Comparable to him II: Understanding the times

“The sons of Issachar had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chronicles 12:32).  A one size fits all understanding of how to interpret the Bible just does not work. If we insist that everything should be interpreted at face value,  for example, then we would need to hate our parents (Luke 14:26).  It is called hyperbole, exaggeration not meant to be taken literally.  Not every admonition is for all time and in all circumstances. De we insist that women wear hats in church (1 Corinthians 11:10). Some will insist on it because, by the slippery slope argument, if you let one thing go,  you will eventually let everything go, and in any case how on earth do you distinguish between what is relevant for today and what is not?  

We need to love the Lord with our mind (Mark 12:30),  and stop making overly simplistic rules that help us to avoid thinking, and wrestling with the issues.  In the past slavery was a thorny issue, today the woman's issue is thorny.  Slaves are commanded to submit to their masters, even when they are harsh (1 Peter 2:18). Does this mean God approves of slavery? It is a mistake to see something as God's perfect will just because it's in Scripture. I mean Judas went out and hung himself (Matthew 27:5)!  Many things exist as result of the fall. We pray and work for the Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. You can be sure that there's neither slavery nor patriarchy in heaven.  It was William Wilberforce's Christian values that cause him to devote his entire life to the abolition of slavery. The Kingdom will not be brought to earth in a day.  And there is a timing,  a process and a Kingdom way of facilitating change in things that need to change (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

In terms of understanding the times, we need to distinguish carefully between moral and non - moral commandments.  Moral commands don't change, non - moral commands may need to change with the times.  As society changed from Biblical times, so did male-female roles. In Bible times women were not even taught to read and write. And in light of this, Paul's rule that women not be allowed to teach (1 Timothy 2:12) was totally appropriate. I see this in the same way that I see the command not to promote a novice (1 Timothy 3:6).  Paul's rule was not about morality, at the time it was simply common sense.

I like to think of Wilberforce working from the command that we are to love justice and do kindness  (Micah 6:8). The same principle was surely needed to be at work a hundred years ago in the movement to give women the right to vote. You may have noticed that women can read these days!

Father, if we are to love justice and to do kindness, we must operate out of Kingdom principles and attitudes. When we see that something needs to change there is a strong tendency to go too far, throwing the baby out with the bath water. When we do this what replaces it can be as bad or worse than what needed to be changed. Today we see the formerly oppressed becoming the oppressors. It is not true, as some would have it, that masculinity is toxic in and of its self. Help us Lord to operate with love, justice and courage in a world gone mad,  in Jesus Name Amen

A helper comparable to him I: The sex wars

“Now the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him” (Genesis 2:18 AMP).  In the war between the sexes,  the Bible tends to get short shrift, but there is a lot of misunderstanding.  For example, the Holy Spirit is called the Helper, there is no sense of inferiority in a helper designation. From verses 21-22,  God performs takes a rib from Adam,  and forms Eve.  Matthew Henry comments “woman was made of a rib,  out of the side of Adam; not  out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.”

 But perhaps the most controversial issue in the sex wars,  comes from the passage on marriage (Ephesians 5:22- 33). It is important to note that this teaching is preceded by the command to submit “to one another in the fear of God” (verse 21). In particular the husband is commanded to submit to the wife,  as well as the wife to the husband. And both are to do it in the fear of the Lord. Actually, the whole passage is summed up by the admonition that the husband love the wife,  and the wife respect her husband (verse  33). It's not that there’s no need for the wife to love her husband, nor for the husband to respect his wife. But I know from my own life that I feel undermined by lack of respect. And perhaps what a man needs most is respect,  and what women need most is love, and perhaps these things are most naturally missing from the equation!

But let's not pretend that man has lived up to the command from the Ephesians passage to love the woman as Christ loved the church (verse 25), nor that there's no disrespect for the man. Note however,  that there is no requirement for these things be deserved!  In a little known verse Paul tells that “neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:11).  It's called interdependence, each surrendering what is necessary for the  good of the relationship. This is to be done “in the fear of the Lord” (verse 21).  We are different, but complementary, with the whole being greater than the sum of the individuals. We are made to need each other. It is not good to be alone, “two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9. 10).

