I believe the first verse of this chapter has been taken out of context as much as any verse in the New Testament, particularly the first part of the verse. People believe that saying they believe that Jesus is the Son of God is enough to save them. Besides disregarding the thought of James 2:19-20, this also ignores the message of John both before and after this verse.
Remember that at the end of chapter 4 we are told we should love our fellow Christians; this is the true mark of discipleship. This thought is also continued in the following verses. We must be begotten of God. We can't be of God if we've not been born of God. Verse three plainly says that if we love God we will keep His commandments. The question many have trouble answering is which one or ones? His first commandment is for us to be born of Him in baptism.
These first five verses of chapter five can lead to a discussion of obedient faith. If one takes the position that baptism isn't necessary I still don't see how they can escape what is said here concerning the keeping of His commandments. Obviously there is action needed on our part.
Verse 6 is one of the more difficult verses to interpret in this letter. As a result, there have been many interpretations of these words. It's important to note that John says Christ came with (by) water and with (by) blood. The reference to water is referring to His baptism (Matthew 3:15). The mention of blood is referring to His death (John 19:34). Some say this refers to the water and blood which came from Christ's side on the cross. There would be no reason for John to write about that when he's laying out historical facts concerning Jesus.
Verses 7 and 8 tell us about the purpose of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the third witness after the water and blood spoken of in verse 6. (See Matthew 3:15)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A Reminder of Brotherly Love (First John 4:7:21)
The last half of chapter three deals with how we should show our love in what we do. The first part of chapter four instructs us on how to test what we hear concerning God; being aware of false teachers. John returns to his thoughts on love in the rest of this chapter.
Beginning with verse 7 and continuing through the rest of the chapter, John instructs us to love the same way Christ loved. Our love is a sign of our new birth in Him. It's the one thing that can't be faked.
The verb form of love in verse 8 is agapao, the present active tense of agapa. The meaning here is that the one who does not continue to love doesn't really know God. It's an ongoing part of our lives. The word know is an aorist active verb. That means the one not loving has never known God. Think about what that means to the one (hopefully not us) who claims to be a Christian but doesn't display their Christianity by showing love.
Verse 9 speaks volumes. It tells us that God loves man. That love was revealed by God giving His son. The purpose of that gift was so we can live through Him. That obviously disproves several points, namely that God was angry with mankind and sent Jesus to appease His wrath. It also shows that we didn't receive God's love because of Christ's death. We received Christ because of God's love.
With the use of the word propitiation (which we've covered previously) verse 10 tells us that God is loving to us. To have a proper sacrifice, one needs a priest to offer it and a victim to be sacrificed. Christ was both!
Verse 12 really goes hand in hand with verses 20 and 21. If God is in us, we show love to others just as He showed it to us. We obviously can't see God. We see each other and God dwells in our brothers and sisters. When we're loving them with the love of God, we are in essence loving God.
I can't help but think of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 when I read verse 13. I don't believe it's a coincidence that love is the first fruit listed by Paul; do you? We know the Spirit lives in us because we love God...and each other!
The word seen or beheld in verse 14 comes from the word tethametha and is a perfect middle verb. That means they saw with adoring wonder Jesus in the flesh. (See First John 1:1-3 and John 15:26-27) This verse refers to the whole principle of salvation; the blessings of atonement are available to all who will believe Him.
The next four verse recap points John has already made. The result of loving each other and God is that we will have boldness before Him. John taught this back in 2:28 when he assured us that we will have confidence. (See Matthew 25:34-30)
The flip side to this is revealed in verse 18. That goes back to the lack of confidence that unfortunately too many have regarding their salvation. If a person has fear about their salvation, it's time to look inward. The problem isn't God and a lack of love on His part. The problem is the one who feels fear. Perhaps then it's time to reexamine their love. I hope we all do that from time to time. Let's all look at our love for God and for each other.
Beginning with verse 7 and continuing through the rest of the chapter, John instructs us to love the same way Christ loved. Our love is a sign of our new birth in Him. It's the one thing that can't be faked.
The verb form of love in verse 8 is agapao, the present active tense of agapa. The meaning here is that the one who does not continue to love doesn't really know God. It's an ongoing part of our lives. The word know is an aorist active verb. That means the one not loving has never known God. Think about what that means to the one (hopefully not us) who claims to be a Christian but doesn't display their Christianity by showing love.
Verse 9 speaks volumes. It tells us that God loves man. That love was revealed by God giving His son. The purpose of that gift was so we can live through Him. That obviously disproves several points, namely that God was angry with mankind and sent Jesus to appease His wrath. It also shows that we didn't receive God's love because of Christ's death. We received Christ because of God's love.
With the use of the word propitiation (which we've covered previously) verse 10 tells us that God is loving to us. To have a proper sacrifice, one needs a priest to offer it and a victim to be sacrificed. Christ was both!
Verse 12 really goes hand in hand with verses 20 and 21. If God is in us, we show love to others just as He showed it to us. We obviously can't see God. We see each other and God dwells in our brothers and sisters. When we're loving them with the love of God, we are in essence loving God.
I can't help but think of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 when I read verse 13. I don't believe it's a coincidence that love is the first fruit listed by Paul; do you? We know the Spirit lives in us because we love God...and each other!
The word seen or beheld in verse 14 comes from the word tethametha and is a perfect middle verb. That means they saw with adoring wonder Jesus in the flesh. (See First John 1:1-3 and John 15:26-27) This verse refers to the whole principle of salvation; the blessings of atonement are available to all who will believe Him.
The next four verse recap points John has already made. The result of loving each other and God is that we will have boldness before Him. John taught this back in 2:28 when he assured us that we will have confidence. (See Matthew 25:34-30)
The flip side to this is revealed in verse 18. That goes back to the lack of confidence that unfortunately too many have regarding their salvation. If a person has fear about their salvation, it's time to look inward. The problem isn't God and a lack of love on His part. The problem is the one who feels fear. Perhaps then it's time to reexamine their love. I hope we all do that from time to time. Let's all look at our love for God and for each other.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Beware of False Teachers (First John 4:1-6)
In this passage John warns his audience to not only be aware of but also to test the message that false teachers bring to them. This warning certainly applies to us today. We're well aware of the Gnostics that taught falsehood in the first century. There were others that John warned his readers about. Asia Minor and especially Ephesus at that time were filled with magicians and mysticism. Heresy was rampant. The leaders of these cults claimed they were led by the supernatural. How many times have we seen this in modern times; people led astray by the likes of David Koresh or Jim Jones? Of course there are false teachers in the church today also even if they're not as extreme as the two men just mentioned. We need to guard against this. That's the warning in these verses.
I think it's important to note that John instructs his readers to "test the spirits" themselves. It's not the work a preacher. It's our responsibility. The only way we can adequately do this is to have a thorough knowledge of the scriptures.
When reading verse 2, remember the false doctrines in John's day that questioned the Deity of Christ. Others questioned His humanity. This verse like so many others in this letter refutes the Docetic Gnostics. The verb "is come" or "has come" is from a perfect tense verb. It indicates a past action with existing results.
The negative statement of verse 3 tells the same truth that verse 2 stated positively with the additional point that to refute the deity and humanity of Christ is to display the spirit of antichrist. It is possible to have the right spirit (love) of truth and still be in error. It's also possible to have the wrong spirit while knowing much truth. That's why it's so important that we have the right attitude AND stay grounded in the truth.
The word overcome in verse 4 is a perfect tense verb. That means the readers had previously made a decision about false teachers, rejecting them and the conviction of refuting them stayed with the readers.
As true today as when it was written, in verse 5 John points out the popularity of false teachers was due to the fact that their message suits what the world wants to hear. When we're surrounded by people like Joel Osteen who teach nothing but feel good lessons, the words of Paul in Second Timothy 4:1-4 need to be remembered.
I think the important message of verse 6 stems from the words, "We know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." That word know is a present, active verb. That means we keep on knowing God. We increase in our knowledge of God. If we don't continue to read and study how will it be possible for us to increase our knowledge? Faith is either growing or dying. There is no middle ground.
I think it's important to note that John instructs his readers to "test the spirits" themselves. It's not the work a preacher. It's our responsibility. The only way we can adequately do this is to have a thorough knowledge of the scriptures.
When reading verse 2, remember the false doctrines in John's day that questioned the Deity of Christ. Others questioned His humanity. This verse like so many others in this letter refutes the Docetic Gnostics. The verb "is come" or "has come" is from a perfect tense verb. It indicates a past action with existing results.
The negative statement of verse 3 tells the same truth that verse 2 stated positively with the additional point that to refute the deity and humanity of Christ is to display the spirit of antichrist. It is possible to have the right spirit (love) of truth and still be in error. It's also possible to have the wrong spirit while knowing much truth. That's why it's so important that we have the right attitude AND stay grounded in the truth.
The word overcome in verse 4 is a perfect tense verb. That means the readers had previously made a decision about false teachers, rejecting them and the conviction of refuting them stayed with the readers.
As true today as when it was written, in verse 5 John points out the popularity of false teachers was due to the fact that their message suits what the world wants to hear. When we're surrounded by people like Joel Osteen who teach nothing but feel good lessons, the words of Paul in Second Timothy 4:1-4 need to be remembered.
I think the important message of verse 6 stems from the words, "We know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." That word know is a present, active verb. That means we keep on knowing God. We increase in our knowledge of God. If we don't continue to read and study how will it be possible for us to increase our knowledge? Faith is either growing or dying. There is no middle ground.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Showing Our Love (First John 3:17-24)
If the welfare of our fellow Christians require that we give our lives for them (see verse 16) then certainly we can make smaller sacrifices which only involve "stuff". If we can't handle that then the love of God isn't in us. That's what this passage, particularly verse 17 is telling us. It's so easy to claim we'd die for someone we love. After all, how often will we really be confronted with that possibility? For some reason though, it's harder for us to live for those we love. I think that's the point John is making here.
Verse 18 is a summary of the ideas just talked about. It's John's way of saying just do it. Show your love. Don't talk about it.
If our love is on display in our actions, seen in our deeds and in truth, we know that we're in the truth. That's what verse 19 says. I also think it's putting into action what Peter writes in Second Peter 1:10.
The next two verses tell us that God is greater than our hearts. He forgives us easier than we forgive ourselves. I've covered that in previous posts but isn't that so important? If we're walking in the light as discussed in chapter one and if we believe what's written here than we can take down that spiritual tightrope so many of us have walked on. We have assurance of our forgiveness.
The verbs in verse 22 are all present tense verbs; all emphasizing continuous action. Whatever we keep asking we keep receiving because we keep on keeping His commandments and continue doing the things that please Him.
I think verse 23 could and should be considered one of the cornerstone verses in the New Testament. Too many of us act like we can do the first part of the verse, believing in Jesus without living the second part which is loving each other. This command is singular though meaning we can't have one without the other. It's impossible to separate faith and practice. Our belief MUST be based in love for it to be true belief and not just empty words. (See James 2:20, John 13:34, 15:12 and 15:17.)
Verse 24 is a reference to Christ's own words in John 14:23. This idea is also taught in Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:13-14. John also discussed this fellowship earlier in chapter 1 and verse 3.
Verse 18 is a summary of the ideas just talked about. It's John's way of saying just do it. Show your love. Don't talk about it.
If our love is on display in our actions, seen in our deeds and in truth, we know that we're in the truth. That's what verse 19 says. I also think it's putting into action what Peter writes in Second Peter 1:10.
The next two verses tell us that God is greater than our hearts. He forgives us easier than we forgive ourselves. I've covered that in previous posts but isn't that so important? If we're walking in the light as discussed in chapter one and if we believe what's written here than we can take down that spiritual tightrope so many of us have walked on. We have assurance of our forgiveness.
The verbs in verse 22 are all present tense verbs; all emphasizing continuous action. Whatever we keep asking we keep receiving because we keep on keeping His commandments and continue doing the things that please Him.
I think verse 23 could and should be considered one of the cornerstone verses in the New Testament. Too many of us act like we can do the first part of the verse, believing in Jesus without living the second part which is loving each other. This command is singular though meaning we can't have one without the other. It's impossible to separate faith and practice. Our belief MUST be based in love for it to be true belief and not just empty words. (See James 2:20, John 13:34, 15:12 and 15:17.)
Verse 24 is a reference to Christ's own words in John 14:23. This idea is also taught in Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:13-14. John also discussed this fellowship earlier in chapter 1 and verse 3.
How We Love (First John 3:13-16)
In this passage John contrasts love and hate. As mentioned earlier, this is a method John uses elsewhere in his writings to drive a point across. Previously in this book John calls his audience his, "Little children". Here they are called brethren or brothers. Considering the fact he just finished talking about brotherly love in the past passage, I don't think this is coincidence.
Verse 14 tells us that love for each other is what distinguishes children of God from children of the devil (see verse10). The obligation to love has been taught from the beginning of Christianity (verse 11). It's because we love love each other that we've "passed" from death; migrated or moved away from spiritual death.
There's an obvious and common misinterpretation of this verse. John is NOT saying this is "the" or even "a" condition absolving us from past sins. Our brotherly love is evidence of our certainty and knowledge of salvation. It's not the condition that saves us! It's the evidence we present based on the knowledge that we've passed from death to life. Guy N. Woods wrote the following about this verse. "This does not mean that love alone is the basis of our acceptance before God. What it does mean is that love is the base on which all other virtues rest."
The "does not love" of verse 14 is followed in the next verse with "whoever hates". This indicates the two are identical in meaning. John is showing that in the absence of love there is hate. It means that if we're not demonstrating love, we are demonstrating the attitude and spirit of a murderer. Murder is hate carried out in an action. John is saying without love we are carrying that hate. Wow! Ever think of it like that? Jesus Himself forbade the attitudes that lead to murder in Matthew 5:21-22. Unnecessary anger violates in spirit the command not to murder.
The "we know" in verse 16 is a perfect active verb. That of course means it's from an investigation of the facts that we come to possess the knowledge of love. Beyond the obvious importance this gives the passage, this was another way John was able to take a shot at the Gnostics who thought only they possessed knowledge. The phrases "laid down" and "lay down" in this verse come from the same word used in John 10:11, 17 and 18 when Jesus talks about the good Shepherd. It's telling us that we know love. We know what it is from seeing Christ display it for us. (See Second Corinthians 5:21, John 3:16 5:13 and Romans 5:18.)
I can't remember if it this is from Guy N. Woods or Tom Miller. I apologize for not having it in my notes but concerning the part of this verse that tells us that "we also ought to lay down our lives..." we know that Christ's death was the greatest possible proof of love. If we imitate Him as we should, the same evidence of love which prompted Him will be seen in us. The willingness to give what one has for the sake of others is the essence of true love.
Verse 14 tells us that love for each other is what distinguishes children of God from children of the devil (see verse10). The obligation to love has been taught from the beginning of Christianity (verse 11). It's because we love love each other that we've "passed" from death; migrated or moved away from spiritual death.
There's an obvious and common misinterpretation of this verse. John is NOT saying this is "the" or even "a" condition absolving us from past sins. Our brotherly love is evidence of our certainty and knowledge of salvation. It's not the condition that saves us! It's the evidence we present based on the knowledge that we've passed from death to life. Guy N. Woods wrote the following about this verse. "This does not mean that love alone is the basis of our acceptance before God. What it does mean is that love is the base on which all other virtues rest."
The "does not love" of verse 14 is followed in the next verse with "whoever hates". This indicates the two are identical in meaning. John is showing that in the absence of love there is hate. It means that if we're not demonstrating love, we are demonstrating the attitude and spirit of a murderer. Murder is hate carried out in an action. John is saying without love we are carrying that hate. Wow! Ever think of it like that? Jesus Himself forbade the attitudes that lead to murder in Matthew 5:21-22. Unnecessary anger violates in spirit the command not to murder.
The "we know" in verse 16 is a perfect active verb. That of course means it's from an investigation of the facts that we come to possess the knowledge of love. Beyond the obvious importance this gives the passage, this was another way John was able to take a shot at the Gnostics who thought only they possessed knowledge. The phrases "laid down" and "lay down" in this verse come from the same word used in John 10:11, 17 and 18 when Jesus talks about the good Shepherd. It's telling us that we know love. We know what it is from seeing Christ display it for us. (See Second Corinthians 5:21, John 3:16 5:13 and Romans 5:18.)
