God’s Chosen People: Then and Now

In the Bible we learn that God chose Abraham to be the father of His chosen people, the people through which His promise of redemption would come (Genesis 18:18; 22:18). This promise was passed on to Isaac and reiterated to Jacob (Genesis 28:14). Following their time in Egypt the Israelites were lead to the Promised Land by God. On the way they were given charge of God’s immutable law, the Ten Commandments, and they were also given ceremonial laws and services, which were symbols of God’s plan for our salvation (Psalms 77:13; Hebrews 8:1-6). It was the responsibility of the Israelites to live out this example and share the hope of a coming Saviour.

However, Israel repeatedly “did evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges). Time after time they got comfortable and forgot their purpose and adopted the ways of the neighbouring heathens. God raised multiple judges to help them every time they cried to Him for help, then they rejected God and demanded a King “like the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:5-7). So God granted them their request. And as has been the pattern they fell into apostasy again leading to the division of the nation and the “loss” of ten tribes and the captivity of the remaining two.

Despite the nature of His people, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. God made a covenant with David that his line would last forever (Psalms 89:3,4; 2 Chronicles 7:18) So He sent prophets to remind the Jews of this promise. Isaiah and Daniel outline all the signs that were to come announcing the birth of the Messiah and the nature of His mission (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,7; 53:3; Daniel 9:25, 26).

But after the Jews left Persian captivity they decided that this should never happen to them again so to prevent this they developed a religious group known as the Pharisees. The Pharisees were to be the keepers of the law and to ensure that everyone in Israel knew and obeyed God’s law. This all seemed like a good idea until the Pharisees decide the only way to keep God’s laws is to make more laws (Matthew 23:1-7). They forgot that God empowers us to keep His law because we cannot do it in our own strength. So they make God’s law tedious, this is also displeasing to God and they end up under Roman rule.

To keep the people loyal the Jewish leaders, misinterpreted the prophecies, that the Messiah would come to die, and told the people He would come to over throw the Roman rulers. This sent absolute confusion among God’s chosen people and when the Messiah arrived only a few people were prepared, Joseph and Mary (Matthew 1:18-25), Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:41-45), Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38), and wise men from the East (Matthew 2:1-5). God then sent one final messenger, as promised, before Jesus began His ministry (Isaiah 40: 3). John the Baptist preached a message of repentance (Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 3:3,4)

When Jesus began His ministry He had to correct the misinterpretation (John 2:19-21). Even until the day before He died His closest disciples didn’t fully understand that He came to die (John 18:10,11,36). It wasn’t until Jesus rose from the dead that they finally understood the prophecies (John 2:22).

And unfortunately ‘those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it’. Again, God has chosen a specific group of people to shine a light on His immutable law and to carry to truth of Salvation, found in the Sanctuary, to bring hope to a dying world, and we are failing. Like the Israelites we put aside the beautiful truth that we have because we want to be “like the other nations”. The prophets have laid out what is to happen before Jesus returns and like the Israelite leaders we modify it to suit our own ends. People are being lied to in order to attain perceived success. Greater numbers are being called into the church exposing them to half-truths and thereby imperiling their souls (Matthew 23:15; Revelation 12:15).

Jesus is coming soon. The signs are all there. This time He comes as a conquering King to bring rewards according to our works (Revelation 22:12). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Our faith helps us to rely on God’s grace to overcome sin; the greater the sin the more grace we receive to resist (Romans 5:20; 6:14). And our faith in His power to help us reject sin and worship Him will determine our eternal reward.

I pray God’s courage on all who hear His Spirit to choose to obey His call to sound the alarm “ Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Through Faith

Bible vs. Tradition

A question that has become prevalent in my church lately is whether some of the things we teach as doctrine are Biblical or church tradition. Growing up I’ve always known them to be Biblical, but like most people raised in my church the way I was we don’t have the verses at the ready. A few of these are our stance on wearing jewelry, going to the theatre/watching certain TV shows/ reading certain books and even drinking alcohol. All my life I’ve known that these things were wrong but have only recently been challenged as to the Biblical reason. This challenge elicited an extreme response that was as a result of my own lack of knowledge. Knowing that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine… (2 Timothy 3:16) I set to studying. So by the grace of God I now have a more sure standing.

