Let not your heart be troubled

John 14: Let not your heart be troubled

What beautiful words “Let not your heart be troubled” (Jn.14:1, 27).  But, the apostles were troubled because one of them was a traitor and then Peter was warned that he would deny his Lord three times. So, how did Jesus calm their troubled hearts? He did so by giving them wonderful assurances to lay hold of, assurances that we can enjoy as a believer in Jesus Christ.

To begin with, one day Peter would “follow” Jesus to the cross (21:18-19; 2 Pet. 1:12-15), and then he would follow Him to heaven. Jesus, speaking of heaven, was not speaking of religious imaginations. Heaven is described as an inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4), a country (Heb. 11:16), a city (Heb. 11:16), and a home (vs. 2). It is the Father’s house and in it are mansions, meaning rooms or abiding places (14:23). And, Jesus Christ is now preparing places for all true believers, and each place will be beautiful.

Now, when Jesus was here on earth, He was a carpenter (Mk. 6:3). But, when he returns in glory, He will gather His people to take them home to Heaven. And, one day, our Lord will return for His people. And, what a place of love and joy it must be. In fact, the apostle John used many descriptions and comparisons for how wonderful heaven is (Rev. 21-22). And, it is a place where there is no death, sorrow, crying, pain, night, etc… But, not everybody is going to heaven, but rather only those who have trusted Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). For, Jesus is the only way to the Father and no man comes unto the Father without going through Jesus Christ.

But, in vs. 7-11, we learn that we do not have to wait until we enter heaven to get to know the Father. We can know Him today and receive from Him the spiritual resources we need to keep going when the days are difficult. To “know” the Father does not mean as we may know a friend. “To know” is used in the same Biblical sense of the most intimate relationship between man and wife (Gen. 4:1), indicating a deep relationship. And, Paul confirms this in Phil. 3:10 saying, “That I may know Him.” And, it was Philip’s desire to know the Father even though Jesus was leaving soon. As you know, Philip had come a long way since that day Jesus found him and called him (1:43-45). And, the burning desire of every believer ought to be to know God better which is all the more reason to study the Word of God. As for Philip, it seems that he did believe that Jesus was in the Father and the Father in Him. This word “believe” is an interesting word in vs. 10-11 because the tense of the word means to “go on believing,” as if Philip was to continue to let his faith grow!

But, as one’s faith grows, we learn of the privilege we have in prayer (vs. 12-15). However, if God is going to answer our prayers and give us peace in our hearts, there are certain conditions that we must meet. In fact, the meeting of these conditions is a blessing in itself! We must pray in faith (v. 12). However, faith does not mean believe for one can believe in Jesus, but not confess His name, that is, not have enough belief to bring about a faith that will trust Him no matter what. But, faith is obeying him because we love him and whatever we do, must be done in the name of Christ, that is, by his authority, which includes our prayers. And so, praying in Christ name (vs. 13-14) indicates a wonderful privilege the child of God has and to know His nature, what He is and what He wants of us.

In addition to looking forward to heaven, knowing the Father and the privilege of prayer, Jesus had a great deal to say about the Holy Spirit in His Upper Room message, for apart from the help of the Spirit of God, we cannot live the Christian life as God would have us live it (vs. 16-18). We must know who the Holy Spirit is and what He does for us. He is called the Comforter (15:26; 16:7) and it means “called alongside to assist.” And, how wonderful it is that He is also called the Spirit of Truth for Jesus is the Truth (Jn. 14:6) and the Word of God is truth (Jn. 17:17). Thus, the Holy Spirit could never lie or lead us to do anything contrary to the Word of God. And, when the apostles were given such a promise that the Spirit would come upon them, He empowered them to accomplish God’s work. And so, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), He was given to God’s people to remain with them forever. And so, there is no need to have a troubled heart when the Spirit of God is with believer!

But, as Jesus was speaking all these things, in vs. 19-24, He focuses on His resurrection appearances when it mentions how the next time the world sees Him, He will come in power and great glory to judge lost sinners. And what a wonderful assurance it is that Jesus did not stay in the tomb. But, if we treasure and obey his word, then the Father and the Son will share their love with us and make their home in us. This means that as we yield to the Father, love the Word, pray, and obey Him, there is a deeper relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit.

