Einstein unable to tie his shoelaces? That’s a rumor that’s been floating around for a while. One explanation was that he pretended to not know how to tie his shoes because he found it a waste of his time and he didn’t want it to occupy his mind. While you won’t find any written notes by Einstein claiming that he dressed himself, there’s plenty of photos of him with tied shoes. While the stereotype is largely unfounded, someone extremely intelligent — as Einstein was — is almost expected to have a very narrow focus for that intelligence. Maybe some expect him (and brilliant people in general) to lack common sense in the pedestrian sphere. The fact is we can safely assume that he was incredibly smart but didn’t know everything on account of his humanity.
Solomon was the wisest fool in the Bible. It’s nearly unimaginable that someone imbued with a Divine dose of brilliance would make seemingly senseless blunders, especially the sexual sins mimicking those committed by his father, David. Notice the fact recorded in First Kings:
“God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore…” (1 Kings 4.29ff).
Contrast that with chapter 11 which says,
“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, ‘You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love” (I Kings 11.1ff).
His wisdom wasn’t merely a kind of sage advice. It was clearly an intellect that was on another level. It was greater than, at the very least, anybody on earth in his day. Notice the extent the author of 1 Kings goes to in order to make this very point:
“He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4.33-34).
Even with all of that wisdom he failed to digest and apply the most important information he knew to be true. He knew what was true, but failed to act accordingly. As unbelievable as that is, the author of this article and every reader has done the same thing. Intentionally doing what we know to be wrong is the ugly part of our humanity. Thankfully, God, in all of His wisdom, gives us the ability to succeed and overcome it (2 Peter 1.3).
This week we’ll look at three more questions from the list:
Is there anything wrong with being selfish?
Do we have an obligation to help others?
If you rob from the rich to give to the poor is that wrong?
A selfish person cannot or will not prioritize the needs and desires of others over their own. They will do what they want regardless of its impact on others. From a naturalistic perspective, selfishness is beneficial for whoever has the responsibility of providing for their family — why not gain some kind of advantage to help the people you love? For believers, though, “You have to view yourself the same way Christ Jesus viewed himself: He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross” (Phil 2.5-8). Jesus was selfless to the point of death, and that’s our standard. Therefore, it’s never morally acceptable to prioritize our own needs over others’ when we have an opportunity to help.
“We must not get tired of doing good things for others. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up. When we have the opportunity to do something good for someone, we should do it. This is especially true for our family of believers” (Gal 6.9-10). Yes, we have an obligation to help others whenever we get the chance. The language in this text describes putting in some serious effort to do meaningful, beneficial things for others with priority going to our Christian family. Just as parents prioritize the well-being of their own children over the well-being of someone’s child on the other side of the world (because we have finite resources and cannot be in multiple places at once), believers prioritize the physical needs of their Christian family. If at all possible, we extend our effort and resources to help non-believers too!
Yes. Theft is always wrong (I Cor 6.10; Eph 4.28; Mk 10.19). James wrote to some believers who were facing the most extreme circumstances imaginable — they were being taken advantage of by wealthy “employers” who refused to pay their wages, and many of them died because of this (Js 5.4-5). Even in those horrifying conditions God’s expectation is, “Be patient, the Master will return. Hold on until then. Farmers have to be patient while their crops grow, waiting through the first and last rain before they can harvest. You must be patient too — never stop anticipating the Master’s return. Don’t complain against each other. If you always complain against each other, you will be judged guilty. And the Judge is ready to come!” (7-9). Our lives are so short that from our perspective the Master’s return is just a breath away. James encouraged the Christians who were poor and abused to hold on until their deaths because God would give them justice. He had much to say to the wealthy who were abusing them, specifically that their destiny would be horrifying. This is difficult for us to accept, but not if we actually believe that this life is nothing.
But the government that rules us is in the heavens, and it is from there that we’re waiting for our rescuer, the Master Jesus Christ, to come. He will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Christ can do this because of his power, the same power he can use to rule everything (Phil 3.20-21).
Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those who have died. We don’t want you to be sad like other people — the ones who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died, but we also believe that he came back to life. So we believe that God will raise to life through Jesus any who have died and bring them together with him when he returns. What we tell you now is the Master’s own message: Those of us who are still living when the Master comes again will join him, but not before those who have already died. The Master himself will come down from the sky with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the people who have died and were in Christ will come back to life first. After that, we who are still alive at that time will be gathered up with those who have died. We will be taken up in the clouds and meet the Master in the air. And we will be with him forever. You should encourage each other with these words (I Thess 4.13-18).
Did God actually send hornets against the Canaanites? What do you think is meant by God sending a hornet before Israel?
Dale Pollard
God not only told the Israelites that He would give them the land of Canaan, He also told them how He would do so. Moses records the very words of God as He explains what the initial steps of the conquest was going to look like and it’s as fascinating as it is strange.
Angelic (Conditional) Assistance
“Behold I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay close attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgressions, for my name is in him” (Ex. 23:20-21).
We’re told that the angel would “go before them” and bring them to pagan armies and peoples such as the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and of course, the Canaanites— to name a few. (V.23).
The Terror & The Hornet
After this the reader is thrown a curve ball as two additional names are introduced.
“I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come…” (v.27).
“…I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivites, Cannanites, and the Hittites before you” (v.28).
The angel, terror, and hornet are each different Hebrew words but share a commonality— they go before the Israelites.
It sounds like these terms could describe three separate beings or forerunners that were meant to accomplish separate tasks. It’s an interesting idea so that’s reason enough to dive in and investigate. Hopefully by the time we come up for air it’ll make more sense.
Hornets In The Bible
First, let’s deal with “the hornets.” Only three other times in the Old Testament do we find passages with hornets. Exodus 23:28 is the first time it’s used and here Moses is quoting what God told him that He would do.
The next occurrence is in Deuteronomy 7:20 where Moses reminds the Israelites just before they storm the Promise Land about those hornets God said he would send ahead of them.
Finally, the last mention is the most elucidating. In Joshua 24:12 there’s a subtle hint found in most English translations. It says, “And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you…”. All three passages about hornets refer to the conquest event. More importantly, Joshua seems to recall a single hornet rather than multiple hornets.
Make It Make Sense
Joshua is the only passage in most translations that describes a singular hornet but the other two passages actually use the same Hebrew word. Meaning, the translators chose to make the hornets plural in two passages but chose to make it singular in Joshua’s account.
Well, now it’s time to revisit Exodus. Here the angel is mentioned in the singular and then what the angel does to the Lord’s enemies. The angel will bring the Lord’s “terror” on the pagan people which will “throw them into confusion.” The terrified and confused people will “turn their backs” and run from the Israelites. Like a hornet, the angel will literally put the fear of God in them and chase them. Anybody who’s been chased by a hornet will know that fear and madness all too well.
The guardian angel of the Israelites is mentioned several more times throughout the Old Testament but this particular event showcases the role that their angel played in the conquest of Canaan. It’s probably not talking about literal hornets or even just one nasty hornet that buzzed into battle. You could even argue that Exodus 33:2 further attests to this. It states, “I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Cannanites, the Amorites, the Hittites…” God explains how He’s going to assist them and then what His assistant is going to do. God’s angel is going to run off the bad guys like an angry hornet.
Could God accomplish His will with just one little hornet? I think every believer knows the answer to that— absolutely.
What keeps us from realizing the true reality of our spiritual debt to God? Are we ever like Simon the leper?
Neal and Kathy Pollard
Neal Pollard
Why did Jesus speak in parables? The disciples wondered just that (Matthew 13:10). The Holy Spirit records four answers. First, Jesus used parables because not all would receive the mysteries of the Kingdom by direct revelation (13:11). Further, He did so because many hearts were dull and eyes and ears were closed (13:13-16). Those with faith would accept His teaching, but unbelievers would not understand. Then, He used parables because the prophets foretold that He would (13:34, 35). Finally, He did because there were things hidden from the foundation of the world that He must reveal (13:35).
