Microscope and Bible

Several years ago the story was told of a wealthy Chinese businessman who visited America.  During his stay he was introduced to something he had never seen before (a powerful microscope).  As he looked through its lens he was amazed at the detail and beauty of crystals and the petals of flowers.  He was so impressed with the instrument that he decided to purchase one and take it back to China. He thoroughly enjoyed using his microscope; however, one day he discovered something that disturbed him greatly.  As he examined some rice he was planning to eat for dinner he found that tiny living creatures were crawling in it.  Troubled by this he concluded that there was only one thing he could do.  He would destroy the instrument because of what it revealed – and so he smashed the microscope to pieces!

This is the way some people are with the Bible.  God’s word reveals how disgusting a sinful life is; yet instead of doing something about it (by repenting and obeying the Lord, Acts 2:38), many reject the word of God.  To them, if it weren’t for the Bible, they wouldn’t have to feel dirty or ashamed.  Jesus said, “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” (Jn 3:19-20).

Friend, is this true of you?  If so, the fault lies with you – not the Bible!

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Offensive Love

Earning the Right to Offend

“The church is just too judgmental,” they say. “Doesn’t the Bible say ‘Do not judge lest you be judged’”?

The most popular Bible verses in recent years have completely flipped from what they once were. Rather than verses like John 3:16 which tell of the love of Jesus Christ, the most well-known Bible sayings now are used by non-Christians to preach a postmodernist “tolerance.” “Do not judge lest you be judged” comes to mind, in particular. Of course, we seem to have started memorizing certain verses in response, verses like “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” and “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”

We remind ourselves that the Gospel is offensive, and that if we speak out in defense of the truth (even in a loving way – 1 Corinthians 13:1) we’re going to make enemies of those in the world, even including friends and family. While such Scriptures are true and we’re right to comfort ourselves with the reminder that people hate God’s Word and not us, we can sometimes be guilty of missing a step.

Take a look at the church’s beginning in Acts 2, where we have the first examples of what our first century brethren did and how they were perceived in their society. We see that they were dedicated to the Apostles’ teaching, that they were in constant fellowship, and that they were serving and caring for one another by giving of themselves any time a need arose. While they were eventually persecuted for preaching (starting in chapter 4), but before that happened Luke wrote down a key phrase that we would do well to note. Acts 2:47 says that the early church was “having favor with all the people.”

Among the crowds and with the people around them, the church was looked at in a positive light. The lesson we should take from this is that though the Bible’s teachings may be offensive to those who refuse to consider them, the church’s loving actions should be their first impression of the church among the people in our communities. While I believe in holding fast to the truth, I also believe in listening to criticism and seeing what we can take from it. When people say that we come off as too judgmental, it seems to be equally due to the Bible’s challenging teachings and our lack of loving action backing up what we say.

We claim it’s our goal to teach the truth in love, but that’s where we’re mistaken. You have to earn the right to teach the truth in love. How? By showing love! In the same section where Jesus assured the apostles that the world would hate them because of them, He also reminded them that it was their love that would distinguish them from the world. As of right now, the most noticeable factor separating us from the world is the divisive truth of the Gospel and not our love for each other and for the world. Jesus didn’t say “Love your neighbor” is a hard enough to command to follow in today’s busy, hectic life where we’re all carefully guarded about how we come across to each other. Love your enemy? That’s even harder. What about loving people enough to feed them, clothe them, visit them, or invite them in (Matthew 25:35-36)? What about loving people enough to leave our comfort zones and preach the love and hope of the Gospel to them and not just that which seems culturally relevant (be it the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality, abortion, or anything else)?

Yes, if we preach that which challenges the world’s lifestyle, we’ll offend people. It’s just a natural result. If we show Christ’s love the way we should first, though, we’ll glorify God and shine His light to people who truly need it and maybe we’ll find open doors and softer hearts.

 

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Emotionalism

Over the years, I have seen an increasing emphasis, both in the church and out of the church, in emotionalism. In fact, many continue today to accentuate the need of “feeling God” or “feeling His presence.” Of course, I believe we can see the origination of this into the church from denominational sources. Since many denominations overemphasize emotionalism in worship and religion, we need to be aware of what the Bible says concerning our feelings.

We can recognize one immediate area of emphasis in the songs that we sing. Certainly, we need to understand that many of our songs, especially newer songs, originated by denominational songwriters. If one will casually peruse the songbook, one will find this fact true. Therefore, no matter what song we sing, we ought to compare the words and meanings with the word of God to ensure that we are “teaching and admonishing one another” with scriptural songs (cf. Col. 3:16).

There are only nine passages in the Bible dealing with feelings. Many of these are a literal feeling or touching, such as Isaac “feeling” Jacob’s goat hair in Genesis 27. The only passage that one might allude to such is in Acts 17:27: “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” Nevertheless, according to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, this word translated “feel” is in the Aeolic form and metaphorically means, “mentally to seek after tokens of a person or thing” (p. 676). Leo Boles writes in his commentary concerning this passage: “‘Feel after him’ is a vivid picture of the darkened and benighted condition of those who thought themselves to be wise. The evidences of God were round about them; yet they did not know him” (pp. 281-82). Therefore, this is not a literal feeling, but simply seeking after God with the heart by looking at the evidences of His presence around them.

