The Carpenter's Journal

Last Updated: July 13, 2024 by cjournalme 2 Comments

Sharing in the Divine Nature

What would you do with the “keys” to the kingdom of the heavens?

Whether you chose to peddle them to the highest bidder or loan them to your friends, one thing is certain: Your life would never be the same.

Of course, if the apostle Peter were still alive, you could ask him what he did. But a more workable alternative might be to actually read what he wrote after the Lord Jesus Christ gave them to him. [see: Matt.16:13-19]

So what kind of a guy was Peter?

Aside from some Biblical narratives which record his behavior to have been impulsive on occasion, I can understand why Jesus chose him [and his letters] to be the foundation [or rock] on which He would build disciples in His church.

In his letter that he wrote “…to those [of] you who secured [an] equivalent faith [as us] by [the] righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Peter affirmed that everything needed for godliness had been granted to both him and the reader through the true knowledge of Him who had called them to His own glory and excellence. [2Pet.1:3]

It had?

[ἐπίγνωσις: knowledge, understanding, insight]

I used to stop reading here and ask myself just how I might be able to gain more of this knowledge or insight into the character of God. Ironically, when an answer didn’t appear to float down from above, I’d just keep reading…

Then it’d start to sink in.

As a means to achieve the Lord’s “glory and excellence” I’ve been called to, He granted to me His precious and magnificent promises, so that, through those promises, it’s possible for me to share in His divine nature, after escaping the corruption which is in the world with respect to lust. [vs.4]

I was all for that.

But not until I learned to recognize the impact of the word often translated as “supply” was I able to grasp the significance of the sentence that followed:

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, by your faith, supply moral excellence, and by your moral excellence, knowledge, and by your knowledge, self-control, and by your self-control, perseverance, and by your perseverance, godliness, and by your godliness, brotherly kindness, and by your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [2Pet.1:5-8] [my emphasis]

The Greek verb ἐπιχορηγέω [supply, give, provide; support; add to] was recorded in the Imperative Mood. This particular form of grammar was an author’s tool for motivation and galvanization. Its presence in the text called for forcefulness and confidence in the commission of that action being described.

These passages signify the essence of the role of discipleship in Jesus Christ.

The tools needed to gain an understanding of how to reflect His glory and excellence and to be a partaker of His divine nature by actually realizing the promises He made are available to me through knowledge. In order to use that knowledge, I need to first actively engage my faith by demonstrating moral excellence, then knowledge, then self-control, etc.

The “Rock” certainly lived up to his name. Maybe that’s why he thought it was necessary to continue to remind his readers about the things they already knew. [vs. 1:12]

Or maybe they just didn’t realize how rewarding it could be:

“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” [2Pet.1:10-11]

It sounds like he did. After all, he held the keys

Posted: November 11, 2018 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

A Better Hope of Perfection

It used to be that we worked hard if we wanted to be included in something.

We didn’t whine or act like a victim if we weren’t, because, believe it or not, that actually would’ve been regarded as childish behavior. And, for the most part, we also had faith in the reliability of any promise that might guarantee that inclusion.

You could say we were fully vested in the notion of rewarded faith.

And perhaps no written work of literary truth expresses the inevitability of rewarded faith like the letter to the Hebrews in the Bible. The eleventh chapter is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith” in many seminaries and religious circles.

I can certainly understand why.

The reader is able to easily grasp what the real essence of faith is based on the countless examples of obedience and perseverance demonstrated by the Hebrew patriarchs and other faithful men and women alluded to in the Jewish Writings of the Old Testament.

And if he’s really paying attention, he’ll notice a common thread of thought the author tried to convey throughout the chapter: All those who acted in faith, died in faith—or in the hope of receiving what was promised. However, they didn’t actually receive it. [vss. 2, 13, 39]

So what does this mean to me as a present day disciple of Jesus Christ?