What relevance, then, do the parables have for the modern Bible reader? Now, the parables exist as part of that written revelation. Through them, one can see prophecy fulfilled. The mystery that has been kept secret for long ages past (cf. Romans 16:25) can now be known. Thus, the parables are of paramount importance as practical instruction today.
Jesus’ parables come out of many settings. He spoke them during private talks with the disciples, in public sermons, and on the occasion of miracles and healings, but maybe the most effective parables were borne out of situations where His enemies tested him. The parable in Luke 7:41-42 is such a one. Consider four key words that aid one to better understand the so-called “Parable of Two Debtors.”
Content
The actual parable is two verses in length, as man has divided scripture. Jesus expended a total of thirty Greek words (43—NIV; 40—KJV; 34—NAS). The parable is filled with simple images that are easily comprehended. He presents the characters, a moneylender and two debtors. He presents the situation, that one owes about 500 days wages while another owes 50. He presents the predicament, namely that neither had the ability to repay their debt. He presents the lender’s response, who graciously forgives both of them. He presents the debtors’ reactions, which is left for the hearers to interpret but is easily discerned.
Two men in debt needed help beyond their ability to resolve. The lender is also the forgiver. Jesus uses financial problems to illustrate spiritual problems. How appropriate, since most people, regardless of time or geography, have suffered financial reverses. One national survey found that seventy percent of all worries involve money (Collins, Christian Counseling, 531). Suppose a person owed a single creditor $100,000 and the creditor called in the entire debt at once. The debtor is unable to pay, and the creditor sends back news that the entire debt is totally expunged from the record. How would that person feel toward the creditor, compared, say, with one who owed $1000 but whose debt was also forgiven. The parable teaches the principle of greater debt, greater appreciation, and lesser debt, lesser appreciation.
Context
The setting of the parable gives it its meaning. Jesus uses the parable to illustrate two very different people before His eyes. Consider them.
The first person is a Pharisee named Simon. One scholar points out that:
The Pharisees were the largest sect of the Jews. They grew out of an older party, the Chasidim, the Pious ones, and became the “Separatists” of ancient times. They took the name “Pharisee” probably during the rule of John Hyrcanus, BC 135-110. They favored a narrow religio-political policy, in distinction to the Sadducees who wished to see the Jews a nation among the Nations (Robertson, na).
If the Jews labeled themselves “conservatives” and “liberals,” it could be commonly agreed that the Pharisees were the former and the Sadducees the latter. While Jesus had no quarrel with their strict interpretation of the Law (cf. Matthew 23:3), He often rebuked their heart and attitude (Matthew 23:3-5). Simon the Pharisee apparently had no glaring, outward sin problems, but was guilty in Luke seven of some severe heart problems.
The second person is a woman of the city and a known sinner. Some have theorized that she was a prostitute, but nonetheless not likely to have been on Simon’s “A” List. She brings an alabaster vial of perfume, a long neck bottle Jewish women wore as an accessory around the neck and broken when festive occasions called for its use. Simon had invited Jesus for a meal, but she had “crashed” the party. It took a lot of courage for her to come where she was obviously not welcome.
When Jews ate their meals at dinner parties, they would have reclined on low couches. They leaned on their left arm with the head toward the table and the body stretched out away from it. They removed their sandals before taking this position. This is the way the woman would have found Jesus. Her emotions seemingly overcome her and her tears fall on His feet. She wiped His feet with her hair, which means she would have had to unbind her hair. This was a social taboo for Jewish women. By this point, one sees that she cared more about honoring Jesus than pleasing the crowd. She performs a slave’s task, tending to His feet.
After the parable, Jesus asks a remarkable question: “Do you see this woman?” Obviously, Simon knew she was there, but he did not see her properly. G. Campbell Morgan writes, “Simon could not see the woman as she then was, for looking at her as she had been.” There are a lot of Simons in the world who refuse to let those who become Christians forget what they once were (cf. 1 Pet. 4:4). Yet, the worst Simons can be in the church, refusing to let penitent, forgiven brothers and sisters forget their past.
The story ends with Jesus informing Simon that He had forgiven the woman’s sins. In Matthew 9:3, when He forgave the paralytic’s sins, the scribes thought Jesus a blasphemer. Yet, He does not gloss over the woman’s apparent immorality. He calls them her “many sins” (Luke 7:47). In this, He rebukes Simon for “loving little” and implies that He stood unforgiven.
Contrast
One owed much and one owed less.Both of them, however, are sinners and are in a greater debt than they can repay. Such has always been the case, as it is today (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:10; Romans 3:10,23; 1 John 5:19). Yet, the difference between the two debts is obvious.
One was forgiven much and one was forgiven less. The word “forgave” (Luke 7:42) is different from “forgiven” in verse forty-eight. “Forgave” (7:42) is from the same word family as the word translated “grace” throughout the New Testament. The word “forgiven” means “let go” or “release,” and when used in legal terms meant to be freed from an office, marriage, debt or obligation. The forgiveness Jesus offered was an act rather than a nebulous concept. It was a conditional gift she could enjoy eternally. She sought forgiveness, while Simon did not. She received it, but he did not.
One was humble and one was proud. Jesus praises the sinner and condemns the religious leader. Why? In a word, “Attitude.” The parable in Luke eighteen illustrates this well, verse fourteen pronouncing the sinful tax collector justified and the pompous Pharisee not justified. Jesus saw great potential in a “Big S” sinner who knew it than in a “little s” sinner who did not.
One loved much and one loved little. Jesus implies this in the parable and makes Simon explicitly admit it. The natural response of every forgiven person should be “much love” (cf. 1 John 4:19).
Conclusions
Consider some practical lessons one can glean from that parable for today.
No one is worthy of forgiveness.Both debtors in the parable did nothing to merit forgiveness. No one today is worthy (cf. Titus 3:5). To understand God’s grace, one must see himself as a sinner in need of it.
Not all sinners grasp the seriousness of their sinfulness. Simon was no less a sinner, but he acted like he was. Likewise, some of the hardest people to win to Christ are good, moral, but unsaved people (cf. Matthew 7:21-23).
No one can repay his debt.Not just the two fictional characters in the parable. Not just Simon and the woman. Everybody needs Jesus (Micah 6:7).
Sins of attitude are as deadly as sins of action. Ask the elder brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Among the lusts of the flesh, wherein is listed murder, adultery, and fornication, one also finds outbursts of anger, disputes, and envy. Sins of attitude will keep one out of heaven as surely as will sins of action (cf. Romans 6:23).
Jesus freely forgives those who seek it.That is the good news and bottom line of this parable. Jesus’ forgiveness is available to everyone (Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:6). Yet, one must seek it like the sinful woman did!
Which New Testament disciple do you most relate to? What aspect of Peter’s life resonates most with you?
Carl Pollard
I want to be bold, but sometimes I’m afraid. Big decisions can be intimidating. I aspire to be committed, yet I often back down even when I know I shouldn’t. I want to please people, but at times I let them down. Occasionally, I fail God. That is why Peter deeply resonates with me.
Many people relate to Peter because, as humans, we constantly fall short. However, scripture provides us with examples to reflect upon, and there is no better example than Peter. He faced failures, yet he grew from them.
Eugene Peterson once said, “Among the apostles, the one absolutely stunning success was Judas, and the one thoroughly groveling failure was Peter. Judas was a success in the ways that most impress us: he was successful both financially and politically. He cleverly arranged to control the money of the apostolic band and skillfully manipulated the political forces of the day to accomplish his goals. In contrast, Peter was a failure in ways that we most dread: he was impotent in a crisis and socially inept. At the arrest of Jesus, he collapsed—a hapless, blustering coward. In the most critical situations of his life with Jesus, such as the confession on the road to Caesarea Philippi and the vision on the Mount of Transfiguration, he often said embarrassingly inappropriate things. He was not the companion we would want in times of danger nor the person we would feel comfortable with at a social gathering. Yet time has reversed our judgments on the two men. Judas is now a byword for betrayal, while Peter is one of the most honored names in the Church and the world. Judas is a villain, and Peter is a saint. However, the world continues to chase after the successes of Judas—financial wealth and political power—while defending itself against the failures of Peter—impotence and ineptness” (quoted in Tim Kimmel, Little House on the Freeway, 191-192).
