For all those who follow this blog, please go to our new blog site at http://www.southtownchurch.com/blog.php
Please visit the rest of the Southtown website as well to read about our church planting plans in the Sioux Falls area.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Jesus Is Our Propitiation
Our house has become overwhelmed with boxes. Some of you may have heard that we are in the process of moving. When we first told the boys that we were moving they had some mixed reactions. Our oldest had a lot of questions, but seemed to trust the decision. Our four year old, however, was quite upset about it. As his older brother asked questions, we began to understand why he was so upset. One of the questions was, “will we get to bring our toys?” After he found out that they could bring their toys, then he wanted to know if they could bring their beds. It had never even occurred to us to explain to them what moving meant.
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As a pastor I have come to realize that sometimes when I talk about spiritual things I do not explain what I mean as well as I should and thus I can end up leaving people just as confused as my little boy was.
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For example, when talking about Jesus’ payment for sin on the cross, I will use the word “propitiation.” That word is found in 1 John 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
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The problem is that if we do not have any idea what propitiation means, then that verse does not have the meaning for us that it should have. Microsoft actually has a dictionary in the Works Word Processor program that I use. It describes propitiation as: “win somebody's favor: to appease or conciliate somebody or something.”
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So what does Jesus have to do with winning someone’s favor? To answer that question, we must first realize that without Jesus Christ, all of us are out of favor with God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Therefore, Jesus Christ is our propitiation- the one who wins our favor with God- because our sin had caused us to be out of favor with God. Read I John 2:2 again with that in mind, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
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Looking at the further part of the definition, we find that propitiation means “to appease or conciliate somebody or something.” Jesus Christ has won our favor and has appeased our sins. He appeased God the Father because there is no way that any of us could do enough to appease God for our sins. Consider as well the word “conciliate.” That means to bring two opposing sides together. Jesus’ propitiation brings us and God the Father together. Hebrews 10:1-10 shows that the Old Testament sacrifices of animals was not enough to completely appease God, but Jesus was.
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Essentially the Old Testament sacrifices were a reminder of our sin and that sin needed to be appeased, but the blood of animals was not enough to be a final propitiation. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4) But notice what happened when Jesus offered His life on the cross, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14).
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So what does it mean when Jesus perfected forever them that are sanctified? It means that by dying on the cross He was able to appease God and make us holy forever. But here is the catch. In order to be made holy forever, you must believe that Jesus really is your only hope for appeasing God.
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John 3:36 says, “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.” Without believing in Jesus’ propitiation, we are not trusting that God the Father has been appeased and therefore God’s wrath still abides upon us. Believe on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins so that you and God can be brought together.
-
As a pastor I have come to realize that sometimes when I talk about spiritual things I do not explain what I mean as well as I should and thus I can end up leaving people just as confused as my little boy was.
-
For example, when talking about Jesus’ payment for sin on the cross, I will use the word “propitiation.” That word is found in 1 John 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
-
The problem is that if we do not have any idea what propitiation means, then that verse does not have the meaning for us that it should have. Microsoft actually has a dictionary in the Works Word Processor program that I use. It describes propitiation as: “win somebody's favor: to appease or conciliate somebody or something.”
-
So what does Jesus have to do with winning someone’s favor? To answer that question, we must first realize that without Jesus Christ, all of us are out of favor with God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Therefore, Jesus Christ is our propitiation- the one who wins our favor with God- because our sin had caused us to be out of favor with God. Read I John 2:2 again with that in mind, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
-
Looking at the further part of the definition, we find that propitiation means “to appease or conciliate somebody or something.” Jesus Christ has won our favor and has appeased our sins. He appeased God the Father because there is no way that any of us could do enough to appease God for our sins. Consider as well the word “conciliate.” That means to bring two opposing sides together. Jesus’ propitiation brings us and God the Father together. Hebrews 10:1-10 shows that the Old Testament sacrifices of animals was not enough to completely appease God, but Jesus was.
-
Essentially the Old Testament sacrifices were a reminder of our sin and that sin needed to be appeased, but the blood of animals was not enough to be a final propitiation. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4) But notice what happened when Jesus offered His life on the cross, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14).
-
So what does it mean when Jesus perfected forever them that are sanctified? It means that by dying on the cross He was able to appease God and make us holy forever. But here is the catch. In order to be made holy forever, you must believe that Jesus really is your only hope for appeasing God.
