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Think about The Fall of Mankind

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about the fall. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of the fall. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to the fall. Ponder them.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about the fall of mankind?

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves (Genesis 3:1-7).

The Word of God tells the sad story. This is the “how” and the “when” that sin entered the world and mankind.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” (Genesis 3:8-13).

The Word of God shows a change in Adam and Eve. They were afraid and hid from God. They are aware that they are naked. Adam’s response to God is defensive and he blames Eve and God. Eve’s response is defensive and she blames the serpent. The fall resulted in a separation between God and mankind. We also see a breach in the Adam and Eve relationship.

To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:16-19).

The Word of God defines the immediate consequences of the fall into sin. The woman will have pain in childbirth and be ruled by her husband. The earth will be resistant to the man’s labor and he will work very hard and be sweating. Ultimately, man will return to dust. Notice that dominion of the earth was not taken away, only from now on it would be hard work.

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).

The Word of God demonstrates the Lord’s mercy by Him providing a covering for their nakedness. Animals had to die to provide the covering. The first record of death in Scripture.

And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24).

The Word of God tells us that Adam and Eve were driven from the garden and away from the tree of life. Also, a guard is set to keep them from returning. Points of emphasis: When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they really did gain the knowledge of good and evil. Think of it, prior to this there was no evil in mankind in thought, word or deed. Mankind has capacity for knowing and if evil is known there is now capacity for evil. Adam and Eve passed this capacity on to all their decedents, including you and me. This is very sobering.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—(Romans 5:12).

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners… (Romans 5:19).

The Word of God states that Adam’s disobedience resulting in sin and death passed to all of mankind. This includes you and me. The fallen Adam and Eve produced after “their kind”, fallen mankind.

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesian 2:2).

The Word of God identifies that fallen mankind is worldly, influenced by Satan and have a spirit of disobedience. It is important to acknowledge context in this verse because it is addressed to believers who “used to live” as fallen man before receiving the Lord lived.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:22-25).

The Word of God tells us that we groan and the whole creation groans and travails under the weight of the fall and patiently wait for the time when the fall will no longer reign but instead there will be the restoration of all things.

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die (Genesis 2:17).

The Word of God states clearly God’s one commandment with a prohibition. His other commandment was for volitional acts. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground (Genesis 1:28).

God pronounced the death penalty. There is no indication of any previous awareness of the concept of death. Adams and Eve’s sin put the Lord’s reputation on the line. If the Lord had not enforced the death sentence for sin, He would not have kept His word. Not keeping your word is sin and God is holy and cannot sin. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie… (Hebrews 6:18). “…Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true…” (Romans 3:4 NLT).

By extension the death penalty is passed on to all of Adam and Eve’s decedents, including you and me. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23). The fall of mankind is very serious business and I am convinced that as fallen mankind we cannot grasp the full impact of the fall. However, as redeemed children of God and with insight from the Holy Scriptures believers can gain insight into the fall and rejoice that the Lord had a plan of redemption for mankind, the Lord Jesus.

What other are saying:

In summary, in Escape from Reason by Dr. Schaeffer, he gives an answer to the problem of evil in the world:

Christianity’s answer rests in the historic, space, time and real and complete Fall. The true Christian position is that in space and time and history, there was an unprogrammed man who made a choice, and actually rebelled against God. (page 262).

Either each decision, activity and thought choose to acknowledge the reality of the fall of mankind or they refuse to acknowledge the reality of the fall of mankind.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us by His description of the fall and its impact on mankind how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the fall of mankind.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Think about the five “R’s” Redemption-Regeneration-Reconciliation-Repentance-Restoration

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about the five “R’s” of Redemption-Regeneration-Reconciliation-Repentance-Restoration. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of the five “R’s” of Redemption-Regeneration-Reconciliation-Repentance-Restoration. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to the five “R’s” of Redemption-Regeneration-Reconciliation-Repentance-Restoration. Ponder them.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about redemption, regeneration, reconciliation, repentance and restoration?

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God (I Peter 1:18-21).

The Word of God states that believers are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30).

The Word of God declares that Christ Jesus is made unto believers four things including redemption.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone (Titus 3:4-8).

The Word of God says that by God’s love and kindness believers are being regenerated and renewed by the Holy Ghost. Believers are being remade. Believers are justified by grace and made heirs with hope of eternal life. This leads to maintaining good works that are good unto men.

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17).

or if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life (Romans 5:10).

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:20).

The Word of God confirms again and again that Jesus has made reconciliation for sinners. To be reconciled is to be made right! We reconcile our bank accounts so that our records match the bank’s records. The sacrifice of Jesus made it possible for sinners like us to be made right with God. Praise the Lord!

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4).

The Word of God indicates the importance of repentance for sinners, a need not only to be sorry, but a desire to change and a commitment to change. This verse shows that God’s goodness leads to repentance.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death(II Corinthians 7:10).

The Word of God distinguishes between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance and worldly sorrow leads to death.

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth (II Timothy 2:25).

The Word of God links repentance with acknowledging the truth.

and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophet(Acts 3:20-21).

The Word of God speaks of a time of restitution that was prophesied. Remember the fall. Remember there was a time before the fall. The time before the fall is what is being talked about here. This time before the fall is going to be restored.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life (Revelation 21:1-6).

The Word of God proclaims that there will be a new heaven and a new earth and the first heaven and earth will pass away.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here(II Corinthians 5:17).

The Word of God tell us who will populate the new heaven and new earth.

who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:21).

The Word of God explains that this new creation requires change. For the believer in Christ that change begins immediately upon receiving Christ as Savior and the entrance of the Holy Spirit into the believer.

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (I Corinthians 15:50-55).

The Word of God beautifully explains the change that will take physically so that the believer can inhabit the restored earth.

What others are saying:

John Eldridge in Waking the Dead explains:

Palingenesia is the Greek word for “renewal,” which is derived from two root words: paling, meaning “again,” and genesia, meaning “beginning.” (pages 169-170).

Tozer in The Pursuit of God states:

Essentially, salvation is the restoration of the right relation between man and his Creator, a bringing back to normal of the Creator-creature relationship (pages 305-306).

Of course, in My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers has his thoughts on these topics:

The Redemption is not only for mankind, it is for the universe, for the material earth; everything that sin and the devil have touched and marred has been completely redeemed by Jesus Christ. There is a day coming when the redemption will be actually manifested, where there is a “new heaven and a new earth,” with a new humanity upon it (page 280).

In regeneration, a man’s personal spirit is energized by the Holy Spirit, and the Son of God is formed in him (page 284).

Self-knowledge is the first condition of repentance.” “The essence of repentance is that it destroys the lust of self-vindication; wherever that lust resides the repentance is not true.” (page 288).

Either each decision, activity and thought reflect the facts of the five “r’s” redemption, regeneration, reconciliation, repentance and restoration or they reject the facts of the five “r’s” redemption, regeneration, reconciliation, repentance and restoration.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us in His plan for redemption, regeneration, reconciliation, repentance and restoration how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the five “r’s” redemption, regeneration, reconciliation, repentance and restoration.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Think of some illustrations of the concept of redemption that occur in everyday life. Now, relate them to the concept of God’s redemptive work.
Think of some illustrations of the concept of regeneration that occur in everyday life. Now, relate them to the concept of God’s regenerating work.
Think of some illustrations of the concept of reconciliation that occur in everyday life. Now, relate them to the concept of God’s reconciling work.
Think of some illustrations of the concept of repentance that occur in everyday life. Now, relate them to the concept of God’s response to our repenting and the value of our repenting.
Think of some illustrations of the concept of restoration that occur in everyday life. Now, relate them to the concept of God’s restoring work both now in individuals’ lives and in the future.

Think about The Truth

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about the truth. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of the truth. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to the truth. Ponder them.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about truth?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus (Ephesians 4:21)

The Word of God declares that Jesus is the truth.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8: 32).

The Word of God states that knowledge of the truth results in freedom. Mankind does not create truth. Truth exists outside mankind and comes from God. Truth is to be found, recognized, believed and obeyed. This is why it is so important to seek God’s truth because it is the only truth.

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own (John 7:17).

The Word of God indicates that knowledge of the truth is linked with obedience to God’s will.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John 16: 13).

The Word of God identifies the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth. Jesus is telling the disciples that after He leaves them with the ascension that the Holy Spirit will come to them and guide them into all truth and reveal things to come. The rest of the New Testament testifies that this promise of Jesus came true.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17).

The Word of God proclaims that the Scriptures are truth and the truth is used to set believers apart.

…Let God be true, and every human being a liar… (Romans 3:4).

if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself (II Timothy 2:13)

The Word of God says if every man were a liar, God would still be true.

Further thoughts:

Thankfully truth does exist. Truth is real. Truth is pure. Truth is exclusive. Witnesses in the court room are asked to make an oath to: “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God.” If the witness fails to keep the oath, they are guilty of perjury. When you stop to think about the fact that sin came into our world with Satan’s lie to Eve, truth is really very valuable. I believe that we all have an inward drive to seek truth and this probably comes from being created in the image of God.

Clearly, truth is important but truth is to be believed. What we believe determines what we do. In my book, The Mystery of Godliness, (2019), I introduce a principle that illustrates the importance of believing the truth. The principle is belief drives practice. Simply stated, this means that what we choose to believe will influence our decisions and actions and practices. Said backwards, whatever we do is determined by what we believe.

Truth means proper direction. Truth means freedom. Truth means safety. Truth means acting with godly behavior. Not only is the Lord Jesus the truth but through the Holy Spirit the truth is revealed to all believers. The truth is found in the Word of God and is to be learned and then believed and then obeyed. Praise God!

What others are saying:

Let’s delight in a few quotes from Oswald Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest about the truth.

Truth is not a particular statement; Truth is a Person, “I am the Truth. (page 364).

Truth is not a system, not a constitution, nor even a creed; the Truth is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and He is the Truth about the Father just as He is the Way of the Father. (page 363).

The one great Truth to keep steadfastly before us is the Lord Jesus Christ; He is the Truth. Only the whole truth is The Truth, any part of the truth may become error. If you have a ray of light on The Truth never call it the whole truth, follow it up and it will lead you to the central Truth, the Lord Jesus Christ. (page 363).

In my book, The Mystery of Godliness, I make this observation:

Remember the oath used in court, “Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. Also, most lies have some element or appearance of some truth to provide enough credibility to deceive. The truth we are talking about is God’s truth (thought, word and deed). (page 29).

Either each decision, activity and thought are based on the truth or they are not based on the truth.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us by His revelation of the truth how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the truth.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Think about Love

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about love. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of love. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to love. Ponder them.

Love gives, love cares, love serves, love keeps, love wants to be close.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (I Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT).

What does the Holy Scriptures say about love?

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12: 28-31).

The Word of God clearly states that love is the highest commandment. First love God and then love others. Makes sense because God is love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The Word of God says that the world is so loved by God that He sent his one and only Son so that we would not perish but have eternal life. The only condition is believing in Him (Jesus). The clear implication is those who choose to not believe in Jesus will perish. This is a grim thought particularly grim when considering that the alternative is eternal life.

Remember: Spiritual perishing stops and spiritual eternal life begins for you and me when we believe in the one and only Son who God gave to the world that He loves.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

The Word of God confirms that Christ died for us while we were sinners.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him(I John 4:9).

The Word of God once again confirms that God’s love is demonstrated by sending His Son so believers could live through Him.

neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).

The Word of God assures us that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

The Word of God states that believers were chosen by God and believers should be before Him in love. Notice that this choice was made before the foundation of the world. Wow!

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (I John 4:16).

We love because he first loved us (I John 4:19).

The Word of God teaches that believing that God is love and because He is love that believers also dwell in love and when believers do, then God is in them. I want to add something at this point to think about: Love has an object or person that is valued by the lover. When love is reciprocated, it flows both ways. God loves us because He values us and we love God because we value Him and we appreciate that He loves us. Love is a choice, a decision. God in love chose to create man in His image and He values His creation. God in love chose to send His son to rescue mankind from judgement for their sin so that those who believed could become children of God. God in His love values His children. His children in love choose to value God.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters(I John 3:16).

The Word of God asserts that based on the Lord Jesus sacrifice believers should sacrifice for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death (I John 3:14).

The Word of God says that loving our brothers and sisters in the Lord is evidence of being saved.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth(I John 3:18).

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other (I Thessalonians 4:9).

The Word of God is simply saying don’t just say you love your brothers and sisters in the Lord but show it.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked(Luke 6:35).

The Word of God asks us to love our enemies.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (I John 4:18).

The Word of God explains that love is the antidote for fear. There is safety in the Lord’s love.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (I John 5:3).

The Word of God links loving God with obeying God.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance(II Thessalonians 3:5).

The Word of God directs believers to love God as they patiently wait for the return of the Lord Jesus.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law(Galatians 5:22-23).

The Word of God tells us that the first in the list of the fruit of the Spirit is love.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal(I Corinthians 13: 1).

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love(I Corinthians 13:13).

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:5).

The Word of God explains that love is the greatest and if love is lacking a person is empty. The whole chapter is known as the love chapter and blesses the soul.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy(Ephesians 2:4).

The Word of God connects God’s rich mercy with His love for us.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him (I John 3:1).

The Word of God causes us to ponder: Why does He love us? Simply, He has chosen to love us and His very nature is one of love. We can enjoy His love. We can receive the benefits and blessings of His love. We can respond to His love by loving Him. Love by its very nature is voluntary and starts with a decision to love. “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so!”

Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love (Song of Solomon 2:4).

The Word of God paints this picture of God demonstrating His love for each of us.

What others are saying:

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest speaks of love:

Our natural heart does not love God; the Holy Ghost is the only Lover of God, and immediately He comes in, He will make our hearts the center of the love for God, the center of personal, passionate, overwhelming devotion to Jesus Christ. (page 203).

God and love are synonymous. Love is not an attribute of God, it is God. Whatever God is, love is. If your conception of loves does not agree with justice and judgment, purity and holiness, then your idea of love is wrong. (page 205).

Either each decision, activity and thought choose to love God and others or they refuse to love God and others.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us by His declaration of the many ways He loves us and how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about love.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

How would you explain love as the predominate message about God?
Think of illustrations of how love shown is reciprocated with love returned. Can you name some times when this has been your experience?
How is obedience a demonstration of love?
Explain how love requires an object. One loves a thing or person.
How can love cast out fear? Examples:
Elaborate on how the capacity to love actually comes from God.
Reflect on the command from the Lord to love our enemies. Think of an enemy of yours, either past or present. How hard is it to love them? Can you?

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Think about the Church

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 3, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about the church. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of the church. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to the church. Ponder them.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about the church?

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:18-20).

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:22-23).

for we are members of his body (Ephesians 5:30).

The Word of God tells us that Christ is the head of the church and the church is referred to as His body. Believers are members of His body. Since we are restricting ourselves to what the Scriptures say about the church, it is good to ensure context. The church in the Bible is a gathering or assembly of believers. The word church in vocabulary through the ages has taken on a religiousness that can be confusing. The word “church” can mean a building. The word “church” can mean a denomination. It is generally understood that there is the entity of the local church which is what is mostly addressed in the Scriptures but there also is the entity of the universal church. The universal church contains all believers from the time of Christ until the return of the Lord. This universal church makes up the body of Christ and the bride of Christ. As we continue on exploring the church, we will be able to clearly see, what it was, how it functioned, what was its purpose from the beginning.

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth (I Timothy 3:15).

The Word of God tells us that the church is the house of the living God, a pillar and the foundation of truth. Also, notice there are expected behaviors for those in the church.

also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier–and to the church that meets in your home (Philemon 1:2).

Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia(Romans 16:5).

The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house (I Corinthians 16:19).

Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house (Colossians 4:15).

The Word of God indicates that the early local churches met in houses that belonged to named believers. It is interesting that there is no mention of a church building in the Scriptures apart from private homes.

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: (Revelation 3:1).

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: (Revelation 3:7).

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: (Revelation 3:14).

To the church of God in Corinth….(I Corinthians 1:2).

…To the churches in Galatia: (Galatians 1:2).

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches (II Corinthians 8:1).

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians… (I Thessalonians 1:1).

The Word of God identifies churches by cities and countries. Does this represent a single gathering of believers or does it represent a number of local churches that are located in a specific city or region? Some verses seem to indicate a single church and other verses seem to indicate a plurality of churches in a named region. I can’t find a definitive answer in the Scripture for these questions. What is established is the existence of the church.

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:8-10).

The Word of God reveals the mystery that the church is a revelation of the manifold wisdom of God. Wow! What a thought!

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4: 11-13).

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours (I Corinthians 1:1-2).

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7).

The Word of God teaches us that specific individuals are gifted for ministry to the church. Apostles were those who had personally seen the Lord Jesus while He was physically on earth. Paul was the last of the apostles and he saw Jesus on the rode to Damascus. He considered himself the “least” of the apostles. Others listed areprophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Their purpose in ministering to believers in the churches was perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry and edifying (building up) the body of Christ. This was to result in the unity of the faith, knowledge of the Son of God, the development unto a perfect man who measures up to the fulness of Christ: Simply, these gifted individuals would be used to help the children of God and to do it in unity with the other children of God. I am inclined to think that these gifts were an indication of function and not a title.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body (Ephesians 4:25).

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (I Corinthians 12: 4-7).

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (I Corinthians 12:12-27).

The Word of God teaches that each believer is a member of the body. Each believer is a part of the body. Each believer is important to all the other believers. Each believer has an individual gift that is given by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of all.

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap (I Timothy 3:1-7).

In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus (I Timothy 3:8-13).

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you (Hebrews 13:17).

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father (I Timothy 5:1)

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses (I Timothy 5:19).

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:1-2).

The Word of God reveals that there was a governmental structure in the church. There were overseers (elders) (bishops) who had specific responsibility for the spiritual needs of those in the church. There were deacons who had specific responsibility for material needs of those in the church including widows and orphans. The deacons probably managed any collective financial activities of the local church. The letter to Philippi is addressed to all the saints along with overseers and deacons.

I am inclined to think that these positions were an indication of function and not a title. However, consider these verses:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed (I Peter 5:1)

The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth–and not I only, but also all who know the truth– (II John 2:1)

The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth (III John 3:1).

Both Peter and John were apostles. It makes sense that they would have the qualifications to be an elder. They both certainly were ministering to the Spiritual needs of believers in the early churches and most certainly through the Scriptures they authored. So, these verses don’t clearly state that elder was a title they held but it was likely an office they held. Perhaps elder was a title but it is not clear to me that it was from reading the Scriptures. Does it make a difference? Not necessarily, but as a title there might be the potential for abuse through the ages.

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” (I Timothy 5:17-18)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased(Hebrews 13:15-16).

Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem (I Corinthians 16:1-3).

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver(II Corinthians 9:7).

Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need (Philippians 4:15-16 KJV).

The Word of God shows that financial matters were part of the early church. Here are several verses that shows how giving occurred in the early church. The believers made collections to be given to needy believers both within the local church and believers from other churches. Some of the churches supported Paul financially. Since Paul was a missionary, this pattern indicates that supporting missionaries is Biblical. Elders are worthy of financial support (double honor). Giving is part of worship in the church (do not forget to do good and to share with others) and with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

One guideline for how much to give is: as the Lord has prospered you. Another guideline is: as a person has purposed in His heart. The attitude of the giver is to be cheerful not grudgingly or a sense of necessity. It is interesting to note that none of these verses that teach about giving in the church is the ten percent tithe required or even mentioned. An individual may purpose in their heart to give ten percent or for that matter an even higher percentage. When prosperity happens, a believer may choose to give significant amounts. My belief is, since a believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and is being guided and directed by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will give guidance about how much to give and to whom. That has been the experience of my wife and me.

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (II Thessalonians 3:10).

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need (I Timothy 5:3-16).

The Word of God gives clear guidance about how believers in the church should support other believers. If you don’t work, you don’t eat. If a believer doesn’t provide for his own, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. This is severe. Only those defined as widows who are really in need should receive support from the church. I really like how clearly this is stated.

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (I Corinthians 12:25-27).

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (I Corinthians 1:10-13).

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building (I Corinthians 3:3-9)

In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! (I Corinthians 11:17-22).

The Word of God discloses that there are problems in the church. Specifically, major issues of division. One of the factors driving the division is different individuals are claiming to be followers of specific individuals. Paul seeks to correct this thinking. There are behavior problems around the Lord’s Supper and when believers eat together. When Paul says that there coming together was not as it should be: for your meetings do more harm than good, it must have been serious. I am thankful for the Corinthians troubles because their issues are addressed so that believers down through the ages have guidance.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church (III John 1:9-10).

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh (Philippians 3:2).

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours (II Peter 2:1).

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have (II Peter 2:12).

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:29-30).

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve(II Corinthians 11: 13-15).

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain (I Timothy 6:3-5).

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world (I John 4:1-3).

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord(Jude 1:4).

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8).

The Word of God warns about false teachers and false doctrines. This points to the importance of believers knowing the Scriptures to have discernment to recognize these false teachers. It is also a reminder that Satan is an enemy of the believers in the church and an enemy of the Lord Jesus and he wants to disrupt and diminish the Lord’s body.

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him (II Corinthians 11:2).

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God (Revelation 19:7-9).

I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom (Matthew 26:29).

The Word of God reveals that the church is not only the body of Christ but also the bride of Christ and He is the bridegroom. In a joyous time, the church (bride) will be united in a marriage celebration in heaven. At the Lord’s Supper after they had taken the cup, the Lord promised that He would not drink of the cup again until the celebration of the marriage feast of the Lamb. This is a precious thought for all believers.

What others are saying:

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest says:

The Church of Jesus Christ is built on these two things: the Divine revelation of Who Jesus Christ is, and the public confession of it (page 49).

The Church confronts the world with a message the world craves for but resents because it comes through the Cross of Christ (page 48).

Frances Chan in Crazy Love candidly make this observation about false teachers:

…look at how this person turned out. Is he living a life of faith that resembles what you read about in the Scriptures? If not, don’t be so quick to listen to him. The Bible warns repeatedly against false teachers. And false teachers don’t identify themselves as false teachers. The look like sheep, but they’re actually wolves; they look like angels of light, but they’re actually messengers of Satan (page 268).

Either each decision, activity and thought recognize the place of the believer in the church (Christ’s body) or they do not recognize the place of the believer in the church (Christ’s body).

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us that believers are part of the body of Christ (His church) because He want us to know how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the church.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Think about Life

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about life. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of life. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to life. Ponder them.

There is something mysterious about life. What exactly is “life”? Life is the opposite of death and death is the absence of life. In all of God’s creation, plant and animal, every living thing has life and is subject to death. Life is linked with power. Power to move and power to respond and power to initiate. Death has no power to move, respond or initiate. In some ways the reality of death makes life more important. Since death is seen as something to be avoided, hanging on to life becomes strategic.

We begin our fight against death with our first breath. A baby must start to breath. Death is feared. “and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15). The context of this verse is a proclamation that Jesus has delivered believers from the fear of death but my point in using this verse is to illustrate that the natural tendency is to be in bondage to the fear of death. A characteristic of mankind is to fight a lifetime long battle against death.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about life?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

And this is what he promised us–eternal life (I John 2:25).

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (I John 5:20).

The Word of God proclaims that Jesus said that He is the life. To be clear the Bible speaks of physical life and Spiritual life. Physical life is temporary. It has an end point ( line segment). Spiritual life is everlasting ( ray). It has no end point.

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee (Luke 24:6).

The Word of God announces that Christ is not in the tomb but He is risen, He is alive.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die (John 11:25).

The Word of God says that Spiritual life is resurrection life.

and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:4).

The Word of God states that Jesus is the Son of God with power by the proof of the resurrection to life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life(John 3:16).

The Word of God tells us that God’s love in sending His son prevents those who believe in Him from perishing but instead they have everlasting life. Have you noticed how again and again John 3:16 keeps appearing? Remember: Spiritual perishing stops and spiritual life begins for you and me when we believe in the one and only Son who God gave to the world that He loves.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (I John 5: 11-12).

The Word of God testifies that life is in Jesus and declares a simple alternative: either have the Son and have life or do not have the Son and do not have life.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God (John 6:68-69).

The Word of God introduces the concept of words of eternal life. These words are that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. These words are to be believed.

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life (Romans 5:10).

The Word of God shows us that the death of Jesus reconciled us because our sin was paid for by His substitutionary death but we as believers are saved through His life. The Spiritual life comes to indwell the believer by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

The Word of God reveals a link between light and life. Jesus is the light that shows the way of life. Remember darkness is associated with death.

…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.(John 10:10).

The Word of God in the story of the Good Shepherd tells us that Jesus has come not only to have us (his sheep) have life but life is quantified to become abundant life.

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life (John 6:63).

The Word of God tells us that Jesus says that it is the Spirit that brings life and His words are life giving.

What are others saying:

Dallas Willard in The Spirit of the Disciplines addresses the challenge of understanding physical life in our physical bodies and the fact of Spiritual life while still in our physical bodies:

The human body is the focal point of human existence. Jesus had one. We have one. Without the body in its proper place, the pieces of the puzzle of new life in Christ do not realistically fit together, and the idea of really following him and becoming like him remains a practical impossibility. (pages 29-30).

Willard goes on:

It is with our bodies we receive the new life that comes as we enter his Kingdom. It can’t be any other way. If salvation is to affect our lives, it can do so only by affecting our bodies. If we are to participate in the reign of God, it can only be done by our actions. And our actions are physical—we live only in the processes of our bodies. To withhold our bodies from religion is to exclude religion from our lives. Our life is a bodily life, even though that life is one that can be fulfilled solely in union with God. (page 31).

Oswald Chambers in My utmost for His Highest reflects:

No man by nature has the life of the Son of God in him; he has in him the life which God creates in all men, but before he can have in his actual life the life that was in the Son of God, he must be born from above. (page 197).

Either each decision, activity and thought recognize the Spiritual, eternal life, that can be found in Jesus or they do not recognize the Spiritual, eternal life, that can be found in Jesus.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us about the eternal life to be given to us in Jesus and through this eternal life how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about life.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Think about Faith

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about faith. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of faith. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to faith. Ponder them.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about faith?

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV).

The Word of God clearly states that you cannot please the Lord without faith. Faith begins with believing in God’s existence and follows with the assurance that diligently seeking Him will be rewarded. Faith is just believing. There is a chorus with the phrase, “faith is just believing what God says is true”. I think that faith and belief are synonyms. We cannot ignore that there is a relationship between sin and faith.

…everything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The Word of God proclaims that belief in Jesus is essential to escape perishing and receiving eternal life. Once again, we have John 3:16. Remember: Spiritual perishing stops and eternal life begins, when we believe in the one and only Son who God gave to the world that He loves.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

For we live by faith, not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).

The Word of God explains that faith is based upon what God has said not our sight. Faith has content (substance) and has the integrity of evidence. Simply, believing God is a sure thing!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– (Ephesians 2:8).

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ(Romans 10:17).

The Word of God tells us that faith is a gift and that we get it by hearing the word of God.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith (Romans 1:16-17).

and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3: 24-26).

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God(John 1:12-13).

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved(Romans 10: 9-10).

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith (Philippians 3:9).

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood–to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- (Romans 3:25).

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe(I Corinthians 1:21).

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:18).

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls (I Peter 1:8-9).

The Word of God repeatedly links faith and believing as a requirement for receiving salvation and it also links faith and believing with the benefits of salvation.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith (Galatians 3:26).

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; (John 11:25).

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them(I John 4:16).

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free(John 8: 31-32).

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful(I Corinthians 4: 2).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law(Galatians 5:22-23).

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16).

Now we who have believed enter that rest…There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works just as God did from his(Hebrews 4: 3, 9-10).