When we examine Peter, we see a committed follower of Christ. Though he stumbled often, he remained dedicated to Jesus. He abandoned his home and career to follow Him, making his life a full-time service to Christ. Many Christians today attempt to separate their spiritual lives from their “real” lives, often settling for just a piece of Jesus. In contrast, Peter desired for Christ to be his entire life.
In John 13:6-9, we read: “So He came to Simon Peter. He said to him, ‘Lord, do You wash my feet?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Never shall You wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’ Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.’”
Peter longed for his life to be filled with Christ. Pliny the Elder, a Roman writer from the same era as Jesus, recounted a story about the erection of an obelisk that would stand 99 feet tall. Twenty thousand workers were chosen to pull on the ropes and activate the hoisting apparatus. The operation was fraught with responsibility and risk; one mistake could cause the obelisk to fall, ruining years of effort. The King demanded that the engineer focus entirely on the task, so he ordered the engineer’s own son to be strapped to the apex of the obelisk, ensuring that both his heart and mind were committed to the task.
On an even larger scale, our commitment to Christ affects thousands, perhaps even millions of people. Their souls are in the balance, and a half-hearted Christian walk does not honor that responsibility. How do we feel about Christ? Do we merely want a piece of Him on Sundays, or do we desire for Him to be immersed in every aspect of our lives?
“It is not what men eat but what they digest that makes them strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; not what we preach but what we practice that makes us Christians.”
Peter was far from a shallow disciple; he genuinely sought Christ in his life. As he said, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You” (Mark 10:28).
Have you ever found yourself in over your head, when you had to ask for help? We never like to get to that point, financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. But, unless we callous our hearts to the truth, we need God constantly–especially spiritually. In Psalm 38, David comes before the Lord pleading with Him to help in a dire situation. While it involves the opposition of earthly enemies (12,19), the main concern is his own opposition to God’s will. The main problem on David’s mind is his sin problem. David gives us an example of how to pray to God in time of trouble, especially the self-induced kind.
ACKNOWLEDGE HOW YOUR SIN MAKES HIM FEEL (1-3)
David knows that God hates sin and is displeased by its presence in our lives. Meaningful repentance and change is not possible until we can see our sin through His perfect eyes. This honest assessment will keep us from being defensive or from rationalizing.
SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE SERIOUSNESS OF YOUR SIN (4-8)
Look at all the descriptive terms and synonyms David uses regarding his sin. His “iniquities” are heavy burdens, foul and festering wounds, that which causes him to be bent over and bowed down, the cause of constant mourning, a debilitating sickness, and a numbing, crushing, agitating thing. See your sin that way and there is no way to hang onto it, much less embrace and defend it.
CONFESS YOUR INABILITY TO RESOLVE THIS ALONE (9-14)
Pride is such a destructive thing! David shows no sign of it in this psalm. He feels isolated from friends and tormented by foes. He feels incapable of solving this problem himself. Resolution must be preceded by recognition of how daunting our circumstance is without God.
TELL GOD OF YOUR HOPE THAT HE WILL HELP YOU (15-22)
The state of mind David has expressed inevitably leads to divine dependency. He hopes in God. He’s confident that God will answer him. Though he knows he’s close to falling, he pleads with God to intercede. His final plea as he speaks to God? “Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.”
We must resist the devil and our own fleshly desires. God has equipped us with the ability to be disciplined and to deny self. But, the battle cannot be won without leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Don’t just know that. Express it to God daily, throughout the day. It will help you see your problems more clearly and to see God as the solution.
“It is better to suffer the pain of discipline than the pain of regret.” You remember that Snickers commercial of the guy getting a tattoo? He and his buddy are getting pumped up and yelling, the tattoo artist finishes the tattoo, and it says “no regerts.”
The point of the commercial? Well, he regretted it. With regret comes an awful weight. What could’ve been, what you should’ve done, what you could have changed.
Back in 2016 a buddy I went to school with told me about a new thing called bitcoin. He told me I could buy one for $318 dollars.
I was hesitant because I had no idea what cryptocurrency was so I said thanks but no thanks. As a broke college student there were a million other things I could buy with 318 dollars. As of this week, 1 single bitcoin is worth almost $100,000. I regret not buying one for $318. In just 8 years I could’ve made $99,700. But I can still sleep like a baby at night. Yeah I wish I would’ve listened to my friend, but life goes on. In May, 2010, an early crypto enthusiast was hungry and broke and decided to trade 10,000 bitcoins for two papa John’s pizzas. At the time that was about 42 dollars, but today that’s worth $900,000,000. I bet he regrets buying two pizzas for almost a billion dollars.
I regret missing out on opportunities like this, but there are other things I have said and done that I regret. Things worse than missing out on bitcoin. I’m sure you’ve found yourself in the same boat. Tossing and turning in bed, regretting how you handled a certain situation, or how you spoke to a loved one. Regret is an awful feeling.
“It is better to suffer the pain of discipline than the pain of regret.” All we need is discipline, and we would never feel regret. But there’s a reason so many people struggle with regret: discipline is hard. Being disciplined takes mental energy, and we’ve got to be focused constantly. There’s a million temptations to avoid and habits that we have engrained into our very being. We are easily distracted, constantly wanting instant gratification. Self-discipline is hard because it requires long-term focus. So we know the answer to our problem, but implementing it is the struggle.
Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”
Jesus said these words in His sermon on the mount.This is a sermon on righteousness, a sermon of contrasts. Over and over Jesus says, “you have heard it said, but I say…” He speaks with authority, He speaks as the Son of God. Listen to every word because Jesus tells us exactly how to be approved of God. He contrasts the teachings of the day with His new teachings from God.
Jesus tells us to Focus On The Heart. At the core of these four verses Jesus is telling us to examine our hearts.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
You want to guess what the pharisees at the time of Jesus were teaching? The exact opposite. They taught that you could look and fantasize all you wanted as long as you didn’t touch. Their law made provision for lust! Jesus instead call us to a higher level of righteousness. “You have heard it said, but I say…focus on the heart.” Jesus shifts the focus from external actions to internal desires. True morality isn’t just about avoiding sinful behavior, it is cultivating a heart that aligns with God’s will. The pain of discipline is the transforming of the heart, changing from within so that our behavior is disciplined.
In doing so we avoid the pain of regret. In scripture, the heart is the source from which action flows. It represents our innermost thoughts, intentions, and emotions. If you can change the heart, the body will change. If you win the internal battle, the external battle will be won. If you can win the battle against lust, you will never commit adultery. This is how God expects us to live in following His will.
Prioritize the spiritual state of your heart, and you will develop discipline in every aspect of life.
All he said was what was true. For prophesying that Judah would he devastated by Babylon, Jeremiah was cast into the dungeon of the king’s son (Jer. 38:1-6). He was suspended by cords which surely cut into his armpits. He soaked in unsanitary mire. He was left there to starve to death. Were it not for the compassionate heart of Ebedmelech, Jeremiah likely would have died.
The book of Lamentations, written by Jeremiah, is entirely filled with his sorrowful cries because of God’s punished people. The book can be seen as five, distinct mournful poems. Each poem reflects a different facet of the common sorrow [chapter one, the physical suffering of Judah; chapter two, God’s scolding of Judah; chapter three, Jeremiah’s spiritual suffering because of Judah’s sins; chapter four, the spiritual suffering of Judah because of their sins; chapter five, Jeremiah’s supplications for contrite Judah] (F.D. Hemenway., 454).
