Well this raises a couple of questions, doesn't it?

I know I've said this before but one of the things I love about studying Scripture is that no matter how many times I have read the Bible (I've lost count), new things pop out at me each time.  Things that leave me amazed that I never noticed them before.

Here is an example from today.  This is Jesus talking to His disciples.  This is after Jesus has been crucified, buried, and risen.  This is the second time He appears to all the disciples including Thomas. 

John 20:21-23(NKJV)

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Hmm, am I reading that correctly?  I get the "receive the Holy Spirit" part.  It's the part in green that I am wondering about.  Do we as disciples really have the power to forgive sins or not forgive them?

I can see two schools of thought here.  First on an individual basis I'd say that is certainly so.  If we are wronged we certainly do have the free will choice to decide if we forgive the person or not.  But our decision to forgive or not has nothing to do with whether they are forgiven by God or not.  That is between the person and God.

But the wording in blue makes me question whether that is the correct interpretation or not.  Jesus says "As the father sent me, I also send you".  God sent Jesus to forgive sins or not on an eternal, heavenly basis, not just an individual basis. 

Based on those words I think a reasonable person could make the case that Jesus was talking about disciples having the power to forgive or not on an eternal, heavenly basis.  I find it an odd concept but not without precedent in Scripture.

Here is one example. 

1 Corinthians 6:1-3(NKJV)

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 

There are also references in Revelation to us judging.  There are probably others but these are the two that come to mind.

I don't really know where I stand on this one yet.  It is going to take some more study.  Specifically I will be looking for confirmation in the Old Testament.  Stay tuned for future updates on this topic.

"The Christ Commission"

John 19:38-42(NKJV)

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 

And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 

Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 

So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

One of my very favorite books of all time is The Christ Commission, a novel by Og Mandino.  What made me think of the book was seeing Joseph of Arimathea in the Scripture above.  You see, Joseph is one of the main characters of The Christ Commission.  Here is a summary from Amazon.com.

In front of eight million TV viewers, "The Greatest Mystery Writer in the World" bragged he could prove Christ was actually stolen from the tomb and never really rose from the dead . . . if he were given just one week back in ancient Jerusalem.  That night author Matt Lawrence got his wish.  A knock-out punch took him right out of this world and landed him in Biblical Judea in 26 A.D., just six years after the execution of Jesus at Golgotha.  In relentless pursuit of his investigation, Lawrence walked the same streets Jesus walked, visited the same places . . . and found himself facing the same dangers.  Eyewitness reports might lead him to a discovery that would shake the world--but will he live long enough to tell the 30th century that he just solved the greatest mystery of all time?

From <https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Commission-Discover-Proof-Christian/dp/0553277421>

If you are ever looking for a fun book with a great message I would highly recommend this one.  If you order it and read it I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Well that depends on the meaning of the word "openly".

This caught my eye.  It's all about nuance. 

John 18:20-21(NKJV)

Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 

Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

Hmm, really?  I guess it depends on the meaning of openly.  In the context of what He said in this Scripture He did speak openly.  Meaning that He did His speaking in public where all could hear and witness what He said and did. 

But…Jesus also said many times that He spoke in parables so that only some would understand.  In that sense He didn't speak openly.  There were people whom God and Jesus purposely didn't want saved. 

Jesus isn't lying here, but it seems to me He's not entirely forthcoming either.  I wonder what the lesson is in that?

Friday, August 25, 2017

10:07 AM

This caught my eye.  It's all about nuance. 

John 18:20-21(NKJV)

Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 

Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

Hmm, really?  I guess it depends on the meaning of openly.  In the context of what He said in this Scripture He did speak openly.  Meaning that He did His speaking in public where all could hear and witness what He said and did. 

But…Jesus also said many times that He spoke in parables so that only some would understand.  In that sense He didn't speak openly.  There were people whom God and Jesus purposely didn't want saved. 

Jesus isn't lying here, but it seems to me He's not entirely forthcoming either.  I wonder what the lesson is in that?

Plunder

This raises an interesting question.  Read the definition of Plunder and then Scripture below that.  Then I will ask my question.

