There are two issues that are on my mind as we begin the month of November. I was planning on writing on the election exclusively this month, but I figure I spent enough time on that topic for the last two weeks in worship. The bottom line summary. Look up Romans 13. Government is to restrain and punish evil and promote good. Vote for the candidate who you believe, after praying about it, will do the best job of this Biblical purpose for human government. Consider how their policies, and any influence they may have in the choice of judges who will interpret our constitution, will fulfill this task. Set aside issues of race, sex, cost of their clothing, net worth, celebrity status, or what you heard in an email. Instead pray and think, who will work hard every day to resist evil and promote what is good.
Yet the talk of “celebrity” on both sides of the presidential debate reminds me of another topic in the late October air: Halloween. Now if you're expecting an article telling you how Satan will steal your soul if you trick-or-treat you'll be disappointed (or not.) Instead I am reminded by an article I read this morning at WORD FM's website that Halloween is for all our purposes as Christians, Hallows, that is Saints', Eve. (see http://www.wordfm.com/parenting/11583351/page1/ for the article) The writer, who is not Roman Catholic, to my knowledge, reminds us that Halloween was for the Church, the eve of a feast day to celebrate all the Saints.
And who were the Saints. The were people like you and me who after being “vetted” through extensive investigation by the Church, were determined to have exemplified some virtue of Christlike living as to warrant the status of Christian Celebrity. Unlike today's Christian Celebrities who only need a bestseller, a hit song, or a TV Ministry. These folks withstood the test of both the church's scrutiny and the test of history to be granted the status of Saint. While we Presbyterians don't pray to, of “through” the Saints because we do not believe, with Christ as our mediator, we need their virtues to mediate or “supercharge” our prayers; and we don't decorate our churches, yards, or homes with their images; we would do well to know who they are and look at their examples.
They were not perfect. They may only be a Saint for one thing that they got right. We might even debate if they got it right. I am reminded of the Saint I read about in college who threw herself from the roof of her house, dying to preserve her virginity in the face of marauding soldiers. Some of them, history has questioned whether or not they exist, yet the virtue of their legend still points to a higher good and so they are preserved in the catalog of Sainted Celebrities for what they may have represented. The point is we can look at their lives and see how ordinary Christians chose to live in their time so we might consider how to live in ours.
So before you get caught up in the hype of politics and celebrity. Take time this All Saints Eve, and consider the lives of Saints ,whether the capital S ones or the lowercase ones of your own family and friends, now gone on to join the Church Triumphant ( a neat name for heaven from our dusty theology books). Consider how our lives may better reflect Jesus Christ who they sought to follow when we look to their examples. Have a Blessed All Saints Day.
In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Faith in an Election Year Part 2
Part 2 What to Do if Your Candidate Loses ... Or Wins.
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
After we are told to give to those to whom anything is due, we are encouraged to have no debts, other than the ongoing practice of loving one another as though it was debt continually to be paid. This is not to say that our love is to be grudging as we might view a debt as having to be paid out of a finite resource. Instead we are to pay our love to one another as we would an important debt; faithfully and regularly. To love in this way does not break the law but fulfills it. To remain faithful to our Christian calling we are instructed is our duty at all times. There is no excuse that should keep us from being faithful to God.
9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Indeed the law is simplified in this command to love, for if we love we will not pursue the wife or husband of another or live in any way that is unfaithful to God's ordering of marriage. We will not murder. We will not take what doesn't belong to us. We will not Desire what belongs to others or be jealous of what they have or seek to deprive them of it.
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
To do no wrong to our neighbor certainly restrains us from evil and keeps us on the right side of God's law if not the law of the land.
11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
We are to remain faithful to our calling knowing especially that we do not know the hour of Christ's return. Certainly it is no further away than in days past and since Christ has accomplished all he promised except for His return, we must be always ready. We cannot drowsily go about our business as though God is absent or unaware or that we will have ample time for repentance should we die or should Christ return.
12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Often people have used the seeming cover of night for evil deeds or for sensual living pursuing pleasures of their own desires rather than goodness during those hours where they may not be readily observed. Indeed we more often hide our sins even while we are doing them willfully. Yet even as darkness has past in Christ and we are being led out of sin and darkness we should pursue a life that more resembles the life of Christ who is our light. We are even given the image of “putting on” light like one would put on armor. Armor is put on purposefully and is not natural to the body. Likewise a holy life is not natural to us but is put on in Christ. Likewise we willingly “lay aside” evil deeds, putting them off and refusing them like soiled garments not to be worn while dirty.