I could easily list the verses that would stand against these – Jewelry: Jacob preparing his family before coming to God in prayer Genesis 35:4, God preparing to judge the Israelites after they engaged in idolatry Exodus 33:5, and Peter’s instruction for adornment 1 Peter 3:3; Entertainment choices: King David promising not to look at evil Psalms 101:3, and Paul’s instructions of what to keep in our minds Philippians 4:8; Alcohol: Solomon’s instructions Proverbs 20:1 and 23:31. However, there are scripture references used to support the use of jewelry, Rebecca receiving Isaac’s gifts, Joseph wearing Pharaoh’s ring, Jesus giving us crowns when He returns. Similarly, with alcohol and unhealthy entertainment I have heard the reasoning that in moderation it’s not harmful.

Let’s look at these one at a time: Jewelry. This is a major hang up for many people because they have become so comfortable with it and with pastors now telling them it’s ok my belief and practice elicits a major response. I won’t expound on the pagan origins of jewelry and the coordinating meanings behind this, this can be found out by anyone with the internet or a library card. I look at it from the Bible’s point of view. As prophecy believing people we know that we are currently living at the end of earth’s history which means the end of church history, the final church, Laodicea – A people judged. We are people that are to live in an attitude of constant prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). If we as Bible believing Christians believe that God’s instructions, which has always been to remove jewelry, are constant, as He does not change (Malachi 3:6), why would He waver on this. We are living in a time of judgement. We as a people are being judged by our response to His mercy and following this judgement we will enter the Promised Land. Furthermore, in Ezekiel 28:13 we learn that Lucifer was covered with every precious stone. Human beings were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), His people were made to be clothed in light (Genesis 2:25, Revelation 12:1) but following sin He gave us covering that reflected His sacrifice (Genesis 3:21). When we cover ourselves in jewels we reject the image of God that remains in us and form an image to Lucifer. This is why my church believes and many others used to believe that we should not wear jewelry.

Entertainment choices: The Bible teaches that we should look to Jesus in all things because by beholding we become changed (2 Corinthians 3:18). Scientists have demonstrated that the things we listen to, read, and watch changed to way we think. This is how brainwashing works, the human mind does not loose it’s “sponge-like” properties after the age of seven. As a TV/Movie addict in recovery I can attest to the change in mood and thinking that occurs. It has been demonstrated that while passively watching a scene your brain believes that you are actually living the event, thereby changing the neural connections to suit this new experience. Because as Christians we believe that earth’s final conflict is for our beliefs, is it not prudent that we guard or minds from things that negatively impacts its function?

Similarly, with alcohol, consuming alcohol is known to damage various organs in the body including the brain. I find it flabbergasting that this is an issue among professed Bible believing Christians. I don’t have to list the evils that come from alcohol use. This is in the news and scientific articles every day. I have one verse that summarizes my sentiments on this and I will say no more anyone who has been touch directly or indirectly by the effects of this substance knows it is evil. 1 Peter 5:8 says: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. No honest person can justify the use of alcohol.

This is by no means a condemnation on those who wear jewelry, enjoy unchrist-like entertainment or drink alcohol. We all have shortcomings. This is why He died, to cover us from the things we did in ignorance and the catch us if we fall in knowledge. How we respond to this mercy will determine whether we receive His crown of life or smelt with the ornaments we place on ourselves. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17 He gives us all opportunities to learn His truth and every incentive to choose His Way. Today, in whatever means you may hear His call please respond (Hebrews 3:15).

By Faith

P.S. There are other seeming peculiarities that were held as doctrine at the foundation of my church (Health Message, Dress Reform, etc.); all with Biblical standing. As a faith founded in the Protestant tradition, Sola Scriptura, ‘this is where we stand and we will go no further’. In this year that we remember Martin Luther’s declarations let us not forget why he made those statements and what we will return to by attempting to erode the truth of the Bible.


Lord, I Want to be a Christian

Unlucky Charms

Influence

Preparation

In Matthew Chapter 24, Jesus gave a sobering prophecy of what was to happen to ancient Israel and, I believe, to His end-time followers. He describes the most frightful events of wars, disease and poverty followed by the statement: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:8 The first fulfillment of this prophecy was seen in 70ad when Jerusalem was destroyed. At the rate the world is going now we can see the signs of the second fulfillment.

