While The Church Warms Her Hands

Have you ever stumbled upon something in scripture and felt like you just found something no one else had? Well I began to look into the endings of the four gospels, during the time when Christ was on trial. I was looking at them in regards to Peter’s actions revolving around the trial at hand. But before I get to far into sharing what I have seen portrayed in that event I want to take a look at a passage just prior to it. Let’s begin with the familiar scene of the last supper. With Christ and Peter being the center of our focus.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke 22:31-34

If you noticed the Lord has just stated that Satan had desired to sift Peter as wheat, and he doesn’t say he stopped him from doing so. Instead He indicates that Peter will be sifted, and will have to be converted. If I haven’t said it before I will say it now, I love Peter because he is one who makes the boldest statements of all the disciples, falls the hardest, and learns the quickest. I can relate to this man more than the other eleven. Upon hearing such words from Jesus, one would think Peter would fall on his knees seeking for strength and a way out from the desires of Satan. Instead Peter leans on his own strength by saying that both in prison and death he would follow Christ. This would appear to be what leads him to deny Christ three times as we will read in a moment. I wanted to read this passage to sort of set the scene a bit more as we will now turn to my favorite of the four Gospels: The Gospel of John.

By this time Jesus has been taken from the garden, by the soldiers and religious leaders. All the disciples have run just as Christ predicted when He said that all would be offended. But if you look at Mark 14:29 you will see Peter once again makes a bold statement that he would never be offended of Christ even though all others were. In this next passage I am going to break it down instead of looking at it in one large portion.

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

We see so far that Peter is remaining true to his promise. When all others ran in offense, Peter followed, as Christ was lead away.

But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

Already Peter is offended. He hasn’t even taken more then two steps into the palace of the high priest and he is already denying the very one whom he declared was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:69

And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

As I came upon this I was struck with the thought that it was the soldiers and servants of the high priest who made the fire. Peter was allowing himself to take comfort in what the world had prepared for their own comfort, while Christ was only a short distance away on trial. Peter’s attitude prior to Christ being arrested was that he would follow Christ through thick and thin. But as we have read instead of standing by Christ side, Peter is off warming his hands with the very ones who arrested his Master.

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

I found it very interesting that this scene of the trial was sandwiched between Peter warming his hands and then denying the Lord. Here is the reason why. In the gospel of Mark we see that all the witnesses testifying against Christ were so false that even the Pharisees were seeking a true testimony. (Mark 14:53-56) Here in John we see that Christ is now seeking a witness for Himself. Why would the Pharisees ask Christ to speak on what He openly taught? Shouldn’t they not ask those who heard Him? And yet right there in that very room, warming his hands with the wicked stood the very one who truly knew who the Accused was. The Son of God! In silence, as the false accusations continued the stable faith of Peter began to weaken. Another thing to take note on is that the false accusers and testifiers were quoting Christ’s exact words. They had the knowledge of what He said, but not the understanding of what He spoke. If they had known they would have realized that though they destroyed the temple, in three days he would rebuild it once again, for no grave could hold Him down. John 2:19/ Matthew 26:61

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. John 18:15-27

We have now come down to the final point for Peter, He has denied the Lord once already and just as prophesied he denies twice more that he never knew Christ. Luke reveals that upon Peter’s third denial, the Lord looked upon Peter. Luke 22:61

The reason I have taken the time to look into this is not for the purpose of slamming Peter. Rather I see in this event a sad but very close resemblance to the Church. Now please hear me out, if this does not convict you then perhaps it is not for you personally. I am not one to preach or teach something and say you all better feel convicted as I am. What I saw in this was that Christ is once again on trial before the world. They are seeking witnesses, and what they are getting are those who know a Jesus but not the Jesus. They are hearing from those who know the scriptures but do not understand the scriptures. It has become so horrendous that not only is the Lord seeking a true witness, the world has begun to seek out a true understanding of who Christ is and what He taught. Where are those who understand? Where are those who said that through thick and thin, prison and death, trial and pain they would follow all the way with Christ? Sadly they are standing in the same courtyard, hearing all the false teachings and doctrines of cults about who Christ is and they are remaining silent. Not only that, but even worse they are warming themselves by a fire which their Father did not provide but the very ones who have drug their Lord around and placed Him on trial prepared. They are, comforted by the accusers while the Lord is being accused. When will they open their mouths? Many are opening their own mouths but not with the truth, only with what appears to be. It is our calling to show forth the One True Jesus, to proclaim His name for all to hear.

As I felt convicted and began to realize the size such a task has become I wondered if Peter had anything to say about this in his epistle. Many times in his epistles Peter seems to reference back to his dealings with Christ. Such as when Christ asked him to feed the sheep, John 21:16 Peter then commands the elders to feed the flock. 1 Peter 5:2 Here is what I found.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

It is as if Peter is referring back to when Christ looked upon him after his denial. Christ looked upon Peter and found him without peace, with spot, and much to be blamed. Not that Christ goes around casting blame upon His sheep, but Peter was found unfaithful to his own claims. This is in part due to the fact that his claims of what he would do for Christ were based upon his own strength.

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

This is exactly the very picture of the false accusers Peter heard on that very dark night in which Christ was on trial. They were unlearned, unstable and they were in some sense wrestling with one another in what they stated, carrying themselves to their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

And then Peter uses a word, which I love to read in scripture. He calls us beloved. He warns us to not do as he did. We know the truth, so let us not be led away by the wicked to the fire for warmth, in doing so it will lead us to fall from the stable foundation to which we are built upon. Look at Peter, he knew who Christ was, but he allowed himself to be led towards the comfort of his flesh and in turn fell from his stability and denied his King. Let us heed this warning.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:14-18

Peter found grace in the resurrected Lord. He found knowledge in the death and resurrection and power of Christ. He is showing us that our hands are not for warming by a fire but rather for work, so let us be about the work of the ministry. Let us grow in grace for it is the only thing that will give us strength to carry on when we fall, and let us grow in understanding so that when we are strong we can be the witness Christ desires, and the testifier the world needs!

