Jesus vs. Paul?

Misunderstood Verses #2

Matthew 6:14-15: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ~ Jesus

Ephesians 4:32: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. ~ Paul

Recently I've become aware of a teaching that proposes that Jesus and Paul are at odds in these two statements. They say that Jesus says our forgiveness (which has to mean our salvation, since no one I'm aware of teaches one can be partially forgiven and go to heaven) is based on our forgiveness of others - that is our performance. Paul tells us that we forgive others because of how completely God has forgiven us.

The resolution they provide seems simple enough: Jesus was talking about a different era in God's redemptive history. Before the cross, before the resurrection, before Pentecost, whenever, God dealt with people on the basis of their performance. But now God deals with us based on Christ's all-sufficient work on the cross. It sounds plausible, because Hebrews tells us about the new and living way we have in Christ. But some (not all) who teach this are overzealous for the new and living way. In their exuberance they overlook a God who has always shown mankind mercy and grace.

If Jesus was saying that there was a time (obviously it had to include the time that Jesus was speaking) that God's forgiveness was conditional on our action, then that must mean no one from that era will be in heaven. I don't think I need to post any references to the fact that man can in no way earn God's favor, since if you've read this far you are interested enough in Scripture to understand that. God's grace has never been in this time or any other time based on man's performance.

To de-emphasize God's grace in previous times is to do injustice to our unchanging God and the great heroes of the Old Testament. Genesis 15:6 tells us, "He (Abraham) believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." Three times in the New Testament (here, here and here) this verse is quoted as an illustration of the way we all must come to God. I'm thankful for the more complete revelation we have in Christ, but all God ever required, requires now and will ever require is belief in him.

So if Jesus was not saying that forgiveness is based on our performance, what did he mean? And how are Jesus' and Paul's statements rectified? To me it seems simple, because the key is in another verse in Ephesians: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (2:10) If we as believers are ordained by God to walk in good works, is it not reasonable to assume that forgiveness will be one of those good works? And if so, then truly one who can never find it in their heart to forgive their fellow human knows nothing of the love, mercy and forgiveness of God.

We as believers will fail to forgive one another completely. If we wouldn't, why would Paul need to encourage us to forgive in the second verse above? We certainly deal with the works of the flesh in our hearts and lives. But we are just as certainly on the road to being the people God wants us to be. God promises to work in our lives to bring us farther on that road, but the journey won't be complete till we get to heaven.

The New F-Word?

This will be the first in a series of articles about verses that I think have been misapplied down through the years.

Misunderstood Verses #1

Matthew 5:22: And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

For most of my life, I've heard this verse explained to mean that Jesus does not want us to use the word "fool" to describe someone. I suppose that's not the best thing to say to a person, but I believe Jesus had a much deeper and more profound message than just that. If you think Jesus was adding another four-letter word to the list that nice people don't say, then you are missing the point.

I'm told the Aramaic (the dialect of Hebrew spoken in Palestine during Jesus' time) word "raca" means "empty-headed." Seems to me that's not much different than "fool." But you could be brought to the council for saying one and not the other. Why bring someone who uses one insult before the council and not another? The logical assumption is that "raca" was a profanity in Jesus' day.

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Every society has profanities - words, gestures, etc. They vary from culture to culture. My dad served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the Marines. He never did and still doesn't talk about very much of what he experienced there, but one thing I remember him talking about was the fact that an innocent-looking (to Americans) "come here" gesture was a vile profanity in Vietnam. One of the things they trained foreign soldiers before they arrived in Vietnam was to not use that particular gesture.

Profanities are a part of the human experience. Whether that's a good or bad thing, I'm not quite sure, but the fact remains every society has them. In Jesus' day, one of the worst things you could say was "raca." It was apparently so bad that even saying it in public would get you sent before the religious authorities. The religious authorities in Jesus' day had limited but real power. They couldn't criminally punish, but they could embarrass people in front of the community in a way that kept most people in line with Jewish customs.

What kind of words are so bad that Jesus would say they are worse than cuss words? Very simple: words that hurt and leave a lasting impression on their victims. It might not be pleasant, but think back: every one of us can remember something someone said that cut us to the core like a knife. Maybe it was a classmate or group of classmates at school. Maybe a coworker or a boss. Sadly for some folks it might be something a teacher or even their parents said. I could be wrong, but I'd be willing to guess the person who said memorably hurtful things to you didn't use a string of four-letter words. Even if they did, it wasn't the cuss words that hurt you nearly as much as what they were saying beyond those words.

