¿TIENE DIOS CONTROL EN EL MUNDO?

¿TIENE DIOS CONTROL EN NUESTRO MUNDO? 

La sociedad del Atalaya de los testigos de Jehová por algunos años ya han estado predicando constantemente y con denuedo que “Dios  no tiene control sobre nuestro mundo”.  En su publicación del año 2017 de la revista despertad  está contenido ampliamente la posición  de que Dios no tiene control de este mundo. El caos que impera, la desesperación y la maldad son producto del maligno y que solamente Jehová pondrá fin a todo eso cuando tome el control y se manifieste para reinar. De alguna manera muchas personas han “comprado” esta idea al punto de creer que Dios no está en control.

¿TIENE DIOS CONTROL EN NUESTRO MUNDO?

¿TIENE DIOS CONTROL EN NUESTRO MUNDO?

Uno de los pasajes principales que ha sido usado y maltratado  en esto es Jeremías 10:23. Con todo, las santas escrituras enseñan que Dios sigue estando en control, él siempre lo ha estado y siempre lo estará. Daniel en el capítulo 4  nos presenta un cuadro bastante relevante en referencia a nuestro tema. Nabucodonosor tenía al menos 3 palacios prominentes y al ver la belleza de sus jardines colgantes se llena de soberbia y comienza a darse la gloria así mismo, las lecciones  continúa teniendo fuertes aplicaciones para nosotros hoy, observemos juntos:

  1. Afirmó ser la fuente de la majestad.  En medio del esplendor fue muy difícil no darse la gloria a sí mismo. Seguramente estuvo muy orgullo; su inteligencia al dar los diseños, de su habilidad para manejar al pueblo, de su sabiduría por todo lo que había construido, Nabucodonosor sintió ser la fuente y no solo la fuente sino la cúspide de todo lo mejor que había en aquel momento. Nabucodonosor TENIA EL CONTROL DE TODO. Muy pronto se ha de darse cuenta que no era el primero en la escala de la grandeza. Dios es la fuente de toda la majestad suprema, Dios y solo Dios es quien está en primer lugar y siempre lo estará.  Pablo años después reprende a los corintios en 1Co 4:7 por poseer rasgos similares. La soberbia inicia cuando se pierde de vista a Dios como lo más sublime.
  2. Dios disciplina a Nabucodonosor. En el v.33 se cumplió la palabra del Señor. Nabucodonosor el mas supremo rey de Babilonia ahora era humillado como un animal salvaje. Este monarca no era de ninguna manera un descendiente judío ni tampoco un devoto del judaísmo, pero la lección a aprender es que Dios está en control y disciplina aún a aquellos quienes no están dentro del circulo de obediencia.
  3. Aún en medio de la maldad, Dios está a cargo.  Nabucodonosor había en el capítulo anterior hecho una imagen y obligado  todo el pueblo a adorar al dios que había creado. Aunque todo parecía lo contrario Dios estaba en control, en medio de la condena al fuego; Dios estaba en control, en medio de la llama de fuego; Dios estaba a cargo, durante toda la tiranía de Nabucodonosor; Dios estaba a cargo.  De hecho Dios utilizó a Nabucodonosor para llevar en cautiverio a Israel y enseñarles una lección.

Dios siempre ha tenido control sobre todas las cosas y siempre él estará en control.  En ocaciones escuchamos frases tales como: “No se preocupe; Dios tomará el control de todo”. Permítame sugerir que Dios nunca ha perdido el control sin embargo la frase sugiere eso. El hermano Eric Lyon escribe lo siguiente:

