Randy Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "jesus"
Justified. What's that?
There's this TV show about U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens of Kentucky. The name of the show is Justified. No, the TV show has nothing to do with the topic of this post, so go back to your widescreen if that's what you're looking for.
Consider another TV show which is more appropriate for our topic, viz., Perry Mason. I know, it's a bit dated and some of you young whippersnappers might not have a clue. But it IS more apposite for our subject than the other TV show is.
Picture in your mind's eye this imaginary courtroom. The defendant is accused of killing his wife. His defense attorney is none other than the famous Perry Mason himself. Mason's P.I. sniffs around the crime scene a while and does his stuff elsewhere, coming up with a goodly number of clues. Perry Mason does his stuff and figures out who the real culprit is.
At the conclusion of the trial the judge pounds his gavel on the judge's bench and roars in thunderous pronouncement, "NOT GUILTY!" Guess what? The defendant has just been justified. The word justification is a legal term which means "not guilty". It is really that simple, no matter how many paragraphs and chapters some theology textbooks use up in explaining it.
In Scripture we are taught by Judge Jesus that the absolute ONLY way to be justified is by grace through faith. The word grace refers to what God did all on His lonesome, and He freely bestows it on any person who will accept it by faith. The word faith has reference to what God teaches in the Bible. When we believe the Word of God in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we have Biblical faith.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father, that there is salvation—in our case justification—in on one but Jesus Christ. Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection out of death is the basis for man's "not guilty" verdict regarding sin. When we believe the Bible regarding this matter, believe it in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we are justified. All our sins become judged on the cross circa 30 A.D., and we are thenceforth "not guilty" regarding them.
Isn't God marvelous? Isn't He awesome? I'd much rather depend on Him for salvation than on myself. Me get to heaven? Not a chance! But me "in Christ" get to heaven? Without a doubt.
Consider another TV show which is more appropriate for our topic, viz., Perry Mason. I know, it's a bit dated and some of you young whippersnappers might not have a clue. But it IS more apposite for our subject than the other TV show is.
Picture in your mind's eye this imaginary courtroom. The defendant is accused of killing his wife. His defense attorney is none other than the famous Perry Mason himself. Mason's P.I. sniffs around the crime scene a while and does his stuff elsewhere, coming up with a goodly number of clues. Perry Mason does his stuff and figures out who the real culprit is.
At the conclusion of the trial the judge pounds his gavel on the judge's bench and roars in thunderous pronouncement, "NOT GUILTY!" Guess what? The defendant has just been justified. The word justification is a legal term which means "not guilty". It is really that simple, no matter how many paragraphs and chapters some theology textbooks use up in explaining it.
In Scripture we are taught by Judge Jesus that the absolute ONLY way to be justified is by grace through faith. The word grace refers to what God did all on His lonesome, and He freely bestows it on any person who will accept it by faith. The word faith has reference to what God teaches in the Bible. When we believe the Word of God in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we have Biblical faith.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father, that there is salvation—in our case justification—in on one but Jesus Christ. Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection out of death is the basis for man's "not guilty" verdict regarding sin. When we believe the Bible regarding this matter, believe it in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we are justified. All our sins become judged on the cross circa 30 A.D., and we are thenceforth "not guilty" regarding them.
Isn't God marvelous? Isn't He awesome? I'd much rather depend on Him for salvation than on myself. Me get to heaven? Not a chance! But me "in Christ" get to heaven? Without a doubt.
Turkey or jerky?
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [2 Corinthians 9:15].
Seems a fitting thought in the Thanksgiving season, does it not? God's "gift" is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He GAVE. Something "given" is a "gift".
This gift is "indescribable". It cannot be described. It cannot be put into words suitable to depict it. While we were still sinners—that is, while we hated God, shook our fist at him in rage, and bellicosely blurted anathemas at Him, saying, "We won't have this man Jesus to reign over us!"—while we were content to be like that, God gave His only Son to die as a sin offering in our stead. Yes, indescribable.
"Thanks be to God". It was God Who did this, so our thanksgiving belongs to Him. Yes, thanks should ring out for His indescribable gift of Jesus the Son of God.
So then why am I not feeling particularly thankful at this time? Go figure. Perhaps I had too much turkey...or was that too much beef jerky? Turkey. Now that is soft and edible, and usually quite tasty. It should evoke thanksgiving from us.
I can't speak for you, but beef jerky? Now that is another matter altogether! Can you imagine sitting around the family table for Thanksgiving, the full course meal spread out in decorative fashion, and there in the center is the turkey? Scratch that, it's not turkey at all. It's beef jerky!
Didn't think so. I can't imagine that either. Turkey is appreciated on Thanksgiving by most folks, but beef jerky only appeals to a select bunch. And no one wants it on Thanksgiving in place of the turkey! Maybe that's it. Maybe, just maybe, I've been indulging myself with beef jerky. Think I better switch to the turkey because Thanksgiving is not for crab apple faints: it's for cranberry saints.
Lord, You are worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. Forgive me, please, and fill my heart with Your joy. I want to be filled with thanksgiving for You on Thanksgiving Day and always. Amen.
Seems a fitting thought in the Thanksgiving season, does it not? God's "gift" is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He GAVE. Something "given" is a "gift".
This gift is "indescribable". It cannot be described. It cannot be put into words suitable to depict it. While we were still sinners—that is, while we hated God, shook our fist at him in rage, and bellicosely blurted anathemas at Him, saying, "We won't have this man Jesus to reign over us!"—while we were content to be like that, God gave His only Son to die as a sin offering in our stead. Yes, indescribable.
"Thanks be to God". It was God Who did this, so our thanksgiving belongs to Him. Yes, thanks should ring out for His indescribable gift of Jesus the Son of God.
So then why am I not feeling particularly thankful at this time? Go figure. Perhaps I had too much turkey...or was that too much beef jerky? Turkey. Now that is soft and edible, and usually quite tasty. It should evoke thanksgiving from us.
