Taylor Christians

In the Name of Jesus

tglover — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:28:16 +0000

Colossians 3:17 reads, “whatever ye may do in word or in work, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus–giving thanks to the God and Father, through him.” The phrase, “in the name of” is found 30 times in the New Testament. In the Bible, it is a statement that connects one to the power or authority of Jesus. Several examples of the phrase are found in Acts 3 and 4. First, Peter heals a lame man, explaining to him, “Silver and gold I have none, but what I have, that I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and be walking” (3:6). When the people stood in amazement, Peter further explains, “Why wonder at this? Or on us why look so earnestly, as if by our own power or piety we have made him to walk?… And by faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all (3:12, 16). Later, the Jewish leadership asked “in what power, or in what name did ye do this?’ (4:7). Peter answered that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (4:10). He then adds, “neither is there any other name under heaven given among men wherein we must be saved” (cf. 1 Cor. 6:11).

The same power that healed the man is the power that saves us today through the gospel (Rom. 1:16). Further usage of the phrase occurs when the Sanhedrin commanded that they no longer teach in the name of Jesus (verse 18), and the prayer references wonders done in the name of Jesus (verse 30). It is no accident that this phrase is used so much in these two chapters. The power of Christ is seen in the resurrection and now this “notable miracle.” Other examples to study are John 5:43, which states that Jesus came in his Father’s name (authority, power and endorsement), cf. 10:25 and when Paul preached in Damascus, it is said that he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27).

The recitation of the phrase “in the name of Jesus” invokes no magical power from above; the power is in saying of the phrase. Saying the phrase does nothing for those on the Day of Judgment who say to the Lord that they have done many works in his name (Matthew 7:21-23). Jesus will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity.” The word iniquity means to act without law. Thus, many on that day will be told that they did not have the permission to do the things they were doing. In other words, they did not have the right to act because Jesus had not authored or empowered them. Acting by one’s own power while attributing it to the power of Jesus is a serious practice that will lead to a day of departure from the Lord.

Friends, Christianity is not a form of religion that is open for all to choose how they want to worship and serve Him. It is critical that we not make the same mistake described in the above quote from Matthew 7. This picture will be duplicated when many will say, “Lord, look at all the people I taught in your name” or, “Did I not worship in your name?” and, “Lord, do you not know that I was baptized in your name?” So, doing “in the name” is very different from saying, “in the name of Jesus.” It suggests that we are following God’s direction that pleases Him, whether we like it or not.

An application of this phrase is associated with baptism (Mat. 28:19). Again, rather than some baptismal formula, it speaks to the power by which one is baptized. Being baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one that they endorse and approve. Acts 12 is an example of a baptism this side of the cross that was not approved and had no power to save – the baptism of John. When they were taught heaven’s will, they were baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:5). This baptism is a command (Acts 2:38), the answer of a good conscience (1 Peter 3:21) and is in water. The element is not the Holy Spirit, but water (Acts 8:14-17; 10:47-48). In the case of Cornelius, he received the Holy Spirit, but it was before the baptism of verses 47-48. Claiming Holy Spirit baptism is not the same as being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. One is a promise that is received; the other is a command that is obeyed by faith.

Man has no power to save himself. God does the saving and therefore stipulates the means and the conditions by which He chooses to save. It is not for us to decide how we would like to be saved and then claim that God saved us. We act in faith and trust his promise to save us, according to His power.

ADHD and the Bible part 2

tglover — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:42:15 +0000

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is listed in the Manual of Mental Disorders-IV. The symptoms are listed here along with a brief biblical guide to dealing with them. Our emphasis is that school teachers are not given the responsibility to raise our children. Parents are given that responsibility. While it is ideal that their work complement the parents’ work, the values and skills to succeed in life rests upon the parents. The key is training and that requires time, effort, prayer, and patience.

(1) “Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.” The importance of doing our best is applicable to all facets of life. It is stated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:22-23. They read, “whether, then, you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” and “whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.” We have a tendency to measure the importance of our activities with the importance we place in ourselves. For example, a mother may feel insignificant in her role as a mother and not value the mundane chores of the home. When doing the laundry becomes a hated task, it may be ignored or cause outbursts of frustration, anger and bitterness.

