In our introductory post, we spoke of our families traditional Christmas celebrations in order to establish an understanding of what a tradition is, and to offer my understanding of a traditions flexibility. Some of my readers may have read of our historical changes during the traditional gift giving in our home as an unwillingness to maintain a tradition, to create a tradition that would be longstanding and annually honored. This may be true.
But we all must agree that traditions start at a point in time, and are handed down to the next generation, and so on until they become “traditional”. Think of the many nations in this world and each nation having distinct traditions. Every tradition is started by an authority, possibly based on a historical happening.
For some practice to become a tradition, it must originate from an authority, who establishes the practice as worthy of repeating, and by a group of followers who consistently exercise that practice through a period of time. Within the Bible, the authority usually is God of course (there are exceptions), and the repeating of the practice is dependent on the faithful.
Traditions, based on the instruction of an authority and if practiced accurately, are worthy of maintaining. Traditions based on the instruction of an authority but not practiced accurately, are worthy or rejecting, and to return to practicing per the original intent of the instruction. Unless of course the authority repeals the practice.
Given this basis of understanding a “tradition”, lets consider Matthew 15:1-9, where Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees and scribes concerning His disciples breaking of a tradition.
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” – Mat 15:1-9 ESV
First off, let’s establish the authority of the tradition. In this passage, the Pharisees tell us the authority over this tradition of washing hands is that of the elders. The religious leaders readily admit the source of authority is mankind and not God.
Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter by returning to the ultimate authority, and also informs us of the conflict that human authority creates when introduced to assist in obeying the commandments of the true Authority. Jesus asks one tough question, centered on the authority giving the command.
Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
The Pharisees are whining about clean hands. Jesus goes for the jugular, and focuses on the fifth commandment of God, (without the resultant blessing if obeyed.)
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
No blessing is included in the passage Jesus quotes, yet Exodus provides the promise of long days in the land. No promise, but He does include Exodus 21:17, defining the judgement if the commandment is broken.
Exodus 21:17 Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.
Jesus then describes the elders efforts to “clarify the commandment” for the masses, but masterfully brings to the Pharisees (and any who may listen) the effect of modifying Gods commandments with a human tradition.
If the believer sought to honor their parents with a gift, the elders allowed that believer an exception, in order to receive the funds themselves. I am of the opinion that Jesus is actually quoting the elders instructions in the 6th verse, where the allowance to disobey is clearly offered.
he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. – Mat 15:6 ESV
Are clean hands an issue in your life? Is outward appearance a priority for you? Do you watch for insignificant rule breaking of others? In your rule keeping, do you dishonor God?
A quick story that brought this passage to life for my wife and I.
We were attending a church years ago, when a close friend and his family were seeking to enter into missionary work. I informed the leadership of our desire to divert our giving’s to this family. This was acceptable to the leadership, although they did ask for a period of time to be defined, so that the funds would begin returning to their coffers. This I gladly provided and we rejoiced in giving to this family on their way to Indonesia with the gospel.
Not long after this, my father-in-law passed away, leaving my mother-in-law a widow. Things became desperate for this sweet woman and we needed/wanted to help. This did not go over well with the church leadership, with their counsel being that we should give above and beyond the tithe to the church in order to help mom. But the tithe was to take a priority.
Eventually, after prayer one morning I landed on the passage above, and it became crystal clear as to what we were to do. Honor our parent.
Eventually this decision became a point of tension with the religious leadership. This authority conflict between the Word and the religious leaders counsel led me to study the teaching of tithing in the church, and a believers responsibility in giving. Eventually, the religious leadership asked us to leave.
Friends – religious organizations have many ways of twisting a believers obligation that negate a commandment of God. Traditions are one way these obligations are nullified. Though many traditions are established with good intentions, it seems it is inevitable that the tradition is followed without thinking, and sometimes becomes a stumbling stones for the believer.
Traditions of men, or in other words, religious requirements to “please God”, beyond the Word either become a conflict and needs to be rejected, or a repetition of the commandment in a different context.
It is safe to consider the Word only as our final authority, since the One who saved us lived and died under it’s authority and provided the church the full orbed teaching of grace and truth for us to understand.
Our next post will consider the same incident with the Pharisees, but from Mark’s perspective. Hope you can join me.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you would like to receive daily posts from Considering the Bible, click on the “Follow” link below
Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart. This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 39
1 To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. 3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
David, how dare you reveal my sin! My “tendency” to open mouth and insert foot. My desire to have everyone know my thoughts, my concerns, my complaints, my solutions, blah blah blaaaaah.
Wasn’t it simply two psalms back, in Psalm 37, where David counselled his own heart, (and own lives), to “be still and wait on the Lord”? Obviously David sought to guard his mouth, hold his peace, and yet out comes the verbal diarehha. So Carl-like! So human.
Let us put some chronology into this accusation, and give David the benefit of our findings. Psalm 37 came near the end of David’s life, after he had experienced all of his trials, opened his mouth at all the wrong times, found his will to be far too weak to control his heart. Psalm 39 is a psalm that comes out of the times David was anointed King, early in his adult life.
You see, even in my blogging, I jump to conclusions, and did not give David the benefit of the doubt, and consider the context of David’s experience and situation when he blew his top! I suppose I may be in need of reading (and living) Psalm 37 – what a great psalm!
