, we should know. Are we inheriting crowns, gold, silver, precious stones and streets of gold? Is it a mansion just over the hilltop? Human minds in the physical realm will have predictable answers, seeking something we can touch and hold, things like riches. Will the better Christian inherit more than the one who lives less ‘perfectly’? These are valid responses and questions.
​
        Let us turn to the text in mind from Ephesians.
 
Ephesians 1:11-14 (NRSV)
 
(11)  In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, (12)  so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. (13)  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
 
            This is from the NRSV. If you have access to multiple translations (which you should!), you will find the most popular English translations agree, in various ways, with the NRSV. But, some do not. So, we must ask the question, why? Why, is important to ask!
 
            Let us start off with the word itself, "inheritance". G2820.
 
From Strong’s:
From G2819; to allot, that is, (figuratively) to assign (a privilege): - obtain an inheritance.
 
From Thayer’s:
1) to cast lots, determine by lot
2) to choose by lot
3) to allot, assign by lot
3a) on to another as a possession
4) in NT: to make a lot, i.e. a heritage, private possession
Part of Speech: verb
 
            Thayer’s refers use to the TDNT. You can find this set for very reasonable prices these days though it used to be awfully expensive. This dictionary set seeks to expose biblical words in the most extreme way by finding as many uses of the word in written history as possible, in addition to the biblical text. So, Aristotle uses it as "to appoint someone by lot". To Philo the word relates to orderly apportionment in the natural and moral world. In the scriptures, in the New Testament, it is only found once, in our text. We can also use the LXX to find related uses in the Old Testament, for a better understanding. The Greek word “inheritance” found in Eph. 1:11 is the only mention found in the New Testament, but it is also found 6 times in the Greek LXX which is extremely helpful. I will reference just three of these since the other three are redundant in meaning and use.
 
Joshua 21:4 (NET)
 
(4)  The first lot belonged to the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
 
            The first use of the word "lot" refers to the actual item used in "casting lots". Usually a piece of wood, with a name written on it. Several pieces would be used to represent all involved in the casting. Names would be written on or inside the lot which would be drawn in order to obtain the current assigned lot or portion. Sometimes stones were used and shaken in a container, the first to roll out was the winner of the assigned lot- for good or bad! Casting lots could also be used to assign a lot, or lots- not by chance, but given to a person or party, in this case, a tribe. The NET correctly states that the cities were "allotted", not by chance, but by assignment. Different uses today include: "it is my lot in life", meaning it was not chosen, it just is or that it was given for one to suffer or to work. Or property obtained, a lot of land. A parking lot is a property set aside for cars to park in. In England, or the U.K., as I learned from a gardening show, people can obtain an allotment to use for planting flowers or vegetables.
 
            So, the first lot was assigned to the Kohathite clans. The lot itself was given to the representative on hand as a means of the claim to the land which was tied to that lot. In this case, as the Levites did not directly inherit any land, their lot were thirteen cities found in the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. You can continue reading this passage for other occurrences of our word inheritance and find they are of the same usage.
 
            I will end here for now. The next article will move to Isaiah 17 for a further look into inheritance. This occurrence will expand the idea of inheritance and we will see how it is vital to our understanding of the idea being brought forth in Ephesians.
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The Tenants

9/26/2019

 
"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. 
(Matthew 21:28-32 NRSV)

I love the two parables in Matthew 21 regarding vineyards. Vineyards are a also used in the prophets as allegory or parable. A similar use by Jesus can be used beyond theological beliefs and opinions. There are simple truths to be gleaned from these parables, reminders of who we are as believers or followers of Jesus, whether in the context of Israel and the coming and present kingdom, or as we are in Christ. 

Jesus is addressing the religious leadership, those who are actually keeping people out of the kingdom. I would like to think at least some of them did so ignorantly, but I am sure others did so with intention. That is what is told here, in the parable of the two sons. The first says no, I will not work in the vineyard today, but later has a change of heart, a repentance. The second, I used to see as a liar, says yes but then also has a change of heart. Where the second was a liar, to me, I now can also see as one who truly desired to do the right thing but was swayed either by others or by the daunting task ahead. We could view both as believers, both see the suffering and sacrifice of the labor. One has some personal issues, taken from how Jesus answers with prostitutes and tax collectors, the lowest sinners, whether or not they are followers of Christ. The second seems to be in good standing.

