"Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction."
1 Thessalonians 1:3-5a
The church in Thessolonica was, at the time Paul wrote this letter, the kind of church we all hope to be. They were living their faith with passion for Christ. They were a young church so they had not yet been infiltrated with the work of Satan, or at least they had resisted him. Paul's love for the Thessalonians is laced all throughout this letter. He has a close attachment to them as is seen in 2:7-12, and also in many other places. After Paul had established this church, he left for Athens. Not because he wanted to leave, but because he knew there was persecution coming his way and for the sake of the Thessalonians, he left. You can read all through this letter that Paul attempts and desires to visit them because he has great love for them and he is greatly encouraged by their faith and walk.
This is why Paul says, "your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope." The Thessalonians were doing their thing, and doing it well! Their faith was being displayed in their work. Their love was obvious because they actually labored to make their Christian love seen and known. This was not because of duty, but because of their love for the Lord. And their hope was steadfast. We see the steadfastness of their hope in 4:13-18, where it is clear that they eagerly awaited the return of Jesus. But Paul goes on from there to make an even stronger proclamation.
He says, "in our Lord Jesus Christ." Though Paul was encouraged by their faith, love and hope, he did not want to see them become arrogant in their works. So, Paul begins a God-centered, Christ-centered explanation of their work and salvation. He does this to keep things in perspective for this young and strong church that he loves so deeply. Paul's reminder to them is that their faith, love and hope was ALL IN CHRIST! They had no rights to claim them as their own work and it seems that they didn't. Paul was just emphasizing this truth to keep them on a Christ-centered track.
Paul continues his God-centered theology to the Thessalonians when he says, "For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you." Paul's theology is right on! And he wants the Thessalonians to be right on also. So, he reminds them that their salvation is not of themselves, but of God, who loved them and chose them. This is Paul's way of continuing to imbed in their minds that, though they are living their faith out well, they are not saved by these works, but they are chosen by God, who loved them. Notice how Paul uses the past tense verb of "loved." The idea here is that, though God STILL loves them, His electing love was at work in them prior to their existence. Therefore, they were chosen. Now that Paul has established the beginning of their salvation in God's election of them, he moves into the manifestation of their salvation played out in their lives.
He says, "because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." When Paul came to Thessalonica to preach the gospel, some got saved and and Paul led those new converts in the process of beginning a church. Here, Paul explains how their salvation happened. Again, Paul gives no credit to the people of Thessalonica, but to the Holy Spirit. This is Paul's reminder to them that their salvation happened only by the Holy Spirit's conviction in their hearts. With the power of the Holy Spirit convicting them of their sin and bringing them to conversion, they have no claim to salvation in themselves.
Paul lays out a clear picture of God's great saving and sanctifying work in the believer. Granted, the order that Paul describes here is not the actual order of events in salvation for the Christian, but it is not Paul's intent to give them these events in order, but only to encourage them to remain God-centered, Christ-centered and Holy Spirit-centered.
This is Paul's Soteriology(Doctrine of Salvation) in 1 Thessalonians: First, you are loved by God and therefore chosen by God's electing grace. At this point, you are set for heaven. The only thing is that it has not yet been played out in your life. That is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He convicts your heart of sin and a need for salvation from sin in Jesus Christ. This is the actual playing out of your salvation or the manifestation of God's electing grace in choosing you for salvation and heirship with His Son. Once that has happened, all is well, and heaven becomes your home and Jesus, your Lord. However, it doesn't stop there. Paul continues His theology by explaining that God continues to work on us. Our faith, love and hope is necessary and vital to our growth, but it is done, as Paul says, "In our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul's theology is right on. The Father chose us, Jesus died for us and the Holy Spirit convicts and seals our salvation. Notice that Paul's Soteriology involves the entire Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit. Once conversion happens, all three Persons are involved in our sanctification.
So what does this all mean for you? Just as Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians, you too should be encouraged. Our faith in Jesus was not our own work, it was His. Our works after salvation are done only in His power. Paul was reminding the Thessalonians to keep Christ at the center of all that they do. And this is his reminder to us...IT IS ALL ABOUT CHRIST!!! We can not become to elated in ourselves and become arrogant of our Christianity because all that we do is credited to Christ's righteousness on us, not our own. Therefore, be encouraged, God has chosen you, Christ has saved you and the Holy Spirit is at work in you...all for the sake of His name and HIS glory!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
God's Sanctifying Work In My Life
I have been growing SO MUCH lately. My class at Urbana Theological Seminary this semester is Old Testament Survey. I have been reading through much of the OT and the teacher is great! God is revealing more and more of Himself to me. I have always been "Christ-centered" in my theology, and I still am. But through my recent growth, God has revealed Himself to me in new ways other than just through Christ (of course realizing that the revelation of God IS in Jesus Christ, but I mean that He has shown Himself to be more than I had previously known). Of course the OT is all about the coming Messiah, but it's also more than that. It's also about a gracious God who is faithful to His covenant and merciful to His people, ultimately so that they be holy as He is holy so that God can be known among the nations! Through this He has shown me my great sinfulness and His great holiness. As God continues to reveal to me more and more of His holiness and more and more of my sinfulness, I see the gap between myself and God grow futher and further away. In that, I am able to see His grace more and more, as He has bridged that gap in Jesus Christ. What a gracious God!!!
I also read an essay on Matthew Henry by Ligon Duncan about Matthew Henry's theology on prayer. It was great! It showed me my shallowness in my prayer life and the need to focus more on God in whole, character, attributes and all that entails Him. Through this recent "revelation", I have seen my own selfishness in my prayer life and I have begun to focus on the person of God...all three Persons. Another part of my prayer life that has been lacking is my confession of sin. God has prompted me to bring my sin before His Throne of Grace. When these two elements come together in prayer, that gap between us and God that I mentioned earlier, grows in my perspective and I understand His grace more and more. Therefore, in understanding and appreciating His grace more, I find Him more and more worthy of my praise and adoration! Not that He was ever less worthy, but I have personally come to know His worth more. After all this during prayer, I bring my personal petitions and petitions for others to Him. At this point, they no longer become selfish, but purposeful to His glory. It changes my perspective on how I pray for myself and others. These petitions become more Christ-centered and God-glorifying.
I have also grown in many other ways lately. I have been studying eschatology and my theology in that doctrine has grown. God has shown me so much in the Bible about my pride and my need to put Him first. One way that has happend is that I was directed to a website: http://www.iamsecond.com/ . It's a great website. Just a bunch of testimonies from famous people who are Christians and how God has made Himself first in their lives. However, I disagree that we should be second. We should be like...5,827,349,283,743rd place. Because we are to live to please others before ourselves after we please God and we also please God by pleasing others.
I hope this testimony of God's wonderful sanctifying work in my life is an encouragement for you to become closer to Him. I must mention that if you notice, all the growth in my life is initiated by God, NOT ME! But I cannot ignore the personal responsibility I have to yearn after Him and desire Him with all of my soul, heart and mind. RUN after Him! He will feed your soul! He will grow your mind! He will swell your heart with affection for Him! He will give you a love and appreciation of Him and His worth in Jesus Christ!
I cannot begin to mention all the ways that God has dealt with my sin through this time of great growth. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I believe He is talking about eternal rest, but the truth applies that He certainly handles our burdens as we live this life. GOD IS AFTER YOUR HEART! I remember when I was living deep in my sin and though the Spirit was convicting me, I was ignoring Him. Then one night after drinking, I came home while living at my parents house. I saw a single white sheet of paper on the counter. It was from my Dad and it said in all cap's, "MARK, GOD WANTS YOU!"
I will never forget the impact that had on my life. God used my Dad to begin a process of saving me from my sinful ways. To think that He has brought me from that state to become an ambassador of His gospel for Jesus Christ, staggers my mind! What a gracious God! What a merciful God! What a loving God! What a faithful God! What a forgiving God! What a glorious God! What a holy God He is!
I also read an essay on Matthew Henry by Ligon Duncan about Matthew Henry's theology on prayer. It was great! It showed me my shallowness in my prayer life and the need to focus more on God in whole, character, attributes and all that entails Him. Through this recent "revelation", I have seen my own selfishness in my prayer life and I have begun to focus on the person of God...all three Persons. Another part of my prayer life that has been lacking is my confession of sin. God has prompted me to bring my sin before His Throne of Grace. When these two elements come together in prayer, that gap between us and God that I mentioned earlier, grows in my perspective and I understand His grace more and more. Therefore, in understanding and appreciating His grace more, I find Him more and more worthy of my praise and adoration! Not that He was ever less worthy, but I have personally come to know His worth more. After all this during prayer, I bring my personal petitions and petitions for others to Him. At this point, they no longer become selfish, but purposeful to His glory. It changes my perspective on how I pray for myself and others. These petitions become more Christ-centered and God-glorifying.
I have also grown in many other ways lately. I have been studying eschatology and my theology in that doctrine has grown. God has shown me so much in the Bible about my pride and my need to put Him first. One way that has happend is that I was directed to a website: http://www.iamsecond.com/ . It's a great website. Just a bunch of testimonies from famous people who are Christians and how God has made Himself first in their lives. However, I disagree that we should be second. We should be like...5,827,349,283,743rd place. Because we are to live to please others before ourselves after we please God and we also please God by pleasing others.
I hope this testimony of God's wonderful sanctifying work in my life is an encouragement for you to become closer to Him. I must mention that if you notice, all the growth in my life is initiated by God, NOT ME! But I cannot ignore the personal responsibility I have to yearn after Him and desire Him with all of my soul, heart and mind. RUN after Him! He will feed your soul! He will grow your mind! He will swell your heart with affection for Him! He will give you a love and appreciation of Him and His worth in Jesus Christ!
I cannot begin to mention all the ways that God has dealt with my sin through this time of great growth. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I believe He is talking about eternal rest, but the truth applies that He certainly handles our burdens as we live this life. GOD IS AFTER YOUR HEART! I remember when I was living deep in my sin and though the Spirit was convicting me, I was ignoring Him. Then one night after drinking, I came home while living at my parents house. I saw a single white sheet of paper on the counter. It was from my Dad and it said in all cap's, "MARK, GOD WANTS YOU!"