Plunder

1. to rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids, brigandage, etc.:

to plunder a town.

2. to rob, despoil, or fleece:

to plunder the public treasury.

3. to take wrongfully, as by pillage, robbery, or fraud:

to plunder a piece of property.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/plunder?s=t>

So what I get from the definition is that plundering is immoral.  The definition uses terms like rob, wrongfully, robbery, and fraud to lead me to that conclusion, that plundering is immoral. 

But is it????  Read the Scripture.

Jeremiah 47:4(NKJV)

    Because of the day that comes to plunder all the Philistines,     To cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains;     For the Lord shall plunder the Philistines,     The remnant of the country of Caphtor.

Hmm.  God is going to plunder His enemies.  Does that mean God is acting in an immoral manner or does it mean that the definition is incorrect?  I would propose to you that it has to be one or the other. 

Because I believe God is a moral and just God I would be of the opinion that the definition is wrong, or at least partially wrong.  In the case of using force against ones enemies such as is the case in war, based on God's example, I see nothing wrong with the fulfillment of the phrase "to the victors go the spoils" (which comes from Caesar BTW). 

So why is that OK?  Because in cases of war it is the rule of the jungle baby!  In civil society we don't attack other countries and just take stuff.  Countries that decide to take that route have decided to live by the rule of the jungle.  Kill or be killed.  Prey or be prey.  Based on God's example, in cases like this, we should respond in kind.  Notice that God isn't saying turn the other cheek here!

Throughout the Old Testament there has been plundering on both sides.  God sometimes God told the Israelites not to take certain things.  God put limits on it but He never banned it or condemned it outright.  So once again we would be faced with the same dichotomy of either God was promoting something immoral (plundering) or there is nothing wrong with plundering in the case of violent conflict with ones enemies. 

Interesting question though isn't it?   

Tribulation and Cheer, tied together again!

As you know, one of my foundational verses is Romans 5:3-5.

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I have written before about my belief that when we glory in our tribulations, that it is an outward demonstration of our inner faith.

Well I just ran across this verse which essentially says the same thing.  Slightly different wording but the meaning is the same in my opinion.

John 16:33(NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Pretty cool!

God is…Exalted

I didn't really learn much from this one.  What does it mean to be exalted?  See the definition below.  There is one verse that I picked out because I thought it had special relevance for today. 

It isn't about God being exalted.  It is about what happens when evil is exalted.  I thought it was a great commentary on society today.

Psalms 12:8(NKJV)

    The wicked prowl on every side,      When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

2 Samuel 22:47(NKJV)

    “The Lord lives!      Blessed be my Rock!     Let God be exalted,     The Rock of my salvation!

What is the definition of exalted? 

exalted

adjective

1. raised or elevated, as in rank or character; of high station:

an exalted personage.

2. noble or elevated; lofty:

an exalted style of writing.

3. rapturously excited.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/exalted>

Nehemiah 9:4-5(NKJV)

Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the Lord their God. 

And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:      “Stand up and bless the Lord your God     Forever and ever!     “Blessed be Your glorious name,     Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!

Job 36:22(NKJV)

    “Behold, God is exalted by His power;      Who teaches like Him?

Psalms 18:46(NKJV)

    The Lord lives!      Blessed be my Rock!     Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalms 46:10(NKJV)

    Be still, and know that I am God;      I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalms 47:9(NKJV)

    The princes of the people have gathered together,     The people of the God of Abraham.     For the shields of the earth belong to God;      He is greatly exalted.

Psalms 148:13(NKJV)

    Let them praise the name of the Lord,      For His name alone is exalted;     His glory is above the earth and heaven.

Why do bad things happen to good people? The age old question!

An answer to the age old question of why do bad things happen to good people? 

John 9:3-5(NKJV)

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

The answer is so that God's plan can be fulfilled.  It's like God sacrifices some for the good of all.  That bothers me a bit for some reason.  It comes awfully close to a socialist slogan. 

Sounds simple but tough to put in practice.

 

John 10:34-38(NKJV)

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? 

