Randy Green's Blog, page 429
November 21, 2013
What's it take to be a Christian leader?
There's a misconception amongst a goodly portion of Christian leaders today. Such folks have the notion that Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Jeremiah—in fine, all those whom the Bible presents as strong spiritual leaders—that suchlike people would make poor leaders in the churches today.
If you will permit me to say so, I beg to differ! The Word of God instructs us to speak the truth in love. In today's mushy liberal culture, anything controversial is politically incorrect. It is a no-no which only rabble rousers and low-lifes would dare foment. Perish the thought.
Such sentiments are founded upon the worldview of our contemporary anti-christ society, dear friends. Today "love"—when it's not defined as sex—is defined as a feel good, kum ba yah around the camp fire moment. Following that prescription, leaders who don't make us feel good are not "loving" and so are not Biblical.
In terms of the Bible such a view attempts to speak "love" without keeping the "truth" attached to it. This cannot be done! The Lord NEVER sets aside the truth in order to make us feel good. He ALWAYS keeps the truth and love connected. When "love" is not conjoined in holy matrimony with the truth, then it is not Biblical love.
Yes, let us speak in a loving manner by looking out for the welfare of our brothers and sisters. But let us not set aside any of the whole counsel of God because we don't want to offend someone. If we present the truth in love and anyone is offended, then they are offended by the Word of God, not by us...in which case they need to take it up with the Lord and not with us!
If you will permit me to say so, I beg to differ! The Word of God instructs us to speak the truth in love. In today's mushy liberal culture, anything controversial is politically incorrect. It is a no-no which only rabble rousers and low-lifes would dare foment. Perish the thought.
Such sentiments are founded upon the worldview of our contemporary anti-christ society, dear friends. Today "love"—when it's not defined as sex—is defined as a feel good, kum ba yah around the camp fire moment. Following that prescription, leaders who don't make us feel good are not "loving" and so are not Biblical.
In terms of the Bible such a view attempts to speak "love" without keeping the "truth" attached to it. This cannot be done! The Lord NEVER sets aside the truth in order to make us feel good. He ALWAYS keeps the truth and love connected. When "love" is not conjoined in holy matrimony with the truth, then it is not Biblical love.
Yes, let us speak in a loving manner by looking out for the welfare of our brothers and sisters. But let us not set aside any of the whole counsel of God because we don't want to offend someone. If we present the truth in love and anyone is offended, then they are offended by the Word of God, not by us...in which case they need to take it up with the Lord and not with us!
November 20, 2013
Adam, meet Adam
When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, the Lord dried up the water for them to do so. When they crossed the Jordan River, the Lord likewise dried up that water near the town of Adam, so they could cross over on dry ground. The symbolism is intriguing.
We must die to living in and for the world, symbolized by the exit from Egypt which ended by crossing the Red Sea. At the Red Sea God's people died to their old sinful life (the first Adam). They were cut off from returning to Egypt. But that only begins the matter. We also must rise out of death to newness of life, symbolized by crossing the Jordan River and receiving our inheritance in the Promised Land.
In our earthly existence we are not merely to be born again. We are then to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are to mature spiritually into reborn adults, just as surely as newborns are to mature into adults in the natural realm.
By drying up the waters of both the Red Sea and the Jordan River, the Lord taught both aspects of being new creations in Christ Jesus. The Promised Land symbolized victorious spiritual living, while the wilderness wanderings typified defeated carnal living. If we don’t enter the Promised Land and live by faith, then we are wandering the desert and living by sight.
If the Church would grasp this truth, not just intellectually but spiritually, what vast expanses would appear on the horizon! Revival would be the result. We mustn't merely call people to the front of the church building to "receive Jesus", dear friends. We must needs rear them with strong spiritual meat to nourish them into spiritual maturity.
I fear that too often newborn spiritual babes are rushed into "serving Jesus", into getting busy "doing things for Jesus", before they are taught enough to grow up in Jesus. First we must be born again. Next we must spiritually mature enough to know our spiritual gifts. Only then are we equipped to know God's ministry for our lives and perform it under the power of the Holy Spirit.
We must die to living in and for the world, symbolized by the exit from Egypt which ended by crossing the Red Sea. At the Red Sea God's people died to their old sinful life (the first Adam). They were cut off from returning to Egypt. But that only begins the matter. We also must rise out of death to newness of life, symbolized by crossing the Jordan River and receiving our inheritance in the Promised Land.