Father, the New Testament calls singleness a gift (1 Corinthians 7:7), but You put the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6). Actually most us us don't want the gift of singleness.  We often say that we can't live with them and we can't live without them.  But one thing is sure, we need Your help Lord in all relationships, and we need to be changed. Show us,  and help us Lord,  in Jesus Name Amen

If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;

....  but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13). This New Testament principle is the equivalent of  “in the day that you eat of it,  you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). There is a perversion of the gospel (the good news) that is quite common, especially in the West, which says you don't have to change to be saved (put right with God). But this is to ignore  the command to repent (doing a 180 with respect to sin - Mark 1:15). It also ignores such warnings as “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remains,  but only a fearful expectation of judgment” (Hebrews 10:26, 27). Certainly we are intended to have assurance of salvation, and when we confess and forsake sins we will be forgiven (1 John 5:13; 1:9). But the presumption inherent in the Hebrews reference, is the very opposite of the repentance necessary for salvation (Luke 13:3, 5).

What is interesting, is that many recovering addicts seem to have a more accurate understanding of our sin nature,  than do many Christians.  The sin nature is the inborn impetus to sin, to do misdeeds.  We all have it, we inherited it from Adam.  Because of this, the default is to sin. I am convinced, given the right (or perhaps wrong) circumstances,  that each and every one of us is capable of the most heinous of crimes. You and I could easily have been an Auschwitz guard!  It's no trouble for you to know that about me,  but for you to know it about you,  is to know yourself pretty well. But most of us do not know ourselves that well. It's the offense of the cross, namely that our sin nature is so serious, that the only way for justice to be served,  is for the perfect Son of God to die in our place as a substitution for our sin (1 Peter 3:18).  I often hear “I'm a good person,” but only God is good (Mark 10:18).  It is offensive to many.

But it's not just the misdeeds of the body that need to die, it is also the passions and desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:24). So how “by the Spirit” do we put these things to death.  Our part (the “we” in this morning's verse) is to use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).  When we learn,  memorize,  internalize and believe (trust in) the precious promises of the Word, we come to share in God's divine nature and so to live (2 Peter 1:4). When we do our part,  the Spirit does His.  For example He kills greed and pride and fear and lust,  changing our desires,  and giving us the wherewithal (the grace) to do His will (Philippians 2:12, 13).  He also provides the way to stand up under trials and to escape temptation (Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13).  

Father, thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your only Son Jesus to put us right with You (John 3:16). Since the cancer of sin has to fully die, please help us to daily present our bodies as living sacrifices, and to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:1, 2). When we do this, we will start to live the abundant life (John 10:10b). Thank You Lord for Your awesome salvation,  in Jesus Name Amen

“It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).

In a world of cell phones and instant communication, we live in the most connected society ever.  Yet at the same time loneliness,  isolation and divorce are of epidemic proportions. We are wounded in community, but we cannot heal in isolation. Perhaps we can survive, but we cannot heal, isolation is not good. I have felt for a very long time that marriage and relationships are God's primary tool to make us more like Christ, and to bring “Kingdom come on earth” in relationships (Matthew 6:10). I believe this is true even when we have utterly failed.

We are told, as far as it depends on us, to live at peace with all (Romans 12:18). It's not always possible of course. Indeed there's a time to embrace,  and a time to refrain from embracing (Ecclesiastes 3:5). Having said that, we tend to either give up far too easily, or we endure rather than deal with the issues,  engaging in the iron sharpening iron character polishing process (Proverbs 27:17). Salvation is by Grace from start to finish, sanctification (freedom from the power and pollution of sin) is certainly by grace, but also through radical obedience and mutual submission (Philippians 2:12, 13; Ephesians 5:21). Obedience allows us the tap into that grace we need to help (Hebrews 4:16).  