I can't speak for you, but beef jerky? Now that is another matter altogether! Can you imagine sitting around the family table for Thanksgiving, the full course meal spread out in decorative fashion, and there in the center is the turkey? Scratch that, it's not turkey at all. It's beef jerky!
Didn't think so. I can't imagine that either. Turkey is appreciated on Thanksgiving by most folks, but beef jerky only appeals to a select bunch. And no one wants it on Thanksgiving in place of the turkey! Maybe that's it. Maybe, just maybe, I've been indulging myself with beef jerky. Think I better switch to the turkey because Thanksgiving is not for crab apple faints: it's for cranberry saints.
Lord, You are worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. Forgive me, please, and fill my heart with Your joy. I want to be filled with thanksgiving for You on Thanksgiving Day and always. Amen.
Nowhere Else To Go
Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life [John 6:67-78].
It is the norm nowadays to view church and religion as being equivalent to salvation, as being the same as eternal life. If I go to church I must be saved. If I am religious in any way I must have eternal life.
Truth be told, church is often predominantly activities and programs. Christians are so busy with these functions they have little to no time left for personal time with the Lord. Bible reading and meditation is replaced with shortcuts like puny daily devotionals and quick booklets about the Bible. But, dear people, where is Jesus in all that?
The Gospel is a Person, not programs and activities. Programs and activities never died for anyone! This doesn't mean we should have no programs and activities. It means that programs and activities are not a substitute for the Person of Jesus Christ. We can have programs and activities without Jesus and look mighty fine and religious. But we cannot live the Gospel that way. Either we have a personal relationship with Jesus, or else we haven't the Gospel.
Peter didn't say, "Lord, what other programs and activities can we employ?" He said, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. Notice the personal pronouns "whom" and "You". Peter knew that eternal life was a Person, viz., Jesus Christ. First the disciples related to Jesus the Person. Only then did they perform ministry functions because they were related to Him.
Think I need to retire to the prayer closet for a space and allow the Lord to search my heart and mind as only He can do. Am I daily spending time alone with this Person Who is eternal life? Or am I too busy socializing and running hither and yon in a hustle and bustle of activities? Hmm. I wonder...
To further research this issue, I direct you to my two books Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
It is the norm nowadays to view church and religion as being equivalent to salvation, as being the same as eternal life. If I go to church I must be saved. If I am religious in any way I must have eternal life.
Truth be told, church is often predominantly activities and programs. Christians are so busy with these functions they have little to no time left for personal time with the Lord. Bible reading and meditation is replaced with shortcuts like puny daily devotionals and quick booklets about the Bible. But, dear people, where is Jesus in all that?
The Gospel is a Person, not programs and activities. Programs and activities never died for anyone! This doesn't mean we should have no programs and activities. It means that programs and activities are not a substitute for the Person of Jesus Christ. We can have programs and activities without Jesus and look mighty fine and religious. But we cannot live the Gospel that way. Either we have a personal relationship with Jesus, or else we haven't the Gospel.
Peter didn't say, "Lord, what other programs and activities can we employ?" He said, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. Notice the personal pronouns "whom" and "You". Peter knew that eternal life was a Person, viz., Jesus Christ. First the disciples related to Jesus the Person. Only then did they perform ministry functions because they were related to Him.
Think I need to retire to the prayer closet for a space and allow the Lord to search my heart and mind as only He can do. Am I daily spending time alone with this Person Who is eternal life? Or am I too busy socializing and running hither and yon in a hustle and bustle of activities? Hmm. I wonder...
To further research this issue, I direct you to my two books Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
When Perfect Is Not A Good Thing – Part 1
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God [John 3:16-18].
John 3:16 is one of the most recognized Bible verses ever. It can be seen displayed on signs and placards at fooball games and other sports. Even the simple chapter/verse identification is well known, being akin to a slogan. The phrase “John 3:16” by itself is equivalent to the words of the verse.
But those words are not our topic of discussion for today. They are included because it is awkward to separate v.16 from verses 17-18. We need the context of vv.16-17 to understand where v.18 is coming from, you see. Verse 18 is our topic for discussion.
Let’s read v.18 together, shall we?
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Notice in those words two classifications of people. On one side is the only begotten Son of God, on the other is mankind. Notice the two categories of humans. Some of us believe in Him, while others do not believe.
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, brings separation to the ranks of mankind. He causes division within families, within churches, within marriages, between friends and neighbors. Jesus Christ first separates the wheat from the chaff, the dross from the molten metal, before He brings peace with God to man. This perforce must occur on an individual basis. Each person is required to make his own choice of his own free will.
How does this transpire? Well, first Jesus proclaims the Gospel, which includes the truth that all men and women have sinned and are separated from God. It also includes the truth that Jesus is the only way for man to return to God. Jesus makes this possible in Himself because He died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind.
Any person who accepts this Word of God (i.e., has faith or belief), and receives Jesus’ death as the substitute offering for his own sins, has the penalty for his sins paid. Ergo, he no longer stands guilty before God’s tribunal. He is not judged.
Any person who does not receive Jesus’ death as the substitute offering for his own sins—i.e., has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God—does not have the penalty for his sins paid. He does stand guilty before God’s tribunal. But here is the detail we must understand: such a one has been judged already. He won’t stand before God’s tribunal to be judged because God already declared him guilty. He will stand before God’s tribunal for sentencing.
Contrast the two categories of mankind created by the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
• believes in Him
• does not believe
Add to this the contrast in the result of believing or not believing:
• is not judged
• has been judged already
I of necessity must talk a tad about Greek tenses here. But not to worry. I will keep it short and simple. The first result leads to a present tense verb. This means it is a continuous occurrence, a continuous present existence. In other words the believer is currently and continuously NOT JUDGED. He doesn’t have to wait until he stands before God’s tribunal to hear His verdict. The verdict is already given as an established fact, with the result being that the person who believes in the Lord Jesus as His substitute sin offering is not ever called before God’s tribunal to stand trial. He is NOT JUDGED! Rather, he is already justified (i.e., declared “not guilty!”).