I can't remember if it this is from Guy N. Woods or Tom Miller. I apologize for not having it in my notes but concerning the part of this verse that tells us that "we also ought to lay down our lives..." we know that Christ's death was the greatest possible proof of love. If we imitate Him as we should, the same evidence of love which prompted Him will be seen in us. The willingness to give what one has for the sake of others is the essence of true love.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Being Righteous...Part Two (First John 3:7-12)
One of John's techniques is to state his points repeatedly to drive the message home. That is true in verse seven when he begins the thought by addressing his audience as "Little children"; the same term of affection he used in 2:1 and 2:18. "Let no one deceive you" restates the same point he made in 1:8, 2:18, 26 and 3:1-3. It doesn't matter if one says they are righteous. The litmus test is whether one does righteousness. The old adage of show me don't tell me rings true here. Once again, John uses the present tense of a verb. In this verse practices or doeth is a present tense which means we're to keep on doing it. We are to continually practice righteousness.
"Just as He is righteous" or "even as He is righteous" depending on your translation, doesn't mean that we will attain the same level of righteousness as Christ. It means that He is the model or pattern of righteousness that we should attempt to follow.
In verse 8 John says that if you live a life of habitual sin you're of the devil. You demonstrate your relationship to the devil by conforming to his character instead of conforming to the character of Jesus. An evil heart is deliberate, willful and persistent. It means you mean to sin purposely. If you live as the devil, you are considered as belonging to the devil.
I have the following statements in my notes. I'm sorry I can remember who wrote it so I can't give credit where it is due. Someone said, "The wisest, greatest and best characters of whom we read in the scriptures never laid claim to sinlessness in this life but on the contrary exhibited the weaknesses common to humanity and often confessed them with penitence and shame." Abraham, David, Peter and Paul come to mind.
The verb in verse 9, "does not sin" comes from poio, a present active verb. It means the person does not keep on doing sin. Here John is restating what he wrote in verse 6. What is "His seed" that remains in us? The word of God (Luke 8:11). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." (Colossians 3:16)
Why can't a person born of God with His seed in him live a life of continuing sin? The seed (word of God) is in us. If it's in us it's what controls our lives and directs our actions. Children of God don't use sin as the guiding principle of their lives. Read Romans 6:1-6. From that we know we've died from sin, risen from baptism to live a new live and have been delivered from sin.
Verse 10 relates to what's just been said. It also follows the thought written in 2:29 and 3:4. If we don't have the love for our brothers that we're supposed to have, it means we don't have the same Father. It excludes that unloving person from the family. Again, there is no gray area in John's writings. We're either on God's side or the devil's side.
John's readers had heard the message of verse 11 since the beginning of their knowledge of Christianity. This is a cornerstone principle of Christianity. (John 13:34-35, John 15:12-14 and First John 2:7) I hope we've known this from the beginning of our walk with Christ.
In verse John again compares and contrasts. In an interesting note, John uses the word sphazo here where we read murdered or slew. That verb literally means to butcher, to slit the throat with a knife. Genesis doesn't tell us how Cain killed Abel. It may be surmised from John's use of this word that this is the way Cain did it. What we do know is that Abel made his offering by faith. Cain's offering was rejected because it violated God's instructions (Genesis 4:5-7). Cain murdered his brother. Therefore Cain hated his brother. Hate is a characteristic of the devil and his children. Therefore Cain was of the devil. Guy N. Woods wrote in his commentary on this verse, "Basic in every difficulty and dispute between brethren today is the absence of brotherly love." Think about it. There's not a problem or dispute that's ever torn a congregation apart or separated Christians from each other that didn't stem from this.
"Just as He is righteous" or "even as He is righteous" depending on your translation, doesn't mean that we will attain the same level of righteousness as Christ. It means that He is the model or pattern of righteousness that we should attempt to follow.
In verse 8 John says that if you live a life of habitual sin you're of the devil. You demonstrate your relationship to the devil by conforming to his character instead of conforming to the character of Jesus. An evil heart is deliberate, willful and persistent. It means you mean to sin purposely. If you live as the devil, you are considered as belonging to the devil.
I have the following statements in my notes. I'm sorry I can remember who wrote it so I can't give credit where it is due. Someone said, "The wisest, greatest and best characters of whom we read in the scriptures never laid claim to sinlessness in this life but on the contrary exhibited the weaknesses common to humanity and often confessed them with penitence and shame." Abraham, David, Peter and Paul come to mind.
The verb in verse 9, "does not sin" comes from poio, a present active verb. It means the person does not keep on doing sin. Here John is restating what he wrote in verse 6. What is "His seed" that remains in us? The word of God (Luke 8:11). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." (Colossians 3:16)
Why can't a person born of God with His seed in him live a life of continuing sin? The seed (word of God) is in us. If it's in us it's what controls our lives and directs our actions. Children of God don't use sin as the guiding principle of their lives. Read Romans 6:1-6. From that we know we've died from sin, risen from baptism to live a new live and have been delivered from sin.
Verse 10 relates to what's just been said. It also follows the thought written in 2:29 and 3:4. If we don't have the love for our brothers that we're supposed to have, it means we don't have the same Father. It excludes that unloving person from the family. Again, there is no gray area in John's writings. We're either on God's side or the devil's side.
John's readers had heard the message of verse 11 since the beginning of their knowledge of Christianity. This is a cornerstone principle of Christianity. (John 13:34-35, John 15:12-14 and First John 2:7) I hope we've known this from the beginning of our walk with Christ.
In verse John again compares and contrasts. In an interesting note, John uses the word sphazo here where we read murdered or slew. That verb literally means to butcher, to slit the throat with a knife. Genesis doesn't tell us how Cain killed Abel. It may be surmised from John's use of this word that this is the way Cain did it. What we do know is that Abel made his offering by faith. Cain's offering was rejected because it violated God's instructions (Genesis 4:5-7). Cain murdered his brother. Therefore Cain hated his brother. Hate is a characteristic of the devil and his children. Therefore Cain was of the devil. Guy N. Woods wrote in his commentary on this verse, "Basic in every difficulty and dispute between brethren today is the absence of brotherly love." Think about it. There's not a problem or dispute that's ever torn a congregation apart or separated Christians from each other that didn't stem from this.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Being Righteous ...Part One(First John 3:4-6)
The theme of this passage is stated in verse 29 of the previous chapter; doing righteousness is proof of our new birth. The first three verses of this chapter give positive aspects of is and develop that theme. This passage shows the impossibility of reconciling sin with this new birth and the fellowship we have with Christ. John has previously told us what the fatherhood of God includes. Here he tells us what it excludes. Keep in mind the fact that the word righteousness means right doing.
Verse 4 talks about those who sin or "miss the mark". It's a general term that includes all forms of wrong doing. "Commits" or "doeth" are present tense verbs. That's important. Remember that a present tense verb refers to continuous, ongoing action. That means John is writing about habitual sin; one living in sin. Remember also how this was needed at the time this letter was written. The Gnostics thought their supposed superior knowledge made them immune from God's law. They thought God didn't count sin against them. This is disregard for God's law. We look at sin as only falling short of the mark but it also encompasses going beyond the mark as well as was the case with these Gnostics. We need to remember to purify ourselves.
Verse 5 gives us two more reasons we aren't to continually sin. First, Christ was manifested or made known to take away sins. Secondly, in our example (Christ) there is no sin. (Matthew 1:21) The verb "take away" is an aorist verb (single action) also found in John 1:29. It carries with it the idea of a burden or load that's lifted so it won't crush the one carrying it. If we continue to walk in sin, we erase what Christ did. In Titus 2:14 Paul expresses the same thought.
The thought expressed in verse 6 is one of John's favorite ideas; us abiding in Him. It can be found in the Gospel of John in 5:38, 6:56, 14:10, 15:4-7 and in this book in 2:6, 10, 14, 17, 27, 3:6, 25, 4:12, 13, 15 and 16, 19 times. Abiding is a perfect tense verb which means we keep doing it and sin not. This is also reflected in 2:24, 3:9, 5:18 and Third John 11. The writer is NOT saying that one who abides in Him can't commit a single act of sin. This would conflict with First John 1:8. Also, if that were the case, he would have used an aorist tense verb representing a single act.
The meaning of this verse is that the one who settles into a permanent existence in Him has quit their former manner of living. It means we're no longer engaged in persistent and habitual sin. For the lapses that do occur we're given First John 2:1. This verse is also evidence that one who continues ongoing, sinful conduct is giving proof that they've not been saved. This goes back to the antichrists discussed in chapter two. I'm reminded of the bumper sticker I see from time to time that says, "Christians aren't perfect. We're just forgiven." These verses prove that.
Verse 4 talks about those who sin or "miss the mark". It's a general term that includes all forms of wrong doing. "Commits" or "doeth" are present tense verbs. That's important. Remember that a present tense verb refers to continuous, ongoing action. That means John is writing about habitual sin; one living in sin. Remember also how this was needed at the time this letter was written. The Gnostics thought their supposed superior knowledge made them immune from God's law. They thought God didn't count sin against them. This is disregard for God's law. We look at sin as only falling short of the mark but it also encompasses going beyond the mark as well as was the case with these Gnostics. We need to remember to purify ourselves.
Verse 5 gives us two more reasons we aren't to continually sin. First, Christ was manifested or made known to take away sins. Secondly, in our example (Christ) there is no sin. (Matthew 1:21) The verb "take away" is an aorist verb (single action) also found in John 1:29. It carries with it the idea of a burden or load that's lifted so it won't crush the one carrying it. If we continue to walk in sin, we erase what Christ did. In Titus 2:14 Paul expresses the same thought.
The thought expressed in verse 6 is one of John's favorite ideas; us abiding in Him. It can be found in the Gospel of John in 5:38, 6:56, 14:10, 15:4-7 and in this book in 2:6, 10, 14, 17, 27, 3:6, 25, 4:12, 13, 15 and 16, 19 times. Abiding is a perfect tense verb which means we keep doing it and sin not. This is also reflected in 2:24, 3:9, 5:18 and Third John 11. The writer is NOT saying that one who abides in Him can't commit a single act of sin. This would conflict with First John 1:8. Also, if that were the case, he would have used an aorist tense verb representing a single act.
The meaning of this verse is that the one who settles into a permanent existence in Him has quit their former manner of living. It means we're no longer engaged in persistent and habitual sin. For the lapses that do occur we're given First John 2:1. This verse is also evidence that one who continues ongoing, sinful conduct is giving proof that they've not been saved. This goes back to the antichrists discussed in chapter two. I'm reminded of the bumper sticker I see from time to time that says, "Christians aren't perfect. We're just forgiven." These verses prove that.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Being Like Jesus (First John 3:1-3)
We've previously been told that those who are born of God practice righteousness or right doing. In this chapter John tells us about the blessings that come by having that relationship with God. (See also John 1:12-13) John begins this chapter with behold, pay attention. He wants the reader to pay attention to the love given to them. The manner of love refers to the quality of God's love which we all know about from John 3:16. "
After speaking about the world earlier, John again here in verse one says, "the world does not know us because it did not know him." Knowing Him or us is obviously more than having a superficial knowledge. It's the acceptance of Him. (John 5:18-19)
Verse two should be one of the most uplifting verses we read. We are children NOW in spite of the world. The fact that, "it has not yet been revealed what we shall be" doesn't change our present status. The revealing or manifestation referred to here is obviously referring to the second coming of Christ. The facts that we, "shall be like Him" and, "we shall see Him as He is" should encourage us all. Think about it; we're going to appear as Jesus appears!
Guy N. Woods in his commentary on this book published by the Gospel Advocate sums up the feelings this verse should inspire in us. "The glorious anticipation of being like Him should prompt us to utilize every faculty we possess in His service, and thrill us with the prospect of awakening in His likeness. To be like Him is to be as He is, in both spirit and body. It is to partake of His glorious characteristics of mind and heart of soul and spirit; to come into possession of the spiritual graces which are His. It is to be like Him in purity, in holiness, in kindness and in love; it is to share with Him the complete approval of our Father and God. It is, further, to be like Him in body; to possess the immortal nature which He possesses, and to be no longer, as He is no longer, subject to death." (page 258 Woods, Guy N. New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1983)
Woods also goes on in that same passage to relate a story of a group of converts in a distant land. When they are translating the Bible into their own language, they stopped when they came to this verse. They didn't think a promise like this could be possible for sinful man. They decided it was too much and said, "No, let's write that we'll be allowed to kiss His feet!"
This passage concludes with the reminder that if we have this hope, we will purify ourselves. Just as we've seen previously in John's letter, this verb is a perfect tense verb; it's ongoing. We will continue to purify ourselves. With a promise like this, why would we not?!
After speaking about the world earlier, John again here in verse one says, "the world does not know us because it did not know him." Knowing Him or us is obviously more than having a superficial knowledge. It's the acceptance of Him. (John 5:18-19)
Verse two should be one of the most uplifting verses we read. We are children NOW in spite of the world. The fact that, "it has not yet been revealed what we shall be" doesn't change our present status. The revealing or manifestation referred to here is obviously referring to the second coming of Christ. The facts that we, "shall be like Him" and, "we shall see Him as He is" should encourage us all. Think about it; we're going to appear as Jesus appears!
Guy N. Woods in his commentary on this book published by the Gospel Advocate sums up the feelings this verse should inspire in us. "The glorious anticipation of being like Him should prompt us to utilize every faculty we possess in His service, and thrill us with the prospect of awakening in His likeness. To be like Him is to be as He is, in both spirit and body. It is to partake of His glorious characteristics of mind and heart of soul and spirit; to come into possession of the spiritual graces which are His. It is to be like Him in purity, in holiness, in kindness and in love; it is to share with Him the complete approval of our Father and God. It is, further, to be like Him in body; to possess the immortal nature which He possesses, and to be no longer, as He is no longer, subject to death." (page 258 Woods, Guy N. New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1983)
Woods also goes on in that same passage to relate a story of a group of converts in a distant land. When they are translating the Bible into their own language, they stopped when they came to this verse. They didn't think a promise like this could be possible for sinful man. They decided it was too much and said, "No, let's write that we'll be allowed to kiss His feet!"
This passage concludes with the reminder that if we have this hope, we will purify ourselves. Just as we've seen previously in John's letter, this verb is a perfect tense verb; it's ongoing. We will continue to purify ourselves. With a promise like this, why would we not?!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Living A Pure Life (First John 2:28-29)
Once again John starts a point with "little children", his term of affection for his audience. He's making a point and by addressing them this way, seems to be wanting to really get their attention. He wants to talk about having confidence when Christ appears. Let's look at those two points; Christ coming and us having confidence at that time.
The New King James reads, "when He appears."The Critical Greek Text words it, "if He appears". If instead of when was in the Greek. This indicates John's uncertainty as to when. This confirms Mark's teaching in Mark 13:32. John knows this will happen. He just obviously doesn't know when.
When that appearance does take place we should, have confidence (New King James) or boldness (American Standard and others). We also should not be ashamed. Confidence or boldness comes from the Greek word parresia meaning freedom of speech, the right to speak out as one thinks. This was an important concept in ancient Greece. It was used to talk about their privilege as free citizens which was something they cherished. The point here is that when Christ returns we will be able to stand confidently before God and know we're free to express our position. That's a pretty unbelievable thought for us isn't it? We think of the return of Christ as being something that would leave us speechless. Yet we have the right to feel the way John expresses in this verse.
The word ashamed here comes from a word which means to grow pale or to change color out of shame. Those not prepared to meet God as described in Second Thessalonians 1:7-9 only have this to look forward to. Not much of a choice is it?
At first glance it seems that verse 29 is talking about Christ. Never in scripture however is one ever described of being born or begotten of Christ. It's always God. (First John 3:9, 18 and 4:7) This is telling us that the person who does right is doing it as a child of God; not to become one. If you've read the earlier posts about the Greek verb tenses I'll bet you can guess what tense is used here. It's a present active verb again meaning it's something ongoing; something we continue to do. We must keep on doing good. That should be pretty easy if we know it will result in us having confidence on that final day when so much of the world will be left without a defense.
The New King James reads, "when He appears."The Critical Greek Text words it, "if He appears". If instead of when was in the Greek. This indicates John's uncertainty as to when. This confirms Mark's teaching in Mark 13:32. John knows this will happen. He just obviously doesn't know when.
When that appearance does take place we should, have confidence (New King James) or boldness (American Standard and others). We also should not be ashamed. Confidence or boldness comes from the Greek word parresia meaning freedom of speech, the right to speak out as one thinks. This was an important concept in ancient Greece. It was used to talk about their privilege as free citizens which was something they cherished. The point here is that when Christ returns we will be able to stand confidently before God and know we're free to express our position. That's a pretty unbelievable thought for us isn't it? We think of the return of Christ as being something that would leave us speechless. Yet we have the right to feel the way John expresses in this verse.
