Walking Buddies

8   But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

9  These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

I'm pondering this morning what it meant that Noah "found favor" in God's eyes.  As God observed Noah's life, He (the LORD, Jehovah) approved.  Why?

There was no Holy Spirit dwelling in the hearts of believers, as happened after Jesus Christ's finished work.
There was no Old Testament Law.

But, somehow, Noah knew God and, here's the secret . . . he walked with Him.  He knew God deeply BECAUSE he walked with Him.

Through that relationship Noah's faith was exercised to the point that he was able to endure hundreds of years of scorn from his fellows, while he trusted God's word and built "the boat to nowhere".

I used to have a walking buddy.  She and I would meet at a local park and walk a couple of miles and talk about all sorts of things.  We shared our lives together in this way.  Since then, her health has prevented us from walking together, but over the miles we became fast friends.  That friendship endures to this day.

When you walk with someone, either physically or relationally, you share your life with that person.  When you do that, you become closer to them.

With whom do you walk?  With whom should you walk?  Today, many of us wear these little devices that count our steps.  We are obsessed that we get the required number of physical steps each day.  I submit to you that it is much more important with WHOM we walk!

If you study the Scriptures, the spiritual giants of faith treasured their walks with God.  God commends them for how these men and women drew close to Him - - and not just to ask Him for things like "oh lord, please protect my children from harm", etc.  That is Genie God interaction, not true fellowship with the LORD.

Walking with God is costly, because it demands you NOT walk other paths which can be extremely beguiling, that you NOT spend your time in pursuits that are anti-faith, anti-God.

Making good spiritual choices as described above is a mark of spiritual maturity.  The ability to do so grows out of a faith relationship with the Savior.  Being "blameless" like Noah is not about creating your own self-righteousness, though.  Noah was righteous and blameless because he walked with God.

Noah's was a different day, although the principle is today the same.

Today, righteousness is only the gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ, a relationship with the only Savior.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  The Bible says that there is only one name given to man through which we can be given God's righteousness, and that is the name of Jesus.  Salvation exists in no one else and in no institution, such as a mega Church that offers to confer salvation through membership. (Acts 4:12). Accepting Jesus Christ as Savior clothes the believer in God's righteousness and initiates the eternal, spiritual walk with God.  Each believer is given a welcome gift at the moment of salvation, that being God's Holy Spirit, who takes up residence in each believer's heart.

The old hymn "In the Garden" puts it so well - -
"And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.
And, the joy we share as we tarry there...none other has ever known."1

Oh, there are so many distractions!  Let's not allow them to interrupt our "walking time" with God today!  Put Him at the front of the line, and walk with Him before you walk with anyone else.

Source:

1    https://www.google.com/search?q=in+the+garden+lyrics&oq=In+the+Garden&aqs=chrome.1.0l6.6545j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The Assault and the Struggle

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

Matthew 7:15 (NASB)

One of my friends keeps "backyard chickens".  She has done so for some time.  The other day she got some new hens; she drove a long way to pick them up.  Two nights later they were dead.

I doubt it was a ravenous wolf that killed her chickens; more likely it was a coyote.  Still, seeing the results of such a massacre is hard on the eyes.

The same holds true of apostasy and apostate preachers/prophets.  Hard to witness.  Hard to watch.

In our local area, one of the notable pastors has taken a deep dive off into apostasy, declaring that the Old Testament is no longer relevant to our lives today, as Christians....that the 1st century church fathers divorced themselves from the Old Testament teachings.1  This false teaching is very similar to 2nd century Marcionism.2

A similar apostasy, revealed in the New Testament was the opposite belief - - that all Christians, Jews and Gentiles, had to conform entirely to Mosaic Law and the rabbinical traditions which grew up around it.  This position was taught by the apostate Judaizers, which I have blogged about in this recent post:

http://resplendentdaughter.blogspot.com/2018/04/judaizers-again.html

Today, Judaizers can be seen in certain Messianic Jewish communities, such as the wrong-headed Hebrew Roots movement.3

A third form of apostasy is that belief in a particular church or denomination brings salvation...that saving faith in Jesus Christ is not sufficient, that obedience to a bunch of ecclesiastical practices and regulations is required.  This essentially becomes "works-based salvation" or earning your way into Heaven by following a set of rules/practices not mentioned in Scripture.  Adherents become enslaved to their particular church, trusting in that church for salvation, instead of relying on Jesus Christ alone.