In Christ,
Brother Nathaniel

The Fellowship Of The Saints

The Layout Of The Meeting

Before I begin I would like to say one thing, that in all things we as the Church must be careful so as not to take things by the letter of the law, but by the Spirit.

In today’s American church the set up is very much the same. One pastor, two to three elders; perhaps a deacon, Sunday school teachers, and the usual crowd that shows up each Sunday. On a normal given Sunday around 9:00am Sunday school starts ending around 10:00am. Then from 10:30am worship starts with around five songs pre-picked by the worship leader, perhaps to better suite the pastor’s sermon. Following the time of worship the pastor relays his message for the day, after this everyone rises to leave and the meeting of the body of Christ is over. Now I want to be careful on how I write this, for to some this may seem over the top. Is the diagram of the church layout in American society scriptural? At this point I could do as many believers do when writing about Theology and Christian living, I could ramble on and on about my own knowledge. I will do that most likely, be assured, but first I believe we need to look to the scriptures first.

Order In the Church, Order In The Church

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is dealing with order in the church, something I believe has been abused in the denominational church and yet forgotten by many of the home churches.

1 Corinthians 14:23-26
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
¶How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

In verse 23-24, notice that Paul gives an hypothesis; a what if. That what if, is that if all the church comes together, and all speak with tongues. These verses immediately raise a question in my mind. How could all speak in tongues or prophesy if on Sunday it is the pastor who shares his message? Paul shows in vs. 26 the answer to this seemingly confusing mishap between today’s church and the scriptures. He first asks a question. How is it then, brethren? Or, How should it be brothers? The way the church should function when together is everyone either has a psalm, doctrine, tongue, revelation, or interpretation. We must remember that we are the body of Christ. How useful is an arm that plays not out its role for the body? It is useless. So then we as the body of Christ should all be moving and working for the sole purpose that the rest of the body might be edified to the glory of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:4-12
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
¶For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

So what things could be done in the church for the edification of the church? Well one of course is teaching, which teaching is a gift. So let us look at another great passage.

Ephesians 4:9-16
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Following the ascension of Christ into glory, the anointing of the Holy Ghost, gifts were given. As the purpose of the saints is to edify the body as shown in the previous passage, God has supplied gifts to His children that they might better build up the body of Christ. Now let us carefully look at each one of these gifts. Let us scrutinize and not legalize.

The Five Gifts Of Ephesians

Apostles
apostolos -- pronounced: ap-os'-tol-os
from 649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers): KJV -- apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

In today’s words: a missionary. Although many argue that there are no longer apostles these today’s, that is simply untrue. If anything, there are more sent out into all the world then there were in the early church, due of course to the growth of the church since then.


Prophets
profetes -- pronounced: prof-ay'-tace
from a compound of 4253 and 5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet: KJV -- prophet.

Although throughout the Old Testament a prophet usually spoke of future events, the gift of prophesy is more then that alone. A prophet is merely one who speaks at a certain moment by the very inspiration of God.

Evangelists
euangelistes -- pronounced: yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace'
from 2097; a preacher of the gospel: KJV -- evangelist.

The evangelist is much like the apostle, only instead of being sent out from the local body of believers into the world, he rather remains local as a preacher of the gospel.

Pastors
poimen -- pronounced: poy-mane'
of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively): KJV -- shepherd, pastor.

Although today’s American church would view otherwise, I look at the gift of pastor as merely one, who just as a shepherd, watches out and cares for the spiritual and physical needs of the body. This is the same command to the elders. In fact the same Greek word for pastors used in Ephesians 4 is the same Greek word for elders used in 1 Peter. Peter exhorts the elders to feed the flock. He goes further by saying they need not be lords over the flock, but rather examples. (1 Peter 5:1,3) For, there is only One Shepherd who is Lord over the flock, the others just care for them as examples to the others to do so as well. Todays church view of a pastor is a mix-mash of both teacher and pastor into one. I am not saying that a pastor cannot have the gift of teaching, but that the gift of teaching is different from the gift of pastoring. I believe that an elder and a pastor are dealing with the same gift and calling as they both come from the same Greek word.

Teachers
didaskalos -- pronounced: did-as'-kal-os
from 1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially): KJV -- doctor, master, teacher.

This gifting is simply having a better ability to project the truth of the word to the believers, whether it is the tough meat for the mature believer, or the milk for the newly saved.

The Five Bars Of The Tabernacle

If we turn to the Old Testament we will find a great picture of what Corinthians 4 is describing. In almost every aspect the Old Testament was historical, but it also extends further as a picture how of the church was to work.

Exodus 26:26-28
And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward.
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.

If you have ever built a fence before you would know that if you leave your fence posts standing in the ground alone for to long, the weather and elements of the climate will begin to twist and warp the posts. But if you place your fencing on immediately, your posts will remain straight and stable, come what may. The tabernacle was much the same way in its design. It’s posts or boards as described were held together by five bars, one of which reached from one end to the other. If you turn to Ephesians 2:20 you will find that the Apostles and Prophets were the foundation of the church. I believe that middle bar as found in Exodus could very well be a picture of the evangelist, as the calling of making disciples is sent forth to all the saints. But that is up for interpretational debate. What I am trying to show in these scriptures from both the old and new Testament is that without the five bars or the five gifts in use, the boards of the church will over time become twisted and deformed perhaps even beyond repair. If all the gifts are not in use the walls of the church are in dire danger. So many churches today mark off apostles and prophets as being a thing of the past. Then they take the gifts of pastor and teacher and try to squeeze them together into some mega gift that certain people with a degree obtain. All in all by doing so, the church at large has removed the foundation of the church, the apostles and prophets, and has taken away the working of the Spirit in the midst of the meetings by simply handing out gifts in the form of a paper diploma. This is not found in scripture nor is it seen in early church history. We must be careful so as not to hinder the Holy Ghost, and we must needs be cautious so as not to mold the church in an unbiblical setting for the sake of traditional secular ways. Scriptural truth must supercede all human notions of church function.