I will never forget the impact that had on my life. God used my Dad to begin a process of saving me from my sinful ways. To think that He has brought me from that state to become an ambassador of His gospel for Jesus Christ, staggers my mind! What a gracious God! What a merciful God! What a loving God! What a faithful God! What a forgiving God! What a glorious God! What a holy God He is!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Biblical Theology for Transformation - 20th Posting
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equility with God a thing to be grasped. But made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
-Philippians 2:5-11
Paul begins chapter two by encouraging the readers to understand that they need to be humble. In verse 3, Paul said, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Paul was trying to get the Philippians to live lives that reflected the attitude and behavior of their God and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, Paul starts in verse 5 by describing the humility Christ took on in order to become the exalted King. Humility is a difficult thing live out. We certainly want to be humble, but the actual act of humility is much harder than the concept. However, Christ accomplished this and though we will never measure up to Christ, we should always be striving to be more like Him.
In Philippians 2, we are given the example of Jesus Christ's walk of humility through His life. It's short to say the least, but it is accurate and it magnifies His humility and it's result. Let's quickly walk through Philippians 2:5-11.
2:5 "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."
Paul is encouraging the readers to live lives that reflect Christ in His humility. If in any case they are discouraged, thinking that it is an impossible task, Paul reminds them that they have this in Christ Jesus. What Paul is essentially saying is, Christ took on the ultimate form of humility in our place. We certainly need to strive to be humble, but Christ accomplished ultimate humility for us by being an atoning sacrifice. Therefore, be encouraged, and be like Christ...humble.
2:6 "who(Christ), though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped."
The beginning of Jesus' humility is that of greatest display. Of all people in the history of the world to be certain of their boasting in their rightful place of exaltation, it is Jesus Christ. He IS GOD! He had all the right in the world to stand up and declare Himself King of all. But rather, He made Himself an example as part of His atonement. He counted Himself as low in order to be lifeted up. This should be the attitude of the believer. If Christ humbles Himself and He is God, who are we, as mere humans and creation, to not be humble?
2:7 "But made Himself nothing"
Here, Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, makes Himself NOTHING! How's that for an example. This is step 1 in Christ humbling Himself.
"taking the form of a servant"
Jesus takes another step down. He is the creator of the universe and He is humble enough (for our sake and His glory) to take on the form of a servant to the creation that He created.
"being born in the likeness of men"
Another step down. Jesus takes step after step, making Himself lower and lower to the point of being BORN. He is God and brings Himself to the point of incarnation into human flesh for the sake of His creation. In Genesis 1, He created man in HIS likeness and now, in the incarnation, He humbles Himself enough to be born into the likeness of MEN. Not only that, but Christ is eternal. Meaning that He always was and always will be. So the fact that he was even BORN, is an act of humility.
"and being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death."
Christ takes another step down in humility. Not only has He taken on the form of human flesh in order to redeem mankind, our eternal God took on death! It is interesting that the only time Christ is described as "humble" in this text is when it refers to His death. This magnifies the importance of this stepping down in humility. Had Christ been humble in all the previous things but not humble unto death, it would have all been in vein. But instead our Savior, makes Himself and example of humility and a sacrifice on our behalf and suffers death for us in our place.
"even death on a cross"
The final and ultimate step. There was no worse death in Christ's day than death on a cross. It was the most horrible way to die in those days. It involved the most amount of suffering prior to actual death and it was a place that thieves and the crooked died. It was the most disrespectful form of capitol punishment. And Christ took on that identity in the eyes of the world in order to make an atonement for us.
"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
All these steps down that Christ takes in humility finally pay off. CHRIST IS EXALTED! This is the perfect picture of the results of humility. It is not our own exaltation that makes us great, it is the our humility that allows God to exalt us. And this exaltation is found only in Christ Jesus. What a wonderful display of God's perfect plan for man kind in providing for us a humble Savior, who after being humble is exalted above all. Notice how EVERYONE will declare that He is Lord. In heaven (even the angels will declare His glory). On earth (those who are still alive at His return). Under earth (those who are dead). EVERY tongue and EVERY knee will bow! Think of the person who refuses to ackowledge Christ as Savior and God. That person will one day bow before Christ and declare Him Lord, no matter their relationship to Him. In all this, Christ's greatest display of humility is that He knows it is not His own glory He seeks, but the glory of the Father, who in turn, glorifies the Son!
What an awesome Savior. What an awesome display of humility. We too, need to make less of ourselves, which in turn, makes much of Him and in the end, He will lift us up and exalt us. But our exaltation will be in HIS GLORY, not our own! Thank You Jesus!
-Philippians 2:5-11
Paul begins chapter two by encouraging the readers to understand that they need to be humble. In verse 3, Paul said, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Paul was trying to get the Philippians to live lives that reflected the attitude and behavior of their God and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, Paul starts in verse 5 by describing the humility Christ took on in order to become the exalted King. Humility is a difficult thing live out. We certainly want to be humble, but the actual act of humility is much harder than the concept. However, Christ accomplished this and though we will never measure up to Christ, we should always be striving to be more like Him.
In Philippians 2, we are given the example of Jesus Christ's walk of humility through His life. It's short to say the least, but it is accurate and it magnifies His humility and it's result. Let's quickly walk through Philippians 2:5-11.
2:5 "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."
Paul is encouraging the readers to live lives that reflect Christ in His humility. If in any case they are discouraged, thinking that it is an impossible task, Paul reminds them that they have this in Christ Jesus. What Paul is essentially saying is, Christ took on the ultimate form of humility in our place. We certainly need to strive to be humble, but Christ accomplished ultimate humility for us by being an atoning sacrifice. Therefore, be encouraged, and be like Christ...humble.
2:6 "who(Christ), though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped."
The beginning of Jesus' humility is that of greatest display. Of all people in the history of the world to be certain of their boasting in their rightful place of exaltation, it is Jesus Christ. He IS GOD! He had all the right in the world to stand up and declare Himself King of all. But rather, He made Himself an example as part of His atonement. He counted Himself as low in order to be lifeted up. This should be the attitude of the believer. If Christ humbles Himself and He is God, who are we, as mere humans and creation, to not be humble?
2:7 "But made Himself nothing"
Here, Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, makes Himself NOTHING! How's that for an example. This is step 1 in Christ humbling Himself.
"taking the form of a servant"
Jesus takes another step down. He is the creator of the universe and He is humble enough (for our sake and His glory) to take on the form of a servant to the creation that He created.
"being born in the likeness of men"
Another step down. Jesus takes step after step, making Himself lower and lower to the point of being BORN. He is God and brings Himself to the point of incarnation into human flesh for the sake of His creation. In Genesis 1, He created man in HIS likeness and now, in the incarnation, He humbles Himself enough to be born into the likeness of MEN. Not only that, but Christ is eternal. Meaning that He always was and always will be. So the fact that he was even BORN, is an act of humility.
"and being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death."
Christ takes another step down in humility. Not only has He taken on the form of human flesh in order to redeem mankind, our eternal God took on death! It is interesting that the only time Christ is described as "humble" in this text is when it refers to His death. This magnifies the importance of this stepping down in humility. Had Christ been humble in all the previous things but not humble unto death, it would have all been in vein. But instead our Savior, makes Himself and example of humility and a sacrifice on our behalf and suffers death for us in our place.
"even death on a cross"
The final and ultimate step. There was no worse death in Christ's day than death on a cross. It was the most horrible way to die in those days. It involved the most amount of suffering prior to actual death and it was a place that thieves and the crooked died. It was the most disrespectful form of capitol punishment. And Christ took on that identity in the eyes of the world in order to make an atonement for us.
"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
All these steps down that Christ takes in humility finally pay off. CHRIST IS EXALTED! This is the perfect picture of the results of humility. It is not our own exaltation that makes us great, it is the our humility that allows God to exalt us. And this exaltation is found only in Christ Jesus. What a wonderful display of God's perfect plan for man kind in providing for us a humble Savior, who after being humble is exalted above all. Notice how EVERYONE will declare that He is Lord. In heaven (even the angels will declare His glory). On earth (those who are still alive at His return). Under earth (those who are dead). EVERY tongue and EVERY knee will bow! Think of the person who refuses to ackowledge Christ as Savior and God. That person will one day bow before Christ and declare Him Lord, no matter their relationship to Him. In all this, Christ's greatest display of humility is that He knows it is not His own glory He seeks, but the glory of the Father, who in turn, glorifies the Son!
What an awesome Savior. What an awesome display of humility. We too, need to make less of ourselves, which in turn, makes much of Him and in the end, He will lift us up and exalt us. But our exaltation will be in HIS GLORY, not our own! Thank You Jesus!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Biblical Theology for Transformation - 19th Posting
The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and fourth generation."
Exodus 34:5-7
Ever wonder what God thinks about God? Well if you would like to know, just read this passage from Exodus 34:5-7. It begins by telling us that the LORD came down on a cloud to speak to Moses and "proclaimed the name of the LORD." The all-capital letters, LORD, is His name. It speaks of His relatable personality and that He is a God who has a name and is personal toward us. Then the passage moves into the LORD actually speaking. The LORD begins to speak of Himself and proclaim to Moses and us who He is and what He values in Himself. Of course this is not an exhaustive list, but the fact that He would speak these things of Himself should lead us to lend and ear to what He has to say.
He begins by describing Himself as "merciful and gracious." Remember that this is an Old Testament passage. Most people, when they think about God, think of Him as a God who was a God of wrath and anger in the Old Testament and a God who is gracious in the New Testament. Don't be confused! God's greatest display of His wrath takes place in the New Testament when He pours out His wrath for sin on His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. But here in the Old Testament when God meets with Moses on Mount Sinai, He calls Himself merciful and gracious. It is interesting that He begins His description of Himself with these two terms. Mercy is God not giving us something we deserve. In our case, we deserve the wrath of God for our sins, but because of His mercy, He chooses not to punish us for our sins. Grace is undeserved favor, or God giving us something we don't deserve. In our case, God showed us mercy by not giving us the punishment we deserve and He shows His grace by giving us Jesus Christ as a substitute on the cross to pay for our sins and absorb our punishment. The God of the Old Testament is a merciful and gracious God.
He goes on from there to tell us that He is "slow to anger." God is patient with us! That means that God has a long fuse. He is patient with us in the form of not condemning us in our sin, but waiting to the point of our redemption so that His wrath does not have to be poured out on us. While we are believers His slowness to anger is shown in that He sometimes holds back the consequences of our sin. He waits patiently for as to not arouse His anger against us in our sin. This is all because of His grace and mercy.