It is in this relationship that one has peace (shalom) and it is such a precious word (vs. 25-31). To some, it means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity. But God’s peace is not like the “peace” that the world offers. God’s peace depends on our relationship with him and our dependency in Christ. In the world, peace is something you hope for or work for; but to the Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. It is a peace in spite of trials because Christians walk by faith instead of by sight like the world does. And, it is the Spirit of God that teaches us the Word and guides us through the truth, which gives us that peace, love and joy that calms a troubled heart (vs. 27).

Again, Jesus assured them that they would see Him again (vs. 28). And, how wonderful it is to have the Word of God before us, the Spirit working in us, the Savior above us and the Father making all things possible! And, while in vs. 30-31, it speaks of us having two enemies: the world and the devil, Jesus overcame them both (Jn. 12:31) and therefore, Satan nor the world can get a foothold on our lives, unless we permit it. Neither can trouble our hearts unless we allow it. And, that is because Jesus showed His love for the Father and for the world by voluntarily going to the cross and laying down His life. God laying down his life for me and you. I say this because both Jesus and the Father are one (vs. 28).

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Deborah: Resolves of Heart

Great Resolves of Heart

It was a time of war.  Israel had been oppressed by the Canaanite King, Jabin, for twenty (20) years.  Jabin’s right hand man, Sisera, had nine hundred chariots of iron (Judges 4:2-3).  With so many chariots, who could withstand him?  Nevertheless, when the children of Israel cried out to God, He heard, and raised up Deborah as a judge (Judges 4:3-4).  At his request, Deborah went with Barak, and defeated the armies of Jabin, and Sisera died at the hands of a woman, Jael (Judges 4:8-24).

After this great victory, Deborah wrote a song found in Judges 5.  In this song, she praises God for the victory, and recounts the circumstances that led up to the battle.  One expression in this song that catches the attention is found in Judges 5:15-16, “By the watercourses of Reuben there were great resolves of heart.  Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben there were great searchings of heart” (ASV).

One might think that this thought is a compliment, but it is actually a criticism.  You see, while the tribes of Zebulun and Naphthali enjoined the battle, Reuben stayed at home with their flocks.  They passed great resolutions in their assemblies, but could not take themselves away from their comfortable pastoral life.  One commentator says:

Deborah first of all mentions the tribes which took no part in the conflict (Judges 5:15-17), and then returns in Judges 5:18 to the Zebulunites, who staked their life along with Naphtali for the deliverance of Israel from the yoke of the enemy. The enumeration of the tribes who remained at a distance from the conflict commences with Reuben (Judges 5:15 and Judges 5:16). In this tribe there did arise a lively sympathy with the national elevation. They held meetings, passed great resolutions, but it led to no practical result; and at length they preferred to remain quietly at home in their own comfortable pastoral life.

Many have “great resolves of heart,” but fail to execute upon those resolutions when it is time to act.  These “resolves” take many practical forms.  The Pharisees’ oaths in Matthew 5:33-37 were such “resolves.”  Failing to follow through on our commitments would be categorized as being such a “resolve.”  Passing national laws and then failing to enforce them may be categorized as such “resolves.”  It is good to have great resolves, but if we do not have the follow through to go with it, resolutions are meaningless, hypocritical, and at worst downright deceitful.

It has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.  We may intend to do the right thing, have our heart right, and even say the right things, but if those intentions are not backed up with solid action, our intentions become vain.  James said it like this:

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:22-25).

How many of us prefer the comfortable pastoral life to the life of service that Jesus’ demands?  Do we come to worship each week with great resolves of heart, but do nothing thereafter?  It is good to have a good heart, but it is better for that good heart to be followed by good activity of faith.  Let’s resolve not to be sideline Christians, but to put on the whole armor of God and engage the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-18).

