tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48285114908158302552024-03-05T08:31:37.194-08:00Tamin DerekGod—His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
2 Sam 22:31BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-60597943930460752023-06-12T15:20:00.002-07:002023-06-12T15:20:27.022-07:00Being Helpful Toward Others<p><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It has
been a while since I have written a post. I was leading a Bible study yesterday
and it was a good lesson on how to be an encouragement while offering
constructive criticism. At times we can fall into a critique that points more
toward division rather than toward positive change. This can make or break
relationships. Honestly, I have had positive and negative examples of this. And
if I am honest, I have been a positive as well as a negative example of this.
So, let’s dig in.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Advice from a father-in-law?</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">There can
be danger in giving and receiving advice from in-laws. Let me just start off by
saying I have the most wonderful in laws ever. You might think you have the
best, but you don’t. I am the lucky one that got the best. Early on in my
relationship with my wife Amy (because of my immaturity), I felt threatened by
them. This type of situation can be an opportunity for conflict and division.
We see though in the context of Moses’ relationship with Jethro (his
father-in-law) a beautiful example of how a father-in-law can speak,
transforming truth into his son-in-law’s life. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">We see in
this interaction an example that we can follow and attempt to have positive and
transforming relationships with not just our in-laws, but with others as well.
There is an outline of sorts that can be drawn from the text. The passage we
are looking at is </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">. We see that Moses had sent his family
(wife and two children) to stay with his father-in-law, and now Jethro was
bring them back to Moses (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.1-6"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:1-6</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). At the beginning of this reunion Moses is telling Jethro
all that God had been doing in his and the people of Israel’s life (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.7-8"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:7-8</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). Jethro then expressing praise and appreciation about what
God has been doing, and he held a celebration of this blessing of God and
reunion (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.9-12"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:9-12</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). The next day Moses is busy with his
duties as the leader of the people of Israel (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.13"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:13</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). Jethro was observing how Moses was conducting his duties
(</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.14"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:14</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). At this point Jethro became
concerned about how Moses was doing his work. He sought to understand what
exactly Moses was trying to do and why he was going about it that way. Moses
described what his duties were (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.15-16"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:15-16</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). At this point Jethro expresses his concern (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.17"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:17</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">), and validates how difficult the task that Moses is facing
(</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.18"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:18</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). Jethro then proceeded to offer his
recommendation of how Moses could more effectively conduct his duties (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.19-23"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:19-23</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). Moses wisely heard and implemented the recommendations
that his father-in-law made (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.24-26"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:24-26</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). Now that we have an overview of this whole event let’s
dig in and see what we can learn that might apply to our own relationships. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Building an environment of praise and thankfulness</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">We see at
the beginning that Jethro was interested in what Moses had been doing. This is
no small matter. In relationships (if you hope to be a positive influence) you
must be genuinely interested in what is going on in his or her life. This takes
time. Notice also that it was more than a simple catching up on what had
happened, but it was a celebration of what God had been doing in Moses’ life.
We often as Christians miss the opportunity to praise and celebrate God’s work
in people’s life. We talk about the trivial and the mundane all the while
neglecting the deeper spiritual nature of life. Also notice that the focus was
not on the unpleasant hardships that had been faced. Both Moses and Jethro
focused on the positive things that had occurred. This is so important. We can
build a culture of grumbling. In </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Php2.14-16"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Philippians 2:14-16</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"> we read:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"></span></b></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Philippians 2:14–16<span style="color: #a0a0a0;"> CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Do everything without grumbling and arguing, <br />
<br />
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a
crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world,
<br />
<br />
by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that
I didn’t run or labor for nothing.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">In this
passage we learn that we are to do everything without grumbling or arguing. One
way we can do this is to focus on praiseworthy things. It is interesting as
well that this lack of grumbling and arguing is to be faultless in a crooked
and perverted generation. When the world around us has descended into a
quagmire of grumbling and arguing we as believers have an opportunity to create
a community that shines like stars in the dark world. That is exactly what
Moses and Jethro were doing here. Moses could have easily fallen into
grumbling. In fact, just a couple of chapters earlier grumbling risked tearing
this newly established nation apart (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex16.2ff"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 16:2ff</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"></span></b></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">1 Thessalonians 5:15–18<span style="color: #a0a0a0;"> CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but
always pursue what is good for one another and for all. <br />
<br />
Rejoice always, <br />
<br />
pray constantly, <br />
<br />
give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Notice
here that giving thanks in everything is God’s will for those of us who are in
Christ. Also notice that we are to pursue what is good for one another and for
all! This can be demanding work. It is much easier to selfishly seek good for
ourselves or for our own group. But the command to seek good for all is
unmistakable. Well, that is the environment that Moses and Jethro were creating
in their relationship with each other. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Paying attention to and learning what is going on</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">The next
thing we can observe from this interaction between Jethro and Moses is that
Jethro was paying attention to the circumstances of Moses’ life (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.14"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:14</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). To be a positive influence on others you must be alert
and engaged. As a counselor I have learned the power of attentive listening.
Unfortunately, in my life I have also learned the damage from inattentiveness
in relationships. The problems that inattentiveness can be very hurtful and at
times devastating to the relationship. In this case to be engaged is to care
for the soul of another. This is no small privilege and this is among the
greatest of responsibilities. But Jethro’s example goes even a step further. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">No doubt
Jethro had already formed an opinion about the foolishness of Moses trying to
take on the questions and problems of hundreds of thousands of people all by
himself. He could have led with, “Moses you are being foolish.” but instead he
chose to ask Moses what he was attempting to accomplish. Being a positive
influence is more than just offering your opinion. It deepens your
understanding of the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the other person. It is
understanding what makes them tick. What motivates them and why do they do the
things that they do? People may be foolish, ineffective, or hurtful in the
things they do, but there is always an underlying reason for what they do.
Jethro looked beyond the absurdity of the situation to attempt to understand
Moses’ heart. We would do well to practice the same in our relationships. This
invitation to Moses to share what he was doing reveals that his task was God
ordained. Jethro does not take away from this high calling. He is about to
share with his son-in-law how he might more effectively accomplish the calling
that God has on his life. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">A disposition for giving and receiving advice<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"></span></b></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Proverbs 25:11–12<span style="color: #a0a0a0;"> CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in
silver settings. <br />
<br />
A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of
gold.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">It turns
out (not surprisingly) that how you give and receive advice is as (if not more)
important as the quality of advice that you are giving. That is in part what we
are trying to describe here. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Jethro is
gently and humbly approaching Moses with his concerns. So often we are eager to
give our opinions to others. And yet the Bible clearly speaks against this type
of disposition as seen in </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Pr18.2"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Proverbs 18:2</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"> “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants
to show off his opinions.” Our disposition ought to be to be wise in the timing
and manner of our speech. This requires humility and compassion. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">It is also
important that the person receiving advice has a humble disposition. </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Pr19.20"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Proverbs 19:20</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"> “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may
be wise later in life.” </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Pr13.10"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Proverbs 13:10</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"> “Arrogance leads to nothing but strife, but wisdom is
gained by those who take advice.” Having a heart to hear those around you makes
you wise. So often we fall into a response that is defensive. Moses could have
said to his father-in-law “God chose me to give advice and instruction to the
people. Who are you to now instruct me?” Moses spoke to God face to face. And
yet with great humility he listened to what Jethro had to say (</span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ex18.24"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Exodus 18:24</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Pride and
arrogance are antithetical to wisdom. </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Pr11.2"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Proverbs 11:2</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"> “When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility
comes wisdom.” So then in both giving and receiving advice humility is a sweet
taste to bitter medicine. We do well to remember this very important
disposition. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Validation before advice</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">At the
heart of Jethro’s correction of Moses was a care and concern for his wellbeing.
This is expressed through his validation that “you will wear yourself out” and
“you cannot do this alone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt
Moses would have been exhausted after a non-stop sunup to sundown counseling
session with the people of Israel. Jethro validates this for Moses. He speaks
understanding and empathy here. When we can express care and understanding
toward others, we place ourselves in the best possible place to give advice. On
the other hand, when we fail to validate or worse say things that are
dismissive then we could have the most wonderful advice in the world, but it is
very unlikely to be received. Validation opens the heart to hear. Validation is
an expression of deep understanding and awareness of the other person’s
thoughts, feelings, and actions. Now notice Jethro did not have to see Moses’
actions as being good, in fact he says, “what you are doing is not good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Validation is not agreement. Validation is
compassionate understanding (See </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Col3.12-15"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Colossians 3:12-15</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Giving advice</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Wisdom
comes from God! This advice from Jethro was wise. At times wisdom is more than
understanding theological truths. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not dismissing
the importance of these. Jethro was not challenging the important work or
message that Moses was bringing to the people. What he was concerned about was
the effectiveness of his ministry and more importantly how that would impact
Moses and the people of Israel. I am thankful for those that can investigate a
situation, offer a fresh perspective, and further present workable ideas for
improvement. We should always be open to hear wisdom even when it comes from
our in-laws. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">So, in
summary, then giving good advice starts with a humble and compassionate
disposition as the giver and receiver of that advice. It is best to have a
culture of thankfulness and praise. Advice in a grumbling culture is not often
well received. Giving advice requires a front-end investment in paying
attention and learning about the other person. It is rooted in a deep care and
concern for the other person and not an opportunity to pridefully share your
opinion. Finally, validation of the other person’s thoughts, feelings, and
situation should always precede advice. Being dismissive and invalidating leads
to conflict and division. The challenge to us is to “speak the truth in love”
and in doing so we will become mature demonstrating that Jesus Christ is our
Lord (see </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Eph4.15"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Ephesians 4:15</span></a><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">). Let us rise to the challenge to
offer and receive wisdom from one another. God Bless You!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">~BJ </span><o:p></o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-49965157759332515292022-04-11T15:47:00.002-07:002022-04-11T15:47:34.489-07:00Let Your Light Shine (Good Works)<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Matthew 5:14–16 CSB<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a
hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but
rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the
same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good
works and give glory to your Father in heaven.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The church is to be a light to the world. We are not to hide
from speaking the truth. However, in this metaphor Jesus is not talking about
preaching or teaching specifically. He is talking about action. And while
preaching and teaching are good works for the edification of other believers,
preaching and teaching do not necessarily shine a light to the world (unless an
unbeliever happens to show up in church). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice the phrase “so they may see your good works.” We have
this task while on this earth. Jesus has given each and every follower
responsibility to live in such a way that good works abound and that they
abound for the public to see. In order to be seen then the work here must be
some tangible manifestation of goodness. What is “Good?” When we do something
that is honorable, beautiful, kind, generous, friendly, pleasant, excellent,
and the like then we are doing something good. It is this goodness that honors
God and leads others to give glory to our Father in heaven. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just to be clear these good works are not “works of the
law.” Works of the law is man’s attempt to earn favor with God. It reduces the
relationship with God to a mere transaction in which we do certain things and
God returns the favor. These works of the law are completely inadequate to
living a transformed life (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you do not have a relationship
with God then you need to receive the good news message of Christ. Works of the
law will not rescue you from mistakes, problems, and missing the mark. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have a personal relationship with Christ then good
works are evidence that you are walking with Jesus and that you are His
follower (Ephesians 2:10). These good works are commanded over and again
throughout the Bible. Christians are to be known for their goodness. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is sad to me that we often come up short in showing
goodness to those around us. Often times we miss the mark due to poor attention
to those around us. We also are so interested in our own agenda that we look at
others in our lives as objects and not real people. This self-absorbed approach
to life leads to a lack of goodness in our lives. We fail to demonstrate
goodness toward others. In many ways the church has put it’s light under a
basket. The light of good works is so infrequently celebrated that one begins
to wonder whether the church is about the Lord’s work.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not all is hopeless; I am thankful that there are
individuals that are shining a light. They inspire me with kindness,
generosity, encouragement, friendliness, and love. I think it is important to
celebrate Christians that are shining the light of good works. This is not to
glorify them, but rather to say what great glorious work God is doing in and
through the lives of His followers. Faithful workers also point the way to
restored hope of being the lampstand that God has called His churches to be
(Revelation 2:5). May God restore our conviction to be a light; May we be
diligent in good works; may God be glorified. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-49363644141045433532022-03-09T11:38:00.004-08:002022-03-09T11:38:24.455-08:00Love (Rescue from the Curse)<p> I have been posting on love these many months. I have one
more post on this topic and will be moving on to other topics. I will, God
willing, revisit this subject that has been near to my heart. This post is not
directly about love, but rather the removal of the curse as an act of love by
God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">There will no longer be any curse. <br />
Revelation 22:3a<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are times when the full weight of guilt rests upon our
conscience. The guilt and shame overcome and drag us down to the depths of despair.
This tangle of condemnation rests upon everyone. You see there is not a one of
us that can escape the reality that we all miss the mark in life (that is sin).
Missing the mark is no small thing either. Sure, we can think about minor sins
and say that was not a big deal. However, how can we gage how large a sin must
be before it is considered bad. Is the badness related to the nature of the sin
itself? What if the sin is frequent does that make it worse? Does remorse change
the nature of guilt? All of these and more are interesting questions. James an
early follower of Christ answered these questions this way: “For whoever keeps
the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.
(Jas 2:10)” That seems harsh to the modern ear. Paul another follower of Christ
said it this way: “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,
because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book
of the law is cursed. (Ga 3:10).” The point is this if you are depending on
being a good enough person to please God you have already come up short. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Loving God and loving others well is a response to having
the curse removed from your life. The curse is that we can never be good enough
on our own. No amount of good works can make you a good person. However, when
the curse is removed, we can reach the full potential of what God has created
us to be. In many ways this returns us to the occasion that Jesus said to love
God and love others. The question was how to inherit eternal life. To which
Jesus replied to Love God (with all heart, soul, and strength) and to love your
neighbor as yourself. A follow up question was “Who is my neighbor?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus used a parable to explain that our neighbor
is another human being in need that we care for regardless of what group they
identify with. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We come up short though. So, are we hopelessly under the
curse? Yes and no.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I have already mentioned we cannot be good enough to remove
the guilt and shame of our sin. We remain under the curse of this sin and our virtuous
deeds do not rescue. It is a hopeless and impossible state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">When the disciples heard this, they were utterly
astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?” <br />
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all
things are possible.” <br />
(Mt 19:25–26)<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">With man it is impossible to be saved from the curse. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“No”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our hope is in God’s promise. It is possible to escape the
curse when we come to and trust in God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and
only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal
life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to
save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but
anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed
in the name of the one and only Son of God. <br />
(Jn 3:16–18)<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Simply stated it is God’s love for us that provides the
escape from the curse. The progression is quite simple. God loves us. He gives
us a way to escape the curse. His Son Jesus provided the way. If we believe in Jesus,
we receive the escape of the curse. Dear friends that is God’s love!<o:p></o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-17237208131875906562022-02-14T08:53:00.000-08:002022-02-14T08:53:02.539-08:00Love Sustaining Love<p>Watch Sermon Here: https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/rbcchurch/sermons/213222013388097/</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few weeks back someone asked me, “How love could be both
the root and the fruit of the Christian life?” It is a very good question. Today
I hope to describe how love and be the root, growth, and fruit of the Christian
life. To illustrate this, I am going to use the analogy of an apple tree. I am
holding in my hand here an apple seed. And in my other hand an apple. Now we
can understand how this can become this over time. This analogy is useful in
understanding love of God and how it can be the seed, root, growth, and fruit
of our lives. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another way to examine love is to look at it grammatically.
“Love loves love!” is a complete sentence. Love is the subject, action, and
object. In this way we can look at love as being a complete package. It is the
fullness of love that is lived out in the Christian life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I mentioned in last week’s sermon God is the source and
author of love. God is love. In this way when we come to Christ God plants the
seed of love in our heart and lives that is His Holy Spirit. When we allow this
love to mature in our lives it is the action of this love to produce
sanctification in our lives. By loving God and others well the seed of love
grows into maturity. In the flesh we simply love those who love us. Jesus says
“What good is it to only love those who love you. Even sinners do the same.” So,
then the higher mature love is to let God through His process of sanctification
work in your heart to put to death selfish and unloving ways. As we mature then
God uses our lives to produce mature fruit. This fruit of love is then a
witness to a lost world, but also a ministry to the brothers and sisters in
Christ. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this way love can be both the source and the fruit. And
this should not come as a surprise to us. The Bible frequently describes how we
reap what we sow. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Gal%206.7%E2%80%939" target="_blank">Galatians
6:7–9 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a
person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap
destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap
eternal life from the Spirit. Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will
reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why should we expect anything different when it comes to the
greatest spiritual virtue of love? <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/2%20Cor%209.6" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 9:6 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap
generously.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s dig into God’s Word!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/John%2015.1%E2%80%9317" target="_blank">John
15:1–17 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every
branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already
clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you.
Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the
vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the
branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because
you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown
aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire,
and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you
produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, I
have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain
in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. “I
have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be
complete. “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has
greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my
friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore,
because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you
friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my
Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and
produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the
Father in my name, he will give you. “This is what I command you: Love one
another.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have already talked about the second part of that passages
in the past two sermons. Jesus has laid down His life for our sins. He is
talking about those that place their faith in Him the ones that listen and obey
Him. Jesus is calling them friends. This is what happens when we turn from
living a sinful and selfish life to trusting in Christ as our Lord and Savior.
What a friend we have in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This command to love is connected then to the sacrifice that
Jesus has made. Jesus also is a commanding us to “love one another.” This
command to love one another is connected then to the first part of this passage
with an important phrase. Jesus says in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.9" target="_blank">John 15:9</a>
““As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.” The
phrase “remain in my love” establishes a clear connection between the visual of
vine and branches and His teaching on loving obedience to God and sacrificial
love toward others. Taking it a step further I believe that the description the
follows the metaphorical language is one of Jesus’ explanations to his
disciples (See <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2013.10-17" target="_blank">Matthew 13:10-17</a>). We know that Jesus would use the
metaphorical language of parables and then pull His disciples aside to explain
what the parables meant. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>The Source of Love<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ultimately Jesus is our source of Life and Love. In this
passage Jesus refers to himself as the vine and refers to us as branches. God
the Father is the gardener. We see then that it is our connection to and
abiding in Christ that gives us life and fruitfulness. We often look at our
salvation experience through the lens of getting a ticket to heaven. However,
if we take the metaphoric language seriously there is a life sustaining
connection to Christ that is needed. It also says that those that are not
fruitful are cut off and thrown into the fire. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The question might be what causes a branch to be unfruitful?
There is a verse I want to zero in on here. <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.6" target="_blank">John 15:6</a>
“If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he
withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I recall when we used to have rose bushes that I would cut
back once a year. In the spring as the bush would grow there were on occasion
branches on the bush that although they were connected to the base of the rose
bush physically, they were not connected in a life-giving way. This is referred
to as die back. It is important to cut out the die back when it is detected as whatever
is causing it can infect the health tissue in the rose bush and cause it to
die. I bring this up because Jesus seems to be saying that there is a
difference between being physically connected to the vine and abiding in the
vine. When we are merely physically connected, we do not produce fruit because
we are dead. In the same way a dead rose branch will never produce a rose and
needs to be cut off if we are not connected to abiding in Christ then we will
likewise be cut off. That is dead in a spiritual sense. This has eternal
consequences. This passage also says that these branches will be burned up.
