I am a day behind, but I do want to post some thoughts on 1 John 4 because I think it is a verse that the church in America needs to hear again.
1 John 4:1-3 says: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already" (ESV).
We need to learn more discernment. It is amazing what is uncritically accepted as Biblical truth these days. Evangelical media is full of messengers and messages that claim to be Biblical but are not. Many (but certainly not all) evangelical bestsellers are more heresy than truth. How have we come to this state of affairs? We have not "tested the spirits." Perhaps in the name of Christian charity, we have not been critical enough, substituting social and cultural markers of orthodoxy for theological ones. Or perhaps we have been lazy. Maybe we have trusted Christian publishers and radio stations to be discerning for us. If it is on STAR 99.1 or WFME, it must be good. Zondervan wouldn't publish bad teaching, would they?
What should be the main focus in discerning who teaches the truth and who does not? John points to the person and work of Christ. John was living in the days of a "proto-Gnostic" heresy. It seems that some were denying that Jesus came in the flesh, probably because they felt the flesh was inherently evil. If flesh was evil, Jesus could not have been flesh and blood. 1 John is written to warn Christians against these heretics. One part of the warning is this: not matter how good the teaching may seem, reject it if it doesn't get Jesus right.
Evangelicals would do well to remember that today. No matter how entertaining or culturally savvy a teacher may be, his words are meaningless if he doesn't get Jesus right. May God's church have a spirit of discernment.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
And Now With Further Explanation
There is a phrase I sometimes here used: "and now without further explanation." I don't think the Apostle John ever heard that phrase. It must not have been a phrase used in koine Greek. You see, John is not adverse to repetition and to further explanation. Throughout his letter, John goes over the same themes again and again: love one another, be holy, watch out for false teachers. It is clear that John wants to get his point across. I think that this is one of the reasons that I have never preached through the whole book of 1 John. I have always felt like my hearers would think I was just preaching the same sermon over and over.
In 1 John 3, John picks up on two of his themes again. In verses 1-10, John reminds us of the need to be holy in living. He says that holiness gives us assurance of our faith. He also says that one who willfully, habitually sins cannot claim to be a believer. In verses 11-24, John reminds us of the need to love others, especially our fellow Christians. In verses 16-18, we get the motivation, the method, and the measure of love. Verse 16 gives us the motivation: we have been loved by Christ so we should love others. Verse 17 gives us the method: we need to share our possessions to meet others' needs. Verse 18 gives us the measure of love: love is measured by what we do not by what we say.
As I think about John, it reminds me of a great symphony where the same strands of music are played again and again being wrapped in different contexts and arrangements to create a beautiful work of art. John's work may be repetitive at points. But it is beautiful and powerful in its message.
In 1 John 3, John picks up on two of his themes again. In verses 1-10, John reminds us of the need to be holy in living. He says that holiness gives us assurance of our faith. He also says that one who willfully, habitually sins cannot claim to be a believer. In verses 11-24, John reminds us of the need to love others, especially our fellow Christians. In verses 16-18, we get the motivation, the method, and the measure of love. Verse 16 gives us the motivation: we have been loved by Christ so we should love others. Verse 17 gives us the method: we need to share our possessions to meet others' needs. Verse 18 gives us the measure of love: love is measured by what we do not by what we say.
As I think about John, it reminds me of a great symphony where the same strands of music are played again and again being wrapped in different contexts and arrangements to create a beautiful work of art. John's work may be repetitive at points. But it is beautiful and powerful in its message.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Blessed Assurance
Assurance is any issue that many Christians wrestle with. How do I know that I am truly saved? Perhaps this question surfaces less now then it did say among the Puritans of the 17th and 18th centuries. But it is still on the mind of many believers nonetheless. How do I know that I am really a Christian?
1 John 2 tells us the basis of our assurance. Verses 3-6 say: "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (ESV). John says that obedience is the key to assurance. This is very different than how some teach it. Many will say: "Did you pray a prayer? Do your remember a moment when you asked Jesus to be your Savior?" Certainly there is no salvation without faith, but a single moment of prayer is not the bedrock of our assurance. Assurance is found in a life lived like Jesus.
Obviously, none of us are going to obey completely (see 1 John 1 again). But there should be patterns in our lives of living and acting like Christ. John points out three types of works in particular that contribute to the assurance of our faith:
1. loving our fellow Christians (verse 10)
2. not loving the world and its ways and desires (verses 15-17)
3. not tolerating false teaching (verses 18-27).
As we follow Jesus, may we receive the assurance that only Jesus can give.