One picture of “Kingdom come” in relationships,  looks like paradise before the fall. And we can see what bad things were absent, and what good things were present,  from the admonitions in Scripture. Absent then was  bitterness, wrath, anger, evil speaking and malice (Ephesians 4:31). Present was compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love, being thankful and forgiving one another as Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:12-15). The believer does not have to do any of this without His help (grace).  We need His grace to do any of it,  but there is one command for which I believe we need a double portion of grace to even start to move into. But it's key.

James 5:16 reads “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” As the verse implies, it's key to healing, but it is also a major key to growth.  It requires the very opposite of bitterness, resentment and blame. It's about taking care of our side of the street, and it's at the heart of twelve-step programs. What is interesting, is that by and large such programs are safe. And when Christ is Your higher power, you have access to all the principles and promises of Scripture, as well as the power and the presence of  Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:7).  James 5:16 is not 'Kingdom Come 101.' In particular, the almost desperate need we seem to have to be right, to blame others and hide our sin and shame, this needs to die.

Father, even the thought of confessing to others is scary. But we confess to You to be forgiven (1 John 1:9), and we confess to others to be healed! As in twelve -step programs we need to find  just one safe person for this. Help us with this Lord, and give us wisdom and courage to create safe places. Thank You that Kingdom come its not so much about absolute maturity, but rather about the process of being changed (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Thank You Lord that that it's not all up to us, and that You who have begun a good work in us will keep right on doing it (Philippians 1:6), in Jesus Name Amen

Death: The day you eat of it you will die (Genesis 2:17).

Adam did not die physically within 24 hours of eating the forbidden fruit (3:24). But as in English, death  is used both literally and metaphorically in Scripture (i.e. “I would die for that dress”). Unbelievers are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).   It's separation from God due to sin (Isaiah 59:2), it's spiritual death.  As with Adam, even the smallest sin disqualifies us from paradise (3:24).

If this seems too strict, we need to see God's perspective. Even from my own observations, we seem to have this tendency to define the sinner as 'someone worse than me.' In other words God should let me into heaven, but not that awful man across the street.  We minimize our own faults, maximize everyone else's, and we don't even live up to our own standards (Romans 7:19). After the disciples had walked with Jesus for three years,  He still needed to tell them  things they were still not able to bear  (John 16:12). How much truth can you bear, how much can I?  I have often felt that if the Lord showed me instantly everything in me that needs to be changed,   I would die of shame.

Coming back to paradise, think about it.  If we're going to be there forever and ever, how much rejection, judgement, back biting, manipulation, gossip, put downs, pride etc., etc. do you want to be there?  How much sewage do you want in a barrel of the finest wine?  If heaven is not perfect,  it would not be heaven! And nobody's  perfect, so we're all excluded. If we are to get there, we desperately need to be rescued and changed. We need a higher power! The good news is that God sent Jesus on a rescue mission. Because of free will however,  He won't rescue us without our cooperation.  It's called salvation.

Salvation translates us from “dead in trespasses and sins,” to “alive in Christ” (Ephesians 2:1). It involves three things,  justification (rescue from the penalty of sin -  Romans 5:1); sanctification (the ongoing rescue from the power and the pollution of sin - 1 Thessalonians 4:3);  glorification (rescue from the presence of sin - 1 Peter 5:12; John 11:24).  By analogy, a rescue at sea would involve being picked up from the ocean (justification), the journey to the shore (sanctification) and the arrival home (glorification). Actually, our cooperation on the journey home involves both death and resurrection.  Death: with the Help of the Spirit we are to put to death the actions and attitudes of our former life (death to self centeredness - Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24). Resurrection: embracing the resurrection life of the Spirit (Philippians 3:10, 11).

Father,  we were dead is trespasses and sins, separated from You and  destined to stay that way for all eternity. “But God,” thank You Lord for Your  “buts,” but God “who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” We have been forgiven much,  help us to love much and obey Your commandments  (Luke 7:47; John 14:15). If You are not Lord of all, You are not Lord at all. Thank You Lord,  that You will destroy the last enemy death (1 Corinthians 15:26), so that in glory there will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). And best of all Lord,  we will be like You (1 John 3:2), in Jesus  Name Amen

The commandment, love, free will and judgement

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die' (Genesis 2:16,17).

