It is Finished

It is Finished

Tragically, men have taken the words of the Bible out of context. Consider the following illustration. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” there was no way anyone there could have understood what He meant. Have you ever thought what the Jewish leaders thought was finished at the cross?

What wasn't finished at the cross?

What wasn’t finished at the cross?

It was not finished for the religious leaders who crucified. I do not know how many of them heard Jesus say, “It is finished,” but they definitely thought the death of Jesus brought the finish to problems which had plagued them for many years.

The preaching of John the Baptist was the beginning of their first-century problems. When John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees in his audience, he said, “Brood of vipers…flee from the wrath to come…bear fruits of repentance…even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees…” (Matt. 3:7-10).

The death of John did not end their problems. Read Jesus’ rebuke of them in the “eight woes” of Matthew 23 to see that Jesus was even more severe. After His death, they could have taken Jesus’ words about it being finished and said, “Thank God, it is finished,” but they would have been so wrong. Bible words always have a Bible context!

It was not finished for those who thought the threat from Rome had past. Rome was very much aware of the unrest that the teachings of Christ was creating. Both Pilate and Herod knew of Him. The Jewish leaders could say, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15), but the multitudes wanted Jesus as their king (John 6:15). Those leaders might have thought that the death of Jesus would finish the threat of Roman intervention, but they were wrong. It was not finished, and in that generation, Jerusalem was leveled. Jesus’ words, “It is finished,” have a Bible concept.

It was not finished for those who thought they would never have to deal with Jesus again. We have His very words in that book which God has provided for us. That book also tells of the words and actions of those who killed Him. It is not true that His death ended it all. One day that book will be opened and these same men will face the One they crucified!

What was finished? Not the work of Jesus, for He was raised and is our mediator with God. He continues to work on our behalf. What was finished? It was the work God had given Jesus to do. Redemption, salvation, the purchasing of the church, atonement, the uniting of all men in the one glorious body, the remembrance of sin, the end of that old covenant, the destroying of the power of Satan—all that the New Testament shows has been brought to us.

Bible words always have a Bible context!

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The Personal Standard

Perfecting The Art Of: Self-Deception, Destruction, And The Drawing Away Of The Disciples After Them.

The Word of God is truth (Jn. 17:17). Every individual word is true (Matt. 4:4), as well as the entire totality thereof (Psa. 119:160). No part or portion of the Word of God is a matter of one’s own, private interpretation (2 Ptr. 1:20-21). It is the perfectly pure (Psa. 19:7-11) and totally timeless (Psa. 119:89, Matt. 19:4-6; 1 Tim. 2:11-15) standard by which we shall all be judged on the last day (Jn. 12:48-50, Rev. 20:11-15).

God's standard will not fail.

God’s standard will not fail.

In a somewhat similar manner, the spirit of mankind hasn’t changed a whole lot over the years either. As King Solomon in all of his God-given wisdom once said regarding such, “There is nothing new under the sun” (cf. Eccl. 1:8-9). Take for example, today’s occasional God-professing but personally and secretly pride driven disciple; he or she who wants and will insist on their own way no matter what, and despite whatever the biblical truth of the matter actually is; he or she who has already come to some biblically-contradictory conclusion on a timeless topic with eternal implications, but for whatever privately-held and personally pride-driven reason, absolutely refuses to sit down, sincerely study, deeply discuss, honestly understand, humbly accept, and truly repent of their egregious error.

Some of today’s biblically-addressed topics wherein this rebellious and God-defying attitude might be seen as most in evidence could include, but not be limited to, such subjects as so-called “social drinking” (the public consumption of alcohol by any saint); marriage, divorce, and remarriage; the divisive sin of denominationalism; women’s roles in the church; and even, sadly, such things as the essentiality of repentance and baptism both before and in order to obtain the forgiveness of one’s sins amongst other things.

Now, the overall point of this article is not to seek to prove that such God-resisting and rejecting mindsets have existed for millennia (for that is pretty blatantly obvious from even a peripheral skimming of the Scriptures), but to warn and to outline in far greater detail, the fact that their tactics in today’s church have not changed a whole lot from those of their pride-filled and scripture-resisting and rejecting predecessors from previous centuries.