Nevertheless, this psalm is an open confession of David’s weakness, and it is interesting that in the first three verses, David does not refer to God as his strength, but as his own will not being able to contain his heart. I will, I will, I will.
How often have you made resolutions, determining with all your heart to perform some duty or habit for the Lord, or even for your spouse, a child, boss, co-worker, friend. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. The trouble in my mind is that occasionally I do keep a promise on my own strength and therefore maintain the illusion that I am caption of my own destiny. What malarky.
Jesus, when speaking with His disciples, made the audacious claim, that without Him, they could do nothing.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5
My assumption, due to previous errors and limitations in my thinking, is that the fruit is souls, and this verse is restricted to evangelism. After reading it for the 272nd time, I think I may have limited the message of the Lord to His disciples. The fruit may just happen to be the character/image of our Lord, which includes evangelism, but certainly does not restrict itself to only evangelism.
Back to the psalm, where David admits to loosing control of his tongue, and of his confession of the inner rolling and toiling in his heart, of the need to speak up. He just has to correct the issue, interject, insert his all knowing wisdom, inform the audience of every thought and consideration he ruminates over.
In Psalm 37, David knows where his strength is.
May I be brutally honest. As I have tried to understand and follow Him, I have found some truths, though they may not be surprising to you, have rocked my world. Consider.
A Good Question is a Good Teacher
Did not Jesus constantly ask questions. Was not one of the first things men heard from God (that is recorded) a question? (Genesis 3:9)
The power of a good question!
Early on in my walk, I spent hours and hours trying to convince some of the truth of my thinking. Not so now. Some of my best friends are frustrated with me due to my reluctance to define my belief to the 100th point. To what end will this accomplish? To discuss, argue and go away divided? I have found that a good question, if received by the hearer, may reveal a person who wants to know the answer.
Jesus did this often, in providing short stories of fishermen, and farmers, widows and judges. Some wanted to figger it out. They became followers, even apostles!
I am reluctant at times to give definitive answers, and prefer to suggest passages, or various perspectives to consider. The Word of God is available for all, and if you are thirsty for answers, I direct you to the Word of God. Will you go to the Word of God?
Water is Appreciated by Thirsty Folks
Drowning people don’t want water. In a nation full of Christian/religious radio stations, television shows of preachers preaching, churches on every corner (although that is changing in many nations), many people are drowning in the “good news” I find that many are numb to it, and many may feel it is overbearing and oppressive.
Am I saying to not share the gospel? Of course not. But before you open your mouth and speak great swelling words, show humility in service to others, sacrifice of self for the one who even hates you. Drowning people need a life jacket thrown to them, not exhorted to swim better, or to be told they shouldn’t have fallen out of the boat!
A Quiet Spirit is Influential
Many decades ago, I was in a church when during a business meeting, a decision was required that caused much debate. Debate is good, as long as love is in the midst of it. (Hint – Maybe not so in this instance!) An older widowed man, lets call him Bob, who was an elder (leader) in the church was completely quiet, listening to the concerns. At one point, the head elder spoke up and requested (demanded) Bob’s thoughts.
Bob took time to answer, he answered slowing and deliberately, and he answered in response to the spirit of the meeting and not the topic at hand. At the time, in my youth, and along with the head elder, I felt frustration over Bob’s seeming obfuscation of the issue. Looking back, his wisdom should have been treasured, for whether the roof shingles were to be dark or light was of no matter. Imagine this – division in a church over the color of roof shingles! Let it not be! Bob message sounded like an apostle I read, who wrote – “Love one another”
Did the church continue in a heated discussion? Yes, sadly so.
Well then Carl, how can you say a quiet spirit is influential? It sure didn’t seem to make a difference for that meeting!
Well, decades later this old man thinks of Bob’s quiet spirit, and seeks to emulate the quiet influence he had on me. By the way, the shingle decision wasn’t made that night, but folks went home feeling rejected and hurt. So wasteful!
Oh, to be more like Jesus, who knew when to speak and when to not speak. He is the One David confessed as the One who could control his heart/mouth/tongue.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #177
Description
Declared to be the Son of God with power
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder, and his name shall be called[b] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
New Testament Fullfillment
Rom 1:3-4
concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
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13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
In an earlier blog, we considered James 1:12 in relation to the security question. The very next week in Sunday School, we continued on in the passage and came across the verses below. During the class, the teacher suggested I ask my question to another believer in the church. That was a welcome offer since it gave me a chance to meet another believer.
So after Sunday School we ventured off to discuss the following passage.
My basic question for both teachers was.. • When James mentions death, is he referring to spiritual or physical death? • If James’ warning is referring to physical death, what threat is that? Everyone dies! • But if James’ warning is referring to spiritual death, what does that mean?