If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 

do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 

but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 

This can be a bit of a slippery slope because we are told the beast or the anti christ will work what appears to be miracles just like Jesus so many will believe in the anti christ.  How do we tell the difference?

Easy.  Do they agree that Jesus is who He says He is or do they deny that Jesus is the Son of God.  If you see them someone who seems to be "doing the works of the father" and yet denies the divinity of Jesus then you can be sure that they are not of God.

A fancy way of saying "Dude you brought it on yourself!"

One of the things you will hear from non-believers is that it isn't fair that God would send them to hell for not believing.  I have always maintained that when you reject Jesus you send yourself to hell.  You made the choice.  Seems to me that is pretty much what Jesus is saying here as well.

John 12:47-48(NKJV)

And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 

In this age of hypersensitivity, I'm surprised someone hasn't made a bid deal about this!

I'm left handed. I'm offended!!!  :)

Psalms 118:16(NKJV)

    The right hand of the Lord is exalted;     The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

I hadn't noticed this nuance before.

Isn't it funny how you can read a Scripture many times and all of a sudden you read something in there that you had never noticed before.  There are actually a couple things here I'd like to comment on. 

John 10:11-16(NKJV)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 

But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 

The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 

As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

OK, first the top part.  I had never realized that being the shepherd implied ownership of the sheep.  I had always thought of the shepherds in the fields as hired hands to tend the sheep.  Look how wrong I was.  Jesus quite clearly makes the distinction between shepherd (owner) and hireling (hired hand) who are not shepherds and therefor do not own the sheep. 

So what you might say.  The reason I find it important is that it goes against the claim that Jesus was a socialist.  The shepherds, as owners of the sheep, are quite clearly capitalists.  They are raising the sheep for the wool and for the meat.  What are they going to do with it.  Use some of it for themselves and sell the rest to provide income for their families, and thereby providing food and fibre for the families who don't own sheep.  

Notice that Jesus holds the shepherds up as examples of honorable people.  He doesn't condemn them.  If Jesus were a Socialist, why would He be holding them up as good examples?

The last part is one that I think many people misinterpret to justify their belief that we all serve the same God.  When Jesus says He has sheep from other flocks to bring, many people think He is referring to Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, and many other sects.  You know, we all worship the same god crowd. 

I believe this is an incorrect interpretation and I'll share with you why.  Look at the rest of the Scripture.  It contains the answer.  Jesus says they will hear His voice and they will all be one flock and one shepherd. 

None of the other religions I mentioned "hear Jesus' voice".  What I mean by that is that they don't believe Jesus is the Son of God.  So they don't in fact hear His voice.

They have totally different beliefs for the most part.  Jesus says they will be one flock and have one shepherd.  How would that be if they don't hear Jesus voice and they all have different beliefs, not different just from Jesus beliefs but different from each other's beliefs as well?

I believe that the correct interpretation is that when Jesus says He has other flocks He is referring to those of the different faiths that have converted to believing in Jesus.  For example the Gentiles who have become Christians.  The Muslims who have become Christians and so on.

The reason I think it is the correct interpretation is that it would make sense within the Scripture above.  Because they have all converted to Christianity they would all hear His voice.  The would all be one flock, the flock that believes in Jesus, and they would all have the same shepherd. 

Make sense?  

Now here is a Scripture that could get confusing.

 

John 9:31(NKJV)

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 

Here again is an example of why the study of Scripture has to be taken in its entirety and why it takes the discernment of the Holy Spirit.

The first part, God does not hear sinners.  OK, that makes sense…except then how is it we are saved when we accept Jesus if God doesn't hear us? 

Now look at the second part.  God hears those who are doing His will.  OK, again that makes sense…except that Paul tells us we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God even when we follow God and attempt to do His will. 

But if we are all sinners, even when we try to do God's will, then aren't we back to God not hearing us? 

I think the differentiation here is one of the heart.  As I have pointed out before, Jesus is concerned about where our heart is.  I think "sinners" in the first part is referring to those who have rejected God.  Those whose hearts are really on God and following God, while still sinners in the sense that Paul was talking about are not sinners in the sense that the first part of this Scripture is talking about.  Make sense?  