For example, when God’s “old paths” truth (Jer. 6:16) is fully and faithfully presented by either an elder, preacher, or bible class teacher regarding some of the harder teachings of scripture, some will simply walk away, never to return (Jn. 6:60-66). Others may travel to a nearby, truth-nullifying congregation where God’s word is not so clearly taught, in order to have their “ears tickled” (2 Tim. 4:3-4), their sins remain unaddressed, and their consciences therefore falsely comforted. Still others, like Korah and his crew, might seek to assemble a gang of rebellious, religious, congregational leaders and openly revolt against God’s chosen plan (Num. 16:1-50). And while these sorts of scripture-rejecting rebellions are all fairly easily seen and identified, others in ages past have practiced a far more secret, subtle, and sinister form of subterfuge… laboring at length to lay the groundwork for a far more sly and stealthy sneak attack on their intended target – seeking to strike from within before the faithful leaders or people of God ever know what hit them (See 2 Sam. 15:1-14)!

Hence, Jesus’ warning to His disciples very early on in His ministry to always be on guard and aware of such devious, dubious, extremely well-disguised but still ravenous ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ (Matt. 7:15-20) – a crucial warning also echoed by the Apostle Paul to the leadership of the first-century congregation of the Lord’s church at Ephesus (See: Acts 20:17-38). In that text we see several essential and eternally-vital elements:

  • That it is by fully and faithfully declaring and defending the whole and total counsel of God that God’s messenger can stand innocent before Him (vss. 26-27);
  • That after Paul’s departure, “savage wolves” would come in among them from the outside (vs. 29), as well as the fact that even from within their very own number, would come some personally power-hungry and pride-driven disciples “speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves” (vs. 30). (It is also interesting to note that the Apostle Peter says something very similar in 2 Ptr. 2 + 3, wherein he warns of sinister false teachers who would secretly bring in damnable heresies, denying the truth and causing it to be blasphemed in their greedy lust for money, while the Apostle Paul warns of those false teachers who would do so out of their lust for personal power and the acquisition of their own following.)
  • That it is only by faithfully proclaiming and defending God’s word – no matter the opposition, cost, or consequences – that one can be truly and fully assured of heaven (vs. 32).

Such stealthy, Absalomic opposition from within by any who might covet more personal power and their own following as opposed to humbly accepting and following the Lord of glory and His word, can come in many and various forms. Some might resort to gossip, slander, and/or character assassination regarding those who refuse to compromise God’s truth (Jer. 6:28; Prov. 10:28; Matt. 26:59-67; Ro. 1:28-30). Others may seek to bribe or “buy” either another’s loyalty, influence, or their own way into power (Matt. 26:14-16; Acts 8:18-23). Others seeking more personal power or control may be seen continually inserting themselves into situations they have no legitimate business being involved with, thus becoming “busybodies” as opposed to ‘minding their own business’ as the scriptures command all Christians to do (2 Thess. 3:11-12; 1 Tim. 5:13; 1 Thess. 4:11-12). Still others – like Paul mentioned in Acts 20:29 – might show up only when/after the man of God is gone and the flock appears to be less protected. Hence, Paul’s admonition to the Ephesian leadership in verse 32. Let the church beware (Matt. 7:15-20)!

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PORQUE LA BIBLIA ES IMPORTANTE