This, I believe, is the point Jesus was making here. The religious authorities of Jesus' day (and lots of people today) thought saying swear words was the worst sin you could commit with your mouth. As long as they didn't say those words, they thought they were doing pretty good. But Jesus said real sin goes a lot deeper than that. Words spoken in anger, pride and condescension can do lasting damage to people, regardless of whether there are cuss words thrown in or not.

I'm not saying you ought to go around cussing a blue streak. Jesus didn't say the council was wrong for punishing people who swore. What Jesus was warning against was the attitude that says as long as I'm not saying the words on somebody's naughty list then whatever I want to say is fine. It's not fine. Paul said that our words should "impart grace" to those who hear them. That should be the ideal that you and I should strive for: to be the kind of people whose words bring encouragement and grace to others.

TOMS: Titus 3

For an introduction to this series, click here.

November 1, 2007

Paul tends to throw a lot of disparate thoughts into the end of his epistles.

"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." (3:1-2)

Every once in a while (thankfully not very often) I run into a Christian who is obsessed with politics. And you can't be an honest Christian and not be frustrated by politicians. So they come to all kinds of crazy conclusions, like they shouldn't pay their taxes or they need to arm themselves in order to protect themselves from government persecution or intrusion they seem to know is coming. This is not the attitude Paul wants us to have. As Christians we are to live as best we can with the authorities. Some people develop a complex. They think that if the fire marshal tells them they need to put lighted "Exit" signs over the church doors then they are being persecuted. This is not persecution. It may be a hassle, but the fire marshal is not telling you what you are to teach or not teach.

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (3:3-7)

This passage is the testimony of every Christian. We were lost in sin, living depraved lives. But God saved us from all of that.

"The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." (3:8-11, ESV)

It should be self-explanatory, as Paul says here, that Christians should lead lives characterized by good works. But some people, even some who claim to be evangelicals, say it is not reasonable to expect Christians to follow up their salvation with good works. Most of these people take the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints to an extreme. Certainly we cannot fall from grace by our actions, but there are too many scriptures that tell us to make our salvation sure for us to assume that just because someone made a profession and joined the church they are a Christian and on their way to heaven.

The last part is a solemn warning. Doctrinal purity is essential to the church, and we need to take all steps necessary (within reason) to make sure that our churches are preaching the truth. While no two people will agree perfectly on every issue, there are some things that are absolute. It's not OK if we have people in our church, especially in positions of spiritual authority, who, for example, teach that the Bible has fables in it that were never intended to be taught as absolute fact, but they became fact because of misguided tradition.

TOMS: Titus 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 31, 2007

Paul has a lot of practical advice for Titus and for all of us in this book.

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled." (2:1-6)

I'm not sure the best way to say this, but the first century church was very different from our churches today. They were together probably every night. There were more informal opportunities to teach and to learn than we have in our churches today. I am not suggesting that we go back to this model, but providing more opportunities for informal learning in our churches would be a good thing. Many churches are so hyper-organized that as soon as a new member joins or someone gets saved, somebody in an office assigns a mentor to them. Now of course that is not completely bad either. But I get the feeling from passages like this that allowing mentoring relationships to develop more naturally is more the Biblical model. I don't know, I'm kind of rambling. Certainly assigning someone is better than letting people falling through the cracks without any sort of mentoring.

"Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." (2:9-10)

This is another of Paul's exhortations to slaves. Most of these, of course, can apply to the relationship between a boss and a worker. Notice that Paul says that a servant can glorify God through their work. This definitely needs to be our goal as employees.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you." (2:11-15, ESV)

God's grace is more than a ticket to heaven. His grace continues to work in us, causing us to become more and more what God wants us to be. A good parallel passage to this is 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, which is one of my very favorite passages in all the Bible. Notice it says that God's grace trains us to leave some things behind and to add some new things to our lives. We are no more able to make ourselves Christ-like after we are born again than we were to make ourselves born again in the first place. Thankfully God takes care of both of those, and He will take care of us all the way into eternity.

TOMS: Titus 1

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 30, 2007

Titus was another of Paul's proteges. We know from the book that at the time of this writing Titus was working in Crete. 
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior." (1:1-4)

I usually don't comment on the greeting, but this one is too good to pass up. Notice Paul's three-fold message in verses 1 and 2: 1) the faith of God's elect; 2) acknowledging the truth which accords with godliness; 3) hope of eternal life. If you notice, these correspond to the three aspects of salvation: justification, sanctification and glorification. These were the three things that Paul preached: that is, the Gospel.