The same problem exists in children who view their time in school as an insignificant and boring existence. Children with this approach are just passing the time in boredom with a view of getting out. Their work is done quickly and carelessly. We must all learn to do our best. Jesus said, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much” (Luke 16:10). Employers go through this same experience. You seldom start out on top, and if you do, chances are great that you cannot fully appreciate your position. Also, checking our work is a good practice but difficult for students. Having a list to routinely check may be useful. Why, you ask? To give God our best!

(2 and “Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities and is easily distracted” Practice is necessary to acquire a disciplined mind and that is exactly what is needed to stay on task. Peter wrote, “Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). Set your mind (make a determined choice) and demonstrate self-control.

(3) “Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.” Once again, if we are not wanting to be accountable, to be called on or be engaged in any way, we may learn to ignore and treat others with indifference. James says to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19).

(4) “Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace.” The principle of cause and effect is needed to be taught here. What will result in finishing the work or not finishing? This is why rewards for good behavior is as important as correction for bad behavior. We all need encouragement that we can and, therefore, will succeed. Paul wrote, “Do not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Gal. 6:9).

(5) “Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.” Here is an opportunity to teach the concept of orderliness. Paul wrote, “Let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner” (1 Cor. 14:40). While organization is drudgery for children, it is well worth the effort to teach organization skills.

(6) “Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort.” When children are not required to finish tasks at home or allowed to do a chore when they “feel like it,” we are assisting them in developing this reaction toward work. All of us should be trained away from the words, “I can’t.” Instead, we should at least say, “I’ll try,” and when challenged beyond our ability, “Will you help me, please.” The Word of God, too, is positive with statements like, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

(7-9) “Often loses things necessary for tasks and forgetful of daily activities.” The Biblical principle of stewardship is needed here. God has placed in our trust and keeping all that we possess. How we use them defines our stewardship. Proverbs 18:9 reads, “He who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys.”

These behaviors are not so uncommon in children. Understandably, some have more problems than others due to their personality, environment and home training. Yet, giving a child a drug cannot replace parental training nor ease the conscience of our neglect. Children are a heritage of the Lord. God has entrusted them to us and we are responsible for their training. Please, commit the time and energy necessary to train them well.

ADHD and the Bible part 1

tglover — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:08:17 +0000

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common diagnosis for children who cannot sit still and pay attention in school. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV describes the disease with the failure to organize tasks, to give attention to detail, to finish their work, to stay on task; seems not to listen when spoken to, avoids work that require sustained mental effort, looses things required to complete tasks, forgetful and easily distracted. Under hyperactivity, the behavior includes interrupting, impatience, rudeness, excessive talking, inappropriate outbursts, squirming, fidgeting and leaving their seat. If you have these symptoms for six months, you have this disease. There is nothing definitive like blood work that proves a child has ADHD. Consequently, leading theorists disagree among themselves. Even the DSMV-IV underwent revisions that show the changing criteria of the ADHD diagnosis.

I had two boys who were diagnosed with ADD. The only basis for the diagnosis was an opinion survey filled out by both parents and their teachers. The questions revolve around their inattention and hyperactivity. The answers had numerical values with a composite score at the end. The results from the teacher who was given the questionnaire and who had complained about inattentiveness led the doctor to conclude both children had at least ADD. Not being satisfied with the results, I had three other teachers fill out the questionnaire. The results were perfectly normal. The Conner’s rating scale asks questions that are hard to answer with confidence (categories like very much or just a little) and produce a biased result. Robert Reid and John H. Maag, and Stanley F. Vasa write, “the focus remains on an ill-defined constellation of behaviors that do not evolve from an empirical base.” (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as A Disability Category: A Critique,” Exceptional Children, Vol. 60, No. 3 (1994), p. 200.)

Like many parents, I went along with the recommendation to give my children Ritalin to correct their behavior, despite the possible long term side effects. How the drug works was not completely established. The guide used phrases like “it is thought” and “this drug may,” and concluded with “The primary action that calms the overactive child is not known.” Other prescriptions include Cylert (Pemoline) and Dexedrine. While drugs are not the only treatment, it is the preferred and recommended treatment. After taking Ritalin, I noticed that my children were not as energetic and I was reminded that this positive response to the drug proved the diagnosis was accurate. Let’s not forget the fact that children with no attention problems can have a behavioral response to this therapy. (Martin Barren, “ADHD: Do we Finally Have it Right?” Contemporary Pediatrics, Vol. 11, No 11 (1994), p. 122). The fact that there is a change proves nothing.