Have you ever heard (or said) “Nobody is going to tell me what to do”?  Sometime the Bible reads like a newspaper “Every one did what was right in his own eyes.”  After recently committing a traffic violation,  I was given mercy rather than justice (he let me off with a warning), and that's what I want when I die, mercy rather than justice! But what gives the law, or the Lord,  the right to judge and/or condemn us?   Those who reject God are essentially saying “He has no right!” If that's you, or someone you love, I am not sure logic will ever convince them/you otherwise!

But reality might!  I'm thinking of the school or hard knocks,  the  Biblical principle that “we reap what we sow.” In other words bad choices have bad fruit (consequences). His gift of free will gives us the ability to choose not to obey the commandments, we are not free of the consequences however. As a young man I knew my wild lifestyle was wrong, I didn't care,  until I did. Today because of persistent propaganda over the last fifty years many do not know their left hand from their right (right or wrong - Jonah 4:11). It's amazing to me, as Jordon Peterson reports, that saying we need to take responsibility for our lives comes as something of a revelation!

The principle contained in the context of morning's verse, is that choosing to disobey the commandments always leads to a form of death, and cuts us off from the tree of life (3:22, 23). God's commandments are there as both a hedge of protection,  and a path to life. In recovery ministry, we see over and over people discovering the hard way, that His ways are best. Actually the law of sowing and reaping is a kind of feedback loop that is designed by the Lord,  to bring us back to Him.  History, experience and the Bible (Psalm 107),  point to the fact that when we're in trouble we cry out to Him. There are no atheists in fox holes!
 

But why did the Lord risk it all by giving us free will? It seems to be about love. Love cannot be love if we have no choice! If there's no possibility of saying no, there's no real choice. And the possibility of our “no,” makes our “yes” significant. In His love then, He gives us the choice, allows the real possibility of  “no,” warns us of the consequences, and then with the gospel also makes a way to return to choosing “yes.” And He did this at incredible cost so Himself (1 Peter 3:18; John 3:16).

Father, I've learned to value You judgements and Your justice. I learned the hard way that if there were no consequences to saying 'no,' I'd likely have ridden off into the sunset! I have also learned to value righteousness, for the fruit of righteousness is a tree of life (Proverbs 11:30).  I am not there yet Lord, but I want to be. As You make clear in the great commandment (Mark 12:30) our 'yes' is a choice to love and be loved.  Please quiet and settle me again this morning with Your love Lord (Zephaniah 3:17) in Jesus Name Amen

The Tree of the knowledge of good and evil

“The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9b). It was forbidden of course, to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (verse 17).  So was it wrong? If so why on earth would it be wrong to know good and evil (3:5)? Would it not help us to do the good,  and avoid the bad? The world has many such questions, and if we don't wrestle with them ourselves,  how on earth will we be able to give an answer of the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).  

Let's look at the good first. If you think about it, it makes sense that “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). You could have pulled a child away from oncoming traffic, but you did not want to get involved! It places a huge  responsibility on us.  And let's face it in many things we all fail (James 3:2)! As civilization progresses we learn things we never thought of as wrong. I hope a 100 years from now I wont be judged by the sensibilities that will have been revealed by that time. We can get overwhelmed with what we aught to do, I know I can!

But surely it would be good to know what's evil,  so we can avoid it!  But it's eating that's wrong, symbolically partaking of evil! You see knowing in the Biblical sense, is much more than intellectual knowledge, it's experiential knowledge (see Genesis 4:1 NKJV). They knew intellectually it was wrong wrong (3:3), but when they ate they knew wrong, they experienced evil.  Think for a moment about how you become an addict. You would never have gotten addicted,  if you had not taken your first fix.  It's a parable of sin. Jesus puts it this way “he (or she) who sins is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). It's like an aggressive cancer, a cancer that's chosen! They were warned there were consequences, but they chose not to believe God (2:17; 3:4, 6).