Then He says of Himself, "abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." The Hebrew word for love here is hasad(with a hard H). This hasad is a loyal love. It is a love that bonds Himself to us. He loves without regret even when we are in the midst of our sin. The Hebrew for faithfulness is emet. In the Hebrew, emet, means Truth. His faithfulness is to Himself and since He is the Truth(John 14:6), He is faithful to Himself. As we learn about His mercy, grace, patience and steadfast love, we see that faithfulness to Himself includes these things and His faithfulness to be these things toward us. What security that brings into the life of the believer! Also, a key word here is "abounding." God's steadfast love and faithfulness is so much that it does not run out. It is a love that is overflowing and we are it's receipients. We can fearlessly know that God will be loving and faithful to Himself and to us forever!
He continues to describe His love by saying, "keeping steadfast love for thousands." The word "thousands" does not describe a number of people, but a number in years. A better translation of this word is to say, "to the thousandth generation." A generation is defined as 40 years. 40 times 1,000 equals 40,000. That is a long time! You may think that it's been a long time since this was written, so it probably has passed by now. God spoke this to Moses about 3,300 years ago. We aren't even close to 40,000 yet! God's love is so steadfast and so unending that it will last throughout all generations. That means that even today, He tells us that His love is steadfast toward us and never ending.
God shows His heart for man when He says, "forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin." There is really no difference between these three descriptive words; iniquity, transgressions and sin. They all describe sin. The idea that God is portraying to us is that His forgiveness extends to all kinds of sin. It does not matter what your sin may be, His forgiveness is enough. In James 5:20, James speaks of God's forgiveness as "covering a multitude of sins." This means that God's forgiveness covers any and all sins no matter their severity. This should bring the believer to a place of worship to think that God would cover all of our sins and forgive in ways that we do not deserve.
Now God shifts into "wrath mode". He says, "but who will by no means clear the guilty." God will punish the unrepentant sinner who does not believe in His Son Jesus Christ. This part of the passage should also evoke praise in our hearts that God would forgive our sins and that we do not have to suffer the consequences of our sin, but that we receive His grace and mercy and love. John 3:36 says, "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." That is a scary thought to imagine that the wrath of God looms overhead as He patiently waits for the sinner to repent and turn to Christ for salvation. For those whom He has not chosen, that wrath will find it's satisfaction in the judgment and death of the sinner. For the chosen, that wrath was already satisfied on the cross.
He tells us of the result of the sin of all men by saying, "visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and fourth generation." By speaking of the closeness of a child to the sinner, God is telling us that our sin affects those who are closest to us. This part of the passage is NOT telling us that God will puposely inflict our children and our children's children because of our sin. God does not keep track of sin as to repay our sin with his wrath one for one. Though God certainly knows each of our sins, all he needs to keep track of is whether or not you are connected to Christ. The idea that is being presented is that our sin affects us and even those closest to us like our children. When we are caught in sin, that sin gets naturally transfered to our children. Part of the reason is because we in some non-cognitive way inpose our sins on our children because that sin is such a close part of our lives. When a father is wrapped up in sin, there is no doubt that his child will see that sin and most likely manifest the same stuggle in it's life, therefore affecting the future generations of the father. Don't get caught up in the logic here, the idea is clear; when you sin, it affects those who love you and whom you love.
Ultimately, the whole point of this text is that the LORD is describing the LORD. He is telling us plain as day what He wants us to know about Him. This should move us to worship Him for His grace, mercy, patience, love and faithfulness. This should also move us to worship Him because He has chosen us not be objects of His wrath, but that He patiently waits for us as we are drawn near to Him. This text puts to rest the idea that God was merely a vengful and wrathful God in the Old Testament. We need to read and apply this text to our hearts and our lives and let it draw us close to Him as He is the object of our affections. What a glorious God who love us!
Exodus 34:5-7
Ever wonder what God thinks about God? Well if you would like to know, just read this passage from Exodus 34:5-7. It begins by telling us that the LORD came down on a cloud to speak to Moses and "proclaimed the name of the LORD." The all-capital letters, LORD, is His name. It speaks of His relatable personality and that He is a God who has a name and is personal toward us. Then the passage moves into the LORD actually speaking. The LORD begins to speak of Himself and proclaim to Moses and us who He is and what He values in Himself. Of course this is not an exhaustive list, but the fact that He would speak these things of Himself should lead us to lend and ear to what He has to say.
He begins by describing Himself as "merciful and gracious." Remember that this is an Old Testament passage. Most people, when they think about God, think of Him as a God who was a God of wrath and anger in the Old Testament and a God who is gracious in the New Testament. Don't be confused! God's greatest display of His wrath takes place in the New Testament when He pours out His wrath for sin on His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. But here in the Old Testament when God meets with Moses on Mount Sinai, He calls Himself merciful and gracious. It is interesting that He begins His description of Himself with these two terms. Mercy is God not giving us something we deserve. In our case, we deserve the wrath of God for our sins, but because of His mercy, He chooses not to punish us for our sins. Grace is undeserved favor, or God giving us something we don't deserve. In our case, God showed us mercy by not giving us the punishment we deserve and He shows His grace by giving us Jesus Christ as a substitute on the cross to pay for our sins and absorb our punishment. The God of the Old Testament is a merciful and gracious God.
He goes on from there to tell us that He is "slow to anger." God is patient with us! That means that God has a long fuse. He is patient with us in the form of not condemning us in our sin, but waiting to the point of our redemption so that His wrath does not have to be poured out on us. While we are believers His slowness to anger is shown in that He sometimes holds back the consequences of our sin. He waits patiently for as to not arouse His anger against us in our sin. This is all because of His grace and mercy.
Then He says of Himself, "abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." The Hebrew word for love here is hasad(with a hard H). This hasad is a loyal love. It is a love that bonds Himself to us. He loves without regret even when we are in the midst of our sin. The Hebrew for faithfulness is emet. In the Hebrew, emet, means Truth. His faithfulness is to Himself and since He is the Truth(John 14:6), He is faithful to Himself. As we learn about His mercy, grace, patience and steadfast love, we see that faithfulness to Himself includes these things and His faithfulness to be these things toward us. What security that brings into the life of the believer! Also, a key word here is "abounding." God's steadfast love and faithfulness is so much that it does not run out. It is a love that is overflowing and we are it's receipients. We can fearlessly know that God will be loving and faithful to Himself and to us forever!
He continues to describe His love by saying, "keeping steadfast love for thousands." The word "thousands" does not describe a number of people, but a number in years. A better translation of this word is to say, "to the thousandth generation." A generation is defined as 40 years. 40 times 1,000 equals 40,000. That is a long time! You may think that it's been a long time since this was written, so it probably has passed by now. God spoke this to Moses about 3,300 years ago. We aren't even close to 40,000 yet! God's love is so steadfast and so unending that it will last throughout all generations. That means that even today, He tells us that His love is steadfast toward us and never ending.
God shows His heart for man when He says, "forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin." There is really no difference between these three descriptive words; iniquity, transgressions and sin. They all describe sin. The idea that God is portraying to us is that His forgiveness extends to all kinds of sin. It does not matter what your sin may be, His forgiveness is enough. In James 5:20, James speaks of God's forgiveness as "covering a multitude of sins." This means that God's forgiveness covers any and all sins no matter their severity. This should bring the believer to a place of worship to think that God would cover all of our sins and forgive in ways that we do not deserve.
Now God shifts into "wrath mode". He says, "but who will by no means clear the guilty." God will punish the unrepentant sinner who does not believe in His Son Jesus Christ. This part of the passage should also evoke praise in our hearts that God would forgive our sins and that we do not have to suffer the consequences of our sin, but that we receive His grace and mercy and love. John 3:36 says, "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." That is a scary thought to imagine that the wrath of God looms overhead as He patiently waits for the sinner to repent and turn to Christ for salvation. For those whom He has not chosen, that wrath will find it's satisfaction in the judgment and death of the sinner. For the chosen, that wrath was already satisfied on the cross.
He tells us of the result of the sin of all men by saying, "visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and fourth generation." By speaking of the closeness of a child to the sinner, God is telling us that our sin affects those who are closest to us. This part of the passage is NOT telling us that God will puposely inflict our children and our children's children because of our sin. God does not keep track of sin as to repay our sin with his wrath one for one. Though God certainly knows each of our sins, all he needs to keep track of is whether or not you are connected to Christ. The idea that is being presented is that our sin affects us and even those closest to us like our children. When we are caught in sin, that sin gets naturally transfered to our children. Part of the reason is because we in some non-cognitive way inpose our sins on our children because that sin is such a close part of our lives. When a father is wrapped up in sin, there is no doubt that his child will see that sin and most likely manifest the same stuggle in it's life, therefore affecting the future generations of the father. Don't get caught up in the logic here, the idea is clear; when you sin, it affects those who love you and whom you love.
Ultimately, the whole point of this text is that the LORD is describing the LORD. He is telling us plain as day what He wants us to know about Him. This should move us to worship Him for His grace, mercy, patience, love and faithfulness. This should also move us to worship Him because He has chosen us not be objects of His wrath, but that He patiently waits for us as we are drawn near to Him. This text puts to rest the idea that God was merely a vengful and wrathful God in the Old Testament. We need to read and apply this text to our hearts and our lives and let it draw us close to Him as He is the object of our affections. What a glorious God who love us!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Biblical Theology for Transformation - 18th Posting
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"The world is going to get ugly!" If that is your response to this passage, you may be in for a suprise. Paul is telling Timothy about the outward sinfulness of many as the end of times comes closer. What may suprise you is that Paul is not talking about the world, he is talking about the church! Scary! Do we know people like this in our churches? As I read through this list, I could probably check off a few for myself. The problem though, is that so many in the church are becoming more and more like the way Paul describes here.
I believe there are many reasons why this will happen and is happening. One is pretty obvious; God is sovereign. People's sinfulness in the end of times is part of the story that God tells. Two, there are so many false teachers out there infiltrating the minds of believers and the minds of non-believers causing false conversions and deceiving the believers. Three, the non-false teachers aren't teaching Biblical exegesis. When a preacher teaches his own ideas and has not examined the text to allow the Holy Spirit to develop the sermon and exhort the text, the listeners will be fed mush and will have stunted growth. Four, there is not enough Christian accountability. There are too many Christians doing things that they ought not to and there is no one to tell them they are in sin. So their sin grows and leads to deeper and greater sin. There are many more reasons for this decline in the church as the end approaches, but we will leave it at that for now. Let me make this clear; as many churches are filled with people who live in these sins, there are also many churches being filled with passionate Christians who are truly seeking to be more Biblical and obedient to Christ and His Word.