For one thing, it confirms my suspicion that the Hebrew letter is one of the most encouraging epistles of the New Testament. The author didn’t provide these relevant details of people’s lives only to suggest a paradigm for the reader to follow. At the end, he made clear exactly why they didn’t receive what was promised:

“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” [Heb. 11:39-40] [my emphasis]

The first thing I’d ask myself when I read this sentence is, who is “us?”

At that point, I’d have to refer back to the first clue which can indicate who this letter was written to. That step would take me to Chapter 1, verse 14, through the third verse of Chapter 2. Contextually, this statement is directed to those who “are about to inherit salvation.” [literally translated]

[What does it mean to “inherit” salvation? see: Birthright Through Redemption]

So if I reckoned myself to be included by this definition, I’d do well to think about the implications of vss. 11: 39-40. That is to say, those who died in faith and didn’t receive what was promised won’t receive it [or be made perfect] without me!

Not Abraham, not Moses, not David, not the apostle Peter, Paul or John. Not nobody.

But what “better” thing had God provided for “us” that “they” weren’t privy too?

A central theme of the Hebrew letter was to persuade any Jewish converts from backsliding into the bondage of legalism. There was something—or rather Someone who was more suited to the task of blood atonement and mediation.

The author declared Jesus Christ to be even better than messengers [or angels]. [vs.1:4] A messenger was a critical medium of communication between the Jewish nation and their Lord God. He states that “…there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God,” and “so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.” [vss.7:19, 22]

Being made “perfect” [or complete] was a New Testament expression to describe spiritual maturity or the realization of “salvation” in its fullest dimension. There are many references made to either circumstance. [e.g., Matt. 19:21; 2Cor. 8:6, 10:6, 13: 9; Col. 2: 10; Ja. 1:4]

[τελειόω: make perfect, perfect, make complete, attain perfection]

[Read how the word “salvation” means different things in the Bible: Playing to Win the Salvation Game]

Thus, we’re able to embrace yet one more good ingredient of the Good News! While we seek to someday share in the same promises the Lord gave to our “father in faith,” Abraham [see: Gal. 3:7], we can do so even more confidently than those who weren’t able to partake in the New Covenant because we’re now able to “draw near” to the living Christ who established it. [Heb. 10:19-25]

He’s the only “messenger” we can consciously interact with!

In the Lord’s good wisdom and perfect timing, “our better hope” can lead us also to share in what was promised to “them” and experience the miracle of perfection—together. [see: Eph. 3:1-7; Gal. 3:27-29]

But even though we had something better provided for us, we also have the same hurdles to cross as they did:

“Therefore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” [Heb. 12: 1-2a]

Witnesses surround us too. Our lives are a testimony of our faith to others as well. Endurance is the key, and Jesus is—and always has been—the Author and Perfecter of faith.

They didn’t know the Perfecter. We do.

Last Updated: November 7, 2023 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

Are We a Body of Cowards?

My wife and I went to see the motion picture Gosnell the other day at a local movie theater.

We went expecting to witness some of the documented horrors about a Philadelphia physician who was convicted a few of years ago of performing abortions on impoverished women living in the inner city .

I remember reading and hearing about this trial in the news when it happened, so I was prepared to reaffirm something I already knew was unconscionable—that is, that the slaughter of human fetuses on demand is murder.

So I guess, then, in some respects, my expectations were met. A bad guy did some bad things and got caught and is paying the price. But maybe you think it’s not that simple. Perhaps my world seems to be a little bit too black and white?

Well, my world’s just like yours.

In a civilized, moral society—that is, in something we’re expected to embody and demonstrate, the premise that someone can possess the legitimate agency to kill at will can never be granted in the course of public debate or adjudication. If it is, then a crucial tendency for any form of decency to prevail is forfeited, and no amount of “Christian” tolerance or understanding can takes its place.

But something else caught my attention during the movie.

And I suppose it was intentional on the part of the producers. It didn’t just expose the horrors of the abortion industry. It revealed a much greater abomination—one which exposed the dispassionate nature of what would otherwise seem to be a reliable pool of courageous, God-fearing people. Men in particular.

The plot revealed that no one appeared to be interested in what was happening.