"This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." (1:5-9)

It's interesting that one of the qualifications for an elder is that his children be believers. I'm not sure I've ever heard that taught before. Other translations do not render it this way: the KJV, NKJV and the HCSB all read, "faithful children." Not that there is much of a difference, but the way the ESV reads is certainly hard-hitting. Personally I don't think these qualifications preclude a single elder, for example. I think the stipulation is that if the man is married he should be a one-woman man and if he has children they should be faithful to the Lord.  

"For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled." (1:10-15, ESV)

Once again we have a warning against false teachers. Apparently the Judaizers had found their way to Crete and were leading many people astray. These teachers were not motivated by the Lord or by their love for the people. They were motivated by money. Be careful about any preacher who seems inordinately concerned about money. 

Paul quotes Epimenides, a Greek poet, when he describes the Cretans. Paul was not uninformed about the world around him. Obviously he wasn't obsessed with it, like it is easy to do. But the fact remains that he apparently was well-read in secular literature and was familiar with the aspects of the popular culture of his day. Of course it is wrong to let your mind think about nothing but worldly things, but never are we commanded to pull ourselves away from society and not know anything.

I can remember as a young kid walking into Sunday School one time singing a song I had heard in a TV commercial (I don't remember what the song was now, I wish I could). One of the other kids said, "That's a bad song! You shouldn't be singing that!" And then the teacher scolded me a little bit, thankfully not too much. That's what Paul means that to the pure all things are pure. I didn't know it was a "bad" song (it probably wasn't, anyway, at least not sinful). We should be very careful to criticize the motives of someone doing something that is not clearly sin. Sometimes we Christians can impose our dirty consciences on others and ruin someone else's liberty. There's plenty of other examples, of course, but you get the idea. 

TOMS: 2 Timothy 4

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 29, 2007

Paul wraps up his final epistle with a strong word of encouragement for Timothy: 
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (4:1-5)

Paul is simply telling Timothy to keep preaching the Gospel faithfully and fearlessly. This is really all the Lord requires of any of us: to be faithful and fearless in our Christian walk. Notice what Paul says about the people who do not endure sound doctrine: they will find their own teachers who will tickle their ears for them. This is always been a temptation throughout history, and often teachers fall into the trap of serving this desire, sometimes without even realizing it.

"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments." (4:6-13)

We cannot be absolutely certain when Paul wrote this, but we know that he knew he was close to death. Most people assume that Paul knew he was about to be executed, and of course that is probably true. But it could also be true that he was physically going downhill as well. He doesn't say anything specifically about his health, but then he was never one to complain.

It is amazing all the names in this section. Not only Demas, who unfortunately left Paul and took off for greener pastures, but also all the names of the people Paul sent to various places. Paul was not alone in his ministry: he had a network of preachers all over Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. No one can do the ministry alone. We need fellowship with other believers.

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth." (4:16-17)

"The lion's mouth" is basically a metaphor for life-threatening danger. There was a lot of danger in Paul's life, but he seemed to take it in stride. Paul was ready to take on anything if it meant that the Gospel could be further spread. The word "defense" is a probably a reference to a trial or hearing. That is sad that no one was with Paul at his trial, probably before Nero. But the Lord was there even when no other friends were there to support him.

TOMS: 2 Timothy 3

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 27, 2007

Paul continues his instructions to his protege Timothy:
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." (3:1-5)

Of course the "last days" Paul talks about are any time in the church age. Mankind is and always has been (at least since the Fall) depraved. Unfortunately, some people in the church are tolerant of evil and, in some cases, practice evil. These are the people Paul tells Timothy to avoid and, if necessary, separate from.

"For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men." (3:6-9)

Paul is not talking about sexual sin here. Instead he is talking about smooth-talking false teachers leading people, especially women, astray. Notice Paul says these women are "burdened with sins." These false teachers are very manipulative, and they use people's guilt against them. These teachers say nothing of the grace of God, and do not remind their hearers that God has already forgiven them and wants them to move ahead with their lives in His power. Instead they bring up the past against them. These teachers have a facade of intelligence, but they are foolish when it comes to the true wisdom of God

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (3:12-17, ESV)

This is of course one of the foundational passages that states the doctrine of inspiration. Inspiration means that God supernaturally oversaw the work of the writers of scripture. Don't get this confused with mechanical dictation. There are certainly examples - passages from the Old Testament prophets and John's book of Revelation are two - of instances where God told the writers what to write. On the other hand, the scribe who copied down the genealogies in Chronicles probably had no idea he was writing Scripture, but God directed what he wrote, too.