The question then becomes...in which of these sins do you participate? Of course, our flesh arises and desires to do all of these things, but according to Paul in Galatians 5:17, the Spirit is within us and is at war with our flesh. So the war continues, but for the Christian, Christ is victorious. So though we fall into sin as believers, we must recognize that we cannot dwell too heavily on our sin. Once we do, we come to close to becoming legalistic. We must recognize that God does not require our perfect lives in order to please Him...He requires Christ's perfect life in order to please Him. Once we realize that we will understand what Paul meant when he said in Galatians 5:18, "but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." What Paul is telling us is that, though we battle daily against our flesh, in the Spirit we are free to live lives that produce the fruit described in verses 22-23.
So a warning and encouragement are in need. The warning: be aware of those who do the things that Paul describes to Timothy. At the end of the passage, Paul says, "avoid such people." We cannot associate with those who practice sin without regard for Christ. The encouragement: Though you too may have some of these sins in your life, you must recognize that your sins have already been paid for. Once we begin to grasp that, we will begin to live in the freedom to serve and love Christ that He purchased for us.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"The world is going to get ugly!" If that is your response to this passage, you may be in for a suprise. Paul is telling Timothy about the outward sinfulness of many as the end of times comes closer. What may suprise you is that Paul is not talking about the world, he is talking about the church! Scary! Do we know people like this in our churches? As I read through this list, I could probably check off a few for myself. The problem though, is that so many in the church are becoming more and more like the way Paul describes here.
I believe there are many reasons why this will happen and is happening. One is pretty obvious; God is sovereign. People's sinfulness in the end of times is part of the story that God tells. Two, there are so many false teachers out there infiltrating the minds of believers and the minds of non-believers causing false conversions and deceiving the believers. Three, the non-false teachers aren't teaching Biblical exegesis. When a preacher teaches his own ideas and has not examined the text to allow the Holy Spirit to develop the sermon and exhort the text, the listeners will be fed mush and will have stunted growth. Four, there is not enough Christian accountability. There are too many Christians doing things that they ought not to and there is no one to tell them they are in sin. So their sin grows and leads to deeper and greater sin. There are many more reasons for this decline in the church as the end approaches, but we will leave it at that for now. Let me make this clear; as many churches are filled with people who live in these sins, there are also many churches being filled with passionate Christians who are truly seeking to be more Biblical and obedient to Christ and His Word.
The question then becomes...in which of these sins do you participate? Of course, our flesh arises and desires to do all of these things, but according to Paul in Galatians 5:17, the Spirit is within us and is at war with our flesh. So the war continues, but for the Christian, Christ is victorious. So though we fall into sin as believers, we must recognize that we cannot dwell too heavily on our sin. Once we do, we come to close to becoming legalistic. We must recognize that God does not require our perfect lives in order to please Him...He requires Christ's perfect life in order to please Him. Once we realize that we will understand what Paul meant when he said in Galatians 5:18, "but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." What Paul is telling us is that, though we battle daily against our flesh, in the Spirit we are free to live lives that produce the fruit described in verses 22-23.
So a warning and encouragement are in need. The warning: be aware of those who do the things that Paul describes to Timothy. At the end of the passage, Paul says, "avoid such people." We cannot associate with those who practice sin without regard for Christ. The encouragement: Though you too may have some of these sins in your life, you must recognize that your sins have already been paid for. Once we begin to grasp that, we will begin to live in the freedom to serve and love Christ that He purchased for us.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Close to God
Do you ever feel far from God?
I think we all do in some ways at some times in our lives. We show up on a Sunday morning feeling like we don't belong because of the sin in our lives. We condemn ourselves because of our sin and therefore feel as though God does not accept us. This is a huge problem! Romans 8:1 says, "There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Condemnation is a guilty judgment. God says that for those who in Christ Jesus there is no guilty judgment because the guilty sentence was placed on the shoulders of Jesus Christ on the cross and nailed there to be buried and left dead. So when we show up to worship and we carry those very burdens that Christ died for, we are essentially saying that Christ's payment for our sins was not enough. We are saying that His grace is not enough. John tells us in 1 John 3:19-24 that though our heart condemns us(because the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked-Jeremiah 17:9), God is greater than our hearts. That means that even though we condemn ourselves for our sin, God's gift of freedom in Jesus Christ is greater than our sin. Not only that but John says, "and God knows everything." God knows more about your sinful heart than you do. He knows of sins you committed that you don't even know you committed. Therefore, God has more reason than you to condemn you, yet He doesn't condemn you because Jesus took your guilty verdict. So who are you to condemn youself?
As Christians, we need to start living in the freedom that Jesus purchased for us and stop living as though God does not accept us. He accepts us FULLY, not because of what we have done or not done, but because of what Jesus did for us. Freedom in the Christian life is far too lacking these days. We need to begin to realize that in Christ "we have boldness and access with confidence"(Eph.3:12). We have full access to the Father because Jesus bridged the gap and we have boldness to come to God confidently because we are completely accepted by God at all times because we are IN Jesus Christ.
When we feel as though God is not pleased with us and we feel as though we can't worship Him because of our sin, who are we focusing on? Ourselves! To focus your energy on your sin problem is a selfish act. Instead, God tells us to put on the mind of Christ. We need to focus on Him and not ourselves. When our sin has us down, realize the truth that Jesus set you free from that sin and burden and begin to live TO God. When we begin to realize this truth, we will find so much freedom in Jesus Christ and begin to put away that old man that thinks he is unworthy. We find our worth in Jesus Christ and to approach God as though we are unworthy is a claim that Jesus is unworthy.
Stop focusing on your sin and start realizing, "For freedom Christ has set you free"(Gal. 5:1). Worship God as though He set you free from sin and now gives you freedom to worship Him.
I think we all do in some ways at some times in our lives. We show up on a Sunday morning feeling like we don't belong because of the sin in our lives. We condemn ourselves because of our sin and therefore feel as though God does not accept us. This is a huge problem! Romans 8:1 says, "There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Condemnation is a guilty judgment. God says that for those who in Christ Jesus there is no guilty judgment because the guilty sentence was placed on the shoulders of Jesus Christ on the cross and nailed there to be buried and left dead. So when we show up to worship and we carry those very burdens that Christ died for, we are essentially saying that Christ's payment for our sins was not enough. We are saying that His grace is not enough. John tells us in 1 John 3:19-24 that though our heart condemns us(because the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked-Jeremiah 17:9), God is greater than our hearts. That means that even though we condemn ourselves for our sin, God's gift of freedom in Jesus Christ is greater than our sin. Not only that but John says, "and God knows everything." God knows more about your sinful heart than you do. He knows of sins you committed that you don't even know you committed. Therefore, God has more reason than you to condemn you, yet He doesn't condemn you because Jesus took your guilty verdict. So who are you to condemn youself?
As Christians, we need to start living in the freedom that Jesus purchased for us and stop living as though God does not accept us. He accepts us FULLY, not because of what we have done or not done, but because of what Jesus did for us. Freedom in the Christian life is far too lacking these days. We need to begin to realize that in Christ "we have boldness and access with confidence"(Eph.3:12). We have full access to the Father because Jesus bridged the gap and we have boldness to come to God confidently because we are completely accepted by God at all times because we are IN Jesus Christ.
When we feel as though God is not pleased with us and we feel as though we can't worship Him because of our sin, who are we focusing on? Ourselves! To focus your energy on your sin problem is a selfish act. Instead, God tells us to put on the mind of Christ. We need to focus on Him and not ourselves. When our sin has us down, realize the truth that Jesus set you free from that sin and burden and begin to live TO God. When we begin to realize this truth, we will find so much freedom in Jesus Christ and begin to put away that old man that thinks he is unworthy. We find our worth in Jesus Christ and to approach God as though we are unworthy is a claim that Jesus is unworthy.
Stop focusing on your sin and start realizing, "For freedom Christ has set you free"(Gal. 5:1). Worship God as though He set you free from sin and now gives you freedom to worship Him.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Biblical Theology for Transformation - 17th Posting
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty."
-Revelation 4:8
What is God's central characteristic? Most people would say that God is love, referencing 1 John 4:8. Though it is true that God is love; love is not His main attribute. GOD IS HOLY!!! We often find solice in God's love, but rarely do we look to His holiness as a place of comfort. In our culture and society there is such a desire from people to have their ears tickled, that preachers spend all their time preaching on the "easy to swallow" messages about God's love. Yes, Jesus loves you. However, without His holiness, there is no love. God's holiness is the attribute of God in which ALL of His other attributes flow from. Everything about God is funneled through His holiness.
We often hear messages about how God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. Again, that is Biblically accurate, but it is not the whole story. Why did God send His Son? To pay or atone for our sins! Why does our sin need atoning? Because God hates our sin! Why does God hate our sin? BECAUSE HE IS HOLY!!! It is God's holiness that caused Him to punish sin. The punishment for our sin lies on our shoulders. We are responsible for our own sin and thus incur the penalty for our sin which is God's wrath. Because God loves us, He was gracious to send Jesus to die in our place and offered Himself to take on the punishment of the wrath of God. It is God's holiness that causes Him to punish our sin, and it is His love that provoked Him to say, "I will pay for you."
Let us not forget that our God is a holy God. Holiness is ascribed to God far more often in scripture than is love. Let us start preaching about God's hatred for sin and His standard of holiness that we cannot achieve without the atoning death of Jesus Christ. Though it is His love that made Him take our place, it is His holiness that moved Him to love. Let us set for ourselves a standard of holiness that causes us to love, not so that love is the end, but that God is glorified in our exaltation of His holiness through our holiness in Jesus Christ. His holiness is a standard we cannot achieve apart from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is One we cannot achieve apart from His grace. Let us begin to grasp the full spectrum of the gospel all wrapped around the glory of His holiness, for our God is holy!
-Revelation 4:8
What is God's central characteristic? Most people would say that God is love, referencing 1 John 4:8. Though it is true that God is love; love is not His main attribute. GOD IS HOLY!!! We often find solice in God's love, but rarely do we look to His holiness as a place of comfort. In our culture and society there is such a desire from people to have their ears tickled, that preachers spend all their time preaching on the "easy to swallow" messages about God's love. Yes, Jesus loves you. However, without His holiness, there is no love. God's holiness is the attribute of God in which ALL of His other attributes flow from. Everything about God is funneled through His holiness.
