tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84400923158743649472024-03-16T14:50:29.125-04:00Providence Bible FellowshipGod-Centered. Bible-Focused. Gospel-Driven.Rick Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361224965373783987noreply@blogger.comBlogger827125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-18152318606034856162024-03-14T10:59:00.000-04:002024-03-14T10:59:02.913-04:00Forgotten, but not Gone: Old PBF Resources<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU0Qc4Xa5v3qRNywWZfuZWZt_4C7ISFf3DKDMFtlxfQuGZ6nAMu3QDpl2MVp2ijj9m7Rm6R9yxy3hZVAJ2J5-YY0OAfp2dV_2AkEsv-ToxSpcxAOpKNzxcyYHu6QNYuFQBejMRbssFd0NvGE9LTaS12MwsqEXKuDbY2TF-0fTqKXjvBU1kuGu7prkg3o/s512/cropped-cropped-new-truth-and-circumstances-logo-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU0Qc4Xa5v3qRNywWZfuZWZt_4C7ISFf3DKDMFtlxfQuGZ6nAMu3QDpl2MVp2ijj9m7Rm6R9yxy3hZVAJ2J5-YY0OAfp2dV_2AkEsv-ToxSpcxAOpKNzxcyYHu6QNYuFQBejMRbssFd0NvGE9LTaS12MwsqEXKuDbY2TF-0fTqKXjvBU1kuGu7prkg3o/s320/cropped-cropped-new-truth-and-circumstances-logo-1.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I’ve had a couple of long-time members relate conversations to me indicating that our newer members have no idea about at least one of our online resources.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">They suggested that I remind everyone about our podcast <a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com">Truth & Circumstances</a>.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Back in 2017, we began a podcast answering listener-submitted questions about how to “apply the truth of God’s Word to the difficult circumstances of everyday life.” After 253 episodes, in late 2022 we discontinued the podcast due to the well going dry--no more questions were coming in! We were happy to continue as long as the ministry seemed necessary, as indicated by the submission of questions. On the other hand, in the absence of questions we were eager find other ways to steward our time.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Occasionally since then, I’ve been asked questions in casual conversation that we answered on the podcast. While we seemed to have exhausted the supply of new questions, some of the old episodes may still be pertinent to many of us. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So, if you are new to Providence or you were not in the habit of listening in the past, consider checking out the <a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com">Truth & Circumstances website</a>. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Here is a smattering of questions answered over the years…</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2017/03/14/episode-2-how-can-i-get-my-husband-to-lead-me/">How can I get my husband to lead me? (Episode 2)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2017/03/28/episode-4-im-married-but-attracted-to-someone-at-work-what-should-i-do/">I’m married but attracted to someone at work. What should I do? (Episode 4)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2017/05/12/episode-16-as-an-adult-how-do-i-honor-my-parents-who-expect-me-to-heed-their-authority-the-way-i-did-when-i-was-a-child/">As an adult, how do I honor my parents who expect me to heed their authority the way I did as a child? (Episode 16)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2018/04/03/episode-56-my-teenager-wants-to-date-what-counsel-can-you-give-regarding-whether-or-when-this-is-appropriate/">My teenager wants to date. What counsel can you give regarding whether or when this is appropriate? (Episode 56)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2018/10/09/episode-81-re-do-my-child-has-been-a-victim-of-bullying-at-school-how-do-i-help-him-to-deal-with-this-as-a-believer/">My child has been a victim of bullying at school. How do I help him to deal with this as a believer? (Episode 81)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2018/10/09/episode-81-re-do-my-child-has-been-a-victim-of-bullying-at-school-how-do-i-help-him-to-deal-with-this-as-a-believer/">How concerned should I be with my friend who is fascinated with astrology? (Episode 135)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2020/04/21/episode-149-how-do-i-build-trust-after-betrayal/">How do I build trust after betrayal? (Episode 149)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2020/04/21/episode-149-how-do-i-build-trust-after-betrayal/">What should I do about inappropriate dreams? (Episode 172)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2021/08/24/episode-201-are-there-good-reasons-to-leave-a-church/">Are there good reasons to leave a church? (Episode 201)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2021/09/14/episode-204-how-can-we-recognize-demonic-oppression/">How can we recognize demonic oppression? (Episode 204)</a></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://truthandcircumstances.com/2021/12/07/episode-215-what-should-i-do-about-my-spouses-unwanted-physical-attention/">What should I do about my spouse’s unwanted physical attention? (Episode 215)</a></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We are still paying to maintain that website for the benefit of anyone who may be helped by it. Perhaps <i>you</i> could be helped by it! Just hop on and scroll through or use the search bar to find what you’re looking for.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Likewise, <b>this blog</b> may be an untapped resource for some of our newer members. There are over 800 articles here dating back to late 2008. This website also is searchable. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Similarly, <a href="https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/sermons">our sermons page</a> contains well over a decade of messages from books all over the Bible, searchable by date, series, speaker, and title.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Many servants have given many hours to making these resources available over the years. We encourage you to take advantage of that labor. And may you find it helpful!</p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-76963262904075173702024-03-12T06:00:00.002-04:002024-03-12T06:00:00.133-04:00Second Chances and Summer Missions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCBmC-s6XqrWpAkgqLB1OXLx7M54AIrIZKVuWog2NjKv4jSX51UoCD4F2uCnqy-fgxxJNKEY9D4ccKIUdGPXnkbm0HU1xtDKPR3_P-WDTiw7O-Tn1xKJWLKviVjZKmhSwMnYuy2ZNFL7yPQ2ez6IftDrqPfqWjPlkyUTrgJqoDsqZV4QJNvcTYGY7cw/s1280/personal-evangelism-main-header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCBmC-s6XqrWpAkgqLB1OXLx7M54AIrIZKVuWog2NjKv4jSX51UoCD4F2uCnqy-fgxxJNKEY9D4ccKIUdGPXnkbm0HU1xtDKPR3_P-WDTiw7O-Tn1xKJWLKviVjZKmhSwMnYuy2ZNFL7yPQ2ez6IftDrqPfqWjPlkyUTrgJqoDsqZV4QJNvcTYGY7cw/w640-h360/personal-evangelism-main-header.png" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the most interesting—and possibly shocking—passages in the Bible is found in Act 15. To set the stage, Paul and Barnabas have been key leaders in establishing the church in Antioch. Then, the Spirit calls them out of that church to go a mission to the Gentles. They come back and report that the Lord has saved many and is establishing his church among the nations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But should they Gentiles keep the Law of Moses? The apostles and the church agree that was not the right move. Even the Jewish believers couldn’t keep it. God is moving apart from the cultural barriers of the law because we are in a new covenant. The Law will die out with the old covenant, fulfilled in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, Paul and Barnabas are about to hit the road again, seeking places where Jesus needs to be proclaimed among unreached peoples. However, we read that “Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other” (15:38–39). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s something of a tense moment. Here are these two great leaders of the church in a “sharp disagreement” over one man—John Mark. Paul was unwilling to have him on the team because he previously bailed on them. They picked him up in Cyprus because he was Barnabas’ cousin. Perhaps he was eager to prove himself because he was from a well-known family? His mother likely supplied the upper room for Jesus’ last meal. Yet, he was among those who deserted Jesus in Gethsemane (Mark 14:51–52). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet by the end of the chapter, he had left and returned home to Jerusalem. Now, in chapter 15, Barnabas wants to give him another chance and Paul refuses to take him. Neither is presented as right or wrong. I’m sure both had good arguments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But think about how Mark may have felt. Did he feel guilty for breaking the OG mission team of Paul and Barnabas? Did he feel bad for letting Paul down? There’s no way to know because they text doesn’t tell us. All we know is that both groups go in different directions, taking the gospel to the Gentiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, what happened to Mark? When I was younger, a local radio station used to play these little five minutes vignettes from a guy named Paul Harvey. He would always tell some true story and then at the end he would show how it tied into a famous person or event. He would always end by saying, “And now you know the rest of the story.” Well, the New Testament does the same. We don’t get all of the details, but we get a glimpse of the rest of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next time we read about him is in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. That letter was written around AD 60, so it’s been around 10 or 11 years from Acts 15. Paul is in Rome and John Mark is <i>with him</i>. In fact, Paul says of Mark, “if he comes to you, welcome him . . . [he is] among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and [has] been a comfort to me” (Col 4:10–11). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we read about Mark in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. That letter is Paul’s last; it’s his final words as he is waiting to be executed by the Romans. He is writing to tell Timothy to come and see him soon because he about to die. And he says “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim 4:11). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul and Mark have not only been reconciled, but Mark has shown himself to be a faithful servant for the work of the gospel. It’s amazing that after such a heated disagreement the two are working together side-by-side with Paul now saying, “He’s very useful to me.” He was also useful to the kingdom, for Mark also spent time with Peter and the result is the second book in our New Testament: The Gospel according to Mark.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s amazing! Here’s a man who was a failure, deserter, and quitter; a man who deserted Jesus and Paul in the hour of need. And that’s the man God chooses to pour out his grace upon.! That is the man who God doesn’t give up on, but allows his to be strengthened and built up as a faithful servant for the gospel. This is the man God chooses to write one of four Gospels that will help spread the glory of Jesus’ name and bring countless believers into the kingdom! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You may be reading this and feel like a deserter. You may feel like a quitter. Perhaps it’s some big sin that’s put you on the sidelines. Perhaps it’s been a series of small sins that has led you away from a close walk with God. Perhaps the cares of the world have become a priority in your life instead of the things of God. Or perhaps you know you’re simply not serving Jesus as you should. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whatever the circumstances, you may be hanging back wondering, ‘What good am I to the kingdom of God?’ Maybe you’re asking yourself, ‘Can God use me? Can God use a failure like me?’<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And of course, the answer is yes! The Bible says, God gives grace. That there is forgiveness with God. The promise is given to us, “draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (Jas 4:8). The God of the Bible is a God of second chances. Seconds and thirds and fourths and fifths. You cannot out sin the grace of God. So, if you find yourself like Mark did so many years ago, repent of your sin and turn back to God. God delights to forgive the humble. He delights to take what appears to be useless and make it great in his kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And consider what that service for the kingdom might look like in partnership with Providence. We have many opportunities to serve the church body. We also have several opportunities to take the gospel to those outside the church through our <a href="https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/mission-options" target="_blank">Serve & Share Summer</a>. There are ways you can lean into your relationships as well as an opportunity or be a witness in <a href="https://forms.ministryforms.net/viewForm.aspx?formId=8390a5a5-7251-4525-9c0e-ca52181e5e23" target="_blank"><b>Baltimore</b></a>. If you want to join us, the deadline for sign-up is fast approaching! Sign up today. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether or not you’re coming out of a Mark-like time of insecurity or you’re simply looking for the next gospel opening, God can use to shine forth of the glory of his Son. However you serve, lean into your walk with God, link arms with others around you, and do what disciples do—make more disciples!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>John Botkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111627674777098418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-85960008792835925442024-03-07T12:52:00.000-05:002024-03-07T12:52:01.741-05:00Easter...The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLxUy0hoBSC_GnG4tTzrsxxjTFZlV7BA3RcrJjEZA4rMX2CUsm6bYpTFgQ_2H-ylF1sd8Krf6byAPah9x-S4Vqbyo35Ypo_WUFcMe4Vjv_-Zeq1w0ny4wmf6dFfstRfSh2wZi4ThrFSoIMn3H-SNAYVwzeSCgaEubmLuwJwg4F-qs8Hx-Os3YrhIthhU/s1200/crosses%20and%20tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLxUy0hoBSC_GnG4tTzrsxxjTFZlV7BA3RcrJjEZA4rMX2CUsm6bYpTFgQ_2H-ylF1sd8Krf6byAPah9x-S4Vqbyo35Ypo_WUFcMe4Vjv_-Zeq1w0ny4wmf6dFfstRfSh2wZi4ThrFSoIMn3H-SNAYVwzeSCgaEubmLuwJwg4F-qs8Hx-Os3YrhIthhU/w640-h334/crosses%20and%20tomb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We are rapidly approaching the most wonderful time of the year!<span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">No, it’s not December already.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Even though we love Christmas, if we allow the Scriptures to guide our thinking, </span><i style="font-family: Garamond;">Easter</i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> should be the most celebrated season of the year for us.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I certainly don’t mean to downplay the significance of Christ’s birth. Two of the four gospels give significant attention to Christ’s coming, including the events immediately preceding and following the first Christmas. We are right to celebrate Christmas.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">At the same time, <i>all four</i> gospels devote even more time to the events of Christ’s passion week, from the Triumphal Entry to Resurrection Sunday. Mark’s Gospel has even been characterized as “a Passion narrative with an extended introduction.” The book of Acts contains no explicit mention of Christ’s birth while teeming with references to the resurrection (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A24%2C+32%3B+3%3A15%3B+4%3A10%3B+5%3A30%3B+10%3A40&version=ESV">Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40</a>, just to name a few). The epistles do contain a few references to the birth of Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal+4%3A4%3B+Phil+2%3A7%3B+Rev+12%3A4-5%2C+13&version=ESV">Gal 4:4; Phil 2:7; Rev 12:4-5, 13</a>), yet the resurrection can be found in almost every book.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Again, the birth of Christ is a glorious fulfillment of OT prophecy indicating the significance of His person and coming work. But the NT itself clearly lays greater emphasis on the resurrection. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To be sure, without the resurrection, Christ’s birth would mean virtually nothing. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17, <i>“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still dead in your sins.”</i> </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But why is that the case? Why is our faith futile without the resurrection? Why would we be dead in our sins if Christ remained dead in the tomb?</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In addition to our typical Holy Week gatherings (Maundy Thursday - March 28; Good Friday - March 29), for the next four Sundays we’ll be bringing a sermon series devoted answering this question. We’ll be considering various passages teaching that every component of our salvation relies in some way on Christ’s having been raised.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Our regeneration</b>—our being born again—is connected to the resurrection:</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”</i> 1 Peter 1:3</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Our justification</b>—our being acquitted of sin and declared righteous—is connected to the resurrection: <i>[Christ] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.</i> Romans 4:25</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Our sanctification</b>—our being transformed into Christ’s image in our character and conduct—is connected to the resurrection: <i>We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.</i> Romans 6:4 </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Our glorification</b>—our being raised imperishable at Christ’s return—is connected to the resurrection: <i>But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.</i> 1 Corinthians 15:20–21</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">From our initial coming to life in Christ to our greeting Christ in the clouds, the whole of our salvation rests on the reality of Christ’s being raised from the dead.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">May this series help us to rightly understand the doctrinal significance of the resurrection, to appreciate the empty tomb, to prize what His resurrection means to our past, present, and eternal future, and to regard this season as the <i>most</i> wonderful time of the year!</p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-16914222424773549372024-02-22T13:03:00.002-05:002024-02-22T13:03:24.924-05:00Making the Most of the Mist<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vrQR4yJzsE5_nczVC0YPr19f7UkrNck-_SplHXkuptIS7w8mGuNChn3bx3zwV1_0HjxVvRx8qLGEEGkrg-TNUmeU5uTFKVpabNLc5LYx9YJpAO0ywt3Zudi8oVns-sm9YY95ZO51k6BaGsZr-oPhV9ooHtzagGELINnWJDi2Mm9p2JQThd_1dqiur3Q/s300/vapor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vrQR4yJzsE5_nczVC0YPr19f7UkrNck-_SplHXkuptIS7w8mGuNChn3bx3zwV1_0HjxVvRx8qLGEEGkrg-TNUmeU5uTFKVpabNLc5LYx9YJpAO0ywt3Zudi8oVns-sm9YY95ZO51k6BaGsZr-oPhV9ooHtzagGELINnWJDi2Mm9p2JQThd_1dqiur3Q/w400-h224/vapor.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>When Providence Bible Fellowship first began, I was one of the youngest men in the congregation. My children were little. One of them had not yet born.<span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><p></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now only two of the five are still at home. I have close friends with grandchildren. Most people my age believe it’s too late to make a career change. Milestone birthdays that used to seem ages away look younger and younger all the time.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The US Census lists “middle age” as 35 to 54. Other sources peg it between 40 and 65. Either way, I’m a member of that team. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">These realities prompt me to read James 4:13-17 with greater sobriety and clarity than ever before:</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">James tells us, <i>Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”-- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In a sense it would be just as presumptuous to say, “I’m far closer to death than birth,” as it would be to say, “I’m ten years away from being halfway there.” A point that James makes is that there is no way to know, and I ought not act like I do know. What I can know is that only God knows, and He characterizes my life as a <i>mist</i>, a <i>vapor</i>. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Interesting that after reminding us of the fleeting nature of time and God’s sovereignty over it, James concludes with, “<i>So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him that is sin</i>.” It seems that James intends for us neither to live like there is no tomorrow, nor to live like there are a million tomorrows, but rather to humbly recognize that God holds the future and to plan for it, using it wisely. To do otherwise is sin. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If we’re not careful, we may not only assume that we have years and years ahead of us, but even worse – we may live like it. The proper response to an awareness of the fleeting nature of life is not to cast off all restraint and go check off entries on some “Bucket List.” James 4 calls us to continue to be responsible and plan for the future. But in our planning for the future, we must realize that our lives are in God’s hands and the end could be very near. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As a believer, the awareness that my life is a mist should prompt me to live a far more prioritized life right now, not focusing on selfish exploits, but pouring myself out selflessly into the things that have eternal import. Some back-burner things should be moved to the front, and vice-versa. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I don’t know about you, but as I look back at how I’ve spent my life so far, I see much wasted time and many wasted opportunities. I should have pursued the Lord harder and more consistently. I should have loved more deeply. I should have shared more freely. I should have confessed and repented more quickly. I suspect I’m not alone.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">However, faithful stewardship requires that we not dwell on failures He has already covered, but that we press on toward the prize. Faithful stewardship requires that we spend every day of the rest of our lives, whether one day or many, realizing what a gift it is and how fleeting it is. Faithful stewardship requires that we wring out every moment we have left in service and love, while eagerly anticipating seeing His face.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">No matter when each of us are taken home, may the Lord find us doing just that.</p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-50688245516715387782024-02-16T10:00:00.001-05:002024-02-16T10:00:00.246-05:00"Going to Church Doesn't Make Me A Christian"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYWhDv0SUp1Bpj24K99Jf1rk1kNkbDuRgyspaLtwnuGoX2SZk0B4gCE4JGQr6rDwSO-DOXLyqDBG6BSkdvxYtVgwagFwWBSkoY44hg62adewtaM1rJklmeOOSLEIMwY8B0u6t-lkiMCrVlArW_0WgvD93EEHl7ev8B-YM5ktbAGoqkgYUtNwEMu6wqUs/s400/isolation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYWhDv0SUp1Bpj24K99Jf1rk1kNkbDuRgyspaLtwnuGoX2SZk0B4gCE4JGQr6rDwSO-DOXLyqDBG6BSkdvxYtVgwagFwWBSkoY44hg62adewtaM1rJklmeOOSLEIMwY8B0u6t-lkiMCrVlArW_0WgvD93EEHl7ev8B-YM5ktbAGoqkgYUtNwEMu6wqUs/w400-h300/isolation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Garamond;">In our <a href="https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/media/1089358-4539336-34772956/practices-of-perseverance">sermon series in Hebrews</a>, we recently considered 10:24-25: </span><i style="font-family: Garamond;">And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near</i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I contended that this passage has in mind something more substantial than mere church <i>attendance</i>.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Rather, it calls us to meaningful relationships in the church, giving thought and time toward helping others persevere in the faith.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As I prepared that sermon, I was reminded of something I’ve heard numerous times from those who hold that mere church attendance isn’t even necessary. The common way to phrase the argument is, <b>“Going to church doesn’t make me a Christian.”