In Lamentations 3:55, the weeping prophet tells the Lord, “I called on Your name, O Lord, from the lowest pit.” This image is identical to the words of the psalmist, who says in Psalm 88:6, “You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths.” Heman seems to complain that he has been placed there because of injustice and not because of his iniquity. Our minds are called back to Dothan, where jealous brothers cast Joseph into an empty pit. The sins of Joseph’s brothers caused him to look up from his pit.
But, no doubt or question arises about why Judah is in this figurative pit from which Jeremiah cries. Though Jeremiah has lived godly and has not deserved suffering , he realized he stood among a nation of people who failed to obey Jehovah. So, from the low dungeon of despair, Jeremiah says several things.
“You Heard Me When I Cried” (Lamentations 3:56). From this statement we see that THE LORD RECOGNIZES HIS PEOPLE! David knew this (Psalm 6:8; 18:3-6; 66:19), as he often exclaimed that “God has heard me.” Paul’s inspired conviction of hope was “the Lord knows them that are His ” (2 Tim. 2:19). To the Corinthian brethren, Paul said, “But if any man love God, the same is known of God” (1 Cor. 8:3). In verse 56, Jeremiah finds comfort in calamitous times. He also makes an impassioned plea that God not turn away from His crying, Because Jeremiah was a child of God, he was assured that God would, in some way, answer him.
“You Drew Near When I Called” (Lamentations 3:57). THE LORD RESPONDS TO HIS PEOPLE! Jeremiah recognized the “Shepherd” aspect of the Lord. One can clearly envision the cradling Arms of the Almighty, scooping up His lambs injured by their own choices and giving them comfort in their repentance (cf. Psalm 23). James would teach us that God draws near to us if we draw near unto Him (James 4:8).
“You Have Pled The Causes Of My Soul” (Lamentations 3:58). Truly , THE LORD REPRESENTS HIS PEOPLE! David prayed that God would plead his cause and deliver him (Psa. 119:154). The prophet Micah patiently waited for the representation of the Lord on his behalf. He said, “I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me” (Micah 7:9). He who, in the flesh, experienced humanity represents man before God as mediator (1 Tim. 2:5).
“You Have Redeemed My Life ” (Lamentations 3:58). THE LORD REDEEMS HIS PEOPLE! A suffering Job rejoiced, ” I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand upon the earth at the latter day” (Job 19:25). Jeremiah, knowing the mercy of the Lord, confidently spoke of how God had preserved his life in times past. In a greater sense, Christ is the means of mankind’s redemption from eternal condemnation. That prolific passage, Titus 2:11-14, proclaims that God’s saving grace has appeared to all men in the person of Christ, “that he might redeem us from all iniquity.” Christ’s incorruptible blood redeems the faithful obedient one (cf. 1 Pet. 1:18). Part of the enchanting song sung by the adorers of Christ includes the words “…For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).
“You Have Seen My Wrong” (Lamentations 3:59). Additionally, we learn that THE LORD REPRIMANDS HIS PEOPLE! God sees all that we do, though many think that God only sees the good we do. Others think that God only sees other people’s wrongs, and still others think that God only sees non-Christians’ sins. God sees everything everyone does every instant everywhere and every time. How wonderful and reassuring this is to those who walk in the light. How fearful this is for those who walk in darkness. God, in His justice, will punish all whose wrongs are not covered by Christ’s precious blood.
Obviously, God’s people had sown iniquity. Jeremiah rebukes his brethren throughout the book of Jeremiah because of their idolatry, hypocrisy, failings in the home, materialism, and stubborn wills. Through the Babylonians, Judah reaped the captivity. But, as Jeremiah prophesied, Judah would not be captive forever (Jer. 30-35). God heard the cries of Jeremiah from the low dungeon of despair.
Christians have the confidence that God will deliver them from the Pits of Persecution, the Dungeons of Despair, and the Cells of Sin. What hope!
Scripture offers deeper insights into the nature of truth. When you choose to integrate faith into your everyday life, you will find meaning and you will be fulfilled.
You will find a purpose driven existence that the world longs to have. With God, life has meaning.
Notice with me 5 biblical truths that shape our worldview. There are many more, but these five have been the fundamentals of our faith. These are the ones that the apostles taught to the world after the ascension of Jesus. I am thankful that God has given to us a framework as Christians, a framework through which we are supposed to interpret the world.
We don’t rely on opinions, or feelings, or traditions, or our families, to tell us these truths. These truths were laid upon us by the Lord of Lords. He tells us these truths so that we would have a lens through which we can interpret the world. Without them we are Velma from Scooby Doo. We NEED these glasses to see the world properly.
Pillar number 1 in the biblical worldview…
We Were Created
How does the world say that we got here?
In the beginning there was a cosmic boom.
This is what our children our taught, and what more and more people are believing.
This is totally contrary to the words of Scripture. We say “In the beginning God created.” The world says, “In the Beginning nothing created.” It takes more faith to believe evolution than it does the first five words of the Bible. Pillar number 1 of a biblical worldview contradicts the very nature of modern historical scientists.
In the beginning God said, “Let us make man in our own imagine, in our own likeness” Gen. 1:26
We were created and molded after the Creator. From this first pillar we learn many things. Because we have a Creator we better understand the world God placed us in.
The knowledge of a Creator helps us understand ourselves better since we were made in the image of God. Because we were created we learn of the Creator who shaped us out of dust and breathed life into our bodies. We were created to ENJOY fellowship with our God.
Pillar number 2…
We Fell
In Genesis 3, man rebelled against God and as a result of that, sin entered into the world. This sin caused
Spiritual separation: Adam and Eve and their children were separated from God, both physically and spiritually. They could no longer walk and talk with God face to face.
Physical changes: Adam and Eve became mortal, and they and their children would experience sickness, pain, and physical death.
Cursed environment: The ground was cursed in the Garden of Eden and throughout the earth.
Loss of righteousness: Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness and knew that their former perfection was gone.
Guilt and shame: Adam and Eve felt guilt and shame they had NEVER felt this before.
Judgment: Satan was judged with a divine curse. The woman would experience pain in childbirth, and her husband was to rule over her. Man must now labor for his existence on a cursed earth.
And if that wasn’t enough, Paul says this in Romans 5:12: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” From the moment we fell, all people are born into a sinful world, and with a desire to rebel against our God. No matter who you are, you will have sin in your life (Romans 3:23).
There are so many people who don’t believe in God because of the consequences of the fall. They’re angry because there is suffering and death in the world. They think if God exists, why is there so much death and pain? Either He doesn’t exist, is too weak to fix it, or just doesn’t care. In their minds, they don’t believe in God because of these things. Why do so many feel this way? They fail to have a biblical worldview. Otherwise they would realize that all of this death and suffering and sorrow is a direct result of the fall. We recognize through a biblical worldview that we live in a fallen world.
And because of this, although God is good and He exists, suffering also exists because we live in a SINFUL world.
Do you see how these worldviews can start changing your attitude? Every tear you’ve ever shed. Every graveside you’ve ever attended. Every hospital you’ve been in. Every NICU a child is taken to. Every war that is fought. Every cancer treatment you take. Every grey hair or lack of hair. Every divorce, every death, every diseases. Every failure, every insecurity, every struggle ALL exists because we LIVE in a fallen world!
What is the point if there is no God to save us from our sin?
Pillar 3…
We Are Redeemed
We are currently living in the Christian era or dispensation. We exist in a time, after the fall, but before the end. We are in the last times. No newer covenant, this is it.
God has given His Son, we either accept Him or reject it. What more could God give?
How else could He prove to His creation that He loves us? He chose us after the fall.
We are now redeemed through Christ. We are living in a time after the resurrection and before the second coming. God is working on this earth to redeem those whose hearts are soft so that we can escape judgment.
We are redeemed by the blood of Christ, and God is going to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to respond.
And that is where we are now. God is redeeming for Himself a people who will spend an eternity with Him. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” This word redeemed literally means, to release from a captive condition, to deliver. What are we being released from? What holds us captive? The SIN we find ourselves in as we are living in a fallen world!