Lo cierto es que, aunque Dios creó a los humanos con libre albedrío (cf. Josué 24:15), Él usa nuestro libre albedrío para lograr Sus propósitos. La Escritura muchas veces testifica del hecho que Dios está en control del Universo y de todo lo que hay en él. Él “sustenta todas las cosas con la palabra de su poder” (Hebreos 1:3). El salmista escribió: “Jehová estableció en los cielos su trono…. Dios es el Rey de toda la tierra” (103:19; 47:7). Cuatro veces en el libro de Daniel se nos recuerda que “el Altísimo gobierna el reino de los hombres” (4:17,25,32; 5:21). Aunque Dios no controla a Su creación humana como robots, Él está en control. Durante la mayor parte de la historia norteamericana, la vasta mayoría de nuestros funcionarios elegidos (1) creían que Dios estaba en control y (2) oraban para que se hiciera Su voluntad en Norteamérica (vea Miller, 2008). Los medios actuales de comunicación quieren que rechacemos la Escritura y nuestra herencia cristiana. Cuando Harris escribió, “Cada detalle que ha surgido en cuanto a la vida de Palin en Alaska sugiere que ella es tan devota y de mente literal en su dogmatismo cristiano como cualquier hombre o mujer en la tierra” (2008, p. 33, énfasis añadido), él pretendió que esto fuera un criticismo. Supuestamente, los líderes cristianos “devotos y de mente literal” no deben gobernar a Norteamérica.

El mundo ha actuado como ha deseado pero Dios sigue estando a cargo, el tiene el control sobre nuestro mundo, Cristo reina en su Iglesia y su soberanía es por todos los siglos. Debemos regresar al Todopoderoso, Quien “gobierna en el reino de los hombres”, y debemos reconocer que cada decisión que tomamos, incluyendo la elección de nuestros líderes gubernamentales en cualquier país en el cual nos encontremos , debe basarse en el reconocimiento de la soberanía de Dios. Él no solamente “regirá las naciones” (Salmos 22:28), pero él también juzgará a las naciones tanto a los vivos como a los muertos (2Tim 4:1). Todas las naciones deben de reconocer su señorío y su majestad después de todo El continuará al control aún cuando las cosas vayan mal, cuando nuestros seres queridos mueran o nos encontremos en situaciones extremadamente difíciles.

 

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The Appearance of Reverence

The Appearance of Reverence

As Christians, we are called to be different; different from the world around us (Jn. 17:16; 2 Cor. 6:15-7:1; 1 Ptr. 4:3-5); strangers and aliens (1 Ptr. 2:9-12); not loving nor conforming to the things of this world, but being transformed and turned into something totally different by the renewing of our minds (1 Jn. 2:15-17; Rom. 12:1-2). Christians therefore, obey the law – including the speed limit; they work as diligent and devoted employees, dutifully submitting to their bosses in the workplace; and not returning evil for evil to anyone (1 Ptr. 2:13-3:17).

Now, as you read the above paragraph you might have thought, “Ummm, I know Christians who have a ‘lead foot,’ who complain about their jobs and rebel against their bosses every chance they get, and who routinely seek to get even with those whom they believe have wronged them.” And sadly, you’re probably right. All too many of us have lost the uniqueness that identifies us as New Testament Christians (Jn. 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-21). Oh, we still go to church most Sundays, but for some reason – call it peer pressure or whatever you will – we seem to be either too afraid, or too ashamed, to be the truly different people that the Lord both cleansed and calls us to be. We neither love, live, look, nor forgive like the children of God should, but instead, we look, sound, react, and respond so much like the lost world all around us, that those folks no longer see us as being any different than they are. Is it any wonder our evangelistic efforts have been crippled?

Do we receive our validation from imitating the World or the Word?

Do we receive our validation from imitating the World or the Word?

How does this suicide slide back into being more like the world around us than the Lord within us actually begin? Very, very, slowly… Unnoticeably. Incrementally. It begins with the littlest, slightest, seemingly most insignificant of conciliatory gestures of conformity, and then grows so slowly we don’t even notice its presence. Perhaps this is why Jesus said what He did in Lk. 16:10; because having Him consider us faithful and hence being trusted with Him in much, begins with our not compromising with the world even on the littlest of things. Instead, we must stand up, stand out, and dare to be different for Jesus, and never allow ourselves to be found marching in lemming-like lockstep to the beat of the lost world all around us.