</b> </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Amen! Faithful preachers have been saying the same thing for as long as I can remember. Certainly, church attendance does <b>not</b> make one a Christian. A person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+2%3A8-10&version=ESV">Eph 2:8-10</a>). </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">However, it seems that such people are actually trying to say, “I can be a Christian without going to church.” Is this true? A person who does not go to church may indeed be regenerate. However, they have absolutely no reason nor mechanism for assurance that they are so. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Going to church doesn’t make me a Christian...but being a Christian makes me go to church.</b> </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Truly being a Christian means that I have trusted in Christ alone for redemption from sin and for life in Him. It has been rightly said that while salvation is by faith alone, faith is never alone. That is, faith produces the fruit of </span><i>obedience</i>. So tight is the connection between faith and obedience that in many NT books—including Hebrews—the two are difficult to differentiate. In addition to Hebrews, James is quite clear—faith that does not work (obey) is not saving faith (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas+2%3A17-18&version=ESV">Jas 2:17-18</a>). Rather, a non-obedient belief merely puts one and the same religious category as demons (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas+2%3A19&version=ESV">Jas 2:19</a>). </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All this is because truly saved persons are </span><i>regenerate</i>. That is, they have been given spiritual life in Christ, their stony heart has been replaced with a heart of flesh, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+2%3A5%3B+Eek+11%3A19%3B+36%3A26&version=ESV">Eph 2:5; Eek 11:19; 36:26</a>). One of the things that makes the new covenant better than the old covenant is that God causes the believer to walk in obedience (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezek+36%3A27%3B+Jer+31%3A33-34&version=ESV">Ezek 36:27; Jer 31:33-34</a>).</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In other words, those who have followed Christ in genuine faith <i>want</i> to obey. Further, they can and does (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+2%3A10&version=ESV">Eph 2:10</a>). That is not to say that any Christian does this perfectly (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas+3%3A2a&version=ESV">Jas 3:2a</a>). However, their lives will be characterized by progressive consistency in obedience. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When we consider that so many commands of the NT <i>can’t be obeyed </i>without regular fellowship with a local church (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+5%3A18-21%3B+Rom+12%3A3-8%3B+1+Cor+11%3A33-34%3B+Gal+6%3A2%3B+Heb+13%3A17%3B+1+Pet+4%3A8-11&version=ESV">Eph 5:18-21; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 11:33-34; Gal 6:2; Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 4:8-11</a>), it is quite reasonable to say that being a Christian—following Christ in obedient faith—makes me go to church. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Going to church doesn’t make me a Christian...but going to church provides means for the spiritual growth and perseverance indicative of a Christian.</b></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The NT has no category for discipleship outside of life lived in mutual service in a local church. Paul teaches in that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>the</i></span> plan for the growth of God’s people into the image of Christ involves Christ’s gifting of individual believers (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+4%3A7-10&version=ESV">Eph 4:7-10</a>), teacher’s equipping those individual believers (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+4%3A11-12&version=ESV">Eph 4:11-12</a>), and those individual believers’ giving themselves to mutual service (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+4%3A13-16&version=ESV">Eph 4:13-16</a>). This plan is what “makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+4%3A16&version=ESV">4:16</a>). There is <i>no</i> plan B. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What happens when we don’t participate in this plan? Specifically, what can we expect when we remove ourselves from </span><i>the</i> context (the local church) where equipping and mutual service take place? We will remain “children” in our understanding, “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+4%3A14&version=ESV">4:14</a>). That is, we will be sitting ducks for errant philosophies and teachings, all of which are designed to lead us away from Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col+2%3A8&version=ESV">Col 2:8</a>). Further, we will remain children in our spiritual maturity; we will not become more like Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+4%3A13&version=ESV">Eph 4:13</a>). </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The bearing of fruit which evidences saving faith only takes place in the cultivated soil of the NT local church. People who reject regular, meaningful fellowship with a local church will <i>inevitably</i> find themselves not merely stagnating, but going backward in their walk. <a href="https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/media/1089358-4539336-34683690/pressing-on-to-maturity">We saw this in Hebrews 5:11-14</a>. If you’re not progressing, you’re <i>regressing</i>. Progressing requires doing life with the church. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Going to church doesn’t make me a Christian...but going to church provides a formal mechanism for affirming that I am a Christian.</b> </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">God has given the local church the keys of the kingdom (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+16%3A19%3B+18%3A15-20&version=ESV">Matt 16:19; 18:15-20</a>). In other words, the local church has the unique ability to affirm one’s profession of faith. The church's “binding” and “loosing” indicates what has already been bound or loosed in heaven. That does not mean that the local church <i>confers</i> salvation, but rather affirms one’s profession of faith. That is, the church has the unique right to say, “We affirm that this person evidences faith in Christ and is among the number of the saints.”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One who does not join a church has not submitted to the church in its Christ-given authority. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So does going to church make one a Christian? Certainly not. Those who profess faith but who do not go to church…they <i>may</i> be regenerate…but they have no reason or mechanism for assurance that they are so. They are living in disobedience. They are cut off from God’s singular plan for the spiritual growth which evidences faith. And they have not submitted to a local body, which holds the keys of the kingdom. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Believers need a quantifiable community of other believers with which to do life. <i>Christians need each other</i>. May we and all God’s people joyfully participate in His community of saints. </p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-34301446983040598172024-02-13T15:52:00.004-05:002024-02-13T15:52:40.999-05:00Getting Off the Couch for Christ<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSeIUsyBP6489OYfgvwet6EZfX3mdbgRsV78qjCyKJ8A2drUNKNZn2brN5NuLqueOiEES9ib0VEBSOFmS-Rcxi0oEvcBjPeMjP0OtHIzKbBfI2myuaYESIziNeAOLF8_zK8iB26mdUztWDceFgnqNyKqtvKyb08bucBGZPKq2k56SfDRMKGNsOHVWcQ/s2400/neighbors-talking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSeIUsyBP6489OYfgvwet6EZfX3mdbgRsV78qjCyKJ8A2drUNKNZn2brN5NuLqueOiEES9ib0VEBSOFmS-Rcxi0oEvcBjPeMjP0OtHIzKbBfI2myuaYESIziNeAOLF8_zK8iB26mdUztWDceFgnqNyKqtvKyb08bucBGZPKq2k56SfDRMKGNsOHVWcQ/w640-h426/neighbors-talking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>Even though Spring is only hinting at its approach, it’s time to start thinking about the summer months. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summer always seems like a time to slow down from the normal pace of life. It’s when school is out and there’s more time with family, community events near and far increase, and generally when we take vacations. All of these things can be good gifts from God!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23AsDCmLT_l6o-VNJWyGrAx5FxEe2wwAzPU37pkGsrOoY2VMGc3LSl6IXSHFG70VUhkxxFlGCpNaneT3jGd70L6CnU0BmN1ETPzAKUWwmJ80g6TtZ1pcv5tiBgQA_CYd5pulUtIpQwUEm6sgm3ucib8ISr6yM2-oCSHMEPBi4HNQdih3ZnYQa8KTsWA/s750/summer-couch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23AsDCmLT_l6o-VNJWyGrAx5FxEe2wwAzPU37pkGsrOoY2VMGc3LSl6IXSHFG70VUhkxxFlGCpNaneT3jGd70L6CnU0BmN1ETPzAKUWwmJ80g6TtZ1pcv5tiBgQA_CYd5pulUtIpQwUEm6sgm3ucib8ISr6yM2-oCSHMEPBi4HNQdih3ZnYQa8KTsWA/s320/summer-couch.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">But if we’re not careful, it can lead towards of a mindset that was well illustrated well by a t-shirt I </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">saw a few years back.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the top were the words “My summer has been going well so far.” There was a picture of a man jumping off of a diving board, showing him twist into a horizontal position, where he finally falls onto a couch into a comfortable position in front of a television.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, I’m not saying that there isn’t ever a time for leisure and rest. God had actually wired in such a way that we need rest. For decades studies have shown that people who work seven days a week suffer ill-health, both emotionally and physically. It’s one of the many reasons God commanded his people in the old covenant to enjoy a Sabbath rest each week. And summer is a great time for rest and refreshment. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the same, there is a tendency to forget who we are how we’re called to live as God’s people. Our daily lives are shaped by eternal, </span>cosmic<span style="font-family: inherit;"> realties which have been revealed in Christ (Eph 1:3–10). As believers, we </span>understand<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that we have not only been created by Christ and saved by Christ, but we have been given life <i>for </i>Christ (Col 1:16).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, even in the summer months, we cannot afford to disconnect the way we think about our lives, the world’s needs, and our service to Christ and the call to make disciples. Because </span>here's still a harvest field that needs laborers (Matt 9:37–38).<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In fact, lighter schedules and less responsibility over the summer months is a great time to consider how to use the change of pace for kingdom work rather than </span>merely<span style="font-family: inherit;"> spend more t</span>im<span style="font-family: inherit;">e on the couch.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>This<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">why at PBF, though some ministries take a break over the summer to give volunteers time to refresh and recharge from weekly service, we also provide opportunities for gospel advance!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our new initiative—<a href="https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/mission-options" target="_blank">Serve & Share Summers</a>—is meant to leverage some of the extra time we have and the community’s desire to be out about for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Specifically, we are serving and sharing <i>with one another</i> as we partner together in praying, going, and giving for the sake of the gospel. And we are serving and sharing <i>with others</i> near and far through practical acts of love and the preaching of the gospel of Christ for their salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have several opportunities already posted for this summer. These range from working the sound board at VBS to going on a mission trip to Philadelphia to committing to share the gospel with a neighbor over the summer. You can even request Gospel of John booklets o hand out in the community or as you travel on vacation! We have something for every member, no matter your skill or experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please visit our </span><a href="https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/mission-options" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Serve & Share Summer</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> page to see all of these opportunities and find a way you can join in disciple-making this summer.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>John Botkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111627674777098418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-47829150161883544122024-02-08T15:36:00.009-05:002024-02-08T21:40:29.169-05:00Corrupting Talk: Weapon, Warning & Welcome<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4nQN6gs9mus66ZMjxFtVbOqD9K-XlNruWih67eGWkoY9WR4zlN0PtJbQDa7fOJ8wVfVusnzHCQBQakF688SI2SwOC-4e-qS-XT8NtBk6cUqn3Ls8EgwsMcfX-GD0Y8gkiMLLjltr6DoczFZU1zy03QfB1gYJhyphenhyphenYVcD4qexTzjQSCYWIPlWjuoHgZcg4/s1553/use%20this%20one.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1553" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4nQN6gs9mus66ZMjxFtVbOqD9K-XlNruWih67eGWkoY9WR4zlN0PtJbQDa7fOJ8wVfVusnzHCQBQakF688SI2SwOC-4e-qS-XT8NtBk6cUqn3Ls8EgwsMcfX-GD0Y8gkiMLLjltr6DoczFZU1zy03QfB1gYJhyphenhyphenYVcD4qexTzjQSCYWIPlWjuoHgZcg4/w400-h268/use%20this%20one.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stars don't talk; God does. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recognize this statement is obvious and sounds simplistic, but have you ever taken time to feel its weight and reach? The opening pages of Scripture present us with the One who speaks light into existence and by speech separates it from darkness. We are shown in full color the One who with authority speaks into existence land and water boundaries and communicates each creature's purpose. All these <i>good</i> things, though, pale in comparison to what happens next. God gives man the privilege of imaging him, not the least including a dynamic faculty of speech. With authority, Adam gives names to every living creature--livestock, birds and beast. With his vocal gift, Adam participates in and enjoys God's <i>good</i> work. The design and utility of speech to this point are without any admixture of <i>adverse </i>purpose. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enter the Fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Where are you?" asks God, in seeking out Adam after he and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit. Far from responding with immediacy, as when naming creatures, Adam verbalizes fear--that which is <i>not</i> good. This snowballs into shifting blame: the woman is at fault; the serpent is the culprit. Speech has never been the same. Instead of pure blessing, the Lord now communicates correction and man utilizes his God-given faculty for the purposes of his self-seeking heart. Consider Cain. His raging heart against Abel's acceptance has been stirring rebellious hearts for generations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Paul's address to the Ephesians, he calls those who have repented of their sin and expressed faith in Christ to live a new kind of life--one that abandons futility of mind and adopts <i>the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness</i> (Eph 4:17-24). This is a worthy calling (Eph 4:1), a unity-protecting calling (Eph 4:3), a humble, gentle, and patient calling (Eph 4:2).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps you would agree with me that we, in varying degrees, tend toward veering off-course with our speech. Perhaps James' statement hits home closer than we like: <i>With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God</i> (Jas 3:9).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Corrupting talk, or unwholesome talk as rendered in the NIV, speaks of that which is poor in quality or unfit for use. Matthew uses the exact term four times in describing rotten fruit (figuratively speaking of the rotten outcomes produced by unregenerate men [Matt 7:17-18; 12:33]) and putrid fish to be discarded (figuratively speaking of wicked man's ultimate separation from God at the end of the age [Matt 13:48]). In using the root of the word, James speaks of the rich man's riches that have rotted (Jas 5:2). Corrosive, depraved, useless, and destructive are simply a handful of words to describe the potency of how far speech has fallen since the Fall in Genesis 3.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In an effort to help us with this issue, I'd like us to consider two points of observation and one point of implication from Ephesians 4:29 and the larger context of what Scripture conveys about speech. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Observation #1: Words are weapons.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is nothing idle about our speech. Just as our hearts (i.e. our innermost self, the core of our humanness) are constantly processing life and attributing value, formulating commitments, and expressing delight or dismay, so our voices follow suit. Paul tells us wholesome speech is fit for edifying others--it's what it does. It suits occasions and gives grace. Contrastingly, putrid words demolish unity. Though the ESV uses "corrupting" in a way that conveys action--which is what <i>foul</i> speech leads to--the term is actually an adjective. The quality of speech is in view. Notice where such communication comes from: the mouth. This is our launch back to Matthew's world: <i>For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks</i> (Matt 12:34b). The "out of" in Ephesians 4:29 is a mirror to what Jesus speaks concerning the heart. What occupies the thoughts of our hearts--that's abundance--the mouth serves to express outwardly. Good treasure in the heart leads to edifying speech. The converse is also true. But are words really of great consequence to the building up and tearing down of others? Absolutely! Consider these brief snippets from Proverbs:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proverbs 12:18 - <i>There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proverbs 15:1 - <i>A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proverbs 15:2 - <i>The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proverbs 18:4 - <i>The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proverbs 18:7 - <i>A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The list could go on and on... The Fall enabled and even encouraged the wielding of words as weapons for attempts to preserve self and make others suffer. The choice is ours, for <i>death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits</i> (Prov 18:21).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Observation #2: Words are warnings.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The link between words and the spiritual posture of our hearts is unbreakable. Therefore, when our words are sour they serve as a warning that our hearts are souring. It is a kind ministry of the Spirit to grant sensitivity to our oft-drifting and dulling hearts. This warning indicates that something has gone awry in guarding them: <i>Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you</i> (Prov 4:23-24). Something in our hearts, as Paul commands in Romans, has not fully been <i>renewed </i>(Rom 12:1-2). When our speech issues an error message, we must view ourselves as standing at a critical crossroads. Will we give in to slander (Eph 4:31) or embrace the long-suffering of Jesus? Will we engage foolish talk and crude joking (Eph 5:4)? Will we seek unity and <i>give</i> grace or <i>take</i> a step toward the supremacy of self (Eph 4:29)? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Many nuances exist, but there are at least two foundational questions we need to engage when the "check engine" light flashes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1. What am I aiming to get by way of saying (or wanting to say) ______________?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2. What am I saying (or wanting to say) due to the fear of losing ____________?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The crossroads moment, my friends, is an opportunity to shut down life for a minute and pray:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. </i>(Ps 139:23-24)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Implication: Unwholesome words require a welcoming back home.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For Paul to sway his beloved saints toward a unified way of living, it is likely some drifting had already taken place. He clearly communicates that there is a brand of life belonging to an unbeliever and one belonging to the new creation in Christ. Erring, then, necessitates corrective measures--a continual "putting off" of the old self and the "putting on" of the new. We can call these repentance and faithful obedience. The apostle knew well this lifestyle and the need to propagate it to his audience. Recognize sin and confess it, writes John, and God in Christ will prove himself faithful and just to cleanse and restore (1 Jn 1:8-9). This is certainly a holy welcoming of sorts. And recognizing the war believers experience between flesh and Spirit (see Gal 5:16-26), John provides a great measure of comfort--a reason to boldly and humbly return to the sanctifying course abandoned: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I confess, there are too many occasions in which my speech has been wielded as a weapon. I have defiled God's good gift of communication and aimed for the detriment of others. I have ignored the warnings. The motivations were many and varied, but I stood guilty of veering toward self and not the Savior. In fact, I've done this in a personal way as well as a corporate way--wanting to draw others into the verbal tearing down of someone else. Whether local or far-reaching, hearts are dulled and unity is marred.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Am I the only guilty one? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Am I the only one growing through this by the all-sufficient grace of God?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am so grateful for the Lord's abundant mercy and his calling drifting saints to come back home--Christ has already paid it all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">May you--may we--live daily from hearts that treasure Christ, with words of grace upon our lips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div>Jason Odelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13485175255590685460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-32709606267264775212024-02-01T11:28:00.000-05:002024-02-01T11:28:04.819-05:00A Key to Helping the Heavy Hearted<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAwg_hgmxDz27d-uGuggVUFAnC2r0x_vuz5WyzQhwzeunfNSTi5OOAACtoefUpJw9UvXjVwWVOBcx0MsA_FZG01Z1cT_QcvL5-o1nHkgnWesbznusOGldnYE-5ojAn_zXeD6gKtKkAlapABuHM7uQZJM6RUxCY8K0tqyNar_V6MQVWpQEBmPtPaYb-x0/s311/comforting%20the%20hurting.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAwg_hgmxDz27d-uGuggVUFAnC2r0x_vuz5WyzQhwzeunfNSTi5OOAACtoefUpJw9UvXjVwWVOBcx0MsA_FZG01Z1cT_QcvL5-o1nHkgnWesbznusOGldnYE-5ojAn_zXeD6gKtKkAlapABuHM7uQZJM6RUxCY8K0tqyNar_V6MQVWpQEBmPtPaYb-x0/w400-h208/comforting%20the%20hurting.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><b>What should we do when someone we care about is hurting?</b> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Consider Proverbs 25:20: <i>Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda</i>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This verse has been particularly helpful to me recently, primarily by convicting and correcting me. Often I have tried to help the hurting by doing the exact opposite of what this verse suggests. This is the case even though I have been on the receiving end of such “help” and found it to be anything but comforting and encouraging. I’d like to share with you my meditations on this verse, hopeful that it may benefit you as you care for those around you.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Who might qualify as the heavy hearted? </b> Another way to translate this phrase is “heart of trouble.” That leaves quite a broad field—anyone who is troubled. Could be someone reeling over the loss of a family member, someone rejected by a loved one, someone grieving over their sin, someone whose anticipated ideal future has just collapsed. Countless circumstances and choices could lead one to a heavy heart. If we keep our eyes open, we’ll know a heavy heart when we see it.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One crucial thing to consider is that sometimes the trouble that caused the heavy heart is so jarring that such a person is not prepared to consider solutions or to even process what sounds perfectly reasonable to us. Rather, they are in <i>mind-numbing</i> pain.