Is this a medical disease or have children learned a behavior that allows them an out from certain expectations and tasks? Interestingly, Britain and France view them as “conduct problems” for which medication is rarely prescribed. There can be no doubt that this is a behavioral problem which can lead to enduring habits if not corrected. Yet, if the ADHD diagnosis is uncertain, and the drugs offer no cure and potentially harmful side effects, why give in to the conventional approach that may damage our children while the pharmaceutical companies flourish? Beside the physical and financial concerns, there may be more serious repercussions. Placing the label ADHD on a child may relieve children and their parents of any responsibility for modifying disruptive behaviors because they are perceived to be sick.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of the mind and developing good thought patterns (Col.3:1- ff; Rom. 12:1-2, Phil. 4:8). Parents must work hard to help their children develop good thinking as they bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). With instruction and the goal of pleasing God, children are in a better position to evaluate their behaviors. It’s not so much a matter of parents barking orders and threats so much as it is reminding them of God’s will. In fact, methods that demand quitting some behavior usually fall short because it fails to replace the negative with the positive behavior. If you are one who screams around the house, “Stop that!” or “You’d better not be …. or you’ll be in trouble” you are not teaching your children anything positive. You may think that you’re teaching them not to do something but not having the tools to evaluate their behavior and encourage the change to be their choice is not offering them tools for success. You will find that the Bible doesn’t stop at telling us what not to do. It also tells us what to do (Eph. 4:22-24). A similar application can also be made by balancing correction and punishment for bad behavior with rewards and recognition for good behavior.

In our next issue, we hope to provide a practical biblical guide for children with the nine symptoms/behaviors listed in the DSM-IV.

The sovereignty of God

tglover — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:17:32 +0000

A common error is comparing God to us in an effort to understand Him. Intellectually, we know that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:8-9). There is nothing to which we may compare Him that fully describes His nature. For example, we hear much about the love of God when comparing Him to an earthly parent. Someone will exclaim, “What loving father would send his child to hell?” While we know God is love (1 John 4:8), do we also know that he is “a consuming fire?” (Hebrews 12:29) and that it is a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31)? The efforts made by theologians and scholars of the highest sort must acknowledge that our finite minds cannot comprehend His infinite power and wisdom. Walk in a room full of preachers discussing predestination and foreordination. It‘s humorous to hear the sophistry of learned men who speak with confidence and appear to have it all worked out. Of course, so does every other preacher in the room and their views are not shared alike. The fact remains: Our God is Sovereign and I have a distinct limitation. I’m not God and all efforts to understand Him are limited.

He acts when it pleases Him (Ps 115:3). He doesn’t ask anyone’s permission or think it necessary to explain the reason behind those actions (cf. 135:5-6). I have evidence to believe that while I may not understand His purposes, it will just and righteous. For example, in Isa 10:5-7, God used Assyrians as a rod of discipline for His people, even though Assyria had no intention or plan to obey Him. Joseph speaking to his brothers about the evil they committed against him when they sold him into captivity, said in Genesis 50:2, “you meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

Also, when He does choose a course of action, it will be accomplished without failure. God, through Isaiah said, “as I have intended, so it has happened; and as I have planned, so it will stand” (Isa. 14:24). No one will be able to thwart His purposes (Isa. 43:13; 14:25-27). The apostles, quoting Psalms 2, see the crucifixion of Christ as the fulfillment of His plan. Referencing Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and the Jews in their prayer to God, enemies of Christ did whatever God’s hand and predestined to occur (Acts 4:24-28). While some tried to prevent God’s plan to seat His Christ upon the throne, God uses their plan to accomplish what had already been determined. What’s more is that God did not hide these plans but revealed them through His servants, the prophets. Consider how amazing it would be to witness a football team who told the opposing team the plays they are going to run and when before game day and then goes out on game day and does exactly what they said they would do. That’s not possible, you say. With men, yes; but with God, all things are possible (Mark 10:27).

This is why I do not believe God’s plan to establish the kingdom was thwarted because of the Jews who rejected Him and that He established the church instead. God sent Jesus into the world to be given the throne of David. Who is going to admit that He was stopped? He not only accomplishes what he plans, David explains that if anyone alters plans, it is God. He writes, “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation” (Psalm 33:10-11). This is why the promises of God give the Christian such confidence! He rules in heaven and on earth.

God’s sovereignty includes His rule among the nations (Ps. 47:8). After Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling experience, he acknowledges, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but he does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34-35) Earlier, he is recorded saying, “The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes” (Dan 4:25).