The Word of God demonstrates that faith and believing are an integral part of living as a child of God. This faith is in the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer. This faith equips the believer for walking an obedient godly life. This faith produces Spiritual fruit and equips believers for the warfare they face with their enemies and God’s enemies. This faith equips believers for understanding and enduring the trials of earth. This faith is the vehicle for knowing and receiving God’s love. The faith provides an entrance into Godly rest.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God(John 6:68-69).

The Word of God speaks of the words of eternal life that are connected to believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame (Romans 10: 8-11).

The Word of God speaks of the words of faith and the words are near, in the mouth and in the heart. These passages are the classic gospel message of how to come to Christ, confess with the mouth and believe in the heart. Then there is the promise that believers will never be ashamed.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings(I Peter 5:8-9).

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus(I Timothy 3:13).

The Word of God speaks of “the faith” in a collective sense. I think this is a reference to the church, the body of Christ, the company of believers.

Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19).

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith (Matthew 8: 10).

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment (Matthew 15: 28).

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, (Ephesians 1:15 (NLT).

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”(Luke 17: 5)

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing (II Thessalonians 1:3).

Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand (II Corinthians 10: 15).

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters(Romans 14:1).

The Word of God indicates that faith can be quantified. These verses use several words to indicate intensities of faith: great faith, strong faith, growing faith, increasing faith and weak in faith. However, Scripture clearly teaches that there is the issue of either having faith or not having faith, or either believing or not believing. This is crucial!

Either you believe Jesus is God or you don’t.
Either you believe the Bible is God’s revelation to man or you don’t.
Either you believe Jesus loves me, this I know because the Bible tells me so or you don’t.
Either you believe that salvation is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ or you don’t.
Either you believe that acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior is important or you don’t.
Either you believe that you are saved through your belief in the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross or you don’t.
Either you believe that eternal life is found in Jesus Christ or you don’t.

For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed(Hebrews 4:2).

The Word of God declares that there is no profit if knowledge is not mixed with faith. It is not enough for you to hear and know you must also believe.

Faith-trust-believe-trust—you do or you don’t –Everything in the Bible is true—so believe it or don’t —Are you offended when someone doesn’t believe something you have said? They are questioning your veracity. We take it personally. Don’t you suppose it is offensive to God when His children don’t believe Him? God is a person, not like us but similar because we are made in His image. He is a believer’s Father and believers are His children. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. Remember to read Hebrews eleven to review those listed in the Faith Hall of Fame.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious…(I Peter 2:7 KJV)

The Word of God summarizes with this verse.

What others are saying:

Oswald Chambers in the book My Utmost for His Highest says:

Every man lives by faith, the nonbeliever as well as the saint; the one by faith in natural laws and the other by the faith in God. Every man throughout his entire life constantly accepts without understanding. The most learned sage can be reduced to silence with one simple question, “What?” The answer to that question lies forever in the abyss of unknowing beyond any man’s ability to discover. “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof,” but mortal man never. (p. 40).

You will have noticed that the content for this thinking adventure is very long with many verses cited. In the Pursuit of God, Tozer while describing an intelligent plain man with a Bible elaborates:

Our man is finding out what the Bible actually teaches. High up on the list of things which the Bible teaches will be the doctrine of faith. The place of weighty importance which the Bible gives faith will be too plain for him to miss. He will very likely conclude that faith is all-important in the life of the soul. “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith will get me anything, take me anywhere in the kingdom of God, but without faith there can be no approach to God, no forgiveness, no deliverance, no salvation, no communion, no spiritual life at all. (page 292).

Oswald Chambers has some thoughts on faith:

The life of faith is the life of a soul who has given over every other life but the life of faith. Faith is not an action of the mind, nor of the heart, nor of the will, nor of sentiment, it is the centering of the entire man of God. (page 110).

The business of faith is to convert Truth into reality (page 111).

There is only one way to live the life of faith, and that is to live it. (page 112).

Either each decision, activity and thought are based in faith in God and His Word or they are not based in faith in God and His Word.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us to believe and trust Him in a walk of faith to discover how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about faith.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Reflect on faith as it relates to believing. Where does thinking fit?
Where does decision fit with faith?
Ponder the idea that faith has an object. To be rational faith is in something or someone. Create some examples.
Similarly, ponder the idea that truth has an object. To be rational truth is about something or someone. Create some examples.
Now, connect truth and faith. Identify some illustrations.
Were you surprised at how many references there were on the subject of faith? Explain.
Reflect on the concept that which is seen is not based on faith. Explore the concept of evidence.
After following this adventure with the many verse on the subject of faith, what do you believe about faith? Do you have faith in faith?

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Think about Abiding

(From Audiobook Adventures in Biblical Thinking – Think About Series – Volume 1-Think About #3 Think about Abiding)

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about abiding. Join in thinking about the wonder of abiding with Jesus Christ.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about abiding?

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming (I John 2:28).

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (I Timothy 6:6-8).

The Word of God in these verses in a very comforting away tells the Lord’s children to simply abide in Him. In a very loving way the Lord’s children are called “little children.” Some suggested definitions of abide are: “to wait for”, to accept without objection”, “to remain stable in a fixed state”, “to exist for a period of time or indefinitely”, “to live or stay somewhere”, “to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship”, “to accept without opposition or question”, “to remain steadfast or faithful to; keep”. His children are to be content because we brought nothing into this world and will take nothing out. Rather as a matter of fact, be satisfied with food and clothes.

All these definitions are similar and all work for the concept of the abiding we will explore. I see abiding as comfortably passive and very restful. My wife and I went on a twenty-four-hour train ride from our home to California. We were able to abide on the train. Someone else did the driving. Someone else knew the route. Someone else prepared our meals. All we had to do was go along for the ride.

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3).

I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10).

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day (II Timothy 1:12).

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).

The Word of God tellsabout knowing Him. When a person knows something, then a sense of “settledness” follows. Okay, I know it and it is settled. All of these verses speak to knowing the Lord Jesus. These “knowing’s” express confidence. Knowing has content. It would be meaningless to just say, “I know”. To be meaningful we need to say, “I know something or I know somebody.” Knowing creates knowledge and knowledge has an object. However, just declaring that we know something does not make the “what” we know necessarily true.

When a believer’s “knowing” flows from faith it is anchored to truth. Faith also has an object. Faith believes in something or someone. Truth also has an object. Truth is about something or someone. Jesus is the truth and His Word is the truth. This knowing also links up with trusting. Trusting has an object. Trust is in something or someone. Since knowledge, faith, truth and trusting are all based on having an object, the object is indeed a fact. Frances Schaffer says, “There are no neutral facts, for facts are God’s facts.” (page 138). This comes from his book, The God Who Is There.

Here is the package: truth, faith, knowing and trusting. This package becomes a way of life for the believer in Jesus Christ. Their walk of faith, their walking in the Spirit happens based on this package. This knowing has a solid basis.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him (I John 5:15).

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands (I John 2:3).

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (I Corinthians 13:12).

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8).

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (II Peter 3:18).

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (II Peter 1:2).

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1: 5-8).

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9).

But since you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you –see that you also excel in this grace of giving (II Corinthians 8:7).

The Word of God in this set of verses repeatedly shows the value of knowing and having knowledge about the Lord Jesus and the benefits received. Can you see that knowing and knowledge form a foundation for abiding? Can you see that it essential to believe the Scriptures?

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (I Corinthians 4:7).

The Word of God says simply all that believers “have”, they have received. So, not to glory in ourselves.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you(John 15:7).

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:10-11).

The Word of God shows the abiding relationship between a vine and the branches as an illustration of an abiding relationship between the Lord Jesus and the believer. The vine provides the life and nourishment that the branch needs to exist and be fruitful. There are benefits for abiding. There is the production of “much” fruit and the warning that without the vine the branch can do nothing. The unattached branch is lifeless and unfruitful. The abiding connection provides the branch with the ability to ask from the vine and to receive. The abiding branch is obedient and loving resulting in receiving joy, so much joy that the branch is “full” of joy. What a beautiful picture.

…he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice(John 10:4).

…and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:3).

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me– (John 10:14).

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

The Word of God uses the analogy of the Good Shepherd (Jesus) and sheep (believers) to demonstrate an abiding relationship. Because I am a sheep, I need a shepherd. The Lord Jesus is my Shepherd and He is a Good Shepherd. The Lord Jesus knows me and I know Him. He calls me by name, I know His voice and He leads me to good pastures and I follow. I know His voice speaks the truth.

The Lord Jesus as my Shepherd protects me and I belong in His fold. He goes before me and I follow. The Lord Jesus as my Good Shepherd gave His life for me and provided the salvation I so desperately needed. The abiding believer trusts the Shepherd. There is the old saying, “You can trust the Man who died for you.” Jesus as the leading Shepherd knows where to go. Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. Hence, many times believers identify as followers of Jesus. The refrain from Ernest Blandly’s hymn, Where He Lead Me goes:

Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Remember the comfort in “knowing”. Good pastures mean health and prosperity for the sheep. The abiding sheep are completely dependent on the Shepherd much like the branches are dependent on the vine.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23: 1-6).

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (I Peter 2:25)

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young(Isaiah 40:11).

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom(Luke 12: 32).

The Word of God in these verses shows the Shepherd leading, comforting, providing, protecting His sheep. He is portrayed as a gentle, tender Shepherd who reassures His “little flock” to not be afraid because they will receive the kingdom. These verses are loving and reassuring about the safety of abiding. My wife has made the observation that sometimes we live as if we had no shepherd. It is during these times that we are not abiding because we are not hearing the Shepherd’s voice and we are not following.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night(Luke 2:8)

The Word of God gives us a picture of abiding. Just picture the shepherds calmly resting and watching. Abiding is a supernatural walk with the Lord that we call walking in the Spirit. Abiding is effortless except for the effort to keep abiding.

What others are saying:

John Eldridge in his daily devotion book, Restoration Year, provides delightful considerations about the importance of abiding:

Remain in me, and I will remain in you,” Jesus said (John 15:4 NLT). A simple command, it seems. And yet we overlook it.

If Jesus must tell us to remain in him, then he seems to be assuming that it’s quite possible not to remain in him. The common life is, in fact, a life lived separate from him, which is a dangerous place to live. An old saint once said to me that the devil doesn’t so much care what particular thing, we fall prey to as long as it’s outside Christ, for then we are vulnerable.

I want two things that are mutually opposed—I want to live a nice little life, and I want to play an important role in God’s kingdom. And it’s in those times that I am trying to live a nice little life that I make decisions and choices that cause me in small subtle ways to live outside Jesus.

You cannot enjoy the fellowship of God, or his protection, or all the benefits of his kingdom unless you remain in him—that is, live in him—in your day-to-day life. Vine and branches, Shepherd and sheep. Stay close. Stay with me. Jesus is saying. (page 28).

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest explains abiding:

Our Lord did not say, ‘Ask God that you may abide in me,’ He said, “Abide in Me,” it is something we have to do. Abiding in Jesus embraces physical, mental and moral phases as well as spiritual. (page 2).

We have to form the habit of abiding until we come into the relationship with God where we rely upon Him almost unconsciously in every particular. (page 2).

Of ye abide in Me, and My word abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will.” i.e.,what your will is in. There is very little our wills are in, consequently it is easy to work up false emotions. (page 377).

Either each decision, activity and thought are part of abiding or they are not part of abiding.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25)

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling us to abide in Him so we know how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about abiding.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Did you ever think about abiding being linked to obedience? For example: “I will abide by that law.” Can you think of other examples of abiding being linked to obedience?
Think about “abide” being linked to “abode”. Our abode is where we live. During the Covid19 pandemic in many places people were encouraged or required to remain in their home. Many were abiding in their “abode”. Can you think of other situations where “abide” and “abode” are linked?
Think about “abide” in reference to rest and safety. Can you identify times and places where you were abiding and finding rest and safety?
How would you describe abiding in Christ as an ongoing experience for Jesus followers?
Reflect on the illustration of the vine and branches. Can you see the critical need for the branches to stay attach? Describe examples of where you have witnessed unattached branches. Does this visual help in understanding the value of connection with the Lord Jesus?
Think about staying in an abiding relationship with the Lord Jesus. Do some Scriptures for this adventure come to mind?

Adventure into Audio Books

I will start this story about an adventure with a back story. I had a challenge. How do I get my writing from just being on my computer and make my it available to others? My first attempt involved going the route of print publishing with my book, The Mystery of Godliness. I obtained an agent who was very helpful and he found a publisher. This whole experience proved to be very challenging.

Preferring to be more independent and not dependent on others, I moved into the arena of creating my own webpage using WordPress. After soon reading and watching videos along with some trial and error and some help from a friend, I learned how to post by writings and I am still learning how to manage the site.

This brings me to my latest adventure, audio books. Back to the research. I talked to some people who do audio books and read several articles about audio books. I was encouraged enough about the potential that I began looking for a method to do them. I finally found a company, Author’s Republic, that publishes and distributes audiobooks. I signed up with them and they have proven to very user-friendly.

Next, I had to learn how to record. More research was necessary. After looking at several recording programs, I settled on a program called Audacity. I purchases a microphone and I was set to begin. I had to learn how Audacity worked. More reading and more videos. I started recording but that is just the start. I had to learn how to edit my recordings and I am still learning.

After recording and editing the next step was learn all the steps to uploading to Author’s Republic. Again, more research and trial and error. The result is I have created eight audio books to date and I am still working on more. Most of them are short audio books and most of them include a set of discussion questions that are useful to highlight points in the writing or could be useful for discussion in a small group Bible study.

The audio books are available on the Audiobook website: https://www.lovereading.co.uk/audiobooks/narrator/dr-elden-daniel.

You can also find other websites where they are available by googling Dr. Elden Daniel.

Here are the titles of the audio books that are available:

Be Ye Thankful (2020). This audiobook is an exploration into the importance and value of being thankful to God.

What Was She Thinking? Series (2020). This audiobook is a series of short essays about the mother who aborted her baby and is designed to encourage and support those who have chosen the pro-life. position.

Adventures in Biblical Thinking Series (2020). Each of the four volumes contains several short thinking adventures to stimulate Biblical thinking on different topics.

The Names of Jesus (2020). This audiobook explores the many names and titles given to Jesus in the Scriptures.

The I Am’s of Jesus (2020). This audiobook identifies and discusses the “I am” statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. These statements were proclamations made by Jesus declaring that He is God.

Adventures in Biblical Thinking – Think About Series (2020). Each of the four volumes contains several short thinking adventures to stimulate Biblical thinking on different topics.

Take a Look

My youngest brother, Jerry Daniel, has designed and created a website and you will want to take a look.

The website is titled, Light Writer Reflections: (https://lightwriterreflections.wordpress.com/author/lightwriterreflections/)

Jerry has combined his photography with his writing. He has a gift for finding the Lord in both his photographs and life experiences. Then he reflects on the Lord’s blessings that he discovers there. These reflections result in stirring the reader’s heart to worship and praise.

Jerry has diligently turned his photography hobby into creating beautiful pictures using a variety of subjects and scenarios. He has acquired a lot of photography equipment, special cameras that have many settings, fancy lenses and accessories with sophisticated sounding names. The result is many fabulous photographs.

Jerry and I have enjoyed sharing our writing. We have proofed and edited each other’s material. He started writing long before I did and I felt what the Lord had given him should be shared. I have also enjoyed many of his photographs through the years and I believe they also should be shared.

With this website Jerry has created a medium through which he can share both his photography and his writing. I think you will enjoy what he has to offer and will want to subscribe to receive future postings. I happen to know that he has many more quality postings in the hopper.

Think about the Attributes of God

(From Audiobook Adventures in Biblical Thinking – Think About Series – Volume 1-Think About #4 Think about The Attributes of God)

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about the attributes of God. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of the attributes of God. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to the attributes of God. Ponder them.

What does the Holy Scriptures say about the attributes of God?

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalms 46:10).

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalms 99:2).

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you his servants; praise the name of the LORD (Psalms 113:1).

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD (Psalms 150:6).

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33).

I the LORD do not change. I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.…(Malachi 3:6).

or who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (I Corinthians 2:11).

Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. see, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff (Isiah 41:12-15).

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence (Psalms 90:8).

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me (Psalms 139:7-11).

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

The Word of God declares that the Lord is to be praised, worshipped and exalted. Above are a sampling of Scriptures that demonstrate attributes of God. Following a few comments from me I will recommend a source for you for learning about the attributes of God.

All mankind has been created in the image of God. In this sense mankind resembles God. All born-again believers have become new creatures and are being transformed through the Holy Spirit as children of God. In this sense born-again believers resemble God. However, God is not like mankind or like born-again believers. God is “other” than His creation. God is “above” His creation. God is so much “other” and “above” that mankind and born-again believers can only know in part who He is. However, the Lord in His mercy and in His love has revealed to us all that we need to know about Him.

Let’s meditate on some quotes from Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer:

Teach us to know that we cannot know, for the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Let faith support us where reason fails, and we shall think because we believe, not in order that we may believe. (page 21).

The child, the philosopher, and the religionist have all one question: “What is God like?” ….Yet at the outset I must acknowledge that it cannot be answered except to say that God is not like anything; that is, He is not exactly like anything or anybody.” (page 21).

When the Scripture states that man was made in the image of God, we dare not add to that statement an idea from our own head and make it mean “in the exact image.” To do so is to make man a replica of God, and that is to lose the unicity of God and end up with no God at all. It is to break down the wall, infinitely high, that separates That-which-is God from that that-which-is not God. To think of creature and Creator as alike in essential being is to rob God of most of His attributes and reduce Him to the status of a creature. (page 23-24).

The yearning to know What cannot be known, to comprehend the Incomprehensible, to touch and taste the Unapproachable, arise from the image of God in the nature or man. Deep calleth unto deep, and though polluted and landlocked by the mighty disaster theologians call the Fall, the soul senses its origin and longs to return to its Source. How can this be realized?

The answer of the Bible is simply, “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” In Christ and by Christ, God effects complete self-disclosure, although He shows Himself not to reason but to faith and love. Faith is an organ of knowledge, and love an organ of experience. God came to us in incarnation; in atonement He reconciled us to Himself, and by faith and love we enter and lay hold on Him. (page 26).

“What is God like?” If by that question we mean “What is God like in Himself?” there is no answer. If we mean “What has God disclosed about Himself that the reverent reason can comprehend?” there is, I believe, an answer both full and satisfying. For while the name of God is secret and His essential nature incomprehensible, He in condescending love has by revelation declared certain things to be true of Himself. These we call His attributes. (page 28-29).

This negative approach to the divine omniscience is, I believe, quite justified in the circumstances. Since our intellectual knowledge of God is so small and obscure, we can sometimes gain considerable advantage in our struggle to understand what God is like by the simple expedient of thinking what He is not like. So far in this examination of the attributes of God we have been driven to the free use of negatives. We have seen that God has no origin, that He has no beginning, that He requires no helpers, that He suffers no change, and that in His essential being are no limitations. (pages 100).

All of God’s acts are consistent with all of His attributes. No attribute contradicts any other, but all harmonize and blend into each other in the infinite abyss of the Godhead. All that God does agrees with all that God is, and being and doing are one in Him…

God, being who He is, cannot cease to be what He is, and being what He is, He cannot act out of character with Himself. He is at once faithful and immutable, so all His words and acts must be and must remain faithful. (page 137).

I have given some quotes to whet your appetite and my recommendation for a source to learn about the attributes of God is A. W. Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy. This is a small but compact book but loaded with insight into the attributes of God. To give you an idea of the range of attributes, here is the book’s contents:

Why We Must Think Rightly About God
God Incomprehensible
A Divine Attribute: Something True About God
The Holy Trinity
The Self-existence of God
The Self-sufficiency of God
The Eternity of God
God’s Infinitude
The Immutability of God
The Divine Omniscience
The Wisdom of God
The Omnipotence of God
The Divine Transcendence
God’s Omnipresence
The Faithfulness of God
The Goodness of God
The Justice of God
The Mercy of God
The Grace of God
The Love of God
The Holiness of God
The Sovereignty of God
The Open Secret

You can see from the topics in the contents the broad coverage of God’s attributes. Another quality source about the attributes of God is J. J. Packer’s The Knowledge of God.

For me, to the degree I can understand and to the degree I can increase my understanding of the limitless capacities of God, I am safer and wiser and I feel safer and wiser and I can trust Him more.

Either each decision, activity and thought acknowledge belief in the attributes of Almighty God or they do not acknowledge belief in the attributes of Almighty God.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

If we are willing to listen and to hear, the Lord is telling about His about who He is and what He is like because He wants us to know how much He loves us.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the attributes of God.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

From Tozer’s list of attributes pick your favorite. Why?
From the list which provides the most comforting. Why?
The attributes are complimentary. Pick two attributes and describe how they are complimentary.
Our minds really can’t do this, but try to examine and discuss the endless nature of one or two attributes. Example: The Omnipotence of God—unlimited power.
Do you see the value of meditating on the attributes of God?
What feelings does meditating on the attributes of God stir up in you?

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

The I Am’s of Jesus

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 3, 2021)

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you (Exodus 3:14).

The significance of the way Jesus identified himself with “I am” comes from the way the Lord identified himself to Moses at the burning bush. “I am” is the declaration of eternal presence. Hence, when Jesus declared himself as “I am” He was declaring Himself to be God. This is significant as proof of His authority and His mission. The reaction of those who opposed Him verifies that they understood that Jesus was saying that He was God. That is one of the reasons they wanted to kill Him.

Bread of Life

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35).

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26).

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (I Corinthians 11:26).

“Bread of life” may be more of a descriptor than a name but bread is such an important symbol of sustenance, survival and prosperity. Clearly, He identifies Himself as the source and sustainer of life. Simply, the Lord Jesus is essential.

Bread representing the body of Christ is an element of the Lord’s Supper as celebrated with communion. The remembrance time is special to believers because it is a profound reminder of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus for believers’ salvation. Then the Lord says a beautiful thing do this in remembrance (until he comes) to His disciples that all believers can also claim. Jesus said: “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29).

Remember the setting: This is the last time Jesus and His disciples were together before His crucifixion. After this meal He would go to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and shortly after the soldiers would come to arrest Him. This makes me love Him more and He becomes more real.

Light

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).

We need light so we can see. God created light. Remember: And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day (Genesis 1:3-5). In this verse we see the purpose of the light was so we wouldn’t be walking in darkness and also this the light of life.

The power of light to conquer darkness is really amazing. We have an outbuilding located about fifty feet from our house. During the summer months I leave the door open at night. Recently, one night my wife made the statement that there was a light left on in this building. I looked out to see a nice glow coming from the door and thought, sure enough a light had been left on.

Upon further examination I found that the light that seemed so bright was coming from a small night light the size of a small Christmas tree light. I keep this night light on in the building because there are no windows and when a person goes into the building and closes the door it is very dark. The power of light over darkness is really amazing.

Follow the explanation of light in these verses speaking about Jesus:

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him (John 1:4-9).

Consider this verse. The scene is a wedding and a guest shows up without proper dress. This must be speaking of those who are professing to be believers but have never been born again. Hmmm!

But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:11-14).

Once again, we see judgment and darkness.

And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30).

Darkness also speaks of people living in sin and apart from God. Here is a prophecy from Isaiah concerning the coming of Jesus.

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:16-17).

In Luke we see in Zechariah’s song speaking of Jesus:

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79 KJV).

In I John we gain more insight into the light and darkness:

Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them (I John 2:8-11).

Look at these verses that speak of Jesus as the light that overcomes the darkness:

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ (I Corinthians 4:6).

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (I Peter 2:9).

To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Acts 26:18).

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (I John 1:5).

Somehow the importance of light can be seen as compared to darkness. We will look more closely at life in another “I am” but notice that life is found in the light. Just think of the sense of relief that comes when you turn the lights on and can now see. Also think about darkness as the absence of light. William McDonald said in a sermon that “light is what makes things manifest.” Jesus being the light of the world makes Him more real and we know more real leads to more love.

Door

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (John 10:9 KJV).

Where is the door? Have you ever asked that question? We have four exterior doors in our house. We can exit in all four directions. The doors provide access and egress. Notice the verse says “go in and out”. We go in to find safety and out to find pasture. The setting for this verse is the sheep fold. Protection and substance are basic needs. Seeing Jesus as our protector and provider makes Him more real and once again more loved.

Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (John 10:14).

This is my personal favorite and I think it is because my wife and I have had sheep for over twenty years. Since I am one of the Lord’s sheep, I can identify with the sheep’s need for a shepherd. Since also I am a shepherd to my sheep, I can identify with care for the sheep. I follow my Good Shepherd because He leads me and I know and hear His voice. My sheep follow me because they know and hear my voice. He is a good shepherd and leads to green pastures i.e. He supplies my needs. He protects me.

This name and role for the Lord is amplified in Psalms 23. It finds His tenderness in this verse: He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11). I find comfort in this verse: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).Meditating on this name and the relationship it declares make me love Him more and makes Him more real.

Resurrection and Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die (John 11:25).

Resurrection speaks of overcoming death. Life is the opposite of death. Death is the absence of life. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Who is dead and who needs to be resurrected? All of mankind is “dead in your transgressions and sins”. However, note the past tense, “were”. Believers are no longer dead but have been resurrected by being born again and receiving life through the Holy Spirit. We will look at this more closely in a future “I am”. The thought of resurrection coming from Jesus makes Him even more real and more loved.

Vine

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener (John 15:1).

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:7-8).

These verses show the abiding relationship between a vine and the branches as an illustration of an abiding relationship between the Lord Jesus and the believer. The vine provides the life and nourishment that the branch needs to exist and be fruitful. There are benefits for abiding. There is the production of “much” fruit and the warning that without the vine the branch can do nothing. The unattached branch is lifeless and unfruitful. What a beautiful picture. The essential connection with Jesus that is necessary for life and bearing fruit makes Jesus more real and more loved.

The Way, The Truth and The Life

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

Way

The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil (Proverbs 12:29).

All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant (Psalms 25:10).

In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality (Proverbs 12:28).

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:14 KJV).

Think of the many ways we use the word “way”. Here are some examples: The way things work. The way to go. Let me show you the way. Excuse me, you are standing in the way. Move everything that is in the way out of the way. There is a right way to do it.

Often the term “way” means a path. This verse uses the way as a path twice:

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightiest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:17 KJV).

Sometimes “way” means a procedure or directions for a way to do something. Think of the way to assemble new items or operational instructions. If you don’t do it the way the directions say, there will be problems. These verses seem to me to be an example of “way” being used as a procedure or method:

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12).

When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus (Luke 5:19).

Sometimes we think of way as representing a manner of doing or a way of living. Here are some verses as examples:

So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth (Luke 20:21).

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance (II Timothy 3:10).

Allow me to use a personal story to illustrate some ways to we use the term “ways”. A Christian brother was telling me about a way to access a huge database of Christian preachers and movies. At his house he gave me a demonstration of the way the system worked. The device is called a Roku. The way it works has to do with connecting to the internet wirelessly through my router.

So, I went by the way of Walmart and purchased the device for around $30. The clerk had to get a key as a way to get the device out of the locked case. Then I found the way home. I figured out the way to open the package and opened the directions to discover the way to install the Roku device. I found the way to connect to the television set and the way to connect to power and then proceeded to find the way to install the necessary drivers on my computer.

After these procedures, I learned the way to operate the remote control for the Roku and the way to properly set the television set to connect to the Roku. Now, I was ready to find the way to locate and connect with the programs I wanted. A few days later, my friend was at my house and created a number of settings to make an easier way for me to find the programs I wanted. Now we have a way to bring inspirational and instructive content into our way of television viewing. We really like it.

