And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Hebrews 8:11
Our brothers and sisters in the 1st century Church were the most radical Christians in all of history. They sold all of their possessions; they spread throughout the world; they lived for the Kingdom. But you know what? They didn’t get together like this and study Hebrews, because Hebrews wasn’t yet written. They didn’t study the theological implications of Romans because Romans wasn’t written. They didn’t scrutinize the teachings of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel because John’s Gospel wasn’t written.
They didn’t have the written New Testament — but they did understand the reality of the New Covenant. They obeyed what the Lord was writing in their hearts — and they turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Then, when the New Testament was written and began to circulate through the Church, it was a confirmation of what they were already doing because it was the same Lord who had been writing His will for them upon their hearts.
Today, sad to say, many don’t understand the New Covenant. Our Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Bible. We’ve lost touch with how the Holy Spirit speaks to us moment by moment because we’ve replaced His voice with the written word. Many churches, and organizations study the Bible and are right in their theology — but they’re dead right because theirs is knowledge for knowledge’s sake.
The New Testament was never intended to be an esoteric, intellectual, theological trip for people who like to fill notebooks, answer questions, and work on workbooks. That was never the intent of the New Testament writer. What was the intent? To provide a way believers could be confirmed or corrected in what they were already living out as a result of obeying the still, small voice of the Spirit.
The person who’s really used by the Lord is one who simply says, ‘You’re going to tell me moment by moment what I should do, and, Lord, I will just say Yes to whatever You say.’ A whole lot of people have made the New Testament writings the new Law. Like Pharisees searching for jots, tittles, and interesting insights, they fail to see that the Word was written to nudge them along in their walk and to confirm the voice of the Lord in their heart.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Issues, Etc. Journal - Spring 1997 - Vol. 2 No. 3
Infant Baptism in Early Church History
by Dennis Kastens
From the beginning of New Testament Christianity at the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2: 38-39) to our time, unbroken and uninterrupted; the church has baptized babies. Entire households (Jewish, proselytes and Gentiles) were baptized by Christ’s original 12 Apostles (I Corinthians 1: 16; Acts 11: 14, 16: 15, 33, 18: 8) and that practice has continued with each generation.
The Early Church
Polycarp (69-155), a disciple of the Apostle John, was baptized as an infant. This enabled him to say at his martyrdom. "Eighty and six years have I served the Lord Christ" (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9: 3). Justin Martyr (100 - 166) of the next generation states about the year 150, "Many, both men and women, who have been Christ’s disciples since childhood, remain pure at the age of sixty or seventy years" (Apology 1: 15). Further, in his Dialog with Trypho the Jew, Justin Martyr states that Baptism is the circumcision of the New Testament.
Irenaeus (130 - 200), some 35 years later in 185, writes in Against Heresies II 22: 4 that Jesus "came to save all through means of Himself - all, I say, who through him are born again to God - infants and children, boys and youth, and old men."
Church Councils and Apologists
Similar expressions are found in succeeding generations by Origen (185 - 254) and Cyprian (215 - 258) who reflect the consensus voiced at the Council of Carthage in 254. The 66 bishops said: "We ought not hinder any person from Baptism and the grace of God..... especially infants. . . those newly born." Preceding this council, Origen wrote in his Commentary on Romans 5: 9: "For this also it was that the church had from the Apostles a tradition to give baptism even to infants. For they to whom the divine mysteries were committed knew that there is in all persons a natural pollution of sin which must be done away by water and the Spirit."
Elsewhere Origen wrote in his Homily on Luke 14: "Infants are to be baptized for the remission of sins. Cyprian’s reply to a country bishop, Fidus, who wrote him regarding the Baptism of infants, is even more explicit. Should we wait until the eighth day as did the Jews in circumcision? No, the child should be baptized as soon as it is born (To Fidus 1: 2).
To prevent misunderstanding by rural bishops, perhaps not as well-schooled as other or even new to the faith, the Sixteenth Council of Carthage in 418 unequivocally stated: "If any man says that newborn children need not be baptized . . . let him be anathema."
Augustine
Augustine (354 - 430), writing about this time in De Genesi Ad Literam, X: 39, declares, "The custom of our mother church in baptizing infants must not be . . . accounted needless, nor believed to be other than a tradition of the apostles."
He further states, "If you wish to be a Christian, do not believe, nor say, nor teach, that infants who die before baptism can obtain the remission of original sin." And again, "Whoever says that even infants are vivified in Christ when they depart this life without participation in His sacrament (Baptism), both opposes the Apostolic preaching and condemns the whole church which hastens to baptize infants, because it unhesitatingly believes that otherwise they cannot possibly be vivified in Christ."
Specific directions, with detailed instructions, for the baptizing of infants were given by bishops to pastors and deacons during this era of Christian history. In the year 517, seven bishops met in Gerona, Catelina, and framed 10 rules of discipline for the church in Spain. The fifth rule states that ". . . in case infants were ill . . . if they were offered, to baptize them, even though it were the day that they were born . . . " such was to be done (The History of Baptism by Robert Robinson, [London: Thomas Knott, 1790], p.269.).
The foregoing pattern, practiced in both East and West, remained customary in Christianity through the Dark and Middle Ages until modem times. Generally, the infant was baptized during the first week of life, but in cases of illness this took place on the day of birth. An example of this already comes from about 260 in North Africa in an inscription from Hadrumetum (Inscriptiones Latinae Christianae Veteres II, 4429-A):
Arisus in pace
natus ora sexta
bixit supra scriptas VIIII
This Latin inscription indicates that a child who died nine hours after its birth was baptized. Such practice of Baptism within the first days of life, or on the day of birth in an emergency, remained for both Protestants, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
The Witness of the Catacombs
The witness of the literary texts of the early church fathers, councils and apologists for the practice of infant Baptism in the first Christian centuries receives valuable confirmation from the catacombs and cemeteries of the Middle East, Africa and southern Europe. Below are epitaphs from the 200’s of small children who had been baptized. It is interesting to note that there are no Christian epitaphs in existence earlier than 200. As soon as the era of Christian inscriptions begins, we find evidence for infant Baptism. [editor's note- the two referenced epitaphs are in the original document].
In that century there are attributes and symbols in tombstones inscriptions of little children which allows us to clearly infer we are dealing with baptized children. The following is as early as 200 or shortly thereafter: [editor's note- the referenced epitaph is in the original document].
In the second last line is the phrase Dei Serv(u)s which means slave of God followed by the Chi Rho symbol for Christ. The last line is the Greek ichtheos familiar as the "fish symbol" - an anagram for Jesus Christ God’s Son Savior. These words and symbols mark the one-year, two months, and four-day-old child as a baptized Christian.