It is imperative that we seek Him and His will, and not our own. Either way, God is still sovereign so that in doing our own will, He is using us as he did Joseph’s brothers or ancient Assyria to accomplish his purpose. How awesome is that?

The proper response to this is that given in Psalm 2:10-12. “Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”

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Emotion: A by-product

tglover — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:05:12 +0000

A common fault of human beings is to justify their actions based on their feelings. In other words, we have to feel a certain way to act accordingly. For example, someone may say that they just don’t love their spouse anymore? What is implied is that they must feel affectionate and loving in order to commit to the relationship. Also, a traditional salvation experience is a response of an emotional call. Once emotions are stirred, the sinner interprets the feeling as the call of the Spirit and responds. In both cases, one cannot imagine responding until they feel like it. The feeling must precede the action.

While you may see this as perfectly natural and nothing with which to fault humanity, I suggest a different pattern taught in the Bible regarding emotions. Feelings flow from actions. When the Ethiopian of Acts 8 came up out of the water, he “went on his way rejoicing.” He didn’t rejoice, or wait for the feeling and act on the emotion. He made a conscious choice. He asked when coming to a body of water, “See here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Consider Cain whose feelings of anger and depression followed his choice of sacrifice offered to God. God asked, “If you do right, will your face not be lifted?” It’s critical that we realize that behavior determines feelings. Cain did not feel right, because he did not do right. Peter teaches in 1 Peter 3:10 that to have good days requires doing good deeds. This is not to say that we can merit salvation and feel good about it. But, he continues, in verse 16, to teach that a good conscience depends upon good behavior. Our conscience is that inner barometer that judges our actions based on our standard of right and wrong. When it is violated, it activates unpleasant feelings. This is why feelings follow behavior.

What do you do when the “check engine” light is on the dash? Do you take a hammer and smash it or cut the wires? No – the problem is not the light, as it only warns you of the real problem. Like the light, the conscience must not be ignored while the real problem worsens. Instead, we must voluntarily choose to lift the hood of our faulty behavior that activates the warning light, fix the behavior (repent) and rest with the warning light removed (“good conscience”). The axiom is this: voluntary alterations lead to involuntary emotions. The solution is to alter the behavior – choose to act right. Some propose a different solution to feel better by preaching a perverted gospel of false securities, empty promises, or taking a pill. This is addressing the symptom or cutting the wires of the warning light. This is no real solution. Paul calls this “searing” the conscience as with a branding iron” (1 Timothy 4:2) so as to feel no pain. Eventually, we reach a point when our actions no longer bother us because we have ignored it or anesthetized it. We can learn the same reaction to the warning on the dash of our car. We may get to a point when we no longer “see” it.

So, what do you do when you do not feel affectionate toward your wife? Do you wait for your feelings to change toward her? No! Change your behavior and love her. This is a command. It’s not an option. Love is a choice that puts her interests before your own, and even sacrifices for her. This is the love commanded of husbands in Ephesians 5. The blessing behind this command is that once you start doing for her and putting her first, you will find that the affection is restored. Notice the order – change of action precedes the change of feelings.

The same can be said of personal salvation. Being a disciple of Christ is a choice. If you are waiting to feel different before you come to Jesus, you may be found still waiting on the day of your death. But, if you’ll respond in obedient faith to the sacrifice of Jesus, you will rejoice with joy unspeakable. So, if joy, rejoicing and peace of mind are all by-products of a changed or “changing” (Romans 12:2) life, isn’t it time that we become more proactive and purpose in our heart to become more and more like Jesus?

Images of God’s Plan: Sanctification

tglover — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:15:54 +0000

Having justified, redeemed and reconciled the sinner by setting forth Jesus as the propitiation for sin, God then sanctifies him/her. Sanctification is the end result of the first three. Righteousness is the end result of justification, freedom the result of redemption and fellowship the result of reconciliation. In this final study of the series, we’ll explore the meaning of sanctification by its use in scripture and how it applies to us.

The definition we will use for purposes of this article is written by W.E. Vines, who defines sanctification as “set apart for God’s exclusive purpose.”