Christ is our redeemer who saves us again and again. God has regained His prize possession through the payment of His Son.
Not everyone will be saved, only those who have come in contact with the blood of Christ. This is why call Him our redeemer.
Those who are redeemed will be taken to paradise and saved from the destruction of this world. We live in the era of redemption.
If you don’t have this biblical worldview, you will see no reason to stop sinful behavior.
You will be just like those in the days of Noah, MOCKING the ones who are getting in a boat on dry land. This worldview should shape our perspective of life, to its CORE.
Pillar 4…
We Are A Part of The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God is the reign and rule of God in our lives. We were redeemed to be a new creation in Christ. We are a part of the reign of God in the world. As citizens in this Kingdom, we are called to live in a way that reflects His values and priorities.
We are called to live out the principles of our King in our daily lives. Jesus came, according to Mark one, preaching the kingdom of God is at hand.
It’s here now! Our worldview, that is, our jobs, our families, our friends, our words, our thoughts, our actions, our attitude, our perspective, must ALL be shaped by our citizenship. We. Belong. To God. “But our citizenship is above, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 3:20).
We are here, but don’t belong. Live like you are in God’s Kingdom.
Pillar 5…
We Will Be Restored
This final pillar looks forward to the ultimate restoration of all things. We are promised that God will make everything new, just as it was in the beginning. Pillars 1 and 5 are connected by redemption and a kingdom.
Through these things we will be restored to God’s original perfection. This is hope greater than any earthly thing. This promise of restoration helps us persevere through this fallen world. This promise helps us live as citizens of the Kingdom. The promise of restoration provides hope for the future.
It encourages the redeemed to work toward godly love, to show mercy and forgiveness.
In her fascinating book, The Bloody Bozeman: The Perilous Trail to Montana’s Gold, Dorothy Johnson includes an interesting anecdote as she chronicles life in the territory of Montana in the 1860s. As the population in the territory grew, the people felt a need for a newspaper, more organized law enforcement, a legislature, schools, churches, mail service, stage coaches, and mail service. They also sought forms of entertainment like they enjoyed back east in the United States. On January 2, 1865, Virginia City held a historic prize fight between Hugh O’Neil and Con Orem. O’Neil was 34 years old, 5 feet, 8.5 inches tall and 190 pounds. Orem, a tee-totaling saloon keeper, was 29 years old, 5 feet, 6.5 inches tall and 138 pounds. Johnson summarizes it with incredible understatement: “The fight went 185 rounds, lasted three hours and five minutes, and was declared a tie. It was stopped by mutual consent of the backers” (149). Both men wore snug buckskin gloves without padding and pounded on each other round after round. Neither would give up!
I’m not sure what you make of that curiosity, but it struck me. The Bible depicts our individual lives as a spiritual fight. Especially Paul illustrates life in this world as a battle. We are in a fight with the devil. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul, having said that we must “stand firm” against the “schemes” of the devil, says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…” The word he uses there means “engagement in a challenging contest” (BDAG, 752). The Greeks used the word originally to describe wrestling, then all fights and battles (ibid.). Zodhiates adds that it was “a wrestling, struggle or hand-to-hand combat. It was used of the wrestling of athletes and of the hand-to-hand combat of soldiers both of which required deftness and speed. It denoted the struggle between individual combatants in distinction from an entire military campaign” (np).
The devil’s positions, principles, and pursuits are in direct conflict with God’s. As His followers, we must fight the devil. We are not in physical combat with people, as Paul points out. But we are to “resist” and “stand firm” (Eph. 6:11,13,14). We cannot yield or forfeit that fight.
But there is another fight we are in, and Paul describes this one as equally formidable. The opponent is our own flesh. Every day, we go to battle against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Paul depicts this graphically in Romans 7:14-25). As James points out, we can get “carried away and enticed by our own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (1:14b-15).
Yet, it is a far from a foregone conclusion that we are doomed to lose! Not at all. Paul tells us that we are spiritual prizefighters. We must be prepared to go, not 185 rounds, but round after round, day after day, moment after moment. Here is Paul’s analogy in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. He says, “I box (“fight with the fist,” Swanson, np.) in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” Your opponent, be it the devil or your own flesh, will land some punches. At times, you may even hit the deck. Through His Word, God is cheering you on and calling, “Get back up! Keep fighting! Don’t give up!” He believes in you. He is in your corner, giving you perfect instructions for defeating your bigger and stronger opponent named “sin.” Even if your lying on the floor, you can get back up. Through God’s help, you can win the fight. Remember that with this battle, eternity is in the balance. You can go the distance!
According to Scripture, the first people to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth were shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem. You ever wonder why God told them first?
Luke 2:10-11 says, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
I wish we could have seen their response.
Shepherds in first-century Middle Eastern culture had a reputation for being thieves and lowlifes. Jews considered shepherds to be ceremonially unclean. Perhaps these shepherds felt unworthy. The way they made a living was considered unclean.
Maybe they felt inadequate? According to Jewish culture they could not testify in court. No one trusted shepherds. People would not buy property from them because it was most likely stolen. Some saw them on the same level as tax collectors and prostitutes. The religious leaders told others not to go near them.
Most of all, these shepherds were not loved by the masses. The temple was strict on cleanliness, they could not enter.
Culturally, no father wanted their daughter to marry a shepherd. And yet we read that God revealed the birth of His Son to THEM.
The outcast, the unloved, the unworthy, the inadequate. Romans 3:22 says, “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”
You cannot earn God’s acceptance. But we are all sinners. If you accuse someone and say, “you have sinned against God” you will get push back from many people. They believe they are morally good and don’t appreciate being accused of sin. I watched a video of a preacher named Ray Comfort walk around in public and ask people certain questions. He would ask, “do you consider yourself a good person? Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever lusted before?” If you’re reading this article ask yourself those same questions. Be honest, Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? You ever lusted after someone? If you tell a lie, what does that make you? A liar. If you steal something, what does that make you? A thief. If you’ve ever lusted after another, Jesus says you have committed adultery in your heart (Matt. 5:27-28). If you’ve ever hated someone that is considered the same as murder (1 John 3:15).
So that means you are a lying, thieving, adulterous, murderous person. How does that make you feel?
If you don’t see yourself as a sinner, you won’t see your need for a Savior. And we are made right with God, not by our own works, but by faith in Christ. That is why God told the good news to outcasts in a field and not to the royalty in the city, so that all would know that God wants you to be a part of His family regardless of who you are.
But coming to Christ takes acknowledging the sin in your life. These shepherds were reminded daily that they were outcasts and sinners. I believe we sometimes fool ourselves into thinking we are better than them. Recognize your sin so that you’ll see the need for a Savior.
Walvoord and Zuck observe, “This is perhaps the best-known section in the Book of Isaiah. Several parts of this passage are quoted in the New Testament: Isaiah 52:15 in Romans 15:21; Isaiah 53:1 in John 12:38 and Romans 10:16; Isaiah 53:4 in Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:7–8 in Acts 8:32–33; Isaiah 53:9 in 1 Peter 2:22; and Isaiah 53:12 in Luke 22:37” (BKC, 1106). This chapter is the most recognizably Messianic of the entire book of Isaiah. It is the completion of the fourth Servant Poem, in which the prophet reveals three crucial facts about Him.
The suffering servant would be overlooked (1-2). Why? Given the prelude of this Servant (52:13-15), this is a surprising fact. This exalted and glorified One is described now as a tender shoot, a root out of dry ground, with no stately form or majesty, and without an attractive appearance. The message about Him and from Him is deemed unbelievable (1). He grows up among the people, who cannot but see Him only as a carpenter, Mary’s son, with younger brothers and sisters, and, thus, a cause of offense (Mark 6:3). He is “this man” (Luke 7:39). The root out of dry ground takes our minds back to Isaiah 11:1, the tender shoot of Jesse. Physically unremarkable, financially modest, and without any sort of commending pedigree, He was an average, ordinary-looking Man among men.
