Speech and Character

Paul’s “Southern Accent” and Peter’s “Northern Accent”

Over the years, I have often been teased about my southern accent. While it is not as pronounced as it once was, I realize that when I speak a common question is, “Where are you from?” Now before you think that being southern is all that bad, may I remind you that Paul said “you all” thirty-one times in his writings!

Your speech tells more about you than you think. As Peter watched the trial of Jesus, those that stood by said he was with Jesus because they knew he was from Galilee (Luke 22:59). Matthew gives the reason for their charge, “Certainly you too are one of them, for you accent betrays you” (Matt. 26:73, ESV). (By the way, maybe those from northern Galilee did not say “you all” for Peter only uses it only once in writing his epistles. Smile)

Our speech does reveal our character. Have you noticed what Peter did to convince them he had not been with Jesus? “Then he began to curse and swear, saying, ‘I do not know the Man’” (Matt. 26:74). Cursing and swearing is not part of the character of those who have been with Jesus.

There is another event in Peter’s life which should be noted. After Peter repented of his wrong, God used him in a mighty way on the day of Pentecost. It is his message that day which is recorded in Acts 2. The next chapter tells Peter and John’s healing of the cripple man at the gate of the temple and the powerful message Peter spoke at Solomon’s porch in the temple. They were arrested and these two men stood before the highest Jewish council, the Sanhedrin. Once again the spokesman was Peter. He did not waver this time as he did when he warmed himself at the “devil’s fire.” He was no longer ashamed to be known as one who was a follower of Jesus.

Study carefully Luke’s recording of this event. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). They had been with Jesus! Being with Jesus changes the way you speak!

So what about your speech? Do you cower and fail to speak up for that which is right? Is there timidity in standing for that which is right? Perhaps you need to spend more time with Jesus.

Jesus was bold and forthright. He did not hesitate to rebuke the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in Matthew 23, nor did He hesitate to rebuke Peter when He said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me” (Matt. 16:23). His boldness was tempered with kindness, but He spoke truthfully.

May God help each of us, whatever our accent, to spend time with Jesus and speak so that others always know we have been with Jesus!

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Hope, an Anchor for the Soul

An anchor is a heavy object that is used to make fast a vessel at sea. It prevents the ship from moving either with the current or from the force of wind, or both. A vessel at anchor is safe so long as its anchor holds, but if the anchor slips and if a shoal or reef is near, the vessel could run aground and perhaps even sink. Clearly, ships need anchors. But, have you ever thought how much you need an anchor? I am not talking about a ball and chain to hold you physically in place, but rather a spiritual anchor for your soul.

The Christian’s hope is the sure and steadfast anchor for his or her soul, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…” (Heb. 5:19a). What was the hope to which the inspired writer was referring? And, just what is hope anyway? The English word “hope” is defined by Dictionary.com as, “A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment…” The Greek word most often translated as hope in the New Testament carries the idea of anticipation with joy and confidence.

Simply put, hope is a desire plus a realistic expectation of its eventual fulfillment. The particular hope that is referred to by the Hebrew writer is God’s promise of eternal salvation to all who are faithful and obedient to him, as expressed in Heb. 6:9-11 “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end…”

Hope is also a realistic expectation that is based upon evidence, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us…” (Heb. 6:18). The evidence for our hope of salvation is based on two indisputable facts. The first of these immutable facts is that it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). Therefore, He will perform his oaths and promises, even as He did with Abraham (Heb. 6:12-17). The second immutable fact is that Christ made it possible for sinful man to be reconciled to back to God (Heb. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:14-16). Heb. 6:19b-20 states “…which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” “That within the veil…” refers to the Holy of Holies within the tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept and where only the high priest could enter. The ark represented the presence of God. Therefore, to enter “within the veil” means to come into the presence of God. Christ, as the “forerunner” for us, has gone before to make a way for us to follow so that we too, could enjoy the presence of God in eternity, even as he promised in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Christ is the forerunner of our salvation and He is the Eternal High Priest who mediates between man and God, bringing reconciliation. Thus He is, “an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

Hope is what enables Christian to withstand the various storms of life. Without the Christian hope to anchor his soul, man will drift through life without any direction; driven to and fro with every wind and current that comes along. Man’s only hope is in Jesus Christ. Our hope is founded upon the immutable facts of God’s faithfulness and of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

Another interesting fact about anchors is that the more wind blows and the current strains against a firmly grounded anchor, the deeper into the sea floor it digs and the more firmly it holds on. The same is true with our anchoring hope. Paul describes this process taking place as we patiently endure hardship and tribulation, “and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us…” (Rom. 5:2-5) This anchoring of hope can also be strengthened as we observe how other faithful children of God were able to endure the trials and hardships because of the hope that God provides, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Rom. 15:4).