-
John 3:36 says, “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.” Without believing in Jesus’ propitiation, we are not trusting that God the Father has been appeased and therefore God’s wrath still abides upon us. Believe on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins so that you and God can be brought together.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Science and Biblical History
My little brother recently purchased a payloader. I am excited about his new “toy” because I am hoping he will let me “play” with it. He also has a road grader that I would like to play with as well. I have already played with his backhoe. When we were kids, we played with Tonka toys like that, but his “toys” are real.
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It is amazing how much dirt you can move with heavy equipment, but then I think of God and his power. How many payloaders and how many years would it take to dig the Grand Canyon? I personally think that canyon was made in just a matter of days. Scientists and historians believe that the canyon was carved by water over many many years, but let us not forget that water once covered the entire earth during Noah’s flood.
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“And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.” (Genesis 7:19-20)
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It has been a while since we have had a real gully washer here in northern Iowa, but there is a reason that we call them gully washers. Even a 3 inch rain coming quickly can carve a pretty good gully out in a field.
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Still there is a big difference between a two foot gully and a canyon that is 18 miles wide and a mile deep. There is also a big difference between a 3 inch rain and water covering the whole earth. Consider what happened at the end of Noah’s flood. “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.” (Genesis 8:1-3)
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That much water running off the earth could form some pretty good gullies. However, we do not know exactly what happened. I do not even know for certain that this is how the Grand Canyon was formed, but when we look at science and Biblical history, we realize that it is a possibility to consider.
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What if all of the water did not run down at the same time? What if much of the water that formed the Grand Canyon was actually held in a huge lake and the outlet to that lake began to erode until a huge torrent of water suddenly broke loose?
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We actually have a modern day example of this sort of thing happening on a much smaller scale. After Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980 water was released from Spirit Lake on that Mountain and it showed amazing power in carving out new patterns in the landscape.
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Now imagine the whole earth saturated by the waters of a flood. The flood waters have recently receded but the ground is still saturated and prone to erosion. Suddenly there is a huge earthquake that releases the water of a sea that covers much of North America. That water goes gushing down into what is now the Southwest United States and a grand canyon is formed.
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Of course what I just wrote is only a theory, but it is a reminder that scientific theory and Biblical history do not have to be enemies.
-
It is amazing how much dirt you can move with heavy equipment, but then I think of God and his power. How many payloaders and how many years would it take to dig the Grand Canyon? I personally think that canyon was made in just a matter of days. Scientists and historians believe that the canyon was carved by water over many many years, but let us not forget that water once covered the entire earth during Noah’s flood.
-
“And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.” (Genesis 7:19-20)
-
It has been a while since we have had a real gully washer here in northern Iowa, but there is a reason that we call them gully washers. Even a 3 inch rain coming quickly can carve a pretty good gully out in a field.
-
Still there is a big difference between a two foot gully and a canyon that is 18 miles wide and a mile deep. There is also a big difference between a 3 inch rain and water covering the whole earth. Consider what happened at the end of Noah’s flood. “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.” (Genesis 8:1-3)
-
That much water running off the earth could form some pretty good gullies. However, we do not know exactly what happened. I do not even know for certain that this is how the Grand Canyon was formed, but when we look at science and Biblical history, we realize that it is a possibility to consider.
-
What if all of the water did not run down at the same time? What if much of the water that formed the Grand Canyon was actually held in a huge lake and the outlet to that lake began to erode until a huge torrent of water suddenly broke loose?
-
We actually have a modern day example of this sort of thing happening on a much smaller scale. After Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980 water was released from Spirit Lake on that Mountain and it showed amazing power in carving out new patterns in the landscape.
-
Now imagine the whole earth saturated by the waters of a flood. The flood waters have recently receded but the ground is still saturated and prone to erosion. Suddenly there is a huge earthquake that releases the water of a sea that covers much of North America. That water goes gushing down into what is now the Southwest United States and a grand canyon is formed.
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Of course what I just wrote is only a theory, but it is a reminder that scientific theory and Biblical history do not have to be enemies.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Why Do We Have New Bible Translations?
The other day I was driving down the road with my two oldest boys. Suddenly, the four year old got all excited and pointed, “Look a Christmas goat.” He was pointing at a lawn ornament of a deer with antlers.
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I get a chuckle out of his attempts at mastering the English language. A few weeks earlier he had told me that he wanted Mommy to make “grease juice.” I said, “You mean gravy?” “Yes, gravy, “ he replied.