TOMS: 2 Timothy 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 26, 2007

Here we have Paul wrapping up his legacy. Here is a piece of his advice to Timothy: 
"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2:1-2) 

This is a very important message. Yes, God has promised to preserve the church, but He preserves it through us. It is the responsibility of the leaders of the church to preserve sound doctrine. 

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." (2:3-6)

The Christian life is not easy. Paul makes three analogies here, and all of them have a different message: the soldier, the athlete and the gardener. A soldier must learn to endure through all sorts of hardship and he must not be distracted by the things of civilian life that keep him from doing his work. The athlete must work to prepare and work to win the contest, but he must also play by the rules. The rules, of course, for the Christian are those found in the Bible that have been passed down by the faithful men. The gardener works hard all year, but there are rewards: he gets the first taste of the fruit. Even so, there are rewards for the Christian.

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (2:8-10)

There are a few Christians who take the doctrine of election to such an extreme as to say there is no need for evangelism. And some who doubt election paint everyone who holds to it with that broad brush: that they don't believe in preaching the Gospel to the lost. Paul defies the stereotype: he believed in election and he was passionate about spreading the Gospel. Paul traveled hundreds of miles on foot, suffered beatings, imprisonments and all sorts of mistreatment so he could share in the reward of leading the elect to salvation.

"The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself." (2:11-13)

This is an important passage about the judgment. God rewards us in the same way we act on earth. God is faithful and will not kick us out if we are really bad, but we will lose rewards. Whether or not it is possible for someone genuinely born again to deny Christ is something I leave to the experts. I don't think it is possible, but I guess that comes down to how you defy "deny." If someone cracks under extreme physical and mental duress, that is different from someone who openly and repeatedly denies Christ.

"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some." (2:14-18) 

Paul was fearless when defending the faith, even mentioning false teachers by name. I think more good pastors and teachers need to mention some of the false teachers in our day by name and explain why they are wrong. You would need to be prudent about it, but people need to know to avoid false doctrine. Of course they will recognize false doctrine when they are taught the truth, as the first part of the passage tells us.

"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels." (2:20-23, ESV)

I think what Paul is saying here is that in the visible body of Christ, the church at large (the "great house"), there are good and bad people, similar to Jesus' teaching in parables like the tares and the wheat and the fishing net. Those who are genuinely born again and striving to be a vessel for honor for the Lord will cast off the dishonorable vessels: false teachers, false believers, etc. I know this is very different from a similar analogy that Paul uses in Romans 9. But given the context, I think the lesson Paul wants us to learn here is that we can become a vessel of honor.

We are given a lot of advice when it comes to resisting temptation. But when it comes to sexual lust, there is only one solution: flee! We are playing with fire if we think we can handle this temptation. We need to avoid opportunities for temptation, and if we find ourselves in a situation, we need to get out of it like Joseph did.

Once again Paul mentions that Timothy needs to avoid getting bogged down in Biblical minutiae. This is good advice for us, too.

TOMS: 2 Timothy 1

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 25, 2007

This is Paul's last epistle. It is not the last in order in our Bibles, but it was the last one he wrote. This epistle is more somber and at the same time more urgent, because Paul knows he is facing death.

You can really feel Paul's love for Timothy in the opening passage: 
"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (1:3-7)

I like that Paul is telling Timothy not to be afraid. As we talked about earlier, Timothy seems to have had issues with fear and doubt. Meanwhile Paul is staring death in the face, and yet he doesn't change. He is more concerned about encouraging others than he is worried about himself. There are very subtle clues in this epistle that this was his last. Paul certainly didn't tell us that in his letter. He didn't gripe or complain about his situation or despair that this was the end.

"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." (1:8-12)

Paul's motive for writing is purely encouragement of Timothy. And the reason both he and we can be confident in Christ is the fact that we were given "a holy calling...before the ages began." Salvation isn't our doing, it is the Lord's. We can be confident in our salvation because God is the one who chose us. If we could do anything to change God's saving purpose in our lives, none of us would have any hope of salvation. Our salvation originated with God and He is the one who keeps us until that great Day.