The believer that I got to chat with boldly stated that the death being referred to in this passage is spiritual. I was somewhat surprised when he said this, since I assumed he would be defending the eternal security doctrine. I asked him how this spiritual death applies to believers. He said it doesn’t. He gave me an illustration of when he preaches on a Sunday morning. He sometimes preaches to the congregation as believers, and sometimes directs his message to the lost within the group. I told him I understood his analogy, but the text seemed to be directed to believers. (See James 1:2, 9, 16, 19, 2:1, 5, 14, 15, 3:1, 10, 12, 4:11, 5:10, 12, and 5:19)
He held on to the idea that James is warning the lost within the congregation. He also mentioned that sin and death was brought up by Paul in Romans 6, but I didn’t see how that strengthened his position in the security discussion. I am afraid he has fallen into a trap that is very familiar to me, that is the practice of bringing my preconceived ideas into a passage. I didn’t mention that to him since he was kind enough to chat with me, and I have found that a well placed question left alone is very powerful. I often think of the fellow who asked me about sin and death in Romans 6:23. He just asked, but I couldn’t let it go. Nevertheless, I told him I appreciated his time and hopefully will be able to discuss other issues in the future.
One of the side issues that came out of this discussion was the curiosity of other believers that passed by. By the end of the discussion, the youth pastor and another christian was involved in the discussion. Each partook in the discussion. I hope it was an edifying time.
I am thankful for the body that my wife and I have found. I pray we can be useful for the Lord among His people.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you would like to receive daily posts from Considering the Bible, click on the “Follow” link below
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #176
Description
A Son given-Deity
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder, and his name shall be called[b] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
New Testament Fullfillment
Luke 1:32
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 Tim 3:16
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Let me tell you a story about a man who told me a story.
Norman and his wife came to our home Bible study for years, and I always looked forward to his company. I still remember him with the long glowing white beard and the jovial smile, and his quiet bearing. Not that he was quiet, but he did have a soft voice.
He wasn’t quiet, at least for me, since he told a story of his family that twisted my head on right and helped me find healing with my children.
We were in the midst of a study, I think in the book of Matthew, and the topic of forgiveness came up. Most in the study were making comments, and I was trying to stir the pot by asking difficult questions, to get people thinking, when Norman cut to the heart.
He spoke of an only daughter, the one child whom he had not seen for years. He spoke of her breaking relationship with him and his desire to repair the connection. Someone asked of the wrong that he had done, and he spoke of a clear conscience towards his daughter. The young lady had imagined Norman had wronged her and dwelled on it until it became a weeping sore in her thoughts. A poisonous pill that killed a relationship.
Many were stumped of this unfixable state of affairs and promised we would pray. Some of us actually confessed we had similar struggles with our children, that we had differences of opinion and attitudes toward the children that barred a close relationship due to some of their decisions.
Norman challenged us to forgive them of their actions as this is the primary duty of the child of God, and many were brought to face about our dereliction of love toward our own loved ones. It bothered me that I had been carrying attitudes and feelings that were sinful towards my children.
But Norman didn’t stop there. He told us of his trying to connect with his daughter and of asking forgiveness from her. But Norman – You said you had a clear conscience towards her. Surely you meant after you asked her for forgiveness, correct? “No”, said Norman, “I had a clear conscience prior to asking for forgiveness.”
Always the anal one, I shot back – “How could you ask for forgiveness if you have not sinned against her? That is not just!”
Love does not keep count of wrongdoings Carl. If my daughter thinks I have done her wrong, I will accept that, and ask her for forgiveness. A relationship with her is more important than my pride or my understanding of justice!
That blew my mind. My children may have something against me (either perceived or in reality) that I need to clear the air of. I needed to ask for forgiveness, not only exercise forgiveness toward them.
As I met with my children, especially my sons, I admitted my failings and asked for forgiveness. This was one of the major turning points in my mind as to a great healing in our family.
If you have a barrier between you and a loved one – Go seek them out, sit them down and confess your wrongdoings against them, ask for forgiveness and wait.
Do not demand anything from them, do not bring up any defense for your previous actions, do not play a blame game in attributing some of the fault on them. Take responsibly for your wrongdoings (real or perceived), humbly ask for forgiveness and wait. God loves to be in the forgiveness business and He will be in the middle of it!
If this seems foreign to you, you may need to go the the Father and do the same.
Do not demand anything from God, do not bring up any defense for your previous actions, do not play a blame game in attributing some of the fault to God. Take responsibly for your wrongdoings, humbly ask for forgiveness from the Father in heaven. Begin to know the Father through His Son, who provided the forgiveness that you will be granted.
This simple honest action will change your life. And follow the One who forgave.
For He is good!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you would like to receive daily posts from Considering the Bible, click on the “Follow” link below
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #175
Description
A child born-Humanity
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder, and his name shall be called[b] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
New Testament Fullfillment
Luke 1:31
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Traditions give us a sense of community, of belonging and expectations, a certain rhythm in life.
Consider the tradition of opening gifts on Christmas day. This tradition in our home has went through a number of iterations, which to be honest, argues against the “expectations” concept above. But nevertheless, as our children grew, we introduced different methods of celebrating the Christmas gift opening event.
First it was a conventional delegated gift giver at the base of the tree, picking gifts for each child and waiting as we all watched them receive it and express their gratitude. Soon, the tradition became more of a game, with my wife and I staying up Christmas night and hiding all the gifts, writing out a list of riddles for each gift and which child the gift was meant for. This extended the celebration, and we found that the chillun actually worked together for the hunting. In my opinion, it was a hit with the kids. (Mom and dad were a bit tired, but hey – memories were made!)
