AUTHENTICITY

I was Just Thinking About – AUTHENTICITY.

The contemporary culture seems to be having more and more difficulty when it comes to dealing with truth and reality. Currently, we live in a society where “News Reports” have been deemed to be “Fake News.” If “News” agrees with a person’s point of view, then it is accepted as “real News.” Otherwise, it is disparaged as being “fake news.”

The greater concern for the Biblical Christian needs to be in the area of the content being proclaimed as God’s Word. If “Christianity” is the major religion in the United States, why has there not been a uniform outrage in terms of Abortion? Why has the “Christian Community” been conflicted about this subject for 45 years? Why is the misinterpretation of Scripture tolerated in any discussion of when life begins in the womb? Whatever happened to a logical conclusion been drawn from passages such as Jeremiah 1:4-5, “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”? Whatever happened to the principle stated in Proverbs 31:8 (NIV), “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…”? What is the only conclusion that should be drawn from David’s words about the Lord and human life recorded in Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT), “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed”?

This same principle applies to how one receives the Holy Scriptures. Are they received as authoritative (inspired by God) and authentic (men wrote as they were guided by the Holy Spirit)? The Apostle Paul was clear in his understanding and teaching - First Thessalonians 2:13, “We also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” In Luke 1:1-4, there is a clarifying assertion written by Luke to Theophilus, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

What is the expected outcome in a person’s life as they receive Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, and His Word to be authoritative? At the very least, those who claim to be His followers and Biblical Christians must live authentic lives within their culture. John 8:32 is foundational for one’s life, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” For you personally, do you know The Truth? Has it set you free? Within the lifestyle of the Biblical Christian, Romans 12:9 states the expected and required behavior, “Let (your) love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Are these Biblical attributes consistently evident in your life? The Amplified Bible expresses this verse: “Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.” In the MSG, “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.” Are you an authentic Biblical Christian – the real thing?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

UNFORCED ERRORS

I was Just Thinking About – UNFORCED ERRORS.

What is an unforced error? A basic definition uses tennis as an illustration: “A missed shot or lost point that is entirely a result of the player's own blunder and not because of the opponent's skill or effort.” In the recent Basketball Tournaments, there were examples of unforced errors when one player on the team fails to pass the ball to a teammate who had a better chance of scoring. It is a form of selfish play (some like to call it playground basketball) that follows a rule of everyone for himself or herself. This kind of unforced error can result in a missed opportunity to score much needed points and may actually make the final difference between winning or losing the game.

There are many examples of unforced errors in social, political and cultural situations. On social media, it can be seen in critical comments written about a situation or person. Some make use of videos and post some gross material that results in needless impressions and repercussions (such as a comedienne holding the head that had been removed from a political figure) and then wondering why the general public is repulsed.

This also occurs in public discourse in the classrooms and pulpits of the nation. There seems to be little or no discipline when statements are stated or blurted out and/or words used that convey vulgarities. In human discourse, there are Biblical guidelines that should be employed. First, James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Second, James 1:19-20, “Know this: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” The Phillips Translation states: “Let every man be quick to listen but slow to use his tongue, and slow to lose his temper.”

What should be the modus operandi of how a person responds with his/her words? How measured should a Biblical Christian be when it comes to words used and statements made? It seems obvious that David had a clear understanding in this regard when he wrote in Psalm 19:12-14, “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” These are powerful words that should be used as a frequent prayer by the people of God. 

Just suppose that paraphrased Verse 12 to read: “Who can discern his unforced errors in words that are said – their impact upon others and needless repercussion in ministry – would we think twice before speaking once? The paraphrase of these verses in NLT state: “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me… May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you.”

Prayers one would do well to pray: Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 119:171-172, “May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.” Why should we pray these prayers? A sad truism is declared in James 3:2, 9-10, “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” These words are a good reminder and challenge for me! I hope they are helpful for you!

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

NEVER SURRENDER

I Was Just Thinking About – NEVER SURRENDER.

Following the evacuation of Troops from Dunkirk, Winston Churchill addressed the House of Commons. He was challenging and encouraging with his speech. He was also testing the mood of the nation as it faced the hardship of war with Germany. Near the end of his address, Churchill uttered these defiant words: “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

The Biblical Christian and Church will face fierce spiritual conflicts. Paul reminded the believers in Ephesians 6:10-13, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Will such a conflict cause sadness or despondency? It might but it doesn’t have to do so! What is a practical way to stand your ground?  Paul’s response is to read on and learn about the whole armor of God and the purpose it serves.