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Those of us who have been talking for more than three years take some of these things for granted, but why do we call it gravy instead of grease juice? Part of the reason- words take on meaning based on common usage.
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Even within the English language words mean different things based on where you live. For example if you live in the United States, to table a discussion usually means to set aside the matter and not discuss it. If, however, you live in England, to table a matter means to bring it to the floor for consideration.
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Though not as confusing as the table example, in our own country, different words are used in different regions to mean the same thing. For example: see saw vs. teeter totter, firefly vs. lightning bug, soda vs. pop. To add to the confusion, pop, can mean a soda, a loud sound, hitting someone, a father, a grandfather, or an older man. Let us also not forget that a table can also be a flat elevated surface.
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Understanding the English language within the context of its speaker/writer, audience, as well as its point in history, is very important to interpreting it accurately. For example, I had to do some contextual interpretation to figure out what “Christmas goat” and “grease juice” meant.
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Those who translate languages face some of those same challenges. Most Christians do not understand Hebrew or Greek, so they are left to study a translation of the original languages of the Bible. But what about those who do understand another language? A Greek scholar who accepts the challenge of translating should not just understand basic Greek, but should also have the ability to research how a particular word was used in Greek literature during the time the Bible was written.
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For example, many alive today, remember when the word “gay” meant something different than it does now. The King James Version is still my favorite Bible translation, but we must recognize that it was translated over 400 years ago. Since that time, many words have changed meaning. That does not mean that it was a bad translation, but how many people realize that “meet” means “right” or “worthy?”
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I recently came across the word “prevent” in my study. Today in English, that word means to stop, but in the 15th century, it meant meet or come before. Because word usage has changed, the meaning has thus changed and in order to properly understand the passage it needs to be reinterpreted. To further complicate matters, the King James is a translation from England, not the United States. For example corn, in England means grain in the USA.
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I love the King James Version, but we need to resist those who are opposed to interpreting it into language that is accurate today. The examples I gave are of places where the translation was accurate 400 years ago in England, but is not accurate for the way we use English here in Iowa today. That is why many use a translation like the New King James, New American Standard or others.
-
I get a chuckle out of his attempts at mastering the English language. A few weeks earlier he had told me that he wanted Mommy to make “grease juice.” I said, “You mean gravy?” “Yes, gravy, “ he replied.
-
Those of us who have been talking for more than three years take some of these things for granted, but why do we call it gravy instead of grease juice? Part of the reason- words take on meaning based on common usage.
-
Even within the English language words mean different things based on where you live. For example if you live in the United States, to table a discussion usually means to set aside the matter and not discuss it. If, however, you live in England, to table a matter means to bring it to the floor for consideration.
-
Though not as confusing as the table example, in our own country, different words are used in different regions to mean the same thing. For example: see saw vs. teeter totter, firefly vs. lightning bug, soda vs. pop. To add to the confusion, pop, can mean a soda, a loud sound, hitting someone, a father, a grandfather, or an older man. Let us also not forget that a table can also be a flat elevated surface.
-
Understanding the English language within the context of its speaker/writer, audience, as well as its point in history, is very important to interpreting it accurately. For example, I had to do some contextual interpretation to figure out what “Christmas goat” and “grease juice” meant.
-
Those who translate languages face some of those same challenges. Most Christians do not understand Hebrew or Greek, so they are left to study a translation of the original languages of the Bible. But what about those who do understand another language? A Greek scholar who accepts the challenge of translating should not just understand basic Greek, but should also have the ability to research how a particular word was used in Greek literature during the time the Bible was written.
-
For example, many alive today, remember when the word “gay” meant something different than it does now. The King James Version is still my favorite Bible translation, but we must recognize that it was translated over 400 years ago. Since that time, many words have changed meaning. That does not mean that it was a bad translation, but how many people realize that “meet” means “right” or “worthy?”
-
I recently came across the word “prevent” in my study. Today in English, that word means to stop, but in the 15th century, it meant meet or come before. Because word usage has changed, the meaning has thus changed and in order to properly understand the passage it needs to be reinterpreted. To further complicate matters, the King James is a translation from England, not the United States. For example corn, in England means grain in the USA.
-
I love the King James Version, but we need to resist those who are opposed to interpreting it into language that is accurate today. The examples I gave are of places where the translation was accurate 400 years ago in England, but is not accurate for the way we use English here in Iowa today. That is why many use a translation like the New King James, New American Standard or others.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Do You Value God’s Word?