This is a clear representation of eternal punishment in hell in my opinion. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.16" target="_blank">John 3:16</a> “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his
one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have
eternal life.” This is a familiar verse to most church goers. It also can be
familiar to the world at large. Less familiar is <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.18" target="_blank">John 3:18</a>
“Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe
is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and
only Son of God.” It is this condemnation that leads to branches being burned
up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice the connection to love though. In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.16" target="_blank">John 3:16</a>
we read “For God so loved the world.” In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.9" target="_blank">John 15:9</a>
we read “remain in my love.” The Gospel is an expression of God’s love for us.
We experience and are connected to God’s love when we believe in Jesus Christ
as our savior. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus is the source of our love. It is his love that flows
into our lives and enables us to bear the fruit of love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Using the picture then this apple seed is symbolic of the
gospel of God’s love. If this gospel it received and planted then it grows up.
Love, more specifically God’s love is that seed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>The Growth of Love<o:p></o:p></h3>
<h4>Pruning<o:p></o:p></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal">It would seem that there is more to this than simply
believing in Christ. In this metaphorical language Jesus also says that God the
Father is pruning those that remain in Christ. There is not only salvation, but
also a process of sanctification that is occurring as God removes those parts
of you that are getting the way of being fruitful. As followers of Christ then
we must be willing to respond to God to remove those barriers. Jesus not only
describes the action of being cleaned, but also the method of being cleaned.
Notice <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.3" target="_blank">John
15:3</a> “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is the Word that God uses to do His pruning. Our Heavenly
Father is the Gardener and His Word is the pruning shears. God’s word is often
represented as an instrument that cuts. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Heb%204.12" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:12 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">For the word of God is living and effective and sharper
than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and
spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of
the heart.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are so many things that get in the way of the fruit of
love. None greater in my estimation than the thoughts and intentions of the
heart. Truly as I think about the times that I have failed to love well it is
nearly always one of these two. On the one hand the way that I think about the
other person has a huge influence on how I treat them. It is also possible that
when it comes down to it, I really never intended to love them in the first
place. My thoughts about the other person simply become a way to soothe my
conscience for acting in an unloving manner toward them. I can justify being
unloving because they deserve it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One more point before moving on. I realize that we can push
metaphors too far so as to lose their meaning, but if you will indulge me just
a bit. Pruning shears are no good to us if they simply sit in the shed
collecting dust. It is only when we take them out and use them to prune that
the purpose of the shears is fulfilled. Can I just say an unopened Bible is
like pruning shears stored away in a shed. As we talked about last week it is
only by being in the Word of God that we can know what it is that we are to
obey. This week I would extend that to say that it is only by studying the Word
of God that God can actively remove those things that God wants out of our
lives. If you wonder why God is not producing fruit in our life individually or
in the collective lives of our church is it possible that we do not spend
nearly enough time in His Word if we spend any time at all?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So back to my analogy then. The seed of the gospel grows up
into a tree. This apple tree is cared for by God. He loves and cleans the
believer so that they will be fruitful. At times this cleaning is unpleasant. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Heb%2012.11" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:11 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who
have been trained by it.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">We often consider suffering and discipline as being the
opposite of love. But it is not so God genuinely cares for you and longs for
good in your life. Submitting to His discipline is for our ultimate well-being.
Apathy that is a lack of care or concern is the opposite of love. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Prov%203.11%E2%80%9312" target="_blank">Proverbs
3:11–12 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do
not loathe his discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a
father disciplines the son in whom he delights.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">So then love is the growth of the apple tree toward
maturity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>The Fruit of Love<o:p></o:p></h3>
<h4>Keep my commands / Love one another<o:p></o:p></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know we discussed this last week. One of the key ways that
we express love toward God is through obedience to His commands. Jesus tells us
that keeping His commands is the way that we remain in His love. This truth can
generally apply to all the commands of God. In the New Testament there are over
300 commands of Christ. Admittedly not all the commands apply to us. Some apply
to the disciples alive at the time of Christ. Jesus in this passage focuses on
one command in particular. In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.9" target="_blank">John 15:9</a> “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved
you. Remain in my love.” He then redirects the command to focus on others in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.12" target="_blank">John 15:12</a>
“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.” He repeats the
command again saying <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.17" target="_blank">John 15:17</a> “This is what I command you: Love one another.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The command to “Love one another” placed so closely to the
Vine metaphor and the keep my commands statement would make this particular
command of primary importance. The fact that Jesus says it twice would make
this an especially important emphasis of His teaching to “remain in his love.”
It seems that to remain in Christ’s love that we are obliged to love one
another. This is consistent with other passages in scripture as well. I have
covered many of these “love one another” commandments in my previous two
sermons. Just to highlight a couple of them:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20Pet%204.8" target="_blank">1 Peter 4:8 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since
love covers a multitude of sins.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20John%204.11" target="_blank">1 John 4:11 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must
love one another.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%2012.10" target="_blank">Romans 12:10 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take
the lead in honoring one another.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truthfully, I could go on and on with the multitude of
verses that command us to love one another that are in God’s Word. The command
to love is an unambiguous teaching of God’s word. If we are to remain in Christ
then Love ought to be central theme of our relationships. Further Love that is
our ability to love one another is the central evidence that God’s love is in
us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The primary purpose of abiding, pruning, obeying, and loving
is found in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.8" target="_blank">John
15:8</a> “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove
to be my disciples.” The aim is to glorify God through being fruitful and
proving to be Jesus disciples. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Galatians and Ephesians, we find a good summary of what
this fruit is to look like. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Gal%205.22%E2%80%9323" target="_blank">Galatians
5:22–23 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The
law is not against such things.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%205.8%E2%80%9310" target="_blank">Ephesians
5:8–10</a> (CSB)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Walk as children of light—for the fruit of the light
consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth—testing what is pleasing to
the Lord.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love is a sort of shorthand for all these things. Notice
that the in the Fruit of the Spirit that Love is the first thing that is
mentioned. It is not a stretch to suggest that Love is the premier fruit.
Notice also that the Fruit of Light which is goodness, righteousness, and truth
is consistent with Loving God which is to say obeying His truth. Fruitfulness
in the Christian life necessarily involves love both loving God and loving
others. That is why Jesus said:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2022.37%E2%80%9340" target="_blank">Matthew
22:37–40</a> (CSB)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important
command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and
the Prophets depend on these two commands.”<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love also is how we prove that we are Jesus’ disciples as
well:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/John%2013.34%E2%80%9335" target="_blank">John
13:34–35 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I
have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the people outside the church look in, they don’t say,
“Oh those people sure are smart!” Nor do they say, “Those Christians they are
so righteous.” No Jesus says it plainly, “Everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another.” Love is our witness to a dark world. Love
is our witness when everything around us is violence. Love is our witness when
contempt is the way of the times. Love is our witness while the world is
tearing itself apart. Love, it is love that is our witness. It is love that
shows others that we are abiding in Christ. In short if you want to Glorify God
then you must love Him and love one another.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This apple is the fruit of the seed and the tree of the
apple. In this same way Love in particular the love of Christ is the seed of
love in our lives. As we abide in Christ the love and life-giving sap allows us
to grow up and mature like an apple tree. God prunes us with His word. Finally,
this same love become the fruit that glorifies our Heavenly Father. Love
sustains love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>Love Sustains Love<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we draw to a close this series of messages on love, I
want to challenge you all to consider a few things. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First are you in Christ? This message only makes sense if
you are in Christ. If not then I want to encourage you to seek to be in Christ.
Truthfully Jesus is seeking for you this morning. If you want to be found in
Christ then in a few minutes we will be having a time of commitment. I would
love to have a chance to share with you about how to abide in Christ. Our staff
would also be available after the service if you want to pull one of us aside
to learn more about this. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Second, if you are in Christ are you in God’s Word? As we
have learned the only way, we can know what is pleasing to God is to study His
message to us found in the Bible. We also learned today That God prunes the
dead things in our lives using the Word found in scripture. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, Are you fruitful in love? This is a burden for me.
Everywhere I look in our times there is contempt, mean spirited words, hate,
and violence. Brothers and Sisters, we must present ourselves different from
the world. We cannot fall into the darkness of the world or follow the ways of
the world. Let our love that is love for God and love for others shine brightly
in a dark dark world. Further let’s not make this love mere lip service. Let’s
not make this love be a simple attitude adjustment. No let’s serve God with all
our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Let’s sacrificially love and build up one
another. Let’s take the greatest love story humanity has ever known to a world
that desperately needs His love. That is the heart our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s
pray!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-51979831363072812602022-02-07T08:18:00.001-08:002022-02-07T08:18:11.596-08:00From Love Commanded to Love Lived OutHere is the link to this sermon: <a href="https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/rbcchurch/sermons/26222242321050/">https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/rbcchurch/sermons/26222242321050/</a><div><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Bible college professor Yohanna Katanacho, who pastors a
small church in Jerusalem, is subjected to much persecution. Israeli soldiers
who patrol the city looking for potential terrorists impose spontaneous curfews
on Palestinians and have the legal right to shoot at a Palestinian who does not
respond quickly enough to their summons.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Yohanna tried and failed in his attempts to love his
enemies. The Israeli soldiers’ random daily checks for Palestinian
identification cards—sometimes stopping them for hours—fed Yohanna’s fear and
anger. As he confessed his inability to God, Yohanna realized something
significant. The radical love of Christ is not an emotion, but a decision. He
decided to show love, however reluctantly, by sharing the gospel message with
the soldiers on the street. With new resolution, Yohanna began to carry copies
of a flyer with him, written in Hebrew and English, with a quotation from
Isaiah 53 and the words “Real Love” printed across the top. Every time a
soldier stopped him, he handed him his ID card and the flyer. Because the quote
came from the Hebrew Scriptures, the soldier usually asked him about it before
letting him go.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">After several months, Yohanna realized his feelings
toward the soldiers had changed. “I was surprised, you know?” he says. “It was
a process, but I didn’t pay attention to that process. My older feelings were
not there anymore. I would pass in the same street, see the same soldiers as
before, but now find myself praying, ‘Lord, let them stop me so that I can
share with them the love of Christ.’ ”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">—“When Love Is Impossible,” Trinity Magazine (Fall 2005)<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This morning I hope I can give you a taste of what it means
to love God and love others. Truthfully, I have been working on this for nearly
a year and half and I still believe I have much more to learn about Love. The
likelihood that I will be able to condense all there is to know about
practically living out love in a 30-minute sermon is nil. If I were to preach
on the what the Bible teaches about love every Sunday it would take nearly 4
years to deal with every passage that the Bible mentions love. There is no way
possible to accomplish that task in a few sermons. So, my hope is to highlight
a few things and then encourage you to do some exploring on your own. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>God’s Faithful Love<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">In God’s word we read that God is love. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20John%204.7%E2%80%9321" target="_blank">1
John 4:7–21 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is
from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one
who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was
revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so
that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but
that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No
one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love
is made complete in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us:
He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father
has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son
of God—God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to
believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in
love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is made complete
with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he
is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; instead, perfect
love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So, the one who fears
is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I
love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person
who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom
he has not seen. And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must
also love his brother and sister.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is love. We look to the life of Christ as the
manifestation of God with us. He is our Emmanuel which means God with us. In
this passage I just read Jesus demonstrates His love by pursuing us and
ultimately sacrificing His life for our salvation. He was willing to give all
for you and for me for our ultimate wellbeing. That we might be able to be
saved from sin and destruction. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Old Testament we learn about “Faithful Love.” The
Hebrew word is hesed (Hay-sayd). This word is most often translated “faithful
love.” It also is translated “Kindness” “Loyalty” “Gracious” “Faithfulness” and
“Constant Love.” When we say God is love it is this love that we are
referencing. God’s love is faithful, God’s love is kindness, God’s love is
gracious, God’s love is constant! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first time this word is used in the Bible it is in a
prayer by a servant of Abraham while seeking a bride for Abraham’s son Isaac. <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2024.12-14" target="_blank">Genesis
24:12-14</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Gen%2024.12%E2%80%9314" target="_blank">Genesis
24:12–14 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“Lord, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “make this
happen for me today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. I am standing here
at the spring where the daughters of the men of the town are coming out to draw
water. Let the girl to whom I say, ‘Please lower your water jug so that I may
drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also’—let her be
the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you
have shown kindness to my master.”<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">As he finishes the prayer Rebekah arrives. She is beautiful
and full of hospitality and grace. She invites the servant of Abraham back to
her father’s house. She was a perfect match for Issacs. So the Servant praises
God saying: <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2024.27" target="_blank">Genesis
24:27</a> “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not
withheld his kindness (hesed) and faithfulness from my master.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>Prayer as it relates to love<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before moving on I want to note something about prayer as it
relates to love. This servant knew something about God’s faithful love. He
prayed that God’s faithful love would be made reality. When it came to pass
then He worshiped and praised God for His faithful love. This seems to me a
good pattern for us to follow. We seek to learn about God’s faithful love, we
pray that God’s faithful love be a reality in our lives, and praise God when
His faithful love is manifest in our lives. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are many other occasions that God’s people praise
God’s faithful love. One such instance is in the song the Israelites sang after
crossing the Red Sea on Dry land. The whole event was evidence of God’s mighty
hand at work. The protection from the Egyptians pursuing them, the parting of
waters, the crossing all of it was God’s hand. They sang a song of praise. One
stanza of this song says<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Exod%2015.13" target="_blank">Exodus 15:13 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">With your faithful love, you will lead the people you
have redeemed; you will guide them to your holy dwelling with your strength.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/LLS$3ALEXSERMSPURG;art=CH27.4;off=94" target="_blank" title="300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon">300
Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon</a> The Love of God Burns in Our
Hearts (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%204.7" target="_blank">1
John 4:7</a>, <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%204.19" target="_blank">19</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Jude%2021" target="_blank">Jude 21</a>)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">You have a magnifying glass and hold it up before the
sun until you focus the rays on a piece of dry wood and set it on fire. Now,
while you see the wood burning to ashes, will you tell me what it is that
burns? Does the heat of the sun burn the wood or does the wood burn? The heat
that you feel while the wood is burning, is it due to the sun or to the wood?
Of course at first the fire is purely and simply the flame of the sun, but
afterwards the wood itself begins to burn; the sun burns the wood and then the
wood itself burns.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Even so the love of God comes into our heart, and then
our heart loves too, and in both cases “love is from God” (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%204.7" target="_blank">1 John 4:7</a>).
No man is a Christian unless he himself loves God with his own heart, but yet
our love to God is nothing more or less than the reflection of God’s love to
us: so that it comes to the same thing.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The point I think is to understand how to love God we must
first learn to understand God’s faithful love for us, seek to have that love
manifest in our lives, and praise Him for his faithful love. The foundation of
our love for God is not something that we find in ourselves ultimately. It is a
manifestation of God’s faithful love flowing through us back to God and toward
others. God’s faithful love in us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>God’s Love Is Faithful<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our affections can ebb and flow. The things I loved as a
young adult seem quite trivial to me now. And the things that seemed trivial
back then have become more important to me now. Love expressed in this way is
not really the type of love we are seeking to understand here. God’s love is
faithful. If we are to represent and manifest God’s love then our love ought to
be faithful as well. What does faithful love look like? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a Christian we know that God highest love is the atoning
work of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? Jesus said before He died on a cross
that <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/John%2015.12%E2%80%9314" target="_blank">John
15:12–14 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved
you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">We also read that: <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20John%203.16" target="_blank">1 John 3:16 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his
life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we look at these words of Christ and John, Christ’s
sacrifice is central to the love we are discussing here today. You see our sin
separates us from the faithful love that God wants to show us. So much so that
left to our own ends we remain separated and unable to obey the command to love
others. So, is Jesus asking us to do something that is impossible then? Well
yes and no. It is impossible to love as God has commanded us without some
supernatural change in our hearts and lives. Jesus is more than an example of
how to love others. He is the very substance of Love that enables us to love
God and Love others. It is the Gospel that is the source of ultimate love that
flows into our lives and redeems our souls so that we can love God and love
others empowered ultimately by God’s Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now if you have obeyed the Gospel then you already know what
I am talking about. However, if you are here this morning and you have never received
the message of salvation for your soul then the rest of this sermon is unlikely
to do you any good. You must settle in your heart today whether you will
surrender your life to Jesus Christ and make him savior and Lord of your life.
Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead is the most supreme
and loving act of all history. He wants you to respond and follow in his loving
sacrifice. That is the obedience Jesus and John are proclaiming here. To Love
God is to respond favorably to this Gospel call. This is the first step of
obedience that grows and matures into the fullness of loving God and loving
others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>Loving God’s Truth<o:p></o:p></h3>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20Cor%2013.6" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:6 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the
truth.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Time and again God’s word connects obedience to loving God.
Last week a shared several verses with you that stated how if we love God, we obey
his commands. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20John%202.5" target="_blank">1 John 2:5 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God
is made complete. This is how we know we are in him:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly obedience to God’s word is our act of love. We are
walking in love when we are faithful to God’s commands. This loyalty to God’s
commands then is an expression of faithful love. It is this love for which we
are striving. Why do we love God? Because God first loved us!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus said it this way:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Matt%2022.37" target="_blank">Matthew 22:37 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">You see this love for God is Loving God with all your heart,
soul, and mind. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How do we know God’s truth?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, if loving God is obeying his commands, then the next
logical question is how do we know God’s commands? Jesus has already answered
that by quoting the verse in the Old Testament. Let’s look at that verse now:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Deut%206.4%E2%80%939" target="_blank">Deuteronomy
6:4–9 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love
the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to
your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk
along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on
your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the
doorposts of your house and on your city gates.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">So how do we know God’s commands? Well one thing you are
doing correctly right now is showing up. When we come together to hear from
God’s Word, we are learning a bit about God’s commands. So, seeking out solid
Bible teaching is essential. We have life groups that meet on Sundays and some
during the week. These groups spend time in God’s word learning from God’s Word
and challenging one another to live out God’s commands in our lives. One thing
though that is often missing is study God’s word for ourselves. Your love for
God will be directly related to the amount of time that you spend in the Bible.
This passage says to have God’s word in your heart repeat them to your
children, talk about God’s word as you go through life, bind them to your hand
write them on your forehead. God’s word is to be an intimate part of everyday
life not just something you study once or twice a week. If you want to love God
more, you would do well to spend more time studying and meditating on God’s
word. Then as God’s will becomes more and more apparent, then you will learn
and live out faithful love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I just finished reading the Bible cover to cover in 90 days.
I am going through a second time and am about a third of the way through. I
read about an hour a day. Now think about this how many activities during the
day do you spend an hour or more that have no eternal consequence. Would you be
willing to join with me this year to give an hour a day for studying God’s word?