From the Lateran Museum, also from the 200’s, is a Greek inscription that gives information about the religious status of the parents. It reads, "I, Zosimus, a believer from believers, lie here having lived 2 years, 1 month, 25 days."
Also from this era are headstones for children who received emergency baptism with ages ranging from 11 months to 12 years. Since the patristic sources of the third century, as those earlier, give us to understand that the children of Christian parents were baptized in infancy, we must conclude that these emergency baptisms were administered to children of non-Christians. The inscriptions themselves confirm this conclusion. In the Roman catacomb of Priscilla is reference to a private emergency baptism that was administered to the one-and-three-quarter-year-old Apronianus and enabled him to die as a believer. The inscription reads:
Dedicated to the departed.
Florentius made this inscription
for his worthy son Apronianus who
lived one year and nine months and five days.
As he was truly loved by his grandmother
and she knew that his death was imminent,
she asked the church that he might depart from the world as a believer.
The fact that it was the grandmother who urged the baptism makes it very probable that the father of the child, Florentius, was a pagan. This is confirmed by the formula in the first line which is pagan and not found on any other Christian epitaphs. We have thus in this inscription evidence for a missionary baptism administered to a dying non-Christian infant.
Sole Opponent - A Heretic
In the 1,500 years from the time of Christ to the Protestant Reformation, the only bonafide opponent to infant Baptism was Tertullian (160 - 215), bishop of Carthage, Africa. His superficial objection was to the unfair responsibility laid on godparents when the children of pagans joined the church. However, his real opposition was more fundamental. It was his view that sinfulness begins at the "puberty, of the soul," that is "about the fourteenth year of life" and "it drives man out of the paradise of innocence" (De Anima 38:2). This rules out the belief in original sin.
Tertullian’s stance, together with other unorthodox views, led him to embrace Montanism in 207. Montanism denied the total corruption and sinfulness of human nature. With its emphasis upon the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, it was the precursor to the modern Charismatic Movement.
Except for Tertullian’s heretical views, marking his departure from mainstream Christianity, the only other opposition to infant Baptism came during a brief period in the middle of the fourth century. The issue was the fear of post-Baptismal sin. This heretical view also denied Baptism to adults until their death-bed. It was not in reality a denial of infant baptism in and of itself. In fact, the heresy encouraged the Baptism of infants when death seemed imminent, as it also did for adults.
The Anabaptists
Not until the 1520s did the Christian Church experience opposition specifically to infant Baptism. Under the influence of Thomas Muenzer and other fanatics who opposed both civil and religious authority, original sin and human concupiscence was denied until the "age of accountability." Although there is no basis in Scripture for this position, a considerable number of Swiss, German and Dutch embraced the Anabaptist cause. So offensive was this position that Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Reformed alike voiced strong warning and renunciation. It was considered a shameless affront to what had been practiced in each generation since Christ’s command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20) to baptize all nations irrespective of age.
Regeneration for All Ages
Who would be so blind as to limit this expression of God’s grace and mercy to adolescents and adults and to exclude infants and children?. If John the Baptizer could be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb (Luke 1: 15), and if Jesus could say (Matt. 18: 6), "Whoever offends one of these little ones (Gk."toddlers") who believe in Me, it were better that he were drowned in the depth of the sea," and if the Apostle Peter could say on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 39), "The promise is unto you and to your children," what mere mortal dare declare so gracious an invitation to be invalid for infants, or forbid the continuance of the Baptism of infants for coming generations?
If the entire families and households of the Philippian jailer, Lydia, Cornelius, Crispus and Stephanas of the New Testament were incorporated into the household of faith through Baptism, surely that testimony is immutable and established for all time.
Yes, we baptize babies. Unmistakably Scriptural proof substantiates that doctrine. Christian history, unbroken and uninterrupted. reflects such practice in each generation. Conscientious Christians do not delay but hasten with their children to Baptism that they may received the gift of salvation and regeneration and gratefully embrace the Apostle’s affirmation extended to those of all age groups: "For as many of you as have been baptized have put on Christ" (Galatians 3: 27).
Dennis Kastens is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Infant Baptism in Early Church History
by Dennis Kastens
From the beginning of New Testament Christianity at the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2: 38-39) to our time, unbroken and uninterrupted; the church has baptized babies. Entire households (Jewish, proselytes and Gentiles) were baptized by Christ’s original 12 Apostles (I Corinthians 1: 16; Acts 11: 14, 16: 15, 33, 18: 8) and that practice has continued with each generation.
The Early Church
Polycarp (69-155), a disciple of the Apostle John, was baptized as an infant. This enabled him to say at his martyrdom. "Eighty and six years have I served the Lord Christ" (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9: 3). Justin Martyr (100 - 166) of the next generation states about the year 150, "Many, both men and women, who have been Christ’s disciples since childhood, remain pure at the age of sixty or seventy years" (Apology 1: 15). Further, in his Dialog with Trypho the Jew, Justin Martyr states that Baptism is the circumcision of the New Testament.
Irenaeus (130 - 200), some 35 years later in 185, writes in Against Heresies II 22: 4 that Jesus "came to save all through means of Himself - all, I say, who through him are born again to God - infants and children, boys and youth, and old men."
Church Councils and Apologists
Similar expressions are found in succeeding generations by Origen (185 - 254) and Cyprian (215 - 258) who reflect the consensus voiced at the Council of Carthage in 254. The 66 bishops said: "We ought not hinder any person from Baptism and the grace of God..... especially infants. . . those newly born." Preceding this council, Origen wrote in his Commentary on Romans 5: 9: "For this also it was that the church had from the Apostles a tradition to give baptism even to infants. For they to whom the divine mysteries were committed knew that there is in all persons a natural pollution of sin which must be done away by water and the Spirit."
Elsewhere Origen wrote in his Homily on Luke 14: "Infants are to be baptized for the remission of sins. Cyprian’s reply to a country bishop, Fidus, who wrote him regarding the Baptism of infants, is even more explicit. Should we wait until the eighth day as did the Jews in circumcision? No, the child should be baptized as soon as it is born (To Fidus 1: 2).
To prevent misunderstanding by rural bishops, perhaps not as well-schooled as other or even new to the faith, the Sixteenth Council of Carthage in 418 unequivocally stated: "If any man says that newborn children need not be baptized . . . let him be anathema."
Augustine
Augustine (354 - 430), writing about this time in De Genesi Ad Literam, X: 39, declares, "The custom of our mother church in baptizing infants must not be . . . accounted needless, nor believed to be other than a tradition of the apostles."
