Is The Old Testament Still Relevant Today?

Most of us have heard the criticism, “You don’t believe in the Old Testament!” Most often this comes from a simple lack of knowledge as to the makeup and purpose of the Old Testament. Deeper than this is a misplaced understanding by them that there is a difference between the Old Law and the New Law and the fact that the Old Law was nailed to the cross (Col 2:14). Most frequently this is done in an attempt to go back to the Old Testament to try and justify certain activities today. The truth is however, that we do spend, as New Testament Christians, a great deal of our time, if not the majority of it, in the New Testament and it is possible that we appear to be, and may even indeed be at times, ambivalent toward the Old Testament scriptures. That being said, the Old Testament is certainly relevant, and I affirm essential, to the New Testament Christian today to understand God, His nature, salvation and the questions that heave plagued mankind from the beginning of time (i.e. where did we come from? What are we doing here? Where are we going?).

We believe in Genesis 1:1 and without it nothing else matters! Genesis 1:1-2:4 a tells us about God as Creator, He gives order to and cares for the creation. He should be worshipped as Creator and humanity is the central part of creation. We believe that we are spiritual beings created in the very image of God (Gen 1:26). We also learn how sin came into the world and how that sin separated us from God. It also tells us about His love, mercy and grace, His patience, forgiveness, wisdom and foresight.

We are also instructed in the knowledge of God’s wrath and sense of justice. In the “Flood Story” we see that God suffers, and judges reluctantly. God saves, remembers, creates, promises, and commits to theworld. In Genesis 12:1-3 God enters into a  covenant relationship with Abraham that affects us even today.  In that covenant we see the themes of God’s righteousness (Gen 15:6), His justice (Gen 18:25), as well as
testing and fear (Gen 12:1; 22:12).

We learn of the creation of a nation and their deliverance from bondage and oppression. We learn that God is in control and is a God of both goodness and severity. We learn of the Law that was given to the children of Israel (Ex 20-23) and the covenant God makes with them, making them His own special people. These laws that were given were both Apodictic (do or do not do) and Casuistic (if this, then that). We also learn
that Moses is a partner with the Lord (Ex 14:31): He faces the rejection of his own people (Ex 5:20-23; 14:10-12), and he mediates God’s power (Ex 14:15-16). Church leaders need to read and study these things often.

In the relationship between God and the children of Israel we learn a lot about the relationship that we share with God as His chosen people today. The Israelites murmured and complained when they should have been grateful and content. They failed to carry out the commandments of God, to be faithful and trusting. Through the Judges we learn how the people forgot about God and did evil, serving other gods.
God’s anger is kindled and He hands the Israelites over to their enemies. The Jews serve other nations for a number of years when God, in His mercy and grace, raises up a judge to deliver them. The Spirit of God comes upon that man and he leads the people of God and delivers them out of the hand of their enemies. The land once again is at peace, the judge dies, and the cycle starts all over again. Ultimately the children loose their inheritance altogether, but a faithful remnant always remains.

In the poetry we learn of acceptable and unacceptable attitudes of worship, service and devotion to God (Psalms). We learn of His wisdom (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). The prophets tell us of godly sorrow, humility, repentance, judgment and mercy. We learn of God’s will in caring for the lowly, poor, sick and needy.

The Old Testament tells us where we came from (Gen 1-2); it tells us why we are here (Eccl 12:13) and it tells us where we are going. In Galatians three we read, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (24-25). That Old Law, that was given to the Jews, was taken out of the way and nailed to the cross (Col 2:14) and
in Christ he has made out of two (Jew and Gentile) one special people, the Christian (Eph 2:15). Do we believe that the Old Testament is still relevant today? Absolutely! Every word of it! Be faithful!

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Pursuing a Dream

We all have a dream, a desire. Most have more than others. Some of us have an entire closet full of dreams and there are a lot of great things that we can realize about dreams. For example, by pursuing just one dream, we find fulfillment. So, we don’t need to pursue them all and also, we don’t have to achieve a dream to find fulfillment and satisfaction, but to actively pursue it. And so, by living our dream, we cannot only contribute to ourselves, but to everyone around us.

