Pride

Pride:  The Greatest Sin Problem

If you were to be asked, “What is the greatest ‘sin problem’ we face in the world today?” what would you say? How would you respond? Would you say “The sin of homosexuality?” “Sexual immorality?” Or maybe even “Idolatry,” if you really stopped to think about it? And what if you were asked what the greatest ‘sin problem’ in the church was today? What would you say? “Worldliness?” “Doctrines of men?” “Lack of faithful commitment?”

I would like to suggest to you that the greatest ‘sin problem’ in both the world and the church today is one that far surpasses the pain and problems perpetrated by any one of the above individually. Now granted, one might find that to be an incredulous and ludicrous statement if they stopped to consider the heart-breaking and soul-costing consequences of even any particular one of the above mentioned sins. But here’s the key to understanding said statement: The ‘sin-problem’ of whence I speak is not any one sin in particular, but instead, is the particular problem that lies at the root of EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE AND ALL OTHER SINS! This ‘sin-problem’ to which I refer, is the one, overwhelming problem that lies at the heart, soul, and root of all such sin! It is the root system which feeds, supports, and fully nourishes the entire forest of sin, each individual sin simply being but a small leaf on a very large tree – all of which are rooted in the caustic and satanic soil of this sin-causing and soul-condemning condition. It is the one, incredibly-powerful, infectiously primeval, insidious element, without which the whole forest of sin would simply fall flat and die. And simply put, this ‘sin problem’ of such vast destruction, is simply… “pride,” period.

Think about it. Every single sin men commit against God and one another, is, in one way or another, brought about because of an appeal to our pride and the subsequent response of our own selfish, self-centered, self-promoting, self-righteous, self-gratifying at all cost, “me first,” “I deserve to have what I want when I want it, because after all, it’s all about me” attitude. Don’t think so? Then consider this…

What was the reason Satan was shown to have been cast down out of heaven? Because of his pride, pure and simple. Because he believed he should be equal with God, being so puffed up in his own pride and splendor – See prophecies of Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:13-17. (It is also interesting to note and compare, that if Jesus is the perfect personification of the word of God – and He is {Jn. 1:14} – that Satan could certainly be said to be the personification of pride, from both the perspective of these passages and for the purposes of this study!)

When the earth was originally created by God as a perfect and sinless paradise, what was the one angle Satan approached from, to successfully tempt Eve and thus introduce sin, sickness, death, disease and destruction, all into God’s perfect creation? An all-out assault and appeal to her pride; a blatant and blasphemous statement designed to provoke the dark power of her prideful “me-firstness” into action: Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God… (Gen 3:4-5a). Or, in the words of ‘Tool Times’ Tim Taylor,’ a personal appeal to “more power!”

If you really stop to think about it, whether we are talking about the sins of idolatry, adultery, thievery, homosexuality, dishonesty, drunkenness, man-made denominational doctrines, or any other sin you can think of, they all come back to a “self first,” self-satisfaction, self-gratification, self-promotion, self-empowerment, and self-centered appeal, seduction, and temptation to selfishness. And they are countless! From Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1-6), to Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-8), to David and Bathsheba (II Sam. 11:1-17), to James and John (Matt. 20:20-28), to Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10), to Hymenaeus and Alexander (I Tim. 1:18-20), to Diotrephes (III Jn. 9-10) and even on into today at this very moment! Every sin, every time, everywhere, wherever they’re being committed, are being committed and causing pain and suffering because someone has listened to Satan – whether they know it, or will admit it or not – and is determined to do what they want, when they want, the way they want – despite the cost, consequences, or the very commandments of God themselves!

Let’s limit the focus of our attention on just the Lord’s church itself for a few minutes, seeing as how that is what we as Christians should be the most concerned with… because even there the satanic sin of personal pride rears it’s ugly, divisive, and destructive head far too often.

A Christian’s feelings get hurt because some other saint says something to them either in jest, fatigue, a moment of weakness, or perhaps even in a much-needed moment of honest assessment. And because they, in their wounded “me-first” pride feel that they deserve so much better, they up and leave the Lord’s church rather than obey the Lord’s teaching that they are to resolve, forgive, forget and move on together (Matt. 5:20-26, 18:15-35; I Cor. 6:1-8; Col. 3:1-14; Hebs 10:19-26).