In our earthly existence we are not merely to be born again. We are then to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are to mature spiritually into reborn adults, just as surely as newborns are to mature into adults in the natural realm.
By drying up the waters of both the Red Sea and the Jordan River, the Lord taught both aspects of being new creations in Christ Jesus. The Promised Land symbolized victorious spiritual living, while the wilderness wanderings typified defeated carnal living. If we don’t enter the Promised Land and live by faith, then we are wandering the desert and living by sight.
If the Church would grasp this truth, not just intellectually but spiritually, what vast expanses would appear on the horizon! Revival would be the result. We mustn't merely call people to the front of the church building to "receive Jesus", dear friends. We must needs rear them with strong spiritual meat to nourish them into spiritual maturity.
I fear that too often newborn spiritual babes are rushed into "serving Jesus", into getting busy "doing things for Jesus", before they are taught enough to grow up in Jesus. First we must be born again. Next we must spiritually mature enough to know our spiritual gifts. Only then are we equipped to know God's ministry for our lives and perform it under the power of the Holy Spirit.
November 19, 2013
Will the real sinner please stand up?
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all [1 Timothy 1:15].
Those words came from the Apostle Paul. The question is, "Did Paul write them before he was saved or after? Paul's salvation experience occurred on the Damascus road (Acts 9). The above quoted words from Paul are from one of the final letters he wrote, before being martyred for preaching the Gospel.
In other words Paul wrote those words to Timothy toward the end of his life, long after he was born again. This is signifcant for Christians today because of false theology making the rounds on the Christian circuit. Some folks asseverate that Christians are not "sinners" because Christ saved them. Others limit sinlessness to just some Christians who follow Christ more maturely. Supposedly such folks have reached "perfection" already.
Paul's words are from an apostle of Jesus Christ, a right holy man if ever there was one (aside from Jesus). Still, even as the end of his life drew nigh, Paul recognized that he was still a "sinner". Indeed, he saw himself as the FOREMOST of sinners. In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul noted that he hadn't yet attained to Christ's goal for his life, but he continued to press onward to reach it.
Let us not grow a fat head and hard heart and be full of ourselves, dear Christians. Let us not be too righteous to accept correction. Let us instead recognize that we are indeed sinners still. Yes, we have been saved by grace through faith and are justified; but no, we are not yet glorified and in eternity with the Lord. Only then will be be fully perfected. Until then we must continue being sanctified, continue working out our own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 1:12-13).
Those words came from the Apostle Paul. The question is, "Did Paul write them before he was saved or after? Paul's salvation experience occurred on the Damascus road (Acts 9). The above quoted words from Paul are from one of the final letters he wrote, before being martyred for preaching the Gospel.
In other words Paul wrote those words to Timothy toward the end of his life, long after he was born again. This is signifcant for Christians today because of false theology making the rounds on the Christian circuit. Some folks asseverate that Christians are not "sinners" because Christ saved them. Others limit sinlessness to just some Christians who follow Christ more maturely. Supposedly such folks have reached "perfection" already.
Paul's words are from an apostle of Jesus Christ, a right holy man if ever there was one (aside from Jesus). Still, even as the end of his life drew nigh, Paul recognized that he was still a "sinner". Indeed, he saw himself as the FOREMOST of sinners. In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul noted that he hadn't yet attained to Christ's goal for his life, but he continued to press onward to reach it.
Let us not grow a fat head and hard heart and be full of ourselves, dear Christians. Let us not be too righteous to accept correction. Let us instead recognize that we are indeed sinners still. Yes, we have been saved by grace through faith and are justified; but no, we are not yet glorified and in eternity with the Lord. Only then will be be fully perfected. Until then we must continue being sanctified, continue working out our own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 1:12-13).
November 18, 2013
Water for Three, Please!
There are a lot of occasions in Scripture involving "three days". The typology involved is theologically astute! The axis of all history is the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died and was in a tomb for three days.
Realize that Jesus is the axis of all Scripture. Beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, (Jesus) explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures [Luke 24:27]. Jesus takes center stage in ALL THE SCRIPTURES, from Genesis through Revelation.
This being the case, and considering that His death and resurrection (a three day event) form the center of Jesus' ministry, is it too much of a stretch to consider that "three days" in Scripture should be given consideration as typifying in some fashion Jesus' death and resurrection?