PORQUE LA BIBLIA ES IMPORTANTE

Sin duda alguna lo primero en este tema es re-frasiar la oración anterior, la Biblia no nada más es importante; la ración de los alimentos 3 veces al día es importante, hacer algún tipo de ejercicio es importante, pasear a la mascota de la casa es importante. Sin embargo la Biblia es LO más importante en la vida de cualquier cristiano del Nuevo Testamento y debería de serlo en la de todos los seres humanos. El concepto de Jesús en cuanto a la Biblia es “no solo de pan vivirá el hombre sino de toda palabra que sale de boca de Dios” (Mt 4:4). Las palabras que habían sido inspiradas a Moises en Det 8:3 son empleadas por la segunda persona de la deidad para hacer hincapié al concepto más difícil de aceptar de todos los siglos; la suficiencia absoluta de la palabra de Dios, y el ser con quién estaba teniendo este altercado es el mismo, para nada ha cambiado, el diablo. La manera de aproximación fue la misma desde el inicio; hacer apartar la mirada del hombre de Dios y enfocarla en lo físico y lo material, Pablo le da al blanco cuando escribe: “…buscad las cosas de arriba, donde está Cristo sentado a la Diestra de Dios”(Col 3:1) Con Eva fue igual hizo apartar su mirada de Dios y de la suficiencia de lo que Dios había dicho para poner duda y enfocar la atención en el fruto prohibido. Estimado lector ¿Acaso no puede apreciar usted la tremenda ventaja que tenemos nosotros hoy al tener el relato de Génesis y de Mateo? De la misma manera que se aproximó a Eva y al Señor es como lo va a hacer con usted y con migo (2Co 2:11) Siempre buscará que la palabra de Dios no sea importante y que no sea suficiente para su alma.
El escritor de Hebreos nos aclara que Dios habló antes a los padres por los profetas, pero  que en estos postreros tiempos nos ha hablado por el hijo a quién constituyó heredero de todo (Heb 1:1-2). Observe cuidadosamente con migo que a pesar de que Dios ha cambiado los medios de comunicación, él siempre nos ha hablado, no ha habido un momento en la historia de la humanidad en la que el Ser supremo del universo se  haya escondido del ser humano para que no le conozca, todo lo contrario. La Biblia es lo más importante que existe porque es el canal como Dios se comunica a nosotros, sin ella estamos ciegos, sin ella no existiría un estándar de moralidad entre lo bueno y lo malo, sin ella no existiría un juicio final, sin ella el mundo sería un completo caos, sin ella no sabríamos que existe Dios y ni siquiera pudiéramos imaginar de donde venimos y  como inició todo. Dios el Padre no tiene porqué explicarnos estos detalles pero en su misericordia podemos leer de esto, sobre él y podemos entender cual es su voluntad (Ef 3:4). La palabra de Dios escrita en tan importante, por mencionar algunos, porque:
  1. La concepción espiritual es por medio de la Palabra inspirada (1Co 4:15; Sa 1:18).
  2. La vida espiritual es la operación constante de la Palabra inspirada (Ef 2:1-5).
  3. El lavamiento espiritual es producido al obedecer la palabra (Ef 5:26).
  4. La continuidad de ese lavamiento de espíritu es llevado a cabo por la palabra (1P 1:22)
  5. El alma del hombre puede ser salva por la palabra implantada (Sa 1:21)
  6. El medio de dirección y guía es  el de la palabra escrita (Salmos 119:105); Lc 1:77-79).
  7. El testigo que habita dentro de los corazones de los creyentes obedientes es la palabra (Jn 17:17; 1Jn 5:6).
  8. El crecimiento de todo bebé espiritual es logrado por la palabra escrita (1Ped 1:23).
  9. La fuente de fortaleza es el conocimiento de la palabra (Hechos 20:32; Col 1:10-11).
  10. La palabra inspirada tiene el poder de consolar al desalentado (Ro 15:4; 2Co 1:3-4).
  11. El evangelio de Cristo es derramado en nuestros corazones por medio del evangelio (Ro 5:5).
  12. El ingreso de la palabra ilumina el corazón (Salmos 19:8; 119:130).
  13. La fuente de entendimiento es la inspiración de la palabra (Salmos 119:104).
  14. El primer paso para ser salvo; la fe, viene por el oír de la palabra (Ro 10:17).
  15. La palabra hace al hombre perfecto y enteramente listo para toda buena obra (2Tim 3:16-17).
  16. La desobediencia a la palabra apaga el Espíritu Santo (1Tes 5:19).
  17. El Señor puede seguir trabajando en nuestras vidas por la palabra (Filp 1:6).
  18. El no escuchar a la palabra es resistir al Espíritu de Dios directamente (Hechos 7:51, Neh. 9:30).
  19. La resurrección de entre los muertos se efectuará por las palabras de Cristo (Jn 5:28).
  20. El juicio final tendrá su estándar universal en la palabra escrita (Jn 12:48).
La Palabra de Dios escrita, la Biblia es la cosa más perfecta que existe en el globo terráqueo. Es simplemente imposible  pensar que esta biblioteca fue producto meramente de la mente humana. En un rebusco rápido de internet sobre la importancia de la Biblia hay cientos de cosas que pueden parecer interesantes incluyendo un sitio web titulado: “101 contradicciones de la Biblia”. Amigo mío esa es la mentira más sucia que existe, tenemos 102 soluciones a cada una de esas aparentes contracciones, que en su gran mayoría son resultado de una mala manera de estudio y de interpretación. El apóstol Pablo utiliza una palabra sin duda alguna en nuestro idioma español es la más adecuado para describer la Biblia, el dice: “más cuando venga lo perfecto, entonces lo que es en parte se acabará”. (1Cor 13:10 Enfasis HLM). Teleios, en griego denota algo perfecto, da la idea de completo, de estar lleno sin hacerle falta nada, al punto final de la capacidad máxima de algo, perfecto. A la Biblia no le hace falta nada y por el artículo definido “lo” utilizado para algo y no para alguien sabemos que Pablo aquí está hablando de la Biblia. La perfección de la Biblia se debe a su autor que también es perfecto; Dios, y la conclusión lógica aquí es que su lectores al aplicarla en sus vidas diarias también podrán alcanzar ese sentido de satisfacción final, de que nada le hace falta, de que están completos realmente de perfección. Es nuestra oración sincera que la Biblia sea la cosa más importante en su vida, porque al final es lo único que realmente importará. “El que me rechaza y no recibe mis palabras, tiene quien lo juzgue; la palabra que he hablado, ésa lo juzgará en el día final” (Juan 12:48 LBLA).
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Men Love Darkness