We often hear messages about how God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. Again, that is Biblically accurate, but it is not the whole story. Why did God send His Son? To pay or atone for our sins! Why does our sin need atoning? Because God hates our sin! Why does God hate our sin? BECAUSE HE IS HOLY!!! It is God's holiness that caused Him to punish sin. The punishment for our sin lies on our shoulders. We are responsible for our own sin and thus incur the penalty for our sin which is God's wrath. Because God loves us, He was gracious to send Jesus to die in our place and offered Himself to take on the punishment of the wrath of God. It is God's holiness that causes Him to punish our sin, and it is His love that provoked Him to say, "I will pay for you."
Let us not forget that our God is a holy God. Holiness is ascribed to God far more often in scripture than is love. Let us start preaching about God's hatred for sin and His standard of holiness that we cannot achieve without the atoning death of Jesus Christ. Though it is His love that made Him take our place, it is His holiness that moved Him to love. Let us set for ourselves a standard of holiness that causes us to love, not so that love is the end, but that God is glorified in our exaltation of His holiness through our holiness in Jesus Christ. His holiness is a standard we cannot achieve apart from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is One we cannot achieve apart from His grace. Let us begin to grasp the full spectrum of the gospel all wrapped around the glory of His holiness, for our God is holy!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Biblical Theology for Transformation - 16th Posting
"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."
Proverbs 17:27-28
Are we quick to listen and slow to speak as we are warned in James 1:19? If even a fool is deemed as wise just by keeping silent, how much more wise is a wise man who does the same? The verse begins by telling us that one who has knowledge and understanding will restrain his words. Can a christian be a fool? Well, there are many christians we know that do not keep silent and are quick to give their two cents. Think about all the times you have been accused and have been quick to defend yourself. Or times when you are being taught and instead of listening to the teacher for their wisdom, you are slow to hear and quick to give your "wisdom". Ironically, that is in itself not a display of wisdom, but of foolishness.
It is so easy to be quick to tell others our perspective. But God tells us in Proverbs 17 that there is more wisdom to be gained by being quick to listen. James tells us that when we are quick to speak we are quick to anger. Rapid defense is a form of anger. James 1:20 says, "for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires." Being quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger is an example of humility. The reason we are to do this is to be portrayers of Jesus Christ in being humbly submissive to wisdom and not haugty towards our own agenda. James also tells us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
So the next time you are in a situation where you are able to learn from the wisdom of others, LISTEN! Be slow to share and quick to humbly listen to the wisdom of others. Obviously we should be able to share our wisdom with others too, but it is the one of knowledge and understanding that gains his wisdom by listening to others. We often are quick to speak and do not gain a full understanding of situations before we share our perspective. No doubt we all have opinions, but our opinions can be developed by the wisdom of others.
My encouragement is that we begin to listen to the wisdom that God has for us from His Word and from others, so we are able to grow in our knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 17:27-28
Are we quick to listen and slow to speak as we are warned in James 1:19? If even a fool is deemed as wise just by keeping silent, how much more wise is a wise man who does the same? The verse begins by telling us that one who has knowledge and understanding will restrain his words. Can a christian be a fool? Well, there are many christians we know that do not keep silent and are quick to give their two cents. Think about all the times you have been accused and have been quick to defend yourself. Or times when you are being taught and instead of listening to the teacher for their wisdom, you are slow to hear and quick to give your "wisdom". Ironically, that is in itself not a display of wisdom, but of foolishness.
It is so easy to be quick to tell others our perspective. But God tells us in Proverbs 17 that there is more wisdom to be gained by being quick to listen. James tells us that when we are quick to speak we are quick to anger. Rapid defense is a form of anger. James 1:20 says, "for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires." Being quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger is an example of humility. The reason we are to do this is to be portrayers of Jesus Christ in being humbly submissive to wisdom and not haugty towards our own agenda. James also tells us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
So the next time you are in a situation where you are able to learn from the wisdom of others, LISTEN! Be slow to share and quick to humbly listen to the wisdom of others. Obviously we should be able to share our wisdom with others too, but it is the one of knowledge and understanding that gains his wisdom by listening to others. We often are quick to speak and do not gain a full understanding of situations before we share our perspective. No doubt we all have opinions, but our opinions can be developed by the wisdom of others.
My encouragement is that we begin to listen to the wisdom that God has for us from His Word and from others, so we are able to grow in our knowledge and understanding.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A Biblical Perspective on Homosexuality
Sexual ethics includes many different aspects considered from many different perspectives. From an evangelical perspective, sexuality must first be understood in light of the Christian faith. As Stanley Grenz states, “The task of developing a Christian response to the ethical issues surrounding human sexuality must begin with an understanding of our sexuality in the light of the Christian faith.”[1] Sexual ethics within an evangelical perspective includes subjects such as marriage, divorce, pregnancy, dating, human sexuality, and homosexuality.[2] Homosexuality is one of the most debated topics in sexual ethics. Homosexuality can be defined as a sexual or emotional union between two men or two women. From a secular (or liberal Christian) perspective, this relationship is allowable based on rights, morals and ethical standards. From an evangelical perspective, this relationship is not allowable based on Biblical standards. Biblical standards form Christian rights, morals or ethical standards. Though they are based on the same grounds of rights, morals or ethical standards, the evangelical Christians perspective is founded on Biblical principles and texts.
In striving to understand homosexuality, it is helpful to see the natural or physical outcome of the homosexual choice and lifestyle. As John Stott noted, “The American Psychiatric Association Press reports that “30% of all 20-year-old gay men will be HIV positive or dead of AIDS by the time they are 30.””[3] John Stott wrote, “AIDS is not an easily caught infectious disease.”[4] The common thought that AIDS is more ramped in homosexuals is due to the fact that the first cases of AIDS appeared in the male homosexual communities in the early 1980’s. Since the disease is transmitted through body fluids, it is likely to spread among both genders, whether they are homosexual or heterosexual. Even though Africa has a high volume of AIDS, homosexuality is virtually unknown there, which leads to the conclusion that AIDS is not a “gay plague”.[5] Though AIDS is not strictly related to homosexuals, the statistics for those who are homosexual has cause for concern. A 1989 study by Charles F. Turner estimated that 20.3 percent of American males had experimented with a same-gender sex experience by the age of twenty-one.[6] Since then, homosexual communities have “come out of the closet” more publicly in recent years, and it is not hard to imagine that that statistic could have risen in the last twenty years.
From an evangelical perspective it should be easy to point out the wrong in homosexual unions and acts. However, if we are going to base our position on Biblical texts, then we must not single out the homosexual and homosexual sin. For example, there are those who will look at the homosexual couple and be quick to point out their sin, while they themselves have premarital sexual relationships with those of the opposite sex. Homosexuality must be considered within the context of other sexual sin. The apostle Paul often used the Greek word porneia to describe sexual sin. Paul’s usage of this word was directed to those who were in a number of sexual sins. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul uses this word toward the sexual immoral. In this text, a man is accused of sexual immorality for having sexual relations with his stepmother. This was not a homosexual act, yet it was a sexual act that God clearly thinks of as immoral and wrong. Emphasis on the sin in the act of homosexuality must also recognize other sexual sins such as, premarital sex[7], adultery[8], masturbation,[9] and bestiality[10]. These sins are just as sinful as the homosexual acts. Those who engage in these other forms of sexual immorality are just as guilty of sexual sin as those who engage in homosexual acts.
Homosexuals often argue that their homosexuality is not a choice. They claim that their homosexuality is their nature. Much of the difference in perspectives is rooted in the debate over whether their homosexuality is a learned behavior or natural behavior. This debate is really based on whether homosexuality is a choice or not. Ray Boltz, a Christian recording artist, recently decided to publicly announce that he is gay. He said, “I became a Christian, I thought that was the way to deal with this and I prayed hard and tried for 30-some years and then at the end, I was just going, ‘I’m still gay. I know I am.’ And I just got to the place where I couldn’t take it anymore … when I was going through all this darkness, I thought, ‘Just end this.’”[11] Boltz clearly had a struggle for 30-some years with his sexual preference. He basically asserts that, though he struggled with it, he could not make the decision or choice not to be gay. Boltz’ type of thinking exemplifies Romans 1, where God gives people up to the desires of their hearts because they refuse to honor Him by instead honoring created things. Boltz is an example of how homosexuality has been portrayed as a natural disposition rather than a choice.
Jonathan Wallace asks the question “is sexual orientation a choice?” His answer, “No, human beings can not choose to be either gay or straight. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. Although we can choose whether or not to act on our feelings, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed.”[12] The problem with Wallace’s assertion is that he says a person’s sexual orientation is decided by outside factors prior to any sexual experiences. If sexual orientation is decided by outside factors prior to being able to make a choice, then all human choices are based on circumstances that happened prior to our ability to choose and we are then without fault for any of our sinful acts or wrong actions. What Wallace fails to understand is that the human is without the option of choice. Every human makes a choice. If a vegetable and a fruit are placed in front of an eight month old child, is he genetically predisposed to choose one or the other? He can choose the vegetable now and still decide later that he actually likes the fruit better. Even if adolescents are exposed to the conditions that tend to cause homosexual behavior, they still have the ability to choose their sexual orientation as they develop. If someone is predisposed to the conditions that tend to cause an angry personality, that person still has the cognitive ability to avoid that tendency and have a pleasant personality. According to Wallace, such a person would still be an angry person masking his anger with a pleasant personality. Wallace doesn’t realize the truth of Jeremiah 17:9 that says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Since this is true, the only thing that is natural in the human is sinful desire. With sinful desires, all people lust after the things they are not supposed to lust after. Homosexuality is one of the desires that is built up in the nature of the sinner and only defeated by Jesus Christ. For those who are in Christ, that sin nature has been conquered.[13] But as Romans 1 tells us, those who do not have Christ are burdened with their sin and rebel against God and God gives them up to their sinful desires. No one is to blame for their sin but themselves. So the blame for the sin of homosexuality falls on the homosexual. If homosexuality is a sin, then the sinner or the homosexual is to blame for their choice and they will incur the due penalty for their sin.[14]
There are many Biblical texts to consider when trying to grasp a Biblical view on homosexuality. Although some people attempt to argue for the Bible’s support of homosexuality and others can argue for the Bible’s condemning homosexuality. Proper exegesis makes it difficult to support homosexuality in Scripture without misinterpreting the text and God’s intended meaning for the redeemed man.