As a result, many faithful students of the Bible and history are making preparations for this dreadful time, and as a result they neglect a vital part of the preparation. Insulating one’s self from society and preparing a farm house is not the answer. I am fully in support of country living and choosing one’s associates wisely (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). However, I also believe that God has placed us in specific circumstances to prepare us, as His followers. Neglecting a direct command to do good and share the word (Ezekiel 9:4) while embracing “…come out of her, my people” Revelation 18:4, brings to mind the command “…these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42 We are not to get caught up in the trappings of this world, however, we have a duty to our fellow man to ensure that he has heard the truth.

We have been entrusted with great knowledge of the future, but we are not to live there. We may know much of what is to occur, but we do not know what will be needed for that time, except to learn to obey His voice now so we can identify it then. Treacherous times are ahead (Matthew 24:24) and our only guard is the armour of God (Ephesians 6:11-13). Yes, God has given us the capacity to reason and to plan, but these skills are not our source of security in the dark days ahead. We are to put or full trust in God alone, because He alone knows what is to come. Right now we are to live for Him and be about our Father’s business.

Thinking about what is to come, reminds me of Israel in the time of Elijah the prophet. Elijah prayed that there would be no rain so that the people would turn away from Baal worship and back to God. Elijah was not insulated from the drought and famine that ensued. But, because he trusted and knew God, he was fed every day and was even able to be blessing to a family. God also provided for one hundred of His prophets during this time. (1 Kings 17-18)

No matter what situation we find ourselves in we are to always be about our Father’s business. In whatever vocation He has guided us we are to do all as unto Him. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:23,24)

In Faith

The Why

I have been thinking about this question for a while: “Why do you believe what you believe?”. I and many Christians in the world have been faced with it and have come up with many different answers. I’ve given the generic answer, “Because of what God has done for me”. But to someone with no experience with God and the Bible, though it is true that God has done a lot, this answer tends to ring sanctimonious and a bit hollow. Another prominent response has been “Because I have made the choice to believe that the Bible is truth”. While I have made this choice, it’s not an answer to “Why”.

I was talking to a friend, who was raised in a believing family and has subsequently left the faith for Atheism, and the question came up. Because I was talking to someone who knows the things I know my reflex response was prophecy. The messages in the books of Isaiah, Daniel and Revelation most of which have come true and the remainder of which is yet to be seen. He attempted to rebut by bringing up world powers that existed before that were not mentioned in those prophecies. However this doesn’t make the prophecies any less true.

I haven’t really thought about it much since that conversation and reverted to my “I chose” response, but I was reminded of two passages of scripture that have sealed the response. First, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 Second, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaved we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1: 16-21

These passages reminded me, one, that all the answers to any question I may have come from the Word of God. His name after all is “I AM” Exodus 3:14. And two, there were people who saw Jesus during the 3½ years, there were witnesses to the Red Sea parting, fire coming down from heaven, and all the many miracles in the Old and New testaments. However, above these eyewitnesses God through inspiration has told us the history of the world. Daniel Chapter 2 summarizes and details were given throughout the book of Daniel and all the book of Revelation. And as the passage stated, none of these prophecies are subject to “private interpretation”. The Bible explains itself and anyone who desires to understand can read and understand with the help of the Holy Spirit.

So for this New Year, please “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Because, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16

Have a Blessed New Year!

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar?

This topic is of particular interest to me. I am a young woman of reasonably high education, who by society’s standards should be a great leader in my professional and social group. It is very easy to buy into the idea that women are underrepresented in certain levels of society therefore it is my duty to do all I can, disregarding principles, to achieve the heights set by humanity.

I consented to stay in Bible Class after church, when asked, because of what I heard the topic would be. It is one of great contention among churches in this postmodern era. Because of the social cohort to which I belong, I tend not to comment on certain topics, and allow certain assumptions to be maintained. But I chose to speak today. The leader of the class introduced the topic by stating her reasons for researching it. She said that she noticed that the “church seemed to have a revolving door with regard to men joining the church”. She prayed and began investigating instances in the Bible of God interacting with men, God interacting with women, and men and women interacting with each other.

