The New Bereans

When a project in the engineering world goes bad, there is a decision that needs to be made in order to correct the failure.  That decision is whether or not to scrap the project and start all over, or to attempt to fix the problem on the project already in process.  For example, from my own line of work, if I design a cabinet and build it to the specification I made and come across information later that enlightens me to a flaw in my design, I am forced to choose to try to fix the flaw during the manufacturing process, or I have to start all over again.  The temptation to start over is often overwhelming.   When there seems to be no way to “stretch” the cabinet that is ruined, there, on occasion, is little to no recourse but to do exactly that…start over.  On occasion, a solution may be found, but it is often the lesser of two evils.  Rarely does a catastrophic mistake or a failure translate into a positive situation (though when they do it is much welcomed.)   A good engineer is always an individual who can anticipate eventualities in any given process.  They have a seemingly innate ability to “see” a project to completion in their minds.

As I contemplate this, I find myself in awe at a God who chose to redeem man, rather than to “start over” with a new creation (at least not until grace has had its fruition in this and the next epoch.)  At the first sign that His creation (man) “failed,” God did not punch a hole in the wall of his heavenly Temple in anger and go back to make a new blueprint.  Rather he promised those failures a hope.  He promised them redemption through the one who would “bruise” the serpents head.  Not only would he redeem man through crushing the serpents head, but he would redeem him through the very act of the serpent piercing His heel.  This means that the greatest offence ever committed against the Creator became the very agency by which all the flaws in creation become ultimately corrected.   From a novice engineering point of view, this concept is beyond staggering.  It is like saying the flaw in my messed up cabinet is going to become the very means by which we (as a business) inherit all the cabinet work in the world and never have to compete again for business, and even that is a pale shadow of grace.  Recovering from an engineering flaw in day to day life in the business world is messy and complicated work.  So also is redemption.   Praise God that he redeems messed up people, instead of writing them off and displaying them as failed exhibits of poor engineering.

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!” -Romans 5:20

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

I have heard this passage quoted on probably dozens of occasions to shoo any number of spiritually felonious bug-bears out of the life of believers.  It has covered everything from tattoos to smoking, to coffee drinking, caffeine abuse, gluttony, and even alcohol consumption.  For some reason, this verse seems to pop up as a catch all for any sort of illicit body treatment amongst believers.  Unfortunately, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with our human bodies, nor what we do to them.  O, there is reason for that consideration I suppose, but that is not what this scripture is talking about.

In the context, Paul is addressing three modes of interaction that can occur upon the foundation of Christ.  There are the first two modes that most people seem to get pretty intuitively.  If you build upon the foundation of Christ, as you assist in erecting the “temple” so to speak, or if you build the body of Christ with his approved materials, there will be great reward for that person.  This lines up with Jesus parable of the talents.  The second mode of consideration is dealing with people who are “saved” who do not use God’s prescribed methods or tools in order to build upon Christ’s foundation.  They will still be saved, but they will have nothing to show for their lives.  The third consideration is the passage quoted.  What it means is that there is a third type of person, and that is the type of person who actually strives to destroy God’s work in the church.  They are the type who will be eternally destroyed because they defile God’s people with their damnable heresies.  This also lines up with the teaching of our Messiah when he said, “It would be better if a millstone was tied around their neck and they were cast to the bottom of the sea, than they should cause one of these little ones to stumble.”

This passage of scripture is supposed to be a comfort to true believers everywhere, and a severe warning to heretics, God is going to justly deal with the wolves in time.  Ultimately we don’t need to get so hung up about them that we forget God is going to bring about justice.  “How long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:10.  This is the cry of every martyr.  Is it not a comfort that one day their destroyers will be destroyed?  The temple destructors will be punished.  Belshazzar was weighed, measured, and found wanting for fondling the temple goods in a prideful display of his pomp.  So also will those who seek to destroy anything that is built upon the true foundation of Christ, be destroyed of God.

Art: “A Multitude of Heavenly Host,” by Michael Dudash

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…”

–Romans 12:6

Something has been churning around in my gut for the past couple of weeks and it just won’t go away.  So I concluded I ought to put it down on paper.  It all centers on the word gift, and the difference between a gift I give to another person, (for Christmas or whatever) and the gifts God gives to human beings.  Although the same word is used in both instances the meanings are vastly different.

If I were to give you a gift for your birthday, say a toaster, after you opened it you may do what you want with it;  you could use it to toast bread, or as a paperweight, you could give it away, or even sell it to someone who needs a toaster.  As the giver I hope you would use it and enjoy it forever, but after you’ve taken possession of it…my say in the matter is over.  In our culture we resent those who try to give with strings attached, or even worse try to reclaim their gift.

Now when God gives someone a gift it is never meant to be hoarded, but invested in the way he sees fit, the parables of Jesus bear this out repeatedly.  The master gives a gift then checks up on the receiver to see what he has done with what he has been given.  A gift from him is never some bobble to play with, rather, it is a battle to fight, a mission to fulfill, or a quest to undertake.  In the verse before us relating to spiritual gifts one could even say that God is not really giving gifts to individuals, he is giving gifts through individuals for the benefit of the body, and the lost.