The suffering servant would be oppressed (3-10a). Beyond His humble circumstances, His contemptible appearance, combined with His relentless effort to spread His unconventional message backed by undeniable miracles, led to His opponents doing all within their power to punish and silence Him. Graphically, Isaiah foretells what those among whom He dwelled dispatched of Him (or so they thought). His oppression was vicious. It led Him to experience despising, forsaking, grieving, sorrowing, and condescending (3,7). His oppression was vicarious. It led Him to experience things for us, things we deserved to experience but that He went through on our behalf (4-6,8). James Smith gives us a concise chart of this:
OUR EXPERIENCE
HIS EXPERIENCE
Griefs
Bore
Sorrows
Carried
Transgression
Pierced Through
Iniquities
Crushed
Peace
Chastening
Healed
Scourging
Smith, James E. The Major Prophets. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1992. Print. Old Testament Survey Series, 149.
His oppression was voluntary (7). Reading the fulfillment of this in the gospels as Jesus stands before Pilate and His many accusers, He chose not to speak to defend Himself. He knew that as a sacrificial Lamb, He had to submit to their torture and injustice. His oppression was violent, as we see from the many words associated with the death He would die (9). His oppression was victorious (9-10). It accomplished the Divine purpose, in which He played a part as God the Word. He successfully became the blood offering for our sins (10). But that last fact points us to the last major point of the chapter (10b-12).
The suffering servant would be an overcomer (10b-12). As this was the premeditated plan of heaven, the Godhead knew that death could not keep Him down and the grave could not hold Him (1 Cor. 15:54-57). That’s why the Lord was “pleased” to allow such cruelty to occur. After being made a guilt offering for our sins, “the Lord would prolong His days” (10). Notice how the vicarious nature of the suffering Servant’s sacrifice would satisfy divine justice and solve humanity’s spiritual debt problem.
The word was used of politicians and prostitutes, and neither in flattering ways. It referred to “those who, demeaning themselves and their cause, are busy and active in their own interests, seeking their own gain or advantage” ( Büchsel, TDNT, 660). The Greek word, eritheia, translated either as “selfish ambition” (Rom. 2:8; Phil. 1:17; 2:3; Js. 3:14,16), “disputes” (2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20), or “selfishness” (Phil. 2:3), “may be rendered as ‘what they do is just to make themselves look bigger’ or ‘what they do is just for themselves’” (Louw-Nida, 760). Is there anyone exempt from the temptation to want to be better than others or make people think we’re better than others (ibid.)?
There are other principles warning and exhorting an unselfish mindset.
“Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor” (1 Cor. 10:24).
“Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification” (Rom. 15:2).
“Love…does not seek its own” (1 Cor. 13:5).
“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 2:21).
God wants us to trust Him to be involved in our lives and bless us with what we need. This applies not only to material things (Mat. 6:19-34), but also any area of perceived needs in our lives. Especially must we leave it in His hands when we wrestle with the fleshly desire for others to praise, admire, or envy us. Or with the fleshly desire for others to meet our needs, fit our schedule, submit to our will and wishes, and the like rather than our being oriented toward meeting theirs and accommodating them. We may find ourselves angry if our schedule or plans are interrupted or hurt if our good deed goes un-praised or seemingly unnoticed. We may resort to selfish, even sinful tactics to make sure we gain the upper hand in a situation.
So, Scripture directs us to dig down to the heart level in our lives. Weed out self interests and selfish ambitions. Separate yourself from the perceived need to be right. Really, examine every corner of your heart to clean out selfish ambition and selfishness. Jesus emphasized service (John 13:12-17). Scripture touts Christ as the master example of this, saying, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). He will help us accomplish the rooting out of self-focus so we can better see Him and His will for our lives!
This week’s is possibly one of the most-asked existential questions out there. “Why is suffering a part of the human experience?” Believer and non-believer alike struggle with this one. Believers and even many agnostics struggle to justify the existence of an all-powerful, all-loving God with “bone cancer in children” and other seemingly senseless evils. Non-believers may struggle with the existence of suffering, too, especially if their worldview involves progressivism. After thousands of years of lessons learned, shouldn’t we have found a way to eliminate suffering?
The Bible answers this question: we brought suffering to the human experience by violating the relationship we had with God. The story of the Bible is one that ultimately repairs this condition, thanks to God becoming human and sacrificing himself to repair that breach. On top of that, he came back to life as proof-of-concept and as a promise — we will have immortality, too. The message of Christianity is one that looks forward to a time without evil’s consequences (especially suffering and death). For many people, accepting the hard truth of our (i.e. humanity’s) culpability in the existence of suffering is too much. It can’t be that simple!
We could illustrate this with an adapted pagan myth. Pandora’s box is well-known to many — she opened a box that contained all of the evil in the world, but with hope attached to them. There was no returning those things to the box and it affected everyone. While the framework of the story is decidedly pagan, it is rooted in historical fact. The first woman on earth did actually open something like Pandora’s box, introducing entropy to the planet for the first time. The consequences were far-reaching, as Christians believe all of humanity came from her. We are living with the consequences of Pandora’s box having been opened.
Even if we look at this from a totally naturalistic standpoint, the existence of suffering does not necessarily preclude an all-powerful, loving God. In fact, it offers a fairly reasonable explanation for why suffering affects good people! What it does lack is anything resembling meaningful hope for a brighter future — this explanation ends with physical death, the beginning of eternal non-existence. A naturalistic explanation is something like this: There is suffering in the world because we’re all born ignorant and have to learn from the mistakes we make. Mistakes often have a ripple effect, and can sometimes negatively affect others. For example, a new driver’s inexperience may cause an accident that takes the life of an innocent person. It’s seemingly random, chaotic, senseless. What did that other person do to deserve death? Nothing, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even the naturalistic worldview understands that bending nature’s laws to prevent all tragedies would have devastating consequences in our current framework.
So why doesn’t God intervene in every situation? The short answer is “we don’t know.” He does often intervene (cf. Hb 1.14; I Kgs 17.8-16; Ruth; Dan 3.8-30, and many, many others), but we don’t always know why. His perspective is infinite, ours is not. It’s frustrating, painful, and confusing at times, but we all accept that it’s temporary. We know that he won’t allow us to deal with more than we’re capable of handling with character intact (I Cor 10.13), but not too much beyond this. Christianity views suffering as part of the human experience that we’re quite ready to leave behind. This is why death is something we look forward to!
We have sufferings now, but they are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. Everything that God made is waiting with excitement for the time when he will show the world who his children are. The whole world wants very much for that to happen (Rom 8.18-19).
I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16.33).
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” Almost every word in this practical passage can provide even more helpful insight— so let’s dissect some of them!
Refrain:
“sink down, to let drop, to abandon, to be quiet”
These are the steps that must be taken in order to avoid the damage that is certain to follow if ignored.
Anger:
“to blow through the nostrils”
This is the kind of anger that dulls the sensible mind. The choices (words/actions) made under the influence of anger are the just the beginning of coming destruction.
And:
There’s anger and there’s wrath. Anger can easily bring forth wrath. The command is to avoid that which makes you flare the nostrils as the natural progression of anger is escalation, referred to as wrath.
Forsake:
“to let loose, leave behind”
Drop it. Let it go. Do what needs to be done so that the command to “forsake” can be carried out. Leave, breathe, pray, reevaluate. Do it quickly and do it each time so that it becomes instinctual.
Wrath:
“hot displeasure, heat, rage, poison (as that which burns the bowels)”
The Absolutes of Wrath
Our wrath gets us in trouble when we think we are the owners of it (1 Sam. 28:18)
The answer to wrath is humility (2 Chron. 12.7).
Our wrath is based in ignorance (2 Chron. 34.21).
If you’re consumed by your own wrath, you’ll be eaten alive twice (Ps. 21.9).