Lately, we have considered the materialism of Christmas, and as the children matured into adults, considered the intent of the gifts in the celebration. We tended to pull away from material gifting, and moved over to creating memories for us as a family.
Suffice it to say, traditions such our gift giving at Christmas (fluid as it was), birthday parties, wedding customs and even sports events have been woven into our lives.
This short series on traditions will consider what the Word provides as guidance in the believers life. We will follow the primary Greek word “paradosis” the New Testament writers used that we understand as “tradition”. Below, find the proverbial Vines Expository definition of the term we will be looking into during our time together. Sure hope to see you at our next post as we dive into Matthew 15.
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8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
Refrain from anger! But I can’t help myself. I loose my temper so easily!
Earlier in this psalm, David spoke to the believers heart in stating “fret not”, and as I sought to try to understand that term, I have come to realize it is not primarily a term that describes worry, as I previously thought, but “to fret” relates closer to anger and wrath. (See Psalms for Psome – Ps 37 – A)
In this set of verses, David speaks of this weakness in his own heart, of his need to refrain from anger, wrath and fretting.
It tends only to evil. What? Is David saying that anger, wrath and fretting is not evil but only brings the believer close to evil? What am I to understand by “it only tends to evil”?
Lets consider some additional translations to hopefully get some clarity.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. RSV
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. KJV
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. NKJV
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. NIV
Desist from anger, and forsake fury, Fret not thyself only to do evil. YLT
I think a pattern is emerging that may help me with this passage. Most of the passages above speak of anger, wrath and fretting as a gateway for the believer to perform a sinful act. “To tend only to evil” may be a way of describing the pathway of the believer to abandon God’s way and enter into a sinful act, that is through anger, wrath or fretting. This phrase may define the obvious end result of the anger if anger isn’t checked, and abandoned by the believer.
Note that David is commanding the believer to “cease from anger”, not claiming that he is a victim of anger, hopelessly “addicted” to wrath, and without any defense against fretting. The saint is to control their anger, anger is not to control the saint!
So is anger a sinful act? For even the youngest believer out there, a passage in Ephesians must be ringing loud and clear to answer that question. Paul instructs the believer to be angry, but to not sin in the following verse.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, – Eph 4:26 ESV
For every believer, anger is a very real companion, an attitude and emotion that flares up when we feel our rights are trampled on, when we are unjustly treated, or when we are simply selfish and acting out.
I have what many may call a “brooding anger”, You know the type. The type that covers (or hides) the anger until it blows up at some insignificant happening, some occasion that I react to with an overabundance of “fretting”. It is my hypocritical way of appearing spiritual until I just can’t take it anymore. But once it breaks, then my true self appears, all angry and sweaty, raging over something that shouldn’t matter at all.
In my personal struggles with anger, I have found it is directly related to my perceived rights. I heard a teacher once speak of the believer as having no personal rights, nothing he can demand of, and nothing that can be claimed as his own, either spiritually, emotionally, physically. He went on to say that as the believer enters into this attitude, this faith, anger will become less and less a reality in the saints life.
What a heretic, eh? Didn’t we just read that Paul allowed, no he commanded believers to “Be angry”.
So what gives? Are we to be angry or not? The solution I have come to is that both teachings are correct. We are to be angry and yet to cease from anger!
Come on Carl – now you are just speaking riddles. (I hope I am not making anyone angry!)
You see, the teacher was speaking of anger as it related to my rights, my life, my needs, my wants, my thinking, me me me.
Paul is speaking of anger which includes others. Check the previous verse out. He is directly speaking of our dealings with others.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. – Eph 4:25 ESV
So, let me try to explain what I understand is going on. Two types of anger that I will try to differentiate below.
ANGER (in relation to me)
Anger, when it comes to my own circumstances is wrong. It may be sin, and as David teaches us, acts as an entry way into a sinful action. Acting upon anger that is related to perceived rights only draws us down into an never ending spiral of victimization, killing an attitude of gratitude and seeing God as One who delights in taking our happiness away from us.
Isn’t this so typical! Even from the beginning we blamed God for our problems!
As an example, weak as it may be, consider the act of a mugging, and the working out of anger in this action.
If I am being mugged, should I not simply give of what I have to the thief?
ANGER (in relation to others)
For a Neighbor
Paul, when he addresses anger in Ephesians 4:26, speaks of relational anger, anger that is exercised for a neighbor. I often think of this as anger for my neighbor when he is being treated wrongly! When his rights are being violated.
Let’s pick up the mugging incident as an example.
If my neighbor is being mugged, should I not rage inside over the injustice, seek to defend him, seek to protect him?
But you may say this is too simplistic! I would agree, so let’s think a bit further into this topic, and bring another passage into the mix.
With a Neighbor
What does the Lord Himself say when he addresses the topic of anger?
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:21-22
Again, this passage speaks of a believer, a follower of the One, a disciple of the Savior on how to respond to anger, specifically in the arena of relating to a neighbor, a brother. To be angry with a brother is different I would suggest, than to be angry for a brother as above.
One more time to communicate my message via the mugging example
If my neighbor is being mugged, it dang well better not be me doing the mugging!