What I’m getting at could really be summed up in one word, responsibility.  We will be held accountable not only for every great deed, but every single word.  We must never forget that the things he has given us are not ours to play with, but his to faithfully use for his own benefit.

Artwork: The Nation Makers by Howard Pyle

“Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty [hidden or unsearchable] things which thou knowest not.”  -Jeremiah 33:3

When I was fresh out of high school, I was in Santo Domingo, which is the Capital of the Dominican Republic.  We went to a small church somewhere in the heart of the city and listened to a sermon in Spanish, so naturally I was not able to actively engage in what was being said, especially since my Spanish is pretty much limited to adding an O at the end of English words.  However in this little church there was a lavishly painted wall with an engagingly large banner painted as a mural behind the preacher.  On the banner was a verse in Spanish (of course), and the scripture address, which I was able to recognize.  It was the above verse.

I looked it up and to my surprise; I had never heard anyone quote it before.  It seemed a rather novel concept to me at the time, so I did exactly what it said.  I spent the sermon just praying that God would show me great and unsearchable things.  I think I remember that my motive at the time was to gain a lot of bible knowledge so that I could impress other people with it.  It was a rather carnal and selfish prayer I think.  What is even more surprising is that God answered this prayer for me.  He has answered it hundreds, if not thousands of times over in my life.  The irony is not that he answered it, but rather…how he did it.

The one thing that is more unsearchable than all things is the human heart.₁ It is above all things, deceitfully wicked.  We obviously understand that when the Bible speaks about the heart, it is speaking meta-physically.  Some have argued, and I happen to agree (though it is not a hill I would die on) that the heart probably speaks of and indicates the culmination of what he is compiled of that cannot be seen or measured.  Or the seat of his emotions, his psyche, and his personality.

God has faithfully shown me the self-deception of my own heart.  He shows me, time and time again, through his word, and through the Spirit’s conviction, and through brothers…sisters, my wife…family members, even my dog.  He brings to light unsearchable things.  In order that I may repent from them, and allow my nature to be displaced with His own.  I believe that when these events occur, God is plucking logs out of my eyes and sometimes it takes a mighty collision.

_{1. Jeremiah 17:5-11}

_{2. Light From the Heart Nebula by Matt Russel}

“…He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.” –II Peter 1:4

The flesh and the devil will miss no opportunity to prevent this from happening.  The former wars against the Spirit,₁ and the latter despises the siblings of resurrection for the bruising migraine our elder brother dealt him₂.  In tandem they do all within their power to resist the divine nature.  In his commentary on the term nature, Gr. phusis: φύσις, Spiros Zhodiates₃ rightly observes that this does not speak of some mystical spiritual essence as ‘some have interpreted,’ but rather it implies the compendium of God’s attributes.

The term “partakers,” is derived from the word, Gr. koinonos: κοινωνός, this word is completely tied to the idea of fellowship and communion.  In fact both of those terms are synonymous with the word koinonia in greek.  This knowledge ought to bring to mind the statement; “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.₄” Here we see that Jesus’ teaching on communion speaks of far more than just remembering, tied to the idea is the concept of fellowshipping, or partaking, it speaks of utter familial relationship.  As a matter of fact this saying scared people off.  When Jesus taught the message that his followers must partake of him just as he partook of the Father, many of his disciples followed him no more.₅ Two-thousand years later, not very much has changed.  So many want only from Christ that which appeals to human nature, rather than moving beyond his forgiveness to allow him to infiltrate and displace their nature with his.

“The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.₆” There is a vicious tenacity Jesus expects from his followers.  Not vicious in a sinful way, but violent in a righteous way.  Those who are content to idly masticate the elements of communion without this “violence” are storing up damnation against themselves.₇ There is probably no greater definition of “unworthiness” toward this communion of Christ than disinterest.  Such a disposition does not care one whit about Jesus’ desires, and treats the elements as if they were dropped out of a cheap dirty vending machine.  Just take two of these and sin again in the morning. (The devil’s orders of course!)

However, if you have run from “evil desire,₈” as if the clutches of it were the flaky, charcoal grasp of the devil himself, then hunker down and lock shields with the warrior church,₉ and make “every effort,₈” to add to your faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.  For if these “attributes” be in you and are increasing, then you will be fruitful in your knowledge of Jesus.  And you will be a partaker of the divine nature, through fellowship, because of proper communion with your elder brother.  It is no wonder Jesus will not recognize dead works of the flesh, and will say unto some…”Depart from me for I never knew you.”