Interestingly, the early church was known as The Way. We see Paul make reference to the early church as The Way in this verse.

He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains (Acts 9:2 NLT).

With this story I have given a number of examples of how the term “way” can be used. I have illustrated way as a path, way as a method or procedure. way as directions and way as a manner of living. My objective is to demonstrate the way we interpret Jesus as the way, He is the path, the method, the directions and the manner of living. As the way, Jesus is necessary and understanding Him as the way makes Him even more real. The more real He is to us, the more we love Him.

Truth

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth(John 17:17).

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8: 32).

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John 16: 13).

Thankfully truth does exist. Truth is real. Truth is pure. Truth is exclusive. Witnesses in the court room are asked to make an oath to: “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God.” If the witness fails to keep the oath, they are guilty of perjury. When you stop to think about the fact that sin came into our world with Satan’s lie to Eve, truth is really very valuable. I believe that we all have an inward drive to seek truth and this probably comes from being created in the image of God.

Truth is light so we can see more clearly. As we seek truth and are open to discovering truth, truth comes into a person’s life like waves of the ocean. Truth builds upon truth. Another analogy, feeding on the Word of God is like feeding on truth and light. Truth is defense against being deceived because deception is a lie. Deception is a problem and having the truth is to be armed to contend with deception. Remember the sin problem for mankind began because Eve was deceived.

And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner (I Timothy 2:14).

But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent (II Corinthians 11:9 NLT).

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist… (Ephesians 6:12-14).

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22).

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (I Corinthians 15:33 KJV).

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7).

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them (Luke 21:8).

While evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (II Timothy (3:13).

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (I Timothy 4:1).

Clearly, truth is important but truth is to be believed. What we believe determines what we do. In my book, The Mystery of Godliness, (2019), I introduce a principle and develop it extensively that illustrates the importance of believing the truth. The principle is belief drives practice. Simply stated, this means that what we choose to believe will influence our decisions and actions and practices. Said backwards, whatever we do is determined by what we believe. Look at these verses that illustrate this principle.

I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean (Romans 14:14).

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble(Romans 14:20).

Clearly, the issue here is not whether something is actually unclean or whether eating some food is actually evil. The issue is what the individual believes about eating or not eating. The conclusion for the believer is to know the truth, believe the truth and this will work to direct a believer’s words, thoughts and deeds. The renewed mind operates upon the truth believed.

Life

Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being(Genesis 2:7).

Follow along with me about the subject of “life”. What exactly is “life”? We have already mentioned that life is the opposite of death and that death is the absence of life. In all of God’s creation, plant and animal, every living thing has life and is subject to death. However, only in the case of God’s creation of man do we read breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being This is unique to the creation of man. Now we know that every living creature reproduces “after its kind”. This ensures that even though death happens, each kind of living creature continues to exist because they have left offspring.

It is appropriate to assume that the “life” that Adam received from God is different in some way than the life that all living creation received. Notice, man became a living being. Mankind was a unique and special creation. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27). God breathed His life into mankind. God’s life that was breathed into mankind is a different kind of life than was given to all the living creation. It is really important to understand this distinction.

This God breathed life is eternal life.

And this is what he promised us—eternal life (I John 2:25).

Eternal life or everlasting life means those who have it will never die. Having God’s life means you will not die. This is something to be desired. The desire for eternal life is driven by an awareness that one does not have it. Here are two examples of people who came to Jesus to inquire about how to receive eternal life. A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18). He seemed sincere. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25). This lawyer was not sincere.

However, both individuals knew there was an “eternal life” and that it was to be desired. Peter recognized that Jesus was the place to go for eternal life. Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68). I repeat there is an awareness of eternal life and a need to receive it.

To really understand the distinction between life as seen in the living creation including mankind and eternal life that is available exclusively to mankind, it is necessary to recognize the event and consequences that resulted in mankind losing eternal life. I am sure you have already guessed that the event was the fall of mankind that occurred with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—(Romans 5:12).

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners,…(Romans 5:19)

Contrast:

…much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many (Romans 5:15 KJV).

…how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17).

These verses point to the “two Adams” doctrine. Simply sin and death comes through Adam via the Garden of Eden fall while grace, righteousness and life come through the saving work of the Lord Jesus at Calvary.

Adam and Eve like the rest of creation produced children after their kind. However, after the fall each offspring of mankind was born without eternal life. Again, we explore the question, “How does a person receive eternal life?” This was explained to Nicodemus in John chapter 3:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3).

Jesus goes on to explain to a very perplexed Nicodemus.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8).

This really makes sense because every person has been born once. That is how they arrived on earth. In this birth they are born in Adam’s line. The kind of life that each person has is the same kind of life that the rest of living creation has. That kind of life will come to an end some day with death. Jesus explains that the first birth is of the flesh and is flesh.

However, Jesus explains that the second birth is of the Spirit. This birth is mysterious and invisible like the wind but very real. Becoming real is linked with believing what you see, both visible and invisible. For Jesus who is revealed in Scripture to be real to us we must believe the Scriptural record.

Further revelation and explanation are summed up in these famous verses.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:16-18).

Scripture has much to confirm our discussion about life. Here are a sample of verses:

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (I John 5: 11-12).

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Romans 5:10).

Dallas Willard in The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives says:

Willard goes on:

It is hard to think deeply about life without contrasting it with death. Life is linked with power. Power to move and power to respond and power to initiate. Death has no power to move, respond or initiate. The marvelous feature of becoming a new creature in Christ is that the very life of Christ indwells the believer through the Holy Spirit. This is amazing.

Christians are saved by the sacrificial death of Jesus but salvation has vitality because of the life of Jesus that believers receive. Care must be taken to not focus on Christ’s death to the neglect of His life. Again, and again in Scripture we see the emphasis on the fact that believers have received life and this life is not only for the present but is eternal. The wonder of life through Jesus Christ makes Him more real and makes us love Him more.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the I am’s of Jesus.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

The word, am, is in the present tense. Jesus as I am is an eternal presence. Explain how this squares that God was present in the past and will be present in the future.
Light is contrasted with darkness. Tell why this is helpful in understanding the difference between good and evil. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you (Psalms 139:11-12).
Life is contrasted with death. How does this comparison help in understanding life? Eternal life?
Explain how these I am’s of Jesus demonstrate relationship: Good Shephard, Vine, Way, Life.
Reflect on Bread of Life. How does this link with being sustained by the Lord?
Discuss how each of the “I am’s” reveals who Jesus is, what He does and what He has done.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

The Names of Jesus

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 3, 2021)

Welcome to the Biblical adventure of thinking about the names of Jesus. Join in thinking about the meaning and value of the names of Jesus. You will discover that there are many Biblical references to the names of Jesus. Ponder them.

Why names? What’s in a name? I have one. You have one. Everybody I ever met had one. Simply names are used for identification. Looking at basic grammar and parts of speech, we learn that a noun names a person, place or thing. Please bear with me as I spend time talking about the obvious because I am building background.

Places have names, the White House, the Golden Gate Bridge. Streets and roads have names, that is how we gain an address. Events have names, the Kentucky Derby, the Superbowl. Some animals have names. Our horses and cats have names. Exclusive names are proper nouns and must start with a capital letter. Our horses’ names are Sash and Flicka. They are exclusive because there is only one Sash and one Flicka. However, names sometimes are about categories. The word, horses, names a category and is inclusive of all horses. Hence, the category, horses, includes Sash and Flicka.

I have a first name, a middle name and a last name. These further clarify identity. These make me exclusive because there is only one me. However, the inclusion of a last name moves into a category of inclusion because it connects with a family with the last name of Daniel. Actually, it is also a category of exclusion because anyone without the last name of Daniel is excluded. To be more precise or more confusing subcategories are involved. There is the exclusive Daniel name category that includes only my family of origin Dad, Mom and siblings. There also is the Daniel name category that includes my children and my siblings’ children and our children’s children. This could go on and on by looking backward with the category of my Dad’s family of origin, etc. You get the picture.

Another feature of names includes the addition of rank or title linked to position. These features provide greater detail. Examples: President Trump, Judge Roberts, Congressman Tipton, Governor Newsom, Commissioner Jones, Pastor Stanley. Sometimes it is a matter of rank. Examples: Col. Tucker, Commander Wolfe, Master Sargent Hopkins, Captain Copley, General Flynn.

In my experience I have had the titles of Principal Daniel, Superintendent Daniel, Professor Daniel and others. These additions indicate what the named person does or did. As we examine the names of Jesus, we will see that His names are always exclusive and tell about what He does or did. We will also see that His names address the issue of rank and position.

As we explore the many names, titles and descriptions of Jesus, it is good to reflect on the fact that the Lord has chosen to reveal Himself to us. The many names and descriptions provide multiple perspectives and views of who He is so that He becomes more real and then we can love him more.

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (I John 3:2).

Immanuel

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:23).

This is a message in a dream from an angel to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, telling him to take Mary to be his wife. The angel is quoting Isaiah 7:17. This is a message of the arrival of the promised Messiah. Just think of it, “God is with us”. What a wonderful message and blessing. Jesus is God and He is with us. This makes Him more real and more loved.

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).

These names for the Lord Jesus take away my breath. The name Wonderful speaks of worthiness to receive worship. Somehow Wonderful is inclusive of all He is and all He has done. Counselor speaks of one who comes close to provide guidance and advice for facing the challenges and troubles of life. The Might God speaks of His great power. The word, Mighty, is awe inspiring.

The Everlasting Father assures that He is forever and ever and that He will not be leaving or going away. Prince of Peace tells of relief from war, conflict and turmoil. These names make me feel really safe and at rest. Each of these names makes Him more real and each makes me very thankful to be His child and it really makes me love Him more.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).

Can you read this verse without thinking of the Halleluiah Chorus? Pause and listen to this song at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c Doesn’t the sound of these names cause you to breath deep and think of magnificence?

This verse makes me think of the hymn, Majesty. Take time to listen to it at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaRwD2Y7C0s

These names fill my heart with worship and I cannot hear these names or hear these hymns inspired by these names without tears. Contrast this with the humiliation of Jesus in the way He was treated before Pilate and His suffering on the cross. He is our hero and, in these names, He is being honored. Once again, He becomes more real and I love Him more.

Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. He also proclaims the mission of Jesus. Clearly, this name signifies Jesus as the sacrificial lamb. We may have images of a lamb as weak, soft and cuddly. Certainly, we would never think of a lamb as dangerous. But this lamb is the Lamb of God and although He humbled Himself to be the righteous sacrifice, He is not weak. Take heed to this series of verse from Revelation where His name as the Lamb is repeatedly used. This Lamb is not meek and mild!

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers(Revelation 17:14).

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast–all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! (Revelation 6:16).

and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations (Revelation 16:13).

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1).

Son of God and Loved Son

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (I John 5:13).

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (I John 5:20).

But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am. (Luke 22:69-70).

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5).

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16-17).

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).

Jesus is identified as the Son of God both as a title and as a Son in relationship with the Father. The Father calls Jesus his beloved Son. I am my father’s son and sometimes he addressed me as son but my name is Elden. I am known as a son of Arvy. Son of God is a title that declares relationship. As a son of Arvy, I am of the same nature, two human beings with the last name of Daniel. In that sense we are equal. Jesus as the Son of God was equal, both the Father and the Son are God.

Here is an interesting point. The Father declared Jesus as His Son. Jesus declared Himself as the Son. Believers recognize and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. Notice that Satan and his demons also identify Jesus as the Son of God.

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3).

If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” (Matthew 4:6).

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (Matthew 8:28-29).

Chief Cornerstone

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (I Peter 1:6-7).

Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. A cornerstone represents the initial starting place in the construction of a monumental building and is considered essential, indispensable, or basic. This name declares that Jesus is most important and everything rests on Him. Without Him there is no building. This declaration of importance makes Jesus more real and make us love Him more.

Alpha and Omega

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8).

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End… (Revelation 21:6).

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).

I picture alpha and omega as two bookends. Everything starts and begins with Jesus and everything will end with Jesus. Everything else fits within these two ends. Clearly, Jesus is the preeminent One. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). This name like Chief Cornerstone proclaims the essentialness of the Lord Jesus. This essentialness makes Jesus more real and hence we can love Him more.

Son of Man

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man (Mark 2:10).

I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Luke 12:8-10).

So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34).

As you know, the Passover is two days away–and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified (Matthew 26:2).

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40).

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners (Matthew 26:45).

but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48).

The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him! (Luke 22:22).

…Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61-62).

If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” (Luke 22:67-70).

Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30).

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done (Matthew 16:27).

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

Are you wondering why so many verses about the name Son of man? You probably noticed in reading these verses that Jesus is doing the talking. I am sure you noticed that I put Son of Man in bold font. Jesus identified Himself most often in Scripture as the Son of Man. The name declares that He is both God and man. He is declaring the incarnation. As man He is able to connect with mankind, as God, He is able to be our Savior. The power of this name makes Jesus more real and also creates deeper love from those who know Him.

Jesus (Yeshua)

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

The name for Jesus was given by an angel in a dream to Joseph. The name Jesus comes from a Hebrew word, Yeshua. The word comes from a verb, yasha, which means to deliver, save or rescue. Greek translations list the yeshua as yesous from which we derive the name Jesus. Sometimes the name Jesus is associated with the name Joshua. In some English Bibles Joshua is stated as Jeshua. Of course, Joshua along with Moses was a deliverer or savior for the Jewish people out of Egypt. Jesus is a personal name and speaks of Him as our Savior. The name makes Jesus seem closer and more real and more loved.

The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life (I John 1:1).

The Lord Jesus is identified as the Word. The significance of this name is reflected from the beginning when the Lord spoke creation into existence. “And God said…” (Genesis 1:3). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:6). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:9). “Then God said…” (Genesis 1:11.) “And God said…” (Genesis 1:14). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:20). “Then God said…” (Genesis 1:26.) Get the picture?

There is power in God’s words. It is interesting that Jesus is identified as the Word. Jesus is also truth and truth is proclaimed with words. “in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (II Corinthians 6:7). “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:18).Picturing Jesus as the Word makes Him more real and we love Him more.

Master

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm (Luke 8:24).

Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” (Luke 9:49).

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18 KJV).

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee (Matthew 12:38 KJV).

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matthew 23:8 KJV).

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Matthew 23:10 KJV).

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. (Matthew 26:25 KJV).

As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) (Luke 9:33).

Look at all these verses where Jesus is addressed as Master. Other translations sometimes use the word Teacher instead of Master. This is term of respect and honor. Notice that Jesus is the only one to be recognized as the Master. Interestingly, both those who are friendly to Jesus and those who are unfriendly called Him Master. Knowing Jesus as Master makes Hm more real and more loved.

Messiah/Christ

He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah ” (which translated means Christ) (John 1:41 NASB).

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us (John 4:25-26).

Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else? (Matthew 11:3 NLT).

If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded (Mark 9:41 NLT).

We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago (Luke 24:21 NLT).

Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory? (Luke 24:26 NLT).

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation (Colossians 1:15 NLT).

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything (Colossians 1:18 NLT)

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:2 NLT).

This is a sampling of verses in the Bible where Jesus is given the title of Messiah or Christ. Messiah is the Hebrew term and Christ is the Greek term. The meaning is the Anointed One. This is the name given to the expected Savior that God would send as prophesied in the Old Testament. There are many Old Testament prophecies predicting the coming of Messiah but I have chosen not to include them.

Savior

As we read through the verses you can see that the people were expecting the appearance of the Messiah. We also see that Jesus acknowledged that He was the Messiah. We see references back to the prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament including that He would suffer. We also see the great blessings that come with being connected to the Messiah/Christ. These verses and the information that comes with them makes Jesus more real and so we love Him more.

to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:25).

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (II Peter 3:18).

and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:11).

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).

but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (II Timothy 1:10).

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (I John 4:14).

Savior is a name of Jesus that highlights what He did. He came to rescue us from sin and death. The Father gave His one and only Son so that we would not perish but have eternal life. Each of His names expand our understanding of who He is but Savior drives home what He accomplished for every believer that each could not do for themselves. Ponder the thought of not perishing. Ponder the thought of eternal life. For each member of mankind, it is one or the other.

Think about this and be amazed. Think about this and feel loved. Each believer is part of His joy.

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the name of Jesus.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Think about how important your name is to you. Think about the phrase: “My good name.”
List the names of Jesus that declare who He is.
List the names of Jesus that declare what He does.
List the names of Jesus that declare what He did.
List the names of Jesus that people who were with Jesus while He was on earth used.
What is your favorite name for Jesus?
Think about Jesus knowing your name. He is going to give each believer a new name. If you are a believer, what do you think you new name will be? …I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it (Revelation 2:17).

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Love Yourself

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

In this adventure, think about the first and second commandments as stated by Jesus.

He answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).

The standard for loving your neighbor is set clearly as being equivalent to how a person loves themselves. Then Jesus raises the standard even higher.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34 KJV).

He repeats this commandment again.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12).

However, let’s think about the second commandment’s admonition to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Do we really love ourselves? Can loving ourselves be a good thing?

Paul in giving instructions to husbands about how to love their wives:

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church (Ephesians 5:28-29).

It sounds like Paul believes that it is a self-evident truth that no one would ever hate themselves, at least, not hate their bodies and rather would feed and care for their body.

Yet, a conflict arises because Jesus followers are caught between an awareness of their own tendency to sin as well as the reality of sins that they have committed. This leaves it a very undesirable notion that they should love themselves.

We will try to gain some understanding about why we have this conflict. Anyone who has any knowledge about God or even some awareness about Easter knows there is the issue of sin. With a closer look they realize that they have sinned and are a sinner. Further thought brings up that the issue of sin is a problem for God.

If there is any awareness of the Hebrew Scriptures, they know that under the law of Moses, the Lord directed an elaborate process for animal sacrifices to address the need for forgiveness from sin before God. If a person has read even a little way into Genesis, they know about Adam and Eve’s sin and that animals were killed and sacrificed to provide a skin covering for them.

Then there is the incredible story about the advent of Jesus, His ministry, His crucifixion and His resurrection. Clearly, it is proclaimed that the “yourself” you are supposed to love is a sinner. There is nothing attractive about this fact. Here is a clear proclamation:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Then we hear this verse:

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away (Isaiah 64:6).

Here is the problem: Since these statements come from the Bible and we believe the Bible speaks the truth, how can a person love this “yourself”?

Let’s compound the problem a little more. Remember we are looking at the second commandment. Consider the first commandment. We are to love the Lord our God whole heartedly, with every bit of our soul, in full strength and with a fully focused mind. Now what person has ever done that? Even with the best of intention the intensity of this commandment is overwhelming.

So, when we come to the second commandment, we are already aware of failure to fully keep the first commandment and it is pretty obvious that the first must be the most important. This evaluation leaves everyone wondering what is there about this “yourself” to love. And yet the second commandment is very clear.

Fortunately, Jesus settled the issue about who is our neighbor in the story of the good Samaritan. Our neighbor is anyone we come close to and to whom we could demonstrate some care. Showing care is a demonstration of love.

Reflecting back to the verse about how husbands should love their wives and the statement that nobody hates their own body there could be a helpful clue.

Let’s consider what is known as the Golden Rule.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).

This verse turns things around because we are asked to consider ourselves to be the neighbor and consider how we want to be treated. When considering how we want to be treated we discover that we do care about ourselves. Care about ourselves is an expression of loving ourselves. We want to be treated kindly, generously, politely, and safely. We want our comfort considered. So, in the reality of day to day life we do really love ourselves. From this perspective we can conclude that this kind of love of yourself really makes sense.

Earlier we mentioned that the command of Jesus was to love others as He loves us. In a word, the love of Jesus is demonstrated in His sacrificing His life on the cross as a payment for sin. The benefit of His sacrifice is salvation for those who believe in Him. In this verse we see another standard.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).

This sacrifice was done willingly by the Lord Jesus. This is what he said.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father (John 10:18).

Jesus also framed His willingness to die for sinners when He said this:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

This moves us into a segue to look at the “yourself” as a born-again believer. What does the Scripture say?

Born-again believers are loved by God. This is clearly stated in this famous verse:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The gift of the one and only Son was given to born-again believers at a time when they were in desperate need even if they didn’t know it.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).

Believers have the forgiveness of their sins.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Believers were chosen by the Lord.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (I Peter 2:9)

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you (I Thessalonians (1:4).

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

Born-again believers have been adopted into the family of God and have become heirs.

he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– (Ephesians 1:5).

Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17).

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father (Romans 8:15).

Born-again believers are in a wonderful and rich position and this verse comprehensively states this.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8: 29-30).

Born-again believers have the blessing of receiving the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit dwells in them. Believers have become a new creation and are being transformed into the image of Christ.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (I Corinthians 3:16 KJV).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here (II Corinthians 5:17).

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:12).

Now back to the question. What is a basis for a person to love themselves? After looking at these verses that demonstrate the Lord’s provision for born-again believers who are Jesus followers, we come to this question. How can we not love ourselves in light of the clear fact that the Lord loves us? Can you see that we need to view ourselves as the Lord views us? To the Lord we are very valuable. He paid a high price for us.

you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (I Corinthians 6:20).

Here is an analogy that I find helpful. Think of a newborn baby. The baby arrives at a family. Usually this is a joyful time for the family. However, the baby simply gets to be just a baby. The baby receives a name. The baby has a position in the family. The baby finds that preparations have been made for his or her arrival. The baby has a bed. The baby has clothes. They baby has food. Every need of the baby has been anticipated and steps have been taken to meet those needs. Notice, the baby does not have to do anything, just be a baby. Everything the baby needs to survive and prosper has been anticipated and prepared.

Do babies love themselves? Everything a baby does has to do with the baby. The baby sleeps. They baby eats. The baby fills the diaper. The baby cries. The baby is all about the baby. However, the baby is completely dependent on others for survival and prospering.

In some ways the questions about babies loving themselves doesn’t make sense. The baby is okay with the way things are. Their needs are covered. What is there not to love about their lives. If something isn’t okay from their perspective all the have to do is cry out to their caregivers.

Maybe we should think of loving our self as accepting our position and condition like a baby does. The baby doesn’t mind being dependent. Perhaps we can get some insight into loving ourselves from the view point of a baby. This could be stated this way: It is okay to love who Jesus loves because He loves me.

We all know that babies are born. We all know that we were born and we celebrate our birthday on the date of our birth. When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night observing that Jesus must of come from God because of the miracles, he was given this message:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3)

Wow! Physical life begins with birth and spiritual life begins with birth. Jesus went on to explain:

When a person first comes to Christ, they are referred in Scripture as “babes in Christ”. Sometimes we call them baby Christians. This makes sense because although their “eternal life” is complete it is new to them. One example from Scripture is found in the Corinthian believers and was actually a reprimand because they were having problems.

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ (I Corinthians 3:1 KJV).

What follows being born-again? Food!

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (I Peter 2:2).

What follows being born-again? Care!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (I Peter 5:7).

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes…. (30) and your Father knows that you need them (Luke 12:22-23 & 30).

What follows being born-again? Response from the caregiver!

…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8).

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

What follows being born-again? Security from the caregiver!

…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).

Notice: the answer to the question, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? …is: nothing because we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

As we reflect back over these wonderful positional possessions that a born-again believer received upon believing on the one and only Son, Jesus, we realize these possessions are present immediately upon becoming a believer while still very much a babe in Christ. Just as physical babes contributed nothing to their positional possessions, spiritual babes contributed nothing. Just as physical babes trust others for survival and prosperity, spiritual babes trust the Lord.

Ponder this thought:

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3).

Little children are very trusting. I remember that when my children were small and I carried them around like parents do, the children were so trusting. I can remember carrying them on my shoulders. I can remember them running and jumping in my arms. I remember playing the game of holding them by their hands and swinging them in a circle. I also remember thinking that as an adult I would never let anyone do that to me. I just couldn’t trust like that. Somehow my children trusted that I would never hurt them. They saw me as safe. That is exactly how a born-again believer’s relationship can be and should be with the Lord. The relationship should be trusting and understood to be safe.

Now how does this relate to loving oneself? To answer this question, we need to discard some wrong perceptions about self-love. We are not talking about the obnoxious narcissistic self-love where everything is all about the person. We are not talking about the delusion of grandeur self-love where the person has unrealistic and untrue views about their own capacities or importance. We are not talking about boisterous self-love where the person is forever bragging about their accomplishments or importance. We are not talking about the dramatic demonstrations self-love that is attention seeking. We are not talking about prideful expressions of self-love.

All of these public demonstrations of self-love are something that most people don’t want to demonstrate. So, we are left with the challenge of figuring out how to love yourself in a way that is meant by the verse. My conclusion is the self-love of the verse is at least to some degree modeled in what we see in a baby. The baby has a settled trusting acceptance of who they are in the family and a confidence that they are under the faithful care of others. This a very restful place. The born-again believer is in a very restful and safe place as a child of God. There is no place for boasting or pride because everything needed is safely in the hands of Someone who loves us.

Ultimately, we must ask this question. How can we not love someone that God loves? The point is the born-again believer’s self-love is based on who the believer is in relationship to the Lord and His Kingdom. From this awareness it is clearly appropriate to obey the first commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.

We have labored to grasp some understanding about the concept of loving ourselves. I believe that this thinking exercise is helpful both emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. To be willing to accept the truth that a born-again believer is safely accepted and kept in the Lord’s family because of the great salvation that has been given, is a peaceful resting place.

However, the Lord Jesus introduced a new focus and new standard of loving for believers. This was mentioned early on in this thinking adventure. I repeat:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34 KJV).

Jesus continues by showing that obedience to this new commandment will be the testimony of the believers’ relationship to Him for the world to see.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35).

In conclusion we listen to this verse:

We love because he first loved us (I John 4:9).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about loving yourself.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

What can you know about a person when you discover who they love?
If the fact that they are sinners keeps a believer from loving themselves, what does this say about their understanding of their sins being forgiven.
Compare babies’ dependence on their caregivers with believers’ dependence on the Lord.
If you are a believer and a Jesus follower, what can you remember about your early days as a believer. Can you relate to being a babe in Christ? What have you observed in other believers when they first came to Christ and were in the “babes in Christ” stage?
Reflect on the harmfulness that occurs when a person seems to be hating themselves.
Now consider the new commandment that Jesus gave about loving? Believers are to love as Christ loved. Think about how God so loved the world (everyone). Think about love expressed by giving.

Now to add to the love challenge think about loving our enemies. Jesus said: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)

Me We

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 3, 2021)

On this adventure in Biblical thinking, we are going to start with a bunch of “stating the obvious”. Please bear with me because I will be building a foundation for what we will explore in depth later. Perhaps you are intrigued by the title.

As I talk about “me” obviously I am talking about myself. However, as you read what I am writing when I use “me” be thinking about yourself. So, I am “me” and you are “me”. Looking a little closer notice that “me” is solitary, individual, alone. There is only one “me”.

Visualize a circle and in the middle of the circle is “me”. Notice that “me” is all alone and everyone else is outside the circle. Also, “me” has a name. This is pretty simple.

Now we will talk about “we”. “We” is not individual. “We” is more than one. It has to be or it would be “me”. Also notice that although there is more than one in “we” at least one of the “we” has to be “me”. “We” can be two, you and “me” make “we”. My wife and “me” make “we”.

“We” is a category and needs a descriptor. Often the category has a name. There is some characteristic for each member of “we” in the category that somehow matches the descriptor or name. Let’s not make this too hard. I have already mentioned that my wife and “me” are a “we”. Our family of origin constitutes a “we”, usually recognized by having the same last name. Everyone else is outside that “we”. Then there is the “we” of the extended family. Each member qualifies to be included in the “we” because they have some characteristic of relationship. The pattern continues, the “we” of citizens of our country, the “we” of residents of our local community, members of a club, etc. You get the picture.