One area in which this incrementalistic march towards irreverence and irrelevance becomes obvious today, is when it comes to the casual. Today’s society is consumed with the casual – the decadent, degrading, dumbing down and disrespect of all things, including, especially, the most sacred thereof. Pagan society today is all about casual marriages, casual sex, and a casual disregard for the sanctity of human life amongst many other precious and sacred entities, practices, and institutions. Casual Christianity, and a casual, “take it or leave it,” “it’s not that important anyway” attitude and approach to God, church attendance, and personal involvement in the ministries thereof – even by many members of His Son’s church – seem to be becoming more and more the norm, as epidemic compromise with the world’s all-consuming desire to treat all things ever more casually continues.

Jesus indicated that what a person was on the inside, would be reflected by what was seen on the outside (Matt. 7:15-20; 12:33-35). This is so true – and certainly when it comes to our subject of the casual. One need only go as far as their local department store to see this truth (and often, far, far too much more) totally revealed. There they will quite often find others out in public, shopping in their slippers and pajamas, or in some cases, what amounts to not much more than their underwear. There they will also often find women wearing jeans with so many holes in them, that although they may feel like it makes them look sexy and stylish, it actually makes them look nothing more than cheap, cold, and disgracefully disrespectful.

But before all of us preachers, elders, and church leaders bemoan the casual Christianity, casual attitudes towards God and His service, and/or any of the other casual states of affairs that seem to be the norm in both the world and the church today, let us ask ourselves how much of it we may be responsible for helping to promote – even incrementally and/or unconsciously. A few quick questions if I might…

Do you remember how painstakingly prepared – right down to the last and most minute of details – they had to be when it came to the attire that had to be put on before the priests could present themselves into the presence of God in the Old Testament (Exod. 28, 29, 39)? According to the Book of Hebrews, we have a far better, higher, and holier everything than they did. Therefore, we must be clothed with something far better; we must be spiritually clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ before we can enter into His presence (Rom. 13:14; Gal. 3:36-27).

However, at the same time, the same truth Jesus related about what’s on the inside being reflected by what’s on the outside is also still true. A preacher who gets in the Lord’s pulpit on a Sunday, dressed casually in an open-necked golf shirt (or worse yet, a tee-shirt), khakis and tennis shoes (assuming he could afford better if he chose to), is generally going to have a lot less reverent, less respectful, and markedly more casual and uncommitted attitude towards God and His holy word, than the man who gets in the pulpit, reverently and respectfully presenting Himself before God, in and with the absolute best he’s got (See Mal. 1:6-14). If you don’t think so, then go on the internet and compare Sunday sermons by men dressed as described above, side by side.

Finally brothers, with all the love and respect in my heart, might I ask a related question just for your consideration? What’s with the whole bottom button on the suitcoat being unbuttoned when we stand before the saints? Yes, I know that it seems as if the entire world of newscasters, sportscasters, businessmen and others do it that way, but why do you? Is it REALLY that important to look like everyone else in the world? I can honestly think of no other viable reason why anyone would even consider it, except that “everyone else is doing it.” (Remember your mother saying when you were a child, “If they jumped off a bridge, would you?”) Are we, who are constantly trying to teach the teenagers in our congregations that they must not surrender to peer pressure, hypocritically surrendering to worldly peer pressure ourselves (See Rom. 2:17-24), because we have neither the faith, nor the courage, to be even a little bit different from those in the world around us on the tiniest of things? If you would not come to deliver your Sunday sermon with one shoe untied, your belt unbuckled, your shirt half-buttoned, your tie half-tied, or your hair uncombed, then why on earth would you want to look just as lazy, casual, uncaring, irreverent, and/or unprepared, as to have to have your suitcoat only halfway buttoned?