Other instances of pride-induced sin in the Lord’s church would include when local church leaders decide that for the sake of being more popular and increasing the size of their congregation, that they are going to compromise the clear-cut commandments of the Lord. And tragically, such is being done today on everything from adultery to apostasy. In nothing short of an all-out, pride-promulgated effort to keep people in the pews and their pennies in the plates so that we can boast about how big we are and how much of a budget we maintain, preachers in some places have been regularly and routinely threatened and told not to preach the truth on some of the more challenging topics such as marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and etc.

It is also nothing more, less, or different than simple pride-induced sin, when men – because they would rather please women and their current culture instead of being pleasing to and obeying God – decide to install and defend female leadership in the Lord’s worship assemblies (I Cor. 14:33-37; I Tim. 2:11-15).

The same can also be said for the pride-induced sin of introducing instrumental music into the Lord’s worship assemblies when He has clearly and repeatedly told us – in fact, eight times in the New Testament (Matt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; Ro. 15:9; I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Hebs. 2:12; Jms. 5:13) – that we are only to sing! It is only in an attempt to attract and/or appease a certain and self-desire-demanding segment of our society that either plays, prefers, or believes they have a right to whatever they want in worship, that instruments were ever introduced into the church to begin with, or that they’re ever there now found there still. Let’s face it; they certainly aren’t there because God said He preferred them anywhere in His New Testament church worship assemblies, that’s for sure! If He had, then those who in their own pride-driven push to promote this unauthorized practice would have produced said verses centuries ago!

But perhaps the saddest facet of this self-preference, self-promoting, and self-empowerment sin-pride problem in the church isn’t the one to do with doctrine at all – even as destructive, divisive, and devastating as that one is (Rom. 16:16-18; I Cor. 1:10-13, 11:17-19; Gal. 1:6-10; II Jn. 6-11). Instead, it’s the problems caused by pride-propelled, power-hungry, “put you down to put me first” personalities. That was the problem addressed in the oft-quoted passage of Proverbs 6:12-19 (which see). In fact, if you were to remove any and all teaching about the pitfalls of pride from the pages of Proverbs, you would probably push the book out into the “proverbial” periphery of biblical books.

This type of personal, phenomenal, “me-first” pride was the chief problem amongst the apostles. In John, chapter six, when the teaching got tough and many disciples therefore walked away, the apostles did not; nor were they said to be “indignant” over this, one of His more difficult of doctrines (See Jn. 6:60-69). However, they were reported to be “indignant” (NASV), or “greatly displeased” (NKJV), twice during Jesus’ earthly ministry – and both times it was one hundred percent over either pride-induced, “I should be first,” or “my-way-to-do-this-is-the-only-way-to-do-this-and-not-yours” power-play type sins amongst themselves (See: Matt. 20:20-28, 26:6-9; Mk. 10:35-41,14:3-5).

This same type of personal, “me-first” pride was the source of almost every single problem the first-century congregation of the church of Christ that worked and worshipped in Corinth suffered as well (please read that epistle again with this in mind and see for yourself).

The problem with the congregation to which the Apostle John wrote was the presence of a church leader named Diotrephes who was so pumped up on His own personal, pride-propelled, and satanically-similar self-assumed power, that he refused to likewise listen – even to the divinely-inspired, apostle-delivered word of God himself (III Jn. 9-10).

Folks, this is why there is absolutely, positively, no place whatsoever in God’s N.T. church, for any leader – ANY leader; be he an elder, deacon, preacher, teacher, or simply a senior or prominent man and member of the congregation – with a superiority complex; for one who has not completely crucified the old man of sin and his demonic, domineering, dominating, and destructive and division causing self-absorption, promotion, and aggression! God made sure he made that absolutely clear in His list of qualifications for elders (I Tim. 3:6). The elder and aged apostle Peter made the same divinely-inspired plea to his pastoral peers in I Peter 5:1-3. And the “leading ladies” are no less responsible to rid themselves of their pride-driven sense of self-importance and self-righteousness that elevates them above others as far as they’re concerned either (I Tim. 3:11; Tit. 2:3-5).