The word ashamed here comes from a word which means to grow pale or to change color out of shame. Those not prepared to meet God as described in Second Thessalonians 1:7-9 only have this to look forward to. Not much of a choice is it?
At first glance it seems that verse 29 is talking about Christ. Never in scripture however is one ever described of being born or begotten of Christ. It's always God. (First John 3:9, 18 and 4:7) This is telling us that the person who does right is doing it as a child of God; not to become one. If you've read the earlier posts about the Greek verb tenses I'll bet you can guess what tense is used here. It's a present active verb again meaning it's something ongoing; something we continue to do. We must keep on doing good. That should be pretty easy if we know it will result in us having confidence on that final day when so much of the world will be left without a defense.
First John 2 20-27 (Without Antichrist)
I covered the topic of antichrist in my last post. This time we'll look at the other verses in this section of the chapter that deal with other points.
Verse 20 gives three promises; the original audience had an annointing, it was from Christ and it's result was that it allowed the annointed to, "know all things." The word annointing here comes from the Greek word chrisma, an oil or ointment rubbed on the skin.
This verse would have given the original audience of this book a great feeling of importance considering their state of mind in being worn down by the false teachings of the Gnostics. Annointing had traditionally been reserved for kings (I Samuel 10:10), priests (Exodus 29:7) and prophets (Isaiah 61:1). Jesus of course was their annointed one (Acts 4:27). To be told that they had an annointing from their Annointed One just reinforced what John had said previously. He wanted their, "joy to be full."
This was a miraculous annointing. It relates to taking on the Gnostics, the antichrists. This is proven in verses 26 and 27. If it were not miraculous and they truly knew all things then John wasn't anymore inspired than they would have been. What would have made John so important and special?
Verse 21 is a comment on the verses surrounding it about antichrist. The lie John talks about is the lie of the Gnostics, the antichrist since they are liars. It reaffirms to them that they know the truth.
In verses 22 and 23 John talks about Jesus and God. If you reject one you reject the other. He gives both the negative and positive implications here.
Read verse 24. What had they, "heard from the beginning"? Truth, the gospel (love) they had learned about earlier. The word abide was covered in a previous entry. It's from the word meno meaning to settle down and live as in one's permanent home. Let the truth abide or settle down permanently in us. We can then settle down permanently with Jesus and God. (2 John 5-6 and John 14:23)
The promise of eternal life is covered next in verse 25. John also wrote about this great promise in John 3:14-16 and 6:40. From this verse we learn eternal life is a promise. It's conditioned on us holding to what we have heard from the beginning. This is not presented by John as a present condition because one can't hope for what one already has. (See Titus 1:2 and Romans 8:24-25)
The next verse is obviously talking about the Gnostics. Verse 27 presents the same thought and message as verse 24 with one difference. In 24 it's given as a command. In this verse it's stated as fact. Remember this verse is still part of the defense against antichrist. That's important because it's apparently easy for some to missuse this verse in trying to prove the annointing is a miracle that takes place today.
Verse 20 gives three promises; the original audience had an annointing, it was from Christ and it's result was that it allowed the annointed to, "know all things." The word annointing here comes from the Greek word chrisma, an oil or ointment rubbed on the skin.
This verse would have given the original audience of this book a great feeling of importance considering their state of mind in being worn down by the false teachings of the Gnostics. Annointing had traditionally been reserved for kings (I Samuel 10:10), priests (Exodus 29:7) and prophets (Isaiah 61:1). Jesus of course was their annointed one (Acts 4:27). To be told that they had an annointing from their Annointed One just reinforced what John had said previously. He wanted their, "joy to be full."
This was a miraculous annointing. It relates to taking on the Gnostics, the antichrists. This is proven in verses 26 and 27. If it were not miraculous and they truly knew all things then John wasn't anymore inspired than they would have been. What would have made John so important and special?
Verse 21 is a comment on the verses surrounding it about antichrist. The lie John talks about is the lie of the Gnostics, the antichrist since they are liars. It reaffirms to them that they know the truth.
In verses 22 and 23 John talks about Jesus and God. If you reject one you reject the other. He gives both the negative and positive implications here.
Read verse 24. What had they, "heard from the beginning"? Truth, the gospel (love) they had learned about earlier. The word abide was covered in a previous entry. It's from the word meno meaning to settle down and live as in one's permanent home. Let the truth abide or settle down permanently in us. We can then settle down permanently with Jesus and God. (2 John 5-6 and John 14:23)
The promise of eternal life is covered next in verse 25. John also wrote about this great promise in John 3:14-16 and 6:40. From this verse we learn eternal life is a promise. It's conditioned on us holding to what we have heard from the beginning. This is not presented by John as a present condition because one can't hope for what one already has. (See Titus 1:2 and Romans 8:24-25)
The next verse is obviously talking about the Gnostics. Verse 27 presents the same thought and message as verse 24 with one difference. In 24 it's given as a command. In this verse it's stated as fact. Remember this verse is still part of the defense against antichrist. That's important because it's apparently easy for some to missuse this verse in trying to prove the annointing is a miracle that takes place today.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Dealing With Antichrist (First John 2:18-23)
John begins this passage with, "Little children" (paidia) meaning all of them. It's the same word he used in 2:1, 12 and 13. "It is the last hour" continues the thought of verse 17. John is describing the transient nature of this earthly world and is telling the audience that only those who do the will of God will live forever.
Other opinions offered about, "the last hour" are that it was the end of the Jewish state. That ended with the death and resurrection of Christ. Some say it's literally the last days of the world's existence. If that's the case, what about the last 2000 years?
There are three Greek words used to denote time. Chronos means a duration of time. Our word chronological comes from this. Kairos means the right time, the opportune time, a limited time. We see that used in Mark 1:15. Hora means a fixed date or time as in seasons and months. In this instance it's talking about the dispensations, specifically here that we're living in the final, Christian dispensation. This is the only time the word is used in this book. It's used 108 times in the New Testament including John 5:25, 28 and 35. The idea expressed here is in agreement with the words of First Peter 4:7.
That brings us to the Antichrist. I don't know that there's been a passage or a title more misused in the Bible than this and the other instances John talks about the antichrist. It's really not as complicated as it's been made out to be. The only times this term is ever used in the Bible is here in verse 18, in verse 22, in 4:3 and in Second John 7. That's it. The term is found nowhere in the book of Revelation even though John was the author of that book too.
He tells his readers here, "you have heard" about Antichrist then he goes on to say that already at that time, "many antichrists have come." That's the first point to remember, that there in the late first century, "many antichrists have come." That should certainly rule out any and all of the names that have been used to claim people throughout time were THE antichrist.
Verse 19 tells us who those referred to in verse 18 were. They were ones who had been baptized but they, "were not of us". If they had been, if they'd truly believed they would have stayed loyal to God. This verse also refutes the doctrine of once saved always saved. If that belief were true then it wouldn't have mattered what those people did after they were saved. Not only were they not saved but as is often the case in John's writings, he puts them at the opposite end of where God stands. Remember, there is no gray area.
Verses 19 and 22 give us the characteristics of those who are antichrist. There are many (not just one great, evil world leader), they are not of us, they are liars, they deny Jesus is Christ and they deny Jesus came in the flesh. Wow, that sure sounds a lot like those Gnostics John was doing battle with doesn't it?!
Christ Himself predicted this would happen in Matthew 24:5, 11 and 24. Peter wrote about this attitude in Second Peter 2:1 and Paul addressed these people and warned Timothy about them in First Timothy 4:1 and 2.
Do we have antichrists among us today? Certainly, any one who denies Christ, anyone who is anti-Christ. It's really that simple.
Other opinions offered about, "the last hour" are that it was the end of the Jewish state. That ended with the death and resurrection of Christ. Some say it's literally the last days of the world's existence. If that's the case, what about the last 2000 years?
There are three Greek words used to denote time. Chronos means a duration of time. Our word chronological comes from this. Kairos means the right time, the opportune time, a limited time. We see that used in Mark 1:15. Hora means a fixed date or time as in seasons and months. In this instance it's talking about the dispensations, specifically here that we're living in the final, Christian dispensation. This is the only time the word is used in this book. It's used 108 times in the New Testament including John 5:25, 28 and 35. The idea expressed here is in agreement with the words of First Peter 4:7.
That brings us to the Antichrist. I don't know that there's been a passage or a title more misused in the Bible than this and the other instances John talks about the antichrist. It's really not as complicated as it's been made out to be. The only times this term is ever used in the Bible is here in verse 18, in verse 22, in 4:3 and in Second John 7. That's it. The term is found nowhere in the book of Revelation even though John was the author of that book too.
He tells his readers here, "you have heard" about Antichrist then he goes on to say that already at that time, "many antichrists have come." That's the first point to remember, that there in the late first century, "many antichrists have come." That should certainly rule out any and all of the names that have been used to claim people throughout time were THE antichrist.
Verse 19 tells us who those referred to in verse 18 were. They were ones who had been baptized but they, "were not of us". If they had been, if they'd truly believed they would have stayed loyal to God. This verse also refutes the doctrine of once saved always saved. If that belief were true then it wouldn't have mattered what those people did after they were saved. Not only were they not saved but as is often the case in John's writings, he puts them at the opposite end of where God stands. Remember, there is no gray area.
Verses 19 and 22 give us the characteristics of those who are antichrist. There are many (not just one great, evil world leader), they are not of us, they are liars, they deny Jesus is Christ and they deny Jesus came in the flesh. Wow, that sure sounds a lot like those Gnostics John was doing battle with doesn't it?!
Christ Himself predicted this would happen in Matthew 24:5, 11 and 24. Peter wrote about this attitude in Second Peter 2:1 and Paul addressed these people and warned Timothy about them in First Timothy 4:1 and 2.
Do we have antichrists among us today? Certainly, any one who denies Christ, anyone who is anti-Christ. It's really that simple.
Monday, August 31, 2009
First John 2:15-17
Regardless of what the world would have us believe, there are no gray areas when it comes to committing oneself to God. John reinforces this time after time. You are either with God or the devil. You are either walking in the light or your not. You either have life or you don't. Verse 15 of this chapter is another instance of John stating this idea very plainly.
The world in this verse means man and man's world. Just as God, "so loved the world" we as Christians should feel love and compassion for the fallen world. However, we are not to sympathize with its alienation from God. We cannot agree with the ways of the world and still have, "the love of the Father" in us. It's a classic either/or situation.
The reason we're not to love the world and be a part of the sinful world is given to us in verse 16. It's no accident that all three examples of sin given in this verse are the same ways in which Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-12) All sin can be categorized into one of the three categories listed in this verse.
King David (2 Samuel 11:2) and Achan (Joshua 7:21) fell due to the lust of the eyes. Pride was Satan's sin. Eve (Genesis 3:6) allowed all three of these categories get the best of her. Of course there are countless other examples given in Scripture.
We are reminded at the end of this verse that these things don't come from the Father. Remember John just a few verses previously called the readers of this letter, "little children". If we're born of God we turn to God. Those born of the world and of their, "father the devil" turn to the world.
The final verse of this passage reminds us that the world even now is passing away. Those that are doing the will of God are obviously loving; loving God and loving each other. Remember those that do God's will has, "riches, honor and life". (Proverbs 22:4)
The world in this verse means man and man's world. Just as God, "so loved the world" we as Christians should feel love and compassion for the fallen world. However, we are not to sympathize with its alienation from God. We cannot agree with the ways of the world and still have, "the love of the Father" in us. It's a classic either/or situation.
The reason we're not to love the world and be a part of the sinful world is given to us in verse 16. It's no accident that all three examples of sin given in this verse are the same ways in which Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-12) All sin can be categorized into one of the three categories listed in this verse.
King David (2 Samuel 11:2) and Achan (Joshua 7:21) fell due to the lust of the eyes. Pride was Satan's sin. Eve (Genesis 3:6) allowed all three of these categories get the best of her. Of course there are countless other examples given in Scripture.
We are reminded at the end of this verse that these things don't come from the Father. Remember John just a few verses previously called the readers of this letter, "little children". If we're born of God we turn to God. Those born of the world and of their, "father the devil" turn to the world.
The final verse of this passage reminds us that the world even now is passing away. Those that are doing the will of God are obviously loving; loving God and loving each other. Remember those that do God's will has, "riches, honor and life". (Proverbs 22:4)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Happy Birthday...to Me!
Today is my birthday. I didn't really think a lot about it until last night. Someone mentioned how old I become today as if it were a bad thing. I'm 39 so next year I'll hit 40. Maybe my thoughts will change in a year but I don't think that's a big deal even though a lot is said about people turning 40.
So I'm 39. What's that mean? I realized it meant I'm now the same age as Chopin, Jim Reeves and Dennis Wilson were when they died. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was my age when he died as were Amelia Earhart and Martin Luther King, Jr. Looking at it like that it makes one realize how much they accomplished and leaves you wondering about what you've accomplished. I think about my own dad when he was my age. In my mind he seemed like such a mature and responsible man. I can't help but think I'm still a kid acting stupid a lot of the time.
Obviously when you're a kid birthdays are a big deal; one of those days to really look forward to. I think the last birthday most people look forward to is when they turn 21. Naturally that's important because you're then an adult. Then at least for me, you go through a phase where it's not a big deal. Maybe it's different for different people. Maybe everyone looks forward to their birthday every year regardless of their age. I hadn't really thought about it until last night.
I thought about past birthdays; some of the days themselves but I thought more about the phases and stages of life. I remember moving to a different state on my 5th birthday. I had a birthday party when I turned 8. It seems like a big party in my mind. I received the complete set of "Little House on the Prairie" books that year from my parents. My oldest daughter has them now. I thought about the surprise parties my parents held for me when I turned 13 and 16. The last party held on a birthday for me was when I turned 21, also given to me by my parents.
My wife does a great job of making everyone in the family feel important on their birthdays. Today was no exception. I realized today that as kids we look forward to these days more for the presents than anything. 39 isn't a magical number but for some reason, for a lot of reasons this was a special day. This was a day I appreciate and will remember.
My oldest daughter is 11 now. She gave me a funny card. It seems made for me but it also shows her sharp humor at that age. I think (maybe hope) she got that humor from me. My youngest who is 3 thinks singing "Happy Birthday" is the coolest thing one can do on a person's birthday. She's serenaded me several times today. Someday, some year soon she won't think that's cool and she won't sing it to me; at least not with the same gusto and excitement as today. I'll remember this day.
My wife gave me a card that almost brought me to tears. What it said was almost as special as she is. I don't believe I deserve the sentiments it included but I know she meant it and it once again made me thankful to have her in my life. We went to lunch together. She took time away from her work to do that. She could have kept working so she'd get back home to our daughters sooner but she wanted to make the day special for me. Then we went shopping for pants for me and ended up buying a shirt and tie! I picked the shirt and she picked the tie and somehow I find that special that we both had a part to play in that combination. I'm sure I'll think of that when I wear them together.
My parents, two brothers and sister have called me today. They all call every year on this day as I call them and we all call each other on our birthdays. We may be separated by several states and spread out in different time zones but we always talk to each other frequently by phone. That's important I think, not just using email all the time but talking to each other.
What's the point to this? Maybe, just maybe this birthday means something to me because I'm getting to a point in life where I truly appreciate what I have. Maybe I cherish memories of the past more without worrying about the things that didn't work out as planned. I'm pretty sure I cherish the "now" more than ever. I realized something else today too. There's still a lot to look forward to.
There's something else I thought about too. I'll never compose music like Chopin or cut legendary records like Jim Reeves. I'll never be the legendary leader of men that Stonewall Jackson was. Who cares? The other side of the coin is what matters to me. They never were the oldest son of my parents or the older brother to my siblings. They weren't married to my wife and never had daughters as special as mine. I like where I'm sitting in life. Happy birthday to me.
So I'm 39. What's that mean? I realized it meant I'm now the same age as Chopin, Jim Reeves and Dennis Wilson were when they died. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was my age when he died as were Amelia Earhart and Martin Luther King, Jr. Looking at it like that it makes one realize how much they accomplished and leaves you wondering about what you've accomplished. I think about my own dad when he was my age. In my mind he seemed like such a mature and responsible man. I can't help but think I'm still a kid acting stupid a lot of the time.
Obviously when you're a kid birthdays are a big deal; one of those days to really look forward to. I think the last birthday most people look forward to is when they turn 21. Naturally that's important because you're then an adult. Then at least for me, you go through a phase where it's not a big deal. Maybe it's different for different people. Maybe everyone looks forward to their birthday every year regardless of their age. I hadn't really thought about it until last night.