The evangelical perspective is different from the non-evangelical perspective. However, there are those who claim to be evangelicals but believe that homosexuality is allowable under Biblical standards. This dilemma is resolved by renaming the evangelical perspective as the Biblical perspective. The Biblical perspective is one that looks at a variety of Biblical texts to help support God’s hatred toward homosexuality. In Genesis 2:24, God established His intended order for the male and female relationship. God created Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:27, and in verse 28 He blesses their relationship and then gives the command to “be fruitful and multiply”, showing that God’s intended meaning for the marriage relationship is one between a man and a woman. In Genesis 2, there is a more detailed account of the creation of man and woman. God created Adam and in verse 18 and says, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” God put Adam in a deep sleep and took from him his rib and made woman from him. Then God presents to Adam his intended order for a Biblical relationship by giving Eve, the woman, to Adam, the man. In verse 24, God continues to show the blessing that He gives to the male and female relationship when He says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This is a Biblical account of God’s intended meaning for a marriage relationship. Those who make the claim that the Bible is pro-homosexual have only twisted accounts of Biblical texts. There is no Biblical text in which God blesses the homosexual relationship as He does the heterosexual relationship.
In Genesis 9 there is the account of Noah and his family after the flood. In verses 20-27, we are told that Noah planted a vineyard, drank the wine and became drunk. He lay uncovered in his tent and his son, Ham, “saw the nakedness of his father.” O. Palmer Robertson states, “Elsewhere in the Pentateuch, the phrase “to see [someone’s] nakedness” serves as a circumlocution for “to have sexual relations with” (Lev. 20:17-19).”[15] It is likely that Ham had seen his father naked and preformed homosexual acts with him and told his brothers, Shem and Japheth. When Shem and Japheth heard this they covered their father without seeing his nakedness. Verses 24-25 states, “When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” Robertson says, “Very possibly Ham committed a homosexual act with his father, evoking his father’s curse. The depravity of Ham’s action would explain the severity of the curse. The fact that Ham’s son Canaan was cursed rather than Ham himself shows the awful impact that a sexual sin can have on future generations. Eventually the Canaanites as descendants of Canaan, the cursed son of Ham, manifested such depravity that they were driven out of the land at the Lord’s command.”[16] This Biblical account of a possible homosexual act shows the depravity of the human heart and the subsequent consequences of those actions. This historical account illustrates the later, explicit command by God that homosexual acts should be punished.[17] Genesis 9 displays God manifesting His plan for redemptive history through the curse that Noah laid on his son Ham.
The narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah is given in Genesis 19. God sent angels to determine the depravity in the area. The angels told Abraham of the coming judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham then pleaded with God to save the city if he could find just a few righteous men. God told Abraham that He would save the city if he could find just ten righteous men. When the angels arrived at Sodom and Gomorrah, none of the inhabitants showed the customary hospitality they should have. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, insisted that the angels stay at his place. When the men of the city knew about this they came to Lot’s house and banged on the door, almost breaking it down to get to the angels. They demanded that he bring out the strangers so they might “know” them. O. Palmer Robertson says, “In this case, the verb “to know” serves as a modest circumlocution for “to have sexual relationships with” (Gen.4:1,17,25).”[18] The argument has been made that Sodom’s destruction was not due to there homosexual desires and acts based on Ezekiel 16:49-50 which says, “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.” Some make the argument that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was due to the things mentioned in Ezekiel 16 and due to their inhospitality. Though that holds true, there is more to their destruction than that. In Ezekiel 16:50 God says, “They did an abomination before me.” That abomination could very well be the homosexual desires of the men when the angels came to Lot. Though the text does not explicitly say that homosexuality was a part of this “abomination”, the Genesis account of the angels, Lot and the homosexual men certainly indicates this strong possibility. To make an even stronger Biblical case for the sexual sin of Sodom and Gomorrah being the cause of their destruction, Jude 7 gives an interpretation of the Sodom and Gomorrah account. Jude writes, “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desires, serve as an example by undergoing punishment of eternal fire.” In this text, Jude is referencing the account of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of the consequences of sexual sin. There is no doubt that Sodom and Gomorrah were bad at the time since God was destroying them. Jude said that much of their sin was sexual sin. It is then likely that part of their sexual sin was the homosexual desires of the men who sought to “know” the angels that visited Lot. Clearly, by Jude’s account, these sexual sins, including homosexuality, were the reason for their destruction. In this text we see part of what Jude calls “sexual immorality” is “pursuing unnatural desires.” In Romans 1 Paul describes “unnatural desires” as homosexual acts. In Jude’s rendering of the Sodom and Gomorrah account, he is clearly speaking of homosexuality when he said “pursued unnatural desires” since Paul states that what is unnatural is to desire the same sex.[19] In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul stated, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” This text clearly states that, among other sins, God is against acts of homosexuality. Notice the verb prior to “homosexuality” is “practice”. The key to this passage is to know that it makes no reference to those who have thoughts of homosexual activity or those who “struggle” with homosexuality. Those who will not inherit the kingdom of God are those who pursue and practice homosexual acts. Those who actually engage in the act of homosexuality are those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul stated in verse 11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” This reinforces the earlier point that only by the conquering of this sin by Jesus Christ can we be free from such sin.
This also leads to the question: “Can a believer be a homosexual?” Paul tells the Corinthians that they “were” these things in the past but have since been redeemed by Jesus Christ from these sins. So from the text one could make the argument that you cannot be a homosexual and a believer. However, we know from studying 1 Corinthians that the Church in Corinth was perverse and wicked in many ways even though they were Christians. So though there is no strict evidence claiming that a believer can or cannot be a homosexual, it seems worthy to note that those who are in Christ are a “new creation.”[20] Galatians 2:20 says, “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Is Christ condoning the homosexual behavior of those He indwells? No, considering how Christ handled Sodom and Gomorrah for their sexual sin. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to tell the Corinthians not to engage in homosexual practices and to tell the Romans the penalty for their homosexual sin. Paul also makes another reference to homosexuality in 1 Timothy 1:10. He claims that the gospel is sufficient to save sinners from their sin. He lists a few of those sins in 1 Timothy 1:9-10. The “practice of homosexuality” is one of those sins from which the gospel is able to save. If the gospel is able to save a sinner from their homosexuality, then God certainly does not condone them going back to their sin after transformation of the heart. In Galatians 5:1, Paul commands the believers not to go back into the practices of sin to which they were once slaves. He states they are to be free from those sins since Jesus has redeemed them from slavery to sin and freed them in Himself.
After looking at some Biblical references from a Biblical perspective, it will be easier to understand God’s plan for the church in the face of homosexuality. Stanley Grenz says there are two facets to the role of the church when dealing with homosexuality. One is prevention and the other is support. He considers both to be ministries of the church to those who are homosexual.[21] In constructing a ministry that helps prevent homosexuality, Grenz says, “Recent findings indicate that the same-sex orientation is not simply inborn, but is in part the product of socialization, especially, parental relations. If this is the case, Christians would do well to seek to strengthen parents in the task of training their children properly.”[22] As part of preventing young children from forming homosexual behavior, it is the responsibility of the parent to see that they have proper role understanding within the home. It is the church’s responsibility to train and equip the parents to be ready and able to raise their children properly.
As the church takes on the ministry of support toward homosexuals, it is not a means for them to better achieve their homosexual desires. Rather, it is the church’s ministry to them as Christ reached out to sinners in His ministry on earth. Grenz says, “We concluded that the expressions of sexuality that take the form of same-sex genital activity are improper. But such conclusions do not mean that the church has no ministry to persons of a same-sex orientation. On the contrary, the mandate given to the church includes reaching out to all persons, regardless of orientation and lifestyle. This mandate extends to ministry to homosexuals as well.”[23] All homosexuals are not out-going activists for their sexual preference. In reality, many homosexuals struggle with this sin and want to be free from homosexuality. Grenz says, “The church can create a climate of assistance. Although some might genuinely prefer the homosexual orientation, many others feel trapped and long for release.”[24] As we reach out to those who are homosexual, it is important to realize that some homosexuals are struggling with their sin and are quietly asking for a helping hand. In Romans 7:15, Paul says, “I do not understand my actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Paul’s statement gives insight to the mind of any sinner and is especially helpful in the church’s ministry to the homosexual. In Romans 5:8, Paul says, “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Those who are not homosexual are still sinners, just like homosexuals, yet Christ died for us. Christ’s death is sufficient for anyone’s sin, even the homosexual. They are not hopeless. It is the church’s responsibility to reach out to them and offer them the grace of Jesus Christ that was given to us.
Homosexuality is a heavily debated topic in today’s society and is becoming increasingly accepted by culture, law-makers, and even the parts of the church. It is important though, as Christians, not to get caught up in the struggle to the point where we become ineffective to fulfill our responsibilities to Jesus, our families, our church and the lost. The battle for a Biblical perspective on homosexuality is the just the beginning. No matter what argument is used in support of homosexuality, Christians need to stand strong on God’s Word and find ways to be like Christ to homosexuals. Homosexuality, from a proper Biblical perspective, is clearly a sin worthy of destruction and eternal punishment.[25] That is why Christ’s church must extend ministry to those who struggle with their sin of homosexuality and reach out to them with the truth of Jesus Christ and His ability to free them from their sin. The church must extend to them the grace that Jesus Christ so mercifully extended to His church.
References
[1] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.13.
[2] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.
[3] Stott, John. Our Social and Sexual Revolution. Grand Rapids; Baker Books, 1999; pp.211.
[4] Stott, John. Our Social and Sexual Revolution. Grand Rapids; Baker Books, 1999; pp.211.
[5] Stott, John. Our Social and Sexual Revolution. Grand Rapids; Baker Books, 1999; pp.211.
[6] Feinberg, John & Feinberg, Paul. Ethics For A Brave New World. Wheaton; Crossway Books, 1993, pp.185.
[7] Genesis 2:24
[8] Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Matthew 5:27, 19:18; Romans 13:9; James 2:11
[9] In my own understanding, there are no specific Biblical texts that forbid masturbation, 1 Corinthians 10:31 commands that we “do all things to the glory of God.” In most cases of masturbation, the agent of the sinner’s desire is usually pornography or at least a mental portrayal of such acts. Therefore, the act of masturbation usually involves some form of sexual immorality. So to the one who claims that masturbation is not a sin, I ask: “When you do this, does it glorify God?” Although I do believe that masturbation within a marital context between a husband and a wife is allowable. In Leviticus 15:16-17, God gives the law about the emission of semen. The first law is directed to the man who emits semen. He is to bathe himself and be unclean until the evening. Then comes the law to man who emits semen while lying with a woman. They are both to bathe and be unclean until evening. This may seem to present God as giving man the right to masturbate since the first law was given to a man who emits semen while alone. Because God makes a law to those who are sinners, does not mean He has approved of their acts. This text does not imply that God has given the law that it is ok for a man to masturbate.