What kind of an example are we setting? What is our apparel truly saying, regarding who and what we really are on the inside as far as our personal level of reverence for being in the very presence and pulpit of God is concerned? I for one, neither care to look like, nor accompany in the end, those who do not know God. If our casual culture someday decides that blue hair and bare feet are somehow “cool,” I will still show up to preach with my natural hair color and dress boots on. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I neither need, seek, have to have, nor want to win, the approval of men (Lk. 6:26; Gal. 1:10); only of the God who deserves my least casual and most undivided best at all times – and especially when I stand before His people, to deliver His message, in His house, on His day.

My dearly beloved preaching and church leadership brethren; please consider these things. Then, let us all lovingly determine to set the highest godly standard for those we have the privilege of presenting the word of God to in all we do – including the attire we present ourselves before God and them in. For our God deserves no less, than our absolute best – and then some! God bless!

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Nothing to Difficult for Him

The Mighty Power of God

Without a doubt the Bible is first and foremost a story about God. And as we move into the second book I am reminded that God is telling us that there is NOTHING too difficult for Him to do (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27). One of the profound exhibitions of God’s power in the book of Exodus is His power over all creation.

Nothing is too difficult for the mighty Power of God.

Nothing is too difficult for the mighty Power of God.

Pay particular attention in chapters 8–10 that “there is none like unto the LORD our God” (8:10); “This is the finger of God” (8:19); “for to show in you my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth” (9:16); “that you may know how that the earth is the LORD’S” (9:29); and “that ye may know how that I am the LORD” (10:2).

But also consider the arrogance and stubbornness of Pharaoh. Can we also harden our hearts even in the presence of the unmistakable power of God? We need to put our faith in His power and respond in faithful obedience. Stubbornness and arrogance can only lead to a “darkness that may be felt” (10:21). Be faithful!

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Holding the Truth in Unrighteousness

Holding the Truth in Unrighteousness

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” – Romans 1:18

In the opening chapter of Romans, beyond his greeting, Paul transitions from an opening of universal obedient faith to discussing men who knew the truth but did not follow it.  Absolutely the discussion of sinfulness and rejection of God fits the gentiles who from God’s creation knew He existed.  However, it is also my conviction that Paul did so with eyes on his chief nemesis, Judaizing Christians. This is not surprising as he had just written the Galatians addressing the false teachings of the same.  These were Pharisaic Christians, who continually pressed men to hold on to the guilt of their imperfections and to follow the traditions of men.  Such things lead to a heavy burden on the shoulders of men.  Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30).  Christ took away the sins.  He released man from captivity.  The Gospel Paul preaches is one of transformation and lovingly following Christ with the heart.  However, this was not what the Judaizing Christians taught or lived.

Judaizing Christians were a danger to the Church of Rome.

Judaizing Christians were a danger to the Church of Rome.

Paul wrote of men who despite knowing the truth (Romans 1:18) and God’s judgment (Romans 1:32) changed the truth into a lie (Romans 1:25) and did not retain God in their knowledge (Romans 1:28).  Instead of walking in truth, they basked in sinfulness and the glory of fleshly honor and power.  These men so wise in their own eyes felt it necessary to lay the burden of guilt upon others who committed the same sins.  Yet rejecting the goodness of God, rather than repent, these that judged others continued right along in their iniquities.  Paul declares judgment would come upon all who failed to have an obedient faith regardless of who they were or who they claimed to be (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).  Whether they lived under the Law as Israelites or without it as the gentiles, men who “in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality” would find reward and all those who did not obey and “work good” would see God’s wrath.

The early Church had many Jews who claimed Christ.  They knew the history of God and man through exposure to the Law of Moses.  Who better than to instruct the early church?  Fortunately, the wisdom of God provided the Holy Spirit to endow men with knowledge to direct the churches, not those who simply held a knowledge of a dead covenant and walked in darkness according to their own traditions.  It would have been so easy to follow Jews who saw themselves as instructors in truth and had the DNA of Abraham.  Yet, according to Paul the conduct of those Jews was blasphemy (Romans 2:24).  Paul writes the Romans and speaks of the danger of their influence.  Salvation comes from a heart which is devoted to following God’s precepts, not from perfection in following law or falsely presumed preference from the hand of an impartial God.