Yet, most people are not pursuing their dream but are spending time and abilities pursuing the things we think will make us happy and bring us fulfillment. A person once said, “You can’t get enough of what you don’t really want.” When the new car does not make us happy, we tend to blame the new car for not being enough and we then set our sights on a better new car, thinking that it will make us happy.

When we consider the dream of reaching every lost soul (Lk. 19:10), many Christians are so far away from living this dream that they have forgotten what their dream truly is as a Christian (Matt. 16:24; Matt. 28:19-20). It is sad, unnecessary and wasteful. Yet, it is so common an ailment that it has become a cliché. We have abandoned our heart’s desire and somewhere deep down we know it. This is why Paul set the example, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Rom. 10:1).

Why are we not living this dream? I believe it is because there is something we are trained to honor more than a soul: the comfort zone. The comfort zone is all the things we have done, often enough, to feel comfortable doing again. Whenever we do something new or something that is not practiced often, it falls outside the barrier of the comfort zone. This why when Christians contemplate reaching out to a lost soul, many feel fear, guilt, unworthiness, hurt feelings, anger and all these things we consider as uncomfortable.

The irony is that the very feelings we have been taught to label as uncomfortable are in fact, among the very tools necessary to fulfill our dream of evangelism (Psa. 27:1; 2 Cor 4:7-18). Why don’t we know this? I mean, why do we sing about being a worker for the Lord or about leading us to some soul today when we clearly will not because it puts us outside our comforts? I mean is being uncomfortable reason enough not to do something? In Acts 1, when the Lord Left the apostles, do you think that they were uncomfortable knowing what they were about to do? Or what about those who were scattered in Acts 8? We need to ask ourselves “Are we still letting what other people might think about us, affect our judgment to do what the Lord has asked us to do? It is heart wrenching that many Christians are drifting along in a childish sleep (Lk. 6:46). But, to live the dream of evangelism, we must wake up. It is your choice and to know that to change a habit requires work. Jesus again shows us what it means to work (Jn. 9:4; Lk. 10:2).

Brethren, it’s time to do it. The truth is, we are going to spend the rest of our lives doing something. Why not let it be the reaching out towards a soul (Jam. 5:20)? You see, the same amount of work it takes to gather things we really don’t need is the same amount of work it takes to reach the lost. But, how can we reach them? Well, you do by learning and how do we learn? By doing. Just think, the willingness to do creates the ability to do. For now, be willing to do. Be willing to seek first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33) and do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. But rather, do all you can to stand and speak the Gospel of Christ (Eph. 6:13-20) as we pursue the dream of reaching the lost.

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Free Moral Agency

God Made Man a Free Moral Agent

Having free moral agency is a large part of what it means to be a person. A computer is not a free moral agent. It does exactly what it is programmed to do. It does not have the ability to go against its programming. An animal also does not have the ability to go against its programming. It does exactly what its DNA (its program) tells it to do, no more, and no less. Neither a computer nor an animal can do things that are original, creative, or unexpected (in an absolute sense). They can’t do differently than what they were always meant to do.

What does it mean to do as one was always meant to do? Imagine a long line of billions of dominoes set up and ready to knock down. When the first domino falls, the end result is already known. One by one the dominoes fall according to the laws of physics. Computers, animals, and everything else in the universe is contained (metaphorically) in this long line of falling dominoes. A person’s brain, some suggest, is simply part of this long chain of cause and effect. This is known as the doctrine of determinism.

At issue is whether humans are creatures that are wholly determined, or whether they are creatures that have free moral agency, free will. If humans have free moral agency, then they have the ability to act other than their DNA is programmed to act. They may be original, creative, and act unexpectedly. They may act contrary to their “programming.” They may choose to do other than what they would have done.

If humans do not have such ability, then they are, more or less, just complicated animals/machines. Consequentially, attitudes, thoughts, and actions would be simply products of their environment. As one atheistic philosopher put it, “The brain secretes thoughts as the liver secretes bile.” Or, as one atheistic psychologist said, “We don’t act upon the world; the world acts upon us.”