Men Love Darkness

When Nicodemus, who was a ruler of the Jews, came to see Jesus we are told that he came “by night” (John 3:2). It has been noted that we are not told why he came “by night” but many suppose that it was out of fear (John 12:42). This is not a stretch considering that Jesus ends his discussion with Nicodemus on how men love darkness rather than light (John 3:19–21).

Men try to hide their deeds in darkness.

Men try to hide their deeds in darkness.

If men do their deeds in the darkness they may be hid to men but not to God, who will make all things known. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

In contrast Jesus in chapter four has a discussion with a sinful, adulterous, Samaritan woman in broad daylight to which his disciples “marveled.” Jesus told us to let our light shine (Matthew 5:14–16) and worry about what God thinks rather than what men think. Be not ashamed of the gospel or the Lord. Be obedient, be faithful!

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Learning from Nadab and Abihu

Learning From Nadab and Abihu

Numbers 3:4 states, “And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord, when they offered strange fire before the Lord…”  The topic of our examination appears from this verse: Nadab and Abihu.  They died in the presence of, in the face of, or before the Lord.  The occasion involved an offering and the offering was strange.  The Hebrew term for strange means, “foreign, estranged, loathsome, or profane.”  What brought Nadab and Abihu to the presence of the Lord?  They had brought fire before the Lord for the purpose of worship.

Nadab and Abihu, regardless of intention, did not obey or please God.

Nadab and Abihu, regardless of intention, did not obey or please God.

“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therin, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.  And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.  Then Moses said unto Aaron, ‘This is it that the Lord spake, saying, “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.”’ And Aaron held his peace” (Lev. 10:1-3).

This passage makes it clear God did not command the fire Nadab and Abihu offered.  God never suggested, requested, or authorized it.  Thus, Moses describes the fire as profane or loathsome.  Of great importance is the fact that the passage states Nadab and Abihu did not die from an accident with the fire.  They died when God purposely sent fire to devour them.  Moses provided the reason God acted in such a fashion to destroy Nadab and Abihu.  When individuals go before God, He requires glorification and sanctification.  Sanctification means treating something as set apart or holy.  Glorification means to make honorable.  Nadab and Abihu dishonored God with their behavior.

The issues presented by their actions for examination revolve around mankind’s treatment of God, the importance of God’s commands, and the intentions of mankind.

“Be ye holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16)

The concept of sanctification and holiness relates to more than purity or being without sin.  God first used the term holy in Exodus 3:5 when He called a certain ground holy.  Ordinary and common cannot describe holy.  Approaching holiness requires reverence.  Reverence sees holiness and treats it with respect, humility, and even fear.  Fear closely draws to its side the knowledge that the individual cannot be equal to, but rather stands lacking in cleanness, stature, or quality to that which is holy.  Nadab and Abihu failed in this respect.  They approached their Creator in a manner which did not revere Him.  Their approach to worship treated God as nothing more than common.

Consider this.  If the sanctification and glorification of God stands so critical that the consequence of its absence meant death, how ought mankind approach God today?  Does the phrase casual worship service seem inappropriate?  Perhaps consider the irreverence of checking and sending texts and e-mail during worship.  If Moses approached the holy ground in his sandals toting along snacks and sipping on a latte or soda, would God have shown pleasure?