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>What is it to “sing songs” to a heavy heart?</b> The singing of songs in the Scripture tends to coincide with celebration. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+15&version=ESV">Exodus 15</a> records Moses and the people singing a song to Yahweh following the Red Sea crossing. Deborah and Barak sang a song rejoicing over the defeat of Canaan in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+5&version=ESV">Judges 5</a>. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Perhaps <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+137&version=ESV">Psalm 137</a> contains the most helpful insight connecting singing with joy: <i>For there our captors asked of us words of a song, and our tormentors asked of us jubilation, “Sing for us from a song of Zion”</i> (Psalm 137:3 LEB). This is a psalm lamenting the captivity in Babylon. Captivity obviously is a troubling condition; here, it was made worse by the captors demanding singing. The verse parallels singing with jubilation. Singing in the wrong context is equated with torment.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I can think of two broad categories that could qualify as “singing songs to a heavy heart.” <b>First, we may be oblivious to the suffering of our friend, and in that fog rejoice in front of them regarding a blessing in our own lives.</b> Perhaps we expect them to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Rom 12:15). However, the priority question should not be what is required of the other person in this situation, but what is required of me? It’s always best in the application of Scripture to prioritize our own obedience before holding others to the Lord’s standard (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+7%3A3-5&version=ESV">Matt 7:3-5</a>). The call to rejoice with those who rejoice is coupled with “weep with those who weep.”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>A second way that we could sing songs to the heavy hearted is by immediately exhorting them to “cheer up.”</b> On this note, I have heard (and sadly, I have <i>said</i>) standards like the following:</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">“Look on the bright side…”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">“You’ll be thankful later.”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">“I’ve been through the same thing and everything turned out great.”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">“It could always be worse!”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">“God is good, sovereign, and wise.”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">“Don’t let this steal your joy!”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Notice about these kinds of statements...they are well-intended. Some of them are absolutely true. However, if we are right to think of them as examples of singing songs to the heavy hearted, they may be <i>poorly-timed</i>. These same statements may be very helpful <i>later</i>. Proverbs 15:23b reads, “<i>…a word in season, how good it is</i>.” But saying them in the immediate aftermath of trouble may make them a word </span><i>out of season</i>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>What can be the effect of our singing songs to the heavy hearted</b>? The proverb uses two similes both of which indicate that we may end up bringing the opposite of what we intend. Instead of comfort and encouragement, we may trouble them further.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>like one who takes off a garment on a cold day</i></span><i>…</i></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><i></i><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The simile speaks for itself. To remove a garment on a cold day is to expose a person to greater discomfort rather than warming them. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">…<i><u>and like vinegar on soda</u></i>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The best known and most entertaining of school “science experiments” is to fill a pop bottle with vinegar, then introduce a measure of baking soda. If you’ve done this, you know what happens. It erupts! When we sing songs to the heavy hearted, we are not likely to calm them, but may intensify the tempest in their hearts.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now, why might this be the case? Why might our well-intentions singing of songs prove unhelpful to the heavy hearted? I can’t say for sure and there may be a number of reasons. But one that makes sense to me is that singing songs to the heavy hearted inadvertently </span><i>makes light</i> of the seriousness of their suffering. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The least that can be said is that if our go-to when approaching people in a raw state of suffering is to “sing songs” to them, we will likely leave them worse off than before, more discouraged than encouraged.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>What is a wiser way</b>? <u>A first possibility is to listen</u>. The Bible prioritizes <i>listening</i> above speaking in communication (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov+1%3A5%3B+10%3A19%3B+18%3A13%3B+25%3A12%3B+Jas+1%3A19&version=ESV">Prov 1:5; 10:19; 18:13; 25:12; Jas 1:19</a>). Therefore, we should—if they want to talk—let them talk. And while they are talking, we should try to understand. Compassion will come not from our identifying a situation in our lives that was similar, but in listening to how <i>they</i> are suffering in theirs.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We could also ask, <u>“how can I help you?”</u> I have people in my life who do immediately want help thinking through things. They want to hear truth. They want to be “cheered up.” Others initially just want to be heard. Certainly, we need to be discerning here. Sometimes a person in a crisis is not in a great place to know what is best for them. We should however be cautious and at least hear from them what they need from us. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>The promise to pray</u> for them is always a good idea. Offering to pray </span><i>with them</i> is great. Offering to <u>read a Psalm with them</u> can be very helpful. Psalm 23 is a wonderful choice. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Finally, having done one or more of the above, we can ask, <u>“Can I circle back to check on you in a few days?”</u> Here’s the thing: the Bible also tells us that the heavy hearted need encouragement (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+thess+5.14&version=ESV">1 Thess 5:14</a>). Scripture prioritizes listening </span><i>before</i> speaking, not listening <i>to the exclusion of</i> speaking. By coming back later, we can cautiously discern whether the person in a better frame of mind and heart for us to encouragement them with truth, help to shape their thinking, or in some other way assist them in dealing with the situation.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">These things obviously require wisdom. The great news is that God gives it graciously to those who ask (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas+1%3A5&version=ESV">Jas 1:5</a>). May the Lord bless us with the wisdom to take seriously the concerns of the heavy hearted and to minister to them in timely and appropriate ways. </p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-85383441162135785262024-01-18T15:50:00.001-05:002024-01-18T15:50:03.103-05:00How can I make sure my kids follow the Lord?<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH-Vkm2ddwJUT22cN_TlqOTqFA0CoCUCWmAR0lNrE7SQWmIpS-4zA9mOk2mCmZ2izDKRRHh-VbnNn8uFR8UWD6aRjwbpnCP7sSItayvhx2xV4bNz4oH67pEBRgMJqpC12Pklb8SzPaofjjmmodNmkNKlMiZxDmmgXjgHVVIhrAgFRwSMRoj0rq8ORiKs/s259/wandering.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH-Vkm2ddwJUT22cN_TlqOTqFA0CoCUCWmAR0lNrE7SQWmIpS-4zA9mOk2mCmZ2izDKRRHh-VbnNn8uFR8UWD6aRjwbpnCP7sSItayvhx2xV4bNz4oH67pEBRgMJqpC12Pklb8SzPaofjjmmodNmkNKlMiZxDmmgXjgHVVIhrAgFRwSMRoj0rq8ORiKs/w400-h300/wandering.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Every committed Christian parent wants nothing more than to see their children follow the Lord.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Some children do.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Some don’t.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It can leave us wondering, “What can I do to cause them to trust Jesus?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>First, understand that your responsibility is one of training, not programming</b>. In short, there is nothing you can do to <u>cause</u> your children to follow the Lord. However, there are some clear instructions in the Word about our role as parents.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Training includes disciplining our children:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>Pro 19:18 Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>Pro 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.<br /><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>Pro 23:13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you beat him with the rod, he will not die. <br /><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>Pro 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. <br /></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Training will include not only discipline, but also instructing them in the things of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 reads, <i>Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.</i> Titus 2:4 reads, <i>…and so train the young women to love their husbands and children.</i> Similarly,<i> Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Additionally, training will include warning our children about the eternal danger of walking away from the Lord (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb+6%3A1-8&version=ESV">Heb 6:1-8</a>). We can and should make it clear to them that our faith will not save them. They must follow the Lord.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But such training is not programming. There are not a series of buttons we can push in any sense that will ensure our children go a certain way. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Second, we must embrace God as the One who saves</b>. Judges 2:10 reads, <i>And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.</i> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">In the context of Israel's history, this verse might as well be a flashing neon sign. It is the bridge between the faithfulness of the Joshua generation and the apostasy of the Judges generation. It explains how Israel’s outlook went from being one of promise and hope to being one of sin and despair. The depth of its ramifications is played out for the rest of the book of Judges, and in a sense, for the rest of Old Testament history. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Those of us who are parents might read such a verse and believe that our children's eternity depends upon our faithfulness as parents. We assume that if that new generation of Israelites did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel, the previous generation must not have told them. The parents dropped the ball, we think, so they bear great responsibility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">However, the knowledge mentioned in this verse is not mere awareness of information. It’s not that the new generation had never heard of the Lord or of the work that he had done for Israel. Certainly, they had. Caleb said in Judges 6, <i>“If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds<b> that our fathers recounted to us</b>, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Additionally, in ch11, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+11%3A14-28&version=ESV">14 verses</a> are dedicated to Jephthah’s history lesson to the king of the Ammonites, recounting for him how God brought them from Egypt to their present inheritance. Clearly, the people knew <i>about</i> the LORD and His work. They knew it very well. Therefore, the preceding generation must have been faithful in communicating the promises and works of God. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The problem was that this new generation did not know God in the sense that <u>they did not love and cling to God</u>, they did not trust His work (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jos+23%3A1-13&version=ESV">Jos 23:1-13</a>). Not even Joshua could make them do that (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+24&version=ESV">Joshua 24</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The storyline of Joshua and Judges illustrates a truth spoken by Moses all the way back in Deuteronomy 29:4, "<i>But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.</i>" Parents and leaders train, but the LORD alone changes hearts. All of us who believe are evidence that He delights to do this very thing.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">So, Judges 2:10 does not indict us if our children do not come to faith in Christ. However, it is a good reminder of two things – first, we <i>do</i> have a responsibility to bring the gospel to our children, but second, our efforts are no guarantee that they will repent and believe. Salvation belongs to the Lord. As in all things, He is sovereign, good, and wise, therefore, we should rest in Him, even as we strive to faithful as parents. Let us remember that our hope is not in our kids' conversions, but in the God who saves.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Third, we must pray diligently and persistently</b>. If God is the one who saves, we should wear out our knees praying for our children, not despairing as we wait. Both testaments testify to the reality that God works through the prayers of His people to accomplish His work. Moses prayed that the Lord would relent from His destruction of the Israelites, and He did (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exo+33%3A12-23&version=ESV">Exo 33:12-23</a>). Joshua prayed that the sun would stand still, and it did (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jos+10&version=ESV">Jos 10</a>). Samson prayed for strength to defeat the Philistines, and he received it (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jdg+16%3A28-30&version=ESV">Jdg 16:28-30</a>). James appealed to the prayer life of Elijah to make that point that "the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas+5%3A13-19&version=ESV">Jas 5:13-19</a>). Jesus dedicated Himself to prayer and instructed us to do so (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5%3A16%3B+18%3A1-8&version=ESV">Luke 5:16; 18:1-8</a>). Therefore, let us pray, pray, pray for our kids.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I am encouraged as I do membership interviews at PBF. I frequently hear from committed believers whose story is a variation on this theme: "I was raised by believing parents. I prayed a prayer when I was little, but wandered in my teens and early adulthood. However, the Lord eventually called me to Himself and transformed me." The elders hear this so often that when I hear about a young person drifting from the Lord, while I am concerned, I don't despair. The church is filled with people who drifted and returned. While this is not everyone's story, it does coincide with the continuing story of Israel, and it fits <i>a</i> pattern of the Lord's work.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Let's be faithful in our work as parents and trust the Lord in His work in the heart.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-55554634486576535782024-01-11T12:31:00.002-05:002024-01-11T12:36:27.746-05:00In Both Judgment and Salvation, God Gives Us What We Want<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CSWQK8nbYZeXBcmvXF8vwXBLlCb-ycUud8zNG6xLdogM3iEsGIjXdBVUOWpfNue7-D8VsLKN_TVdIL3i6L5jEojf67F5A_nb0aseOSDOVOQEWlrnIYFMyP_tLxpsLSv4i5ZqB1ShcjjOFsYmJQmbApgFLUlyS7oQN18QVIYhPFXbQxkfBlFwcmyZYGo/s269/chasm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CSWQK8nbYZeXBcmvXF8vwXBLlCb-ycUud8zNG6xLdogM3iEsGIjXdBVUOWpfNue7-D8VsLKN_TVdIL3i6L5jEojf67F5A_nb0aseOSDOVOQEWlrnIYFMyP_tLxpsLSv4i5ZqB1ShcjjOFsYmJQmbApgFLUlyS7oQN18QVIYhPFXbQxkfBlFwcmyZYGo/w400-h278/chasm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />At the tail-end of Sunday School last week, we touched on a concept I’d like to expand a bit here. <p></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">God’s judgment often takes the form of giving us precisely what we want, and what we want ends up wrecking us.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>In Eden…</b> Paul’s interpretation of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2&version=ESV">Genesis 2</a> is that man is the head of the wife (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor+11%3A1-16&version=ESV">1 Cor 11:1-16</a>). However, in Genesis 3, it seems that the man and woman, at the behest of the serpent, set aside God’s design (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+3%3A1-7&version=ESV">Gen 3:1-7</a>). The woman led and the man followed. The ensuing narrative reveals that the consequences would include the hardwiring of their hearts to continue on this course (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+3%3A16b&version=ESV">Gen 3:16b</a>). The wife would desire to dominate her husband, while the husband would abuse his authority over his wife. In other words, God judges them by giving them what they wanted. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Genesis alone contains a number of examples where this judgment proved disastrous. For instance, when Sarai and Abram failed to conceive in a timely manner, Sarai decided to take things into her own hands, instructing her husband to impregnate her servant, Hagar (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+16&version=ESV">Gen 16</a>). Abram obeyed, Hagar conceived, and Sarai was…furious! You can read the story once again to refresh your memory regarding the strife and heartache that followed.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>In Canaan… </b>shortly after the colossal failure of the people during the judges period, the people clamored for a king like all the surrounding nations (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Sam+8%3A5&version=ESV">1 Sam 8:5</a>). Therefore, God instructed Samuel, </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>“Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."</i> (1 Sam 8:8-9) </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">God gave them what they wanted. This was not a gift, but a judgment. We know this because of the warning that Samuel gave the people about how their king would behave: 1) he would take their sons to serve in his army and farm his land; 2) he would take their daughters to be his personal servants; 3) he would take the best of their land and crops; 4) he would take the best of their servants and livestock; and 5) he would limit their personal freedoms (v10-17). The result would be chilling: <i>“And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day”</i> (v18). </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Continue reading in 1 Samuel for a detailed account of Saul’s reign. In short, Israel’s king had an impressive stature, but a twisted heart. Envious, paranoid, suspicious, vain…Saul’s reign ended with his own death at the hands of the Philistines, the same enemy who oppressed Israel long before Saul’s anointing. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Over the course of history</b>… Paul’s letter to the Romans gives a bird’s eye view of man’s history of rejecting God. <i>“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things”</i> (Rom 1:22–23). Paul continues, noting that man <i>“exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator”</i> (Rom 1:25). Man wanted an existence without God, so He gave them “<i>the due penalty of their error,”</i> the best of what a godless world has to offer—impure hearts, degraded bodies, and darkened minds (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+1%3A24-29&version=ESV">Rom 1:24-29</a>). </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>As eternal justice</b>… In a sense, hell itself is an expression of God giving man what he most wants. As Genesis 3 and Romans 1 teach, man rejected God. Hell is eternity without Him. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 describes it this way, <i>“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” </i>Where God is, there is everything good, holy, and pleasurable (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+21%3A1-4%3B+22%3A1-5&version=ESV">Rev 21:1-4; 22:1-5</a>). Where He is not, there is darkness, isolation, sorrow, and suffering (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+8%3A11-12%3B+13%3A47-50%3B+Mark+9%3A43&version=ESV">Matt 8:11-12; 13:47-50; Mark 9:43</a>). In the end, God gives what man wants unto his own destruction.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>What then is grace and salvation?</b></span> Among other things, God gives us what we did <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> initially want. He gives us <i>Himself</i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+5%3A18%3B+Eph+2%3A11-16&version=ESV">2 Cor 5:18; Eph 2:11-16</a>) through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. We are brought back to Him, forgiven by Him, and welcomed into His presence eternally. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To be sure, this is what we did not want…initially. For God not only saves us from the judgment of our sin, but He even rescues us from our wrong desires. We were formerly haters of God (Rom 1:30). BUT, God <i>changes</i> our hearts (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze+36%3A25-27&version=ESV">Eze 36:25-27</a>) so that we renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, waiting eagerly for the second coming of Christ who will take us to live with God forever (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+3%3A11-14&version=ESV">Titus 3:11-14</a>). </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">What we formerly did not want…now we want more than anything. And God gives it to us. In both judgment and salvation, God gives us what we want.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">All this is great encouragement to pray, “Oh God, bend my heart all the more toward You!” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psa+119%3A36&version=ESV">Psa 119:36</a>)</p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-90253222983925507652023-12-21T15:04:00.003-05:002023-12-21T15:04:37.340-05:00Mary and the Shame of the Manger<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1XyWZnhEil9HaSu1uDTKmLyR2XeISNzTEarIjycQRG4gN3nqIhssUhcfSzLH5Pv5jVqdc1dDg20-eunXXC_v_yb6igfp_DlyrR-KebP2kVrBmz1GYooHr355L7Gs9WxAHxru5fusMQBBjCVQVczeFEbbEe79Ep8btMfKTZmreTwTUBSBRowhAQKl6vg/s1200/Mother-_-Child_CANVAS-12-x-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1XyWZnhEil9HaSu1uDTKmLyR2XeISNzTEarIjycQRG4gN3nqIhssUhcfSzLH5Pv5jVqdc1dDg20-eunXXC_v_yb6igfp_DlyrR-KebP2kVrBmz1GYooHr355L7Gs9WxAHxru5fusMQBBjCVQVczeFEbbEe79Ep8btMfKTZmreTwTUBSBRowhAQKl6vg/w640-h336/Mother-_-Child_CANVAS-12-x-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />From the outside looking in, it would have been the mother of all unwanted pregnancies.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">You’re betrothed to a righteous man, yet you are pregnant with a baby that isn’t his, and your only story is that an angel told you the baby would be conceived by the Holy Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A34-38&version=ESV">Luke 1:34-38</a>).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">To the average person, Mary was not in an enviable position.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The birth of this child under these circumstances would be a stigma that followed her until her dying breath.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In fact, had it taken place today,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">many</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">of those around her might have counseled her to terminate the pregnancy.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Imagine the difficulty of sharing the news with Joseph. Mary had just spent three months in the hill country at the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the expectant parents of John the Baptist. When Mary returned to Nazareth, she was at least three months along, possibly more. Whether she was showing or not, there would have to be a measure of disbelief in the heart of Joseph at the news that his bride-to-be was expecting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Did she even try to explain? We don’t know. But we do know that whether she offered an explanation or not, Joseph purposed to divorce her (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+1%3A18-19&version=ESV">Matt 1:18-19</a>). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Our society has become more and more accepting of young unwed mothers. It happens so frequently that people don’t think a thing of it. They may receive some poor treatment, but it won’t follow them for life, and they likely will get married to someone someday. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But in 1<sup>st</sup> century Palestine, young female divorcees with illegitimate children were not considered marriage material. Joseph’s decision to put her away quietly mostly likely would mean that Mary would remain single for life. She would be treated like a prostitute and her son would be considered illegitimate forever. That Joseph eventually changed his mind would have done little to mute the whispers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And all the shame and awful treatment was not even a result of her sin. Normally, when an unwed girl gets pregnant, she has something to regret. She goes through that experience knowing that the bottomline truth is that she is reaping the consequences for her actions. But Mary would be an object of widespread public scorn through no fault of her own.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Yet, we find no evidence in Scripture that she was bothered by this at all. In fact, we find that she walked through the whole experience with great joy. I think there are two reasons for this.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>First, Mary knew who she was</b>. After Gabriel gave her the news that she would give birth to the Son of God, despite any misgivings about how society would regard her, she responded, “<i>Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” </i>(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A38&version=ESV">Luke 1:38</a>). Mary was the servant of the Lord. She understood that her life was not her own. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">We westerners have such an intense sense of individuality that it is difficult for us to stomach difficult things that we did not bring upon ourselves. We have an acute allergy to “unfairness”. There is the notion that our rights guarantee us a freedom from unjust suffering. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But the word translated “servant” in Luke 1:38 is translated elsewhere as “bondservant”. A bondservant was someone who had made a decision to relinquish freedom and remain in the master’s service for life. The bondservant’s entire existence revolved around the master. Whatever the master required, the bondservant did.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And Mary considered herself to be a bondservant of the Lord. Her identity was one of service to God. There was no question of fairness. There was only obedience. She knew who she was and because of that, she obeyed without looking back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Second, Mary knew who the Child was</b>. Gabriel made it clear: this Child would be <i>the Son of God</i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A35&version=ESV">1:35</a>). Mary understood the significance of what He would do (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A31-33%2C+46-55&version=ESV">1:31-33, 46-55</a>). He was to be a Savior. She rejoiced in God, saying, <i>“From now on all generations will call me blessed, for he who is mighty has done great things for me”</i> (1:48-49).<i> </i> Any consideration of how she would be viewed by her immediate culture paled in comparison to how she would eventually be seen, as the chosen mother of the Christ, the fulfillment of the promises to Abraham and his offspring (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A54-55&version=ESV">1:54-55</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And when He was born, she felt no shame. <i>But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart </i>(2:19).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">There are many in the church today who are reluctant to speak up and tell people what they really believe about Jesus Christ. They don’t want people to think that they are weird. To be blunt, they are ashamed of Him. The stigma attached to being a Christian today is nothing compared to what Mary faced, and yet she joyfully accepted it, while so many now refuse. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">If any of us are among the ashamed, do <i>we</i> know who we are and do we know who He is? Do we understand ourselves to be servants of Christ, that our very existence is for His glory and that we have been tasked with making Him known? Do we really understand who He is, that He is the difference between eternal life and eternal death for every soul around us? If we were convinced of those two things, I can’t help but think that we would be more like Mary, joyfully bearing the Son, unashamed of Him, treasuring Him enough to speak His name to one and all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Christmas isn’t over yet. For most of us there will still be opportunities to engage people with the gospel. Don’t be content to exchange the normal Christmas pleasantries. You are His servant and He is a Savior. Tell people.<o:p></o:p></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-30483698390049212832023-12-19T13:44:00.004-05:002023-12-19T13:44:37.560-05:00 The Real War on Christmas Has Been Won<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs62CPU4k1E3ZWsd89jSYR096y4CBWK0ZO_ZtGcGoYDenwECNzfJh4m8oIwUbUhyphenhyphenluo0ND3I20m5BLWlxUSJ0fmaUBjRptkrXVDtnSRnqCpDkap6njDOK7SczaGWl_EY8IRuZQBtEUkyAfj4Iy06OLtV3YSqdXaEWzk9ukqsKnLxLbFDWggANkrZ3Lw/s823/mary-comforts-eve-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="823" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs62CPU4k1E3ZWsd89jSYR096y4CBWK0ZO_ZtGcGoYDenwECNzfJh4m8oIwUbUhyphenhyphenluo0ND3I20m5BLWlxUSJ0fmaUBjRptkrXVDtnSRnqCpDkap6njDOK7SczaGWl_EY8IRuZQBtEUkyAfj4Iy06OLtV3YSqdXaEWzk9ukqsKnLxLbFDWggANkrZ3Lw/w640-h392/mary-comforts-eve-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Years ago, tv, radio, and social media was lit up with stories about “the war on Christmas!” Commentators and many Christians lamented the fact that our society was no longer saying “Merry Christmas” but merely, “Happy Holidays” during this festive season. There are some obvious cultural reasons for this shift—not all of them bad, in my opinion. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But we should be clear that any concerns about a war on Christmas should be grounded in a concern about a war on <i>Christ</i>. And that has been going on since the beginning of creation itself. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not long after creation, humanity rebelled against God and brought all of creation under God’s curse. Part of that curse would be a struggle—a war—between the offspring of the woman (those who live a life of faith) and the offspring of the serpent (those who live a life of rebellion). This conflict is promised to persist until one specific Offspring crushes the head of the serpent himself (Gen 3:15). That Offspring would be the Lord Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But his birth was far off from those final moments in Eden. In the meantime, this war between the offspring would begin to rage. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We see it first in the murder of Abel by his brother, Cain. Through Cain, Satan tries to end the offspring of Eve through death (John 8:44). But the Lord raises up another in his place, Seth. This war continues and Satan tries another tactic—diluting the godly line through intermarriage with unbelievers (Gen 6:1–8). And this was also almost successful in wiping out the line, but God rescued the offspring through Noah. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These twin tactics of death and dilution show up again and again through the history of God’s people as Satan makes war on the godly offspring of the woman. God rescues believers through the dominating offspring of the devil by scattering them at Babel and calling Abraham into the line of promise. He uses Joseph to save his people from starvation, midwives in Egypt to save them from death, and Moses to rescue them from extinction through slavery. Even as the godly in Israel are nearly overwhelmed by the ungodly as they do whatever is right in their own eyes (Judg 21:25), the Lord raises up a godly king after his own heart, David. He not only conquers Israel’s enemy who is covered in snake-scale armor (1 Sam 17:1–54), but continued to deliver them from all their enemies, shepherding them well (1 Chron 18:13–4).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet, the battle was far from over. As David’s descendants drifted away from a heart of belief, they allowed the offspring of the serpent to gain the upper hand. Sins of idolatry and violations of God’s covenant brought judgment which threatened the faithful in Israel. The godly line of offspring was diminished. Some were killed, others were exiled, but the Lord preserved some and they returned to the land. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, this battle of the offspring continued right up to the birth of Jesus, the true Israelite. Shortly after he came into the world, honored as the promised Christ by angels, shepherds, and pagan magi, his life was threatened. But shouldn’t have been surprising. After all, he is <i>the </i>seed of the woman. He is the fulfillment of all God’s covenant long promises (2 Cor 1:20). He is the One in whom all of God’s people will experience salvation. End his life and the battle is won! Yet, God warned Joseph and Jesus escaped the slaughter in Bethlehem (Matt 2:13–18). The godly seed of the woman was saved from the serpent’s fangs! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But not for long. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For Jesus’ victory over his enemies comes through his death for his people—the offspring of the woman. In an ironic, unexpected twist that few could comprehend, Jesus would gain total victory in the battle of the seed by dying on the cross (Col 2:12–15). There he would crush the head of the serpent and defeat death itself. By bringing upon himself God’s judgment against his people, he also secured their victory in this battle of the offspring (Rev 12:9–12). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just as Isaiah said that he would be “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities,” it was promised: “he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isa 53:5, 10). Though Satan rages against God’s people, their final victory is secure through the death and resurrection of Christ (Rev 12:17). His victory is <i>our</i> victory! Like the Romans, we know that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet (Rom 16:20). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This Christmas, as you face all manner of spiritual conflict—sickness, suffering, and temptations to unbelief—be encouraged by Christ’s victory for us. The <i>real</i> war was been won. Therefore, we have every strength and confidence to walk by faith against schemes of our defeated foe. And, perhaps, more sweetly sing songs that proclaim truths like, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p>John Botkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111627674777098418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-16494893741234859862023-12-14T15:20:00.003-05:002023-12-14T15:20:58.538-05:00Joseph and the Shame of the Manger<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMYxhtU8_cX4EJWiABV7rq1ikXeXQ4IRJlFygkIJS_E3NQHeAFC-Fup2RfIEZnC28AnOaRSmKgvHHvxW5cwGacheV9vGMksvPjGJ7DZvGhfEcFjz7dKy7L-wfghDYmbj-3Yv3T0pLt2al0RiTGX9jZ6o0hGVShaJmcxHn6tAyPcDo9PIpsIl4Mm57fXc/s521/NativitySceneSilhouette_CraftSmithDigital_Cut.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="521" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMYxhtU8_cX4EJWiABV7rq1ikXeXQ4IRJlFygkIJS_E3NQHeAFC-Fup2RfIEZnC28AnOaRSmKgvHHvxW5cwGacheV9vGMksvPjGJ7DZvGhfEcFjz7dKy7L-wfghDYmbj-3Yv3T0pLt2al0RiTGX9jZ6o0hGVShaJmcxHn6tAyPcDo9PIpsIl4Mm57fXc/s320/NativitySceneSilhouette_CraftSmithDigital_Cut.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div>As we celebrate Christmas 2000 years removed from the event, it may seem odd that there was any shame attached to the birth of Christ. We typically think of the tremendous privilege of Joseph and Mary to be chosen to raise Immanuel. But what would their community have made of His birth, and how would it have affected their view of Joseph and Mary? Would they have been regarded with admiration or contempt?<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A18&version=ESV">Matthew 1:18</a> reveals that Mary and Joseph were betrothed prior to her conception by the Holy Spirit. However, betrothal in the Jewish culture of the day was far more serious and binding than is engagement today. The boy’s parents would choose a girl to be engaged to their son. When the couple were of age, there would be a legal agreement before witnesses establishing their engagement, after which they were bound to each other as if married. This engagement lasted approximately one year, during which time the two were considered man and wife. (Thus, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A19&version=ESV">Matthew 1:19</a> refers to Joseph as Mary’s husband prior to their actual marriage.) After the engagement year, the legal marriage was performed, and then consummated. Therefore, in the eyes of all, Joseph and Mary were bound together for life, though they had not yet officially married. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Matthew tells the story of Jesus’ birth primarily from Joseph’s point of view. Joseph had a moral dilemma. Mary had become pregnant, and he knew that the baby couldn’t be his since their marriage had not been consummated (1:18). The only rational explanation was that Mary had committed adultery. Such an offense would have warranted Joseph’s public humiliation of Mary in order to save his own reputation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">However, there were two things that prevented him from doing this, according to v19: Joseph was a righteous man, and he did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her quietly. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This is significant. Joseph’s quiet divorce from Mary would have been eyed suspiciously by their community. His refusal to shame her would have been tantamount to admission that <i>he</i> was the father and therefore also guilty of sin. And at this point in the narrative, already Joseph displays willingness to bear the shame of something he did not do, all the while acting with compassion on the one he thought was guilty. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">We know from the following verses (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A20-25&version=ESV">20-25</a>) that the angel of the Lord let Joseph in on the truth surrounding Mary’s pregnancy: “for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Obediently, Joseph took Mary as his wife, but did not have relations with her until the Child was born.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But think for a moment about the circumstances. Joseph could tell the story far and wide about the angel coming to him in a dream. He could take an oath before all, staking his reputation on the testimony he received from God that Mary had never committed adultery, but had conceived by the Holy Spirit. He could have revealed that the baby Mary was carrying was Immanuel, promised through the prophet Isaiah. But who would have believed him? Regardless of his story or the sincerity with which he seemed to tell it, Joseph would have been regarded as one of two things: either he himself was a fornicator, or he knowingly married an adultress. Either way, he was not a man to be admired, but a man to be derided and shamed. Joseph was to be regarded as the father of an illegitimate son.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">In <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A41&version=ESV">John 8:41</a>, we get a strong hint that this rumor stuck. There the Jews taunted Jesus, saying, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father: God.” They believed Jesus to be illegitimate, that is, born of fornication. Their claim to have one Father may have been a jab implying that Jesus had two fathers – Joseph and a birth father with whom Mary committed adultery. Remember, John 8 takes place when Jesus is over 30 years old. The cloud of his assumed disgraceful paternity had followed Him all His life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But one thing is almost certain. At Jesus’ birth, as Joseph looked down on the swaddled baby, God in human flesh sleeping in a trough, the derision of the world over his assumed sin must have been the last thing on his mind. There lay the Hope of all the world, the One who would save His people from their sins. There was no shame. There was no regret. There was only joy. I would imagine that Joseph gladly endured the whispers and suspecting glances for the rest of his days, glorifying God for the privilege of being chosen to raise a Savior. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">What a joy to bear the shame of the manger.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">You and I have also been given the indescribable gift of the knowledge of the identity of the Messiah. We know the truth about this Child. The question is will we allow those around us to associate us with the offense of His birth, life, death, and resurrection? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This Savior said in John 15:18ff, <i>“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”</i> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This season of the year affords us the great opportunity to turn conversations about Christmas into conversations about Christ. May the Lord give us hearts like Joseph, willing to associate ourselves with the truth no matter how the culture regards us. Let’s not celebrate His birth without also proclaiming its significance to the lost around us. <o:p></o:p></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-76053648171434555532023-12-12T14:25:00.003-05:002023-12-12T14:25:51.636-05:00 My Favorite Christmas Hymn Isn’t About Christmas <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NUrROq613j5amcZ9wYUAUlI3JEB97Nx74ftX2CTd7dfJf22cr3grtZ_oT9FPvkUu4nwwndgPa34nh7li-GsskJPDbtWShyphenhyphenPW3AdB43MF6eDyuIQHxbjTShGgYQoMX07PfquC_tVOwOXAjgcKf-Psallwt0tCFYXY3x_5-uNjrKO6mHKeeUNgrghjfA/s1960/isaac-watts-joy-to-the-world%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NUrROq613j5amcZ9wYUAUlI3JEB97Nx74ftX2CTd7dfJf22cr3grtZ_oT9FPvkUu4nwwndgPa34nh7li-GsskJPDbtWShyphenhyphenPW3AdB43MF6eDyuIQHxbjTShGgYQoMX07PfquC_tVOwOXAjgcKf-Psallwt0tCFYXY3x_5-uNjrKO6mHKeeUNgrghjfA/w640-h320/isaac-watts-joy-to-the-world%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>My favorite Christmas hymn is “Joy to the World.”</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Written by Isaac Watts—probably the greatest Christian hymn-writer of all time—it was an adaptation of Psalm 98.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love the song for its theological depth, biblical allusions, and joyful tone (after securing such a tune from Lowell Mason about one hundred thirty years after Watts penned the lyrics).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Interestingly enough, though, Watts didn’t write it as a Christmas hymn!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, the lyrics are based on Psalm 98, which is about the</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">return </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">of Christ. What do we expect from Christ’s return? That he will judge the living and the dead in righteousness, bring about a new creation and reign over all things forever. Psalm 98 reinforces these ideas, even calling for praise that “he will judge the world with righteousness” (98:9).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now consider some of the lyrics of the hymn:</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joy to the world, the Lord is come!</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let earth receive her King!</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">No more let sins and sorrows grow,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">nor thorns infest the ground;</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">He comes to make His blessings flow</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">far as the curse is found,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">He rules the world with truth and grace,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">and makes the nations prove</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">the glories of His righteousness</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">and wonders of His love</span></i></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 98 envisions even more. There, the psalmist says that all of creation should rejoice. Not merely the people <i>in</i> creation, but <i>creation itself</i> should rejoice—the seas, rivers, hills (Ps 98:4–8). And what does Watts enjoin us to sing?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let every heart prepare Him room,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">and heav'n and nature sing,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let men their songs employ,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">repeat the sounding joy </span></i></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Watts has given us a wonderful song about Christ return. But we’ve adopted it as a cherished Christmas song. And, I think that’s just fine.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Melinda and I were married, we had a beautiful wedding. But the wedding didn’t just happen. It took lots of planning, lots of money. There was lots of excitement and celebration. It was wonderful! But after we had been married for several years, we were talking and agreed that it was kind of a shame that you have that big celebration <i>before</i> you really year understand what you’re celebrating. You’re happy, you’re excited about new life with someone else, but it’s only once you’ve been married for a while that being to realize just how much more you can love a person and even what real love looks like. It’s only after you've experienced the marriage that you can truly celebrate the realities of marriage. At the wedding, you’re really celebrating <i>all that is to come</i> rather than what is at that moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s similar with the birth of Jesus. When we read the Gospels, there is an amazing amount of celebration and rejoicing associated with the birth of Christ. There is the miraculous conception itself; not to mention the heavenly host shooting the across the night sky singing and proclaiming the glories of God. There are the shepherds who rejoice and magi who eventually come to worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But all of that is preparation and anticipation of <i>what is come</i>. It wasn’t just that Jesus was born, or that he was supernaturally conceived in a virgin mother. The thing worth celebrating—that which should cause our hearts to rejoice and our eyes to weep; that which should give us pause every year—is that God sent his Son to "save his people from their sins" (Matt 1:21). And the fullness of that salvation is still to come! Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we have hope for the consummation of all things seen in a fully redeemed people, living in a new creation, under the perfect lordship of Christ, for all eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, though my favorite Christmas hymn is really about the second coming of Christ, it’s more than appropriate to sing at Christmas. Because in “Joy to the World” we hear the great news of Psalm 98 and are helped to remember the fullness of salvation that will one day be realized because of the humble, glorious birth of Jesus. By singing the hymn during our celebrations of his first coming, we joyfully anticipate what will be fully known during his second coming. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p>John Botkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111627674777098418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-87807553711324970422023-12-09T13:16:00.000-05:002023-12-09T13:16:18.272-05:00Can we really take or leave the "principles" of wisdom literature?