Introduction

.
Have we forgotten Jesus’ words as recorded in John 15:19, which states:

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.“

Our key text I Corinthians 9:22 states:

“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

When Paul spoke about “…being all things to all men…,” he was not saying to use the world’s contrivances or trappings, or any of the things that are popular in the world to attract people.

Paul was not endorsing marketing techniques which rely upon emotional manipulation and attempt to utilize the frailties of humanity to bring about change.

Which are the tools that commonly used by fundraising companies and organizations which are supposedly Christian, who are utilized by churches to increasing their building budget for a new building.

These types of psychological enticements are also used by outreach activities of religious organizations as well as Church and denominational crusades which employ extreme of modern music, gaming, social media, and other tools of modernity in order to gain the greatest impact upon their attendees.

The motives never rationalize the means, because the means never rationalize the ends – you cannot do the wrong thing for the right reason.  This is what this article addresses.

What Paul Was NOT Saying
Paul was NOT speaking about drawing people with gimmicks that would accomplish desired goals, even good ones such as witnessing to the un-saved, nor was he saying we should use contemporary contrivances or schemes to get them to listen our message.

Paul was not talking about getting down and dirty with the masses, or of learning what makes the world tick.

He was not even talking about using rock-n-roll music to get kids to listen to the Gospel or giving away a meal or a bed for a night in exchange (a hook) for listing to a hell and damnation message such as the Salvation Army employs.  Have we forgotten Jesus’s words:

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”1

What Paul was talking about was speaking to people in languages and terminologies that they understood.

When speaking to fishermen about Jesus, using terms that fisherman related too and that they easily comprehended.

When Paul addressed Sheppard’s, he used terms and analogies that aided them in understanding Spiritual truth.

When talking to children, he used words that they would be familiar with.

The point being that the Gospel was to be taken to all people, in all places with all types of different backgrounds and cultures.

This passage meant to make plain when necessary, deep when appropriate, and always clear as possible to the hearer.

Rather than using big sounding, religious terms just to impress people, the message was what was important, not the verbiage used.

This is not to say that big sounding words don’t have a purpose, they do.

By teaching the meaning of these religious words the teacher could spend less time repeatedly explaining more complicated subjects, and more time teaching a wider array of subject manner in greater detail.

If the meaning of redemption (The Greek word which is translated into the English word redemption, means “to purchase a slave from the slave market,” to redeem them with something of value), or atonement (The Hebrew means mainly “a covering“, as in covering sin.  The Greek words employed hiláskesthai means “to make propitious” ~ Heb. 2:17; or alláttein, used however only in composition with preposition, means “to render other,” “to restore” to another (or former) condition of harmony.  See Matt. 5:24 ~ “to be reconciled” to a fellow-man as a condition of making an acceptable sacrifice to God. [ISBE]), had to be habitually explained, much time is wasted.

And even worst is when the teacher assumes that the hearer understands words that they don’t, or there is an assumption that the hearer has that they understand a word which is limited or incorrect.

Teachers are to lift the student, to explain meanings, they are to make sure they comprehend the Gospel in all its glory.  The old expression KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid), is at odds with the Bible, and in principle would be found to be completely unbiblical.  Life is complicated, God is complicated.

We are called to understand complicated issues which many times cannot be simplified.

Attempting to keep things as simple as possible is not the same as keeping them simple.

Unfortunately, many Christians due to their laziness try to promote a simple handling of God’s Word, which explains why there are so many denominational differences which are many times cleared up when one deeply searches God’s Word, especially handling the original languages which make the subject matter crystal clear.

It has been wisely said that the Gospel wherein we perceive salvation is simple enough that even a child can comprehend it unto salvation; yet deep enough that the greatest scholar could never plummets death in many lifetimes.

Jesus
Teachers are not to dumb down the Gospel.

Most, if not every time Jesus taught, a majority of the hearers did not understand His message.

According to Him, this was to fulfill the prophecy concerning Himself and His relationship with the Jews of His day, “that hearing, they would not hear; and seeing they would not see.”2

Jesus taught, knowing that it was the Holy Spirit that would give understanding to the hearer concerning many of the enigmas Jesus presented.

Yet, at the same time, much of what He had to say in essence was so simple and common that anyone could understand, yet many times the difficulty in understanding was because of the hearers own presuppositions, that they could fully comprehend what Jesus was saying.

Many times what will we see is that due to the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit people at a later point, the hearers may understand Jesus prior messages.

And sometimes, He explained to His followers the meaning of a teaching.

What we really need to understand about Jesus and His teaching was that He in His role as the Messiah, His primary function was Him dying on the cross for the sin of mankind, and His teachings being the foundation of the church that would follow.

This is why after the situation between him and the Pharisees in Matthew chapter 13, Jesus states that He will only utilize parables in communicating to the masses.

He goes on to define that parables were meant to create enigmas; not clarity.

How common it is to hear preachers misrepresent what New Testament parables were meant for (in the Old Testament the purpose of parables was purely to openly teach, yet in the New Testament, after Matthew 13; Jesus changed the purpose of parables to fulfill Scriptures), they were mysterious sayings that the Holy Spirit would unravel to the hearer, they were not teaching tools to bring clarity to every one that heard them.

Jesus tells us this purpose in fulfillment of Isaiah 6:9,10; with the specific purpose of those which heard them would not understand their meaning.

This is not to be confused with the stories that Jesus spoke about, which were meant to aid in teaching by being easier to remember.

You can make a statement about something which can be easily forgotten, if you wrap the statement within a story, it is much easier to remember the story and therefore the purpose that it contains.

Yet, we must always remember that Jesus’ mission was specific concerning what God had called Him to do, to die as the Lamb of God for the sins of the world (John 3:16).

Many times people forget this to their own demise.  How many non-believers talk about Jesus being a great and wise teacher, they focus only on his teachings in an attempt to nullify the demand that Christ would place upon them in their lives by making Him their Lord and Savior.

Because they focus only on His teaching, and sidestep the main reason for His First Coming, that of dying for the sins of the world; these individuals will die in their sins destined to hell refusing the gift of salvation that God has provided for them.

Many people talk about Jesus being passive and loving and caring, and act like He is defined by these qualities; yet Jesus said that He came to bring a sword – a division even within families (Matt. 10:34), and that on two occasions (John 2:15 records the first time in the beginning of His ministry, and Matt. 21:12 records the second time at the end of His ministry – see Warren Wiersbe Commentary) , Jesus overturned the money changers tables at the Temple and used a whip on the people.

The point is that we must use discernment in understanding the Bible, and misusing something that Jesus or any other New Testament writer presents, such as Paul’s statement concerning “being all things to all men“, not only does the hearer a disservice, but God Himself, who meant that the Bible is to be interpreted His way, not our own way.

We must remember Peter statement as recorded in 2 Peter 1:20:

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”

This is another passage that has been vastly misinterpreted.  What this passage is saying is that man cannot interpret any passage his own way – that no prophecy of Scripture is available to one’s private interpretation.

There is only one interpretation, and it is God’s; no private interpretation will do.

Yet how many people miss-use this to imply that there’s multiple interpretations to God’s Word.

Think about it how ridiculous is this that God would be so arbitrary and ambiguous concerning His Words that we could interpret it more than one way.

“God” and “almost” don’t go together.

God is exact in everything He says and does because He is perfect, and there is no shade of turning in Him (“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” ~ James 1:17)

Paul’s Specific Meaning
In reading the key text we must realize what it does NOT say, and what it does not mean, and therefore, realize that the subject matter does not relate that Paul ever compromised the Gospel, but that he compromised his own pride in presenting the Gospel. I Corinthians 9:18-23, states:

“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” (KJV)

What Paul says, is:

“unto the Jews, I became ‘as’ a Jew,” and “to them under the law, ‘as’ under the law,” and “to the weak became I “as” weak.”

The word “as” is used to indicate his form of communication to them, how he talked to them in the vernacular that they understood, both in terminology and examples. In our vernacular, we would say he spoke about the fish to fishermen, and used fishing words and analogies to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The word “as” indicates a figurative usage.

Paul did not become legalistic to those under the law, if he did, this would violate the grace of Jesus Christ.

He did not become weak and violate his own conscience to preach to those that were weak, this would have violated the Gospel concerning Christ’s statement that those that would love Him would keep his Commandments.

This Scripture in no way states that we are to approach the world utilizing worldly techniques or behaviors. We are in the world, but not of the world.

A simple Greek literal reading of the text, which is quite straightforward, would say:

“What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became [related] as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, [I related] as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, [I related] as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became [related] as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” (I Corinthians 9:18-23)

Misusing this Concept
The problem of many current churches is that they misuse Paul’s teaching and indulge in employing the trappings of the world to attract the masses.
They become user-friendly in their messages, seeker friendly in their outreach, and non-offensive altogether.
They are salt without savor, candles without light, and are driven by the newest trend of the day.
They are compromised and impotent.
They do not realize that they have stopped increasing Christ’s Church, and have started growing their own congregations.
They have become lukewarm, thinking they are hot.
Naked, not seeing their nakedness.
Poor, not perceiving that the massive structures, ministries, books, are reflections of their own egos and presuppositions concerning what success is; as opposed to dying to self by daily picking up their own cross and following Christ (Luke 9:23), doing His Will rather than their own.

They’ve replaced quality with quantity.

And unfortunately the compromise of the church has been the indulgence of self-centeredness.

As the seeker friendly focus of many large churches, utilizes such tools as: “Being Purpose Driven” (which focuses on the believer rather than Christ, even if for a supposed good cause) rather than being Christ driven.

Mistaking excellence for “what ever you do, do with all your heart,”3 making winning the goal rather than dying.

Never coming to understand or address the fact that, God may want us to lose in certain arenas, wherein humility, and seeking God becomes the center of attention rather than the self-centeredness of “ME.”

We forget one of the major examples of Jesus was that of dying to self, not serving self.

Pragmatic Allure
Besides the narcissism and materialism that are inherent to many of these presuppositions, one of the inherent problems is that of addressing issues in a pragmatic nature, which elevates success rather than accomplishing the goals that God had set out for His church.

We now have modern dance in our churches.

The rationality is that individuals can communicate their worship to God by using their bodies, yet wearing non-modest attire, and displaying a lack of respect in a calm demeanor were displaying our own worship is not something to be watched, but something to be done in private as Jesus spoke about in Matthew 6.

The rationality that has been used for this type of behavior, has been that it gets young girls involved in the church, and in studying scriptures that they will act out.

The problem becomes the self-centeredness that it exploits.

Teaching young girls to draw attention to themselves, making worship into a form of entertainment rather than self-expression (Matt. 6:1-8).

The church, in following the culture has become a place of entertainment, and where the activity of being a spectator has been legitimized.

The point is pragmatism; that of having a logical way of approaching things to achieve a logical successful / goal (which is completely goal oriented), doesn’t always work in Christianity.

The reason why is human presuppositions are not Biblical, and humans can never separate themselves of their presuppositions.

This is why many of the egregious atrocities of man have been done using the Scripture as justification, and yes, the Scripture was taken out of context either in the immediate passage, or concerning the whole of a biblical principles, and was twisted out of shape from what it was intended; however, when we do this for a supposed small thing in the church we open the door for the same to be done on a grander scale.

But the point is humans can mess up anything and everything; especially inside of the church of Jesus Christ.

The Jews refused to acknowledge this (ability to warp things) and therefore became victims to it.

The law that was meant to be a schoolteacher, they transformed into an accomplishment that merited salvation.

This is why the Hebrews took the brazen snake on a staff, and started to worship it, rather than realizing it was a typological instrument that symbolized something that God wanted to communicate to them (according to Jesus in chapter 3:14), they utilized it pragmatically speaking, and centered their worship towards it. It was to be a reflection to be understood, not an object to be worshiped.

There are some things that cannot be combined with the Gospel without violating the integrity of the Gospel.

You can’t witness by being a whore, no there’s no such thing as alcoholic ministry, that of being drunk and witnessing to drunks.

You can’t be a criminal, violate the laws, as well as God’s Word, and then attempt to witness to criminals.

More and more churches are propagating the same message.

Just look at the Seeker Friendly Churches, Rick Warren, the Emergent church, and the Name It and Claim It heresy, and you will see that the Pragmatic – success oriented – American culture is climbing into the church more each day yet they are becoming of less affected in the world.

In some cases, Mega-churches are increasing in number, but decreasing in holiness, true spirituality, and Christ likeness.

It is knowing when to apply certain biblical principles in certain situations that the Holy Spirit living inside of us gives directions; but always according to God’s Word.

Being all things to all men is not meant that you turn the Gospel into something that the world is comfortable with.

It is communicating the Gospel to a lost and dying world that by its very nature is opposed to that message, but that people need to relate too and understand in their own vernacular; especially considering how offense that it’s message is to our proud human self-centered nature.

Endnotes
1.  Matthew 10:8; Also: “Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?”  (2 Cor. 11:7)
2. Isaiah 6:9,10 ~ ”And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”
3. Colossians 3:22-25 ~ “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

bb

Introduction (New Post)
Over 30 years ago while

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

In considering the above Scripture, I know the following is going to sound terrible, even considering that I was a young minister in my mid-20s at the time; but my thought at that time was “Christ must have not met the congregation I am serving.”

A Church to Learn By
I mean some of these people, mainly those in leadership roles were undisciplined, self-centered, and the rest were being fed baby food by the senior pastor who didn’t have the courage to confront anyone about their sinful behaviors. 

The board of elders was made up of two former pastors and the current Minister of Music from the same family  (Which is an ethical no-no.   When a pastor leaves a church, then stays as a member there will be certain members that will still follow him causing a schism in the church in regards to the new pastor and the old.  It is normally a sign of a lack of integrity when a pastor leaves the pulpit and attempts to be a member again.  You cannot go back, parishioners will not allow you to simply because of human nature.  It takes a very special kind of man to be able to stay within the church he once pastored; yet it is the parishioners that create the problem even with a man of great integrity.  If you pastor a church and decide to leave the pulpit, you need to love the parishioners enough to allow them to have a new start with a new pastor by leaving yourself), the father of the three board members was a former pastor, along with his eldest son who was a former pastor and another son who was the current minister of music (talk about a power bloc).

The father and son board members ran their own real estate company, and they sold the church some property that was far beyond the budget of the church, we are talking about millions of dollars in the late 1970s, which was a huge debt for a church of only about 400 members.  And they collected their full commission on the sale.  This is another sign of a lack of integrity, board members should never have any financial dealings with the church where they can profit financially. 

This caused financial hardship for the church, and they were unable to pay my wife and I the income we had been promised.

(SIDENOTE: I was the only staff member who suffered financially due to this purchase, the minister of music received his full salary.  It became so bad that we  lived off popcorn and potatoes and beans for months, which could be understandable in a home church or fledgling church, but this church had over 400 people as members; and to top insult with injury, the senior pastor received all of his pay and benefits.  I received one-fourth of my monthly salary, no parsonage allowance which was equal to the salary, no secretary, no medical insurance, and no expense account.  Was I bitter?  Not at the time; I was doing this for the Lord.  However, by the time I was abused in other areas by this board I had become quite bitter and resigned.  It took the church over 20 years to get over these immature and selfish decisions made by the board and senior pastor, who left the church not long after myself seeking to better himself).

I mean this church was a mess, and worse yet I was too immature and self-centered myself to figure out it was still my role to love all of these people. 

Please don’t get me wrong most of the church members were fantastic, caring and sacrificial people, I mean the kind of people that just blessed my socks off to the extent that I made excuses for the others who were not as loving and sacrificial as these. 

Yet it was those parishioners that were self-centered and arrogant, following the board members that made life miserable for the rest.  And the senior pastor, caring far too much about pleasing men in eye service, didn’t have the courage to confront those that were allowing their own narcissism and self-contentedness to run others,  This was all at the expense of the gospel.  

At the time I did not judge the situation as I do now, being honest about my own immaturity as well as that of others. 

It’s always hard to pastor a church.  This was just an unusually hard situation, but one that I now thank God for having made me experience because of all I learned. 

Jesus’ Command
The harder part about Christ’s words to love others is that they are not a suggestion or request. His statement was even beyond the imperative in the Greek grammar; Jesus gave it as a new command; allowing for no wiggle room whatsoever. 

It has nothing to do with the person being loved; only the believer that was to be obedient in following Christ’s command.

For years after this situation I wrestled with attempting to feel an emotional love for other believers that never seemed to work. 

I would pray that the Holy Spirit would empower me with a supernatural love, like water being poured on my head, an easy fix where the Holy Spirit did all the work, and all I had to do was pray.

(SIDENOTE: How many Christians, those that don’t spend the time in God’s Word, beyond using the Bible as a prop to supplement their own hypotheses, think that the Holy Spirit is supposed to change them by overpowering their own will, to make them feel or do something that God has meant for them to do in submission to Him.  And yes, at one time I was one of these types of believers, hung up on thinking that my feelings were supposed to lead me – now you know why I speak about being led by our mind and God’s Word; not with our feelings.  It’s because God took me out to the backside of the desert to learn this lesson, where his word had to be my sole guide, to the point that I started to study the Greek New Testament in order to understand exactly what the Bible was saying, not based upon my English understanding of the words, but God’s intended Greek meaning of the words.  The Holy Spirit is not sent to OVERPOWER us and make us feel different emotionally – He is sent to EMPOWER us [our mind] to desire to do God’s Will, and EMPOWER to perform God’s Will.  “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” ~ Phillip 2:13).

Newborn Babies
Finally, years later when I was doing volunteer chaplaincy I was still praying about how to deal with how to love people that I didn’t feel like loving.

As was my habit, after having walked through the pediatric ICU unit (which would drive me to tears so often because of the pain these newborns were experiencing), I would walk past the newborn glass display to attempt to feel joy to help me shake off the sorrow I was feeling, attempting not to carry the sorrow to the next hospital patient I would encounter. 

I needed to put a smile on my face before I could continue through the hospital; and beautiful newborn babies, uncontaminated by the world, was just the trick.

The Elegant Lady
This one particular night as I was consciously thinking and praying to God to understand love, I was walking towards the newborns display. 

In the hallway, looking at the newborns was this sophisticated woman. 

She had beautifully tinted hair, French nails, a beautiful dress and high heels; yet at the same time she appeared quite unusual.

She was wearing a hospital robe over the beautiful dress, and her hair had some spots of blood on it that caused it to be stuck to her head. 

Her makeup was running all over the place, and here she was leaning against the glass and crying with the biggest smile on her face.

I think I’m pretty intelligent, and it occurred to me that she must’ve just had a baby, maybe while she was out having dinner at a nice restaurant, and was now looking at her baby that she just delivered.

A Human Way of Thinking
To see the joy on her face, to me being a man used to conditional love (meaning I love what is beautiful or appealing to me, or that makes me feel good; or good about myself), I had the thought this must be the most beautiful child in the world, based on her reaction. 

Now again, as I was walking up the hall just before I observed this woman I was praying and asking God to teach me about love.

As I got closer to the window, I was trying to figure out which beautiful baby she was looking at.

However, to my amazement, when I finally saw the object of her affection; I was shocked.

She was looking at the most ugliest space alien newborn I’ve ever seen. 

Because of the pyramid shape of its head, it looked like one of the “Cone-heads” from the Dan Aykroyd’s movie. 

It was multicolored, red, pink, and gray, and it was crying without making any noise.

In an instant, all at once I understood what Jesus was talking about when he commanded us to love. 

Scriptures flooded my mind and I was able to put words to meanings, and understand something that had been puzzling me for many years. 

We all know John 3:16 ; however it was  1 John 3:16 that came to my mind and said it all (which I will get to in a moment).

Worldly Love
The problem I had all my life was that I had allowed my cultural understanding of the word “love,” as experienced in 21st century America to define what God was saying when He used first century Koine Greek regarding His own definition of what love meant.

I had been taught that love was a feeling, an emotion. 

And as all emotions, they are always in response to an activating event. 

No one feels love without something first happening. 

Whether it is in the use of eyesight when watching a beautiful woman, and the feeling of romance which leads to falling into love, wherein just as easily one can fall in love; they can fall out of love. Whether it is loving a beautiful car that you would desire to own for yourself in order to feel joy and pride based upon prestige. 

Whether it’s loving your mother who had put you first so often in her life. 

Love American style has always been a response to something else, because it was emotional; it was always a reaction, and not an action.

Biblical Love is a Choice, Not a Reaction
However, biblical love, the love that Christ was talking about, is not an emotional experience; it is an action generated by the mind, which produces a behavior of putting something for yourself; and to do so sacrificially.  

Sure I understood the meaning of the three Greek words used for love in the Bible; yet in an instant I understood what it meant experientially.

This type of love is what Christ was telling us to do, when he told us to love each other, he was telling us to perform a behavior, an action only made possible by a rational choice of the mind.

Again, Christ told us to do something, not feel something. 

Sacrificially Putting Someone Else First
And based upon 1  John 3:16; we see that real love is a sacrificial act of putting someone or something before yourself, as the text states:

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (See Endnote #1)

You see the way that we perceive love is explained in the word “because.”  It is the how concerning the question of what love is. 

Love is a cold choice to put someone else before yourself, sacrificially.

You see what also came into my mind was Matthew chapter 6 where Christ is talking about doing alms, those love gifts that we give to others. 

Jesus said to not let your left hand know what your right is doing, to not sound a bell (this is a very pragmatic way that the Jews used to make sure that when a rich man walked through the marketplace and was giving out alms, that he would be able to disperse the coins to more than a few beggars), to be seen of men (See Endnote #2).

And the words: “he laid down his life for us” expressed that he sacrificially put us first.

You can only perceive love after the act of love, the sacrifice of putting something ahead of the lover, after the act, not before it.

In America we love first (The emotional feeling), which is seen in our expression, “we fell in love.”  Yet this is not what the act of love is.

Now Back to the Baby
You see the reason I understood what love was when I saw that baby is because with my natural cultural training concerning love; when I saw the joy expressed by that woman concerning the baby on the other side of the glass, my natural instinct was to think this must be a beautiful baby, yet the opposite was true.

And what I felt like was as if the Holy Spirit was rushing thoughts and Scriptures to my mind wherein I gained understanding that for nine months this woman had sacrificially put this thing in her stomach first before herself. 

It was apparent to me, based upon her apparel and hygiene, that woman was no doubt thorough in everything she did.

The Sacrifice
In my mind, I raced through how difficult it must have been to spend nine months with this creature growing inside her stomach. 

And if she was as committed to being a good mother as she was concerning her appearance; that probably meant that she stopped drinking alcohol if she ever had. 

She changed her eating habits, cutting down on things that might be harmful to the baby.  Making all kinds of changes in her life to sacrificially put this little creature first above herself.

She kept the baby that was growing inside of her (it wasn’t a fetus!  Changing the name from baby to fetus doesn’t make something different; it just shows how evil men attempt to live with themselves in order to rationalize killing babies – and simply for the convenience of the mother, calling it a privacy issue.  The last sign of every great society and empire before they die is when it rationalizes the murder of babies in the womb – it is a last sign of barbarous behavior which God cannot stand), not selfishly choosing abortion even as she saw her beautiful figure being destroyed, with her getting sick in the morning, feeling nauseous far too often, having her back killing her, feeling aches and pains more and more each day simply trying to move, and willingly doing all this for a little creature she didn’t even know.

Therefore, it didn’t matter what this little thing looked like, she had invested herself completely by sacrificially putting this little baby first; and she would feel the emotions of love for the object of her affection (this is an archaic expression to explain what love was back in the day when the cultural contamination we currently live in was not current – love has an object, yet it was “of her,” therefore this displays ownership.  And back when this expression was used if you owned something, that meant you paid for it.  Today we live in a society where we want everything free and easy.  Yet during the time that this expression was used, men did not think this way.  The point was whenever they paid for it they were invested, it cost them something, they had to sacrifice for it), no matter what it looked like.