All three of these heresies are just that - - heresies, apostasies.
Behind all three are an insatiable drive for power and prestige - - to gain or increase a religious "following".  At the foundation are selfishness and pride.

In the case of what can be observed happening with the Atlanta pastor referenced in source #1 below, the driving force seems to be a general appeasement of American culture.  There is no doubt that the American culture war seems to be swinging in favor of those who view aberrant sexual behavior to be acceptable, both socially and religiously, despite prohibitions of such in both the Old and New Testaments.  In order to appease these increasingly clamorous voices for both social and ecclesiastical legitimacy, some pastors are veering off into a theological ditch, taking their usually sizable congregations along with them.

The Assault and the Struggle:
On a larger scale, all throughout the days since Jesus was here among us, the assault on grace along with the resulting struggle to define appropriate outworking of grace in the life works of believers have raged hot.

I imagine it will continue to be so, until Jesus returns.

So, where is the balance?
I am not much of a theologian and, frankly, there are times writing this blog scares me to death, for fear that I might fall into the trap of teaching heresy.  Still, by the grace of God and for His glory, I'll take a crack at it.

1.  Salvation begins in the life of a person when he or she realizes that there no way to "earn" salvation by "being good" - - that is, conforming to any set of moral rules, from the Old Testament or otherwise.  (Romans 3:10-12; Romans 3:23) . Since God's standard is total perfection, none of us can achieve it on our own.
2.  Salvation is conferred by the Holy Spirit when the person then puts his or her faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, as Savior and Master/Lord.  Period.  Done.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)
3.  Walking by faith means living one's life as an outflowing of that saving grace, living it according to the words of the New Covenant given to us by Jesus Himself in Luke 22:19-20.  We need to recognize, however, that Jesus' New Covenant is directly derived from (flows from) the rules for moral living typified in the 10 Commandments.4  5
4.  The Old Testament should be honored as co-equal with the New, because it is an indispensable part of God's complete written revelation of Himself to His people, Israel, and the Church of Jesus Christ.  It should be studied, in light of the New, to learn how God fulfilled so much of the Old Testament through Jesus' life and work, revealed in the New.  Remember that when Paul wrote 2 Timothy 3:16-17, he was referring to the Scriptures which we today call the Old Testament!
5.  If redeemed people of faith want to (out of love and gratitude) practice such things as keeping the Jewish feasts with a Messianic view, or using Hebrew in their worship services and so forth, they should follow their own convictions to do so, recognizing that eternal salvation is found in Jesus Christ, and in Him alone.

Dear Lord Jesus, please give us clear eyes and pure, humble hearts, to follow You in grace and truth.  May we fare better than my friend Diana's chickens.  Please protect your flock from ravenous wolves.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Sources:

1   http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/moralistic-therapeutic-marcionism/

2   https://www.gotquestions.org/marcionism.html

3   https://answersingenesis.org/presuppositions/dangers-hebrew-roots-movement/

4   https://www.gotquestions.org/new-covenant.html

5   https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-new-covenant.html

How to Be a Master Teacher

Meditating in Titus 2 this morning, I was reminded of one of the sayings of Dr. Bob Jones Sr., that early 20th century evangelist and educator, also founder of Bob Jones University.  He said, "Do right, if the stars fall."  A contemporary of mine at the university, Ron Hamilton, a gifted musical composer, expanded the adage into a song, part of which lyrics are below.