Jesus told us “every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17). In fact the Bible chronicles the bad fruit from the eating of this tree. Just for a start we see the rapid spread of evil.  It started with disobedience, went to murder, and onto the genocidal attitude of Lamech (36; 4:8, 24). But it didn't stop there. The Lord laments “My people are ....  wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge” (Jeremiah 4:22). What's more, in rebelling against God,  we seem to want to decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong. The Lord warns through Isaiah “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).

Father, concerning our knowledge of good and evil Paul, like many of us,  could declare “the good that I want to do, I don't do; but the evil I don't to do, that I practice” (Romans 8:19).  And that's talking about the things we ourselves know are either good or bad, it's not even thinking about the things we rationalize away (Romans 1:18). We needed (I did) to be rescued (John 3:16), and we need Your help to live Your way. I for one am asking for it this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen

Work: The Lord put the man in the garden of Eden to tend

... and keep it (Genesis 2:15).  In this second account of God's creation of Adam,  we see (among other things) that he is created with purpose. Work gives life meaning and dignity.  Research has shown, among other things, a link between unemployment and anxiety, depression and loss of life satisfaction. This morning's verse of course is in paradise, so the picture of us sitting around with harps on clouds in heaven is not Biblical. The joy and satisfaction from work however was affected by the fall (3:17-19) and, as with everything else, often needs to be redeemed.

Two of the ways to get work wrong, is either too little,  or too much. Proverbs 6:6 admonishes us “Go to the ant, lazy one. Observe its ways and be wise.” Paul teaches “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).  Note it's “will not,” not “cannot.” On the other hand,  human beings, are not human doings. Since we are made in the image of God we need to take our identity first and foremost from Him. If our primary identity is in what we do, we can too easily become workaholics, in other words, work can become an idol.

There are two contentious issues in our culture related to work. Firstly, is the notion of equality, secondly women in the workplace.  The Proverbs 31 woman (verses  10-31) paints an interesting picture,  verse 16 says “She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.”  That sounds like a business woman to me. But she also “watches over the ways of her household” (verse 27). Any woman would be hard pressed to do all of what is written in the idealistic picture from Proverbs. What's important thought, is that it leaves room for both the business woman and the homemaker. The tendency to disparage the homemaker is not Biblical.  Indeed there is great dignity,  destiny and fulfillment in being a homemaker, and no more important task then bringing up the children in the the nurture and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:2-4). Children are our heritage from the Lord!

Coming to equality it's important to note,  that the Western sense of fairness and justice is part of our Judaeo-Christain heritage. Outside of this heritage these qualities are rare. I recommend “The book that made your world” by Vishal Mangalwadi. It is these very Judaeo-Christain virtues that gave much to the impetus for communism and our current social justice warriors. But make any single virtue your entire focus, and it becomes out of balance and  toxic, even turning victims into oppressors.  Equal opportunity is certainly worth fighting for.  However, if we are to learn anything from history fighting for and legislating equal outcome,  can be devastating. The workers who exceeded their quota in Communist Russia, for example, were persecuted and imprisoned. Forcing equal outcome (as opposed to equal opportunity) sabotages initiate. Who would want to spend seven years training to be a doctor to be given the same wage as an entry worker at MacDonald's?

Father, I like what Churchill said, that democracy is the worst form of government, apart from everything else.  Please open the eyes of our culture Lord,  and show us clearly that when we tear down what has been built on Judea-Christian values,  we throw out the baby wth the bath water. Wake up Your church Lord, and send us out of isolation to be salt and light in every area of our culture,  in Jesus Name Amen

The tree of life

“And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden” (Genesis 2:9).  Ultimately God is our provider, and we are not to worry, but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all necessary thing will be provided (Matthew 6:31-33).  But it's not just about provision, it's about beauty (pleasant to the sight). There's a book “The Evidential Power of beauty” by Thomas Dubay. My take on it, is that nature is more beautiful than evolution requires.  Coming to the tree of life, it was in paradise (in Eden),  and will be there in the New Heavens and the New earth (Revelation 22:2).

