Hmm… some thoughts. Let me first say that I think it most profitable to learn and study the original languages of the Bible. I also think it most profitable and important for people to be guided by those who labor in the Word of God and prayer and who have been trained to expound the Word of God.

Having said those things I will say this:

The Holy Spirit of God is the best teacher. The Holy Spirit is a counselor who guides the child of God into all truth. It is important to ask God for His Spirit so that we may understand truth. Everyday. Many times God will use someone who has understood the Bible by the Holy Spirit to speak to us and the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth through the speaking of someone whom He has done the same with.

Secondly, to say that the ancient writings of the Bible, and the ancient understanding of the world, and the original languages of the Bible make it difficult to judge the true weight of expressions and language in the Bible is nonsense. As I mentioned at the first, having skill in such things will doubtless aid in understanding; however, never fail to consider that God who is behind His Word gave His Word for us especially. It is for everyone who would believe of all types and classes and peoples. Not many noble and not many wise (according to the world’s standards). God is able to perfectly communicate across any and all time and language barriers, so that His Word, which will endure forever, can be understood by the mind that is enlightened by His Holy Spirit, who is the most excellent of teachers.

The inclination can be in natural man to use all sorts of systems and methods of interpretations in order to avoid the weight of scripture as well as to achieve ideas that suit one’s own thought and devices.

As in Martin Luther’s day, scripture is not for scholars only. It is for all people. To those who would understand it however; it must be understood by the enlightening of the Holy Spirit alone. Those who understand otherwise do not truly understand for the words are spirit and life and must be understood by the spirit. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father¬†corrects¬†the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12

“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;¬†FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.¬†It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?¬†But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” Hebrews 12:4-8

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” Rev 3:19

It is amazing to see how many scriptures refer to the discipline of the Lord. These are only three amidst many. It is also interesting to note how the thread runs throughout scripture and in each case it is addressed to sons even though one was written from Solomon to his son, another to the Hebrew Christians, and another to the church of Laodicea. The overarching theme is that God disciplines His children and if a “child” does not receive discipline then that child is not really a child of God, but is “illegitimate”.¬†

When addressing the religious leaders of His day, Jesus, in John chapter 8:37-47, calls them the seed of Satan. He says, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” He also says in verse 47 “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

I find this remarkable in that they were Abraham’s descendants and yet they were of their father the devil. I believe this is because, as Paul stated in Romans 9:6-7 “not all Israel are Israel” and “nor are they children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, In Isaac your seed shall be called. That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God…”

So God being the perfect Father knows how to perfectly discipline and guide those that are His. He does not discipline those that are not His sheep. They do not hear his voice or know him. Many claim to know Him and in the day they stand before Him they may say “we knew you”, and in return Jesus will say “I never knew you”. Along with this I remember how Jesus told the religious leaders in John 5 “you search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

They were not willing because they were not His. We may grow up reading the scriptures all our life but not only must we hear, read, and know the Word of God, but we must also be awakened to it. Our spiritual eyes which have been blinded must be opened by the power of God (the Holy Spirit) so that we can understand. For the natural man does not understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned, indeed, they are foolishness to him (I Cor 2… I think).¬†

So what great mercy God displays to us when he awakens our hearts, opens our eyes, and enlightens our minds to His salvation which is before us. So as mankind, throughout history has displayed this moral or spiritual inability to incline their hearts to God, He has shown great mercy and generosity to us that we may see and taste and have life… and that more abundantly.

While going through life and experiencing hardship/trials, persecutions, and discipline… it can make one wonder which it is… for God uses all of them and all things to conform us to the image of His Son Jesus. In the midst of all three though the response is the same. A wholehearted trust and devotion to God and seeking His will in our life, along with growing in His grace and knowledge. Through the difficult times it seems we grow the most and the roots are the strongest… able to endure the erosion of the years, able to endure amidst future droughts, and able to endure violent storms.

I am hesitant to say it, but I believe God will honor it still. I remember praying years ago that as God disciplines me, and as He brings trials in my life, as I know that He will… I ask that I can learn the easy way and not the hard way. I ask that I will be a child with a soft heart that can learn with a glance of His eyes and not with a backhand to the bum. I believe that He has answered that prayer and that He is able to conform us in numerous ways according to the unsearchable wisdom of His mind. Ways which are different for each individual according to the mercy and grace granted to them. It may involve the same internal struggle and emotions but not necessarily the external circumstance. Some people may be agonizing in their body to bring their spirit to where God wants it while others may agonize in their spirit only. It is not a difficult thing for God to conform us… it is difficult, most of the time (it seems) for us to receive it. May we receive it (the process) with a cheerful readiness.

So whether we experience good times or difficult times (in the flesh), may we always submit the lesser loves to the greatest Love, and put away anything that might raise itself up in our minds in the place of God. As Corrie Ten Boom talked about not holding too tightly anything of this world because then God prys it from our fingers, I think we must hold alone to Him tightly for then we can endure all things. When He sees us holding other things so tightly He knows we cannot endure whilst holding those things. Being the Perfect Parent that He is, He does what good parents do. In fact, there is no one good but God.

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11. I like the exclamation point.

Something I struggle with is the difference between “stepping out in faith” and “acting in faith”. From studying scripture I think that both occur, but it’s just that… well… I see God giving such excellent instruction to those who have gone before us… those who are the great cloud of witnesses to faith.