Nevertheless, however you understand anger, it is a dangerous emotion and attitude to live in or under. And as David speaks to the end result of anger leading or tending towards evil, he also provides the final condition of one ruled by anger, and therefore becoming an evil doer, in our second verse.
Evildoers will be cut off!
Don’t become an evildoer, and if you struggle with anger, realize the dangerous friend you are allowing to live in your heart and mind. Fight against it, ask for mercy from the Lord Himself, for grace lose the demanding attitude, to die to your perceived rights. And you may find the greatest joy imaginable, for
“those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.”
As you can tell, this is a topic I struggle with, and the nuances of anger are multitudinous. I would appreciate any comments regarding this topic. Let me know of your success in living free of an angry life.
As always, thanks so much for taking a few minutes of your busy day to spend with me, and my efforts in Considering the Bible.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you would like to receive daily posts from Considering the Bible, click on the “Follow” link below
10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.
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12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.
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14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; 15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
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16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
Psalm 37
18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; 19 they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.
Psalm 37
20 But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish–like smoke they vanish away.
Psalm 37
21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; 22 for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
Psalm 37
23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Psalm 37
25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.
27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. 28 For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.
32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. 33 The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. 36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. 38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #174
Description
His ministry to begin in Galilee
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 9:1-2
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
New Testament Fullfillment
Matt 4:12-17
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.
And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,
so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles–
the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
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43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
What would happen if they didn’t continue in the grace of God?
Are Paul and Barnabas implying a danger of not continuing in the faith? Of denying the faith?
Since the Jews and religious proselytes had a religious background, it would have been easy for them to include Jesus into their religious life, but Paul and Barnabas persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
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The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #173
Description
A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 8:14
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
New Testament Fullfillment
1 Pet 2:8
and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
My son became a rock star. Not a soft rock, or that gentle “poppish” type of rock star. No no no – He wrote and performed heavy rock. The stuff that includes the screaming, and some pretty complex stuff. Rough life, long nights, rejection, living on a wish.
Myself – I was a very conservative, religious, authoritarian fellow. As my children grew, I read them Bible stories at night, took them to church every time the doors opened, opened our home to believers for studies and sought to give our children exposure to a quiet, unassuming life.
How could I have a son who is so different, so of “another way”, of such a different lifestyle and belief?
I missed him so much but there was so much rebellion, so much sin, so much confusion!
In the midst of this struggle, a fella told his story of his father. He was a preacher, a respected man in the community, a servant of a prison ministry. But he was a musician, a young man who played an acoustic guitar and sang in bars. And every chance he played, dad would end up in a backstreet gin joint, watching, applauding, being there.
So much rebellion, so much sin, so much confusion!
In seeking to be with his son, the preacher man lost status in the community. He noticed the whispers in the church. It was obvious his actions were drawing some attention, that he had acquired a stain. He was associating with others that were not in a protected cloister, were not prim and proper, were not of the moral high ground.
So much rebellion, so much sin, so much confusion!
God’s son came into a messy, foul, vile environment to love His creation. He experienced a seeming loss of dignity, a respect and honor He had spent his life building, and that he rightly deserved. The Son of God walked into bars and “gin joints”, associated with hookers and sinners. He touched lepers and healed blind beggars.
So much rebellion, so much sin, so much confusion!
The Lord rebuked me. I read the gospels one more time, seeing Him rub shoulders with “dirty sinners”. My self righteous attitude of standing aloof from my son, of erecting some sort of religious high ground to look down on him, was my rebellion, sin and confusion.
I remember going to his shows, wearing ear plugs in order to hear the music – yes I wrote that right. Of late nights with his band members, and being with my son. Of seeing my son pour his life into a goal I never would have imagined.
He is my son. I love him.
My image, reputation and standing in the religious community I belonged to became unimportant, less of a burden that I needed to protect. It is interesting that as I sought to love my son, and to be with him, a certain drifting from the religious high ground I had erected for myself began to occur in my thinking. Judgement of others became more apparent in my life and an affront to my thinking. Protecting my image became less important.
Preserving a reputation may not be God’s will for you. As believers, we may need to release our status, empty ourselves of our reputation in the community in order to love someone.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: – Philippians 2:7
We may need to reconsider what righteousness is in God’s eyes. Holding onto self righteous attitudes may not be God’s will for you
So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. – Mat 23:28 ESV
We may need to remember that the kingdom of God is an upside down kingdom, totally reversed to the world we live in, that priorities and attitudes that please God are not reflected in our culture. If your neighbor is a “dirty sinner”, consider Paul’s admonition.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. – Rom 15:1-2 ESV
It is so interesting (challenging) that Paul tacked on the “and not to please ourselves” phrase. Can you hear the implication?
Where does forgiveness and love fit on your “list of duties” before God? If church attendance, sermon notes, tithing, public prayer and such activities are priorities over relationships, consider your ways.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. – Mat 5:23-24 ESV
Notice the Lord did not say that “you remember that you wronged your brother”. His teaching is describing a brother having something against you, possibly a perceived wrong. Jesus is giving us instruction about relationship maintenance, to the point of asking forgiveness of an imagined act. This is a high bar, and Jesus prioritized this duty of maintaining relationship with a fellow over a religious act.
The act can be done later – LOVE NOW.