13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
Regardless of the teaching of this world we must look to Gods word and live as those who know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. While some things and even some of what the world calls pleasures may be legal under the civil law we must never call what God calls good evil or evil good. As powerful and entangling as our sexuality can be we are to give special attention to keeping that area of life pure. Likewise we cannot allow divisions between people and jealousy for possessions lead us to do what is evil.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
It is this line that both calls us to strive to live like Christ, as well as affording us no excuse even should the world lead us to do otherwise. Should our leaders approve the murder of the helpless, abandonment of living infants on hospital floors because they were unwanted; should they approve corruption and the abuse of those who work for them; should they abuse the advantages of power for personal gain; should they freely call what Scripture calls good evil, and evil good; Should they place in power those who do not preserve freedom and law, failing to reward good and punish and restrain evil; Should they do any of these things; We must not. We must seek to put on Christ. We must not allow for ourselves to live in any other way that the way of the Spirit. This is what it means to make no provision for the lusts of the flesh. We cannot place our Christian life in one compartment and pursue greed, lust, hatred or any other evil in another quarter. Pray for wisdom. Vote for those who you believe will restrain evil and promote good. Pray for those who gain power that they will faithfully do as God has elevated them to do. And live yourselves as Christians even if the rest of the world should choose Hell's path.
In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
After we are told to give to those to whom anything is due, we are encouraged to have no debts, other than the ongoing practice of loving one another as though it was debt continually to be paid. This is not to say that our love is to be grudging as we might view a debt as having to be paid out of a finite resource. Instead we are to pay our love to one another as we would an important debt; faithfully and regularly. To love in this way does not break the law but fulfills it. To remain faithful to our Christian calling we are instructed is our duty at all times. There is no excuse that should keep us from being faithful to God.
9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Indeed the law is simplified in this command to love, for if we love we will not pursue the wife or husband of another or live in any way that is unfaithful to God's ordering of marriage. We will not murder. We will not take what doesn't belong to us. We will not Desire what belongs to others or be jealous of what they have or seek to deprive them of it.
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
To do no wrong to our neighbor certainly restrains us from evil and keeps us on the right side of God's law if not the law of the land.
11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
We are to remain faithful to our calling knowing especially that we do not know the hour of Christ's return. Certainly it is no further away than in days past and since Christ has accomplished all he promised except for His return, we must be always ready. We cannot drowsily go about our business as though God is absent or unaware or that we will have ample time for repentance should we die or should Christ return.
12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Often people have used the seeming cover of night for evil deeds or for sensual living pursuing pleasures of their own desires rather than goodness during those hours where they may not be readily observed. Indeed we more often hide our sins even while we are doing them willfully. Yet even as darkness has past in Christ and we are being led out of sin and darkness we should pursue a life that more resembles the life of Christ who is our light. We are even given the image of “putting on” light like one would put on armor. Armor is put on purposefully and is not natural to the body. Likewise a holy life is not natural to us but is put on in Christ. Likewise we willingly “lay aside” evil deeds, putting them off and refusing them like soiled garments not to be worn while dirty.
13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
Regardless of the teaching of this world we must look to Gods word and live as those who know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. While some things and even some of what the world calls pleasures may be legal under the civil law we must never call what God calls good evil or evil good. As powerful and entangling as our sexuality can be we are to give special attention to keeping that area of life pure. Likewise we cannot allow divisions between people and jealousy for possessions lead us to do what is evil.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
It is this line that both calls us to strive to live like Christ, as well as affording us no excuse even should the world lead us to do otherwise. Should our leaders approve the murder of the helpless, abandonment of living infants on hospital floors because they were unwanted; should they approve corruption and the abuse of those who work for them; should they abuse the advantages of power for personal gain; should they freely call what Scripture calls good evil, and evil good; Should they place in power those who do not preserve freedom and law, failing to reward good and punish and restrain evil; Should they do any of these things; We must not. We must seek to put on Christ. We must not allow for ourselves to live in any other way that the way of the Spirit. This is what it means to make no provision for the lusts of the flesh. We cannot place our Christian life in one compartment and pursue greed, lust, hatred or any other evil in another quarter. Pray for wisdom. Vote for those who you believe will restrain evil and promote good. Pray for those who gain power that they will faithfully do as God has elevated them to do. And live yourselves as Christians even if the rest of the world should choose Hell's path.
In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Why there are not many Paths.
Had a great question this week regarding Matthew 21:28-32.
"But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ' Son, go work today in the vineyard.' 29 "And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 "The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, 'I will, sir'; but he did not go. 31 "Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. 32 "For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
NASU
Jesus was contrasting the very religious Pharisees who were opposing Him and the Tax Collectors and Prostitutes who were following Him. The Pharisees were like the ones who said yes but did not do what was asked. The sinners who followed Jesus had previously said "No" but were repenting and now saying "Yes". The son who does right is tho one who does the will of the Father. Better still of course would be to say yes and to do what you say, but No one has the benefit of never having sinned. So we all are called to repent and begin to follow Jesus and do the will of our Father in Heaven. Remember too that Jesus was talking about their rejection of Him. The will of God for us is first that we should believe in His Son. The Pharisees claimed to obey God but rejected His Son.