I thought about past birthdays; some of the days themselves but I thought more about the phases and stages of life. I remember moving to a different state on my 5th birthday. I had a birthday party when I turned 8. It seems like a big party in my mind. I received the complete set of "Little House on the Prairie" books that year from my parents. My oldest daughter has them now. I thought about the surprise parties my parents held for me when I turned 13 and 16. The last party held on a birthday for me was when I turned 21, also given to me by my parents.
My wife does a great job of making everyone in the family feel important on their birthdays. Today was no exception. I realized today that as kids we look forward to these days more for the presents than anything. 39 isn't a magical number but for some reason, for a lot of reasons this was a special day. This was a day I appreciate and will remember.
My oldest daughter is 11 now. She gave me a funny card. It seems made for me but it also shows her sharp humor at that age. I think (maybe hope) she got that humor from me. My youngest who is 3 thinks singing "Happy Birthday" is the coolest thing one can do on a person's birthday. She's serenaded me several times today. Someday, some year soon she won't think that's cool and she won't sing it to me; at least not with the same gusto and excitement as today. I'll remember this day.
My wife gave me a card that almost brought me to tears. What it said was almost as special as she is. I don't believe I deserve the sentiments it included but I know she meant it and it once again made me thankful to have her in my life. We went to lunch together. She took time away from her work to do that. She could have kept working so she'd get back home to our daughters sooner but she wanted to make the day special for me. Then we went shopping for pants for me and ended up buying a shirt and tie! I picked the shirt and she picked the tie and somehow I find that special that we both had a part to play in that combination. I'm sure I'll think of that when I wear them together.
My parents, two brothers and sister have called me today. They all call every year on this day as I call them and we all call each other on our birthdays. We may be separated by several states and spread out in different time zones but we always talk to each other frequently by phone. That's important I think, not just using email all the time but talking to each other.
What's the point to this? Maybe, just maybe this birthday means something to me because I'm getting to a point in life where I truly appreciate what I have. Maybe I cherish memories of the past more without worrying about the things that didn't work out as planned. I'm pretty sure I cherish the "now" more than ever. I realized something else today too. There's still a lot to look forward to.
There's something else I thought about too. I'll never compose music like Chopin or cut legendary records like Jim Reeves. I'll never be the legendary leader of men that Stonewall Jackson was. Who cares? The other side of the coin is what matters to me. They never were the oldest son of my parents or the older brother to my siblings. They weren't married to my wife and never had daughters as special as mine. I like where I'm sitting in life. Happy birthday to me.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Little Children, Fathers and Young Men (First John 2:12-14)
These three verses are written a little differently than the rest of John's letters. He addresses three specific audience groups. These verses can be broken down into six clauses divided into two sets of three. John uses two verb tenses of grapho (I write).
1. I am writing to you (grapho)
a. children (teknia) because You are forgiven
b. fathers because You know the Lord
c. young men because You have overcome
2. I have written to you (egrapsa)
a. children (paidia) because You know the Father
b. fathers because You know the Lord
c. young men because You are strong, and have overcome
Why did John use "I write" (grapho) in the first 3 and "I have written" (egrapsa) an aorist verb in the last 3? I have written is from John's point of view. I wrote or "I have written" is from the readers' view point. "I write" these matters to you. When you read them your position will be what was written.
What writing is John talking about? This letter, not his gospel account.
What is the meaning of the word "children" in the first clause of each division? Many say it's to all the readers. If that's the case though, why use fathers and young men? This wording by John shows a detailed analysis of his audience. The "children" would be those who recently obeyed the gospel. This is supported by the fact that the reason John addressed them this way is, "because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake."
Why were teknia used the first time and paidia used the second time? Teknia is the plural of teknion which denotes childhood. Paidia is infancy; literally babies. Used figuratively here it means babes in Christ. The first word reveals they were children. The second that they were infants. (John 3:3-5 and I Peter 2:1-2)
The words fathers and young men...is John talking literally or figuratively? If it's literal then no elderly, non-fathers or women were addressed here. Obviously then all three designations were to three different classes of readers. Children: recent converts, Young men: reached maturity and had strength in the Lord, Fathers: those in Christ the longest and had greater spiritual growth under their belts.
1. I am writing to you (grapho)
a. children (teknia) because You are forgiven
b. fathers because You know the Lord
c. young men because You have overcome
2. I have written to you (egrapsa)
a. children (paidia) because You know the Father
b. fathers because You know the Lord
c. young men because You are strong, and have overcome
Why did John use "I write" (grapho) in the first 3 and "I have written" (egrapsa) an aorist verb in the last 3? I have written is from John's point of view. I wrote or "I have written" is from the readers' view point. "I write" these matters to you. When you read them your position will be what was written.
What writing is John talking about? This letter, not his gospel account.
What is the meaning of the word "children" in the first clause of each division? Many say it's to all the readers. If that's the case though, why use fathers and young men? This wording by John shows a detailed analysis of his audience. The "children" would be those who recently obeyed the gospel. This is supported by the fact that the reason John addressed them this way is, "because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake."
Why were teknia used the first time and paidia used the second time? Teknia is the plural of teknion which denotes childhood. Paidia is infancy; literally babies. Used figuratively here it means babes in Christ. The first word reveals they were children. The second that they were infants. (John 3:3-5 and I Peter 2:1-2)
The words fathers and young men...is John talking literally or figuratively? If it's literal then no elderly, non-fathers or women were addressed here. Obviously then all three designations were to three different classes of readers. Children: recent converts, Young men: reached maturity and had strength in the Lord, Fathers: those in Christ the longest and had greater spiritual growth under their belts.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
First John 2:7-11
In verses 7 through 14 John talks about brotherly love and the role it plays in the life of the Christian. We'll cover the first 5 verses of this section here. Verses 12 through 14 will be covered separately.
John has just commanded his readers to walk as Christ walked (verse 6). Here he begins to tell them that walk is grounded in love. The commandment to love God was not a new one. The word which they heard was that command; the message they had received. He says they had heard it; how they go the word/commandment. Obviously it came to them through preaching.
John reiterates that point in verse 8. The command to love is as old as the world (I John 3:11-12). What is new at this time is the aspect of the love. Now it's from Jesus (John 13:34). The measure or extent of the love is what's new (John 13:35). This was written by John in a time of superstition. Like today, the darkness had not totally passed. There's a lesson here that when truth is preached, light is extended and the darkness retreats (John 3:19-21 and John 8:12).
Jesus commands us to love each other (John 15:17). He made love the mark of discipleship as we've seen in John 13:35. Without it, we remain in darkness. That is the element which characterizes all not having to do with God. John leaves no middle ground here. Here is God, there is the world. Here is life, there is death. Here is love, there is hate. This follows the words of Jesus in Luke 9:50 and 11:23. There is no middle ground.
The word hate in this verse comes from miseo. It does not indicate a degree. It is shown as a fact. When it exists to any degree, he who has it in in darkness. Period.
I talked in an earlier post about the word abide. It comes from the Greek word menei. The verb tense used in verse 10 is present active. This means when John talks about he who, "abides in the light" it's a continuous action and not a temporary state. Abide of course means to make your home, to settle into a permanent position. With the force of that verb tense added to the definition of abide, this means we have made love and living in the light our home. It's comprehensive (I John 3:18 and I John 5:2-3). This does NOT show that love for God or man is accepted in place of obedience. There is no love apart from obedience (Math. 22:24-40)
Verse 11 gives us the conditions of one who hates his brother: 1. They're "in darkness", 2. "walks in darkness", 3. "does not know where he is going" because "darkness has blinded his eyes". Remember the one who wrote these words heard Jesus say the words of John 12:35-36!
Blinded in this verse is the same verb and tense Paul used in II Corinthians 4:4. The point is that the grace of love is so basic that whoever lacks it is deficient in all aspects of Christianity. Where love doesn't exist, no other virtue can. Do we get that? It doesn't matter if we read our Bibles daily, show up for worship each time the doors open, sing, pray or take communion. If we don't have love, the rest doesn't matter! It's the foundation for everything else we do as Christians, "walking in the light".
John has just commanded his readers to walk as Christ walked (verse 6). Here he begins to tell them that walk is grounded in love. The commandment to love God was not a new one. The word which they heard was that command; the message they had received. He says they had heard it; how they go the word/commandment. Obviously it came to them through preaching.
John reiterates that point in verse 8. The command to love is as old as the world (I John 3:11-12). What is new at this time is the aspect of the love. Now it's from Jesus (John 13:34). The measure or extent of the love is what's new (John 13:35). This was written by John in a time of superstition. Like today, the darkness had not totally passed. There's a lesson here that when truth is preached, light is extended and the darkness retreats (John 3:19-21 and John 8:12).
Jesus commands us to love each other (John 15:17). He made love the mark of discipleship as we've seen in John 13:35. Without it, we remain in darkness. That is the element which characterizes all not having to do with God. John leaves no middle ground here. Here is God, there is the world. Here is life, there is death. Here is love, there is hate. This follows the words of Jesus in Luke 9:50 and 11:23. There is no middle ground.
The word hate in this verse comes from miseo. It does not indicate a degree. It is shown as a fact. When it exists to any degree, he who has it in in darkness. Period.
I talked in an earlier post about the word abide. It comes from the Greek word menei. The verb tense used in verse 10 is present active. This means when John talks about he who, "abides in the light" it's a continuous action and not a temporary state. Abide of course means to make your home, to settle into a permanent position. With the force of that verb tense added to the definition of abide, this means we have made love and living in the light our home. It's comprehensive (I John 3:18 and I John 5:2-3). This does NOT show that love for God or man is accepted in place of obedience. There is no love apart from obedience (Math. 22:24-40)
Verse 11 gives us the conditions of one who hates his brother: 1. They're "in darkness", 2. "walks in darkness", 3. "does not know where he is going" because "darkness has blinded his eyes". Remember the one who wrote these words heard Jesus say the words of John 12:35-36!
Blinded in this verse is the same verb and tense Paul used in II Corinthians 4:4. The point is that the grace of love is so basic that whoever lacks it is deficient in all aspects of Christianity. Where love doesn't exist, no other virtue can. Do we get that? It doesn't matter if we read our Bibles daily, show up for worship each time the doors open, sing, pray or take communion. If we don't have love, the rest doesn't matter! It's the foundation for everything else we do as Christians, "walking in the light".
Monday, August 10, 2009
First John 2:3-6
This part of chapter two deals with our obedience to God's commands. The first two verses of this chapter remind us of what He as the Judge and Christ as our Advocate do for us. Now it's time to find out what he wants from us.
Verse 3: starts with "Now by this" in the New King James version. Others use "Hereby". This is a phrase John often uses. It refers here to the last part of the verse, "if we keep his commandments." To know Christ means more than just having knowledge. It's to enter into a relationship with Him. Paul in Titus 1:6 writes of those who, "profess to know God but by their works deny him."
This would certainly apply to the Gnostics who thought that with their supposed knowledge and spiritual insight, they could maintain a relationship with God without keeping His commandments. This applies to us today when we encounter the "once saved always saved" crowd.
Verse 4: The word liar here is more emphatic than "we lie" of Titus 1:6. The person referred to in this verse is the same person Jesus speaks of in John 8:44.
Verse 5: John in this verse begins to develop his theme of love. Later verses will talk about our love for one another. Here he tells us about the importance of our love for God. Imagine a triangle. The first side, God's love for us was covered in verses 1-2. This verse makes up side two. The following verses relating to our love for each other make up the final side. Each is important. It is not possible to have just one or two of these portions in our lives. We must have all three.
Keep in mind the writer of these words is the same man who heard Jesus speak the words found in the gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 21 and 23. The idea of one who, "keeps His word" also is a lesson against the Gnostics of the first century. It's also a lesson against those who today teach the idea of "once saved always saved."
Verse 6: There are a couple of key words in this short verse. The first regards living or abiding in Him. We'll continue to see the word abide. It comes from the Greek word menei. It means you've made a place your home. You've established permanency. The verb tense used is a present active verb. That means it's a continuous, ongoing action just as in chapter 1, verse 9. We're committing ourselves to a permanent relationship with God.
The other key thought is that we "ought" to walk as Jesus did. That word is derived from the Greek oheilo meaning to be debt. It's the moral obligation one has to show the basis for one's profession. This is also another theme John will continue to use. He's saying it doesn't matter what we say. It only matters what we do. The Gnostics loved to say they were true believers. John is saying we have a responsibility to show it in our daily lives.
Verse 3: starts with "Now by this" in the New King James version. Others use "Hereby". This is a phrase John often uses. It refers here to the last part of the verse, "if we keep his commandments." To know Christ means more than just having knowledge. It's to enter into a relationship with Him. Paul in Titus 1:6 writes of those who, "profess to know God but by their works deny him."
This would certainly apply to the Gnostics who thought that with their supposed knowledge and spiritual insight, they could maintain a relationship with God without keeping His commandments. This applies to us today when we encounter the "once saved always saved" crowd.
Verse 4: The word liar here is more emphatic than "we lie" of Titus 1:6. The person referred to in this verse is the same person Jesus speaks of in John 8:44.
Verse 5: John in this verse begins to develop his theme of love. Later verses will talk about our love for one another. Here he tells us about the importance of our love for God. Imagine a triangle. The first side, God's love for us was covered in verses 1-2. This verse makes up side two. The following verses relating to our love for each other make up the final side. Each is important. It is not possible to have just one or two of these portions in our lives. We must have all three.
Keep in mind the writer of these words is the same man who heard Jesus speak the words found in the gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 21 and 23. The idea of one who, "keeps His word" also is a lesson against the Gnostics of the first century. It's also a lesson against those who today teach the idea of "once saved always saved."
Verse 6: There are a couple of key words in this short verse. The first regards living or abiding in Him. We'll continue to see the word abide. It comes from the Greek word menei. It means you've made a place your home. You've established permanency. The verb tense used is a present active verb. That means it's a continuous, ongoing action just as in chapter 1, verse 9. We're committing ourselves to a permanent relationship with God.
The other key thought is that we "ought" to walk as Jesus did. That word is derived from the Greek oheilo meaning to be debt. It's the moral obligation one has to show the basis for one's profession. This is also another theme John will continue to use. He's saying it doesn't matter what we say. It only matters what we do. The Gnostics loved to say they were true believers. John is saying we have a responsibility to show it in our daily lives.
Monday, July 20, 2009
First John 2:1-2
Note: These posts appear from the most recent to the oldest. To follow the First John discussion in the order of the text, I encourage you to start with the older posts first. As in the previous post, I'm not writing this in a properly formatted manner. I'm simply sharing my notes from the class.
Intro: The 140th World Almanac and Book of Facts 2008 Edition says this about about the church..."some tendency towards perfectionism." Proof that we don't live the message of this book otherwise it would say, "some tendency toward love and forgiveness."
Verse 1: Keep in mind when this was written chapters and verses weren't used. This verse is a follow up to those that come before. This shows 1. the meaning of walking in the light (confession of sins) 2. conditions of walking in the light (forsaking those sins).
"Little children" from the Greek teknia also found in 2:12, 28, 3:18, 4:4 and 5:21. Term of affection and closeness. Only other New Testament use of this word is in John 13:33 used by Jesus. Implies the spiritual relation of children to a father in faith. The thought without the specific word is found in First Corinthians 4:15.
Other word used for children is "paidia" in 2:13 and 18. Denotes age and characteristics of childhood. Age to youth, authority to subordinates, wisdom to ignorance.
John's purpose is to warn them against participating in sinful acts but if you do sin, what to do? It's not hopeless as the following shows.
Verse 2: "Have an Advocate", here again is a present tense verb, literally keep on having. He's the ever present remedy. Word we use today for advocate is lawyer, someone to represent us. Tom Miller explains this best: Imagine we are on trial for our deeds. Our Advocate is the Son of the Judge. The Judge's Son is pleading our case.
Righteous: means Jesus, the righteous one pleads for the unrighteous. An advocate himself in need of intercession could not hope to influence the Judge. This is yet another example of John refuting Gnostics who claimed Jesus was sinful if He was man.
Propitiation: to appease, render favorable, conciliate. Occurs here and in 4:10. Other forms used in Romans 3:25 and Hebrews 2:17. He propitiates the Father (rendering Him favorable toward us), reconciling us to God. See also Romans 5:11 and Second Corinthians 5:18-19. Guy N. Woods quote about this: "Positive, undeniable evidence of the falseness of any theology which would limit the benefits of the atonement, or deny its blessing to anyone." (Example - Calvinism)
Martin Luther said, "It is a patent fact that thou too art a part of the whole world; so that thine heart cannot deceive itself and think the Lord died for Peter and Paul but not for me."