Not until they were forced to, that is. So I didn’t have to wonder why media reporters didn’t report, or governors didn’t govern righteously in support of defenseless, unborn [and already born] infant children. I also shouldn’t have been so surprised that every seat in the movie theater we were in was empty except for ours and the three others which were occupied by females.

Nevertheless, I was enraged and deeply discouraged at the same time.

I’m confident that, in spite of what appears to be a wholesale endorsement of abhorrence from certain news media, celebrities and political interests, most people do indeed claim to fear the Lord and profess to live and act in His best interests.

But when pressed to defend their beliefs, it appears that certain violations of God’s civil and moral code remain off limits to criticism.

However, any decision Jesus Christ’s disciple makes not to stand up in the face of evil is an open denial of His authority to accomplish an effective line of resistance through the actions of that disciple. His lack of confidence in Christ’s power to execute much needed change through His Body undermines His purpose of achieving what the Body is unable to do on its own.

I refuse to find myself standing before Him someday, pleading my case of indifference to His Holy Nature. And if I have the audacity to denounce evil, then I should be able to find the backbone to follow up with action.

Organized vocal protests at the doors of abortion facilities and the support of pro-life movements are integral to winning the battle, but the voice of God’s people resonates the loudest from the voting booth.

The polls open at 7:00 am on Tuesday.

“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” —William Wilberforce

Last Updated: January 9, 2023 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

Is Your Worship Rational?

Worship isn’t exclusive to Sunday mornings or private prayer.

Showing reverence or admiration for anyone or anything eventually provokes an attitude which surrenders attention, personal pleasure or profit to that particular object of devotion.

In his letter to all who [were] beloved of God in Rome, called [as] saints, the apostle Paul encouraged them to engage in a particular kind of worship:

“Therefore, I urge you, brethren, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies [a] living [and] holy sacrifice, acceptable to God—your rational worship [or service]. And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for the purpose of proving what [is] the will of God—the good and acceptable and perfect.” [Rom. 12: 1-2] [my emphasis]

So, have you ever wondered what “rational worship” is?

I used to worship all kinds of different things and people. In the process, I sacrificed [or presented] my body for whatever I considered to be good and acceptable. In doing so, I attempted to demonstrate the will of whatever or whoever my sacrifice was made to.

But what bothers me is that, in my mind, it was a rational exercise. It made sense to me.

And, I was obliged to be conformed to this age.

In the same way, Paul was imploring the readers in Rome to offer their bodies to God as something set apart [or holy] from the sinful influences of this age. This wasn’t a broad evangelical plea to lost souls. His letter was written to those he considered to be “saints,” meaning people the Lord had set apart from the world. They were already “saved.”

[What does “saved” mean? see: Different fruit, Same Good News.]

Worshipping the Lord is action in service to the Lord. The number of ways we can do that would surely be infinite. But, even as one who’s already saved from sin by His grace, the transformation and renewing of my mind is an ongoing process. [Phil. 1:6]

The New Covenant sacrificial offering isn’t given with an attitude of obligation to fall in line with the letter of written law. It is, rather, offered up in a spirit of renewal, obedience and service.

I heard a wise man once say: “The renewed heart is a life transforming.”

Now that’s a rational statement.

“O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it. You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise..” [Psa. 51: 15-17]

Posted: August 14, 2018 by cjournalme 1 Comment

Verbs With Teeth

Verbs have always intrigued me.

Just like other writers, the Biblical authors often used them to amplify the force of their intentions. And I’m convinced that one of the most profound examples of this is revealed in a Davidic Psalm:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” [Psa. 51:10-12] [my emphasis]

Some would suggest this is a passage that only need be remembered periodically, available at a moments notice should they fall hard and fast off the wagon along their spiritual journey. They’re words of sincere penitence, reserved for the real bad stuff. You know, like what David did.

I agree. But not completely.

Because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. According to the narrative recorded in the eleventh chapter of 2Samuel, King David of Israel seemed to be at the top of his game. He was a warrior like no other. However, he sent every soldier out to battle while he “…stayed at Jerusalem.” [vs. 11:1]

What’s up with that?