In our world we are encouraged to believe in God but accept that there may be many paths to God which may or may not include Jesus. We are told that we can believe in God yet are give the option to accept or reject Jesus as the Son of God. I ask you, should we believe that God accepts our worship and our faith when we reject the very gift He gave of His son? Is it God's will for us to trust in His Son, to repent of our inability to please God on our own, and to trust in Jesus as the way He made for us to be put back into his will and obedience? Or is Jesus Wrong and are we permitted to say "Yes" while going our own way?
In Christ,
Mark
"But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ' Son, go work today in the vineyard.' 29 "And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 "The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, 'I will, sir'; but he did not go. 31 "Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. 32 "For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
NASU
Jesus was contrasting the very religious Pharisees who were opposing Him and the Tax Collectors and Prostitutes who were following Him. The Pharisees were like the ones who said yes but did not do what was asked. The sinners who followed Jesus had previously said "No" but were repenting and now saying "Yes". The son who does right is tho one who does the will of the Father. Better still of course would be to say yes and to do what you say, but No one has the benefit of never having sinned. So we all are called to repent and begin to follow Jesus and do the will of our Father in Heaven. Remember too that Jesus was talking about their rejection of Him. The will of God for us is first that we should believe in His Son. The Pharisees claimed to obey God but rejected His Son.
In our world we are encouraged to believe in God but accept that there may be many paths to God which may or may not include Jesus. We are told that we can believe in God yet are give the option to accept or reject Jesus as the Son of God. I ask you, should we believe that God accepts our worship and our faith when we reject the very gift He gave of His son? Is it God's will for us to trust in His Son, to repent of our inability to please God on our own, and to trust in Jesus as the way He made for us to be put back into his will and obedience? Or is Jesus Wrong and are we permitted to say "Yes" while going our own way?
In Christ,
Mark
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Faith in an Election Year Part 1
Romans 13 Exposition
Part 1
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
When we consider our duty in an election year we must first consider this truth. God has established human authority on earth. Beginning in Genesis with the establishment of man's “dominion” over the creation, God has afforded to humanity a degree of government and stewardship over the world. In a difficult time for Christians to follow the Authority of Caesar an the imperial government, Paul writes the Spirit's inspired instruction that the people of the church are to live in subjection to the civil governing authorities. While one can point to Daniel and even to the early Apostles for examples of how to obey God before the rules of men, here Paul is cautioning the church to avoid anarchy and the rejection of all civil authority. Our belief in no authority over Christ does not permit us to disobey lawful authority at will. Indeed by reminding us that “there is no authority except from God” Paul makes it clear that God still reigns as the highest authority and those who rule do so only at God's permission or pleasure. When he adds that “those which exist are established by God”, we are reminded that to reject human authorities is to reject what God has established either by his direction or by His permission.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
With the rejection of authority comes it's own punishment. When we refuse taxes there will be penalties. When we break traffic laws there will be fines. When we commit crimes there will be sentences. We are reminded that our rejection of authority is a rejection of something God has established.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Why has God established human government. He reveals it here. Government has two biblical purposes to resist evil and to promote the good. Do evil and you will need to fear do good and you have reason to at least be free from fear of punishment and at best will be upheld. True there are times when this is not the case and when tyrants or those rulers who are simply incompetent end up punishing the good and promoting evil. In those cases we are also to trust that God will establish justice. Scripture here does not speak of the realities of all cases of human government but the intended purpose behind God's establishment of authorities. Where these purposes are abused it is a consequence of the sinful nature of humanity. That will be dealt with dually and according to God's will by either the transforming work of the Holy Spirit or by God's Judgment. Often it is even the use of human government from another or higher place which is used to correct abuses of power.
This is especially important to us in our form of government where we are given a certain, if limited, ability to effect change in our government. We have been granted the tools of voice through freedom of speech and of vote through regular elections. While we often feel limited in what we can actually accomplish we are given the ability to be a part of the authority of our government and work to do all we are able to resist evil and to promote good. We cannot neglect to do all we can to ensure that our elected leaders fulfill their God given responsibility to oppose evil and promote good. We will be accountable to God for what little we can do, they for the greater amount they have been given the power to accomplish.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
We are told to be in subjection to authority both to avoid punishment but also to maintain a clear conscience. It is not just that we do not break those laws which we may likely be punished for breaking, but also we are to maintain a clear conscience by doing all that we do in a way that is legal and ethical. We are held to a higher standard as well, the standard of God's law, so that whatever is legal does not always equal what is right. In all things we are for conscience sake do that which is right before God.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
The subject of taxes is important because it highlights the purpose of governors as “Civil servants” whose labors deserve to be rewarded. Cynically we could say that they do not do all that their salaries deserve but Scripture here does not give us the authority to decide that for ourselves and to refuse to pay taxes. Recall the question brought to Jesus regarding taxes. Matt 22:17-22
17 "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, " Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."