Although, many things can be sanctified (1 Cor. 7:14, assemblies, a feast, temple and temple vessels), we are interested in God’s people. Describing this process is a verse from 1 Corinthians 6:11. It reads, “And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” Before something can be set apart for special service and use, it must be prepared for that purpose. It must be cleansed first. Notice Ephesians 5:26, which reads, “that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word…” The fact that the word has a role in the process of cleansing leading to sanctification is seen in John 17:17-19 “Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. As you sent me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” Hebrews 9:13 moves from the old system of bulls and goats that “sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh” to the blood of Christ (cf. Heb. 13:12) that cleanses the conscience to serve the living God (v. 14).

To illustrate, let’s suppose that a man found a mug while walking around in the garbage dump. He wipes the thick mud away from it to discover that it may have potential for his use. As he rubs off more debris and dirt, he places his big fingers in its holder to discover the feel and fit are perfect. Taking it back to the house with a smile, he prepares hot soapy water and begins to scrub away the scum until all the impurities are removed. He then rinses it with hot water, dries it and lays it on the shelf near the coffee. The next morning, he proudly announces his discovery to the family and that this coffee mug is his. No one dare use it because it is dad’s favored mug and to use it for any other purpose would be unthinkable. This mug is “sanctified” for the father’s use and purpose.

Similarly, God has prepared His people to be used for His purpose and His purpose only. He is a jealous God and would not be pleased when His vessels are defiled by some unauthorized purpose or person. For this reason, the Christian cannot love God and the world (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15). Our bodies are not our own because we were bought (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Romans 6:19 reads, “… for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.” Compare also 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7: “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.”

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:21, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work. Once purged by the blood of Jesus, the Christian has no right to do as he/she, chooses. Such ones are the Lords, cleaned, chosen for a purpose and set apart for that purpose. We do not honor God by worshipping him any way we choose to do it. Too many are living under the false notion that as long as God is the object of our worship, we can worship any way we choose. This is presumptuous and a dishonor to the one who not only has all authority, but has revealed His will unto His holy apostles and prophets through the word (Eph. 3:1-3).

Peter teaches that we may sanctify in our hearts Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). He is Lord whether or not you choose to follow his directives. He can be your Lord when you sanctify him as such; that is, when you set Him apart as the ruler of your heart and the king of your life.

Images of God’s plan: Justification and Propitiation

tglover — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:36:58 +0000

These two words set the context of salvation by describing the nature of God, identifying the problem of sin, and the solution that provides a win-win situation.

To appreciate the word translated “justification,” imagine a courtroom with a judge, jury, prosecuting attorney and the accused. The evidence against the accused points to the expected sentence of death. Instead, a Savior steps forward to take his place and by virtue of his dependency and indebtedness for such a gift, the accused is allowed to go free and treated as if he had never committed the wrong. Justification is the sentence of the judge allowing the accused to go free (an acquittal).

The first thing that we must understand to appreciate the propensity of this gift is to see the holy and just nature of God. That God loves there can be no doubt. He is love. God had an intimate relationship with Adam and Eve but the Tempter foiled that relationship, presenting an alternative to God’s goodness and stole the innocence of Adam and Eve. The consequences of violating God’s law were as sudden as the sin (breaking of law).

Here, we see another characteristic of God – His justice. Understand the justice of God demands punishment (Rom. 1:18, Hebrews 10:31, 12:29; 2 Thes. 1:9) not because he is vengeful, but because he is just and will always be true to the principles of His nature. Justice required the removal from the garden, the tree of life, receiving ground cursed with thorns and thistles, pain in childbirth and the serpent would now crawl on its belly.

Imagine how you feel when you experience a theft or violence committed against you. Remember how we all felt on 9/11. We all felt violated and angered. If we were God, and had unlimited power to right the wrongs and correct the injustice, we may not have stopped short of complete annihilation. Yet, God’s justice is always tempered by His mercy. A promise of a future redeemer is soon offered in Genesis 3:15 that one from the seed of woman would crush the head of Satan. This promise corresponds to his love (Gal. 4:4). The closest relationship which we may relate is the child/parent relationship, even though parents are not as consistent. Still, we understand how punishment is not retribution/vengeance nor does it negate love. This illustrates how love and mercy may coexist in a single relationship. God wanted that relationship back so much that Heaven itself would give up one of its own (John 3:16) to fulfill the demands of justice while showing mercy.

