Hello To All:
"Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" (John 6:60)
There is a lot that happens in John, chapter six (I invite you to study the whole chapter). There is a particularly revealing statement, made by Jesus, at verse 26: "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."
If we are to rightly understand this rebuke of Jesus; we need to recognize, that He is telling us, that we can "seek" Him in two different ways. First, we can "seek" Him: for who He is. Second, we can "seek" Him: for how we might personally be blessed. Hopefully we are recognizing the distinction being made. Jesus rebukes the people because they "seek" Him because of their desire for more bread. They are looking to Jesus to satisfy their personal needs; and thus, their personal desires. They are not looking to Jesus because of who He is!
This brings us to this hard thing, referenced in previous blogs. We need to be rebuked because we are mostly inclined to seek Jesus because of our personal desires. Victorious discipleship demands that we seek Him for who He is! We need to be rebuked, in the strongest of ways, because our seeking, only to satisfy our personal needs, our personal desires; and yes, our personal perspectives: causes us to not believe God. In fact, because of these personal positions, that we most often take: we are guilty of not only not believing God; but, most dangerously, we are saying that God is a liar! (Please see: "Do we believe God: What is truth" and "Do we believe God?") This calling God a liar: this is the hard thing!
The time is at hand, for us to look to the proof of this hard thing. The personal account of the Lord' Supper is recorded at Matthew 26:26-29; and Mark 14:22-25; and Luke 22:15-20. The revelational account of the Lord's Supper is recorded at 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. The distinction is made, between personal account and revelational account, for very good reason. In the gospels the disciples are personally present as Jesus personally blesses them with the communion of His body and His blood, prior to His death and resurrection. In the Corinthian account, the apostle Paul, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, receives from the Lord (thus the revelational account) the details of the communion of His body and His blood.
In all four of the accounts, Jesus is quoted as making the statement: "This is my body." The hard thing regards the reality, that one of the dominant western perspectives, on what it means to be Christian, takes the position that: Jesus does not really mean what He says, when He says: "This is my body." This perspective, takes the position, that Jesus is speaking symbolically; and thus He means to say, that the bread represents His body.
Now, if you want to take me to task, for something that I have said or written: that's all well and good. I am a fallen sinful human being - you, the reader, are a fallen sinful human being. It should not be assumed that we always speak the truth. The fact is: we do not always speak the truth. Truth must always be measured by the person of Jesus Christ, in the revelation of His Word. Thus, if I hand you a piece of bread and say: this is my body - you would have very good reasons for taking me to task. Yes, you would be right in saying that I would be guilty, of lying, for making such a statement.
But, Jesus of Nazareth, the same Jesus who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the same Jesus who is our Creator and our Redeemer and our Saviour and our Lord and our King (and I could go on and on); this same Jesus is not a fallen and sinful human being. Thus, when Jesus says, "This is my body," we need to accept this as truth. But, for many of us, "This is an hard saying."
In our position, we join with the disciples of John, chapter six. In verse 53, we find written: "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." Our opening verse, for this essay, reminds us of their response (verse 60): "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" Later on, in verse 66, we find that many of his disciples, took the next step: "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." These disciples did not take Jesus to task for what He said; they just did not believe and they stopped following Him (see all of John, chapter six).
Many of us, instead of leaving and admitting our unbelief, we take the position that Jesus does not mean what He says. We take Him to task. We take the position, that He is saying that the bread represents His body. It is too hard, because of our personal perspectives, to believe what He says; but, because we do believe Him for salvation, we cannot leave Him, so, we must find a way to believe; and thus to continue to follow Him. Thus, we choose to believe that Jesus is speaking symbolically and that He is saying that the bread only represents His body. In doing this, we satisfy our personal needs and perspectives; but, in the process of seeking to satisfy our personal needs, we call God a liar.
According to the scriptures, I am nothing: "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 6:3). But, as "nothing," empowered by Jesus Christ, I do know the difference between "this is" and this represents. Very apparently, much of western Christianity has lost sight of that difference.
If you are amongst those, who are proclaiming that Jesus does not mean what He says: then you must repent and believe. To do otherwise is to continue to call Jesus a liar. There is no middle ground. From God's perspective: something is either the truth, or it is a lie. If Jesus does not mean what He says, then He cannot be who He claims to be; and, if He is not who he claims to be - then we, most miserable of creatures, are still dead in our sins! But, thanks be to God: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God; and thus: Jesus only speaks the truth!