Today, many still look for the way of salvation in the nation of Israel and the Law of Moses which was given to it.  There is no physical nation of God anymore.  That nation was rejected by God.  Their law, not applicable to Christians, has been taken away (Hebrews 10:9-10).  Salvation cannot be found in the behavior and teachings of those who are not walking obediently in the faith of God once for all delivered (Jude 3).   Salvation cannot be found in unrighteousness, even when the source claims to be one who espouses the truth. Evil is not good (Isaiah 5:20)! Paul unfailingly proclaimed this to the people of the first century.  He directed the faith of the Romans to God and not man.  Judaizers were trying to establish their prominence in Rome and Paul wasn’t about to let that happen.  God will not let anyone holding the truth in unrighteousness go unpunished.

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An Obedient Universal Faith

An Obedient Universal Faith

The book of Romans is a letter sent from the apostle Paul to the Christians of Rome.  It opens up declaring the Gospel had been long promised.  The Gospel by definition means “good tidings” or “good news”.  The prophets which had promised the good news tied it to universal blessing (Genesis 22:18), to a future prophet king (Deuteronomy 18:15, Jeremiah 23:5-6), a new covenant identified by forgiveness (Jeremiah 31:31-34), and a pouring out of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32).  Paul declared the good news to be about Jesus, the Son of God, who fulfilled all the expectation and prophecy which had been foretold.  It was by the authority of Jesus that all of the apostles including Paul received the charge of their apostleship.

There is one road of the Faith.  Will you walk it?

There is one road of the Faith. Will you walk it?

What was that charge of the apostles? Matthew 28:18-20 as well as Mark 16:15 are the common passages utilized to explain the charge of the apostles.  Authority is there bestowed by Christ to baptize and preach the Gospel to all creation.  Recall of Christ’s teachings would be essential so that there would be unity of teaching.  This is why Jesus sent the promised Spirit (John 16:13, 2 Peter 1:21). Paul declares to the Romans: “I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” (Romans 1:11-12).  The gifts of the Holy Spirit are what enabled the first century to provide the unadulterated truth to mankind and establish the Church throughout the world.  Once the Gospel was written down, man could properly refer to God’s Word with knowledge and confidence and the gifts would no longer be needed.  However, during the era of Paul’s writing, God’s written Word was not in the hands of men.

Paul mentions the charge of apostleship in Romans 1:5.  What was the purpose of the charge?  “for obedience to the faith among all nations”.  If the Holy Spirit through the hands of the apostles enabled the one faith (Ephesians 4:5) to be taught, then the apostles and the Church would indeed have a mutual faith.  They would be able to go beyond being “children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness…” (Ephesians 4:14).  This one faith would enable mankind to be obedient to the direction of God.  If you know what the faith is, you can follow it.  If you have a roadmap, you can get to your destination.

It can be understood that charge of sharing the Gospel did not end at simply providing the one truth.  When Christ established the Gospel charge, He said in regard to the teaching of the world, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”.  Hearing and not obeying is a deception of self and not what God desires (James 1:22, James 2:17-26).  It is the equivalent to proclaiming you are going on a journey, but never taking a step. Paul establishes in Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by faith”.  I suggest “to live” is not merely an ending point, but also a journey.  I John 1:7 declares: “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  The charge of the apostles was to baptize which forgave sins (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-7) and then to instruct a walk of faith which results in the continual cleansing from sin.  The good news of Paul was the power of salvation to all mankind.  It meant man no longer had to walk with the weight of sin upon his shoulders.  Christians have been freed from sin!  It was the Gospel that truly provided eternal life (John 3:16, James 1:21).  Boldly embrace the Gospel and freely walk in it to the journey’s end.

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