This epistle is intensely personal, almost as personal as Philemon: 
"Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus." (1:13-18, ESV)

How shameful it would have been to hear your name in one of Paul's letters as turning away from him. I cannot imagine. On the other hand, it would be wonderful to hear your name read as one of Paul's dear friends and supporters. I wonder if Phygelus and Hermogenes knew how much they had hurt Paul. A lot of times we (or at least I) go through our lives and we are so focused on ourselves that we don't pay attention to others. It's not that we don't love or appreciate others, we are just too busy. If we are too busy to encourage others, we are too busy. We need to slow down and give more of our time to others. Or maybe that is just something I need to do.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 6

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 24, 2007

Well I had a great time in Wisconsin the past few days, for those of you who may have been wondering where I was. The weather was nice (except for Monday) and it was great to see some of the things that have changed and some of the things that have stayed the same in Watertown and elsewhere. But of course the company I had was the best part of my time. But let's get busy here.

Here we have the conclusion of Paul's first letter to his young friend Timothy. Paul wraps up a few things, and, typical of Paul's style, they cover a wide variety of topics. Paul begins with an enlightening discussion of masters and slaves: 
"Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain." (6:1-5)

Notice very carefully what Paul is saying here. In the broad context, which continues later in the chapter, the passage is talking about contentment. This passage gives us the best glimpse of Paul's view of slavery. He tells slaves to be content with their lot in life and not to try to lead a revolution. Apparently there were some teachers who were trying to stir up slaves against their masters, and Paul tells us that is not where the focus of Christians should be.

Greediness has been a temptation for all time. Man always wants more, wants something he can't have. And some teachers were apparently feeding into this fleshly desire, telling them that God wants them to be wealthy and successful in this world. Always be careful of preaching that appeals to your physical or social desires. Everybody wants to be rich, happy, and have lots of friends. God is not so much concerned about these things as He is about us being conformed to the image of Christ.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." (6:6-10)

Contentment is the attitude the Lord wants us to have. That's not always easy, but the Lord knows what is best for us. Our flesh wants to have more and more, and many people throughout history have fallen into the never-ending cycle of wanting something, getting it, and then wanting something else. Love of money is not limited to rich people. Poor people can just as easily lead lives full of jealousy and covetousness as rich people can. It is a temptation common to everyone, and God calls us to resist that temptation and learn to trust Him for our needs and be content with the things He brings into our lives.

Notice that Paul's formula is "godliness with contentment." Most of us have problems with both of those, and some have a problem with the contentment part. But remember the warning to the church at Laodicea in Revelation. Those people had contentment without godliness. That is also wrong.

A lot of people have the idea that we are supposed to serve God just because we love Him, and of course that is a big part of it. But notice that Paul says that "godliness with contentment is great gain." Nowhere in the Bible will you find that we are told not to seek eternal rewards. On the contrary, this and many other passages tell us that God will be glad to give us the rewards we earn and we should strive to earn them.

"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith." (6:17-21, ESV)

Here is another instance where Paul tells believers to seek heavenly rewards. He tells Timothy to tell the rich people in the church to use their wealth to gain eternal rewards. Compared to most people in the world, we Americans are rich. Shame on us if we don't use our wealth to carry forward God's work.

Paul ends his letter with another warning to Timothy about not getting involved in petty arguments about the Bible. Even back in his day, there were things difficult to understand that got people in trouble. And apparently Timothy was willing to take up those arguments, in good faith trying to win the person to sound doctrine. Paul tells him not to get sidetracked, but instead keep his focus on the important things. Things have only gotten worse in our time. People get bogged down over very minor issues and go off on tangents based on a verse or two. Don't fall into that trap. Keep your focus on pleasing the Lord and on teaching and practicing the simple gospel of the Lord Jesus. Sure there are things that we don't completely understand. But we do know that the Lord Jesus came into this world to save sinners, and that after we are saved we need to grow in grace. Fulfilling that goal will take a lifetime anyway. Getting sidetracked on secondary and tertiary issues is foolish.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 5

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 19, 2007

Paul has a lot of specific instructions here in this chapter about people in the church: 
"Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (5:3-8)

I think if you look at the last verse of this passage, it is obvious that this passage is talking about the church supporting widows. Notice Paul says that if the widow has children let "them"- that is the children- show their piety by providing for their mother. For Paul, a "true widow" would be a widow without a family. This is the kind of person the church should provide for. Of course in our time the government takes care of everyone. Going into this much detail about providing for widows shows that the Lord intended for the church to take care of the poor. But the church let the government take its role, and we are the worse for it on all sorts of levels.

This context of church support of indigent members is important to remember when reading the next section: 
"Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows." (5:9-16)

I think Paul's point about younger women learning to be idle explains what he is talking about. We have seen the disastrous results of welfare for single moms in our society. Paul warns against giving younger people a free ride, and lists the consequences that will happen. But I think it is most important to note that this is not talking about accepting younger single mothers into the membership of the church. A simple reading of this passage might lead you to think that, but deeper study will reveal the truth.