The text can’t confirm any reason for his decision, but it sounds like he was up to no good. Because the ensuing account of his adulterous relationship and subsequent murder of his good friend eventually drove him into repentance and was [probably] the motive behind his writing the 51st Psalm.

But what if he’d jotted down these penitent thoughts years prior to this event?

More importantly, what if he’d meditated on them in prayer before the Lord his God on a daily [or even hourly] basis? Is it likely that the path of destruction that followed might have been avoided?

Neither prayer nor supplication were created to be a solution in hindsight. The words “create, renew, restore” and “sustain” are undisputed instruments of spiritual maintenance. But, in the context of David’s Psalm, these verbs describe actions that are far beyond any man’s own ability to initiate the regenerative process. They are an exclusive mechanism of the only One who can save, forgive and make new again.

Could it be that, the more I choose to be sustained by Him, the less often I might need to be renewed and restored?

“Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation,
then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.” [Psa. 51:14]

Last Updated: February 19, 2024 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

Feeding On the Flesh of Life

I’d sure like to know what it tasted like.

Manna, that is.

In the ancient Writings of the Old Testament, it’s recorded as being “…like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey.” [Exod. 16:31 ] Anything that spikes my blood sugar like that should be at the top of the grocery list.

But some people just can’t get enough of a good thing. In the gospel account of John, he records that a crowd was following Jesus Christ around.

And for good reason.

The previous day, He’d performed a miracle with which this Jewish culture could readily identify, based on the stories and written record they’d heard or read about over many generations. After thanking His Father, He provided what was necessary to feed some five-thousand hungry men from two fish and five loaves of bread.

It was a miracle from Heaven, just like the manna was. They were obviously convinced He was the Messiah of Jewish prophecy who’d just demonstrated that they’d have a chicken in every pot forever. [Jn. 6:14] They weren’t about to let Him out of their sight.

So one can only imagine their jaws dropping when He suggested that they were following Him around just to keep their bellies full:

“Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” [Jn. 6:26-27] [my emphasis]

Work? What kind of work?

“Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God: That you would believe in Him whom He has sent.” [Jn. 6:29] [my emphasis]

The Jews who were hearing this were the Lord’s chosen people of that time, in the same sense as the redeemed or “saved,” are today under the New Covenant. But just as is sometimes the case today, belief was probably something that was assumed or validated on the basis of a label.

[How is being “saved” today relevant to ancient Israel being “chosen?” see: Are You Stuck in Egypt? see also: Different fruit, same good news.]

They were God’s people, and that was sufficient in itself. However, some of them were getting their feathers ruffled because He said that He was “…the bread that came down from heaven:”

“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. The one feeding on My flesh and drinking My blood possesses eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. The one feeding on My flesh and drinking My blood remains in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so the one who is feeding on Me, he also shall live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; the one feeding on this bread will live in the age.” [Jn. 6:53-58] [my emphasis]

[What does it really mean to possess eternal life? see: The Precious Pearl of Life.]

This scope of this article isn’t to draw attention to any shortcomings of the Jewish culture. On the other hand, it seems to me that the ideas of “feeding on His flesh” and “drinking His blood” define the essence of genuine relational intimacy with Him, relentless submission to Him, and profound emulation of Him.

I eat to maintain life. What I consume determines whether or not I’m able to sustain my life. At some point, I’ll eventually exhibit the cumulative effects of my diet in appearance, thoughts and actions.

What will I look like? How will I act? Who will I resemble?

Posted: July 18, 2018 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

Hooked On a Feeling

I love tools.

Not only do they make me money, but they satisfy my instinctive male passion to manipulate things.

However, my wife will testify that manipulation is a term of relevance, recounting the day I “manipulated” a broken dining room chair to splinters in a fit of rage after an unsuccessful attempt to repair it.

Well, sure, that was a long time ago. But it never occurred to me then that my feelings were no different than a hammer or a saw, at the mercy of whatever drove them. So, until I learned that emotions were something that needed to be sharpened, refined and regulated, I was a loose cannon and my target was anything in the way.