Nurturing
You see when it comes to love God’s way there are emotions, but they come when it is appropriate, after the sacrifice for it has been made – this is called nurturing (meaning it is developmental, cultivating, fostering, growing, and progressive) love.

Much of what we refer to today as emotions are usually either affection, lust, which is desire; or romance.  And these emotions usually come first.

This explains why if a couple makes a commitment to stay together for life – eventually they will grow in love, at least if the man is godly and not evil (history has shown that prearranged marriages has a much lower divorce rate than marriages we have in America, in fact prior to this century, even when women could be granted a divorce; the divorce rate in the world for prearranged marriages was very minimal).

This is because if you stay together long enough and one party starts putting the other party sacrificially first, it becomes easy for the other party to do the same; and this grows the feeling of love.

Yet it does not come overnight, it takes time and commitment.  And once you have two people sacrificially putting each other first; the emotion of love is guaranteed.

You see the correct process is sacrificially putting the other person first, then in time; if this is done in sincerity and not as eye pleasing – for eye service, the person making the sacrifice feels the emotion of love because of the investment that they have made.

Many refer to this as nurturing love (which is what it does, when you put somebody first you are nurturing), which can be unfortunate because it seems to indicate that women who are the main nurturers of their children are the only one that can exercise this type of love.

And while women are the best example of nurturing love, it is just as possible for a man to achieve the same sacrificial giving, with the emotional love of investment being the outcome.

This is why an evil man’s mother still loves them, having sacrificially placed them first as a child, this investment produces love with the invested, even if the person ends up doing bad things – this is referred to as unconditional love.

Love One Another
Now Scriptures such as John 13:35 makes sense.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

It is not that believers always have an emotional feeling one for another, but because they have grown in the Lord and walk as Christ walked, they sacrificially put other believers first.  This is the hallmark of a true believer – that he puts others first. And yes, in time the emotional feeling of affection (Love) will come.

bb

Endnotes
1.  Albert Barnes wrote concerning 1 John 3:16:

• We ought to have such love for the church that we should be willing to die for it, as patriot is willing to die for his country.

• We ought to have such love for Christians as to be willing to jeopardy our lives to aid them – as in case of a pestilence or plague, or when they are in danger by fire, or flood, or foes.

• We ought to have such love for the truth as to be willing to sacrifice our lives rather than deny it.

• We ought to have such love for the cause of our Master as to be willing to cross oceans, and snows, and sands; to visit distant and barbarous regions, though at imminent risk of our lives, and though with the prospect that we shall never see our country again.

• We ought to have such love for the church that we shall engage heartily and constantly in services of labor and self-sacrifice on its account, until, our work being done, exhausted nature shall sink to rest in the grave. In one word, we should regard ourselves as devoted to the service of the Redeemer, living or dying to be found engaged in his cause. If a case should actually occur where the question would arise whether a man would abandon his Christian brother or die, he ought not to hesitate; in all cases he should regard his life as consecrated to the cause of Zion and its friends. Once, in the times of primitive piety, there was much of this spirit in the world; how little, it is to be feared, does it prevail now!

2.  SIDENOTE: years later in counseling a newlywed, she complained that her husband had changed once they got married.

I asked how he had changed? She stated that he no longer gives her the TV remote, no longer watches love stories, does not open the door for her, or have talks with her all night long. 

I explained that he hadn’t changed, that all these were simply the tactics that we men use to win over women. 

It’s like he was Elmer Fudd, and she was the rabbit.  He was using all the tools of the trade to capture her – he was doing all these things to be seen by her, as opposed to doing so out of his own sincere desire. 

In counseling I would also advise men, when doing sacrificial acts of love, to do so in an honest attempt to not be seen or caught doing them in order to maintain the integrity of the act.  Otherwise they would simply be manipulating their wives into thinking that their love was real, when it’s only a game.  That would be just like the Pharisees did whose self-promoting actions were the reason for Jesus admonishing us to not allow our “left hand to know what the right hand is doing.” 

We humans are very skilled at making sure that others see us doing our alms or righteous acts – and if we do these to be seen of men – we are corrupted in the process. 

Real love does not put on a show which adulterates the very act. 

Sacrificially putting someone first cannot be done to be seen of men or it will not be worthy of creating biblical love.

The beautiful thing about proper love, Biblical style is that after the sacrifice is made, the natural feeling of love always comes forth due to the  investment.

The following is one of those passages wherein translating from the original Greek into the English renders it an enigma to many. 

Philippians 2:12-13 states:

 “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” 

It is also a passage that those that would support the heresy that a born-again child of God can lose their salvation, would attempt to use in an effort to support this ungodly presupposition. 

Kenneth Wuest says it best in his foundational work concerning this verse:

“The English translation is good, if one uses the words “work out” as one does when referring to the working out of a problem in mathematics, that is, carrying it to its ultimate goal or conclusion. The Greek word here means just this.” (see Endnote #4)

As Kenneth so aptly points out that this phase is synonymous with a teacher who writes out a problem with its conclusions on the blackboard, then instructs the student to go through the problem and work out how the conclusion is achieved in order to understand the problem itself, this is how the phrase “workout” is to be best understood in the English. 

The context clearly points this out as it draws the conclusion that in considering the problem of sin and that God had to nail His own Son to the cross to deal with the severity of sin , it should draw us to a place of “fear and trembling” understanding powerful and devastating sin is, and that it is God who works in us to desire and do HIS GOOD WILL.   

The following commentary excerpt (I have lost the source information) exemplifies an excellent exegesis of , which states:

“Wherefore”
This refers to the verses that have preceded.  That of having the example of Christ’s humility to guide us and the exaltation of Christ to encourage us.

“Work out” 
Keep on working out thoroughly in your own mind, so as to achieve the desired results of understanding. 

Both freedom and responsibility are implied.  In verses 12 and 13, we see divine sovereignty and human freedom in blessed cooperation. 

Our salvation is worked in by the Holy Spirit in answer to faith in God’s promises and it is worked out by Christ’s atoning death upon the cross. 

It is always a matter of trust and obey; which is always based upon Biblical faith as seen in Romans 10:17, which states:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

The verse does NOT say, “work for” your salvation.  The Philippians had already been saved.  Salvation is all of grace (Eph. 2:8-10), but is to be manifested in the daily life by glorifying Christ in everything. 

One must possess salvation first, and then work it out to its ultimate conclusion, namely, Christ-likeness. 

No one can live the Christian life until he has Christ.  It is not a matter of the imitation of Christ, but the manifestation of Christ, the Holy Spirit reproducing the life of Christ in and through the believers.

“Your Own Salvation”
Salvation is a personal relationship; it is a divine work accomplished at Calvary.  Salvation should be viewed in three tenses:  past, justification; present, sanctification; and future, glorification.

“With fear and trembling”
These two words describe the anxiety of the person who distrusts his own ability to meet all the requirements, but nevertheless does his best to discharge his duty. 

This is not slavish fear, but wholesome, serious caution. 

It is the constant apprehension of the deceitfulness of the heart, taking heed lest we fall (I Cor. 10:12); or stop short of the final goal (II Peter 1:1-11).

It is that desirable distrust of our own self-sufficiency and the consciousness that all depends on the grace of God. 

It is not fear of being lost, but fear of the failure of not walking in lowliness of mind, in true humility, and in unfailing obedience. 

It is fear of all that would rob us of our spiritual vitality and spiritual victory and of shrinking from all carelessness in matters of faith and life.

“For it is God which worketh in you”
For God is the one continually working effectually in you.  This word is used in Galatians 2:8 (wrought effectually) and in I Thessalonians 2:13 (effectually worketh).  We are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10).

“Both to will and to do”
To keep on being willing and to keep on working.  God is the source of al we need.  The Holy Spirit dwelling within makes the abundant life a reality (not merely a possibility).

“Of his good pleasure”
For the sake of His good pleasure – His sovereign and gracious purpose.

“Do all things without murmurings”
We are to keep on doing all things apart from “murmuring.”  “Murmurings” mean to mutter, to murmur, an expression of secret and solemn discontent.

The English word “murmurings” (Gr. gongysmos) appears many times in the LXX (Septuagint) of the children of Israel in the wilderness and refers to their stubborn spirit.

This is a direct action of displaying a lack of faith – the act that will send a person to hell for rejecting the atoning death of Jesus Christ, wherein a person will pay for their own sin.

It is perhaps the most insulting act against God, it is to say with their actions that God is not faithful, and trustworthy.

“And disputings”
“Disputings” refer to the thinking of a man deliberately with himself, rationalizing and calculating.

This word is translated “imagination” in Romans 1:21.  It has two distinct meanings:

1) inward questionings; and
2) outward disputings or discussions.

Used here in the first since it implies a doubtful spirit.  We get our word dialogue from this word.  The Christian is called to unquestioned submission to God’s will (see Endnote #1).

The Greek
Concerning the part of the passage: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” the Greek word for “work out” is katergazomai.  The make-up of this verb is (see Endnote #2).

1. Its mood is an         Imperative

2. Its tense is               Present

3. Its voice  is               Middle (or Passive Deponent)

4. Its person  is             Second Person

5. Its number  is           Plural

Which Means

1. What this means is that the word “work out” is an imperative mood, which means it is a command, God demands for us to do something.

2. It is in the present tense, which means that the action is continuous - It never stops.

3. It is in the middle (or passive) voice, meaning that we have something to do, but the main action is done by the one sending the message - God.

4. It is in the second person, meaning what is being said is intended for the reader, the person who is reading this passage is the one God means it for.

5. It is plural in number, meaning what is being said is meant for all who read it, God wants all of those who read this passage, to understand, and constantly reflect on how God, using Jesus worked out (paid the price for) our salvation.

Main Grammatical Insight
This is why an understanding of the Grammar is so important.

If the word katergazomai was in the active voice (which is NOT), then the subject (the person it is written too) does (or is told to do) the action of the verb (work out their own salvation).

If it was in the passive voice  (which is NOT), the subject would not need to do anything at all.

BUT IT IS IN THE middle voice, this means God does the major action of redeeming the reader – He does the salvation, however, God intends for the reader to do something less as powerful (indicated by the passive deponent voice), which is to examine how God has worked out their salvation.

We are to keep examining this sacrifice, to keep reading God’s Word, to keep our eyes focused on God’s Son who died for us (see Endnote #4).

Warren Wiersbe states:

“The Greek word, katergazomai, which is rendered “work out” in the English was first used as a mathematical term, in the context of a teacher writing out an equation along with the answer, and then have the pupil (TO “work out”) go over the problem and answer so that he would understand the process.  It was done to reinforce an understanding of the process.”

“Work out your own salvation” (Phil. 2:12) does not suggest, “Work for your own salvation.” To begin with, Paul is writing to people who are already “saints” (Phil. 1:1), which means they have trusted Christ and have been set apart for Him. The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion,” such as working out a problem in mathematics.”

“In Paul’s day it was also used for “working a mine,” that is, getting out of the mine all the valuable ore possible; or “working a field” so as to get the greatest harvest possible. The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christlikeness, “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom_8:29). There are problems in life, but God will help us to “work them out.” Our lives have tremendous potential, like a mine or a field, and He wants to help us fulfill that potential.”

“This is why we are to review and keep reviewing how God saved us “with fear and trembling,” because God had to nail His own Son to the cross to save us, and we better hold that with the utmost respect and Godly fear.” There is a minor action for the hearer, that of the function in accordance with this insight, to: “do for His good pleasure,” meaning God’s Will.  Therefore, the hearer does not create or add to his salvation, but does obey God according to God working in the hearer, to desire to do God’s Will, and enables him to be able to achieve God’s Will” (see Endnote #3).

Endnotes
1.   THE KJV PARALLEL BIBLE COMMENTARY, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 37234, USA, 1990.

2.  THE COMPLETE WORD STUDY NEW TESTAMENT WITH GREEK PARALLEL, Spiros Zodhiates, PH T., AMG Publications, Chattanooga, TN 37422, USA, 1990.

3.  WIERSBE BIBLE COMMENTARY: NEW TESTAMENT, Warren Wiersbe

4.  WORD SRUDIES OF THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT, Kenneth Wuest

bb 

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

First, we should note that the writer states that in spite of his desire to press on and teach the weightier issues of God’s Word, he cannot because they are “dull of hearing.”

He goes on to state that in spite of the amount of time that they have been believers, in which they should be “teachers” by now, they haven’t even began to understand the elementary “principles” and doctrines of God’s Word, which he refers to as “milk,” that they are unable to metabolize whole food, the more deeper issues presented in God’s Word.

Discernment & Spiritual Growth
What a pathetic picture the author draws, that of believers who should be spiritual adults, yet spiritually immature believers unable to dig deeper into God’s Word; not because they have not heard the teachings, not because there’s not been a teacher to explain it, not because there is a lack of ability to perceive what is stated cognitively; but because of their lack of exercising proper judgment concerning what is good and evil.

In the same way that faith is like a muscle and must be stretched and used in order to grow (See Endnote #1) , the same principle is true concerning Spiritual growth, wherein the muscle spirituality must be stretched by using judgment and discernment concerning the difference between what is good and what is evil. 

It’s like a baby that does not practice crawling, can never achieve the muscle necessary for standing.

What is unfortunate is that the lack of ability to judge is formulated because of a lack of desire to use it.

Why the Church is so Weak Today
Now it makes sense why today in our culture, which boast itself of tolerance and acceptance, and refuses to judge another; why people in general, and due to the compromise of the church, believers specifically are so spiritually immature. 

We see the church large a number, but small in effecting the world around it.

There must be an application of God’s Word regarding judgment concerning what is right or wrong in order to create the condition for Spiritual growth. 

The 21st century church in America as allowed the culture at large to define it, inhibited, alienate it, and emasculate it. 

The Church of Jesus Christ in 21st Century America
Due to my current position as lead chaplain, temporarily filling in as the director of a large hospital, one of my functions is to host a monthly ministerial alliance wherein ministers meet in order to function better as the body of Christ in our local area. 

These are some great guys that I’ve grown to love.  And during our fellowship together I have had the opportunity to gain an overview of what the local church is doing in our area.  I have no doubt whatsoever that these pastors are teaching the Word of God, which I have even witnessed in visiting their churches. Yet, the churches are so full of believers that have been polluted by our culture wherein they become “hearers and not doers of the word” (James 1:22).

What I have noticed in our culture at large within America as witnessed over the radio airwaves and Internet is a lack of spiritual maturity because we have allowed the culture around us to affect us, to drive us into submission by judging us if we judge others. 

Build Leadership
There is no Christian leaders I see on the horizon that has the courage to speak about the evil in the world. 

Not just saying that abortion is wrong because it is killing human life, but that those that participate in this type of evil are evil themselves; rather they are Democrat or progressive liberal. 

Who has the courage to say the Democratic platform is evil because it kills babies – no one, they are afraid to be seen as judgment; or judging the hearts of those that commit these atrocities.

Do you notice how the left has no problem calling conservatives evil because they will spend more money that we don’t have on social reform which causes our nation to become enslaved to the government. 

Currently, 50% of our population is enslaved to the government for finances or healthcare. 

Let me ask you this, who running for political office on a conservative platform is going to be willing to say “we must stop giving money to the masses, so elect me” – and who will vote him in. 

You see the spiral downfall that the Bible talked about regarding the end of days, referred to as the “last days;” this is why no one can stop it.  For in the future after the Rapture of the church occurs, and He (the Holy Spirit) who restrains evil, that indwells within believers (“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” ~ John 14:17; Eph. 1:13) will be taken out-of-the-way (literal Greek translation: “For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he is holding back now, until it comes out of the midst.” ~ 2 Thess. 2:7); the only way to stop evil will be when Jesus Christ returns to earth with His bride - his believers (Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 3:13: Jude 1:14; Rev.19:14),; this is how this downward roller coaster to hell will be stopped.

Yet the point of this article is that we as individual believers must again be willing to suffer for what we believe by calling evil, evil. 

By being willing to stand out and oppose the liberals and progressives of this world that are bound by their leader Satan, who will lead them into hell. 

Remember Jesus words to the Seven Churches, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Rev 3:22)

In fact perhaps we need to read about the last church of the Seven Churches of Revelation, symbolic of the last church prior to the return of Jesus:

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”  (Rev 3:14-21)

What you’ll notice here is that Jesus is not inside the church, is outside knocking on the door – and not the door of the church, the door of the heart of the individual. 

This church has become so emasculated that Jesus takes His message to the individual, “to him that overcome,”  not to the church itself; because it is so powerless that it is just  a few individuals within it who are fulfilling His Will. 

It is you and I that must have the courage to call evil – evil, and good – good. 

What we should also notice is that while they think that they are rich because they prosper, Jesus advises them to buy gold tried in fire; which is a synonym for holding faith under persecution – remember the Bible has but One Author, rather it is Jesus speaking the book of Revelation, or the writers of the New Testament; there is a connection between each book of the Bible as is seen when Peter declares:

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ“  (1 Pet. 1:7) 

The Holy Spirit is the author of God’s Word, wherein he uses the same “Figures of Speech“ in communicating God’s Will to man.

Remember what the Old Testament prophet stated concerning the last days (Isaiah starts addressing the last days in the chapter prior to this one, and continues with these passages)

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”  (Isa 5:20)

It is up to each individual Christian believer to choose to exercise proper biblical discernment concerning that which is evil and that which is good if he truly desires to grow spiritually - this judgment must be started with ourselves – have we become lukewarm? 

Have we learned to rationalize the sin around us without calling it evil. 

Are we polluted by this world because we have become part of them (See Endnote #2) - we are all guilty of this and the three fingers pointing back at me make me feel very uncomfortable as we all learned to keep our mouths shut and to allow evil to prosper.

We must remember what Paul told the church of Corinth, which of all the New Testament churches may be closest to our own (See Endnote #3).  I Corinthians 11:31, states:

“For if we would judge [Greek: diakrino] ourselves, we should not be judged [Greek: krino].”

The first word for “judge”, diakrino, means to separate thoroughly, to withdraw from, to discriminate, or decide; depending on the grammatical breakdown. 

The second word for judge, krino according to its grammar means to condemn.

Therefore, we understand that this is passage is stating that,

“if we would discern ourselves; with the implied intent of change, we would not be subject to ultimate condemnation.”

This is what is to take place within the life of the believer according to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Deception – Warning
Also, without judgment we have no ability to perceive danger when it is present.

This is why Jesus spoke so often (Mat. 24:4,5,11,24; Mark 13:5,6; Luke 21:8) about deception to His followers (Believers – Christians – saved), which He would not have done if it were not possible for them to be deceived, as seen in the following Scriptures:

The only protection against deception is God’s Word and its application as seen in proper Biblical judgment.

Paul and others also warned us concerning deception as recorded in: John 7:24; Acts 20:28; Romans 16:18; I Corinthians 3:18; 5:1-13; 6:9; 15:33; Galatians 1:6-9; 6:3,7; Ephesians 4:14; 5:6; 5:11; II Thessalonians 2:3,10; 3:6; 3:14-15; Titus 1:10-16; II Timothy 2:15; 3:5-7; Hebrews 5:14, James 1:22,26; II Peter 2:14; I John 1:5, 8; 3:7; 4:1; II John 1:6-9; as well as the seven times that the word “deceive” is used concerning the Devil in the book of Revelation.

There are dozens of Scriptures which demand that believers exercise judgment – for a much more thorough examination of the subject of discernment and judgment please see: “Judging ~ Church Discipline ~ Forgiveness & Turning the Cheek.”

What we must keep in mind is that these references are exclusively to believers, it is the believers that can be deceived when they refuse to stand firmly on God’s Word and judge according to what God has said.

Conclusion
There is a real connection between:

Spiritual perception, the understanding of God’s Word, and most of all Spiritual growth

and

The habitual use in exercising judgment in regards to good and evil.

Endnote
1.  The Process of Faith
Faith only grows when it is stretched by tribulations (problems, hard times, difficulties, calamities, trials, and testing; they’re all synonymous concerning the “trying of our faith”). Faith can only grow incrementally, as more and more is demanded of it.  This is because trust is a process contingent upon experience, as someone (or in the case of God and His Word the Bible – Rom. 10:17) proves they are trustworthy situation after situation, we trust them more and more. In this way faith is analogous to a muscle which must be torn before growth can occur. Therefore, we must always realize and therefore understand that testing is not done simply as a process whereby God attempts to validate the existence of our faith, or its degree, which might appear cruel on the surface; but that these trials are necessary for faith to grow, and that without these trials, it is impossible for faith to mature ~ James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:7; 4:12.

2.  Christian idolatry can be seen when believers: “Worship Their Work, Work at Their Play, and Play at Their Worship.”

3.  The church of Corinth displayed such poor judgment that it had allowed incest to be accepted openly, as well as believers defrauding other believers financially, their preoccupation with mysticism, along with signs and wonders in place of gifts of the Spirit, where the supper of the Lord was abused in drunkenness and gluttony, while others went hungry. Where selfishness became the norm to the extent that Paul worked a full-time job to support himself as well as the Ministry (which he later regretted because it added to their spiritual immaturity) no doubt exhibiting their lack of financial support in spite of the fact that they were very affluent.  Yet, in a close examination it becomes apparent that all of this existed because of their lack of and refusal to exercise proper judgment according to the mind of Christ.  They were a very worldly church that refused to judge and intervene according to the church discipline (As Jesus instructed us in Matthew 18:15-17). 

bb

See the full article on judgment: ” Judging ~ Church Discipline ~ Forgiveness; Turning the Cheek“

“Action is the proper fruit of knowledge.”
(M.D. Thomas Fuller)

“Always use objective fact & subjective insight in
applying application to anything.”
(Brent Bolin)

“There are five things that you cannot recover in life:

The Stone………..after it’s thrown
The Word……………after it’s said
The Occasion……after it’s missed
The Time………….after it’s gone
A person……………after they die

The Bible

“The Bible is such a book, as man could not write if he
would, & would not write if he could.”

“The Bible: in the old the new is concealed,
in the new the old is revealed.”

“The Bible: in the old the new is contained,
in the new the old is explained.”

“The New Testament is concealed in the Old,
and the Old is revealed in the New”

“An apparent Biblical contradiction is the Holy Spirit’s
way of getting the reader’s attention so as to point
out a hidden deep truth, which must be examined at
great expense, in order to discover the precious faith
building treasure it contains.”
(Brent Bolin)

“To most Christians, the Bible is like a software license.
Nobody actually reads it.  They just scroll to the bottom
and click ‘I agree.’”

Character & Integrity

“Character is what you do when no one is looking”

“Character is easier kept, than recovered”

“Character is when Godly wisdom (Psa. 111:10)
is added to Integrity.”

“Integrity is free, but not cheap.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Adversity doesn’t necessarily build character,
but it displays it”

“Adversity is necessary to build faith,
as well as display it”

“Spiritually speaking; tribulation in the form of
trials is necessary for the growth of faith”
(Brent Bolin)

“Integrity is when all the parts of something are
congruent with the whole.”
(Carrie Bolin)

“Integrity is when belief is combined with the
discipline necessary to practice the belief”

“People don’t care how much you know,
until they know how much you care.”

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find that the
harder I work the more of it I have.”
(Thomas Jefferson)

“You cannot reach tenacity, until you pass
endurance, and approach exhaustion.”
(Brent Bolin)

“A great man neither trembles before
a king, nor tramples on a worm.”

“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
the chicken was ‘involved’ – the pig was ‘committed’.”

The Lack of Character & Integrity

“The key is sincerity, once you learn to fake that,
you have it made.”
(Movie studio executive)

“Nothing does so much harm as good intentions”

“What one generation tolerates, the next generation embraces”

“When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually
to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly
preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic”
(Dresden James ~ American by birth, Texan by the grace of God)

“Gossip is vice enjoyed vicariously.”
(Chuck Missler)

“A secret is something you tell one person at a time.”