1 John 2 tells us the basis of our assurance. Verses 3-6 say: "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (ESV). John says that obedience is the key to assurance. This is very different than how some teach it. Many will say: "Did you pray a prayer? Do your remember a moment when you asked Jesus to be your Savior?" Certainly there is no salvation without faith, but a single moment of prayer is not the bedrock of our assurance. Assurance is found in a life lived like Jesus.
Obviously, none of us are going to obey completely (see 1 John 1 again). But there should be patterns in our lives of living and acting like Christ. John points out three types of works in particular that contribute to the assurance of our faith:
1. loving our fellow Christians (verse 10)
2. not loving the world and its ways and desires (verses 15-17)
3. not tolerating false teaching (verses 18-27).
As we follow Jesus, may we receive the assurance that only Jesus can give.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Fellowship That Doesn't Involve Munchkins
I grew up a Baptist. When I hear the word fellowship I can't help but think of Munchkins and coffee in Styrofoam cups in the church basement. In the church circles that I traveled in as a child, fellowship always involved food, usually of the sugary and caffeinated variety.
In 1 John 1, John uses fellowship in a very different way. John says that he (and the other disciples) had a remarkable fellowship with God through Jesus. Since Jesus was fully God and fully man, John got to interact with God in a way few humans ever have. I don't know about you, but I have a temptation to be jealous John. I think it must have been remarkable for him to walk and live and dine with Jesus each and every day. The fellowship of the disciples with Jesus seems so unique. Yet, John says a remarkable thing in 1 John 1. He says that you and I are able to have the very same fellowship with God. Verse 3 says: "that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" (ESV). John says the Gospel is proclaimed so that you and I might have the very same fellowship that he had. We have the same opportunity to know God in a deep and intimate way.
I guess we might wonder how that is possible. After all, we can't walk with Jesus like John did. But Jesus can walk with us. Through the Spirit, Jesus lives inside of us and we know Him in a very real and tangible way. Perhaps we know Him even more deeply than John and the disciples first did. For if Jesus is not experienced by our eyes and hands and ears, He is experienced by our hearts and souls and minds. That is even better fellowship than Munchkins. It is our experience of Jesus that is the heart of what true fellowship is about.
In 1 John 1, John uses fellowship in a very different way. John says that he (and the other disciples) had a remarkable fellowship with God through Jesus. Since Jesus was fully God and fully man, John got to interact with God in a way few humans ever have. I don't know about you, but I have a temptation to be jealous John. I think it must have been remarkable for him to walk and live and dine with Jesus each and every day. The fellowship of the disciples with Jesus seems so unique. Yet, John says a remarkable thing in 1 John 1. He says that you and I are able to have the very same fellowship with God. Verse 3 says: "that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" (ESV). John says the Gospel is proclaimed so that you and I might have the very same fellowship that he had. We have the same opportunity to know God in a deep and intimate way.
I guess we might wonder how that is possible. After all, we can't walk with Jesus like John did. But Jesus can walk with us. Through the Spirit, Jesus lives inside of us and we know Him in a very real and tangible way. Perhaps we know Him even more deeply than John and the disciples first did. For if Jesus is not experienced by our eyes and hands and ears, He is experienced by our hearts and souls and minds. That is even better fellowship than Munchkins. It is our experience of Jesus that is the heart of what true fellowship is about.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Love One Another
As I read James 2 today, it struck me how much the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" is at the heart of what James says here. Being of a theological bent of mind, my inclination has always been to focus on the second half of the chapter. How does one reconcile James' view of reconciliation with Paul's? (A question whose answer who would require another blog- at least). But as I read today, I see that the whole passage really hinges on the command to love your neighbor.
This theme of loving neighbor really begins in chapter 1, when James speaks of caring for orphans and widows in their distress. But it comes to a crescendo here in chapter 2. In this chapter, James makes the argument that loving one's neighbor is not an option to be added to other, more important religious commands. If you break one part of the Law, you break the whole thing. Then, that whole second half about justification, really makes the argument that you can't claim to be saved if you don't put your faith into practice by loving your neighbor.
James 2 is a good reminder that we can't just talk about loving our neighbor. We need to live it out. And so the question becomes who are we helping in their distress? Are we loving the unlovable? James 2 reminds us that our faith demands mercy and compassion.
This theme of loving neighbor really begins in chapter 1, when James speaks of caring for orphans and widows in their distress. But it comes to a crescendo here in chapter 2. In this chapter, James makes the argument that loving one's neighbor is not an option to be added to other, more important religious commands. If you break one part of the Law, you break the whole thing. Then, that whole second half about justification, really makes the argument that you can't claim to be saved if you don't put your faith into practice by loving your neighbor.