I was a slave to my circumstances—something over which I often thought I had no control.

As a result, I found it very easy to conclude that, under unpleasant circumstances, God was not good. I knew better, of course…especially when Christmas rolled around or when the tax refund landed in the mailbox.

But the part-time Christian is a deaf coyote with a sinus infection. He needs nourishment and rest, but he’s bound to the weakened limits of his own devices. He can’t afford to act confidently in the plight of his circumstances. He’s looking for a lucky break.

Human emotions are but one means of leveling the odds on the playing field of circumstances. And, to the degree they’re maintained and applied correctly, they can drastically effect the outcome of critical situations and events for the better.

But they’re not bulletproof.

The faithful disciple of Jesus Christ’s little flock is acutely aware of his emotional limits and the unpredictable conditions life throws at him. But just like a healthy, alert coyote, he learns to rely confidently upon the Creator’s miraculous wisdom and sustained strength demonstrated in the natural order as well.

He acquires skills and he practices them. He secures tools and he keeps them sharp. He understands that existing under his Lord’s guardianship presents circumstances that sometimes seem insurmountable.

But he overcomes hardship by acting upon the knowledge that God is good—not by feeling it.

Posted: July 11, 2018 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

Living in the Hope of His Presence

Focus and absorb. That’s the ticket.

To the casual Bible reader, the apostle Paul’s first letter to “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” might easily be overlooked as the literary jewel of hope that it is.

But the serious student of Scripture who applies the inductive study process would no doubt recognize the repeated references to an event the author considered worthy enough to mention five different times in the text:

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers, constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father...” [1Thes. 1:2-3]

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, before our Lord Jesus in His presence?” [1Thes. 2:19]

“…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father in the presence of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” [1Thes. 3:12-13]

“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” [1Thes. 5:2]

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” [1Thes. 5:23-24] [all emphasis mine]

So it’s no coincidence that Paul also chose to expand on some of the specific features of this future event he referred to as “the day of the Lord” by describing in great detail Jesus Christ’s second coming and the subsequent resurrection of the righteous dead and transformation of the righteous living. [vss. 4:13-18] And, here again, the emphasis is on the Lord’s presence and in the spirit of comfort and encouragement:

“…and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” [1Thes. 4:17b-18]

[Read more about this passage: Dead or alive?…Safe in Christ!]

The faithful disciple of Jesus Christ will reshape his life in order to prepare himself for the day his real hope might be realized. Only by developing a standard of integrity for studying the Bible can he achieve a level of spiritual maturity necessary to understand the significance of Jesus Christ’s presence upon His return to the earth.

[How can I develop that “standard of integrity” for studying? see: Inductive Study? Sounds Like a Plan.]

He strives to establish his “heart, spirit, body and soul” [that is, everything he consists of] as holy in order to be found without fault in the presence of his Master when He appears.

Read it and reap!

Last Updated: April 25, 2024 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

Putting “Rest” to Rest

Sundays are special.

It’s a good opportunity to get some rest and reflect on what I’ve accomplished and worship the One Who makes that possible.

It’s an occasion to celebrate a time-honored tradition which has evolved from an ancient Jewish ordinance the Lord gave to his people over five-thousand years ago.

More specifically, He commanded His firstborn Israel not to do any work on the seventh day of their week, but rather to rest [נוּחַ nūach: to rest] and remember that He delivered them from bondage out of Egypt. In doing so, they would sanctify—or dedicate that time to Him. [Deut. 5:12-15]

It was a “decompression” mandate, requiring them unwind and set aside time to worship and reflect upon Him. But it was also symbolic of His creation narrative [see: Exod. 20: 8-11]:

“By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven.” [Gen. 2:2-4] [my emphasis]

[שָׁבַת shabath: to cease, desist, rest]

And I’m not sure why, but many of us who live under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ insist that His people are still required to observe a specific time period of complete rest and worship before Him. But neither Jesus nor any New Testament author ever demanded such a thing.