“All Ye Are Brethren”

Matthew 23:8-12
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

The intent that God seems to make so very clear for the church is that we are all on one level, that level is simply based upon the calling and working of God. This is clearly lost in the Catholic Church. Going from the Pope down to the priest, this is considered the positions that God speaks through in the Catholic religion. The congregation has no need for biblical studies, just the hearing of the daily sermon from the priest. We can see how this goes against what God desired from the beginning. Turn to Exodus and there we will find that with Israel, God desired to speak directly to them Himself. He no longer wanted them to have to go through Moses, He desired a relationship with them. Yet it was due to their sin that they could not all hear from God but had to wait for Moses to bring the word of God to them.

Exodus 20:18-22
¶And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
¶And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

The Lord desired greatly to be able to speak directly to His people. But because they were fearful and unbelieving and because the Spirit of the God was not in them, they left the task for one man to bring to them. In the end the Lord took this burden from Moses and laid it upon the priests and prophets of the tabernacle. But as seen in Acts, after the ascension of Christ to His throne, by the power of the Holy Ghost to which He left for the church, we have all become priests. It is not left to only a certain tribe, but to one tribe, the tribe of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:1
¶And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Peter 2:9-10
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

So Christ has made us all partakers in the church. As priests we all have our duties before God to perform in the meeting. If we heed not the working of the Spirit but rather stand back due to the schedule or layout of the traditional church, so prevalent in America, we become a useless part on the body of Christ. God forbid that we should become that. As Peter puts it, we are a royal priesthood. Let us be faithful to the calling and duties to which God so desires to work through us for the edification, admonition, encouragement, and even correction of the brethren around us. If we slack in our work, the fence posts of the church will become twisted and unworkable in hard times, and in due time even non-repairable. I fear the traditional church is already there. Let us take caution in this world, and action in the Word of God.

Wells Of Salvation

John 4:13-14, 21-24
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jesus makes it clear to the woman at the well. It is from Him that we receive the water of life, and that by Him we will have a well springing up inside of us. Isaiah prophesied of this in chapter 12.

.Isaiah 12:3-4
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
¶And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

The Lord has made us wells of salvation. As wells of salvation the church is able to draw from one another. As vs.4 shows that we not only draw from the brethren, but we also must spring forth the truth and declare the doings of the Lord among the people. This is what the Lord desired to do with Israel in Exodus, and what Christ stated as being done through Him. The well springing up was no longer subject to the Levite priests, but rather to the whole church; for we all are priests. Jesus continues in Gospel of John, showing that not only is the Spirit now working in all for the edification of the saints, but that He is not limited to location. He works where He wants and how He wants for the one purpose: to accomplish God’s eternal purpose.

John 4:21-24
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Then He explains that worship of the Lord among the saints is no longer subject to physical locations such as the temples in Jerusalem or the mountains of Israel. So bodily ministry is not something that the “home churches” do, but it is something all fellowships when meeting together should be practicing. Whether it is the mid week Bible study or the Sunday morning meeting, the Church needs to be listening to the voice of the Lord and allowing Him to use them at any give moment, so that all may draw from the well Christ has placed in them. I am not saying that all men are teachers, but all men should be open to teach should the Lord desire to have them do so. 2 Timothy 2:23 shows us that “the servant of the Lord must be apt to teach.” Let us not hinder the working of the Holy Ghost, but let us spring forth the river life that should be, if not is, flowing out from our inner most being. We are one body, the body of Christ Jesus, let us act as such that God might be glorified, the saints be edified, and the lost be mystified as they were in Acts 2.

Heavenly Citizen, Living In The World

¶I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

It has come to my attention that there is a lack in Christian understanding as to where God draws the line when it comes to the world’s influences and our take on them. Before I go any further I would first like to say that I write this with caution and carefulness. I have found that when discussing Biblical doctrines one must use the scriptures to do so, or else ones thoughts and words have no foundation. With this though one must take very careful measure so as not to conform the scriptures to ones own views. I desire not to add nor take away from scripture. Lend me grace.

The subject of our citizenship being in heaven and not on earth has come to my attention recently. I have heard what would appear to be both sides of an argument and I have found myself trying to grasp the truth of both sides in light of the scripture. For in our American culture it is so easy to latch onto that which is pleasing to ones ears. Although I believe this is not only subject to American idealism but rather the mind of the lost soul of every man. Then on the other hand we find those who are so tired of the life they try to build, that they in turn run so radically to the opposing side and wind up running right past the very truth they so needed.

As previously shown Paul states in Romans that we must not be conformed to the world. This word simply means “to fashion alike.” Strongs G4964 Interestingly enough, Paul states that we are to rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds. He uses here a different word. From the Strongs the word transformed means “to change or transfigure.” When I just take his first exhortation at face value, it is easy to understand with a potter in mind. Outside of Christ being the Potter of our lives, we ourselves are the potters. Apart from the will of the Father we fashion ourselves to look like the world. The interesting thing about most Christians is that we either state this as being a physical forming, leaving us to worry about looking conservative yet lacking spiritual growth or we write it off as a spiritual change so that we do not have to change our outward likes and dislikes. But, as I will go into more depth on, I believe that we to often choose between two extremes and miss the liberty and the ground to which we should stand upon.
Now if Christ is our Potter, if it is he who molds us and transforms us, then we really need to be seeking Him as to what we should do and how we should live. If not, then we are only creating our own religion. Either a religion of physical pleasure or a religion of false spiritual desires. Now I would hope that we all agree that God is the same. He is the same God in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament. The only difference is we have a far greater covenant through Christ Jesus, in our relationship with the Father. But if God is the same then we must be open to both Old and New Testament passages. I would like for us to take a look at one from both halves of the Bible.