Meanwhile, we must learn the great cost of sin – separation of the ungodly from the Godly. This death is not so much physical (though that is included) but spiritual (Romans 6:23) separation. Adam did not die physically “in the day that he ate,” but he did die spiritually. What once included a daily walk and communion with God is now gone. Now, he is cast out of the Garden and barred from it entrance to live in a sin-cursed world where there is death (physical), toil and pain. To appease or propitiate God’s justice, there had to be an adequate punishment. The sacrifices of the Old Testament were not adequate (Heb. 10:4-6). It met the requirements each year, but there was a remembrance of sin and its consequences every year. The sacrificial system did give a glimpse into what God required: (1) a life must be given for another (2) the sacrificial life must be perfect. The lamb on the Jewish Day of Atonement had to be without blemish. Jesus, too, had to be perfect else his death would have only satisfied the punishment for his own sins. Sinlessness was required to substitute his life for ours.

Mercy (relating to justification) and justice (relating to “propitiation”) met at the cross. Paul explains in 2 Cor. 5:21 that God made Jesus, “who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Isaiah 53:5-6 says he was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed. Notice verse 6 explains who wounded him. “And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Verse 10 reads, “Yet it pleased God to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief…” Peter describes it in 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God…” The Lamb of God had come to (1) satisfy God’s justice and (2) justify the sinner through faith. Romans 3:23-26 reads, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness…to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Thank God for this unspeakable gift!

Contact Timothy Glover at timothy.j.glover@att.net.

Images of God’s plan: Reconciliation

tglover — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:54:11 +0000

In my last column we explored the use of the word “redemption.” In this study, consider another image used to describe the greatness of God’s gift to humanity – “reconciliation.”

Romans 5:10-11 reads, “For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

The word “reconciliation” (Greek, katallasso), according to Vine’s, “denotes to change, exchange (esp. of money); hence, of persons, to change from enmity to friendship.” Thus, we suggest that it means to restore friendship by resolving the enmity and/or differences. It is a fitting word to describe the condition of one separated from God by sin. Once again, God’s initiative is seen. We saw this in redemption, also. In order to restore the sinner to a position of friendship, God makes it possible for the offending party to come back. Some provision must be offered that would remove the consequence of sin from the sinner. Without that provision, the sinner is eternally separated from God (through death, cf. Isa. 59:1-2). It is important to recognize that God reaches out first not because he is at fault for creating the enmity. Man chose to offend a holy God. Remarkably, it is God who would take the first step in creating an opportunity for humanity to come back into fellowship. Jesus was the one through whom God would initiate the plan. The passage cited above in Romans 5 states that we were reconciled through the death of his son. Once the ransom price was paid at God’s own cost, God’s justice against sin was satisfied. The principle invoked here is, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The first step toward peace was through the death of the sinless Lamb of God (John 1:29, Col 1:20). The punishment for sin had been paid and an opportunity for a new start is now open for all.

Another word fits this context well: “propitiation.” The substituting sacrifice of Jesus’ blood is designed to appease or propitiate the wrath of God on the sinner. God offering the propitiatory sacrifice shows the extent to which he will go to have the world come back to Him (cf. John 3:16).

Further, God gave the “ministry of reconciliation.” It is also described as the “word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-19). He writes, “But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” The word of reconciliation is a work that proceeds from God, and because of the accomplishment of that work, it is possible for a ministry of reconciliation to be entrusted to men.

This is the second part toward peace. It is now man who needs to be reconciled to God, not God to man. The plea that follows the action of God is, “be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:21). The sinner must “receive” the reconciliation already accomplished. Here is the human side. If the first reconciliation, “the reconciliation of the world unto himself,” had been the laying aside of human enmity, there could now be no point in the exhortation, “Be ye reconciled to God.” It is through the word of the Ambassadors (the Apostles) that God is pleading with us to be reconciled to him. The fact that God “pleads” us to be reconciled demonstrates two things about the role of the sinner in reconciliation. First, reconciliation is not unconditional (we must respond!). Second, reconciliation is not universal (some will be lost!). This is further illustrated in the next verse as Paul writes, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Co 6:1).

Have YOU been reconciled to God? You may write me at timothy.j.glover@att.net.

Images of God’s Plan: Redemption

tglover — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:41:54 +0000

Many words used in the Bible are chosen to convey the wonder of God’s plan to save man. None of these words are used exclusively because no one word is adequate to fully describe its perfection. Words like “redemption,” “reconciliation,” “propitiation,” “salvation” and “justification” portray different images of the same plan. Each of these describes a wonderful gift made available in Christ. This article will explore the concept of “redemption.”