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A Half Dozen Hypocrites

6 Hypocrites

The term “hypocrite” (as used in the Bible) means “imposter; deceiver; one who is playing a part, putting on an act.”  According to the Scriptures, there are at least six ways in which one can be classified as a hypocrite:

1. The man play-acting goodness (Matthew 6:2,5,16)
2. The man who, in the name of religion, breaks God’s laws (Matthew 15:1-9)
3. The man who conceals his true motives under a cloak of seeming respect or compliments (Mt. 22:15-18)
4. The man who hides an evil heart behind a facade of piety or holiness (Matthew 23:28)
5. The man who becomes spiritually blind (Luke 12:56)
6. The man, who in the cause of religion, seduces others from the right way (cf. Gal. 2:13; 1 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:1)

Hypocrites are found in every walk of life: in friendships, in family relationships, in politics, in religion, etc.  The question is, are you one?  Being that there is no place for hypocrites in heaven (Matt. 24:51), it is important that you answer that question.  You may be able to fool your buddy, your brother, or your preacher, but you can never fool God (Heb. 4:13).

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Get Your Story Straight

According to a boatload of published reports – and several from some very well-informed brethren amongst us, including brother Brad Harrub as posted on this website, as well as others with additional comments (see: http://churchofchristarticles.com/blog/administrator/noah-movie-sinks; http://www.clevelandcoc.com/?p=3995)  – with the exception of the title, the new movie “Noah” is probably one of the most biblically contradictory, if not outright blasphemous Hollywood productions to be presented to the general populace for consumption under the guise and disguise of having anything to do with the bible, ever… and that’s saying quite a bit!

So why would anybody go to see it? And yet many did! Published reports estimate that the movie grossed $44,000,000 during it’s opening weekend in the U.S., as well as doing well abroad and taking in some additional 33,000,000 plus, overseas. No doubt many people you couldn’t offer to pay $4.00/hr to come sit in a pew and listen to an actual biblically-accurate lesson designed to save their souls for all eternity, went and willfully paid their approximately $8.00 (per person I might add) admission to indulge in this 2-hour and 18 minute manifestation of madness; plus $3.00 for each dollar candy bar and $5.00 for each large cup of ice cubes with a squirt of soda they consumed – and probably didn’t complain in the least!

Now, no doubt in its opening weekend some Christians even went to watch it in order to see if it was as biblically blasphemous as preliminary reports indicated. Other Christians, perhaps not being as well-informed, may have gone and took it in, hoping against hope for a “Passion of the Christ” type movie experience. However, now that the news is out, why would anyone spend the Lord’s money He’s so graciously given them on such a travesty? And why would they let their unsaved friends go and become even more biblically-confused then they apparently already are, without at least a few loving words of resolute resistance? Consider this:

Let’s say you have been wrongly charged with a crime you didn’t commit – a crime carrying a life sentence as a minimum, and ultimately punishable by death. You are completely innocent and you know it; it was a case of mistaken identity gone virile. As your trial begins tomorrow, what is the one thing you would want for the jury to do? The answer is obvious: You would want them to get the story straight. You would want to make sure all the facts, down to the minutest detail were presented in their entirety and entered into evidence. That is why, if your life were thus on the line, you would hire the best lawyers you could find; lawyers who would relentlessly go over and over the story with you, making sure you get your responses right and your story straight in preparation for the prosecution. Lawyers who would exhaust every effort in examining the evidence, locating eyewitnesses, and uncovering the indisputable truth in order to get you set free.

But the fact of the matter is, we’ve all been charged with a crime which we did commit and stand guilty before God for – and that crime is “rebellion against, and disobedience before, almighty God,” better known as “sin” (Rom. 3:23). And it carries far more than a “short and simple” death sentence. It carries with it an eternal, never ending, and indescribably painful death sentence (See: Mk. 9:43-49; Lk. 16:22-31; Rom. 6:23; and Rev. 20:10-15). But; if we’re willing to explore at length, the facts in evidence in the word of God, and really meditate upon the eyewitness accounts therein at length (I John 1:1-10), then we can “know the truth, and the truth shall set us free” (Jn. 8:31-32).

All we have to do is “get ‘The Story’ straight” – straight from God Himself through His faithful and righteous, holy and hand-picked proclaimers, of His flawless and perfect eternal word (Ps. 19:7-11). Men incidentally, like blameless and obedient Noah was, he himself being a “righteous preacher of righteousness” (See: Genesis 6:9-7:5; 2 Ptr. 2:5).