Truly, “We have an anchor that keeps the soul stedfast and sure while the billows roll; Fastened to the rock which cannot move; Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” -Priscilla Owens, 1882.

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Decisions

The problem often faced by worldly people is “what do I do next?” Indeed, this is last resort for people who have followed the Devil all their life and suddenly find themselves in a predicament where they do not know where to go or what to say. The person who follows the worldly crowd will probably find themselves involved in, unlawful activities [i.e. drug use or selling of illegal drugs, prostitution, lying, cheating, gambling, adultery, thefts, robbery, and etc.]. Many people at this point in life have been apprehended by the local, county, state, or federal authorities and will soon face a jury on criminal charges. This is for many worldly people the first time they have given any serious thought to the decisions that brought them to this juncture in life. Yet, may such people realize at this bad time in their life that everything has gotten as bad as it can get, “What can I do now? Where can I go? How did I get here?”  The truth of their situation is simple, they made bad decisions and choose to follow through on those decisions. This is their root problem; they chose to do those things over a period of time that led them into deeper and deeper trouble with the lawful authorities due to their choice to break established laws.

Whenever people make decisions based upon their free will to do so, they must ultimately face the consequence for their decisions. When a person has violated the laws of man and God they are surely headed toward a day of accounting for their decisions. It is true, that every decision that one makes, either good or bad carries with it the ultimate day of retribution [i.e. facing the music or being accountable]. There has never been a time in man’s existence when he was at liberty to escape retribution for his deeds. The first man and woman [i.e. Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:1-24] were not immune from accountability to God’s law and subsequent humankind has had the same problem. Apparently mankind has an inclination to make wrong decisions based upon their innate ability to choose, this does not mean that mankind is somehow born evil or totally corrupt at birth as our Calvinist friends suggest.

Since mankind does have this free will facility to choose either good or bad with everything in life, why does mankind so often choose to turn away from compliance to established law? We are at a loss generally to answer the why of man’s ability to choose to violate man and God’s laws more often than to accept them and abide therein. One of the problems that face everyone is the frailty of the human condition; man is possessed of a body and mind that requires constant care in both physical and mental preservation. If we fail to care for our body it will not serve us well very long and if we fail to be conscious of our mental choices we will descend into shame and degradation.

There is simply only one realistic decision that man must make in life, that decision ought to be made early in life yet some do not make the decision until they have created a wreck of their life. That decision is to pursue the truths revealed in God’s Book [i.e. the Bible]. God has informed mankind via Jeremiah 10:23, “O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” ASV – From this passage of Holy Scripture we recognize that man’s condition may be unfathomable to him yet if he will pursue the wisdom from God via the Bible, God’s plan for his life can be understood and followed.

God’s plan for man is summed up in the New Testament, in several references:

Acts 2:37-40, “37 Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, (even) as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, save yourselves from this crooked generation.” ASV

Hebrews 5:8-9, “8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;” ASV

Eph 3:17-21, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which passes  knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 unto him (be) the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.” ASV

Acts 2:47, “47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.” ASV

CONCLUSION:

Remember this; whenever man makes the decision to proceed in life without God’s direction he will surely live a life of unlawful and unscriptural activities. Often those that live a worldly life are self destructive, bringing upon themselves many sorrows. But the person who turns to God for instruction and chooses to follow God’s instruction will surely be a credit to mankind and to God through righteous action and manner of life. The true Christian may live a life that encourages other people to live righteous lives as well. The Bible teaches us that true Christians are “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth.” [Matthew 5:13-16]Consequently one is wise who makes a decision to faithfully serve God throughout their whole life, cf. Romans 12:1-2.

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What is Truth?

“What Is Truth,” Pontius Pilate asked Jesus Christ (Jn. 18:38). Although Jesus didn’t answer him there, He answered that question for us in John 17:17, stating simply that God’s word is truth.  Just because millions today choose to deny that, does not change that; not one iota (Psalm 119). Many want to tell us today that “truth” is relative; that is, that whatever you believe to be true for you is true for you, and whatever I believe to be true for me is true for me, and even if these two “truths” are both diametrically opposed to each other and God’s standard, they’re both somehow still “true.” They call that “relativism;” I call it “ridiculousism.”