There are two aspects to the tree of life. The first is about eternal life. Here in Genesis we read that God sent mankind out of the Garden, lest in their sinful state “he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Genesis 3:22). In the New Testament we hear Jesus saying “Whoever lives and has faith in me shall never die” (John 11:26).  Life in eternity, by the way,  will be like it was intended to be in Eden with no death, no sorrow, no crying, and no pain (Revelation 21:4). And this brings us to the second aspect of the tree of life, which Jesus spoke of as life in all its fullness in the here and now (John 10:10b).

Life in all its fullness is part of what we are praying for when we pray “Kingdom of God come on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).  But we need to do more than pray, we also have a part to play. To the one who diligently seeks wisdom and understanding, to this one, it will be a tree of life (Proverbs 3:18). In fact righteousness is in and of itself a tree of life, as is a wholesome tongue (Proverbs 11:30; 15:4). And there is good news for those who have been holding on to God for a promise. Delay of course it difficult, for “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but on the other hand “when the desire comes, it is a tree of life (Prov. 13:12).    

There's another tree that this side of the fall made it all possible. It looks at first like a tree of death, but it is in fact the ultimate tree of life. I am speaking of the cross of Jesus Christ. In fact Jesus died on that tree that we might have life (1 Peter 3:18). John writes “ He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 1:12). Indeed she who hears the Word of God (in particular hears the gospel and repents – Mark 1:15) and believes (and receives the free gift – John 1:12; Romans 5:18) has passed from death to life (John 5:24). Indeed all theses things are written that we might know that we do indeed have life (1 John 5:13).

Father,  thank You for the tender mercy You demonstrated  in sending Jesus to die for us.  In view of this Lord, the only reasonable response is for us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. This is true worship (Romans 12:1, 2). So I fully surrender to You again this morning Lord,  and I give You the praise and the glory in Jesus Name Amen

Trinity in Genesis and beyond

The first thing to say, is that if we understood the God who spoke and stars were flung into space, then we would be God! The other thing is that in other areas of our life we accept things we don't understand without (as many people do with God) believing they don't exist. I'm thinking of such things as black holes,  or  electricity or light! As I was saying last day, mystery is something beyond logic, but not contrary to it,  but nevertheless true. Trinity is One God in three persons, unity in diversity, three  interconnected and interrelated entities. And Trinity certainly is mystery, for on the one hand God is One, but God is also three Father, Son and Holy Spirit on the other.  That they are not the same is seen in the Son praying to the Father, and (at least in His time on earth) His not knowing the time of the end (John 17:1;  Mark 13:32).

The word 'Trinity' of course,  is not a Biblical word, it was invented by theologians to remind us that we need to hold together the truths that the Father is God (John 6:27),  Jesus is God (John 20:28), Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3, 4), but also that God is One (Deuteronomy 6:4).   Interestingly the clearest statement of this is found in the Old Testament “For unto us a Child is born, a Son is given; And His name will be called Wonderful,  Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The Son given is widely accepted to be the then coming Messiah, and Jesus claims to be He (John 4:25, 26). Note then, that one of His Names is “Mighty God,” another is “Everlasting Father,” yet another “Counsellor,” one of the Names of Holy Spirit.  Having seen this in clearly in Isaiah,  helps us to see echos of it from the very first.  The Name of God in Genesis 1:1 is “Elohim,” the  plural form of El, or Eloah.  So then we see plurality from the very beginning. We also see it in “Let us make mankind in our image” (1:26). The Old Testament of course is thoroughly monotheistic, strictly One God.

