Month: June 2007

Indifference Toward Anger

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Matthew 5:21-48 continuing…

The word “Apathy” is defined as, “Lack of emotion 2. lack of interest: indifference.” MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY. We become indifferent when we start accepting only outward appearance as what is acceptable to the holiness of God. Men, the male gender, if we are Christian men others will be watching the way we treat our wives, and the way we LOOK at other women. Whether we like it or not sometimes what is truly in the heart and mind comes out for all to see.

The actual deed is no less, or no more condemning than a harbored thought. The act of the deed begins with the thought. “Sow a thought, you reap a deed. Sow a deed, you reap a habit. Sow a habit, you reap a character. Sow a character, you reap a destiny.” UNKNOWN. When we become spiritually apathetic we will fall to our uncontrolled thoughts.

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” Matthew 5:21-26 (KJV).

The Law says, “Thou shalt not kill”, and there is no question about that. That is talking of premeditated murder – planning the killing sometimes far in advance of the time of the actual killing. Who ever murdered another was to be put to death. The family members of the murdered victim were the one’s responsible for putting them to death. It seems to be a needed item today, yes even in our “Civilized culture”. Maybe it would become a little more civilized.

Jesus deals with “Anger” in verse 22. The “Anger” which Jesus refers to is an emotional anger which continues adding fuel, and it continues growing hotter and hotter until it finally explodes in vengeance, that is basically revenge. Getting even. Settling the score. Jesus does not address the issue here, but let me say that there is a place for anger. I remember hearing someone say, “You can pretty well judge a person’s character by what makes them angry”. Paul wrote, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” Ephesians 4:26 (KJV). So there is a place for the right anger. Be angry when children are molested. Be angry when a man beats his wife. Be angry when a drunken driver kills a car load of teenagers. Be angry when you get loaded down with sin. Be angry when you see a brother or sister in Christ loaded down with sin. Be angry and act on it rightly. Put it to rest by the end of the day.

The anger for which Jesus addresses is the anger which leads to the act of murder. Murder is already in the individual’s heart. He is guilty of murder, even though the deed has not been done. In his/her heart it is as good as done. Someone might say, “Well! If I am guilty of murder due to the thought, then, I just as well go ahead and kill the dude.” Not so. With the thought you are destroying yourself, and condemning yourself. With the deed you destroy yourself, and the other individual, thus guilty of the thought and the deed.

If you are in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ there is no place to harbor this sort of anger. This anger leads to hatred which leads to murder. Hear what John the apostle says, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15 (KJV). If there is anger or hatred toward any individual in your life put that matter to rest today. Take it to the Lord, and receive peace. He forgave you for your treacherous act of sin. Surely you can forgive the one who has offended you. If not you have not been forgiven.

Mahalaleel – “Blessed God”

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Genesis 5:1-32 continues…

“And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.” Genesis 5:15-17 (KJV).

These names are awesome aren’t they? Adam was easy; Seth is easy, Enos is easy, Cainan, starts getting a little dificult, and now we have Mahalaleel. How do you pronounce that. I just pronounce it the way it looks. The important thing is to see the meaning of the name. Its meaning in the LORD God’s plan of redemption. The name Mahalaleel means, “Blessed God” or “Praise of God”.

At the birth of Mahalaleel Adam was certainly aging, and we hope gracefully; he was now 395 years of age, Seth was 265 years of age, and Enos was 160 young years of age.

They saw the blessing of the LORD God in Mahalaleel, and praised the Lord for His wonderful mercy and grace. The human race has not ceased to exist. God continues His promise of a Redeemer. In our world today (2007) there are many evidences of God’s grace, love and mercy. We see it in the faces of new born babies. We see it in the creation on and in which we live – everyday you see the sunrise you have the hope of a future when you are in Christ. We see hope in the stars of the heavens declaring the glory of the LORD God.

We have much for which to be thankful. Just open your eyes and look. Look, especially to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Blessed God and the Praise of God.

Cainan and “Sorrow”

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Genesis 5:1-32 continued…

“And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel: And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.” Genesis 5:12-14 (KJV).

At the time of the birth of Cainan Adam had reached the ripe old age of 325 years, and Seth was the young age of 195 years. I personally believe these are literal years, and not the length of family duration or however some try to explain it. The reason I mention that is; when I was a Freshman in High School at Cassville, Missouri we had a teacher who boldly proclaimed to us one morning, “The ages of those men in the early part of Genesis could not be their actual age, it had to mean something else”. I am not sure that is a word for word statement, it has been about 39 years since she made it, but it is pretty close. I did not agree with her then, and I certainly do not now.