¶The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD. Hosea 1:2

Hosea is given a command like no other we have ever been given, and yet it is for the purpose to which God has for it. If we look back at the law of God in the Old Testament we will find that this would appear to go against many lawful commands. For instance, if an adulterous woman were to be found she was to be put to death, as commanded in Leviticus 21:9 and many other passages. So did God go against His previous command when He commanded Hosea to marry? No. We must realize that God has His plan that He works His way. The laws to which we must abide to, God is not held captive to. Yet in all He does He never sins. God needed to illustrate to Israel their abominations and what better way then to have His prophet marry a harlot who would be unfaithful to him.
Now moving to the other half of your Bible you will find in Acts 16:1-3 our next passage.

¶Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. Acts 16:1-3

In this passage we find Paul meeting up with Timotheus, a young man who loved the Lord. Now we see in Galatians, Paul is dealing with Peter over the Peter’s flip floppy ways. He says,

¶But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. Galatians 2:11-12

Peter had a major issue; he was trying to please those around him due to his fear of man. That is a key point in this; it was due to his fear that he pleased them. It was neither wrong for Peter to eat with the Gentiles nor was it wrong for him to draw himself away from them. But that is only true if he was doing such due to a command by the Lord. This is why Paul was upset with Peter over pleasing man, when he himself went and circumcised Timotheous. John Piper puts it this way,

“In Timothy’s case, what was at stake was how unbelieving Jews might best be won to Christ.”(For more on John Piper’s thoughts go to: www.desiringgod.org/resourcelibrary//tasteandsee/bydate/1983/3005_why_was_timothy_circumcised/)

If Paul planned on taking Timothy with him as his companion in evangelism, Timothy would need to be equipped in certain areas. No Jew would even dare listen to an uncircumcised man when it comes to God and His holiness. Timothy was not circumcised due to the fear of man, but rather for the better ability to spread the gospel.

But this seems to go against Paul’s exhortation that we be not conformed to the world. Scripture even amplifies it by saying that we are not of this earthly kingdom but of a heavenly one. I believe Paul clears a lot of this up when he said in Colossians,

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Colossians 2:20-22

The moment we state something as being a “touch not; taste not; handle not object” without any scripture that confirms such a stand, we must take it as what the Lord has set for our life for His purpose. Many might look at the scripture and say, “The early church met in homes, hence they were not like the world.” Some one else might say the contrary, “The early church road donkeys, and in this they were like the world.” Both are true and both are wrong. Just because one might physically do something that an unbeliever does just as well, does not mean the believer is seeking to look like the world. In America, it is true that we see the Christian’s tendency is to run after that which will make him more expectable to man and man’s ways. But if we are dressing and living not based upon pleasing man’s ways, but rather wholly for the purpose to which God has called us to, then we have no reason to question ourselves. It is like when a believer, (or as many prefer to call him,) a missionary goes into a different country his desire is to save that which was lost. In many countries one must take upon him the same garb of the culture to which he is dwelling in. Whether it is for the sake of the climate or the cultural acceptance to even speak of such matters as eternal as the scripture, as exemplified by Paul in Acts 16.

Our real problem in American Christianity, which I cringe putting those two together, is that we do not seek after the Father’s will in our lives for His eternal purpose. We lay aside our discernment and grab a hold of men’s ways, and in turn seek after that which is but for a moment. Peter has a pretty good handle as to describing the man who walks after the flesh.

¶But chiefly them that walk after the flesh…………………These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 2 Peter. 2:10a, 17

I believe Paul in all his writings over how the Church is to be separate from the world, boils down to being focused on the will of God, rather then the ways of man. With this we must be cautious that we do not despise another man’s walk if it is not a direct disobedience to scripture. If we do despise such, we have created within our own minds a religion apart from God. Sometimes we might find a believer standing on something that sounds so strange to our own calling. Let us once again use the Old Testament for an example. In 1 Kings 13 a young prophet is commanded by God to give a message and then to return home. He was not to eat nor drink until he returned to his home.

¶Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father.And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am.Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread.And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place:For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. ¶And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase. 1 Kings 13:11-24

In this story we are dealing with two prophets of God. Was it a sin for the first prophet to drink and eat? Yes. Is it a sin for man to drink and eat? No. It is not a sin unless God in His great plan relays to you that it is. Now for those, as the older prophet did, who find it hard to understand why a man would not eat or drink, they must focus on the will of God and not hinder or cause doubt to enter the mind of the fellow brother.

Both sides of the argument are at fault. If we say wearing clothes that look like the world but have a different color is wrong, then we may have erased the words that God so desired to write in our lives pages. If we say it is not wrong to wear clothes that look like the world for the purpose of looking like the world, then we have caused a major wall to be built between us, and the working of God in our lives.
God has given us discernment; let us base that discernment on His plans and not our own presumption of what is right and what is wrong. Can a believer be a citizen of Heaven yet dressed like a citizen of earth? Yes. If it is for the purpose God has given him to fulfill. It does not matter whether he is in the heart of an American city or the remote villages of Africa, one can have just as much fleshly desires to look like the world as the other. It is when both set their eyes on eternal things and take no thought for what they shall wear or what they shall eat, but rather wear and eat what God gives them. It is when the believer tries to provide for himself, instead of grasping what God has already provided for him.

I have heard the phrase “life in America is not normal” far to often. It is a statement to which I agree with and yet have some reserve. Life outside of Christ is not normal. It does not matter where one resides, it is easy to see that without Christ, one lives a life apart from the eternal Giver of Life. I know of many who would think that to understand normal living one must leave the shores of America and land on some foreign idol worshipping jungle where men and woman die of sickness and children of starvation. Ask yourself honestly, is the other side of the sea normal living? Did Paul go out into the world to understand “normal living?” Whether it is in riches or in an idol made up of dirt, the fallen man lives off of the material things of this world. We as believers must realize where ever we are that those around us are not living a normal life. We need to surrender the terms that the fallen man deems life and realize that Jesus is life. (John 14:6) Anything apart from Christ is truly not living. So let us not go into another country based upon wanting to see “normal living” unless of course God commands us to do so. Our purpose for going into the world is to make disciples of men. And even that may call for what would appear as material work to do so. Take caution that we do not diminish what God might desire to use for His purpose.