Consider the Book of Joshua. In Joshua 1:11 Joshua announced that the Israelites would cross the Jordan in three days. In chapter 2 he sent two spies to survey Jericho before Israel attacked the city. The spies were gone for three days. In chapter 3 the Israelites crossed the Jordan after three days.
At the Red Sea the Israelites were baptized into Moses (1 Cor.10:2). Christian baptism typifies the Christian's death and resurrection in Christ (Rom.6:4). Christ accomplished this on our behalf in three days.
When the older generation of Israelites left Egypt under the Lord's auspices, they irrevocably left that life of worldliness to be the people of the Lord. In Christian terminology this is known as dying to self and rising to new life in Christ Jesus. Once they crossed the Red Sea and its waters returned, they were cut off from the life they had in Egypt. They in effect died to Egypt, the world power of the day and symbol of the world. Hence they were "baptized into Moses" at the Red Sea.
The same applied to the younger generation of Israelites some forty years later at the Jordan River. Once they crossed the Jordan to the west bank and the Jordan's waters returned, they were cut off from the life of wilderness wanderings in order to receive their spiritual inheritance—for a spiritual inheritance it was, even though it was also a physical inheritance. They in effect were "baptized" into Joshua at the Jordan River.
The name Joshua means "salvation of YHWH". In English the name is Jesus. Moses brought the Israelites out of the world (Egypt), and Moses represented the Law. But Moses failed to bring the Israelites into the Lord's inheritance, into the new life of resting in Him because the Law cannot achieve that. It took Joshua (aka Jesus) to do that.
So we see that Moses (the Law, the Old Covenant) and Joshua (Jesus, grace, the New Covenant) are symbolized by the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, their wilderness wanderings, and their new life in the Promised Land. But the Promised Land does NOT typify heaven. It typifies victorious Christian living which can only be the result of God's grace. The wilderness wanderings, contrariwise, typify defeated Christians who walk in the flesh. This results from living in one's own strength and power, which the Law typifies.
Realize that Jesus is the axis of all Scripture. Beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, (Jesus) explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures [Luke 24:27]. Jesus takes center stage in ALL THE SCRIPTURES, from Genesis through Revelation.
This being the case, and considering that His death and resurrection (a three day event) form the center of Jesus' ministry, is it too much of a stretch to consider that "three days" in Scripture should be given consideration as typifying in some fashion Jesus' death and resurrection?
Consider the Book of Joshua. In Joshua 1:11 Joshua announced that the Israelites would cross the Jordan in three days. In chapter 2 he sent two spies to survey Jericho before Israel attacked the city. The spies were gone for three days. In chapter 3 the Israelites crossed the Jordan after three days.
At the Red Sea the Israelites were baptized into Moses (1 Cor.10:2). Christian baptism typifies the Christian's death and resurrection in Christ (Rom.6:4). Christ accomplished this on our behalf in three days.
When the older generation of Israelites left Egypt under the Lord's auspices, they irrevocably left that life of worldliness to be the people of the Lord. In Christian terminology this is known as dying to self and rising to new life in Christ Jesus. Once they crossed the Red Sea and its waters returned, they were cut off from the life they had in Egypt. They in effect died to Egypt, the world power of the day and symbol of the world. Hence they were "baptized into Moses" at the Red Sea.
The same applied to the younger generation of Israelites some forty years later at the Jordan River. Once they crossed the Jordan to the west bank and the Jordan's waters returned, they were cut off from the life of wilderness wanderings in order to receive their spiritual inheritance—for a spiritual inheritance it was, even though it was also a physical inheritance. They in effect were "baptized" into Joshua at the Jordan River.
The name Joshua means "salvation of YHWH". In English the name is Jesus. Moses brought the Israelites out of the world (Egypt), and Moses represented the Law. But Moses failed to bring the Israelites into the Lord's inheritance, into the new life of resting in Him because the Law cannot achieve that. It took Joshua (aka Jesus) to do that.
So we see that Moses (the Law, the Old Covenant) and Joshua (Jesus, grace, the New Covenant) are symbolized by the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, their wilderness wanderings, and their new life in the Promised Land. But the Promised Land does NOT typify heaven. It typifies victorious Christian living which can only be the result of God's grace. The wilderness wanderings, contrariwise, typify defeated Christians who walk in the flesh. This results from living in one's own strength and power, which the Law typifies.