Maybe you don’t read as fast. That is OK it is not a race. Read at your pace,
just get into the word. Maybe you have a short attention span. That is OK as
well. Take 20 minutes in the morning, 20 minutes midday and 20 minutes in the
evening. My challenge to you is to regularly get into God’s word. It is only by
knowing God’s word that we can truly obey His word and it is only by obeying
his word that we can genuinely love God! If you commit to this hour a day you
will be able to read through the Bible easily within the next year. Even when
you miss a day or two along the way. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>Loving Others<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would like to now turn our focus on to loving people. I
will not be able to adequately cover the breadth of this subject. I only hope
that we can get a taste of what it means and that you would as you dig into
God’s word to get the depth of how we are to love each other. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Without rehashing last week’s sermon let’s makes some quick
observations and then dig into a couple points. When we think about love for
others there are multiple categories of people that this applies to. Each group
we will experience and express love differently. This is mainly the nature of
the relationships that we have. For example, the love I express toward my wife
Amy is going to be different in experience and expression than the love I
generally express to all of you. Some key groups then we see in scripture are
spouses, family, elders (family and church), friends, fellow Christians,
enemies, and the people world in general. Quickly then in a marriage love is to
be demonstrated in the way that a husband lays down his life for his wife (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%205.25-33" target="_blank">Ephesians
5:25-33</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Col%203.19" target="_blank">Colossians
3:19</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Pet%203.7" target="_blank">1
Peter 3:7</a>). This also is demonstrated in the way that a wife in turn
respects her husband’s loving sacrifice toward her and submits to him. The
Bible is unambiguous on this: A loving marriage is between a man and a woman.
Our culture is working hard to redefine the nature of marital relationships. We
cannot compromise on this to disobey God is to say we really do not love Him.
That being said Husbands if you want to learn love, learn to lay your life down
for your wife. This is not an either or. This love only works when both husband
and wife are doing their part in relationship. With family we are to raise our
children not in anger but to love and honor God (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%206.4" target="_blank">Ephesians 6:4</a>).
With our parents we are to honor them (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%206.1-3" target="_blank">Ephesians 6:1-3</a>).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With fellow believers we love each other by building one
another up, encouraging, meeting together, seeking unity, seeking peace, and
provoking loving works (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%204.1-3" target="_blank">Ephesians 4:1-3</a>,<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Col%203.14" target="_blank">Colossians 3:14</a>,
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%2010.24" target="_blank">Hebrews
10:24</a>). With our elders we are to care for them (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Tim%205.3-4" target="_blank">1 Timothy
5:3-4</a>, 8). With church elders we are to honor them and make sure they are
adequately compensated for their work (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Tim%205.17-20" target="_blank">1 Timothy
5:17-20</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With friends we tell them the good news of Christ and serve
them where we are able; we love our neighbors as ourselves (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%2012.31" target="_blank">Mark 12:31</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.12-13" target="_blank">John
15:12-13</a>). With our enemies we love them by providing for their basic
needs, treating them with kindness, and praying for them (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%206.27-36" target="_blank">Luke 6:27-36</a>).
I have included the references to these verses so that you in your personal
Bible Study time can get into God’s Word and write upon your heart the reality
of God’s faithful love, our love for God, and our love for others. This week
and in the last sermon I referenced about 70 passages about this subject. There
are so many more I could have referenced. Someone joked after the last sermon
“I hope you don’t run out of verses to use in your sermon.” This is not
possible. In fact, God’s word mentions love over 752 times. To put this into perspective
the Bible (The numbers vary a bit depending on the English translation)
mentions the word doctrine 6 times, Discernment 36 times, Teach and teaching
231 times, learn 82 times, truth 170 times, and Holy 653 times. God’s
overwhelming message to is in His Word is Love! The word love is found
throughout the Bible. Here is a graph that shows the frequency of the word
Love.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make all the Bible references in the last two sermons
available on the RBC website and a paper copy is on the table in the back. I
encourage you to dig into God’s word. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>What does love look like?<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would like to spend these closing moments highlighting a
few things from the love chapter. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20Cor%2013.4%E2%80%938" target="_blank">1
Corinthians 13:4–8 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is
not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not
irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in
unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for
prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for
knowledge, it will come to an end.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love is long-suffering. The word patient is defined as
suffering long for the one that you love. It is interesting to me that the very
first characteristic of love is suffering. It seems strange, but as you
meditate on in it ultimately becomes a profound truth. When we suffer long for
the person, we love it becomes the ultimate expression of love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love is kind. Kindness is greatly missing from our lives in
our culture. We are more likely to experience contempt and rejection that
kindness and love. We can all work at being more kind to one another and those
around us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love is not self-seeking. When we use relationships for
selfish ends we cannot claim to be loving. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%2012.10" target="_blank">Romans 12:10 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take
the lead in honoring one another.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The goal is to take the lead in the race of loving and
honoring each other. Further:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Acts%2020.35" target="_blank">Acts 20:35 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help
the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Giving is a blessing. In fact, Jesus says the blessing that
comes from giving is greater than the blessing from receiving. Giving Love is
greater than receiving love from others! Showing Kindness is greater than
receiving Kindness. This is the mark of the Christian faith, “that we love one
another.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>Conclusion<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">What can we say then? First Love reflects God’s faithful
love. It is this loyal, kind, gracious, and steadfast love that God has for us
that is the foundation of the love that we have for God and others. It is only
by having this love in us through faith in Jesus Christ that this love is
possible. Second, to obey God is to love God. The only way we can know and obey
God is to saturate ourselves lives in His teachings. We do the through sermons,
study groups, and most importantly individual study of His word. Third, we know
that God has commanded us to love others. This takes many forms depending on
the nature of the relationship. It is unquestionable that we are to love in all
these relationships whether the inmate relationship of a spouse to the
challenge of those that persecute and hate you and everything in between. In
all things persevere in love. Finally, we need to recognize the love is
long-suffering, kind, and self-sacrificing. When we commit to this type of
love, which by is ultimately is expressed in Christ’s laying his life down for
our salvation our souls, then we will be revived, our church will flourish, and
our world will be transformed by the powerful faithful love of God. Let us
pray. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /></div>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-22728387046469403712022-02-06T01:26:00.000-08:002022-02-06T01:26:32.037-08:00Faithful Love<p>We live in the midst of great unfaithfulness. Loyalty,
kindness, and compassion seem rare in our culture.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God on the other hand does not change. He is faithful and
loving. There is a Hebrew word that captures this trait of God (חַ֭סְדְּ) or (ḥesed).
This kindness and graciousness toward the object of His affection is faithful
love. This faithful love is so frequently connected to God’s mercy and grace it
is easy to conclude that God’s faithful love is expressed to those that turn to
Him and undeserving as they might be God shows them mercy. Here are some
examples: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%206.4" target="_blank">Psalm 6:4</a> “Turn, Lord! Rescue me; save me because of your
faithful love.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2013.5" target="_blank">Psalm 13:5</a> “But I have trusted in your faithful love; my
heart will rejoice in your deliverance.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2023.6" target="_blank">Psalm 23:6</a> “Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I
live.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2025.7" target="_blank">Psalm 25:7</a> “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my acts
of rebellion; in keeping with your faithful love, remember me because of your
goodness, Lord.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are so many references that have this word. Nearly 250
times this “Faithful Love” is mentioned in the Scripture. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One more God’s faithful love is connected to His patience
with us when we miss the mark. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2086.15" target="_blank">Psalm 86:15</a> “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and
gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is security in knowing the faithful love of God. We can
turn to Him and experience the love of our Heavenly Father. In a world as
unloving as can be it is a blessing to know we serve a God that loves us more
than we deserve. We need only trust and obey to enter into and rest in God’s
faithful love. God’s faithful love is peace to our souls in a world than knows
nothing about peace. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please know that we are praying for you. At times we do not
know the names or the faces, but God knows. We care with a care that comes from
God. God perfectly, we imperfectly as God enables us. Please know that a deep
compassion for you all fills our hearts. We long for RBC to be a community that
reflects God’s Faithful Love!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ Olson<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-59297212198557032222022-01-20T15:34:00.004-08:002022-01-20T15:34:46.311-08:00I Pray That Your Love Will Keep on Growing<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Phil%201.9%E2%80%9311" target="_blank">Philippians 1:9–11 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in
knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things
that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled
with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory
and praise of God.<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this passage Paul is explaining the things that are in
his prayer life toward the people in Philippi. He is thankful (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%201.3" target="_blank">Philippians 1:3</a>),
Joyful (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%201.4" target="_blank">Philippians
1:4</a>), Praising their partnership with him (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%201.5" target="_blank">Philippians 1:5</a>,7),
confident about Christ’s work in them (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%201.6" target="_blank">Philippians 1:6</a>),
missing them, and affectionate toward them (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%201.8" target="_blank">Philippians 1:8</a>).
These prayers are thanksgiving and faith. He then delves into the substance of
his intersession for the people of Philippi. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want to draw attention to the progression of these verses.
First this progression is rooted in love. Love grows in knowledge and
discernment. This growth of knowledge and discernment leads to agreement with
superior things and sanctification in Christ. This sanctification leads to
works of righteousness in Christ that then culminates with glorifying and
praising of God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have an image of a tree when I think of these verses. The
root of the tree is love. The trunk of the tree is knowledge and discernment.
The branches of the tree are agreement with God. The leaves of the tree are
sanctification. The fruit of the tree is works of righteousness. Finally, the provision
these works leads to the glory and praise of God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The love in this prayer is a request for an abounding love.
This love is overflowing and extravagant. It is more than that. This love is
more and more overflowing and extravagant. The word overflowing is the same
word that is used when the disciples collected 12 baskets from the five barley
loaves in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%206.13" target="_blank">John
6:13</a>. This multiplied and overflowing love is Paul’s prayer for the
Philippian church. Love, if this prayer is fulfilled, is the unmistakable
miracle of God. This overflow is a work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of
believers expressed in their lives through the relationships they have with
others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I interact with this text, I recognize that despite the
best intentions to live out this type of love I am wholly inadequate to do so
(Romans 7). Truthfully the only way to constantly love with abounding love of
God is to persistently set your mind on the Spirit (Romans 8). It is only with
the indwelling and manifestation of God’s Holy Spirit that we can possibly
overcome our natural bent toward self-love and walk in the love and goodness of
God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As our love for God grows it is evidenced by knowledge and
discernment. There is major distinction between a shallow faith that is easily
withered under trials (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2013.20-21" target="_blank">Matthew 13:20-21</a>). This is not the case for faith that
reflects genuine love that God has for you and you for God. True spiritual
knowledge is an intimacy with God. So often we settle for knowing things about
God and fail to press on to knowing God. Jesus warns that knowing about God is
not enough. We must also know God in a relational way (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%207.23" target="_blank">Matthew 7:23</a>).
Discernment is a sign of maturity in the faith (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%205.14" target="_blank">Hebrews 5:14</a>).
Note though that discernment is maturity in handling the word of God. It is
popular to try to skip digging into God’s word to mature faith and rely on
popular preachers to tell you what to think. This creates immaturity and
division (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%203.1-4" target="_blank">1
Corinthians 3:1-4</a>). True discernment then is studying the word of God to
strengthen your perception of God and Godliness. Growing in love, insight, and
perception of God is a relational and deep spiritual maturity. It is an
activity that is rooted in learning more and more from God’s word. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a secure foundation of this growing love then you are
equipped to pay attention to praiseworthy things of God. We approve of the
superior things of God. These are of the highest quality and to be treasured.
We also notice the purity of God’s blessings and provisions. This pursuit is
blameless. We rise above the actions and words that give offence (in a sinful
manner). If people are offended it is at the truth of God but not offensive actions
on our part. We are transformed and renewed in our thinking and continue to
grow in greater and greater discernment (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.2" target="_blank">Romans 12:2</a>).
As we apply this to our lives empowered by the Holy Spirit God does a work of
sanctification in our lives (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Thess%205.23" target="_blank">1
Thessalonians 5:23</a> and <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Thess%202.13" target="_blank">2
Thessalonians 2:13</a>). There are no short cuts in this. God saves and
sanctifies through the Holy Spirit as we commit to knowing Him and His Holy
Word!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is where things begin to be a blessing. With Love,
knowledge, discernment, approval of things superior, pure, and blameless
established in the heart of a believer then real spiritual fruit is produced (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%205.22-25" target="_blank">Galatians
5:22-25</a>). This fruit is evident in the life of a believer and is ultimately
a blessing to those around them. This fruit becomes external evidence of God’s
work in the heart of the believer (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%202.29" target="_blank">1 John 2:29</a>).
This fruit of righteousness brings soul filling life (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2011.30" target="_blank">Proverbs 11:30</a>).
There also is a fruitfulness of service (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Titus%203.14" target="_blank">Titus 3:14</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, all of this culminates in the glorification and
praise to God (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%201.11" target="_blank">Philippians 1:11</a>). In short Love for God, leads to growing
in knowledge and discernment, leads to approval of things superior, pure, and
blameless, leads to fruitfulness in Christ, leads to glorification and praise
of our God. And that my dear friends is my prayer for you!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-14069820477792859392022-01-14T18:08:00.001-08:002022-01-14T18:08:18.818-08:00Be Imitators of God (and love)!<p> <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Eph%205.1%E2%80%932" target="_blank">Ephesians
5:1–2 CSB</a></p><div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved
children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a
sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This passage in Ephesians is quite extraordinary. It is a
high calling to love as God has loved and to sacrifice as Christ has
sacrificed. In the same moment I am both inspired and apprehensive. I am
inspired by the high calling. I am apprehensive in that I am wholly inadequate
to call.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul has just encouraged the Ephesian Church to build up
others in love. He also indicates that the Christian life is a putting off the
old self and putting on of the new self (See <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%204.17-5.5" target="_blank">Ephesians
4:17-5:5</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The things that related to the old self are corruption, evil
desires, lies, unresolved anger, theft, foul language, grieving the Holy
Spirit, bitterness, anger, wrath, shouting, slander, malice, sexual immorality,
impurity, greed, obscene behavior, foolish nonsense talk, and sharp caustic
joking. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is contrasted with the new self which includes: renewed
minds, righteousness, truth, settling anger, honest work, sharing with those in
need, encouraging words, grace toward those we talk with, kindness, compassion,
forgiveness, sacrifice, and the giving of thanks. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this way these two are a stark contrast by which we can
easily determine what sort of spirit is in the man. Does he more accurately
reflect the new man that God has called him to live out. Or does he continue to
dwell in the darkness of the old man. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s make it more personal. Honest moment here. Reading
through the list of the old self do you see anything for which you need to call
upon the Lord to rescue you from? Again, the old self is associated with
corruption, evil desires, lies, unresolved anger, theft, foul language,
grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, anger, wrath, shouting, slander, malice,
sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscene and foolish nonsense talk, and
sharp caustic joking. When a person claiming to follow Christ acts in this way,
we can safely conclude that he or she is more friends with the world than they
are friends with Christ. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, the absence of evil does not necessarily result in
good. We as believers are called to put on the new man. Do you cultivate these
virtues in your daily life? Again, the new self is associated with renewed
minds, righteousness, truth, settling anger, honest work, sharing with those in
need, encouraging words, grace toward those we talk with, kindness, compassion,
forgiveness, sacrifice, and the giving of thanks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a word that summarizes these things, “LOVE.” We are
called to “imitate God” and “walk in love.” The imitation of God is to walk in
love. Love and being like God are so intimately connected that this love is the
very nature of what it means to be a follower of Christ. In fact, Christ is
held up as the example of sacrificial love that we are to have for others. This
sacrifice of love is the very fragrant offering that is pleasing to God. This
love is affectionate cherishing, esteeming, positive regard, kindness, care,
and concern for the wellbeing of others. This Godly love is the mark of a
genuine believer. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-70014540277835558892022-01-04T19:14:00.000-08:002022-01-04T19:14:02.695-08:00From Love Lost and Misguided to Love Commanded<p> </p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;">
<h1 style="border: none; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 8.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><br /></h1>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Robert Olson / General</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"> Sermon Preached 1/2/2022 Watch Here: <a href="https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/rbcchurch/sermons/12222141187593/" target="_blank">From Love Lost and Misguided to Love Commanded</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><br /></span></p>
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<h1><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Love...</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">…Lost</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">…Misguided</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">…Commanded</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">This
morning I am starting a series of three sermons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I am speaking on Love lost, love
misguided, and love commanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next week
I am going to speak to the practical ways that we can love God and love
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then on February the 13th I
hope to speak to the consistency and perseverance of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">I would
like to give you a little background for this series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Approximately two years ago I was working
with a couple in my counseling practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were discussing the Bible’s command for husbands to love their wives
and what that meant practically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
couple had been through many bible studies and marriage conferences. Then the
husband who had been in church the whole of his life said something quite
amazing to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “I don’t know
how to love my wife.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time it
struck me as odd that a person that had sat under the teaching of some very
conservative and seemingly solid biblical teaching would make such a statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all “God is love.” We also have <a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Co13"><span style="color: blue;">1
Corinthians 13</span></a>, the “love chapter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also the predictable sermon on love on or around Valentine’s day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several books, retreats, conferences and so
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How was it possible that that this
husband could have spent so many years and not learn what it meant to
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">I
determined to write a study on love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Initially I was going to write the study on love in the marriage
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was intended to be an
exploration on the “love chapter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
able to complete the draft copy of the study about a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The preparation and writing of that study has
taken me personally on a journey that I did not quite expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did that husband not know what love
meant, I discovered my own understanding was woefully inadequate to what the
scripture has to say about love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, every time I look into scripture about love I discover more that I had
missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">I recall
that a rather perfunctory survey of <a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Co13"><span style="color: blue;">1
Corinthians 13</span></a> and some commentary and a few books on marriage
counseling had been the whole of my knowledge on this subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was feeling pretty confident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did I know that God was about about to
confront my pride on this subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">God’s
timing is everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We as a church
were seeking God as to a direction for the future of Richland Baptist
Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gave Pastor Travis the
wisdom to put together a strategic visioning team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team was started pre-COVID but not by
much as the majority of our meetings have been over zoom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that we developed a statement to guide the
future of RBC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a labor of
several people in our congregation and the staff to genuinely seek out God’s
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hours of discussion we were
able to distill what God was giving to us in three admonitions: Loving God,
Loving People, Multiplying Disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For many years RBC has worked hard to fulfill the “Making Disciples”
mission of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some ways this
new focus was not really new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has
used and will continue to use RBC as a shining light for making disciples and
supporting missions work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God in his
timing and wisdom was saying that RBC had lost its way when it came to
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had become a organization busy
doing important work, but all the while missing the opportunity to really
connect in a loving way to God, brothers and sisters in Christ, and the
community around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Mission Statement</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Saturated with continuous prayer, Richland
Baptist Church values the glory of God above all things by: <u> Loving </u>
God, <u> Loving </u> People, Multiplying Disciples”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">This
parallel work confirmed to me and to others I believe that transformation and
sanctification needed to get back to a first love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such God put it on my heart to advocate
for Love at every opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ironically I think I have annoyed several with a overwhelming focus on
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was initially surprised that
there would be some that would be critical of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all Loving God and Loving others are
the two greatest commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I did
step on some toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">God was
working on me as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize that I
come up short when it comes to loving as God would have me love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At every turn over the last couple of years
has been a test to love and offer encouragement toward others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times I have even thought whether the
whole focus on Love was really worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God in His grace always brought me back to the importance of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also made me painfully aware of how I had
come up short in this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many tears
have been shed as I realize how painfully obvious it is that I really don’t
know how to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I a hypocrite
writing and talking about love?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bet
I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at least now God has my
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hope is that He will get
yours as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">I have to
apologize for such a long introduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I felt it would help you all understand where I am coming from
in this focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know that this
journey is shared by many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
Church staff and leadership have been longing for God’s love and
transformational love in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There have been many of you that have encouraged me over the last couple
of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For every negative God has
used several of you to offer encouragement when I thought I might give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much of my thoughts have been public I
have been encouraged by pastors, bible teachers, and missionaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often through private messages offering
similar sentiment. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">So the
focus of this morning and next week is Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Love Lost</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">First I
would like to look at love lost. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Revelation 2:2–6<span style="color: #a0a0a0;"> CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that
you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves
apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. <br />
<br />
I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name,
and you have not grown weary. <br />
<br />
But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. <br />
<br />
Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at
first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place,
unless you repent. <br />
<br />
Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also
hate.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">This
message is from Christ through divine vision through John to the church in
Ephesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to this message the
Ephesians had a zeal for God’s righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus commended them for taking a stand against evil, false teachers,
and unrighteous practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also
apparently faced hardships that they endured for following Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would have appeared to most of us I
think as a church that had it together doing the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However something very important was
missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was love missing, but it had been
abandoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Love was
abandoned in that the actions they were taking while righteous had no thought
of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love was something that did not
figure into their reasoning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
become a church of righteous activity devoid of any thought of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh how far they had fallen from the love they
had at the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This change in
focus also change the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice
that they also had stopped doing the works they had done at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt these early works reflected the love
they had for God and for one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">In short
then they had abandoned the<u> thought </u> of love, abandoned the <u> focus </u>
of love, resulting in the abandonment of <u> works </u> of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Living in
a loveless relationship erodes the soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have met with many couples that have abandoned the love they have for
each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a sad situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often they are coming to see me to fulfill
some obligation that they made to seek counseling before seeking divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully though they are already divorced
in their heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have abandoned
their first love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">The same
loveless atmosphere can choke out a local body of believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When love is abandoned in a church it becomes
agenda driven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who ever has the greatest
influence wins the agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It becomes
works based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The measure of success
becomes programs, classes, and numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without love relationships take a back burner to the event and the
calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without love guilt becomes the
primary driver of relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
action is taken to minimize shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Obligation replaces care and genuine concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without love preaching at people becomes more
important than ministering to people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without Love so called evangelistic events become more important that
addressing the needs of the community at large. Over time it erodes and chokes
out the vitality of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">R.C Sproul
speaking on common grace said it like this:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">This unnatural<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>schism took place where evangelicals began to
say “Oh social action, social concern, concern for the general welfare of the
human race that’s a liberal matter. That’s a liberal agenda. Whereas concerns
for the souls and personal salvation, that’s the real concern of the church.”