It stuck me one day that if God is Trinity,  we might expect to see expressions of three in one, unity and diversity,  in nature.  The examples would not be God of course, but faint echos,  pale reflections of Him. Look at an egg, it consists of shell, white and  yolk, and the whole thing is a unity, a single egg. God is not an egg of course, not even a good egg! The triple point of water, is another “trinity,” it is the place of temperature and pressure,  where water is solid (ice), liquid and vapour all at the same time.  Perhaps not surprisingly mankind, being made in the image of God, is the “trinity” that most closely reflects Him. Mankind,  as we were saying last time, consists of body,  soul and spirit. Of course mankind,  being made of dust,  is also merely an echo of our uncreated God.  Indeed, we are not God!  

Lord,  it seems the elders never tire of falling down before You  and worshiping You saying “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:10, 11). You indeed are wonderful my Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and I too worship You this morning in Jesus Name Amen

Man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7)

  Man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7)

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). Continuing in what the Biblical says about mankind, we see he is a 'living soul (nefesh).'  In fact both mankind and the higher animals are nefesh (1:20).  I subscribe to the opinion that nefesh consists of the mind, will, and the  emotions, the place where we think, feel and make decisions.  Since the higher animals are nefesh this gives us the ability to form and experience, often significant,  relationships with them.

To the world, saying that man has a soul is meaningless. But M. Scott Peck, in his book “Denial of the soul,” chronicles how, at an early stage of his life,  he found himself at war within himself.  And who has not been at war within herself? The  secular explanation of Peck's puzzlement,  was that his ego was at war with his true self. Peck asks could the 'true self' be the soul (pp. 128, 129)?  The Bible asserts that we do in indeed have a soul, and adds a third ingredient the spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Scripture seems to be quite loose about these concepts, often using soul and spirit interchangeably,  and/or to refer to the whole person.  But soul and spirit are not the same as we see in Hebrews 4:12 where we read “the word of God is living and powerful .....  piercing even to the division of soul and spirit” The unbeliever is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1),  and I see the spirit as the part that relates to God. The spirit then is dead in the unbeliever, but subject to resurrection as the Lord,  by His Spirit,  woes us to Himself.  We are intended to experience this connection. Indeed, “the (Holy) Spirit witnesses to our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). Tt is hardly surprising, since this witness is not present in the unbeliever, that the message  of the cross is foolishness to them (1 Corinthians 1:18).

I see body, soul and spirit as similar to the way I see Trinity. Trinity is  three not independent parts intricately interconnected,  and relating to each other. So then mankind,  being in the image of Trinity, also has three aspects in relationship with each other. We speak of psychosomatic illness for example,  those illnesses where the psyche (soul) affects the soma (body). Worry,  for example, can produce ulcers.

The nature of both God and man is something of a mystery. Mystery is something beyond logic, but not contrary to it and,  nevertheless true. The secular world wants to throw out mystery, but mystery is not so easily dismissed, as we discover such things at black holes, quirks, quarks and the like. Interestingly, there seems to be a disproportionate number of Christians among astronomers, but then “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).

 Father,  I do not fully understand the mystery of who I am, but “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvellous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14). The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing Lord (1 Corinthians  1:18), but Lord please help me to live a life before them that will provoke them to want to know You as I know You.  And I will give you the honour and the glory and the praise in Jesus Name Amen

Dust in the image of God

The Hebrew phrase “Elleh Toledot,” that occurs in Genesis 2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 11:10 etc,  is a literary device that divides Genesis into “books” (see Genesis 5:1). It's translated consistently in some versions (i.e.. KJV, ESV) as “the generations of,” and the phrase acts as bookends to these divisions. In Genesis 1:1-2:3,  mankind is the pinnacle of creation,  in 2:4-4:26 mankind is the focus. This second “book” starts with a more detailed description of the creation of “adam” (mankind),  a plural word including both male and female. We also see the movement from the “very good” of 1:31,  to our present state. Starting with disobedience, the seeds of the aggressive cancer of sin (3:6),  it progresses quickly to the first murder (4:8), then onto the boastful genocidal attitude of the seventy–sevenfold vengeance of Lamech (4:24).  Today we are looking at “the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground” (2:7), it brings balance to  our being made in the image of God (1:26).

