Too Busy to Be a Priest

The worship and service of God’s priests revealed at Mt. Sinai set the stage for a marvelous revelation of the place of priests who serve Him in the New Testament. There are many lessons to be learned as to how He used priests then and now.

For one to be a priest in the Old Testament, he had to be of the tribe of Levi. When the Levites stood with Moses against those who worshiped the golden calf, God selected those men to be the ones chosen to come before Him (Num. 3). Those men (not women) who served at the temple had to be physically perfect (Lev. 21:18). They had to be of certain age, beginning at age thirty and ending at age fifty (Num. 4:3).

However, Christianity changed all of that! Every Christian is part of the priesthood. Peter described the church as being “a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). The church is described as “a kingdom of priests” (Rev. 1:6).

We can all be priests—male and female; young and old; from every tribe and even those crippled and infirmed. No longer is worship and service limited to a select few. It includes you and me!

What an honor to be a priest, yet what a responsibility. Imagine, under Judaism, a priest who saw his service as secondary to other things in his life. The primary thing in his life had to be the work he offered as a priest. When it was his appointed time to come before God, nothing else mattered! He prepared himself and then came before God.

What an honor it is for each of us to be a priest, yet how often do so many treat it as a secondary matter. Trips to Disney, Super Bowl Sundays, recreational activities, favorite TV shows and social events can so easily take us away from honoring Him who has honored us to be His priests. Being a priest is an honor, but it inherently makes us responsible to serve at all times.

Our priestly duties? Paul talks about presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1). The contribution sent from Philippi to support Paul was described as “a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice” (Phil. 4:18). Singing and prayers are described as “the offering of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

So, my fellow priest, let’s accept the honor and fulfill the responsibility every chance we have. Not just on Sunday mornings, but Sunday and Wednesday nights as well! Nothing can be more important to our priestly duties!

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Perpetual Consciousness

One of the most important things that the Christian may possess in life is a perpetual consciousness. Now, a perpetual consciousness is manifest in the person that is always involved in the on-going activities of the Christian occupation; indeed the lifestyle of the Christian is to be perpetual.

Every Christian is to be continuous (i.e. perpetual) in their devotion and service to Almighty God, to the church of the Lord, and in all other areas encouraged by God via the Holy Scriptures, some of these things are listed – following:

1.  CONTINUE IN THE LORD’S TEACHING:

John 8:31, “Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, (then) are     ye truly my disciples;” (ASV)

2.   CONTINUE IN THE LOVE OF GOD:

John 15:9, “Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.” (ASV)

3.  CONTINUE IN THE GRACE OF GOD:

Acts 13:43, “Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes      followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (ASV)

4.  CONTINUE IN THE FAITH:

Acts 14:22, “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.” (ASV)

5.  CONTINUE IN HIS KINDNESS:

Romans 11:22, “Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off.”

6.  CONTINUE STEADFAST IN PRAYER:

Colossians 4:2, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;”

7.  CONTINUE IN THE TRUTH THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED:

2 Timothy 3:14-15, “ But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.  And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (ASV)

8.  CONTINUE TO OBEY JESUS CHRIST:

Hebrews 5:8-9, “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)

9.   CONTINUE TO LOVE THE BRETHREN:

Hebrews 13:1, “Let love of the brethren continue.” (ASV)

10.  CONTINUE IN EVERY GOOD WORK:

2 Timothy 2:21, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.” (ASV)

Titus 3:1, “Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work,” (ASV)

The value of perpetual (i.e. continuing) faithful cannot be overestimated. Those of us that profess to be God’s Children ought to be motivated to pursue righteous living and conduct without being reminded. Yet too often we fail in our life or fall back into the world because we are not conscious of our relationship to God and what is involved in living right. Living for God is not difficult if we will always be aware of who we are and where our “real” home is. You see, our home is not of this world but a place prepared for us – cf.