The example she used for God interacting with man she used the story of Adam and of Abraham. She highlighted that man was made to be the glory of God (1 Corinthians 11:7) and that God spoke directly to Abraham giving him the promise of a son. Of God interacting with woman he gave the example of the Samaritan woman at the well, and of God with Sarah. She pointed out that when the Samaritan woman asked for the living water Jesus sent her to get her husband and that the interaction between God and Sarah was through Abraham. This indicates a hierarchy of responsibility in the God – human relationship. Then for interactions between men and women she used Adam and Eve and Abraham and Sarah as illustrations. Eve was deceived and Adam chose to follow her leading to the world as it is, and Sarah convinced Abraham to have a child with her handmaid, subsequently Abraham was forced to obey his wife again to send away Ishmael. From these examples we can see what the intended protocol should be and if we know these stories we can see the outcome of breaking this standard.

All this being said, why are there so few men in the church? The simple answer – ranks have been broken due to determined diabolical forces. For decades now the Biblical Gospel has been diluted and emotionalized. Science has demonstrated that men tend to be “left-brain” dominant and women “right-brain” dominant. This means men tend to be more analytical, logical, fact driven and women tend to be more creative, intuitive, emotion driven. By presenting the gospel as something to drive an emotive response and not a logical force to elicit change, those of us that are analytical and would like to “reason together” with God (Isaiah 1:18) don’t find a place in church anymore.

So what are we left with? Men have decided to relegate all things God and Godly to women and the emotionally driven. They don’t walk with God like Enoch did, or have that friend relationship like Abraham did, or move with conviction like Paul did. Our churches are left like Isaiah said: “children oppress and women rule” (Isaiah 3:12). And like Eve, women are steadily being deceived, by the enemy, into thinking that ‘they are right’ and that ‘they have a right’ to a position designated by God for a man.

  

Pride was the source of the first deception and sin. And pride is the source of the declination of our churches and society today. Until women decide to submit to their God given roles and me rise up to theirs there will be no progress in our churches or in our world.

I pray God’s Blessing as you think.

“Equality vs. Equity and the Will of God”

Equality – "The state of being equal, esp. in status, rights, and opportunities." Equity – "The quality of being fair and impartial." Understanding and application of these two terms have been the source of many issues in church life. My preference is not to talk about specific church issues, however, when these issues become a stumbling block in the Christian walk it becomes necessary to comment. The big issue at hand is the ordination of women as pastors.

Since the 1960s many Christian denominations have opted to open up the position of pastor to women. This can be directly associated with the women’s liberation/ feminist movement. The major argument for this is equality between the genders. The verse most quoted to support this is Galatians 3: 28 in which Paul states “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Now, this verse, taken on its own tells us that there is no difference among any group of humanity and everybody is the same, equal. There are no nationalities, nobody is indebted or liberated, and genders no longer exist, because in Christ all of these things disappear.

This view of life, while, it sounds and feels good is but a thin façade covering deeper issues. How does this verse jibe with the rest of scripture in which these distinctions are clearly made with accompanying instructions on duties and responsibilities (Genesis 12: 2, 3; Daniel 9: 24-27; Romans 1: 16, Joshua 9; Exodus 29; Deuteronomy 22: 5; 1 Corinthians 11; etc.)? In Malachi 3: 6 God states: “For I am the Lord, I change not. With this in mind we know that there cannot be a clash in scriptural instruction and principles so how do we reconcile this?

The Holy Scripture gives us instructions on how it is to be interpreted. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little… Isaiah 28:10-13. With this in mind what do the verses surrounding Galatians 3: 28 tell us? The rest of this passage is speaking of faith, the faith that saves us; the faith in Christ and His sacrifice that negates whatever classification to which we may belong, freeing us to be saved from our sins and fitting us for a place in God’s kingdom. This has no direct bearing on our individual functions in the body of Christ.

We are all different. God made us differently with different skills, “some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers… (Ephesians 4: 11-13). God has equipped up with various skills that we may work together to press forward in the work. As we see in the parable of the talents one received five, another two and another received one (Matthew 25: 15). As we can well see these are all different values. By mathematical standards they are not equal. All the different positions listed in Ephesians are not equal in nature, however, there is equity in their need. The body would not function optimally if one were missing.