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3QovsHM7DROAVVAZxrKOhhJASpm3kbbtk0Rd8aztvfoLam4TA31SJ55_FG3okQAVvNowG3smXSoF6bz0Lq9hGXp06jGibxGp4S4FYwvgO4g1xVZ5Y8TUnDy9vFHmhXrfqsPqinLuPPr02G_cxbSuiBSHDq1IFq14BoI3S2Z8_xL-rd8Nk9oyfeNogas/s328/wisdom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="328" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3QovsHM7DROAVVAZxrKOhhJASpm3kbbtk0Rd8aztvfoLam4TA31SJ55_FG3okQAVvNowG3smXSoF6bz0Lq9hGXp06jGibxGp4S4FYwvgO4g1xVZ5Y8TUnDy9vFHmhXrfqsPqinLuPPr02G_cxbSuiBSHDq1IFq14BoI3S2Z8_xL-rd8Nk9oyfeNogas/w400-h188/wisdom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A little food for thought regarding “wisdom literature” in general and Proverbs in particular…</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It is not unusual for believers to dismiss in <i>practice</i> certain proverbs on the basis that they are “wisdom principles.” We treat them as something less than imperative — things that we <i>would</i> do if we were wise, but not things we <i>must</i> do as obedient believers. Some proverbs are regarded as perhaps the best way to go in areas where we ultimately have the freedom to go one way or another. I certainly have regarded them this way. I assume I'm not alone.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Is it possible that this is not how proverbs are intended to be received? There are several reasons to say, "yes." Below are just two. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>The language and thought of Proverbs is strikingly similar to the language and thought of Deuteronomy</b>. Deuteronomy is the second giving of the law of God just prior to the people's entrance into the land of Canaan. It calls people to a love for God expressed in obedience, and it promises life to those who do so.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>5 And you shall love Yahweh your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your might. </i></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>6 </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>And these words that I am commanding you today shall be on your heart</i></span><i>. </i></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>7 And you shall recite them to your children, and you shall talk about them at the time of your living in your house and at the time of your going on the road and at the time of your lying down and at the time of your rising up</i>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(Deut 6:5–7 LEB)</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is an excerpt from what is called “the Shema”—<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+6%3A4-9&version=ESV">Deuteronomy 6:4-9</a>. It is one of the most important passages in all of the Old Testament. It exposes what exactly God desires from His people which is loving Him completely, internalizing His word unto obedience, and passing these things down from generation to generation. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now, consider Proverbs 3:1-3:</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>1 My child, </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>do not forget my instruction</i></span><i>, and may your <u>heart guard my commands</u>. </i></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>2 For length of days, years of life, and peace they shall add to you. </i></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>3 May loyal love and truth not forsake you; bind them around your neck, </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>write them upon your heart</i></span>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Essentially, Solomon here is obeying the parental responsibility given in the Shema. He is commanding his sons to obey “my instruction”. “My instruction” is the LEB translation of <i>torah,</i> the most commonly used Hebrew word for “law.” It seems that the law of God has become Solomon’s own through his internalizing it (“these words…shall be on your heart”, Deut 6:6), and now he calls his sons to follow suit, even using the language of putting the law on their hearts. This may signal that what comes in the rest of Proverbs is Solomon showing his sons applications of God’s instruction. (Further, the benefit of doing so as seen in v2 is exactly the language used to describe the benefit of obedience to God in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+28&version=ESV">Deuteronomy 28</a> and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30&version=ESV">30</a>.)</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Deuteronomy also makes obedience to the law tantamount to choosing to live:</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“<i>I invoke as a witness against you today the heaven and the earth: </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>life</i></span><i> and </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>death</i></span><i> I have set before you, blessing and curse. So choose </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>life</i></span><i>, so that you may live, you and your offspring, by loving Yahweh your God by listening to his voice and by clinging to him, for he is your l</i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>ife</i></span><i> and the length of your days…</i>”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(Deut 30:19–20 LEB)</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“Listening to His voice” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> obeying His word, and it leads to life. Now, compare with Proverbs 13:14:</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>The </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>teaching</i></span><i> of the wise is a fountain of </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>life</i></span><i>, in order to avoid the snares of </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>death</i></span>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is but one verse among many where Solomon makes the paths of wisdom and folly parallel to choosing life or death, respectively. Once again, “teaching” here is <i>torah, </i>translated “law” in most places in the OT. By using such language, Solomon signals that his teaching (torah) stands in continuity with the teaching (torah) of God. Solomon is not teaching his own law, but God’s.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Such linguistic and thematic connections between Deuteronomy and Proverbs are manifold, indicating that what we regard as “wisdom principles” or divine suggestions, Solomon would categorize as divine </span><i>directives</i>. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Some language in Proverbs seems to equate foolish actions with sin</b>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><i></i><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>35 For he who finds me is he who finds life, and he obtains favor from Yahweh. </i></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">36 <i>But he who </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>misses me</i></span><i> injures himself. All those who hate me love death</i>.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Proverbs 8:35–36 (LEB) </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This comes from a passage where wisdom is personified, that is, wisdom is depicted as a person speaking to Solomon’s sons. Therefore, “me” in these verses </span><i>is</i> wisdom. The one who finds wisdom finds life and obtains favor (or blessing) from Yahweh. This is very close to the language above in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 — the choice to love Yahweh by obeying His voice is a choice to live. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V36 also connects to Deuteronomy 30:19-20 in that it shows that those who reject wisdom are choosing death. Even more striking is the Hebrew text underneath v36 is striking. “He who misses me” is more literally, “he who sins (against) me.” This is strong language, loaded with meaning from many previous chapters in the OT. By using the verb for “sin”, Solomon depicts the rejection of wisdom as something far more serious than turning down good advice. Rather, it is a sinful rejection of God. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Given all the above, there seems to be a strong connection between wisdom and God’s instruction (torah) and between heeding wisdom and obeying God. Proverbs presents something weightier than situational counsel, “wisdom principles,” or the best option in areas of ultimate freedom. Wisdom literature shows us what it looks like to have a heart that desires to love and obey God.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I encourage you to take some time to read Proverbs in this light.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Consider where there may be</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">“principles” you rejected in practice as if they were somehow optional.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">May we each submit our hearts and minds completely to the Lord in obedience. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span> </p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-62485431211536877242023-11-24T08:00:00.005-05:002023-11-24T08:00:00.136-05:00Devotional Helps for Advent<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_h9SgugINw6uAfRKR72cj937EWv1vYjb6FqhHEQIe_cuN-1REMjxyVebktNalykz_9JOy1xbCY9t1xXlPqGD6B9SuKL7chw4Dj4kCCgjc36_1P1AOgVeYdPjAOP5iYAyTPr3eCCo5qu7AbZ2Ctb2WSDWLKm-z64cn4rgcEBNEXvgEW4ldbn-5knaYWg/s1920/advent%20resources%20graphic.001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_h9SgugINw6uAfRKR72cj937EWv1vYjb6FqhHEQIe_cuN-1REMjxyVebktNalykz_9JOy1xbCY9t1xXlPqGD6B9SuKL7chw4Dj4kCCgjc36_1P1AOgVeYdPjAOP5iYAyTPr3eCCo5qu7AbZ2Ctb2WSDWLKm-z64cn4rgcEBNEXvgEW4ldbn-5knaYWg/w640-h360/advent%20resources%20graphic.001.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;">This morning my son and I worked on memorizing John 15:9: <i>As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. </i>Rehearsing such a verse (and considering its immediate context) led to an intense stirring of my heart. Rightly so. The impeccability of the Father's love toward the Son is shown in abundant measure to those who respond to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr1Jn1iMhf8&t=1s" target="_blank">the Gospel</a> in faith. I wrote the verse on an index card for my son to practice, and w<span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">ith thoughts of such a profound love flooding my soul, I considered why</span> someone would spend life aiming to do anything <i>other than</i> abide in the love of Christ. After all, it really is an awe-inspiring privilege--to walk daily by faith, remaining in the safety and delight of his commandments. There is no better way to live, and through Christ we have the power to do so.</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;">But this is not a blog explaining what it means to abide. It's just that this morning's exercise spurred me to consider ways to capitalize on the command to do so during the upcoming Advent season. Admittedly, I have spent too many Christmas seasons distracted by cultural traditions. (None have been sinful in the slightest. I've already watched a handful of Christmas movies and the seal on December has yet to be broken!) Often, though, certain cultural rhythms tend to avert my attention from the Son of God who took on flesh that I might know Him as Savior and Lord. This year--and hopefully every year--I am making it my goal to flood my soul with Advent realities. With the realities of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. With confident, hope-filled, and expectant longing for <a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/awaiting-his-return" target="_blank">the Advent to come</a>. With Jesus. More and more of Him!</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;">Instead of going at this alone, why not join me? Let's make Christmas a season of intentional abiding. Let's increase our knowledge and zeal for the One <i>whose coming forth is from of old</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>, from ancient of days</i> (Micah 5:2). </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">I believe the resources listed below will be of great help to us. (There is a mixture of personal and family devotional material.) But understand this: There is </span><i style="color: #444444;">no</i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"> substitution for repetitive reading and rumination of </span><a href="https://www.crossway.org/articles/6-passages-to-read-for-advent/" target="_blank">the Scriptures</a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">. I wholeheartedly believe that a good book is simply a billboard pointing us back to the Greatest Book.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>FREE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES </b></span></p><p><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/books/the-dawning-of-indestructible-joy" target="_blank"><i>The Dawn of Indestructible Joy</i></a> by John Piper</p><p><i><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/books/good-news-of-great-joy" target="_blank">Good News of Great Joy</a></i> by John Piper</p><p><i><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/books/the-innkeeper" target="_blank">The Innkeeper</a></i> by John Piper</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>RESOURCES FOR PURCHASE</b></span></p><p><i><a href="https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781914966798/the-coming-of-the-king-paperback" target="_blank">The Coming of the King</a></i> by J.C. Ryle</p><p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Good-Tidings-Great-Joy-Christianity/dp/180040381X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LMULR0QCEBLD&keywords=good+tidings+of+great+joy+spurgeon&qid=1700716028&sprefix=Good+tidings+of%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Good Tidings of Great Joy</a></i> by C.H. Spurgeon</p><p><a href="https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781939946539/prepare-him-room-family-devotional-hardback" target="_blank"><i>Prepare Him Room</i></a> by Marty Machowski</p><p><i><a href="https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781433556692/come-let-us-adore-him" target="_blank">Come Let Us Adore Him</a></i> by Paul David Tripp</p><p><i><a href="https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781433587948/o-come-o-come-emmanuel" target="_blank">O Come, O Come Emmanuel</a></i> by Jonathan Gibson</p><p><i><a href="https://www.wtsbooks.com/collections/current-specials/products/christmas-uncut-what-really-happened-and-why-it-really-matters-9781784989156?variant=42851818864840" target="_blank">Christmas Uncut</a></i> by Carl Laferton</p><p><i><a href="https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/christmas-thoughts-9781800403147?variant=42935386800328" target="_blank">Christmas Thoughts</a></i> by J.C. Ryle</p><p><i><a href="https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/the-advent-of-glory-24-devotions-for-christmas-9781784988913?variant=42851818897608" target="_blank">The Advent of Glory</a></i> by R.C. Sproul</p><p><i><a href="https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/hosanna-in-excelsis-hymns-and-devotions-for-the-christmas-season-9780802419934?variant=37558370631880" target="_blank">Hosanna in Excelsis</a></i> by David and Barbara Leeman</p><p><i><a href="https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/love-came-down-christmas-sinclair-b-ferguson-9781784982898?variant=9750397386799" target="_blank">Love Came Down at Christmas</a></i> by Sinclair B. Ferguson</p><p><i><a href="https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/the-light-before-christmas-a-family-advent-devotional-9781645072928?variant=42131577733320" target="_blank">The Light before Christmas</a></i> by Marty Machowski</p><p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-We-Didnt-Expect/dp/1784984760/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3S6936APXWLYT&keywords=the+christmas+we+didn%27t+expect&qid=1700714587&sprefix=The+Christmas+We+%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Christmas We Didn't Expect</a></i> by David Mathis</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy devoting, happy abiding!</p><p><br /></p>Jason Odelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13485175255590685460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-87608848344758150952023-11-18T13:18:00.000-05:002023-11-18T13:18:14.234-05:00Giving Thanks for the Good God is Working<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjKrvuk6yN6bGA14hlAlbxUV2yX80pk7BNZnDap1MpDxAJHZcVkAkCnMNcqOQJrtP__9pnn2I4rNU5MeIJyWltRNV-PZuPydUjx2nDiwjL-C5S9axDL5gdtabYBGPPef8DcX3VnKSj9CrCt5rA72zbv76Gz4N4khJCzI7EgcrhUFtO-uqI50bckffPYg/s750/thanksgiving-prayer-gettyimages-1095427770-2000-8153be1fe4bb4fc895aa9dd8be8e4e30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjKrvuk6yN6bGA14hlAlbxUV2yX80pk7BNZnDap1MpDxAJHZcVkAkCnMNcqOQJrtP__9pnn2I4rNU5MeIJyWltRNV-PZuPydUjx2nDiwjL-C5S9axDL5gdtabYBGPPef8DcX3VnKSj9CrCt5rA72zbv76Gz4N4khJCzI7EgcrhUFtO-uqI50bckffPYg/w400-h266/thanksgiving-prayer-gettyimages-1095427770-2000-8153be1fe4bb4fc895aa9dd8be8e4e30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Across our congregation right now, we have people who have recently lost loved ones, jobs, or close relationships.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Others are struggling through debilitating and/or life-threatening illnesses.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Still others facing very difficult decisions about which they have no real clue what to do.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">For many, Thanksgiving may seem to be coming at an awkward time. Some have the tradition on Thanksgiving Day of going around the table and sharing what they are thankful for. Perhaps, there are those who have already considered this and thought, “What am I going to say? I could just go with the standards…life, freedom, family…”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">What if over the next few days—in light of the NT admonition to be thankful for <i>all</i> things (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+5%3A20&version=ESV">Eph 5:20</a>)—we pondered the <i>good</i> God is doing through our trials? Then we would not only have something to share, but also genuinely give thanks to God for the various difficulties we’re encountering. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">So, what good is being worked for us through our trials? Here are just a few reasons to prime the pump of your own meditation:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .15in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -.15in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Our trials cause us to grow</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.15in;">Romans 5:3-4 reads, …<i>we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…</i> God doesn’t waste our trials and they don’t represent divine, purposeless hazing. He uses them as tools to make us more like Jesus. And <i>that </i>should cause us to be thankful…imagine how much better we would handle difficult circumstances if we were just like Jesus!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .15in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -.15in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Our trials cause us to rely on God</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.15in;">Paul the apostle was no stranger to suffering. We might even say that he suffered more for the kingdom than anyone but Jesus Himself. Of his own suffering he wrote, <i>For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead</i> (2Cor 1:8-9).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.15in;">Suffering pulls us out of our false notions of self-sufficiency to see that we cannot survive without moment-by-moment infusions of God’s grace. They teach us to trust in God because we <i>have to</i> in order to endure. This is why it is so often the case that our devotional life is at its strongest when we encounter trials. They bring us closer to the Lord and for that we should thank Him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .15in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -.15in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Our trials make us more effective tools in other people’s lives</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.15in;">Paul’s letter to the Philippians shows this through his own example. His experience with suffering and constant opposition not only conformed him to the image of Christ, but also allowed him to provide a model to those around him. Without his own trials, he never would have been able to write, <i>Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us</i> (Phil 3:17).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.15in;">When a young couple has a miscarriage, who is best able to offer words of comfort and hope? Others who have endured the same thing. When a marriage is devastated by adultery, who is best able to walk alongside that couple to help navigate the journey of pain and reconciliation? Others who have walked that road. Having been through it before, they know what to say and what not to say, what to do and what not to do. What a blessing that is to those currently suffering.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.15in;">Typically, when we are suffering we struggle to think about anyone but ourselves, but the mature believer will consider how his or her present struggles will provide equipping to help others in the future. That is something for which to thank the Lord.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .15in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -.15in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Our trials make us value what matters most – the upward call of God in Christ Jesus</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 9pt;">How many beatings, shipwrecks, false accusations, and years in prison does it take to cause a servant of Christ to look forward to his or her eternal reward? Not many, I would think. Paul had seen it all even as he was writing his letter to the Philippians. I dare say his attention was not captured by meaningless, temporal things the way so many of us are. Years of suffering for the cause of Christ, years of growing in dependence upon and affection for Christ brought Paul to the realization that the real prize of this life is the upward call to the next (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil+3%3A14&version=ESV">Phil 3:14</a>). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 9pt;">I’ve yet to have a season of difficulty in my own life that did not prepare me to gladly leave this world in order to gain eternal joy in the presence of Jesus. With each struggle, my emotional ties to this life are weakened and my desire to depart and be with the Lord is strengthened. Suffering now will make reunion with Him all the sweeter. That kind of thing is a blessing and it is something for which we should thank the Lord.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">What other ways can you think of that God is doing good for us through difficulty?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">May the Lord lead us to be truly thankful during this season, not merely <i>in</i> all things, but <i>for </i>all things. For He causes good things to come from the difficult seasons of life, as He is the giver of all good and perfect gifts.<o:p></o:p></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-51407528009595451362023-11-11T09:00:00.001-05:002023-11-11T09:00:18.997-05:00Lament, Hope, Believe, Act: How We Should Respond to the Passing of Issue 1<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYQpk7qBtwQzK-4RGZjdYG-eCKAL7FFohHeI5tf0qiuXFC7rlCiY1iXHkrvVupDAhx8lfDTYB8hobZD_0VW_W4VCxk-Sj614Ujkt4bEVnrIGgKK_cTd6Mdag0VGyW3Hac449262fbZCzaNgTrdj-C0mTQtEPOxJkUmQqVa98HvoSY9D6nJmMfB-WsgpM/s279/flower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="279" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYQpk7qBtwQzK-4RGZjdYG-eCKAL7FFohHeI5tf0qiuXFC7rlCiY1iXHkrvVupDAhx8lfDTYB8hobZD_0VW_W4VCxk-Sj614Ujkt4bEVnrIGgKK_cTd6Mdag0VGyW3Hac449262fbZCzaNgTrdj-C0mTQtEPOxJkUmQqVa98HvoSY9D6nJmMfB-WsgpM/w400-h259/flower.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The passing of <a href="http://providencebf.blogspot.com/2023/11/an-important-message-about-ohios-issue-1.html">Issue 1</a> this week was a heartbreaking defeat for the pro-life movement, a devastating expansion in the culture of death in Ohio, and a sobering indication of the moral collapse of our society.<span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Many of us are rightly troubled and wondering how to think about this, how to deal with our own emotions, and how to respond.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>First, we should lament</b>. We might define lament as a God-centered, biblically-informed, love-motivated prayer of sorrow, pain, and/or confusion. The psalms provide a number of examples. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+73&version=ESV">Psalm 73</a> is helpful in that it expresses all three—sorrow, pain, and confusion. I’ve previously written <a href="http://providencebf.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-prosperity-of-wicked-and-righteous.html">a brief exposition of Psalm 73</a> on this blog, which you may find helpful. Here, let me just recap a couple of critical points. </p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It seems to be right and good to express to God confusion and mourning over the success of the wicked. How could it not be? God is good and does what is right. In a world owned by Him, it should be confusing when evil progresses and the wicked prosper. If we love God and His image in man, we should mourn when men rebel against Him and deface His image in man.</li>
