BEING SQUEEZED

Just A Thought To Think About – BEING SQUEEZED.

In the Protestant Practice of religion, October 31, 1517 represents a significant moment when the foundational principles of the Reformation, written by Martin Luther, were posted on the Church Door for consideration and debate. While many people and protestant churches will place a greater influence on Halloween and providing candy for children who come to the door of one’s home and say Trick or Treat, the event of so long ago that gave birth to an alternative to the Catholic Church is hardly mentioned or deemed to be significant.

Ligonier Ministry posted: “Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were intended to spark a debate, to stir some soul-searching among his fellow brothers in the church. The 95 Theses sparked far more than a debate. The 95 Theses also revealed the church was far beyond rehabilitation. It needed a reformation. The church, and the world, would never be the same. One of Luther’s 95 Theses simply declares, “The Church’s true treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ.” That alone is the meaning of Reformation Day. The church had lost sight of the gospel because it had long ago papered over the pages of God’s Word with layer upon layer of tradition. Tradition always brings about systems of works, of earning your way back to God. It was true of the Pharisees, and it was true of medieval Roman Catholicism. Didn’t Christ Himself say, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light?” Reformation Day celebrates the joyful beauty of the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Martin Luther with a conflicted conscience – loyalty to the Church versus loyalty to Scripture – felt as though he was being squeezed by those who differed with him and the Church’s Traditions including the sale of indulgences. His being squeezed would soon escalate to a point where his life was in danger. What caused such a consideration and reaction? What conviction of Martin Luther stirred the opposition to him?

A primary truth that was inescapable for Martin Luther was Romans 1:17, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous (just) will live by faith.” The AMP captures this truth and expands it accordingly with this rendering: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”

The reality of being squeezed had preceded Martin Luther when Paul wrote about the response to his writings and message. Second Corinthians 4:6-9, records the message and reaction to it. “For God, who said: Let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Who among us know what it truly means to being squeezed by those who reject us and the message we proclaim? Have we experienced what it is to be – pressed (pressured), crushed, perplexed, persecuted, struck for the cause of Jesus Christ and His Gospel? Sadly, too many have become too comfortable with the traditions of men and their demands upon those who are to stand in the gap and represent Christ who is the light that pierces into the blackest of the darkness of our day.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.

DISARRAY

I Was Just Thinking About – DISARRAY.

The simple definition is: confusion; disorder. Surprisingly, in many of the English Translations of Scripture, the word disarray does not appear. The only usage of the word is in First Samuel 14:16 (International Standard Version) where the Philistines were planning to attack God’s people. How would – how did God intervene?  The text states: “Saul's sentries in Gibeah of Benjamin watched as the camp was in disarray, going this way and that.”

Obviously, confusion and disorder occurred. The Holman translations describes their observation of the  Philistines: “They saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction.” The American Standard Version description: “The multitude melted away, and they went hither and thither.”

Do you ever wonder about the Biblical Church and how Jesus prayed it would be? His focus for it; John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” 

In John 17:17-20, they were to be in a special relationship with Him and The Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” In other words, Jesus wanted His followers to be Holy in behavior and subscription to His truth.

John 17:22-23 indicates another evidence of the relationship of the Biblical Church to Jesus and the Trinity: “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

If we are candid in our assessment of all that claims to be the Biblical Church in the world today, disarray would be a fitting description. The “Church” (so-called) models disunity rather than unity. Even within denominations, disarray is the observation of those who give attention to what the “church” is representing as compared to what the Biblical standard is for God’s people as they assemble together to worship Him. Someone has aptly indicated that most churches could be identified as a Castanet Church – a place where there are many cliques that keep a visitor from a sense of being needed, wanted, or welcomed. Oh, here is an external motion to “welcome” an individual but one soon feels as though he/she is just a number in the calculus of “church growth.”

In Ephesians 4:1-4, Paul was concerned about the church’s witness and what it needed to be and preserve, To that end, he wrote: “I…urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit…”

Unless – or – until the “Church” changes its ways, it will continue to exhibit disarray, disorder and confusion. One would think that as the variety of places called churches continues to dwindle and become less significant, that there would be a heart-cry of repentance and seeking for a spiritual awakening – Revival. But – no! Those in control keep a grip on the local assembly and are effectively choking off viable and relevant ministry.

Where should the “Church” begin to become what Jesus prayed for and God wants it to be? How about starting with Psalm 85:4-7, “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.”

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.

ADVERSARIAL THREATS and IMPERSONATIONS

Just A Thought To Think About – ADVERSARIAL THREATS and  IMPERSONATIONS.

First Peter 5:8-9 (ESV) gives a cautionary word for the people who were experiencing and enduring persecution. His word to them was: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith.” The MSG states this word of caution: “Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.” 

Paul’s words of insight and cautionary warning about your adversary are given in Second Corinthians 11:13-14 (ESV), “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” In the MSG, the paraphrase expands what one should be careful about the disguises the devil may use:  “They’re a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing as Christ’s agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn’t surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God.”

One example of many is shared in II Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36. The setting is the King of Assyria – Sennacherib – is out to conquer his known world = and – he has been successful in defeating the smaller tribes and nations – UNTIL – he addresses Hezekiah, King of Judah. Sennacherib sends a message that mocks God; berates Hezekiah; represents that Hezekiah has lied to the people; and will soon lead them into extinction. Nearby, to bolster his message, is his massive army. What can – what will Hezekiah do? He consults with Isaiah, the prophet. He then goes into the place of solitude where he will pray. Second Kings 19:14-16 (NKJV), “Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God."

Will Hezekiah’s prayer and plea for help be heard and acted upon? Isaiah comes to him with The Lord’s response, Second Kings 19:32-34, “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; And he shall not come into this city, Says the Lord. For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”

What does this mean for Hezekiah and the people? How will God intervene in behalf of this heard prayer and his commitment to safeguard His people? Second Kings 19:35-36, “And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh.” Will Sennacherib live to bully another day? NO! His two sons kill him with their swords. The one who mocked God and threatened God’s people came to a tragic end.

How is your faith and confidence in God? Do you really believe He is able and will "do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask, think or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20)? If so, prove it by the way you believe and live.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.