He further states, "If you wish to be a Christian, do not believe, nor say, nor teach, that infants who die before baptism can obtain the remission of original sin." And again, "Whoever says that even infants are vivified in Christ when they depart this life without participation in His sacrament (Baptism), both opposes the Apostolic preaching and condemns the whole church which hastens to baptize infants, because it unhesitatingly believes that otherwise they cannot possibly be vivified in Christ."
Specific directions, with detailed instructions, for the baptizing of infants were given by bishops to pastors and deacons during this era of Christian history. In the year 517, seven bishops met in Gerona, Catelina, and framed 10 rules of discipline for the church in Spain. The fifth rule states that ". . . in case infants were ill . . . if they were offered, to baptize them, even though it were the day that they were born . . . " such was to be done (The History of Baptism by Robert Robinson, [London: Thomas Knott, 1790], p.269.).
The foregoing pattern, practiced in both East and West, remained customary in Christianity through the Dark and Middle Ages until modem times. Generally, the infant was baptized during the first week of life, but in cases of illness this took place on the day of birth. An example of this already comes from about 260 in North Africa in an inscription from Hadrumetum (Inscriptiones Latinae Christianae Veteres II, 4429-A):
Arisus in pace
natus ora sexta
bixit supra scriptas VIIII
This Latin inscription indicates that a child who died nine hours after its birth was baptized. Such practice of Baptism within the first days of life, or on the day of birth in an emergency, remained for both Protestants, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
The Witness of the Catacombs
The witness of the literary texts of the early church fathers, councils and apologists for the practice of infant Baptism in the first Christian centuries receives valuable confirmation from the catacombs and cemeteries of the Middle East, Africa and southern Europe. Below are epitaphs from the 200’s of small children who had been baptized. It is interesting to note that there are no Christian epitaphs in existence earlier than 200. As soon as the era of Christian inscriptions begins, we find evidence for infant Baptism. [editor's note- the two referenced epitaphs are in the original document].
In that century there are attributes and symbols in tombstones inscriptions of little children which allows us to clearly infer we are dealing with baptized children. The following is as early as 200 or shortly thereafter: [editor's note- the referenced epitaph is in the original document].
In the second last line is the phrase Dei Serv(u)s which means slave of God followed by the Chi Rho symbol for Christ. The last line is the Greek ichtheos familiar as the "fish symbol" - an anagram for Jesus Christ God’s Son Savior. These words and symbols mark the one-year, two months, and four-day-old child as a baptized Christian.
From the Lateran Museum, also from the 200’s, is a Greek inscription that gives information about the religious status of the parents. It reads, "I, Zosimus, a believer from believers, lie here having lived 2 years, 1 month, 25 days."
Also from this era are headstones for children who received emergency baptism with ages ranging from 11 months to 12 years. Since the patristic sources of the third century, as those earlier, give us to understand that the children of Christian parents were baptized in infancy, we must conclude that these emergency baptisms were administered to children of non-Christians. The inscriptions themselves confirm this conclusion. In the Roman catacomb of Priscilla is reference to a private emergency baptism that was administered to the one-and-three-quarter-year-old Apronianus and enabled him to die as a believer. The inscription reads:
Dedicated to the departed.
Florentius made this inscription
for his worthy son Apronianus who
lived one year and nine months and five days.
As he was truly loved by his grandmother
and she knew that his death was imminent,
she asked the church that he might depart from the world as a believer.
The fact that it was the grandmother who urged the baptism makes it very probable that the father of the child, Florentius, was a pagan. This is confirmed by the formula in the first line which is pagan and not found on any other Christian epitaphs. We have thus in this inscription evidence for a missionary baptism administered to a dying non-Christian infant.
Sole Opponent - A Heretic
In the 1,500 years from the time of Christ to the Protestant Reformation, the only bonafide opponent to infant Baptism was Tertullian (160 - 215), bishop of Carthage, Africa. His superficial objection was to the unfair responsibility laid on godparents when the children of pagans joined the church. However, his real opposition was more fundamental. It was his view that sinfulness begins at the "puberty, of the soul," that is "about the fourteenth year of life" and "it drives man out of the paradise of innocence" (De Anima 38:2). This rules out the belief in original sin.
Tertullian’s stance, together with other unorthodox views, led him to embrace Montanism in 207. Montanism denied the total corruption and sinfulness of human nature. With its emphasis upon the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, it was the precursor to the modern Charismatic Movement.
Except for Tertullian’s heretical views, marking his departure from mainstream Christianity, the only other opposition to infant Baptism came during a brief period in the middle of the fourth century. The issue was the fear of post-Baptismal sin. This heretical view also denied Baptism to adults until their death-bed. It was not in reality a denial of infant baptism in and of itself. In fact, the heresy encouraged the Baptism of infants when death seemed imminent, as it also did for adults.
The Anabaptists
Not until the 1520s did the Christian Church experience opposition specifically to infant Baptism. Under the influence of Thomas Muenzer and other fanatics who opposed both civil and religious authority, original sin and human concupiscence was denied until the "age of accountability." Although there is no basis in Scripture for this position, a considerable number of Swiss, German and Dutch embraced the Anabaptist cause. So offensive was this position that Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Reformed alike voiced strong warning and renunciation. It was considered a shameless affront to what had been practiced in each generation since Christ’s command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20) to baptize all nations irrespective of age.
Regeneration for All Ages
Who would be so blind as to limit this expression of God’s grace and mercy to adolescents and adults and to exclude infants and children?. If John the Baptizer could be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb (Luke 1: 15), and if Jesus could say (Matt. 18: 6), "Whoever offends one of these little ones (Gk."toddlers") who believe in Me, it were better that he were drowned in the depth of the sea," and if the Apostle Peter could say on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 39), "The promise is unto you and to your children," what mere mortal dare declare so gracious an invitation to be invalid for infants, or forbid the continuance of the Baptism of infants for coming generations?
If the entire families and households of the Philippian jailer, Lydia, Cornelius, Crispus and Stephanas of the New Testament were incorporated into the household of faith through Baptism, surely that testimony is immutable and established for all time.
Yes, we baptize babies. Unmistakably Scriptural proof substantiates that doctrine. Christian history, unbroken and uninterrupted. reflects such practice in each generation. Conscientious Christians do not delay but hasten with their children to Baptism that they may received the gift of salvation and regeneration and gratefully embrace the Apostle’s affirmation extended to those of all age groups: "For as many of you as have been baptized have put on Christ" (Galatians 3: 27).
Dennis Kastens is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
From Jon Coursons web www.joncourson.com
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 3:19
Gang, the key not only to ministry, but to every area of spirituality is found in John 10 ...