In the gospel of Mark, the first words recorded, regarding the preaching of Jesus are: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15). Will you, my beloved brethren; will those of you, my beloved, who are insisting that Jesus is speaking symbolically, when He says: "This is my body;" will those of you, my beloved, who do not believe God: will you, I beg you, will you: "repent and believe the gospel?"
If you do not repent, you place yourself in great danger. To embrace a lie; and to proclaim it as the truth is to welcome unbelief into our lives. Unbelief is one of the enemies most effective tools. He uses it, very effectively, to rob us of the victorious discipleship that we can have, in and through Jesus Christ. But, there is danger here, that goes beyond our loss of victory. To the degree, that we fail to believe God; and thus to the degree that we fail to believe Jesus Christ: to that same degree, we may come to a place where it is too hard a thing and we will be like those disciples, who: "went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:66).
REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS AND THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
P.S. Earlier, in this essay, the gospel accounts of the Lord's Supper, were referenced as "personal accounts;" and the account recorded, in 1 Corinthians, was referenced as the "revelational account." When we next gather together, we shall take a deeper look at the relationship between the personal accounts and the revelational account. Hopefully, this will help us to comprehend the truth of what Jesus says, when He proclaims to all of the creation, for all of time: "This is my body." As preparation for this essay, I invite you to study 1 Corinthians 10:16. Pay particular attention to the use of the word "communion;" and the many discussions we have had, in previous essays, regarding the relationship between the physical realms and the spiritual realms. The blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ, continue to be with you, my beloved. Amen.
1
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Do we believe God?
Hello To All:
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:2).
Do we truly believe that: "God - cannot lie?" Our text, from Titus, tells us that: "God - cannot lie;" but, do we truly believe this? It would be pretty safe to say, that all who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ, would agree with the text; and proclaim, for all the world to hear: "God - cannot lie!" But, our proclamation does not necessarily mean that we believe that: "God - cannot lie." Contrary to our own divided perspectives, the King's Book, with absolute certainty, proclaims this testimony, regarding the integrity of God. Consider these additional texts:
1. (Numbers 23:19) "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"
2. (1 Samuel 15:29) "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent."
3. (Psalms 89:34-36) "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me."
4. (Hebrews 6:18) "...in which it was impossible for God to lie..."
"God, that cannot lie" - "God is not a man, that He should lie" - "Hath He said, and shall He not do it" - "Hath he spoken, and shall He not make it good" - "The Strength of Israel will not lie" - "My covenant will I not break" - "Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips" - "I have sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David" - "It was impossible for God to lie."
As we look at the above statements, taken from the above texts, we are compelled to conclude, that the integrity of God is absolute: "God - cannot lie!" We are also compelled to conclude, that Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God; and thus, fully God; and thus, having the same absolute integrity - we are compelled to conclude that: Jesus - cannot lie!
It would, also, be pretty safe to say, that all who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ, would say: Jesus - cannot lie! So, perhaps we should conclude this essay, right here, since it would seem that we would all say, that we do believe God. Our question has been answered - we do not need to go any further - we have our answer.
But, I am not satisfied with such a conclusion. As I look at myself - as I look at the western church - as I listen to the smorgasbord of teachings and doctrines (you can pretty much pick whatever you are comfortable with) - as I listen to what we say and look at what we do: I am compelled to conclude, that: WE DO NOT BELIEVE GOD! This is the hard thing; and it is capitalized to get our attention; and,hopefully, to wake us up to the reality of how widespread unbelief is, in the western church.
Now some of you are possibly thinking: now elder, this is only your opinion - where is the proof - how can you say that we do not believe God - when, in fact, we do believe God; and thus, we do believe Jesus!
It is certain, that we all, truly, do want to believe that we truly do believe! And, at that entry level of discipleship, where we do have salvation, we all do agree and we all do believe. But, I am, once again, compelled to say, that as I listen to what we, as the church (individually and corporately) say; and, as I observe what we do - I am compelled to conclude, that: WE DO NOT BELIEVE GOD! And, because of this unbelief, many of us are stuck in entry level discipleship. Please bear with me, my beloved; and, perhaps, we shall all move a step closer to: "Victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ." Amen.
If you have been a regular reader of this blog, hopefully you have begun to recognize the many areas where our belief and practice come into conflict with the revealed truth of the King's Book. If you are a first time visitor, I invite you to search through the earlier blogs - I trust that you will find them edifying - and, it is my hope and intent that they help you to become more deeply aware of your own journey with Jesus of Nazareth.