A redeemer was the nearest of kin who had the right to buy back a kin’s inheritance that had been forfeited through poverty and debt. This redeemer might hold the land in possession until the year of Jubilee (50th year) when all property went back to the original owner. This practice is taken by New Testament writers to describe an heir who is spiritually bankrupt and sold into sin’s bondage where Satan rules. Jesus freed his kinsman from bondage by buying him/her back to possess until the inheritance is received.

The Hebrew writer explains, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15).

The redeemer must pay the price, the ransom. Peter explains, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19, cf. Eph. 1:7).

The price paid for redemption was the blood of Christ. Life is in the blood (Lev. 17) in as much as blood is essential for life. So, the shedding of blood is equivalent to the giving up of life. The ransom price was the life of the sinless Son of God that freed the sinner from the bondage of sin and setting God’s seal upon him (Eph. 4:30).

To set the stage for being the redeemer, Jesus had to take on flesh; that is, he had to become a man. The Bible reads, “For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14-15).

The sacrifice of his life for our life places him in the position of being in Satan’s house, death and the grave. You may recall Mark 3:27 where Jesus explains, “No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” This illustrates that when Jesus was in the grave, he could bind Satan and destroy his power over death, the final blow. Peter taught in Acts 2 that Jesus could not be held in the grave nor his flesh see corruption. In coming forth from the grave, he made such a breach in the wall of death that the spiritual kinsman may walk through the valley of death with no fear.

1 Corinthians 15:20 and 23 read, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept…. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” The connection between the resurrection and redemption is also seen in Revelation 14:4, which reads, “These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.”

When Paul writes about “waiting for our adoption” (a sort of Jubilee) he marks it as being the time of the “redemption of our body.” Therefore, there is not only an initial ransom price paid that releases the kinsman from the bondage of sin, but there is a final deliverance from this fleshly this body. Paul writes, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption (the physical body will be raised incorruptible), and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:53-57).

There is a “day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30) at which time the purchased possession will be redeemed. “…the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:14). Once again, notice that there is first a purchased possession by the redeemer who will one day on what is called a “day of redemption” grant the eternal inheritance.

Trusting God Dissipates Fear

tglover — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:47:42 +0000

The New Testament shows us how to replace fear thinking-patterns with trust thinking-patterns. It is accomplished by renewing your mind. In the trust thinking-pattern, we are no longer focusing on ourselves but on the will of God. This is the thought of Paul when he implores the Romans to present their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). As we make this transition, selfish desires, accentuating selfish ambitions and covering the truth about our flaws is also eliminated. This transformation in the use of our bodies from worldly, selfish lusts to a “living sacrifice” that is holy and acceptable to God is the result of “renewing the mind” (Romans 12:2). You will notice this transformation by mind renewal is contrasted to being conformed to the world. These two are diametrically opposed to one another – one is characterized by pleasing self while the other is about pleasing God. One is characterized by truth while the other is characterized by lies and deception. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 describes the means by which Satan conforms us to the world’s standards. It reads, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Consider the wisdom of independent study habits that draw conclusions based on our own investigation. It is so easy to be misled by well-intentioned spiritual guides who may also have been misled by another. They may be passionate, convincing and make use of the Bible while carrying a pleasant disposition and appealing smile. Keep in mind that the Devil quotes Scripture (Matthew 4). The devil plants lies and deceptions directly into our minds and they will always seem to be our thoughts. It does not require much determination or diligence on our part to blindly accept those in whom we have placed our confidence. In a world where we have so much input to edit and determine whether we want to assimilate or discard from our minds, we judge that we do not have the time to study the Bible. Therefore, we place our confidence in our Pastor who has had the education and experience. As soon as we start depending on someone else in whom we have the utmost confidence, we expose ourselves to the perils of Satan and his work of deception.

Therefore, the essence of this transformation involves replacing fear and/or trust in people to trusting and fearing God. For example, Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Further Peter writes, “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” (1 Pet. 3:14). Peter had written in verse six of the same chapter about Sarah who “obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear” (1 Peter 3:6). If God is in control and He loves us, what is there to fear but Him. John explains in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.”

The list below offers other examples.

1. Regarding government officials – “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;” (Romans 13:3).

2. Regarding speaking the Word, Paul writes, “and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Philippians 1:14).

3. Regarding the fear of death – “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14,15).

When our relationship to the Creator is what is it ought to be, fear dissipates in a heart filled with God and His love. Romans 8:15 describes the life lived in and for Christ. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. And again, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father”(Galatians 4:6).