The second result is not such a pleasant thing to discuss, but it is utterly real and needs our full attention. The second result stems from the past, not the present or the future. Still, it is not a past tense verb, which in the Greek is known as the aorist tense. No! It is a perfect tense verb.
But time to take a breather and sip on some spiritual Gatorade. I will explain the distinction in the next study. You won’t want to miss it because it is deeply revealing.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
John 3:16 is one of the most recognized Bible verses ever. It can be seen displayed on signs and placards at fooball games and other sports. Even the simple chapter/verse identification is well known, being akin to a slogan. The phrase “John 3:16” by itself is equivalent to the words of the verse.
But those words are not our topic of discussion for today. They are included because it is awkward to separate v.16 from verses 17-18. We need the context of vv.16-17 to understand where v.18 is coming from, you see. Verse 18 is our topic for discussion.
Let’s read v.18 together, shall we?
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Notice in those words two classifications of people. On one side is the only begotten Son of God, on the other is mankind. Notice the two categories of humans. Some of us believe in Him, while others do not believe.
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, brings separation to the ranks of mankind. He causes division within families, within churches, within marriages, between friends and neighbors. Jesus Christ first separates the wheat from the chaff, the dross from the molten metal, before He brings peace with God to man. This perforce must occur on an individual basis. Each person is required to make his own choice of his own free will.
How does this transpire? Well, first Jesus proclaims the Gospel, which includes the truth that all men and women have sinned and are separated from God. It also includes the truth that Jesus is the only way for man to return to God. Jesus makes this possible in Himself because He died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind.
Any person who accepts this Word of God (i.e., has faith or belief), and receives Jesus’ death as the substitute offering for his own sins, has the penalty for his sins paid. Ergo, he no longer stands guilty before God’s tribunal. He is not judged.
Any person who does not receive Jesus’ death as the substitute offering for his own sins—i.e., has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God—does not have the penalty for his sins paid. He does stand guilty before God’s tribunal. But here is the detail we must understand: such a one has been judged already. He won’t stand before God’s tribunal to be judged because God already declared him guilty. He will stand before God’s tribunal for sentencing.
Contrast the two categories of mankind created by the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
• believes in Him
• does not believe
Add to this the contrast in the result of believing or not believing:
• is not judged
• has been judged already
I of necessity must talk a tad about Greek tenses here. But not to worry. I will keep it short and simple. The first result leads to a present tense verb. This means it is a continuous occurrence, a continuous present existence. In other words the believer is currently and continuously NOT JUDGED. He doesn’t have to wait until he stands before God’s tribunal to hear His verdict. The verdict is already given as an established fact, with the result being that the person who believes in the Lord Jesus as His substitute sin offering is not ever called before God’s tribunal to stand trial. He is NOT JUDGED! Rather, he is already justified (i.e., declared “not guilty!”).
The second result is not such a pleasant thing to discuss, but it is utterly real and needs our full attention. The second result stems from the past, not the present or the future. Still, it is not a past tense verb, which in the Greek is known as the aorist tense. No! It is a perfect tense verb.
But time to take a breather and sip on some spiritual Gatorade. I will explain the distinction in the next study. You won’t want to miss it because it is deeply revealing.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
When Perfect Is Not A Good Thing – Part 2
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God [John 3:16-18].
Let me explain the difference between the aorist tense and the perfect tense of Greek verbs. I believe you will agree with me that sometimes being perfect is not a good thing. You needn’t remember the names of the verb tenses, dear friends, only the difference between them. The Holy Spirit purposely chose the verb tenses to teach us a lot of deep spiritual truth.
The aorist tense means that something happened in the past one time only, and that is the extent of the action. The perfect tense means that something occurred in the past one time only, but the emphasis is on its continuing effect. Whatever occurred continues to remain true up to the present day. “Once upon a time something happened” = aorist tense. “Once upon a time something happened, and now look at the mess we’re in!” = perfect tense.
Here is a for instance to help understand what I just stated. Aorist Tense: “He killed a man two years ago.” Perfect Tense: “He has contracted AIDS and now is incurable.” See! In the first example the person isn’t continuously killing a man. Nor does the sentence refer to anything going on today. Once upon a time two years ago this person killed a man. Period. That’s all the past tense verb states.
In the second example the person isn’t continuously contracting AIDS. Nor does the sentence simply note that at one point in the past he contracted AIDS. The verb being perfect tense, the emphasis is upon the man’s AIDS having the continuing effect of rendering him incurable to the present day. I hope this helps you to understand the distinction because vital spiritual understanding grows out of this field. Let’s harvest it now, shall we?
In John 3:18 anyone who believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not judged. The verb is present tense. We explained five paragraphs prior what this means. In contrast, though, anyone who does not believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been judge already. The verb is perfect tense. This means that sometime in the past the person was already judged guilty, and the effect of this judgment is that he continues to remain guilty. The emphasis is upon his present condition, which was caused sometime in the past.
A weighty Biblical mystery is revealed by this usage of verb tenses. God created each species to produce after its own kind. It matters not whether it be vegetable, animal, or human. Apple seeds do not grow pears, not thistles produce corn. Monkeys do not evolve into humans either! Apple seeds grow apple trees which produce more apples. Monkeys give birth to monkeys. Humans give birth to humans. It matters not how many surreal ages of evolution we add to the mix of our hypothesis, no one has ever seen anything in real life which shows one species changing into another.
The Bible has a penchant for employing visible physical realities to teach us invisible spiritual truths. The fact that each species ALWAYS reproduces after its own kind is one example of this. How so? Just this, that sinners cannot produce saints. Sinners produce sinners. When Father Adam sinned, he became a sinner. Whereas every human being has a genealogy which traces back to Father Adam, every human being is a sinner. Why? Because Father Adam was a sinner, and sinners can only reproduce sinners.
This is the reason why any person who does not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been judged already, and I might add that he has been found wanting and condemned already. Don’t miss the implications of this. The perfect tense verb usage in John 3:18 proclaims the doctrine of the total depravity of man. We are born sinners. We are born with a sin nature. We are born with a predilection to disobey the Word of God, to reject Him and do our own thing.