[10] Leviticus 18:23
[11] Christianity Today. http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2008/09/ray_boltz_comes.html
[12] The Ethical Spectacle. http://www.spectacle.org/0905/hetracil.html
[13] 2 Corinthians 5:17
[14] Romans 1:26-27
[15] Robertson, O. Palmer. The Genesis of Sex. Phillipsburg; P&R Publishing, 2002. pp.121.
[16] Robertson, O. Palmer. The Genesis of Sex. Phillipsburg; P&R Publishing, 2002. pp.121.
[17] Romans 1:26-27
[18] Robertson, O. Palmer. The Genesis of Sex. Phillipsburg; P&R Publishing, 2002. pp.120.
[19] Romans 1:24
[20] 2 Corinthians 5:17
[21] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.244-245.
[22] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.244
[23] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.245
[24] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.244
[25] Jude 7
In striving to understand homosexuality, it is helpful to see the natural or physical outcome of the homosexual choice and lifestyle. As John Stott noted, “The American Psychiatric Association Press reports that “30% of all 20-year-old gay men will be HIV positive or dead of AIDS by the time they are 30.””[3] John Stott wrote, “AIDS is not an easily caught infectious disease.”[4] The common thought that AIDS is more ramped in homosexuals is due to the fact that the first cases of AIDS appeared in the male homosexual communities in the early 1980’s. Since the disease is transmitted through body fluids, it is likely to spread among both genders, whether they are homosexual or heterosexual. Even though Africa has a high volume of AIDS, homosexuality is virtually unknown there, which leads to the conclusion that AIDS is not a “gay plague”.[5] Though AIDS is not strictly related to homosexuals, the statistics for those who are homosexual has cause for concern. A 1989 study by Charles F. Turner estimated that 20.3 percent of American males had experimented with a same-gender sex experience by the age of twenty-one.[6] Since then, homosexual communities have “come out of the closet” more publicly in recent years, and it is not hard to imagine that that statistic could have risen in the last twenty years.
From an evangelical perspective it should be easy to point out the wrong in homosexual unions and acts. However, if we are going to base our position on Biblical texts, then we must not single out the homosexual and homosexual sin. For example, there are those who will look at the homosexual couple and be quick to point out their sin, while they themselves have premarital sexual relationships with those of the opposite sex. Homosexuality must be considered within the context of other sexual sin. The apostle Paul often used the Greek word porneia to describe sexual sin. Paul’s usage of this word was directed to those who were in a number of sexual sins. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul uses this word toward the sexual immoral. In this text, a man is accused of sexual immorality for having sexual relations with his stepmother. This was not a homosexual act, yet it was a sexual act that God clearly thinks of as immoral and wrong. Emphasis on the sin in the act of homosexuality must also recognize other sexual sins such as, premarital sex[7], adultery[8], masturbation,[9] and bestiality[10]. These sins are just as sinful as the homosexual acts. Those who engage in these other forms of sexual immorality are just as guilty of sexual sin as those who engage in homosexual acts.
Homosexuals often argue that their homosexuality is not a choice. They claim that their homosexuality is their nature. Much of the difference in perspectives is rooted in the debate over whether their homosexuality is a learned behavior or natural behavior. This debate is really based on whether homosexuality is a choice or not. Ray Boltz, a Christian recording artist, recently decided to publicly announce that he is gay. He said, “I became a Christian, I thought that was the way to deal with this and I prayed hard and tried for 30-some years and then at the end, I was just going, ‘I’m still gay. I know I am.’ And I just got to the place where I couldn’t take it anymore … when I was going through all this darkness, I thought, ‘Just end this.’”[11] Boltz clearly had a struggle for 30-some years with his sexual preference. He basically asserts that, though he struggled with it, he could not make the decision or choice not to be gay. Boltz’ type of thinking exemplifies Romans 1, where God gives people up to the desires of their hearts because they refuse to honor Him by instead honoring created things. Boltz is an example of how homosexuality has been portrayed as a natural disposition rather than a choice.
Jonathan Wallace asks the question “is sexual orientation a choice?” His answer, “No, human beings can not choose to be either gay or straight. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. Although we can choose whether or not to act on our feelings, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed.”[12] The problem with Wallace’s assertion is that he says a person’s sexual orientation is decided by outside factors prior to any sexual experiences. If sexual orientation is decided by outside factors prior to being able to make a choice, then all human choices are based on circumstances that happened prior to our ability to choose and we are then without fault for any of our sinful acts or wrong actions. What Wallace fails to understand is that the human is without the option of choice. Every human makes a choice. If a vegetable and a fruit are placed in front of an eight month old child, is he genetically predisposed to choose one or the other? He can choose the vegetable now and still decide later that he actually likes the fruit better. Even if adolescents are exposed to the conditions that tend to cause homosexual behavior, they still have the ability to choose their sexual orientation as they develop. If someone is predisposed to the conditions that tend to cause an angry personality, that person still has the cognitive ability to avoid that tendency and have a pleasant personality. According to Wallace, such a person would still be an angry person masking his anger with a pleasant personality. Wallace doesn’t realize the truth of Jeremiah 17:9 that says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Since this is true, the only thing that is natural in the human is sinful desire. With sinful desires, all people lust after the things they are not supposed to lust after. Homosexuality is one of the desires that is built up in the nature of the sinner and only defeated by Jesus Christ. For those who are in Christ, that sin nature has been conquered.[13] But as Romans 1 tells us, those who do not have Christ are burdened with their sin and rebel against God and God gives them up to their sinful desires. No one is to blame for their sin but themselves. So the blame for the sin of homosexuality falls on the homosexual. If homosexuality is a sin, then the sinner or the homosexual is to blame for their choice and they will incur the due penalty for their sin.[14]
There are many Biblical texts to consider when trying to grasp a Biblical view on homosexuality. Although some people attempt to argue for the Bible’s support of homosexuality and others can argue for the Bible’s condemning homosexuality. Proper exegesis makes it difficult to support homosexuality in Scripture without misinterpreting the text and God’s intended meaning for the redeemed man.
The evangelical perspective is different from the non-evangelical perspective. However, there are those who claim to be evangelicals but believe that homosexuality is allowable under Biblical standards. This dilemma is resolved by renaming the evangelical perspective as the Biblical perspective. The Biblical perspective is one that looks at a variety of Biblical texts to help support God’s hatred toward homosexuality. In Genesis 2:24, God established His intended order for the male and female relationship. God created Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:27, and in verse 28 He blesses their relationship and then gives the command to “be fruitful and multiply”, showing that God’s intended meaning for the marriage relationship is one between a man and a woman. In Genesis 2, there is a more detailed account of the creation of man and woman. God created Adam and in verse 18 and says, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” God put Adam in a deep sleep and took from him his rib and made woman from him. Then God presents to Adam his intended order for a Biblical relationship by giving Eve, the woman, to Adam, the man. In verse 24, God continues to show the blessing that He gives to the male and female relationship when He says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This is a Biblical account of God’s intended meaning for a marriage relationship. Those who make the claim that the Bible is pro-homosexual have only twisted accounts of Biblical texts. There is no Biblical text in which God blesses the homosexual relationship as He does the heterosexual relationship.
In Genesis 9 there is the account of Noah and his family after the flood. In verses 20-27, we are told that Noah planted a vineyard, drank the wine and became drunk. He lay uncovered in his tent and his son, Ham, “saw the nakedness of his father.” O. Palmer Robertson states, “Elsewhere in the Pentateuch, the phrase “to see [someone’s] nakedness” serves as a circumlocution for “to have sexual relations with” (Lev. 20:17-19).”[15] It is likely that Ham had seen his father naked and preformed homosexual acts with him and told his brothers, Shem and Japheth. When Shem and Japheth heard this they covered their father without seeing his nakedness. Verses 24-25 states, “When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” Robertson says, “Very possibly Ham committed a homosexual act with his father, evoking his father’s curse. The depravity of Ham’s action would explain the severity of the curse. The fact that Ham’s son Canaan was cursed rather than Ham himself shows the awful impact that a sexual sin can have on future generations. Eventually the Canaanites as descendants of Canaan, the cursed son of Ham, manifested such depravity that they were driven out of the land at the Lord’s command.”[16] This Biblical account of a possible homosexual act shows the depravity of the human heart and the subsequent consequences of those actions. This historical account illustrates the later, explicit command by God that homosexual acts should be punished.[17] Genesis 9 displays God manifesting His plan for redemptive history through the curse that Noah laid on his son Ham.
The narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah is given in Genesis 19. God sent angels to determine the depravity in the area. The angels told Abraham of the coming judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham then pleaded with God to save the city if he could find just a few righteous men. God told Abraham that He would save the city if he could find just ten righteous men. When the angels arrived at Sodom and Gomorrah, none of the inhabitants showed the customary hospitality they should have. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, insisted that the angels stay at his place. When the men of the city knew about this they came to Lot’s house and banged on the door, almost breaking it down to get to the angels. They demanded that he bring out the strangers so they might “know” them. O. Palmer Robertson says, “In this case, the verb “to know” serves as a modest circumlocution for “to have sexual relationships with” (Gen.4:1,17,25).”[18] The argument has been made that Sodom’s destruction was not due to there homosexual desires and acts based on Ezekiel 16:49-50 which says, “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.” Some make the argument that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was due to the things mentioned in Ezekiel 16 and due to their inhospitality. Though that holds true, there is more to their destruction than that. In Ezekiel 16:50 God says, “They did an abomination before me.” That abomination could very well be the homosexual desires of the men when the angels came to Lot. Though the text does not explicitly say that homosexuality was a part of this “abomination”, the Genesis account of the angels, Lot and the homosexual men certainly indicates this strong possibility. To make an even stronger Biblical case for the sexual sin of Sodom and Gomorrah being the cause of their destruction, Jude 7 gives an interpretation of the Sodom and Gomorrah account. Jude writes, “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desires, serve as an example by undergoing punishment of eternal fire.” In this text, Jude is referencing the account of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of the consequences of sexual sin. There is no doubt that Sodom and Gomorrah were bad at the time since God was destroying them. Jude said that much of their sin was sexual sin. It is then likely that part of their sexual sin was the homosexual desires of the men who sought to “know” the angels that visited Lot. Clearly, by Jude’s account, these sexual sins, including homosexuality, were the reason for their destruction. In this text we see part of what Jude calls “sexual immorality” is “pursuing unnatural desires.” In Romans 1 Paul describes “unnatural desires” as homosexual acts. In Jude’s rendering of the Sodom and Gomorrah account, he is clearly speaking of homosexuality when he said “pursued unnatural desires” since Paul states that what is unnatural is to desire the same sex.[19] In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul stated, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” This text clearly states that, among other sins, God is against acts of homosexuality. Notice the verb prior to “homosexuality” is “practice”. The key to this passage is to know that it makes no reference to those who have thoughts of homosexual activity or those who “struggle” with homosexuality. Those who will not inherit the kingdom of God are those who pursue and practice homosexual acts. Those who actually engage in the act of homosexuality are those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul stated in verse 11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” This reinforces the earlier point that only by the conquering of this sin by Jesus Christ can we be free from such sin.