If man is a free moral agent, there is something about him that is radically different from his environment. He is not simply a collection of atoms, but something more than that, something beyond the material world. He must have some capacity outside the material world that enables him to know both that he is not just a rat in a material maze, and that he is capable of making such decisions as would move him beyond the maze itself regardless of how difficult that may be. This implies something about his non-material existence, and also about his non-material Creator: there is a God who exists outside of space and time who is responsible for fathering our free spirits (Heb. 12:9)!

A human person is thus a being that is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), with a body (his material self) and a spirit/soul (his immaterial self). Freedom is a gift from God that is part and parcel to the experience of being a person. Free moral agency is the ability we have to choose one way or the other, to live according to the dictates of the material world (our environment), or to choose to transcend those dictates so as to be something more than a natural product, as God told Cain, “Do thou rule over it” (Gen. 4:7 ASV).

Men who seek simply to gratify the desires of the flesh choose to live like beings of mere material existence without real freedom, and without hope for life beyond the material world. The longer they pursue such choices, the more materialistic/carnal they become. Those who choose to live beyond the dictates of the physical world and not allow those dictates to control their end become something greater than this natural world has to offer. They choose to follow the dictates of the spirit. We become that which we choose, the flesh, or the spirit (Rom. 8:1-13). This is the choice that God has given us as free moral beings.

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Leaving the Faith

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN THAT LEAVES THE FAITH

Possibly one of the most puzzling aspects of Christianity is the conscious decision of some that have been faithful to Christ – to leave HIM and go back into the world. I have agonized over this matter for many years and have prepared many sermons to encourage faithfulness realizing that others who are now faithful may be the next to fall away. Indeed, we know that the New Testament teaches that a Christian may “fall away”, may “fall from grace”, etc.  As I have consider this matter it has become evident to me that many leave the faith, that those that do leave the faith leave for many different reasons. It is never acceptable to God to leave the faith for any reason but I know through interaction and conversation with some that have left the faith that they had reasons that they considered more important than remaining faithful.

The question of keeping the faith is important as the Christian’s hope rests upon his faithfulness unto death – cf., Revelation 2:10, “Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.” (ASV)  The question is also of great interest to those that are continuing faithful. The faithful are concerned about, “why do the faithful leave?” Is there something that we should have done or are we in some way responsible for their failure? Let us look at the Bible’s teaching about the condition of the backslider.

First of all let us recognize that we must never become a stumbling block in the life of any Christian or anyone for that matter:

Rom 14:12-13, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” NKJV

1 Cor 8:9-10,“But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”

Rev 2:14,“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” NKJV

In the second place we that are faithful have a responsibility to one another to love each other and to bear one another’s burdens:

Rom 12:9-10, Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; ASV

1 Cor 13:4-8, Love suffereth long, (and) is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: but whether (there be) prophecies, they shall be done away; whether (there be) tongues, they shall cease; whether (there be) knowledge, it shall be done away.” ASV

Gal 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”ASV

In the third place the faithful are to try to restore those that turn away from the faith (i.e., backslide):

Gal 6:1-2, Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ASV

Finally, whenever the faithful have been a pattern of good works, love, patience, and  possess a willingness to go to the backslider and try and restore him/her to faithfulness, surely they can do nothing else. After the faithful have exhausted all avenues of Biblical instruction in their attempt to restore such a one, the faithful ones must not blame themselves for the failure of the backslider to return to the faith. The guilt for sinning and leaving the faith belongs to him who has chosen to leave the faith and remain in the world.

CONSIDER THIS:

Ezek 18:19-21, The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. NKJV

THE PRECEEDING ARTICLE is presented to answer a question that was received by the editor. The question was, “Don’t you think that most of the people that leave the church leave because of other church members?”

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Water and Spirit

The Bible records an interaction between Jesus and the Pharisee Nicodemus in John 3:1-21.  Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.  The reason never stated, but fear of the Jews represents the likely cause for the dark hour.  Nicodemus presents a conclusion regarding Jesus identity and then he asks two sets of questions based upon the responses of Jesus.