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The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #172
Description
Called Emmanuel
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 8:8
and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”
New Testament Fullfillment
Matt 28:20
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
I have been sitting in John 4 & 5 for the past few days, simply taking in the tremendous grace the Lord Jesus exercised to the Samaritan woman at the well, the disciples who were a bit slow at catching the identity of the Lord (like myself!) and the healing of the cripple.
You know, the cripple who had been a cripple for thirty eight years. Thirty eight years of living a life of inability!
One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. – John 5:5
Take a few moments to consider this man’s situation. Was he thirty eight years old when he met the Master, born a cripple, having never walked? A permanent condition he had always experienced? Or had he been struck down early in life, suffering his disability for thirty eight years, with memories of walking, running, and pursuing a “normal” life.
Try to relate to this mans expectations. Are you experiencing a day in, day out disappointment in life, a continual drip drip drip of frustration, inability, hopelessness? Have you endured a hopeless state for decades like this poor fella? My point is that after thirty eight years of this disability, the man was in a settled condition, a “permanent” situation, a settled state.
And yet this man was at the pool, a pool that supposedly provided hope, for the story goes that the pool provided healing to whoever touched it first when it stirred.
When it was stirred, that is. Was the pool stirred every Sunday at 11? What about monthly, or maybe quarterly? No such schedule is provided, and so it goes, when the pool stirred, I imagine the ruckus to get there was immense. Did a miracle occur every time the water stirred? Had the stirring ever performed a miraculous healing in the sight of this cripple, or was it just a sterile flickering hope from stories of days past?
Yet this man was at the pool. He lay at the pool day in and day out, waiting for the pool to move, to stir, to offer hope. At this point, I imagine it had the taste of hopeless, but we also have an added problem!
He had competition! A lot of competition.
In these lay a multitude of invalids–blind, lame, and paralyzed. – John 5:3
So this crippled man, this permanently crippled man who was seeking healing at this pool, which he may never have seen stirred, and if he had seen stirred, was unable to get the healing supposedly offered, was approached by Jesus.
Stage set. Okay, so what did Jesus ask?
When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” – John 5:6
Of course he wanted to be healed! But lets consider this question. Had the cripple man fallen into a life of settled disappointment, going through a habit of being delivered to the pool by a loved one, but understanding it was of no use, that his condition was forever?
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” – John 5:7
Yes, he was in a hopeless condition and understood his place in life. Oh, he still attended the pool faithfully, at least for the chance of seeing it stirred, but realized it wasn’t for him, that his state in life was set, and the best he had was to accept it and exist.
Do you want to be healed?
This question allowed for a one word answer, yet the man dribbled on with a twenty seven word response. Jesus asked of the cripple mans desire. He responded with his obvious present condition. Oh, he may have meant to answer directly, but looking at the response, he provided Jesus reasons why he couldn’t get healed.
Don’t get me wrong – I get it. He had certainly experienced his limitations (for thirty eight years!), and understood his lack of hope. He answered the question best he knew how. But he didn’t answer directly.
Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” – John 5:8
Jesus cut to the chase, and told him to get up. Just get up and walk!
Jesus didn’t speak of the duration of his paralysis, his continual hopeless, or of the current barriers to his “best life now”! I almost get the impression the man may have continued on with his response if it had not been for the Lord’s command to get up.
Jesus completed interrupted this man’s life.
Get up and walk, oh and by the way carry the bed you relied on all these years. The fallout from this miracle was multitudinous, for now this cripple had to reorient his entire life as a fully functioning man, able to provide for himself and for others. He went from being a burden to those who loved him, to a blessing for his loved ones and potentially a witness for years to come.
Do you remember the time you were healed? Have you been healed?
I was healed over 40 years ago from a life of blindness. One night, back in 1981, the Lord told me to walk, to get up and carry my bed. (See Testimony) He interrupted my life, and I am forever thankful for His interruption. I was sliding into a pit of destruction that would eventually consume me if not for Him. I had no hope and to be honest, no desire for a healing. This crippled man at least exhibited an façade of hope.
If you have experienced the Lord’s interruption, you will agree with me that the interruption includes a redirection, a life change due to the healing. Jesus did not tell the man to get up, be healed and to lay back down again.
When Jesus interrupts your life, things change. If things haven’t changed, and you are still “attending the pool”, consider the crippled man. His meeting with the Lord brought about a complete life change.
No change from when you claim to have met Him? For sure, you may have met Him early in life, when your “crippledness” wasn’t as apparent, but the command to walk is applicable to all. Jesus, in interrupting your life, means you no longer need to attend the pool, be carried by others, define your life by limitations, or look for hope where there is none.
The hope is in Jesus, and the result of meeting Him is a changed life. The crippled man had been completely convinced of his hopelessness when Jesus approached him, but Jesus interrupted his life.
Has He interrupted yours?
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7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Be still. Rest. Do nothing. Grow dumb, in that no voice may erupt from the mouth. This term actually may be translated as be astounded, or stupefied. Keep silent.
Be still before the Lord. No demands or defense. How often do you enter into prayer, whether on your knees or walking into work and you are either defending some action you may be ashamed of (sometimes called confession) or boasting of your latest good deed – don’t deny you do it!