• the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
• all have sinned (Romans 3:23)
• ergo, all must die.
We have already been judged and condemned, you see, because we are sinners. UNTIL we believe the Gospel and accept Jesus Christ as the payment for our sins, we remain in that condition (perfect tense). Anytime a person does accept Jesus’ death as the payment for his sins, he is not judged because he is no longer a sinner. The penalty for his sins has already been paid by the Lord Jesus on the cross, and IT IS FINISHED!
Hallelujah! Such a profound and wonderful mystery to be revealed by the simple usage of verb tenses. Each person is born dead in his sins and separated from God. Each person remains this way until he hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and accepts Jesus as His Savior. Fine revelation, that.
So this is your chance. If you have yet to believe the Gospel, what are you waiting for? Behold, now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Let me explain the difference between the aorist tense and the perfect tense of Greek verbs. I believe you will agree with me that sometimes being perfect is not a good thing. You needn’t remember the names of the verb tenses, dear friends, only the difference between them. The Holy Spirit purposely chose the verb tenses to teach us a lot of deep spiritual truth.
The aorist tense means that something happened in the past one time only, and that is the extent of the action. The perfect tense means that something occurred in the past one time only, but the emphasis is on its continuing effect. Whatever occurred continues to remain true up to the present day. “Once upon a time something happened” = aorist tense. “Once upon a time something happened, and now look at the mess we’re in!” = perfect tense.
Here is a for instance to help understand what I just stated. Aorist Tense: “He killed a man two years ago.” Perfect Tense: “He has contracted AIDS and now is incurable.” See! In the first example the person isn’t continuously killing a man. Nor does the sentence refer to anything going on today. Once upon a time two years ago this person killed a man. Period. That’s all the past tense verb states.
In the second example the person isn’t continuously contracting AIDS. Nor does the sentence simply note that at one point in the past he contracted AIDS. The verb being perfect tense, the emphasis is upon the man’s AIDS having the continuing effect of rendering him incurable to the present day. I hope this helps you to understand the distinction because vital spiritual understanding grows out of this field. Let’s harvest it now, shall we?
In John 3:18 anyone who believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not judged. The verb is present tense. We explained five paragraphs prior what this means. In contrast, though, anyone who does not believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been judge already. The verb is perfect tense. This means that sometime in the past the person was already judged guilty, and the effect of this judgment is that he continues to remain guilty. The emphasis is upon his present condition, which was caused sometime in the past.
A weighty Biblical mystery is revealed by this usage of verb tenses. God created each species to produce after its own kind. It matters not whether it be vegetable, animal, or human. Apple seeds do not grow pears, not thistles produce corn. Monkeys do not evolve into humans either! Apple seeds grow apple trees which produce more apples. Monkeys give birth to monkeys. Humans give birth to humans. It matters not how many surreal ages of evolution we add to the mix of our hypothesis, no one has ever seen anything in real life which shows one species changing into another.
The Bible has a penchant for employing visible physical realities to teach us invisible spiritual truths. The fact that each species ALWAYS reproduces after its own kind is one example of this. How so? Just this, that sinners cannot produce saints. Sinners produce sinners. When Father Adam sinned, he became a sinner. Whereas every human being has a genealogy which traces back to Father Adam, every human being is a sinner. Why? Because Father Adam was a sinner, and sinners can only reproduce sinners.
This is the reason why any person who does not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been judged already, and I might add that he has been found wanting and condemned already. Don’t miss the implications of this. The perfect tense verb usage in John 3:18 proclaims the doctrine of the total depravity of man. We are born sinners. We are born with a sin nature. We are born with a predilection to disobey the Word of God, to reject Him and do our own thing.
• the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
• all have sinned (Romans 3:23)
• ergo, all must die.
We have already been judged and condemned, you see, because we are sinners. UNTIL we believe the Gospel and accept Jesus Christ as the payment for our sins, we remain in that condition (perfect tense). Anytime a person does accept Jesus’ death as the payment for his sins, he is not judged because he is no longer a sinner. The penalty for his sins has already been paid by the Lord Jesus on the cross, and IT IS FINISHED!
Hallelujah! Such a profound and wonderful mystery to be revealed by the simple usage of verb tenses. Each person is born dead in his sins and separated from God. Each person remains this way until he hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and accepts Jesus as His Savior. Fine revelation, that.
So this is your chance. If you have yet to believe the Gospel, what are you waiting for? Behold, now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
My Hero – Part 1
“I myself (i.e., John the Baptist) have seen, and have testified that this (i.e., Jesus) is the Son of God.” [John 1:34]
Now when John (i.e., the Baptist), while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” [Matthew 11:2-3]
Hero worship is about the most commonplace practice in the world today. Everyone is looking for a hero…including Bonnie Tyler. Yes, you and I are included in “everyone”. Don’t believe me? When you watch the football game, you have your heroes and your goats. When you want to buy a product, you have your heroes and your goats. When you want to go to a restaurant, you have your… Well, you get the point. We all have our heroes.
This extends to the church too. Some folks worship Luther, some Calvin, and some John Knox. Some prefer labels like Calvinism, others Arminianism, and still others Lutheranism. There are the Pentecostals, the Baptists, the Episcopalians, and the Catholics. You name it, there’s an “ism” for it. We all have our heroes.
In the Corinthian Church of the Apostle Paul’s day, they had there heroes. Listen to Paul portray the quarrelsome bunch:
Each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” [1 Corinthians 1:12]
You see, heroes occur in the church too. Paul was a good steward of Christ. Apollos was a good steward of Christ. Cephas was a good steward of Christ. And Christ…well, He is Christ! Nothing was wrong with admiring such godly men for their service to our Lord. But the Corinthians took it a step further and turned them into heroes, to the extent they were on a level above men.