“Socialism is the exploitation of the productive by the unaccountable.”

“Blaming the prince of the fools, should not blind anyone
to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince”
(Czech Republic Newspaper Prager Zeitung)

Christianity

“Christian idolatry can be seen when believers: worship their work,
work at their play, and play at their worship.”

“Christianity began in Judea as a community,
was taught in Greece as a philosophy,
was conducted in Rome as an institution,
permeated Europe as a culture,
in America became a lifestyle,
which today has turned into a business.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Christianity began as a company of lay witnesses,
that has became a professional troop of performers,
financed by lay spectators.”

“Sometimes a man can meet his destiny
on the road he took to avoid it”

Discretion

“Sometimes in life the hardest thing to know is which
bridge to cross and which bridge to burn”

“Good judgment comes from experience, and
experience comes from bad judgment.”

“When it comes to making very serious decisions
if there is any doubt – there is no doubt.”
(…that IT is wrong)

“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains,
no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”
- Sherlock Holmes (By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“You reap what you sow,
but you usually reap it in another season.”

“Some lessons will not be explained
while you are going through them,
which is a hard lesson to learn, until after it is over.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Doing ‘anything’ for the right reason is not good enough;
it is only in doing the right thing for the right reason,
and doing it the right way that is acceptable.  Yet, even more
than this is doing it based exclusively upon God’s Word.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Expediency & practicality are no excuse for compromise,
no matter how sincere the motive.”

“It has been wisely said, that many times it is difficult,
if not impossible to understand the appropriate answer,
unless you know what the right question is.”

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
(George Santayana)

“History teaches us that man learns nothing from history.”
(German Philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel)

“If history teaches us anything, it teaches us that
self-delusion in the face of unpleasant facts is folly.”
(Ronald Reagan)

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again
and expecting a different result.”
(Eva May Brown)

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and
over again and expecting different results”.
(Albert Einstein)

“Don’t let the tyranny of the urgent, preempt what is
most important, the priority.”
(Chuck Missler)

“You are still wrong if you achieve a right conclusion
based on a wrong hypothesis.”

“Denial can be defined as:
Don’t Even kNow I’m Lying to myself.”

“The worst mistake a Christian can make
is to substitute their will for God’s.”

“Knowledge + Understanding = Wisdom“
“Objective Fact + Subjective Insight = Application of Both.”
(Brent Bolin)

“What we have to do is so important, that we must do it slowly.
(Chuck Missler)

“A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”
(William Shakespeare)

“How many men have climbed the ladder of
success only to find out at the end of their lives that the
ladder was leaning against the wrong wall.”
(Chuck Missler)

“We have a tendency in our planning to confuse
the unfamiliar with the improbable.

If the contingency we have not considered looks strange;
what looks strange is therefore improbable;
what seems improbable need not be considered seriously”
(Thomas C. Schelling)

Faith

“Faith (The function of it) can be
represented by the acronym of ABC:
“Faith is Action, Based upon Belief, Sustained by Confidence.”
(E. Scott)

“Faith is believing (B) what God has said in His Word,
due to the confidence (C) it has earned, to the
point that actions (A) are affected.”
[Based upon Romans 10:17]   
(Brent Bolin)

“There is no other virtue known to man that pleases God
(Hebrews 11:6), therefore, it is faith that deserves our unending
attention in learning how to please God more and more.”
(Brent Bolin)

“There are two ways to slide through life: One is to
believe everything you hear, the other is to doubt everything
you hear; both ways are the same in that you need not think.”
(A. Berlenske)

Forgiveness

“Only a person who knows he has been forgiven can be
adequately motivated to respond to the giver.”
(Reinhold Nieber)

“Of all the acts of men, forgiveness is most divine.”
(Thomas Carlyle)

Freedom & Liberty

“The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and
everywhere restrains evil interference -
they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”
(George Washington)

“He that exchanges security for liberty deserves neither.”
(Benjamin Franklin)

“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of
servitude than the animating contest of freedom,
go from us in peace.  We ask not your council or arms.

“The value of any commodity depends on its scarcity.”

“Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity
forget that ye were our countrymen”
(Samuel Adams)

 “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
(Edmund Burke, Irish Philosopher/Statesman, 1729-1797)

“A truth not worth fighting for is not worth dying for.”
(DB Warfield)

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing”
(Edmund Burke)

“Freedoms given away are seldom returned
without the spilling of blood.”
(Benjamin Franklin)

“You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s
initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently
by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”
(Abraham Lincoln)

“Yet we have this consolation with us,
that the harder the conflict,
the more glorious the triumph,”
(Thomas Pain, 12/23/1776)

“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly:”
(Thomas Pain, 12/23/1776)

“It is dearness only that gives everything its value,”
(Thomas Pain, 12/23/1776)

“Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods;
and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as
freedom should not be highly rated”
(Thomas Pain, 12/23/1776)

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is
strong enough to take everything you have.”
(Thomas Jefferson)

“Concerning free speech: There is no speech worth protecting,
unless it is the speech you abhor.”
(Glenn Beck)

“Those who expect to reap the blessing of freedom must
understand the fatigue of supporting it”
(Thomas Payne)

Function & Purpose

“Function should always be enhanced by form.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Form must follow function.”

“Power should be applied to purpose.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Some say, be purpose driven, not process driven, process
must always have purpose; but purpose for the sake of purpose is
busyness, therefore, I say be Christ driven, for Christ’s sake.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Order is uniformity out of chaos.”

“Motion does not mean progress.”

Humility

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself,
but is to think of yourself less.”

“We are all dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants”
(Bernard of Chartres)

“Keep the clay wet.”
(Chery Parrets)

“God wants less of us, but He wants all of us.”

Legalism

“Self-control without humility is legalism.”

“God made man in His own image and man has
been returning the favor ever since.”
(Mark Twain)

“The law is for the proud and grace is for the humble.”

“The law is to convict the comfortable -
grace is to bring comfort to the convicted.”

“Legalism butchers the sheep, but grace covers them.”

Perceptive

“In the kingdom of blind men, a one eyed man is king”
(1640 ~ Herbert Outlandish Proverbs #469)

“Please keep pointing out the spinach in my teeth -
if not others will see it and think I don’t own or
use a toothbrush; or worst yet, don’t care.”
(Brent Bolin)

 
Precaution / Preparedness

”There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to
be well prepared to meet an enemy.”
(George Washington)

“A lack of planning on your part does not
necessitate an emergency on my part”

“For the want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for the want
of a shoe the horse was lost; and for the want of a
horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and
slain by the enemy, all for the want of care about
a horseshoe nail.”
(Benjamin Franklin)

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
(Benjamin Franklin)

“Preparedness is: Praying for the best,
but preparing for the worst.”

“Responsible Preparedness is: Vigilance concerning the
things that are high impact & low probability.”

Pride

“If I bought you for what I thought you were worth,
and sold you for what you thought you were worth,
I’d make a small fortune.”

“Pride can’t grow where humility is already planted.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Pride is preoccupation with self, either through grandiosity
or self-loathing; the common denominator is the focus of attention,
which is on self.”
(Russell Kelfer)

“Pride has to do with one’s focus (on self): not one’s value.”

“Proud men usually bask in humiliating others,
while humble men usually find pride repulsive.”

Use the words: “pleased,” “inspirited,” or
“grateful;” instead of the word “proud.”
(Brent Bolin)

“If a loud arrogant braggart demands attention
he displays his felt sense of low self-esteem -
and it can be seen in his attempt to convince
everyone else of what he does not truly believe
and know about himself – that he is the most
intelligent, powerful, noble, important, or
right person in the debate;
though he protest just the opposite.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Self-assured people who are intelligent, powerful,
noble, and important; have no need to flaunt it in
front of others in order to prove
what they know about themselves”
(Brent Bolin)

Many of us of low self-esteem, while constantly
attempting to display some sense of worth,
attempting to be accepted by others, are motivated
by the humiliation we feel due to a deep introspection
that the proud man is void of, and refuses to see.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Self-esteem is a reflection of one’s perceived self-worth,
based upon their own personal knowledge of their actions and
the true motivations  behind them; it is not a conviction
based upon other’s reassurance.”
(Brent Bolin)

“The greatest sin of all is to be conscious of none.”
(Thomas Carlyle)

Presumption

“The only certain barrier to truth is the presumption
that you already have it.”
(Chuck Missler)

“All of us are subject to the limitations imposed by the
presumptions we bring to a topic, and it may be essential
to step back from time to time and reestablish a fresh perspective.
Because the only certain barrier to truth is the presumption
that you already have it.”
(Chuck Missler)

Problems

“If the only tool a man possesses is a hammer,
then every problem looks like a nail.”

“You cannot truly understand the solution unless
to understand the problem first.”

Responsibility

      “My observation is that whenever one person
is found adequate to the discharge of a duty…
it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely
done at all if three or more are employed therein.”
(George Washington)

“If authority is severed from responsibility,
or either is held in contempt, then neither
function correctly; and accountability is a fallacy.”
(Brent Bolin)

When it comes to effective management:
“You cannot separate authority from responsibility,
nor can you separate responsibility from
accountability, nor can you separate accountability
from liberty, nor can you have liberty without power,
nor can you have power without authority
- is it the dog that chases the tail, or the tail that
chases the dog, it makes no matter; each is
contingent upon the other, otherwise failure will ensue”
(Brent Bolin)

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing”
(Edmund Burke)

“People do not act irresponsibly because they are “ill,”
they are “ill” because they act irresponsibly.”
(William Glasser)

“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly,
while bad people will find a way around the laws”
(Plato)

“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
the chicken was ‘involved’ – the pig was ‘committed’.”

Serenity

The Original / Full Serenity Prayer:
“God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.  Living one
day at a time, enjoying one moment
at a time, Accepting hardship
as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.”
 (Reinhold Nieber)

Serenity Prayer for the Spiritual:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things
I cannot change, the courage to change the
things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
[Short Version used by AA]  (Reinhold Nieber)

For the Substance Abuse Counselor:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the person I cannot change,
the courage to change the person I can, and the wisdom to
know that I am that person.”
(An exhausted Substance Abuse Counselor)

For the Elderly:
“God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the
eyesight to tell the difference.”
(A wise senior)

Thinking & Thought

“Think with your mind, and feel with your emotions;
never think with your emotions, and feel with your mind.”
(Brent Bolin)

“I think, therefore I am.”
(Descartes, 1596-1650)

“Sow a thought, reap an attitude, sow an attitude, reap an action,
sow an action, reap a habit, sow a habit, reap a destiny.”

Miscellaneous

“An agnostic Jew is a Jew who knows what the God that he
doesn’t believe in, requires of him.”

“If you don’t let me ever color outside the lines
(make mistakes), maybe the problem is not
that you don’t like my coloring, but that you don’t trust
anyone else with the crayons.” (Control)
(Brent Bolin)

“The joy of being a cynic; you expect
nothing, get less, and you remain serene.”
(Charles Krauthammer)

“Fathers may have to heat up their children’s posterior
in order to melt the wax in their ears, so they can hear.”
(Correction)

“In essentials unity, in doubtful questions: liberty,
however, in all things: charity.”
(Augustine)

“Intimacy can be defined as: “In-to-me-you-see.”

Concerning conjecture and faith: An atheistic
humanistic scientist might contend: “Whereof we cannot
speak – thereof we must be silent.”  Yet, this type
of arrogance presupposes absolute insight
concerning the physical world at the expense
of the spiritual.   The concept of dimensionality,
as well as spirituality prove this expression to be false.

“Liberal theology has a God without wrath,
who brought men without sin, into a kingdom without
judgment, through the ministration of a Christ without a cross.”
(Reinhold Niebuhr)

“Neurotics build castles in the air, and psychotics live in them”
“Worry about nothing, Pray about anything, Give thanks for everything.”

“To repent is to change one’s mind; however, true Biblical
repentance changes one’s life direction.”
(Brent Bolin)

“Sin progresses; it: pre-empts – preoccupies – predominates.”
(Brent Bolin)

“The principle behind God becoming God to man, is one of
spiritual reformation, not forcible revolution.”

“Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural
consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”
(Jim Rohn)

“Learn to recognize the supernatural in the natural.”
(E. Scott)

“Those that can, do; those that can’t, teach.”

“Nature abhors a vacuum, and so do I.”
(K. Morris)

“It could be worst, it could be me.”
(An unknown Doctor)

“If you love what you do for a living –
you will never work a day in your life”

“Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.”

“Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.”

“God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”

“God promises a safe landing, not a calm trip.”

“He who angers you, controls you!”

bb

This was taken from the “Resource Center” of: www.FaithBibleMinistries.com

Introduction

On a personal note, as a counselor I have never met a human being that is in all actuality really comfortable with being wrong, in the present tense.  There are times that people will admit that “I was wrong back then, but now I’m okay.” 

However, this is totally different than taking personal responsibility that a person is actively wrong at that precise time without any justification that behavior. 

This is what should occur when a person accepts the Lord and owns the fact that they are sinners deserving of hell; coming to God confessing themselves as a center pleading for his grace; and believing and trusting in God’s Word that God is faithful to forgive him based upon what God’s Word has said. 

Always remember were not saved by faith, we are saved by grace; yet faith gives us access to appropriating God’s saving grace to our lives.  Salvation is always a gift; it is never bartered for (Ephesians 2:8).

It is the rationality of sin that becomes the worst problem, much more so than the sin itself. 

Because if we have a rationality of why our wrong was really right, then we have a rationality to continue in it; and in the process we start a pattern of rationalizing all sin in our life that makes us feel uncomfortable.

We must understand there is a difference between a singular sin, and a sin that becomes habitual.

Introspection, or better stated self-discernment aids us in being truthful with ourselves, wherein the Holy Spirit has a greater ability to convict us of the sin in our lives (John 16:8-11,13).

And for those that would protest and state they do not sin, allow me to repeat what was stated a few weeks.

The Teaching that Believers can Totally Stop Sinning
This teaching distorts the Word of God.  Many well-known teachers have taught this heresy – yes I say heresy – the devil uses this form of pride more than any other promote overt sins which are easily seen by others, by due to the self-denial are unseen by the person himself. 

Whereas the pride that states that you must no longer sin, and have the ability to do so is a sin so well hidden, whose aim is to hide other sins – because if you’re truly saved, and the truly saved cannot sin; then you must not be sending if you are saved; or even worse yet, if you sinned as a believer, then you have lost your salvation and you’re going to hell .

What does the Biblical text say in 1 John 1:8:

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

Why would I go so far as to say that teaching that the believer can become sinless is a heresy, it is because this is what God says in His Word.

You see, if we go so far as to say that we have no sin; the Scripture says the truth is not in us - which is to enter into heresy (Is an opinion or doctrine held in complete opposition to an Orthodox position which undermines a foundational truth concerning an essential belief.).

And for those that would say that this is prior to the Christian’s conversion, speaking about our prior life as unbelievers, they ignore the Greek grammar which God utilizes to make the point.

You see the verb translated into “we have” (Greek: echo) is in the perfect tense – meaning:  it is a continuous action that never stops – period!

The full grammar of this verb is:

present tense,                  meaning it is:     Continuous Action – Never stops

active voice,                       meaning it is:     Subject Causes the Action (Object Receives Action)

indicative mood,              meaning it is:     Mood of Certainty – A Reality

first-person,                       meaning it is:     Applies to the Speaker (“I” – “We”)

plural number,                  meaning it is:     Applies to All

So you see this applies to everyone, believer or not (as seen in the grammar of the word: “we”); especially in light to the fact that John was addressing believers only as seen throughout this letter.

And to validate this point even further, we read 1 John 1:10, which states:

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

The verb “sinned” (Greek: hamartano, a derivative of hamartia, meaning: “missing the mark“- it is an archery term, wherein the bull’s-eye is the size of the arrow dead center in the target, and anything outside of dead center – perfection, is missing the mark – sin).

The Greek grammar of the word hamartano used here is:

Tense Perfect                    Completed in the Past, Results in the Present

Mood Indicative               Mood of Certainty – A Reality                                       ~ it is an undeniable fact

Voice Active                      Subject Causes the Action (Object Receives Action) ~ we choose to do it

Person First                      Applies to the Speaker (“I” – “We”)                               ~ this is to you and I

Number Plural                 Applies to All                                                                     ~ it applies to everyone

And as we know, the perfect tense is meant to show a complete unmovable reality that the thing has occurred, yet is ongoing in the present.

It is not that the results of the sin are present without the action present also.

The idea is that the reality of the presence of the thing is so assured that it is stated in the past tense (within the grammar to express the complete solidity of something, it is referred to in the past tense – this does not mean that it occurred only in the past and is not present in now.  The idea is you cannot change the reality of something’s existence anymore to change the past)

This, among many other Scriptures teaches that believers are still sinners; and will sin as part of their makeup (Read Romans 7:14-25, is also in the present tense).

Yet at the same time we are not captive to sin – it is not our master that we MUST succumb to it EVERY TIME sin is presented.  We have choices.

By no means am I rationalizing sin.

The choice to sin is a moment by moment decision.

And we’re told in God’s Word over and over TO NOT CHOOSE SIN!

The problem with the singular sin is it many times leads to an habitual sin – plural sin – and then the sin solidifies within our lives, it takes root in is much harder to remove.

This means that a sin then becomes a habit, and once it becomes a habit; we have yielded ourselves to it as our master, which is what Paul refers to in Romans.

Yet based upon 1 John 1:9 (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”); the Scripture found between the two above Scriptures, it is when we confess our sins and relinquish its control and choose not to let it be our master, that the power of sin is broken in our lives.

Warren Wiersbe States:

“Christians do sin, but this does not mean they must be saved all over again. Sin in the life of the believer breaks the fellowship but does not destroy the sonship. A true Christian is always accepted even if he is not acceptable. How does God provide for the sins of the saints? Through the heavenly ministry of Christ. We are saved from the penalty of sin by His death (Rom. 5:6-9), and we are saved daily from the power of sin by His life (Rom. 5:10). The word “advocate” means “one who pleads a case” and is the same Gk. word as “Comforter” in John 14:16. The Holy Spirit represents Christ to us on earth, and the Son represents us to God in heaven. His wounds testify that He died for us, and therefore God can forgive when we confess our sins. Read carefully Rom. 8:31-34. The word “confess” means “to say the same thing.” To confess sin means to say the same thing about it that God says. Keep in mind that Christians do not have to do penance, make sacrifices, or punish themselves when they have sinned. Every sin has already been taken care of at the cross. Does this give us license to sin? Of course not! The Christian who truly understands God’s provision for a life of holiness does not want to deliberately disobey God.”

As believers we must be able to discern when we are simply defending our own egos based upon pride, as opposed to defending the gospel in humility.  And believe you me; unbelievers have the ability to know the difference.

How often I hear preachers talk about the blindness of the unbeliever, glossing over the fact that the unbeliever sees the hypocrisy that happens in many of our churches and uses this to accuse Christ, to blasphemy and slander Him and His church.

We must not forget that the unbelievers were created in God’s Image (in the person of Adam prior to man taking on a fallen nature), just as much as believers are, even though the human nature has been corrupted by the fall, much of the unbelievers discernment (many things are simply too easy to recognize, rather for the Believer or non-believer), is much better than we wish to give them credit, especially in regards to pride. 

And do not attempt a fool yourself that because you’re a believer, and because the Holy Spirit indwells you cannot be self-deceived about your own sinfulness (remember Christ’s admonition to the apostles “be not deceived,” which would make no sense if this could not occur ~ Luke 21:8.  Believers can be deceived, and the worst type of deception is self-deception), God is a gentleman and will not crush you into seeing the truth, but will use His Word and experiences in life to teach you concerning your own pride and self-deception – if you will allow this to occur. 

And this does not diminish the fact that unbelievers can tell the difference between an arrogant attitude, and a humble one.  So self-examination is necessary in order to foster humility based upon a true examination of who we really are as sinful creatures.  

Paul elegantly said it best when he stated in 1 Corinthians 11:31:

“For if we would judge [Greek: diakrino] ourselves, we should not be judged [Greek: krino].”

The first word for “judge” is diakrino, and means to separate thoroughly, to withdraw from, to discriminate, or decide; depending on the grammatical breakdown.  The second word in this passage for “judge” is krino, and according to its grammar within this passage means to condemn.

The literal Greek rendering is:

“if we discern for ourselves, then we will not be eternally condemned.”

According to the full context of the chapter which centers on the Lord’s Supper; what is implied is that if a person discerns himself according to the Gospel, faith unto salvation, they will not be eternally judged - the discernment here is unto life, not unto death. 

Many preachers have unwittingly teach this passage of Scripture concerning the Lord’s supper completely opposite of what the Greek text states. If we notice a few verses prior to verse 31, 1 Corinthians 11:27 states:

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

The mistake that many preachers make concerns them teaching that you must be sure that you are right before the Lord before taking the Communion of the Lord, it deviates from the text in that it teaches the person to focus on themselves as being acceptable to God. 

No man on his own is acceptable to God.  We are accepted because and through Jesus Christ.  And what this text focuses on is the word “unworthily”, which is an adverb, and speaks about the form or manner that these people were indulging in the Communion of the Lord. 

We know from previous statements that the Corinthian church were taking the love feast (it was a potluck supper), wherein they would have a meal and during the meal serve communion as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:21-22, which states:  

“For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.”

What Paul addresses is that they had turned this love feast into a gluttonous party where people became intoxicated. 

It is when they took communion without focusing on Jesus Christ and Him supplying their salvation, doing so in a matter of not taking it seriously, being drunk; this is what brought sickness upon the believers. 

Again the focus is not if you are justified before God, Jesus took care of that.  And if you spend your time trying to figure out if you’re good enough you’re doing the opposite of what should be done at communion.  What we do is we remember what Jesus did.  It’s not about us, it’s about him.

 In verse 32 it states literally in the Greek:

“when we perceive we are condemned as sinners, this perception by faith leads to God’s training/teaching [by and through His Word] wherein we are saved apart from the world that is condemned to pay the price for that condemnation“. 

What we should always do is keep ourselves in check by examining ourselves concerning how we act in life.  The manner in which we engage ourselves with unbelievers and believers, based upon the truth of what is occurring in not upon self-deception.

Introspection is a necessary aspect of being a Christian.  It is never to be done to figure out if were worthy of salvation, as some have mistakenly taught concerning the above Scriptures – no one is worthy. 

Romans 3:11 through 12 is not only describing the unbeliever, but all mankind including believers when it states:

“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

This is why we must always be self-discerning so that we would be eligible workman doing the good pleasure of our father in truth and reality

bb

The subject of this essay is the faith of Jesus Christ (also see #2).  Many Biblical teachers shrink back from this subject because it would appear to assault the deity of Jesus Christ, in that faith necessitates need; and if Christ was the Son of God, and Divine, He would have no needs.  Yet this is a false assumption based upon the normalcy bias which we all take in interpreting God’s Word.  How could Jesus be fully human, and yet fully divine, wherein He would have needs.  Or better stated, how could Jesus be fully divine and not have dynamic power at His disposal without end.  These are a few of the issues that we shall address in this article.