Once again I would ask that you lend me grace. John Calvin upon his deathbed stated that he would not take back one thing that he wrote in all the years of his ministry. I find this rather foolish of a statement. So please understand that I do not say I have a perfect handle on this matter, this is just some thoughts to throw into the minds of the believer for the purpose that we all might understand our citizenship better. Iron sharpens iron. There is so much more I need to say and will, but I will leave it with this.

In Christ Our Perfect Redeemer,
Nathaniel Chapman

Leaders In Power

There are in scripture many instances where I can’t help but wish I was there at the time of the scene. I would like to look at one such case in scripture.

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: John 19:10-12a

Jesus was known for speaking with great authority. At one time soldiers, who were sent to arrest Christ, returned without their prisoner saying that He “spoke as no other.” I am very much impressed by what the Lord says to Pilate in this passage. Here we have the Son of the Living God standing before the governor of one of the greatest cities of the then known world. When most men would have been battling in there minds for a way out, Christ remains silent until the time came for Him to speak a “word fitly spoken.”

Christ in one sentence reveals to Pilate that no man has anything without the Father’s consent. The revelation here gives such insight in that though a man might have power, and he might use it for evil, he would never have it had it not been given from on high.
We deal today with leaders who both compromise and utterly revoke the very foundations of scriptural truth. It is at times hard to believe that the Lord God gave them the power and leadership over nations when they themselves give no respect to the Lord. The biggest problem though in what we see is not in the use of their power, but in how we view the leaders in whole. See if we view our leaders and the powers that be as being themselves more then just mere men, we tend to become far more motivated to worry.
To help us understand who these men are we can turn our attention over to Titus.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Titus 3:1-2

How much different were we in our lost state in comparison with Pilate? We were as Paul wrote, not at all different. We were foolish, disobedient, etc. We were not of the mind and spirit of Christ. In our lost state we would have both condemned and followed through with the crucifixion of Christ. We would have done as Pilate did. Though he found no wrong with Christ, though nothing that the religious leaders brought against Christ stood strong, Pilate none-the-less sentenced Christ for the sake of the people. The leaders of today are no different then the common sinner. They all seek after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. They all go after their own ways. We are not surprised when a sinner runs after his flesh, so I say, neither should we be surprised when an adversary to the gospel makes laws that contradict the core of our salvation. Would we do anything different then they had we not been saved and our eyes opened? We are the Church we are led by no man save one, that is Christ our Lord. If Christ Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate in the restfulness of God’s will, knowing that all things work together for good, shouldn’t we as the children of God, heirs with Christ, also rest in our present time knowing that the “servant is not greater then his Lord” and the Lord does not give us more than we can handle, but gives us the strength to carry on through what we can? Leaders arise and leaders fall, but the promise that Christ will neither leave me nor forsake me should be the foundation on which my worries fall. It should be the wall to which all worries come up against, so that they are left to crumble before the promise of God: if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

There is still more to be learned though when it comes to the leaders and rulers of our times. It would be one thing if all we had to do was realize that the unjust leaders of our time were no worse then we were in our lost state, but Paul once again takes a another step forward in how we are to look at our leaders.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4


There are many things we are commanded to do in scripture that to be honest are at times hard to fulfill when the flesh is allowed access to our choices. But here, in 1st Timothy, Paul exhorts us to not only pray for our leaders in authority, but to be thankful for them as well. It is even harder to believe that such a statement would be made by one who was both imprisoned and persecuted by the authorities of his time for his belief in the Lord Jesus. How could we pray and be thankful for such leaders as Pontius Pilate, or even more recent, Adolph Hitler? Why should we pray for such men? The Lord desires “that none should perish,” however evil or wicked they might be. Our Father who sent His only begotten Son, sent Him not only for us, but for the whole world. Christ died for the poor man struggling to survive yet seeking the Lord, as well as the froward leader who walks not after the spirit but after the flesh. For this purpose are we to pray and be thankful for our leaders that they too might come to know and understand the truth, and believe that the truth shall not only set them free but, even more so, make then free! For if the power of God could transform a persecutor of the church, into a son of God, then I have confidence that it can also transform the very lowest of men into the greatest of saints.

Matthew 5,6,7 (Old Writing)

The Two Kingdoms
The Kingdom of God is much different then the kingdom of darkness. Values, government, and economy work completely different in these two places.
It would seem that the things listed next are things all Christians could do, and I believe should do. Like being poor in spirit, meek, merciful etc. Note: If a man is meek, merciful or poor in spirit, God will bless him.

Poor In Spirit 5:3
Jesus said that the poor in spirit would get the kindom of heaven. Poor in spirit = Broken before God. Jesus promised that if the weak and heavy laden would come unto Him, He would give them rest.Throughout scripture God tends to use the weak and poor in His most powerful works, people such as, Abraham and Sarah, Gideon, David, not to mention Christ's own disciples. God loves the broken, and the weak, for they are the ones empty of themselves, ready to be used for Him.

Mourn 5:4
When we sin, and are caught for it, there are usually only two reasons why a man would cry. One, he is repentful of his crime, or two, he is in sorrow at being caught for what he did and not really repentful.
Jesus says that those who mourn will be comforted. I believe that who He is talking about here, are those who are repentful of what they have done, broken before His throne, weeping for forgiveness. He will comfort them.