First, Nicodemus stated that Jesus came from God and the signs which He performed verified that conclusion (vs. 2).  Often men see evidence, but refuse to accept it.  Jesus fulfilled a great number of prophecies in coming to man – Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 7:14, 9:1-7, 32:1-4, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 9:9-12 to note a few.  The Jews had been looking for the messiah.  They knew the signs and some accepted Jesus as Messiah.  However, the majority did not readily or openly embrace Him due to fear (John 7:13, John 11:48, John 19:38), hatred (John 15:18-23), or ignorance (Acts 17:30).  Unlike the men who do not act upon the evidence of God in creation (Romans 1:19-24), Nicodemus chose to embrace the evidence surrounding Christ’s origin and seek further knowledge (Matthew 7:7).  The Bible records all the evidence man needs to accept Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The question for man today revolves around whether or not man chooses to accept or reject Christ.

Second, Jesus comment to Nicodemus (“Truly, truly, I saw to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5) caused Nicodemus to ask how exactly a man could be born again.  Nicodemus’ mind focused on the flesh and fleshly birth.  However, Jesus spoke of the birth of the spirit.  The spirit of man needs to be born again because when man sins his spirit becomes dead to God (Genesis 2:17, Romans 3:23, 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:13-14).  The question must therefore be how does this rebirth occur?  It occurs by water and the Spirit according to Jesus.  The Lord furthermore compares this teaching to the wind.  Man does not understand wind in complete.  Yet, he acknowledges the existence of wind because he sees the evidence of it.  Man also cannot see a spiritual birth, but this does not make it any less real as its evidence certainly exists.  Of necessity, this requires faith.  As Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Since Nicodemus recognized Jesus as coming from God, the concept of a rebirth should not have been questioned, but accepted by faith.

Finally, Nicodemus still not comprehending the concept of rebirth asks, “How can these things be?” (John 3:9)  Jesus expresses disappointment that Nicodemus cannot grasp concepts beyond the physical.  Through the Old Testament a teacher should have been able to discern the identity of Jesus as the Messiah.  In such discernment, adherence to Jesus Words would be paramount.  Unfortunately, the Pharisees did not grasp onto the teachings of Jesus.  Jesus makes it clear in verses 13-21 that those who do not believe in him love the things of the world and do the deeds of it.  By not believing on Jesus they can be judged to be of the world.  Those who do believe on Jesus would by necessary inference follow the teachings of Jesus and act accordingly.  Their actions judge them according to eternal life and salvation.

Taking the passage of Nicodemus and Jesus and examining it, the conclusion derived must be to believe on Jesus and His Word.  Jesus makes it clear this involves obedient deeds which verify one does believe.  Consequently, when Jesus says “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” man needs to accept such a teaching in faith and act.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles that they might receive “all truth” (John 16:13).  Knowing all truth, Peter told the Jews on the day of Pentecost to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Their dead spirits became born again out of a spirit of obedience to Christ and their bodies born out of water – A birth of water and spirit just as Jesus spoke.  This scene occurs throughout the book of Acts (Acts 2:38, 8:36-38, 9:18, 10:47-48, 16:15, 16:31-33, 19:15, 22:16).  Peter also told Christians in 1 Peter 3:21 – “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”.  The apostle Paul realized once he was alive, but he died with sin (a spiritual death – Romans 7-9).  When man washes himself in Christ through baptism, he dies to sin and becomes alive once more (Romans 6:5-11).

When someone truly believes, Christ said their deeds of obedience show it.  They will be born of water and spirit through baptism.  Where do you stand with Christ?  Are you choosing to reject Him as much of the world does, proclaiming you believe but continuing to walk in a futile way of life (Ephesians 4:17-19)?  Or are you choosing to demonstrate your believe through obedience showing your love for Christ (John 14:15)?  It is widely believed that Nicodemus examined the evidence and ultimately chose to be faithful to Christ, what have you done with the evidence before you?

Romans 6:16 – “Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

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