Summary: Avoid sin but if we fall into it, rely on the Advocate to plead our case.
Intro: The 140th World Almanac and Book of Facts 2008 Edition says this about about the church..."some tendency towards perfectionism." Proof that we don't live the message of this book otherwise it would say, "some tendency toward love and forgiveness."
Verse 1: Keep in mind when this was written chapters and verses weren't used. This verse is a follow up to those that come before. This shows 1. the meaning of walking in the light (confession of sins) 2. conditions of walking in the light (forsaking those sins).
"Little children" from the Greek teknia also found in 2:12, 28, 3:18, 4:4 and 5:21. Term of affection and closeness. Only other New Testament use of this word is in John 13:33 used by Jesus. Implies the spiritual relation of children to a father in faith. The thought without the specific word is found in First Corinthians 4:15.
Other word used for children is "paidia" in 2:13 and 18. Denotes age and characteristics of childhood. Age to youth, authority to subordinates, wisdom to ignorance.
John's purpose is to warn them against participating in sinful acts but if you do sin, what to do? It's not hopeless as the following shows.
Verse 2: "Have an Advocate", here again is a present tense verb, literally keep on having. He's the ever present remedy. Word we use today for advocate is lawyer, someone to represent us. Tom Miller explains this best: Imagine we are on trial for our deeds. Our Advocate is the Son of the Judge. The Judge's Son is pleading our case.
Righteous: means Jesus, the righteous one pleads for the unrighteous. An advocate himself in need of intercession could not hope to influence the Judge. This is yet another example of John refuting Gnostics who claimed Jesus was sinful if He was man.
Propitiation: to appease, render favorable, conciliate. Occurs here and in 4:10. Other forms used in Romans 3:25 and Hebrews 2:17. He propitiates the Father (rendering Him favorable toward us), reconciling us to God. See also Romans 5:11 and Second Corinthians 5:18-19. Guy N. Woods quote about this: "Positive, undeniable evidence of the falseness of any theology which would limit the benefits of the atonement, or deny its blessing to anyone." (Example - Calvinism)
Martin Luther said, "It is a patent fact that thou too art a part of the whole world; so that thine heart cannot deceive itself and think the Lord died for Peter and Paul but not for me."
Summary: Avoid sin but if we fall into it, rely on the Advocate to plead our case.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
First John 1:8-10
Instead of writing this post in the traditional style, I'm going to basically copy the notes I used in class for these three verses. I don't know that one way is better than another other than saving time in the posting. You might also find it easier and quicker to read.
Verse 8: "say we have not sin", who siad this...Gnostics. Remember the original audience and who they were battling. John's saying it is not possible for the saved to live in sin. If you believe this you do two things. First, deceive yourself and secondly, show the truth is not in you. The ever present problem of sin is why John says we have to have the cleansing blood. Those he's writing to had been forgiven for past sins (at baptism). He's clearly talking about present sin.
Verse 9: Previous verse says "if we say" this says "if we confess". The first is and admission of guilt while the second goes deeper. Say comes from eipon meaning to speak it. There's no sense of guilt therefore no repentance. Confession from homologeo. Confessing implies a dialogue between God and the sinner. God describes the condition of the sinner. The sinner corrects it and confesses that God is light!
Sin in verse 8 is an abstract concept of wrong. In 9, sin becomes individual and specific acts. Obviously we are to confess the specific sins. Side note, think about our prayers for forgiveness. Should we pray generally for forgiveness or should we be specific?
Confess: as talked about earlier it's a present active verb meaning we keep on doing it. We keep on confessing. Also, there are only two types of confession in the New Testament. One is to God as here. Second is to others as in James 5:16. Nowhere are we taught to confess to a priest. It's not needed anyway since Jesus is our Priest, Mediator and Advocate. (Hebrews 7:25, 10:19-20, I Timothy 2:5 and I John 2:1)
Verse 10: Compare again to sin again in verse 8...another advance in thought. From the abstract in verse 8 to specific and concrete acts here. In 8, sin is regarded as a state or condition. Deny this lie (verse 6), deceive themselves (verse 8) and make God a liar (verse 10). This verse emphasizes the fact of sin in the lives of all of us. We must continue to seek it.
This refutes those who don't believe in apostasy. We're not forgiven for all sins past, present and future. If we were, we wouldn't have this ever present need of the cleansing.
Verse 8: "say we have not sin", who siad this...Gnostics. Remember the original audience and who they were battling. John's saying it is not possible for the saved to live in sin. If you believe this you do two things. First, deceive yourself and secondly, show the truth is not in you. The ever present problem of sin is why John says we have to have the cleansing blood. Those he's writing to had been forgiven for past sins (at baptism). He's clearly talking about present sin.
Verse 9: Previous verse says "if we say" this says "if we confess". The first is and admission of guilt while the second goes deeper. Say comes from eipon meaning to speak it. There's no sense of guilt therefore no repentance. Confession from homologeo. Confessing implies a dialogue between God and the sinner. God describes the condition of the sinner. The sinner corrects it and confesses that God is light!
Sin in verse 8 is an abstract concept of wrong. In 9, sin becomes individual and specific acts. Obviously we are to confess the specific sins. Side note, think about our prayers for forgiveness. Should we pray generally for forgiveness or should we be specific?
Confess: as talked about earlier it's a present active verb meaning we keep on doing it. We keep on confessing. Also, there are only two types of confession in the New Testament. One is to God as here. Second is to others as in James 5:16. Nowhere are we taught to confess to a priest. It's not needed anyway since Jesus is our Priest, Mediator and Advocate. (Hebrews 7:25, 10:19-20, I Timothy 2:5 and I John 2:1)
Verse 10: Compare again to sin again in verse 8...another advance in thought. From the abstract in verse 8 to specific and concrete acts here. In 8, sin is regarded as a state or condition. Deny this lie (verse 6), deceive themselves (verse 8) and make God a liar (verse 10). This verse emphasizes the fact of sin in the lives of all of us. We must continue to seek it.
This refutes those who don't believe in apostasy. We're not forgiven for all sins past, present and future. If we were, we wouldn't have this ever present need of the cleansing.
God Is Light (First John 1:5-7)
That is the emphasis of First John 1:5-7. John begins this passage by reemphasizing his credentials. He heard Jesus declare this message first hand. John is a first hand witness passing on this information to these Christians. The phrase used, "God is light" sums up the essense of God. He lives in unapproachable light (I Tim. 6:16).
I Peter 2:9 reminds us that God called us, "out of darkness into His marvelous light." Quite obviously, where there is light, there can be no darkness. It's not possible. This verse from I John in the Greek text is especially pointed. What is translated to us as "no darkness at all" is saying there is not even a speck, not an iota of darkness. It's one or the other. We have light, His light or we don't. There is no middle ground.
I posted in May of last year about the next couple of verses. I encourage you to look at the index and find the post "Get Off The Spiritual Tight Rope...It Doesn't Exist". It covers the message of these verses as well as verse 9. There are two quick points I'll make here though. Walking in the light results in two things. First, we have fellowship with each other and with God and Jesus. Secondly, the blood of Christ cleans us and continues to clean us. The verb walk indicates this must be a continuous action, just as the cleansing of the blood of Christ is.
Another important word to consider here and elsewhere in this book is the word fellowship. From the Greek word koinonia, it means joint sharing, a partnership. Guy N. Woods summed this up nicely in his commentary of this book published by the Gospel Advocate. He writes, "Here in the most emphatic fashion, the writer points out that only in unity of faith is there communion in religion. It is possible to have fellowship only when there is a common bond established in faith, work and love." The bottom line? Only if we walk in the light do we bear each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and are then the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:26-27).
I Peter 2:9 reminds us that God called us, "out of darkness into His marvelous light." Quite obviously, where there is light, there can be no darkness. It's not possible. This verse from I John in the Greek text is especially pointed. What is translated to us as "no darkness at all" is saying there is not even a speck, not an iota of darkness. It's one or the other. We have light, His light or we don't. There is no middle ground.
I posted in May of last year about the next couple of verses. I encourage you to look at the index and find the post "Get Off The Spiritual Tight Rope...It Doesn't Exist". It covers the message of these verses as well as verse 9. There are two quick points I'll make here though. Walking in the light results in two things. First, we have fellowship with each other and with God and Jesus. Secondly, the blood of Christ cleans us and continues to clean us. The verb walk indicates this must be a continuous action, just as the cleansing of the blood of Christ is.
Another important word to consider here and elsewhere in this book is the word fellowship. From the Greek word koinonia, it means joint sharing, a partnership. Guy N. Woods summed this up nicely in his commentary of this book published by the Gospel Advocate. He writes, "Here in the most emphatic fashion, the writer points out that only in unity of faith is there communion in religion. It is possible to have fellowship only when there is a common bond established in faith, work and love." The bottom line? Only if we walk in the light do we bear each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and are then the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:26-27).
Friday, July 17, 2009
Back to First John (Chapter 1)
I've been sidetracked lately and have posted about some other issues recently. I know some of you are waiting for the notes from our study of First John. You can find the previous posts about the book in the archive section of this blog, located on the right hand side of the main page.
The first chapter of this book is probably the key to entire book. Once it is understood, the four chapters fall in line. The first chapter is a counter to 15th chapter of John's gospel. John 15 explains the positive side of fellowship, abiding in Christ. First John 1 explains to us that when we don't abide in Christ we must seek forgiveness so we can have that fellowship. We'll talk more about abiding later.
Keep in mind what the Gnostics believed as you begin reading the first four verses. They said all matter was evil. Humans were evil. Jesus could not be the Christ because he would have been evil in the form of a man. One group said that it just appeared that Jesus was on earth. It was an illusion.
I think of John as a court room lawyer making his case to the jury right off the bat as I look at I John 1:1. He tells these critics that he's talking about "that which was from the beginning". John then goes on to say he used three of his senses as he knew "that which was". John heard Him, saw Him and touched Him. You can't do those things with an illusion. He's going right after the Gnostics at the start of his opening argument.
John strengthens his argument in verse two and three. "The life was manifested". John again says he saw Christ and is His witness and now he's sharing that news with his audience and refuting these Gnostics. John is saying I have fellowship with Him and you can too. The word fellowship comes from koinonia in Greek. It means partnership, joint sharing. We can only have fellowship when there is a joint sharing, a common bond in the faith, in love and in work.
Verse four must have been a very powerful verse to this original audience. They've been hearing these Gnostics tell them that to try to serve God one must suffer total depravity. John says no. I'm telling you these things, "that your joy may be full." Joy was the total and complete opposite of what these people had been hearing from the false teachers. What a breathe of fresh air that sentence must have been to them and should be to us. If you have Jesus you have joy.
The first chapter of this book is probably the key to entire book. Once it is understood, the four chapters fall in line. The first chapter is a counter to 15th chapter of John's gospel. John 15 explains the positive side of fellowship, abiding in Christ. First John 1 explains to us that when we don't abide in Christ we must seek forgiveness so we can have that fellowship. We'll talk more about abiding later.
Keep in mind what the Gnostics believed as you begin reading the first four verses. They said all matter was evil. Humans were evil. Jesus could not be the Christ because he would have been evil in the form of a man. One group said that it just appeared that Jesus was on earth. It was an illusion.
I think of John as a court room lawyer making his case to the jury right off the bat as I look at I John 1:1. He tells these critics that he's talking about "that which was from the beginning". John then goes on to say he used three of his senses as he knew "that which was". John heard Him, saw Him and touched Him. You can't do those things with an illusion. He's going right after the Gnostics at the start of his opening argument.
John strengthens his argument in verse two and three. "The life was manifested". John again says he saw Christ and is His witness and now he's sharing that news with his audience and refuting these Gnostics. John is saying I have fellowship with Him and you can too. The word fellowship comes from koinonia in Greek. It means partnership, joint sharing. We can only have fellowship when there is a joint sharing, a common bond in the faith, in love and in work.
Verse four must have been a very powerful verse to this original audience. They've been hearing these Gnostics tell them that to try to serve God one must suffer total depravity. John says no. I'm telling you these things, "that your joy may be full." Joy was the total and complete opposite of what these people had been hearing from the false teachers. What a breathe of fresh air that sentence must have been to them and should be to us. If you have Jesus you have joy.
Music in Church
The following email was sent to me last night by my friend Larry York who received it from the the writer. Larry is a member of the West End congregation in Knoxville. The Providence Road church of Christ which is mentioned in the email is in Charlotte, NC. Jeff Walling is a minister there which should come as no suprise while you read this account if you know his history. Yes, they also have a "praise team." Dr. Randy Gill, who this article is about is, teaches in the music department at Lipscomb University. That will give you something else to think about!
" I found this to be interesting, relevant, and thought provoking. I went to http://www.prcoc.org/ to listen, but the audio has not been posted yet.
Providence Road C of C has been having some special classes this summer on Wednesday, that they refer to as “Hot topics”. This past Wednesday was on instrumental music. I attended to hear what was being said.
The speaker was Dr. Randy Gill. He is the worship minister at Woodmont Hills in Nashville, where John Mark Hicks and (formerly) Rubel Shelly are ministers. He is also an executive with Zoe Group, the producer of Wineskins Magazine. He is a graduate of Pepperdine and taught music for years at Rochester College (formerly Michigan Christian). Considering his background, his presentation was not surprising.
Randy began by discussing his journey. He was raised to believe that instrumental music was a sin. He recited his belief as a young person that there were no other real churches and part of this distinction was the use of acapella music. As he began to teach, he had his ten reasons while instrumental music was a sin, and included it in his teaching.
Over time, with the intersection of various music activities at the university and interaction with “Christian” non members of the church, he became increasingly confronted with contradictions.. This led him to the next step on his journey. He came to believe that the only issue was doing it in worship. And so he began to listen to Christian contemporary music, etc. and “appreciate” its potential to improve people. He used the classic example; Do we want our kids to listen to Love Gun by KISS or Christian instrumental music? He ridiculed the practice of some churches to allow instrumental music in the fellowship hall for weddings, but not in the auditorium.
He came to understand that instrumental music was not a sin, but just our tradition. He noted that the NT use of synagogues was not authorized and yet Jesus used them. He also noted the cultural association of instruments with pagans. He knew all the arguments including gopher wood, Nadab and Abihu and the “no priest from Judah:” He knew all the definitions of Psallo and the debates. He accused us of picking and choosing between women wearing hats, anointing with oil, washing feet and one cup. In light of the limited texts on the topic (he read 1 Cor. 14; Eph. 5 and Col. 3), and there context was not really worship “rules”; he now considers instrumental music as cultural and incidental. It is not a salvation issue.
Now he is in a stage of not causing division with people, while at the same time not losing our young people and appealing to the community. Why should our traditions stand in the way of reaching the loss? Keeping our young people? He said we have a generation of young people that do not understand or accept the arguments on instrumental music. Instrumental music objections are akin to “race” discrimination of days gone by, and people consider it a throwback to a failed way of thinking. An older generation had both problems and he now lnks them together.
At Woodmont Hills they have full instrumental music in classes, drama and other presentations, just not on Sunday morning. He laments the limitation. It keeps people from using their gifts. It causes young people to question and leave. It keeps the un churched from coming.
He concluded the session with Q&A that were written and handed in. During the session, most of the audience was readily agreeing and laughing with him as he scorned the church. (There were a number of elderly people that sat very quietly and I frankly felt sorry for them.) However, some of the questions were pretty good. Why shouldn’t we just take Church of Christ off our sign? He said he was hurt by that question, that the he had as much heritage in the church as anyone else. Don’t instruments drown out the singing? That’s a technical issue that the sound board manager can handle, if properly taught. How do we maintain any distinctiveness? Let’s be known for our love, not our music. Etc. He did say, no one should worship this way if it goes against their conscience.
All in all, it was disturbing, but not surprising. I was especially surprised with the ready acceptance of most of the audience. And remember, this is the Wednesday night crowd. Like Woodmont Hills, I do not believe they are going to go instrumental anytime soon in their worship. This was part of the continuing education (brain washing) that is being done all over the country. They do not have any objections to it today, except people’s conscience. One day they will have instruments; it is just going to take more education and more old people passing on.
Ten years ago, Woodson and Holland did some presentations on the Change Movements Mode of Operation. I bolded and underlined the elements they sited. There is an eerie consistency in the agenda.