If Christ would hear that He would say “A pox on both your houses.” Because the
church is called not only to the ministry of special grace, but also to the
ministry of common grace… …If you find somebody sick and dying in a ditch you
don’t ask them how they got in that ditch. The love of Christ is to constrain
you to pull them out of that ditch and do everything you can. That is what the
story of the Good Samaritan is all about.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Jesus
offers this warning <a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Re2.5"><span style="color: blue;">Rev 2:5</span></a> “Remember then how far you have fallen;
repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and
remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">First
Jesus challenges them to remember how far they have fallen from first
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some ways I am hoping that is
what we are doing this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember
your first love when all was alive, brilliant, and good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even bad news was greeted with an eternal
optimism in your soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the bitterness
of ideology, demagoguery, and pride settled into your soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember when the words “I forgive you”
flowed freely off you lips as an expression of the forgiveness you had received
from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we choke on the words if
they are uttered at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember when
kindness and compassion drove you to care and concern for your fellow humanity.
Love my dear brothers and sisters is the thing that is missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus continues by commanding repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repentance is a change of heart and mind
toward the subject at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is
saying to change your mind about the importance of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is the preeminent fruit of a life
filled with God’s Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must
align our minds with this truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
without love everything and literally everything we do, say, or think is utter
meaninglessness and devoid of anything of value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must agree with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a couple of verses to keep in mind
while repenting of how far we have fallen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">1 Corinthians 13:1–3<span style="color: #a0a0a0;"> CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I
am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <br />
<br />
If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am
nothing. <br />
<br />
And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to
boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">2 John 6<span style="color: #a0a0a0;">
CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">This is love: that we walk according to his commands. This
is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">1 John 4:20<span style="color: #a0a0a0;">
CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or
sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister
whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">In short
religious activity without love is <u> nothing </u>, <u> disobedience </u>
to God is not love, and saying you love God while hating others makes you a <u> liar </u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Love Commanded</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">You see
love is not a command of God it is the command of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Mark 12:28–31<span style="color: #a0a0a0;">
CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating
and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which command is the most
important of all?” <br />
<br />
Jesus answered, “The most important is <b>Listen, Israel! The Lord</b> <b>our
God, the Lord</b> <b>is one.</b> <br />
<br />
<b>Love</b> <b>the Lord your God</b> <b>with all your heart, with all your
soul, with all your mind,</b> <b>and with all your strength.</b> <br />
<br />
The second is, <b>Love your neighbor</b> <b>as yourself.</b> There is no other
command greater than these.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Think
about this for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus the Son
of God, creator of the universe, the savior of our souls identifies loving God
and loving others as the two greatest commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are none greater than these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would seem to me that if these two are the
greatest that we as believers ought to not only understand what it means to
love God and Love others, but we also ought to be practicing these as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we acknowledge these commands
Jesus says <a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Mk12.34"><span style="color: blue;">Mark 12:34</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are not far from the kingdom of God.” So not only are they the
greatest commands, but the expression of Love of God and Love of others is
directly connected to nearness of the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dear friends this Love is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ought to be the central characteristic of
the Christian faith. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">John 13:34–35<span style="color: #a0a0a0;">
CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have
loved you, you are also to love one another. <br />
<br />
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Again Jesus
makes love the core identity of being one of His disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is the love that we have for one
another that marks a follower of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We cannot miss this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Jesus
elevates love as the core of our faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">1 John 3:16<span style="color: #a0a0a0;">
CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life
for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">John 15:12–14<span style="color: #a0a0a0;">
CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. <br />
<br />
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. <br />
<br />
You are my friends if you do what I command you.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Listen to
Paul, John, and Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a problem
of Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are offended by this
statement then let me just say you need to examine your rebellious heart!
Loving well is the clear teaching of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">To be
offended by love is to be offended by Christ!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Love Misguided</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">One of the
problems that we face when it comes to love is that we can have affection for
things that are not of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is to
say we can have a misguided love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
objects of our affection are as important as the affection itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we love something that is false then we
become a part of that falsehood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
become married to something that is not of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Here are
some examples of misguided love. Loving only those that love you (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Mt5.43-46"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew
5:43-46</span></a>), Loving money (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Mt6.24"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew
6:24</span></a>), Loving popularity (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Lk11.43"><span style="color: blue;">Luke
11:43</span></a>; <a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Lk20.46"><span style="color: blue;">20:46</span></a>), Loving evil deeds rather than Christ (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Jn3.19-20"><span style="color: blue;">John
3:19-20</span></a>), Loving men’s praise over God’s Praise (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Jn12.43"><span style="color: blue;">John
12:43</span></a>), Loving the world during hardship (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.2Ti4.10"><span style="color: blue;">2
Timothy 4:10</span></a>), Loving the wages of evil deeds (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.2Pe2.15"><span style="color: blue;">2
Peter 2:15</span></a>); Loving the things of this world (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Jn2.15"><span style="color: blue;">1
John 2:15</span></a>); Saying loving words without loving action (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Jn3.18"><span style="color: blue;">1
John 3:18</span></a>), Loving spiritual sounding displays of religion (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Mt6.5"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew
6:5</span></a>), Loving favorites in your family (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ge37.3-4"><span style="color: blue;">Genesis
37:3-4</span></a>), Loving evil words (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ps52.3-4"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm
52:3-4</span></a>), Loving ignorance (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Pr1.22"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs
1:22</span></a>), Loving to offend and cause strife (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Pr17.19"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs
17:19</span></a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This list is not exhaustive.
However, I think you get the point. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Having the
appropriate focus of our love and affection is very critical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loving the wrong thing makes you unrighteous
not good. We must guard our hearts to love the things that God loves and reject
the things that God rejects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must set
boundaries about our love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we do not
we will find that our affections do not reflect the genuine love of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand we cannot in our efforts to
set boundaries abandon the centrality of Love that God places in our faith and
hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must not abandon love of God
and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the stark warning: </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 9.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Revelation 2:4–5<span style="color: #a0a0a0;"> CSB</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you
had at first. <br />
<br />
Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at
first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place,
unless you repent.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">If we
abandon our love then God would be just in removing our influence and our very
existence as a church from this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is that important to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
ought to be that important to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">As a
preview for next week I want to read a selection of way the scripture commands
us to love God and love others.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Loving God</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Mt22.37"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew
22:37</span></a> “He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Jn14.15"><span style="color: blue;">John
14:15</span></a> ““If you love me, you will keep my commands.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Jn14.23"><span style="color: blue;">John
14:23</span></a> “Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My
Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Jn15.10"><span style="color: blue;">John
15:10</span></a> “If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I
have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Jn2.5"><span style="color: blue;">1 John
2:5</span></a> “But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is
made complete. This is how we know we are in him:” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Jn4.16"><span style="color: blue;">1
John 4:16</span></a> “And we have come to know and to believe the love that God
has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and
God remains in him.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Jn5.2-3"><span style="color: blue;">1
John 5:2-3</span></a> “This is how we know that we love God’s children: when we
love God and obey his commands. For this is what love for God is: to keep his
commands. And his commands are not a burden,” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.2Jn6"><span style="color: blue;">2 John 6</span></a>
“This is love: that we walk according to his commands. This is the command as
you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Loving Others</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Mt5.44"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew
5:44</span></a> “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you,” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Mk12.31"><span style="color: blue;">Mark
12:31</span></a> “The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no
other command greater than these.”” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Jn15.12-13"><span style="color: blue;">John
15:12-13</span></a> ““This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ro13.8-10"><span style="color: blue;">Romans
13:8-10</span></a> “Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for
the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, Do not commit
adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment,
are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no
wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Co14.1"><span style="color: blue;">1
Corinthians 14:1</span></a> “Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and
especially that you may prophesy.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Co16.14"><span style="color: blue;">1
Corinthians 16:14</span></a> “Do everything in love.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Ga5.14"><span style="color: blue;">Galatians
5:14</span></a> “For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your
neighbor as yourself.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Eph4.1-3"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians
4:1-3</span></a> “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk
worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the
unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Col3.14"><span style="color: blue;">Colossians
3:14</span></a> “Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Ti4.12"><span style="color: blue;">1
Timothy 4:12</span></a> “Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in
purity.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Heb10.24"><span style="color: blue;">Hebrews
10:24</span></a> “And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and
good works,” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.Jas2.8"><span style="color: blue;">James
2:8</span></a> “Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the
Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Pe1.22"><span style="color: blue;">1
Peter 1:22</span></a> “Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to
the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure
heart love one another constantly,” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Pe4.8"><span style="color: blue;">1
Peter 4:8</span></a> “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since
love covers a multitude of sins.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleCSB2.1Jn3.11"><span style="color: blue;">1
John 3:11</span></a> “For this is the message you have heard from the
beginning: We should love one another,” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";">Truthfully
there are many more passages that I could include.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not include Old Testament passages and
this was a survey of the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God in His word elevates love above all things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact obedience without love is rejected by
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faithful love is the Character of
God and if we are to reflect God’s character in our lives then faithful love
ought to be our aim in our relationship with Him and in our relationship with
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will explore this in greater
depth next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will look at what
does loving God and Loving others practically look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, let's examine our hearts to determine
whether we have come up short in the two greatest commands from our Lord and
Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us take notice of how far we
have fallen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us repent and set our
minds on the Love of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally let us
return to the loving works we did when we first came to Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us Pray!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Source Sans Pro";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-78300306635598653422021-12-22T15:35:00.000-08:002021-12-22T15:35:01.921-08:00 Christmas Expectations<p>There is a song that I loved as kid “We Need a Little Christmas.” I think the frenetic pace was just what my ADHD mind gravitated toward. However, today I am thinking about the song differently. It is a perfect expression of Christmas expectations. In the song we learn all the makings of a “perfect Christmas.” Holly, tree, stockings, decorations, candles, carols, snow, Santa, chimney, Christmas lights, fruitcake, tinsel, little angel, music, laughter, singing, and “happy ever after” are all the ingredients to a perfect Christmas. And “We need a little Christmas, right this very minute.”</p><p>There is a lyric in the middle of the song:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>For I've grown a little leaner,</p><p>Grown a little colder,</p><p>Grown a little sadder,</p><p>Grown a little older,</p></blockquote><p></p><p>These words which I have never contemplated before are striking. I wonder if, under all that glitter and fast paced music, these lines are the heart of the song. I also wonder if we plan Christmas in such a way that we don’t have to focus on leaner (emotionally maybe but not physically LOL), colder, sadder, or older. Christmas must be happy and it needs to happy right now or else.</p><p>In all the busy pace of planning for Christmas so often we forget to experience Christmas. The expectations for Christmas get in the way of enjoying Christmas. When we place expectations ahead of appreciation, thankfulness, and shear wonder we set ourselves up for disappointment. News flash all those Christmas plans you made only about a third of them will work out in any meaningful way. And while you are lamenting the missing two thirds you will pass up the Joy of the holiday. </p><p>My advice: Make plans? Yes! But once the plans are in place enjoy the moment. Participate in Christmas. Love on your family, See the wonder of Christmas through a little one’s eyes, enjoy food, celebrate friends, count your blessings, be a part of the celebration. Overcome the tyranny of “Christmas Expectations” and appreciate the blessing of “Christmas Celebration”</p><p>Ultimately Christmas is an expression of God’s love for us. Jesus comes to a broken and fallen world. His mission is to be born into humble circumstances and live a holy life. At the end of His life he pays the ultimate sacrifice his life so that we might live and be free from all the brokenness, selfishness, and sinfulness of our hearts and lives. John 8:31-32 says, “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The greatest and most precious gift of all time is the freedom and hope offered in Jesus Christ. It is Christ’s birth we celebrate it is His hope that brings Joy to the World. </p><p>May God Richly Bless You</p><p>~BJ</p><div><br /></div>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-3612670148626830502021-12-05T06:59:00.000-08:002021-12-05T06:59:59.217-08:00Be Careful Little Tongue What You Say<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">There is an children’s hymn “Be Careful Little Eyes,
What You See.” You can listen to the song here: <a href="https://youtu.be/pqFrXwpTI-w">https://youtu.be/pqFrXwpTI-w</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This song has one verse in particular that relates to what I want
to share with you:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say, Oh, be
careful, little tongue, what you say. There’s a Father up above looking down in
tender love, Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">So often we are careless with our words. This can lead to
all kinds of problems. Often careless words are destructive. The Bible says in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/James%203.6" target="_blank">James 3:6</a>
“And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed
among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire,
and is itself set on fire by hell.” When we mindlessly say things without
thought of the fire storm, we are starting we can do more harm than good. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%205.4" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:4</a> has three types of speaking that are
particularly problematic. They are obscenities, foolish talk, and course
jesting. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Obscenities</b> are words that are on offensive to Godly
morality. This category of often sexualized speech limits what is acceptable to
talk about as Christians. Some examples would be sexual humor or talk,
scatological talk, vulgar words, stories inciting lust, lewd language, and
morally debased speech. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The list of obscenities for the Christian is likely longer
than that of the world around us. In fact, under the banner of free speech
there is a gradual diminishing of what is considered obscene. This is
accelerated by our media and technology. It has become common place in modern
interactions. We have become desensitized to the shock of obscene language that
it has become everyday vocabulary for many people. This type of language often
replaces ordinary and plain words as the filthy language becomes the nouns,
verbs, adjectives, and adverbs of everyday life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just a note before moving on. Talking about sex and
sexuality in the context of how the Bible treats the subject is not considered
obscene. For example, Song of Solomon is a book of the Bible filled with
passionate and sexual imagery. We must be careful not to go to the other
extreme and make all talk about our sexuality seem obscene. There is a time and
a place for healthy conversations about sex. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Foolish talk </b>is related to dull and stupid conversations
that do not lead to edification of anyone. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my life and work I have had times where I attempted to
carry on a conversation with someone who was intoxicated. These are unfruitful
and pointless. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Worse still I have had unfruitful and pointless conversations
while the participants were sober. It is these conversations that “foolish
talk” covers. Paul describes the issue in his two letters in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Tim%202.23" target="_blank">2 Timothy
2:23</a> “But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they
breed quarrels.” and in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Titus%203.9" target="_blank">Titus 3:9</a> “But avoid foolish debates, genealogies,
quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and
worthless.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is so easy to fall into these types of conversations.
They are typical on social media. I must admit I have been guilty of being
drawn into these types of conversations both in response to some foolish
comment and also making the foolish comment. For me the urge to engage is
strong so I must be vigilant to discipline my speech and avoid prolonged and
unprofitable dialogues. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For me personally I have a few weak spots when it comes to
foolish talk. 1) If someone asks me a question, but really is baiting me for a
debate. 2) If someone calls into question my intelligence, integrity, or
morality. 3) If someone says something (intentionally or naively) that I know
for a fact is not true. Knowing this then I must really put the brakes on and ask,
“Is this one of those foolish talk moments?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I used to think that “<b>coarse jesting</b>” was sexual humor. This
sexual humor would certainly be covered by obscenity. As I dug into the
original Greek language though I realized that the word had a much broader
application. This word is only used once in the Bible which makes it difficult
to an original language study. I did find that Aristotle listed this as a
virtue. It is also interesting that Tomas Aquinas favored a more generous view
of this word. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, what exactly is this word those philosophers see as
virtue yet Paul in his letter to the Ephesians considers it a vice? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">εὐτραπελία (eutrapelia) is the Greek word we are talking
about here. This word relates to being quick witted. This ability to respond
with cutting humor is a highly effective rhetorical skill. This ability can
make pure appeals to emotion seem very rational. I believe that the
effectiveness as a rhetorical device and it’s passive aggressive in contrast to
overt aggression is the virtue that Philosophers see as a virtue. However, Paul
sees it as a vice in that it is not an appeal to truth but to emotion. This
type of jesting is often used in disagreements. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In his sermon Isaac Burrow says it this way:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">In fine (conclusion), no jesting is allowable which is
not thoroughly innocent: it is an unworthy perverting of wit to employ it in
biting and scratching; in working prejudice to any man's reputation or
interest; in needlessly incensing any man's anger or sorrow; in raising
animosities, dissensions, and feuds among any. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The whole sermon is worthy of a read even though it is old
English and can be found here: <a href="https://biblehub.com/library/barrow/sermons_on_evil-speaking_by_isaac_barrow/against_foolish_talking_and_jesting.htm">Against
Foolish Talking and Jesting</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This biting humor has become the staple of modern political
and religious criticism. People who do it well are seen as heroic by their
supporters. Most of what passes as political commentary is more about making
the other side look foolish.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When it comes to religious matters though this same abusive
and provoking humor has increasingly become part of the dialog. Even too many
it has become a heroic trait of people they admire. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In times past this type of humor was relegated to obscure
chat boards and tedious comment sections. However, our appetite for this type
of humor has brought this type of joking to the front and center of our
consumption. This type of humor is no longer commentary on the subject but has
become the very presentation of the subject itself. We engage in this type of
humor with no thoughts about the consequences to others. It is abusive,
destructive, and divisive. More importantly it grieves the heart of God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we use humor to denigrate, abuse, malign, damage
another’s reputation, disparage, and just generally rudeness then we have
fallen prey to this very prohibition of “coarse jesting.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I fear that without recognition of how destructive this type
of talk is and how much it grieves the heart of God we promote that which is
ultimately unrighteous and sinful. This is doubled since it is often delivered
with a prideful piety as well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Personally, I have reached a point in seeing this kind of
behavior, that no matter what truth which I may agree or disagree with a person
that regularly engages in such humor is not worth my time. This is hard since
for many these same people I call into question are heroes. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my own jesting I have become keenly aware of when I use
“coarse jesting” to denigrate others. I am working on removing it from my own
actions. I must admit the temptation to make the person you disagree with look
foolish is extraordinarily strong. Often this coarse jesting just slips out. I
often am catching myself afterwards and needing to repent and seek forgiveness.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, what can we say then if we are attempting to avoid obscenities,
foolish talk, and coarse jesting? <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%205.4" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:4</a>
offers a very practical solution of “Giving Thanks.” It is through gratitude
and admiration that we move our talk to that which is uplifting and beneficial.