There are many things in Biblical teachings,  that need to be held together in tension, not 'either or,' but 'both and.'  Truth out of balance is error! Here we are made in the image of God (1:26), but we are not God, we are dust. At the  start of what is considered to be the most profound teaching ever given, Jesus tells us “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). It's about humility.  Humility is about thinking neither more, nor less, of ourselves than reality. There is a lot of false humility,    and there is a lot of pride both inside,  and outside,  the church.  When we become as little children,  knowing we are flawed (James 3:2), yet loved and fully accepted (Ephesians 1:6; John 3:16) then, as Jesus said,  the Kingdom is ours.  

Do you ever beat yourself up for what you think you are, or for what have done (I'm a worm, I'm a looser, I'm a piece of s...)?  You are forgetting that you are made in the image of God, forgetting that Jesus died for your sins. “He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14), and He invites us to return to Him for He will abundantly pardon and restore us to fellowship with Him (Isaiah 55:7).

Have you ever been tempted to think “nobody is going to tell me what to do, not even God?”  We have forgotten we are but dust, creatures before our creator. We are dependent on God for our very breath.  But we do have to do our part. The famous quote “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” from the  poem ‘Invictus’ sought,  I think, to address the imbalance of our avoiding responsibility. Taken to the other extreme however, it can lead to the wrong sort of pride,  Paul describes this as being puffed up. We have forgotten that “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).  

Father,  I like the prayer that asks please don't give me too much so that I may disown You and forget You. Nor let me become poor and steal, and so dishonour Your Name (Proverbs 30:9). Let me think neither to highly of myself,  nor too lowly (Romans 12:3). I am Your valued, beloved,  precious creature Lord, I am nevertheless a creature! I love You Lord in Jesus Name Amen  

A good God and the problem of suffering

“God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Since God and what God made was good (Luke 18:19), then why all the suffering? Well firstly we reap what we sow, bad choices have bad consequences (Galatians 6:7). But not all suffering is for our sin.  The book of Job wrestles with this.  Job is righteous, and the book makes it clear his suffering is not for wrongdoing, as his friends would have it (Job 42:7). When we suffer, we might think God is punishing us, we might give up on God, or think He's unjust, or not even there. Many people who say they don't believe in God, nevertheless seem to be mad at Him.  In addition to suffering the consequences of our own sin, we can also suffer because of other people's sin, and because of seemingly random happenstances.

I'm not always sure what people mean when they say “there's a reason for everything!” It seems to imply God sends the bad, but that He has a reason for sending it. He gives a child cancer to teach him or her something?  That would be child abuse, and that's not the God I believe in, nor the God of the Bible! It's too close to the errors Job's friends made. The Bibles says that “God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). It's not that evil is good,  rather that God is at work for good in the evil that He's allowed.  Under the New covenant, rewards and punishments are reserved until the day of Judgement (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Peter 2:9).  Related to this is the New Covenant good news, that whosoever will may come to Christ and,  by the obedience of faith,  escape everlasting condemnation (John 3:16; Romans 16:26; 8:1). His goodness and forbearance are designed to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Concerning earthquakes, tsunamis and the like, the Bible is largely silent on the why of them all. As with Job,  concerning  our own pain and the injustices in the world,  we are left to wrestle with our own answers to the 'why' of it. Life is not fair, nobody said it was. The greatest injustice in my mind,  is the perfect Son of God crucified. To me, the bigger question is about how we deal with suffering?  On the day that I knew was going to be the most difficult in my life, the day I knew my wife was going to take the four children and leave,  the Lord brought this verse to mind “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). I felt I was being told suffering is a barrier the other side of which is joy, and if like Jesus we endure it,  there will be “joy in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Lord Jesus, You told us in the world we will have tribulation, but we are to be of good cheer, because You have overcome the World (John 16:33). Thank You Lord that with every trial or temptation, You provide a way to stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Thank You Lord that when we come to You,  we receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need  (Hebrews 4:16).  Thank You Lord You not only suffered for us, You suffer with us,  in Your precious Name Amen