Eaten by your own &
Consumed by God’s
Fret not:
“to kindle, heat oneself in vexation, to begin burning, to grow warmer”
Tends only:
“a one way path, the most likely outcome”
The phrase “tends only” shows up in Judges 16 where Samson asks God to grant him one final request. This helps us see how the word can mean a “one way path.”
“Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” – Judges 16:28
Psalm 37.8 is telling us that human wrath is a path that can only lead to one end— evil.
Evil doing:
“shattered, broken in pieces”
Old Hebrew is a pictorial language and looking into a biblical word can really make a passage come to life. It doesn’t take any stretching of the imagination to see how “shattered” and “broken” so accurately describes the end result of “evil doing.” Evil is that which breaks and destroys our lives and the lives of others. The consequences are devastating but thankfully God is our guide to godliness.
Pride is the downfall of our faith. So many spiritual battles could be won if we learned to swallow our pride and let humility take its place. The following is a list I compiled of what pride can lead to if left alone in our lives. Pride leads to…
Self-Sufficiency
Pride often leads us to rely on our own strength and understanding rather than seeking guidance from God. This self-sufficiency can create a barrier to faith, as it undermines belief in the need for support from our Father. Pride leads to…
Arrogance
When pride takes over, it can lead to arrogance, causing us to dismiss the teachings and wisdom of others, including spiritual leaders. This can create a disconnect from church and those we are called to follow. Pride can lead to…
Spiritual Blindness
Pride can blind us to our own flaws and shortcomings. This lack of self-awareness can hinder personal growth and the ability to seek forgiveness, which are essential components of faith. Pride can keep us from handling…
Conflict with Humility
God’s Word emphasizes the importance of humility. Pride stands in direct opposition to this virtue, making it difficult for us to embody the values that our God desires. Pride can lead to…
Isolation
Pride can lead to isolation from others, as it fosters a sense of superiority. This isolation can prevent us from engaging in worship and support, which is vital for reinforcing faith. Pride will cause…
Resistance to Change
Pride can make us resistant to the transformative aspects of faith, such as repentance and growth. This stagnation can lead to a crisis of faith, where we feel disconnected from our belief in God.
In essence, pride can create barriers that prevent us from fully engaging our faith, leading to a weakened spiritual relationship with God and those in His family.
The Bible clearly says:
Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
1 Peter 5:5, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
Matthew 23:12, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Galatians 6:3, “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
It is not a stretch to assume that you may be struggling to submit in the areas of life that God has asked of you. Let go of your pride, and faith will take its place.
In Romans 8:34 Paul says, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Rather than receiving condemnation, God sent His only Son to justify us.
Christ Died
That question, “Who is to condemn?” Is clearly answered as Christ. He is the one that should, but instead Paul goes on to say, “Christ Jesus Is the one who Died.” As proof of God’s love for us, rather than condemn us, He offers the Gift of His Son.
This isn’t the first time Paul has brought up Christ’s Death. This act of sacrificial love is the foundation of our faith. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” His death was not a mere historical event; it was the ultimate act of love and redemption. While we were sinners, worthy of condemnation, Christ DIED for us.
Do you see how wonderful this is? Do you like forgiving someone while they are actively hurting you? This is almost impossible for us. On a much larger scale, while we were actively living in sin, Christ died for us. While we were cursing God, Jesus was dying for us. When we consider the weight of our sins, we might feel overwhelmed by guilt and shame. However, we must remember that Christ took our sins upon Himself, allowing us to stand before God blameless. His death paid the penalty we owed, and through Him, we find forgiveness and grace. As believers, we can face our past without fear because Christ has already dealt with it on the cross.
Paul further explains that rather than condemning us…
Christ Was Raised
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised…”
There is more to our salvation than the death of Christ. What good would a dead savior do for our sin? Christ came back!
“MORE than that, who was RAISED.” The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith and a declaration of victory over death and sin. Romans 6:9 says, “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” His resurrection assures us that death does not have the final say. And with it, the fear of death is removed.
Because Christ conquered the grave, we too are given the hope of eternal life. Our resurrected Savior enables us to live in victory today. We no longer have to walk in the shadows of condemnation; instead, we can live boldly, knowing that we have been granted new life through Him. The resurrection not only affirms our salvation but also transforms our lives, enabling us to rise above our struggles and experience freedom from fear and sin.
What is there to fear in death? Death for the faithful christian will be a wonderful reunion.
Rather than condemning us, Christ died, was raised, and now…
Christ Intercedes
Romans 8:34, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Paul asks, “Who is to condemn?” He answers this question by affirming that Christ Jesus is the one who died, was raised, and now is at the right hand of God, interceding for us. Picture this: Jesus, our advocate, standing before the Father, speaking on our behalf. What a comforting thought! When we face accusations—whether from the enemy, our own doubts, or the world around us—Christ stands as our defense. He is our advocate in the courtroom of God, ensuring that we are not condemned. Instead of condemnation, we receive grace, mercy, and love. This truth should fill our hearts with hope and assurance.
Want to see a powerful example of Christ’s intercession? Luke 23:34, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”
Do you know who this prayer was said for?
Jesus prayed to God, asking for their forgiveness, because He would rather see His murderers forgiven then condemned.
So what do you think He is doing for you now?
The same Savior that died for you, is your advocate to the Father.
Carl sourced several of the most commonly asked questions and gave me 70 of them to write about. So I’ll try to tackle a question or three every week for a while (or until something more interesting grabs my attention). This week’s question is, “Are all morals absolute? Where does morality come from?”
Morality concerns itself with the difference between right and wrong. Some things are always wrong: murder, sexual sin, theft, neglecting people in need, etc.
But are all morals absolute?
Some things are wrong, but forgivable. Jesus used David as an example of this. Leviticus 24.9 said that a special kind of bread was for “Aaron’s descendants only.” In I Samuel, David (left with no other options) ate that bread. This was a sin. Jesus used this incident to prove God’s desire for “mercy over sacrifice” (cf. Mt 12.5-7). Rahab flat out lied about keeping Israelite spies in her home, but was praised as an example of faith because of her actions (Hb 11.31). Then, of course, there’s I John 5.16-17: There’s a type of sin that doesn’t lead to death, and a type that does.
The Bible also teaches — unambiguously — that some things are wrong for some people, and not wrong for others (Rom 14.23; I Cor 8.7-8). The message of those texts is: 1. “Keep your beliefs about these things a secret between you and God, because it’s a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty” (Rom 14.22). 2. “Never do anything that would cause a weaker Christian to mess up” (Rom 14.13, I Cor 8.9, cf. Mt 18.7).
Where does humanity’s sense of right and wrong come from?
Some things are self-evident to most people. Most people understand that killing someone for no good reason is morally wrong. Most people understand that taking something that belongs to someone else is wrong. Not everyone is this regulated, though — I Timothy 1.9 says that the law was made for people inclined to harm others.
On the flip side, “sin gets its power from law” (I Cor 15.56, Rom 3.20, 5.20, 7.7-8), so we should be careful not to emphasize the regulation side of Christianity with people who are generally inclined to do the right thing.
But some things are not second nature. Not everyone understands that chasing happiness (which is often conflated with euphoria, pleasure, and dopamine) at the expense of someone else’s character or feelings is wrong. Fornication and adultery fall into this category. There are many (often understandable) reasons someone might fall for these, but none of them are ultimately justifiable. Not everyone understands that ordering their lives around anything other than God, or giving immense adoration and respect to a human over God, is wrong (this is idolatry). Our understanding of what is morally right in these (and other related) areas comes from God.
God’s standard of what’s right has always existed to benefit humanity, prevent abuse of the vulnerable, to give us the most fulfilling life here, and to make us eligible for rescue when Jesus returns. Morality is an extension of God’s existence. It is the first and last line of defense against darkness. This Earth is still around, so bad people and bad things still exist. God gave us a standard of right and wrong that we can’t always live up to, and that’s where grace comes in. But some things are always very wrong and can’t be practiced by anyone who wants to live forever.