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.' Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." (5:17-20) 

Paul says that elders, that is leaders of the church, be honored, but also that they be punished more severely if they do fall into sin. Also I want to point out that the second scripture quoted is a quote of Luke 10:7. Paul and the other church leaders immediately recognized that many of the writings being passed around among the churches were indeed Scripture, on a par with the Old Testament.

"No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." (5:23)

Timothy apparently did have health problems. Whether these were a symptom of his poor self-esteem or were unrelated to anything else, there is no way we can know. If anything, this verse, along with several others, demonstrates that the Apostles were not teetotalers. Alcohol was very common in Roman society. Not only that, but alcohol was often used to purify and sweeten regular drinking water, which often came from cisterns or polluted wells. Paul makes this statement very matter-of-factly, not with some kind of secret agenda and not in a joking way.

"The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden." (5:24-25, ESV)

This is an interesting verse. It is an interesting comment on human nature and it is a more important comment on the nature of God. It is true that some people are very good at hiding who they are and not revealing the truth about themselves. Sometimes it is bad things they are hiding, and sometimes it is good things. But the Lord sees all, and He will reveal everything one day.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 4

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 18, 2007

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." (4:1-5)

Notice that Paul associates legalism with the apostasy of the last days. This is more of a reference to the general spirit of apostasy that has affected the church throughout history than about the final apostasy that leads to the rise of the antichrist. All of the apostle writers mention about the problems in "the last days" and I think it is instructive that Paul includes legalism here. Legalism is a dangerous threat to true Christianity at all times.

"If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (4:6-12, ESV)

There is a lot of good stuff here. Have you ever heard a preacher whose whole sermon seemed to be one funny story after another? I think that is a lot of what Paul is aiming at here, with his remark about "silly myths." It is an easy trap to fall into: to let your teaching be dominated by irreverent stuff that is irrelevant to the gospel. 

The line "the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe" is the way Paul describes that the offer of salvation is made to all men, but is only applied to those who believe.

The last verse is part of Paul's instruction to encourage young Timothy. Timothy apparently had a lot of problems, and Paul is telling him here not to let other people get him down, but to move forward as a leader. Now most people probably did not look down on Timothy, but from this verse I think it is clear that Timothy felt intimidated because of his youth. In our time, verses like this teach us that we need to involve young people in the regular ministry of the church whenever we can, and not just keep them busy playing games in the youth department. How many 20-somethings leave our churches because we had programs for them when they were kids and teenagers, but now they are stuck without a program? I'm not against programs or against people having fun, but everyone needs to learn that the church is about service to the Lord and fellow believers, not about having fun or social networking. And the younger people learn that, the more good they will be to the church.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 3

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 17, 2007

Most of this chapter deals with the qualifications for a pastor (bishop) and a deacon. Any study of this chapter should note that Paul dealt with the role of women at the end of the previous chapter. This chapter is an expansion of that discussion and a more specific application of those principles.

"The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil." (3:1-7)

This overseer is one of or possibly the primary leader of the local assembly. He is obviously male ("husband of one wife"). A lot of modern teachers say that Paul's teaching here is just reflecting the times, and that since our society's attitudes about the role of women is different, then it is OK for women to lead a church. But remember Paul's primary argument at the end of Chapter 2 was that Adam was created first. That fact has not been changed by our society.

Paul has a lot to say in this passage about a pastor being well-respected in the community. This is a point that too many pastors and churches overlook. A couple of years ago I was working late at the paper office in Piedmont, and a prominent pastor and business man came in to talk to my boss. After he was through talking, I came in his office and my boss said, "It's a shame to say this about a pastor, but I can't sell him any advertising. He doesn't pay his bills." What a terrible testimony.

"Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." (3:8-13, ESV)

As you have probably read or heard me state before, I think many modern churches have totally missed the original purpose of a deacon. Yes, the root word for "deacon" is "servant" They are to serve the church and serve the pastor. But I think if you look at Stephen and Philip and the other original deacons, they did more than just sit around the church. They were active spiritual leaders. I think (and this is just my opinion) that the original intent of a deacon is more like we think of as an assistant pastor. This person takes part of the pastor's load but is also responsible for the spiritual well-being of the church. A lot of churches I have seen, the deacon board kind of acts as a board of directors. There is no one model of church government dictated by the New Testament, but most of the churches I know that have the "board of directors" model claim to be following the Bible literally and denounce others who have different views, so they set themselves up as easy targets.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 16, 2007

This is a short chapter but it is chock full of stuff, much of it controversial.