In many high church denominations you can take a gander at statues of the Apostles. These godly men are put on a pedestal and worshiped. Oh, I know, folks in those denominations deny that is what they are doing, but in actual practice that is what is done. Some even go so far as to pray to these super-heroes, stealing God’s prerogatives and giving them to mere men.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to bash specific denominations. I here to shine light on darkness and get to the truth of the Bible. In one way or another hero worship is a product of today’s world, whether it be in sports or TV or movies or music. The church should is to be salt and light in the world to lead unbelievers out of hero worship to God worship. Sadly, but we’re sometimes saltless and dark and participate in hero worship right along with them. Lord, forgive us.
Allow me to cite one example of how Christians have confronted me with hero worship. John the Baptist was one of the most godly men of his time, and of all time too. Still, he was a man, a sinner who needed a Savior to provide him with righteousness and eternal life. He wasn’t perfect, or all-powerful, or all-knowing. He had flaws and fell short of the glory of God, just as every other son of Adam has always done and will always do this side of eternity.
This being the case, we should not feel the need to justify John Baptist’s flaws or weaknesses when they appear in Scripture. But some Christians do just that, should John Baptist (or any other godly man in the Bible) have his warts exposed. Not that you or I are to expose anyone’s failings, mind you. The Bible does a good job of that all on its own! My job as a teacher is to teach the Bible, and I haven’t the luxury of leaving some of it out because some Christians need to have perfect heroes to worship.
Oh, it’s time to stop again. We will continue this topic in our next study. In the interim spend some time in prayer about this matter. Who are your heroes? How high are you exalting them? Do you look to them instead of to the Lord Jesus Christ?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Now when John (i.e., the Baptist), while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” [Matthew 11:2-3]
Hero worship is about the most commonplace practice in the world today. Everyone is looking for a hero…including Bonnie Tyler. Yes, you and I are included in “everyone”. Don’t believe me? When you watch the football game, you have your heroes and your goats. When you want to buy a product, you have your heroes and your goats. When you want to go to a restaurant, you have your… Well, you get the point. We all have our heroes.
This extends to the church too. Some folks worship Luther, some Calvin, and some John Knox. Some prefer labels like Calvinism, others Arminianism, and still others Lutheranism. There are the Pentecostals, the Baptists, the Episcopalians, and the Catholics. You name it, there’s an “ism” for it. We all have our heroes.
In the Corinthian Church of the Apostle Paul’s day, they had there heroes. Listen to Paul portray the quarrelsome bunch:
Each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” [1 Corinthians 1:12]
You see, heroes occur in the church too. Paul was a good steward of Christ. Apollos was a good steward of Christ. Cephas was a good steward of Christ. And Christ…well, He is Christ! Nothing was wrong with admiring such godly men for their service to our Lord. But the Corinthians took it a step further and turned them into heroes, to the extent they were on a level above men.
In many high church denominations you can take a gander at statues of the Apostles. These godly men are put on a pedestal and worshiped. Oh, I know, folks in those denominations deny that is what they are doing, but in actual practice that is what is done. Some even go so far as to pray to these super-heroes, stealing God’s prerogatives and giving them to mere men.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to bash specific denominations. I here to shine light on darkness and get to the truth of the Bible. In one way or another hero worship is a product of today’s world, whether it be in sports or TV or movies or music. The church should is to be salt and light in the world to lead unbelievers out of hero worship to God worship. Sadly, but we’re sometimes saltless and dark and participate in hero worship right along with them. Lord, forgive us.
Allow me to cite one example of how Christians have confronted me with hero worship. John the Baptist was one of the most godly men of his time, and of all time too. Still, he was a man, a sinner who needed a Savior to provide him with righteousness and eternal life. He wasn’t perfect, or all-powerful, or all-knowing. He had flaws and fell short of the glory of God, just as every other son of Adam has always done and will always do this side of eternity.
This being the case, we should not feel the need to justify John Baptist’s flaws or weaknesses when they appear in Scripture. But some Christians do just that, should John Baptist (or any other godly man in the Bible) have his warts exposed. Not that you or I are to expose anyone’s failings, mind you. The Bible does a good job of that all on its own! My job as a teacher is to teach the Bible, and I haven’t the luxury of leaving some of it out because some Christians need to have perfect heroes to worship.
Oh, it’s time to stop again. We will continue this topic in our next study. In the interim spend some time in prayer about this matter. Who are your heroes? How high are you exalting them? Do you look to them instead of to the Lord Jesus Christ?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
My Hero – Part 2
“I myself (i.e., John the Baptist) have seen, and have testified that this (i.e., Jesus) is the Son of God.” [John 1:34]
Now when John (i.e., the Baptist), while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” [Matthew 11:2-3]
In our last study we expatiated on the hazards of hero worship in the church. Permit me now to interpret the Bible verses quoted at the initiation of this study. In them we encounter what appears to be a contradiction, but there is no contradiction. Every man of God is susceptible to doubts and fears at times. It is a part of life. It is a part of our sinful human nature. Our job as men and women of God is to grow from these failings by learning to trust the Lord better, not cover them up as if we are too perfect to fail.
Let’s get to the Bible verses with which we began this study. Jesus began His ministry at about 30 years of age. He was baptized by John the Baptist, who recognized Jesus as the Son of God. Read John 1:29-36 and get the full extent of John Baptist’s recognition of Jesus’ true identity.
Some time later John Baptist was arrested by that no-account Herod for preaching the Law of Moses to him. So Herod tossed John Baptist into prison. After considerable time as John rotted in prison, he heard about the ministry Jesus was conducting. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. He fed multitudes of people by multiplying scanty amounts of food. He freed the prisoners too…but not John the Baptist.
The prevailing belief amongst the Jews back in the day was that the Messiah was soon to appear. John Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah. It was also the prevailing belief that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior, a military conqueror who whupped the Gentiles and restored Israel as God’s ruling world power. It is no stretch to see John Baptist as holding to that belief. Jesus’ own disciples did!
So there was John Baptist rotting in prison, and awaiting Messiah Jesus to overthrow Herod, re-establish the Kingdom of God on earth, and free Prisoner John. But the reports he heard about Jesus’ ministry showed a humble and gentle Shepherd of the sheep, not a mighty warrior. Jesus didn’t raise an army. He didn’t even raise His voice much.