James 2 is a good reminder that we can't just talk about loving our neighbor. We need to live it out. And so the question becomes who are we helping in their distress? Are we loving the unlovable? James 2 reminds us that our faith demands mercy and compassion.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Three Inevitable Things
The old saying tells us that two things are inevitable... death and taxes. To that, we could add a third thing...trials. All of us go through hardships and difficulties at some point in our lives, even Christians. In fact, I think it may be fair to say that the Bible tells us that Christians go through more trials than the rest of the world. So, what do we do when trials come? That is the question that James answers in James 1.
To James' readers, this was an important question. Note who the letter of James is addressed to. Verse 1 says that it was written to the 12 tribes in the dispersion (ESV). Why were the Christians whom James addressed dispersed? Acts 8:1 tells us. Speaking of the day of Stephen's death, it says: "...On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria" (NIV). James was pastor of that scattered church. He writes his letter partially to encourage his suffering flock.
So, how do handle trials when they come? James make four points
1. We rejoice in our trials knowing that they work for our spiritual benefit (verses 2-4).
2. We pray for wisdom from God to handle our trials (verses 5-7).
3. We accept our low position, not being jealous of the blessing or success of others. We do this because we know that earthly riches are temporary. They do nothing to prepare us for death or for eternity (verses 8-11).
4. We stay steadfast in obedience. We do not use our trial as an excuse to sin. Instead we see even a trial as a good gift from God (verses 12-18).
That is a pretty good prescription for dealing with trials. Like most medicine, it may at first be hard to swallow. But in the end, it brings great benefit.
To James' readers, this was an important question. Note who the letter of James is addressed to. Verse 1 says that it was written to the 12 tribes in the dispersion (ESV). Why were the Christians whom James addressed dispersed? Acts 8:1 tells us. Speaking of the day of Stephen's death, it says: "...On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria" (NIV). James was pastor of that scattered church. He writes his letter partially to encourage his suffering flock.
So, how do handle trials when they come? James make four points
1. We rejoice in our trials knowing that they work for our spiritual benefit (verses 2-4).
2. We pray for wisdom from God to handle our trials (verses 5-7).
3. We accept our low position, not being jealous of the blessing or success of others. We do this because we know that earthly riches are temporary. They do nothing to prepare us for death or for eternity (verses 8-11).
4. We stay steadfast in obedience. We do not use our trial as an excuse to sin. Instead we see even a trial as a good gift from God (verses 12-18).
That is a pretty good prescription for dealing with trials. Like most medicine, it may at first be hard to swallow. But in the end, it brings great benefit.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner
I have always read Hebrews 13:2 a certain way. Hebrew 13:2 says: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (ESV). That verse seems very straight forward. It seems to suggest that there are Christians who have entertained spiritual beings without recognizing it. I have heard pastors tell stories of Christians who stopped to help a fellow traveler with a flat tire. After these Christians finished the job and got back to their car, the car that received aid miraculously disappeared, vanishing much too quickly to have simply driven off. Was this a Hebrews 13:2 moment? Had someone helped an angel?
Stories like that always left me with a question. What was an angel doing driving a broken down jalopy in the first place? Did Gabriel get to Mary's house on the back of a worn out donkey? Today, it dawned on me that there might be a different explanation for this verse. The Greek word for angel is angellos. That word cannot only be translated angel but also messenger. It can refer to spiritual messengers (like angels) and human messengers (like Christians serving God). So maybe the author of Hebrews is saying that in entertaining strangers we have helped God's human flesh and blood messengers. The guy on the highway might not have been Gabriel. But he might have been a pastor in a hurry to get to a church to preach a sermon. Or the driver might of been a woman going to help the homeless. In entertaining strangers, we sometimes help brothers and sisters in Christ without even knowing it. And of course, Matthew 25 tells us that in helping other Christians, we help Jesus Himself. That is even better than helping an angel!
Stories like that always left me with a question. What was an angel doing driving a broken down jalopy in the first place? Did Gabriel get to Mary's house on the back of a worn out donkey? Today, it dawned on me that there might be a different explanation for this verse. The Greek word for angel is angellos. That word cannot only be translated angel but also messenger. It can refer to spiritual messengers (like angels) and human messengers (like Christians serving God). So maybe the author of Hebrews is saying that in entertaining strangers we have helped God's human flesh and blood messengers. The guy on the highway might not have been Gabriel. But he might have been a pastor in a hurry to get to a church to preach a sermon. Or the driver might of been a woman going to help the homeless. In entertaining strangers, we sometimes help brothers and sisters in Christ without even knowing it. And of course, Matthew 25 tells us that in helping other Christians, we help Jesus Himself. That is even better than helping an angel!
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