We raise above the divisive and destructive conversations when we learn to
express those things that we appreciate about others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Giving thanks rather than engaging in obscene talk protects
from getting into base and filthy mindset. This also protects us from other
sexual sins as well. Giving thanks puts an end to endless foolish dialogues.
When you appreciate someone, you gain an ally rather than a verbal foe.
Appreciation says that the relationship is more important than the foolish
disagreement. Giving thanks rather than coarse jesting creates safe and
productive conversations rather than entrenched verbal warfare. When you
appreciate something about the person who opposes you it is disarming both
psychologically for you and socially for your would be enemy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Prov%2015.1" target="_blank">Proverbs 15:1 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs
up wrath.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the end this thankfulness presents a way of talking that
is vastly different from the world. It is a redemptive and sanctifying way of
communication. What is more, God has commanded us to talk with one another in
this way!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God Richly Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-57366547923835326892021-12-04T12:20:00.007-08:002021-12-04T12:28:32.358-08:00 Building Up In Love<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Everywhere the Bible is talking about the importance of love
in our daily lives. One area that love is of premier importance is in the act
of “building others up.” The reality is that each of us is growing toward
something. We are not who we once where but the events, relationships, and
loves make up who we currently are. Good or bad we are becoming what course we
have set for our lives. God has determined for us those relationships are one
of the main ways that we are changed and transformed. It is the nature of those
relationships that determines what sort of person that we are and are becoming.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Building others up is an act of someone who is seeking out
the maturity and wellbeing of another. It is like an incomplete project that
someone comes along and helps to finish. Let’s face it when it comes to
emotional and spiritual maturity, we all are incomplete projects. We regularly
come up short in these areas in our day-to-day life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has determined that your sanctification is in community
with other believers. It is in this context that we can really grow if we
approach these relationships in love. Love is the key!<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); margin-left: 0.6in; margin-right: 0.6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Eph%204.1%E2%80%933" target="_blank">Ephesians
4:1–3 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk
worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the
unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice some key elements in this passage. Paul is urging use
to “walk worthy of the calling you (we) have received.” To accomplish this, he
focuses on three personal attributes and two active attributes. The three
personal attributes are humility, gentleness, and patience. I believe these
three personal attributes are what makes you and others attractive in
relational sense. It is with this personal disposition that we then do the
action of our calling. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first action is to bear one another in love. One thing
that can be said of relationships is there are moments of unpleasantness. Even
the best of friends and lovers will reach a point in their relationship where
something unpleasant will afflict them. It could be something the other has
said or done. Or it could be some difficult or tragic event in their lives. The
key to get through those moments is to bear one another in love! This is a real
test of love. If the relationship dissolves in moments of unpleasantness, then
what you called love was more likely affection. You see love bears all things (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%2013.7" target="_blank">1 Corinthians
13:7</a>). To be sure love celebrates the warm affection and gratitude of a
good friend! However, love also perseveres when the warmth and affection have
subsided. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second action is to make every effort to keep the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of peace. In this way we are eager to keep
unity. How different this is from our modern culture. Most are eager to create
disunity. As believers though Paul is telling us that we must make every effort
to keep unity. There is a key qualifier here though “of the Spirit.” This
points to the reality that Christians are united by the Holy Spirit of God. It
is not a spirit of unity for which we are longing. Even the world longs for
this at times. It is unity under the provision and authority of God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are looking for what unity of the Spirit looks like
consider the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Notice that these traits
of the Spirit are central to the verses we are looking at. Notably love, peace,
patience, and gentleness. When we live these out in community then God’s
sanctifying work is accomplished in our lives. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); margin-left: 0.6in; margin-right: 0.6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Eph%204.14%E2%80%9316" target="_blank">Ephesians
4:14–16 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the
waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with
cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us
grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body,
fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of
the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each
individual part.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The body of Christ, that is the Church, is to function to
build up one another into maturity (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%204.11-13" target="_blank">Ephesians
4:11-13</a>). This is accomplished through spiritual gifts given by Christ (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%204.7" target="_blank">Ephesians 4:7</a>).
Notice in verse 14 that we are not immature, tossed about by every trend in
teaching, susceptible to clever argumentation, cunning, or deceit. BUT “Speak
the truth in love” and grow into Christ. It is by Christ that we are put
together as a body of believers. Further it is this body then that “builds
itself up in love.” This building up in love is to ensure the “proper working
of each person.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love is the contrast to immaturity and instability. When we
fail to love we lack the staying power of mature love. Young love is
passionate, but shallow. Mature love is secure and deep. What is more speaking
truth in love creates stability of teaching and learning. When speaking the "truth" while love is absent it is the cleverness, craftiness, and deception that are the foundation of what becomes unrighteous teaching. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have a strong reaction to people that try to persuade
others using deception. I have this reaction even when I agree with their
underlying point. We have reached a point in our public life that many believe
(or act as if they believe) cleverness, craftiness, or deception are acceptable
as long as they support or promote our beliefs and desired outcomes. This is
the way of the world. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As believers we cannot fall into the ways of the world no
matter what. Speak TRUTH in LOVE is a simple yet profound reality of Christian
teaching and faith. This is the standard by which we must walk and live. Our
very souls and other’s souls depend on it!</p><p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-80544180498181223332021-11-25T08:40:00.003-08:002021-11-25T08:40:25.425-08:00 Fullness of God’s Love<p> <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Eph%203.16%E2%80%9319" target="_blank"><span style="color: #278ed4;">Ephesians 3:16–19 CSB</span></a></p><div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of
his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his
Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that
you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend
with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s
love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be
filled with all the fullness of God.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #575251; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We “know Christ’s love surpasses knowledge.” What is interesting
here is Paul seems to be indicating that being filled with the love of God and
in turn to know Christ’s love is more important than knowledge. In fact, to
comprehend God’s love is to be filled with the fullness of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #575251; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is no way is a statement to diminish the importance of
knowledge. But let me suggest there are two forms of knowledge, head knowledge
and heart knowledge. In head knowledge you know about something. In heart
knowledge you intimately relate to something. In this case the Love of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #575251; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">True love is relational. True knowledge is relational. Without
relationship knowledge is simply academic. Here is where love surpasses
knowledge. If you know some truths about God you cannot have any assurance that
you have a relationship with God. On the other hand, if Christ is in your heart
through faith and you are rooted and established in love then you can come
confidently before God in a saving relationship with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #575251; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time and again we see that knowledge is in service to love. “To
know Christ’s love” is to have the experience of intimate relationship with the
love (agape) of Christ. This love is superior to learning and reasoning.
Knowing Christ is active and responsive. Knowledge and reasoning are receptive
and passive (at least in this context). Understanding love leads to being
filled with the fullness of God. On the other hand knowledge and reasoning that
is not subordinate to love leads to pride (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%208.1-3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #278ed4;">1 Corinthians 8:1-3</span></a>). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #575251; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some might suggest that “fear of God is the beginning of
wisdom.” I would respond that in this case love and fear are not mutually
exclusive. In fact, fear (reverence) for God is an act of love. We love God
with the obedience, honor, and glory due His Name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #575251; font-family: "Source Sans Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In conclusion seek knowledge and wisdom of God! Yes! However,
this pursuit must always subordinate itself to the greater virtue of Love.
Doing this will lead you to the fullness of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-66169523170730268472021-11-17T16:38:00.006-08:002021-11-17T16:38:28.530-08:00 Faith Working Through Love<p>In Galatians 5 Paul is addressing the false belief that
works of the law will justify someone before God. A little background here is
that there were Jewish Christians under the belief that in order to be
justified before God that one would have to be Jewish before they could receive
the Jewish Messiah Jesus. In order to become Jewish one of the things the men
are required to do is become circumcised (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2012.48" target="_blank">Exodus 12:48</a>).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Throughout the letter to the Galatians Paul is arguing that
believers are justified by faith and not following the law (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%203.11" target="_blank">Galatians 3:11</a>).
He makes this point repeatedly and even calls the Galatians foolish for wanting
to resubmit themselves and others to Jewish ceremonial laws (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%203.1-3" target="_blank">Galatians 3:1-3</a>),
more specifically circumcision.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul is then building up to the truth that he expresses in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%205.6" target="_blank">Galatians 5:6</a>
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes
anything; what matters is faith working through love.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“What matters is faith working...” There are a couple of
observations to make here. First it is faith that is doing the work. This is
contrasted with works of the law. We cannot earn our way into God’s grace; that
is legalism. On the other hand genuine faith works (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/James%202.14-26" target="_blank">James
2:14-26</a>). The statement here indicates that “faith is working itself” that
is to say that faith is both acting and acted upon by itself. This can be hard
for English speakers since we do not generally have middle voice verbs in our language. With
English we hear faith is “being something” (passive voice) or “doing something”
(active voice). In middle voice Faith is acting for it’s own benefit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider this statement “My Faith sustains me.” In this
statement I am both the actor and the recipient of faith. It turns out that
this is pretty important. We often hear debates go back and forth as to whether
faith is a meritorious work in the legalistic sense. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this passage with “faith working” in the middle voice the
one with faith (circumcised and uncircumcised) is both the actor and
the receiver of faith. The implication is that there is a synergistic statement
about how faith works. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On top of that then we see that “…through love” is the
medium in which faith works. Faith is doing the work and the fruit of that work
is love (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%205.22" target="_blank">Galatians
5:22</a>). Love then is the highest expression of faith (and premier fruit of
the Spirit). This is consistent with teaching throughout the scripture most
noticeably in 1 Corinthians 13. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To clarify it is not expressions of love that make up faith.
It is faith working that produces works of love. This harmonizes Paul and
James. So often we fall into the idea that Paul and James are hard to
harmonize. However this phrase perfectly harmonizes both <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%202.8-9" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it
is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” and <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/James%202.14" target="_blank">James 2:14</a>
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but
does not have works? Can such faith save him?” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">James ultimately is looking at the loving works that faith
produces. While Paul is looking at faith that is saving. In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%205.6" target="_blank">Galatians 5:6</a>
we see both of these concepts harmonized together. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Gal%205.6" target="_blank">Galatians 5:6 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I do not think it is a mistake to see that love is the
marker of this kind of faith. God has made it clear in the Bible that love is
the mark of genuine faith. Time and again this theme is repeated. Faith and
love cannot be divorced. Belief without love is not saving faith. Love without
faith is dead works religion. Both are present. “Faith is working.” How do we
experience its working? “Through love.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God Richly Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-53805547698066480832021-11-13T07:34:00.005-08:002021-11-13T07:41:02.986-08:00God of Love and Fellowship of Believers<p> <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/2%20Cor%2013.11%E2%80%9313" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 13:11–13 CSB</a></p><div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); margin-left: 0.6in; margin-right: 0.6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0in;"><p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Become mature,
be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace
will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you
greetings. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">At times we tend to check out when someone begins to wrap
up. Maybe it is our tendency to let our mind drift to the next task at hand.
Maybe we have gone beyond our attention span. However, in the case of the
letter to the Corinthians we would do well to focus on Paul’s closing words. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this closing he has six admonitions, three
encouragements, and one double encouragement. That is a whole lot packed into
just five sentences. Let’s look at these.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First the Double encouragement. Paul says, “the God of love…
… will be with you” and “the love of God… … be with you all.” The first
statement is conditional on the following five of the admonitions that Paul
lists in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%2013.11" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 13:11</a>. More on these later. The second statement is a
benediction of sorts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is interesting that the first statement “God of Love”
shows that God is the possessor and origin of love. This promise is not so much
that God’s love will be with the believers, but rather that God the author of
love will be with us. This is significant in my estimation. It stresses the
importance of being in a relationship with the “God of Love.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second statement though God is loving believers. In this
case God is providing love to the objects of His affection “You all.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Taken together then God is the possessor and giver of love.
Time and again the Bible stresses how love and God are connected. It is the
lifeblood of Christian experience to understand the source and receive the love
of God. We cannot short ourselves in this way. We unhitch ourselves from
sincere faith when we do not connect to the love of God. Without love
Christianity becomes dead religion!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul connected God’s loving presence to five admonitions.
Now to be clear God is everywhere. So, I think that Paul is suggesting if we
want to experience the fullness of the God of love and peace then we ought to
be engaged in these things. These five things are “rejoice,” “Become Mature,”
“Be encouraged,” “Be of same mind,” and “Be at peace.” Two of these “Become
mature” and “Be encouraged” are passive. That is to say that they are something
that happens to us rather than something we do. The others “rejoice,” “Be of
same mind,” and “be at peace” are things we actively do. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Becoming mature is something we are in the process of doing
at this present time. Every moment of everyday we are growing into something.
In this case we are growing into maturity in Christ. We are preparing for what
comes next. We attend to this so that we are fully prepared when the time
comes. Our part is to allow God to use the life lessons and His Word to train
us for what God has in store for us. So often we grumble over the unpleasant
things in life. I have done so many times. However, if we are to take this
command seriously, we ought to embrace the preparation as an opportunity to
grow in maturity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It might seem strange that the depth of our relationship
with God would be contingent on receiving encouragement. So often we tend to
focus on the quality and sincerity of the one doing the encouraging. In this
passage though Paul’s focus is on the one receiving the encouragement. One clue
is the word used here is the same root word Christ used to describe the Holy
Spirit as the counselor in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2014.16-17" target="_blank">John
14:16-17</a>. One way to think about this is to refuse encouragement is one way
that we quench the Holy Spirit (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Thess%205.19" target="_blank">1
Thessalonians 5:19</a>). In the context of the body of Christ God through the
ministry of the Holy Spirit may use the Spirit directly or God may use other
Spirit filled believers to be an encouragement to us. When we through the
hardness of our own hearts fail to receive encouragement, we stifle this work
of the Spirit of God. Another way to say think about this command is that we must
open our hearts to receive of God’s love whether directly from God or through
other believers. Bottom line it is a heart issue as to whether we receive
encouragement or not. One leading to Spiritual Blessing and the other leading
to cynicism. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As Christians we are to rejoice. Let’s face there are many reasons
to grieve. Even love is utterly distressed over unrighteousness (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%2013.6" target="_blank">1
Corinthians 13:6</a>). But notice that love rejoices in truth. So, what are
these truths that we are to rejoice over?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Birth of Christ (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%202.10" target="_blank">Matthew 2:10</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%201.14" target="_blank">Luke 1:14</a>)</li><li>Insults, persecutions, personal attacks, sufferings because
of standing for Christ (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%205.11-12" target="_blank">Matthew 5:11-12</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%206.22-23" target="_blank">Luke 6:22-23</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%205.41" target="_blank">Acts 5:41</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Col%201.24" target="_blank">Colossians
1:24</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Pet%204.13" target="_blank">1
Peter 4:13</a>)</li><li>Our names are written in heaven / Our salvation (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2010.20" target="_blank">Luke 10:20</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%208.39" target="_blank">Acts 8:39</a>)</li><li>Sinners that repent / are saved (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2015.7" target="_blank">Luke 15:7</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%2011.21-23" target="_blank">Acts
11:21-23</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%2013.46-48" target="_blank">Acts 13:46-48</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2016.19" target="_blank">Romans 16:19</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%207.5-16" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 7:5-16</a>)</li><li>Restored Relationships (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2015.32" target="_blank">Luke 15:32</a>)</li><li>Hearing Jesus (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.29" target="_blank">John 3:29</a>)</li><li>Sorrow turns to Joy (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2016.19-22" target="_blank">John
16:19-22</a>)</li><li>The resurrection of Christ (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2020.20" target="_blank">John 20:20</a>)</li><li>An encouraging word (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%2015.31" target="_blank">Acts 15:31</a>)</li><li>In Hope (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.12" target="_blank">Romans 12:12</a>)</li><li>With others that are rejoicing (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.15" target="_blank">Romans 12:15</a>)</li><li>Fellowship with fellow servants (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%2016.15-18" target="_blank">1 Corinthians
16:15-18</a>)</li><li>In your own weakness and others strength (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%2013.9" target="_blank">1
Corinthians 13:9</a>)</li><li>When the Gospel is preached (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%201.18" target="_blank">Philippians
1:18</a>)</li><li>Sacrificial service to others (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%202.17-18" target="_blank">Philippians
2:17-18</a>)</li><li>When believers recover from sickness (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%202.27-28" target="_blank">Philippians
2:27-28</a>)</li><li>In the Lord (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%203.1" target="_blank">Philippians 3:1</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%204.4" target="_blank">Philippians
4:4</a>)</li><li>When others support you (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%204.10" target="_blank">Philippians
4:10</a>)</li><li>Obedient Christians (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Col%202.5" target="_blank">Colossians 2:5</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20John%204" target="_blank">2 John 4</a>;
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/3%20John%203" target="_blank">3 John 3</a>)</li><li>Return of Christ (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rev%2019.7" target="_blank">Revelation 19:7</a>)</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">We have much to rejoice. And so, if we want the fullness of
the “God of love and peace” we do well to dwell on these things (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%204.8" target="_blank">Philippians 4:8</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As Christians we are called to unity. This is hard. However,
Paul is connecting unity to having God’s presence in our lives. Unity is always
not 100% agreement on all things. This is a general disposition to be in a
right relationship with one another. We see this described in greater detail in
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.13-16" target="_blank">Romans
12:13-16</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%2012.13%E2%80%9316" target="_blank">Romans 12:13–16 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who
rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be
proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own
estimation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a good description of what it means to be of the
“same mind.” It is more of a disposition than it is conformity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God of Love and Peace reveals Himself to those that are
actively pursuing peace. Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers” (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%205.9" target="_blank">Matthew 5:9</a>)
and to “be at peace with one another” (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%209.50" target="_blank">Mark 9:50</a>).
Paul explains that we have an obligation to “live at peace with everyone” and
building up of others (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.18" target="_blank">Romans 12:18</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2014.19" target="_blank">Romans 14:19</a>).
The writer of Hebrews says that “pursing peace with everyone” is connected to
Holiness and without these we will not see God (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%2012.14" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:14</a>).