Meek 5:5
In todays lingo, if the word meek were to be used, it would be looked at as meaning weak. Meek actually means one who has power, but keeps it under control. In todays culture, self control is not a big thing. But it is a fruit of the spirit, thus it's importants in the Christian life is valuable. Jesus Himself showed us the perfect example of meekness. For even when He was on trial, though He had all power to overcome His enemies, He opened not His mouth, but fulfilled the will of His Father. Another meaning for meek, is humble. In the book of James it says that God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble. James 4:6. In Isaiah 29:19, it says that in the Lord, the meek would increase in joy.

Hungering And Thirsting For Righteousness 5:6
If we as Christians were to hunger after the righteousness of God, it would seem that our desire for such things of this world would deminish. David is a man to whom we see in Psalms, crying out to God for holiness, his attitude is a picture for us as to what hungering and thirsting really is. David cried, I set no evil thing before mine eyes. If we cried such a thing, I am sure alot of the movies we watched would go down the drain. How can we hunger and thirst after righteousness, if we're chewing on sin all day? We must hunger and desire the pure righteousness of God.

Merciful 5:7
To be merciful with some one, doesn't quite mean that we feel sad or sorry for them, but rather that we are compassionate with them. To have compassion for some one goes a little farther then just feeling sad for them. Compassion tends to incorperate some duties, like fellowshiping with the hurting, praying with the needy. The man who watches his tv and feels sorry for the poor kids in Africa, isn't really all that merciful/compassionate if he doesn't do much about it. I'm not talking about giving his money necessarily, but rather giving prayer time for them, if able, fellowshipping with them and encouraging them.
Titus 3:5 tells us God had mercy on us, which saved us. God didn't just sit back feeling sad for us, He had mercy on us, which required work do be done in order for us to have redemption and be saved.

Pure In Heart 5:8
Keep evil out of the heart, for the life is based upon the desires of the heart. Prov. 4:23 Our hearts are the most important thing to guard in life from sin. The pharisees gave their hearts to sin, thus thier actions weren't right with God.
Through Christ our position in life has been made pure, but by being in Him, we are to continue in all purity, purifying ourselves in Him. Thus our condition in life is to purify ourselves for God.

Peacemaker 5:9
We as Christians should not act in riotousness or arguing, but in peace we should deal with all problems. A peacable person knows when to open his mouth. Prov. 25:11 Christ was a wonderful example of being at peace in a very unpeaceful situation. Thus we, as followers of Christ, should also remain in peace in what ever we do.

Persecuted 5:10-12
The world hates us due to the fact that we are not of this world. There is a difference between persecuted and judgement (which pre-tribers don't understand). To be persecuted means, to be punished and afflicted for no evil doings. Judgement is when you have been caught for wrong doings and must now be punished. We should not worry though about our body being hurt or killed, but keep focus and trust in Him in whom has the power to kill both body and soul. Matt. 10:28

Ye Are The Salt 5:13
We as believers should be having the influence on this world, and not allow this world to have the influence on us. But if we allow the world to be the influence, we are worthless before God, for we have given over to the world and it's ways. We must let Him who is within us, Jesus Christ, shine out of us as a sweet savor to this dying world.

Ye Are The Light 5:14-16
Just as the moon reflects the light that the sun shines on it, so are we who believe in Christ are. He is the light, and in Him we shine that light too. He shines on us, and we shine on the world. Prov. 4:18 says that the path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more. But that light can be hindered by sin and fear. When witnessing, fear can hinder that light from shining out to the world. The light that we allow Christ to shine through us, is what leads people to the Father. If we hinder the light, we hinder the lost from being led to Christ.

The Law 5:17-20
The law is for sinners. Christ fulfilled the law, thus if we're in Christ the law is fulfilled. Christ became a curse for us, thus releaving us of our curse, thus fulfilling the law. Gal. 3:13
Purpose of the law-
A) To show us all are fallen and guilty, and in need of a Savour.
B) It is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Thus the law is very important when witnessing to the lost, to show them where their at before God.

Thou Shalt Not Kill 5:21-26
Christ's standards for the Church are much higher then that of what the law required. If a man hated his brother for no reason, in God's eyes that is murder. God, throughout scripture deals with the heart of man, and not the appearance.
One thing God desires from us is that we are in accord with those in the Church. In fact He wants our problems with each other dealt with before we come to worship Him. If we can't be in fellowship with those we see, how could we possibly be in fellowship with Him to whom we can't see? Or how can we love God, who we can't see, if we hate him who we can see? 1 John 4:20

Thou Shalt Not Lust 5:27-30
As stated before, God looks at the heart of man. Adultery to the average man is looked at as a physical sin, but God starts with the heart. If a man looks on a woman to lust for her, to God, that man has commited adultery with that woman in his heart. Before any action has been taken place, the sin that leads to such actions has already been commited in the heart. Thus before God, if a man lusts, he is an adulterer at heart and is worthy of judgement.

Divorce 5:31-32
Jesus mentions in Matt. 19:8, that it was due to the hardness of mans heart that he gave man the means to put away his wife. But from the beginning it was not something to be done. God had not intended for man to put away his wife. The only justification that God gives man, when it comes to divorce, is if fornication has been commited.

Oaths 5:33-37
Jesus seems to be hitting hard on man making a choice. God doesn't want man to be standing in the middle, or walking the fence. To God their is no grey area, it is either black or white. Christ said, Let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay: for whatsoever is more then these, cometh of evil. If man is going to make a promise to God, God doesn't want that man acting wishy washy as to whether he'll fall through. God wants a man to stand on his word, and fulfill that which he said he would do.

Eye For An Eye Or Loving Our Enemies? 5:38-48
It is so easy as humans to react out of anger towards those who do us wrong. But Christ calls for something far greater then letting our anger go.
Do not use carnal means to react to those who do evil to us. It was while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and while dying He cried, "Father forgive them". Thus if we as children of God and purified by the blood of Christ, we ought to forgive those who hurt us and love those who hate us.

Almsgiving 6:1-4
The problem man has is he desires to be seen of men. God on the other hand calls for man to want to be seen of God. When we give unto the Lord, don't go sounding a trumpet as to how much your giving or that your even giving, but be joyful that your Father in heaven sees what your giving and blesses you for it.