Of John the Baptist, Jesus said, ‘This is the greatest man who ever lived.’ Yet Scripture also records John did no mighty miracles (John 10:41). So what made John the greatest man who ever lived? One thing: He wasn’t talking about power in prayer; he wasn’t teaching victory through discipline; he simply said, ‘Behold the Lamb. Check Him out. Follow Him.’
Happy is the day when a woman grasps the fact that spiritual life has nothing to do with her and everything to do with God. Happy is the day when a man finally realizes all he has to say is, ‘I don’t know why You put up with a grasshopper like me, but Lord, if You want to allow me to be in ministry, if You want to give me a family, if You want to bless me in countless ways — that’s OK with me!’
Don’t let anyone sell you a bill of goods, saying, ‘The reason I’m so successful is because I pray night and day. And the reason you will never be part of the chosen few is because you don’t.’
Any man, any woman can be used mightily and blessed exceedingly beyond anything they could ask or even think if they would just learn to say, ‘I believe You, Lord.’
Contrary to what many teach, the deceitfulness of sin is always saying, ‘I’ve got to do more. I’ve got to be bigger, stronger, better in my spiritual walk so that I can battle the giants ahead of me.’
No, God says that’s the sin which will keep you out.
Dear saint, it’s all about God’s work for you, not your work for Him.
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Be blown away by Him.
Behold the Lamb!
Hebrews 3:19
Gang, the key not only to ministry, but to every area of spirituality is found in John 10 ...
Of John the Baptist, Jesus said, ‘This is the greatest man who ever lived.’ Yet Scripture also records John did no mighty miracles (John 10:41). So what made John the greatest man who ever lived? One thing: He wasn’t talking about power in prayer; he wasn’t teaching victory through discipline; he simply said, ‘Behold the Lamb. Check Him out. Follow Him.’
Happy is the day when a woman grasps the fact that spiritual life has nothing to do with her and everything to do with God. Happy is the day when a man finally realizes all he has to say is, ‘I don’t know why You put up with a grasshopper like me, but Lord, if You want to allow me to be in ministry, if You want to give me a family, if You want to bless me in countless ways — that’s OK with me!’
Don’t let anyone sell you a bill of goods, saying, ‘The reason I’m so successful is because I pray night and day. And the reason you will never be part of the chosen few is because you don’t.’
Any man, any woman can be used mightily and blessed exceedingly beyond anything they could ask or even think if they would just learn to say, ‘I believe You, Lord.’
Contrary to what many teach, the deceitfulness of sin is always saying, ‘I’ve got to do more. I’ve got to be bigger, stronger, better in my spiritual walk so that I can battle the giants ahead of me.’
No, God says that’s the sin which will keep you out.
Dear saint, it’s all about God’s work for you, not your work for Him.
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Be blown away by Him.
Behold the Lamb!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
From Jeff Harshbarger's blog www.refugeministries.cc
Shadowboxing
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
It is imperative for Christian to have understanding of what the Bible teaches. This should be a basic desire of everyone who has any desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. He promised "You truly are my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 The freedom Christ promises is that He frees us to follow Him, and not ourselves. However, when we are not faithful to His teachings, we end up in all kinds of self imposed bondage.
Let's look at 2 Timothy 3:16. We are taught that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable. Okay, the Bible is claiming to be from God and advantageous for us to know what He is saying. This is important because in our human nature, we have a real tendency to fool ourselves. We have a deceptive heart which must be kept in check. We have a tendecy to read something into what God is saying in the Bible and we have a tendency to add on to what God is saying.
2 Timothy 3:16 further states that the Bible is profitable for teaching. Let's stop there for a moment. Jesus promises us that His teachings will set us free if we reamain faithful to what He taught. 2 Timothy 3:16 states that the whole Bible teaches us what God desires for us. He has revealed Himself and has spoken to us. Now, the question that needs to be addressed is; are we faithful to what He taught and do we have a real understanding of what God has spoken in the 66 books of the Bible?
I have to admit, I have seen quite a bit of loose interpretations of Scripture in my journey as a Christian. Specifically, I am tremendously concerned about what is being taught and understood as being God's word concerning spiritual warfare and deliverance. My understanding of what Jesus Christ stated in John 8:31-32 is that the Christian is to remain faithful to what He has taught; not what He has not. My understanding of 2 Timothy is that the Bible is God's word and it is profitable for teaching; not for what the Bible does not teach.
I believe the error is when we add on to the Bible. Simply stated, the Bible does not teach that the Christian is under a generational curse, or must break soul ties, bind satan and his demons. Nor does it teach that demons have legal rights to a Chritian's life. I could continue with my list of 'teachings' that will not be found in the Bible. They are extra biblical teachings and are not from God.
We simply cannot go on believing what the Bible does not teach as God's word. This mindset and approach will set you up for self imposed bondage and you will not be battling the devil or his demons. You will be in a place of acting from your own will,in the name of Jesus Christ. You will be deceiving yourself.
Have you ever seen someone shadowbox? He may look like a boxer. He may have evrything in place, good shoes to grip the floor, good satin shorts which make him look good in the ring and his gloves are fitted for the impact that he will land on his opponent. However, his opponent is not actually there. He fights himself.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
It is imperative for Christian to have understanding of what the Bible teaches. This should be a basic desire of everyone who has any desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. He promised "You truly are my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 The freedom Christ promises is that He frees us to follow Him, and not ourselves. However, when we are not faithful to His teachings, we end up in all kinds of self imposed bondage.
Let's look at 2 Timothy 3:16. We are taught that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable. Okay, the Bible is claiming to be from God and advantageous for us to know what He is saying. This is important because in our human nature, we have a real tendency to fool ourselves. We have a deceptive heart which must be kept in check. We have a tendecy to read something into what God is saying in the Bible and we have a tendency to add on to what God is saying.
2 Timothy 3:16 further states that the Bible is profitable for teaching. Let's stop there for a moment. Jesus promises us that His teachings will set us free if we reamain faithful to what He taught. 2 Timothy 3:16 states that the whole Bible teaches us what God desires for us. He has revealed Himself and has spoken to us. Now, the question that needs to be addressed is; are we faithful to what He taught and do we have a real understanding of what God has spoken in the 66 books of the Bible?
I have to admit, I have seen quite a bit of loose interpretations of Scripture in my journey as a Christian. Specifically, I am tremendously concerned about what is being taught and understood as being God's word concerning spiritual warfare and deliverance. My understanding of what Jesus Christ stated in John 8:31-32 is that the Christian is to remain faithful to what He has taught; not what He has not. My understanding of 2 Timothy is that the Bible is God's word and it is profitable for teaching; not for what the Bible does not teach.