Notice:
1 – have a well educated speaker to cause the audience to feel inferior
2 – talk about being on a journey, the implication is from simpleness to enlightenment
3 – highlight perceived contradictions in our approach, too many people do not know how to handle them or their history
4 – anything you don’t agree with, talk about it as being culturally limited ( PR will get there on women’s role too,,,,and this is how others have gotten to homosexuality is ok)
5 – state you now all the arguments, but never address them. Randy did not recite his ten reasons and then show why they are not valid.
6 – state this is not a salvation issue. Of course, that is not the question, it is a question of what does God really want and how interested am I in finding out.
7 – If we don’t’ do this, we can’t reach the loss and keep our young
8 – tie the issue to other things that nobody agrees with…race discrimination one cuppers, etc.
9 - Show how it limits people on using their gifts (maybe we should get Barbara McDermott to paint us a picture on the stage during worship)
My only response is to keep teaching the truth, and when ever the opportunity exists, pull people back to the real core issues, not the peripheral impacts."
Amen!
" I found this to be interesting, relevant, and thought provoking. I went to http://www.prcoc.org/ to listen, but the audio has not been posted yet.
Providence Road C of C has been having some special classes this summer on Wednesday, that they refer to as “Hot topics”. This past Wednesday was on instrumental music. I attended to hear what was being said.
The speaker was Dr. Randy Gill. He is the worship minister at Woodmont Hills in Nashville, where John Mark Hicks and (formerly) Rubel Shelly are ministers. He is also an executive with Zoe Group, the producer of Wineskins Magazine. He is a graduate of Pepperdine and taught music for years at Rochester College (formerly Michigan Christian). Considering his background, his presentation was not surprising.
Randy began by discussing his journey. He was raised to believe that instrumental music was a sin. He recited his belief as a young person that there were no other real churches and part of this distinction was the use of acapella music. As he began to teach, he had his ten reasons while instrumental music was a sin, and included it in his teaching.
Over time, with the intersection of various music activities at the university and interaction with “Christian” non members of the church, he became increasingly confronted with contradictions.. This led him to the next step on his journey. He came to believe that the only issue was doing it in worship. And so he began to listen to Christian contemporary music, etc. and “appreciate” its potential to improve people. He used the classic example; Do we want our kids to listen to Love Gun by KISS or Christian instrumental music? He ridiculed the practice of some churches to allow instrumental music in the fellowship hall for weddings, but not in the auditorium.
He came to understand that instrumental music was not a sin, but just our tradition. He noted that the NT use of synagogues was not authorized and yet Jesus used them. He also noted the cultural association of instruments with pagans. He knew all the arguments including gopher wood, Nadab and Abihu and the “no priest from Judah:” He knew all the definitions of Psallo and the debates. He accused us of picking and choosing between women wearing hats, anointing with oil, washing feet and one cup. In light of the limited texts on the topic (he read 1 Cor. 14; Eph. 5 and Col. 3), and there context was not really worship “rules”; he now considers instrumental music as cultural and incidental. It is not a salvation issue.
Now he is in a stage of not causing division with people, while at the same time not losing our young people and appealing to the community. Why should our traditions stand in the way of reaching the loss? Keeping our young people? He said we have a generation of young people that do not understand or accept the arguments on instrumental music. Instrumental music objections are akin to “race” discrimination of days gone by, and people consider it a throwback to a failed way of thinking. An older generation had both problems and he now lnks them together.
At Woodmont Hills they have full instrumental music in classes, drama and other presentations, just not on Sunday morning. He laments the limitation. It keeps people from using their gifts. It causes young people to question and leave. It keeps the un churched from coming.
He concluded the session with Q&A that were written and handed in. During the session, most of the audience was readily agreeing and laughing with him as he scorned the church. (There were a number of elderly people that sat very quietly and I frankly felt sorry for them.) However, some of the questions were pretty good. Why shouldn’t we just take Church of Christ off our sign? He said he was hurt by that question, that the he had as much heritage in the church as anyone else. Don’t instruments drown out the singing? That’s a technical issue that the sound board manager can handle, if properly taught. How do we maintain any distinctiveness? Let’s be known for our love, not our music. Etc. He did say, no one should worship this way if it goes against their conscience.
All in all, it was disturbing, but not surprising. I was especially surprised with the ready acceptance of most of the audience. And remember, this is the Wednesday night crowd. Like Woodmont Hills, I do not believe they are going to go instrumental anytime soon in their worship. This was part of the continuing education (brain washing) that is being done all over the country. They do not have any objections to it today, except people’s conscience. One day they will have instruments; it is just going to take more education and more old people passing on.
Ten years ago, Woodson and Holland did some presentations on the Change Movements Mode of Operation. I bolded and underlined the elements they sited. There is an eerie consistency in the agenda.
Notice:
1 – have a well educated speaker to cause the audience to feel inferior
2 – talk about being on a journey, the implication is from simpleness to enlightenment
3 – highlight perceived contradictions in our approach, too many people do not know how to handle them or their history
4 – anything you don’t agree with, talk about it as being culturally limited ( PR will get there on women’s role too,,,,and this is how others have gotten to homosexuality is ok)
5 – state you now all the arguments, but never address them. Randy did not recite his ten reasons and then show why they are not valid.
6 – state this is not a salvation issue. Of course, that is not the question, it is a question of what does God really want and how interested am I in finding out.
7 – If we don’t’ do this, we can’t reach the loss and keep our young
8 – tie the issue to other things that nobody agrees with…race discrimination one cuppers, etc.
9 - Show how it limits people on using their gifts (maybe we should get Barbara McDermott to paint us a picture on the stage during worship)
My only response is to keep teaching the truth, and when ever the opportunity exists, pull people back to the real core issues, not the peripheral impacts."
Amen!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Things Remembered
My family and I spent several days at Isle of Palms, SC. Last Wednesday was our first service back at South Knoxville since I responded to the invitation a couple of Sundays earlier. As I walked in the door Wednesday I was told I was in charge of that night's devotional.
In the few minutes I had to get ready, I thought of what I might say. I've been told I'm a good story teller. I know in my life I've experienced a lot of things that make for good stories. My first thought was that I could tell a good story about some person or experience that would have a moral thought behind it that people could benefit from. Then I realized that my situation from the past few weeks was exactly what I needed to talk about. When we can personalize our struggles and hopes I think it makes it more relevant for everyone. I talked about things I'd remembered.
I had been reminded of First John 1:9, a verse I've talked about on this site previously. In the past I've emphasised the point that this verse talks about continuing actions. It's true and it's important. From the original Greek it was written in, the verse tells us if we continue to confess our sins then Christ continues to forgive and cleanse us. What I remembered recently though was the word "all". He will, "cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I think sometimes our conscience has a hard time letting us digest that word when it comes to our own sins and shortcomings.
I was reminded of First Peter 4:8. It says, "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'" When you have sinned, when you need to feel that love, it's an awesome feeling when it's extended to you. Whose love? The love from other Christians, the love of Christ and God the Father, the love of a good wife, the love from your family.
Another thing I'd remembered was what James told us in James 5:16. "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." My dad used to say that if "the effective, fervent prayer" of one righeous man accomplished a lot, imagine the power behind the prayers of many people. I know many people have been praying for me over the last couple of weeks and I appreciate it very much. I know I always pray for others both publicly and privately. Isn't it an incredible humbling and encouraging feeling to know when others pray for you?!
Like I said previously about another point, it's important that we know these points for the facts they are. When we consider ourselves, our struggles, our needs and our relationship with God it's even more important to remember the importance of these points in a personal and life changing way. I hope this helps you.
In the few minutes I had to get ready, I thought of what I might say. I've been told I'm a good story teller. I know in my life I've experienced a lot of things that make for good stories. My first thought was that I could tell a good story about some person or experience that would have a moral thought behind it that people could benefit from. Then I realized that my situation from the past few weeks was exactly what I needed to talk about. When we can personalize our struggles and hopes I think it makes it more relevant for everyone. I talked about things I'd remembered.
I had been reminded of First John 1:9, a verse I've talked about on this site previously. In the past I've emphasised the point that this verse talks about continuing actions. It's true and it's important. From the original Greek it was written in, the verse tells us if we continue to confess our sins then Christ continues to forgive and cleanse us. What I remembered recently though was the word "all". He will, "cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I think sometimes our conscience has a hard time letting us digest that word when it comes to our own sins and shortcomings.
I was reminded of First Peter 4:8. It says, "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'" When you have sinned, when you need to feel that love, it's an awesome feeling when it's extended to you. Whose love? The love from other Christians, the love of Christ and God the Father, the love of a good wife, the love from your family.
Another thing I'd remembered was what James told us in James 5:16. "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." My dad used to say that if "the effective, fervent prayer" of one righeous man accomplished a lot, imagine the power behind the prayers of many people. I know many people have been praying for me over the last couple of weeks and I appreciate it very much. I know I always pray for others both publicly and privately. Isn't it an incredible humbling and encouraging feeling to know when others pray for you?!
Like I said previously about another point, it's important that we know these points for the facts they are. When we consider ourselves, our struggles, our needs and our relationship with God it's even more important to remember the importance of these points in a personal and life changing way. I hope this helps you.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Where I Stand
Some of you who read this are local while some are not. Regardless, you may or not be aware that yesterday morning at South Knoxville I responded to the invitation. Below is the statement I wrote that was read to the congregation. I'm posting it hear for several reasons.
For starters if you're reading this and we know each other I'm sure we care for each other. I think then that it's right for you to know what's going on in my life. It's also my hope that you might pray for me. I was surprised, amazed and humbled yesterday at how many people came up to Lisa and I, hugged us and said they looked up to me. I want and need to keep that in mind. Though I'm more ashamed of my recent behavior than anything I've previously done, I've already found the healing from it to truly be cleansing. Also, I hope it may serve as an inspiration to others who are struggling with sin. If after reading what was read yesterday you have questions, feel free to contact me. I'll be glad to answer your questions.
Here is the statement:
I have sinned. Over the past couple of weeks I've been engaging in behavior that is wrong and repulsive. I hurt and embarrassed myself, my Savior, you, those that look up to me and my family; particularly my wife. I'm sorry I let you down. Doing wrong is bad enough. Knowing it's wrong when you do it just adds to your shame and guilt. I've learned "I'm sorry" and "thank you" can be wholly inadequate but I say them to you. Knowing as fact that Jesus' blood continues to cleanse us is important but realizing how deeply you yourself need that cleansing is sometimes an overwhelming thought - as I feel now.
Please pray for me. Please pray for my wife. Please pray for my family. Please forgive me. As Lisa reminded me this morning, we can't let the sins of our past define who we are (and I won't) and when we are at our lowest, that's when His strength shines through (and it is). I have been reminded over the past few days how richly I have been blessed, far beyond what I deserve. I plan to acknowledge those blessings every day I have to live.
For starters if you're reading this and we know each other I'm sure we care for each other. I think then that it's right for you to know what's going on in my life. It's also my hope that you might pray for me. I was surprised, amazed and humbled yesterday at how many people came up to Lisa and I, hugged us and said they looked up to me. I want and need to keep that in mind. Though I'm more ashamed of my recent behavior than anything I've previously done, I've already found the healing from it to truly be cleansing. Also, I hope it may serve as an inspiration to others who are struggling with sin. If after reading what was read yesterday you have questions, feel free to contact me. I'll be glad to answer your questions.
Here is the statement:
I have sinned. Over the past couple of weeks I've been engaging in behavior that is wrong and repulsive. I hurt and embarrassed myself, my Savior, you, those that look up to me and my family; particularly my wife. I'm sorry I let you down. Doing wrong is bad enough. Knowing it's wrong when you do it just adds to your shame and guilt. I've learned "I'm sorry" and "thank you" can be wholly inadequate but I say them to you. Knowing as fact that Jesus' blood continues to cleanse us is important but realizing how deeply you yourself need that cleansing is sometimes an overwhelming thought - as I feel now.
Please pray for me. Please pray for my wife. Please pray for my family. Please forgive me. As Lisa reminded me this morning, we can't let the sins of our past define who we are (and I won't) and when we are at our lowest, that's when His strength shines through (and it is). I have been reminded over the past few days how richly I have been blessed, far beyond what I deserve. I plan to acknowledge those blessings every day I have to live.
Friday, June 5, 2009
First John...Who, Why, Where, When
Who wrote it: There is more evidence that the Apostle John wrote First John than there is for authenticating the authorship of any other Biblical book. Polycarp and Papias were two first century church leaders. Both men quote from the book. Polycarp was a student of John's. In those days, being a student meant much more than it does today. A student in the first century would live with his teacher. They had a very close relationship on a continual basis. Iraenaeus was a student of Polycarp. He also quoted from this book and attributed it to John.
A comparison of the Gospel of John and First John show that the same person wrote both books. Key words, phrases and themes are the same from one book to the other. The first three gospel accounts tell us what Jesus did while on Earth. John's gospel tells us why He did those things and most of the time he comes back to love. That of course is one of the overriding themes of this first epistle. The two books begin with the same thought and close with the same thought.
When was it written: There was a great outburst of persecution against the Christians that began in 94 A.D. under the Roman Emperor Domitian. The epistles of John don't deal with instructions on how to stand firm under trials as some of Peter's letters did. It appears then that John wrote these letters before the persecution began. They appear to have been written around 90 A.D. That makes sense also due to the fact that some of the phrases used make it appear that the writer (John) was an older man.
Why it was written: Gnosticism had been influencing the church. That title comes from the Greek word gnosis which means knowledge. Gnostics claimed to have superior knowledge; knowledge that the common Christian didn't and couldn't possess according to Gnostics. Entire books have been written about these people. Gnostics as a whole believed that all matter was evil including people.
There were two camps under the umbrella of Gnosticism. Docetic Gnostics believed that Christ's physical body was an illusion as was his crucifixtion. They believed it only appeared that He seemed to look like a human and die a physical death. They believed He was really a pure spirit. Docetism is from the Greek word dokeo which means "to seem". Cerinthian Gnostics thought Christ was an excellent person but that God's spirit left Him before the crucifixtion. It was impossible to them that God could die. The got their name from their leader Cerinthus.
The result of this belief system was that Gnostics taught that people could do anything they wanted without punishment or consequence. After all, all matter is evil they thought so since I'm evil I'm going to sin. Since the spirit (our soul) is pure, it can't sin so it won't be affected by what our physical bodies do. Since these Gnostics believed they had this gnosis (knowledge) they were free to indulge themselves.
This letter was written to Christians to strengthen them against this kind of thinking, so their "joy may be full". (1:4) You'll notice as we look at the verses later, John wastes no time in going after these false teachers and stays after them throughout the book.
Here's a great example of how adamant John was against false teachers. Remember Irenaeus? He was the student of Polycarp who of course was a student of John. In his book "Against Heresies" (the apple didn't fall far from that tree!) he wrote about John and Cerinthus, "the disciple of the Lord going to bathe at Ephesus and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bathhouse without bathing, exclaiming 'Let us fly lest even the bathhouse fall down because Cerinthus the enemy of the truth is within.'" A man that stands that firm in the truth is a man I want to listen to. Fortunatey he gave us plenty to listen to in his epistles.
A comparison of the Gospel of John and First John show that the same person wrote both books. Key words, phrases and themes are the same from one book to the other. The first three gospel accounts tell us what Jesus did while on Earth. John's gospel tells us why He did those things and most of the time he comes back to love. That of course is one of the overriding themes of this first epistle. The two books begin with the same thought and close with the same thought.
When was it written: There was a great outburst of persecution against the Christians that began in 94 A.D. under the Roman Emperor Domitian. The epistles of John don't deal with instructions on how to stand firm under trials as some of Peter's letters did. It appears then that John wrote these letters before the persecution began. They appear to have been written around 90 A.D. That makes sense also due to the fact that some of the phrases used make it appear that the writer (John) was an older man.
Why it was written: Gnosticism had been influencing the church. That title comes from the Greek word gnosis which means knowledge. Gnostics claimed to have superior knowledge; knowledge that the common Christian didn't and couldn't possess according to Gnostics. Entire books have been written about these people. Gnostics as a whole believed that all matter was evil including people.
There were two camps under the umbrella of Gnosticism. Docetic Gnostics believed that Christ's physical body was an illusion as was his crucifixtion. They believed it only appeared that He seemed to look like a human and die a physical death. They believed He was really a pure spirit. Docetism is from the Greek word dokeo which means "to seem". Cerinthian Gnostics thought Christ was an excellent person but that God's spirit left Him before the crucifixtion. It was impossible to them that God could die. The got their name from their leader Cerinthus.
The result of this belief system was that Gnostics taught that people could do anything they wanted without punishment or consequence. After all, all matter is evil they thought so since I'm evil I'm going to sin. Since the spirit (our soul) is pure, it can't sin so it won't be affected by what our physical bodies do. Since these Gnostics believed they had this gnosis (knowledge) they were free to indulge themselves.