The time is at hand to respond to the unspoken question: where is the proof. The time is at hand to answer, with proof, the question posed by the title to this essay: "Do we believe God?" Please join me in looking at; and examining; and embracing; and submitting to: the truth of another portion of the King's Book.
1. "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." (Matthew 26:26 King James Text)
2. "During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples: Take, eat, This is my body." (Matthew 26:26 The Message - a contemporary English translation).
Now we come to it - the place of proof - the revelation of unbelief - a call to repentance - a place of submission to the Truth of the King's Book. Jesus of Nazareth proclaims: "This is my body." These are words that are very familiar to all of us who call on Jesus Christ for salvation. Every time we join together, for communion, these words - "This is my body" - are proclaimed. These are also words, because of how they are interpreted, that have caused significant divisions in the body of Christ.
The mere fact, that there are so many opposing perspectives (I am familiar with at least four dominant perspectives), regarding the meaning of - "This is my body" - should demonstrate to us, that unbelief has a significant foothold in many of our lives. Of course, each of us is inclined to think; that our personal perspective is the correct one; and that all of the other perspectives are the ones in error. Further proof of how powerful and influential the institutional/denominational perspective is on the individual adherent. All too often, we allow others to do our thinking for us. One of the objectives, of this forum, is to encourage us to turn to Jesus Christ for right thinking.
As we consider the implications of - "This is my body" - please note, that text number one is from the King James Version (one of the oldest of the English translations); and, that text number two is from The Message (one of the newest of the English translations). Both translations precisely quote Jesus as saying: "This is my body." In fact, I am not aware of any English translation, that translates the original Greek language in any way other than: "This is my body."
This agreement on the precise nature of the proclamation - "This is my body" - is essential for us to recognize. There is nothing else, in all of the Bible, that would alter this precise proclamation: "This is my body." These are the words of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Consider, also, these words of Jesus of Nazareth, recorded at Revelation 22:18-19: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Adding to or taking away from, the precise proclamation of the Word of God, has consequences; and if the adding to or taking away from, is serious enough, those consequences can be eternal.
Lest we think that the words of Jesus, recorded in Revelation, only apply to the book of Revelation, consider these words, recorded at Deuteronomy 4:2: "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." Consider also, Deuteronomy 12:32: "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it." Finally, consider this from Proverbs 30:5-6: "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
To varying degrees, all of the dominant perspectives, on the meaning of - "This is my body" - add to or take away from the clear and precise proclamation: "This is my body." It can be readily argued that of all of the areas of disagreement, that exist in Christian denominational and institutional perspectives; this one, where we add to and take away from the clear meaning of the proclamation - "This is my body" - is the most destructive to the health of the western Christian church.
When next we gather, we shall look at one of these perspectives, perhaps the most dangerous and destructive of all; and the proof shall be laid before us that: WE DO NOT BELIEVE GOD!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:2).
Do we truly believe that: "God - cannot lie?" Our text, from Titus, tells us that: "God - cannot lie;" but, do we truly believe this? It would be pretty safe to say, that all who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ, would agree with the text; and proclaim, for all the world to hear: "God - cannot lie!" But, our proclamation does not necessarily mean that we believe that: "God - cannot lie." Contrary to our own divided perspectives, the King's Book, with absolute certainty, proclaims this testimony, regarding the integrity of God. Consider these additional texts:
1. (Numbers 23:19) "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"
2. (1 Samuel 15:29) "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent."
3. (Psalms 89:34-36) "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me."
4. (Hebrews 6:18) "...in which it was impossible for God to lie..."
"God, that cannot lie" - "God is not a man, that He should lie" - "Hath He said, and shall He not do it" - "Hath he spoken, and shall He not make it good" - "The Strength of Israel will not lie" - "My covenant will I not break" - "Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips" - "I have sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David" - "It was impossible for God to lie."
As we look at the above statements, taken from the above texts, we are compelled to conclude, that the integrity of God is absolute: "God - cannot lie!" We are also compelled to conclude, that Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God; and thus, fully God; and thus, having the same absolute integrity - we are compelled to conclude that: Jesus - cannot lie!
It would, also, be pretty safe to say, that all who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ, would say: Jesus - cannot lie! So, perhaps we should conclude this essay, right here, since it would seem that we would all say, that we do believe God. Our question has been answered - we do not need to go any further - we have our answer.