This didn’t jell with John Baptist. He was utterly taken aback by Jesus’ behavior. So John sent some of his disciples to Jesus to ask, “What gives? You’re supposed to be the Messiah. So stop doing this touchy-feely stuff and start messiah-ing already! Lead an army to conquer the Gentiles and overthrow Herod.”
Some Christians hold John the Baptist as a hero to worship. There were times when I taught this truth out of the Bible, and they charged at me with bayonets attached to cut me down to size. You see, they are hero worshipers, and heroes don’t make mistakes or fall short. I offended their sense of propriety when it comes to addressing heroes.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Hero. Our heavenly Father is my Hero. The Holy Spirit is my Hero. Everyone else is somewhere far below them. Some of us are much better than others, but none of us deserves to be the Christian’s hero. When we fix our eyes on men like that, we wind up following men instead of the Lord Jesus. Let’s be in prayer about this and rectify hero worship in the Church.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Now when John (i.e., the Baptist), while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” [Matthew 11:2-3]
In our last study we expatiated on the hazards of hero worship in the church. Permit me now to interpret the Bible verses quoted at the initiation of this study. In them we encounter what appears to be a contradiction, but there is no contradiction. Every man of God is susceptible to doubts and fears at times. It is a part of life. It is a part of our sinful human nature. Our job as men and women of God is to grow from these failings by learning to trust the Lord better, not cover them up as if we are too perfect to fail.
Let’s get to the Bible verses with which we began this study. Jesus began His ministry at about 30 years of age. He was baptized by John the Baptist, who recognized Jesus as the Son of God. Read John 1:29-36 and get the full extent of John Baptist’s recognition of Jesus’ true identity.
Some time later John Baptist was arrested by that no-account Herod for preaching the Law of Moses to him. So Herod tossed John Baptist into prison. After considerable time as John rotted in prison, he heard about the ministry Jesus was conducting. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. He fed multitudes of people by multiplying scanty amounts of food. He freed the prisoners too…but not John the Baptist.
The prevailing belief amongst the Jews back in the day was that the Messiah was soon to appear. John Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah. It was also the prevailing belief that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior, a military conqueror who whupped the Gentiles and restored Israel as God’s ruling world power. It is no stretch to see John Baptist as holding to that belief. Jesus’ own disciples did!
So there was John Baptist rotting in prison, and awaiting Messiah Jesus to overthrow Herod, re-establish the Kingdom of God on earth, and free Prisoner John. But the reports he heard about Jesus’ ministry showed a humble and gentle Shepherd of the sheep, not a mighty warrior. Jesus didn’t raise an army. He didn’t even raise His voice much.
This didn’t jell with John Baptist. He was utterly taken aback by Jesus’ behavior. So John sent some of his disciples to Jesus to ask, “What gives? You’re supposed to be the Messiah. So stop doing this touchy-feely stuff and start messiah-ing already! Lead an army to conquer the Gentiles and overthrow Herod.”
Some Christians hold John the Baptist as a hero to worship. There were times when I taught this truth out of the Bible, and they charged at me with bayonets attached to cut me down to size. You see, they are hero worshipers, and heroes don’t make mistakes or fall short. I offended their sense of propriety when it comes to addressing heroes.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Hero. Our heavenly Father is my Hero. The Holy Spirit is my Hero. Everyone else is somewhere far below them. Some of us are much better than others, but none of us deserves to be the Christian’s hero. When we fix our eyes on men like that, we wind up following men instead of the Lord Jesus. Let’s be in prayer about this and rectify hero worship in the Church.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Janus the Baptist? – Part 1
For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John [Matthew 11:13].
It’s Final Four week, that time of the year when the four best men’s college basketball teams go at it to determine a national champion. Consider how men’s college basketball games are structured. There are two halves, with each consisting of twenty minutes, for a total of forty minutes per game.
Once a college player graduates, if he is fortunate enough to move on to the NBA, he discovers he must make some changes in his perception of the game. For one thing there are no more “halves”, and for another the game no longer lasts forty minutes. The NBA game is divided into quarters, with each consisting of twelve minutes, for a total of forty-eight minutes per game.
And then there is the matter of how many games are played in a season. For the college ranks the number hovers around thirty, but for the NBA it soars to eighty-two. Hmm. “30” versus “82”. That’s a lot of difference! So no longer are there around 30 games per year, each consisting of only forty minutes. Suddenly the one-time college player must play 82 games of forty-eight minutes each. Think those guys are worn down by the end of the regular season?
I thought about this when I read the quoted text which began our study today. College rules apply for a time, then suddenly new and entirely different rules apply for the NBA. So it was with the Covenant of Law versus the Covenant of Grace.
Jesus noted how long the Covenant of Law lasted when he declared, “all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John”. That would be the John of John Baptist fame. UNTIL JOHN, i.e., up until the time of John the Baptist, the Law and the prophets were in effect. The Old Covenant was God’s rule of Law for Israel.
Then suddenly the forty minute games became forty-eight minutes long, and the two halves transformed into four quarters. What once consisted of about 30 games suddenly metamorphosed into 82 games. Things were drastically different, you see, once John the Baptist came on the scene.
This calls to mind the Roman god Janus. Janus had two faces, with one facing behind and the other facing forward. The name “Janus” is where our month “January” derives its name. Janus looked to the past and to the future at the same time. Just as January 1 begins a new year by looking backward and then going forward, so to did the Roman god Janus. Janus signified the end of one thing and the start of another.
Oh, dear. We’ve come to the end of the line already. Let’s call it a day and begin afresh tomorrow. Some time alone with Jesus sounds about right just now. Won’t you join in?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
It’s Final Four week, that time of the year when the four best men’s college basketball teams go at it to determine a national champion. Consider how men’s college basketball games are structured. There are two halves, with each consisting of twenty minutes, for a total of forty minutes per game.
Once a college player graduates, if he is fortunate enough to move on to the NBA, he discovers he must make some changes in his perception of the game. For one thing there are no more “halves”, and for another the game no longer lasts forty minutes. The NBA game is divided into quarters, with each consisting of twelve minutes, for a total of forty-eight minutes per game.