Forgiveness isn't automatic according to Scripture

Luke 17:3(NKJV)

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 

I found this interesting.  It goes against what many modern day Christians believe.  Christians today think that we shouldn't rebuke anyone because "who are we to judge".  Many modern Christians also believe that forgiveness should be automatic.

Compare that to what Jesus said.

God is…Terror

I found this one a bit odd because few of us see God as a terror.  It doesn't fit with the paradigm of God the father.  It doesn't fit with our view of a peaceful and forgiving God. 

Let's take a look at some of the Scriptures.

Genesis 35:5(NKJV)

And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 

God terrified His enemies to keep His people safe.

Leviticus 26:16(NKJV)

    I also will do this to you:     I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart.     And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

When His people rebelled God even used terror against His own people.

Proverbs 1:26-27(NKJV)

    I also will laugh at your calamity;     I will mock when your terror comes,

    When your terror comes like a storm,     And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,     When distress and anguish come upon you.

My presumption here is that God is directing this to those who have rejected Him.

Isaiah 2:10(NKJV)

    Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust,      From the terror of the Lord     And the glory of His majesty.

This phrase is used repeatedly by Isaiah.

Ezekiel 32:32(NKJV)

    “For I have caused My terror in the land of the living;      And he shall be placed in the midst of the uncircumcised     With those slain by the sword,     Pharaoh and all his multitude,”     Says the Lord GOD.

Hosea 11:9(NKJV)

    I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;     I will not again destroy Ephraim.     For I am God, and not man,     The Holy One in your midst;     And I will not come with terror.

We serve a multidimensional God.  He can bring terror or he can withhold terror.  The choice is His.  It seems to me that He takes many factors into consideration when deciding which to do.  He isn't totally dogmatic about it. 

An example I can think of meets one of my criteria.  It is confirmed in the OT and the NT.

In the OT it was David and his men eating the showbread.  Technically it was a really bad thing to do.  And yet God decided, I am presuming based on the circumstance, to let it slide. 

In the NT it was Jesus and his disciples walking through the field and his disciples stripping grain of the stems on a Sunday, doing work and harvesting if you will.  And once again if being dogmatic about it, that was wrong.  But just as before, God let it slide.

2 Corinthians 5:11(NKJV)

Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

I just find this mind boggling.

John 6:61-66(NKJV)

When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 

What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 

But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 

And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 

I find it mind bobbling that some of the people who actually walked with Jesus ended up walking away and not believing in Him.  And not just a few but many!  Wow!

A key verse as to why I don't believe Muslims and Christians serve the same God.

 

John 5:18-23(NKJV)

Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 

For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 

For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 

that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

Muslims do not honor Jesus as the Son of God.  They believe Jesus was a prophet but nothing more.  Not only that but they believe Muhammad was a greater prophet than Jesus.  The Scripture above seems pretty plain to me. 

Division, not peace…the words of Jesus

I find it interesting how so many of today's religious leaders including the Pope put finding common ground and getting along with other religions above doing what Jesus said.  Jesus himself says he came to make people make a choice.  Either they believe in God and salvation through Jesus….or they don't.  The whole point though is to make people choose.

Luke 12:49-53(NKJV)

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 

But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 

For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 

Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Doesn't this presuppose that all rulers are of good character, which we know isn't true?

Doesn't this presuppose that all rulers are of good character, which we know isn't true?  In fact doesn't it go against one of the central messages of Scripture?  That message being that the human race is a fallen race.  That we are all sinners bound for hell without the saving grace of God through Jesus. 

Romans 13:1-4(NKJV)

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 

For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Really?  All rulers are put here and appointed by God?  Hitler?  Pol Pot?  Stalin?

Now let's look at the Romans passage in light of this passage from John.

John 3:18-21(NKJV)

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 

But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Now if we were to reframe the Romans passage to understand that Paul was referring to "Godly leaders" and not all leaders that would make sense.   But unfortunately the text doesn't say that.  I guess this is an area where we have to let our discernment through the Holy Spirit guide us.

Something to ponder.