November 17, 2013
Where is the Cloud?
For forty years the Lord led the Israelites from Egypt to the east bank. To do so He appeared to them in visible form as the Shekinah cloud. This cloud was a massive pillar which rested atop the Ark of the Covenant and shot far up into the sky. In the sky it mushroomed into a sort of umbrella over the camp of Israel.
While the camp of Israel was on the move, the priests carried the Ark on their shoulders in front of the camp. The Shekinah, representing King YHWH, sat atop God's earthly throne, the Ark, going in front of the Israelites. The King, you see, led His people on their journeys and into battle.
Once the Israelites came to the Jordan to cross it and conquer Canaan, the Shekinah cloud no longer appeared. Did the King not lead His people any longer? How did the Israelites know where to go and when?
Ah, those are good questions! The answers are good as well. If you want to know them, get your copy of Joshua: Volume 6. The book is now available.
While the camp of Israel was on the move, the priests carried the Ark on their shoulders in front of the camp. The Shekinah, representing King YHWH, sat atop God's earthly throne, the Ark, going in front of the Israelites. The King, you see, led His people on their journeys and into battle.
Once the Israelites came to the Jordan to cross it and conquer Canaan, the Shekinah cloud no longer appeared. Did the King not lead His people any longer? How did the Israelites know where to go and when?
Ah, those are good questions! The answers are good as well. If you want to know them, get your copy of Joshua: Volume 6. The book is now available.
November 16, 2013
How, and how not, to build character
The Apostle Paul wrote, We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope [Romans 5:3-4].
I live a life of affluence in an affluent society. I have all I need or want and give my kids all they want. I have so many worldly toys to play with, I am like a little child in a toy store. I cannot make adult choices and commitments in life because I am impossibly distracted by so many opportunities. It's more fun to go with the flow and not have to commit. I eat free lunches rather than earn my keep.
Trouble is, there is no such critter as "free lunch". Someone paid for the lunch, even if I ate for free. So my free lunch meant I loafed on the back of someone else's labor. This is the way of today's society in the good ol' USA.
How can I expect my kids to develop character, unless they experience the sufferings which can lead to real character. Am I really doing my kids right when I make their life so easy? Fact is, I am harming them by stunting their growth spiritually, emotionally, and in all ways.
As a Christian I need to do much better than the world. I need to be salt and light to the world by means of the Gospel, not mimic the world in affluent living. We cannot serve two masters. Either we serve the Lord or we serve affluence. Country club church is not the Gospel.
I live a life of affluence in an affluent society. I have all I need or want and give my kids all they want. I have so many worldly toys to play with, I am like a little child in a toy store. I cannot make adult choices and commitments in life because I am impossibly distracted by so many opportunities. It's more fun to go with the flow and not have to commit. I eat free lunches rather than earn my keep.
Trouble is, there is no such critter as "free lunch". Someone paid for the lunch, even if I ate for free. So my free lunch meant I loafed on the back of someone else's labor. This is the way of today's society in the good ol' USA.
How can I expect my kids to develop character, unless they experience the sufferings which can lead to real character. Am I really doing my kids right when I make their life so easy? Fact is, I am harming them by stunting their growth spiritually, emotionally, and in all ways.
As a Christian I need to do much better than the world. I need to be salt and light to the world by means of the Gospel, not mimic the world in affluent living. We cannot serve two masters. Either we serve the Lord or we serve affluence. Country club church is not the Gospel.
November 15, 2013
What does Rahab the harlot have to do with the Passover?
In Joshua 2 two Israelite spies sneak into Jericho to survey it, in preparation for an Israelite attack. Rahab the harlot, who lives in Jericho, joins Israel's side and conceals the spies from King Jeri. She asks the spies to save her family and herself when the attack comes, meaning she wants to be an Israelite proselyte.
Well, the two spies swear an oath to her to do so, but itemize three stipulations which she must meet if the oath is to remain in force:
1. the cord of scarlet required to be tied to Rahab's window
2. only those inside Rahab’s house would be saved
3. the promise was for Rahab & family, no one else
There is an uncanny parallel between the spies' stipulations to Rahab and the Lord's stipulations to the Israelites for the Passover event in Egypt. Do you recognize them? Well, you need to get your own copy of Joshua: Volume 6 and learn the answer!