Hang on, I want to develop some more background. Here are some more features of “we”. Each “we” has members. The members of each “we” have roles, relationships and responsibilities. The nature of the “we” determines the nature of the roles, relationships and responsibilities. If the “we” is a marriage, the husband and wife each have a role, a relationship and responsibilities. If the “we” is a family of origin, each member has a role, relationships and responsibilities. There are all kinds of considerations about what the roles, relationships and responsibilities of individual members of the “we” are to be. Certainly, there are opinions about how well each member may perform their roles, relationships and responsibilities.

Sometimes a member of a “we” has choices about their role and level of participation. Sometimes there are elements of rank within a “we”. Sometimes a person is a member of a “we” and they had no choice in the matter. That is true of the “we” of families of origin. Other times a person had a choice of joining a particular “we”. This is true of a “we” of a club or some organizations. Sometimes the membership in “we” can be temporary. A person can leave. An example of this change of “we” happens when a person changes employer. They become part of a new “we”.

Can you see that we all live in a world of “me” and “we”? There is no escaping this world while we are still here in these bodies. I believe that it will be very helpful to explore the implications of this world of “me” and “we” in reference to being a Jesus follower. Let’s dig into and a start with “me”.

We will begin by looking at a very familiar verse that indicates how a person becomes a Jesus follower.

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).

In this verse the term “world” refers to an all-inclusive “we”. Every member of mankind from the beginning of time and into the future is part of this “we”. There are no members of mankind outside this “we”. The term “whosoever” refers to an exclusive “me”. There will be many different “me’s” who will respond by believing in the only begotten Son and will become a part of a new “we”. Here is another verse that clearly distinguishes that there are those who are in the “whosoever” “we” and those who are not.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).

Here we see a “we” that have everlasting life and a “we” that is perishing with the wrath of God abiding on them. Each “we” is exclusive.

We will be talking at length about these “we’s” later but for now we want to stick with the “whosoever” “me”. For each believing “me” the act of choosing to believe is deeply personal and individual. That is implied in the term, “whosoever”. Interestingly, the very act of “me” choosing to believe creates a unique and special “we”. This “we” is composed of two beings, “me” and God. Pause to picture a circle composed of only “me” and God. This special God “we” is eternal and permanent. There will always be this “we” with only God and “me”.

Focusing on the special God “we”, each “me” has been born-again into the family of God. Each “me” has a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and has the Holy Spirit in them. This new position for “me” carries many benefits, an inheritance, a promise of the Lord never leaving them, a promise of eternity with the Lord, a promise of never dying and a promise of provision and protection, just to name a few.

Eugene Peterson frames this special “we” composed of only Jesus and “me” as God with us, God in us and God for us. I really like this way of thinking about this “we” of Jesus and “me”. Picture a circle again and in that “we” circle is Jesus and “me”.

With: and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Mathew 28:20).

In: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (I Corinthians 6:19).

For: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

There are many other verses that state or illustrate that the Lord is with, in and for us. Perhaps you can think of some.

Earlier we discussed that in each “we” there are roles, relationships and responsibilities. Let’s ponder this application to the “we” of Jesus and “me”. The role of Jesus began as Creator and He became Savior but this role of Jesus is true for all mankind not just “me”. But when “me” entered into the “we” of Jesus and “me” a relationship was established. Naturally, responsibilities go with relationship.

I want to focus on two models of the relationship for the Jesus and “me” “we”. Often the Lord in Scripture uses analogies to help us understand His revelation. It can be assumed that the analogies though very helpful are limited because the revelation of relationship is greater than the analogy. The first analogy to consider is that of Master and servant. Jesus is the Master, hence Lord. Sometimes He was addressed as Teacher or Rabbi. As Master or Lord, He has a position of authority. Jesus as Lord is in charge. As “me” my role in the relationship is to be one of obedience. Simply, obey the authority.

There is a great story in the Bible that illustrates this:

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well (Luke 7:1-10).

Notice that the centurion understood how authority works. The one in authority tells what to do and the one under authority does it. Also, the centurion recognized that Jesus was the one in authority and if He commanded something it happened.

Before we leave the Master-servant model, it must be pointed out Jesus as Master always has the best intentions toward His servant. He always has plans and purposes that are for the good of “me”. Since He knows all and can do anything, obedience is a very safe thing to do. Also, this a love relationship. Jesus loves “me” and “me” loves Jesus. “Me” can demonstrate love by obedience: “If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15).

The other analogy and the one I particularly like is found in John 10 where Jesus is identified as the Good Shepherd. I think the reason I particularly like this analogy is because my wife and I have had sheep for over twenty years. Sometimes we have had as few as two and other times we have had as many as 80. So, I am very familiar with sheep because I can identify with the role of both the shepherd and the sheep.

The analogy of the Good Shepherd speaks of relationship. The Good Shepherd knows the name of the sheep, “me” and calls “me” by name. The sheep, “me”, listens to and hears the Good Shepherd voice. The sheep, “me” knows the voice of the Good Shepherd and will never follow a stranger. The Good Shepherd goes ahead and leads and the sheep, “me”, follows. The Good Shepherd leads the sheep, “me” into pasture. Sheep, “me” need to eat or he will die. The sheep, “me’, need to have life and the Good Shepherd will provide an abundant life. The Good Shepherd protects the sheep, “me” and lays down His life for the sheep, “me”.

In these passages Jesus goes on to explain the analogy. Jesus is not talking about sheep. He is talking about people, “me”. He also explains about His relationship with the Father “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” Notice that the authority factor appears again. He is foreshadowing the crucifixion and resurrection. He also adds that I am not the only “me” because there are other sheep, “me’s”. Other “me’s indicates that there a flock of “me’s”. We will be looking at that soon. Take the time to carefully read through this passage and listen carefully to what Jesus is saying.

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father (John 10:1-18).

I picture the Good Shepherd leading “me” on the path of my life here on earth. He guiding, protecting and providing. Clearly, He is with “me”, in “me” and for “me”. My role is simply to listen and follow. This translates into relationship. His responsibility is to speak and lead. My responsibility is to listen and follow. I like how this pattern fits so well into how Jesus asked His disciples to follow Him. Now, I, “me”, can identify “me” as a Jesus follower.

Think of Psalms 23. You may want to take time to read it. Here is another example of the Lord as my Shepherd. In this Psalm the Shepherd leads, provides and protects and He is with the sheep.

You may want to pause and listen to the hymn, Where He Leads Me on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9FqFC0WA-o

You may want to pause and listen to the hymn, I have Decided to Follow Jesus on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2TwhEL2EPc

You may want to pause and listen to the hymn, Nothing Between on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o62NruWQyBk

This is a good point for a reminder. This “we” of just Jesus and “me” is exclusive. There is no third party. This is a good thing and makes this “we” of Jesus and “me” special, private and purposeful. Believers want to remain on guard that they not allow anyone or anything to break into the this special “we”. This is why the sheep, “me” listens for the voice and hears the voice of the Shepherd but will not listen to or follow the stranger. Outside the special “we” of just Jesus and “me” everyone is a stranger.

This exclusivity of the “we” of just Jesus and “me” applies to the analogy of Master-servant. Consider this verse:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).

Although the verse speaks specifically about the conflict between serving God and money, it is safe to say that anything or anyone that is served other than God is a conflict. In the “we” of just Jesus and “me” it is impossible to allow another master because a person will end up loving and being devoted to one and hating and despising the other. Once again “me” must remain on guard against any invasion of another master to be inserted into the “we” of just Jesus and “me”.

It is helpful in protecting and securing the “we” of just Jesus and “me” to know the Word of God because that is where Jesus has spoken and then to do the Word of God in obedience because that is following Him. Also, it is important to be listening for direction from Jesus as He speaks directly to “me” in my heart. This direct speaking will never be in conflict with what He has revealed in the Word of God.

Previously I have eluded to and Scripture has eluded to another “we” that is important to “me” as a follower of Jesus. In this “we” there are a collection of “me’s” who have the common feature of being born-again followers of Jesus. Eugene Peterson refers to this “we” as the Jesus community. Scripture refers to this “we” as the body of Christ. As we saw earlier this “we” is exclusive because the members have believed in the only begotten Son and received eternal life. Everyone outside this “we” are perishing. The boundaries are clear.

After we read through the New Testament’s four Gospels, we come to the time following the ascension of Jesus in Acts, where we find the formation of this “we” of believers. This “we” was referred to as The Way and were first called Christians at Antioch. Clearly, the members of this “we” began to gather together. It appears that they typically gathered in homes. These gatherings were called assemblies. Translators of the Bible have used the word, church, as a name for these assemblies. Through the years the word, church, has come to mean more than just the local assembly described in the New Testament and the meaning of the word has come to include buildings and even whole denominations.

The “we” of the body of Christ is identified in Scripture in two ways. There is the “we” of what is called the church universal. This “we” is referring to all born-again believers between the time of the ascension of Jesus until His return to earth (often referred to as the rapture) to take all of these believers to be with Him. This is referred to as the blessed return of the Lord Jesus. One of the clearest examples of this universal body is the descriptor of this “we” as the bride of Christ in Revelation and what is called the wedding feast of the lamb.

while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

For our discussion of the “we” of the Jesus community I want to keep things simple and focus on what is revealed in Scripture about the local assembly. Although all believers are members of the universal “we” and will receive all the benefits that go with it, the believers on earth will be only experiencing the local body “we”. Most of guidance in the Scripture is about how each “me” in the local body “we” are to function together.

I want to focus on the analogy of this “we” being the body of Christ by looking at some Scripture.

Christ is the head of His body, the church “we”.

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy (Colossians 1:18).

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church (Ephesians 1:22).

or the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior (Ephesians 5:23).

and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it (Colossians 2:19).

The “me’s” in the “we” are members and parts of the body of Christ.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body (Ephesians 4:25).

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (I Corinthians 12:12-27).

Members of the body “we” edify (build up) other members “me’s” for the purpose of unity and reaching maturity.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians (4:11-16).

Time to summarize what we have learned about the local assembly “we”. The analogy of a body is a great way to illustrate the relationships within the local assembly “we” because anyone can relate because everyone has a body. It is understood that the head with its brain is the control center for the entire body. Our current understanding about how the body functions and the critical role of the head where the brain resides is much more advanced than in the early days when the Scripture was written.

So, it is established that Christ is the head and therefore in charge of all of the rest of the body. Next, in the lengthy passage from I Corinthians we see detailed examples about the value and importance of each of the parts. There is emphasis on the fact that the parts (individual “me’s) are uniquely different and also uniquely important to the successful functioning of the whole body, “we”. Each “me” is needed by every other “me”.

Then in passages from Ephesians 4 there is the explanation about how Christ has also given unique “me’s” (apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers) to the body “we” for a specific purpose. The purpose is to build up the individual “me’s” (1) to prepare them to serve, (2) to grow them to maturity, (3) to bring them to unity and (4) to become Christ like. We can see that this results in the whole body “we” in which each part “me” is growing up in a Christ like way and able to do their part in the body for the benefit of the whole body “we”.

This is a beautiful thing but there is a caution. Just as we explored the importance of not allowing anyone or anything to get between “me” and Jesus in our special “we” where Jesus is the Shepherd and Master, it is important to not let anyone or anything to get between the head and the body in the body “we”. This means that there must remain a direct connection between the members of the body “me’s” and Jesus as the head.

However, what do we see happening in the body “we”. Sadly, often the pattern has been for individuals with titles, religious professionals, organization with programs, traditions of men, defined protocols, and rituals become inserted between the head and the body. These extra-Biblical insertions can appear to be good ideas by seemingly good people, however the issue is always: have these somehow come between the head and the body “we”? Picture a body in which the head is separated from the body and instead of a neck connecting the head and body there is someone or something else inserted. Not a pretty picture, particularly when compared to the beautiful picture of body and head portrayed in Scripture.

Picture the individual “me’s” in a local body “we”. Collectively looking to and waiting on the Spirit of God to guide, lead and direct them collectively in worship and service as they mature in unity. It will look much like the picture of the Jesus and “me” model. In both the small individual “we” and the larger collective body “we” it is the same Jesus leading and working through the same Holy Spirit. The individual Jesus and “me” “we” and the Jesus as head of the body “we” are dependent on the exclusive guidance provided by Jesus in the Holy Scriptures.

One more thing. It is understood that each “me” in the body “we” has the Spirit of God dwelling in them. However, Jesus states that when two or three “me’s” gather in His Name, Jesus is there in a special way.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about “me” and “we”.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Think about and describe some unique characteristics of the “me” that is you. Think about and describe some unique characteristics of the “me” that is someone else.
Identify and list some “we’s” where your “me” is a member.
Identify and list someone or something that can come between your “me” and Jesus in your Jesus and “me” “we”.
Identify and list someone or something in your Jesus community body “we” that can come between Jesus as the head and the body.
Visualize and describe a Jesus and “me” “we” in which the two members are only Jesus and “me”.
Visualize and describe a Jesus community “we” where Jesus is truly the head of the body.

On Purpose for a Purpose

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

Intentionality is on purpose for a purpose. Intentionality is not casual. Intentionality is not passive. Intentionality is a commitment. Intentionality has priority. Intentionality has a goal, an objective. Intentionality has a plan. Intentionality has a schedule. Intentionality leads to happening. Intentionality leads to doing. Intentionality gets results. Intentionality has a product. Intentionality has an outcome.

Intentionality involves a decision that leads to action. The decisions originated in thoughts. We see the Lord’s intentionality in His decision to create mankind and in His decision to redeem mankind. Since the Lord has the capacity to do anything, all He has to do is decide and what He decides happens.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Perhaps the classic example of a decision being made with intentionality comes from Joshua. Joshua gives an exhortation to the children of Israel and declares his personal intentionality.

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

Joshua declared his intention by declaring his choice. His choice reflects his decision. He declared his purpose and commitment.

Consider this and think about what goes into the brackets.

In the Middle

In Between

[********] [Intentionality] [*********]

Challenge #1

See if you can discover what goes before intentionality and what follows. Along with the previous discussion of intentionality, the following examples of intentionality provide an opportunity to discern what precedes intentionality and what comes behind. I admit the examples are a bit tedious.

Hint: Just for fun let’s look at some of the routine exercises of intentionality in my life. As I go through these illustrations, think about how you exercise intentionality in your routines.

A new day arrives and I intentionally get myself out of bed, intentionally get dressed and intentionally put on my glasses. If it’s winter, I intentionally start the fire in the wood stove. If it’s winter, I intentionally bundle up and go outside to do the morning chores. I intentionally feed the wild birds. I intentionally tend to the horses and barn cats. I intentionally return to the house and intentionally take off the warm clothes. I intentionally go into the office and intentionally turn on the computer so it will be up and ready for me to use.

I further prepare for the day by intentionally putting in my teeth, intentionally putting on my hearing aids and intentionally turning on my cell phone. I intentionally give my wife her second or third kiss of the morning and intentionally go to my computer. I intentionally check out the overnight news and intentionally look to see if I have any new emails. I intentionally check to see if I have any student activity (I teach online courses).

I don’t need to go on and on about intentionality in my routine but it must be noted that every act of intentionality was preceded by a decision. My mind produced thoughts that led to the decision that drove the intentionality to act. Keep this in mind as I drag you through another illustration of intentionality that involves more than me.

Hint: Here is the setting. Our local fellowship meets weekly for a group Bible study. We meet in a member’s home for a meal before the study. Each participant intentionally plans and arranges to attend. There are many intentional steps and arrangements that each goes through to arrive for the Bible study. Remember we start with a meal together. Some members, mostly the ladies intentionally decide on what is going to be served. They intentionally communicate with others about the menu. Texting is wonderful. Somehow, they intentionally decide who is going to bring what. Each then intentionally goes through the process of a series of intentions to produce what was determined to be their role in the meal. Wonderfully everything comes together driven by a bunch of intentions to produce a tasty meal. Then after the meal is intentionally blessed, I intentionally eat and enjoy it.

When the Bible study begins, someone intentionally selects some Bible verse that we are going to sing. Then someone intentionally opens the study with prayer. Then a series of verses are intentionally read by several people. Then individuals intentionally speak to the content of the verses being studied. At the end of the study time someone intentionally closes in prayer. Then we intentionally enjoy a dessert. Then after some more conversation we intentionally go home. I am sure that the hosts are relieved by our departure because they will intentionally have to get up early the next morning to go to work.

Hint: There also many examples where believers are told to respond with intentionality to the commands and expectations of the Lord.

Here is an example of intentionality leading to doing.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22).

Doing demonstrates intentionality. Just hearing or just thinking about is not sufficient. There needs to be intentionality leading to doing. James goes on to explain the result of not having intentionality that leads to doing.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:23-24).

Pause:

[********] [Intentionality] [*********]

Think about what words might go into the category before intentionality and what words might go in the category after intentionality. Allow me to suggest some.

[thoughts, beliefs, ideas] [Intentionality] [deeds, results, outcomes]

Making a “decision” is an important component of intentionality but I am not sure if it goes in the category before intentionality or if it is in the category of intentionality. What do you think? What about “motivation” does it go in the category before intentionality or in the category of intentionality, I am not sure. What do you think? Where does the word “choice” fit? What about the word “plan”? Does it go in the category of intentionality or behind it? Finally, what about the word “will”? I am not sure but maybe “will” fits in all three categories. Something to think about. Can you think of other words that might fit in these before and after categories?

[thinking, believing] [Intending] [doing, creating, achieving]

We have been talking about intentionality in a reflecting manner. These are words of action. This is intentionality happening in the now. May I suggest an activity for application of these concepts. Go back to one of my tedious examples of intentionality and speculate on what words might fit into the before intentionality and after intentionality. Example: When I intentionality get out of bed, I am thinking I need to get started on my responsivities for the day, build a fire, animal care, etc. and the result of my intentionality is I get out of bed.

Pause:

Notice the sequential nature that often appears in these examples of intentionality. One intention leads to another. It seems that intentionality is important to movement. Can you see how intentionality plays out in life?

As we read the Bible it seems that there is evidence all over the place of examples of intentionality. There is intentionality from the Lord to mankind. There is intentionality from mankind to the Lord. There is intentionality between individual members of mankind.

Again, each of all those intentional acts was preceded by an individual decision that was birthed in the mind. My intention in writing about intentionality originated from a point about intentionality that was raised in a conference that my wife and I attended. I was struck with the importance of intention and having intentionality about the things we do.

Every word written or spoken has an author. Usually every word written or spoken has an audience. Usually the author or speaker has an audience in mind a “who” that will read or hear the message that the author is intending to communicate. In this writing the “who” is you, even though I probably don’t know “who” you are. Also, usually every reader or hearer is aware that there is a “who” that originated what is being read or heard. Again, the reader or hearer may not know the “who” that is the author. We must acknowledge that the reader or hearer had an intention that lead to the act of reading or hearing. There also were thoughts resulting in an intention in responses to what was read or heard.

Challenge #2: Look at these samples of verses to see the role of intentionality. Notice in these samples God’s intentionality and examples of believer’s intentionality in response to God. We would expect that the believer’s intentionality would be directed to obedience to God’s intentionality toward the believer. I have indicated in bold some examples of what I see as intentionality in the verses. See if you agree or if you can see other examples.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst (I Timothy 1:15).

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship (Galatians 4:4-5).

For he says, In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (II Corinthians 6:2).

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (I Peter 2:9).

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (Ephesians 1:4-5).

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27).

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:10-18).

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (I Corinthians 11:23-26).

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters (Hebrews 13:1).

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Colossians 3:8-10).

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble (I Peter 3:8).

These are just a few of the examples from Scripture of what the Lord has done intentionally for believers and what believers are instructed to do to please the Lord by obeying and showing His love to others. How is it possible for believers to do this with intentionality? The Lord has intentionally provided a way.

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

You may be wondering why all this about intention, intentional, intentionally, and intentionality. I do have an intentional main point and you probably have already recognized it. My intention is through this exhaustive discussion of intentionality you will intentionally join me in noticing the Lord’s intentionality toward mankind, you and me. I also desire that you will join me in intentionally looking for the intentionality that is necessary to respond to the instructions from Scripture about how we are to relate to God and to each other. This is the important move from being a hearer to a doer. Doing is the product of intentionality.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about intentionality.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Just for fun think through and identify the steps of intentionality that you go through as you start your day.
For some more fun think through a scenario where you are doing something with others in a group. Identify the steps that the members of the group go through as you meet together.
Can you think of some examples of just hearing and not doing? Think of some examples where you might be guilty. Think of some examples of others who seem to hear but not do. Think of consequences that occurred because someone just heard but didn’t do.
Think about the thoughts, beliefs and ideas that developed into decisions which then lead to intentionality. Perhaps a good way to do this exercise is to walk through some of the intentionality that you identified in previous exercises.
Think through the pattern that occurs when one intentionality leads to another intentionality. Remember that intentionality leads to deeds. Can you identify some examples?
Take time to reflect and meditate on examples of the intentionality of the Lord toward mankind. The Lord’s intentionality resulted in deeds that have relevance to mankind. Now, make it personal. Identify some deeds of the Lord that He clearly intentionally did that benefit you.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

I AM

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 3, 2021)

When you read the title, I am guessing your mind might have gone to the Lord’s declaration as being the I am. If that is where your mind went that is a good thing and you probably thought of this verse:

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” (Exodus 3:14).

Perhaps your mind may have gone to what is called the seven I am’s of Jesus from the Gospel of John. If that is where your mind went, that is a good thing. Let’s review those seven I am’s of Jesus:

1. Bread

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35).

2. Light

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).

3. Gate

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture (John 10:9).

4. Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

5. Resurrection and Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die (John 11:25).

6. Way, Truth, Life

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

7. True vine

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener (John 15:1).

However, you and I were created in the image of God. Therefore, every individual, including you and me, have a personal awareness that creates my own “I am” and you also have your own “I am”.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).

A.W. Tozer in his opening prayer of the fifth chapter of Knowledge of the Holy said:

Lord of all being! Thou alone canst affirm I AM THAT I AM; yet we who are made in Thine image may each one repeat “I am,” so confessing that we derive from Thee and that our words are but an echo of Thine own. We acknowledge Thee to be the great Original of which we through Thy goodness are grateful if imperfect copies. We worship Thee, O Father Everlasting. Amen.

Think about it. Each one of us has an identity. We have a name, a body, a mind, a soul. At any given moment we are in a specific location. You have heard the silly saying, “Where ever you are, that is where you are”. Much of my sense of identity, who I am, may be private and personal. But we all are aware that we have formulated in our mind answers to the question, “Who am I?” We answer those questions with, “I am _______”.

I am guessing that you have some questions in your mind right now. You may be asking, “Where is he going with this?” You may be saying “so what”? No more guessing. I am headed toward exploring what the Scriptures say about the answer to “Who am I?” for every believer and follower of Jesus. The answers will be answered with this phrase, “I am _______”.

Before I go there, I want to develop a concept that will really make sense after we review some of the “I am’s” as a follower of Jesus. Recently, I was reading Jonathan Cahn’s book, The Oracle, and he made a statement, almost in passing, that really caught my attention. The statement went something like this: “The only real time is now.”

This turned my brain on as I explored the implications of this statement. This is so obvious; the present is the only time that is really real. The past is history as we often say. We can’t change the past, it is over and done. We can only remember the past. The future has not happened yet so we can only imagine or speculate about what is in the future. I can think of the future events that I anticipated and worried about that never happened. Another perspective: Regret is about the past, fear is about the future but the present is about what is happening now.

We must note that “I am” is present tense. I like continuums. Look at these:

Past/Present/Future

Memory/Awareness/Imagination

A simplified example of this for followers of Jesus is:

Lost sinner/Saved believer/Ever with the Lord

Before we explore the Scriptural, I am statements of Jesus followers let’s go a little deeper into these ideas about time. I want to deconstruct a very familiar verse and pursue some grammatical points about tenses (past tense, present tense, future tense). I want to use a very familiar verse.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

We notice there are three characters in the verse, God, the only begotten son and whosoever. God “loved” (past tense). God “gave” (past tense). Whosoever “believes” (present tense). “Shall not perish” (future tense). “Have eternal life” (present tense).

We also notice that there is conditional proposition stated. God’s gift of His Son is offered to “whosoever”. Whosoever includes you, me, friends, relatives, strangers. The condition is “believes in him”. There is the option to believe or not to believe. Those who choose not to believe shall perish (future tense). Those who choose to believe have eternal life (present tense).

We must not leave this verse without making note that God loved the world. Therefore, the gift of Jesus is offered to everyone. We must also note the whosoever includes anyone.

Before moving on let’s go through the same process with another familiar passage.

These verses are often used to explain the process of becoming a believer. “declare with your mouth” (Present tense). “believe in your heart” (Present tense). “God raised him from the dead” (Past tense). “will be saved”. (Present tense). “believe and are justified” (Present tense). “with your mouth that you profess” (Present tense). The “you” in this passage is the “whosoever” of John 3:16. What they are doing, confessing and believing is happening in the “now” real time.

For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (II Corinthians 6:2).

We all experience life in the now, the real time. I received the Lord when I was twelve and have known Him for many years. All the time since then, up to now is in the past and is filled with wonderful memories of my relationship with the Lord. But my life with Him is in the now. Right now, as I type this document. If you know the Lord, your life with Him is experienced right now as you read this. I also have anticipations about my relationship with the Lord tomorrow and all the tomorrows that make up everlasting. But the fellowship with the Lord is only real in the now. You will see why all this reasoning is important as we move into our next part.

Interlude: I want to pause briefly and tickle your mind. We are aware that time has movement. We say things like, “Just passing time” or “Where has time gone?” or “Time seems to fly”. Now here is the question to ponder: Are we moving into the future or is the future moving toward us? The answer to this question has no relevance to our previous or future discussion about time and the present, but this can be fun to think about. Now to get serious, back to the main and important points.

Jesus Followers’ I Am’s

The Jesus follower’s response to the question, “Who am I?”, that is a declaration of identity, is always in present tense because “I am” is present tense. The answer is not past tense, who was I. The answer is not future tense, who will I be. The answer to “Who am I?” will always be in the “now”, the right now. Not a few seconds ago. Not a few seconds from now. The answer will always be who I am at this very moment. This model is important to keep in mind as we look at some of the Biblical “now” statements. We are ready to explore the Scriptural “I am” statements of Jesus followers. Remember the “I am” statements are true of the only time that is real, now, the present.

Well, not quite ready because I want to set the stage. Those in authority give proclamations. When a proclamation is given it becomes what “is”. There are many examples of this but let me set the stage from my background as an educator. The authority for schools is a Board of Directors and the Board of Directors operates from Board Policy which is official and definitely recorded. In my experience the Board Policy Book was very thick. The official policy gave direction for how the Board operated, how school operations work and employee expectations and requirements. Every Board member and every administrator had a copy. Usually a Board Policy document was maintained in some central location so all employees would have access. I am guessing that many schools now have the policy book on their webpage.

Although current Board Policy is written in stone and the law of the school, sometimes there is a need to revise, update or create new policy. There are very specific protocols for making these changes and the protocols are dictated by Board Policy. The changes may be driven by changes in state or federal law or incidents or potential incidents that need to be addressed. Interestingly, each Board Policy is assigned letters according to categories and specific numbers for each policy in that category. It reminds you of chapter and verse in the Bible. The Board Policy Book with its “current” policy becomes the last word and is sort of like the Bible for the district. Interestingly, the policy becomes both accuser and defender. As accuser the statement is, “You didn’t follow school policy”. As defender the statement is, “I was following school policy.”