<li style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Lament confesses the temptations inherent in recognizing injustice. We are tempted to lose heart, seek revenge, give up, trust our own understanding, and perhaps a million other responses that would represent a lack of hope and faith in Him. </li>
<li style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Lament looks to God for understanding, justice, comfort, and hope. </li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So, we should pray to God expressing all the things we’re thinking and the ways we’re being tempted, while looking to Him for help. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Second, we should reminds ourselves of our true hope</b>. Our <i>ultimate</i> hope is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> that the United States would be the greatest nation on earth and a bastion of liberty forever. That is a commendable thing to desire, but as Hebrews 11:16 depicts, we have “<i>a better country, that is, a heavenly one</i>." When we keep this in mind, all manners of catastrophe can befall us without our being demoralized and hopeless. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Injustice has taken place. In a sense, our state has just championed a holocaust. However, hope is not merely sanctified wishing looking forward to the certain fulfillment of promises made by a God who cannot lie. The foundation of our faith and the hope of our lives is the certain return and reign of Christ, who will bring justice to all. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Just after the great turning point of the lament in Psalm 73, the author writes, “<i>My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever</i>” (v26). “My portion forever” assumes an eternal inheritance that <i>is</i> the Lord. That is our great hope. As we lament evil, we should hope in the return of the one who will make all things right.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Third, we should believe the truth about God</b>. In times like these, it is tempting to think wrong things about God. It is necessary to intentionally ponder His revealed attributes, including that He is sovereign, good, and wise (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+1%3A11%3B+Psa+145%3A17%3B+Rom+16%3A27&version=ESV">Eph 1:11; Psa 145:17; Rom 16:27</a>). That is, He controls all things to achieve the best ends possible by the best means possible. These truths undergird the psalmist’s trusting the Lord with justice: “<i>For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you</i>” (Psa 73:27). No one cares more about human life and is more dependable in judgment that Him (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+9%3A5-6%3B+Psa+33%3A5&version=ESV">Gen 9:5-6; Psa 33:5</a>). For us to question Him in an accusatory way is to assume we know better, want better, <i>are</i> better than Him. When we don’t understand, the best place to land is to recognize to Him, “We don’t understand; but we trust You.”</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Fourth, we should recognize that our role and responsibility have not changed</b>. Perhaps the vote on Tuesday reveals a depth of self-love and disregard for life in our culture that is worse than we thought. While it is important and helpful have a more accurate understanding of what we are up against, nothing has changed in terms of our part in the struggle. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We should still:</p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Pray</i>. The Scriptures attach outrageous promises to the call to pray. Matthew 21:22 is one: “<i>And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith</i>.” The temptation of many is to emasculate this promise with a mountain of theological caveats. Consider what might happen if we prayed as if there are none. Let us pray for miraculous interventions in the hearts of abortion doctors, for sensitized consciences in the hearts of tempted mothers and fathers, and for a spiritual revival to sweep the land. </li>
<li style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Evangelize and speak the truth</i>. The surest way to <a href="http://providencebf.blogspot.com/2013/03/echoes-of-molech-in-philly-abortion.html">turn the tide on abortion</a> is to see a tidal wave of conversion in response to the faithful gospel witness of the church. “<i>Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ</i>” (Rom 10:17). This is true, and it is the first mandate of the risen Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+28%3A19-20&version=ESV">Matt 28:19-20</a>) whether abortion is legal or not. Out of compassion for lost souls, let us be faithful to be speak nothing but truth, boldly and winsomely, believing that a truly righteous population is more God-honoring than a merely outwardly righteous one.</li>
<li style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Champion life</i>. By this, I mean support all legal means of curbing mass murder. There are pro-life organizations committed to doing everything legally possible to circumvent the Issue 1 amendment. Christians can support these organizations through donations of time and money. </li></ul>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We trust in a God who does all things for His own glory and the good of His people. Let us live as people who know how the story <i>ends </i>and who understand themselves to play significant roles in getting there<i>. </i>May our great God bring about a better day by His power through our faithfulness.<i> </i></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-27232371276233579002023-11-02T12:49:00.002-04:002023-11-02T14:17:20.429-04:00An Important Message About Ohio's "Issue 1"<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKswrnHuFvpfPf9l9cEzFd8uixPi591VETFd4bt2f3Tgz3BGg55iEqPwh-iUBa12__ga3mkFQf68tOKbS0IXVwxG_rCqHeLLPKI7ZXT9XVM_3O4lrt3viB1y1baBGnpC6wbMEyDJ_9I8iG_87ulxeUT0nPhCiqYWt6ylyNeHEaMErf1j9S30Heq6wPYc/s880/issue%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="880" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKswrnHuFvpfPf9l9cEzFd8uixPi591VETFd4bt2f3Tgz3BGg55iEqPwh-iUBa12__ga3mkFQf68tOKbS0IXVwxG_rCqHeLLPKI7ZXT9XVM_3O4lrt3viB1y1baBGnpC6wbMEyDJ_9I8iG_87ulxeUT0nPhCiqYWt6ylyNeHEaMErf1j9S30Heq6wPYc/w400-h286/issue%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br />I never use my "pulpit" for political purposes. This article is no departure from that policy. The article below has nothing to do with politics, but with right and wrong, good and evil, and the image of God displayed in humankind. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Ohio is considering as a ballot measure an amendment (known as “<a href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/2023/gen/issuesreport.pdf">Issue 1</a>”) which will allow for the broadest, most unrestricted environment for child endangerment conceivable.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I won’t take the time to exposit the whole amendment.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><a href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/2023/gen/issuesreport.pdf">Please take the time to read it here</a>.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">You’ll be taken to the Ohio Secretary of State website, which has published the language of the amendment, as well as all material that will be visible on the ballot itself. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>There are major problems with the amendment</b>. </p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First, it contains a plethora of undefined terms</span> which opens the door to the broadest possible interpretation of the amendment. Some of these undefined terms include:</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>“other reproductive decisions”.</b> One cannot and should not equate this amendment with providing a constitutional right only to abortion since the amendment explicitly broadens the scope beyond abortion to <i>other reproductive decisions</i>. What might <i>other reproductive decisions</i> include? The sky is the limit because the phrase is never defined. The ambiguity allows for unlimited access to sex-change operations for children (why children? See "individual" below), sex-change hormones for children, and sexual relationships between children and adults.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>“individual”.</b> Because this term is undefined it is unlimited. This means that under an amended Ohio constitution, adults with intellectual disabilities, children, and teens would have the unquestionable right to make the above “reproductive decisions.” </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Given that the amendment forbids any interference with this “right”, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">parental notification goes away</span>. The most important decisions affecting a child’s wellbeing will essentially be no business of the parents. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"> </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>“A person or entity that assists”.</b> No delimitations are given regarding who has the right to “assist” an “individual” in carrying out “reproductive decisions.” This creates an unconscionable blanket of legal protection for those who might exploit children and kill the unborn. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>“treating physician”.</b> What is a <i>physician</i>? What is a <i>treating</i> physician? Since it is left undefined, the treating physician could be the abortion provider. Why is this a problem? The “treating physician” has the unfettered legal authority to determine the viability of an unborn child, which allows for an end-run around the amendment’s one limitation—“viable” children may not be aborted. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The right of the “treating physician” to determine viability is a problem because “viability” is one of only two terms defined in the amendment. <b><a href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/2023/gen/issuesreport.pdf">Please read the amendment</a></b>. It essentially leaves viability to the sole judgment of the “treating physician.” In other words, a child is viable only if the doctor says so. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Once the abortion provider has determined the child is not viable, he or she is covered by the legal protections ensured to “a person or entity that assists exercising this right.” This is like giving a used car salesman the unquestionable right to determine how much you can afford to pay for a car. He can rob you blind and there is no recourse.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A second problem is that--by definition--the amendment changes the state constitution</span>. Amending a constitution is not evil in itself. The U.S Constitution can be amended. Thankfully, the founding fathers wisely made it extremely difficult to do so. Sadly, <i>in Ohio</i>, it is extremely <i>easy</i> to amend the <i>state</i> constitution. A simple majority of the voting population is required. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The fact that this is an amendment and not a simple law has grave significance. This amendment does not merely make abortion and “other reproductive decisions” lawful while also protecting anyone associated with the exercise of these things. Rather, <b>it becomes the standard by which all other laws are determined to be </b><i>lawful</i>. In other words, it precludes the enacting of any legislation that limits in any way the rights guaranteed by the amendment. That is, there can be no laws passed banning partial birth abortion. There can be no laws passed requiring parental consent for any “reproductive decision”. There can be no laws passed bringing criminal or civil penalties upon anyone “assisting” a child in exercising these unnamed, unenumerated reproductive decisions. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The amendment essentially writes child endangerment into the Ohio constitution. Abortion and other “reproductive rights” become untouchable by legislation or judges. Only another amendment could undo it. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"> </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Why</b><b> should </b><b>Christians care about this issue?</b></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First, we care about the glory of God as displayed in his image-bearers</span>. Genesis 1:27 reads, “<i>So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them</i>.” This has profound theological significance. Man’s creation in the image of God means that killing a human being is among the worst acts of rebellion one can commit against God. It is not like killing an animal, which God allows. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Bible makes a contradistinction regarding the value of animal life and human life in Genesis 9. Following the great flood, God gives man the right to eat animals. That is, it is lawful to kill an animal for food (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+9%3A1-3&version=ESV">Gen 9:1-3</a>). On the other hand, any animal that kills a human must pay with its life. Further, any <i>human</i> who murders a human must pay with his life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+9%3A5-6&version=ESV">Gen 9:5-6</a>). Why? “<i>…for God made man in his own image</i>” (Gen 9:6).</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is a crucial text for several reasons. It invalidates the moral equivalency some make between abortion and capital punishment. God <i>commands</i> capital punishment…in the case of those who murder humans. The only way to bring justice upon one who intentionally takes a human life is for their life to be taken. This shows the great value of God’s image and the significance of His glory displayed in man.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To abort a child is to kill a human. I am not advocating any kind of vigilante measures against those who have abortions or the people who provide them. The point is simply that abortion is a desecration of the image of God in man.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Given the wide open door to other “reproductive medical treatment” allowed by the amendment, there is also great potential for the unencumbered mutilation of children’s bodies through sex-change procedures. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Christians care about the glory of God displayed in His image-bearers. Therefore, they should care about this issue and stand against it.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Second, we care about children</span>. This is related to but distinct from the point above. God has given adult humans the responsibility to protect, nurture, and provide for children. The value that God places upon children — including unborn children — is reflected in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+21%3A22-23&version=ESV">Exodus 21:22-23</a>. It requires the capital punishment of someone who <i>accidentally</i> causes the death of an unborn child. This is striking because the law of Moses provides protections for those who commit manslaughter of <i>adults</i>. Why is the manslaughter of an unborn child a capital offense but other cases of manslaughter are not? Likely because of the vulnerability of the child <i>and</i> the responsibility of adults to protect them. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In general, God demands care for the vulnerable and calls for severe punishments of those who exploit them (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exo+22%3A22%3B+Deut+10%3A18%3B+14%3A29%3B+24%3A17%2C+20-21%3B+27%3A19%3B+Psa+10%3A14%3B+68%3A5%3B+82%3A3%3B+146%3A9%3B+Isa+1%3A17%3B+Jer+5%3A28%3B+22%3A3%3B+Zech+7%3A10%3B+Mal+3%3A5&version=ESV">Exo 22:22; Deut 10:18; 14:29; 24:17, 20-21; 27:19; Psa 10:14; 68:5; 82:3; 146:9; Isa 1:17; Jer 5:28; 22:3; Zech 7:10; Mal 3:5</a>). Christians should be among the first to care for children and the loudest in condemning their exploitation. Therefore, they should care about this issue and stand against it. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Third, we believe parents are a child's primary human authority and source of care</span>. This is evident from both testaments. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+6%3A4-9&version=ESV">Deuteronomy 6:4-9</a> calls for fathers—not pastors, priests, pedagogues, or politicians—to raise their children to know the Word of God and to love Him. Ephesians 6:4 reads, “<i>Fathers…bring your children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord</i>.” The Bible is filled with other passages that would make no sense outside of the assumption of deep parental love for and protection of children (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+4%3A1%2C+25-26%3B+15%3A1-5%3B+16%3A11-13%3B+21%3A1-7%2C+8-21%3B+37%3A29-36%3B+46%3A28-34%3B+1+Sam+1%3A1-20%3B+Psa+2%3A7-9%3B+127%3A3-5%3B+John+3%3A16%3B+1+John+3%3A1%3B+4%3A9&version=ESV">Gen 4:1, 25-26; 15:1-5; 16:11-13; 21:1-7, 8-21; 37:29-36; 46:28-34; 1 Sam 1:1-20; Psa 2:7-9; 127:3-5; John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; 4:9</a>). So serious and unique is the right and responsibility of parents to care for their household (including children) that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+5%3A8&version=ESV">1 Timothy 5:8</a> condemns the one who fails to do it. It is biblically inconceivable that parents would concede their right to guide, care for, and protect their children. Further, it is unnatural, illogical, and <i>evil</i> that a society would remove that parental right in the fashion represented by this amendment.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Christians believe that parents are a child’s primary human authority and source of care. Therefore, they should care about this issue and stand against it.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fourth, we care about justice</span>. Biblical justice is the rewarding of those who do good and the recompense of those who do evil. One of the main reasons for ancient Israel’s expulsion from the land was their denial of justice (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+22%3A13%3B+Eze+9%3A9%3B+18%3A24%3B+Hos+13%3A10&version=ESV">Jer 22:13; Eze 9:9; 18:24; Hos 13:10</a>). The NT teaches that God has appointed governmental authority for the specific purpose of carrying out God’s wrath on wrongdoers (Rom 13:1-7).</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Justice is a function of God’s own perfect character (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut+32%3A4%3B+Psa+33%3A5%3B+103%3A6&version=ESV">Deut 32:4; Psa 33:5; 103:6</a>). Because of who God is, every good must be rewarded and every sin must be recompensed. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The good news of Jesus Christ demonstrates this. Why do those who repent of their sin and trust in Christ enjoy eternal reward rather than the judgment they deserve? Because by grace through faith, two things happen: (1) Christ’s perfect record of righteousness and its resulting reward are credited to the believer; and, (2) their own record of rebellion and its resulting punishment are paid for by Christ on the cross (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+5%3A21&version=ESV">2 Cor 5:21</a>). When God forgives, He does not deny justice (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+3%3A23-26&version=ESV">Rom 3:23-26</a>). Rather, He counts Christ’s death as justice for the believer’s sin so that Christ’s resurrection can give them life. God cares so deeply about justice that only the atoning death of the Son could provide a way for forgiveness of men. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/2023/gen/issuesreport.pdf">Issue 1</a> provides an unqualified shield from recompense against those who do evil. It writes <i>injustice</i> into the highest law of our state.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Christians love justice because they love God and the gospel of His Son. Therefore, they should care about this issue and stand against it. </p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Very simply, there are three things we should do regarding <a href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/2023/gen/issuesreport.pdf">Issue 1</a>: Pray against it, speak the truth against it, and vote against it.</p><p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-65408244970051504602023-10-26T14:33:00.004-04:002023-10-28T00:46:52.697-04:00Overcoming Bitterness with the Hope of Genesis<p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSDW0mfFfoyo-2FIUPJonHg5nVac3Y72KrriUWJkPLKPIies6gH4g517kSwv_NQ6x4bpssocKXMCDy-2fTwXrbWTHihMcQ8ouckzFHOs0us5FqIE2V20aZC8tpgTra0hhxg47dn8EHN4AmkjUQNL8mwPalGtrjiVdjUgKd4SkpbDfyJuCmNMt2R1zk5I/s2214/bitter%20graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="2214" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSDW0mfFfoyo-2FIUPJonHg5nVac3Y72KrriUWJkPLKPIies6gH4g517kSwv_NQ6x4bpssocKXMCDy-2fTwXrbWTHihMcQ8ouckzFHOs0us5FqIE2V20aZC8tpgTra0hhxg47dn8EHN4AmkjUQNL8mwPalGtrjiVdjUgKd4SkpbDfyJuCmNMt2R1zk5I/w640-h341/bitter%20graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It isn’t supposed to be this way!</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The wayward child. The estranged spouse. The sour report from the oncologist. The suicidal peer. The house fire. The slanderous words of a close friend. The grievous failure of a spiritual mentor.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What would “your friend” add to the list?</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">There are undoubtedly more than a handful of issues (inconsequential to upholding the gospel) that Christians disagree on—hopefully with ample grace. Experiencing the consequences of the Fall fails to be one of those issues. “There is a darkness in this world that inevitably presses hard on us all,” remarks Scott Christensen, “leaving an indelible mark of pain and suffering” (<i>What About Evil: A Defense of God’s Sovereign Glory</i>, 1). The 19th century tenderhearted yet lion-like bishop of Liverpool, J.C. Ryle, would have us consider:</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>that every part of the world bears testimony to the fact that sin is the </i>universal disease of all mankind. <i>Search the globe from east to west and from pole to pole—search every nation of every clime in the four quarters of earth—search every rank and class in our own country from the highest to the lowest—and under every circumstance and condition, the report will always be the same. The remotest islands in the Pacific Ocean, completely separate from Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, beyond the reach alike of oriental luxury and western arts and literature—islands inhabited by people ignorant of books, money, [modern energy sources], and gunpowder—uncontaminated by the vices of modern civilization—these very islands have always been found, when first discovered, the abode of the vilest forms of lust, cruelty deceit, and superstition. If the inhabitants have known nothing else, they have always known how to sin</i> (<i>Holiness</i>, 13).</span></p></div><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Barely creasing a Bible, Genesis 3 floods this reality upon our thinking. Sinfully gaining access to good and evil plunged humanity into downward-spiraling experiences of a cursed creation, guilt-laden retreat, relational enmity, pain, loathsome labor, debarment from a land of rest, not to mention physical and spiritual death. This multiplied into chaotic and compromised worship, anger, murder, and, well, as Moses pens it prior to the Flood: <i>the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually</i> (Gen 6:5). Would a flood consummately clean house? Not exactly. Corruption through fraudulent desire became the bitter rhythm of life. Lying, stealing, speaking shamefully and slanderously, and barbaric exhibitions of man’s twisted wrath permeate the pages of both Old and NewTestaments. Bitterness was widespread—that deep-seated, me-against-you, forgiveness-withholding posture that doubts God’s providential goodness and aggressively spreads trouble and defilement to others through unbridled thoughts and/or actions rising from resentment-escalating unmet expectations. (I know that’s a mouthful! But it’s all really important.)