God does not stand on equal footing with a movie, picnic, or other common event.  Being in the presence of God is not a come-as-you-are event.  God is holy!  Nadab and Abihu failed to treat Him so.  We should draw from their example and not behave in the same fashion.

“If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)

The wind and the sea obey God.  Unclean spirits obey Him.  Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were punished.  The world disobeyed God and were destroyed, save eight souls.  Sodom and Gomorrah disobeyed God and God destroyed them.  Israel disobeyed God and He punished them in many ways from diseases, to wandering in the wilderness, to captivity, even to death itself.  Uzzah, like Nadab and Abihu, lost his life disobeying the commands of God.  Paul chastised the apostle Peter and the Galatian Christians for failing to obey the commands of God.  2 Thessalonians 1:8 declares destruction on those who do not obey God, while Jesus stands as the author of salvation to those who do obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).  Why would anyone disobey God willingly?  Yet, this is exactly what Nadab and Abihu did.

Many people today despise following God’s commands, even some within religious bodies bearing His name.  They feel as if God provided His commandments as mere suggestions, used as guidelines, bendable depending on the situation.  Those who desire to follow God’s Word as it was given actively find themselves victims of mockery and shaming by others.  A favorite and misused term which others apply to them is legalist.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines legalism as “strict adherence to the law.”  This sounds exactly like what God desires throughout the entire Bible.  When they stood before the Sanhedrin, the apostles declared obedience to God rather than to men.  Why would they do so if obedience to commands was subjective?

Now, one might quote Matthew 9:13, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, ’I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I am come to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  Upon reading, they would declare that God never desired exact obedience.  Yet, all Scripture shows He most definitely did desire obedience.  Contextually, Christ identified that one aspect of the law cannot be dropped and that individual still be pleasing to God.  One cannot worship without spirit and truth.  If a person goes through the motions of obedience in physical acts, but not obedience to a pure and holy spiritual nature, the physical acts presented to God result in God’s dissatisfaction.  He will not desire the sacrifice!

In view of Nadab and Abihu, they presented worship to God.  One might think that God would be thrilled with the “spiritual” demonstration of these individual’s hearts.  Yet, He rejected their worship because it failed to follow His commands.  In so doing, Nadab and Abihu demonstrated disdain in their worship rather than love for God.  They disobeyed and treated God in a profane manner.  Paul declared in his letter to Rome, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).  Learn from Nadab and Abihu’s example of disobedience.

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”  (James 2:20)

Grease fires break out while cooking on occasion.  Good, well-intentioned individuals frequently take action to attempt to put out the fire with water.  This can result in the fire spreading further because “water and oil don’t mix.”  Good intentions do not by themselves result in God’s pleasure.

Nadab and Abihu worshiped God.  Worship indicates a desire to please.  Yet, they attempted to present worship on their terms.  They presented as Can did, who when presenting his offering to the Lord did not do so in faith.  The so-called faith of those who present worship to God is dead if the works are guided by intention and not truth.  God will be treated as holy and will be obeyed.  No matter of intent (again, see Uzzah) will cause God to smile on a worshipful action not requested.

God declared through the apostle Paul that preaching saves.  Jesus commanded the proclamation of the gospel to all creation.  Yet, men in their good intentions decided to present God’s truths through acting and drama rather than proclamation. God declared that man sing as one body to Him in worship.  Yet, the intentions of man to worship in song resulted in playing instruments, choral groups, and praise teams with handclapping rather than what God commanded.  Will God be glorified with such behavior?  Will He be sanctified when His commandments are ignored?  Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of His life, death and resurrection.  The first-century church partook of this on the first day of the week.  Paul exhorted the Corinthians to take it properly and not treat it as a common meal.  Yet, through the intentions of man the Lord’s Supper is not taken every first day of the week in many places.  It is taken yearly, quarterly, monthly, or on special occasion.  In many places the Supper is offered with leavened bread, water, or in the midst of a meal.  Is the intention worship?  These behaviors result in will worship condemned by Paul (Col. 2:23).  If Nadab and Abihu, guided by good intentions to worship God, could not worship Him in a pleasing fashion, what makes men think they can today?

As Paul exhorted the Christian regarding the Scriptures written beforehand, man can learn from Nadab and Abihu how to properly worship God.  Christians treat God as holy.  Christians love Him by obeying His commands.  Do not follow your intentions, Christians.  Follow the truth.

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