Do right till the stars fall, do right till the last call   Do right when there’s no one else to stand by you!   Do right when you’re all alone, do right though it’s never known.   Do right since you love the Lord — do right, do right!

Paul begins Titus 2 with the strong admonition to teach biblical truth.  Here's the thing about biblical truth...you can tell it's truth from the Bible if behaviors change, because the Word of God changes lives.  Accordingly, Paul goes on to admonish subgroups of the Cretan church about their practical living, under the restrictions of their contemporary culture.  Those groups were:  older men, younger men, older women and slaves.  In every case, though, and I think this is so interesting....Paul reminded each group that they were TEACHING ... not only those in their faith community, but also those unbelievers outside, about the glory and grace of the saving gospel!

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) is the chapter's linchpin.  So, let's start there.  It is crucial we understand that Titus 2 is not merely a laundry list of "do goods" strapped to the backs of sinners attempting to earn salvation.

11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Hallelujah!  Salvation is FREELY available to ALL people, not just a chosen few!  Isn't that awesome to remember this morning?  And, get this, our FREE salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), instigated through God's grace to us, not earned by our own false "goodness", TEACHES us, if we will allow it.  The Holy Spirit is THE Master Teacher.  When we accept Jesus as Savior, His Holy Spirit comes to reside in our souls forever.  When we submit ourselves to His divine goodness, He shapes us by teaching us to say "no" to sin.

As we are taught by Him and as we learn to live godly lives, even while surrounded by ungodliness, we are to teach others through our resplendent walk.  Christian: you can't be a "master teacher" if your walk is "off", if you are rebelliously practicing ungodliness in some area of your life.

Now, briefly, let's look at the admonishments to each subset of the Cretan church.  

1.  Paul specifies that all four groups should focus on "self-control" (which for the Christian is really letting the Holy Spirit be in control) and on leading by example, so that they garner respect and build/maintain integrity.  A "good reputation" validates the truth of the gospel message.

2.  Paul mentions temperance to both older men and women (2:2-3), and mentions that the older women should avoid excesses of wine (2:3).  It is very possible that, in the Cretan culture, overindulgence of alcohol was a social phenomenon, hurting the testimony of that local church.  It's hard to say.  Still, overindulgence of food or drink can harm one's testimony.  (I speak as one who struggles with this - - the food issue.) 

3.  Paul goes on to focus on the older women mentoring the younger women in how to love and respect their husbands, to raise their children and to run an orderly home (2:4-5).  In those days, families lived close by, sometimes even in the same physical dwelling.  Unfortunately, because families today can be literally continents apart, a great deal of that mentoring has either been lost, or young families are finding like-minded mentors in their expanded Christian circles.  A lot of that mentoring (although of a lesser quality, in my opinion) is also going on online.  It is just a reality of our age.

4.  Slaves - - obviously, we do not have legal slavery in America today.  However, the admonitions Paul gives to slaves are very applicable to the workplace (which, granted, can sometimes FEEL like slavery, lol).

Finally, verse 15...  Paul emphasizes that living a Holy Spirit-controlled life, practicing righteous living, gives a Christian the authority to both encourage and to rebuke others.  Most of us are fairly good at the "encouraging" part, but . . . 

Who loves to be rebuked?  Raise your hands.  LOL, yeah, that's what I thought.  We'll explore this spiritual discipline in more depth in the next post, because it is under-taught and yet vitally important.  

Source:

http://www.inthineheart.com/2014/09/14/do-right-till-the-stars-fall/

Heirs by Adoption

It is popular to say, "We are all God's children", in reference to humanity in general.  While that may provoke warm, fuzzy feelings, it is not a true statement.  We are all created in the image of God, but simultaneously born with the taint of sin deeply imbedded into our natures.   The sin nature, resulting from the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, prevents us from becoming God's children by our birth.  Therefore, it could be said that we are God's creation, His "offspring" even, but not His children, in our unregenerate state.