One of the sections of Board Policy is job descriptions. Each category of school personnel has their own specific official job description. The job description will include a position title, minimum requirements for the position which may include specific degrees, licenses or certification. The job description details granted authority, assigned duties and responsibilities. General examples: Teacher, Principal, Superintendent, Clerk, Secretary, Custodian, Cook, Bus Driver etc.

These job descriptions are proclaimed by the school board in the School Policy. Therefore, if a person was to meet someone associated with the school and were to ask them what do you do, they would reply something like this, “I am a teacher and not a cook.” Another person might reply, “I am a cook and not a teacher.” The key point is each individual would be able to clearly state their current position as I am _______. The answer would be based in the authority of current Board Policy and they could show you the written documentation to substantiate that position.

You may be able to think of one or more scenarios that illustrate the policy drama. However, I want to emphasize the term “current” policy because it relates to the “now”, the “present”. The policy scenario is meant to be an introduction to the concept of authoritative proclamation and the relation of proclamation to the present.

The Lord has given proclamations. He is the ultimate authority. He has given His proclamation in His Word. The Lord has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind to tell us what He wants us to know. He reveals who He is (always), what He has done (past), what He is doing (present) and what He will do (future). He also has revealed to us what is needed to know about mankind. Because of who He is there is never a need to revise, update or create new policy.

The Scriptures in the Bible contain the words of God spoken to mankind. Since you and I are members of mankind, those words are spoken directly to you and me. Think of it, the God of the universe, the creator of everything, the sustainer of life, the Savior of the world is speaking directly to you and me. His speaking to mankind is inclusive. His speaking to you and to me is personal.

We are told that the Scriptures were written by inspired writers to whom God was dictating what He wants you and me to know.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16).

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21).

Now we are ready to explore the Scriptural “I am” statements of Jesus followers that I have selected. There are more. Perhaps you will think of some. Remember the “I am” statements are true of the only real time, now, the present. These statements are true of those who believe in Jesus and are His followers.

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am chosen.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth (II Thessalonians 2:13).

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you (I Thessalonians (1:4).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am predestined to be a child of God.

he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– (Ephesians 1:5).

In him we were also chosen, ^e having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am redeemed and forgiven from my sins.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7).

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:12).

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors (I Peter 1:18).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am the possessor of an inheritance and a joint heir with Christ.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am sealed with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit dwells in me.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (I Corinthians 3:16).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am a purchased possession of the Lord and valuable to Him. (Value is measured by the price paid.)

who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:14).

you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (I Corinthians 6:20).

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation (Revelation 5:9).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am loved by the Lord.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope (II Thessalonians 2:16).

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am accepted.

to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:6).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am saved.

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him (Romans 5:9).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus I am without blame.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus I am forgiven.

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name (I John 2:12).

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins (Colossians 2:13).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am sanctified, holy.

… But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6:11).

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5).

Proclamation: SinceI have chosen to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus, I am a new creation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here (II Corinthians 5:17).

We have been exploring some of the Scriptural answers given to the question of “Who am I?” to those who have chosen to believe in Jesus and become His followers. This list of answers to the question, “Who am I?” has been very reassuring and are a concrete blessing. But what about those who chose not to believe in Jesus and chose not to become a Jesus follower? The answer to their question of “Who am I? basically they are a person who is perishing. They are perishing right now in this present moment.

The full perspective for those who have chosen to not believe in Jesus and not become a follower of Jesus is they were perishing in the past, yesterday and the day before and the day before that. Similarly, those who have chosen to not believe in Jesus and not become a follower of Jesus will be perishing tomorrow and the next day and the days that follow. The focus however is that they are perishing right now, in the present, in the only time that is really real.

The seriousness and finality of not believing is stated in these verses.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them (John 3:36).

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3: 18).

They are part of the world that God loved and to whom He gave His only begotten Son. But they are not part of the “whosoever” that chose to believe. Remember the two alternatives given in John 3:16. There was perishing or eternal life. The deciding factor was believing or not believing. Because of their choice to not believe they are part of the perishing. If you are one of those who have chosen to not believe in Jesus and not become a follower of Jesus, this is very scary and sobering news.

The good news is the choice to not believe that results in perishing can be rectified. Perishing can be avoided. The variable is to choose to believe. A loving God will gladly receive you.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).

Repentance simply means change your mind. Move from not believing to believing. Earlier we saw the verse that said “now” is the day of salvation.

The closing thought for those who have chosen to believe in Jesus and become His follower is the answer to “Who am I?” it is repeated and clearly stated in the Word of God. Each and every believer can look in a mirror and boldly state all of those proclamations that the Lord has said about them. The believer in Jesus, the follower of Jesus can boldly say: I am chosen, predestined to be a child of God, redeemed and forgiven from my sins, the possessor of an inheritance and a joint heir with Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit with the Holy Spirit dwelling in me, a purchased possession of the Lord and valuable to Him, loved by the Lord, accepted, saved, without blame, forgiven, sanctified, holy, and a new creation.

This really feels good and is a great protection from doubts and attacks that may enter minds that diminish the wonder of belonging to the Lord Jesus.

You may enjoy listening to this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvlA22cf6Ic

More adventures in Biblical thinking about “I am”.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Reflect on the idea of the only time that is real is now, the present. Think about the implications for worry, regrets and fears.
Think about the question of the movement of time. Are we going into time or is time coming to us? What do you think? Does Scripture give any clues?
Contemplate the fact that the God of the Universe is speaking directly to you. Visualize a scenario in which you are sitting in a chair and sitting directly opposite of you is the Lord. He is speaking to you and you are listening. That is what is happening when you read the Word of God. How does that make you feel? What are the personal implications?
Name some times when you have been chosen. Think about who chose you and maybe why you were chosen. How did you feel? What about significance?
Being a child of God speaks to relationship and belonging. Again, significance is linked with belonging. Name some situations or events where you belong. How does belonging feel?
Being an heir is a position of privilege. Identify in what sense you are an heir. Identify your heirs. Think of heirs beyond the sense of family connections. Contemplate being an heir of God.
Let your mind wander over some other proclamations: purchased possession, loved, forgiven, accepted. Dwell on these for a moment and particularly focus on the reality of these being true in the “now”.
Absorb the seriousness of not believing in the only Begotten Son, Jesus. This is a sobering thought. The seriousness of not believing stirs a believer to thankfulness that they have chosen to believe. What is stirred about those we know who have chosen not to believe? Pray for them.

Delivered The Way Things Work

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

Welcome to another adventure in Biblical thinking. Have you ever experienced the coming together of different things that did not appear to be particularly related? Recently this happened to me with three different things.

Thing one: I have been re-reading Eugene Peterson’s Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. I was reading in the section on salvation and he was using the story of the plagues in Egypt and the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery as an example. This is a very familiar Bible story. Often the subject of Sunday School lessons.

If you want to refresh your memory, review Exodus 3-14.

Thing two: In our local fellowship we have been studying the sermon on the mount from Matthew. We are very thorough and very slow. Sometimes we joke about how slow. These passages are a familiar topic of sermons and Christian writers.

If you want to refresh your memory, review Matthew 5,6 and 7.

Thing three: In my daily Bible reading I was in the book of Hebrews where the distinction between the old and new covenant is made clear.

If you want to refresh your memory, review the book of Hebrews, particularly chapters 7-10.

When you consider these three things, you can see why a person might wonder how they coalesce.

First, thing one and thing two. God takes the initiative.

Moses is out going about his business as a shepherd when he sees a bush burning that is not consumed. Curious, Moses approaches the burning bush and God speaks. God reveals the name he gives himself; “I am that I am”. In the conversation with Moses, The Lord proceeds to tell Moses what He is going to do and what role Moses will be playing and the rest is history.

Mary is look forward to an upcoming marriage when she receives a message from the Lord by way of an angel. She is to become the mother of Jesus. We all know about what follows because it is the Christmas story. The baby grows into a boy and the boy grows into a man.

Fast forward to the beginning of the ministry of Jesus and we find Him speaking the sermon on the mount. We see this phrase repeated, “But I say unto you.”

In both thing one and thing two God takes the initiative and God speaks. To be sure we can assume that the Hebrews slaves were hoping for a deliverance and we know the Jews were expecting a Messiah. However, it was God who chose the time and place in which He would insert Himself into human history and it was God who chose the revelation that He was bringing.

Both events resulted in a major paradigm shift. The Hebrew slaves became the nation of Israel and the Jesus announced that the Kingdom of God was coming to earth. The nation of Israel would receive the laws of Moses with a defined way of life. God introduces a new covenant to them which we now know to be the old covenant. When Jesus introduces the Kingdom of God come to earth, He establishes a new covenant and declares that He has fulfilled the old covenant law.

Here is where thing three comes into the picture. The author of the book of Hebrews speaking to the Jews goes into great detail to explain the passing away of the law and the establishing of the new covenant. He explains the role of sacrifices in both covenants and how there was need to repeatedly offer sacrifices in the old covenant but the one time sacrifice of Jesus ended the need for further sacrifice. He explains the role of blood in the two covenants. He explains the superiority of the new covenant.

With this background let’s look at the issue of culture. Everyone is part of a culture, often more than one culture. There is the family culture, the community culture, the national culture and the current culture and often many subcultures within each culture. Culture influences how we think and how we behave. Adapting and complying to a culture is necessary for survival and helpful in prospering. Every culture has a system of rewards for adapting and complying and a system of consequences for not adapting and not complying.

The core concept for understanding a culture can be stated thus: “There is a way things work.” You may have heard this statement before. Babies go through the experience of learning “the way things work” in their family. Words of praise, “Good baby” and words of correction, “No, baby”. “The way things work” becomes a pattern of life for every setting. Universities have new student orientation. Employers have new employee orientation. The purpose is to explain “the way things work”.

Here is the rub. The way people tend to think “the way things work” is not the way God tells us is “the way things work”. The Lord revealed to Moses “the way things work” in His covenant for creating the nation of Israel. The Lord’s way did not match what the Hebrews from their slave culture understood about “the way things work”.

The Jews in the time of Jesus had created a whole culture in which there was established “the way things work” that did not match “the way things work” in the Kingdom of God. Jesus revealed these conflicts, emphasized by His phrase, “But I say unto you.”

The change in “the way things work” was a radical change for the Hebrew slaves. They had lived in a culture where the powerful Egyptian masters seemed to be prospering in their system of pagan Gods and idols. The Egyptian’s “the way things work” seemed to be right. The Hebrews had been slaves for 430 years and knew nothing different. God would reveal Himself and His “the way things work” to be very different.

The Lord started by demonstrating that He was more powerful than Pharaoh with the plagues. The Lord was alive. He was not a dead idol. The Lord demonstrated His presence with the pillar of fire by night and pillar of cloud by day. The Lord spoke and delivered the ten commandments. The Hebrews need to gain the knowledge that the Lord’s “the way things work” was a way of dependence on Him.

The Lord demonstrated His power over creation with signs and wonders. To be sure, the signs and wonders were amazing. The plagues, parting the Red Sea, manna, etc. But let’s get a little perspective. These wonders are small change in comparison to creating everything. The Lord was establishing His credibility. In future years the Lord would repeatedly establish His credibility with the Jewish nation by His words and His deeds.

The Jews in the time of Jesus lived in a culture steeped in tradition and under the teaching and control of the Pharisees. A rigid and detailed Rabbinical code ruled their lives and dictated “the way things work”. Jesus by His words and deeds challenged this status quo of, “the way things work” by declaring a new and different explanation of “the way things work” in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus demonstrated His power over creation with signs and wonders. To be sure, the signs and wonders were amazing. Water into wine, healing the sick, lame and blind, feed thousands with just a few loaves and fishes, calming the storm and raising the dead. But let’s get a little perspective. These wonders are small change in comparison to creating everything. The Lord established His credibility. Then Jesus topped off everything by His own resurrection from the dead.

With both Moses and Jesus, the Lord established His credentials with signs and wonders. Moses and Aaron delivered messages from God to Pharaoh and to the Hebrews with the phrase: “Thus sayeth the Lord.” In contrast, Jesus delivered messages with the phrase, “But I say unto you”. Moses and Aaron were spokesmen. Jesus was God. See the difference?

When we have lived in a culture and to some degree mastered “the way things work” in that culture, change is hard. To change seems risky. The instruction to change really “rocks the boat”. If I decide to embrace a different “the way things work”, what will happen to me?

We have to pause and talk about knowledge. Our understanding and commitment to “the way things work” is based on a set of knowledge content. This knowledge content tells us what to do and what not to do. It tells us what to say and what not to say.

The Lord’s invasion in human history with Moses and the burning bush and what followed brought with it a new set of knowledge content, a new knowledge content about what to do and what not to do. It tells what to say and what not to say.

We can say for the Hebrew slaves, “This is a whole new ballgame”.

The invasion of Jesus into human history with a virgin birth, a ministry of teaching, healing and signs and wonders including His death and resurrection brought with it a new set of knowledge content, a new knowledge content about what to do and what not to do. It tells what to say and what not to say.

We can say for Jesus followers, “This is a whole new ballgame”.

Now we have to talk about belief. The new knowledge content of “the way things work” that God revealed to Moses and that Jesus revealed requires that the new “the way things work” be believed. If the new “the way things work” is believed it will drive the believer’s practice. The new practice is a change that complies with the new “the way things work”.

The history of mankind has been marred with people choosing to either not acquire the knowledge from God about “the way things work” or choosing not to believe what God says about “the way things work”.

Here is a prime example: The Lord created everything including the Garden of Eden. He placed Adam and Eve in the garden and told them (knowledge content) “the way things work”. Simply, all this is yours with one condition, the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shall not eat and the Lord added if you do, you will die. We all know how that turned out. Adam and Eve had the knowledge content of “the way things work”. Eve chose to believe Satan’s explanation of “the way things work” rather than follow the Lord’s direction on “the way things work”.

Back to deliverance. If a person is delivered, they are saved. Clearly, the Hebrew slaves were not only delivered physically from the oppression of the Egyptians but were also delivered from the Egyptian’s “the way things work”. The Lord’s revelation through Moses about Himself and the Mosaic law became a new“the way things work”.

Jesus came to deliver us from death. As we learn in John 3:16, belief in Jesus will keep a person from perishing and will give them eternal life. John 3:16 declares “the way things work”.In some ways this declaration is as simple and clear as the declaration given to Adam and Eve. We also learn from this verse that love and giving is “the way things work”in God’s plan and love is His motivation.

However, it would be negligent to not spend some time exploring “the way things work”in salvation through Jesus Christ. We have the teachings of Jesus (knowledge content) about “the way things work”in the Kingdom of God. Included in this teaching is revelation about “the way things work” in terms of God’s relationship with mankind.

Jesus revealed “the way things work”in terms of God’s dealing with sin and death. This revelation included the total intolerance for sin because of God’s holiness. The issue of sin had to be addressed and a suitable sacrifice had to be provided. The practice of sacrificial death to address sin was first established with the animal sacrifice that God provided to address Adam and Eve’s nakedness in the original sin. The repeated practice of sacrifices of animals was built into the Mosaic Covenant. In Hebrews we learned that these sacrifices were not sufficient and a better sacrifice was needed.

We know that Jesus was that better sacrifice. His sacrifice was so sufficient that there never will need to be another one. The sacrifice of Jesus came at great cost to Him but provided great benefit to those who believe in Him.

Scripture in the New Testament provides the knowledge content needed to know, understand and practice “the way things work”for followers of Jesus. Let’s highlight a few key points of “the way things work” for followers of Jesus. We learn that believers possess eternal life and will never die (I Cor. 15:53, Rom 6:22, I Jn 2:25). We learn that believers are born-again (Jn 3:3, I Pet 1:23, I Pet 1:3). We learn that believers are changed into new creatures (II Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15). We learn that believers have renewed minds (Eph 4:23, Rom 12:2). Amazingly, we learn that believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor 6:19, Jn 14:26, Eph 1:13). We learn that believers are conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29, Eph 4:15 NLT).

This is only mentioning a few of “the way things work”for those born into the Kingdom of God and are followers of Jesus. The New Testament Scriptures continue to provide information about “the way things work”through instructions and stories. The guidance provided about “the way things work” and following “the way things work” is all the information that believers need to please the Lord and know how to live while still here on earth. There is also information about “the way things work” for the believer’s future.

A brief summary about “the way things work”.

For thing one, if the people of Israel had faithfully followed “the way things work” as outlined by the Lord through Moses, Israel would have been a holy and blessed nation showing forth the glory of the Lord. This didn’t happen because the people didn’t follow “the way things work”. The Old Testament is a story of the ups and downs of the nation in their struggle to follow “the way things work”. However, the Lord preserved them to provide a nation from which the Lord Jesus, The Messiah would come.

For thing two, to the extent that individuals follow “the way things work” in the Kingdom of God, individuals become Godly and more like Jesus. This is “the way things work” in the Kingdom of God. This is a growth process for each individual and this is clearly revealed in “the way things work”. Ultimately, the change will be completed when the followers of Jesus are with Him.

For thing three, the movement from the old covenant represented in the Mosaic law to the new covenant revealed in the saving work of Jesus is explained by “the way things work” in this change. Understanding this “the way things work” is a critical step for those who want to follow “the way things work” in the Kingdom of God.

It is important to remember two major factors in “the way things work” in the Kingdom of God. The question is: What is important that followers of Jesus know about “the way things work” while the follower is still here on earth in their body? Said another way: What major thing is happening within the follower of Jesus in “the way things work”?

One major thing is the follower of Jesus has received eternal life and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The thing that is happening is the follower is being changed into the image of Christ. The follower will be becoming more Christlike. This is an individual, personal and exclusive activity. Here are some verses that confirm this “the way things work”.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8: 29).

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4: 22-24).

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate ^a the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (II Corinthians 3:17-18).

Another major thing is the follower of Jesus is a part of the body of Christ, the church. “The way things work” for the follower is they are becoming one with other followers. Unity is “the way things work” in the body of Christ. This is a collective, a community and an inclusive activity. Here are some verses that confirm this “the way things work”.

that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:21).

so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:5).

Do we see a lot of Christlikeness in the followers of Jesus? Perhaps not so much. Followers need to follow Jesus and His “the way things work”.

Do we see the body of Christ demonstrating oneness? Definitely, not so much. Followers of Jesus need to live together by following “the way things work” in the body of Christ as taught in the Scriptures.

Did we see the Hebrew nation exhibit the characteristics of a Godly nation following the Lord’s commands? Perhaps not so much. The Hebrews needed to follow the Lord’s “the way things work”.

One more thought: Jesus identifies Himself as the “way” in this familiar verse: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Also, in the early years of the church Jesus community was known as “The Way”.

More adventures in Biblical thinking around deliverance “the way things work”.

These items can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Reflect on “the way things work” as a concept in the material world. There is “the way things work” with my computer. There is “the way things work” with my vehicles. There is “the way things work” with my body. Whenever something is happening contrary to “the way things work” there is a problem. My computer doesn’t do what I want. My vehicles don’t run correctly. My body is sick or broken. Can you think of some other obvious circumstances where the concept of “the way things work” is illustrated?

Reflect on “the way things work” as the concept happened in your family of origin. Can you name some specifics? With hindsight do you see some of them as good and helpful in your life? Were there some that were not so helpful?

In both thing one and thing two we mentioned the significance of God speaking. The first mention was God speaking from the burning bush. The second mention was of Jesus speaking as God in the sermon on the mount when He repeatedly said, “but I say unto you”. In both cases the God is revealing the message: “the way things work”. Consider this: Whenever God speaks, He is showing “the way things work”. If we believe that the Bible is God speaking, either directly or through men who are moved by the Holy Spirit, what are the implications for mankind in regard to “the way things work”?

Think about the significance of the new covenant. This is what Jesus brought into the world. He referred to it at times as the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of the Heavens. In John 13:34 Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”. Jesus raised the standard of loving your neighbor as yourself to the higher standard of loving others as Jesus loves others. The new covenant is a better covenant: Hebrews 8:6: “But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises”. This covenant is not conditional. Those who choose to believe in Jesus and become a follower are born-again. A person cannot be unborn. Look at these two verses:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13).

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17).

You can’t become non-children. You can’t become non-heirs. Salvation for the follower of Jesus is a sure thing. It is a done deal. Think about the implications of this information for the follower of Jesus. Reflect on what it means and the concept of “the way things work”.

Think about the significance of the old covenant (the Mosaic law) coming to an end and being replaced with the new covenant as discussed in thing three as revealed in the book of Hebrews. Think about the conditional nature of the Mosaic law. Think about the implications for “the way things work” under the law. Consider the implications for Jesus followers who have not recognized this distinction between the two covenants. I have provided a lengthy and very detailed passage that clearly describes the conditional nature of living under the law and “the way things work”. The Hebrew Bible presents a history lesson that verifies the validity of the conditional nature of the Mosaic law in this passage and “the way things work”.

“‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.

“‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.

“‘I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. I will put my dwelling place ^a among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.

“‘But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.

“‘If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit.

“‘If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve. I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted (Leviticus 26: 3-22).

Lifted UP

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

We will begin with a short story within a larger story which is actually part of a greater story. Explanation: the short story, of the serpent, takes place in the larger story, children of Israel in the wilderness, which is included in the greater story, the Word of God.

And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived (Numbers 21:4-9).

The main characters in the story are the people, the serpents, Moses and God. The event is the people are grumbling about the conditions. They accuse Moses and God of bringing them into the wilderness to die and they loatheth manna.

The Lord’s response was to send a judgment of poisonous snakes among the people and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. The people wisely repented and asked Moses for help. Moses responded by making a bronze serpent and putting it on a pole so that it was lifted high and could be easily seen. Then an amazing thing happened, if a person would look at the bronze serpent as Moses had told them: any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

This is an interesting short story but there were many short stories that could be pulled out of the larger wilderness story. What is the significance of this story?

The significance of this story is Jesus referred to this story in John chapter three where we have the story about Nicodemus, being born again and the precious John 3:16 verse. Let’s look at Jesus’ reference to the serpent.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:14-15).

We notice the word: as. This little word tells that two things have a similarity. What two things? Moses lifted up the serpent and the Son of man be lifted up There is an equivalency to be explored. The result of looking upon the serpent by the person who was bitten was he lived. The result of looking unto Jesus and believing is eternal life. A.W. Tozer explains this equivalence in a scenario that occurs when person is looking at the verses, John 3:14-15 and rightly concludes:

Our plain man, in reading this, would make an important discovery. He would notice that look and believe are synonymous terms. “Looking” on the Old Testament serpent is identical with “believing” on the New Testament Christ. That is, the looking and believing are the same thing. And he would understand that, while Israel looked with external eyes, believing is done with the heart. I think he would conclude that that faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God. (p. 295).

Now is good time to look closely at John 3:16.

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).

Here is a sobering thought. What happened to those who were bitten by the serpent? They died. What happens to those who do not believe on the only begotten Son (Jesus)? They perish. In each situation a choice is made. A decision is made. There is an “either/or”. To look or not look. To believe or not believe. Here is a confirming verse:

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).

I pondered why the Lord did not just eliminate the serpents. Then I realized that the continued presence and threat of the serpents met another parallel in the verses. Judgment and death, as represented by the presence of the serpents, still reigns in this present world setting, where belief in Jesus is offered as the rescue.

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

Picture this: A wilderness camp with a mass of people and in their midst are poisonous serpents going about biting the people resulting in their death. Picture this: A world full of people all who are on their way to perishing because they were born sinners and therefore under the wrath of God. Both are hopeless scenes except for the repenting heart that will look or believe.

People in the wilderness camp “whoever” would look to the brass serpent that was lifted up would not die. People in the world “whoever” would look to Jesus who was lifted up and believe they would not perish but they would have eternal life. The message is look and see and believe.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9).

It is easy to visualize a brass serpent lifted up on a tall pole. It was easy for anyone to see. But what does Jesus lifted up mean? The first image that may come to mind is Jesus lifted up on the cross. However, at the resurrection He was lifted up from death. Later at the ascension He was lifted up into heaven. I am inclined to believe that the lifted up includes all three of these events but also probably more. Jesus said:

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me (John 12:32).

When someone or something is lifted up, it is above.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name (Philippians 2:9).

Something else to think about: The time frame. These verses in John 3 where Jesus is speaking all take place before the cross, the resurrection, or the ascension. Jesus is revealing His plan for providing salvation and eternal life to “whosoever”. You and me!

More adventures in Biblical thinking about lifted up.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Can you think of a time when you suddenly looked up and saw something that previously you had been unaware? How about the stars or moon? Other examples?
Think about times when you have been lifted up. Can you name them. Examples: elevator, air plane.
Think about looking and seeing with the eyes of your heart. pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18 NASB). Can you relate to any personal experience like this?
Reflect on the either/or factor demonstrated in this adventure of looking or not looking and believing or not believing. Think about the stark difference.

Tozer, A. W., (2018). Three spiritual classics in one volume, Moody Publisher, Chicago.

Death Then Life

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

Death then life seems to be backwards. This goes contrary to what we see. We are accustomed to seeing life begin and then life ends with death. We get a cute little puppy or a cuddly little kitten amid much joy and excitement. We watch them grow to adulthood and become part of the family. Each has their own special characteristics. Then they grow old and begin to fail physically. Then amid great sadness the time comes when they die.

Death is all around us and it is assumed the death was preceded by life. We attend funerals where someone has prepared a video of the deceased’s life. We see still pictures of them younger and with family and friends. We see movies of them laughing and playing. But we also are aware that the deceased’s body is lying in a coffin up front.

My grandfather near the end of his life would tell me that he attended funerals of friends often every week and some weeks more than one funeral in a week. He added that some of them were younger than him. I find myself checking out the obituaries in the local paper to see if I recognize the names of anyone. I also check out to see if they were younger than me.

If you have ever walked through a cemetery, you will notice that the tombstones have engraved two dates. There is a year of birth and a year of death. Between the two dates there is a dash. That dash represents that person’s life. Do quick math and you calculate how long their dash was. The dates represent a beginning and an end.

Actually, often the beginning and end of life are recorded more precisely. In the delivery room an hour and minute are noted for the birth certificate. We have all seen the drama of the operating room where the patient passes away and the doctor solemnly looks at the clock on the wall and tells the nurse to call it. Then the hour and minute is recorded.

We see the life to death pattern play out in nature. The cycle goes on and on. Plants appear, grow and then die. Each spring I plant flowers around our house. They grow and bloom and are enjoyed. Then the fall frost comes and I gather them up to be fed to the sheep or to be burned.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:30).

Nature programs on television tell stories of the unique ways plants and animals seek to survive. There is camouflage, flight, fight. Many animals have a hyper capacity of senses of smell, sight and hearing. All of these features can only delay the reality of death.

Life is characterized by a struggle to survive. A struggle to avoid death or at least delay it. Realistically it cannot be avoided. We build healthy practices, safety measures and health care into the routines of life. This is all part of survival.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

In sharp contrast we see Jesus. He was born of a virgin, grew up in a carpenter shop in Nazareth, chose His twelve disciples, went about doing His mission and then was brutally murdered on a cross, was buried and then He arose from the dead. For Jesus it was death then life. This change in sequence must be looked into and have an explanation. Our experience based upon what we see says that dead people don’t live.

First question: Did it really happen? Here is the apostle Paul’s testimony.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time (I Corinthians 15:3-8).

Paul knew all of the people he named by name, Cephas (Peter) and the twelve. In the gospels we read about Jesus appearing after the resurrection. He appeared to Mary. He appeared to Peter. He appeared to the two on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to the disciples in a room. He appeared to the disciples by the sea and they had a fish breakfast with Him. We are familiar with these stories but notice that He was also seen by over 500 people at one time. Eye witnesses are important in confirming an event and there certainly are many eye witnesses to a living resurrected Lord.