John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, (there) ye may be also.” (ASV)

Indeed, let us possess a perpetual consciousness of our relationship to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. May we also possess a continuous consciousness of our relationship to each other in the Body of Christ so that we will always act the way the we should toward one another and to everyone we know in evry situation of life.

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Change

Some change is good, necessary, productive and even anticipated. Other is bad, needless, fruitless and dreaded. Many look forward to the changes of seasons. The late summer heat gives way to cooler nights. The trees begin to display their autumn foliage and the leaves begin to glide through the air in their lazy journey to the earth. The spring brings rebirth and renewal. Warmer days, from the bone chilling air of winter, that bring with it green grass and flowers that burst forth from dormancy.

Politicians promise it, but few deliver the kind that we desire and need. Sounds like they have something in common with Satan and his angels. He lies, deceives, tempts, depresses, and all the time leaving us in a state of confusion and desperation. Seeking changes that will bring us pleasure and peace, but never able to deliver. Or else he convinces us that everything is okay and there is no need for change. And sadly, we believe him and remain lost; we listen to the one who hates us and wants us to die, and continue wallowing in the mire of sin, separated from God who truly loves us.

The Bible has several things to say about change. The logic is simple and is as beautiful as the fall colors that thrill us and the sun and flowers that warm us in the spring. The journey though is not easy.

First of all consider that the Bible says that God does “not” change! James 1:17 says that, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” In Malachi 3:6 we read, “For I am the LORD, I do not change;” and in Hebrews 13:8 the inspired writer says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Now considering our sins and the fact that we all have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23); taking into account the love of God (John 3:16); and in view of the command that we repent of those sins, obey Him and serve Him faithfully (Acts 17:30; Hebrews 5:8-9; Revelation 2:10), who should be changing? Bearing in mind that there is a judgment day coming when God will destroy the heavens and the earth Peter asks, “…what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11).

Thirdly we need to take into account the fact that we are all going to be changed 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)! The vast majority will be changed, judged and separated from the love of God for eternity to suffer with that same devil who is trying to convince you not to change your ways today. The few remaining: the obedient and faithful will receive a new body and be united with The One in eternity who loves us more than we can comprehend.

What changes do you need to make in your life? Do you need to become a Christian? Repent of your sins, confess the sweet name of Jesus and be buried with Him in baptism. Do it today!

Do you need to come back to God? Have you forsaken Him? Confess that and repent. We will be happy to pray with you and for you and do all we can to love you and help you get to heaven.

Do you need to identify yourself with a faithful, loving, sound, growing and active congregation of the Lord’s people? Leaving one family for another is never easy, but if it will help you and the one’s you love go to heaven, is it worth it?

Whatever your need is. Make it known today while you still have a chance and then Be Faithful!

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Is Jesus Really Lord of My Life?

A significant event occurred in the life of Jesus as Matthew would record in Matthew 17. Jesus took his three closest disciples (Peter and the two sons of Zebedee) with him up to the top of a particularly high mountain. When they ascended to the peak, Matthew records the image of Jesus being transfigured into that which was brighter than the Palestinian sun. Then, two impressive individuals from the history of the Jews appeared and began talking with Jesus—the magnificent leader, Moses, and one of the greatest of all the prophets, Elijah, to which Peter witnesses. Please note his reply (one of his “open mouth and insert foot” moments—“not knowing what he said” [cf. Luke 9:33]) to Jesus: “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (Matt. 17:4). It is true that the term “tabernacle” simply may refer to a temporary place of shelter (cf. Heb. 11:9), but denoting the implicit act of a dwelling place, its connotation goes back with reference to a place of exaltation and worship (cf. Acts 7:43), such as the Israelites first built in the wilderness wanderings. In fact, the context of this account reveals such, for the very next thing that happened is the voice of God speaking from the overshadowed cloud, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” It is almost as if Jesus (and God, the Father, for that matter) knew that such would happen from Peter—an event that I am sure he would never forget. What I find interesting is that Peter would refer to Jesus as “Lord” (kurios, “Master”), but then immediately devalue such a term with his ignorant request. It reminds me of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) who may try to refer to Jesus as Lord of their lives, but then proclaim and elevate Joseph Smith as their Savior. Are we guilty of doing the same thing when with tongue we pronounce Jesus as the Lord of our lives, but then fail to obey Him completely (cf. Luke 6:46)? Jesus plainly declared in the Sermon on the Mount, “No man can serve two masters [same word—kurios, cf. “lords”]: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). In this account, Peter learned first-hand that Jesus, and Jesus alone, is to be Lord of our lives!