Please do not misinterpret my thoughts—I am not saying that emotions are not important in religion. We understand their importance with respect to worshipping God in spirit and in truth, just as Jesus said in John 4:24, or including God in our emotions when we love him with our entire being (cf. Matt. 22:37). Yet, the importance between intellectual and logical reasoning and emotionalism is to be balanced, just as life and our response to the commands of God are to be balanced (cf. Deut. 5:32). Unfortunately, I am addressing the heavy shift of many in our world (and in the church) towards this one slant.

It is not surprising to find the prominence on emotionalism, since many in our religious world place that same point of emphasis towards their salvation. According to many in the denominational world, if one “feels” that God has saved him deep in his heart and soul, then God must have saved him, regardless of what acts of faith or obedience he may have rendered to God. However, the notion of relying on feelings as proof of salvation is far from what the Bible correctly teaches, and one cannot find such in scripture.

How can we even compare our feelings, which are so subjective, to a divine being that is so objective? Let us be sure that we follow the admonition of Paul: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).

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Judging Our Relationships

There is probably no greater, more powerful, or more practical sermon in all of the sacred scripture when it comes to our relationships with one another, than the so-called “Sermon on the Mount.”

In Luke’s recording of this most beautiful of lessons straight from the heart of the Father, we find such life and relationship altering commandments as: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also” (Lk. 6:27-29a). It is within this most exquisite and eloquent of expositions that we also encounter the so-called “golden rule,” “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Lk. 6:31). And then of course, there is the oft-neglected but ever essential commandment with its inherent and infinitely important insight at the end, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven… For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (See Lk. 6:37-38). Jesus concludes the “Sermon on the Mount” by letting us know that the keeping of these commandments – not just the hearing, knowing, or even memorizing of them, but the DOING, or continual practice of them in our everyday lives and relationships with one another – is what separates the good from the bad, the godly from the ungodly, or the righteous from the unrighteous (See Lk. 6:41-45). In fact, it is the keeping of these very commandments that Jesus indicates is what separates those who are truly His, from those who simply deceived into thinking they are (See Lk. 6:46-49). Therefore, it is only fitting that we earnestly consider these most important of instructions and their inherent implications for each and every one of us, on a deeply personal, practical, intimate and “rubber meets the road” level.

Do we really and truly, honestly treat one another, exactly as we ourselves wish to be treated in all circumstances? The answer to that question can be accurately and ultimately determined by truly considering these…

Ø  Do we “jump down another’s throat” at the very first sign that they may do something in their service to God in a little bit different manner or fashion than we normally do? Or do we encourage and thank them for their service? How would we want them to approach us if the roles were reversed? With harsh and unnecessary criticism, or with genuine gratitude and gentle encouragement? (“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”)

Ø  Do we say things to others in a manner and tone that we would be offended by, were they to approach us in the same exact manner? Or would we be perfectly comfortable with their words and way, were they to approach us with the same words, attitude, and actions with which we have approached them… Really? Honestly? (“For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”)

You see, when we willingly determine to give others the benefit of the doubt, purposefully choose to believe the best instead of the worst, ardently encourage rather than rashly criticize, and minimize their sins and shortcomings in our eyes instead of magnifying and maligning them, we also give God something as well: The exact rule, magnitude and measure by which we wish to, and will be, judged by Him come Judgment Day! Every time we judge, criticize, or harshly and needlessly approach another and berate or find fault with them, seeking to bring to light and advertise to them and/or others their every little fault or deficiency, we send God an extremely clear and unmistakable communication which He cannot, does not, and will not ever miss or take lightly. We tell God plainly, “THIS is how I want you to judge ME.”

We all, like David, know ourselves and our sins far better than anyone else on earth (See: Psalm 51). And I for one, both want and need all the love and leniency I can possibly get from God come Judgment Day. And hopefully we all feel the same way. But do we? The actual, factual, and ultimately honest answer to that question is incredibly easily evidenced by this: What kind of measure are you giving Him to one day use on you, as you daily interact with others?

 

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Suggestions for a New Year

As we think about this New Year, there are things that we need to remember to have a good year. The decisions and choices we make will determine the kind of year we can have. Therefore, let’s notice some suggestions that will help us to have a good year.

Apologize when we do wrong. The three words, “I am sorry” are difficult to say for those filled with pride. If you would, think of the relationships, homes and even congregations that have been destroyed because one who has committed sin, will not humble himself to repent (Matt. 5:23-24, 18:15-17; Lk. 17:3-4).

Accept good advice. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly. . . But his delight is in the law of the Lord” (Psa. 1:1-2). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise: (Prov. 12:15). Now, certainly we must be able to distinguish between foolish and wise counsel.

Avoid conforming to the world. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed . . .” (Rom. 12:2). We must all come to terms that the world is out to mold and shape us into that which the Lord does not want. Thus, when on begins to “love” the world and “live” like the world, we are unable to have a “good year” spiritually (1 Jn. 2:15-17).

Act only after thinking. Some of the greatest problems we have in this life have been brought upon ourselves because we forgot to stop and think before we acted or spoke. Therefore, we need to “taste” our words and “weigh” the consequences of our actions before we speak and react (Phil. 4:8; Eph. 4:29; Gal. 5:19-21).

Adhere to the Word of God. God has given us, through His Word, that which we need in this life (2 Pet. 1:3). Hence, it is the Scriptures that provide and is profitable for our spiritual well-being (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Therefore, as we apply the Word of God to our lives, we are providing the means by which we can have a “good year” and ultimately a home in Heaven.

Appreciate God. Without God in our lives it is impossible to have a “good year” as He desires and demands. Thus, if we do appreciate and reverence God as we should, then it will be seen in our life (Eccl. 12:13)

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