Looking more closely at the death to life sequence, we discover that every person is born dead. That may seem absurd at first because we think of life beginning at birth. Actually, life begins at conception. But looking even closer we can identify two kinds of death. There is physical death that we have been discussing and there is spiritual death. The “every person born dead” speaks of spiritual death.

When you stop and think about this it really makes sense. Flash back to Genesis and the Garden of Eden and the fall of mankind. Remember Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord and ate of the fruit of the tree of good and evil. The penalty for that disobedience was the curse, driven from the garden and ultimately physical death. But the immediate effect of that sin of disobedience was spiritual death.

Another principle of Genesis is reproducing after their own kind. Every person since Adam and Eve have been born spiritually dead just like their parents. Every person is born with a death sentence upon them. Every person is born without spiritual life.

Don’t get side tracked by wondering if this is fair to be penalized like this. God is holy and He cannot dwell with the unholy. Sin separated mankind from the Lord. Before we get too critical of Adam and Eve, every person has sinned in their own right.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1 NIV).

Since the penalty for sin is death, the penalty must be paid. Each individual had no escape from the penalty but the Lord had a remedy. The remedy came at great cost to Him. Look carefully at these Scriptures.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man (Hebrews 2:9).

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (I Peter 3:18).

Why? Why would He do this?

To discover the basic motivation of the Lord we go to a very familiar verse.

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).

We immediately see that the motivation is love. Love who? The world (everyone). The motivation of love leads to giving. Giving what? Only begotten Son. Why? So that whosever (anyone) believes in the only begotten Son will first of all receive a guarantee to avoid perishing but also receive a promise to receive eternal life.

We must look more closely at the concept of perishing. People under a death penalty who have no spiritual life are perishing. God did not want anyone to perish.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).

We don’t want things or people that we value to perish. We work to save, protect and care for things we love. Think of perishable food products. We value them so we refrigerate them, freeze them, can them or seal them. First responders and the Coast Guard with great bravery and personal risk rescue those in danger of perishing. We have already established that no one has the capacity within themselves to prevent their own perishing. We must repeat that the love of God gave Jesus so that those who believe in Him should not perish.

There is urgency in perishing. There is urgency to avoid perishing and it is a “whosoever” problem. There is a time factor because if there is not a timely intervention to prevent perishing, perishing turns into perished. Love motivated God to give His only Begotten Son as an intervention provided for “whosoever”.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (II Corinthians 6:2).

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law (Galatians 4:4).

Although the verses we examined earlier proclaimed that the death of Jesus was a substitute payment for the sins of each individual, notice John 3:16 does not mention sin. It does specify whosoever believeth in him. Believing in Him means believing in who He is and what He has done and includes acknowledging that He is the Son of God and that His death was in payment for the sins of the world (everyone) and His resurrection confirmed victory over death.

Death then life.

This same chapter in John gives the explanation of how those who believe can receive the promised eternal life. Remember the story about the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. Here is what Jesus told him:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

Jesus went on to explain:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8).

Here is a marvelous thing! When a person believes in Jesus they are born of the Spirit. The Spirit of God enters into them. Perishing has been avoided and eternal life has begun.

Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? (I Corinthians 3:16).

Let’s admit it, there are elements of the wonder of salvation offered through Jesus that are beyond our understanding. Even though the truth of becoming a child of God through God’s plan is clearly stated and proclaimed repeatedly in Scripture, there still is mystery. In seeking some comparison of the wonder, I came up with this homely comparison. I acknowledge that it falls short but I found it helpful. Maybe you will too.

My computer has life because all that is necessary for it to have life was already taken care of by someone else. I don’t know or understand the details of what has been done but the important thing to me is my computer has life and it works for me. I know a little about parts, hard drive, keyboard, monitor, mother board, operating system, software, hardware.

Jesus has done all that is necessary for me to not perish but have eternal life that began when I was born again at the age of 12. I know some of what is involved in my receiving eternal life salvation, reconciliation, restoration, repentance, substitution, propitiation, sacrifice, suffering, forgiveness, renewal, transformation.

Although I know some about what it takes for my computer to have life and I know some about what it takes for me to have eternal life, I don’t need to know all or understand all in either case to receive the benefits.

John 3:16 declares a sharp contrast between perishing and receiving eternal life. Perishing is disaster unmeasurable. Eternal life is blessing unmeasurable.

In closing, let’s go back to the cemetery scene. Recall the two dates on the tombstone, a birth date and a death date. Recall the dash between the dates that represents the life of the person buried. In geometry we would call the dash a line segment ( ). A line segment has two end points, birth date and death date. Now imagine a geometrical representation of the new life of a born-again believer. The geometric symbol would be a ray ( ). A ray has one end point born-again date and the other end represented with an arrow head has no end point but goes on to infinity, eternal life. Physical life line segment. Spiritual life ray.

Death then life.

Physical death for the believer in Jesus who has spiritual life simply means change of location.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8).

Think about that!

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about death then life.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Can you think of some examples of life coming out of death? Hint: Think of plants. Think of decay, parasites.
I live in a rural area and every spring there are many births, new lambs, new calves, new colts. Think of birth as evidence of new life. Think about births that you have witnessed. What feelings go along with these experiences?
Births mark a beginning. Identify situations where birth is appropriately used in an analogy. Example: Birth of a nation.
Have you heard the phrase following a disaster where those involved in search and rescue report that the rescue has turned into a recovery? Relate this to the perishing becoming the perished. Can you recall some instances of this happening? What emotions did you have?
Explore the concept of “sin” verses the concept of “sins”. Hint: Sin is a settled fact because everyone is a sinner. Then, what are “sins”? What are the theological implications?
Speculate on what Nicodemus may have been experiencing when Jesus told him that you must be born again. Remember Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews and apparently of some stature in the religious community.

Hear My Voice

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

In my post, Sheep Talking, I compared Psalm 23 and John 10. In Psalm 23 the Psalmist, David, is speaking from a sheep’s perspective about his Shepherd; “The Lord is my Shepherd”. In John 10, Jesus is speaking from the perspective of the Good Shepherd about His sheep, “I am the Good Shepherd”.

David elaborates about the Lord as his Shepherd as a sheep. The Shepherd provides necessities: food, water, care and protection. Jesus elaborates on the close personal relationship He has with the sheep. Although David was very familiar with being a shepherd and caring for the sheep, he knew in this Psalm that he was not a sheep, he was a man. Although Jesus describes believers as sheep, He knew that the sheep are really mankind. Just in case there is any confusion, Jesus used the word man in John 10: 9: “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture”.

In both passages the Shepherd is the provider and protector. In both passages the Shepherd is the leader. In both passages the Shepherd is with the sheep forever. If you want to review these passages before reading further, they are located at the end of this document.

We know that Jesus taught in parables and these stories make a connection with the hearers in relationship to their lives. My wife has often said that there are parables all around us. We can see them in events, activities and scenes. That is what I will be doing by relating some experiences that demonstrate biblical truths and principles.

To clearly tell the story I have to build some background to set the stage. Jesus in the stories of the Prodigal son, the Good Samaritan, the sower and other parables, built background. Some background connects closely with the hearer’s own experiences but some background needs to be more developed if the hearers are less familiar with story’s setting. Just in case my stories are based in an unfamiliar setting, I will elaborate more extensively.

My wife and I have a small commercial sheep operation. Starting in the spring of the year I go almost weekly to the local livestock auction to buy feeder lambs. Feeder lambs are smaller lambs who have not yet grown to market weight. In the fall I will sell the lambs at the livestock auction after they have grown all summer. We have some pasture where the lambs will graze and some hay that they are fed.

When I purchase the lambs, I become their shepherd and they become members of my flock. The person who sold the lambs had been their shepherd and they had been members of his flock. The exchange of possession means a change of location and a change in kingdoms. The lambs move from the seller’s kingdom to the buyer’s kingdom. The lambs were bought with a price in dollars to become my possession.

Here is the first application:

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (I Corinthians 6:20).

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men (I Corinthians 7:23).

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Believers become members of the flock of Jesus because they were purchased by His blood, not money. Being members of His flock means the sheep have the Good Shepherd and live in His Kingdom.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young (Isiah 40:11).

More background. Because of the risk from predators we lock our sheep up in the corral (the fold) each evening where they are kept until morning. Usually, they come in from the pasture to the corral without any assistance but if they don’t, I have to go bring them into the corral. Each morning the lambs are released from the corral and they go out to the green pasture.

Second application:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18).

The lambs are captives in the corral and remain confined until I deliver them by opening the gate. Each person can be captive in a corral that is keeping them from entering into the good green pasture. This captivity hinders the person from enjoying the good that the Lord has for them. Jesus has come to open the gate to allow us in our captivity to be delivered from the issues of life that are represented by confinement of the corral. Released to receive the good that He has for us.

More background. We also have two horses. From spring until late fall the horses are released to pasture. Each morning and each evening they go to pasture for around two hours. The reason for the restriction on pasture is to keep the horses from becoming overweight. We have a pasture north of the horse corral and a pasture south of the corral. Sometimes they go north and sometimes they go south. First thing on my morning chores is to let the horses into pasture. As I leave the house each morning, I choose which direction to go.

The horses are in their corral or barn. The pattern that has developed is that as I leave the house and head in the direction of the pasture that I have chosen, I begin to shout out, “Horses, horses”. They respond by beginning to move in my direction and move toward the pasture gate. Often, they may respond with a whinny.

After I have released the horses to the pasture, my next task is to go feed the lambs some hay. This is the interesting pattern that develops. Remember these purchased lambs are getting used to having me as their “new” shepherd. In my relationship with the lambs I begin as a stranger. However, as the lambs hear my voice calling out to the horses, they connect my voice with their soon to be provided hay. They stir from their beds; some begin calling and move to the feeding area.

…the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers (John 10:2-5).

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:27-28).

Third application:

The lambs have learned to connect my voice with a provision of food and care for them. Believers learn to connect the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with his provisions for them. These provisions start with salvation and include blessings, protection and care. Interestingly, all though the lambs initially are very cautious and sometime spooky around me over time they begin to calm down. I become less of a stranger and more of their shepherd. They seem to develop as sense of trust. The more closely believers come to their Good Shepherd and the closer they follow and the more intently they listen to His voice the more their trust grows.

Only occasionally do the lambs receive a name from me but the Good Shepherd knows the name of each of His sheep.

One more thing. I will sell these lambs. They will have a new owner, a new shepherd. Ultimately, the lambs will go to market and become meat for customers at the grocery story. That is just the way the business works. However, the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus will never sell me. Not only will I not lose my life but I receive eternal life. I will never perish. Besides that, I have the assurance that no one will pluck me out of His hand or the Father’s hand.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand (John 10:29).

One last application:

I am a shepherd for my lambs, and I strive to provide quality care for them but I have no intention of laying down my life for them. However, the Lord Jesus who is my Shepherd did lay down is life for me and for you.

The Lord is My Shepherd

Psalms 23

{A Psalm of David.} The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

John 10:1-18

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 10:27-30

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

What About John 3:16?

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

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).

John 3:16 is a very familiar verse. We see it on posters. We see it on signs at sports events. One football player had it on a black patch that players wear on their cheeks. You have heard the saying, “familiarity breeds contempt”. Sometimes this is true. Think of Jesus and Nazareth. The locals thought of Jesus as simply Joseph and Mary’s boy.

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:53-58).

Familiarity can also breed indifference, breed being too comfortable, breed being blasé. The familiar can be taken for granted and the words seem to lose meaning. Examples: The Lord’s Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem.

This is a risk with John 3:16. To analyze this verse I will be employing this principle: separate, isolate and recombine. The way the principle works is I will separate out certain players in the verse, certain transactions and certain events, isolate them for a closer look and ultimately recombine them for more meaning.

Let’s start with the realization that the verse is really all about God not about me or you. I tend to see the verse as being all about me because the verse is so important to me and such a great personal benefit. Think of the benefit: “not perish” and “have everlasting life.”

Based on this awareness that the verse is really all about God clearly the verse is a love proclamation from God: “For God so loved.”

We start separating and isolating. The players: First God, and this must be God the Father. The clue He is giving His only begotten Son. Another player is Jesus, He is the one being given. Another player is the world and in this case the world means everyone. The last player is the whosoever. That is those who believe in Jesus. That is me.

Stop and think about the category of the world meaning everyone. Stop and think about God loving everyone. Everyone is inclusivity.

Stop and think about the category of whosoever. Stop and think about whosever being an individual that is part of the everyone. This could be anyone. To be perfectly clear, the whosever is the anyone who “believeth in him.” Whosoever is exclusivity.

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:4).

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans 8:30).

A closer look at the characteristics (facts) of the category of everyone (the world).

Created in the image of God (good thing)
Descendants of Adam and Eve post fall (bad thing)
Under the curse (bad thing)
Under the death sentence placed on Adam and Eve (bad thing)
Without hope (bad thing)
Destined to perish (bad thing)

Except for the first item. This is a dismal list. We will verify these facts with scripture.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27).

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD (Genesis 4:1).

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12).

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life (Genesis 3:17).

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12).

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown out (Luke 13:28).

A closer look at the characteristics (facts) of the category of whosoever.

Created in the image of God (good thing)
Born again (good thing)
Possessor of eternal life (good thing)
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (good thing)
Redeemed (good thing)
New creature (good thing)
Accepted in the Beloved (good thing)
Joint heir with Christ (good thing)
Lord’s unending and unbroken presence (good thing)
Part of bride of Christ (good thing)

This is a wonderful list. We will verify these facts with scripture.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27).

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation (I Peter 1:3 NLT).

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life (I John 2:25).

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (I Corinthians 6:19).

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (I Peter 1:18-19).

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6).

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans 8:17).

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20).

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (II Corinthians 11:2).

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

Two other players are God the Father and God the Son. For the purposes of this writing we will not delve into characteristic of God the Father and God the Son and their attributes and mighty works. There are many wonderful books in addition to the Scriptures that address this amazing topic.

Let’s look at the elements of the transactions in this verse. God the Father is giving a gift. The gift is His Beloved Son. The gift is available to everyone however only whosoever will receive it. The motivation for giving the gift is the love of God.

Looking more closely at the transaction of giving gifts. The giver offers the gift and the potential benefactor must choose to receive the gift. In this verse the whosoevers accept the gift and become believers.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

Question: What do we know about the gift that the believer is receiving? Remember believers believe. Believing in the only Beloved Son means all of the following and more.

Believe Jesus is who He says He is
Believe Jesus has done what He said He has done
Believe He will do what He says He is going to do
Believe He is coming again

There is a lot of content in each of these bullet points.

Question: What does Jesus have to say about the fact that He is the gift and that He is being given?

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God…(Hebrews 10:9).

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him (John 8:29).

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love (John 15:10).

Clearly Jesus was a willing sacrifice who came in obedience to His Father. It is important to remember that Jesus was in full control of His choice to be that sacrifice.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father (John 10:18).

We would be remiss if we neglected to point out that though the verse starts out with a declaration of the Father’s love for the world, the Father also loves the Son. The proof in the verse is Jesus being described as the Father’s only Beloved Son.

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17).

Summary: The Father loves. The Father gives. The whosoevers believe. The whosoevers do not perish. The whosoevers receive eternal life. Stated: the world, everyone is offered the benefits of choosing to believe.

Since it was Jesus who is talking in the verse, Jesus was willing to be given.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about John 3:16.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Can you think of situations or events where because they have become familiar, they have had their significance reduced and diminished?
Can you remember when you first heard John 3:16? Did the verse have any special meaning to you at that time?
Visualize a big circle. Now, visualize a smaller circle with the bigger circle. Now draw this image. Write the word “world” in the bigger circle and the word “whosoever” in the smaller circle. Now draw the circle again and this time write the word “everyone” in the bigger circle and the word “anyone” in the smaller circle. Study the diagrams. What thoughts come to mind?
Write out the John 3:16 verse and circle the word “believe”. Can you see the importance of this word?
Write out the John 3:16 verse and circle the words “perish” and “eternal life”. Think about the difference. What thoughts come to mind?
Write out the John 3:16 verse and circle the words “love”, “gave”, “God” and “only Begotten Son. Meditate on these words. How do these words make you feel?

What If?

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

What if people deny God as Creator and fail to see the revelation of God’s Divine Nature in His Creation? In these verses we see the results of denial.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:18-22).

Since refusal to see the invisible divine nature of God by observing His Genesis Creation results in an unthankful, vain imagination and a foolish heart and the status of without excuse, “what if?” refusal to recognize the invisible working of God in the changed life of believers in the new creation results in a without excuse unthankful, vain imagination and a foolish heart? Is this another denial that adds to the unbeliever’s “without an excuse” status?

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

Each creation demonstrates the invisible Divine Nature of God at work. The original Genesis creation came into existence when God spoke.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men (John 1:1-4).

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews (1:3).

God not only spoke all things into existence originally but the all things are sustained by the word of his power. We should be able to clearly see His invisible working in both the existence and the sustaining of the creation. All a person has to do is look at creation and see how it continues to function and clearly the invisible working of the Lord becomes visible.

Both the original Genesis creation and new creation in born again believers the created does not have to do anything because each creation is what it is and does what it does because of how it was created. Said another way, each creation is what it is (being) and does what it does (doing) as the result of how it was created. Both creations are functional and maintained by God. The Genesis Creation keeps on working day after day, sunrise and sunset, season after season. The new creation keeps on changing the believer day after day. All life forms procreate after their kind.

The new creation has a new life source, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in every born-again believer. This life source produces changes in the individual to become like Christ. This is another reproduction of after its kind and starts with being born again.

There are clear parallels between the original Genesis creation and the new creation. So back to our earlier supposition. “What if?” refusal to recognize the invisible working of God in the changed life of believers in the new creation results in a without excuse, unthankful, vain imagination and a foolish heart in observers?

The new creation is made of changed persons in God’s family with changes that are unique to God’s children. However, these characteristics are not present in those who are not born again and are not in God’s family. Two categories: believers and non-believers, changed and unchanged.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans 8:28-30).

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:22-32).

Set aside any debate about how mature, committed or godly believers may be. Set aside the debate that believers need to be better behaved in terms of godly habits. From Scripture, clearly believers are a new creation and although the movement to becoming godly is progressive, believers are clearly changed and changing and it is a work of God. When asked about what makes them different, believers will acknowledge that it is their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Back to the “what if?”. It seems to me that non-believers who refuse to see the visible evidence of God’s invisible working in the life of believers are without excuse. They are without excuse because they fail to acknowledge the obvious visible working of God in the lives of the believers in the new creation. If the non-believer is even willing to acknowledge the changed life of the believer, they often will rationalize it away through vain imagination. Sadly, history shows that the non-believers will even resort to persecuting believers.

Therefore, those who have refused to recognize God’s working in the Genesis creation and in the new creation of changed lives of believers are doubly without excuse. Can you see God’s love at work here? The Lord is presenting visible evidence in both the Genesis creation and the changed lives of believers to demonstrate His invisible existence to the non-believers.

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4).

If that was not enough of a demonstration of the Lord’s existence, He goes even further. Look at these verses.

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another (Romans 2:14-15).

Built into everyone is a sense of right and wrong. This is part of being part of the Genesis creation and being made in the image of God. Just think, in the criminal justice system the test for competence for an accused to stand trial is: does the person understand the difference between right and wrong? You see, the world recognized the existence “of the law written in their hearts” and use it for a sanity test.

Therefore, those who refuse to acknowledge the Lord are without excuse on three counts. They deny God as Creator, they deny God as the source of changed lives of believers (new creation) and they deny the law written in their hearts. The Lord in His love has gone to great lengths to provide evidence for His existence. This evidence in both creations and the law written in the heart should spark thankfulness. Acknowledgment of His existence should be followed with a desire to know Him.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

Starting with acknowledging God’s existence a person should move on to diligently seeking Him and there is the reward of finding Him. Can you see why it is so important to see the invisible working of God in light of the evidence He has clearly shown?

The conclusion:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15).

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:5-6).

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory (I Thessalonians 2:12).

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation (I Peter 2:12).

“What if?” You decide.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about “what if?”.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

“What if?” by its very nature is asking us to assume a different cause. The question is if X had happened instead of Y how would the result have been different. Example: If the driver had stopped at the stop sign, would the accident have been avoided. Have some fun with creating some “what if?” scenarios, either from actual experiences or simply made up ones.
“What if?” is often applied from the position of hindsight. From the position of hindsight can you recall how an outcome of a specific event may have been better or worse with a different initial action?
God has not kept the existence of Himself a secret. Identify and list some ways that you have observed the Lord’s invisible eternal power and divine nature in what you have observed in His creation.
Review the consequences for those who deny the Creator and His creation detailed in Romans chapter one beginning at verse 18 and going to end of the chapter.
Consider the culture implications of the teaching and the acceptance of evolution as an explanation of origins. Can you see the conflict with intelligent design (God as creator)?
Reflect on and list the three evidences of the Lord’s existence that were identified in this thinking adventure that when denied leave the denier without an excuse.

Let Go

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Jesus taught in parables. One of the most familiar of the parables is the story of the Prodigal son. The story contains three characters, the Prodigal, the bad son, his brother, the good son and their father. Jesus used stories as an instructional technique to provide an illustration from which His hearers could learn the principles, He wanted them to know.

I have heard many sermons and read many accounts in Christian books in which lessons from this story are being presented. Let’s explore these lessons by looking at each of these characters.

The Prodigal son is an example of the wayward sinner who has made decisions and choices that have led to a path of personal destruction. Rather than take his place in the family business he chose to ask for his share and left on his adventure where he “blew” it in a life style of debauchery. The consequences of these choices lead to a point of despair that triggered repentance. As a response to the repentance the Prodigal returns to the father asking for a position as a servant, surrendering his position as a son with hope of being able to survive. He was joyously received by his father.

The older son remained loyal to the family business and faithfully went about his responsibilities. However, he was not pleased with his father’s response to the return of his wayward brother and became angry. When his father invited him to the celebration of the return of his younger brother, he let his father know about his displeasure. He referred to his brother as, “this son of yours” rather than my brother. He was distancing himself from relationship with his brother. He contrasted his loyal faithfulness to the family business to his brother’s disloyalty and unfaithfulness. He felt slighted and unrewarded.

Some commentators have been critical of the older brother and have attempted to contrast the older brother as an example of a works kind of salvation with the younger brother’s repentance and seeking grace. There may be something there but I think the old brother’s reaction was very understandable. We are not told about the impact on the family business that resulted from the younger brother’s taking capital from the business. Surely, the older brother felt that he had to work harder because his brother was not there to share the load.

What about the father? What was Jesus’ point in the story concerning the father? It is safe to assume that the father in this story is a type of the Heavenly Father. We know that the Heavenly Father rejoices over sinners that repent.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

However, I want to focus on a part of the story that I have not heard in any commentary or discussion. The father let him go! I am sure that the father knew that his younger son was not making a wise choice. I am indulging in speculation, but I am guessing that the younger son’s behavior and attitudes had been on display. Perhaps he was rebellious. Perhaps he was selfish. Perhaps he was disrespectful.

Another thought: “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ The Prodigal was asking for his inheritance while his father was still living. He couldn’t wait for his father to die. It was like he was telling his father he wished he were dead. How brash!

Whatever the circumstances, there is no indication that the father pleaded with him to reconsider and to stay. We know in contrast in reference to the older brother’s refusal to come to the celebration the father “came out and began pleading with him”.

Hmmmm! This is very interesting. What are the implications? Obviously, the father was willing to let the Prodigal go. If we accept that the father in this story is a type of our Heavenly Father, the implication is when people choose to go in a wrong and possibly destructive direction the Heavenly Father will let them go.

Here is an interesting example: In the Corinthian church there was a man who was involved in sexual sin. Paul gave this advice “let him go”!

…deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (I Corinthians 5:5).

What are the implications for us? Are there situations in which we should let someone go? Do we need to let go and allow consequences to do their work? I suspect that the father in the story knew that his younger son would not listen to anything the father said in objection or warning concerning his choice to leave. However, the father was willing to plead with the older son about joining the celebration. I am wondering if the father sensed that the older son would listen to his father’s reasoned explanation.

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Could it be that the decision whether to let go or not to let go is linked to whether the person will listen? Receiving instruction is wise and can save hardship and failure while refusal to receive instruction can result in negative consequences.

Here is an application and a dilemma. When we are in relationship with someone is there a time to let go? Parents face this decision with their children, especially adult children. This can be a decision to be made when seeking to help a struggling friend or relative. Here is a verse that may provide some guidance.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15).

The key word seems to be asketh. The assumption is if someone asks, they are ready to hear what you have to say. The decision to let go or to not let go needs to be prayerfully reached. I am sure no one would want to interfere with the need for a person to experience consequences like the Prodigal who when he came to his senses repented and sought restoration. Interference can come in the form of a rescue or attempts to mitigate the impact of the consequences. Sometimes this can become enabling. Much to think about! Meanwhile we are prepared and ready to help when they ask.

Points to ponder: What was the main point that Jesus was teaching in this story? The main point is stated: was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found and this is reason to rejoice. Let’s look at the context of Jesus’ teaching. Just before this story Jesus told the story of the lost sheep. The shepherd left the ninety and nine and went searching for the lost sheep. When the lost sheep was found there was rejoicing. Then he told the story of the lost coin. After a diligent search the cone was found and there was rejoicing.

Jesus’ conclusion of the story of the lost sheep was:

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

Jesus’ conclusion of the story of the lost coin was:

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).

Three stories, three celebrations each about the finding of the lost. But notice, the shepherd searched for the lost sheep and the woman searched for the coin. They did not let go. In contrast the father of the Prodigal did not search for him. The father waited for his son to come to his senses. Observation: the lost sheep and the lost coin could not find their way back but the lost son could.

Let’s speculate a little about what happened next in the story of the Prodigal son. It is important to be cautious when speculating what was not stated in any story and particularly in a teaching story by Jesus. That being said, what was the Prodigal’s new status? The father referred to him as this son of mine. From the father’s perspective sonship was restored. The Prodigal had returned and was asking to become an employee of the family business. Did he become an employee? The father had a history of giving him what he asked. He had given him his share of the business back when he asked for it in the beginning of the story.

Here is evidence that he was not restored to the position of partner or shareholder. This is what the father told the older brother: all that is mine is yours. If the older brother was to receive all, there would not be anything else for the Prodigal. My conclusions, the consequences of the Prodigal son still continued even though his status had changed.

Closing thought for meditation: The father let go. Where do you and I need to let go?

The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

And He said, “A man had two sons. “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

More adventures in Biblical thinking about letting go.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Close your hand in a fist. Open your hand. What can you grasp and hold on to with an open hand? To let go your hand has to be open. Can you think of a time when you had to let go?
Notice the father in the story didn’t force compliance. Notice that the Lord doesn’t force compliance. The Lord gives us the opportunity and capacity to choose. By doing this the Lord demonstrates respect for us and gives us the dignity of causality. Can you think of examples in your life or someone else’s life where the drama of the Lord letting go happened?
Have you ever experienced or witnessed a situation where like the older brother, the good and faithful son, was left with burdens because of the waywardness of another person?
Do you think the father prayed for the Prodigal? Do you think the father longed for the Prodigal to return? Hint: But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Is there someone that you are watching for and waiting for their return?
Maybe in a much less dramatic way, have you ever played the part of the Prodigal in terms of your relationship with the Lord? Assuming that you have returned to the Lord, what events or thoughts triggered the decision to return?

Heaven Beckons

Do you think about heaven? No, really do you find yourself thinking about what heaven will be like? I do. At the time of this writing I am only a few months from beginning the last year of my seventies. Hmmmm! We know that heaven is where Jesus is. We know that He is also here now with believers. Jesus can do that! We know that there will be no sin in heaven, no pain, no tears and no death. What else?