The growth process to accepting and believing Jesus to be Lord of our lives is an interesting process. One of the best places to see this from the Bible is in John 9. In the account of Jesus healing a man who was blind from birth and the subsequent harassment that he and his parents received from the Pharisees, we see the growth that took place in the life of this man. It is quite evident that this blind man had no idea who Jesus was, because the first time his neighbors and friends questioned him as to the origination of the miracle of sight, he responded, “A man that is called Jesus…” (John 9:11). Later, after enough time has passed for him to ponder and contemplate just what great thing has occurred in his life, the Pharisees interrogate him, “What sayest thou of him that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, ‘He is a prophet’” (John 9:17). Finally, when Jesus took the time and effort to find him after the Pharisees prevented him from all synagogue privileges (cf. John 9:22, 34), he refers to Him as “Lord” (John 9:35-38). Thus, his conception of Jesus grew from a man to a prophet to Lord! What a marvelous example for all who come to know Jesus!

Finally, we conclude in Acts 2 with Peter and the apostles preaching to the gathered Jews from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5) who gathered on the Day of Pentecost, which was just fifty days since these same Jews, who gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover Week, led in their cries to crucify the Son of God. Peter powerfully proclaims that the crucified Lord had arisen from the dead, and he ignites the penitence within three thousand Jews (cf. Acts 2:41) with his conclusion: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The crucified Jesus was not only the Christ/Messiah of whom the Old Testament fathers and prophets had foretold, but He is also to be Lord of our lives!

Therefore, it is imperative to my soul to ponder the question, “Is Jesus really Lord of my life?”

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Marriage, Deuteronomy 24, and Can Women Divorce?

From the beginning, God ordained one man to stay with one woman and one woman with one man (Genesis 2:24).  The two joined together becoming one flesh, one body.

Man in his sinfulness began to be involved in polygamy, adultery, and a host of other improprieties (Malachi 2:14).  Man’s heart was hardened against God’s commands and he chose to follow his own desires.

Deuteronomy 24, (only for usage by Israel under the Law of Moses until the coming of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31-34, Colossians 2:14, Galatians 3:24-25), dealt with the marital atrocities.  In an environment where man, contrary to God’s intention for marriage, divorced his wife for any number of unauthorized reasons, God, through Moses, regulated divorce.  A writ of divorcement became required so that the woman could clearly demonstrate freedom from the bond of her previous husband.  Additionally, when the woman joined herself to another man in marriage, the original husband would not be authorized to take her as a wife again at any point thereafter.  Deuteronomy 24 caused a man to more cautiously consider his decision to divorce his wife and it put the guilt of divorce upon the husband, enabling the wife to remarry.  Yet, this passage of the Law of Moses did not represent an eternal principle of God and only represented a temporary ordinance.

Jesus states in Matthew 19:8 that Moses suffered (allowed) the children of Israel to put away their wives, but that was not God’s original intent.  His intent was that they stay together until death.  However, Jesus does provide information in Matthew 5:32/Matthew 19:3-12 not previously written.  He states that putting away one’s spouse was acceptable (though not desired) if fornication (adultery when in a marriage) had been committed by the other party.

Why allow the sinfulness under the Law of Moses?