Faith ~ Pleasing God
Faith is the only human attribute in the Bible which is mandated in order to please God the Father as seen in Hebrews 11:6, which states:

“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.“

The Greek word used here for “please” is the verb: (Greek) euaresteo (G2100) and is used in only three places in the Scriptures (the two remaining being Hebrews 11:5 and Hebrews 13:16; however, in completely different tense, and somewhat diverse voice and mood), however, in this particular usage it is in the Aorist Tense, meaning the “Action Occurred in the Past” (“Once & for all”), it is used to make the point that the things spoke about must be a “complete certainty,” “no exceptions.” In the Greek it is used less concerning past incidents, but rather as a current complete certainty (in the Greek mind if you wanted to make the point that something was unchangeable and complete, the best way was to speak of it was in the past tense, as the present can always change, but the past never can - it is unchangeable and permanent). The essence of what the Scripture is saying is that the only complete way, to fully and 100% please God is by faith; there is no other way, this is sure and unchangeable (just like the past). It is in the Active Voice, meaning that the (subject) “the person” causes the action. This is speaking about the faith that is exhibited by the person. It should also be noted that it’s an Infinitive Verb, meaning that this passage (“has no person”) is not speaking about an individual person (such as: Enoch from the prior verse, which refers to him separately having “pleased God,” which is not connected with this usage of the word please, and is in the perfect tense, meaning that Enoch had completed his faith in the past, which continues to be a blessing to him even in the present, and into the future) but to all people, it is singular indicating the ability to please God can only do be done by the specific person who acts in faith; not in any other way, but only by the person who exercises faith.

With this in mind, it is in understanding that our best example of pleasing God the Father is seen in the person of Jesus Christ, as stated in John 8:29, which states:

“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”

Which is confirmed by God Himself in Luke 3:22 (as well as Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11), which states:

“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove ¹⁰ upon him, and a voice from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”

What this means for believers that take the Bible literally, is that Jesus had to exercise faith in order to please God; and according to John 8:29, which states: “… for I do always those things that please him” (with the word “always” in the Greek meaning: “at all times,” “everything, every time,” and without exception), Jesus exercised faith in everything He did, without exception.  Therefore, Jesus is the ultimate display of faith.

There is no way of escaping this conclusion, in spite of the fact that many sincere scholars and theologians, who say they are attempting to maintain the deity of Jesus Christ (which Satan has attacked over the centuries, which is why scholars have fought against this issue, yet it is the deity of Jesus Christ that is the foundation of this essay and without such, all is vain) have demanded that Jesus maintained the attribute of Omnipotence (Latin: “All Powerful, Visible & Invisible”), during His incarnation.

Faith ~ Necessitates Need
Faith is only faith when there is need and necessity, hence David’s proclamation in the Psalms 56:3,

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”

Fear
David expressed it very well in that fear gives an opportunity to exercise faith, hence if there is no necessity, no need; why else would there be fear.  Fear is based upon an expectation of need, due to an inability to handle a tumultuous situation or event.  Faith is what you do when you experience fear.  It is a shame that the false faith teachers attempt to create shame in believers for experiencing fear, as they claim that fear is the opposite of faith. 

This displays the extent of their heresy, for even common sense teaches us that experiencing fear is when faith is most needed.  It is their confusion concerning the feeling of fear, as opposed to giving into one allowing fear to overtake us; is their shortcoming.  We should not live in fear, and allow fear to rule our lives, which would display a lack of faith because we don’t trust that God can handle the situation.  Yet, this is not the same as experience of feelings fear in response to an negative situation.  It is a negative situation, wherein we have a need that most compels us to turn to God in faith.  Fear is not our enemy; it can be our best friend; if it drives us to the foot of the cross in faith trusting that God can handle the situation.

As Hebrews 11:1, sates:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hope
If you must hope for something, it is because you don’t have it, you NEED it – this is a necessity.  If you have hope for something, it means that you lack it or need it; hence faith is what enables us to utilize hope in achieving what we desire, what we need.   

It is impossible to separate necessity and need (see Endnote # 11) from faith, hence the problem that many scholars have in attributing the necessity of faith to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Yet, their error is in confusing attributes with essence. 

Attributes are the outward manifestation – our behaviors, our display (Romans 1:20), yet the essence is the inward characteristics and makeup (Please see the Endnote #12, entitled: “Essence & Attributes,” which covers this issue much more thoroughly), unseen by the human eye, those things that are inside – the core of a person’s being – them. 

Jesus ~ His Divine Attributes
Jesus temporarily laid aside His divine attribute of being Omnipresent  (Latin: “Existing Everywhere All at Once, Non-locality” ~ which became mandatory whenever He dwelt in the human body ~ in concerning John 1:48, when Jesus told Nathanael that He had saw him when he was under the fig tree, the word first “saw” in the Greek  refers to having “known,” or ”sensed,” or “perceived,” all of which would be capabilities given by the Holy Spirit), as well as Him being Omniscient (Latin: “All Knowing” - Mark 13:32, speaks about Jesus’ limited knowledge during the incarnation), and Omnipotence (Latin: “All Powerful, Visible & Invisible”) in order to fully become a man – to take the body of a man – a temporary tent (see #28, how the feasts concerning tenting relates to Jesus), with limitations, to be rolled up, which we call death.  Jesus became all man, not part man, not the appearance only, otherwise He would be a fraud, a fake; Jesus was neither.  The reason Jesus became all man is most notably seen in the Biblical object lesson of the Kinsman-Redeemer, which God had established in order that we can understand this necessity that Christ would have to become a man in order to redeem mankind. 

As mankind’s Kinsman-Redeemer (please see the post entitled: “Kinsman Redeemer ~ Part 1 – A Brief Introduction” ~ Link ~ which makes the point of why Jesus had to become a man in order to atone for man’s sins), Jesus had to become NOT part-man, but all-man; and would have to lay down His attribute being Omnipotent (Latin: “All Powerful, Visible & Invisible.”), in order to become a real man; with the man’s needs and frailties. 

Therefore, it does not change Jesus’ essence as God to temporarily pour Himself out of His divine attributes, and in so doing making Himself vulnerable, necessitating faith in God the Father, concerning the Father fulfilling their plans (Psalms 2: 1-12; 1  ) for humanity, which was designed before the foundation of the earth (Psalms 2:1-12 ~ Acts 4:25-27; Peter 1:19-20; Mark 13:35; Hebrews 1:4; 4:3; 9:26; Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:4).  Why did Jesus pray all the time, if He did not NEED the Father – look at His prayers (His prayers are totally unlike our prayers which are FOR self.   Jesus was selfless, praying for others ~ Matt. 19:13; praying by giving thanks ~ John 6:11, Luke 22:19; and to glorify the Father), He is asking the Father for NEEDS to be met, Not His, but others (John 17:9-20).  Pray is to align our will with God the Father’s Will – it is also to seek God’s help, to express our NEED for and of Him. 

A Mystery
Jesus is fully God, and fully man; this is beyond our understanding, the same as Jesus ability to set aside His divine attributes, while maintaining His divine essence. 

To reiterate, Attributes are not the definition of the essence, God’s essence is not His attributes; attributes are behaviors, those observations that can be made, yet essence cannot be seen, as they are the internal makeup of what is unseen – the reality of what it is, and can only be assumed based upon behavior.

The Traditions of Men
It is commonly taught that Jesus had some magical power in which He could touch a rock and have it turn to bread (prior to the anointing of the Holy Spirit – which is why he was not tempted until after He was anointed by the Holy Spirit ~ Luke 4:1), that He took the form of a man’s body, yet maintained His God-like abilities, with the ability to change a rock into bread, which  is exactly what Satan tempted him with.  However, Satan’s temptation, where he states: “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” ~ Luke 4:3; gives no suggestion on how Satan thought that Jesus would accomplish this miracle, rather it would be because of Jesus having the direct ability to do miracle on his own, displaying the attribute of Omnipotence, or that the Holy Spirit or God the father would do the miracle in response to Jesus request. 

Every miracle that Jesus did can be understood as being performed by the Holy Spirit, in the same that others have done miracles without being divine themselves, wherein the Holy Spirit has granted them the ability (without them having the essence of deity), to do such un-human display, such as: Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, Peter, and Paul.  They did miracles, or more correctly stated, the Holy Spirit did the miracle – this could explain Jesus ability to do miracles, and we need to remember that Jesus did not have the Holy Spirit in limitation. Jesus had the Holy Spirit in complete fullness, as stated in Luke 4:1, which states:

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness“   

The power to do miracles, in which Jesus was anointed with when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, in the same way that it would later descend in a limited manner upon those that would make up His church at Pentecost, would explain Satan’s statements.  Jesus later stated that unless He left, the Holy Spirit could not indwell within the believer’s (Ephesians 1:3).  John 16:7, states:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” 

Is it because Jesus had the complete fullness of the Holy Spirit indwelling Him, that Jesus would have to leave in order to “send him unto you,” so that believers could be filled with the Holy Spirit (Jesus being ”full of the Holy Ghost,” is completely different than the believers at Pentecost being “filled with the Holy Spirit.”  The word “full” [Greek: pleres] means to be completely filled and running over – without limitation – it has to do with volume.  The word “filled“ [Greek: pletho] is completely different and has to do with completely filling, it has to do with accomplishing in time that which was prophesied; NOT a complete filling as expressed in volume.  This is further seen in the following statement, the second part of Acts 2:4, which states: “as the Spirit gave them utterance,” signifying the limitation that the receiver had wherein the Spirit was still in control.  This is not seen concerning the fullness wherein Jesus was baptized in the Holy Spirit.  We must remember that Jesus only asked and did those things which centered on fulfilling the Will of God the Father and not His own Will – therefore anything that He would ask would immediately be accomplished by the Holy Spirit as the fulfillment of God’s Will.  Humans, due to their fallen nature are incapable of this; and therefore the Holy Spirit must filter and control the power that God would seek to allow believers – this was not so with Jesus, His use of the Holy Spirit would be only according to God’s Will, and without restraint as such), as stated in Acts 2:4.   

A Key Passage ~ Philippians 2: 5-8
We are told that Jesus emptied himself (which is more than simple humility), as Philippians 2:5-8, states:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Starting in the middle of the passage, concerning the Greek language, we first find the expression: “and was made (Greek: ginomai [G1096], which means: “to become,” “or “to be made…”) in the likeness (Greek: homoioma [G3667], meaning: “a figure,” “image,” “likeness,” “representation,” i.e. resemblance amounts to a “quality” or “identity” ~ again this addresses the human attributes of Jesus, not His essence, that of being God) of men (Greek: anthropos [G444], which means: “a human being, either male or female; plural in number since it expresses the idea of humanity,” “with the added notion of weakness” ~ emphasizing the fact that Christ had human limitations, which directly opposes Him maintaining His divine attribute of Omnipotence. It is interesting that the Holy Spirit uses the term “men” as opposed to “man“, stating that Jesus “was made in the likeness of men,” which focuses in on Jesus being made like all of humanity, all of mankind, rather than in the image of a single human being, such as Adam. It is evident that the Holy Spirit wishes to corner us concerning the conclusion that Jesus became a 100% man, yet at the same time, in His essence was fully Divine; what a mystery that is beyond human comprehension!): And being found in fashion (Greek: schema [G4976], which means: “The habitus, as comprising everything in a person which strikes the senses, the figure, bearing, discourse, actions, and manner of life etc.” ~ these were His attributes – and proves the fact that He did not have Omnipotent power – see Endnote #20) as a man“, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (there is no greater proof that Jesus Christ became a man than the fact that His body had life taken from it by His death on the cross, in the normal human sense that His body stopped to function on the physical plane for which it was created to dwell in. Yet, in the same way that human beings do not stop existing once there takes body dies, even more so concerning Jesus in that His essence was divine and was unhampered by it’s extraction from the body. It was at this point that Jesus Christ was given a resurrected body²⁷, the same type of body that we will receive [Romans 6:5], and that now Jesus Christ, who still maintains the resurrected body of a man sits on God’s throne. What should be the most shocking aspect of this to you and I, is that it appears that Jesus now has a resurrected body as He is in heaven, He was not just changed temporarily, but for eternity?  Please see Endnote²⁹).

To reiterate, there is no greater proof that Jesus Christ became a real man than the fact that His body had life taken from it by His death on the cross – as a real man Jesus surrendered His attribute of Omnipotence, otherwise He would have been fraudulent in not being a real man, subject to the limitations of the real man – He would’ve been A faker! (to be further addressed below)

The Scripture says that “God is not a man, that he should lie,”¹³ yet those that would espouse that Jesus maintained His divine attribute of Omnipotence (Latin: “All Powerful, Visible & Invisible.”), naïvely accuse God of breaking His Word, because here in Philippians 2:8, it unequivocally states concerning Jesus: ”being found in the fashion as a man,” became as a man in every sense of the word, yet a sinless man. The Greek word here for “fashion“ means: “figure, mien, deportment and here it is the same as “state” or “condition.”  The sense is, that He choice to be reduced to the condition of being human, and thus to being killable – the state of being a human being, which mandated he could be killed⁶

The Form of a Servant
Now, going back to Philippians 2:5-8, when it says that Jesus “took upon him the form (Greek: mophe, it means: “the form by which he person or thing strikes the vision” or “external appearance” ~ this term refers to a being’s attributes, not their outward attributes, such as power) of a servant,” what does that mean? A King is a King, and a servant is a servant; and a servant never exercises the powers of a King.

And for those that would say that Jesus being sinless would not make Him fully man – because man is sinful, ignore the fact that Adam was fully man and when he was created, he was created sinless prior to his fall. So Jesus could be fully man, and yet sinless at the same time, and exactly fulfill His mission.  The point is, Jesus could be fully man and sinless at the same time (while also fully God).

The Prince and the Pauper
In an effort to attempt to understand how Jesus was divine, yet also human; fully both, not partial in either, a good analogy might be the story of ”The Prince and the Pauper” (Mark Twain’s fictional story concerning Edward VI, 1881).  This is the story about a Prince that desired to understand what it was like to be one of the King’s subjects, and therefore found a pauper (a person that was destitute, extremely poor) that looked like himself, and traded places to gain this knowledge, experientially.  When the Prince physically traded places with the pauper, he no longer had the power of a Prince; though he was indeed truly the Prince.  His essence (Again, please see endnote: “Essence & Attributes” see Endnote #12), the reality of who he really was did not change while the pretense was taking place; yet the attributes of being the Prince, his power and authority were not present.  If the Prince who was dressed up and presented as of pauper walked up to us soldier and gave an order, at the least the soldier would laugh, if not punish the pauper that stood before him.  The Prince is still fully the Prince; however, he has laid aside temporarily the attributes of his power and authority.  Every analogy breaks down at some point, this is what makes it analogy (analogy means to lay something next to something else, in order to give clarity to the meaning of the first thing, by way of example or familiarity); however, in a crude way this story simplifies the reality of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.   Jesus fully became a man – a real man, in order to take man’s place on the cross and died for his sins.  To suggest that Jesus was simply faking His humanity is an insult and an accusation against His perfection and sinlessness as deity.

Jesus ~ The Actor?
D0 we really want to go there, to make Jesus Christ into an actor?  The reality is acting is lying – it is deception. The English word hypocrite (Greek: hupokrisis) is based upon one of its derivatives combined with the Greek word “to cover,” meaning a person who is hiding while judging from behind a mask, covering who he truly is, this word was originally used in regards concerning actors (please see Endnote # 14 concerning the full meaning of the word: ”Hypocrisy“).

The Greek plays, which were symbolized by two masks, one laughing and the other crying (this icon has been used ever since movies originated), goes back to this idea.

Hypocrites are not only those that say one thing, and do another, they are individuals that hide behind a mask and judge and mock those in front of them, the idea of condescension is prevalent to this word. This is what the actors had the ability to do because of the cover of the mask while they were wearing them (these masks were not worn on the face, but held in front of the face, and were attached to a stick that the actor held up in front of Him) on stage.

(SIDE NOTE: Have you ever noticed that in our current culture, in regards to the media of acting, how that many times actor’s that holds very liberal ideologies many times play conservative roles.  This is been done for thousands of years.  If you wish to make a point, what better way than to act as if you were an adversary, and then display their weaknesses concerning the issues, if not the fallacies within their intentions or a lack of morality.  What is also amazing is that these actors are very good.  The star of the “Bourne Trilogy” [the series: "The Bourne Identity," "The Bourne Supremacy," "The Bourne Ultimatum"], Matt Damon plays an excellent spy that is a patriot and would be considered truly conservative character.  However, in reality Matt Damon is extremely liberal and progressive to the extent that he is an anathema to any conservative.  However, we also see that the character, “Jason Bourne,” is a victim of the Government, who has used and abused him for their own evil plans – again, play your adversary and display their bad side.  Matt is a very good actor, but what we’re really saying is he’s an excellent liar.  An actor is pretending, nothing more.  Yet, we become convinced that the personalities that they play are a reflection of themselves, and therefore love the personages they play.  One other amazing little tidbit is the fact that the mental health and lifestyle of most actors is more predominantly unhealthy and destructive than the population at large, according to a few studies.  It seems that an individual that is an actor – who pretends all the time – who habitually lies to others, and must be obsessed about the appearance of creating a character; even if the audience is aware and participates in the subterfuge, may be sacrificing aspects of their mental health in the process.)

If we say that Jesus was simply acting human (then was He also mocking us, acting like He was vulnerable, like He trusted God when all along He had power to do whatever He wanted), when He had divine power beyond human attributes, if so, then He would be a faker? Do we really want to say that the baptism of the Holy Spirit which was necessary for His ministry and the miracles that preceded, was a charade, a farce, and unnecessary?  If during His earthly incarnate existence, Jesus maintained the attribute of Omnipotence, and acted like He experienced vulnerabilities (Matthew 4:2,11; John 4:6-7; 2 Cor. 13:4; Phil. 2:7-8; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Romans 8:3), then He was a deceiver and a manipulator and a hypocrite in that He would demand of others what He did not give Himself - faith.¹⁵  This would not be the Jesus of the Bible!  Remember, “Faith necessitates need.”

Jesus ~ Our Ultimate Example
So, if this is such a fundamental doctrine that has been overlooked, downplayed or misunderstood for centuries, what are the key texts. The 11th chapter of Hebrews has been referred to as the “Hall of Faith” of the Old Testament believers. We will examine this chapter in detail a little bit further along, but for now our attention should be drawn to the conclusion of this chapter of “faith warriors” with the greatest faith warrior of all, that of Jesus Christ as seen in Chapter 12. How fitting it is that the crowning example of faith does not end with men, but with our King and Savior, He who left the powers and glory in heaven to become a limited man, to become our Kinsmen-Redeemer, as seen most prominently in the book of Ruth. 

God established the role of the Kinsman-Redeemer (which has two components), in order to set a symbol or typology concerning Jesus Christ and His two missions on Earth, in order that He would be recognizable in either mission (commonly referred to as Jesus’ 1st & 2nd Coming).  Christ’s first role seen in His first coming was as the (Hebrew) “Goel,” a family redeemer (Deuteronomy 20 5:5-10; Ruth 3:9-12; Genesis 38:8); with His second role being seen in His second coming as the ”Avenger of Blood,” who carried out family Justice (Numbers 35:12; Deuteronomy 19:6, 12; Joshua 20:3, 5, 9).   (Again, please see the post entitled: “Kinsman Redeemer ~ Part 1 – A Brief Introduction” ~ Link ~ which makes the point of why Jesus had to become a man in order to atone for man’s sins.) 

The Messiah would be identifiable as the (Hebrew) ”Goel” (“The Redeemer” ~ Isaiah 41:14; 48:17; 54:8; Luke 1:68; 24:21; Galatians 3:13; 4:5; Titus 2:14) – “the lamb slain before ["from"] the foundations of the world” (John 1:29; Revelation 13:8) for the sin of humanity (1 John 2:2), as seen in His 1st coming. And then in Christ’s 2nd coming, He comes as the “Faithful & True Judge” (Psalms 98:9; 110:6; Revelation 19:11) dispensing vengeance (“The Avenger of Blood” ~ Deuteronomy 19:6, 12; Joshua 20:3, 5, 9) upon unbelieving world and to rid the earth of the “Earth dwellers,“¹⁶, to take possession of that which He paid for with His own blood (Romans 8:21-22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1), and to judge His enemies (Acts 10:42; Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1); all of which is seen at His 2nd Coming (further information can be found in the HOLMAN BIBLE DICTIONARY, page 848, please see Endnotes # 1). 

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our ["our" is not in the Greek text, which is why the King James always has "our" in italics. It was added by the assumption of the translators, because they couldn't believe that Jesus had to actually exercise faith Himself - they believed and it has been taught since then that to teach that needed and acted in faith would be against His deity - which it not] 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

This passage states indisputably that we are to look unto Jesus as our example (This is the context that this set-up according to the prior verse, v. 1.  Verse 1 is also the conclusion concerning the prior chapter which is referred to by many as the “halls of the heroes of faith” – what better example of faith to climax with – Jesus; although those humans that displayed faith throughout God’s Word, as noted in the prior chapter, were so noted because of faith; if this is a conclusion of those, then the subject matter must also be faith.  As we know, the chapter divisions were introduced to the Bible in the 12th century, with the verses divisions added in the 15th century – neither divisions were inspired by God which explains why many times in the Bible, the chapter division is in the wrong place, either late in the next chapter or before.  This is the case here concerning the division between the 11th and 12th chapter of Hebrews.  The flow is such that at the conclusion of the 11th chapter, wherein the subject matter is examples of faith continues into Hebrews 12:1 & 2; which states:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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.” 

We should notice that this passage starts with the word: “wherefore“, which indicates that it is the conclusion concerning all that was set before, in chapter 11; with a summary statement that “… we are compressed about with so great a cloud [group of] of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us….. Looking unto Jesus….”  You see the flow is very easy to follow.  The subject matter for the last few chapters has been faith, with the last chapter laying out of chronological listing of individuals that displayed faith that was very pleasing to God, with the 1st verse of chapter 12 listing a conclusion which goes on to list the greatest exerciser of faith – Jesus.   We see back and witness these men’s examples, yet we look forward in following Christ example of faith.  Jesus is our FOCUS, not men.), as Jesus is the author and finisher of faith, not our faith, but of faith!

This is not speaking of faith in the sense of: “the faith,” concerning Christianity as an institution or of Christian doctrine because there is no definite article (such as most commonly in the English the use of the word “the”) used, which is necessary for this interpretation (please review our teaching website, “Faith Bible Ministries.com”, in the “Faith? – Part 1″, the section: “Faith Applications,” “Link“; which emphatically proves that this is NOT speaking about “the faith” in the generic sense / the connotative sense / the general sense); the Greek grammar demands that if the word faith is used for anything beyond subjective application (such as the faith in reference to the movement or doctrines) that an article would be necessary, which is not present here.

Concerning the subject of faith; the word for “author” (Greek: archegon) more specifically is translated “the originator and first to utilize;” and the word ”finisher“ (Greek: teleioten) more specifically means “to completely have done (in the past) and finished what was started and works in unison with“ (Greek: archegon), both describing Jesus being the originator and best example to have thoroughly demonstrated faith (more passages citing “the faith of Christ” will be cited later).   

The scholar James Moffatt says of the word “author” (Greek: archegon), should be translated: “The pioneer of personal faith” (see “Moffatt’s Bible,” Hebrews 12:2 and Hebrews 2:10 - SIDE NOTE: The self-proclaimed Heretic fighter, David J. Stewart, is mainly correct concerning most of what he has to say about the corrupted translations in regards to the Alexandrian Codices, and especially Wescott and Hort.  However, this does not change the fact that much of the translation work done by James Moffatt concerning individual passages, which are based upon the Byzantine text, such as Hebrews 12:2 is correct, even the dead clock is correct twice today.  It is unfortunate that Mr. Stewart refuses to lay aside his own ego in his presentations, and stick mainly with presenting correct research, which many times he does not.  His cause may be just, but his lack of integrity makes him appear to be another King James only extremist who lacks credibility due to his pride, over emotionalism, and haphazard presentation.). 