I believe the error is when we add on to the Bible. Simply stated, the Bible does not teach that the Christian is under a generational curse, or must break soul ties, bind satan and his demons. Nor does it teach that demons have legal rights to a Chritian's life. I could continue with my list of 'teachings' that will not be found in the Bible. They are extra biblical teachings and are not from God.
We simply cannot go on believing what the Bible does not teach as God's word. This mindset and approach will set you up for self imposed bondage and you will not be battling the devil or his demons. You will be in a place of acting from your own will,in the name of Jesus Christ. You will be deceiving yourself.
Have you ever seen someone shadowbox? He may look like a boxer. He may have evrything in place, good shoes to grip the floor, good satin shorts which make him look good in the ring and his gloves are fitted for the impact that he will land on his opponent. However, his opponent is not actually there. He fights himself.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
www.jglm.org
John G. Lake’s Secrets of Divine Healing
1. Destroy sacred cows concerning sickness and power
2. Recognize sickness and disease as an enemy
3. Get Fed Up
4. Treat all sickness the same
5. Treat all sickness like a person
6. Command not beg
7. Speak to the problem – not to others about the problem
8. See people as oppressed prisoners of war
9. Get clean – stay clean
10. Stay out of pride – anyone could do what you are doing
11. Be aggressive – develop your aggressiveness
12. Be led by God’s character and nature
13. Accept responsibility for your fellow man.
14. Decide to obey the Bible, not some arbitrary feeling
15. Know that God is with you, in you, and for you
1. Destroy sacred cows concerning sickness and power
2. Recognize sickness and disease as an enemy
3. Get Fed Up
4. Treat all sickness the same
5. Treat all sickness like a person
6. Command not beg
7. Speak to the problem – not to others about the problem
8. See people as oppressed prisoners of war
9. Get clean – stay clean
10. Stay out of pride – anyone could do what you are doing
11. Be aggressive – develop your aggressiveness
12. Be led by God’s character and nature
13. Accept responsibility for your fellow man.
14. Decide to obey the Bible, not some arbitrary feeling
15. Know that God is with you, in you, and for you
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
From Jon Courson - www.joncourson.com via Jeff Harsbarger www.refugeministries.cc
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints.
Philemon 4-5
There’s lots of talk today about preventive medicine — keeping people healthy rather than merely taking care of them when they’re sick. Paul here models not preventive medicine, but preventive ministry when he says to Philemon, ‘Hearing that your family’s walking with the Lord and that there’s a church in your house causes me to pray for you constantly.’
We generally only pray for people when we hear they’re sick or struggling, going through tough trials or facing hard times. And pray we must. But in addition to that, I suggest we pray like Paul. I suggest we pray for those who are doing well that they might do even better.
It’s when the enemy sees people doing well that he decides to launch an attack against them. Why? He knows he’s lost their souls, but if he can pull them down in depression or discouragement, he knows they’ll be unable to impact others whose souls he’s not yet lost. Satan doesn’t spend his time on the lost. You will never read in the New Testament where Satan himself is warring against an unbeliever. He saves himself totally and exclusively for those who are in Christ, for those who are walking with God. In every instance where you see Satan in the New Testament, you will always see him coming against believers in order to minimize their effectiveness for the Kingdom.
This makes it all the more important for us to pray for those doing well, for they are sure targets of the enemy.
Philemon 4-5
There’s lots of talk today about preventive medicine — keeping people healthy rather than merely taking care of them when they’re sick. Paul here models not preventive medicine, but preventive ministry when he says to Philemon, ‘Hearing that your family’s walking with the Lord and that there’s a church in your house causes me to pray for you constantly.’
We generally only pray for people when we hear they’re sick or struggling, going through tough trials or facing hard times. And pray we must. But in addition to that, I suggest we pray like Paul. I suggest we pray for those who are doing well that they might do even better.
It’s when the enemy sees people doing well that he decides to launch an attack against them. Why? He knows he’s lost their souls, but if he can pull them down in depression or discouragement, he knows they’ll be unable to impact others whose souls he’s not yet lost. Satan doesn’t spend his time on the lost. You will never read in the New Testament where Satan himself is warring against an unbeliever. He saves himself totally and exclusively for those who are in Christ, for those who are walking with God. In every instance where you see Satan in the New Testament, you will always see him coming against believers in order to minimize their effectiveness for the Kingdom.
This makes it all the more important for us to pray for those doing well, for they are sure targets of the enemy.
This text is so full - ponder it and pray! -- New Int. Version
Colossians 1:9-14
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[d] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption,[e] the forgiveness of sins.
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[d] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption,[e] the forgiveness of sins.
Monday, October 19, 2009
from http://www.eroticliberty.com/article29.htm
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
from http://www.mcnultyministries.com/blog
OUR DAILY BREAD
There is nothing better than a good piece of toast and coffee in the morning but our daily bread is much more than that. What is our daily bread? In the story of the Exodus, as the children of God were deciding on whether to cross the Jordan River and fight or not, Joshua shouted out to those who were backing out of the idea. He said the Call of God to possess the Land made every Giant in the Land as BREAD for them.
“Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” There was no protection for their enemies as they pursued the Will of God. If that is true then we in the 21st century can look at the Giants that stand before us and say they are bread for us. Numbers 14:9
They are not to worried over as problems, mountains, or impossibilities. We eat them as bread. Our victory nurtures us for future conquest. Your Giants are nothing before your God! Your God lives in you so there is defeat in the heart of your enemies who stand before what God wants to accomplish in your life. Rahab said to the spies that they had dreaded the day when the Children of God would cross over. Defeat was already in your enemies’ heart. Leslie and I see the 100 republics and regions of the former Soviet Union experiencing a great revival as we continue to light fires through bold evangelist tent meetings of the young lions we train. We continue to expect the grace and favor of God on all who make those Giants as Bread for the young Evangelist.
We will discuss more on this important subject that gives you confidence to cross over into what God has put into your heart to do.
Keep Thinking
Kevin
There is nothing better than a good piece of toast and coffee in the morning but our daily bread is much more than that. What is our daily bread? In the story of the Exodus, as the children of God were deciding on whether to cross the Jordan River and fight or not, Joshua shouted out to those who were backing out of the idea. He said the Call of God to possess the Land made every Giant in the Land as BREAD for them.
“Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” There was no protection for their enemies as they pursued the Will of God. If that is true then we in the 21st century can look at the Giants that stand before us and say they are bread for us. Numbers 14:9
They are not to worried over as problems, mountains, or impossibilities. We eat them as bread. Our victory nurtures us for future conquest. Your Giants are nothing before your God! Your God lives in you so there is defeat in the heart of your enemies who stand before what God wants to accomplish in your life. Rahab said to the spies that they had dreaded the day when the Children of God would cross over. Defeat was already in your enemies’ heart. Leslie and I see the 100 republics and regions of the former Soviet Union experiencing a great revival as we continue to light fires through bold evangelist tent meetings of the young lions we train. We continue to expect the grace and favor of God on all who make those Giants as Bread for the young Evangelist.
We will discuss more on this important subject that gives you confidence to cross over into what God has put into your heart to do.
Keep Thinking
Kevin
Friday, October 16, 2009
From Dr T. L. Osborn and an addition written by me
"The great truth of authentic Christianity is the preeminent fact that Jesus Christ has so thoroughly redeemed us to God, that it is as though no sin had ever been committed to separate us from Him." -Isa 59:2
I Finnur add Hosea 14:4 > Read through the whole of Hosea (not so long) and see the beauty of the Lord and His plan. His is all the glory. He is the giver of all good gifts; including faith, life, healing and the knowledge of Himself, including the new covenant of love as Jesus fulfilled the law and by His faith we are justified. The Lord is perfect love and casts out all fear. We are in Him and He is in us. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-2) Christ in you - your hope of glory. Mark 3:24 > You are in His Kingdom - the Kingdom is here and advancing. Jesus has all authority/power in heaven and earth. Christ suffered outside of the temple making the nations holy to good > that is good news - we are redeemed to the Lord and have been given the word of reconciliation that we may bring His peace to people the fullness of Him for the Lord is our peace. And His peace is full. Redemption is full. When He returns we will be like Him. (1 John 3:2)
I Finnur add Hosea 14:4 > Read through the whole of Hosea (not so long) and see the beauty of the Lord and His plan. His is all the glory. He is the giver of all good gifts; including faith, life, healing and the knowledge of Himself, including the new covenant of love as Jesus fulfilled the law and by His faith we are justified. The Lord is perfect love and casts out all fear. We are in Him and He is in us. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-2) Christ in you - your hope of glory. Mark 3:24 > You are in His Kingdom - the Kingdom is here and advancing. Jesus has all authority/power in heaven and earth. Christ suffered outside of the temple making the nations holy to good > that is good news - we are redeemed to the Lord and have been given the word of reconciliation that we may bring His peace to people the fullness of Him for the Lord is our peace. And His peace is full. Redemption is full. When He returns we will be like Him. (1 John 3:2)
www.jewsforjesus.org
Yeshu = Y'shua (Jesus) = Yeshuah (Salvation)
Have you ever met a Jew called Yeshu? No, right? Do you want to know why? It is very simple. We Jews don't have a name like that. But we have some names that are similar and some that are very Jewish.
For example: Joshua, Sheya (famous Israeli soccer player), and also Y'shua.
So how is it that there is a Jew that all of us call Yeshu? Where did that name spring
from? It is time for everyone to hear the truth.
Yeshu is simply the changing of the real name of the Jewish Messiah. His real name is Y'shua. Because He came to save His people Israel.
Prophecies in the Old Testament that were written hundreds of years before His coming point clearly at the fact that Y'shua is the one that was supposed to come before the destruction of the 2nd temple (Daniel 9:26). To be born in Bethlehem (Micha 5:1). To die as a sacrifice for us (Is. 53:6). And to rise from the dead three days later (Psalm 16:10).
And by doing that, save us all.
But there is one more thing that the prophecies of the Old Testament revealed to us about Him. As surprising as it sounds, that same Savior was supposed to be rejected by His people Israel. Isaiah prophesied this when he said Isaiah 53:3 (quote of the verse). And that is exactly what happened. Not only did we not recognize our Savior. Not only
did we hide our faces from Him. But we also changed His name.
In the days of the Middle Ages a certain number of rabbis decided to get rid of the last letter of His name - the letter “Ain”- and in that way they hid His real name and His real identity from all of the following generations.
His real name Y'shua exposes the truth. Y'shua came to be salvation for everyone. But first and foremost for us the Jews. So, if you consider yourself Jewish you can't allow
yourself to miss Y'shua.
For more information:
Yehudim Leman Yshua (Jews for Jesus)
Have you ever met a Jew called Yeshu? No, right? Do you want to know why? It is very simple. We Jews don't have a name like that. But we have some names that are similar and some that are very Jewish.
For example: Joshua, Sheya (famous Israeli soccer player), and also Y'shua.
So how is it that there is a Jew that all of us call Yeshu? Where did that name spring
from? It is time for everyone to hear the truth.
Yeshu is simply the changing of the real name of the Jewish Messiah. His real name is Y'shua. Because He came to save His people Israel.
Prophecies in the Old Testament that were written hundreds of years before His coming point clearly at the fact that Y'shua is the one that was supposed to come before the destruction of the 2nd temple (Daniel 9:26). To be born in Bethlehem (Micha 5:1). To die as a sacrifice for us (Is. 53:6). And to rise from the dead three days later (Psalm 16:10).
And by doing that, save us all.
But there is one more thing that the prophecies of the Old Testament revealed to us about Him. As surprising as it sounds, that same Savior was supposed to be rejected by His people Israel. Isaiah prophesied this when he said Isaiah 53:3 (quote of the verse). And that is exactly what happened. Not only did we not recognize our Savior. Not only
did we hide our faces from Him. But we also changed His name.
In the days of the Middle Ages a certain number of rabbis decided to get rid of the last letter of His name - the letter “Ain”- and in that way they hid His real name and His real identity from all of the following generations.
His real name Y'shua exposes the truth. Y'shua came to be salvation for everyone. But first and foremost for us the Jews. So, if you consider yourself Jewish you can't allow
yourself to miss Y'shua.
For more information:
Yehudim Leman Yshua (Jews for Jesus)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
from www.joncourson.com - most excellent
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians IN God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-3
In the first verse of his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul had commended their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. Here, in his second letter, he commends only their faith and love.
Why?
No longer living for the Second Coming of Christ, they had lost their hope. Of faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love (I Corinthians 13:13) — however, all three elements are essential because it is faith and hope which allow us to love.
How?
Hung up by my past sins, I’d be too ashamed to love. But faith tells me my past sins and failures were totally cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Worried about the future, I’d be too afraid to love. But hope tells me He’s coming again, so there’s no need to fear the future.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-3
In the first verse of his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul had commended their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. Here, in his second letter, he commends only their faith and love.
Why?
No longer living for the Second Coming of Christ, they had lost their hope. Of faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love (I Corinthians 13:13) — however, all three elements are essential because it is faith and hope which allow us to love.