Everyone must have an occupation. Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla were, “by their occupation,” tent makers (Acts 18:3). Demetrius and others at Ephesus were “silversmiths” (Acts 19:24-26). Joseph and his household were shepherds (Genesis 46:33-34). Jonah was a preacher (cf. John 1:8).
Spiritually, everyone will have a “vocation.” Christians have a calling of which they are to “walk worthy” (Ephesians 4:1). An individual, in obeying the gospel, is “hired” by God to “fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness” and work “the work of faith…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). The workers are “holy brethren,” the work a “heavenly calling,” the foreman is “Christ Jesus,” and the work order was appointed by “Him” (the Father) (Hebrews 3:1-2,4). but. even within the context of Hebrews 3, there is warning that Christians might, through hardness of heart, switch employers. The devil surely considers Christians as his most coveted and prized workers, for he already had the world on his “roll” (cf. 1 John 5:19). If the devil advertised, can you imagine the enticing tasks he would list to draw away God’s child?
“Needed: Hungry Cannibal. Must enjoy the taste of division and have an appetite for ‘devouring your brother.’ This job is risky, as you may get consumed by him. But, if you enjoy having ‘the brethren for lunch,’ this job is definitely for you. Ignore Galatians 5:15.”
“Skilled stage-actor wanted. If you are an experienced pretender at religion, enjoy playing church, and wear the name Christian only as a ‘front,’ your skills are needed immediately. Impure motives (Matthew 6:16), lip-service (Matthew 15:7-8), a knack for pretending to be holy while actually being wicked (Matthew 23:13-15,23, et al), and a joy of danger (Matthew 24:51) all are pluses!”
Opening for sheep thieves. Must employ ‘innovative approaches’ (John 10:1), have a willingness to ‘finish the job’ (John 10:10), have a glaring disrespect for the Shepherd, and intimidate the Shepherd’s hired hands (John 10:12). Will supply one camouflage uniform (Matthew 7:15).
“Work for pirates available. Can you shipwreck faith (1 Timothy 1:19)? Are you the type who enjoys ‘lying in wait’ to upset the ‘vessel’ of weak Christians (cf. Ephesians 4:14)? Are you bold enough to take hostages for your employer (2 Timothy 2:26)? An ability to take away from God’s word is an asset (Revelation 22:19). Apply immediately. Too much good is being accomplished.”
“Would you like a sales position? We need you to sell Divine truth (Proverbs 23:23), bargain for this world’s goods with your soul (Matthew 16:26), and be willing to make your children expendable to be a ‘success’ (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 22:6). All receipts are kept on file (cf. 2 Peter 2:13).”
“Experienced travel agent desired. Can you give tours of the :Far Country” of sin (cf. Luke 15:13)? Applicant needs to be able to lead others on our charted destinations (2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 3:17). If you can find creative routes away from the worship assemblies (Hebrews 10:25) and provide distracting excursions that lead groups away from involvement in church work (cf. Haggai 1:4,6; John 4:35; Matthew 25:24), we want you! Slothfulness (Hebrews 6:12) an appreciated quality for this job! Must be willing to travel away from your first love (Revelation 2:4).”
“Calling all unskilled carpenters: We are looking for individuals who build on the sand (Matthew 7:26-27). We will provide every foundation for you to build upon except Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10). You don’t even need to be good at framing (cf. Ephesians 2:21). We prefer that you keep busy rebuilding the sinful lifestyle you tore down by coming to the Lord (cf. Galatians 2:18; 2 Peter 2:0-22).”
All the while, Christ calls for workers, too (Matthew 9:37-38). Too many have answered the adversary’s ads (2 Corinthians 11:13; Philippians 3:2). both the Lord and “the Liar” (John 8:44) provide extensive retirement plans [after all, they’re both everlasting] (Matthew 25:46). While everyone will be rewarded according to his works (Matthew 16:27), the devil’s “perks” are profitless (cf. Romans 6:23)! Who are you working for?
One of the most difficult things (at least for me) to accept about grace is this: There’s nothing we can do to deserve it, or be “worthy” of it. When I sin, it just makes me feel even more unworthy. This can quickly devolve into apathy — why even try? Every sin seems to compound, every prayer for strength seems ignored. If prayers for strength are ignored, surely prayers for forgiveness are, too!
This mentality is not a healthy one. But how does one go from an intellectual understanding of grace’s power to accepting the reality of human imperfection? How do we prevent defeat in the aftermath of mistakes? If there’s a fix-all answer to this, I haven’t found it.
Perhaps the answer is a lack of faith. At its core, faith is really confidence — that God exists, that he rewards people who try hard to have a relationship with him, that his grace is enough for us because his power is most effectively displayed through weakness.
Maybe it’s disbelief. Does Jesus really forgive us when we sin? Yeah, Paul says “I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do the good I want to do, and I do the evil I hate. … But I am not really the one doing the evil. It is sin living in me that does it” (Rom 7.15, 17, 20). But later he says, “You are not ruled by your sinful selves. You are ruled by spirit, if God’s spirit really lives in you” (8.9). What does he mean by “ruled”? If I can’t seem to avoid sin, am I not ruled by it? What about Rom 6.2? “So do you think we should continue sinning so that God will give us more and more grace? Of course not! Our old sinful life ended. It’s dead. So how can we continue living in sin?” Which is it? Are we ok because we sin even when we don’t want to? Or are we in trouble because we’re not immune to sin? Maybe this would be better classed under confidence, but it’s so hard to believe that God still wants a relationship with people who claim to love him while vulnerable to sin’s influence.
Scripture seems to clear this up, if we can only accept its significance: “We know that the law is spiritual, but I am not. I am so human. Sin rules me as if I were its slave. I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do the good I want to do, I do the evil I hate. And if I don’t want to do what I do, that means I agree that the law is good” (Rom 7.14-16).
The question each person seems to have to answer is, “Do I really hate sin’s influence in my life?” God knows the true answer to that question. Romans 6.12 says, “Don’t let sin control your life here. You must not be ruled by the things your sinful self makes you want to do.” A few verses later, “In the past you were slaves to sin and you did not even think about doing right.” Verse 23, in the context of these chapters, says that all people are going to die physically because every human has sinned. But all who despise sin (while still vulnerable to its influence) and follow God will be “no longer under death’s power” because Jesus defeated sin’s ultimate punishment.
We can’t avoid death, just like we can’t avoid sin. Where our heart really is makes the difference. “So I have learned this rule: When I want to do good, evil is there with me. In my mind I am happy with God’s law. But I see another law working in my body. That law makes war against the law that my mind accepts. That other law working in my body is the law of sin, and that law makes me its prisoner.”
God knows we’re human. God knows we’re weak and constantly fighting sin’s influence. We’re not God, we’re not impervious to its control. Even Paul said, “What a miserable person I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death?” The answer is Jesus, the one who will rescue us from our current bodies if our “minds serve God’s law, even as our bodies serve the law of sin” (7.25).
Finally, “Now there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is because the law of the spirit of life that comes from Christ Jesus has freed us from the law of sin and death. … God used a human life to destroy sin.” What does this mean? This means if we live to do what God wants us to do, he will give our bodies life on the last day (8.11). We’re never going to be free of sin’s influence in our lives, but we choose our masters. Will we pursue sin with our hearts and actions, or will we serve God with our hearts while the weakness of sin only makes us anticipate freedom (8.18ff) even more? We aren’t doing this alone — we have Jesus defending us (I Jn 2.1-2) and we have God searching our intent (Rom 8.26-27).
“We know that everything God made has been waiting in pain like a woman ready to give birth to a child. Not just the created world, either — we’ve also been waiting with pain inside us. We have the spirit as the first part of God’s promise. So we are waiting for God to finish making us his children. I mean we are waiting for our bodies to be made free.”
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