This also leads to the question: “Can a believer be a homosexual?” Paul tells the Corinthians that they “were” these things in the past but have since been redeemed by Jesus Christ from these sins. So from the text one could make the argument that you cannot be a homosexual and a believer. However, we know from studying 1 Corinthians that the Church in Corinth was perverse and wicked in many ways even though they were Christians. So though there is no strict evidence claiming that a believer can or cannot be a homosexual, it seems worthy to note that those who are in Christ are a “new creation.”[20] Galatians 2:20 says, “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Is Christ condoning the homosexual behavior of those He indwells? No, considering how Christ handled Sodom and Gomorrah for their sexual sin. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to tell the Corinthians not to engage in homosexual practices and to tell the Romans the penalty for their homosexual sin. Paul also makes another reference to homosexuality in 1 Timothy 1:10. He claims that the gospel is sufficient to save sinners from their sin. He lists a few of those sins in 1 Timothy 1:9-10. The “practice of homosexuality” is one of those sins from which the gospel is able to save. If the gospel is able to save a sinner from their homosexuality, then God certainly does not condone them going back to their sin after transformation of the heart. In Galatians 5:1, Paul commands the believers not to go back into the practices of sin to which they were once slaves. He states they are to be free from those sins since Jesus has redeemed them from slavery to sin and freed them in Himself.
After looking at some Biblical references from a Biblical perspective, it will be easier to understand God’s plan for the church in the face of homosexuality. Stanley Grenz says there are two facets to the role of the church when dealing with homosexuality. One is prevention and the other is support. He considers both to be ministries of the church to those who are homosexual.[21] In constructing a ministry that helps prevent homosexuality, Grenz says, “Recent findings indicate that the same-sex orientation is not simply inborn, but is in part the product of socialization, especially, parental relations. If this is the case, Christians would do well to seek to strengthen parents in the task of training their children properly.”[22] As part of preventing young children from forming homosexual behavior, it is the responsibility of the parent to see that they have proper role understanding within the home. It is the church’s responsibility to train and equip the parents to be ready and able to raise their children properly.
As the church takes on the ministry of support toward homosexuals, it is not a means for them to better achieve their homosexual desires. Rather, it is the church’s ministry to them as Christ reached out to sinners in His ministry on earth. Grenz says, “We concluded that the expressions of sexuality that take the form of same-sex genital activity are improper. But such conclusions do not mean that the church has no ministry to persons of a same-sex orientation. On the contrary, the mandate given to the church includes reaching out to all persons, regardless of orientation and lifestyle. This mandate extends to ministry to homosexuals as well.”[23] All homosexuals are not out-going activists for their sexual preference. In reality, many homosexuals struggle with this sin and want to be free from homosexuality. Grenz says, “The church can create a climate of assistance. Although some might genuinely prefer the homosexual orientation, many others feel trapped and long for release.”[24] As we reach out to those who are homosexual, it is important to realize that some homosexuals are struggling with their sin and are quietly asking for a helping hand. In Romans 7:15, Paul says, “I do not understand my actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Paul’s statement gives insight to the mind of any sinner and is especially helpful in the church’s ministry to the homosexual. In Romans 5:8, Paul says, “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Those who are not homosexual are still sinners, just like homosexuals, yet Christ died for us. Christ’s death is sufficient for anyone’s sin, even the homosexual. They are not hopeless. It is the church’s responsibility to reach out to them and offer them the grace of Jesus Christ that was given to us.
Homosexuality is a heavily debated topic in today’s society and is becoming increasingly accepted by culture, law-makers, and even the parts of the church. It is important though, as Christians, not to get caught up in the struggle to the point where we become ineffective to fulfill our responsibilities to Jesus, our families, our church and the lost. The battle for a Biblical perspective on homosexuality is the just the beginning. No matter what argument is used in support of homosexuality, Christians need to stand strong on God’s Word and find ways to be like Christ to homosexuals. Homosexuality, from a proper Biblical perspective, is clearly a sin worthy of destruction and eternal punishment.[25] That is why Christ’s church must extend ministry to those who struggle with their sin of homosexuality and reach out to them with the truth of Jesus Christ and His ability to free them from their sin. The church must extend to them the grace that Jesus Christ so mercifully extended to His church.
References
[1] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.13.
[2] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.
[3] Stott, John. Our Social and Sexual Revolution. Grand Rapids; Baker Books, 1999; pp.211.
[4] Stott, John. Our Social and Sexual Revolution. Grand Rapids; Baker Books, 1999; pp.211.
[5] Stott, John. Our Social and Sexual Revolution. Grand Rapids; Baker Books, 1999; pp.211.
[6] Feinberg, John & Feinberg, Paul. Ethics For A Brave New World. Wheaton; Crossway Books, 1993, pp.185.
[7] Genesis 2:24
[8] Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Matthew 5:27, 19:18; Romans 13:9; James 2:11
[9] In my own understanding, there are no specific Biblical texts that forbid masturbation, 1 Corinthians 10:31 commands that we “do all things to the glory of God.” In most cases of masturbation, the agent of the sinner’s desire is usually pornography or at least a mental portrayal of such acts. Therefore, the act of masturbation usually involves some form of sexual immorality. So to the one who claims that masturbation is not a sin, I ask: “When you do this, does it glorify God?” Although I do believe that masturbation within a marital context between a husband and a wife is allowable. In Leviticus 15:16-17, God gives the law about the emission of semen. The first law is directed to the man who emits semen. He is to bathe himself and be unclean until the evening. Then comes the law to man who emits semen while lying with a woman. They are both to bathe and be unclean until evening. This may seem to present God as giving man the right to masturbate since the first law was given to a man who emits semen while alone. Because God makes a law to those who are sinners, does not mean He has approved of their acts. This text does not imply that God has given the law that it is ok for a man to masturbate.
[10] Leviticus 18:23
[11] Christianity Today. http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2008/09/ray_boltz_comes.html
[12] The Ethical Spectacle. http://www.spectacle.org/0905/hetracil.html
[13] 2 Corinthians 5:17
[14] Romans 1:26-27
[15] Robertson, O. Palmer. The Genesis of Sex. Phillipsburg; P&R Publishing, 2002. pp.121.
[16] Robertson, O. Palmer. The Genesis of Sex. Phillipsburg; P&R Publishing, 2002. pp.121.
[17] Romans 1:26-27
[18] Robertson, O. Palmer. The Genesis of Sex. Phillipsburg; P&R Publishing, 2002. pp.120.
[19] Romans 1:24
[20] 2 Corinthians 5:17
[21] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.244-245.
[22] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.244
[23] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.245
[24] Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville; Westminster John Knox Press, 1997; pp.244
[25] Jude 7
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Biblical Theology for Transformation - 15th Posting
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."- 1 Corinthians 1:18
I absolutely love the word of the cross. That is the gospel. The message of Jesus Christ's ascension to earth to humbly dwell bodily in order to take our punishment for sin. Then to rise from the dead to display His almighty power. And now He sits on a throne and rules as King, soon to return and establish His promised kingdom!
This gospel message is folly to those who do not believe. Folly is committed by fools, which is why those who don't believe this truth are fools! These fools, Paul says, are perishing. However, to those who believe this truth, we are able to understand and see the awesome power of God to save us from our sins.
What an awesome display of God's sovereignty to choose us to be saved and thus enjoy His great power to believe the gospel message. What an awesome display of God's sovereignty to choose to pass over some in order to display His wonderful gospel as effective for those whom He chooses to love.
As a believer, this verse gives me so much joy! It reminds me to constintly be aware of the great power of God to pull me from the depths of death and breathe life into my dead soul. Romans 6:5 says, "For if we have been united with Him(Jesus) in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His." If I have died with Christ, as He died with my sins, then I am resurrected with Him as He is brought back to life. That is how we become new creations. Christ displays His magnificent power in the resurrection and WE SHARE in that power as we are resurrected with Him into a new creation! That evokes my heart to PRAISE HIM!
What a wonderful gospel we have been saved by and what a wonderful gospel we live by! Praise God for His greatest gift of Jesus Christ.
I absolutely love the word of the cross. That is the gospel. The message of Jesus Christ's ascension to earth to humbly dwell bodily in order to take our punishment for sin. Then to rise from the dead to display His almighty power. And now He sits on a throne and rules as King, soon to return and establish His promised kingdom!
This gospel message is folly to those who do not believe. Folly is committed by fools, which is why those who don't believe this truth are fools! These fools, Paul says, are perishing. However, to those who believe this truth, we are able to understand and see the awesome power of God to save us from our sins.
What an awesome display of God's sovereignty to choose us to be saved and thus enjoy His great power to believe the gospel message. What an awesome display of God's sovereignty to choose to pass over some in order to display His wonderful gospel as effective for those whom He chooses to love.
As a believer, this verse gives me so much joy! It reminds me to constintly be aware of the great power of God to pull me from the depths of death and breathe life into my dead soul. Romans 6:5 says, "For if we have been united with Him(Jesus) in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His." If I have died with Christ, as He died with my sins, then I am resurrected with Him as He is brought back to life. That is how we become new creations. Christ displays His magnificent power in the resurrection and WE SHARE in that power as we are resurrected with Him into a new creation! That evokes my heart to PRAISE HIM!
What a wonderful gospel we have been saved by and what a wonderful gospel we live by! Praise God for His greatest gift of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
It's Been A Long Time
I know it's been a while since I have posted a blog. Holloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and...Oh, yeah, being a Husband, dad, and pastor does require some of my time.
So, I will soon post a blog....be afraid....be very afraid!
So, I will soon post a blog....be afraid....be very afraid!
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