This letter was written to Christians to strengthen them against this kind of thinking, so their "joy may be full". (1:4) You'll notice as we look at the verses later, John wastes no time in going after these false teachers and stays after them throughout the book.
Here's a great example of how adamant John was against false teachers. Remember Irenaeus? He was the student of Polycarp who of course was a student of John. In his book "Against Heresies" (the apple didn't fall far from that tree!) he wrote about John and Cerinthus, "the disciple of the Lord going to bathe at Ephesus and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bathhouse without bathing, exclaiming 'Let us fly lest even the bathhouse fall down because Cerinthus the enemy of the truth is within.'" A man that stands that firm in the truth is a man I want to listen to. Fortunatey he gave us plenty to listen to in his epistles.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Beginning of First John
As I mentioned in a previous post, I've recently started teaching an adult class on the Epistles of John. I plan to put my notes on here with the hope that it will benefit someone. I'm not sure yet how I'll format these posts; in outline form, a summary or with each point detailed. I want to provide as much information as I can but I don't want the posts to be so long that it becomes a chore to read them. So be warned, how the information is posted may change. Since some of you have asked me about this I figured I should just get started and see how it develops.
I think it's important to consider particular words when studying these letters from John. As you'll see some of the words are Greek while some are English. I think the first word of importance is doctrine. The word doctrine means teaching. If a person were asked what the doctrine of the church is, the answers they receive may vary. Based on experience I have a feeling that many would answer by saying the doctrine of the New Testament church includes baptism by immersion, congregational vocal singing and the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper.
Each of those elements are important. However we do ourselves and the world a terrible disservice when we limit ourselves to those answers. John gives us some very important doctrine (teaching) in his epistles and never mentions any of those things. John teaches love. Why do we put the elements of worship on a pedestal while putting other doctrines like love on a lesser plain? We have a tendency to act like we're pleasing God if we're going through the motions of acceptable worship and using other elements as filler. I say that the concept of love is not only as important as other teachings but probably more important. After all, if love isn't our motivator for what we do, than why even do what we do?
If you don't agree, here's something to consider. The word work appears in the Epistles of John only two times. In I John 3:8 it's used when John talks of Jesus destroying the works of the devil. Four verses later it's used when describing the works of Cain as evil. That's it. The word faith is used in these three books exactly one time. I John 5:4 says, "Wor whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith."
Now lets look at what John was focused on. The book of First John is five chapters long. The word love or some derivative of it appears 51 times. II John contains only 13 verses yet John uses love four times. Third John has 14 verses and John uses love twice. This is not only the teaching of an Apostle but of the Apostle that seems to have had the closest relationship with Christ. The other three gospels tell us what Jesus did. The gospel of John tells us why Jesus did what he did and in that book John repeatedly uses the word love or some form of it. If these books are as important as any other in the New Testament (and they are) than this doctrine is as important as any other. It's past time for us to start treating it that way.
Here's something to think about when considering what Christian love meant to the Apostle John. This is a quote from Guy N. Woods commentary. "Tradition has it that when his (John's) capacity to work and to teach was gone, when he lacked even the strength to stand alone, he directed that he be borne to the meeting of the saints where, rising unsteadily and supporting himself with his cane, he would say with quavering voice, 'Little children, love one another!'" That's the entire foundation of our salvation; love. It was God's love that allowed Him to offer His Son. It was the Son's love that allowed Him to take on the task given to Him. It should be our recipricating love that motivates us.
Coming up next, I plan to give background on the when, where and why John wrote these books and who he wrote them to.
I think it's important to consider particular words when studying these letters from John. As you'll see some of the words are Greek while some are English. I think the first word of importance is doctrine. The word doctrine means teaching. If a person were asked what the doctrine of the church is, the answers they receive may vary. Based on experience I have a feeling that many would answer by saying the doctrine of the New Testament church includes baptism by immersion, congregational vocal singing and the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper.
Each of those elements are important. However we do ourselves and the world a terrible disservice when we limit ourselves to those answers. John gives us some very important doctrine (teaching) in his epistles and never mentions any of those things. John teaches love. Why do we put the elements of worship on a pedestal while putting other doctrines like love on a lesser plain? We have a tendency to act like we're pleasing God if we're going through the motions of acceptable worship and using other elements as filler. I say that the concept of love is not only as important as other teachings but probably more important. After all, if love isn't our motivator for what we do, than why even do what we do?
If you don't agree, here's something to consider. The word work appears in the Epistles of John only two times. In I John 3:8 it's used when John talks of Jesus destroying the works of the devil. Four verses later it's used when describing the works of Cain as evil. That's it. The word faith is used in these three books exactly one time. I John 5:4 says, "Wor whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith."
Now lets look at what John was focused on. The book of First John is five chapters long. The word love or some derivative of it appears 51 times. II John contains only 13 verses yet John uses love four times. Third John has 14 verses and John uses love twice. This is not only the teaching of an Apostle but of the Apostle that seems to have had the closest relationship with Christ. The other three gospels tell us what Jesus did. The gospel of John tells us why Jesus did what he did and in that book John repeatedly uses the word love or some form of it. If these books are as important as any other in the New Testament (and they are) than this doctrine is as important as any other. It's past time for us to start treating it that way.
Here's something to think about when considering what Christian love meant to the Apostle John. This is a quote from Guy N. Woods commentary. "Tradition has it that when his (John's) capacity to work and to teach was gone, when he lacked even the strength to stand alone, he directed that he be borne to the meeting of the saints where, rising unsteadily and supporting himself with his cane, he would say with quavering voice, 'Little children, love one another!'" That's the entire foundation of our salvation; love. It was God's love that allowed Him to offer His Son. It was the Son's love that allowed Him to take on the task given to Him. It should be our recipricating love that motivates us.
Coming up next, I plan to give background on the when, where and why John wrote these books and who he wrote them to.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
First John and Justin Martyr
I recently began teaching a Sunday morning class on the Epistles of John. As I have promised to a few people, I plan to put my notes from the class on here. Last week as I was studying and researching some information for the class I came across these words written by Justin Martyr.
Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-167) was born about the time the Apostle John died. In his youth he saw a lot of the persecution that Christians suffered at the hands of the Roman Empire. He became a Christian and wrote a defense of Christianity that was addressed to the Emperor. He wrote the following words that I thought were a great example of not only how the first century church worshipped but how we today could do some things.
"On Sunday a meeting is held of all who live in the cities and villages and a section is read from the memoirs of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets as long as time permits. When the reading is finished, the president in a discourse gives the admonition and exhortation to imitate these noble things. After this we all arise and offer a common prayer. At the close of the prayer as we have before described, bread and wine and thanks for them according to his ability and the congregation answers Amen. Then the consecrated elements are distributed to each one and partaken of and are carried by the deacons to the houses of the absent. The wealthy and the willing then give contributions according to their freewill; and this collection is deposited to supply the orphans, widows, prisoners, strangers and all who are in want."
Notice that communion wasn't taken just to the shut-ins but to "the houses of the absent." I wonder what the response would be from those were absent if deacons did this today?
Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-167) was born about the time the Apostle John died. In his youth he saw a lot of the persecution that Christians suffered at the hands of the Roman Empire. He became a Christian and wrote a defense of Christianity that was addressed to the Emperor. He wrote the following words that I thought were a great example of not only how the first century church worshipped but how we today could do some things.
"On Sunday a meeting is held of all who live in the cities and villages and a section is read from the memoirs of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets as long as time permits. When the reading is finished, the president in a discourse gives the admonition and exhortation to imitate these noble things. After this we all arise and offer a common prayer. At the close of the prayer as we have before described, bread and wine and thanks for them according to his ability and the congregation answers Amen. Then the consecrated elements are distributed to each one and partaken of and are carried by the deacons to the houses of the absent. The wealthy and the willing then give contributions according to their freewill; and this collection is deposited to supply the orphans, widows, prisoners, strangers and all who are in want."
Notice that communion wasn't taken just to the shut-ins but to "the houses of the absent." I wonder what the response would be from those were absent if deacons did this today?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Random Thoughts
My wife says I can't remember anything. I tell her it's because there's so much information and so many thoughts in my head I can't sort them out. It's like trying to find a paper in your office. It's hard to find just one single paper when you have so many in there. Consider this my mental office cleaning.
Thanks to several of you for your nice words about things I've posted here recently. I appreciate your kindness. You may have started something though because I might start posting more.
Earlier today I was listening to Louis Armstrong sing "What A Wonderful World". I realized it's not possible for a person to hear him sing that song and not smile. If you can keep from smiling when you hear that, I worry about you.
I also realized that song should never have been covered by any other artist. It's his song. I know a lot of singers have recorded it, some of them well but none of them like Satchmo. I love Tony Bennett and he recorded it. It's good but it ain't the same. I don't know what makes singers do that. You can't improve perfection.
Speaking of songs I'm really into Chris Isaak's new one called "We Let Her Down". It's from his first new CD in 8 years called "Mr. Lucky". I almost typed record as in, his first new record. I stopped myself because I realized that would make me sound old. I'll never forget the time I was talking to my 11 year old daughter about music. I told her about a certain record and she stopped me to ask what a record is! By the way Chris Isaak does one of the best live shows you'll ever see in any genre.
I come across other blogs all the time. Some I find on my own and some others point me to. I've had this thought for a while now. I'm going to start adding links to blogs I enjoy reading on the right side of the page. That's funny in a way because I'm lucky to find time to add to my own, let alone read others. Maybe you'll enjoy them from time to time though.
By the way, I'm experimenting with the layout a bit; changing colors, adding info boxes. I'm open to ideas and suggestions. I'm thinking of adding pictures from time to time so who knows what this may look like. I'm still trying to learn a lot of how this works as I go.
I wish I'd seen Roberto Clemente play baseball when he was alive. I've seen the videos. I wish I could have seen him in person. I've got a million great memories life has given me. That's one I wish I had. I missed him by two seasons. He died at the beginning of '73. My first game in Pittsburgh was in '74 I think.
If you want to read a great study about the crucifixion of Christ, get "Voices of Calvary" (Truths That Echo Through The Ages). It's written by David Pharr and published by Publishing Designs, Inc. He's currently preaching in South Carolina and was previously the director of the East Tennessee School of Preaching. I'm sure the school has it in their bookstore. It's great for personal reading and study. It would also make a great book for an adult or teenage Bible study class. For men, it's filled with great thoughts to share when presiding over Communion. Get the book!
I told you these thoughts were random so I'll prove it. How is it humanly possible for the Lennon Sisters and the Everly Brothers to create the harmonies they have in their music? I wonder what they would sound like together. Speaking of the Everly's if you ever see a CD version of their "Brown Eyes" or "Born Yesterday" records (there I said it), let me know. Yes, I've checked ebay and itunes. If you do I'll tell you about the time years ago when Don Everly gave me one of their boxed sets. That's another thought for another time though...
Thanks to several of you for your nice words about things I've posted here recently. I appreciate your kindness. You may have started something though because I might start posting more.
Earlier today I was listening to Louis Armstrong sing "What A Wonderful World". I realized it's not possible for a person to hear him sing that song and not smile. If you can keep from smiling when you hear that, I worry about you.
I also realized that song should never have been covered by any other artist. It's his song. I know a lot of singers have recorded it, some of them well but none of them like Satchmo. I love Tony Bennett and he recorded it. It's good but it ain't the same. I don't know what makes singers do that. You can't improve perfection.
Speaking of songs I'm really into Chris Isaak's new one called "We Let Her Down". It's from his first new CD in 8 years called "Mr. Lucky". I almost typed record as in, his first new record. I stopped myself because I realized that would make me sound old. I'll never forget the time I was talking to my 11 year old daughter about music. I told her about a certain record and she stopped me to ask what a record is! By the way Chris Isaak does one of the best live shows you'll ever see in any genre.
I come across other blogs all the time. Some I find on my own and some others point me to. I've had this thought for a while now. I'm going to start adding links to blogs I enjoy reading on the right side of the page. That's funny in a way because I'm lucky to find time to add to my own, let alone read others. Maybe you'll enjoy them from time to time though.
By the way, I'm experimenting with the layout a bit; changing colors, adding info boxes. I'm open to ideas and suggestions. I'm thinking of adding pictures from time to time so who knows what this may look like. I'm still trying to learn a lot of how this works as I go.
I wish I'd seen Roberto Clemente play baseball when he was alive. I've seen the videos. I wish I could have seen him in person. I've got a million great memories life has given me. That's one I wish I had. I missed him by two seasons. He died at the beginning of '73. My first game in Pittsburgh was in '74 I think.
If you want to read a great study about the crucifixion of Christ, get "Voices of Calvary" (Truths That Echo Through The Ages). It's written by David Pharr and published by Publishing Designs, Inc. He's currently preaching in South Carolina and was previously the director of the East Tennessee School of Preaching. I'm sure the school has it in their bookstore. It's great for personal reading and study. It would also make a great book for an adult or teenage Bible study class. For men, it's filled with great thoughts to share when presiding over Communion. Get the book!
I told you these thoughts were random so I'll prove it. How is it humanly possible for the Lennon Sisters and the Everly Brothers to create the harmonies they have in their music? I wonder what they would sound like together. Speaking of the Everly's if you ever see a CD version of their "Brown Eyes" or "Born Yesterday" records (there I said it), let me know. Yes, I've checked ebay and itunes. If you do I'll tell you about the time years ago when Don Everly gave me one of their boxed sets. That's another thought for another time though...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
"Outta Here"
Harry Kalas died yesterday. To the uninformed he was the long time play by play announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies. To the rest of us he was a part of baseball history. He'd been with the Phillies for 37 years.
Radio play by play men are important not just to a baseball team but to the fans of that team. They become as identifiable as the colors and logos of the team. The days of announcers spending half a life time with a team seem to becoming to an end. The days of their easily recognizable broadcast styles are ending as well. Now everybody wants to sound like they're hosting Sports Center. Kalas' death brought us one step closer to that end.
Think about where all the great announcers come from. It's baseball. Look at the networks over the last few decades. When they needed announcers they looked to baseball. Vin Scully (Dodgers) was on NBC. Jack Buck (Cardinals) was on FOX. Al Michaels (Reds) was on ABC and is now on NBC. The list goes on and it includes Kalas. The NFL picked him for voice over work for NFL Films. That road only leads one way. You don't see basketball or football announcers being recruited for baseball. It's an art form. In baseball more than any other sport the announcer is painting a picture. It's theater for the mind of the thinking man. His voice rises and falls with the ebb and flow of the game and it draws us in. It's a form of music really.
Baseball also becomes a bigger part of the fan's life than other sports. Think about it. You might love a football team but you're only going to hear a game on the radio once a week for a few weeks each year. Baseball announcers are with you every night for an entire season; three seasons actually from spring until fall. For a young fan and even many not so young fans, that announcer is providing the soundtrack of your summers.
I remember getting a transistor radio for my birthday one year when I was a boy. I thought it was great that I could lay in bed under the covers and hear Lanny Frattare bring the Pirates games to me. When I discovered I could lay there and pick up Ernie Harwell in Detroit, Jack Buck in St. Louis or Marty Brenneman in Cincinnati I thought it was the greatest discovery since Columbus found his New World. I mean they were hundreds of miles away. If they were on the west coast broadcasting back to their home cities then on to me, that was even more amazing.
We don't have transistor radios anymore though. We don't have those legendary announcers like we used to either and as shameful as it is, most of us now wouldn't make the time to tune them in even if we did. Those of us lucky enough to have experienced that slice of life though have the memories. We can still play those sounds of summer in our minds.
In times past how a person died was very important. In the Civil War for instance if a soldier, particularly a commander died on heroically on the field of battle, he was remembered for dying a glorious death. A person was often remembered for how he died almost as much as for how he lived. Harry Kalas ended his career and his life by calling his Phillies to a World Championship last season; his last full season. He died yesterday in the press box getting ready for the Phillies game against the Nationals. He died a glorious death. Just like his call when a Phillie would hit one out, he's "outta here".
Radio play by play men are important not just to a baseball team but to the fans of that team. They become as identifiable as the colors and logos of the team. The days of announcers spending half a life time with a team seem to becoming to an end. The days of their easily recognizable broadcast styles are ending as well. Now everybody wants to sound like they're hosting Sports Center. Kalas' death brought us one step closer to that end.