When one assembles and explores the entire expanse of scriptural passages containing the words “pride,” “haughty,” “humble,” “envy,” “strife,” “factions,” “divisions,” and any and all other words related to this prideful-and-self-propelled root of all sin, it is easy to understand why those who think they, their ideas, their perspectives, and their viewpoints and opinions are worth far more and are therefore more worthy to be implemented than anyone else’s, are ultimately the cause of more divisions and dissentions amongst God’s congregations than just about any other individuals – including the promulgators and promoters of false and soul-damning denominational doctrines (I Tim. 4:1-5).

The epistle of James, the “Proverbs of the New Testament,” perhaps captures, capsulizes, and conveys this concept best when it states: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:13-18).

The reason that this is so important in the church, is because we have the answer. We have the cure for the biggest ‘sin-problem’ the world has ever known. God has given us the antidote for this universal, self-centered, self-serving, and self-promoting pride/sin problem. And He even provided us the perfect example in the process:  Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:1-8).

Let us, as self-professed followers of Christ, make it our aim, goal, and desire, to faithfully follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior when it comes to our own self-sacrifice for the good and promotion of others. That’s what Jesus did in His love for us (Phil. 2:1-8). That’s what husbands do who truly love their wives (Eph. 5:25). That’s what wives do who truly love their husbands (Eph. 5:22-24). And that’s what Christians do who truly love their Lord and one another (Eph. 5:15-21; Mk. 10:35-45).

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Under the Influence

Normally it is after 9:00pm when their deadly behavior becomes most apparent. Most of us have observed the reckless driving, as their cars veer from the shoulder of the road to the centerline. Overlooking traffic signs and swerving across multiple lanes, drunk drivers routinely display behaviors that are easily recognized. These individuals are “under the influence” of too much alcohol, and they are violating the law. They have ingested so much alcohol that it has begun negatively influencing normal bodily processes  such as memory, perception, and coordination. Every state has legislated a legal blood-alcohol concentration limit—that is, a safe amount of alcohol that can be detected in the blood system of an individual (i.e., 0.08%). Any driver whose blood-alcohol level exceeds that limit is considered “under the influence” and is unable to safely drive an automobile. They are driving while their body is being influenced by too much alcohol.

I recognize that drunk driving is not a sin for the majority of Christians (although I strongly urge those who struggle with this to get help!). However, many Christians live their daily lives “under the influence”—the Hollywood and media influence. They have ingested so much “Hollywood” entertainment and media propaganda that their behavior and speech has been altered. Day after day televisions are tuned into shows like Desperate Housewives, Sex in the City, The L Word, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, or soap operas. These vile shows encourage immoral behavior, and are filled with foul language and immodest dress. Oftentimes they watch so much that they become desensitized—similar to the alcoholic that feels nothing after just a few drinks. In addition, many Christians never think twice about viewing sexually graphic R-rated movies, and listen to music with corrupt lyrics. These individuals receive a steady diet of humanism, atheism, and immorality as they constantly feed on the latest that Hollywood has to offer. They are indeed, Christians under the influence.

All of this Hollywood influence does not come without a price—just like drunk drivers, their behavior is altered. Language becomes laced with obscenities—mimicking the language they constantly hear from Hollywood. Marriages dissolve as individuals follow after fleshly passions—passions that have been kindled and fed from weekly television dramas. Honesty and integrity are abandoned as individuals seek to fulfill their own desires. Moral behavior is jettisoned as fun-seekers imitate activities glamorized on the silver screen. Even human life becomes devalued as people become desensitized to things like abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research and organic evolution. These Christians have become common members of a society that is practicing the mantra: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry! They are in the world, and now, of the world. What was once an influence for good has been overshadowed by a steady stream of negative stimuli.