How?
Hung up by my past sins, I’d be too ashamed to love. But faith tells me my past sins and failures were totally cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Worried about the future, I’d be too afraid to love. But hope tells me He’s coming again, so there’s no need to fear the future.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thoughts of my own?
Who will seek the Lord while He may be found?
"God is a Consuming fire" (A quote on quote form the Book Of Hebrews - 12).
I will - wish He teaches me to be better at it!
Need a consciousness of the relationship with Him and much more conscious communication with Him too. He spoke to Moses face to face - then "I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John [greater than Moses]yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." And now we are made nigh to God by the Cross of Jesus and He has shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin or carried away the sin of the world so we are not separated from God by our sins no longer. .......So I truly cry out "reveal yourself God in my life not as a concept, not as a theory, not as a teaching of people, not a a compleatly mystical being - for I have heard of and accepted Christ and I believe He shows Who You are and now that I have without more of an understanding of You things make no sense."
People can use, understand and twist scripture endlessly in varying ways. Teachers and fellow Christians may want to influence one this way or that....which always reminds me of the young prophet who was buried after dining with the old one in 1 Kings 13. Both had a word from God one true (the one who died) the other homemade. The one who had the true word was eaten by a Lion because He didn't follow up on it and trusted in the words of another man and/or his authority. While the one with the false word lived to bury the one who got the true word. So I cry out without God and a strong personal relationship with Him all things are impossible! Without the Living resurrected Christ and direct communication and fellowship with Him things are meaningless :-) It is not possible to recognsile the Old wine with the New or chapters as Numeri 26 with John 8. Christ is the Lord in the Flesh - did He change His mind? We are told that He doesn't that He is always the same Malachi 3:6. I can only understand things in life and scripture as Hebrews 12:18-24 by the help of Christ. How does the Lord avail Himself to be found? Is the process of finding refining?
"God is a Consuming fire" (A quote on quote form the Book Of Hebrews - 12).
I will - wish He teaches me to be better at it!
Need a consciousness of the relationship with Him and much more conscious communication with Him too. He spoke to Moses face to face - then "I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John [greater than Moses]yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." And now we are made nigh to God by the Cross of Jesus and He has shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin or carried away the sin of the world so we are not separated from God by our sins no longer. .......So I truly cry out "reveal yourself God in my life not as a concept, not as a theory, not as a teaching of people, not a a compleatly mystical being - for I have heard of and accepted Christ and I believe He shows Who You are and now that I have without more of an understanding of You things make no sense."
People can use, understand and twist scripture endlessly in varying ways. Teachers and fellow Christians may want to influence one this way or that....which always reminds me of the young prophet who was buried after dining with the old one in 1 Kings 13. Both had a word from God one true (the one who died) the other homemade. The one who had the true word was eaten by a Lion because He didn't follow up on it and trusted in the words of another man and/or his authority. While the one with the false word lived to bury the one who got the true word. So I cry out without God and a strong personal relationship with Him all things are impossible! Without the Living resurrected Christ and direct communication and fellowship with Him things are meaningless :-) It is not possible to recognsile the Old wine with the New or chapters as Numeri 26 with John 8. Christ is the Lord in the Flesh - did He change His mind? We are told that He doesn't that He is always the same Malachi 3:6. I can only understand things in life and scripture as Hebrews 12:18-24 by the help of Christ. How does the Lord avail Himself to be found? Is the process of finding refining?
From > http://www.jonathandaugherty.com/2007/08/happiness-according-to-jesus.html
Monday, August 20, 2007
Happiness According to Jesus
I know, I know. I promised I would follow up my previous articles on happiness with a post about Jesus' take on the subject. Time got away from me, but here is the promised article...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How did Jesus define happiness? I think this is a crucial question, especially considering that everyone innately desires to be happy. But it seems that what most people pursue to secure their happiness only leads them to exhaustion, frustration, and confusion. They might acquire a lot of stuff, make quite a name for themselves, or even accomplish all the goals they set out for their life, yet still feel an ache, an emptiness that never is filled. Jesus said that He came "that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Jesus wants you and me to experience the fullness of life right here and right now. He desires the best for us. But what He defines as "best" is often very different from what we might think. So, let's look at how Jesus defined happiness in God's kingdom.
One of Jesus' first public sermons is recorded in Matthew 5, often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. He begins this famous sermon with what are called the Beatitudes. What are those? Beatitude is defined as "supreme blessedness or happiness." (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition). In His sermon introduction we learn what Jesus considers supreme happiness in the kingdom of God. And His revelation starts out making sense, "Blessed [Happy] are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I can get that. Humility is a key characteristic of those who are truly, or supremely, happy. They don't puff themselves up, but rather understand that God is above all and in control. Of course, those who adopt such an attitude would be well on their way to real happiness.
But Jesus continues, and in so doing begins to confuse our usual definitions of happiness. He says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Hmm. Happy are the mourners? When do you mourn? When someone has died, or when you have suffered a great loss, right? How could such a circumstance be included in Jesus' definition of happiness? Because of the result: comfort. For those who feel deeply, and embrace their losses unashamedly, there is a wonderful comfort that comes at the end of such grief. And in that comfort a person experiences the presence of God, the Almighty Comforter of those who mourn. To mourn is to be honest and invite the comfort of God, and happy is the heart whose grief has been touched by the hand of God.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Are you seeing a pattern yet? I mean, when will Jesus say, "Blessed are the famous, the wealthy, and the 'important'?" Seems like Jesus is revealing a definition for happiness that is attainable for all, not just the "gifted" or well off. Anyone can be meek, humbly patient despite oncoming opposition. This sort of gentleness molds a happy heart.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." How many in our world today truly hunger and thirst for what is right, what is pure, what is of God? Few, and even fewer by the day. Yet, Jesus said it is these who experience true happiness. To be filled with a desire for righteousness, and to pursue it as your sustenance, fills a place in your heart that cannot be filled with material possessions or anything else. Do you want to feel truly filled up, fully content? Then hunger and thirst for righteousness.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Have you noticed that the world's paradigm for happiness is to "get to the top" no matter the cost, and no matter who you crush to get there? Mercilessness is often the mantra of "success" in this day and age. But such cruelty, however justified it may be, never fills a heart, a life with happiness. No, it is the merciful who invite the very blessedness of God into their hearts and lives. To withhold judgment and wrath, even for those who deserve it, is what contributes to a truly abundant, happy life. Strange? Yes. Mysterious? Yes. But true, nonetheless.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Oh, what happiness to walk in purity! This one is particularly special to me. For years I walked in impurity, inviting filth into my mind and heart. And all this "mud" prevented me from really seeing God, not to mention all the heartache and unhappiness that accompanied my addictive behaviors. But to walk in purity, to have a clean heart before God, what happiness, what joy! Why does purity bring such happiness? Because you see God in ever increasing glory and splendor. Could there be anything that brings greater happiness?