Peace is something that is actively pursued. There is no indication that we are
to passively wait for others to make peace with us. It is hard when we feel
justified in our stance to avoid making peace. However, we must pursue peace
with others even when part of us may not want to. This is a real struggle for
me at times. However, if I want the fullness of the God’s presence in my life,
I must pursue peace. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last admonition is “Greet one another with a Holy Kiss.”
We live in a vastly different culture here in the United States than the time
that this was written. There are some cultures today in which this verse could
be taken quite literally. However, if you walked up and kissed someone (not a
family member) at church that would be quite odd. So, what are we to do with
this admonition? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Often acts that are portrayed in scripture are
representative of a deeper truth. If we can understand what the act is intended
to convey, we can still live out that truth even though we do not do that
specific act. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first thing to note is that the act is Holy. That is to
say without deception (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2026.49" target="_blank">Matthew 26:49</a>), or lust (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%205.16" target="_blank">Galatians 5:16</a>).
On the positive it is with sincerity. The act of the kiss itself is a ritual greeting
of affection and welcome. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In our modern times then, an affectionate greeting could be
a wave, kind “hello,” “welcome,” of “glad you are here,” handshake, fist bump,
hug (side hug). There are many ways to affectionately greet one another. So as
believers we are to affectionately greet one another. Keep in mind this is not
merely limited to believers with whom you already have affection. Church life
should be welcoming to all. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul ends his letter with four important encouragements (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%2013.12-13" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 13:12-13</a>). We are a part of a larger body of believers. We are
encouraged when other “saints” send warm greetings and we bless other churches
when we do the same. The grace of Jesus Christ is with us. God’s unmerited
favor rests on all who follow Christ. That is the grace of Jesus Christ. The
love of God is with us. This was already discussed earlier. The final
encouragement is that the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with us. It is the
presence of the Holy Spirit that gives life, love, worship, Bible study meaning
and purpose. The fellowship of God’s Holy Spirit with our Spirit is fundamental
to all that we do as believers. When we venture out and the fellowship with
God’s Spirit is quenched or grieved, we lose our ability to walk by the Spirit
and end up pursuing works of the flesh. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In conclusion then, God is love and peace! God's love is
toward those that rejoice, receive encouragement, are becoming mature, pursuing
unity, and pursuing peace. We express affection and welcome to our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ both in our local church as well as to other
believers from other churches. Finally, we are encouraged by the presence of
Jesus’ grace, God’s love, and Holy Spirit’s fellowship. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God Richly Bless You.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-43258052211784057072021-11-07T03:04:00.002-08:002021-11-07T03:04:12.037-08:00The Stumbling of Unbelief, Hope For Believers, and Prayer for Our Time<p> <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%209.33" target="_blank">Romans 9:33 CSB</a></p><div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">As it is written, Look, I am putting a stone in Zion to
stumble over and a rock to trip over, and the one who believes on him will not
be put to shame.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the end of Chapter 9 we see Paul quote two passages from <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.14" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:14</a>
and <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2028.16" target="_blank">Isaiah
28:16</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Isaiah 8 we see that the people of Judah have rejected
God and are about to go into captivity (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.6-8" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:6-8</a>).
At this point the northern part (Israel) is divided from Judah. It is
interesting to note some of the parallels between this time and Romans 9.
Israel has rejected Christ just as Israel and Judah had rejected God at the
during of the period of kings. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 587 BC
and the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a Prophetic word that contrasts believing Jews from
unbelieving Jews. The unbelieving Jews are caught up in fear and conspiracy
theories (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.12" target="_blank">Isaiah
8:12</a>). Believing Jews are not to fear what unbelieving Jews fear. Rather
they are to hold God in awe (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.13" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:13</a>). For the believing Jews God is a sanctuary,
but for the unbelieving Jews (Israel and Judah) God is a “stumbling stone,”
“snare,” and “trap” (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.14-15" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:14-15</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is important on two levels. First it helps us to
understand exactly what Paul is talking about in Romans 9. The “stumbling
stone” quote is clearly referencing unbelieving Jews. If we take that in the
context of what Paul has already said then it seems pretty clear that Paul was
addressing the issue of unbelieving Jews of his day (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.2-5" target="_blank">Romans 9:2-5</a>).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second important truth is related to our current
cultural moment. We live in a time of great anxiety. We see many parallels with
the end of the time of the kings of Israel and Judah. Everyone is doing their
own thing; unrighteousness seems to be the norm. The leaders vacillate between
following God and following their own sinful and selfish ends. Nearly all the
time leaders follow unrighteousness. People are given to conspiracy and fear.
People try to make plans for how things ought to be and will be which do not
turn out. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is God’s admonition to the believing Jews of Isaiah’s
time and to believers of our time? Recognize God’s judgment is coming and is
unavoidable (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.6-9" target="_blank">Isaiah
8:6-9</a>) (Though it might be delayed if we repent <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Kings%2021.27-29" target="_blank">1
Kings 21:27-29</a>). Don’t become caught up in conspiracy (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.12" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:12</a>).
Fear God and not the world (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.13" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:13</a>). Enter the sanctuary of God (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.14" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:14</a>).
Tie yourself to the Word of God and teach the word of God to fellow believers (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.16" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:16</a>).
Wait upon the Lord while it would appear that He is hiding himself (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%208.17" target="_blank">Isaiah 8:17</a>).
Wait upon the Lord!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We must be the light of hope to a world that is tearing
itself apart. We cannot pollute ourselves with the ungodly fear, conspiracy,
and terror that characterizes our current times. We need to turn from sin and
selfish desires. We must fear God not the world. We need to become so familiar
with the Bible that it is tied to our thoughts and conscience daily. We must
love those that hate us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must build
up and not tear down our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must wait and rest
upon the security we find in Christ. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Heavenly Father. We have sinned against You and Your
Holy Word. We have trusted in men when we ought to have trusted in You. We have
been given to fear and faithlessness. We have polluted our minds with all
manner of filth and vile things. We have neglected your word. We have hated
those we ought to have loved. We have created division where we ought to have
been peacemakers. We bite and devour each other to pursue self-righteous ends.
Oh God You are Justified to Judge us with the full weight of Your wrath. We are
dust. Forgive us Oh Lord. We cannot endure the full weight of your fury. We
will be swept up and destroyed by the brightness of Your Glory. We appeal Lord
to Your Grace. We call upon Your Mercy. We confess to You that we have polluted
our garments. Help us Lord by the power of Your Holy Spirit to turn back to
right living. Help us Lord in our fear and lack of faith to be restored in the
confidence of our Lord. Bring unity and not division to your people. Help us to
live out the building of each other up in Love. Oh God hide us in the Sanctuary
of Your presence. In this moment Lord, the moment that you have called us to,
empower us to live as your people even as the world seems to tear itself down
around us. Be our hope, be our joy, be our love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Jesus Name<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">AMEN<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-80798302108485377112021-11-06T11:30:00.000-07:002021-11-06T11:30:04.166-07:00More than words<p> Love without Hypocrisy (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.9" target="_blank">Romans 12:9</a>)
is a trait of true love. If I am honest then I must confess that I have been
the hypocrite. I have sinned and missed the mark when it comes to loving without
hypocrisy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another way to say this is to be sincere in love. So often
we make expressions of affection, but if we are honest, we come up short in
actions of affection. We say that we care, we will help, we will pray, we will
do such and such. However, either though neglect, forgetfulness, or lack of
desire we are unable to complete the task. We see this warning in 2 Corinthians
8-9. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%208.1-5" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 8:1-5</a> we see Paul praising the impoverished
churches in Macedonia for their generosity in giving to others needs. They “begged”
for the opportunity to participate in this gift. They did this by first giving
themselves to God and then to the ministry of gifts by God’s will. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul goes on to challenge the Corinthians in to fulfill the
pledge they made to give support to the needs of other Christians. He explains
that he is not wanting them to be compelled by his asking, but rather out of
love.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/2%20Cor%208.8" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 8:8 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of
the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">So when we make a promise to support others then we show the
genuineness of love when we fulfill our vows. I think that none of us can make
the claim to perfectly fulfill love in our relationships. However, we cannot use
our imperfections to give up on loving well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We also do well to recognize the law of sowing a reaping. In
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%209.6-9" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 9:6-9</a> we learn that the gifts that we give generously or sparingly
reap the same. We also learn that God grace overflows and provides for our
needs. So that out of our abundance we can “excel in every good work.” The
purpose of our abundance then is not to serve ourselves, but rather to give and
love well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This brings me sorrow. I recognize that I can and must do
better. How often I have missed the opportunity to love others out of the
abundance of God’s graces. I am thankful for God’s “indescribable gift” (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%209.15" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 9:15</a>). With God we have the forgiveness of sin. When we miss
the mark God’s grace restores us that we might press on in good works. I am
reminded:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Ps%2030.5" target="_blank">Psalm 30:5 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a
lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let us press on, seek forgiveness, and fulfill the vows of
love and excel in good works of ministry. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God Richly Bless You,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-34130501528099919512021-11-04T10:33:00.000-07:002021-11-04T10:33:11.601-07:00Divine Potter<p> </p><div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%209.20%E2%80%9321" target="_blank">Romans
9:20–21 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">On the contrary, who are you, a human being, to talk
back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you
make me like this?” Or has the potter no right over the clay, to make from the
same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This next reference is more of a summary than a direct
quote. We see the potter reference throughout the book of <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2029.13-21" target="_blank">Isaiah
29:13-21</a>, 45:1-13, 64. We also see a similar reference in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Jer%2018.1-12" target="_blank">Jeremiah
18:1-12</a>. Paul used this similar imagery in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Tim%202.20" target="_blank">2 Timothy
2:20</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2029.13-21" target="_blank">Isaiah 29:13-21</a> Israel had gone astray. They were not
following God. As a result, they were in rebellion against God. The clay
speaking against the potter is a ironic metaphor in this case. They were being
disobedient against God. In this sense they were making themselves equal to God
as if God was not their maker. This metaphor is describing Israel’s rejection
of God. It also is referencing the nation not individuals. As a people they have
rejected God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The context of the next section <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2045.1-13" target="_blank">Isaiah
45:1-13</a> is a divine letter to a future king. King Cyrus was the instrument
God used to restore the people of Israel. God used Isaiah’s prophetic role to
write out His intentions. This “letter” to Cyrus starts in the previous chapter
where God says <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2044.28" target="_blank">Isaiah 44:28</a> “who says to Cyrus, “My shepherd, he will
fulfill all my pleasure” and says to Jerusalem, “She will be rebuilt,” and of
the temple, “Its foundation will be laid.”” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The reason I refer to this as a divine letter is that the
prophecy occured about 140 years before Cyrus came to power and about 160 years
before the events the prophecy describes. Further it is written by the
historian Josephus that this section of Isaiah was shared with Cyrus and was
the motivation for Cyrus’ decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezra%201.2-4" target="_blank">Ezra 1:2-4</a>).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/LLS$3A6.40.2;art=JOS.2.11.1.2;off=7" target="_blank" title="The Works of Josephus: New Updated Edition">The Works of
Josephus: New Updated Edition</a> <span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter 1: How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews out of
Babylon, and Suffered Them to Return to Their Own Country, and to Build Their
Temple; for Which Work He Gave Them Money</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">This was known to Cyrus by his reading the book which
Isaiah left behind him of his prophecies<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Imagine reading a scroll that mentions you and your
circumstances specifically and that this scroll was written 160 years before
you read it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Back to the potter metaphor. Leading up to the Potter
statement God (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2045.9" target="_blank">Isaiah
45:9</a>) is declaring His authority as the creator of the universe through the
Prophet Isaiah. Then what follows is more of the same sentiment. God is using
this metaphor to describe His authority as the maker of all things. In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2045.10" target="_blank">Isaiah 45:10</a>
we also see that this potter metaphor is describing the creation of Israel as a
nation. He continues on describing His authority up to verse 13. Then the
message changes to focus on Israel’s salvation. On verse in particular stands
out to me.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2045.22" target="_blank">Isaiah 45:22</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For
I am God, and there is no other.” <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over and over again the Bible proclaims that to be saved it
requires turning to God. This only makes sense in my estimation if that choice
is meaningful. If that is not a meaningful choice then it is not sincere faith.
When God arbitrarily chooses who will be saved and who will be condemned that
means that turning is not really a meaningful choice. It is simply the
fulfillment of God’s choice to save or not save. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2064.8-12" target="_blank">Isaiah 64:8-12</a> we see again that the potter clay picture is
being used to describe the nation of Israel. We (plural) are the clay
(singular). The only way for this statement to be true is to understand it to
mean We (people making up the nation of Israel) are the clay (the nation that
God is molding). “All of us are your people.” Does this mean that all are saved
who are of Israel? Of course not! Yet all are part of God’s elect for the
purposes that God has set forth for the nation of Israel. That is to be the
Covenant of the Law, Nation of priests, and the seed of salvation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Isaiah 65 we see God’s response. There is a lot there and
perhaps in a future post we can explore it in greater depth. But I want to
point out a couple of observations. God says that Israel has not sought God,
and that they have rejected God. As a result, they will face judgement. However,
starting with <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2065.8" target="_blank">Isaiah
65:8</a> we see there is a subset of Israel that God is going to preserve and
bless. Who are these people? “Those who have sought me (God).” <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2065.10" target="_blank">Isaiah 65:10</a>.
Literally those that have placed their faith in God. Who are the people that
face judgement? Those that abandon God, ignore God’s call, do evil, and choose
things that God does not delight in (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2065.11-12" target="_blank">Isaiah
65:11-12</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Jer%2018.5-11" target="_blank">Jeremiah 18:5-11</a> we see that once again the potter clay
picture represents the “House of Israel.” We note that clearly God is talking
about nations. Also again we see God’s solution to the impending destruction to
“Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds” <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Jer%2018.11" target="_blank">Jeremiah 18:11</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One last stop in cross references about the potter clay
picture. In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Tim%202.20-21" target="_blank">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a> “Now in a large house there are not only
gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable
use and some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything
dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master,
prepared for every good work.” This does not have the potter, but it does have
the “vessels.” This passage covers a similar motif and is also written by Paul.
I want to note that there are honorable and dishonorable vessels just as in
Romans 9. The distinction though is made in that the honorable vessels have
purified themselves “from anything dishonorable.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, what can we conclude. As has been the case with the direct
quotes from the Old Testament this potter/clay metaphor used in several
passages in the Old Testament also deals with Israel as a nation. It is hard to
escape the impression that Paul seems to be talking about Israel as a nation
and not a doctrine of individual election in Romans 9. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We still have more passages to explore. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ Olson<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-46912206560742533492021-11-04T03:39:00.001-07:002021-11-04T11:39:23.320-07:00Hardened Hearts<br />
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%209.17" target="_blank">Romans 9:17 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">For the Scripture tells Pharaoh, I raised you up for
this reason so that I may display my power in you and that my name may be
proclaimed in the whole earth.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This quote is from <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Exod%209.16" target="_blank">Exodus 9:16 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">However, I have let you live for this purpose: to show
you my power and to make my name known on the whole earth.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">One interesting note this quote is a statement of Grace. Note
in the the verse immediately proceeding it God is suggesting that he would have
been justified to completely obliterate Pharaoh and the Egyptians (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%209.15" target="_blank">Exodus 9:15</a>).
So allowing him to live that God’s power and Glory might be revealed to the
world was His purpose. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One might wonder about the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Why
would God do this? Doesn’t seem that God is being unfair? It is a question that
logically follows as Paul says <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.19" target="_blank">Romans 9:19</a> “You will say to me, therefore, “Why then does
he still find fault? For who resists his will?”” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul answers this question but a bit of context of the
hardening of Pharaoh’s heart before we look at Paul’s answer. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God calls Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt
(Exodus 3). God tells Moses that the King of Egypt will not let the people go.
He suggests that even with a force he will not let Israel. He explains that
through awful plagues Israel will be delivered by God and that the Egyptians
will voluntarily surrender wealth to Israel. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first mention that God is going to harden the heart of
Pharaoh occurs in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%204.21" target="_blank">Exodus 4:21</a> “The Lord instructed Moses, “When you go back
to Egypt, make sure you do before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put
within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he won’t let the people
go.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before any mention of the actual hardening of Pharaoh's
heart we see that the King of Egypt was unwilling to work with Moses to allow
Israel to go worship God (Exodus 5). In fact quite the opposite. Initially
Pharaoh makes the burden on Israel worse. So much so that the people of Israel
are upset with Moses for making a bad situation worse. This chapter I believe
establishes the intent of Pharaoh’s heart. He has no plan to allow Israel to go
and will be ruthless to establish his will. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We see again God will harden the heart of Pharaoh in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%207.3" target="_blank">Exodus 7:3</a>
“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and multiply my signs and wonders in the
land of Egypt.” God’s purpose is to bring judgment to Egypt (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%207.4" target="_blank">Exodus 7:4</a>).
It is interesting to note here that God is judging the nation of Egypt through
their leader. In this way the judgement that God is revealing is against the
whole nation and not Pharaoh alone. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prior to the first plague we learn the state of Pharaoh’s
heart <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%207.13" target="_blank">Exodus
7:13</a> “However, Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen to them, as
the Lord had said.” We see here that his heart was already hard before any
hardening had occurred. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the first plague it says the Pharaoh’s heart continued
to be hard <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%207.22" target="_blank">Exodus
7:22</a> “But the magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their occult
practices. So Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he would not listen to them, as the
Lord had said.” Note there is still no mention that God has hardened Pharaoh’s
heart yet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the second plague it says that Pharaoh’s heart was
hardened, but not by God but by himself <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%208.15" target="_blank">Exodus 8:15</a>
“But when Pharaoh saw there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not
listen to them, as the Lord had said.” When we are stubborn against things we
can also harden our own hearts against something or someone. That is what
Pharaoh has done here. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the third plague Pharaoh’s heart continued to be hard.
<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%208.19" target="_blank">Exodus 8:19</a>
““This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s
heart was hard, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the forth plague Pharaoh again hardens his own heart <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%208.32" target="_blank">Exodus 8:32</a>
“But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also and did not let the people go.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the fifth plague Pharaoh’s heart continued to be hard <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%209.7" target="_blank">Exodus 9:7</a>
“Pharaoh sent messengers who saw that not a single one of the Israelite
livestock was dead. But Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not let the people
go.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now before we continue, I want to note that Pharaoh had eight
opportunities to repent and obey God. All of these opportunities occurred
before God had done anything to harden Pharaoh’s heart. What is more it would
seem that on at least two occasions Pharaoh hardened his own heart against
God’s commands. We also seen that even after five miraculous displays of God’s
mighty judgement Pharaoh’s heart remained steadfast against God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There comes a time when God gives people over to the
destruction of their choices (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%201.18-21" target="_blank">Romans
1:18-21</a>). God reveals Himself and yet people continue to reject him. So
they are without excuse since God has made it clear to them. At some point then
God “Delivers them over in the desires of their heart.” (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%201.24" target="_blank">Romans 1:24</a>).