Another consideration was penned by Fanny Crosby (1903) who wrote the Hymn, Never Give Up. Some of the words in that Hymn include: (Stanza 1) Never be sad or desponding, If thou hast faith to believe. Grace, for the duties before thee, Ask of thy God and receive. (Stanza 4):   Never be sad or desponding, Lean on the arm of thy Lord; Dwell in the depths of His mercy, Thou shalt receive thy reward. (Refrain):  Never give up, never give up, Never give up to thy sorrows, Jesus will bid them depart. Trust in the Lord, trust in the Lord, Sing when your trials are greatest, Trust in the Lord and take heart.

How can the child of God have confidence that he can and will be victorious? A passage that should give encouragement are contained in the words of Second Chronicles 20. The massive armies of the Ammonites and Moabites have joined forces to come against Judah. The people and King Jehoshaphat were overwhelmed as they thought about the coming invasion. In Verse 13, there is this scene where “All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” They hear these words from the Lord (Verses 15-17), “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

This is a confidence that you and I can and should have as we face the trials and conflicts of life. We may feel inadequate, confused, and possess a sense of being inadequate. The words are for us as well as for Judah: “Do not be afraid or dismayed. The battle is not yours but God’s. The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid.” A word from the Lord for you (Philippians 1:6 – NKJV), “Being confident…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” This is the Lord’s word for you who believe in Jesus Christ.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

NAKED AND AFRAID

I Was Just Thinking About – NAKED AND AFRAID.

Many years ago, a program on the television was: The Naked City (based on life in New York City). It began by stating: “There are 8-million stories in The Naked City – this is just one of them.” The other day I posted a Blog about “Little Boxes” that had application to urban housing and the unknown individuals who live in those houses (or tenements; lofts; etc.). Do we take time to seek out these people? Do we care about who they are or what needs they have?

When we read the opening Chapters of Genesis, we find that Adam and Eve were naked and unafraid in the Garden of Eden. The following truths were operative and functional: (1) God created a world out of nothing; (2) God saw that His creation was very good; (3) The Garden of Eden was part of that Creation; (4) God decided to create a man who would tend that Garden; (5) God determined it was not good for man to be alone and created a woman to be his helper; (6) God would come to the Garden every evening to have fellowship with the man/woman He created; (7) God wanted them to love Him unconditionally and established one requirement for them – “Do not eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the midst of the Garden.

When reading Genesis 1 and 2, it fills one with wonderment about perfection and all of what that implies. It also reveals that God knows all there is to know about everyone and everything. However, one day when God comes to the Garden to fellowship with Adam and Eve, they are not present and eager to meet with Him. The serpent has entered the Garden and deceived Eve who disobeys God’s requirement, and in turn appeals to entice Adam to do likewise. Even though God knows everything at all times, the first question God asks is in the Garden of Eden. It occurs following the disobedience of Adam and Eve.

Prior to their disobedience, they would enjoy fellowship with God in the cool of the evening. After they had disobeyed, the anticipation of fellowship with God was altered and their eagerness was now fear. They had a sense of guilt and shame and decided they should hide themselves from the presence of God. Genesis 3:8-9 indicates: “They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him: Where are you?” Just pause and think about how piercing these words were for them both - Where are you? God knew exactly where they were and what they had done that caused them to want to hide from Him. Their answer is that they were naked and should not appear in that manner to come before anyone. They tried to cover as much of their nakedness as they could with leaves. Before God, they were admitting to being naked and afraid. Two additional questions by God quickly follow in Genesis 3:11, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

There is an interesting characteristic of God that is shared in Second Chronicles 16:7-10. It is a review of the victories Judah has gained when they relied on the Lord. Verse 9 paints a changing picture for Judah: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” It is always a miscalculation for anyone to think they can get by with disobedience and think that God will not know it.

In Matthew 12, Jesus reminds us all that a tree is known by the fruit it yields. He then makes this statement in verses 36-37, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” This is just one area mentioned. Others would include whether or not one has followed and served Him faithfully. It should remind us that we need to take a serious God seriously. We need to be equally serious to His Word and our compliance with it. Before a Holy God we will one day appear before Him naked! Will you be afraid or eager to be in His presence?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.