The most noted, and often quoted scholar, Marvin R. Vincent states the word ”finisher“ (Greek: teleioten) more expressly means ”perfecter” of faith, having done it wholly (completely), without exception.¹⁷ 

Vincent went on to say that:

It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The phrase “the beginner of faith,” or the leader on / of faith, would express the idea. He is at the head of all those who have furnished an example of confidence in God, for he was himself the most illustrious instance of it. The expression, then, does not mean properly that he produces faith in us, or that we believe because he causes us to believe – whatever may be the truth about that – but that he stands at the head as the most eminent example that can be referred to on the subject of faith. We are exhorted to look to him, as if at the Grecian games there was one who stood before the racer who had previously carried away every palm of victory; who had always been triumphant, and with whom there was no one who could be compared. The word (Greek) arch corresponds in meaning with the word “author.” It means that he is the completer as well as the beginner; the last as well as the first [the Alpha & Omega ~ Revelation 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13].

As there has been no one hitherto who could be compared with him, so there will be no one hereafter; compare Rev 1:8, Rev 1:11. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last.” The word does not mean that he was the “finisher” of faith in the sense that he makes our faith complete or perfects it – whatever may be true about that – but that he occupies this elevated position of being beyond comparison above all others. Alike in the commencement and the close, in the beginning of faith, and in its ending, he stands pre-eminent. To this illustrious model we should look – as a racer would on one who had been always so successful that he surpassed all competitors and rivals. If this be the meaning, then it is not properly explained, as it is commonly (see Bloomfield and Stuart in loc.), by saying that the word here is synonymous with “rewarder,” and refers to the (Greek) brabeutes – or the distributor of the prize; compare notes on Col 3:15. There is no instance where the word is used in this sense in the New Testament (compare ~ Greek: Passow), nor would such an interpretation present so beautiful and appropriate a thought as the one suggested above.”⁶

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
Jesus repetitively stated that He could do nothing of Himself (John 5:19; 5:30; 8:28), outside of the power of the Holy Spirit or the Father. Plus, if He had all this power in hand, why was there a necessity for the Holy Spirit to indwell Him (Luke 3:22), empowering Him for His ministry. While some have said this was for display purposes only; this is ridiculous concerning God. God may do something and then display it so we can see it, but God never acts, nor does He need to make excuses or prove Himself to man. What God does or says is either real and we see it; or it is real and is hidden. God does not act or do things simply to be seen.

If the Holy Spirit was the same with Him all through His life prior to his ministry, as well as from the dissension of the Dove on, then why was there this necessity to show the Holy Spirit landing on him in the first place? (This would be a false display, as the Spirit had already been with and in Him before). Jesus said that we would do greater things than what He had done (concerning miracles?  John 14:12). And the strange reference in John 7:39, which states:

“(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Which in the Greek seems to imply that believers could not be indwelt by the Holy Spirit until the Holy Spirit was no longer functional in the life of Jesus during His incarnation, with John 16:7, repeating this same idea when it says:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

Some scholars have wondered if this was because Jesus contained all of the Holy Spirit, having the ability to maintain (house) all of the Holy Spirit because He was absolutely sinless and divine in His essence.    

A Man!
There are those that would consider this teaching heretical, yet for man to attempt to understand God beyond what the Scripture has told us, is in reality what is really heretical. We know that Jesus was all man (Hebrews 2:17), and yet there were men that did miracles, but there was never a man that had the Holy Spirit to the degree that anything and everything they did was completed at their command.

Jesus could see things that no one else saw, Jesus could read the minds of everyone around him, Jesus understood the intention of the hearts of people, Jesus could know of things happening outside of His locality, Jesus understood the Spirit world and it recognized Him, Jesus without exception could raise the dead, heal; yet He could also go hungry and thirsty, suffer and die. 

This is because all the things Jesus did were made possible by the complete indwelling of the Holy Spirit within Him, it was the Spirit that empowered Him to do all these things, and yet still be fully man; man enough so that He had human limitations in order for Him to be hungry, thirsty, to suffer and die; in order to be like us – and need faith like us as well.

To say that Jesus was not fully limited within His incarnation, is blasphemy concerning the atonement and the concept of the Kinsman-Redeemer concerning the propitiation of sin, where one man died for another man’s sin. How often have we heard the unbelievers say that according to Christianity, it’s not fair that all of humanity would be cursed to hell because of one man, Adams behavior*. Yet, the other side of that coin is how marvelous it is that by one man, Jesus (“The Lord God”), all of humanity may be saved (*1 Corinthians 15:45-58). 

It is vanity to attempt to understand the essence of God, or to define it; we simply must accept what God’s Word has said – Jesus became a man (yet still with the essence of divinity), period. 

How Could This Be
The old question is, “could God make a rock so big that He could not pick it up,” the answer is, yes He could, but He is not stupid enough to do so.

The point is, if God chose to make a part of Himself, His Son incarnate (human); could He not divest Him of His Omnipotence, because apparently Jesus was divested of being Omniscient (“Knows All”) as seen in Mark 13:32,  which states:

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father”

The same as Jesus was also divested of being Omnipresent (“Everywhere All at Once, Non-locality”), having the limitation of locality; Jesus could only be at one place at a time, never everywhere at once. 

Two of these three attributes which are solely attributes of God, were not seen in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It is funny that some people think this line of reasoning is demeaning to God; yet others might argue who is the clay to define in the Potter beyond God’s Word in the first place.

Going by God’s Word solely, without presupposition, Jesus apparently emptied Himself and became a man, and as a man He had frailties which necessitated faith. Because deity, as we normally consider it has all power and has no need of faith, therefore becoming man would necessitate this frailty.  Truly God could create a way so that Jesus while incarnate was divine, but also subject to the limitations of being fully man, not simply divinity acting like a man.  If Jesus fully maintained His attributes as God, how could He have been killed (because another attribute of deity is the inability to be killed).  Yet, we are told that he was in every aspect a man:

Hebrews 2:8-10, states:

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 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. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

If it is true that Jesus made himself void of His divine power in order to become just like us, and live by faith so that God would fulfill all They had planned together, how much more should we appreciate His sacrifice and admire Him as being the greatest example of faith, as well as righteousness. And if this is true, then we have no ability to understand what Jesus went through to become a man, having been deity all of eternity, to become limited, taking on limitations.

We must remember that God is God not because He fits into our box, many times made up of morality rules and “common sense” (1 Corinthians 3:19). We forget the lesson of Romans 9:21, which illustrates that He is the Potter and we are the clay, God is God because He is the Boss; it is to our great fortune that He is righteous and just, as well as merciful and good. 

God is Not a Hypocrite
Can you honestly picture the Son of God demanding something of you and I that He Himself neither had to do or experience? What was the whole reason of His incarnation if it was not to be tested as you and I, in all ways, not some. And if all along He had that power to end His pain and suffering, then not doing so was a display of a charade of pretending to be human and in actuality he was not (this point is made ad nausea for a purpose).

If Jesus actually had no real wants, no needs, no frailty; then when all is said and done what would that say about God’s character. Therefore, Jesus Christ being the greatest example (please see Endnote #18 for further reference websites on “The Faith of Christ“) to ever exercise faith makes more sense than anything else.

Virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love; are important, but none of them are necessary for salvation and none of are a necessity for pleasing God – only faith is!

About the Grammar
Greek is a highly inflected language (i.e. the form of words change to indicate the role each word plays in the sentence), a noun changes forms based upon its relationship to other words and how it functions in the sentence. The stem of the noun contains the basic meaning of the noun, but a suffix is added to indicate the noun’s role in the sentence. The endings are changed according to certain patterns, or ‘declensions,’ that indicate what are the number, case, and gender of the noun form.

About Nouns
To “decline” (or to “prase”) a noun means to analyze it and break it down into its basic parts according to number, gender, and case.¹⁹

Concerning nouns, there basic parts, the case provides perhaps more information than anything else. There are four different case forms in Greek; they are nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative.

Concerning the present study we are only going to narrowly look at three of these cases (types of nouns), the genitive case, accusative case, and dative case.

The following 9 Scriptures utilize the Greek word pístis (G4102), which is translated into the English word faith in each of the following Scriptures.

Genitive Case
Pístis (“faith”) is a noun, and in the cited examples below it is in the genitive case (subjective genitive, not objective ~ which is the subject of another essay dealing with Greek translations of the Bible) which displays possession within the sentence. What this means is that in the following Scriptures is that the faith that is being spoken about is possessed by Jesus himself, without equivocation.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of  our ["our" is not in the original, it is merely assumed and added by the translator, which is why it is in italics] faith [G] …” ~ Hebrews 12:2

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith [G] of Jesus Christ…” ~ Romans 3:22

“…by the faith [G] of Jesus Christ … justified by the faith [G] of Christ…” ~ Galatians 2:16

“… the promise by faith [G] of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” ~ Galatians 3:22

“…we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith [G] of him.” ~ Ephesians 3:12

“… which is through the faith [G] of Christ, the righteousness…” ~ Philippians 3:9

To reiterate, the above verses mean that the faith that is being spoken about is possessed by Jesus himself, without equivocation – IT IS JESUS’ FAITH!

Accusative Case
In the next Scriptures, the Greek noun pístis (“faith”) is in the accusative case, which displays the direct objectof the sentence, and Jesus is in the genitive case; meaning that Jesus possesses the faith which is the direct object of the sentence.

 ”…not the faith [A] of our Lord Jesus Christ [G] … with respect of persons.” ~ James 2:1

“… and the faith [A] of  Jesus [G].” ~ Revelation 14:12

To reiterate, the above verses mean “Jesus” is in the genitive case; meaning that Jesus possesses the faith which is the direct object of the sentence – IT IS THE FAITH OF JESUS! …..In the following verse, the Greek noun pístis (“faith”)  is in the dative case, which displays the means by which an action is accomplished; meaning that faith is the action which is possessed by Jesus Christ.

“…the life which I now live… I live by the faith [D] of the Son of God [G] …” ~ Galatians 2:20…

Galatians 2:16
(Below is an example of Parsing. Parsing is the process of analyzing / diagramming text to determine its grammatical structure with respect to a given inflected formal grammar. The parsing of Galatians 2:16 is as follows: the green numbers are Strong’s numbering system, the red letters are grammatical keys in which the 1st singular letter represents the type [verbs, nouns, verbal nouns, prepositions, conjunctions, participles, etc.], followed by underlying space then the remaining part of the cluster is the subtype of the grammatical code, regarding inflections [such as: tense, mood, voice, person, gender, number, case, etc.] ~ please see Endnote #5 for further reference material concerning grammatical codes)…..

Perhaps one of the better passages that presents the “Faith of Christ” while also separately discussing “Faith in Christ” is seen in Galatians 2:16, which states:. 

. 
“The faith“ (Greek: pístis – G4102) ~ Is used twice concerning the faith of Jesus Christ in the genitive case , indicating His possession of faith that created the justification of those that would believe in Jesus (Greek: pisteuo Strong # 4100, which is a verb, and in the aorist tense, indicating the subject – the person that “has believed” receives the action, that of being “justified“) – being justified because of the faith of Jesus Christ in God the Father. Both times that “the faith“ is  referred to above, address the fact that it is the faith of Jesus Christ in the Father that produced the implied justification to “even we have believed in Jesus Christ…” and not the works of the law.  The focus of this verse is Jesus Christ and His faith which brought justification unto man, not man and his faith, which he received from God as a gift to begin with according to Ephesians 2:8.

It is a misconception to believe that salvation is earned in trade for faith, which is a gift from God; faith is not the basis of salvation, (grace is) but should be the result of it.  There is a delicate tension in understanding that belief in God and trust in Him is necessary for a person to become a believer, yet at the same time even this faith is a gift of God. The point of view that people are convinced on a human level into exercising saving faith is incorrect in that it would mandate salvation based upon man’s action, as opposed to God’s grace (please see Endnote #4).

Due to the Biblical doctrine of “faith,” Scriptures can relate (either due to the translation found in the newer versions of the Bible which are based upon the Alexandrian Codices, or by the replacement of the word “of,” with the word “in,” which is even noted in many of the newer translations lexicons – or as seen in LEXICONS where the original language is listed both words “of” in regular script, and “in” in italics is listed – words found in italics indicate they are not in the original manuscripts) to the believer’s faith placed in Christ, yet, there are also passages which relate to the “faith of Christ,” which should be noted as distinctive and therefore garner our attention.

It is because Christ trusted and believed in God the Father, that upon His death, God the Father (who is the Head of Jesus ~ 1 Corinthians 11:13) would resurrect him and reestablish His divinity and position in the Trinity. These issues are hard to understand because how can God lay down those attributes, yet maintain divinity in His essence, and still be divine.

Part of the problem is that finite man is attempting to understand the infinite God.

Our faith is built upon an examination of God’s Word, “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God“ (Romans 10:17), it is because God presents a track record which is worthy of our trust that we gain faith in Him. He has displayed a pattern in the Bible which if we believe enough to search it out; will affirm yet greater faith and establishes yet a firmer confidence of who God is, and what He can do, in light of what He has said in His Word.

Jesus had to exercise faith and trust in the Father, not only as our example in every way, but as a declaration of God’s complete and utter reliability.

Yet, if Christ failed in His faith, if He chose to take up Satan’s proposition, or do anything to disrupt His upcoming execution; Jesus would have displayed a lack of faith in God the Father, and not fulfill the ability of our salvation by His atoning death.

Therefore, it is much more important to us that Christ exercised complete and utter faith in God the Father, in securing our salvation, then for us to remain faithful to Him.

The Scripture tells us that when we are unfaithful to God, He is still faithful to us, and faithful in our place (2 Timothy 2:13). God knows that each and every one of us will act unfaithfully at different times, and if the fear is that we would do so at the jeopardy of our salvation, we are the sorriest of creatures. Because we could never do it, thoroughly, completely, and all the way.

Yet, concerning the passages above what is prominent is the fact that without exception faith was mandated, and if it was mandated of us; just one act of disbelief would be detrimental to our spiritual life.

However, the fact that Christ never lacked in faith to God the Father, has granted unto us eternal life, not hindered by our own failures; but guaranteed by Jesus’ victory at the cross, the greatest display of faith ever committed.

The home website of this ministry, where this was taken from is: http://faithvideoministries.com/index.php

“Faith? Part 1” dropdown page ~Link

“Faith? Part 2” dropdown page ~Link

Matthew, being a Levite, emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Each of the subtleties of his design supports this primary theme. His genealogy begins with the “first Jew,” Abraham, and continues through David and the royal line to the legal father of Jesus, Joseph (according to Hebrews Law, in the same way that a step father was a legal guardian and father). Matthew’s emphasis is on the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Tanach, the Old Testament.

As a customs official, Matthew was skilled in shorthand, an essential asset in a culture that did not have the advantages of printing, copiers, and the like. Matthew focuses on what Jesus said, and includes the extensive discourses, which he probably was able to take down verbatim. Matthew’s first miracle is the cleansing of a leper, a Jewish metaphor for sin itself. Matthew concludes with the resurrection, also a distinctive Jewish preoccupation.

Mark

Mark presented the “Suffering Servant,” symbolized by the ox (oxen were examples of extreme servitude, which exemplifies Jesus complete humility and servitude of the father as well as Him serving man by dying for him, though He was King. Thus fulfilling Isaiah 52 & 53 as the servant of God, who laid down His life, and became poor that we would become rich).

Luke

Luke presented the “Son of Man,” the perfect man (a sinless man, the same as Adam, man as he was meant to be). 

Luke was a Gentile and a doctor, and his Gospel reflects a very distinctive point of view, emphasizing Jesus as the Son of Man. His genealogy begins with Adam, the first man. From Abraham to David, his list is identical to that of Matthew. However, when he gets to David, he doesn’t track through Solomon (the first surviving son of Bathsheba) but through a different son, Nathan (the second surviving son of Bathsheba). He continues through to Heli, the father of Mary (Joseph is the son-in-law of Heli). The term used in Luke 3:23 concerning Jesus is: “being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,“ which is nomizo in the Greek, which is literally translated: “reckoned as by law.” this indicates a legal adoption of Jesus by Joseph which is part of the rule of inheritance concerning the Hebrews.  In the Hebrew society the intended heir of the household received the household inheritance by the legal act of adoption which separated him from his siblings.  The heir received the whole estate with his siblings receiving only what he might decide to hand down to them.  This is what is being referred to here; Joseph legally adopted Jesus as his heir; which validated Jesus legal claim in this bloodline.

But what is glossed over is that this genealogy is not the genealogy of Joseph, but is the genealogy of Mary through her father, Heli to Jesus (Matthew is the genealogy of Joseph who had legally adopted Jesus concerning the royal bloodline of Judah through David) establishing Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam the first man, which is what this book emphasizes.  Luke 3:38 states that Adam was the “son of God” (God established the pattern of using the expression, “son of…” in referring to anything that flows out of the original source, or that was created by the source, therefore the angels are referred to as “sons of God” [Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7] as God created them in the same way that Adam is referred to as a “son of God,” because God created him as well [Luke 3:38], and as Jesus had called the scribes and Pharisees “sons of  the devil” [John 8:44] because they flowed from their father Satan and their actions betrayed this.  Yet, this is different than Sonship according to essence, which is what Jesus Christ is, a literal “Son of God,” not figurative.) and in this genealogy concerning the humanity of Christ it confirms Jesus as the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), the true son of God in every sense in Luke 3:23, in the original language, the definite article (Greek: tou), “THE” is in the genitive form and appears before every name in the genealogy except one, that one name is Joseph. This singular exception strongly suggests that Joseph was included only because of his marriage to Mary.

The Greek word for “son,” is uihos, [G5207] and was used primarily to signify the relationship of offspring to the parents in a literal sense, yet it was also used in a figurative sense concerning a full range of relationships or descriptions.

Heli, Mary’s father, having no sons, only daughters, would normally have his lineage stopped at his death. However, in preparation for this very event, that of the birth of God’s Son, incarnate, the (Greek) Logos (“the Word” ~ John 1:1) of God (Jesus) becoming a Man, in which the necessity to establish not only His bloodline of Kingship (Matthew’s genealogy), but also His bloodline concerning his humanity (Luke’s genealogy), God instituted a situation back during the Exodus that would validate Jesus concerning both issues, in the situation concerning the daughters of Zelophehad. Where Moses went to God and God declared that the blessing of the bloodline could flow through the adoption of son-in-law’s in order to maintain the blessing of blood through genealogy when there were no sons to do so. Therefore, we understand that Joseph was adopted by Heli in accordance to this exception created in the Torah for inheritance (Numbers 27:1-11; Joshua 17:3-6; Ezra 2:61; cf. Nehemiah 7:63; Numbers 32:41; 1 Chronicles 2:21-23, 34-35).

As a Gentile, Luke’s emphasis is different. His emphasis is Christ’s humanity; he focuses on what Jesus felt. His first miracle is the expulsion of a demon, a very human concern. Luke concludes with the promise of the giving of the Holy Spirit, which is a natural bridge to Luke’s subsequent volume, The Book of Acts.

John
.
John presented the “Son of God,” God incarnate, God indwelling flesh, Divine; in symbolized by the Eagle (the Eternal Son of God, the Logos, God’s Communication of Himself through His Son).

John had a very distinctive view, emphasizing Jesus as the Son of God. It focuses on who Jesus is. His “genealogy” is that of the Preexistent One, constituting John’s opening verses: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This is a genealogy of the Divine Son of God, who has no beginning and no ending, who was never created yet created all things. John’s Gospel is organized around seven miracles, seven discourses, and seven “I AM” statements.

John’s first miracle involves the use of the water of purification being changed to wine at Cana (a pictorial of the church), a private demonstration to the disciples that Jesus was preeminent even over the Levitical priesthood. John concludes with the promise of Jesus’ return, and becomes the appropriate prequel to John’s final writing, The Revelation.

In Summation
Matthew wrote to the Jew, God’s chosen people; Mark wrote to the Romans; representing the power of world government (from Rome), Luke wrote to the Greeks; representing the cultural masses, And John wrote to the church, those adopted into God’s kingdom. 

Matthew was written by a Jewish tax collector, Mark was written by a Jewish companion of Peter, Luke was written by a Gentile physician, a companion of Paul, and John was written by a Jewish fisherman.

Matthew concentrated on what Jesus said, His teachings (“said” ~ 151 times), Mark concentrated on what Jesus did (with Jesus’ actions most prominent), Luke concentrated on what Jesus’ felt (88 times), and John concentrated on who Jesus was (247 times). 

A key word in the book of Matthew is “fulfilled“ (38 times ~ concerning the Messiah of Israel), a keyword in the book of Mark is “immediately” (42 times ~  concerning the actions of Jesus), a keyword word in the book of Luke is a “came to pass” (42 times ~ concerning the transition of God becoming man), and the key phrase in the book of John is “verily verily“(meaning: ”truly,” used 25 times ~ concerning how God is Truth, nothing more encapsulates the identity of God than His inability to be false or a lie, God is either righteous, just and therefore Divine; or false, sinful, and a lie which mandates that he would be a concept of man.) 

(SIDE NOTE: An interesting fact is that Jesus gave us clues in His terminology concerning the weight that He placed on that which he stated in the form of the preceding comment he made concerning any subject. When Jesus wanted His hearers to take note of what He was about to say, He would say: ”I say unto you,“ which is recorded over a 122 times in the Gospels. When He wished to add weight to His comment He would say: “verily,” this is recorded over 53 times in the Gospels. And when He wanted to place the greatest significance on His statement He would say: “verily, verily,” which is recorded 25 times, and only in the book of John, which again is the book that establishes Jesus as God, He who cannot lie ~ “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” ~ Numbers 23:19). 

Even the styles of each book are diverse, with Matthew utilizing elegant groupings, Mark providing simple snapshots, Luke presenting a logical narrative and John writing in a very mystical style (representing God’s mysterious Majesty). 

It must be kept in mind that when dealing with the subject of the diversity between the Gospels, 3 of the gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke) seem to present the last three years of Jesus life, chronologically, and in a similar order (yet not precise, with differing timelines and events) and are therefore referred to as the Synoptic (Greek: syn - meaning “together” ~ or technically: displaying conditions as they exist simultaneously over a broad area) Gospels.  Many writers attempt to produce a “Harmony of the Gospels,” by fitting the three Gospels together into one chronological timeline.  However, doing so introduces more problems than can be answered, in that it is obvious that this was not the intent of the Holy Spirit. Because there may be two very similar events in two or more of the Gospels that vary in the details for a very good reason, they were totally different events that just appeared very similar (i.e. the feeding of the multitudes). Also, concerning the diversity between John and the other three Gospels, there is the issue of multiple events as seen in Jesus clearing of the Temple which is referred to as taking place at the first of His ministry on one account (John 2:13-16), and then at the end of this ministry at another (Matthew 21:12).  

Each gospel needs to stand on its own, with us understanding that the Holy Spirit might choose sometimes to omit certain details in order that other aspects of an event are made clearer in order to create a certain emphasis.  Yet, in other situations the Holy Spirit might bring out other details in order to create yet another emphasis in a separate account; or they may be completely different accounts.  The point is God engineered four different accounts of the last three years of Jesus life because He wanted us to have four different perspectives, diverse from each other and never to be mixed, and to twist the text so as to fit together a puzzle never met to be arranged this way is unwise at best, and unbiblical at worst (yet there is a benefit from fitting together timelines in a loose manner in order to cross reference situations and to glean different aspects of the same event, yet this must be done very carefully and loosely; never forcing any issues or changing any events in order to have them fit together in a particular chronological order).