And then there is the matter of how many games are played in a season. For the college ranks the number hovers around thirty, but for the NBA it soars to eighty-two. Hmm. “30” versus “82”. That’s a lot of difference! So no longer are there around 30 games per year, each consisting of only forty minutes. Suddenly the one-time college player must play 82 games of forty-eight minutes each. Think those guys are worn down by the end of the regular season?
I thought about this when I read the quoted text which began our study today. College rules apply for a time, then suddenly new and entirely different rules apply for the NBA. So it was with the Covenant of Law versus the Covenant of Grace.
Jesus noted how long the Covenant of Law lasted when he declared, “all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John”. That would be the John of John Baptist fame. UNTIL JOHN, i.e., up until the time of John the Baptist, the Law and the prophets were in effect. The Old Covenant was God’s rule of Law for Israel.
Then suddenly the forty minute games became forty-eight minutes long, and the two halves transformed into four quarters. What once consisted of about 30 games suddenly metamorphosed into 82 games. Things were drastically different, you see, once John the Baptist came on the scene.
This calls to mind the Roman god Janus. Janus had two faces, with one facing behind and the other facing forward. The name “Janus” is where our month “January” derives its name. Janus looked to the past and to the future at the same time. Just as January 1 begins a new year by looking backward and then going forward, so to did the Roman god Janus. Janus signified the end of one thing and the start of another.
Oh, dear. We’ve come to the end of the line already. Let’s call it a day and begin afresh tomorrow. Some time alone with Jesus sounds about right just now. Won’t you join in?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Janus the Baptist? – Part 2
For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John [Matthew 11:13].
We concluded our last study by observing how the Roman god Janus signified the end of one thing and the start of another thing. This concept has great bearing on the text quoted to begin this study. The Covenant of Law lasted until John Baptist arrived on the scene. Suddenly the Covenant of Grace took center stage, whether it was evident to folks at the time or not. Can anyone say “Janus the Baptist”?
The period of time from John the Baptist until the day of Pentecost fifty days after Jesus rose out of death was a sort of transition period. God sent His Son Jesus into the world, Jesus the God-man, in fulfillment of His promise to provide mankind with the seed of the woman. Jesus is Israel’s promised Messiah. Jesus is the prophet like Moses (Deut.18:15). Jesus is the One who implemented the Covenant of Grace (John 1:17).
John the Baptist was the person sent from God to identify the Messiah. John baptized people as a sign of repentance, in order to prepare them for the Messiah when He appeared. Then John identified Jesus as the Messiah, after which he directed people to follow Jesus their Messiah.
This means John began his ministry while Israel was under the Covenant of Law, but he departed this earth after the Covenant of Grace was being proclaimed by Jesus. Ergo, the time of John the Baptist was a transition period between the Covenant of Law and the Covenant of Grace. This made John the Baptist a sort of Janus. Janus the Baptist… Has a nice ring to it.
The transition period ended and the Covenant of Grace came in full force, when the Church was born on Pentecost. The birth of the Church signified the temporary setting aside of the nation of Israel as the people through whom God would carry out His plan for the earth. From that time until the Rapture of the Church at the end of the Church Age, the Church contains the people through whom God is carrying on His work on earth.
The Law came through Moses and was given to the Israelites as the legal code for the Promised Land while Israel dwelt there. Grace came through Messiah Jesus and is given to the Church during the Church Age.
This is why Jesus declared that the the Old Covenant was preached until John the Baptist came on the scene. John introduced Jesus the Messiah to Israel under the Law. Jesus did several things as the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world (i.e., the seed of the woman). Here are some of them:
1. He fulfilled the Law for Israel
2. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for mankind’s sins
3. He rose out of death to provide forgiven sinners with new life
4. He ascended to heaven as the high priest for redeemed men
5. He sent the Holy Spirit to give birth to the Church
So why would anyone in his right mind want to put himself under bondage to the Law and the prophets again? That’s lunacy! Jesus freed us from bondage to the Law, enabling us to freely live for Him in holiness.
The Law and the prophets lasted until John the Baptist. John’s long been gone. Now is the day of grace. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We concluded our last study by observing how the Roman god Janus signified the end of one thing and the start of another thing. This concept has great bearing on the text quoted to begin this study. The Covenant of Law lasted until John Baptist arrived on the scene. Suddenly the Covenant of Grace took center stage, whether it was evident to folks at the time or not. Can anyone say “Janus the Baptist”?
The period of time from John the Baptist until the day of Pentecost fifty days after Jesus rose out of death was a sort of transition period. God sent His Son Jesus into the world, Jesus the God-man, in fulfillment of His promise to provide mankind with the seed of the woman. Jesus is Israel’s promised Messiah. Jesus is the prophet like Moses (Deut.18:15). Jesus is the One who implemented the Covenant of Grace (John 1:17).
John the Baptist was the person sent from God to identify the Messiah. John baptized people as a sign of repentance, in order to prepare them for the Messiah when He appeared. Then John identified Jesus as the Messiah, after which he directed people to follow Jesus their Messiah.
This means John began his ministry while Israel was under the Covenant of Law, but he departed this earth after the Covenant of Grace was being proclaimed by Jesus. Ergo, the time of John the Baptist was a transition period between the Covenant of Law and the Covenant of Grace. This made John the Baptist a sort of Janus. Janus the Baptist… Has a nice ring to it.
The transition period ended and the Covenant of Grace came in full force, when the Church was born on Pentecost. The birth of the Church signified the temporary setting aside of the nation of Israel as the people through whom God would carry out His plan for the earth. From that time until the Rapture of the Church at the end of the Church Age, the Church contains the people through whom God is carrying on His work on earth.
The Law came through Moses and was given to the Israelites as the legal code for the Promised Land while Israel dwelt there. Grace came through Messiah Jesus and is given to the Church during the Church Age.