Imagine if you built an expensive display case out of beautifully polished oak, padded the inside with the most expensive velvet fabric you could find, and enclosed in with a beveled glass door. Then you placed your Bible in that case showing to all who entered your home how important God’s word was to you.
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If you really value God’s word, you would not keep it in such a case. Instead, you would take it out and read it, but what if you read it, but never let it affect your life? When it comes to God’s word, we should do more than just value it and read it, we should live it.
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In order to live it though, we must first be taught it. That does start by reading it. Psalms 119:33 says, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” The Psalmist is committed to guarding God’s word and making it a priority right up to the end, but in order to do that, he understands that he must be taught God’s word.
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But do we really understand everything that we are taught? I think of some of the classes I had back in High School where the teacher would stand up and teach, but I did not really understand what he was trying to get across. For example, I was in college before I really understood the right times to use the words “who and whom“.
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Not only should we pray to be taught, we should pray for understanding as well. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34) Unless we really understand what God is saying, how can we observe to do it? That is why it is so important to “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)
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So we need to be taught God’s word, we then need to understand what we are taught, but the next step is to actually do it. The end of vs. 34 says, “yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” To observe it is actually just one of the steps to doing it though. In our English language, observe can mean to notice or watch something, or it can mean to carry it out- to do it. In the Hebrew it was a lot like the word we translate “keep”- it meant to guard or take heed. It is back to the idea of making God’s word a priority.
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The Psalmist was not just making it a priority for the sake of looking at God’s word, he was making it a priority so that he could actually carry out obedience to God’s word. Look at what he asks for next. “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” (Psalm 119:35)
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Being taught and even understanding what you have learned is not the same as actually having that teaching alter your path. For example, I have been taught many times how to mud and tape sheetrock. I know the basics, but when I try to do it, it never turns out the way my teachers taught me to do it. I can get the job done, but it takes me more time and more steps and the finished product is still not as good.
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Having the knowledge and understanding is one thing, being able to consistently apply what you have learned is another. The Psalmist understands that, and thus is asking God to make him do what he is supposed to do.
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You see as we make God’s word a priority, we should want to be taught it, then we should want to understand it, and finally we should want to apply it. If you do not have all of those, then how can you say that it is really important to you?
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If you really value God’s word, you would not keep it in such a case. Instead, you would take it out and read it, but what if you read it, but never let it affect your life? When it comes to God’s word, we should do more than just value it and read it, we should live it.
-
In order to live it though, we must first be taught it. That does start by reading it. Psalms 119:33 says, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” The Psalmist is committed to guarding God’s word and making it a priority right up to the end, but in order to do that, he understands that he must be taught God’s word.
-
But do we really understand everything that we are taught? I think of some of the classes I had back in High School where the teacher would stand up and teach, but I did not really understand what he was trying to get across. For example, I was in college before I really understood the right times to use the words “who and whom“.
-
Not only should we pray to be taught, we should pray for understanding as well. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34) Unless we really understand what God is saying, how can we observe to do it? That is why it is so important to “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)
-
So we need to be taught God’s word, we then need to understand what we are taught, but the next step is to actually do it. The end of vs. 34 says, “yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” To observe it is actually just one of the steps to doing it though. In our English language, observe can mean to notice or watch something, or it can mean to carry it out- to do it. In the Hebrew it was a lot like the word we translate “keep”- it meant to guard or take heed. It is back to the idea of making God’s word a priority.
-
The Psalmist was not just making it a priority for the sake of looking at God’s word, he was making it a priority so that he could actually carry out obedience to God’s word. Look at what he asks for next. “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” (Psalm 119:35)
-
Being taught and even understanding what you have learned is not the same as actually having that teaching alter your path. For example, I have been taught many times how to mud and tape sheetrock. I know the basics, but when I try to do it, it never turns out the way my teachers taught me to do it. I can get the job done, but it takes me more time and more steps and the finished product is still not as good.
-
Having the knowledge and understanding is one thing, being able to consistently apply what you have learned is another. The Psalmist understands that, and thus is asking God to make him do what he is supposed to do.