One last consideration that needs to be addressed is that of the diversity of acceptable writing styles of the Hebrews (the Hebrews and Jews of two thousand years ago or more) as compared to modern English today. To us in America, we are very linear in the way that we think and process information. When we present events in someone’s life we start with a timeline from the left to the right, which is chronological concerning the events as they occur one after the other.  According to Western train of thought this makes complete sense to you and I, yet, it is not the same concerning the Hebrews of thousands of years ago. To the Hebrew, the most important thing was the priority of what was being communicated, rather than the sequence of events.  What they focused in on was the important issues first, with the chronology of the timeline a servant to what was more important. This doesn’t become a problem as most of time the Old Testament follows a linear chronological order which does not do violence to the priority of what is being communicated. However, whenever we read John’s Gospel, the mysterious Gospel which presents “The Son of God,” Deity (perhaps the greatest mystery to man ["a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma"] and far beyond his ability to comprehend is, God; and even within this yet further more unfathomable conception is God in man in the person of Jesus Christ); we need to understand it’s presented according to the mindset of the Hebrew.  The Gospel of John presents groupings of situations according to the importance of what is trying to be communicated, as opposed to any chronological logical presentation. The outline of the book of John is not chronological, but is organized around seven miracles, which  lead to seven discourses, and then seven “I AM” statements; all in order to establish the profound insight that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Divine, beyond human compare, Preeminent among all of creation.

For further teaching on this subject with much greater detail, please see our essay: ”The Gospels ~ Four Different Perspectives of Christ,” ~ LINK.

In this passage, James is referring to Abraham’s offering of Isaac as proof of his faith which is referred to in Genesis chapter 22, when Abraham was over 125 years old, perhaps even 130 years old (making Isaac at least thirty years old, and as far as some topologists are concerned, Isaac would’ve had to been thirty-three years old to fit the typology of Christ’s crucifixion). Yet, we understand that Abraham’s saving faith in which God counted it “for righteousness” occurred over at least forty years prior to this as recorded in:

Genesis 15:6 ~ “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

Therefore, it is impossible for James to be stating that Abraham was saved by faith when he offered up Isaac more than forty years after Genesis 15:6, which is when he displayed saving faith (in which God counted it as righteousness) by believing God’s promise concerning becoming a mighty nation, by first having a physical son of his own. What is easily understood especially in light of the Greek grammatical principle concerning Greek verbs ending in “oo”, is that James is stating that what was already on the inside of Abraham, saving faith in God, was fully displayed in the act of him being prepared to take the life of his son according to God’s direction.

This also clears up the misunderstanding that somehow presupposes that James teaching on faith is opposed to Paul’s teaching on faith. By example, Paul states in:

Romans 4:3-5 ~ “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth [Greek: dikaioo] the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Here, Paul is quoting from Genesis 15:6, when Abraham was around 80 years old, and is being justified according to his faith by God. Paul uses the same Greek verb for justifieth, indicating that he then was exercising that faith that had already dwelt on the inside concern in God and his promises. We must remember that it was God that ten years before had instructed Abram to leave his home and relatives to go to a new land that God would later show him.  Abram delayed his departure until his father had died (according to Stephen ~ Acts 7:4), then disobeyed God by taking his nephew Lot with him. So though Abraham had faith in God, it had not matured to the place of confidence that would mandate obedience. Yet, the scripture is quick to tell us that it was his belief in God’s promise, not Abrams works wherein God saw his heart and imputed righteousness to him.

We understand that justification is God’s declaration that a person be treated as if he is innocent of the charges made against them. It is a declaration of immunity, being acquitted, not a pronouncement based upon evidence, but in spite of it. In reference to justification, Paul declares in:

Romans 4:1-8 ~ “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

Therefore, what James says in James 2:21; agrees with Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9; whereas James states that Abraham displayed (What was on the inside was exhibited on the outside) his saving faith by his work (deed), of trusting God when he was preparing to present his son as a sacrifice, this was 40-50 years after he was already saved by his faith in God as recorded in Genesis 15:6 (Paul states in Romans 4:3; 4:9; Galatians 3:6, that Abraham received his salvation when he first exercised faith back at Genesis 15:6).

Other Examples of this Type of Verb

Another example concerning Greek verbs ending in “oo“ (which indicate that what is already on the inside is then displayed on the outside) can be found concerning the Transfiguration of Christ as recorded in:

Matthew 17:2 ~ “And was transfigured [Greek: metamorphoo] before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.”

The word transfigure means to change the appearance or form, it does not denote the change of the substance of that thing, but simply its appearance. And with the verb utilizing the “oo,” we further understand that the change referred to is to display what is already on the inside, on the outside.

Another example is seen in John 1:14 where the English word “dwelt“ (Greek: skennoo), which in actuality is the word “tabernacled,” meaning to “tent,” or temporarily lodge in a place, is used concerning Jesus’ earthly existence as a man (the incarnation). The verb used here concerns Jesus being made flesh, in regards to Him displaying on the outside, by transfiguration that which had already existed in His essence, His divinity and holiness as the only begotten Son of God, the “Word” (Greek: Logos: meaning: “the literal communication”) of God personified.”  Yet, all men live on this physical plane temporally, as we tabernacle on this earth (2 Cor. 5:1,4; 2 Peter 1:13 & 14).

The last example is seen in Ephesians 3:16 regarding the English word “strengthed“ (Greek: krataioo), concerning the believers being strengthed on the inside by the Holy Spirit which would be exhibited on the outside (yet the strength is according to the power of the Holy Spirit, and not the individual).

What we must also understand concerning this word is the Greek grammar, in which the word “strengthed” is in the passive voice, meaning that the person receives the power from another, not from themselves; and that it is in the aorist tense, meaning that the action occurred in the past (it occurred “Once & for all.” The action occurred or was made possible when Jesus died on the cross, giving the opportunity for the Holy Spirit to indwell the believers according to salvation as adopted sons of God) and it is in the indicative mood, meaning that it is a complete certainty (A Reality ~ it is a done deal, completed). Therefore, with this in mind what this verse indicates is that by becoming a believer and therefore having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there is power available to the believer which indwells on the inside and should be displayed on the outside. This is what true witnessing is all about; this is what 1 Peter 3:15 also alludes to.

Note ~ If you use a Greek Parallel Interlinear New Testament, you will notice that the spelling for the verbs referenced above (justification, transfigured, dwelt, and strengthened) in the Greek language do not display two “o,” just one. This is because in a Greek Parallel Interlinear New Testament, the Greek words are combined into cognates and not distinguished individually. However, if you utilize a Bible Dictionary on Greek (Such as: Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words; Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, Larry Richards; Jamieson, Fausset, Brown; Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Kenneth S. Wuest; Word Meanings in the New Testament, Ralph Earl; Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible & Word Studies, Spiros Zodhiates), as well as any of the current computer dictionary programs; the spelling of the individual words will be with the double “0″ ending. Thayer’s Greek Dictionary²⁰ is used concerning the above translation.

Concerning grammatical reference to the utilization of “oo” in Greek verbs wherein its usage “indicates that what is already present on the inside is then displayed on the outside;” one of many sources is Dr. Wayne A. Barber’s book, “The Surrendered Walk,” page 28, as well as other books and manuals which teach (Greek) Koiné Greek.

Distinction between Attributes & Roles
In examining anyone we must always be aware of the role that the individual is playing at the time in order to evaluate the correctness of those attributes. It is in examining those attributes, or behaviors that discretion must be seen according to the mandates of the situation. It is rightly said that we should not judge one another as referred to in Matthew 7:1 (for the sake of this argument let us temporarily set aside the different Greek words for “judgment,” which can vary from unrighteous condemnation to righteous condemnation to evaluation for edification’s sake. Whereas certain judgment is demanded in certain situations, such as: I Corinthians 5:12, 13; 6:2-5; 11:31;14:29; I Thessalonians 5:21 as compared to that which is condemned in other situations, such as: Matthew 7:1; Colossians 2:16; James 2:4;4:11,12), yet only a few verses later, Christ commanded that we judge concerning false prophets in Matthew 7:15-20. What is the main difference in these two situations?  It is the role of the one being evaluated, because they are a leader and therefore affect people in a different way than normal members of a group. Wherein a false student may lead one or two astray, a good teacher will ferret them out; however, a false prophet (remember that the word “Prophet” means one who speaks for another, and may not have anything to do with telling the future, such as the case of John the Baptist) , especially in the role as a teacher, can do an immense amount of damage to many individuals; therefore because of their roles, and the responsibility that it entails, we are to evaluate or judge teachers because of this. The role makes the difference, and as such, there should be different attributes that also follow. Roles many times define attributes, or behaviors.

The Roles of God
The reason this discussion is necessary is to distinguish those attributes that God displays during certain roles He performs at certain times in history, as compared to other roles at diverse times. This is why individuals have made the mistake of stating that the God of the Old Testament is a warring God that kills and judges; and the God of the New Testament is a loving and forgiving God, as seen in Jesus. God the Father is the same, and so is Jesus in both Testaments, yet it is in the roles that they play at certain times wherein the confusion lies. It is when men do not take the whole counsel of God²⁴ into consideration; by using the justification of the local context only, isolating it from the rest of Scripture in an attempt to make their own point. Scriptural context is more than its local application; it is in its application to the Bible as a whole that it must be utilized.

When God the Father instructed the Israelites to kill every man, woman, and child of certain tribes and nations in the promised land, He did so as a father that is protecting His own child from those that would later seek out to destroy that child by either destruction or genetic contamination. God the Father’s role was that of a protecting father. Yet, how could one question the love of God the Father in that He would nail His own Son to the cross for His enemies, which He would then adopt.

It is in misunderstanding the roles of Jesus Christ that many liberals rationalize pacifism. They concentrate on Jesus in His First Coming and interpret Jesus’ essence according to those attributes of that particular role that He displayed on that occasion. This is why it is so helpful to understand that the four Gospels display four views of Jesus in His First Coming: that of Matthew as the Messiah, the lion of the tribe of Judah; that of Mark as the suffering servant; that of Luke as the perfect man; and that of John as the son of God.

Without the benefit of this perspective many concentrate only on Jesus as the suffering servant, and therefore only see Him as demanding that everyone always turn the cheek. While Jesus instructed the 70 disciples to not take a sword with them on their first Ministry training outreach (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:1), they forget that Jesus later speaking concerning His upcoming departure instructed them to carry a sword (Luke 22:36). When they speak about His kindness, they do so by isolating Him from the contempt He showed to the Pharisees, or the intolerance He displayed to the opportunists when He turned over their money tables in the Temple courtyard.

And most importantly they separate Him from the role He will play at His Second Coming, that of a warring conqueror claiming His prize. They allegorize fire coming from His mouth, and the fact that He will kill millions of people. His role at this time is defending Israel, and vanquishing the earth dwellers by killing millions of people.

They also seem to have a hard time with the Christophanies of the Old Testament, the fact that Joshua was confronted by Him at night wearing a soldier’s uniform, a sword drawn in His hand, and announcing that he is the captain of the Lord’s Host, meaning that He is the very highest ranking warrior leader of God’s armies.

The world either wants to keep Jesus as a baby at Christmas who has no power; or as a pacifist unwilling to display power; either way, they can avoid His sovereignty to their own demise.

Caveat
Understanding that God displays different attributes according to the role He is fulfilling at that time, we must still understand the deficiency in defining God according to those, or any attributes; because attributes are not a definition of essence. And whenever we attempt to define God according to His attributes we in essence attempt to minimize and compartmentalize Him. We attempt to bring Him down to our capacity to understand. How can the finite define the infinite? It can’t, and any attempt to do so is condescending.

Yet at the same time, we are intellectual creatures, created with logic and rationality, and have a need to understand anything and everything. And by necessity, we must attempt to understand or define God, while at the same time; regarding the task with great reverence. We can never wrap our arms or minds around God, and to think we can to any large extent is blasphemous. Yet, how do we know which God is really God?  God is a title and not a personal name or descriptor. So which deity is truly deity?  This can only be accomplished by the mere act of attempting to understand, and therefore define that deity, but to do so in reverence and awe.

Technical Definition
Elwell’s Evangelical Dictionary of Theology says, concerning the attributes of God:

God is an invisible, personal, and living Spirit, distinguished from all other spirits by several kinds of attributes: metaphysically God is self-existent, eternal, and unchanging; intellectually God is omniscient, faithful, and wise; ethically God is just, merciful, and loving; emotionally God detests evil, is long-suffering, and is compassionate; existentially God is free, authentic, and omnipotent; relationally God is transcendent in being immanent universally in providential activity, and immanent with his people in redemptive activity.²⁵  

Answer to the Question
Of those attributes which are observable concerning God, if I had to name one that was most appealing to me, it would be that attribute for which my whole existence hinges: that of God’s mercy. We know that mercy is not receiving that negative reward we deserve, and that grace is receiving that benefit we do not deserve. Therefore, it is difficult at best to separate grace from mercy.

What is most amazing is that God in His infinite wisdom could display both attributes of justice as well as mercy, because they are mutually exclusive. To display mercy mandates the restraint of justice; to display justice mandates lacking the ability to display mercy. Yet God, as only God could; devised a means to maintain both of these attributes; while also maintaining an attribute just as necessary, that of integrity.

In comparison, how unfortunate for those deceived by the false religion of Islam, their non-existent god lacks mercy as well as integrity, and is as inconsistent and capricious as he is cruel.

By contrast, we as Christians have a heavenly Father, who in His role as Father is invincible; we have a Savior, who in His role as Savior is the perfect propitiation for sin. Their mercy and grace unwavering and Their integrity unceasing.

Believers are referred to as pilgrims (Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 2:11), passing through the Earth (Heb. 11:13), which is controlled by “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) who offered to trade the Earth if Jesus would bow down and worship him (Matt. 4:8), without Jesus repudiating this (Matt. 4:10); hence “Earth dwellers” are unbelievers who are under the control of  their leader, Satan (Rev. 13:8).

Revelation 3:10 ~ ”Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

This series is meant to be pragmatic, addressing specific characteristics, behaviors, and insights.

I’ve going to break from my norm and speak about something of a personal nature, an example I lived out where I found a way to function within a college setting, graduating my secular program on the honor roll while maintaining my Christian beliefs – conducting myself as a Daniel in a Nebuchadnezzar type of world. 

Background Information
I became a born-again believer almost 40 years ago.  Five years after dedicating my life to the Lord I became a Youth Leader, then a Minister of Youth in fulltime ministry serving as an Assistant Pastor in a medium-sized church. 

Sometime later I left full-time ministry, working in the field of law enforcement and later investigations for the next few decades.  Eventually, I worked part-time as a volunteer organizing and running ministries serving a rest home, an orphanage, a video ministry, and became a volunteer chaplain in 2 large hospitals.

During these years while holding secular occupations, I was required to undergo secular education, as well as training programs.

Currently, I am on paid staff at a regional hospital in North Texas as a Chaplain.

I entered my third secular profession over 12 years ago, which is within the mental health field.
 
My particular field is chemical dependency counseling (CDC); I am a LCDC (License Chemical Dependency Counselor), and a CCJP (Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional). 

When I started my training in this field, in my 40s; my college education was in clinical psychology specializing in treating dual diagnosis patients, and working within correction populations. 

This is not to say that I practice psychology or support any of its presuppositions; I don’t (See Endnote #1).

Throughout my endeavor in this new occupation, I have learned how to survive within the hallowed halls of atheistic higher education, function within a secular and unbelieving profession (See Endnote #2), thrive under the limitations of being a state employee; yet all without compromising my Christian beliefs (No, I am not talking about utilizing what is referred to as “Christian Psychology,” which is as fraudulent concerning the mixing of Christianity and psychology as the mixing of oil and water.  See Endnote #3), while maintaining my integrity as a born-again Christian. 

My Pre-Daniel Days
When I first became a Christian I had an immense hunger for God’s Word, and immediately started to use a concordance, Greek dictionaries and word studies; attempting to dabble in the Greek language of the New Testament. 

I studied and became an apologist (See Endnote #4), following the teaching of  modern apologists such as: C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell, R.C. Sproul, Ray Comfort, and Donald Gray Barnhouse.  I was even privileged to take classes under one of Barnhouse’s students, Walter Martin; the original “Bible Answer Man.”

When an atheists or agnostic would present something that was un-biblical, or opposed to Christianity I would debate them, sometimes displaying a lack of respect, never realizing it was really my own ego that was in control. 

I used the rationality for my lack of humility (which displayed a lack of power under control), that I was “fighting the good fight” (as stated in 1 Tim. 6:12; yet forgetting verse 11, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”).
 
However, often I came across far too emotional (which unfortunately is far too easy as I am an emotional responder by nature), allowing my feelings to get into the battle.

Most of the time when Christians become emotionally drawn into debating about Christianity, they do not realize that they are NOT defending God, He does not need their defense. 

What they are actually doing is defending their own belief system – it is about them and not God at all (Time and maturing in the Lord is what helps counteract this). 

And believe me the fallen nature can convince us that anything is good, when in reality it is sinful (I’ve learned, good intentions; along with sincerity have nothing to do with the validity of anything.  I have no doubt that Adolf Hitler, Stalin and Mao may have truly believed the trash that they believed, wherein they rationalized the genocide of millions.  However, it is never right to do the wrong thing for the right reason, and being a victim is the greatest justification of all. This is the rationality of our current culture, wherein being a victim rationalizes every kind of fraud and evil known to man).

Daniel and His Three Friends ~ The Right Examples
A good biblical example of how believers are to behave in a secular environment can be seen in Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, which are their Hebrew names [Daniel 1:6; 1:11]; as far as God was concerned – not their Babylonian names given to them by their keeper of: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; as the church normally refers to them.  Notice throughout the narrative of Daniel, that he uses their Hebrew names.  What a shame that we are so concerned about what others calls us, rather than what God names us.).

Daniel 1:8, which says:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

The first thing we should observe is the use of the word “purposed“ (Hebrew: soon); in which every time this verb is used in the Old Testament, it involves the sovereignty of God concerning that which is purposed (Genesis 2:8; 1 Samuel 7:12; Joe 5:8; Exodus 15:25; Deuteronomy 1:13; 22:14). 

When this verse says that Daniel “purposed in his heart;” this is not a proud stand that he is taking (the kind of statement, such as: “I will not be moved!”).  It is a pledge to keep that which he has committed to God, knowing that God will work all things out – faith in God is displayed in this word in regards to God’s sovereignty over Daniel’s life.

The following characteristics of Daniel and his three friends exhibit their integrity which can be defined as:  

1 ~ HOLINESS – Separation To…
The integrity that Daniel displayed concerning him NOT being willing to defile himself must be seen in an atmosphere of the price that he might pay for this commitment that he made within his heart (this food was an order by the King himself as stated in Daniel 1:5, which states: “And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank…”).

This statement displays that Daniel was “holy.”  How often we forget what the word “holy” really needs, it means to be “separated to.” 

Unfortunately, many times Christians realizing what this word means, separation; focuses on the separation from sin; which is a good thing. 

Yet, when you study the word “holy,” the predominance that is found in the linguistics is that it is a separation to God as seen in the (Greek) word: hagios, from hagos (literally: an awful thing) sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): (most) holy (one, thing), saint, consecrated, devoted, sacred, holy, meaning set apart from a common to a sacred use; spoken of places, temples, cities, the priesthood, men (Matt. 4:5; 7:6; 24:15; 27:53; Acts 6:13; 7:33; Rom. 11:16, of firstfruits); of a male opening the womb (Luke 2:23); of apostles (Eph. 3:5); of prophets (Luke 1:70; Acts 3:21; 2 Pet. 1:21); of angels (Matt. 25:31).  (“The Complete WordStudy Dictionary“; General Editor: Spiros Zodhiates)  

You see, we can be separated from sinfulness and still go to hell, we see this in the Eastern religions where they live holier lives than we do, to the extent that they have less sin that is apparent.

However, what God demands of us is far more expensive than separating ourselves from sin (and please do not use this as a rationality to sin, this would display an immaturity that leads to destruction), but to separate ourselves to Him.  

In reality, how easy it is to attend church once a week, give 10% of our income, pray and behave in a wholesome manner; as compared to realizing God owns ALL of our time, ALL of our possessions; and be willing, if God commands to act in a manner which others would find a reproach or completely weird (Please do not take my word for it, read the following: Isaiah 20:1-4 ~ God demands for the prophet to walk around naked; Ezekiel 4:9-12 ~ God demands for the prophet to sleep on one side for over year and eat strange food baked with human dung; Ezekiel 5:1-5 ~ God demands for the prophet to cut off his hair and do weird things with it; Ezekiel 12:3-11 ~ God demands for the prophet to move his furniture in and out of his house through a hole in the wall in plain sight for everyone to see; Ezekiel 24:15-18 ~ God will not let the prophet mourn the death of his wife.  Also see Jeremiah 13:1-5; 27:1-5;); all at the expense of losing our good name and perhaps everything else in our lives.

You see holiness is far more than cleaning the outside of the cup (Matt. 23:25-26), it is giving God the inside as well; even if He demands things that make no sense to us at the time.  This is what we see Daniel doing, putting it all on the line

2 ~ FAITH – Which Is the Foundation Wherein We Separate Ourselves to God.
However, we don’t simply give ourselves to God in blind faith (At first, though there will come a time when we develop trust Him in spite of what things look), which is not what biblical faith is. 

We obey God because of faith (Very simply defined: Faith is Action based upon Belief sustained by Competence) that is based upon a track record sustained by confidence; confidence based upon the track record that God has set forth in His Word, wherein we obtain faith (Romans 10:17 ~ “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”). 

As Ephesians 2:8-10 states:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

This Scripture very plainly teaches, we are not saved by works; but we are saved to do works. 

AND we are not saved by faith, which would be bartering, but we are saved by grace; God’s unmerited favor. 

However, it is faith that gives us access to this grace, and faith is how we walk (“For we walk by faith, not by sight” ~ 2 Cor. 5:7; “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” ~ Col 2:6) in our lives, so that we may become God’s workmanship, separated and holy unto Him to produce good works that have been before ordained that we should walk therein.

3 ~ HUMILITY – An Attitude and Quality of being modest and respectful.
Notice Daniel’s humility in that he made no demands concerning his diet, he made a request.

The humility these four men display is far from what we see so prevalent within Christianity today, where condescension, authority, or even when leaders attempt to muscle their way through something exhibits the type of leadership Jesus spoke about regarding how the Gentiles displayed Lordship (Luke 22:25-26).

Today, in our culture we demand our rights, and while Paul shows that this can be correct in the right situations (Acts 22:25); it is when these four individuals who were made slaves to a king (wherein they did not have the rights of citizenship as Paul did), act as slaves of God displaying humility which proves that their integrity was sincere and real.

4 ~ A WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER  
It should not go without notice regarding their willingness to suffer as they also did not eat. 

Because in spite of the fact that Daniel had permission to display the correctness of his diet, we cannot forget that he had already established in his heart that he would not defile himself and eat the King’s food.

Therefore, he and his three friends were willing to suffer starvation because of their beliefs.

And we should paint some reality within this scene.  It is one thing to starve when there’s no food to tempt you; it is quite another thing to starve when you have nothing but great food laid out in front of you at the dining table. 

All types of exotic meats, vegetables and fruits; cakes, cookies, and candy; all prepared by the greatest cooks of the day.
 
Yet, these 4 men were willing to abstain while sitting at the table with some of the greatest foods prepared and laid out in right in front of them.   This was suffering.

And if it was noticed that they were not eating by the wrong person, their refusal to follow the King’s order would have ended in suffering, torture, and death for refusing the King’s order. 

We must realize that this would also be a personal insult to the king – there’s two words that never go together, “No” and “Lord.”

They Used Reason, Not Emotions to Make Their Point
What should also be observed is the dignity wherein they clothed themselves, and the sound reasoning they exhibited.

When their keeper noticed that they were not eating the food mandated by the King, they did not make a rude demonstrative stand (While peaceful demonstration is an aspect of a free and democratic society, by its nature a demonstration is to draw attention to itself – a quality present in pride which culminates with demanding attention upon itself), displaying pride or arrogance.

