Slavery?

Gal 4:1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

The Bible sometimes gets a bad rap because the issue of slavery is spoken of openly. It is one of those points people of limited Biblical understanding bring up when they need a convenient argument to use as a weapon against those who try to convince others to follow what the Bible says as vital instruction for life.

I remember seeing our own president speak in this way once, saying something to the effect of, “Which Bible commands do you want me to follow…the one where instruction for slavery is given - or the one where a couple caught in adultery is commanded to be stoned?”

Certainly slavery is a terrible mark on humankind. The Bible makes no argument in favor of slavery. The Bible simply acknowledges its existence and regulates it, to the effect slaves are not to be treated as…slaves - but as family members. The acknowledgment is that slavery was the welfare system for those who found themselves in debt with no way to pay back what they owed, or for those who were indigent, and had no means of support. Unlike the slavery that existed in the U.S. prior to the Civil War, this form of slavery had more to do with taking care of those who could not help themselves. Many people believe even Luke, (the Gospel author,) who was a physician, was most likely a slave. In that time many physicians were slaves to a wealthy benefactor, who would provide for their education and then have them serve the family as their personal doctor.

But even so, who would willingly choose slavery – even a mostly benevolent kind – if there were other options available? This is what Paul is arguing. “Are you seriously considering slavery, when son-ship is available? When God is personally inviting you into adoption as His own children, with all the rights, privileges and benefits thereof, are you telling me you are choosing slavery to the world and its corrupt systems instead?” Unfortunately, the question stands today as it did then. Because of the flesh I live in, I often find myself more comfortable seeking to satisfy a list of rules I cannot keep rather than living under grace which cannot really be defined other than as a moment-by-moment consultation with the Holy Spirit for His direction.

-  Pastor Bill

Have It Your Way

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?-- 6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 7Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

 One thing, (among many,) that is certain about the Gospel is that you get to have it your way. How you respond is up to you.

This does not mean, however, that we are free to decide what the Gospel is.

This is why Paul is so incredulous with the Galatians. (And to think of his audience properly, we must imagine a whole state-full of folks, not just a single misinformed or misled church.) This is a whole region of folks who have confused the greatest story ever told for something any thinking man might design.

How could you – “you Galatians” – fall for the unfriendly trap of a ‘works-based’ trip? It would be one thing if you had never heard the truth - but since you have – it is amazing you would choose to be “bewitched” by fleshly designs and concepts.

How could you be “bewitched” by the flesh? What is the appeal? How could you receive the Holy Spirit, with all that is entailed in that, and then turn away to attempt righteousness by your own capabilities?

Actually, this happenstance Paul is experiencing is as common as dirt, and the reason is: that is what we are made of. If left to its own devices, dirt will always return to dirt. The question: “How can you clean a dirt floor?” has the same answer as: “How can a man clean up his life and make himself righteous?” There is no law which can clean dirt.

“So don’t tell me,” Paul says, “that the Gospel has anything to do with what you are now being told. Don’t tell me that having begun in the Spirit, that you can now perfect yourself, make yourself more godly, and make yourself of greater appeal TO God by works of the flesh.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has nothing to do with works. No matter what anyone says, religious practice seeking God’s favor affords you nothing. God’s favor is received only by faith in Christ. Now, what you do with that IS your choice.

-  Pastor Bill

Get Wisdom – And Then What?

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-- 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11 If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; 14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"-- 15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird; 18 But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners. 20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: 22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

The chief aim of the author (Solomon) of the Book of Proverbs is for the reader to gain wisdom they may not have apart from the instruction found here. Since the true Author is the LORD, we gain a unique Fatherly insight of His care for His sons and daughters.

The Book of Proverbs is an indication of the singularity of wisdom, the source of it, and the value in it. Wisdom is akin to truth, because it springs from truth. Therefore, anything which is unwise is based in un-truth. (Who is the source of all un-truth?)

So, your life can be lived in wisdom - or your life can be lived in a lie. (You choose.) There can be a tendency to straddle what is wise and unwise, and the reason is because what is unwise lies to say it is “more fun” than what is wise. But we also have an intrinsic desire to do what is “wise,” so we balance “fun” and “safety.” This internal debate springs eternal.

The question may be: Where does our intrinsic desire to do “what is wise,” come from? Could it be rooted in our innate desire for self-preservation? Sure is…and so we ALL seek wisdom. This makes the Book of Proverbs very palatable and agreeable to our souls, even if we find ourselves in the midst of living a dangerous lie. Who would dispute any of the wisdom contained in this book? Who could argue against anything it says? And yet - and yet - why is there such a tendency to see what it says and continue to live the way we want?

-  Pastor Bill

Your Education

2 Cor 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Where you receive your education is sometimes more important than how your education takes place. Some take great pride in the fact they have been educated in the best of the Ivy League schools, while some take a sort of solace from having learned “all they know” in the school of ‘hard knocks.’

Whether you have savoir-faire or street-savvy depends most of all on your upbringing. The wealthy go to Harvard, and the less-wealthy head for the streets. Paul?

Paul was ‘brought up’ for his higher education, and we all benefit from it. According to his own understanding, (which does seem limited in its ability to comprehend what happened, exactly,) Paul was caught up to heaven, and he received the doctrine he taught directly from the Lord Jesus. This, more than any other occurrence in his life qualified him to be an apostle – even more than speaking with Jesus face-to-face on the Damascus Road.

That Paul was already a well-educated man prior to his meeting with Jesus and conversion is beyond dispute. But his learning in the letter of the law was far inferior to what he would receive from the God of love. Caught up to heaven, Paul learned of grace; how to explain it, how to demonstrate it, how to live it out. In weakness - so God could be his strength?

Since grace is the most confounding of subjects to teach worldly people, how grateful we should be that the Lord ‘brought up’ Paul for his higher learning. I know I am hearing the same exact things about grace today the first church heard from Paul. In itself, this is the grace of God - in the ministry of man. And I praise God for teaching Paul so well!

-  Pastor Bill

Strength for Now

2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's.

There are occasions in life you can plan for.

As my son and others have looked forward to the football season, (which for him began this past Thursday,) they have involved themselves in some pretty intensive workouts for an extended period of time. Strength and conditioning became as important to the team as game-planning. In fact, they spent all summer working on strength and conditioning, including running, weight-training, and agility drills, and only in the past couple weeks did they focus on game-planning.

The coaches knew without strength and conditioning all the game-planning in the world wouldn’t amount to much. The game lasts 60 minutes, and winning the first two minutes and losing the last 58 will never result in victory. Indeed, the team that is the strongest and lasts the longest will most often win. Most coaches plan their conditioning workouts with an eye to the fourth quarter, not the first.

Many Christians do a lot of game-planning and very little strength-training. They attend church faithfully; listening to message after message, tune in to all the Christian radio stations for insulation from the world, “Amen!” all the good words they hear, and then never put them into play in their lives.

The reason is because the Christian life is very easily imagined, (very comfortably too, I might add,) but much more difficult to actually do. Like anything WORTH the doing of, following Christ requires strength. The Christian life requires faithfulness, diligence, and the weakness necessary to implement the strength required.

Did you say weakness? Yes, this is what the apostle Paul is driving at. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. They are weapons of the heart, designed both to defend and to pierce, each in their appropriate times. Unless we realize how weak we are, we will never appropriate the power of Christ, as we fail to see the requirement. And then we find ourselves losing ‘the game’ because we are not strong enough to compete with worldly influences because we are sons of Adam. We need the Word of God AND the power of God in our lives. I can do ALL things in the power of the strength of Jesus Christ. My weakness is His strength.

-  Pastor Bill