I see how God instructed Gideon… and Gideon believed God’s Word and acted in faith. I see how God told Joshua to have the priests step into the Jordan and they acted in faith based on what God had said (they didn’t just step out blindly). I see how the kings, when they inquired of God were instructed as to what they should do.¬†

A striking and humbling story to me is that of Asa. It really shakes me actually. I see how he sought the Lord and turned Judah to seek the Lord and how he relied on the Lord for deliverance from the great Ethiopian army. But then. Yes, then he did not rely on God when Israel came against Judah.. instead he relied on Syria and God sent a prophet to rebuke him. Asa was angry and threw the prophet in prison. Then, just as striking to me, the scripture says that Asa became diseased in his feet, yet he did not seek the Lord but the physicians. II Chronicles 16:7-14 (or for his whole life chapters 14,15,16)

Do you see it. How the scripture rebukes him for not inquiring from the Lord but instead the doctors first. So sure we can go on to look at who we turn to first and where our trust is… but look at faith in action and it is based in what God tells us after we seek Him and trust Him.¬†

I am afraid too many times I lean on what I think or what society tells me or what is “feasible” instead of what God is telling me. I want to act in faith based on what He tells me. So like Philip, when an angel of the Lord told him to go down to Gaza… and in faith he went. Then the Spirit of the Lord told him to overtake the chariot… and in faith he did and preached Christ to the Ethiopian eunuch.

Oh that the Lord would give me ears to hear so that I may hear, trust, and obey

There is no separation of knowledge. There is no division of “rational” and “faith”. There is no division of science and God. There is harmony in all knowledge and wisdom and understanding. It is harmonized because it only comes from One source.¬†

All of the great philosophers and thinkers will be proved wrong if they think otherwise. It is not I who will prove them wrong; instead it will be the harmony of knowledge and wisdom and understanding itself. That which emanates from Almighty God, El Shaddai will stare them in the face both in this life and in the next. For many in this life see and yet they do not see, they hear but they do not hear or understand.

Job 28 ¬†”But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value,¬†nor is it found in the land of the living.” vs. 12-13

“God understands its way, and He knows its place.” vs. 23

“And to man He said, Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” vs. 28

How powerful is that.

Nice thoughts. Think about the implications. 

“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so Father, for it seemed good in Your sight. All these things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” ¬†-¬†Matthew 11:25-27

“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;” – Ephesians 3:8-9

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” – Colossians 3:3

“I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” – Matthew 13:35

“Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,¬†But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:¬†To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” – Romans 16:25-27

“…and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” – Colossians 2:3

Did you see that last one? I like treasure. I think I will seek it. Yes, I think I will go on a treasure hunt and I know just where to start.

Many people looking at Christianity, who do not understand it, just see rules that one must live by. The subject of the difference between legalism and grace can fill pages and pages, however, the quickest way to the heart of the truth is through the greatest commandment. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27).

Having faith in, and loving God, compels you. That’s the difference. When you believe that God ‘is’, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, then the love of God grows in your heart. You realize His great love for you, and His great grace towards you, and His great mercy upon you. As you come to this realization it compels you to love Him. Loving Him compels you to listen to Him and obey Him.

Legalism is powerless, not only to save, but also to give power. After placing your faith, trust, and hope in Jesus’ death for your sins, He begins a work in your heart to live His life through you. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead that gives power to our mortal bodies and empowers us to live as He would.

Therefore, we are compelled to do right. We are compelled to see what the scripture says about praying, about spending money, about marrying, about government, about church, and all of the issues that pertain to life, because the Word of God speaks to all of them.

Through the ages many people have done things in the name of Jesus or God that have no start in God, and no claim on Him. Why? Because what He has revealed to us in His word is the standard. The infinite and personal God has spoken all the truth (not exhaustively, but truly) so that we can rationally understand what He requires of us. That is a gracious God. That is the beauty of grace.

What do we count as rubbish?

I have read Philippians 3 my whole life. Sometimes things hit with a different intensity at different times. Philippians 3:8-9 hit me recently. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ.”

Paul goes on to say not having his own righteousness from the law and works, but that which is through faith in Christ.

What does this mean. This verse made me think of Matthew 10:37-39 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”…

Those verses are related. Paul knows that to gain his life he must lose it. Paul knows that the excellence of the treasure that is knowing Christ by faith is worth far more than any person or thing, so much so that everything is rubbish in comparison.

I have heard nice sermons on being good stewards of the things God has given us and while it is true that we do need to be good stewards of those things… too many times it makes us feel good about stuff. Worthless stuff. It makes us feel good about spending time, energy, and money on worthless stuff instead of being good stewards of the mystery of the gospel of the grace of God that was a secret since the world began and was made known through the church (Rom 16:25, Eph 3:19).

The cool thing is that we are urged to pursue reward. Jesus said to store up treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. The Apostle Paul said that if anyone’s work was worthy they would receive reward (1 Cor. 3:14) (if the work is built on the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ). The writer of the book of Hebrews say that without faith it is impossible to please God for they must believe two things: that He (God) is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)

So rubbish? What is rubbish and what is not. What aids us in gaining the excellence of the knowledge of Christ. What hinders us? What things will not last forever? What things will? What things can I “take with me” when I die?

I think the above verses help to greatly clarify those questions.

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13

I think that verse is incredible in what it shows us about God and a relationship with Him. Speaking to Israel He indicts them with 2 evils that are just as evil for all of humanity in that, we reject Him the “Fountain of Living Water” and all of the perfect, soul satisfying refreshment that He is, and we try and get refreshment and satisfaction from broken cisterns, which we have made, and can’t even hold water. It is so foolish. It is evil to reject the greater pleasure.

“Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God.

Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled — This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment”

Incredible. That verse is an incredible picture of people who try and make things happen on their own, they light their own fire, they rely on themselves to get them through the darkness. Here Isaiah speaks to Israel about their hope in the Servant of God, speaking of the coming Jesus.

The picture is profitable for us today.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”¬†

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

This was one of my mom’s favorite passages. I have been thinking about it a lot lately. I like it alot. I loock it aalaut