"This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (2:3-6)

This passage can get tricky if we are not careful. Yes, God does want "all people to be saved," and Christ did give "himself a ransom for all." But if we only look at verses like this, we can come up with doctrines like universalism and purgatory: the idea that one day God will accept everyone into heaven, maybe after some temporary punishment. Don't believe it. There is so much scripture that tells us that not everyone will be saved. God's judgment is real and it will be eternal. That is a fact. 

Obviously this scripture also runs counter to the hyper-Calvinist position that God wills people into eternal punishment. This is not the case either. God does not want anyone to die without salvation, but He also will not accept anyone who does not come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Verse 5 is a critical verse of scripture. Lots of people, even Christians who want to sound enlightened, say that God can be found in any religion, and that anyone who sincerely follows their religion will go to heaven. Don't believe it. This passage makes it perfectly clear that there is only one mediator between God and men: Jesus Christ.

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control." (2:8-15, ESV)

See, I told you this was controversial. The reference to women's clothing, in context, probably refers to clothing worn at church. It is to be characterized by modesty and sobriety. In other words, it is not to draw attention to oneself. This is Paul's definition of modesty, not necessarily length or some other arbitrary standard, although of course clothing which shows off the body certainly draws attention, which is more of what Paul has in mind here. I have seen situations in churches where it seems the ladies are in competition to see who can outdress each other. That is the opposite of what Paul is talking about.

Next Paul talks about the role of women in the church. First of all, it should be noted that Paul says they are to learn. The ideal woman in Roman times rarely if ever left the house. She was not taught to read. Her whole life was to be wrapped up in domesticity. So Paul is actually involving women in the church more than was normal in Roman society. Secondly, Paul is talking about the office of teacher here, not the act of teaching. If a woman has something important to say, she should be allowed to say it. But she is not to be made a regular teacher over the whole church. It should also be noted this passage refers specifically to the church, and has nothing to do with the role of women elsewhere in society. 

Paul takes note of the creation order as justification for this. Notice that Paul mentions the creation order first and then the fall. A lot of men notice the fall first, and try to say that men are somehow superior to women. That is not Paul's point. The point is that Eve was created to be a complement to Adam, not the other way around. The fall demonstrates Paul's point, and he does note it as such, but should not be taken as the primary reason.

The word "saved" in the last verse clearly has nothing to do with spiritual salvation. Instead, this verse gives us a beautiful word picture. Yes, a woman was the first to lead the human race into sin. But an individual woman can remove that stigma in her life by rearing godly children. Traditionally women have more contact with children, and they have a great influence. They need to use this influence the right way.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 1

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 15, 2007

Timothy, of course, was Paul's protege. He was very special to Paul, despite the fact that Timothy had a lot of issues. He had issues with confidence, with self-esteem, and he apparently had health problems as well. The main purpose of this letter is to encourage Timothy for the work that he is doing.

"As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith." (1:3-4)

Paul mentions a lot in this epistle about foolish questions. Apparently Timothy was often sidetracked by trying to fully answer every question brought to him, and Paul tells him not to worry about questions that have nothing to do with genuine doctrine or real life.

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted." (1:5-11)

First of all in this passage, notice that Paul says that many people are abusing the position of teacher in the church. This is something the leadership of the church has to take very seriously, more seriously than I have seen in many churches. Most churches, of course, don't have enough people interested in teaching, so any time somebody volunteers, they are usually allowed to just pick their position. But Paul says some people, apparently in the church at Ephesus where Timothy was ministering in at the time, were teaching without complete understanding of sound doctrine.

Secondly notice what Paul says about the law, namely the Law of Moses. It seems here that Paul is saying that the law's purpose is to condemn lost sinners, and not to bully believers, although others say that Paul's point is that those who are self-righteous cannot come to God for salvation. I would say that both of these statements are true, but the former statement fits the context better. We as believers are not subject to the Law. Paul is saying that teachers who try to put believers under the Law are treating their people like pagans.

"I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1:12-15)

Paul never got over the fact that the Lord redeemed him from what he was and made him an apostle.

"This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1:18-20, ESV)

This is a very interesting passage. I'm not really sure what it means to deliver someone to Satan. It could be simply church discipline, or it could be something that only an apostle could do.