This passage speaks of time again. The lost one has little time. The saint may expect much time. And the Lord isn’t bound by time. Wait patiently for the Lord, for He isn’t on my schedule.
And yet I gotta get the widget sent off, and a dozen doohickies need to be greased, along with the thingamajig and whatchmacallit, both of them are calling to me for answers! Oh the tyranny of the time piece! Oh I am so burdened with the cares of this life and David is telling us to Be still before the Lord and wait. Wait patiently.
If I were to admit to any failure in my Christian life ( and there are many!) this particular blessing of a “timelessness before the Lord” a period of not thinking schedule or duty, of not defending past decisions or worrying about future reactions, of ignoring “possible” outcomes in the coming days.
Be still. A constant attitude of doing, running, moving, thinking, writing, working, hurrying and “being about our Master’s work” may be a trap many of us have fallen into.
Martha was there right with me, getting food ready for the crowd. Doing, scheduling, working and eventually whining to the Lord about some one else.
Mary was before the Lord, being still, waiting on the Lord for His instruction. I imagine she was in a very comfortable mind set, open to His teaching and looking up to Him, seeking to understand and not defend a previous belief. I wanna think this is the condition Mary was in.
Martha seemed to be fretting, and remember this fretting had the component of anger associated with it.
Let’s listen in to Martha’s request as read in a free translation called “The Voice”. I think it expresses Martha’s anxiety
Luke 10:40 – 41 Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements.
Martha(interrupting Jesus): Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me.
Luke 10:40 – 41 The Voice
Be still Martha. You seem to be exhibiting a bit of rage here with your lazy sister! Your schedule is eating you up, and you are coming off as a whiny nag. As believers, we must remember that those we venerate as saints were humans with the same frailties we experience each day. Martha was struggling, appreciating the situation of having the Messiah in her presence!
David is speaking of fretting not over the success of the evil man, and this doesn’t directly relate to Martha and Mary, yet there are similarities, there are attitudes that seem to parallel David’s concerns.
Be still and fret not.
For me, this is a herculean effort, and even in this closing, I am thinking of doing, working, performing this injunction, of disciplining my life to conform – Oh blasted thoughts.
But wait – It is not about you and I. We are to look to our Savior, and be still before Him, and wait patiently. It is good to look to Him and see how he deals with Martha
Jesus is the Savior and He loves Martha.
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. – John 11:5
Jesus is the Savior. Martha was a “woman of action” and went to the Savior – He was approachable, even though He had upbraided her in her little fit above. Yet she expressed a faith in the Savior
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” – John 11:21-23
Did Martha become Mary? No – She still served.
So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. – John 12:2 ESV
It was her nature, even as it may be our nature to be about, working and scheduling, thinking and doing. But this doesn’t negate the need to be still and wait patiently on the Lord.
It is a respite for the soul to be still and to wait.
Do not refuse this great blessing Carl!
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The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #171
Description
To be Emmanuel-God with us
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
New Testament Fullfillment
Matt 1:18-23
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
1 Tim 3:16
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” – John 8:31,32, 51 ESV
Many of the passages that I will be looking at during these posts are dependent on the “if” clause that introduces conditionality on the recipient. Therefore it may be interesting to review the greek for the term(s) translated “if” in the New Testament
The following information was found here and is helpful.
VII. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
A. A CONDITIONAL SENTENCE is one that contains one or more conditional clauses. This grammatical structure aids interpretation because it provides the conditions, reasons or causes why the action of the main verb does or does not occur. There were four types of conditional sentences. They move from that which was assumed to be true from the author’s perspective or for his purpose to that which was only a wish.
B. The FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE expressed action or being which was assumed to be true from the writer’s perspective or for his purposes even though it was expressed with an “if.” In several contexts it could be translated “since” (cf. Matt. 4:3; Rom. 8:31). However, this does not mean to imply that all FIRST CLASSES are true to reality. Often they were used to make a point in an argument or to highlight a fallacy (cf. Matt. 12:27).
C. The SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE is often called “contrary to fact.” It states something that was untrue to reality to make a point. Examples:1. “If He were really a prophet, which He is not, He would know who and of what character the woman is who is clinging to Him, but He does not” (Luke 7:39).2. “If you really believed Moses, which you do not, you would believe me, which you do not” (John 5:46).3. “If I were still trying to be pleasing to men, which I am not, I would not be a slave of Christ at all, which I am” (Gal. 1:10).
D. The THIRD CLASS speaks of possible future action. It often assumes the probability of that action. It usually implies a contingency. The action of the main verb is contingent on the action in the “it” clause. Examples from I John: 1:6-10; 2:4,6,9,15,20,21,24,29; 3:21; 4:20; 5:14,16.
E. The FOURTH CLASS is the farthest removed from possibility. It is rare in the NT. As a matter of fact, there is no complete FOURTH CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE in which both parts of the condition fit the definition. An example of a partial FOURTH CLASS is the opening clause in I Pet. 3:14. An example of a partial FOURTH CLASS in the concluding clause is Acts 8:31.
I am no greek freak, so I am very open to teaching and reproof if I make some statements that reveal my ignorance. With that said, it will be important to define which “IF” is used in John 8:31-32.