Jesus said and promised: In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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 (John 14:2-3).

I want to tell you about a website where my friend Dick Wulf has created extensive insights into links between our spiritual life and growth while we are still in our bodies and our life later in heaven. Dick has combined the 65 “togethers” of Scripture and the value of personal spiritual growth with implications for a believer’s eternity with Jesus and other believers in heaven.

The 65 “togethers” are thoroughly developed from Scriptures in text on the website, however in addition Dick has created audio presentations of each of the 65 “togethers” with an emphasis on how spiritual growth will influence and reflect on our future experiences in heaven.

The material is presented in a course format and divided into four courses. Currently, I am almost through the audio program. Dick has suggestions about how to use the course that are helpful. I have chosen to listen to one audio track each day as part of my daily devotions.

It is my testimony that I find a daily blessing in new ideas about heaven and my future there. I am blessed with increased awareness of the “togethers” from Scripture. We are not alone. Believers are meant to grow into the image of Christ in relationship with other brothers and sisters in Christ.

The teaching on the principles of spiritual growth found in Scripture are essential for the transformation of believers into new creatures. This teaching has immediate application for the renewing the minds of believers. The frequent quoting of relevant scripture verses anchors the teaching in the Word of God.

I have been working on inspiring you to explore this website and you are wondering when am I going to give you the link. The answer is now: https://www.heavenbeckons.com/course-one.html

I must tell you about my experience of “together” with Dick Wulf. Foundational to our “togetherness” is we both love the Lord Jesus. We both believe that the Word of God is the Lord’s revelation to mankind and is essential to our understanding of who God is, what He has done, what He is going to do and who we are. We both love and care for people.

Although our “together” times covers many years, we had lost contact until recently. In 2006 my wife and I moved 200 miles away from the Pikes Peak region and away from Dick and his wife in Colorado Springs. It has been good to reconnect.

In the way of Christian fellowship, I was part of small group led by Dick that met regularly for several years for prayer, support and encouragement.

We also had our “togethers” professionally. Dick is a Christian counselor and he was my mentor during the apprenticeship portion of my Masters in Clinical Counseling program. Later, when I was working as a counselor, Dick was my professional supervisor. For a period of time I was a member of the Board of Directors for Dick’s not for profit organization.

Personally, Dick was a very valuable counselor during the hardest and darkest period of my life. He supported, encouraged and guided me. From my personal experience and witnessing Dick practicing as a professional counselor. I have without hesitation referred many people to him.

I can describe Dick as a loving compassionate man who deeply cares about people. He can be counted on to graciously speak the truth in love. The truth he speaks is based on the Word of God and if heeded can provide comfort, healing and change.

In closing, I want to repeat my suggestion that you explore Dick’s website. https://www.heavenbeckons.com/course-one.html I am confident that you will experience blessing and encouragement. I daily look forward to hearing Dick’s voice each morning as I listen to another track.

Why Did Jesus Come?

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 4, 2021)

Q: What does Jesus say was the reason that He came?

A: …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Notice that His coming is all about life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Q: What is the context of the statement of Jesus in John 10?

A: This is the section of Scripture where Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd and describes His relationship with His sheep.

Q: How did the sheep come to be His?

A: The sheep were purchased by the blood of Jesus. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:20). The sheep were purchased and are now the property of Jesus. The sheep belong to Jesus.

Q: Jesus came that the sheep might have life. Why did the sheep need life?

A: The sheep needed life because they were dead. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

Q: How can this be? The sheep appear to be alive.

A: When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they received a death sentence just as the Lord had warned them. The death sentence was passed on to their descendants because of the principle of reproducing “after its kind”. “For as in Adam all die…” (I Corinthians 15:22).

Q: How then was the issue of the death sentence addressed so that the sheep could have life?

A: There needed to be a substitute to receive the death penalty. The substitute had to be without His own sin to be qualified as a substitute or otherwise the substitute would also be under the death sentence. Jesus was the acceptable substitute because He was without sin. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:21). Jesus said: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Q: Can you tell me more about the sheep being dead?

A: The prerequisite for needing life is being dead. Death is the absence of life. The sheep were spiritually dead. Jesus explained this to the Jewish teacher Nicodemus in John 3. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus didn’t understand and Jesus explained to Nicodemus: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8).

Q: Why couldn’t the sheep acquire life on their own?

A: As Jesus explained to Nicodemus the life that God gives in the new birth is of spiritual origin. It is God’s life. This is the life that Adam and Eve lost when they sinned. The sheep had no capacity or ability to create this life on their own. God is the creator of life. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). … even so in Christ shall all be made alive (I Corinthians 15:22).

Q: Now that the sheep have life, God’s life, and are the Lord’s sheep, what are the sheep to do?

A: The John 10 passage explains that the sheep are to listen, recognize His voice, hear and follow. “…the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10: 3-5). The sheep will only follow Jesus and will flee from strangers.

Q: What does the Good Shepherd do?

A: Earlier we saw that the Shepherd purchased the sheep with His blood. From this passage in John we see that Jesus speaks to the sheep by name and leads them. Picture the Shepherd walking along the path in front of the sheep, gently speaking to the sheep, addressing them by name as He leads them in the path of their life. The shepherd also protects the sheep. “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:7-9).

Q: Are there other dangers?

A: Yes, there is the fake shepherd, the hireling. The hireling does not own the sheep and cares more about himself than he cares about the sheep. “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep” (John 10:12-13).

Q: Will you explain how the story and how the example of sheep applies to mankind?

A: Jesus elaborates on this very issue: “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10: 15-18). We see that Jesus explains that His sacrifice is known by His father and actually commanded by His Father and that His sacrifice is voluntary. He has the power to lay down His life and He has the power to take it up again. Also, very importantly He also indicates that He has other sheep. These are the Gentiles and these other sheep will hear His voice. He goes on to say that these other sheep will become part of His one-fold (the church) and He will be their one Shepherd.

In addition, Jesus changes from the analogy of sheep to man. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9). Notice the provision of pasture is reminiscent of Psalms 23.

Q: How would you summarize these thoughts?

A: Clearly the Shepherd loves the sheep as proven by His willingness to die for them, His willingness to speak to them and to lead them, His willingness to protect them and provide for them. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7).

In response the sheep love the Shepherd. “We love him, because he first loved us” (I John 4:19). We see that love is the motivator in the Lord’s flock for both the Shepherd and the sheep. “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).

The sheep follow the Shepherd to life.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalms 100:3).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about “why did Jesus come?”.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Do you ever marvel over the fact that Jesus came to earth as a man? Do you find it amazing that God would do this?
What does Jesus coming to earth as a man indicate about God?
Think about the dependence that the sheep has on the shepherd. Can you identify as a sheep in this scenario? How important does this make Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to you?
Think about ownership. Think about the exclusivity of ownership. Think about Jesus coming unto His own. How does it feel to be owned by Jesus?
Think about the role of the sheep. Sheep listen and hear the Shepherd’s voice. Sheep follow the Shepherd. If you are a believer, are you listening and following?
Think about the role of the shepherd to speak to, to lead, to protect and to provide for the sheep. Can you think of specific ways you have experienced this care?
Think about the price that the Shepherd paid for people to become His sheep. Can you grasp the measure of such love?

Seeking Significance

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

Don’t you wonder why some people do the things they do? Don’t you wonder why some people say the things they say? Don’t you wonder why you do or say somethings? These doings and sayings that we wonder about get noticed. That is why we are wondering about them. Have you ever watched a toddler doing some kind of trick to the delight of an audience of adults? Often, they will do it over and over again, each time to the applause of the adult audience. The message sent is, “Look at me!” The response returned is, “I am looking!”

The attention gained by such doing or sayings provides a “pay off”. It says, “I am here and I am visible.” In that moment the doer and the speaker have significance. Significance speaks to importance or value. Think about this: If you lost a penny, how hard would your search for it? If you lost $100 bill how hard would you search for it? The significance of the search is directly correlated to the value and importance of the lost item.

This is part of the human condition, to desire to be significant. We all want to matter, to make a difference and to be valued. One common way to gain some significance is to belong to some group. This group could be your family, your neighborhood, an organization, some movement, a political party, a church, etc. Belonging is linked with significance.

Clearly, there are right ways and wrong ways to obtain significance.

Let’s look at some wrong ways. Being a bully establishes significance. Bullies hurt people. Bullies exercise power. People notice a bully. People are afraid of a bully. People avoid a bully. However, people do not ignore a bully. To not be ignored is to establish significance.

I suspect that individuals who commit horrendous crimes, like mass shootings are driven to be significant. I have noticed that the media has started to make efforts to not name or recognize the perpetrator. Recently, the twentieth anniversary of the notorious Columbine school shooting was being recognized.

A Denver television station had several specials about the event and the victims but openly acknowledged that they were not going to cover anything about the shooters. This is a strategy that might have some deterrent effect. The strategy is: those thinking about committing such an act (copycat) in order to establish their significances would see that they might not get the attention they were hoping to get. I don’t know how we would ever know if this works.

I have wondered about the intensity of activist groups and what motivates their members. I think we can assume that the individual members may have some genuine concern and belief about the validity of the activist groups’ cause. However, what is the basic motivation of the individuals involved?

A personal experience gave me some insight. The situation involved the need for a special use permit from the county government for a friend to operate a commercial dog breeding kennel. There was to be a hearing and an opportunity for those to speak in support or in opposition to the granting of the permit. I know and respect the applicant so I chose to speak in support.

I was in for a surprise. There was some warning before the hearing because I had seen an article in the local newspaper about opposition to the permit from members of the PETA organization. The opposition showed up in large numbers to protest with signs and chants. There was a very hostile atmosphere with obvious anger and outrage. The permit applicant was viciously attacked verbally. It was scary!

Clearly, there was a group dynamic that energized the participants. I have since reflected often about what I had witnessed. Here is an interesting observation. Since the hearing, I have seen a number of the opposition participants in stores and restaurants. Although I don’t know any of them personally, my observation is they seem like ordinary folk. They appear to be mild mannered and calm. A complete contrast to what I witnessed at the hearing.

My analysis has led me to the conclusion that apart from any personal commitments to the activist issue, the participant as part of the protest group have found significance. Suddenly, they leave their ordinary daily life and have found importance and can be noticed. They have a sense of power. By conjecture I expand this conclusion to others who are members of protest and activist groups that often appear in the news.

I read a book by a Christian writer who was part of what most would consider the left-wing fringe. The book was primarily about how the Lord worked in the author’s life in this culture, but the author told about a friend who was a professional protester. This friend like to participate in protests and he was not particularly interested in the causes. He just liked having a significant role as part of the group and he enjoyed the energy. Sometimes he was paid, another motivation.

Some other anecdotal evidence has appeared in some of the on the street interviews I have seen on television. The scene is: the “on the street reporter” puts a microphone in the face of a protester and asks some relevant question about the issue being protested. The protester’s response indicates they have very little understanding about the issue being protested but the protester is significantly involved and perceive what they are doing as important.

A disclaimer is appropriate here: Probably the reporter has been selective about the interviews shown because their point was to show that the protester did not know much about the issue that is being protested. Probably there were other interviews where the person could coherently discuss the issue being protested but were not shown.

The point of these illustrations is belonging to a group provides a sense of significance that is hard to achieve as individuals. An additional point is that doing outlandish things or saying extreme things can generate a stronger sense of significance.

I want to pause and observe a reflection my wife and I had after the experience at the hearing about the dog breeding kennel. The PETA opposition people were acting like a mob. My wife and I thought that must have been the mob atmosphere as the crowds were shouting at the trial of Jesus, “Crucify Him” (Mark 15:13). Further, probably some members of that mob may have been part of the crowd that a few days earlier had been shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord –the King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

Let’s look at the positive side of significance. It is valuable to be involved in doing something good that helps someone else. This is a loving thing to do. It is beneficial to say something that supports, encourages or helps someone else. This is a loving thing to do. Most professions provide a service or produce a product that is useful to others. This is a good thing and it is significant.

Positional significance occurs when because of a position that a person possesses, they have authority and responsibility. Simply they can do “stuff” that affects others. Let’s look at some examples: I held the position of son, not much authority but responsibility. I have also held the position of father, grandfather, great-grand father, farmer, classroom teacher, school administrator and university professor.

Each position had authority and responsibility. Because I could do “stuff” and say “stuff” that affected others, I had significance. Some other examples: law enforcement officers, governors, judges, the President of the United States. Each has positional significance because of their authority and responsibilities.

Where does all this need for significance come from? Why is it so universal? Is it legitimate? We have looked at a few examples, both positive and negative of exercising significance. To explore the answer, we need to look at the nature of man. To be even more precise we need to look at the creation of man. The information on the creation of man is found in the Word of God.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27).

There is innate significance to be found in the fact that human beings are created in the image of God. There is value in being created in the image of God. The mere fact of this creation in God’s image speaks of significance. This means that apart from anything a person may or may not do they possess significance because of being image bearers of God.

This wonderful fact cannot be understated. Because the image bearer has life, that life came from God and therefore has value. Human lives have value because they have significance. Hence, the commandment: “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

Positional significance can be linked to being in a certain family. Believers in the Lord Jesus are in God’s family.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26).

To the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he has made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesian 1:6).

To be accepted, to belong, to be part of, blesses someone with significance. The opposite of being accepted is being rejected. Rejection is painful and to be avoided. In this verse Jesus who is the beloved has made us acceptable and accepted. Praise God!

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:4).

It is significant to be chosen. Perhaps you have experienced this scene. Recess time on the playground and a softball game is being organized. Teams are needed so two students are identified as captains and they begin to alternately choose students for their teams. The students are lined up against the playground fence to await their fate. The demonstration of significance begins.

The captains compete to choose the perceived best players. Clearly, the first chosen are the best and most significant. What about the last chosen? Clearly, they are the least significant. Have you ever been among the last chosen? How did you feel? How significant were you?

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12 NIV).

The exciting message of this verse is that believers were chosen by God. Not only were believers chosen but notice the choosing was done before the world was made. If that were not enough, believers will be holy and without blame before God. An additional touch, in love. Talk about significance! If you are a believer, now how do you feel about being chosen?

The words: “I love you”, impute significance. Interestingly, the words provide significance to both the hearer and the speaker. The hearer receives significance because someone had declared a love commitment. The speaker receives significance because they have initiated the declaration of value to someone, who will receive benefit. To be able to provide a benefit to someone is a significant act.

We love him, because he first loved us (I John 4:19).

Reciprocal declaration of love is significant to both parties. How often does the declaration of “I love you” receive the response, “I love you, too”? To love and be loved is a very foundational part of significance. Now, when did the Lord love us first?

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Jesus declared:

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).

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:11).

How could there be any greater significance than being loved by God? First, everyone has significance because everyone is part of God’s creation. Notice in this verse that all of creation was created for the purpose of the Lord’s pleasure. How significant to be a source of pleasure for the God of the universe!

Just think of Christ Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for mankind. Ponder the significance of the Lord’s act of salvation for His creation. How significant is that for each person personally?

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (I Peter 3:18).

Consider the significance of being created in God’s image, believers being members of God’s family, citizens in His kingdom, accepted, chosen and loved. This is all bestowed significance as a gift and demonstration by the Lord and is a positional significance. This is not of our “doing” and has become a matter of “being”. How good is that?

Clearly, we have demonstrated that significance is found in both who we are, “being” and our activities and the things we produce, “doing”. In a class he was teaching at Denver Seminary Dr. Dallas Willard made this statement, “We tend to attach significance to doing.”

Assuming both “being” and “doing” are legitimate sources of significance. and that significance for “being” is bestowed and significance for “doing” is good. Both are valid. Therefore, we have this issue: Do you and I depend more on what we do for significance or is our significance found in who we are in Christ?

Something to ponder: There is significance that is bestowed by God. However, as we act out of that bestowed significance, we do good. People are created with the capacity to do good. This good has significance.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about seeking significance.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Can you think of a few ways that you are significant?
Now, think of ways you feel significant. Do these ways match?
Name some examples that you have witnessed of negative efforts to obtain significance. Can you think of some ways that you may have sought significance in a negative way? You don’t have to name them.
Can you list some ways that significance had been bestowed upon you from God?
List some significant doings that you have do routinely.
What are some ways you can bestow significance on someone else, either for who they are or something they have done? Recognizing and acknowledging legitimate significance for others is a positive reinforcer.
Name some people who have acknowledged your significance. How did that make you feel?
Think of and list some ways and reasons that the Lord is significant to you.

Sheep Talking

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 2, 2021)

Did you know that sheep talk? My wife and I have had some sheep for over twenty years. Sheep make sounds that communicate. There are unique sounds between a mother and her baby. My wife calls it mama talk. There are sounds that are made when the sheep want to be fed or released from the corral to go out to pasture. Then there are distress sounds that come when a sheep is separated from the flock or that occurs when lambs are weaned.

However, that is not the kind of sheep talk we are going to explore. The very familiar twenty-third Psalm is a sheep talking. Did you ever think about that? What I am going to do is go bit by bit through the Psalm and first identify what the sheep is saying and secondly, explore what the sheep knows or has experienced that is the thinking behind what the sheep says.

When we talk what we say comes from our knowledge and experience. Have you ever heard someone talking and your thought is they don’t know what they are talking about? It is annoying and the person sounds phony. That will not be the case here because David having been a shepherd knows about shepherds and sheep. Let’s get started.

Knowledge that has value is based on truth. Truth has authority. Have you ever heard someone say when expounding some knowledge that they have it on good authority? The authority I will be using is the authority of the Word of truth, the Scriptures.

The sheep says: “The LORD is my shepherd”

The sheep know: The sheep knows that this is his shepherd and that the shepherd belongs to the sheep. The key word is “my”. My speaks of ownership. My stuff is mine. It belongs to me. It is my property, my possession. The sheep also knows that he is owned by the shepherd. Ownership and belonging are very important.

My wife and I own sheep. Here is the way it works. Each spring and summer I go regularly to the local livestock auction and I purchase light lambs. Light lambs are smaller lambs that need to grow before they are large enough to go to market as fat lambs to be processed and end up in the meat counter at the grocery store. Our plan is to feed them in our pasture and feed them additional hay and for them to grow to market weight and be ready to sell.

I purchase the sheep and we now own them and they belong to us. They are our property and possession. I have a document that I receive at the auction when I pay for the sheep that is a bill of sale. The person who brought the sheep to the auction to sell them no longer owns them. They are no longer the seller’s property. Later, we will take the sheep to the auction and sell them. Then we will no longer own them and they are no longer our property. They are no longer in our possession. The sheep will no longer belong to us because the person who buys them will now own them and the sheep belong to them and are their property and in their possession.

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins (Ephesian 1:7 NLT).

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light (I Peter 2:9 NLT).

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him (Ephesians 1:14 NLT).

The Lord as my shepherd belongs to me. Possessions have value. Let’s look at the value found in having the Lord as my shepherd. What do we know about this shepherd?

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:14).

What is the Good Shephard like? The sheep know they are owned by the Shepherd because the Shepherd said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:14). Jesus goes on to say: “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice” (John 10: 2-4).

The Good Shephard is committed to His sheep, so committed to the sheep that He will die for them. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). The Good Shephard knows the sheep that are His and those sheep know Him. A sacrificially committed Shephard who knows the sheep is very valuable.

The sheep say: “I shall not want.”

The sheep knows: The Shephard will provide everything that the sheep needs. The sheep needs food, water, shelter and protection.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7).

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (John 10:9).

The sheep know that they are going to be fed and watered. They are safely protected in the shelter of the Shepherd’s fold and that the Shephard is the door. Since He is the door no thief or robber can come and take the sheep.

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (I Peter 1:5).

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled (John 17:12).

The sheep say: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

The sheep knows: That green pastures are really good food. The green pasture is so luxurious that the sheep eats his fill and then lies down in the pasture. Sheep lying down in the pasture are full. The shepherd will address thirst needs by leading the sheep to water. The sheep knows these physical needs are met by the Shepherd. The sheep knows that shepherd leads and all the sheep has to do to received great care is to follow.

This is what Jesus said: “…the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice” (John 10:3-4).

The sheep say: “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

The sheep knows: The Shepherd will meet emotional and spiritual needs and provide leadership in righteous paths. The sheep knows that the Shepherd’s motivation is for His name’s sake. Since the sheep belong to the shepherd, the Shepherd’s reputation is linked to His sheep. The sheep know that they are receiving super care.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11).

The sheep say: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

The sheep knows: He is safe! The sheep understands that the Shepherd is always there to protect and comfort no matter how scary the situation may be. This includes life threatening situations. The sheep also knows that the Shepherd is armed with a rod and staff to provide that protection. Jesus said: “…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20). We also read, “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

The sheep say: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

The sheep knows: That provisions have been planned and prepared even in times and places of danger. The anointing of oil speaks to the thought that the sheep is special. The Shepherd caries oil to apply to wounds or abrasions that could cause discomfort and stress. As the sheep sits at the prepared table, he or she has an abundance of all that is needed in the picture of a cup so full it is running over.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

…for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things (Matthew 6:32).

The sheep say: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

The sheep knows: That following the Shepherd means that his whole life is going to be good and he will receive mercy. For our analogy the sheep knows he will safely be in the Shepherd fold which is the Lord’s house.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

I am sure you noticed that we have been looking at what the sheep say about the Shepherd in Psalms 23 and what the Shepherd is saying about the sheep in John 10. I am also sure you noticed that what the sheep say and the what the Shepherd says are in agreement. This makes me very happy to meditate on what the sheep says and the Shepherd confirms. I am very glad to be a sheep and that the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is my shepherd and that I belong to Him.

The Lord is My Shepherd

Psalms 23

Jesus the Good Shepherd

John 10:1-18

More adventures in Biblical thinking about sheep talking.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Think about ownership. Think about the things you own. How important are your possessions to you? List a few of your most valued possessions.
Think about people as possessions. We don’t think about people as being part of our property that would be something like slavery. However, I say, “my wife”, “my children”, “my friends”. Can you hear relationship claimed as a possession in these statements? Now, can you name some people that fit in this model for you? Can you name some people who would consider you as a relationship possession. Is God included?
Think about provisions. List some daily provisions that you receive and rely upon. Can you identify the Lord’s role in these provisions? Can you name an incident when you were keenly aware that it was a special provision from the Lord?
Think about protection. The concept of guardian angel is rather common in our culture but can you think of ways that you are protected? Can you see the Lord’s hand in this? Reflect on this verse: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (I Peter 5:7).
Think about following. We follow directions. We follow instructions. Sometimes we follow people. Example: tour guide. Think of line of preschoolers holding a rope following their teacher. Now, think about following Jesus. I visualize looking at His back. My wife visualizes looking at His heels. How do you visualize following the Good Shepherd?
Think about hearing the Good Shepherd. Are you listening? To hear you have to listen. Can you recall a parent saying to you, “You are not listening!”? If you are a parent, have you ever said to one of your children, “You are not listening!”? How do you go about listening to the Good Shepherd?
Think about being called by name. When our name is called, we respond because the calling of our name is specific personal recognition. We are identified by our name. Our name is on our birth certificate. We introduce ourselves with: “My name is—“. When we reflect on ownership and relationship, each “my” had a name. My wife has a name. My children have names. My friends have names. List some of your “my’s” by name. Then mediate on the fact the Good Shepherd knows your name. Don’t forget the Good Shepherd has a name. The Good Shepherd’s name is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Decision Made Easy

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13).

Your choice

truth and not truth

believe truth

good and not good

do good

kind and not kind

be kind

patient and not patient

be patient

honest and not honest

be honest

faithful and not faithful

be faithful

generous and not generous

be generous

joyful and not joyful

be joyful

peaceful and not peaceful

be peaceful

friendly and not friendly

be friendly

in self-control and not in self-control

be in self-control

lovely and not lovely

be lovely

of good report and not of good report

be of good report

wise and not wise

be wise

read the Bible and not read the Bible

read the Bible

love your neighbor and not love your neighbor

love your neighbor

love God and not love God

love God

pray and not pray

pray

trust and not trust

trust

hope and not hope

hope

live and not live

live

believe and not believe

believe

rest and not rest

rest

life and not life

life

obey and not obey

obey

godly and not godly

be godly

Add to this list or make your own list

You choose

How to Know Jesus More

Jesus gives the formula:

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them (John 14:21 NLT).

Love Jesus

Obey Jesus

Know Jesus

Love Jesus More

Obey Jesus More

Know Jesus More

Love Jesus Even More

Obey Jesus Even More

Know Jesus Even More

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:13).

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (Ephesians 1:17).

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:10).

Love

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself (Luke 10:27).

Obey

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

Know

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen (II Peter 3:18).

Loving—Obeying–Knowing

The Unnecessary Burden of Guilt

What does a believer do when they recognize that they have sinned? This will happen. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25). The Holy Spirit that indwells believers will convict the believer when they sin. The conviction of sin disrupts the believer’s walk with the Lord. The believer “feels” guilty and they are guilty. A sense of loss of peace occurs. There is an uneasiness. The Holy Spirit through the renewed mind will then reveal the sin to the believer.

Again, what is a believer to do about this sin that they are now aware? Praise God, there is an answer from Scripture. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9). We start by confessing. “Lord, I confess that I have sinned by _________. It may be a sin of commission or omission. The key is to name the sin. The matter may be major or minor. What has happened is sin has interrupted close relationship with the Lord.

Now a wonderful thing happens; after the believer has confessed, the Lord forgives and cleanses. To make the confessing, forgiving, cleansing even more sure the verse affirms that the confessing, forgiving, cleansing is guaranteed by faithfulness of the Lord. To make it even more clear the verse tells us that He is just in forgiving and cleansing. He is just because the confessed sin along with all the other sins of the believer were paid for by Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.

Here there can be a problem. As believers become aware of their sin, they feel guilty and in the sorrow of repenting and confessing, the guilty feelings and perhaps the dirty feelings linger. Also, sometimes the guilty feelings are accompanied with a sense of shame. When this happens, there is a tendency to try to hide from God. Remember that is exactly when Adam and Eve did after they sinned in the Garden of Eden. The Lord went looking for them and found them.

While we are on the subject of the bondage of guilt, let’s look at another kind of guilt that can capture a person. This is false guilt. What is false guilt? Simply put: false guilty is feeling guilty for something for which you are not guilty. How can a person be forgiven for a sin that they did not commit?

Hence, there is not relief for the guilt and self-imposed punishment follows. To make matters even worse since the self-imposed punishment is based on false guilt, the punishment can never be sufficient because the false guilt remains. Therefore, punishment must go on and on. What bondage!

Here is another opportunity to exercise faith and believe the Scripture. The Lord’s forgiveness and cleansing are guaranteed by His faithfulness and justice. It is embarrassing to contemplate but the believers’ failure to believe that they are forgiven and cleansed is actually another sin. Remember that which is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

This provision from the Lord is wonderful because by exercising I John 1:9 a believer can enjoy living in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit. To grasp the full context of the I John 1:9 and verify that the issue being discussed is a fellowship relationship with the Lord, here is the complete related passages. Read it!

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (I John 1: 5-10).

Now let’s come at this issue of guilt from another angle by exploring what it looks like to be enjoying the fellowship of a walk with the Lord. We will also look at some warnings. Follow along as we explore this passage of Scripture.

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (II Peter 1:1-2).

This is a position truth for every believer. Peter starts by identifying himself with others: “that obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”. He goes on mention grace and peace that comes “through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord”.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Peter 1:3-4).

This is a possession truth. Believers have a divine nature, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and because of this His divine power “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness”. Think of it. Believers are fully equipped to lead a godly life. If that were not enough, there is more: “given unto us exceeding great and precious promises”. One more thing, believers are rescued from sin, “having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:5-8).