Well, the two spies swear an oath to her to do so, but itemize three stipulations which she must meet if the oath is to remain in force:
1. the cord of scarlet required to be tied to Rahab's window
2. only those inside Rahab’s house would be saved
3. the promise was for Rahab & family, no one else
There is an uncanny parallel between the spies' stipulations to Rahab and the Lord's stipulations to the Israelites for the Passover event in Egypt. Do you recognize them? Well, you need to get your own copy of Joshua: Volume 6 and learn the answer!
November 14, 2013
Words, Phrases, Sentences, and More
What's in a name anyway? Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me. Suchlike banalities are common enough, are they not? Trouble is, they promote a mentality on the same level as such bromides.
Words are indeed crucial in the Lord's economy, dear friends. By His Word the Lord created the heavens and the earth. Man is like the grass which grows on the rocks. Having no root it pops up in the morning and shrivels up in the evening.
Not so with the Word of God however! The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). God is not a man that He should lie or change His mind...EVER!
Because of this character in God, He cannot relate to us unless we to are people of our word. We must ALWAYS honor our oaths, never speaking only to be nice while having no intention of following through with what we say.
Words are indeed crucial in the Lord's economy, dear friends. By His Word the Lord created the heavens and the earth. Man is like the grass which grows on the rocks. Having no root it pops up in the morning and shrivels up in the evening.
Not so with the Word of God however! The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). God is not a man that He should lie or change His mind...EVER!
Because of this character in God, He cannot relate to us unless we to are people of our word. We must ALWAYS honor our oaths, never speaking only to be nice while having no intention of following through with what we say.
November 13, 2013
Oh, dear. What’s next?
Life insurance. Death and disability insurance. Automobile insurance. Homeowners insurance. Retirement plans. Obviously we frequently wonder what tomorrow will bring, do we not?
If we know where to look, we can find some trustworthy answers. Only one person knows what tomorrow will bring. That Person is God, and He revealed a goodly amount of insight to us...sort of like pulling back the curtain of time a bit and giving us a sneak peek!
May I suggest we start a group of folks who want to explore this issue. We can read my book "Kingdom of Eretz, A Biblical Allegory of the Church Age" together. Then we can share our perspectives and decipher the meaning of this allegory.
Who's in? All volunteers will need to get the book from Amazon CreateSpace or Amazon Kindle, as a paperback or as an eBook. So let the chase begin!
If we know where to look, we can find some trustworthy answers. Only one person knows what tomorrow will bring. That Person is God, and He revealed a goodly amount of insight to us...sort of like pulling back the curtain of time a bit and giving us a sneak peek!
May I suggest we start a group of folks who want to explore this issue. We can read my book "Kingdom of Eretz, A Biblical Allegory of the Church Age" together. Then we can share our perspectives and decipher the meaning of this allegory.
Who's in? All volunteers will need to get the book from Amazon CreateSpace or Amazon Kindle, as a paperback or as an eBook. So let the chase begin!
November 12, 2013
What’s God’s Name Anyway?
Do you know what would be fantastic? To personally know God, now that would be fantastic! Well, it would be pretty difficult indeed to truly know someone without knowing his name. This applies equally to God.
If we want to know God, then we need to know His name. Someone is thinking, "I thought His name is God." Uh, that would be a no. The word God depicts deity, just as the word man depicts humanity. No person's name is man because that isn't a name. By the same token the word God is not a name.
Well, then, what is God's name? I have answered that question exhaustively on innumerable occasions throughout my Heavenly Citizens series. Each of the first five volumes—Genesis through Deuteronomy—covers that topic, but Genesis offers the most in-depth and thorough presentation.
You may purchase your copy of each of these books from Amazon Kindle and Amazon CreateSpace. Better yet, get your local bookstore to get you a copy...and while you're at it, tell them they should carry the books in their store!
If we want to know God, then we need to know His name. Someone is thinking, "I thought His name is God." Uh, that would be a no. The word God depicts deity, just as the word man depicts humanity. No person's name is man because that isn't a name. By the same token the word God is not a name.
Well, then, what is God's name? I have answered that question exhaustively on innumerable occasions throughout my Heavenly Citizens series. Each of the first five volumes—Genesis through Deuteronomy—covers that topic, but Genesis offers the most in-depth and thorough presentation.
You may purchase your copy of each of these books from Amazon Kindle and Amazon CreateSpace. Better yet, get your local bookstore to get you a copy...and while you're at it, tell them they should carry the books in their store!