The genealogy of the LORD God’s plan of redemption continues. God’s amazing grace is quite prominent, yet man is beginning to see the sorrow of sin more and more and its dark agony, and sorrow. Cainan means “Sorrow”. If only the people of the earth would open their eyes, and see their true and sad estate; maybe their sorrow would drive them to God; but then, maybe not.

When you see your sad estate in life, and that is that you are dying, that you have an eternity to spend somewhere in one of two places; one is where Jesus is, and the other is where only His wrath is.  To choose where Jesus is you must Choose Jesus, and trust His finished work on the cross, believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and that He bodily rose from the grave and is alive forever more. 

Habakkuk the Embracer

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WHO IS HABAKKUK?
The meaning of the name “Habakkuk” is derived from a Hebrew word which means “embrace” or “embracer”. It seems in my mind that this is a name which fits him to a tee. He may have been a Levite engaged in the temple choir, and had a great concern for the direction his people were taking, away from God.
Let me quote here from the Criswell Study Bible. “Realizing Israel’s iniquity and need for punishment, Habakkuk is perplexed with the moral dilemma of how a holy God could employ the more deplorably wicked Chaldeans to chastise His Children.” I can understand his dilemma. In looking at God’s holiness, though, I would have to say, that He is more concerned with His glory, than He is with how things may appear to us. To continue the quotation from Criswell – “God responds by asserting His sovereign prerogative as to the choice and the timing of His retribution. Though it may appear unreasonable, His way is best. Thus the prophet learns that to believe what God says and to heed His warning is to be numbered among the righteous who shall live by faith (2:4). Consequently, Habakkuk’s theme is faith triumphant over apparent difficulties.” Habakkuk was a prophet who had a heart for God’s people, and a heart for God. That is after all what a prophet. He speaks with God about the people, their sins and problems. He speaks with the people of God, His Word, His way, and the direction of their lives.The prophecy of Habakkuk was a “burden”, ‘a heavy load’, and that is due to the message contained here. The prophet prophesied near the beginning of the Babylonian exile. The people were going to face severe judgment. Habakkuk did understand that judgment was coming by God from an unholy source.
Are we, who are Christians, in the United States of America not also facing judgment from an unholy source?
Habakkuk was a prophet who cared, yet spoke the truth. Bless the Lord. May every pastor and preacher of God’s Word, and the gospel do the same.

Embracer of God’s Holiness

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This study was previously posted on TABS, another of my blogs.
STUDY OF HABAKKUK
Habakkuk was a prophet who did not understand and the question he asked was very similar to the question many people ask today. Why does God let evil go unpunished? Why does He not rid the world of all evil?
My thoughts on a few verses –
Verses 1:1-4 – The prophet had a burden for God’s holiness. It was as though God was not hearing the prophet’s cries to vindicate His holiness. As I read these verses the wickedness of the time seems very similar to the wickedness of 2006 in the United States and the world.
Where are the men of God crying out for God to be vindicated? I will. Is it because we understand God’s rule over all, and we know how God will be vindicated in the end? If that were only true; we would still be crying out for God to move us.
“The law is slacked” (v. 4). Certainly sounds a lot like some verdicts judges are handing down to guilty men. Just recently a 50 year old man in Nebraska was convicted of sexually assaulting a child and the judge ruled that he was “too short to make it 10 years in prison” So she sentenced him to 10 years of probation.
Chapter 1:13 – It almost seems that the prophet has not yet come to realize the complete sovereignty of God. But, then, God’s sovereignty is no excuse for tolerance of evil.
He knows God’s purity and holiness, and is surprised that God can just let the sin and abuse of God’s people continue by the wicked.
Chapter 2:6, 14, 15 – It seems the prophet is really concerned that God be glorified. He sees God’s people as in need of judgment.
Some are increasing materialy at other’s expense (2:6). There seems to be an evergoing party where drunkenness is practiced and caused by the merchant of “drink” (2:15 & 16).
There are 5 “Woes” mentioned in this chapter. Verses 6, 9 12, 15, and 19:1. “Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his!” (v. 6).2. “Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house…” (v. 9).3. “Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood…” (v. 12).4. “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink…” (v. 15).5. “Woe unto him that sayeth to the wood, ‘Awake’…” (v. 19).
Gloriously, there are also 5 promises – 1:5; 2:3, 4, 14, and 20
1. “I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.” (1:5).2. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time…, though it tarry wait for it; because it will surely come…”(2:3).3.”But the just shall live by his faith.”(2:4).
4. “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”(2:14).
5. “But the LORD is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (2:20). This has to do with the place of God, and being silent, reverent, before Him, “Be still and know that I am God…” (Ps. 46:10).
Chapter 3 – Habakkuk’s prayer for God’s glory.
In verse 2 He asks God “Revive Thy work in the midst of the years…” and “…In wrath remember mercy”. In his prayer, the prophet has three requests. The first and third already listed, but the second one is that God manifest Himself to His people, “In the midst of the years make known” I believe referring to the ‘Reviving of Thy work…” previously mentioned. God’s glory will be revealed.
Verses 17 – 19 – The prophet, in the prayer, declares his trust will be in the LORD, even when desolate (v. 17). He declares God as his “strength” and believes the LORD to be his encouragement (vv. 18-19).
The prayer is a Psalm/Song. Note the way this chapter begins and ends “…upon Shigionoth.” Some musical instrument? The final words, “To my chief singer on my stringed instruments.”There is much more study to do of Habakkuk. There is one thing I see that where he started with a question he ends with God.