Let’s say that the local authorities have determined that the speed limit on your town’s Main Street is 25 MPH. If your “truth” states that it ought to be 50 MPH, and your teenagers’ “truth” states it ought to be 75 MPH, that isn’t going to avail you one whit when the blue lights of authority start flashing behind you. The all-authoritative and exclusive standard of well-established written truth is what you will ultimately be judged by. The same is true in Christianity (see: Jn. 12:48; Acts 13:46).

And although some well-educated (in some cases “too well educated”) religious peoples’ so-called “truth” says, “salvation is by ‘faith only,’” “once saved, always saved,” and “baptism doesn’t save you,” God’s all-authoritative and exclusive truth says just exactly the extreme opposite (Jms. 2:19-24; Gal. 5:4; 2 Ptr. 2:20-22; 1 Ptr. 3:21; Acts 2:38).

So; whom do you truly believe? That is to say, where and whom is your faith really centered in and on? God, or man (Rom. 3:4)? What is your soul worth to you? Are you truly interested in God’s truth – which is in fact, the only real truth according to Jesus? If so, come and study God’s word with us and we’ll be glad to answer your questions, “book, chapter, and verse,” straight out of the very Word of God. Otherwise, what are those people called again who refuse to hear or listen to God’s word which is truth, according to Jesus (John 8:31-47)? And you shall know the truth…

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A Question of Judgment

What is the day mentioned in Hebrews 10:25?

Is this mention of the day referring to Worship on the first day of the week or some other time? Some say that this the Lord’s day. Some say that it is the fall of Jerusalem Some say that it is the day of judgment.

Now, if this “day” is meant to be Sunday, then we are ordered to obey the command to exhort another and increase the exhortation as the weekend nears. But the statement of the verse shows that the exhortations were done in the assemblies so the day approaching must be some other day.

Some Bible students make the case for the “day” being the day of Judgment. However, we have no open or observable way of seeing this day approaching. There is to be no sign in nature indicating Christ’s second coming (Matt. 24:35-39; Mk. 13:32-33). There is no way for us to know when the judgment day will occur. We only know that with each passing day, the end of time is one day nearer. So, if the judgment is the “day” mentioned by the Hebrew writer, with each passing day, we are to increase our exhorting, but again, the exhorting’s are done in the assemblies.

Some Bible students make a case for the “day” as being the day of our death. Although we all know that we shall die, we do not know what day that will be. We can only know that with each passing day, we are one day closer to our departure from the earth and with the coming of each new day, our current sojourn is that much shorter. In the light of this verse, we are to increase our exhortations, however, there is a limit to the amount of exhorting we can do.

However, there is a strong case that can be made for the “day approaching” as being the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. We can read from Matt. 24:3-34 and Lk. 21:20-22 and see that the Lord had predicted the destruction of Jerusalem even to the point of giving many signs of that day. This event would be of great interest to the Hebrew Christians because it would be a time they could identify that this destruction was drawing near because the descriptions given by the Lord were becoming true. Also, ancient records show that no Christian died in the destruction of Jerusalem, because of the warning signs Christ provided. Thus it is recorded in historical books that, “When the whole congregation of the Church in Jerusalem, according to an oracle given by revelation to approved persons among them before the war, were commanded to depart from the city and inhabit a city which they call Pella, beyond the Jordan, to which when all those who believed in Christ had removed from Jerusalem, and when the saints had totally abandoned the royal city which is the metropolis of the Jews, then the Divine vengeance seized them who had dealt so wickedly with Christ and his Apostles, and utterly destroyed that wicked and abominable generation” (Eusebius).

Now, Hebrews was written between A.D. 63-65 just 5 or so years before the destruction and during a time of persecution in Jerusalem and Palestine. The Hebrew writer mentioned that all their goods would be spoiled and should rely upon a better enduring substance in heaven (Heb. 10:34). The thing is: many were discouraged and some had quit assembling with the church because of what was about to take place. This was wrong because it: Set at naught God’s ordinance to assemble (Acts 2:42; 20:7; John 20:20-22); It deprives the absent member of many spiritual blessings. It sets the wrong example (Matt. 5:12-16; 1 Tim. 4:12).

Now, there are several statements in the New Testament which seem to refer to the day of Jerusalem’s overthrow, which lends acceptance to the “day approaching” of the text being that occasion. These verses may indeed have the fall of Jerusalem in mind. Romans 16:20: “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Philippians 4:5: “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” James 5:8: “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” 1 Peter 4:7: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”

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