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Peace is a close cousin to happiness. When your spirit is rested, content, you are free to live, and enjoy, abundant life. And those who promote such peace, God's peace, gain a happiness that cannot be stolen by circumstance or ridicule. Peace is a beautiful thing.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Whoa! Wait a second. Did Jesus just say that those who get persecuted for doing the right thing are HAPPY?! Yes He did. How is that possible? I know none of us would have included persecution as a defining characteristic of happiness. But God's kingdom is not like the world. When you do the right thing in spite of the negative consequences from those who disagree with you, you are demonstrating strength, honor, and integrity. Happiness is reserved for those unswayed by the ever-changing winds of public opinion, and rather are rooted firmly in the solid truth of God's Word. Do the right thing, take some shots on the chin, and you will be filled with a mysterious happiness. Yes, happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
Jesus concludes the introduction of his sermon with this statement, "Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (emphasis mine) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad...for persecution, reviling, and evil spoken against you? Is it apparent that Jesus has a vastly different definition for happiness than our culture? He seems to be saying that happiness in the here and now has much more to do about your eternal perspective than it does with temporary circumstance. I believe that is precisely the point He is making. How else could someone be exceedingly glad in the moment they are being persecuted? Seeing beyond the pain of the moment, a happiness washes over the soul of the one who understands that in God's kingdom such persecution brings about eternal rewards, treasures that can never be destroyed or stolen away.
This is written by Jonathan Daugherty www.bebroken.com
Happiness According to Jesus
I know, I know. I promised I would follow up my previous articles on happiness with a post about Jesus' take on the subject. Time got away from me, but here is the promised article...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How did Jesus define happiness? I think this is a crucial question, especially considering that everyone innately desires to be happy. But it seems that what most people pursue to secure their happiness only leads them to exhaustion, frustration, and confusion. They might acquire a lot of stuff, make quite a name for themselves, or even accomplish all the goals they set out for their life, yet still feel an ache, an emptiness that never is filled. Jesus said that He came "that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Jesus wants you and me to experience the fullness of life right here and right now. He desires the best for us. But what He defines as "best" is often very different from what we might think. So, let's look at how Jesus defined happiness in God's kingdom.
One of Jesus' first public sermons is recorded in Matthew 5, often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. He begins this famous sermon with what are called the Beatitudes. What are those? Beatitude is defined as "supreme blessedness or happiness." (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition). In His sermon introduction we learn what Jesus considers supreme happiness in the kingdom of God. And His revelation starts out making sense, "Blessed [Happy] are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I can get that. Humility is a key characteristic of those who are truly, or supremely, happy. They don't puff themselves up, but rather understand that God is above all and in control. Of course, those who adopt such an attitude would be well on their way to real happiness.
But Jesus continues, and in so doing begins to confuse our usual definitions of happiness. He says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Hmm. Happy are the mourners? When do you mourn? When someone has died, or when you have suffered a great loss, right? How could such a circumstance be included in Jesus' definition of happiness? Because of the result: comfort. For those who feel deeply, and embrace their losses unashamedly, there is a wonderful comfort that comes at the end of such grief. And in that comfort a person experiences the presence of God, the Almighty Comforter of those who mourn. To mourn is to be honest and invite the comfort of God, and happy is the heart whose grief has been touched by the hand of God.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Are you seeing a pattern yet? I mean, when will Jesus say, "Blessed are the famous, the wealthy, and the 'important'?" Seems like Jesus is revealing a definition for happiness that is attainable for all, not just the "gifted" or well off. Anyone can be meek, humbly patient despite oncoming opposition. This sort of gentleness molds a happy heart.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." How many in our world today truly hunger and thirst for what is right, what is pure, what is of God? Few, and even fewer by the day. Yet, Jesus said it is these who experience true happiness. To be filled with a desire for righteousness, and to pursue it as your sustenance, fills a place in your heart that cannot be filled with material possessions or anything else. Do you want to feel truly filled up, fully content? Then hunger and thirst for righteousness.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Have you noticed that the world's paradigm for happiness is to "get to the top" no matter the cost, and no matter who you crush to get there? Mercilessness is often the mantra of "success" in this day and age. But such cruelty, however justified it may be, never fills a heart, a life with happiness. No, it is the merciful who invite the very blessedness of God into their hearts and lives. To withhold judgment and wrath, even for those who deserve it, is what contributes to a truly abundant, happy life. Strange? Yes. Mysterious? Yes. But true, nonetheless.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Oh, what happiness to walk in purity! This one is particularly special to me. For years I walked in impurity, inviting filth into my mind and heart. And all this "mud" prevented me from really seeing God, not to mention all the heartache and unhappiness that accompanied my addictive behaviors. But to walk in purity, to have a clean heart before God, what happiness, what joy! Why does purity bring such happiness? Because you see God in ever increasing glory and splendor. Could there be anything that brings greater happiness?
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Peace is a close cousin to happiness. When your spirit is rested, content, you are free to live, and enjoy, abundant life. And those who promote such peace, God's peace, gain a happiness that cannot be stolen by circumstance or ridicule. Peace is a beautiful thing.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Whoa! Wait a second. Did Jesus just say that those who get persecuted for doing the right thing are HAPPY?! Yes He did. How is that possible? I know none of us would have included persecution as a defining characteristic of happiness. But God's kingdom is not like the world. When you do the right thing in spite of the negative consequences from those who disagree with you, you are demonstrating strength, honor, and integrity. Happiness is reserved for those unswayed by the ever-changing winds of public opinion, and rather are rooted firmly in the solid truth of God's Word. Do the right thing, take some shots on the chin, and you will be filled with a mysterious happiness. Yes, happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
Jesus concludes the introduction of his sermon with this statement, "Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (emphasis mine) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad...for persecution, reviling, and evil spoken against you? Is it apparent that Jesus has a vastly different definition for happiness than our culture? He seems to be saying that happiness in the here and now has much more to do about your eternal perspective than it does with temporary circumstance. I believe that is precisely the point He is making. How else could someone be exceedingly glad in the moment they are being persecuted? Seeing beyond the pain of the moment, a happiness washes over the soul of the one who understands that in God's kingdom such persecution brings about eternal rewards, treasures that can never be destroyed or stolen away.
This is written by Jonathan Daugherty www.bebroken.com
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