NASU
The question was given as to the righteousness of paying taxes to a repressive and pagan regime. Jesus upheld the practice saying “render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's and to God the things which are God's.”
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
We are to give what is due to the one to whom it is due. I would encourage any Christian that it is his or her duty to pray for leaders. Knowing that a leader is given the holy task of resisting evil and promoting good it is essential that we should ask for the help of almighty God for them to do just that. Even for those who would not ask such help for themselves it is all the more important that we seek the Spirit's direction for those who would otherwise resist it. It is after all the Spirit's intervention for us that calls us to faith and to obedience while we were still sinners and seeking our own will alone.
In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark
Part 1
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
When we consider our duty in an election year we must first consider this truth. God has established human authority on earth. Beginning in Genesis with the establishment of man's “dominion” over the creation, God has afforded to humanity a degree of government and stewardship over the world. In a difficult time for Christians to follow the Authority of Caesar an the imperial government, Paul writes the Spirit's inspired instruction that the people of the church are to live in subjection to the civil governing authorities. While one can point to Daniel and even to the early Apostles for examples of how to obey God before the rules of men, here Paul is cautioning the church to avoid anarchy and the rejection of all civil authority. Our belief in no authority over Christ does not permit us to disobey lawful authority at will. Indeed by reminding us that “there is no authority except from God” Paul makes it clear that God still reigns as the highest authority and those who rule do so only at God's permission or pleasure. When he adds that “those which exist are established by God”, we are reminded that to reject human authorities is to reject what God has established either by his direction or by His permission.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
With the rejection of authority comes it's own punishment. When we refuse taxes there will be penalties. When we break traffic laws there will be fines. When we commit crimes there will be sentences. We are reminded that our rejection of authority is a rejection of something God has established.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Why has God established human government. He reveals it here. Government has two biblical purposes to resist evil and to promote the good. Do evil and you will need to fear do good and you have reason to at least be free from fear of punishment and at best will be upheld. True there are times when this is not the case and when tyrants or those rulers who are simply incompetent end up punishing the good and promoting evil. In those cases we are also to trust that God will establish justice. Scripture here does not speak of the realities of all cases of human government but the intended purpose behind God's establishment of authorities. Where these purposes are abused it is a consequence of the sinful nature of humanity. That will be dealt with dually and according to God's will by either the transforming work of the Holy Spirit or by God's Judgment. Often it is even the use of human government from another or higher place which is used to correct abuses of power.
This is especially important to us in our form of government where we are given a certain, if limited, ability to effect change in our government. We have been granted the tools of voice through freedom of speech and of vote through regular elections. While we often feel limited in what we can actually accomplish we are given the ability to be a part of the authority of our government and work to do all we are able to resist evil and to promote good. We cannot neglect to do all we can to ensure that our elected leaders fulfill their God given responsibility to oppose evil and promote good. We will be accountable to God for what little we can do, they for the greater amount they have been given the power to accomplish.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
We are told to be in subjection to authority both to avoid punishment but also to maintain a clear conscience. It is not just that we do not break those laws which we may likely be punished for breaking, but also we are to maintain a clear conscience by doing all that we do in a way that is legal and ethical. We are held to a higher standard as well, the standard of God's law, so that whatever is legal does not always equal what is right. In all things we are for conscience sake do that which is right before God.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
The subject of taxes is important because it highlights the purpose of governors as “Civil servants” whose labors deserve to be rewarded. Cynically we could say that they do not do all that their salaries deserve but Scripture here does not give us the authority to decide that for ourselves and to refuse to pay taxes. Recall the question brought to Jesus regarding taxes. Matt 22:17-22
17 "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, " Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."
NASU
The question was given as to the righteousness of paying taxes to a repressive and pagan regime. Jesus upheld the practice saying “render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's and to God the things which are God's.”
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
We are to give what is due to the one to whom it is due. I would encourage any Christian that it is his or her duty to pray for leaders. Knowing that a leader is given the holy task of resisting evil and promoting good it is essential that we should ask for the help of almighty God for them to do just that. Even for those who would not ask such help for themselves it is all the more important that we seek the Spirit's direction for those who would otherwise resist it. It is after all the Spirit's intervention for us that calls us to faith and to obedience while we were still sinners and seeking our own will alone.
In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,
Mark
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