God has given us specific instructions on how the church (His body) is to be governed. If a person is openly disobeying the law of God they should be separated from the body (Matthew 18: 17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 Timothy 1: 18-20; Titus 3: 10, 11). Likewise because our God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14: 40) He also gave instruction on church leadership. In the days of the sanctuary He told Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests and the Levites as ministers in the church. In the New Testament church God instructed Paul (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1) that bishops and elders are to be men with one wife, blameless, having proper control of their homes.

Another statement I have heard in this debate is that God called these women to this position. Now I don’t know anyone’s connection with the Lord, however, I do know that he does not contradict Himself. As stated before He is God He doesn’t change. He is the “same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) He knew what the end of time would be from the beginning of time (Isaiah 46:10). Therefore, because we know as human beings that our senses are apt to betray us (due to our sinful nature) it would behove us to try every sprit that comes our way (1 John 4:1-5). Test them against the only sure thing we have – The Word of God (Isaiah 8:20).

There are women that I count very dear to me that want to be ordained pastors in our church. They posses many pastoral gifts, and I have had the privilege to be blessed by them. My statement in this regard is that God has given these gifts for His service. These gifts are vital in the furtherance of His work. Pastoral gifts (counselling, leadership, teaching, preaching, etc.) are not limited to this one office. The position of pastor is not to be likened to any other job. It is unique and assigned by God. As a result His criteria is the only one that matters. Our feelings about the matter and what seems right and fair to us do not (Proverb 14: 12).

God has made his will known in His word and has also chosen to do so through our church as a body (three times). I believe it is time that we take note of His will, making the changes necessary to align ourselves with His will for our lives, using the gifts He has bestowed upon us in accordance with His instructions.

Be Blessed in His Will

The Will

The ‘Will’ is defined as “the faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action”. Why do we do the things we do? What is the source of our individual motivations? In general our motives are determined by our respective experiences and how we respond to them (10% of what you make it, 90% of how you take it). However, despite our experiences and the “most likely” direction our lives take, the “road less travelled” is always an option. What is it that causes us to take that path?

As sinful beings our will is to do that which is evil – against the law of God. We have been created free moral agents, with choice. Our first parents made a choice to sin therefore we are born with the default mode to sin (Psalm 51:5). Based on this the most likely path for us to take is to do what is wrong. So why do we sometimes choose to do the right thing? Philippians 2:13 states, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

How does this happen? How do we get God to both give us the will and the ability to do what pleases Him – what is right. This comes down to choice. Do I choose to follow my own default will or do I choose to let God work in me His will. This is the most difficult of choices. Take the wide well trodden road or trust another to lead on the road less travelled.

I was recently faced with one such situation. The deliberateness of my actions shocked me, and has prompted me to think. Years ago I made the public choice to follow the will of God. This has by no means been a smooth path, however, it has not been as rough as others have experienced. Travelling this road comes with a certain level of isolation – compounded with my natural tendency towards introversion.

Recently I was faced with the choice of an inappropriate social event or continued isolation. I found myself without regard or thought to consequences willfully engaging this unholy activity. I knew I was wrong, I repeatedly told myself to go home… but I didn’t. I scared myself because I didn’t know that that level of willful determination towards evil was still in me. The selfish desire to fill a need, without regard to the consequences of the means by which that need was filled, gave me a jolt.

With that said, how does one yield ones will to the Nobler power? Longfellow puts it this way:

“All thoughts of ill; and evil deeds,

That have their root in thoughts of ill;

Whatever hinders or impedes

The action of the nobler will; –

All these must first be trampled down

Beneath our feet, if we would gain

In the bright fields of fair renown

The right of eminent domain.”

Paul says we must “die daily”. I was under the impression that I was immune to certain things I was past certain actions because I was raised in the church. This recent experience hit me with the fact that I am still a descendant of Adam and Eve – subject to selfish disdain for what is right. Because of this I am required to remain vigilant in ALL things (1Peter 5:8), dying daily to self and selfishness. This is the task at hand…

Hold On