5 Understandable Words for Today

"...the darkness has blinded him."  John 2:11b

As John continues to write, he transitions from 1st person plural to 1st person singular at Chapter 2, verse 1. He presses the sin issue further by stating his singular motivation for writing: "I write this to you so that you will not sin."  He then restates the semantic of 1:9, stating we have a mediator Who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ. (v.1b,c) He describes Jesus as, The Righteous One; the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the world. (v.2) John was convinced in Jesus' identity; there was no question marks in his faith paradigm. He had lived with Jesus three years, had seen the miracles and heard His teaching. In fact, John promises the reader that the Believer can know Jesus as intimately as he did, when we follow His commands.

There are two main commands given by Jesus in the accounts of His earthly ministry and life:

1. Love one another, as I have loved you.  (Jn. 13:34-35)
2. Make disciples of in all nations by teaching them all the things He taught.  (Mt. 28:18-20)

John presents his argument for knowing Jesus:  anyone claiming to know Jesus must walk as Jesus walked - proclaiming God's Kingdom had come, healing the sick, teaching the Word, and promoting peace between people. John's argument for such is in simple black and white, good and bad ideology. If someone claims to know Jesus, but does not follow His commands, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. On the other hand, if one obeys Jesus' teachings, God's love is made complete in and through him/her... and it's obvious.  (v.'s 3-6)

John presses his point stating the truth will be seen in the person, the darkness will pass as the true light is shining in one's life, exposing sin and its practices. (v.8) John's elementary approach is reflected in the actual writing style of the Greek language. He uses the most basic language to communicate eternal truth.... for all (v.'s 12-14):

1. Children, who have called upon Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sin;
2. Fathers, who have known Jesus from the beginning of His ministry and could not refute John's message on authentic "followship";
3. Young men, who have overcome the enticements of the liberal Roman world.
4. Of course, wives would receive the message through their husbands and daughters would receive the message through their fathers or elders.

Yes, John's clear message on following Christ is definitively stated in verses 9-11:

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives int he light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him."

These words are very timely for our day. You see, when John is describing one hating a brother, he is not speaking in familial terms - he is speaking about another family... the family of man. We are to demonstrate God's love to all, no matter one's race, creed, calling, or even how one is treated by others. Love is to be our theme, our credence, our calling care, our signature in all relationships. We are to love supremely, redemptively, and purely - just as Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us.

I guess the coloquiolism popular in the late '60's and early '70's is appropriate to conclude these remarks...

Peace and love,

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

“…the message we have heard…”  1 John 1:5

The elderly exile is writing on behalf of those with him on the Isle of Patmos: those whose lives had witnessed Jesus’ life and had been radically transformed by  His perfect life, His miracles, His message, His sacrificial death on a cross, and His glorious resurrection. These prisoners were willing to suffer for the cause of Christ - bringing others into the light of abundant life and love.

There is a two-fold message which the collaborative team wishes to communicate: God is light (v.5) and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin (v.7). The issue of mankind’s sin nature is immediately addressed by contrasting light with darkness. Darkness is the absence of light, for even a little light scatters darkness (read John 1:1-5). The issue of sin is common to everyone. One need not teach a two year old to say, “No”, or a three year old to be unrestrained in wanting what a three year old wants. Just as we grow from infancy to adulthood, so sin seeks to grow in each of our lives, and if not dealt with properly, will enslave the sinner in a cycle of diminishing returns.

The reader is confronted with God’s knowledge of sin’s deceptive practices: we put on a good face on Sundays, give to the poor, volunteer for our child’s little league, and under the veil of darkness (or when we think no one is looking) devise all sorts of evil… or simply reject God’s message of salvation, which – in the end, is sin… sin separates us from God and from God’s voice calling us to Himself, offering peace and joy. We lie to ourselves first, thinking we may ‘get away’ with a practice displeasing to God (we even try to sugar-coat it, calling it a “vice”). Then, we lie to our family, faith community, and the world by continuing the practice, elevating our own clever disguise above other’s ignorance of our sin.

The writers simply expose the practice. The words are simple, and go straight to the heart of the problem:

“If we claim to have fellowship with Him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” (v.6)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (v.8)

The sin problem becomes worse when we claim we have never sinned, for then we make God out to be a liar – The One Who lovingly confronts us with the issue to restore us to right relationship with Himself. Once we have gone that far in the coverup, God’s Word obviously has no place in our minds, hearts, or lives (v.10).