TOMS: 2 Thessalonians 3

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 13, 2007

Paul begins this chapter with a word of encouragement, and then gives them a warning about laziness: 
"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living." (3:6-12)

As is common for Paul, he starts his admonishment by telling them to live like they saw him live. This is a powerful statement in and of itself, and tells us a lot about Paul. The fact that he could confidently say that his people should live like he lived is proof that Paul was more than an evangelist who swoops in and no one sees him during the day, besides maybe the pastor, and then swoops out after a few days. Paul lived among these people, in some cases for years.

Laziness is an easy temptation for most people; I know it is for me. Our flesh tells us that it is fine if we don't do anything, that someone else will take care of things. This is not God's plan. God wants us to earn our keep. More than that, he wants us to be faithful to Him. The old saying that "idle hands are the devil's workshop" applies here, in fact Paul almost says as much. When we aren't doing constructive things, we look for things to do, and those things we find to do usually aren't good things. Paul talks specifically about people who sit at home and gossip and worry about what everyone else is doing instead of minding their own business. The problem is, in most cases, they don't have any business of their own to mind. If we are busy taking care of our own affairs, we won't have the time to worry about others'.

"As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." (3:13-15, ESV)

Paul has a lot to say about fellowship. In many of his epistles he includes a similar warning to this one: that we are not to eat or have fellowship with someone in the church who is living in sin. Most of us spend absolutely zero time in church talking about spiritual things. We may teach a Sunday School class or we may do all sorts of things when we are supposed to, but when was the last time you had a spontaneous conversation at church with a fellow believer about a spiritual topic? 99 percent of the conversations you hear at church are the same conversations you would hear at a barber shop, in the break room at work, or anywhere else in the world.

This is mostly what Paul is aiming at here. We are to confront someone who is in sin, and, if necessary, do it publicly. It is easy to be silent and talk about someone's sin behind their back and yet act like they are still beloved members of the assembly when they are around. But this is not what Paul wants us to do here. Instead we are to personally address the issue, offer to help, and continue to pray for the person.

TOMS: 2 Thessalonians 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 12, 2007

Paul gets down to business quickly here, explaining what will happen leading up to the Rapture: 
"Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (2:1-4)

Paul mentions in this passage that the Thessalonians received a false letter from Paul saying the end had already come. Paul says specifically that there will be a "rebellion" first. Now there are several explanations for what the "rebellion" means. Some view it as a political rebellion, but I agree with most that it is a reference to a spiritual rebellion. There is always a spirit of apostasy in the last days, but this will be the great apostasy. Whether we are seeing the beginning of it now or not, I really don't know. I do know that there are things that were never seriously debated in church history that are debated now, such as homosexual marriage. The fact that church leaders cannot understand the clear condemnation of the sin of homosexual acts in the Bible is certainly a sign of something.

Now this scripture seems to indicate that the church will know who the man of sin, or the Antichrist, is before the Rapture. I don't think this necessarily indicates a "mid-trib" Rapture, but it does seem more reasonable based on this passage.

"And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. " (2:6-10)

The wording is a little bit confusing, but if you sit down and analyze it, it becomes clear that the Holy Spirit is restraining evil now during the church age. Who knows how bad things would be today were it not for the work of the Holy Spirit? 

"Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2:11-15, ESV)

The worst punishment God can inflict upon this earth is to allow people to follow their own way to destruction. Mankind is predisposed to evil anyway, and if God does not intervene, he will always find himself in a cesspool of his own making. Not everybody stoops to the absolute lowest level, whatever that is, but mankind always becomes worse and worse. This is what it means when it says God will send them "a strong delusion." God does not have to do anything special for man to deceive himself. It comes naturally. It is just that God will choose not to intervene for most people. Now we know that there will be many thousands of people who are saved during the time of the Antichrist, but as a general rule God will not be working to counteract the work of Satan through the Antichrist, and so mankind will suffer like in no other time in history.

TOMS: 2 Thessalonians 1

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 11, 2007

This second letter to the Thessalonians seems more urgent than the first letter. Apparently someone had written a letter to the church saying that they had missed the Rapture, and that judgment was coming. Paul wanted to make sure these folks were reassured that this was not the case. He gives them a lot of insight into what will actually happen during the Tribulation.

This particular chapter is once again mostly greeting: 

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." (1:3-10, ESV)

Notice that Paul mentions the judgment of God as a comfort and reassurance for those who were suffering. We are usually afraid of the judgment, or if we are not afraid for ourselves we are afraid for others. This is not a bad way to approach it, but Paul notes that the judgment is coming for those who persecute them. God certainly views judgment differently than we do. We tend to view the bad aspects of judgment, but God looks at it as a good thing. God looks at the judgment as the ultimate righting of all the wrongs. We are dreading it, but God is looking forward to it.