God has only one "begotten Son", and that is the God-man, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).  Why, then, does Paul elaborate on the truth of Christ-followers, Believers, being "heirs," "sons"?  He makes the distinction in Galatians 4, that we are God's sons by adoption.

Now, the Jews believed themselves to be God's children by birth, by virtue of the fact that they were descended from Abraham in the physical sense. While the Jews are His chosen people, a fact established millennia ago and not negated in the Church era, this does not confer on anyone, Jewish or not, spiritual "sonship".  It is plain in Paul's inspired writings that sonship is conferred in the spiritual by God's grace, specifically and exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Unbelievers know nothing of this grand adoption.

It is important to note that the entire Trinity is present in our becoming sons/daughters of God.

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Galatians 4:4-7 KJV

Do you see Them?  The Father began the process of adoption, reclaiming those whom He foreknew before time began would choose Jesus.  The Son, Jesus, obediently put on flesh and came to earth to fulfill the Father's redemption plan.  The Spirit is sent by God into the hearts of all who accept Jesus, the Son. The third Person of the Trinity completes the circle of love.  It is He who bears witness that we belong to God, to Christ, by His intimate cry of "Abba", the most personal name for the Incomparable, Incomprehensible One.  (See Romans 8:15 for comparison.)

"The Bible uses adoption as a picture of what God has done for us. We were dirty, diseased, impoverished street urchins, with no one to care for us. We were not there as helpless victims, but rather because of our deliberate rebellion against God. But one day He showed up at the cardboard shack that we were sleeping in and in love chose us to be in His family. He cleaned us up, removed our rags, clothed us in the righteousness of Christ, fed us with the nourishing truth of His Word, and guided us in His paths of righteousness and wisdom. He brought us into His family, where we have brothers and sisters to share our burdens and our joys. And He made us His heirs, so that throughout eternity we will enjoy the unfathomable riches of Christ."2
Steven J. Cole

God the Father chose to adopt us, as fathers and mothers may choose to adopt a child who is not biologically theirs.  It was not something He had to do.  He could have chosen to make us "foster children", perhaps.  But no! Our adoption is something ONLY He could do, something His very nature compelled Him to do, that aspect of His infinite, unfathomable love.

Now, what is our inheritance in Christ?  What are our riches as adopted sons/daughters?

Here are a few.  I am sure there are many of which we have no knowledge, as yet. The inimitable Charles Spurgeon said, "No man living has ever realised to the full what this means." In general, I am listing them from my memory as a daughter, without scriptural references.  I may come back and add scriptural proofs later.

1.  Justification
Being made right eternally with God, as He confers Jesus Christ's righteousness upon us
2.  Freedom
Being set free from the bondage of working to earn salvation (which cannot be earned)
Being set free to worship, adore, revere and serve the Boundless, Limitless Lord from a heart overflowing with love  ("For the love of Christ compels us...." 1 Cor. 5:14)
3.  Access
Having unlimited and unrestricted access to the heart of God through prayer, as a result of our Father/Child relationship.   The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts facilitates this.
4.  Sanctification
Being molded more and more into the image of Jesus Christ
5.  Blessings, Promises Covenants of God
Receiving all of them, revealed in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation
6.  Citizenship in Heaven
Anticipating our "forever home", with Him

"Abba, Father" ... Spurgeon points out that the Hebrew word is "a babe's lisping", as it even sounds like the first sounds a baby makes, and that it represents how we are allowed to be natural and informal with our Father God.  It is a warm, affectionate, loving word which some have said is more like "Daddy" than "Father".  The same cry of the Savior to His Father in the agony of the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:36) is the cry the Spirit of the Son makes from the heart of the Believer, of the child of God.

No longer servants, but Sons, Daughters, Heirs, Children of the Highest!  From servitude to sonship! Praise His name forever!



Sources:

1   http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1435.htm

2   https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-48-adopted-heirs-god-romans-817