The writers offer an antidote to sin’s poison – a way of escape. The two-pronged message is actually one in the same. You see, just as light casts out darkness, so Jesus’ blood casts out sin. The sinner must come clean about his/her own sin – agreeing with God about the problem, admitting one’s hopeless efforts in dealing with it personally. Once that happens, the sinner is given a wonderful promise of restoration and beginning! The transaction is instant. The reconciliation is immediate. The writers phrased it this way:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  (v.9)

 It is the same message they had heard from Jesus. He offered Himself as the solution to sin’s problem by taking the punishment for our sins. (read Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 5:7-9) In our weakness, He is made strong, for He has covered our sin with His own life. It’s like He’s telling us today, “I’ve got this.”

Two days ago, our nation experienced a solar eclipse which able to be viewed from the Pacific to the Atlantic, which had not occurred for almost one hundred years. I was struck by what the meteorologists called the “path of totality”, the small area observers experience the total effect of the moon’s overshadowing effect upon the earth for two-plus minutes. Though the moon’s shadow did provide a moment of much less light, it did not extinguish the light entirely. The light of the sun was still present. The sun was never in danger of being permanently eclipsed. C.S. Lewis described how the summer sun is often hidden behind summer clouds: “We believe that the sun is in the sky at midday in summer not because we can clearly see the sun (in fact, we cannot) but because we can see everything else” (from “Miracles”, 1947, p.133). Theologian E.F. Palmer asserts:

“One way to test the worthiness of a world-view or religious claim is to ask the question: Does this world-view bring all of the parts of the puzzle of my life and world together? Are the separate pieces that make up normal existence integrated so that each is meaningful and in clear focus when seen through the lens of this world-view? Jesus Christ as Lord and center of our lives makes sense of the parts just as He makes sense of the core. This is the characteristic of light. It is like a lamp unto our feet.” (The Communicator’s Commentary, Vol. 12, © 1982, p. 29)

Step out of the darkness and into the light of recovery, reconciliation, and redemption by confessing the sin that has overcome you. Agree with God about it and invest in His Word. He will provide you a way to walk that will lead you out of sin’s practice and into a life of good by the light of His Word.

5 Understandable Words for Today

“…to make our joy complete.”  1 John 1:4

John often described himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. John and his brother, James, worked as fishermen along with Simon (AKA, Peter) and his brother, Andrew. Jesus borrowed Simon’s and Andrew’s boat, from which He taught a large crowd that had gathered there. After He completed the lesson, He instructed Simon, Andrew, James and John that from that point on, they would become fishers of men. (Read Luke 5:1-11)

The first century church was ravaged by a cruel Roman Emperor named, Nero. John was exiled to the island of Patmos, off the coast of Italy. During his days there, he was inspired to record the revelation of end times, as well as three letters to the young movement of Christ followers, words      which still ring true today. The first century apologist Irenaeus of Lyons (died in 202AD) is credited with authenticating John’s authorship of the gospel bearing his name, Revelation, and 1,2,3 John (3 letters). Other theologians confirming his conclusions include: Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria.

The introduction of the letter (the entire first chapter) is written in first person plural. It stands to reason there were other Christians leaders banished to the small island, all in an effort to silence the growing Christian movement – a phenomena providing significance to common citizens with no influence, yet who were charged with turning the world upside down. Yet, the mail still got through! The opening lines attest to an experience with which those exiled prisoners shared from the beginning of the movement. John describes in generally accepted scientific arguments his validation of Jesus, as God’s Son: aurally received, visually confirmed, and physically verified the authenticity of the Word of life. Here John is providing a nuance of his previously written record of Jesus’ life, where God breathed into him:

“In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made: without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:1-5)

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Their sole motivation for providing this record? First, so that the reader would be led to share their communion of spirit – or fellowship. Secondly, providing the record is a work of joy, and others embracing the message completes the joy of those writing the message. Some authors write for the sheer pleasure of spinning a tale, but even they receive great satisfaction when their efforts are validated through the purchase and enjoyment of their creation. The work of John and his fellow prisoners carried much greater significance… eternal significance… nurturing the souls of women and men seeking to walk in the Light.

What makes your joy complete? Is it measured in worldly accolades? Earthly pursuits? Or do you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (read Matthew 6:33-34). Do you pray that His Kingdom would come to earth just it is in heaven? What intentional efforts are you making to allow such to occur through your life? When we become the conduit of God’s love, we make His joy complete as, “…Christ in you, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27)

The opening lines seem to be written with such passion, power, and conviction that it’s hard to deny their experience with the Word that became flesh, inspiring them to tell others. Their enthusiasm provokes the reader to continue… I look forward to doing so with you in the weeks to come.

He must increase, we must decrease.