-
You see as we make God’s word a priority, we should want to be taught it, then we should want to understand it, and finally we should want to apply it. If you do not have all of those, then how can you say that it is really important to you?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Don't Wear Pajamas to Church
Among Christians there has been a valid concern over the decline in clothing standards. Unfortunately, this concern leaves a large looming question over the discussion- what standard should we adapt? Opinions range from allowing the risqué to imposing legalistic parameters.
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Often the discussion centers around the clothing choices of the female- for obvious reasons- but I want to step back from that discussion to look at the broader issue. Not only is there division among the brethren over what is or what is not modest, there is division over what is or what is not casual.
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The discussion often goes something like this, “Our world has become far too casual and it is obviously creeping into our churches.” Some of those who make these statements may have people showing up to church in their pajamas, but I fear that some are wishing that they could get all the men to wear ties.
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Before going any farther on this discussion, I think we need to look at what the scripture actually has to say on this matter. James 2:2-4 says, “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
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It breaks my heart when I see how some Christians completely ignore this passage and actually do the complete opposite of what it says as they look down on those who they do not think are dressed up enough. Many need to repent and realize that even John the Baptist did not dress up like people thought he should. “But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” (Matthew 11:8) “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;” (Mark 1:6)
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Today I wouldn’t be surprised to hear someone say, “We didn’t come out to hear someone preaching in Carhartts and work boots.” In our culture, the standard for men dressing up is to wear a suit and tie, but we must understand that this is a cultural standard, not a Biblical standard. In Jesus’ day the cultural standard John the Baptist was held to was soft clothing, yet he did not match up with that standard.
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Now before I go any further, I can understand why some are concerned. I too have seen people going to Walmart in their pajamas, and think that maybe they should pay a bit more attention to their culture. As Christians it is tempting to go to extremes. The one extreme would be to expect that every man should come to church in a suit and tie. The other extreme would be to say, “just come in your pajamas.”
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As Christians, we should not ignore our culture so that we end up drawing undue attention to ourselves, but we also need to recognize that different cultures (whether it be different geographic locations or eras in history) have different ways of dressing.
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I also believe that it is good and proper for us to wear nice clothing as we go to church, but dressing up for one man may mean putting on a tie- dressing up for another may mean putting on his new Carhartts. Of course if all you have to wear is pajamas, please come to church in them.
-
Often the discussion centers around the clothing choices of the female- for obvious reasons- but I want to step back from that discussion to look at the broader issue. Not only is there division among the brethren over what is or what is not modest, there is division over what is or what is not casual.
-
The discussion often goes something like this, “Our world has become far too casual and it is obviously creeping into our churches.” Some of those who make these statements may have people showing up to church in their pajamas, but I fear that some are wishing that they could get all the men to wear ties.
-
Before going any farther on this discussion, I think we need to look at what the scripture actually has to say on this matter. James 2:2-4 says, “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
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It breaks my heart when I see how some Christians completely ignore this passage and actually do the complete opposite of what it says as they look down on those who they do not think are dressed up enough. Many need to repent and realize that even John the Baptist did not dress up like people thought he should. “But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” (Matthew 11:8) “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;” (Mark 1:6)
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Today I wouldn’t be surprised to hear someone say, “We didn’t come out to hear someone preaching in Carhartts and work boots.” In our culture, the standard for men dressing up is to wear a suit and tie, but we must understand that this is a cultural standard, not a Biblical standard. In Jesus’ day the cultural standard John the Baptist was held to was soft clothing, yet he did not match up with that standard.
-
Now before I go any further, I can understand why some are concerned. I too have seen people going to Walmart in their pajamas, and think that maybe they should pay a bit more attention to their culture. As Christians it is tempting to go to extremes. The one extreme would be to expect that every man should come to church in a suit and tie. The other extreme would be to say, “just come in your pajamas.”
-
As Christians, we should not ignore our culture so that we end up drawing undue attention to ourselves, but we also need to recognize that different cultures (whether it be different geographic locations or eras in history) have different ways of dressing.
-
I also believe that it is good and proper for us to wear nice clothing as we go to church, but dressing up for one man may mean putting on a tie- dressing up for another may mean putting on his new Carhartts. Of course if all you have to wear is pajamas, please come to church in them.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Happiness in Following God
Our second son recently turned 4, and on his birthday he got to request a favorite food. I found joy in seeing him enjoy what he had requested. It made me happy to give him what he wanted on that special day. Shouldn’t giving God what He has asked us for make us even more happy? This article will actually look at the first eight verses of Psalm 119 to answer that question.