I am sure in Jesus' day there were sinful followers. Today we are sure of it, though washed clean, we still have our faults. I have come to believe on principle that I can not say some faults are worse than others, in general sense. We all have them. I think this is one area we get in trouble as those who are suppose to manifesting the grace of God. In this first parable the point seems to be clearly made. The ones who first said no I believe to equated with the sinners. They went and worked to bring the harvest. Is sin important? Of course it is, but I see Jesus saying that in this case, it is the labor of the harvest that he is looking for, not the personal failings of the laborers. There is grace here. The second son, or group, is called out simply for not laboring. The apparent 'goodness' is left out of consideration. This no doubt angered the hearers. Jesus is saying that the sinner who labored go in ahead of the 'righteous', or more properly, the 'self-righteous'.

Unfortunately this is a common scene today, as it was then. We have all heard stories of those who are not followers that see the poor witness of a proclaimed follower and therefor are turned away due to hypocrisy. Can you see this parable from inside the fellowship as well? Paul warns of both behaviors as being detrimental to our calling throughout his letters. Jesus is looking to the inside, and warning, hoping for repentance. 

As there was grace towards the sinning laborers, we can find grace towards other biblical people as well. Abraham is mentioned in Romans 4, Galatians 3, and Hebrews 11 with praise for his faithfulness, his belief in God and his willingness to follow God. No mention is made of Abraham's failings, of which there were at least a few. God remembers Abraham for his faithful labor. This is the testimony we ought to follow. We should not be questioning others faithfulness based on outward appearances. There is no 'unfairness' involved. The evidence Jesus sought against the religious leadership was self-incriminating, not a position we should ever find ourselves to be in. Serve God as you are able and be thankful for the service of others, no matter your view of outward perceptions. 

Jesus mentions John the Baptist as having told both groups, all of the people, as such there is no excuse. I think this statement worsens the entire outlook for the religious and self-righteous. Here, they are told that they saw the others working. This in itself was a indication of what was being called for, the call of the kingdom looked for labor. These folks watched the labor of the first, the sinners, yet did nothing. They were still relying on their supposed righteousness to speak for them. Even though Jesus still calls the first sinners, I wonder if they had changed as they labored, as they grew in their purpose. The growth was not due to rules and regulation, but to experience through labor. Jesus uses their formerly known associations as further evidence of faithfulness and to drive home the parable. Jesus had more to say...

Our thoughts, our ways

5/5/2019

 

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, 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. 
(Isaiah 55:6-9 NRSV)

When we read about  what the people of Jesus day thought of God's kingdom, we read how the righteous will be in, while the wicked and evil sinners will be out. The people of  God were waiting for a kingdom on earth and many thought they had it all figured out regarding their standing towards God and the law. Many thought that their ways were on par with God's ways.  Jesus was sure to point out their error. Luke 18:9-14 offers a parable about one who thinks himself righteous, compared to one whom is seen as unrighteous.  The parable concludes with which man will enter into the Kingdom. The pharisees and elders found such ideas shocking.  In their minds, their thoughts, and according to their ways, only one as righteous as they would enter. Is this what God was thinking?  Besides the obvious lesson of how we judge others, I believe there is more to this parable, and what the LORD claims in Isaiah 55. 

Not God's Ways


What are the ways of humanity? What is the wickedness and evil that pushes us away from God? I believe that, as both Jesus and Paul summed up for us, all of the law boils down to two principles, love God with all your heart (think about what that even means), and love your neighbor, all of your neighbors. Over and over in the old testament we read of humanity, mainly Israel,  doing the complete opposite. It started with Adam and Eve, and continues right through today.  To love God with all your heart, and to love your neighbor, is justice. 

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. 
(Matthew 23:23 NRSV)

The pharisees lack the same three things that their ancestors lacked; justice, mercy, and faith. Exactly what is justice? When most people think of justice, they think of the law, they think of retribution, a long prison sentence, or even the death penalty. I think of the old west, justice often meant 'swinging from the end of a rope'. The term 'kangaroo court' comes to mind. Is this how God views justice?  What are God's thoughts and ways concerning justice?

I will offer one example, and then examine a few passages regarding Israel of the old testament and justice. 

Sodom and Gomorrah

The example I will use is of Sodom and Gomorrah. Most of the time when I read what others say about the destruction of these incredible cities , it has to do with sex. Mainly, homosexual.  This seems to be the primary  worry of Lot, and Lot does what seems right to do in Sodom, he offers his virgin daughters to a mob. Rarely do I hear anyone condemn Lot for offering up two innocents, to be raped, in general is that the mob wanted the men, who happened to be messengers, or angels. Certainly there is a complete lack of justice in this scene.  Take care of the aliens in your land,  Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9, Leviticus 19:33-34, are just a few examples out of many. Taking advantage of the alien in these cities was common place, possibly even the law.