1. _{Galatians 5:17}
2. _{Genesis 3:15}
3. _{Spiros Zhodiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary 1992 AMG International., Inc. Revised Edition, page 1459}
4. _{John 6:57 KJV}
5. _{John 6:66 KJV}
6. _{Matthew 11:12}
7. _{1 Corinthians 11:29}
8. _{Ephesians 6:10-18}
9. _{2 Peter 1:5}
10. _{Photo: “Creation Knows no Boundaries,” by merjyn102}

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1:6

The way of the ungodly is likely one of the most misunderstood concepts in all of scripture, at least it was for me.  When I read the phrase “the way of the ungodly” I instantly pictured a bunch of satanists and serial killers, people completely debased and voluntarily given over to Satan.  But I now conclude that I was mistaken.  Are satanists and serial killers ungodly? Absolutely, but their is a whole spectrum of ungodliness and they are at the extreme end.  To be ungodly is to be unlike God to have a style of life which is not conformed to his, to resist him.  On this spectrum one side has the completely debased, and the other has a group of moral yet ungodly people, with an infinite amount of gray in the middle.

Now the moral yet ungodly people can be hard to notice, they are respectable, hardworking, and often religious.  They are charitable,  and friendly yet they are refusing to conform to the way’s of God, and are doing things their own way.  They may seem to have it all together and even publicly proclaim their faith, yet in their heart they are not submitted to Christ.  I think that is why Jesus used a broad path to describe the way the multitudes traveled hellward.  Marylin Manson, and Warren Buffet could be headed down the exact same road but be so far apart width wise that one cannot see the other.

The question we must all answer is this . . . “How do I know which path I am on?”  The answer is quite simple really, it doesn’t take a whole book, a whole page, a whole paragraph, or even a whole sentence to answer; one word divides the 2 pathways “Lord”.  If Jesus Christ is your Lord and master you are headed in the right direction, if not, then no matter how impressive your good deeds may seem you are headed for judgment.

“For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” –Matthew 5:45b

While it is patently obvious this passage is in scripture to emphasize true Godly love, I want to meditate for a while about a fish named Elijah.  My daughter gave this Beta-Fish that name when we first hung him in a sconce on our wall.  It turns out that his name seems to fit his fiery personality.

Almost every night when I feed Elijah, he flares his gills out at me as if I were an enemy to intimidate, rather than a hand that feeds.  No matter how much care my wife or I give him, whether that be feeding him or cleaning his water, he responds with the same fear every time.  He has failed to recognize that we are his line to life, without our nurture and care he would cease to be.  Yet in spite of all his spite, I feed him anyway…

Every single human being is a recipient of the love of God in some fashion, while Christians alone are uniquely capable of appropriating and maximizing this love, many people are just like little Elijah.  With every blessing He pours down upon them, they return his love with a sneer, a cynical attitude, an excuse to deny his goodness.  They see him as an invasion, and a threat to their personal hegemony.

I guess the only way (supposing there was a way a fish could understand like a man) I could get Elijah to not see me as a threat, would to be born into his world…wash his fins as he slaughtered me for invading his aquatic domicile, and forgive him as he did it.  Still there would be the risk that he would feel vindicated for killing me in spite of all the food, cleansing, humility, kindness, servitude, and even the promise of resurrection I offered him.

“For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more, being reconciled we shall be saved by his life.” –Romans 5:10

No statement ever turned the apple cart over and spoiled the produce and fruit of life greater than these words, “Hath God said?” It is a marvel how little attention we pay to the first known words of the greatest deceiver ever to tread the same soil which sops up the spilled blood of the righteous.   There is no knife of lies sharper and able to penetrate through the conscience of a human being than one honed at the wheel of circular divine doubt.   A doubt that casts a pall upon the veracity of something God hath indeed said.

In light of this, I find a very interesting parallel as it pertains to a way I commonly have heard, and have been personally guilty of, where we fail to seek council from God on particular moral issues.  The conversation usually goes something like this…”doing X is probably a bad thing…” Opponent responds by saying, “I disagree, the Bible never says that X is wrong.”  The exhorted one remains stymied and doesn’t know where to go because Opponent is ‘technically’ right. What we need to realize however is that the nature of sin prevents God from being all inclusive in His written descriptors.  The Ten Commandments cover a vast array of themes and modes of sin, but how those idolatries are articulated are as unique and complex as the array of stars in the night sky.

When faced with a moral decision in life…it is silly and pointless to approach what many would call a “gray area” with a technicians attitude.  Rather, a Christian will be a follower of Christ and this was what Christ’s attitude at all times was, according to Hebrews 10:7, “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.”  It was upon this foundation stone that the establishment of the New Covenant was erected (read the context) through Jesus Christ.  In so doing all of the Kingdom of Heaven is most blessed by the exhilarating power in even the merest splash of his blood.

Jesus’ life, as an example for us, was a positive demonstration of the power and might of submission to the will of God.  Rather than thinking the absence of technical exhortation against our personal self-destruction is carte blanche to live selfish lives…we ought to approach every day with a peace that simply asks, “What is thy will O Father?”

If, in contrast, we approach any moral decision with an attitude that says, “Hath God said,” we are eating fruit from the mouth of an adder blacker than the deepest singularity.  The black fangs of which will darken your hardened heart with the poison of sin, and you will be blind to the will of God…you will be hidden from His call in the cool of your day.

Recover Eden, seek the will of the Father.