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Psalms 119:1 says, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” As we think of the benefits of following God’s law it may be tempting to focus only on rewards or the avoidance of punishment, but “blessed” here is actually the idea of happy. I fear far too many Christians obey God for selfish reasons- to get a reward or avoid punishment- rather than for the sheer joy of being right with God.
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As we continue reading Psalm 119, verse 2 shows us that happiness comes not just from following God‘s word, but from seeking a closeness to God. “Blessed (happy) are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” (Ps 119:2) You draw close to God as you follow Him with your whole heart.
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If you follow what God has declared in His Word and seek Him with your whole heart, not only will it bring happiness (blessed) but you will be doing what is right. “They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” (Psalm 119:3) And if we are to do what is right, we need to do what God says to do. “Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.” (Psalm 119:4)
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But what happens to a believer when they do not do what God tells them to do? How happy are you when you are walking in disobedience? With sin comes guilt and with guilt comes a lack of happiness. If on the other hand we do what God says to do and walk in His ways, we do not have to live with the shame of guilt. Instead we can have the joy of happy fellowship with Him as we seek Him with our whole heart. “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” (Psalms 119:5-6)
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Perhaps you have run across Christians who live their life in a state of constant shame. Perhaps you are even one of them. Perhaps that is the reason why you do not have happiness in your life, but that is not the way the Christian life is supposed to be. Remember Psalms 119:1-2, “Blessed (happy) are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
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Sometimes people are not happy because they are not really following God. Perhaps there is unconfused sin in your life. Sometimes they are not happy because they are trying to avoid sin for selfish reasons- so that they can avoid punishment or earn some kind of reward- not because they really want to be close to God.
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Once we realize that there is joy in following God simply because of who He is, and that we have forgiveness for when we come short of His glory, then not only can we live in happiness as we do what He has told us to do, but we can praise Him with thankfulness and a heart that is right. “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.” (Psalm 119:7-8)
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Some might argue that if we are simply motivated by happiness in serving the Lord then we will have little incentive to do right. I disagree. The Psalmist was definitely motivated to follow God’s commands. Essentially this section of Ps 119 is showing us that there is joy in making God’s commands a priority in your life. Have you done that?
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Psalms 119:1 says, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” As we think of the benefits of following God’s law it may be tempting to focus only on rewards or the avoidance of punishment, but “blessed” here is actually the idea of happy. I fear far too many Christians obey God for selfish reasons- to get a reward or avoid punishment- rather than for the sheer joy of being right with God.
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As we continue reading Psalm 119, verse 2 shows us that happiness comes not just from following God‘s word, but from seeking a closeness to God. “Blessed (happy) are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” (Ps 119:2) You draw close to God as you follow Him with your whole heart.
-
If you follow what God has declared in His Word and seek Him with your whole heart, not only will it bring happiness (blessed) but you will be doing what is right. “They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” (Psalm 119:3) And if we are to do what is right, we need to do what God says to do. “Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.” (Psalm 119:4)
-
But what happens to a believer when they do not do what God tells them to do? How happy are you when you are walking in disobedience? With sin comes guilt and with guilt comes a lack of happiness. If on the other hand we do what God says to do and walk in His ways, we do not have to live with the shame of guilt. Instead we can have the joy of happy fellowship with Him as we seek Him with our whole heart. “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” (Psalms 119:5-6)
-
Perhaps you have run across Christians who live their life in a state of constant shame. Perhaps you are even one of them. Perhaps that is the reason why you do not have happiness in your life, but that is not the way the Christian life is supposed to be. Remember Psalms 119:1-2, “Blessed (happy) are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
-
Sometimes people are not happy because they are not really following God. Perhaps there is unconfused sin in your life. Sometimes they are not happy because they are trying to avoid sin for selfish reasons- so that they can avoid punishment or earn some kind of reward- not because they really want to be close to God.
-
Once we realize that there is joy in following God simply because of who He is, and that we have forgiveness for when we come short of His glory, then not only can we live in happiness as we do what He has told us to do, but we can praise Him with thankfulness and a heart that is right. “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.” (Psalm 119:7-8)
-
Some might argue that if we are simply motivated by happiness in serving the Lord then we will have little incentive to do right. I disagree. The Psalmist was definitely motivated to follow God’s commands. Essentially this section of Ps 119 is showing us that there is joy in making God’s commands a priority in your life. Have you done that?
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