Josephus, in his Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, said of Sodom, "they became unjust towards men, and impious towards God: insomuch that they did not call to mind the advantages they received from him: they hated strangers, and abused themselves with Sodomitical practices." Now, a Sodomitical practice is not a reference to what we call sodomy today, Sodomitical simply means what the people of Sodom practiced. They were unjust towards others. They hated strangers, not only that, but they were also unjust towards each other. 

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 
(Leviticus 19:34 NRSV)

So, God expected Israel to take care of the alien in their land, the expectation even covered what laws covered the citizen and the aliens; the law was the same for everyone.  God also expected them to love their neighbor, which includes aliens, as themselves. Did God expect the same from the nations? Yes. God heard the cry of injustice coming from Sodom and Gomorrah,  and the towns that surrounded them.  Have you ever stopped to think who the cry was coming from? It was not from those of the nations such as were among the Canaanites, and others. God was hearing from those that Israel was to claim the promised land from in the future. God cared about all of humanity, God sought justice from them as well. The land Israel was to eventually to settle lacked justice. The lands surrounding Israel lacked justice. Israel would be a beacon of hope, a land of justice, as an example to the world. God would work through Israel to bring justice. 

It is interesting now to read what God said about Sodom in Ezekiel. Anything about homosexuality is absent, though you might be able to put it under the heading of abominable things.  

 This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it. 
(Ezekiel 16:49-50 NRSV)

What I read here is injustice against human beings.  I want to include some writing from the book of Jasher. Yes, it is an extra-biblical book however, it may be useful for social and cultural historical understanding.  This book is mentioned in scripture, twice. Whether or not the book of Jasher we have available today is the original is not in question here.  There is truth as to how these people treated others. The following is highlighted to show the injustice done in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Jasher 19
And the cities of Sodom had four judges to four cities, and these were their names, Serak in the city of Sodom, Sharkad in Gomorrah, Zabnac in Admah, and Menon in Zeboyim. And Eliezer Abraham's servant applied to them different names, and he converted Serak to Shakra, Sharkad to Shakrura, Zebnac to Kezobim, and Menon to Matzlodin. And by desire of their four judges the people of Sodom and Gomorrah had beds erected in the streets of the cities, and if a man came to these places they laid hold of him and brought him to one of their beds, and by force made him to lie in them. And as he lay down, three men would stand at his head and three at his feet, and measure him by the length of the bed, and if the man was less than the bed these six men would stretch him at each end, and when he cried out to them they would not answer him. And if he was longer than the bed they would draw together the two sides of the bed at each end, until the man had reached the gates of death. And if he continued to cry out to them, they would answer him, saying, Thus shall it be done to a man that cometh into our land. And when men heard all these things that the people of the cities of Sodom did, they refrained from coming there. And when a poor man came to their land they would give him silver and gold, and cause a proclamation in the whole city not to give him a morsel of bread to eat, and if the stranger should remain there some days, and die from hunger, not having been able to obtain a morsel of bread, then at his death all the people of the city would come and take their silver and gold which they had given to him. And those that could recognize the silver or gold which they had given him took it back, and at his death they also stripped him of his garments, and they would fight about them, and he that prevailed over his neighbor took them. They would after that carry him and bury him under some of the shrubs in the deserts; so they did all the days to any one that came to them and died in their land.


How much does God love justice?

Notice how Israel is the sister, and that Israel has won the illustrious title of 'winner in the category of injustice' over Sodom. All of the commandments can be brought under two, love the Lord God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.  Why was Israel sent into captivity? Injustice.  See Isaiah 10:1-2 for just one passage, then seek out others throughout the prophets.  In Jeremiah 22  word is brought against Judah, they are implored to help the oppressed, the widows  and orphans, and to not bring violence against the alien.  In Jeremiah 22,  other people who pass the land will wonder why the LORD has punished them; the answer is that they did not worship the LORD or keep his covenant, which included justice towards others (verse 3). 