</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">But we missed something.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Don’t neglect to pull the emergency break at Genesis 3:15 and 3:21. To do so would be to overlook the hope of the One who would come to overwhelm the enemy with a head-striking blow. To do so would be to miss a lavishing display of God’s grace upon two unworthy image-bearers. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And I argue that to miss these truths is to miss the rescue from the currents of bitterness damaging many lives today. Christ-followers live in a broken world with broken people who operate under broken pretenses aiming to acquire broken goals that yield broken circumstances, but are never beyond the bounds of a providentially brilliant God! In other words: life is broken. People hurt us and we hurt people, but God brings the fullness of hope and healing through Jesus Christ.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">First up, Genesis 3:15 (cf. Rev 12): </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I will put enmity between you and the woman,</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and between your offspring and her offspring;</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">he shall bruise your head,</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and you shall bruise his heel.</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This grand seed of Good News comes on the heels of hell’s widening doors, in which hope will not be refused. No matter how subtle the enemy’s tactics throughout centuries of faith and rebellion, a vital blow with eternal significance <i>would</i> take place. And it <i>did</i>.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">John 12:31 (all emphases mine) - <b>Now</b><i> </i><b>is</b><i> the judgment of this world; now will the ruler be cast out</i> (cf. Jn 12:27-36)</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">John 16:11b - <i>…the ruler of this world </i><b>is</b><i> judged.</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Colossians 2:15 - <i>[Christ] </i><b>disarmed</b><i> the rulers and authorities and </i><b>put them</b><i> to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">Hebrews 2:14 - </span><i>Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise </i><b>partook</b><i> of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil.</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">1 John 3:8b - <i>The reason the Son of God </i><b>appeared</b><i> was to destroy the works of the devil.</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Paul in Romans 6 moves this reality onto the pavement of everyday life by explaining how Christ’s crucifixion enveloped the unrepentant soul, so that through faith in Christ alone the believer is released from the shackles of sin’s enslavement. Translation: Christians are free! They have been brought from death to life and are not subject to sin’s regime. They have the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling <i>in</i> <i>them</i> (Rom 8:11), which means steering life toward joyful obedience is not only necessary but <i>possible</i>.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Christ came to disarm the rulers and authorities. Check. And what of the death that came through sin (Rom 5:12)? Take a tour through 1 Corinthians 15:12-28. It doesn’t disappoint!</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The grace of hoping is not a coping technique, at least not in the way “coping” tends gets thrown around in worldly conversation—just getting by until the next fleeting sense of relief or satisfaction. No, biblical hoping is confidence <i>in</i>—perhaps more accurately a hoping <i>toward—</i>God’s promises. It’s movement in the direction of biblical realities we know by faith <i>are</i> or <i>will be</i> realized.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And so the hope of Genesis (and all of the Old Testament) is the coming One to rescue. He came. His coming led to fulfilling the disarming work for which He came. He gloriously conquered. He ascended and now reigns at the Father’s right hand (Heb 10:12), ever living to make intercession for all the Father gave to Him (Heb 7:25; John 6:35-40). He will return (Heb 9:28). Eyes will be tearless, except perhaps with drops of exuberance that God is dwelling with man forever and without sin, suffering, and death—<i>as it was always supposed to be </i>(Rev 21:4). </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Where is confidence when hurts become short ditties of resentment moving the bitter soul toward endless and exhausting songwriting? Is it not suppressed under an Esau-like hatred (Gen 25:29ff) or a Naomi-turned-Mara perception of God and His wise providence (Ruth 1-2)? Bitterness cannot be remediated apart from relationship with the One who was promised to come, came, lived, died, rose, ascended, rules, and will soon return renewing and restoring with the intensity of a hunting lion. The embittered believer has much knee-work ahead of him, praying earnestly for God to cure a heart polluted by ungodly thoughts, corrupt valuations, and commitments toward self-gratification. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Enter Genesis 3:21: <i>And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Not only did Adam’s rebellion give rise to God inserting the calm confidence of a Rescuer to come (Gen 3:15), but the giving of underserved care flooded the once-bleak predicament. Surely Adam and Eve experienced intimately what the King David would pen many generations later: <i>He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities</i> (Ps 103:10). They instead encountered God’s benevolent movement <i>toward </i>them, not justified departure. Without discounting the consequences of their actions (consider the surrounding verses), this portion of Scripture emphasizes God’s parental love for His own—covering their shame with His provision. Blame-shifting and hiding couldn’t keep God’s love from shattering the guilt and shame that had overtaken the blushing pair. Notice this: at no point in the text did Adam and Eve ask for a raincheck or time to consider other remedial options. The writing was on the wall. They were guilty and they knew it. The serpent knew it. God knew it. And God moved <i>into</i> the chaos with forgiveness and healing. They received it.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This begs the question: when hearts know their own bitterness (Prov 14:10), what is the resultant fruit (Matt 15:19-20a)? When a relationship turns bitter, do <i>we</i> clamor and slander (Eph 4:31)? Or perhaps we lean the other way and press the pain down deep by failing to address a fault (Lk 17:3), eventually collapsing under the weight of harboring an ever-expanding, relationship-destroying root of bitterness (Heb 12:15; cf. Deut 29:16-29). Both extremes are characterized by a lack of forgiveness—likely both in understanding and application. Both extremes point in the direction of inordinate desires and unmet expectations. Both extremes cause trouble—<i>by it many become defiled</i> (Heb 12:15). Left alive (Rom 8:13) and inevitably nurtured, even apostasy is not a far-removed possibility (Heb 12:15-17). May it never be, dear friend—never. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Holy Spirit uses Paul to issue the antidote to overcoming bitter rhythms (Eph 4:31-32). The leeches of wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice that suction to broken relationships and circumstances meet their demise in kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. This reflects what God has done in Christ to forgive the bitterest saint. The gospel narrative cultivates tenderheartedness that <i>must</i> express itself in kindness. Forgiveness turns sullen saints away from replays of past circumstances and looks forward to the joy of extending forgiveness to the offender. The script flips from, “Lord, didn’t you see what she did to me?” to “Lord, please give me the joy of being restored to the one who is repentant of their sin. May there may be a humble and mutual pursuit (Matt 5:23-24; 18:15) in which there is gain and not loss.” This posture of heart also leans into the prospect of meaningful inquiry and excavation of hypocrisy (Matt 7:3-5). It could be true that the embittered person’s inward passions (James 4:1-12) are a more consequential hindrance than the bitter circumstance ceaselessly rehearsed. And let’s not forget the typically-accompanying embellishments. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The greatest need in killing the sin of bitterness is <i>not</i> categorizing offenses and prioritizing who will receive the first phone call or knock on the door (this should occur wisely at some point down the road). Rather, the greatest need is cultivating commitment to gospel-mindedness. (This encompasses the principles on display in this post.) God’s forgiveness in Christ toward hell-bound sinners woos (yes, woos!) the recipient to dismiss self-serving expectations and adopt liberating enslavement to identity and purpose in Christ. Values shift dramatically. Renewed choices begin producing the fruit of preferring and serving others like wildfire. Even when an unrepentant party dismisses an appeal to reconcile, the gospel-committed soul learns to lament in ways that result in greater trust in God’s providential hand in all of life’s affairs (Ps 13, 73, 77). Joseph knew his brothers’ depravity was God’s mechanism for bringing about a greater good (Gen 50:15-21). The sulking special for one was not on the menu, but trust in God’s good purposes was. Joseph had a Godward perspective on trouble, and it moved him away from himself to comfort and show kindness to those who could have been used by the enemy to breed bitterness in his heart.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The taste of bitterness is a gift, as odd as that may seem. If bitterness registers upon your conscience, God is alerting you to pursue hope and help in Jesus Christ. Praise God for granting such sensitivity. But do not delay. Do not neglect the grace of God. Today is the day to commit to the honor of Christ, clinging to His promises, His providence, and His use of His people to bear this burden with you and gently restore you to the joy only found in Him. Bitterness brings one to a crossroads. Will the path of self-importance and self-implosion hold you captive or by God’s grace will you run to Him in humble reliance?</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To lovingly sway the timid soul in the direction of requesting help (click <a href="https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/biblical-counseling" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more information about the biblical counseling ministry of Providence Bible Fellowship), allow this affectionate chain of questions to chip away any reluctance:</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Can I see death and suffering with razor-sharp edges of lucidity, feel them with suitable empathy (Heb 13:3), and draw near with tears of compassion, laden with riches of quiet hope, precisely because of God’s providence and not in spite of it? Do I taste and see the wisdom and power and goodness of God in his all-embracing providence in such a way that I bring unshakable hope, irreversible healing, and the steadying ballast of truth for the stormy voyage to heaven?</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-family: times;"><br /></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Will I come to know this God, whose way is perfect, with such depth and intimacy that the pervasiveness of his providence over suffering and sin will be for me—and through me—a rock, a shield, a staff, a balm, a bed, a treasure, and a joy? Will I look more resolutely at the cross of Christ, where the worst human sins and the greatest divine love came together with perfect justice and mercy by the plan and hand of providence (Acts 4:27-28)? Will I realize that without this all-embracing providence, there is no gospel? And so will I rejoice and be glad that the providence of God governs everything</i> (John Piper, <i>Providence</i>, 509)<i>?</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000;">From one striving bitterness-killer to perhaps another, let </span><i style="color: #990000;">us</i><span style="color: #990000;"> earnestly pursue the treasury of God’s resources for life and godliness (2 Pt 1:3-11). Life awaits.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><p dir="rtl" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><i></i></p>Jason Odelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13485175255590685460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-70889966058318571392023-10-19T15:52:00.000-04:002023-10-19T15:52:10.198-04:00Jeremiah's Example of Persisting in Obedience<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pBnYYGXVITexZeADoj2cdNO2VZGdXOnvrbrgJXAYGSN5vX5eveq88c-bL-lpjSkL31kfLK1bHxagtsxi0HFcVpJmsD9kiqsGWxwk4O3HfrmJTMxuOfAtqH3wuSL2xwPdvTNe0YpSOdaeQmvBRvsCMciUVFc5y7ppivUHVbzZJPdgaNdf-HJDXvG7FlU/s600/img_5765.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pBnYYGXVITexZeADoj2cdNO2VZGdXOnvrbrgJXAYGSN5vX5eveq88c-bL-lpjSkL31kfLK1bHxagtsxi0HFcVpJmsD9kiqsGWxwk4O3HfrmJTMxuOfAtqH3wuSL2xwPdvTNe0YpSOdaeQmvBRvsCMciUVFc5y7ppivUHVbzZJPdgaNdf-HJDXvG7FlU/s320/img_5765.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br />Ever grow tired of doing right when you don’t see any results from your efforts?<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Many of us have fought long and hard to overcome a besetting sin, but when we fall again we want to just throw in the towel.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Or we’re motivated to do our job with integrity at work, but when that is not rewarded, we are tempted to pull back and coast.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Some have rocky marriages, so we put much effort into changing, but when our spouse doesn’t reciprocate, we revert to our old habits.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Our culture is motivated by results. It can be tempting to allow that to work its way into our motives for obeying God. We pursue obedience, looking for the spiritual payoff, some kind of blessing as a result. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But what about when that doesn’t happen? How do we remain persistent when there seems to be no personal benefit?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The prophet Jeremiah knew exactly what it feels like to go all out and see nothing in return. When God called him to be a prophet to the people of Judah, He told him to warn the people about impending judgment for their idolatry and to call them to repentance. And God warned Jeremiah that things were not going to go well for him. It wasn’t just that the people would be reluctant to listen or that it would take years and years for Jeremiah to see anyone repent and return to the Lord. It would be much worse than that. God said, “they will fight against you…” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer+1%3A19&version=ESV">1:19</a>). The people would actively work against Jeremiah. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Now, what would happen if Jeremiah was motivated completely by results? What if Jeremiah’s faithfulness was dictated by how quickly his preaching brought about repentance in his hearers? Well, the book of Jeremiah certainly wouldn’t be the longest book in the Bible. It might have been a chapter or two. Actually, it might not have extended beyond one chapter since chapter one is where God guaranteed that Jeremiah’s preaching would not result in the repentance of the people. If results were all that mattered, Jeremiah might have never even opened his mouth. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But for Jeremiah, the repentance of the people was not the objective. Obedience was the objective. For him, success would not be defined by the temporal results, but by his faithfulness to do what the Lord commanded. I was struck this week in our Jeremiah study by the prophet’s willingness to buy a piece of land in his hometown…while he was in prison…while the Babylonians were laying siege to Jerusalem (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer+32%3A1-15&version=ESV">32:1-15</a>). He did what made no sense simply because God told him to.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">That’s not to say that there were never times when Jeremiah wanted to quit or that Jeremiah was a machine, completely unaffected by the responses of the people. He grieved for the people because of their sin and impending doom (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer+8%3A18-22&version=ESV">8:18-22</a>). He mourned the day of his own birth because of how difficult it was to persevere under the abuse of the people (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer+15%3A10&version=ESV">15:10</a>). He suffered physically, being beaten and imprisoned by his own countrymen (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer+20%3A1-2&version=ESV">20:1-2</a>). He was even sentenced to death for prophesying in God’s name (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer+26%3A1-15&version=ESV">26:1-15</a>). Faithfulness to his calling was not a cakewalk by any means. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>So what kept him going? <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>First, Jeremiah knew that he was owned by God</b>. The Lord’s first words to the prophet were, <i>“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”</i> (1:5). The Lord had marked Jeremiah out as a special instrument before his birth. He belonged to the Lord. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">There is a sense in which Yahweh purchased the Israelites when He redeemed them from Egypt. For that reason, they were to serve as His servants: <i>For the Israelites are My slaves. They are My slaves that I brought out of the land of Egypt; I am Yahweh your God</i> (Lev 25:55 HCSB). Jeremiah was all the more a servant of God in that God chose him out of all of Israel to serve as His prophet. This sense of ownership compelled Jeremiah to serve the Lord even when it was difficult and painful.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">We too belong to God and exist as His servants. We read in 1 Corinthians, <i>You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body</i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor+6%3A19b-20&version=ESV">1Cor 6:19b-20</a>). We have been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ, becoming freed from sin and enslaved to righteousness (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+6%3A17-18&version=ESV">Rom 6:17-18</a>). Therefore, we are to obey simply because we belong to God. We should joyfully pursue obedience that He might be glorified in us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+5%3A15-16%3B+2+Cor+12%3A9%3B+Col+3%3A17&version=ESV">Matt 5:15-16; 2 Cor 12:9; Col 3:17</a>). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>The second thing that compelled Jeremiah to persevere was the fire of God’s word burning inside him</b>. In 15:16, he said to the Lord, <i>“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.”</i> Even when Jeremiah wanted to stop speaking in the Lord’s name because of the severity of his persecution, he could not: <i>“If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak anymore in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot”</i> (20:9). The word of God drove him forward to persist in obedience.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">We too are called to use the Word of God as fuel for our obedience. <i>Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly</i> (Col 3:16). When Paul wrote to the discouraged and weary Timothy, he called his attention back to the word: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> <i>14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"> (2Tim 3:14-17)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Paul reminded Timothy of the value of the word—it equips us to do what the Lord has called us to do. Reading and re-reading the Bible keeps the things of the Lord fresh on our minds and makes it far easier to remember to Whom we belong and how graciously He has saved us from the penalty of our own sin. It keeps alive in us a longing for holiness and shows us how to progress toward it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sometimes we may feel too weary to continue in faithfulness. We need to be reminded of Jeremiah and what propelled him to continue to serve the Lord. If the word dwells in us richly and we view ourselves as servants belonging to the Lord, zealous that He would be glorified in all that we do, temporal results or the lack thereof will not determine our level of persistence. Obedience for the glory of God will remain the objective.<o:p></o:p></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-46682910689914648522023-10-12T11:18:00.002-04:002023-10-12T11:18:32.435-04:00How Should We Think About the Conflict in Israel<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">News outlets and social media have been filled in recent days not only with reports about the conflict in Israel, but also with strong opinions about how these things should be understood.</p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Garamond; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A crucial question for us is: <b>How should we think about these things as Christians?</b> To answer such a question may require some understanding of the long history of conflict in the region, the current political realities, and the theological truths pertinent to the situation. </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I commend to you the panel discussion below from the <a href="https://www.sbts.edu/students/chapel/">Southern Seminary chapel</a> service today.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">All these things are discussed thoroughly, clearly, and biblically by world-class, godly scholars (Andrew Walker, Ayman Ibrahim, Tom Schreiner, and Albert Mohler).</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">It was tremendously helpful to me and I believe you would be helped by watching it. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span> </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SSeIhMw3UYU?si=ZKQuxkVbO8uvRjpO" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-42499956905485093412023-10-10T14:25:00.003-04:002023-10-10T14:27:00.169-04:00Praying for Israel<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmohRjdCFbofap9d-YyOhEZd1eZfF2tjBDfPZ9Vb_eb936qdfEloWsMUQNr12gyAKyyGRKcxeHSWpXydGK53MeEWnDqG90EJKzR4Q1GY3MlckzlbZ3TbF8SaGnZJ6jXCg9lhfsrq5jfKEb7GbxlVfOZ0tKN0WXoG07Ax_04BppVnwIzuGFuSiJ3YqYQ/s1200/Israeli-airstrike-in-Gaza.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmohRjdCFbofap9d-YyOhEZd1eZfF2tjBDfPZ9Vb_eb936qdfEloWsMUQNr12gyAKyyGRKcxeHSWpXydGK53MeEWnDqG90EJKzR4Q1GY3MlckzlbZ3TbF8SaGnZJ6jXCg9lhfsrq5jfKEb7GbxlVfOZ0tKN0WXoG07Ax_04BppVnwIzuGFuSiJ3YqYQ/w640-h360/Israeli-airstrike-in-Gaza.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The recent attack on Israel and the descriptions of the utter depravity of the crimes perpetrated on civilians by Hamas have many hearts grieving. And rightly so. Though there are times when this would not be an absolute rule, this is clearly a time to “weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15b). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the same time, this attack can provoke discussions and speculations about the end times. Depending on one’s understanding of the Bible’s teaching on these issues, what’s happening in Israel may have you thinking about Christ’s return and Israel place in redemptive history. And the danger is that these thoughts will overshadow the need at the moment to <i>pray</i> <i>for Israel</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, how can we think about Israel in biblically faithful ways which lead us to weep and pray for them during this tragic time?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember God’s Mercy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul’s argument in Romans is driven, in part, to see the Jewish and Gentile Christians unified in the gospel and its mission in the world. He tells the Jewish believers not to be arrogant about their heritage; their salvation is evidence of God’s grace in their life as many Jews had not believed (11:1–10; cf. 3:26–31). At the time same, he tells the Gentiles not to be boastful in the rapid spread of the gospel among the Gentiles. All the more, their salvation is by God’s mercy alone because they had no part in God’s covenant people until he grafted them in </span>to the tree of Israel <span style="font-family: inherit;">like a wild branch (Rom 11:17–21).