In fact, the Bible doesn’t reveal any other relevant use of the word “rest” until the reader opens up the Book of Hebrews. The author records the Greek noun κατάπαυσις [kâtâpâwsîs; rest, repose] six times, corresponding to the same Hebrew term נוּחַ [nūach: to rest] noted above in the Old Testament Writings.

So I’m convinced the context of these passages in the Hebrew letter would satisfy any questions about whether or not it’s okay to be productive or have fun on Sundays.

Because the issue isn’t about when or how to rest, but rather about “how to enter into it.”

But why would anyone need to “enter into it?” Doesn’t it just roll around every seven days? Not only that, vs. 4:9 clearly states that “…there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” The context of the third and fourth chapters makes it clear. After the author documented the Genesis narrative to the reader [vss. 3:8-11], he then submitted questions:

“For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? [Heb. 3:16-18] [my emphasis]

In this case, being able to enter into the land where God’s people Israel were destined to “receive rest” was clearly contingent upon the absence of their whining and disobedience:

So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.” [Heb. 3:19-4:1] [my emphasis]

Hm-m. The same goes for me, I guess.

The author of Hebrews recognized Christ’s New Covenant “rest” as being a means to the goal of obedience to the Living God:

“For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.” [Heb. 4: 10-11] [my emphasis]

Self-sufficiency is the foundation on which disobedience is built and sustained. The ancient tribes of Israel were good at it. It seems that when I decide to “rest” from [or stop relying upon] my own sufficiency to secure righteousness and instead regard Christ’s sufficiency as enough, I’m on the fast track toward entering into the miraculous domain He referred to as “His rest.”

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the concept of rest is clearly perceived by the authors as the ideal combination of security, meaningful fellowship and genuine contentment. Jesus’ parables describing life in the Kingdom of the next age never hinted of idle servants lying around playing harps and sucking on grapes.

On the contrary, His visions portrayed confident, hard-working and obedient servants having great responsibilities and loving every minute of it!

Complete sufficiency in Christ the King allows me to “rest” from the folly of my own.

Besides, I don’t like grapes anyway.

Posted: May 29, 2018 by cjournalme Leave a Comment

Getting a Sense of Sensibleness

I don’t hear anybody teaching about the importance of sound Bible teaching.

So I can assume that being sure about what the Scriptures say isn’t nearly as important as what the plumber says about a leaking toilet, or what the Schwab advisor says about a portfolio.

And that baffles me. Because, behind every offer to increase prosperity usually lies enough reliable information to form a sufficient opinion about the competency of that offer. Of course, sometimes we have to dig deep, but getting accurate information only makes sense.

So I found it interesting that the apostle Paul, in a letter to his “true child in a common faith,” Titus, stated that being sensible was essential for maintaining sound teaching among the congregations at Crete. According to Paul, Titus had a job to do:

“For this reason I left you [Titus] in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you…For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound teaching and to refute those who contradict.” [vss. 1:5,7-9] [my emphasis]

[σωφρόνως: sensible, according to good sense, showing self-control]

According to this passage, sensibleness was a primary attribute needed to be an effective elder in Christ’s Body. Without it, his ability to exhort, teach or refute those who contradicted the truth would have been compromised. Apparently, there were some Jews in the church at Crete who were teaching things that weren’t true.

A few sentences later, Paul wrote that he relied on Titus’ proficiency to articulate the need for a sound understanding of the Scriptures—leaving no “unsensible” stone unturned:

“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound teaching. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible…” [vss.2: 1-6] [my emphasis]

So, would it be safe to say that making sense is a Scriptural mandate?

I also have a hunch that if Jesus Christ’s disciple doesn’t have the right stuff to verify what he’s being taught, he’s probably willing to buy whatever anybody throws at him. And it seems that getting together with other men on a regular basis to confirm what he hears might make good sense.

Because if he’s unable to discern truth from fiction, he’s liable to perish in his fantasy.

Am I making sense?

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. [Titus 2:11-15] [my emphasis]