These Christians have been so influenced by the world that they can scarcely be recognized from the world. Their desire to emulate some Hollywood lifestyle is not only negatively affecting their own lives, but also the lives of individuals with whom they come into contact everyday. Their own influence has now become hazardous—as they teach non-Christians that a life of fun and pleasure from sinful practices is perfectly acceptable. Sadly, this negative influence also impacts other Christians, causing some to believe that worldly ideals and pursuits are in accordance with God’s Will. Through their actions they propagate an attitude that religious tenets are not really important and that the church is more of a social club—all the while wearing the name “Christian.” What could have been a positive influence—an influence for good—is often the exact opposite.

What can we do to ensure that: (1) we are not allowing the world to influence us in the wrong way; and (2) that our own influence is for good? First and foremost we, like those drunk drivers, must admit there is a problem. If we refuse to acknowledge the negative influences of Hollywood and the media, then we can never cure the problem. Accepting and buying into the world’s “standards” is not a part of the Christian life. After we recognize the problem we must then take proactive steps to cure it—we should try to rid our lives of as much “Hollywood” influence as possible. Stop tuning into deplorable shows, stop supporting movies that contain filth, stop listening to demoralizing jokes. As we begin to reduce the amount of negative influence we should seek to replace it with good. Paul, in writing to the Christians in Rome admonished them: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

God knew the danger of negative influences. Observe what He told the children of Israel when they were taking possession of the Promised Land. God said:

You shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire. For you are a holy people to the Lord (Deuteronomy 7:2-6, emp. added).

Moses went on to admonish: “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations” (Deuteronomy 18:9). God did not want the negative influences of those inhabitants to distract the children of Israel. They were to be “in the world” but not of the world.

Tim La­Haye, in his book, The Battle for the Mind, suggested: “Our present society is in a state of moral decay, not because the majority of Americans love degeneracy, but because the influence of humanism has been greater on our culture than the influence of the church” (1980, p. 189, emp. added). The time has come to reverse that trend! We can once again turn this world upside down (Acts 17:6; 1 Peter 2:9). Christ said:

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.(Matthew 5:13-16).

The only sermon that some individuals will ever “hear” is what they see you do day-after-day, week-after-week. Your Christian influence should demonstrate the proper attitude and the priorities set-forth from God’s Word. People should look at our lives and see something different—because, after all we are different. We understand that our sins have been washed away by the only spotless Lamb—Jesus Christ—and therefore, we desire to live a life devoted to Him. As such, our Christian lights should stand out as a beacon in a world of darkness. How many of us have not had the pleasant feeling of doing good and having a total stranger recognize that. Opening doors, lending a helping hand, caring for others, going the extra mile, helping a coworker with a project, or befriending someone at school all because we realize the potential of our Christian influence.

Allow me to usher forth a challenge. Take one week in the coming month and determine to drastically reduce the Hollywood influence on your life. Instead of sitting in front of a godless television show spend time playing with your children or grandchildren. Replace godless material with spiritual material. Exercise your body and your mind. Replace the negative influences with positive ones. At the end of that week you will be rewarded by knowing that for one solid week your influence for good has outweighed Hollywood’s negative influence on you. You can rest assured that during that time you have made a difference your Christian light having reflected the heavenly Father.

Are you up to the challenge?

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Edification

The subject, “EDIFICATION, EDIFY, BUILD UP” is a very important part of the work of each congregation of God’s people today.  The Greek word from which this  family of words has come lets us know that the subject is of great import to God so far as the progress of his church is concerned, please look at the meaning of the word:

EDIFICATION (Grk. oikodome, “building”); means building up. A building is therefore called an edifice. Accordingly, the work of confirming believers in the faith of the gospel and adding to their knowledge and grace is appropriately expressed by this term. Christians are said in the N.T. to be edified by understanding spiritual truth (1 Cor. 14:3-5), by the work of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11-12, “building up”), and by good  speech (4:29). The means to be used for one’s up building are the study and hearing of God’s Word, prayer, meditation, self-examination, and Christian work of every kind. It is our duty to edify or “build up one another” (1 Thess. 5:11) by the exhibition of every grace of life and conversation. The term is also applied to believers as “living stones” builded up into a habitation for the Lord, constituting the great spiritual temple of God (Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5).(From The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary – Copyright (c) 1988.)