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul says be humble because “</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you</span><b style="font-family: inherit;">” </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">(11:18). We remember our Jewish roots and that mercy by which all his people—Jews and Gentiles—have come to salvation (11:32).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Consider God’s Plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God long ago planned to bring into his kingdom the Gentile people (Gen 12:1–3). As Gentile believers we’ve been grafted into God’s people, but Israel was there <i>naturally</i>. This means we should not be too quick to cast off our Jewish roots. This doesn’t mean a return the Israelite law, festivals, etc.! These were gracious gifts to Israel but ultimately shadows of the substances that is Christ (Col 2:16–17). We don’t look back in that sense! At the same time, do we pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps 122:6)? Do we, like Paul, pray for the salvation of the Jewish people (Rom 10:1)? These are appropriate expression of remembering our Jewish heritage. Also bear in mind that the current political state of Israel is not the same as old covenant Israel. They have a president and a prime minister, rather than a king. They do not follow the old covenant law as their governing document. By and large, they do not worship Yahweh. That means that we cannot sanction or excuse everything that modern Israel does. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that we should despise them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray for God’s Peace<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just the opposite. However we understand it, the promise of God is that “Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:25). Therefore, we ought to <i>pray that promise</i>. When we pray for people, it is that good and perfect peace that we should be praying for them. Of course, we want the fighting, bloodshed, and atrocities to end in the short-term! But in the long time—in light of eternity itself—what Israel needs is to find refuge in the Prince of Peace who will fully and finally reconcile them to Yahweh with an everlasting salvation; not by the blood of bulls and goats, but one secured by the precious blood of Jesus (1 Pet 1:19; cf. Isa 9:6). Thus, as we pray for the peace of a political nation state, let us all the more pray for the grace of the gospel of Christ to permeate the land and people of Israel. Let us long for the people who brought forth the God’s Messiah, trust him to shepherd their lives now and in the life to come that they might experience a peace that never ends. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p>John Botkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111627674777098418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-71111127293657802272023-09-28T13:18:00.002-04:002023-09-28T13:18:27.628-04:00The Secret of Contentment<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Gc4HbulVBEC5rU_ftXXvmrZ6TD_I8Uj4atMsyvZ4HCLM4hNOFvUjfyqWUfBKCIqpgblfwfQD1LRFaZ9SRZeDs3fb-NLN2wh4eP1zugoOSUUHH6L3j-BK_mpHG0BKdayVuZAIf5YZpn99oUXtcUsI0tMBWBa1Z-dV5Yv4QhjfendrR3m0a4mbhfd6v20/s300/rest.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Gc4HbulVBEC5rU_ftXXvmrZ6TD_I8Uj4atMsyvZ4HCLM4hNOFvUjfyqWUfBKCIqpgblfwfQD1LRFaZ9SRZeDs3fb-NLN2wh4eP1zugoOSUUHH6L3j-BK_mpHG0BKdayVuZAIf5YZpn99oUXtcUsI0tMBWBa1Z-dV5Yv4QhjfendrR3m0a4mbhfd6v20/w400-h224/rest.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Are you discontent?<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Is there some kind of tension in your life right now that if it were only resolved you would be able to be happy?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It is a good and godly thing to desire contentment, but the problem is that we frequently misunderstand its source.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Many people assume that contentment is tied to circumstances. We think, "The reason I am not content right now is because I don’t have enough or my boss is a jerk or my spouse is hurting me or I’m plagued with health problems." If our discontentment is due to our circumstances, it follows that the way to contentment must be through changing our circumstances. So, we try to acquire more, find a different job, leave the marriage, or get healthy. The uncanny, unavoidable result is that discontentment finds us in those new circumstances, too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">So how do we find contentment? A good place to look is in the example and writings of Paul. If we think we have cornered the market on bad circumstances, we need to reacquaint ourselves with his story. In 1 Corinthians 15:30, he summed up his circumstances as being “in danger every hour.” In 2 Corinthians 11, he shared his experiences of great labors, many imprisonments, countless beatings and brushes with death:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.</i> (2 Cor 11:24-29a)<i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">We could read that passage and use it to console ourselves by thinking, “at least I don’t have it as bad as Paul did!” I admit that occasionally that is my way of cheering myself up in difficult circumstances – “it could be worse. I could be like so-and-so.” But that is not the appropriate way to handle discontentment, and it is not the reason I want to draw your attention to this passage. Paul’s recounting of his suffering is helpful in that it helps us to see the depth of meaning in Philippians 4:11-13, where Paul claims to have learned the secret of <i>contentment</i>. If Paul, who so consistently encountered such horrible circumstances, was able to learn the secret of contentment, then certainly we can, too. Here is his claim regarding contentment:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i>…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.</i> (Phil 4:11b-13)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Paul learned through his many trials that contentment in all circumstances comes through looking to Jesus. <i>…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. </i>When Paul wrote<i>, I can do all things through him who strengthens me, </i>he meant,<i> </i>"I can endure any circumstance." Whether in safety or danger, abundance or need, Paul found contentment knowing that Christ was with him, strengthening him through it all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Traces of this attitude are found throughout his letter to the Philippians. <i>For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain</i>(1:21). <i>Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…</i>(3:8). <i>I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus</i> (3:14). The reason Paul is content is because he wants Christ more than anything and he <i>has</i> Christ no matter his circumstances. It could be said that <i>Jesus</i> was Paul’s “happy place.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The truth is that discontentment comes from looking for contentment in something other than Jesus, whether that is more material comforts, a better work situation, an adoring spouse, or better health. There is nothing wrong with desiring those things, but when they become ultimate things, discontentment will soon follow. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The psalmist wrote in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+16&version=ESV">Psalm 16</a> that the only good worth finding is in the Lord: <i>You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you… You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore</i> (Psa 16:2,11). If this is true, it is no wonder that we find ourselves discontented when we are pursuing something other than Him. For this reason, discontentment is a good sign that we are not pursuing Him as we should. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">When we find ourselves in a place of discontentment, we should repent of whatever pursuit has taken our eyes off Him and once again look to Him for our everything. We should return to the Word, return to prayer, and return to fellowship with His body, the church. We should trust Him for the strength to endure whatever unpleasant circumstances we are experiencing, knowing that we have no good apart from Him. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Contentment is not merely possible. It is <i>unavoidable</i> if Christ is our highest good. If we pursue Christ the way Paul did, we too will be able to say, <i>“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”</i><o:p></o:p></p>Greg Birdwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14296006062788652658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440092315874364947.post-57112040938446108522023-09-19T13:53:00.028-04:002023-09-19T19:53:49.789-04:00 Getting Started in the Dead Theologians Society<p><br /></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3drxWDHN9-MWD3nHc3wwboTIO3sDcTiYt7RyxFCiK12_yTwQbjXEP0z0ltSt1bLPDHHJnLTXqbpPmohIa9mOVWgYMFfTwJRrztO6DIA3fRuStS8GpMMGq3RITGAavfOlEUxgyJ6o94M7e5BRELcgxFj9qHUJezzd-lqHCAJtGagy9gypkOChRsV5P4Q/s1642/NightTheologians.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1642" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3drxWDHN9-MWD3nHc3wwboTIO3sDcTiYt7RyxFCiK12_yTwQbjXEP0z0ltSt1bLPDHHJnLTXqbpPmohIa9mOVWgYMFfTwJRrztO6DIA3fRuStS8GpMMGq3RITGAavfOlEUxgyJ6o94M7e5BRELcgxFj9qHUJezzd-lqHCAJtGagy9gypkOChRsV5P4Q/w640-h356/NightTheologians.png" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my <a href="https://providencebf.blogspot.com/2023/09/join-dead-theologian-society.html">previous post</a>, I advocated the reading of dead theologians. But they're almost too many to choose from—where should one get started?<br /><br />To begin with, let’s not too narrowly define <i>theologians</i>. Someone need not teach in a seminary or publish books to be a theologian. As R.C. Sproul used to famously say, “Everyone’s a theologian.” From servants in backrooms and stay-at-home moms to students in college and scholars writing books—everyone thinks something about God. That is what makes them theologians. The only question is: ‘How good is their theology?’ This isn’t a matter of opinion or tradition, but how closely one’s theology coheres to God’s revelation of himself in the Bible. <br /><br />Over the course of church history, God has provided his people great theologians who never stood in a pulpit or taught a class. Yet, God has also blessed us with many, many theologians whose words were recorded for future generations (like us!) to receive benefit. So, where do we start reading? The following list is a brief taste of what’s been helpful to many over the years. </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Church Fathers</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Anonymous.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/martyrdompolycarp.html"><i>The Martyrdom of Polycarp</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. Written by an unknown disciple of Polycarp, readers are given a firsthand account of believer who willingly gives his life for Christ.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> It has inspired many others to do the same in the following centuries of church history. </span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Athanasius,</span><b style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </b><i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3rkj4jb">On the Incarnation</a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Athanasius helped defend Christianity against the seemingly unstoppable Arians who denied Jesus’ deity. Later he was exiled from the church five times when his orthodox beliefs were out of favor with political and religious leaders who contradicted Scripture. This classic work highlights trinitarian theology by meditating on the deity of the Son before and after the Incarnation. Bonus points if you get an edition with C.S. Lewis’ famous introduction, which by itself could be the charter for the Dead Theologians Society!</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Early Middle Ages</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Augustine,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3rgs4pF"><i>Confessions</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. Perhaps the first Christian spiritual biography, this work has been influential across many generations (especially after he was recovered during the Reformation). Augustin shows us with keen theological insight and pastoral care why Jesus is more precious and all-satisfying than living in unbelief, deep philosophical meditation, or wanton sexual promiscuity.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Patrick,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://ccel.org/ccel/patrick/confession/confession."><i>The Confession of St Patrick</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>.</i> Following in the vein of Augustine, another famous “saint” tells a very different story of conversion. From being kidnapped and enslaved, to being called by God to serve his captors and love a land of sinners, Patrick is one of the greatest missionaries who ever lived. This is his autobiography and reflections on God’s goodness in his life.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span> </span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Late Middle Ages</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Bernard of Clairvaux,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://ccel.org/ccel/bernard/loving_god/loving_god"><i>On Loving God</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. One of the earlier theologians Calvin would later love to quote, there is much to appreciate in Bernard, even if we would disagree with him on some things. What he got right more than many others of his day was the deep love of God for his people and our needed, Spirit-led response of loving him in return.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">John Wycliffe,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/45Oh7dT"><i>On the Truth of Sacred Scripture</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. Serving as pastor over multiple churches and a professor preparing young men for the priesthood, Wycliffe is often called the “morning star” of the Reformation. He saw and believed the true gospel and was unhappy with many things in the Roman Church of his day. This work (one of three key writings), helped prepare the way for the Reformation by insisting on the need for people to have access to the Bible in their own language.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Tyndale (below) was greatly inspired by him!</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Reformation </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Martin Luther,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/4629kcv" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“The Freedom of the Christian.”</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A wonderful meditation on justification by the "hammer" God used to break through the walls of false doctrine to allow the light of the gospel to shine again. When you’re ready for more Luther, move on to his book,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3riOWES"><i>The Bondage of the Will</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">—a work some consider his greatest piece of writing.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">John Calvin,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3RnYOrF"><i>A Little Book on the Christian Life</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. It has been said that if Luther was the Reformation's hammer, Calvin was its pen. Writing with more precision and care, Calvin's theology expands the mind and enflames the heart. This little book is taken from his much larger work,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3LthkLx"><i>The Institutes of the Christian Religion</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, which is a volume dedicated to knowing and applying systematic theology. This small book is a wonderful primer on what it means to follow Jesus in faith.</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">William Tyndale,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3t08nTw"><i>The Obedience of a Christian Man</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. Tyndale was the English Reformer who was committed to making God’s Word available in English (despite it being illegal) so that even plowboys in the field could know more of God’s Word than the illiterate priests who chose the Pope’s law over God’s law. This work will be hard to read—the English of the 1500s is not the same as today! But if you read slowly, your labor will be repaid.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Here he outlines why he was so passionate about getting the Bible into people’s hands—it is supreme over all human tradition.</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Puritans </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Thomas Brooks,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3t0FIxH"><i>Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">One of the most readable Puritans, Brooks’ works fill a six-volume set that is still in print.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Precious Remedies </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">helps the believer see and fight against the many ways Satan tries to tempt us. Ligon Duncan says, “If you are looking for a book to be your companion in the lifelong fight for joy and against sin…then I don’t have a better uninspired nomination for you than Precious Remedies.”</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">John Owen,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3rlrLde"><i>Communion with God</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Widely considered the greatest English theologian, Owen's works have stood the test of time and helped many believers across many generations.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Communion with God</i></span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">is a fascinating and unique work, showing how we ought to understand and pursue fellowship with all three Persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit. Owen can be difficult. Read it slowly. And consider it reading it out loud if certain parts are still difficult.</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">John Bunyan,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PLeGmV"><i>The Pilgrim’s Progress</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. The most printed Christian book besides the Bible, this work weaves together theology and pastoral wisdom as Bunyan tells the allegorical story of a Christian who moves from conversion to life to come. It was C.H. Spurgeon’s favorite book outside of the Bible. Of it, he writes, “Read anything of his, and you will see that it is almost like reading the Bible itself. He had read it till his whole being was saturated with Scripture; and, though his writings are charmingly full of poetry, yet he cannot give us his Pilgrim’s Progress—without continually making us feel and say, ‘Why, this man is a living Bible!’” Be sure to get an edition that includes Part 2 (Christiana’s story) as in the edition linked here.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Early Modern Age</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Jonathan Edwards.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Lutun9"><i>Charity and Its Fruits</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Widely considered the greatest American theology, this is a collection of Edwards’ sermons on 1 Corinthians 13. The beauty of love for God and neighbor is on full display. The final sermon, “Heaven Is a World of Love,” may be one of the finest sermons in the English language.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Phyllis Wheatley,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/44WEDEj"><i>Complete Writings</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. Wheatley was the first African-American woman published in pre-Revolutionary America. She is known for her work in apologetics, the abolitionist movement, and missions.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Complete Writings</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">is filled mainly with her poetry. These works artistically and thoughtfully weave solid convictions about God’s sovereignty and goodness with hard feelings of human suffering.</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Charles Haddon Spurgeon,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/christs-glorious-achievements/"><i>Christ’s Glorious Achievements</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. It’s hard to know where to start with Spurgeon; he is the most published Christian author in the English language! Yet, his all-consuming desire was to magnify the glory of Christ, which this little book does. Get to know him more and read his sermons (for which he is most famous!) through</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><a href="https://www.spurgeon.org/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Spurgeon Center</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Late Modern Age <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">B. B. Warfield, “</span><a href="http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/files/2010/09/Warfield-Imitating-the-Incarnation2.pdf" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Imitating the Incarnation</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span>.” This is a sermon preached in the chapel of Princeton Theological Seminary in the days before </span>its<span> sharp decline into liberalism. Giant is one of the “giants” of the faith, combining theological insight with discernment and love for Christ and his church.</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Of this sermon, David Powlison has said, “The last page and a half offers the most riveting description of the goal of Christian living that I’ve ever read.”</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">J. Gresham Machen,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PjtV53"><i>Christianity & Liberalism</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. This book was a classic the moment it was published and remains helpful today. Machen’s thesis is that theological liberalism is not a brand of orthodox Christianity but a different religion altogether. Rosaria Butterfield says, “No book is more prescient for our anti-Christian age than Machen’s</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Christianity & Liberalism</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, a book that extols the Gospel’s distinctive power. In this powerful book, Machen boldly took on the heretics of his day, leaving for us a model of Christian courage.”</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">J.I. Packer,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><a href="https://www.9marks.org/article/what-did-the-cross-achieve-the-logic-of-penal-substitution/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution.” </a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Often regarded as one of Packer’s best works, this essay defends the heart of the biblical gospel by positivity building a case for it from Scripture.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s a masterclass in how to do theology and warms the heart as much as it informs the head.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0px;">Elizabeth Elliot, </span><span style="text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PmMvZT"><i>Through Gates of Splendor</i></a></span><span style="text-indent: 0px;">. Elliot was widowed when were husband and four other missionaries were martyred on a beach in Ecuador as they tried to share the gospel with an indigenous tribe. Yet, it's the power of the gospel that allowed the work to continue through some of the widows! A classic missionary biography which has stirred thousands to head to the nations with good news of salvation in Jesus.</span></span></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope something on this list has piqued your interest and will open up a world of God-honoring, Christ-centered, Spirit-moved writing that help you become a better theologian and more passionate and faithful believer. Don’t forget to fully embrace the societal nature of the group and share your insights with others!</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>John Botkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111627674777098418noreply@blogger.com0