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 
(Micah 6:8 NRSV)

The word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying: Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. 
(Zechariah 7:8-12 NRSV)

God's ways and thoughts as given to us in the scriptures are clear. They were clear to Israel. Israel was not a beacon of hope to the world. Israel was worse than the world around it and after many warnings were finally dispersed. In God's kingdom are justice, mercy, and faith. We have the faith, as given to us by Jesus Christ. We are to be merciful as he was merciful to us. We are to seek justice as described by God in the prophets and throughout the Gospels and Paul's writings, loving one another, taking care of the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the alien. This is not a political statement, the politics of the world do not lead to justice, God's people should lead to justice. God's thoughts and ways should be ours. Paul says in Ephesians that we were made for good works. 

See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 
(1 Thessalonians 5:15 NRSV)

To always seek the good of others is work. It may be easy at times, it may be exhausting .  We may never see the fruits of our labor. But, it is what we are called to do. It is necessary to be prayerfully mindful, continually, of how we are perceived as children of God in the world. The great thing is, when there is less of us and our ways, and more of Christ and God's ways, there will be fruit, you can be a beacon of hope.











The Lamp and the Kingdom

4/28/2019

 

Matthew 5:14-16 NRSV
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 

These familiar verses from the sermon on the mount tell a truth we probably hear often as followers of Jesus Christ. The purpose of a light is generally  to shine in darkness so we can see. This seems fairly simple, walk into a dark room and turn on the light, it is no longer dark. The world is in darkness, we have the light and should be letting it shine, continuously. Jesus is asking that the listeners shine, everywhere. 

​Since I was very young, I have always been fascinated with the glow of towns, villages and cities at night, from a distance. Sometimes when driving at night, I make the  painfully obvious observation that the glow of different towns  are far apart but as I come closer to a town the light drowns out all of the other towns and villages. I do not know why this is such an attraction for me! But, it is exactly what Jesus was speaking too, on a grander scale perhaps.   Jesus speaks of the city on a hill, you can not hide it, especially at night in our modern electric day. The light shinning from that city is so brilliant that it can not possibly hid from view. Jesus says that they are the light, to all the world.

Before Jesus arrived, there was very little light.  The works seen were those of a man-made system, hundreds of requirements put in place by the religious elite. The very elite that were shutting people out of the kingdom with all of their outlandish laws and customs. When did they shine? After Jesus came on the scene. It was very bright, people literally came from miles away to see him. Thousands followed, Jesus. This was a taste, just the beginning of what was told in Isaiah 60:1-3.  We can see in the apostle Paul's ministry the light slowly spreading into the world. Jesus is still the light , but today he shines through us.  See, Jerusalem benefited from the source of light, and it shined regardless of those who tried to cover it. What about today? Does Matthew 5:14-16 apply? I believe it does, absolutely, with the difference being that the light was not to be hid while it shined forth directly from it's awesome source. 

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 
John 1:9 NRSV

The true light enlightens everyone. The enlightening was making known what we were to be, what humanity could be. Jonathan Mitchell has a very interesting note in John 1:4, Furthermore, the Light progressively came to be the life known as "humanity," and was for human beings; or: Then the life was existing being the light from the humans. This is the very light that we should not hide under a bushel, or under a bed, or in your heart and mind. Do you remember what Paul says? Imitate me as I have imitated Christ? This is the point of the light. If we are not allowing Christ to shine forth, then we are not shinning. We shine when we are step with the purpose. 

In Ephesians 5:8-9,  Paul shows us how we are to shine, in the Lord. We are no longer in darkness and as children of light we should live as such. Paul states that the light bears fruit, all that is right, all that is true and good. This describes Jesus. In Philippians Paul s writes that we shine like lights in the world. I like to see this as the celestial beings looking down on earth and seeing us shine, but do those in the world see Christ in us? 

One final thought on this for now. Matthew 25:14-30 offers a wonderful parable. Some servants are given talents (a lot of money!) to use and invest for the master. One man utterly fails. He hid the talent and the time he had it was wasted, for him and his master. I love how the Message Bible wraps this parable up:
"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. "'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. 
Matthew 25:26-28 The Message Bible

It is criminal, a terrible way to live, "play-it-safe", to not use what God has given us. The Light has been given to us. A record has been written and preserved to show us how to live as Jesus did. Is it criminal to hide the Light? I know one thing is sure, with you in command it will be hidden.  Most of us will naturally "play-it-safe". Jesus desires that we let go, and let him shine. The path he takes on will probably not be a "play-it-safe" path, but it will be the most rewarding and productive in God's ultimate plan for humanity.


"No one lights a lamp, then hides it in a drawer. It's put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see where they're going. Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don't get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room." 
Luke 11:33-36 The Message Bible




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