But, I am not satisfied with such a conclusion. As I look at myself - as I look at the western church - as I listen to the smorgasbord of teachings and doctrines (you can pretty much pick whatever you are comfortable with) - as I listen to what we say and look at what we do: I am compelled to conclude, that: WE DO NOT BELIEVE GOD! This is the hard thing; and it is capitalized to get our attention; and,hopefully, to wake us up to the reality of how widespread unbelief is, in the western church.
Now some of you are possibly thinking: now elder, this is only your opinion - where is the proof - how can you say that we do not believe God - when, in fact, we do believe God; and thus, we do believe Jesus!
It is certain, that we all, truly, do want to believe that we truly do believe! And, at that entry level of discipleship, where we do have salvation, we all do agree and we all do believe. But, I am, once again, compelled to say, that as I listen to what we, as the church (individually and corporately) say; and, as I observe what we do - I am compelled to conclude, that: WE DO NOT BELIEVE GOD! And, because of this unbelief, many of us are stuck in entry level discipleship. Please bear with me, my beloved; and, perhaps, we shall all move a step closer to: "Victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ." Amen.
If you have been a regular reader of this blog, hopefully you have begun to recognize the many areas where our belief and practice come into conflict with the revealed truth of the King's Book. If you are a first time visitor, I invite you to search through the earlier blogs - I trust that you will find them edifying - and, it is my hope and intent that they help you to become more deeply aware of your own journey with Jesus of Nazareth.
The time is at hand to respond to the unspoken question: where is the proof. The time is at hand to answer, with proof, the question posed by the title to this essay: "Do we believe God?" Please join me in looking at; and examining; and embracing; and submitting to: the truth of another portion of the King's Book.
1. "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." (Matthew 26:26 King James Text)
2. "During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples: Take, eat, This is my body." (Matthew 26:26 The Message - a contemporary English translation).
Now we come to it - the place of proof - the revelation of unbelief - a call to repentance - a place of submission to the Truth of the King's Book. Jesus of Nazareth proclaims: "This is my body." These are words that are very familiar to all of us who call on Jesus Christ for salvation. Every time we join together, for communion, these words - "This is my body" - are proclaimed. These are also words, because of how they are interpreted, that have caused significant divisions in the body of Christ.
The mere fact, that there are so many opposing perspectives (I am familiar with at least four dominant perspectives), regarding the meaning of - "This is my body" - should demonstrate to us, that unbelief has a significant foothold in many of our lives. Of course, each of us is inclined to think; that our personal perspective is the correct one; and that all of the other perspectives are the ones in error. Further proof of how powerful and influential the institutional/denominational perspective is on the individual adherent. All too often, we allow others to do our thinking for us. One of the objectives, of this forum, is to encourage us to turn to Jesus Christ for right thinking.
As we consider the implications of - "This is my body" - please note, that text number one is from the King James Version (one of the oldest of the English translations); and, that text number two is from The Message (one of the newest of the English translations). Both translations precisely quote Jesus as saying: "This is my body." In fact, I am not aware of any English translation, that translates the original Greek language in any way other than: "This is my body."
This agreement on the precise nature of the proclamation - "This is my body" - is essential for us to recognize. There is nothing else, in all of the Bible, that would alter this precise proclamation: "This is my body." These are the words of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Consider, also, these words of Jesus of Nazareth, recorded at Revelation 22:18-19: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Adding to or taking away from, the precise proclamation of the Word of God, has consequences; and if the adding to or taking away from, is serious enough, those consequences can be eternal.
Lest we think that the words of Jesus, recorded in Revelation, only apply to the book of Revelation, consider these words, recorded at Deuteronomy 4:2: "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." Consider also, Deuteronomy 12:32: "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it." Finally, consider this from Proverbs 30:5-6: "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
To varying degrees, all of the dominant perspectives, on the meaning of - "This is my body" - add to or take away from the clear and precise proclamation: "This is my body." It can be readily argued that of all of the areas of disagreement, that exist in Christian denominational and institutional perspectives; this one, where we add to and take away from the clear meaning of the proclamation - "This is my body" - is the most destructive to the health of the western Christian church.
When next we gather, we shall look at one of these perspectives, perhaps the most dangerous and destructive of all; and the proof shall be laid before us that: WE DO NOT BELIEVE GOD!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
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