They simply explained their belief, and then respectively suggested to their keeper that their dietary requirements would suit them better, and that a test might prove the point – how logical they presented themselves and therefore gave credibility to the God they served.

How often do we see Christians on TV presenting a cause, or representing God; exhibiting shameful emotions which disgrace our Father, making Him look like the gods of men’s hands.

Yet, because their behavior was not outright arrogant brashness, for which they would’ve lost their heads, a test was allowed to occur proving the superiority of their own diet.

What great ambassadors for God they were in displaying humility, faith, and integrity; rationality and elegance, along with a willingness to suffer for their God – these are examples of godly men separated to their God.  
   
Back to my Story
having spent years teaching and attempting to act out some of these principles as found in God’s Word, by the time I was in my 40’s, when I starting a new field of employment in substance-abuse counseling, where I was required to attend secular college; I was more amenable to following Daniel’s example. 

I managed better self-control than I would’ve ever thought was possible; attempting to not let my emotions rule my behavior; conducting myself more reasonably displaying more humility and rationality.   Knowing I could receive lower grades for openly discussing my own belief system, yet knowing that God was in control.

The Trick
One of the little secrets I learned on how to survive within a secular college as a Daniel in a Nebuchadnezzar type of world was that it was not my job to correct the teacher or the curriculum.  Their responsibility was to teach me information. 

What I needed to do was to learn the information they taught and display that I learned it by answering the test questions appropriately, according to what they said was the correct answers. 

Again, the professor’s job (though most of them didn’t understand this) was to teach me information; that was it.

So instead of merely doing what was expected of me in studying and preparing for class and doing my papers; I went far and above what was asked.  I learned the subject matter better than anyone else, so that if I was asked my opinion I can defend myself using their own criteria mixed with the Bible.

So that during class interaction, when our opinions were sought, I presented my belief system, what I felt the Word of God had to say concerning what they were teaching or what others were stating when it contradicted the Bible.

There were many occasions that I was told to shut up and sit down by the professor.  Who stated he was a believer, yet his fruit and behavior displayed otherwise (Matt. 7:15-16). 

And as the professor promoted humanism, evolution, world philosophy, and other ungodly and unbiblical principles as facts of life within the classroom setting, when allowed to speak; I simply either used God’s Word directly (though not verbatim using citations in a condescending manner, sitting authority within my statements), or biblical principles in a rational manner, which the professor repetitively stated was a necessary to conducting ourselves as counselors.

Many times I was treated with great disdain for voicing my opinions, yet always stating that it was my opinion based upon my belief system.  Having been a Christian for over 30 years at this point my life, and having studied God’s Word intensely I found myself thoroughly equipped to answer them according to their own folly.

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” ~ Proverbs 26:4-5. 

It is in wisdom in studying the Bible that you learn the answer to what this proverb means.  Nothing replaces years of studying expositionally – in-depth. 

This is the problem that most Christian teenagers have when they enter secular university, they don’t know the Bible; so how can they support their own belief system; yet more importantly how do they defend God’s Word.   It’s like having a rifle with no ammunition. 

It is in having been a Christian for years which prepared me for the many occasions where my feelings were hurt, and I went home feeling awful, even crying. 

But the point was I did much better during those later years in college than I had done in the first 20 years of my Christian walk; as far as learning to survive as a believer in an unbelieving environment (I have an awful long way to go, and because of my own insecurities I will probably never ever get close to the level that Daniel and his three friends did).

But our Christian walk is simply that, a life of progression.  And whereas I am not the example, it is when you and I follow God’s Word as our example that we get a little further down the road, and do a little better. 

I received honors, being on the Dean’s list each year, receiving an A in every class, as well as on all my assignments, tests, midterms, and term-papers. 

Yet, more importantly, I was a better example of a follower of Christ in an unchristian environment. 

Endnote
1.  Psychology ~ Why has it Gained its Credibility
Have you ever asked yourself as a Christian, why does humanistic psychology have so much credibility within our culture. 

We understand that the un-saved individuals lack an aspect of discernment which renders them spiritually blind. 

However, we must remember at the same time that the imageness of God, which was placed in Adam (though affected by man’s fall unto degradation); is still a part of humanity, as seen in the immense intelligence of man, and man’s abilities to yet discern his environment, and others (“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” ~ Gen 11:6). 

Man’s perception may be limited in certain areas, or at certain times; yet the unbeliever still bears a perception that God placed within man. 

Therefore, how do we explain the hundred years of radical acceptance of psychology by the masses, both believers and unbelievers all over the world?  I believe the reason for this is that psychology, as a supposed scientific pursuit has made many thoughtful observations concerning man and his behavior. 

Psychologists learn from these observations, and can therefore make predictions; they thereby gain credibility from the masses. 

Example: you can watch a dog for weeks, perceiving and recording its reactions to its environment; and therefore conclude a very thorough sophisticated outline concerning the dog’s actions and the probability of future actions.  However, this does not give you any formation concerning the true internal aspects of the dog.  You cannot tell if the dog has a spiritual aspect – a soul, and if so, where it’s soul came from prior to its physical existence.  Even if this could be true, you could not determine if there was a master designer – a God who originally created the dog; or who that personage may have been.
 
Nor can you tell what happens after its death.  And though you may be able to make certain somewhat qualified predictions concerning its behavior, you would only be guessing concerning the working of its motivation, and it’s understanding of life, both would actually be foreign to your endeavor. 

The best you could do is gasp some basic ideas, however they would be solely guesses founded upon your insights into the thinking process as a man, not a dog, understanding that a dog is not the same and could not truly be compared. 

This is what psychology has done concerning humans (as they have concerning their observation of dogs), and psychology makes conclusions concerning humans in reference to their belief that humans are just animals themselves. 

Psychologist, whether stated or not must group man within the same arena as animals, explaining how experiments can be done to animals that will reflect aspects concerning humanity.  This is true in the physical world of biology as well as the theoretic world of psychology.  This explains that within the realm of biology, lavatories are set up to test products on animals before human consumption, and psychology just takes it one step further than. 

Example: one of the many psychological insights that has given psychology such credibility is referred to as “Birth Order Personalities,” as originally created by Kevin Leman.

This hypothesis conjectures that within an original family group, that certain personalities will develop according to which child is born in what order.  The first child normally becomes the hero, the achiever; the second child normally becomes the rebel, the third child becomes the clown, and the fourth child becomes the silent child. 

Now this all breaks down whenever you bring in blended families due to divorce, where conflict between the chronology breaks down as prior established personality’s conflict within the new blended family unit. 

Where there are now two heroes who duke it out, and so on. 

However, within traditional non-blended families, “Birth Order Personalities” observation of personality development is a very understandable phenomenon.  Allow me to explain. 

The first thing to understand is that we humans always search for identity, something that makes us fit within our environment, even if it’s being in the rebel, the outcast.  This still gives us identity as a person. 

Though the psychologist would say that this is forming personality, but the observation may have to do with seeking identity rather than forming personality.  It may have more to do with finding how to fit within our own cog within this wheel; then the idea that the environment makes us who we are.

From a Christian standpoint, I believe God forms our personality.

The matter what the reality is, God has made us this way will we seek identity and how we interact with the world around us, otherwise we would all be robots mimicking each other with no originality and no sense of uniqueness.

With the first child, the parents having no experience, and treat the child as if it is gold, treating as if it would not grow up right unless they treated like the center of their world.  It is common that this child is spoiled, having been doted over by parents and grandparents alike as the first introduction of a child into the family.  They invest more time and energy into this child, which creates a sense of empowerment and entitlement in the child which normally leads to this child being a leader, a winner, more dominant than others. 

The second child may attempt to usurp the first child’s station in the family, yet the parents and others have already accepted the role of the first child, so the second child would search for identity, and normally finds it as being the opposite of the first child, as the antagonist; in the form of being in the rebel, where they gain attention in this way. 

The third child, in searching for identity finds acceptance by being non-threatening in getting attention as the family clown, he receives attention from others by being the funniest.

The fourth child, finding no ready acceptance becomes more introverted, usually astute and excels academically. 

The commonality that all of these children have is in them seeking love and acceptance, which is manifest in seeking attention through identity. 

It has been wisely said that the opposite of love is not hate, but in the refusal to acknowledge the other person’s existence. 

If two people were in love and broke up, and the one that left still hated the one that wanted the relationship to continue, the rejected one still is involved in a relationship even though it is based upon hate – there are emotions still being churned. 

Yet, there is nothing worse for the rejected one than to sense that there is completely no feelings whatsoever from the other; they are nonexistent in the world of the person they love. 

This is devastating, even worse than being hated.  There is nothing worse in the world then isolation, and isolation is based upon a lack of relationship, it is based upon a lack of acceptance, acknowledgment, and love. 

Therefore, as a child grows up it is natural for them to seek the feeling of love, and to be accepted and acknowledged as who they are in order to validate their existence. 

Therefore, this observation; if true is not based on any great accomplishment of psychology, simply an observation of reality. 

Before I ever heard of Kevin Leman, my grandfather spoke about the same kind of phenomena concerning humanity having never went to college a day in his life. 

As it goes there always breakdowns in classifying anything, and exceptions to the rule, and the same is true concerning this type of observation; especially within a culture where divorce and remarriage is the standard rather than the exception. 

Also exceptions are seen in the length of time between the different births.  Such as a baby that is born 5 to 10 years after the rest; which may become the golden-haired child because it’s siblings, if female will nurture it, and it becomes spoiled having many more people to render time to its parenting – it’s the “baby”. 

The point is that this type of observation wherein psychology has grained such credibility is merely based upon spending time studying something. 

It does not validate the science as a whole concerning any conclusions or treatment that psychologist may render, hence the reason why today we have over 500 different types of psychological pursuits, referred to as disciplines or modalities. 

And despite all of the clamor and rhetoric concerning psychology, these observations may or may not help in assisting individuals in the treatment of how to deal with (what psychology terms as), Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, or physical or environmental stressors (as identified and classified in the  “DMS-IV-TR”, the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” utilized by the medical and psychological establishments), as well as any other psychological condition people display.

2.  Psychology ~ Its History in a Nutshell
While many say that Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939), and his apprentice Carl Jung (1875 – 1961) are the fathers of European psychology, William James (1842 – 1910)  and Wilhelm Wundt (1832 – 1920)  are considered by most to be the fathers of modern psychology in America. 
 
By the late 1970s there were over 250 different psychological disciplines – forms of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of mental deficiencies or problems; with this number increasing almost 500 by the turn-of-the-century.  What most people don’t understand is that each new psychological approach was created usually in deference to another approach, so within these 500 different forms of treatment while there may be an eclectic use of the same terms, or tools; most of them seem to be antithetical one to the other. 

The point is there is NOT a uniform consensus that can be addressed when one form is used to attack Christianity.  The devil was very smart in this, rather than having one arch-enemy where a template could be devised where Christians could understand how to deal with these philosophies which are antithetical to Christianity, Satan helped create hundreds of different modalities, with different presuppositions. 

However, there are certain presuppositions which a majority of these forms of modalities hold to as foundational. 

A random listing might consist of: Determinism, Experimentalism, Reductionism, Naturalism, and Relativism.  Others might also add Materialism, Evolution, Empiricism, Humanism, and even Occultism. 

Therefore, attempting to make overboard statements concerning the field of psychology becomes difficult whenever we approach the methodology or foundational presuppositions of these diverse therapies. 

Yet, many of these approaches state that they deal with thinking processes that have been disturbed because of past experiences and or physical trauma to the muscle referred to as a brain. 

The mind is not a physical description, the brain is.  And as many of these disciplines seek to understand those activating events which initiated trauma to the human mind, many believe that this knowledge will indicate the proper course to addressing the treatment of these traumas. 

In the early part of the 20th century a divergent philosophy concerning psychology, which was antithetical in many aspects to psychology emerged. 

This new approach rejected introspective methods or mere talk therapy and sought to restrict psychology to experimental methods which reduced problems to behaviors, behaviors which could be learned and unlearned.

All of us have heard of “Pavlov’s Dog,” where Ivan Pavlov (1849 – 1936) observed the connection between behavior and thought processes within animals.  Where he would ring a bell every time he would feed a dog until eventually he could ring the bell without feeding the dog, yet the dog would salivate connecting the two events; referred to as “Classical Conditioning.”   

It was B. F. Skinner (1904 – 1990) who perfected many of the insights gained within behaviorism.  And while an avowed atheist and humanist, Skinner dealt with behaviors and conditioning as opposed to delving into the psyche of the subject. 

Skinner’s modality, termed “Radical behaviorism is the philosophy of the science of behavior. It seeks to understand behavior as a function of environmental histories of reinforcing consequences. Such a functional analysis makes it capable of producing technologies of behavior.  Unlike less austere behaviorism, it does not accept private events such as thinking, perceptions, and unobservable emotions in a causal account of an organism’s behavior” Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.F. Skinner).
 
Of all the forms of psychology, over 500; this approach to the human condition is much more conducive to dealing with training or retraining human behaviors.  Yet, this as all psychological approaches must be understood to be humanistic and man oriented as opposed to Christian and God oriented.

3.  Psychology ~ When Mixed with Christianity 
Today there are many in the church that practice what they refer to as “Christian Psychology.” 

These individuals are normally well-meaning believers that have great empathy (to experience compassion for someone who is going through something that YOU HAVE went through yourself) or sympathy (to experience compassion for someone who is going through something that YOU HAVE NOT went through yourself) for others; however, it is their training in psychology that we should question, not their motives. 

If you take the time to thoroughly examine this practice, you will find that it is a psychologist or therapist that uses biblical citations, merely as props, yet does not fully follow biblical doctrine. 

Even those that use a lot of Scripture, MAINLY do so loosely and merely to make their own presuppositions (I am not ONLY referring to psychological premises, but also to the positive side of the human conscience.  Many of the teachings found in God’s Word are just good common sense.  This is because we are made in the imageness of God Himself, through Adam.  Therefore, these presuppositions, common sense may line up with the Bible, but the question becomes what came first the presupposition or the Bible that they use to find Scriptures that validate their beliefs), while practicing a psychological framework which is their ultimate guide; rather it is antithetical to the Bible or not.
 
Many times what they state is simply common sense, and may even be neutral.  But it is when they present psychological presuppositions concerning discretion that you must be alarmed.  Remember the old adage, simply because the poison is only a drop within a large glass, does not nullify the death that follows. 

Since there over 500 different types of psychological disciplines or modalities, and it is impossible to address them all, yet if you take them one by one you will find that their practitioners are psychologist first and foremost, and that the use of Scriptures as props does not validate their forms of therapy, even if they call it Christian psychology. 

Psychology, according to the popular Rogerian (Carl Rogers) example, is “client centered,” which is anathema to the Bible which is God centered. 

Foundational to any therapeutic pursuit is a relationship between counselor and counselee; wherein the counselor is always on the side of the counselee, taking what they say at face value, rather than the pursuit of truth. 

Often I have heard supposedly Christian psychologist (such as on “The Word” 107.1; and the program “New Life Ministries,” with Doctors Steve Arterburn, Henry Cloud, Sheri Denham, Jill Hubbard, David Stoop, and John Townsend, to name a few) advise Christian women to divorce a man who the woman states is verbally or emotionally abusive, which is not validated in the Bible; nor do they even attempt to use Scripture concerning these types of cases. 

Many of their on air counseling sessions seem to make common sense, yet the common sense is because we have been so inundated through the media with psychological premises and jargon that are common sense, yet this is not the same as biblical sense.

They speak about past tragedies the same as modern psychologist and attempting to utilize therapeutic approaches to dealing with these issues.  They use Scriptures to back up their premises, as opposed to the Bible describing premises that they can utilize.

And they are client centered, the truth is not what they really seek.  What they seek is to aid the counselee in what they perceive is the best manner.

However, if the premise starts off with a lie, even if the light is self-denial; the conclusion can never be the remedy.

A false narrative can never lead to a correct conclusion.  And better yet, attempting to use psychological tools are not the same as spiritual and biblical answers.

They do attempt to validate the merit of what the counselee says by meeting with the husband. 

Even within the secular practice psychology many practitioners believe that radio talk therapy is a sham.  While many callers talk about how they been helped, it always depends on what the definition of help is.

One of the best insights I ever learned was from a little old ladies at one time said, “you must define success before you understand how to achieve it.”

Within pastoral counseling, it is common to find that both marriage partners perceive the situation antithetical to each other, and without even attempting to do so; cannot correctly deduce what are legitimate issues and what are not. 

Within a marriage is an abomination to have an outsider take one side of the story and make pronouncements which are antithetical to the Bible, such as advising people to seek divorce which does not follow the guidelines that Christ set when he stated that adultery was the only reason for divorce. 

Success within marriage counseling is not to make all the problems go away.  Success within marriage counseling is not to make one person feel vindicated for dissolving the relationship.  Success is defined as pleasing God in the marriage.

Many Christian psychologist attempt to rationalize divorce concerning what they refer to as global or psychological abuse by misusing God’s word, sidestepping what Jesus said directly concerning the subject.  

Yet these doctors who prefer to refer to themselves as such; are never there to witness these declarations that they assist occur based upon one person’s perspective. As a biblical counselor, how arrogant is it to believe that you can discern the reality by only hearing one side of the issue.
 
The arrogance and pride that is submitted by a biblical psychologist who thinks that they can judge a situation by hearing the counselee only displays a lack of humility, as well as a lack of faith in God that trusting in Him will result in a righteous conclusion. 

Personally, within pastoral counseling I have repeatedly found how Christians that are uncomfortable in a situation; wishing for an excuse to leave, rather voluntarily or not distort the situation. 

A good counselor looks for the truth, not for simply building a good relationship with the counselee which is the center of most modalities of psychology, and always prevalent within Christian psychology as well. 

Biblically speaking, the way to deal with an abusive husband is set for in God’s Word, which I’ve never seen a Christian psychologist ever use, usually stating how simplistic the Scripture is concerning this, not achieving the same goals as therapy. 

The scriptural basis is very simple, found in Matthew 18:15-18.  This has to do with when Christians violate other Christians.  Yet the one thing I have never seen happen with a Christian psychologist is to state that marriage is to be honored even if its participants do not do so.  And that divorce is not recognized except in the case of adultery as per Jesus very own words. 

I have seen situations where women have been physically abused, and for their own physical safety as well as the safety of their children have left the husband, yet without divorcing them.  I have also seen God bring these families together by using the separation of losing a family to motivate the man to again seek God and correct his behaviors. 

However, the Christian psychologist who set their priority as the happiness of their client never speaks of leaving the abuser without divorcing them.  Their reasoning is, “why should the woman be tied to an abusive man and be unhappy”?

However, believing that the end goal for the Christian is happiness is selfish and self-centered; misunderstanding that pain and tribulation are tools that God can use in a believer’s life to grow their faith.

The Process of Faith
Faith only grows when it is stretched by tribulations (problems, hard times, difficulties, calamities, trials, and testing; they’re all synonymous concerning the “trying of our faith”). Faith can only grow incrementally, as more and more is demanded of it.  This is because trust is a process contingent upon experience, as someone proves they are trustworthy situation after situation, we trust them more and more. In this way faith is analogous to a muscle which must be torn before growth can occur. Therefore, we must always realize and therefore understand that testing is not done simply as a process whereby God attempts to validate the existence of our faith, or its degree, which might appear cruel on the surface; but that these trials are necessary for faith to grow, and that without these trials, it is impossible for faith to mature ~ James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:7; 4:12.

And beyond this, there are over 10 reasons why tribulations in a believer’s life, some of which are necessary for personal growth in order to be used of God, to mature and minister to others.

10 Reasons for God to Use Trials in the Life of Believers
To glorify God – The most important for us (Dan. 3:16-18, 24-25)
To build faith – The most important to us (1 Pet. 1:6-7; James 1:2-4)
To cause growth (Rom. 5:3-5)
To prove the reality of Christ in us (2 Cor. 4:7-11)
To testify to Angels (Job 1:8; Eph. 3:8-11; 1 Pet. 1:12)
To equip us to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
To prevent us from falling into sin (1 Pet. 4:1-2)
To keep us from pride.  Paul’s thorn (2 Cor. 12:7)
To teach obedience & discipline (Act 9:15-16; Philp. 4:11-13)
To Discipline for known sin (Heb. 12:5-11; James 4:17; Rom. 14:23; 1 John 1:9)

Christian psychologist almost without reservation follow and teach the false belief that believers were created to be happy, as opposed to the Bible which states that believers were created to glorify their God (“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” ~ Isa. 43:7). 

This is why I say that Christian psychologist build their practice upon psychology first and foremost; because they do not have the courage to totally reiterate what God’s Word has to say within these kind of devastating situations. 

Therefore, the psychologist is not allowing God to work in the situation, but they must manipulate based solely upon man’s ability, as opposed to God’s superiority.  Within the biblical framework for pastoral counseling, is a pastor already has built credibility in a relationship with the individuals prior to those situations that biblical counseling is needed. 

Also, those that refer to themselves as Christian Counselors (those trained in psychology that utilize psychological theories and tools; rather they call themselves “Christian Psychologist,” or “Christian Counselor;” it is simply semantics, it is their premise and tools that define their behavior that counts), and charge money (even if they have to pay for higher education, this does not mandate that they make money from pastoral counseling to do so – it’s not about making money online it’s about serving God.  If He owns everything in my life, then why do I need to use Him to make money to pay for those tools that have equip me to better serve Him) for that which they have freely received of God, according to and through God’s Word (if they truly do use God’s Word as a foundation for their work), do so in violation of God’s Word (Matthew 10:5-8, as an example to us now). 

There are no biblical allowances for an outside paid occupation of being a Christian psychologist. 

The presuppositions that are necessary to practice psychology are antithetical to God and His Word; it is like mixing oil and water. 

Either you serve one, or you serve the other, period (Matthew 6:24). 

They do not mix, at all. 

When I first became a believer I spent years as a proponent of Christian psychology, always fighting my internal biblical reasoning, until finally I had to stop following the vanity of my own mind in order to legitimize my wholesale commitment of time and energy that I had made to psychology. 

Many Christians are won over to Christian psychology because it legitimizes their behaviors, and many times appears to free them from challenging themselves as well as spiritually dangerous situations. 

It is God and His Word that is to be supreme in our life, not humanistic philosophies which can APPEAR so helpful, or even logical. Remember Colossians 2:8-10, which states:

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”

4.  Apologetics ~ A Rudimentary Example of External Biblical Evidence
According to secular history we know that the man Jesus existed in the place and time which the New Testament records.  Even false religions (Islam, Hinduism) record these facts as well as His crucifixion as a criminal. 

The question then becomes from a secular point of view, in order to explain His death, what was Jesus Christ.  When all is said and done there can only be three answers to this question.

He either was a liar, a lunatic, or who He said He was, the Lord; the Son of God (and for those individuals that say that Jesus never made this claim to be God, they have never really read the Gospels ~ Matt. 5:18, Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44-47, John 1:1, John 1:14, John 1:29, John 1:45, John 5:39, John 8:13-58; John 12:16, John 13:13,14; John 14:6, John 14:9; John 15:25, John 17:6-7, for starters). 

We see there is no evidence whatsoever to indicate He was a lunatic, and if He was, we are at a total absence to explain how hundreds of individuals living at the time and place of Christ never once brought this for as a consideration.  Therefore, due to a lack of evidence it does not appear that Jesus was a lunatic. 

Then the question now becomes either Christ was a liar, or He was who He said He was, Lord of all (which is why the Pharisees kept trying to stone Him, because of him claiming to be God, which is what the Torah demands as punishment). 

If Jesus was a liar and the resurrection was a fraud, how do we explain His post-resurrection appearances where He was seen by over 500 individuals who were living when the Gospels were penned (meaning as the letters were being circulated, there would people who could give creditability or dispute those claims), and could have come out publicly and said it was a lie? 