Prayer 6:5-15
One of the greatest things we have as children of God, is the allowance to come boldly before the throne of God with our requests. But it is so easy to focus on things of ourselves or wants rather then needs, thus Jesus gave us an example as to how our hearts should be, and how our prayers should be directed when we come before the throne. We should address the Father, worship Him, intercede for others, ask for our needs, confess our sins, and asking continuely for His leadership and guidance. But above all, being in His will and not in ours, that we may be used by Him.

Fasting 6:16-18
Just like almsgiving, man has a problem with wanting other men to see what he is doing for God. God does not desire a man showing off what he as a man can do for God, but rather coming to the Father in all humbleness, and doing the works of the Father's will in all humbleness laying aside the pride of life. For if we remain unnoticed by men in our fasting, our Father who sees us in secret, will reward us.

Treasures In Heaven 6:19-21
Jesus commanded earlier that our heart remain pure. Jesus commands now that our treasure that our heart desires, be that which will remain in heaven. Don't desire things of this world, and make them your treasures, for the things of this earth can easily be destroyed or stolen. But that which is laid up in heaven can neither be destroyed or stolen.

Full Of Light 6:2-23
Again God calls for us to be focused on His light, His will, that our whole body might be filled with that light. For there is a darkness that seems like light. Religion of man is as a darkness that seems like light, or as a wolf in sheeps clothing. God calls for us to be aware not to think we have the light cause we do good, but know we have the light cause Jesus is in us.

Seek God's Kingdom 6:24-34
God's main desire out of His children is that they would completely rely on Him. He tells us to take no thought as to what we will eat for the day, but believe that He Himself will give us what we need. The birds, and the lillies are examples to us at how our Father in heaven provides for them. We must as His children believe in our hearts that He will provide for us as well.

Judging 7:1-6
Many people take this verse and say a man cannot judge any one for anything. Sure I can't sentance a man to hell, but I sure can tell him, through the word of God, that what he is doing will lead to hell. We are to judge not according to the appearance of a man, but by his fruit. A man can be judged righteously (John 7:24) by God's word (John 12:48) according to his fruit (Matt. 7:20).

Seeking God's Help 7:7-12
God desires of His children to ask Him, according to His will, for provisions. For He promises that he who asks shall receive, he who searches shall find, he that knocks, the door shall be opened.

The Narrow Way 7:13-14
With God there is only one way. It is a narrow and sometimes hard path for man. But with Christ we can make it. He said, I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. John 14:6. No other religion in this world can be linked in with Christ. Christ said that narrow is the way that leads to life, and wide is the way to destruction. To the world, Christ is hard to follow, but blessed are they who do follow Him.

False Prophets 7:15-20
It's hard these days to know who is for the Lord and who is against Him. Christ laid it out very simple. By their fruit of what they do, they give their hidden hearts desire away. Thus we as believers should show them where their at fault, according to the scriptures, and whether they hearken to the word of God or not, one can see where their heart is.

"I Never Knew You" 7:21-23
A man can do good works and be moraly right in life, but if He does not believe in His heart that Jesus is Lord, he will perish. There is more then just confessing with the mouth, but it is the believing that He is truelly Lord of lords, and not by our works but by what He did for us, we are saved. For if we just confess with our mouths, and even do good things in His name, but have no relationship with Him and no real belief that He is Lord, we will perish. He will say unto us on that day, "Depart from Me, I never knew you".

Firm Foundation 7:24-27
With all those words with which He has taught us, Christ demands action. Do not be just a hearer, but a doer also. For if you only hear, you are not obeying, but he who both hears and does what Christ has commanded, shall have a firm foundation in Christ.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

MY Life

I write this in complete desire to better understand how I am living in this present world and how I ought to be living in this present world. Many thoughts arise when something like this is put together and much more could be added. But it is with this that I take my first step into the scriptures concerning this matter to see the answers that lay ahead for me.
These are some of the vital questions that I have been pondering and chewing on lately.

What is our life?
Should we even have our own life?
Does the term "my life" put a mindset in the believer that could hinder the things of God?

"The Christian walk is a bunch of squirmy flesh getting nailed to a cross."
"The Lord doesn't want to hurt you, He only wants you dead." Keith Green
"There is only one good thing for the flesh, and that is the cross." Alan Redpath.

How true these statements are. I have often felt bothered by the all so popular question Christians ask. "So what's the Lord been doing in YOUR life?" The little word "your" is what makes me have to wonder whether this question is worthy of an answer or not. Due to today’s way of giving the gospel, which is a message of a pleasurable life on earth, it seems that many Christians think they are still living their old life. It seems that Christ has become nothing more then a mere add on to the already overwhelming and chaotic life people try to live. As true as those quotes are, as mentioned above, let’s look at the scripture, which expounds on this far more then any man ever could. So what does Paul say about his life?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

As well as....

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24

If I am reading this correctly, it would seem that Paul isn't just giving his life to God, but is instead putting it to death so that he might live only through God. Is that not why we are considered born again? How many times have you read about the rich young ruler? Many times? There is something in that story that I don't hear many talk about. Now I am not saying that it is left quiet on purpose, but rather it isn't seen in such a light, as I am about to show. Let's read Mark's account of this story.

¶And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Mark 10:17-22

What was this man's biggest problem? Was it that he broke the Ten Commandments? Well not really, he said he had observed them from his youth. Well then what was it? Jesus, having already brought the law into this subject, then turns it to this young man’s life. The man did ask, “What must I do…?”, did he not? So Christ looks at the man’s life. What is it that keeps this man’s flesh ticking? For this man it was his wealth that was his life, his lord and the only thing keeping him from the loving, merciful Savior, through whom is the only way to inherit life. Thus his wealth had to be given up in order that his life might be crucified, thus allowing him to live the life that is pleasing before God. That life is not our own, and our own life should not be lived! What are the three (and no their not easy) steps to follow Christ?