Fact: the law was not meant to make anyone perfect; Christ fulfilled that function (Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews 10:1, Galatians 3:3-5, Philippians 3:12-16, Colossians 1:27-29, Colossians 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Quite to the contrary, God ordained the Law of Moses that sin might abound (Romans 5:20).  The nation of Israel, through their abounding sin demonstrated the power, wisdom, and mercy of God, as well as the truth that men could not find eternal life through their own works (Romans 9:21-33).  The directives in Deuteronomy 24 did not approve of sin or establish an eternal principle.  They simply minimized the chaos that had been created, overlooking the sin for that time (Acts 17:30).  It was much like sweeping dust under the rug.  The problem still exists, but overlooking the dust provides a temporary adjustment until cleaned properly.

Some men declare, as a code of behavior applying today, that Deuteronomy 24 establishes that only the husband can put away his wife and not the wife her husband.  Can women divorce?

Deuteronomy 24 certainly provides marital guidelines from the point of view of a man wishing to divorce his wife under the Law of Moses.  No other guideline under the Law of Moses is given for the vantage point of the woman.  Yet, the Law of Moses does not provide authority for man’s actions today.  Furthermore, prior to the Law of Moses, no mention of situations authorizing divorce existed. Thus, authority for divorce cannot be found by going back to the beginning.  Following the establishment of the Law of Moses, written Jewish traditions did allow divorce by women under a different process from Deuteronomy 24, but neither the Law of Moses nor the traditions of men, represent God’s eternal commands as set forth in Genesis 2:24 and the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:32/Matthew 19:3-12.

At this point, it is important to consider Mark 10:2-12 and I Corinthians 7:10-11.  Verses 11 and 12 of Mark identify two incidents of divorce.  In the first, the man puts away his wife.  In the second, the woman puts away her husband.  Understand the following truths about scripture:  First, a permanent ordinance condemning a woman for divorcing her husband doesn’t exist.  Second, Jesus (in the context of being questioned about Deuteronomy 24) specifically identifies an occurrence where a woman does put away her husband and that action by itself is not condemned.  Now take into consideration also I Corinthians 7:10-11.  This passage clearly identifies that a wife may divorce her husband and explains the conditions on doing so.  From the two passages examined, the Bible establishes a woman may divorce a man.  Today men follow the commands under the New Covenant in Christ (Matthew 4:23) and the eternal principles of God (Romans 15:4).  The words of Jesus (by His mouth and the apostles) judge a man on the final day (John 12:48).  Consequently, by the authority of Christ, under proper circumstances, a wife can divorce her husband.

Many concerned individuals actually have an underlying concern when asking if a woman can divorce her husband.  They really want to know if she can remarry after divorcing.  Mark 10 establishes, if a man or a woman remarries after divorce, they commit adultery.  I Corinthians 7 only gives a woman the option of staying single or reconciling after divorce.  There are no verses in the Bible with a direct command or example approving of a woman remarrying following a divorce she has initiated.  Yet, command and example are not the only ways to demonstrate God’s authority.  Necessary inference can demonstrate authority.  Since God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), by necessary inference, it can be concluded that if He allows both the male and female to divorce, the same rules must apply for both sexes in remarriage.  Immediate objection might be raised stating that man has authority over woman so his rules for remarriage will be different.  However, man’s authority over woman applies to his duties, not to preferential treatment when it comes to sin.  If by Matthew 5 and 19 a man can divorce his wife scripturally and remarry because she has committed adultery, then it can be inferred that a wife certainly can do the same in a case where the husband has committed adultery.

When examining the topic of marriage, the student of scripture must always be aware of the context and purpose of the scripture written.  Deuteronomy 24 represents a passage with very specific purposes for a very specific dispensation.  Jesus identifies that the direction the Law of Moses gave man for marriage did not represent God’s will.  Thus, when considering authorization for marriage today, Deuteronomy 24 must be set aside.  Jesus and the apostles, under the New Covenant, reaffirm God’s Will for marriage and identify authority for both the husband and wife to properly act on their marriage status under the circumstances of fornication.  Because God is a just God, he applies the same rules for dealing with sin for woman as He does man. Those rules can be gleaned from the New Testament scriptures regarding marriage and divorce.

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