Now; it is quite obvious as to why most atheists and so many of those who want to live “according to the flesh” have always sought to suppress the truth, distort the story, and discredit the character of good and righteous men like Noah (Matt. 5:10-12), who were far more faithful, moral, godly, upright, and approved by God than they themselves (God actually calls such men ‘fools’ and describes and condemns their thought processes in rejecting His divine message in detail in Romans 1:18-32, which see…). Many of them apparently seem to feel as if they must malign and mischaracterize men like Noah and thus seek to minimize the effectiveness of his God-given message, simply because that very message thoroughly condemns those who are unwilling to accept God’s message and obey it like Noah did! Please note the following excerpts from 2 Peter 2:1-19 and draw your own conclusions as to how aptly it applies to the current topic under discussion:

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)– then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries… But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness… These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.”

Now as previously stated, it is quite obvious as to why atheists and so many of those who want to live “according to the flesh” had rather seek to portray any preacher of righteousness such as Noah as a madman, rather than to have to pay any attention to his God-given message. This is what the vast majority of mankind did in Noah’s day as well, and are still and will forevermore be paying the eternal price for (See: 1 Ptr. 3:18-21).

But the far more important questions for our consideration today are these: Why would anyone who even remotely understands that they are guilty of sin and stand condemned before God, want to have their judgment clouded as to what God really wants, by even considering, or worse yet, evilly promoting a perverted picture of anything in Scripture, and especially what real righteousness fit for emulating before God actually looks like? Wouldn’t it be far better to get your story straight – without deceptions, distortions, and despicable perversions – especially knowing that an eternal life and death implication and outcome hangs in the balance for you? After all, how is it that much different to actively go and pay money to support something that so many now know so blatantly perverts biblical truth, than what the Pharisees did in actively seeking to find false witnesses to pervert and distort God’s truth about Jesus so they could crucify Him (Matt. 27:59-60)?

The bottom line is this: With all that’s at stake eternally, we all need desperately to get the story straight – straight from the heart and word of almighty God that is, and not from any other lesser or less-pure source. This is true regarding the story of Noah and any and everything else in Scripture, because our eternal life and death destinations depend on it! Therefore: no distortions needed, considered, or tolerated! Get your story straight! Go straight to the Source: the all-authoritative, inerrant, and divinely-inspired word of almighty God Himself; the One who wrote the book on righteous and obedient Noah; the One whose unblemished truth alone will determine whether you sink (into an eternal sea of a far different and smoking sort – see Rev. 20:10-15 once again) … or are set eternally free!

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Living like a Christian

Christian Living

Read Ephesians 4:17–24 and here is what you will find. Paul affirms with the Lord that the Christian should no longer live like those in the world; those outside of Christ. Those “Gentiles” (pagans)…

  1. Are excluded from the life of God because of ignorance
  2. The ignorance is because they have hardened their hearts.
  3. This hardness has lead to a callous mind and a life given to sensuality, impurity, and greediness.

The evidence of a soul separated from God because of sin is made evident by the life they live. But we as Christians are commanded to give up that former life and live a life that reflects the likeness of God.

Many Christians have failed to make the said transformation. They are still, in many ways, living like the “Gentiles.” And in doing so cause reproach to be brought upon the Lord and His church. Not to mention crucifying the Son of God afresh and trampling under foot the blood that was shed for their sins (Hebrews 6:6,10:29).

Many have failed and continue to stubbornly refuse to follow the instruction of Christ to take up their crosses (Matthew 16:24) and of Paul to be “living sacrifices”(Romans 12:1–2). How many are actually following the instruction of Inspiration to have the same mind as Christ (Philippians 2:5, 3:15)?

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Do you want to be pleasing to God? Do you want to spend eternity in the home Jesus is preparing for you in Heaven? What do you need to give up? And before you say, “I can’t,” listen to Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). What it boils down to is a matter of “want to.”

Bring your sins to Christ, obey Him, and be faithful! You can do it!

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