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

What did that old preacher say again?

"There is only one good thing for the flesh, and that is the cross." Alan Redpath.

Is this not completely true? There are two different kinds of lifestyles. One is in heaven; the other will lead a man to hell. Take a look at what Paul had to say about this.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Phil. 3:20

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Eph. 4:22

The word “conversation” is an old term for the word “lifestyle.” This is a spiritual battle raging within us. It is as if one life is fighting against another. One is screaming to be released from a horrific cross, the other is rejoicing in the freedom from its sin and it’s fleshly lusts. Though we have this new life, many times we act like it isn’t even there. See sometimes we pull that squirming flesh off that bloody cross and let it run free, only to find ourselves chasing it back. For the flesh will never go back to the cross on it’s own, and it is hard to nail it back up.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Rom. 7:18

I love how Paul words this. See when it comes right down to it, it is impossible to find anything good in the flesh. Why is this? Because the flesh has no desire for anything that is good, it’s only purpose is to satisfy itself. Should we not then be cautious, for when the flesh makes sin pleasurable? For that is what the flesh does.
My purpose for this is to truly understand what is to be done with my life. If Paul says he crucified his, and Christ says to deny it and crucify it as well, there doesn’t really seem to be much more life left in it. What else does our Lord say on this matter?

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Luke 12:22

Let’s jump ahead a few verses.

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:27-31

How plain Christ makes this. We are to take no thought for our life. None whatsoever. Rather we are to consider the lilies. Why? Because by considering the lilies, we in turn realize our own deprived ability to supply our needs so much so that we run to God knowing only He can fulfill them. It is not through our life or presence that we find the needs fulfilled, but it is in the resurrected life of Christ now dwelling in us that we find it. There really isn’t anything left for our life to give us, and nothing it could give us is worthy to be taken when God our Father could supply it a hundred fold more. So let us not be comforted by the voice of our flesh, nor shackled by the pleasures of this life, but rather let us be crucified that He might live, worriless that He might give and ready to live His life to the fullest!

So what have we seen scripture say about our lives? Well so far we are to,

1) Deny it
2) Crucify it
3) Take no thought for it

Why is it that our lives must be treated in such a matter? Well before our transformation into this new birth, we lived what Paul calls the “Old Man.” The old man is the life that is of the sin nature passed down from Adam. It is controlled by feelings and emotions, and above all it is controlled by sin, which is a manifestation of the flesh. All the things that make up the old man (flesh) are not of our Father’s kingdom but rather they are of this world.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:16-17

This then is the reason that such drastic measures must be taken to destroy the flesh. It is for the purpose that God might set us apart. He longs to set us apart and take us under His wings. He commands us to be holy as He is holy. Holiness is a place in God’s hands, where one is set apart from all other things and made fit for the kingdom of God. This is why it is so important that the flesh be conquered and destroyed. For the soul purpose of the flesh is to battle the Spirit and rebel against the Creator. The Creators desire is to set you apart and make you fit for His kingdom, which is something we can’t do on our own. It is key that we remember that Christ was tempted in all ways and yet never sinned. He was tempted by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life just as we are. This then is the reason that it is in Christ’s life that we find life, because in our own we only find death through the outcome of our fall for sin. Christ conquered that which no man ever could think of overcoming by himself.

Once again lets look at what Paul states in Ephesians. This is when he is dealing with the old man and the new man. As we know, the old man is that which we call our flesh.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:22-24

So what kind of picture do we get here? Prior to our conversion into Christ, we lived a corrupt life. But the life that we now live, the new man, is a life that was created not by the corrupt hands of a faulty man, but by the death and resurrection of a man who conquered the unconquerable. Truly we must be crucified with Christ, as Paul was, so that we might be able to say, “nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ that liveth within me.” Without Christ we are literally good for nothing. Without Christ we are nothing but a helpless piece of clay, marred by sin, and trampled by men. It is only in the hands of the Potter that the clay finds life and is then molded into the work with which it was created to perform. Without the working of the Lord, we cannot do that which is pleasing in His sight.

Love And Beauty

I Have A Problem.............

I think beauty is something I see. I think love is something that a person feels. My little mind is so feeble and small that it pictures things smaller and littler then they really are. Beauty and love are not held back by my stupidity of viewing things. For beauty is not only something one sees with the eyes, but is also felt by the deeds we do. When a brother helps another brother, that is beautiful. When a sister lends a hand to her friend, that is beautiful. Those acts of kindness are beautiful. The world today has twisted beauty, and made her an object of sin. They have hidden her under make-up and perfume. They have sold her on racks and racks of magazines, but the beauty that they show is not beauty at all, but a picture of a lie. The world says that you must make yourself look a certain way, wear certain things, act a certain way, but their beauty is based on the eye and not the heart. Real beauty does not come in a bottle, but comes from the heart. When God's will is shown through a person, then beauty is seen and felt and shown. Then the beautiful hand of God is shown through His children, and beauty takes on her lovely face and shines!

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalms 90:16-17

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

Love is not only something one feels, but is something one shows. Love is both received and given. God gives us His love and we as His children should pass that love on to those around us. For those around us, the lost, have only a fraud of love. A fake love is all they have known. A love that is given and taken away, a love that does not stay. They have not known that love is not held back by what one does, but by what one doesn't do. Christ died for us while we were sinners, while our sinfulness was still in action, He gave us love. So it isn't by what we have done that holds His love back from us, it is what we don't do, which is reach out for that love and hold it to our hearts. Through Christ we have a love that is so pure, so strong, so reasuring, we have no need to worry if it will leave. For when we cry out for that pure love, it writes itself on our hearts, and dwells in us. It is so powerful that there is nothing for it to do but overflow, and when it does we need to be willing to give it to others. The Lord both blesses us and punishes us, but He always loves us. He loves it when a child becomes broken and humbled before His throne, for then He reaches out and places on them His love.

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:3-6

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7