John 3:30

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...may He work in us..."  Hebrews 13:21

God's purpose for transforming us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, is to work in and through us to bring a taste of heaven to earth. We often pray the Lord's prayer, which contains the words: "...Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven..." (Mt. 6:9-13) It provides God pleasure for Him to see Christ working in us. Because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, He has endowed us with heavenly power to equip us with everything good for doing His will. 

Hebrews concludes with a parting benediction... a blessing to encourage the reader to persevere in the faith:

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."   (v.'s 20-21)

I look forward to beginning our journey through John's letters next week.

Peace,

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

“Keep on loving one another…”  Hebrews 13:1

Let me first apologize once again for the lack of a blog the past two weeks. I traveled from DC to South Carolina twice in two weeks to assist my brother and sisters in caring for my 89 year old mother, in what became her last days. She passed quietly into eternity on Tuesday, July 25 at 1:30pm EDT. My wife, Sandra and I had just taken over the “watch” from my brother and his wife, who were headed back to help in post -operative care for their daughter and grandson.

My mother was with me on March 17, 2011 when my father passed away early that morning. We had spent the entire night singing, praying, and reading scriptures of hope and heaven to him. At one point, she turned to me, and with a look of deep conviction, asked me to do the same in her final hours. Two weeks ago, I was spending the night at Charlotte Medical Center while staying with my mother following a surgical procedure to set her broken femur. While we were together, I advised her many elderly people do not recover following such a devastating event, and asked her what she would want her funeral to look like if God did choose to take her. After some gentle coaxing she shared with me her wishes which were completely followed at her memorial service.

On her last day on earth, Sandra and I entered the room and immediately began singing scripture songs, hymns, etc., while praying and reading those scriptures out loud. After only twenty minutes of this, I was led to speak to my mother, telling her if someone (like my dad, a loved one, or even Jesus) was there reaching out to welcome her into heaven that she had our blessing to take that hand, and we would be just fine. My sister, Mary, arrived shortly after with her two grandkids. Mary and I became involved in setting up a Pandora station of old hymns, when my mother suddenly opened her eyes – though only for a millisecond. I made some corny remark like, “O, look! She’s taking a look at her adorable son.” I immediately followed the remark with, “Wait! I think she just took her last breath.” After notifying the nurse’s station, her nurse came in and checked her, informing us that the heart was in its final faint efforts to beat. A minute or two later, the nurse pronounced her dead, and I informed my sisters and brother.

I was in awe of how quickly and quietly the event happened. The bible tells us that we will all be changed in a moment… in the twinkling of an eye, we shall all be changed (1 Co. 15:52-58). Though the passage is specifically describing the return of Christ, it also seems to describe my mother’s final moments. You see, she had not opened her eyes for two days, and in that moment, I believe she was experiencing her last vestige of earthly life as her new eyes were seeing a glorious heaven, and those gathered around her to welcome her. It is all a part of how God loves us… and how He provides His grace during such moments. My mother knew very well God’s saving grace. God had provided her many years of living grace, sustaining her through hardship, heartache, and the hectic pace of caring for her many children. Then, in her final moments, God graciously supplied her with His dying grace. It was such a sacred moment.

We are to love each other just as persistently, just as devotedly, just as sacrificially, just as enduringly as God loves us. The writers of Hebrews describe several ways on how to love one another:

1.       As brothers and sisters. (v.1) I don’t know about you, but my brother and sisters fought like cats and dogs when we were children. However, when we became adults we put aside our childish ways and really learned how to demonstrate love to each other.

2.       Through kind hospitality to strangers. (v.2) This verse informs the Believer, that there may be times we would be doing so to angels, though without knowing it.

3.       Visit those imprisoned, empathizing in their suffering. (v.3) How would you feel if you were behind bars and no-one came to visit you?

4.       Love your spouse with purity. Live with the knowledge that there will be an accounting for our actions… you see, it’s not just about what we believe… it’s about how we behave.

5.       Love your church by honoring your spiritual servant-leaders who instruct you in The Word. (v.’s 11-17) By following this exhortation, their work will be a joy – not a burden.

There are a few significant five-word phrases that I would like to give your attention to:

• “…the marriage bed kept pure…”  (v.4)
• “…God will judge the adulterer…”  (v.4)
• “…Never will I leave you…”  (v.5)
• “…never will I forsake you.”  (v.5)
• “The Lord is my helper…”  (v.6)
• “…I will not be afraid.”  (v.6)
• “Jesus Christ is the same…”  (v.8)
• “Have confidence in your leaders…”  (v.17)
• “…they keep watch over you…”  (v.17)
• “Grace be with you all.” (v.25)

I’ve enjoyed our journey through Hebrews. I hope you have, as well. Next week, we will begin a journey through the three letters of John.

Blessings to all,

Steve