This is why Jesus declared that the the Old Covenant was preached until John the Baptist came on the scene. John introduced Jesus the Messiah to Israel under the Law. Jesus did several things as the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world (i.e., the seed of the woman). Here are some of them:
1. He fulfilled the Law for Israel
2. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for mankind’s sins
3. He rose out of death to provide forgiven sinners with new life
4. He ascended to heaven as the high priest for redeemed men
5. He sent the Holy Spirit to give birth to the Church
So why would anyone in his right mind want to put himself under bondage to the Law and the prophets again? That’s lunacy! Jesus freed us from bondage to the Law, enabling us to freely live for Him in holiness.
The Law and the prophets lasted until John the Baptist. John’s long been gone. Now is the day of grace. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Foolish Sages and Wimpy Brutes – Part 1
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God [1 Corinthians 1:22-24].
I recall this phrase that has made the rounds for generations now. It goes something like this:
There are all kinds of people in the world.
In some sense this may well be true. According to the three verses quoted above, God only recognizes three kinds of people. Let’s itemize them for ready reference:
1. Jews
2. Gentiles (Greeks)
3. the called of God
Each of these three types of people is identified by a distinguishing characteristic. We will also itemize the three characteristics, listing each one accoriding to the order of the three types of people above:
1. ask for signs
2. search for wisdom
3. preach Christ crucified
There is one more detail given in the quoted text we mustn’t leave out. The called of God preach Christ crucified. The additional detail we mentioned is this: the preaching of Christ crucified receives three different responses, depending on which of the three types of people we belong to. Let’s itemize these three responses. We will do so according to the order of the three types of people given above:
1. a stumbling block
2. foolishness
3. the power and wisdom of God
That about does it. I believe we’ve exhausted the details of the three verses quoted at the start of this study. Now let’s get to work assaying the details.
The Jews were one type or classification of people in the world. A Jew (aka a Hebrew or Semite) is any person whose lineage traces back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I list all three Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for a reason. Abraham had many sons besides Isaac, but only Isaac carried on the Abrahamic Covenant. God made that determination.
Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. God classified Esau as a profane and godless man who despised the Abrahamic Covenant. Esau loved the world and the things of the world. He had neither time nor love for the things of God. By God’s sovereign choice only Jacob carried on the Abrahamic Covenant. God renamed Jacob to Israel.
Jacob/Israel had twelve sons. Each of these twelve sons grew into a tribe of Israel and became the Israelites. God sovereignly chose to continue the Abrahamic Covenant through the Israelites. God also sovereignly determined to bring the Messiah into the world through the lineage of the Israelites, specifically through the lineage of the tribe of Judah and the family of David.
The Lord gave the Israelites the Promised Land and the Law of Moses (aka Torah). The Law of Moses served as the legal code of the Israelites while they lived in the Promised Land. This distinguished the Israelites (aka Jews) from the Gentiles (i.e., everyone not a Jew).
The Israelites had a covenantal relationship with the Lord: all the other peoples of the world had no relationship with the Lord. This was God’s sovereign decision. The Israelites had the Lord as their King: all the other peoples of the world had an earthly king of their own making. The Israelites had the Law of Moses, God’s Word in the world back in the day: all the other peoples of the world had their own imaginations and inventions to govern them.
The last several paragraphs distinguished the Jews from the Gentiles (i.e., all the other peoples of the world aside from the Jews). So we’ve also defined the Gentiles and noted their peculiarities as God sees it. There is one final detail to hammer out with regard to the Gentiles. I will explain it in the next study.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
I recall this phrase that has made the rounds for generations now. It goes something like this:
There are all kinds of people in the world.
In some sense this may well be true. According to the three verses quoted above, God only recognizes three kinds of people. Let’s itemize them for ready reference:
1. Jews
2. Gentiles (Greeks)
3. the called of God
Each of these three types of people is identified by a distinguishing characteristic. We will also itemize the three characteristics, listing each one accoriding to the order of the three types of people above:
1. ask for signs
2. search for wisdom
3. preach Christ crucified
There is one more detail given in the quoted text we mustn’t leave out. The called of God preach Christ crucified. The additional detail we mentioned is this: the preaching of Christ crucified receives three different responses, depending on which of the three types of people we belong to. Let’s itemize these three responses. We will do so according to the order of the three types of people given above:
1. a stumbling block
2. foolishness
3. the power and wisdom of God
That about does it. I believe we’ve exhausted the details of the three verses quoted at the start of this study. Now let’s get to work assaying the details.
The Jews were one type or classification of people in the world. A Jew (aka a Hebrew or Semite) is any person whose lineage traces back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I list all three Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for a reason. Abraham had many sons besides Isaac, but only Isaac carried on the Abrahamic Covenant. God made that determination.
Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. God classified Esau as a profane and godless man who despised the Abrahamic Covenant. Esau loved the world and the things of the world. He had neither time nor love for the things of God. By God’s sovereign choice only Jacob carried on the Abrahamic Covenant. God renamed Jacob to Israel.
Jacob/Israel had twelve sons. Each of these twelve sons grew into a tribe of Israel and became the Israelites. God sovereignly chose to continue the Abrahamic Covenant through the Israelites. God also sovereignly determined to bring the Messiah into the world through the lineage of the Israelites, specifically through the lineage of the tribe of Judah and the family of David.
The Lord gave the Israelites the Promised Land and the Law of Moses (aka Torah). The Law of Moses served as the legal code of the Israelites while they lived in the Promised Land. This distinguished the Israelites (aka Jews) from the Gentiles (i.e., everyone not a Jew).
The Israelites had a covenantal relationship with the Lord: all the other peoples of the world had no relationship with the Lord. This was God’s sovereign decision. The Israelites had the Lord as their King: all the other peoples of the world had an earthly king of their own making. The Israelites had the Law of Moses, God’s Word in the world back in the day: all the other peoples of the world had their own imaginations and inventions to govern them.
The last several paragraphs distinguished the Jews from the Gentiles (i.e., all the other peoples of the world aside from the Jews). So we’ve also defined the Gentiles and noted their peculiarities as God sees it. There is one final detail to hammer out with regard to the Gentiles. I will explain it in the next study.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