Spiritual Allegiance

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GIVING SPIRITUAL ALLEGIANCE

Matthew 5:17-20

Looking at these verses it seems to become quite clear that the life of grace is one of a changed life. When one meets Christ Jesus by grace, is saved and delivered from sins judgment, death, and bondage it is not; I say again, “IS NOT” a license to sin. It is a call to live unto Christ. To live like Jesus.

Jesus is God’s measure of righteousness. He is the only one who has measured up to the requirements of the law and prophets of God. There was no sin found in Him. He did always those things that pleased His Father. He always knew the Father’s will and walked in it. God’s measure of Righteousness is far, far greater than our own.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV).

There is one thing that is abundantly clear in reading the seventeenth verse. That is, that Jesus had A DEFINITE SPIRITUAL ALLEGIANCE to the Word of God, ie., “…the law, or the prophets” (v. 17). The allegiance of King Jesus was to the Father. That is shown in His desire to fulfill the law. Nothing Jesus said or did robbed the “Law or the prophets” of their power. He came to fulfill what Adam should have done, and that was to glorify the Father. The Father was glorified in the Son’s death on the cross. Dying there He fulfilled the demands of the Law. The law said, “You must die”. Jesus was our Substitute for sins death.

Jesus’s allegiance to the law is given to the One who spoke it into being. The Word of God will not fail, nor will Jesus fail to uphold and fulfill it glorifying the Father. It is set to be fulfilled. It cannot fail to be fulfilled. Even, the tiniest of details of the word will not fail. The word “Jot” used by Jesus here in the text is speaking of the smallest Hebrew letter, called the Yodh, and even if you do not know Hebrew and have a Bible you can find an illustration of this letter in the 119th Psalm. It is the tenth letter, and it is the tenth division of eight verses in 73 – 80 of Psalm 119. This letter looks very similar to our apostrophe which we use in English for stating possession of something. In Hebrew it is a letter, and an important one. Even this little letter will not “Pass from the law”. The other tiny thing Jesus mentions is the “tittle”, which is the tiny extension on the end of a Hebrew letter. It would be similar to the tail of the ‘y’ hanging on the word ‘tiny’. Not even the tiniest thing will fail to be fulfilled. All the prophecies which have not yet been fulfilled; will be fulfilled. Any of the most minute things left to fulfill will be brought to pass.

Why would we dare teach others to break the law of God? Is there an element of popularity in it? I find it awkward to try and say that because Jesus fulfilled the law, that we are no longer required to obey the law. The fact that Jesus fulfilled it, and we being in Him means, that, we now are enabled to obey it. We desire to obey Jesus our Savior. We desire to do that which is pleasing to Him and will honor and glorify Him.

Allegiance is shown in keeping and teaching them as Jesus gave them, and not in explaining them away. The commandments concerning the special Sabbaths and days which were pictures, shadows, types of the One who has come, are no longer necessary, because Jesus has come, and there is no more need of the type when you have the real thing (SEE Colossians 2:15-17). It is heresy to add binding, and constrictive amendments to the law that we have. The “Law and the Prophets” [Scriptures] are given as a means of showing us who we are in the economy of God and who God is as well; and especially so. By the “Law and the Prophets” we learn about salvation; we also learn about our need for dependence upon God and not self-righteousness.

The teachings of the Sermon on the Mount are more descriptive of the Ten Commandments. The Commandments; at least on outward appearance; seem to deal with the outward appearance. The Sermon deals with the whole message of the Commandments even to the very thoughts of the heart. If someone tells you, “I live by the Sermon on the Mount” they probably do not realize what they are saying. The Sermon, by Jesus, has more qualifying factors than does the Ten Commandments. The Sermon calls for a change of heart – the inner man; leading to a righteousness that far exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, and moves from the inner man to the outer man; thus, changing the whole.

The scribes and Pharisees were men who prided themselves in their piety; which was only outward. Look at what Jesus said to them; “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepuchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27.