The hypothesis referred to as “Swooning,” where Jesus was not actually killed, but due to the temperature of the cave and other conditions, wherein He later revived.  This displays a lack of insight concerning Roman crucifixion, wherein death was from suffocation and the inability to hold oneself up by their legs, which is why when the soldiers would get tired of waiting for a prisoner to die, they would break their legs (and if a prisoner got away, the soldier would take his place – do you think that a Roman soldier would take any chances – there has never a record of this occurring, no man crucified has ever lived to tell about it). 

Yet, Jesus only lasted six hours, and to verify His death, a soldier plunged a spear into His side up into His heart cavity, wherein both water and blood flowed (this is repeated and told in the least three secular sources). 

Again, there has never been recorded case of a prisoner of crucifixion surviving the practice. 

Therefore, if Christ was a liar, he must have had other accomplices in His conspiracy to fake everyone one out, but who; it could only be the apostles. 

What is amazing about the 12 apostles is that Judas (who fulfilled prophesy’s Psa. 41:9; Zech. 11:12-13; Acts 1:15-20 quoting Psa. 69:25 & Psa. 109:8), who took his own life, and John who lived to a ripe old age of 100 (which appears to be somehow related to Christ’s words? ~ John 21:22), are the only ones who did not suffer as martyrs (according to secular history faith), the other 10 died being tortured claiming that the resurrection was true. 

Now presuppose that you were one of the 10 disciples living during this time.  A time when there was no common communications as we know today.  Where letters could take weeks or months to arrive at destinations a few hundred miles away.  And let’s say that you were Thomas witnessing in India, over 2500 miles away from Jerusalem, and the local authorities arrest you and advise you that unless you recant you will be tortured and murdered, what would you do?

Would you die for a lie?  Especially when you knew that you’d never get caught having recanted.  I mean who in Jerusalem when you returned with no that you confess that it was a lie back in India?

Therefore it makes no logical sense that Thomas would die for something he knew was a lie, when it wasn’t necessary in order to maintain is standing back in Jerusalem. 
Yet, there has never been a story found in all of secular history of this occurring. 

What secular history has recorded is that the 10 apostles of Jesus Christ were all tortured and murdered for claiming that Jesus Christ was the divine Son of God, that was resurrected three days after his death. 

Peradventure, that a virtuous man would give his life for his brother; could we imagine that a liar would ever give his life for a lie, that he knew was a lie, when it wasn’t necessary to do so in order to maintain his integrity with his co-conspirators.

This is merely one of the external evidences which gave credibility that Christ could not have been a lunatic as there is never been any declaration or stories of this; and that he could not be a liar and having faked the resurrection at least not without the help of some associates.  Then we find out that is 10 closest friends who saw him after the resurrection and would’ve had to know if it was a hoax or not, all died being tortured claiming that Jesus was the divine Son of God that was resurrected from the dead.  Therefore, the only conclusion is that he had to be who he says he was, the Lord of glory; the divine Son of God – God incarnate. 

Yet this is only one external issue concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the claims that He made.

We could ask what about the Roman soldiers that according to Roman law would be executed for allowing a grade that they were watching to be rated.  And the fact that none of them were executed due to the intervention of the priesthood to Pontius Pilate.  And the fact that two of the soldiers eventually moved back to Rome where tablets of their names were found in Romans.

Apologetics is a biblical science of presenting logical evidence that the Bible is inspired word of God, which presents the revelation of God concerning the preeminence of His Son Jesus Christ; and their dealings with humanity, wherein salvation is offered due to God’s grace, made accessible by faith in Jesus Christ atoning death on the cross as a perpetuation for a man’s sins.

bb

Introduction

One of the arguments of the opponents to the idea of the Rapture is that Jesus Christ comes to earth twice, not 3 times.

However, this ignores the fact that according to the Rapture point of view, Christ only comes to earth twice, once for His First Coming, in which He died for the sins of mankind, and the Second Coming to take possession of that which he died for the first time He came to earth as Jesus Christ. 

Not 3 Visits, Only 2

Yet, between these two events, Jesus comes NOT to the earth, but “in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air,” in order that the Lord may receive those that are His own, the church as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which states:

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

There is no mention here of Jesus coming to the earth.  Only of those that are still alive being caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and be with Him forever more (which is to say that they will be with him wherever he is at).  This says nothing about Jesus coming to the earth. 

In fact, it will be seven years after this that He returns to fulfill His role as the captain (a term unlike our American understanding. The Hebrew word here, sar means the highest leader. Which is the same term Jesus used when He met with Joshua and demanded worship [Joshua 5:14-15], again using the same term that He used with Moses concerning how the ground being holy because of his presence at the burning bush [Exodus 3:5].  No angel of the Lord accepts worship except for one, though he sacrificed his place and became the prince of the power of the air until the day he shall be destroyed) of the Lord’s host to destroy the enemies of Israel, saving them; and starting His millennial reign on earth from Jerusalem.

Israel’s Blindness brings Salvation to the Gentiles

It is in considering the whole plan of God that salvation came from the Jew (John 4:22), yet the Jews refused their Messiah, and according to Romans 11:25 were temporarily placed in the penalty box, while God (who in His foreknowledge, God knew Israel would reject Christ) took the gospel to the whole world – the Gentiles, which is known as the church.

Romans 11:25 says:

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

The Greek word used here “fullness,” is a mathematical term meaning that when the last one, in this case when the last Gentile arrives, then the blindness of Israel will depart. 

What this is saying is that when the last Gentile which makes up the church is saved,  then the church is complete; then the church will be rapture; and the eyes of Israel will be opened; with the fourth chapter of Revelation recording the events after this. 

This explains why from the fourth chapter of Revelation on the idioms are Jewish, the terminology and the typology is Jewish as well. 

It has been wisely said that in order to understand the book of Revelation you must know all of the Old Testament, because there are 800 allusions (allusions are indirect references, such as partial word combinations of a Scriptural passage which are known to the hearers.  An example would be if I were speaking to a Christian and said: “In the beginning God,” or “we are saved by grace,” they would know I was referring to Genesis 1:1 and Ephesians 2:8) to Old Testament passages found within the hundreds of verses of the book of Revelation.          

As recorded in the book of Daniel, the church (which is a mystery that Paul speaks about in Eph. 3:2-10; 5;32; Col. 1:18-26 ), is a parentheses in time of God’s dealings with Israel, and when Israel’s blindness stops (Romans 11:25), with them regaining their sight concerning Jesus as their Savior and God, the clock starts up again.  

Regarding Israel Seeking Jesus’ Return, Let’s consider the following Scriptures

Zechariah 12:8-10 says:

“In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

Isaiah 52:6 says:

“Therefore my people shall know my name: [it is Jesus!] therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.”

Hosea 6:1 says:

“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”

Matthew 23:37-39, which states:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”   (Who do you think is “that cometh in the name of the Lord” is – it is Jesus)  

And Hosea 5:15, which says:

“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” 

The Book of Daniel
Romans 11:25 is the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy concerning the 70 weeks of time dealing with Israel, wherein there is a week (7 years) pause between the 69th and 70th week which has lasted now 2000 years between the time of Jesus presenting Himself as the Messiah (the triumphal entry), and our current time. 

This parenthesis has no prophecies concerning its length, yet we know that when the blindness of Israel stops, it is referred to as the “fullness of the Gentiles.” 

This is not to be confused with the “time of the Gentiles,” which will last until the gentiles no longer control Jerusalem as found in Luke 21:24.  Some may say that the  ”time of the Gentiles,” is complete because of the 7 day war of 1967, when Israel again regained control of Jerusalem.  But the question becomes where is the temple then?  It does not exist because the Islamist control the temple mount where the mosque, the doom of the rock is located.  Also Israel does not have full control of Israel - the Palestinians have the Gaza Strip and West bank either.  The  ”time of the Gentiles,” is the time is from when Nebuchadnezzar’s occupation began until the Second coming when Jesus conquers the Gentiles, and Jerusalem is fully controlled by Israel – The Gentiles are not in control!      

The “fullness of the gentiles“ is when the clock of God’s timepiece concerning Israel starts up again, the 70th week starting at this point, also referred as the Great Tribulation. 

This 70th week, this 70th seven-year period which is commonly referred to as the tribulation which Jesus referred to in Matthew chapter 24: is a reference to Daniel’s prophecy is recorded in Daniel 9:24-27.

We must always remember that the church was a mystery hidden from the Old Testament believers according to Ephesians 1:9-13, and Ephesians 3:1-6.

The following are examples of inconsistencies concerning the Second Coming of Christ only, and therefore by contrast support the view of a Rapture of the church:

Rapture                                               Second Coming

Translation of believers                     No translation
Translated saints go to heaven         Translated Saints return to earth
Earth is not judged                             Earth judged
Eminent – any moment                    Follows defined predicted signs
Sign-less                                               Signs
Not in the Old Testament                 Predicted in the Old Testament
Affects believers only                         Affects all men
Before the day of wrath                     Concludes the day of wrath
No reference to Satan                        Satan bound
Jesus comes for his own                   Jesus comes with his own
Jesus comes in the air (Clouds)      Jesus comes to earth (Mount of Olives)
Jesus comes to claim his bride        Jesus comes with his bride
Only His own see him*                     Every eye shall see him
Great tribulation begins                   Millennium begins
Church believers only                       Old Testament saved raised later

The following Scriptures display the differences between the Rapture & the Second Coming:

Rapture                                                       The Second Coming

John 14:1-3                                                 Daniel 2:44-45

Romans 8:19                                               Daniel 7:9-14

1 Cor. 1:7-8                                                  Daniel 12:1-3

1 Cor. 15:1-53                                              Zech. 14:1-15

1 Cor. 16:22                                                 Matt 13:41

Phil. 3:20-21                                               Matt 24:15-31

Col. 3:4                                                         Matt 26:64

1 Thess. 1:10                                                Mark 13:14-27

1 Thess. 2:19                                                Mark 14:62

1 Thess. 4:13-18                                          Luke 21:25-28

1 Thess. 5:9                                                  Acts 1:9-11

1 Thess. 5:23                                                Acts 3:19-21

2 Thess. 2:1, (3?)                                         1 Thess. 3:13

1 Tim 6:14                                                     2 Thess. 1:6-10

2 Tim 4:1                                                       2 Thess. 2:8

Titus 2:13                                                      2 Peter 3:1-14

Heb. 9:28                                                      Jude 14-15

James 5:7-9                                                  Rev 1:7

1 Peter 1:7, 13                                               Rev 19:11-20:6

1 John 2:28-3:2                                           Rev 22:7, 12, 20

Jude 21
Rev2:25
Rev 3:10

*After Jesus’ resurrection He is only seen by loving eyes, and touched by the loving hands.  The next time that Jesus is seen by un-saved men, He is a man of war, bringing judgment upon the earth against those that seek to destroy Israel (Chuck Missler).

Eschatological Timeline

1.   The Rapture (1 Thess. 4:17)
2.   The Judgment (“Bema”) Seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10)
3.   The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7)
4.   The Second Coming of Christ (Luke 17:30)
5.   The start of the Millennial reign of Christ’s (Rev. 20:4 & 6) 
6.   The Judgment of the Nations – Sheep & Goats (Matt. 25:31-46)
7.   Satan Bound for 1000 Years (Rev. 20:3)
8.   The Final Judgment – White Throne (Rev. 20:11) 
9.   The New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2)

Thanks to E.M. Bullinger (The originator of much of the above), Missler, Stedman, & Pink.

bb

Introduction (Reprinting – 05/03/2013)

What is amazing about the Gospels of Jesus Christ is that they are 4 different aspects or perspectives of Christ First Coming, and that they perfectly reflect the 4 ensigns (A flag with a symbol representing the tribe) of the 4 tribes as they were located around the tabernacle, which was a shadow (type) of God’s Thorne Room – Heaven (Heb. 5:8). 

Why this is remarkable is that the tabernacle itself displays perfect unanimity and presenting symbolism that point to the first coming of Jesus Christ as the Messiah of Israel.

Yet this is not the topic at hand, wherein if you follow this LINK we will touch upon it in more detail.

I first taught this presentation over 20 years ago.  It was a milestone in my life not only as a Christian, but as a teacher as well.  One of the foundational Scriptures of this ministry is Romans 10:17, which states:

“faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

This passage baffled me for the first 10 years of my life as a believer, what is it in God’s Word that is supposed to be the basis of faith.  Is it the presumption that I’m supposed to take the Bible on faith, yet this is not what the passage says.

What it says is that the Bible itself is meant to be the primary tool that builds faith in the life of the believer.  But how?

For the past 30 years I have come to understand that everything in the Bible has symbolism, and meaning; all in order to grow faith in the life of the believer.  One of our other passages, John 5:39 states:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

The word translated into the English, “search“, is the Greek word: ereunáo, which means: “to diligently investigate.”  It means to dig into deeply, not simply superficially.

This is one of those mandates that Christ gave us, because it is in the imperative; meaning that it is a command that we are to search God’s Word, and in so doing, uncover that all of God’s Word testifies of Jesus; this is where we are to gather our faith.

Reading everything in God’s Word, not simply the New Testament and its direct teaching of doctrine, but also the Old Testament, with many of its mysteries, as well as presentations that seem boring – they all point to Jesus, and this is our assignment as students of the King.

To did through God’s Word and find those things that build faith in our lives.

How immature, and unstable is a faith built upon solely upon personal experience.

Don’t get me wrong, when God has said something in His Word, which specifically can be applied to my life, and I stand on that promise, not twisting God’s arm; but waiting in faith, and He fulfills what His Word has said; this is a personal experience based upon NOT upon self, as is seen in so much presumptuous teaching concerning healing and prosperity.

No, this is a faith which is Biblically experiential, because it is based upon God’s Word wherein faith can be achieved that is life-changing.

Yet, this is not what Romans 10: 17 states.  If you want to stay purely and scripturaly correct, as a believer your faith must be established and grown based upon what is in God’s Word.

You see what we must understand is that everything in God’s Word is there for a reason: matter, substances, materials, things made, numbers, colors, animals, names, places, people and lives; all have meaning which point to the person of Jesus Christ, and/or His missions upon the earth.

Please search the following Scriptures (1 Corinthians 10:1-6; Romans 15:4; Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:5; Hebrews 10:1; but for a few), which validate this principle of “Expositional Consistency,” wherein the Bible utilizes types and symbols, as well as over 214 other rhetorical devices (see LINK).

(“Expositional Consistency” is where a common word is used outside of its normal range to indicate that it is referring to that which is not common, but to something else. 

It is a type, a model, an example to lead to greater meaning beyond the simple text – this does not mean that the text is not literal in its interpretation, all text is to be taken literally as God spoke it, yet included with this literal interpretation is deeper insights which add emphasis concerning that which was is spoken – such as: silver is utilized concerning redemption, gold references divinity, bronze is utilized in judgment and sacrifice concerning judgment – this is a small example of metallurgy when it comes to how the Bible utilizes the subjects to extend meaning beyond the simple verbiage.

The word redemption means: “to purchase a slave from the market,” yet in purchasing a slave mandated the use of silver coins, Judas was paid in silver coins in betraying the Lord, the payment for the redemption of mankind based upon human assumption.  The sockets of the tabernacle planks were held in place by silver basis.

The structure of the tabernacle stood upon silver – redemption; in the same way that Jesus first coming was to establish man’s relationship with God solely based upon redemption, not bartering, purchasing or reward. 

The tabernacle, is a temporary building where God met man based upon God’s mandate of redemption solely at God’s discretion.  No man was allowed to enter the holy of holies, the place of God’s dwelling.  Once a year, a priest, who had met many obligations, and toured the holy of holies on the day of atonement. 

We know that this was a type, a figure of the high priest, Jesus Christ as stated in the book of Romans.  Jesus, when in John 1:14 spoke about his first coming, or in he “dwelt” among men. 

The Word dwelt is actually tabernacle, a tentlike structure; meant as a temporary dwelling only. 

This was Jesus first coming as a man, Jesus was displayed in imagery as seen in the tabernacle and all of its furniture and building materials, as well as the structure of Israel having the tabernacle in the center, with the priest all around it; indicating that man at this time would only come to God through a priesthood – wherein 2000 years later our high priest Jesus Christ, made interests into the holy of holies achievable for us based upon the sacrifice of himself for us. 

The tabernacle is a beautiful symbol of Jesus Christ first coming to die as a Lamb of God for the sins of the world..

Everything used in the building of the tabernacle had symbolic meaning [Hebrews 5:8], meaning that drew the reader to the personage of Jesus Christ and his first coming. 

There can be than one symbol, yet that symbol always means the same thing.  Look at the word rock or stone. 

Who was the rock that was carried through the desert – Exodus 17:6 – see 1 Corinthians 10:4, then Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8; Exodus 33:22; Dan 2:34, 35, 45; as well as the 26 references to “a rock” in the Psalms.)

The Gospels are meant to be a multifaceted perspective of the Messiah of Israel – who would suffer and die for the iniquity of man as the deliverer of mankind, as the perfect man – sinless and without blemish as the only acceptable sacrifice to God; who was God incarnate; divine in His Majesty.

These are the 4 perspectives as seen in the diversity of the 4 different Gospels. These 4 perspectives of Christ are mainly meant to display the role that He fulfills in His First Coming, while at the same time showing a small glimpse of who He is as the Eternal Son of God, Deity.

These 4 roles must not be mixed up with the personage of the “Word” (John 1:1), of God (the Logos in the Greek, meaning: the revelation or communication of God), who became human and called Jesus, the Christ (“The Anointed One of God” – The Messiah of Israel; wherein the definite article, “The” is utilized to indicate there is only one. This term “Anointed,” when generically used in general referred to prophets and Kings whom God had anointed, yet when used with the definite article “The,” refers to one individual, it regards the deliverer of Israel - a specific personage above all others – The Deliverer of Israel, The Messiah), Who is not divided in who He is, He is singular in his personage, yet in His first coming is understood more completely as displayed and 4 aspects of the role that He fulfills as the Savior of the world.

This mission was determined and planned by Him and the Father before the foundations of the earth (see Psalm 2, which refers to Jesus’ First Coming and Second Coming).  These 4 facets as seen in the 4 Gospels, is not a new perspective; it has been understood from the time of the disciples of the apostles, wherein the purpose in these 4 books has been understood until our current day, though rarely tought. 

There are hundreds of plaques and reliefs found in Europe and Asia, which display the 4 symbols of the 4 Gospels: the Lion, the Ox, the Man, and the Eagle.

The plaque on the left is of the 4 figures of the 4 books of the Gospel (the Lion, the Ox, the Man, and the Eagle), with the Lamb of God in the middle – it was made less than 400 hundred years after Christ, displaying an early understanding of the diversity of the 4 different Gospels. 

The writings of Irenaeus (who was a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John the author of the gospel, the 3 letters, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ); referred to these 4 perspectives of these 4 Gospels, which were commonly accepted as canonical at his time.

The Catholic Church has displayed these 4 symbols of the Gospels since the time of Irenaeus and is seen in the writings of Augustine, Jerome, and many others. 

If you enter many Orthodox Churches in American; such as Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, and many other churches that are hundreds of years old, going back to the reform movement of Martin Luther in 1517, when he publicly accused in separating himself from the Catholic Church, you will find references to these 4 perspectives as seen in the 4 Gospels.

God’s Word is meant to be taken literally, and everything in God’s Word serves a purpose, and that purpose Jesus referred to in John 5:39, which records His words:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

We must understand that the Bible’s main focus is not the redemption of man; but the glorification of God as seen in Isaiah 43:7, which states:

“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

God’s Word is about God, not man. Yet, we are blessed in that man is addressed as God’s creation (Adam was made in God’s Image, not us – we fallen men are made in Adams image after his fall. However, we still carry some of the imageness of God, but corrupted by sin. We pollute our imageness of God), originally formed in His Image, made to be His children, based upon a relationship established and maintained in faith.

This is what Adam violated, yet Christ corrected (1st Corinthians 15:22 & 45). Therefore, we understand that the words of Jesus as recorded in John 5:39 our literal (Hebrews 3:1-6); that the complete “Word of God” speaks about Him, not only in direct terminology, but as noted in the book of Hebrews; God utilizes types and shadows (Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1), and in 1 Corinthians 10:11; 1 Corinthians 10:6; and in Romans 15:4 and Colossians 2:16-17, with many other types of object lessons throughout God’s Word.

This is why there are over 300 different titles given to Christ in the Old Testament. All meant to paint a picture so we would recognize Him when He shows up on the stage of time. And this we see as well in the 4 Gospels.

They present four different perspectives of Christ’s role in His 1st coming. Yet, we must also understand that these roles that He fulfilled are not to be confused with His personage.

Because the next time that Jesus comes (Rev. 19:11-14), He will not come as the Lamb of God to die for man’s sin. He will come as the conquering King (with His saints Deu. 33:2; Zec. 14:5; Jude 1:14; Rev.19:10-14; Dan. 7:10), the Kinsmen-Redeemer of Israel (LINK), who wages war upon the “earth dwellers” (“them that dwell upon the earth” see: Revelation 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10 2xs; 13:8, 12, 14 2xs; 14:6; 17:8) that came against the nation of Israel.

The blood at His vengeance (Rev. 19:2) is so vast that it is said to be up to the bridle of a horse (Rev. 14:14,20).  We must never mix up the personage of Jesus with the roles that He has, and will play within history.

At His Second Coming, you will not observe the Christmas baby that has been neutered by the world with no power.

This will be Christ in His glorification coming to take that for which He paid for at the cross. He comes with His saints (Deu. 33:2; Zec. 14:5; Jude 1:14; Rev.19:10-14; Dan. 7:10), the redeem mankind, to save Israel.

JESUS AS HE IS RELATED TO THE TABERNACLE, AND ISRAEL ENCAMPED AROUND IT

Levites, representing the priesthood centered around all four sides of the Tabernacle.
Wherein the only way to approach the tabernacle was through priest; who at the time was the only way to God. This was a representation of God’s relationship with man prior to the atonement made possible by the death of Jesus Christ, who became our high priest; making null the earthly priesthood system.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

The 3 charts were pproduced by K-House.org 

We would like to thank Chuck Missler for his teaching in this matter, and the production of the above slides, though Chuck did not create this teaching, as it has been around for quite some time.

How amazing that the tabernacle, a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of Israel, would be surrounded by the priest on all 4 sides, in that man could not come to God on his own basis, but needed a mediator.  And that all 12 tribes surrounded the tabernacle as they walked across the desert wherein from above a pectoral of a cross would be seen.

One would ask, since there were no flying machines at that time, what good did this produce.  God does not do things solely that man would understand, though we do know that when Balaam was overlooking the 12 tribes wherein he was being coaxed to curse them by King Balak, this is the view he would’ve seen from the cliffs (Numbers 23:9).

One thing that must be understood is that the 3 tribes on each, based upon God’s direction would meet behind their ensign – their standard, and would line up at a certain with across, so as not to crowd into those tribes on their left of those tribes on their right.

Then at the tail of the first tribe, the 2nd tribes ensign – standard would be where that tribe set up, and the same for the 3rd ensign – standard.

This is why it would look like a giant cross rather than a giant square.  Rather you take this at face value or not it is based upon God’s description to Moses as seen in the Torah, the Talmud, and other Jewish writings.

What is also amazing is that in heaven, in God’s throne room, we have Him seated in the middle with the 4 angelic figures with the face of: a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle; wherein according to the book of Hebrews, the tabernacle was a type of the throne room of God, with God in the middle, the same as the tabernacle.

If the table below runs off to the left too far, it is because the screen you are using is too small – it needs a bigger screen to be seen correctly.

JESUS AS HE IS RELATED TO THE GOSPELS THROUGH FOR DIVERSE BANDAGE POINTS