This hardening is progressively worse and worse (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%201.26-32" target="_blank">Romans
1:26-32</a>). It is important to note though that God is not the author of sin
here (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/James%201.13" target="_blank">James
1:13</a>). They are hardened in the direction they were already going. Given
that it is God giving them over there is a supernatural judicial hardening that
is occurring. One way to look at it is if your are going to choose this
direction then you will experience the full weight of the natural and spiritual
consequences of your choices. Ultimately God’s aim in this is to have people
come to repentance (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%202.4" target="_blank">Romans 2:4</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Back to Pharaoh. After the sixth plague we see that God
begins to harden Pharaoh’s heart <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%209.12" target="_blank">Exodus 9:12</a>
“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he did not listen to them, as the
Lord had told Moses.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the seventh plague Pharaoh is back to hardening his
own heart <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%209.34-35" target="_blank">Exodus
9:34-35</a> “When Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had ceased, he
sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his officials. So Pharaoh’s heart
was hard, and he did not let the Israelites go, as the Lord had said through
Moses.” The Bible makes it clear here that Pharaoh is the one who is sinning. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the Eighth plague we see Pharaoh’s resolve begin to waver.
He says <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2010.16-17" target="_blank">Exodus
10:16-17</a> “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. Please
forgive my sin once more and make an appeal to the Lord your God, so that he
will just take this death away from me.” However, that was not God’s plan. His
judgement was not yet fulfilled. So <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2010.20" target="_blank">Exodus 10:20</a>
“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the Israelites go.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the ninth plague Pharaoh’s resolve again wavers when
he says, <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2010.24" target="_blank">Exodus
10:24</a> “Go, worship the Lord. Even your families may go with you; only your
flocks and herds must stay behind.” God again hardens Pharaoh’s heart <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2010.27" target="_blank">Exodus 10:27</a>
“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the tenth plague Pharaoh finally lets Israel leave.
However, God hardens his heart yet one more time (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2014.4" target="_blank">Exodus 14:4</a>)
so that he pursues Israel into the wilderness ultimately losing his military in
the Red Sea (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2014.23-28" target="_blank">Exodus 14:23-28</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So what can we conclude? First Pharaoh’s heart was hard from
the beginning and remained hard without any assistance from God initially.
Second on at least three occasions Pharaoh hardened his own heart twice before
God did. Third it was only after eight opportunities to repent that God
hardened Pharaoh’s heart and God hardened Pharaoh’s heart four times. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why is this important? Well some would use Romans 9 as
evidence that God arbitrarily chooses people to save and to condemn. This is
not anywhere close to what the Bible teaches. Condemnation is the result of
rebellion against God. That is the clear and consistent teaching of the Bible.
Both temporal and eternal judgement from God is rooted in man’s rejection of
Him. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we look at Pharaoh as an example then in the full
context of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart we can clearly see that it was not
arbitrary. God in his sovereignty used Pharaoh to display His power and Glory
and Pharaoh rebelled against God resulting in God’s hardening and judgment.
That is the plain teaching of Scripture. No grammatical mishmash changes that!
So then any interpretation of Romans 9 necessarily needs to take this into
account. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So how did Paul answer this question in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.19" target="_blank">Romans 9:19</a>?
I think he answers it with the rhetorical question in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.22" target="_blank">Romans 9:22</a>
“And what if God, wanting to display his wrath and to make his power known,
endured with much patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction?” By the
way this question mirrors <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%209.16" target="_blank">Exodus 9:16</a> “However, I have let you live for this purpose:
to show you my power and to make my name known on the whole earth.” So the
answer to the question is so that God may be glorified both in righteous
judgement (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.16" target="_blank">Romans
9:16</a>) and great mercy (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.17" target="_blank">Romans 9:17</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are still many more quotes to explore from Romans 9 in
future posts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ Olson<o:p></o:p></p>
<p> </p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-11903566889202924042021-11-04T03:22:00.001-07:002021-11-04T03:22:18.221-07:00Romans 9 and the Nation of Israel Continued<p> I started to elaborate on how it is important to look at the
references that Paul is using in Romans 9 to fully understand what exactly he
is trying to communicate. In this way we can let scripture speak for itself.
There is no better commentary for scripture than scripture itself. I focused on
two key passages <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.13" target="_blank">Romans 9:13</a> quoting <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mal%201.3" target="_blank">Malachi 1:3</a>
and <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.12" target="_blank">Romans
9:12</a> quoting <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2025.23" target="_blank">Genesis 25:23</a>. I now am looking at the other quotes in
Romans 9.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%209.7" target="_blank">Romans 9:7 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Neither is it the case that all of Abraham’s children
are his descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through
Isaac.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The statement “your offspring will be traced through Isaac”
is a clear focus on Israel. Isaac is inheriting the promised covenant that God
has given to Abraham. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Gen%2021.11%E2%80%9313" target="_blank">Genesis
21:11–13 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">This was very distressing to Abraham because of his son.
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and about your
slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your offspring will
be traced through Isaac, and I will also make a nation of the slave’s son
because he is your offspring.”<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sarah asked Abraham to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham
was understandably distressed by this request. However, God was going to use
this for good. Notice the quote your offspring will be traced through Isaac.
This is a reminder to Abraham about God’s promises (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2015.4-6" target="_blank">Genesis 15:4-6</a>).
It is a promise to Abraham that is repeated multiple times in Genesis (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2012.7" target="_blank">Genesis 12:7</a>,
15:18, 17:8, 24:7). On each occasion the promise was related to Israel not
individually to Isaac. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also notice that God is fulfilling his promise to Abraham by
saying Ishmael will be a nation as well (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2021.13" target="_blank">Genesis 21:13</a>).
So this quote is dealing with Israel and decedents of Ishmael. Interestingly
Ishmaelites are often associated with Arabs and even the Islamic religion
considers Ishmael a patriarch of their religion. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next quote is when God and angels visit Abraham and
Sarah before she is pregnant with Isaac (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.9" target="_blank">Romans 9:9</a>
and <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2018.10-15" target="_blank">Genesis
18:10-15</a>). This particular quote is dealing with the promise of Isaac. It
focuses on the fact that Sarah was in disbelief that she could have a child of
her own. She had been through menopause and recognized that she would never
have children. And so when God said that she would have a baby she laughed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We move forward to Moses with the next quote. In this quote
he is referencing when Moses asked to see God’s face. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Exod%2033.18%E2%80%9320" target="_blank">Exodus
33:18–20 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Then Moses said, “Please, let me see your glory.” He
said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will
proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be
gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But he
added, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live.”<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The graciousness was Three-fold. God was promising that the
goodness of His presence and rest (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2033.13-17" target="_blank">Exodus
33:13-17</a>). God was also protecting Moses from His consuming glory (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2033.20" target="_blank">Exodus 33:20</a>).
Specifically notice the larger context of this quote. Moses in not asking for
favor on himself alone he also is asking for God’s grace toward the nation of
Israel (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2033.13" target="_blank">Exodus
33:13</a>). He is interceding for the nation (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2032.30-33" target="_blank">Exodus
32:30-33</a>). God has already promised to care for Moses, but Moses wants God
to show grace (undeserving) to Israel. It also is interesting that the renewal
of the law covenant immediately follows in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2034.1-10" target="_blank">Exodus
34:1-10</a>. Even in this case though the covenant is with the nation of Israel
(<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exod%2034.10" target="_blank">Exodus
34:10</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As mentioned in the previous blog posts it is important to
understand the context of the quotes that Paul is using here to fully
understand his intended meaning. There are several other quotes in Romans 9.
One way to think about this in the modern sense is Paul is providing hyperlinks
for us to explore. In the time of Paul giving a snip it of a quote was the same
as providing a reference as I have in these posts. My intent is to give you the
opportunity to go look these passages up. In the same way Paul is inviting us to
look at the passages that he is quoting. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The only way to interpret that Paul is referring to saving
election is to ignore the contexts of the verses that he is quoting and say
Paul is not talking about Israel as a nation and that he is talking about individuals.
Someone who holds to this view I would ask, “So is Paul proof texting the Old
Testament?” When contemporary pastors string together a set of verses out of
context to make a point in sermon, we rightly criticize this. However, to take
Romans 9 as evidence that God salvifically chooses some individuals and
condemns other individuals is to believe that proof texting is OK if Paul is
the one doing it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clearly, I do not think that is Paul’s intent here. I
believe that Paul’s focus in the part of the letter to the Roman church is on
the election of the nation of Israel as the nation of promise, covenant of the
law, and the seed of salvation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessings<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~ BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-9854906544829032212021-11-03T17:23:00.003-07:002021-11-03T17:23:26.362-07:00The Older Shall Serve The Younger?<p> </p><br />
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%209.11%E2%80%9312" target="_blank">Romans
9:11–12 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">For though her sons had not been born yet or done
anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might
stand—not from works but from the one who calls—she was told, The older will
serve the younger.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I already discussed the Old Testament quote that is in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.13" target="_blank">Romans 9:13</a>.
In that quote from <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mal%201.3" target="_blank">Malachi 1:3</a> we see that God is talking about the nations of
Israel and Edom. So then the question does the other quote relate to Jacob and
Esau individually or as nations?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The older will serve the younger seems to be a straight
forward statement. Yet we cannot find any evidence in the Genesis account that
this prophecy was fulfilled. If anything, we see that Jacob bowed to Esau (see <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%2033.3" target="_blank">Genesis 33:3</a>).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since there is no record of Esau serving Jacob then was the
prophecy wrong? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we look to the passage that was quoted in the full context,
we discover again that the prophecy did not relate to Jacob and Esau as
individuals. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Gen%2025.23" target="_blank">Genesis 25:23 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">And the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb;
two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger
than the other, and the older will serve the younger.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“Two Nations” “Two Peoples” “One People” “The older will
serve the younger.” So it seems pretty clear from this passage that has been
quoted that it is dealing with Jacob and Esau as the fathers of nations. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do see echos of the prophecy in the Blessing of Issac. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Gen%2027.29" target="_blank">Genesis 27:29 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">May peoples serve you and nations bow in worship to you.
Be master over your relatives; may your mother’s sons bow in worship to you.
Those who curse you will be cursed, and those who bless you will be blessed.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">These two passages offer insight into the prophecy. Peoples
and Nations will bow and serve Jacob. So, we can understand the prophecy as
dealing with Israel as a nation. At this point the point of the prophecy is
that Jacob is the heir of the promise made to Abraham then passed to Issac and
now being passed to Jacob. In each case the prophecy had yet to be fulfilled (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%2011.13" target="_blank">Hebrews 11:13</a>)
or is only partially fulfilled (e.g., God’s provision). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Again, we need to understand the Bible in the context of the
whole Bible. Especially when a New Testament writer is quoting the Old
Testament. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we look then at <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.6-13" target="_blank">Romans 9:6-13</a>
then we can understand that the election described here is the election of the
nation of Israel to be the God’s nation of Priests and the seed of His Son
Jesus. To turn this into a doctrine of individual election for salvation is a
mistake. It takes and applies an idea that does not come from the very passages
that Paul is quoting here. When we understand that it is dealing with Israel
and Edom, we can then understand blessings and curses more clearly. God does
not arbitrarily love or hate individuals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Taken as a whole Romans 9 is dealing with Salvation by faith
in the promises of God. In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%209.1-5" target="_blank">Romans 9:1-5</a> it is abundantly clear that Paul is addressing
Israel as a nation and heirs of the promises of God. However, being heirs was
not sufficient to save them. Why? He answers the question later in the chapter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%209.32%E2%80%9333" target="_blank">Romans
9:32–33 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith,
but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is
written, Look, I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip
over, and the one who believes on him will not be put to shame.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul is building up to this great truth in Chapter 9. It is
faith and belief in Jesus Christ that makes us righteous. This is an
extraordinarily good message. It fits with the rest of the teaching of the New
Testament. Time and again we are called to set aside our attempts to be good
enough and place our faith in Christ. The curse then rests upon those that do
not believe and not because God arbitrarily chose some to save and some to
condemn. That is Paul’s point! He continues with this same line of thinking
into Chapter 10. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-26328062925378821712021-11-03T17:17:00.000-07:002021-11-03T17:17:15.240-07:00Love Jacob Hate Esau?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Often times Romans Chapter 9 will come up as a point of
conversation related to important theological questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is true of the debate of free will
verses divine election.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have over the
year gravitated toward a more natural (i.e. let the Bible be it’s own commentary)
approach to this passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the
reason for this is that the whole chapter is a string of quotes from the Old Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul using these quotes is intentional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I firmly believe that to understand Romans
Chapter 9 it is important to understand the context of the various Old
Testament passages that Paul is quoting here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am going to explore over the next several posts the context of the various
quotes to see how they can help us understand this very important passage in Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Rom%209.13" target="_blank">Romans 9:13 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated
Esau.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This verse is a quote. It is not from Genesis though. That
turns out to be an especially important clue as to what Paul is trying to
communicate here. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The quote is from <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mal%201.3" target="_blank">Malachi 1:3</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Mal%201.2%E2%80%933" target="_blank">Malachi
1:2–3 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">“I have loved you,” says the Lord. Yet you ask, “How
have you loved us?” “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” This is the Lord’s
declaration. “Even so, I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau. I turned his mountains
into a wasteland, and gave his inheritance to the desert jackals.”<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">You see this reference was to the nations of Israel and
Edomites. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, when God says he loves Jacob in this quote he is saying
that he loves the nation of Israel. That is the plain interpretation of this
passage. God has blessed and preserved the nation of Israel. He has blessed
them as stewards of the Laws of God. In them is the seed of salvation. That is
why God loves Jacob. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In that context then when God says “Esau I have hated” it is
referencing that the Edomites have been diminished and removed as a nation.
Continuing on in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mal%201.4" target="_blank">Malachi 1:4</a> “Though Edom says, “We have been devastated,
but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of Armies says this: “They may build,
but I will demolish. They will be called a wicked country and the people the
Lord has cursed forever.” God has cursed them as a nation because the have
become a “Wicked country.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Amos%201.11" target="_blank">Amos 1:11</a> “The Lord says: I will not relent from punishing
Edom for three crimes, even four, because he pursued his brother with the sword.
He stifled his compassion, his anger tore at him continually, and he harbored
his rage incessantly.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, we see that God is righteous and did not arbitrarily
hate Esau.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is important that we understand scripture in the context
of the whole of scripture. When we isolate passages (especially passages that
are quotations) we can end up with a wrong interpretation. In this case we end
up thinking God arbitrarily hated an individual without cause before he was
born. That would not be an accurate statement in light of the passage that Paul
was quoting. It turns God into a monster. It is more likely that Paul is
talking about the election of the nation of Israel to be the stewards of God
promise and the election of Edom for destruction because at every point they
fought against the purposes of God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God bless you,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-89013689991680116162021-10-26T07:51:00.003-07:002021-10-26T14:52:10.339-07:00 Judgement is Coming<p> <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20Pet%204.12%E2%80%9319" target="_blank">1
Peter 4:12–19 CSB</a></p><div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); margin-left: 0.6in; margin-right: 0.6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0in;"><p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal
comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.
Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also
rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. If you are ridiculed for the
name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests
on you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a
meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let
him glorify God in having that name. For the time has come for judgment to
begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be
for those who disobey the gospel of God? And if a righteous person is saved
with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, let
those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful
Creator while doing what is good.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my last post I talked about how we as Christians can face
end times when we “stay alert, be sober minded, spend more time in prayer, love
in all ways and all circumstances, Practice being hospitable, and serving each
other well.” Now I would like to turn my attention to God’s Judgement and our
response to His judgment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first thing I would like to point out is that Peter
seems to be indicating that God’s judgement starts with “God’s household.” By
stating this we learn that God’s judgement is normal and expected. What is
more, for those in God’s household judgement is a sanctifying good! We must
shift our thinking about God’s judgement and learn how we can respond with hope to God's coming judgement!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we are facing God’s Judgment it is easy to fear and
feel hopeless. I certainly have felt that way often as I look at the decay of
the society around us. Even a bit closer to home I see the decay in Christian
institutions as well. Anger, Hatred, Disgust seems to rule the day at times.
All of this makes sense to me. Been there done that!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter on the other hand offers a better way in this passage.
The answer is found in two paradoxes of the Christian faith. We can rejoice in suffering
and be blessed by insults. These two things it seems are related to God’s
judgment for His people. Let’s explore how these apply to us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the first things Peter says in this section is that
we should not be surprised that when all around us has descended into
unrighteous and ungodly chaos that we as believers will experience “fiery
ordeals.” Further he suggests that these “fiery ordeals” are a test. We often
read that word test through and academic frame of reference. That is, we look
at tests as something we take to get a passing grade. However, test in this
since is an investigation into the quality of character you have in you. “What
are you made of?” is a better way to look at this test. When hardships come you
discover what a person really believes. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It reminds me of the parable of the soils. Remember the soil
in which the Word of God died in the heart of one of the people. <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2013.21" target="_blank">Matthew 13:21</a>
explains why this happens “But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress
or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.” This test
is a benefit. We learn whether what we have in our hearts is true or false
faith. It can even be a benefit for the one that falls away for as long as he
or she continues to live there is an opportunity to come to God in true faith. It
is better to understand your faith is false and turn to true faith than to find
out in the last judgment that you never knew Christ (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%207.23" target="_blank">Matthew 7:23</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A common question that comes to mind during fiery ordeals is
“Why is this happening to me?” We treat it as something that is not supposed to
happen. Peter is saying that we should not see this as something that is
unusual. We should reach a point in our walk with God that we expect to be
tested. It is a part of our walk and more importantly our sanctification with
(and by) God (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%2012.10" target="_blank">Hebrews
12:10</a>). A “fiery ordeal” is similar in the way that precious metals are
made pure. Gold is purified by heating it up and burning off the impurities.
God wants us to be pure and turning up the heat is the instrument that he uses
to accomplish His purpose. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Next, we find the first paradox to rejoice in suffering.
These are not any kind of sufferings. These are the sufferings of Christ. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(68, 114, 196); margin-left: 0.6in; margin-right: 0.6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/LLS$3AHNDFLSPRPSSL;art=SE9.7.12;off=468" target="_blank" title="Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII">Handfuls
on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII</a>
Sufferings and Consolation<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">If we, as Christians, have consecrated ourselves to God
to do His will and to manifest His truth, as Christ did, we shall understand
something of the sufferings of Christ.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">We in our western cultural mindset have adopted the belief
that rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness are a formula for
prosperity and comfort. To be honest we have had a good run of these things. So
much so that we begin to view this as the normal way of life. However, the
prosperity and relative ease of life we experience in the United States is an
oddity worldwide and historically. Even when many of the horrific world events
of the last 100 years have happened, we have for the most part been insulated
from the suffering these events have caused on individuals. As a result,
rejoicing in suffering is difficult to conceive. This lack of awareness of what
it means to suffer leads us to replace our idea of true suffering with trivial
inconveniences. The fact is we do not know suffering. Don’t get me wrong evil
still happens in the United States and suffering from that evil is a real thing.
However, we do not as a whole understand the depth of suffering that has
afflicted the whole of humanity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is my point? When we see suffering as abnormal then we
come to a passage that says “rejoice in suffering” we relegate suffering to
some far-off time and place. We do not see suffering as being expected and
normal for us. Further if we do have some sense of suffering if we are honest
about it most of the time it would fall into the category of nuisance. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need to change this mindset. I am not saying that we need
to engage in self-flagellation. Self-inflicted suffering is something the Bible
clearly teaches us to avoid. However, if suffering is normal and as this
passage seems to indicate beneficial, then we need to work on changing our
mindset on this so that it aligns with the Word of God!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are the sufferings of Christ? Two major areas in which
we as Christians can participate in the “sufferings of Christ” is through
obedience to God and speaking the truth. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Again, with the comfort mindset we think obedience to God
ought to lead to happiness. Eternally this is true. However, in this life
obedience can lead to sorrow, obedience can lead to extreme discomfort, and
obedience can lead to persecution. In the case of Jesus obedience led to death.