ONE OF THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE CONGREGATION

It is the responsibility of each autonomous congregation to “build up it-self” or make it stronger in the qualities that God approves. The individual congregation functioning under its leadership is to work at strengthening each member in the faith — this process of strengthening each member will result in a strong, sound, congregation. The congregation that has a scriptural eldership will see to it that the program of edification is designed to strengthen the church in every way that is consistent with the Divine pattern. Whenever we examine the Scriptural references where the word is translated edify or edification we understand that the church is to put forth the effort to grow, such as Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him (be) the glory both now and for ever. Amen.” {ASV}  Please note some of the passages: 1 Corinthians 14:3-5,3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (ASV)  You will notice that in this context the emphasis is placed by the writer on edification and the importance of it. Paul, even where miraculous spiritual gifts were being used encourages that edification of the congregation is of paramount importance. Ephesians 4:11-12,11 And he gave some (to be) apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: This passage is an important one in understanding the very purpose of the church as Christ structured it; all things are to be done with the growth of the membership as goal. Ephesians 4:29,29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. ASVThe conversation of those that make up the congregation ought to be so structured that the church is built up by it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do. The passage here is similar to the passage in Eph 4:29, in each case the writer encourages Christians to build up each other through the process of communicating with one another in a verbal way. PRACTICAL

APPLICATION OF THE CONCEPT OF EDIFICATION

In the assemblies the process of edification may be encouraged and demonstrated by:

The Bible Classes:It is always building-up {i.e., edifying} to each member and those that visit if the class is well taught by the teacher and there is ample conversation from the class about the lesson texts.

The preaching service:The preacher ought to prepare his sermon well and deliver it with honesty, humbleness, and adequate proof text of Scripture. The hearers ought to listen intently for information that will help them grow and become better Christians. The Lord’s Supper service:

The brother that leads the service ought to speak clearly and soundly about the purpose of the Lord’s Supper.The membership ought to remain in a worshipful state during this and each phase of the service.

The singing service:The song leader for each service ought to come prepared to do the leading with devotion and zeal. The congregation ought to follow the lead of the song leader, as each person is considerate of the words of each song sung.

The prayers service:Prayer is a very important part of the edification process because the man selected to lead the prayer is heard by everyone present — the prayer will therefore edify each person that hears it.

The statements before the contribution are taken up:

Statements or passages of Scripture that are read by the man leading the service will edify and inform the membership and visitors alike. The person communication to the assembly through the announcements:

The announcer will inform the congregation about a number of things that might be useful to them about the sick, the shut-in, the plans for building cleaning or construction projects, about classes and teachers, and other coming events that are interesting to the assembled. The discussion before the service begins:

As the membership and the visitors assemble at the building, the subject matter may cover a number of things, make sure that some of that conversation and greeting of one another is spiritual in nature.

The statements at the close of the service:When the service is dismissed remember the visitors, the preacher, the song leader, and others that have participated in the service if they have done a good job, give them a pat on the back. Always be encouraging to everyone that is at the assembly, try to greet everyone. The conversation after the congregation dismisses:As you drive home in your automobile, reflect on the good that has been accomplished today. Discuss the good qualities of the service with the family members; try to strengthen their faith. The conversation of those that assemble around their table at home — especially as the family discusses the quality of the service: Try to find some good thing to say about those that were involved as leaders in the worship.

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Does Jesus Care?

Does Jesus Care?

Frank Graeff wrote the words and J. Lincoln Hall  arranged the music for the following beautiful  hymn:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply

for mirth and song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and

the way grows weary and long?

Indeed, the apostle Peter affirms that our Lord cares for  us: “ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand  of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all  your care upon him; for he careth for you ” (1 Pet. 5:6-7).  It is an incredible blessing to understand that Immanuel  (“ God with us ”) cares for us. The very fact that He left the  throne of heaven above to spend time among His creation  (cf. Col. 1:16) allowed Him to comprehend our cares  here on earth. Therefore, Jesus was able to encourage us:  “ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life,  what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your  body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat,  and the body than raiment ?” (Matt. 6:25). The phrase  “ take no thought ” comes from the same Greek word as  the word “ care .” Therefore, notice three qualifications  in the book of Hebrews that show His ability to care for  us when we are in need.