Remember in verse five: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add”? Notice the word, “add”. Faith+virtue+knowledge+temperance+patience+godliness+brotherly kindness+charity = never be barren or unfruitful. This formula provides a guarantee abounding in a useful and fruitful walk with the Lord.

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins (II Peter 1:9).

Here is a warning and a rebuke. If these things listed in the formula above are lacking, the believer has forgotten “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9). The believer is acting like their sins are not forgiven. They are living under the burden of guilt. What a shame to be carrying such a burden.

What is sad is the believer keeps thinking about and emphasizing their sin in their thinking. It is also sad because thoughts of the Lord Jesus are colored by a sense of unworthiness and guiltiness instead of the wonderful exceedingly great and precious promises. Also, the wonderful fruit of the Spirit listed in the formula are not on display.

In addition, when a born-again believer seems to be repeatedly focusing on their sinfulness and past sins, this may be a signal that they are not living as person whose sins are forgiven. Somehow, they are not experiencing these truths from I John.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:10-11).

Here is a serious consideration. There is the guarantee: “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” There is the implied warning: “make your calling and election sure”. It is possible that if a person is not doing “these things” they may not be a believer? However, if a person is doing “these things” then “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance (II Peter 1:12-15).

Peter summarized by pointing out that he is bringing these things into remembrance for the believers even though he knows that they already know them. He goes on to state that as long as he is alive, he will continue to remind the believers about these things. He goes further to say that he wants them to be remembered even after he has passed. I assume that is a purpose for the letter.

Let’s review what important things believers are to remember:

Believers have a divine nature given by the power of God
Believers have received exceeding great and precious promises
Believers who are on the path to godliness have that wonderful fellowship restoration formula
Through the divine nature believers are able to do the formula with a guarantee that they will be successful and will never fall
If these things are not characteristic in the life of a believer, it is because they are blind and have forgotten that their sins are forgiven and are living a life of guilt.
If these things are not characteristic in the life of a person, they may not be a believer (by their fruits you shall know them)
It is very important to remember these things

Closing thought: As I reflected back on Peter’s emphasis on remembering not to forget that our sins are forgiven, I wondered. I wondered if the Lord Jesus asked believers to remember His sacrifice in the communion ceremony of the bread and cup to help them remember that their sins are forgiven.

This communion ceremony called by different names: The Lord’s Supper, the breaking of bread and the cup, the remembrance time, is celebrated throughout Christendom. I read recently that the communion ceremony is the one thing that is held in common throughout all the divisions within Christianity.

The very act of participating in physically taking of the bread and the cup necessitates a focus on the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ. The activity of taking the emblems of bread and wine into our bodies is a very tangible connection. This creates a personal connection to the death of Jesus and the atoning work of His death on the cross. It seems strange that believers would forget that they are forgiven but yet it is true. Hence the reminder to not forget.

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the unnecessary burden of guilt.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Think about the concept of guilt. The convict is declared guilty by the jury. Simply this declaration means the convicts committed the deed for which they were charged. Now, can you think of something about which you are or were guilty. Is it something you can talk about?
A principle of a good relationship is the absence of offenses between parties. Of course, this principle would be true of the relationship between God and mankind in general. How does this principle apply to the relationship between a born-again believer who is child of God and the Lord? Think about sin as the problem. Where does disobedience fit?
Think about confession. Confession is, “I did it.” Think about forgiveness as a response to confession. Do you see a solution to broken relationship here? Explain.
Think about false guilt. When I was practicing as a counselor, I often found people struggling with false guilt. Often this false guilt had been imposed on them by a parent or someone in authority. Guilt had been used as a punishment or a motivator. What was particularly sad was to see someone who had been held responsible for the emotional state of a parent. Can you identify some examples of false guilt?
Think about the relief that comes from knowing that the Lord is faithful and just to respond to our confession with forgiveness. Do you think the Lord welcomes confession?
Do you know someone who seems to be repeatedly focusing on their sins past, present, and sometimes future? Is it you? Does this indicate as Peter suggests that they have forgotten that they are forgiven? The Lord’s forgiveness is truth and the truth makes us free. Spend some time reflecting on this.
Peter exhorted believers to do an addition exercise. Here is his formula: Faith+virtue+knowledge+temperance+patience+godliness+brotherly kindness+charity = never be barren or unfruitful. Compare this kind of thinking with a feeling of guilt or a focus on sin.

God’s Economy

The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (Psalms 24:1).

Image Bearers

By the word, economy, we simply mean the way things work in God’s system. First, we will look at God’s economy in relation to theology. The scriptures teach basic concepts and basic relationships that are involved with God’s relationship with mankind. A fundamental concept is God created everything including man. Man is a unique creation in that man was created in the image of God.

Let’s pause and look more closely at what it means to be created in the image of God. J. I. Packer in. Knowing God, (1973)gives us some insight:

This is what the Bible means when it tells us that God made man in His own image (Gen. 1:26f.) –namely, that God made man a free spiritual being, a responsible moral agent with powers to choose and action, able to commune with Him and respond to Him, and by nature good, truthful, holy, upright (cf. Eccles. 7:29): in a word godly.

The moral qualities which belonged to the divine image were lost in the Fall; God’s image in man has been universally defaced, for all mankind has in one way or another lapsed into ungodliness. But the Bible tells us that now, in fulfilment of His plan of redemption, God is at work in believers to repair His ruined image by communicating these qualities to them afresh. This is what scripture means when it says that believers are being renewed in the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18) and of God (Col. 3:10) (pages 89-90).

There is a way that image bearing works in God’s economy.

Property Rights

Aligned with the fact of creation, is the principle that that which is created is the property of the creator. This property right of the person who creates something is still in practice in cultures today (patents, trademark, copyrights). The creator has no need to consult the creation about how the creation is created.

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonor? (Romans 9: 20-21).

God is sovereign and He can do what He pleases with His creation. Clearly it is not ours to question. A clear application is the way we were made was God’s prerogative. This includes the sex, the race, how tall, what we look like, the color of our eyes, the size of our ears and the family of origin we were assigned. The truth is we are to accept how God made us and even when He made us. The choice about all of these details of “who we are” were His choices not our choices.

There is a way that property rights work in God’s economy.

Sin and Redemption

In the Garden of Eden story, the scriptures explain the original sin and how sin came upon the human race–complete with the fall, death and the curses. The doom of man could only be averted by a saving act by God. Early on we see that a blood sacrifice was required to provide redemption. Throughout the Old Testament there is the pattern of animal sacrifice for atonement that was clearly defined in the details of the Law of Moses. Scripture clearly explains that these blood sacrifices were only temporary and had to be repeated. These redemptive practices foreshadowed the advent of Christ’s final and complete sacrifice of Himself that provided the complete salvation.

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9: 12).

In book after book in the Old Testament we see the struggle with sin and disobedience of mankind. We see God’s intervention and action both in rescue and in judgment. These lessons tell us much about both the nature of God and the nature of man the sinner. The application for today is for us to better understand who God is and how He interacts with mankind and to see how it applies in our personal lives and in the world around us today. This knowledge becomes part of our belief system.

In the New Testament much explanation is given to contrasting the ways God related to the nation of the Jews with how He is relating to believers today. Scripture talks about the new covenant and the old covenant. The role of the law and how it relates to believers is discussed. We learn that no one is saved by the keeping of the law and that by the law is knowledge of sin. We also learn that the law is holy and true and that God has not recanted on the principles of holy behavior that the law requires. However, we learn that with the advent of the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers a new and wonderful capacity has been given to enable believers to live godly lives.

We also learn that in God’s economy there is a very big story of redemption and restoration. We learn there will be a new heaven and new earth. There will be a restoration of all things. There will be a final judgment and removal of evil. There is the big picture of what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. With study of the scripture we can identify where we fit into this big picture in this present time. All of this information provides the context that we need to formulate our belief system. God has not left us ignorant and unprepared to know Him and to live lives pleasing to Him.

There is a way that sin and redemption work in God’s economy.

Faith

The importance of faith as a factor in God’s economy is a critical in establishing our belief system.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him… (Hebrews 11:6).

…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews goes on to list a great honor roll of Bible characters who were examples of people demonstrating faith.

There is a way that faith works in God’s economy.

Structure

We see structure in creation. What we know about atoms and molecules indicates specific and often precise structure. The Periodic Table from chemistry is organized around these structures. Our bodies and the bodies of plants are intricately structured both from the skeletal aspects and the various “systems”: digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, reproductive, excretory, etc.

The geographical terrain has structure. We see structure and symmetry in the shapes of plants. Think of the shape of trees. Look at the details of a flower. How about root systems? Consider seeds.

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these (Luke 12:27).

There is structure in families. Parents and children, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and in-laws. We can even diagram a family tree. Our dwellings have structure and we even call them “structures”. Both the tabernacle and the temple had specific structural details from God.

The universe as best we can understand it has structure and operates under specific structural principles. What we call natural laws or scientific principles have structure and the structure is so reliable that these are predictable. Because of the reliable structure we can harness our world for our benefit with machines and other utilitarian purposes that make our life easier and more comfortable.

There is a way that structure works in God’s economy.

Sequence

Things happen in a specific order. The seasons come in order: summer, fall, winter, spring. Night follows day or perhaps we can think that day follows night. The GPS on the mobile phone has a little voice that gives directions for how to get from point A to point B. Birth follows conception. Metamorphosis follows in order, egg, larva, pupae, butterfly. Seed, new plant, mature plant, fruit.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come (Mark 4:26-29).

Salvation follows belief in the Lord Jesus.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

Peterson identifies this sequence, creation, salvation and blessing.

Born-again, babe in Christ, growth in Christ, mature believer, translated believer.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (I Peter 2:2).

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13 (NLT).

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body (Romans 8:23).

There is a way that sequence works in God’s economy.

Summary

We have looked at just a few examples of segments of God’s economy to illustrate, there is a way things work. It only makes sense that the God of the universe would have proper and effective ways that things work in His universe. It makes sense that it would be wise for each individual to get in sync with the way things work. Fortunately, the Lord has not left us without directions about how things work. Try framing your thinking to discern how things work as you arrive at decisions and make choices. This just makes sense. Perhaps you can think of other elements of God’s economy.

Note: some excerpts of God’s Economy were taken from my book, The Mystery of Godliness (2019).

More adventures in Biblical thinking about God’s Economy.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Think about the concept of economy. There are many segments to the overall economy of our country. Can you identify some of them? What segment of the economy mostly directly impacts your life?
Think of your routine life as an individual economy segment. Now, identify some routine structures in your family life, in your personal life, in your community, in your employment (past or current).
There are ways economies operate. These ways can be defined as the way things work. We even hear people saying that “the economy is really working well” or “the economy is not really working well. Identify and describe features of the way things work in the economy of your personal life.
Reflect on ways you are aware of God’s economy working in the world in general.
Reflect on ways you are aware of God’s economy working in your life personally.
How can understanding of the way God’s economy works provide a sense of safety and security in your life?

There Is A Difference

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

What is the difference between a shepherd and a sheep herder?

Background

My wife and I have had sheep for over twenty years. At times we have had as few as two and at other times have had up to eighty. We like sheep and have a micro operation. We have operated two different programs: a breeding program with a small flock of ewes who have lambs each spring and we sell lambs in the fall and a feeder program where we buy light lambs and pasture them until they reach market weight and then we sell them.

Where we live, we are surrounded by neighbors who are sheep producers. Two of our neighbors are macro producers with flocks of several thousand head. Our closest neighbor is a smaller producer with a flock close to five hundred after the lambs are born. Being in the sheep business I am also acquainted with a number of other sheep producers; some are breeding operations and some have feedlots.

Relevance to the Question

Part of a sheep operation necessarily requires moving the flock of sheep from one place to another. There are two methods for moving the sheep. The sheep can be led or they can be driven. When sheep are being led, they follow the shepherd. When sheep are being driven, they flee from the sheep herder.

Sheep are prey animals and are therefore vulnerable to predators. When a shepherd leads the sheep, the sheep are not afraid of the shepherd. There exists a relationship of safety so the sheep are willing to follow and choose to follow. When a sheep herder drives the sheep, the sheep are afraid of the sheep herder. There exists a prey animal—predator animal relationship between the sheep and the sheep herder. Sheep want to get close to the shepherd and they want to get away from the sheep herder.

Interestingly, the macro operations often use dogs to help them move the sheep. A popular breed of herding dog is the Border collie, although there are some other herding breeds. The sheep are afraid of the herding dogs because the herding dogs will chase them and may nip them. The goal of the sheep herder and his herding dogs is to put pressure on the sheep, for the sheep to yield to that pressure and move in the direction that is desired. In this situation the sheep experience an external motivation for movement (fear). Often these dogs are well trained to the commands of the sheep herder. A well-trained herding dog is amazing to watch.

As an aside, these large sheep operations also have guard dogs that stay with the flock to protect the sheep from predators. A popular breed of guard dogs is Great Pyrenes, although there are some other guard dog breeds. The guard dogs stay with the flock, night and day. The sheep are not afraid of the guard dogs. The guard dogs will very calmly walk through the flock and sheep are not disturbed. I have seen guard dogs and sheep laying side by side.

In our micro flock, sometimes, we are shepherds and sometimes we are sheep herders. The flock is small and we are close to them every day. We let them out to pasture in the morning and close them in the corral in the evening. We do this to protect them from predators because we don’t have a guard dog. The sheep are used to being handled and they know us well. We talk to them. They are dependent on us and we can walk through the flock without disturbing them.

However, there are times when we become sheep herders and drive the sheep. This usually happens when we are sorting them or are loading them into the stock trailer. This explanation about the distinctions between a shepherd and a sheep herder is not a judgment matter. This simply is the way it is.

Application

The Bible teaches us the Lord is our Shepherd. Think of Psalms 23, “A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalms 23:1-3). Notice the word “leadeth” in bold and observe that only sheep who feel safe will lie down.

Now we will look in John chapter ten where Jesus declares Himself as the Good Shepherd, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” (John 10:4). Notice He owns the sheep, He goes before them, the sheep follow Him and the sheep know His voice. One more verse, He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11).

Clearly, a shepherd has a positive trusting relationship with the sheep. The sheep’s motivation to follow the shepherd is an internal motivation. These sheep proactively choose to move toward the shepherd because they feel safe. We know that the Lord, as the Good Shepherd, loves the sheep and gave His life for the sheep. In turn the sheep love the Shepherd. The Good Shepherd cares for the sheep. He protects, feeds, guides and treats them very gently. It is a good thing to be one of the Lord’s sheep.

This lengthy discussion about sheep, shepherds and sheep herders came about as an application to what I was experiencing as I read Christian writers and listen to some sermons. In Ephesians four we read about gifts given to the church for the building up of the body.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-13).

I have heard these gifted people given by the Lord referred to as “under shepherds”. I think this is a good characterization. Perhaps you have heard of pastors referring to “their flock”. What I began to become aware of as I read some Christian writers or listened to some preachers was that sometimes they were sounding like shepherds leading the flock and sometimes they were sounding like sheep herders driving the flock.

Some writers and speakers were predominately sounding like shepherds while others were predominately sounding like sheep herders. Often it seems like the writers and speakers move back and forth between being shepherds and being sheep herders.

What I noticed when they sounded like sheep herders, there was a lot of exhortation. The exhortation was filled with injunctions, words like “should, have to, make and must”. There may be tone of “ain’t it awful”. The implications seem to be that the readers or hearers are falling short and are not being “good” Christians or not being “good” church members.

The message is there: a need to “shape up”. The message is one of pressure. The message may be one of imposed guilt and shame or maybe even fear. The readers or hearers are set up to feel like failures who somehow are letting the Lord and others down. There is also a heavy emphasis on “doing”.

In contrast, when the Christian writer or speaker sounds like a shepherd the Lord is lifted up in a way that is inspiring to the reader or hearer. Presentations about who the Lord is and what He has done for the sheep creates feelings of thankfulness, love, praise and worship. The reader and hearer feel an internal desire to know the Lord better and move closer to Him. A love motive is stirred up in the heart of the reader and hearer. There is a heavy emphasis on “being”.

I find that I prefer to be led rather than driven. How about you?

More adventures in Biblical thinking about the difference

between a shepherd and a sheep herder.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

Can you think of places in your life where you are being led? Who is the leader and how do you feel about them?
Can you think of places in your life where you are being driven? Who is the driver and how do you feel about them?
Now let’s get personal. Think of times where you are or were a leader of others. Think of a time when you are or were a driver of others. How do you think those “others” feel in each situation? Which do you want to be a shepherd or a sheep herder?
Can you see that the Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, was a leader and not a driver? He asked the disciples to follow him. Leader and follower go together.
Think about location. The shepherd is in front. The sheep herder is in back. Both have a plan for where the flock should go. Can you see the difference?
Think about safety. Where is the safe place? Think about “close to” as contrasted with “get away from”. Now apply this to what the Scriptures tell us about the Lord Jesus.
Does this adventure in thinking deepen your understanding of being a Jesus follower?

Hear Ye

The Burning Bush

There are many great stories about Moses, a baby in the rushes found by the Princess, the confrontation with Pharaoh and the plagues, crossing the Red Sea, receiving the Ten Commandments and the burning bush. Let’s look closer at the burning bush.

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3:4-6).

I don’t want to look at the conversation between Moses and God or to precede on in the account to view the message. I want to look at the event. The God of the universe, Divine Creator spoke to a man. This direct contact was a holy event. Don’t get too close and do take off the sandals. This is holy ground. God’s revelation to His creature, man, is to be taken seriously.

Thus Saith the Lord:

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel…(Jeremiah 45:2).

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God (Ezekiel 28:6).

Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD (Exodus 7:17).

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel (I Samuel 15:2).

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren (II Chronicles 11:4).

The point of these verses is “Thus saith the LORD”. These verses are only a small sampling of the many times this phrase appears in the Scriptures. The Lord is revealing Himself to mankind in the Scriptures. Here is a sobering thought: Every time a person reads or hears a verse from the Bible, there is a preceding phrase: “Thus saith the LORD”. Since the Word of God is God’s revelation, every word is directly to each person as “Thus saith the LORD”.

Speak Lord for Thy Servant Is Listening

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth (I Samuel 3:10).

In this story the prophet, Samuel, is just a boy serving the priest, Eli. The Lord calls out to Samuel and Samuel thinks it is Eli calling him. Eli perceives that it is the Lord speaking to Samuel and instructs him to reply, “Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.” (Samuel 3:9). Earlier when we saw Moses at the burning bush, Moses said, “Here I am.”. What is the point? The point is the appropriate response to “Thus saith the LORD” is “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.”.

When we open the Scriptures, the Lord is speaking to us and we want to be listening. This is a holy transaction that is humbling and very thankworthy.

Example:

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. (Acts 22:6-11).

This is the story of the Apostle Paul’s conversion. The Lord Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, named Saul at the time, in a very dramatic way. Paul’s response to the revelation was appropriate because Paul asked, “What shall I do, Lord?”

In summary, the Lord’s revelation of Himself is a serious and wonderful happening. Receiving His revelation puts us on holy ground and the proper response is to be listening and asking what should I do. Praise the Lord, believers have ready access to the Word of God and the glorious provision of the Holy Spirit within them to provide understanding.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:16).

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1: 19-20).

For Our Pleasure

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).

So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27).

This Revelation verse is a worship verse. We love to sing it. Notice that the verse is all about the Lord. It is not about us, except as part of His creation of all things. However, the Genesis verse is about us.

Consider some deductive reasoning. Since we are created in God’s image, then we too must have some creative capacity. The Lord is Creator, capital “C” and we are creators, lower case “c”. However, we do all our creating by using the all things that the Lord has already created. The Lord’s all things are our resources. I will be creative about exploring mankind’s creating and looking at expressions of this creativity.

Thoughts

I will start with a free flow of thoughts about what appears to be creativity. Mankind procreates (after its kind). Many if not most, vocations and avocations require creative activity to be successful. We have hobbies. We make pretty things. We work at creating beauty in art and music, in home decorating, in landscaping and choices about the clothes we wear. Entertainment and stories involve creativity. Cooks use creativity in preparing a dish. Where do recipes come from? How do inventions and new tools come to be?

We use creativity to solve problems. Then we use these same problem-solving skills to improve on our creations. Besides using creativity for beauty, we use creativity to increase utility and add value. We have a saying “build a better mouse trap”.

Examples

My Grandma Jones sewed children’s clothes for the missionary barrel. People would give her pieces of cloth and discarded clothes and she would go into action and produce lovely little dresses and shirts. She was creativity in action. I can remember my Grandpa Jones coming out to the farm to visit and announcing that Grandma was busy sewing for the heathen.

I teach professional development courses to teachers. I had to be creative in my design of the courses. In the courses the teachers learn how to be creative in designing their lessons, how be creative in increasing student engagement, how to develop creative methods of assessment, how to create a good learning environment in the classroom and how to creatively motivate students to learn. All of this for the purpose of increasing student performance and learning.

Process

How does creativity happen? I believe creativity starts with an idea or vision. Ideas require thinking and thinking requires words. Follow along with me by looking at God’s creation in Genesis. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Notice God said words. When the Lord said let there be light, He knew what light was. For God to create all He had to do was speak. Usually, it is not so easy when we create, however We begin with an idea that can be expressed in words and sometimes can be illustrated with a drawing. We have some idea of what we want to create. We could communicate this idea to others. The creativity emerges in our plan for how to produce the idea. Stephen Covey uses the phrases, begin with the end in mind and backward planning.

For creative activity to produce the envisioned product it takes energy. For God the energy was in His spoken word. For us it takes more than that. The amount of energy required depends entirely on the complexity of the envisioned product. For us the process may turn out to be a challenge with trials and multiple attempts before completion. I have had a number of “good” ideas that didn’t work. We have heard of plan A and plan B.

Rest

On the seventh day the Lord rested. “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” (Genesis 2:2). Do you think the Lord was resting because He was tired? This doesn’t make sense because we know that an attribute of God is limitless power. In fact, limitless means that even after the power the Lord might use, He still has no less power available. We are not like that. Here is the clue: “Thus, the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” (Genesis 2:1). He rested because He was finished. The Lord considered what He had created and stated: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31). Creation was finished and it was very good, therefore, there was nothing more to do and so it was time to rest.

When we have completed our creation and we are satisfied with it, then it is time for us to rest. Unlike the Lord, we may want to rest because we are tired because of the energy expended in our creative activity. We realize in this time of rest we experience joy, satisfaction and pleasure. The created product is its own reward. Now, things get interesting because after this time of rest we may find we want to create again and probably try to create an even better product. This leads to wanting to share what we created with others. We may want to teach others about how to create what we created.

Owned

The creator owns what was created. The creation is the property of the creator. Since the Lord created all things, all things are His property. Since He created us, we are His property. The Lord says, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” (Psalms 50:10). What we create is ours and sometimes we protect it with trademarks, patents or copyrights. There is dignity in owning what a person creates. There is a positive sense of worth that comes from this experience but the believer understands that since they were created by the Lord any praise or honor really belongs to Him.

Artists sign their work so we know they did it and it belongs to them. I encourage students to sign their assignments before handing them in but also so they could claim it as their work. I read about a teacher who had students sign their papers at the bottom of the page rather than the traditional name at the top. The theory was the student was identifying the product they were submitting as their completed work, much like the artist who signs their work when they are finished. This practice would emphasize ownership for what the student had created.

Multiplied

What is created is meant to be shared. The Lord has shared His creation with us. Although the Lord’s creation was for His pleasure, the benefits and pleasure that we receive from His creation must multiply His pleasure. Likewise, as we create our stuff, we want to share it with others. What is the motivation for sharing? It is love because love shares and wants to have others enjoy the pleasure of creation. “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15). Love gives. We want others to be able to experience, consume and be blessed with our creation. First, ponder all of the creations of the Lord that gives you pleasure. Next, ponder all the creations of mankind that gives us pleasure. The pleasure may be experienced as beauty, utility or comfort.

Driven

As part of being created in the image of God, I believe we are driven to create. Think about how little children play. They creatively use their imagination as they play with their toys. They build things, they dress up and they create stories. The minds that the Lord gave us when He created us are busy thinking and imagining, searching and wondering. Somehow the very act of creating is its own reward. There is a saying, inward impression without outward expression leads to inward depression. When our creativeness begins to bear fruit, it must find expression in something that we create and then there follows a need for expression in sharing with others. This is a beautiful thing. Think of the song, I Can Only Imagine. The song and the movie were based on a true story of Bart Millard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng Try to listen to this song without crying in thankfulness. I can’t do it.

Part of Us

In a wonderful way what we create is part of us. What we create reveals us, who we are and what we think and do. We become part of our own creation, not materially but as an expression. This is not surprising since we are created in the image of God because it is true of God’s creation. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20 NIV). And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17).

The Reality

Here is a sobering thought. What would have happened if the Lord had not created all things? If there were not all things, there would be nothing. There would be no you and me. There would not be those people and things that we love and give us pleasure. But praise the Lord, He did create all things and He created all things for His pleasure. Including in the category of all things is His creating of you and me and those people and things that bring us pleasure. Therefore, we can sing with joy. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).

For His Pleasure

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).

This verse is a worship verse. We love to sing it. Notice that the verse is all about the Lord. It is not about us, except as part of His creation of all things. The verse answers the question, why did God create? The answer is simple and clearly stated: for His pleasure.

All Things

All things is a totally inclusive phrase. Clearly, everything that exists was created. All means the total and things covers everything. However, we are motivated to give the Lord glory, honor and power because we realize that we are one of those created things. When we consider our unique individuality in how and when we are created, we must realize that His purpose for creating each one of us was for His pleasure. Then humbly we must acknowledge that our creation has to do with a very important and valuable purpose- the Lord’s pleasure.

Are and Were

Notice that the verse uses both are and were created. This speaks of present creation and past creation. This speaks of the current and the historical. In a general way we can see that all things both as current observable creation and the historical creation of what was existing in the past. Personally, the application is I am experiencing His current creation and also, I have a history of His creation. In a way, are and were are an amplification of all things.

Just Creation

Notice that this worship, giving the Lord glory, honor and power is only addressing His creation. Since the creation involves all things, then everyone living or who ever lived has reason to worship and praise the Lord because they are part of the “all things” creation. Eugene Peterson, the author of the Message, makes this statement: The Lord creates, saves and blesses. This verse in Revelation does not address salvation and blessing. We must acknowledge that both salvation and blessing are valid reasons to declare the worthiness of the Lord to give the Lord glory, honor and power in worship. Yet, the verse only mentions creation. I believe that is because the Lord as Creator is foundational to His revelation of Himself and to our understanding. Without creation first, there would be not be salvation or blessing to follow. Before a person could be saved, they would have to be created.

Our Pleasure

Although we were created for the Lord’s pleasure as part of the “all things”, we also have the pleasure of being created. There are trials and testing in our lives, there are also pleasures. The Lord has created everything that gives us pleasure. One of the pleasures we have is to enjoy the “all things” of His creation including loved ones, beauty, pets, food, sunsets, hobbies and the things that we create. I believe He delights to give us pleasures from His creation. I close with simple mundane examples of little pleasures He has provided just for me. I go into Baskin Robins and as I look at the list of flavors on the wall, I am asked, “What is your pleasure?” I answer, “pralines and cream”. I go into Dairy Queen and look at the blizzard menu and I am asked, “What is your pleasure?” I answer, “turtle pecan”. I go into Starbucks and look at the list on the wall and I am asked, “What is your pleasure?” I answer, “white chocolate mocha”. My life and yours is filled with many pleasures both great and small that are all part of the creation of “all things”. These thoughts about “all things” fill my heart with gratitude. How about you?