Think about where all the great announcers come from. It's baseball. Look at the networks over the last few decades. When they needed announcers they looked to baseball. Vin Scully (Dodgers) was on NBC. Jack Buck (Cardinals) was on FOX. Al Michaels (Reds) was on ABC and is now on NBC. The list goes on and it includes Kalas. The NFL picked him for voice over work for NFL Films. That road only leads one way. You don't see basketball or football announcers being recruited for baseball. It's an art form. In baseball more than any other sport the announcer is painting a picture. It's theater for the mind of the thinking man. His voice rises and falls with the ebb and flow of the game and it draws us in. It's a form of music really.
Baseball also becomes a bigger part of the fan's life than other sports. Think about it. You might love a football team but you're only going to hear a game on the radio once a week for a few weeks each year. Baseball announcers are with you every night for an entire season; three seasons actually from spring until fall. For a young fan and even many not so young fans, that announcer is providing the soundtrack of your summers.
I remember getting a transistor radio for my birthday one year when I was a boy. I thought it was great that I could lay in bed under the covers and hear Lanny Frattare bring the Pirates games to me. When I discovered I could lay there and pick up Ernie Harwell in Detroit, Jack Buck in St. Louis or Marty Brenneman in Cincinnati I thought it was the greatest discovery since Columbus found his New World. I mean they were hundreds of miles away. If they were on the west coast broadcasting back to their home cities then on to me, that was even more amazing.
We don't have transistor radios anymore though. We don't have those legendary announcers like we used to either and as shameful as it is, most of us now wouldn't make the time to tune them in even if we did. Those of us lucky enough to have experienced that slice of life though have the memories. We can still play those sounds of summer in our minds.
In times past how a person died was very important. In the Civil War for instance if a soldier, particularly a commander died on heroically on the field of battle, he was remembered for dying a glorious death. A person was often remembered for how he died almost as much as for how he lived. Harry Kalas ended his career and his life by calling his Phillies to a World Championship last season; his last full season. He died yesterday in the press box getting ready for the Phillies game against the Nationals. He died a glorious death. Just like his call when a Phillie would hit one out, he's "outta here".
Monday, April 13, 2009
David's Rich Offering
I mentioned previously some of the numbers associated with Solomon and his wealth. Today while looking at First Chronicles I was reminded of David and his wealth. In verse 14 of chapter 22 of that book, David gives 100,000 talents of gold towards the building of the temple that Solomon would construct. That's 12 million pounds or 192 million ounces. In today's money that donation was worth $172,800,000,000. Yes, that's 172.8 billion dollars!
Chapter 16 recounts a song of thanksgiving David sang to God. In verse 29 he sang, "Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
I think it's fair to say that David knew what he was talking about when he said to bring an offering!
Chapter 16 recounts a song of thanksgiving David sang to God. In verse 29 he sang, "Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
I think it's fair to say that David knew what he was talking about when he said to bring an offering!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Play Ball!
So far everything I've posted here has been related to Christian faith. This entry will change that. The Major League baseball season has started. I came across something I wrote a few years ago and thought I'd post it here. If you're a baseball fan you'll get it. If you're not, indulge me anyway. After all, it's my site!
It was warm out tonight; not January warm but April warm in January. A warm breeze was blowing gently before a thunderstorm rolled in. It felt like a spring night. It's the kind of night that reminds you of the hope and assurance that spring is on the way and so is baseball.
It was the kind of night we loved when we were 18 and had all the answers before any of us had been confronted with the questions. We'd talk about which teams had the best shot that year. We'd talk about our teams and they were ours. They'd been a part of our lives since we were boys and they were still a part of our lives as we stood at the entry to manhood.
It would be a night to celebrate because the season was here and everybody was still a winner. All the teams are winners in the first week of April. As a result, all the fans are winners too. We were winners. Winter was over. Spring was here and hope came with it. We'd live forever and everything would always be as perfect as it was that night. We knew that as sure as we knew we'd be celebrating a Series victory in the fall with our heroes.
We all had the perfect girls picked out to marry. They'd be baseball fans. We'd make them fans. We could stay out here all night and celebrate baseball, our friendship, those girls and spring. It didn't matter that we were supposed to be in class in a few hours. The semester was almost over and besides, we'd already spent all those winter days in class. We deserved this.
We planned our lives and how we'd celebrate life next spring and the spring after that like we were celebrating now; on an empty baseball field in the middle of the night with no regrets about yesterday and no concerns about tomorrow.
As the night grew longer and the grass grew heavier we sat and laid there believing the cool wetness of the grass was like everything else in life. It was for us. It was our championship champagne that covered us in our victorious celebration; the celebration of hope, baseball, friendship and 18 year old invincibility. It was perfect and it was ours. It belonged to all of us and only us. Anyone not on that field at that time could ever feel that.
There was no reason to believe anything would change. It wouldn't be possible that in a few, quick years we'd lose track of each other. It was inconceivable to think my Pirates could only sniff a World Series once over the next 18 years. A sniff would be all they got though thanks to Barry Bonds' inability to throw out a crippled Sid Bream at the plate in '92. At that time, in that night how could it be possible for us to be spread around the country in different walks of life like free agents scattered around various leagues in different levels? We would have laughed at that thought on nights like this; on that night.
We were there. I was there. I had those thoughts and shared those feelings. They were thoughts and feelings brought to us on the quiet strength of that sweet and warm gentle breeze. I felt that breeze tonight. You know the kind. It carried with it the memories of that night from long ago and on its back was the hint and glimmer of new dreams. Then it rained.
It was warm out tonight; not January warm but April warm in January. A warm breeze was blowing gently before a thunderstorm rolled in. It felt like a spring night. It's the kind of night that reminds you of the hope and assurance that spring is on the way and so is baseball.
It was the kind of night we loved when we were 18 and had all the answers before any of us had been confronted with the questions. We'd talk about which teams had the best shot that year. We'd talk about our teams and they were ours. They'd been a part of our lives since we were boys and they were still a part of our lives as we stood at the entry to manhood.
It would be a night to celebrate because the season was here and everybody was still a winner. All the teams are winners in the first week of April. As a result, all the fans are winners too. We were winners. Winter was over. Spring was here and hope came with it. We'd live forever and everything would always be as perfect as it was that night. We knew that as sure as we knew we'd be celebrating a Series victory in the fall with our heroes.
We all had the perfect girls picked out to marry. They'd be baseball fans. We'd make them fans. We could stay out here all night and celebrate baseball, our friendship, those girls and spring. It didn't matter that we were supposed to be in class in a few hours. The semester was almost over and besides, we'd already spent all those winter days in class. We deserved this.
We planned our lives and how we'd celebrate life next spring and the spring after that like we were celebrating now; on an empty baseball field in the middle of the night with no regrets about yesterday and no concerns about tomorrow.
As the night grew longer and the grass grew heavier we sat and laid there believing the cool wetness of the grass was like everything else in life. It was for us. It was our championship champagne that covered us in our victorious celebration; the celebration of hope, baseball, friendship and 18 year old invincibility. It was perfect and it was ours. It belonged to all of us and only us. Anyone not on that field at that time could ever feel that.
There was no reason to believe anything would change. It wouldn't be possible that in a few, quick years we'd lose track of each other. It was inconceivable to think my Pirates could only sniff a World Series once over the next 18 years. A sniff would be all they got though thanks to Barry Bonds' inability to throw out a crippled Sid Bream at the plate in '92. At that time, in that night how could it be possible for us to be spread around the country in different walks of life like free agents scattered around various leagues in different levels? We would have laughed at that thought on nights like this; on that night.
We were there. I was there. I had those thoughts and shared those feelings. They were thoughts and feelings brought to us on the quiet strength of that sweet and warm gentle breeze. I felt that breeze tonight. You know the kind. It carried with it the memories of that night from long ago and on its back was the hint and glimmer of new dreams. Then it rained.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
First Kings Fun Facts
Several months ago I led a Wednesday night Bible class in which we studied the books of First and Second Kings. As any Bible student knows, there are certain things in the Bible that are difficult for us to understand based on differences in cultures, years and words.
I discovered as I prepared for the class that I couldn't really understand the wealth of Solomon and the size of the temple he constructed. I get that fact that he was the richest man in the world but I didn't realize or know just how rich. Afterall, I don't measure things in cubits and talents. I doubt you do either. I decided to convert the temple measurements and the gold and riches of Solomon into figures we use and understand.
As recently as last week I had a person tell me they were glad I did that. They thought it made the class interesting and allowed them to really get a grasp on these things as well. That got me thinking that maybe I should put some of those figures here. I hope you find them interesting.
I Kings 6:2 tells us the temple built by Solomon was 60 cubits by 20 cubits by 30 cubits. A cubit was approximately 18 inches in length. That equals 90 feet by 30 feet. It was 45 feet tall. Based on the length and width, it was 2700 square feet in size.
I Kings 7:1 tells us it took Solomons 13 years to build his own house. There was a good reason for that based on the next verse. Again converting cubits to inches and feet, his house stood 150 long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet tall. That's a total of 11250 square feet. I looked at the Knoxville Association of Realtors MLS today. Of the homes currently for sale in that range of size, the average asking price is $2,465,000. Remember, the real estate market is depressed!
The Hall of Pillars he built in chapter 7 and verse 6 was 3375 SF. Keep in mind the average American home is about 1500 SF in size.
We are all familiar with the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon in chapter 10. Verse 10 says that she gave him 120 talents of gold. A talent of gold weighed about 120 pounds. (Remember that when you read Christ's parables of the widow who lost her talent and parable on forgiveness in Matthew 18:23-35.) That's 14,400 pounds of gold.
Gold has been trading at over $900/oz. recently. With 16 ounces in a pound, Solomon received 230,400 ounces of gold. In today's money the queen gave him $207,360,000 in gold. That's two hundred seven million three hundred sixty thousand dollars! It's no wonder that verses 21 and 27 of that chapter tells us that silver was worth nothing in his days.
But wait, there's more. Verse 14 says he received 666 talents of gold each year. Based on the same figures we used above, he received 79,920 pounds of gold which would be 1,278,720 ounces. At $900/ounce, Solomon was given $1,150,848,000 in gold using today's dollars. Yes, that's 1.1 billion!
Now I can undertand that wealth. There are several other places in that book as well as in the rest of the Bible where you can use simple conversions to make it more understandable. I think doing that makes us really appreciate even more what the writers are telling us.
I discovered as I prepared for the class that I couldn't really understand the wealth of Solomon and the size of the temple he constructed. I get that fact that he was the richest man in the world but I didn't realize or know just how rich. Afterall, I don't measure things in cubits and talents. I doubt you do either. I decided to convert the temple measurements and the gold and riches of Solomon into figures we use and understand.
As recently as last week I had a person tell me they were glad I did that. They thought it made the class interesting and allowed them to really get a grasp on these things as well. That got me thinking that maybe I should put some of those figures here. I hope you find them interesting.
I Kings 6:2 tells us the temple built by Solomon was 60 cubits by 20 cubits by 30 cubits. A cubit was approximately 18 inches in length. That equals 90 feet by 30 feet. It was 45 feet tall. Based on the length and width, it was 2700 square feet in size.
I Kings 7:1 tells us it took Solomons 13 years to build his own house. There was a good reason for that based on the next verse. Again converting cubits to inches and feet, his house stood 150 long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet tall. That's a total of 11250 square feet. I looked at the Knoxville Association of Realtors MLS today. Of the homes currently for sale in that range of size, the average asking price is $2,465,000. Remember, the real estate market is depressed!
The Hall of Pillars he built in chapter 7 and verse 6 was 3375 SF. Keep in mind the average American home is about 1500 SF in size.
We are all familiar with the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon in chapter 10. Verse 10 says that she gave him 120 talents of gold. A talent of gold weighed about 120 pounds. (Remember that when you read Christ's parables of the widow who lost her talent and parable on forgiveness in Matthew 18:23-35.) That's 14,400 pounds of gold.
Gold has been trading at over $900/oz. recently. With 16 ounces in a pound, Solomon received 230,400 ounces of gold. In today's money the queen gave him $207,360,000 in gold. That's two hundred seven million three hundred sixty thousand dollars! It's no wonder that verses 21 and 27 of that chapter tells us that silver was worth nothing in his days.
But wait, there's more. Verse 14 says he received 666 talents of gold each year. Based on the same figures we used above, he received 79,920 pounds of gold which would be 1,278,720 ounces. At $900/ounce, Solomon was given $1,150,848,000 in gold using today's dollars. Yes, that's 1.1 billion!
Now I can undertand that wealth. There are several other places in that book as well as in the rest of the Bible where you can use simple conversions to make it more understandable. I think doing that makes us really appreciate even more what the writers are telling us.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Something To Think About
Jim Waldron, a missionary to India edited a book entitled "Is There A Universal Code of Ethics". One of the chapters was written by M. H. Tucker. In that chapter he includes the following thought provoking poem. I don't know if Mr. Tucker wrote this or not but I wanted to give credit to where I found it.
There isn't a word the preacher can say,
No matter how lovely and true,
Nor is there a prayer his eager lips pray,
That can preach such a sermon as you.
You vowed to serve Christ; men know you did.
They're watching the things that you do.
There isn't one action of yours that is hid;
Men are watching and studying you.
You say you're no preacher, but you preach
An impressive sermon each day.
The acts of your life are the things that you teach
It isn't the things that you say.
So, Christians, remember you bear His name;
Your lives are for others to view,
You're living examples, men praise or blame,
And measure all Christians by you.
There isn't a word the preacher can say,
No matter how lovely and true,
Nor is there a prayer his eager lips pray,
That can preach such a sermon as you.
You vowed to serve Christ; men know you did.
They're watching the things that you do.
There isn't one action of yours that is hid;
Men are watching and studying you.
You say you're no preacher, but you preach
An impressive sermon each day.
The acts of your life are the things that you teach
It isn't the things that you say.
So, Christians, remember you bear His name;
Your lives are for others to view,
You're living examples, men praise or blame,
And measure all Christians by you.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Greatness of God
What comes to mind when you read that title? Maybe we think about the greatness of His love. We think about the level of His love; the fact that He would sacrifice His son for people that don't even deserve it. Maybe we think about a sunrise we've seen over a mountain top or over an ocean. We might remember the incredible beauty of a place like the Grand Canyon.Perhaps we remember the feeling we had the first time we saw our children when they were born. Whatever comes to mind isn't enough.
Few if any had the kind of relationship with God that Moses had. Arguments could be made that Abraham or David had that kind of a relationship. Moses though not only talked with God, he was able to change God's mind on more than one occasion. There were times that God's people sinned against Him and He planned to kill them. Moses convinced Him otherwise. Time after time since God first visited Moses in the burning bush at Horeb, Moses saw and felt the tremendous power and glory of God.
In the early chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses is recounting the history of the Israelites travel from Egypt to the Jordan. Moses knows he will not see the promised land. He even asks God again in chapter 3 if he can cross the Jordan. He had already been told by the Lord when he struck the rock that he wouldn't enter the land. Moses says in verse 23 that he pleaded with the Lord yet God said no.
Even after all that Moses had seen and heard from God, after all the personal experiences he'd had with the Lord and even after being denied entry to Caanan, Moses speaks some very telling words in verse 24. He says, "O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand..." It's almost incomprehensible isn't it? He says that God has begun to show His greatness.
That's the same God we serve. Yet even a man like Moses knows "he ain't seen nothing yet" from the Lord. Certainly we'll never have the experiences with God that Moses had on earth. Only in Heaven will we truly know and understand this vast greatness. Isn't that something?!
Few if any had the kind of relationship with God that Moses had. Arguments could be made that Abraham or David had that kind of a relationship. Moses though not only talked with God, he was able to change God's mind on more than one occasion. There were times that God's people sinned against Him and He planned to kill them. Moses convinced Him otherwise. Time after time since God first visited Moses in the burning bush at Horeb, Moses saw and felt the tremendous power and glory of God.
In the early chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses is recounting the history of the Israelites travel from Egypt to the Jordan. Moses knows he will not see the promised land. He even asks God again in chapter 3 if he can cross the Jordan. He had already been told by the Lord when he struck the rock that he wouldn't enter the land. Moses says in verse 23 that he pleaded with the Lord yet God said no.
Even after all that Moses had seen and heard from God, after all the personal experiences he'd had with the Lord and even after being denied entry to Caanan, Moses speaks some very telling words in verse 24. He says, "O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand..." It's almost incomprehensible isn't it? He says that God has begun to show His greatness.
That's the same God we serve. Yet even a man like Moses knows "he ain't seen nothing yet" from the Lord. Certainly we'll never have the experiences with God that Moses had on earth. Only in Heaven will we truly know and understand this vast greatness. Isn't that something?!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)