Taken a step further the torturous death of Christ was the plan from the
beginning. The sufferings of Christ were on purpose and not some unplanned
result of coming to an evil and chaotic world. Let the sink in. If this passage
is true then it may be part of God’s plan for you to experience deep sorrow, it
may be his plan to have you be extremely discomforted, and God may intend for
you to experience persecution. Now let me say something difficult. If you see
that as a dreadful thing then you are not yet prepared for the coming
judgement. It is time to steel your mind. If I am honest here, I am with you. I
don’t like it. But I also see the need to get ready. We need to put our house
in order!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking the truth is vital to the sufferings of Christ. If
someone suffers for a lie then that does not seem all that special. That is the
way of the world. Again, and again lies and deceptions are creating all manner
of suffering in the world. No wonder the ruler of this world is the father of
lies (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%208.44" target="_blank">John
8:44</a>). So, the world suffers for lies because it is in its nature to do so.
On the other hand, we as believers suffer for truth (at least we ought to).
This means that we need to be both selective and bold as to what we proclaim. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need to be selective because we need to stand on the
truth of God. There are so many lies around us that it is easy to fall into the
trap of standing for something that sounds true, but in reality, is just a lie
dressed up in light. Please hear me on this. I have been grieved by how much
deception is in our world today. Not so much by the deception of those who hold
animosity toward God. That does not shock me or surprise their father is the
Devil. I have grieved over the deceptions that are promulgated by my brothers
and sisters in Christ. We have thrown discernment to the wind and hitched our
future to anyone that sounds like they might agree with us. I do not say this
as a judgement. Please understand my heart longs for Christians to stand for
the truth of God no more and no less. So being selective is vital to an end
times mindset. We cannot afford to fight battles that ultimately are rooted in
deception. This is not participating in the sufferings of Christ. And I
sincerely believe that the Devil wants to use these to rob us from rejoicing in
the sufferings of Christ. We will suffer! Whether we rejoice in suffering is
strongly connected to discernment starting with those that most agree with us.
This because the Devil is a crafty one and able to masquerade as an angel of
light (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%2011.14" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 11:14</a>). Test everything and hold on to what is true (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Thess%205.21" target="_blank">1
Thessalonians 5:21</a>); and not what I feel is true or sounds like it could be
true. Be selective!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Boldness is also needed. Too long we have been willing to
live quiet lives so as not to disturb the negotiated peace with the world. Here
is something that is vital. We cannot be bold in a worldly way. We must be bold
in the Love of God and in the Name of Christ. I have written many things about
God’s love and there is much more to write. It is God’s love that characterizes
the transformed believer. When we are bold in worldly ways (sarcasm, insults,
coarse jesting, deception, arrogance, instilling fear, shame, condemnation, and
the like) we trade power for love and in the end, we will lose both. We must
not let the world’s weapons of boldness become the poison that spews from our
mouths. It is sick and wrong. It dishonors the name of Christ. We must rise
above such pursuits and pursue love! Boldness in Love is the only redemptive
way to speak truth. Just to drive the point look at this passage:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Eph%204.14%E2%80%9315" target="_blank">Ephesians
4:14–15 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the
waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with
cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us
grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">By truth and obedience we will naturally experience the
sufferings of Christ because the world hates Christ and will in turn hate us (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.18" target="_blank">John 15:18</a>).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Boldness that we have is rooted in the Name of Christ (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Pet%204.16" target="_blank">1 Peter 4:16</a>).
In times of judgement there will be pressure to be ashamed of the name of
Christ. However, our boldness comes from the very name the world wants us to be
ashamed of. One benefit of judgement of God is that the label Christian (i.e.
follower of Christ) that has been so distorted that it is meaningless in our
modern culture, will have a restored meaning. Those who do not follow Christ
will abandon the name Christian out of shame. Those that truly follow Christ
will be bold in their Christianity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So then how do we rejoice in this? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One key point Peter is making to us is to look forward
beyond the present sufferings to when the Glory of Christ will be revealed (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Pet%204.13" target="_blank">1 Peter 4:13</a>).
The glory of Christ is hidden from those that are perishing (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%204.3-4" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 4:3-4</a>), but one day it will be revealed for all to see. To
those that are perishing it will be to mourning (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rev%201.7" target="_blank">Revelation 1:7</a>).
For the believer it will be rejoicing. So, one thing we keep in the forefront
of our mind is that we will be glorified IN CHRIST! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We also rejoice since God is using these sufferings to help
us to become the people he has called us to be. A call to Christian life is a
call to suffering. This suffering is for our benefit and growth in faith and
obedience. Without resistance of lifting weight our muscles don’t grow. Without
suffering our faith does not grow. Therefore, we rejoice in the sufferings of
Christ that our faith and character might be forged in the fires of ordeal. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rejoicing is also protective. No suffering is pleasant.
Let’s be honest in our hedonistic selves we would never choose suffering. When
we expect to not suffer then we can easily become bitter when we do suffer. So,
in this way rejoicing protects us from the bitterness that naturally follows
most periods of suffering. There is a saying that “suffering can make you
bitter or better.” It is my belief that the outcome is related to whether you
can rejoice in suffering or not. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This brings us to the second paradox. It is a blessing to be
ridiculed. This is something that I can understand intellectually. It seems
heroic to stand for righteousness, love, and justice in the face of ridicule.
Every remarkable story has an element of this heroic stand in the face of evil.
However, we don’t live in the heroic fantasies of books, tv shows, or movies.
We don’t even really live in the fantasy in which we are the hero of our own
story. No in reality ridicule is something that tears us to the heart and will
inflame passions of rage (at times even murderous rage). Since enduring
ridicule is participating in the sufferings of Christ how did Jesus handle
ridicule? <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20Pet%202.21%E2%80%9324" target="_blank">1
Peter 2:21–24 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">For you were called to this, because Christ also
suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was
insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten
but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in
his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for
righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus did not sin. Now I am not saying that we will live a
life of sinless perfection. We can and likely will miss the mark. However, just
because we miss the mark does not mean that we stop aiming. Jesus was not
deceptive. I have already talked about this, but it drives home how important
truth is. Jesus did not return insults. Jesus did not threaten those that
caused his suffering. He entrusted himself to God becoming obedient and laying
down his life for the forgiveness of sins and our righteousness. In this same
way we can entrust ourselves to Him and lay down our lives for the service of
others. That is how we respond to ridicule. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we have a godly response to ridicule it is a blessing.
When we have an ungodly response to ridicule, we get what negative consequences
we deserve. Another way to think about it is when we respond insult for insult,
we rob ourselves of future blessings that God has for our lives and for
eternity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Holy Spirit figures strongly into how we respond to end
times judgment. God’s Spirit “rests on you.” Stop and think on that for a
moment. As judgement comes God covers us with his Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Often wild land firefighters carry an emergency fire shelter
that can be deployed as a last resort if they become trapped by a fire. The
purpose of the shelter is to deflect the heat allowing the firefighter to
potentially survive a lethal situation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is similar to how God deals with us. The fire of God’s
wrath and judgement is coming. However, his Holy Spirit covers us and shelter
us to deflect the heat of His wrath. I do not think this analogy is much of a
stretch in light of the verse that follow later <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Pet%204.18" target="_blank">1 Peter 4:18</a>
“And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Holy Spirit also strengthens and gives wisdom and
knowledge in addition to protecting the believer (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2011.2" target="_blank">Isaiah 11:2</a>).
The Spirit of God gives us reverence for God. This reverence for God is greatly
beneficial in times of Judgement. Reverence and not bitterness is the
appropriate response to God’s discipline of our nation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Spirit of God rests upon us, we have the Glory of
God resting upon us as well. Think about that for a moment. The eternal glory
of God is a covering as you face fiery ordeals. That should put hope in your
soul. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is in this context that sufferings and insults become joy
and blessings. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a warning to us here though. When judgement comes
there will be a temptation to respond in a worldly manner. Peter stresses that
we cannot go that route. He lists four sins that will place us out of God’s
will for this trial: murder, theft, evil doing, and meddling. The first two seem
obvious enough, but what are the second two?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An evildoer is a person who deliberately engages in evil
activity and is worthy of punishment of that activity. That is an extensive
list of things that is covered by this one term. I won’t list all of them but <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%205.19-21" target="_blank">Galatians
5:19-21</a> contains a partial list of evil actions. One bible word study I did
I came up with a list of 55 different evil actions that would be considered
evildoing. Some that I would think are relevant to this conversation are
deceiver, insurrectionist, slanderer, sexually immoral, false witness,
pretender, false teacher, scorner, and oppressor. As I said the list is long
and I could go on. Perhaps I may publish the list in a separate post. The point
is this, evildoers do not participate in the joy and blessings of God’s
judgement. Knowing this then we must make every effort to avoid every evil as
we face trials. This can be difficult. For example, when facing insults for
example we may naturally have the urge to counter attack, spread lies, be
cruel, become proud, engage in slander, and so on. Peter is warning that our
response to these things must be upright. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is meddling and how do we avoid it? A meddler is a
particular type of evildoer. Peter must see this as something that needs to be
highlighted as we face trials. another translation of this word would be
busybody. It describes someone who is more interested in the affairs of others
than attending to their own issues. It is a tendency to point out the wrong of
others to gain a sense of moral superiority. Well the Bible makes it clear that
you do not gain moral superiority, but that you are an evil doer when you
engage in meddling (See <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Tim%205.13" target="_blank">1 Timothy 5:13</a>; <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Thess%203.11" target="_blank">2
Thessalonians 3:11</a>). We avoid meddling by following the teaching we find in
Ephesians<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/Eph%204.29%E2%80%9332" target="_blank">Ephesians
4:29–32 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">No foul language should come from your mouth, but only
what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those
who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the
day of redemption. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be
removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This post is already long enough otherwise I would elaborate
on this a bit more. Maybe a future post. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me just be real for a moment. I have failed. The reality
that there are times of trials in my life that I have resorted to evil rather
than placing my faith in God and allowing the covering of His Spirit to guide
me. I say this with great shame and sorrow. To those I have hurt I am deeply
sorry. It is a shame that I carry and regret in the depths of my heart. God’s
grace rescues me from being hopelessly lost in regret. He is able to forgive me
when I confess my sin to Him (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%201.9" target="_blank">1 John 1:9</a>).
Redemption from past mistakes is a blessing of God that even when we miss the
mark God is greater than all my sin and shame. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the end the admonition of Peter is a good place to wrap
this post up. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20Pet%204.19" target="_blank">1 Peter 4:19 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; margin: 0.25in 0in;">So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust
themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-65358328529051046902021-10-23T07:22:00.001-07:002021-10-23T07:22:09.466-07:00End-Time Ethics (Wisdom about how to get through these trying times)<p> </p><br />
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/1%20Pet%204.7%E2%80%9311" target="_blank">1
Peter 4:7–11 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and
sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another,
since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without
complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as
good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one
who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God
provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To
him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is getting worse. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ I
cannot say with any certainty that we are in the end times. However, I can say
that this is a time of trial. What is more as the end times approach that
trials will get worse. So how are we to respond?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter offers several admonitions for the people to survive
and thrive through the end times. He says we need to be alert, sober minded,
prayerful, loving, hospitable, and serving. Lets break down each of these and
discern how these things might apply to us today. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Be Alert:<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">This Greek word is defined as: to be soberly wise v. — to
think and live wisely in self-control over one’s passions and desires. This is
a trait that seems so foreign to our current cultural moment. We have let
passion and desire cloud our thinking about the circumstances of our time. Many
have abandoned self-control. And it is difficult to find wisdom in our dialog.
It seems that demanding your way has become the guiding principle of our times.
It reminds me of the verse in <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Judg%2021.25" target="_blank">Judges 21:25</a>
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his
own eyes.” The warning to be soberly wise is very valuable to our time. We
cannot let the passions of the worldly strife take our heart and soul where God
does not want us to go!<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Sober Minded:<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter doubly emphasizes the importance of having
self-control. This word means: to get self-control <span style="font-family: "Cambria Math",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cambria Math";">⇔</span> sober up v.
— to curb the controlling influence of inordinate emotions or desires (and
therefore become reasonable); conceived of as sobering up from the influence of
alcohol. At times emotions and desires are a mind altering control over our
thinking. Honestly I have fallen into this mindset. The warning here is to
guard against falling into the altered state. The word gives a similarity to
being under the influence of alcohol. Have your emotions and/or desires altered
your mind? Peter’s admonition is “sober up!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Prayer:<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is most certainly a time of prayer. I am so thankful
for the Pastors at Richland Baptist Church. We have been meeting regularly to
encourage each other in our walk with God. But more importantly we have been
praying. We have been asking God to push us toward the things he wants in our
lives. We have been praying for how God would have us lead. Praying for His
Holy Spirit to fill our lives. We have prayed for the boldness and
encouragement from the Lord. Quite honestly I have spent more time in prayer in
the last two years than at any other time in my life. I don’t say that as a
boast. I say that because that is what is needed at this time. We need to be in
prayer. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Above all maintain constant love:<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has been the central truth that God has put on my
heart. Anyone that has been reading my posts know this. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The phrase “above all” is vitally important to this verse.
It means that love is to be the overarching and controlling influence in all
that we do. The full extent of all that we do ought to be grounded in love. I
am still working on this. I cannot say that I have been able to do this well.
Prayerfully God is showing me how to love in His way. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are to maintain love. That is love is active and
intentional on our part. We cannot passively approach this subject of love. We
are to keep love. When we lose love then we are going to be tossed about in the
storm of this cultural moment. Love is the stabilizing force that keeps us
grounded. The moment you start to maintain love the Devil will attack you. He
does not want you to experience the power of God’s love in your life. Be
forewarned maintaining love is no easy task. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are to have a constant Love. This means that there is no
sometimes love. Love is marked by great care and diligence. It is loving even
when the natural thing would be to hate (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%205.43-45" target="_blank">Matthew
5:43-45</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Loving in this way has a product that is very important to
the Christian life. At the very center of our faith is the grace and
forgiveness that exist in the salvation we find in Jesus Christ. This
forgiveness of sin is the very essence of the Gospel (good news) of our faith.
When we love then it “covers a multitude of sins.” Let’s face it each of us are
broken and sinful. We miss the mark with regularity. Without the covering of
sin we would be hopeless. It is love of God that covers our sin in
righteousness. So then when we love others we are forgiving of what every short
comings they may have. Loving relationships are transforming. Hateful
relationships are destructive. We need to be know by our love!<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Be Hospitable: <o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">This word is defined as: hospitable adj. — disposed to treat
guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity. In our time there is a
complete abandoning of cordiality and generosity. It has been lost. It does not
surprise me that it has been lost in the world. What really troubles me is how
much it has been lost in the Church. The church has become in many ways an
inhospitable and viscous place. There have always been moments and places over
the years that I have experienced this, but it has always been the exception
and not the the norm. We have lost this. We need to get it back soon!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are to be hospitable without complaining. Boy do we like
to complain. I include myself in that. If there is something that we do not
like we are quick to complain. The specific word here is grumbling. It reminds
be of when the Israelites were in the desert and God was providing them daily
food and yet the still complained about the leadership of Moses (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Num%2014.27" target="_blank">Numbers 14:27</a>).
Complaining is very disheartening. It saps the zeal and excitement for the
Lord. It is like a sail without a wind. Complaining makes you dead in the
water. Ironically most people criticize because they want something to change.
However, criticism makes change less not more likely. Any change positive or
negative stalls in the face of Criticism<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Serve Others:<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has given each of us gifts. We are to use these gifts in
the service of others. That is our primary ministry in the kingdom of God. Our
goal is not to be served but to serve. Often in church life we get that
backwards. We look for ways that the body of Christ can serve our needs. Don’t
get me wrong it is a blessing to receive the love and grace that comes from
people who care about you. That is how it is supposed to work. However, our
goal ought not to be to seek that out for ourselves, but rather how can we live
that out toward others. Are you discontented? Then find somewhere in the church
that you can serve and devote yourself to being the best God can make you to be
in that position of service. Serve with excellence and Love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need to speak God’s words as we serve. Often we replace
what God says with what we think is best. That is bound to create problems. We
need to follow God and not use human idea, wisdom, polity, argument to
encourage one another in church. That is not to say there is not wisdom that
can be brought to bear in our walk. The Bible does not explain cardiology.
However, man’s wisdom can never be held above or replace the clear teachings of
God’s word. In order to know God’s word you have to be in God’s word. It is
astounding to me how many who name Christ as their savior have never read the
Bible once. Sure they look at selected passages, but never the whole book. We
need to take the precious gift of God’s word to heart. We do that by digging
into His Holy Bible. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need to serve in God’s strength. I have at various times
tried to do things in my own strength. I can go for a while this way, but it
always ends poorly. I need to remember that. God is my strength. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>That God Might Be Glorified:<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is the purpose of being alert, sober minded, prayerful,
loving, hospitable, and serving? Well the main purpose it to glorify God. When
we act in this manner God gets the glory of our obedience. We get the blessings
of His pleasure. And ultimately it is not even our obedience purely. It is the
work of Christ in our lives transforming us into the people that God has called
us to be. So in that sense Jesus gets the glory for the work of sanctification
in your life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear brothers and sisters we are in a time of judgement. We
need to get our house in order. I will talk more on this in my next post. In
the meantime let us stay alert, be sober minded, spend more time in prayer,
love in all ways and all circumstances, Practice being hospitable, and serving
each other well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828511490815830255.post-3686922716492238942021-10-21T15:07:00.000-07:002021-10-21T15:07:03.722-07:00Why So Much About Love (Part 4)<p> </p><p class="MsoTitle">The Compelling Love of Christ<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/csb/2%20Cor%205.14%E2%80%9315" target="_blank">2
Corinthians 5:14–15 CSB</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached
this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for
all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the
one who died for them and was raised.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christ’s love compels us. Paul is saying
something about his motivation for his actions. Paul sees the love of Christ in
the sacrificial laying down of His life. Paul identifies with the death of
Christ as he says, “all died.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The reality is that <a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%205.8" target="_blank">Romans 5:8</a>
“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.” This is quite an extraordinary thing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, this loving sacrifice is what is the driving force in
Paul’s life. In fact, he says that in life we no longer live for ourselves, but
for Christ. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a theme in literature of a person who saves another
person’s life and then has a “life debt.” The individual then follows “savior”
around until that debt has been paid off. They become the servant of the one
who saved them until they have the opportunity to repay the favor of saving the
other person’s life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In some ways there is a parallel here. Jesus has saved us
from death to life. As a result, we have a life debt. His love compels us to
“No longer live for” myself, but to “live for the one who has died for me and
was raised.” We become bond servants to Christ. I think this is a bit stronger
than the usual “I serve God out of thanksgiving.” Don’t get me wrong I am
thankful for God’s grace. However, compelled service to the one that paid the
ultimate price for me seems to carry more weight. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And what is it that compels us? <b><u>Christ’s Love</u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God Bless You<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~BJ Olson<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>BJ Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10839254424531515580noreply@blogger.com0