Jesus cares when we are tempted. The Hebrew  writer declared,

“Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made  like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful  and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,  to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,  he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Heb.  2:17-18)

In Matthew 4, we have one example recorded when the  great tempter tried his best to entice Jesus three times, but  Jesus withstood each time. Luke recorded in his account  after the third temptation, “ And when the devil had ended  all the temptation, he departed from him for a season ”  (Luke 4:13). Therefore, we know he continued his  attempts to lure Jesus away from His Father and towards  sin and the world until His death, using the scribes and  Pharisees on many occasions: “ Then one of them, which  was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him …”  (Matt. 22:35). The Hebrew writer makes clear that Jesus  “ hath suffered ” because of His temptations—a Greek  verb that many times denotes even pain (cf. Mark 5:26;  8:31). As a result, He is able to help and aid all who  suffer through temptation.

Jesus cares when we are in trouble. The Hebrew writer proclaimed,

“For we have not a high priest which cannot be  touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was  in all points tempted like as we are, yet without  sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne  of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace  to help in time of need .” (Heb. 4:15-16)

The phrase “ touched with the feeling of our infirmities ”  carries the multiple ideas of sympathy for that which  makes us feeble. We encounter troubles of mind and  Page 2 The Southwesterner  August 11, 2013 body daily, some more than others do. Again, inspired  revelation makes known of the High Priest for all  Christians who understands these troubles of life and  sympathizes with us.

Jesus cares when we transgress. His ultimate  purpose in coming to this world was to redeem humanity  through His death for their transgressions (cf. Isa. 53:1- 12). Thus, the Hebrew writer states, “ For Christ is not  entered into the holy places made with hands, which  are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now  to appear in the presence of God for us ” (Heb. 9:24).  Through His holy and pure sacrifice before the throne  of God, He was able to appease the wrath and justice  of God for our transgressions. His earthly mission and  death, burial and resurrection vividly show His care when  we transgress. “ For God so loved the world, that he gave  his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him  should not perish, but have everlasting life ” (John 3:16).

Does Jesus care?

O yes, he cares, I know he cares, his heart is touched

with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I

know my Savior cares

.

 

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God Loved: Are You Like God?

Like happiness, love is best defined by telling what it does. But, the very best way to describe love is to show it. God did this. Since He knows everything and since He IS love (1 Jn. 4:8), we are not surprised to learn that He not only loved the world, but that He sent His Son to die for the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16).

Now, because He actively loved those who hated Him (1 Jn. 4:10) and those who did not deserve love (Rom. 5:8), He showed that Divine love does not have to have love in return, but can lead the way by loving the unlovable. This is beyond friendship, beyond sentiment and beyond worth, but solely on God’s nature, He loves.

Most of us can love that which is lovely or affectionately. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Therefore, since God loved the unworthy, Christians are to do the same. I mean, God shows his love by doing good to the just and the unjust and therefore, we are to do this as well (Matt. 5:43ff; Gal. 6:10). Yet, this is not man’s love. But it based on the fact that God loved us first. And, so, we love as God loves. Christians are rooted in love (Eph. 3:17). We are to continue to grow in love (Eph. 4:16). We are to love truth (2 Thess. 2:10) and speaks the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Thus, when one is baptized and rises in a new life (Rom. 6:3-4), he puts on a new nature created in God’s likeness (Eph. 4:24). He can be tenderhearted, forgiving and kind (Eph. 4:32-5:2) and he is been taught by God to love (1 Thess. 4:9).

Now most assuredly, the individual that loves God will keep his commandments (1 Jn. 5:3), but the greatest of these commands is to love (Mk. 12:28ff) and anyone who loves God will love God’s children (1 Jn. 5:1) and no one who hates God’s children really loves God (1 Thess. 4:9). So, what is love? Love is being like God and doing that which God does because God is love. So, are you like God?

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