From my research, I have found that this particular instance of “IF” is the third class conditional, which, according to Daniel Wallace, (table below) makes “fulfillment uncertain, but still likely”, or in other words, according to Dr. Bob Utley, (text above),” implies a contingency. The action of the main verb is contingent on the action in the “if” clause”
Many of the “IFs” in John are in this class. It is so with the verse below also.
John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
This is no small task to understand the message Jesus is trying to communicate. Obviously, He cannot be referring to physical death, since He kept His word and saw that type of death.
I have read that the verb “see” could be the key to this passage, since He may be referring to “beholding” or “intensively acknowledging” something (See below for Strongs definition) As one who follows Christ, that person will not behold death in the same way an unbeliever will, that is, he will have a fleeting experience with death, whereas the unbeliever will “live” the experience(?)
Whatever this verse is teaching me, one thing is certain. The promise is conditional!
G2334 θεωρέω theoreo (theh-o-reh’-o) v. 1. to be a spectator of, i.e. discern {literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge)} [from a derivative of G2300 (perhaps by addition of G3708)] KJV: behold, consider, look on, perceive, see Root(s): G2300, G3708 Compare: G3700, G1492
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you would like to receive daily posts from Considering the Bible, click on the “Follow” link below
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #170
Description
To be born of a virgin
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
New Testament Fullfillment
Luke 1:35
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Recently I spoke of meeting a young lady, who almost immediately was one I found trustworthy. Now of course, as you may expect, I am biased in this judgement since she has been by mate for over 40 years, But that wee fact should not take away from the bigger picture of this post.
Let me ask you a question.
Think of one whom you trust. Is it a friend, a brother, a spouse, a co worker?
Now that you have thought about that trustworthy person, define the character traits you recognize in that person that allows you to trust him or her.
Take your time. Let me help with a further question.
Are they judgmental, condemning, condescending, self righteous, a tale bearer, impatient, self centered, dishonest,….
Granted, when you meet a person of these characteristics, they may be fun to hang with, may be the life of the party, and may be great for business connections. But if you had a choice, would you find them trustworthy? Sure, some that are in your circle of acquaintances are in positions that make it so you have to trust them (reluctantly). But that niggling worm in you mind is that they will prioritize their own interest over yours. In my thinking, this is a “forced trust” I don’t want to focus on a “forced trust” in this blog post.
For this post, I would like to consider trust from a purer motive, based only on a person’s character and not on profitability, fear or peer pressure. But first lets consider what it means to trust someone, at least from my understanding.
To Trust Someone
For many, including myself, to trust someone includes an element of fear. A fear of repercussions if I don’t trust. A fear of lost opportunities if I don’t trust someone. Now some may say that to trust someone removes the fear of that person, and to that I heartily agree, if we have known that person for a period of time, went through difficult times trusting that person, and developed an abiding relationship throughout both blessings and trials with that person.
But to trust someone initially carries with it an element of fear, a fear of the unknown. I proposed to my favorite lady after knowing her for only a few weeks, and I should have experienced some fear. I can’t remember any, but I am an ol’ coot and may have forgotten a fleeting fear or two. It would only be natural to have some fear of making a mistake, of trusting another person with your life decisions, of committing to one person. After only a few weeks? Yikes.
But as I look back over the 40 years I have known my lady, the fears have melted away, and the trust remains, the commitment continues and I know she has a heart for me. (Amazing if you knew who I truly was!)
So, is a trust born out of fear a healthy thing? Is it trust at all? Can trust coexist with fear?
It seems a couple verses may suggest otherwise
But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” – Mar 5:36 ESV
But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” – Luk 8:50 ESV
And yet, the fear of the Lord is often combined with trust.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. – Psalm 40:3 ESV
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. – Psalm 115:11 ESV
Given this quick study, it seems apparent that a proper fear is a catalyst for trust, an initial (and enduring) condition of one who has met the One.
As many may know from my testimony, I felt the judgement of God in my life in various degrees for well nigh 15 yrs before I heard the good news. I sometimes wonder if my conversion was based mainly out if fear, (I am 52.4% convinced it was) and was simply a way of finding a fire escape from hell.
Yet to trust is to know someone, to experience their character and to be drawn to them out of respect, or better yet, out of love.
We are to be drawn to the one who is trustworthy in His character, not pushed to Him due to fear of reprisal.
Believers, as we journey our pilgrim path walking (imperfectly at best) with the One who sacrificed Himself for us, we will naturally will grow into a greater and greater trust because of His character, His ways, His mercy towards us.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18 ESV
Unless of course you have experienced Him as judgmental, condemning, condescending, self righteous, a tale bearer, impatient, self centered, dishonest,….
But that is not the way you learned Christ!– – Eph 4:20 ESV
Consider the character of the One you trust, and it may become evident why your trust is difficult to exercise.
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The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #169
Description
Blinded to Christ and deaf to His words
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 6:9-12
And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste, and the Lord removes people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.
New Testament Fullfillment
Acts 28:23-29
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
In our previous post, we visited verses 3 and 4, and found keys descriptors of the saints life. Trusting in the Lord and delighting in the Lord. I suggested that this is somewhat of a progression in the saints life, and have found it to be true for myself. But before we get into this post, let’s remember why we are here. Let’s consider the Bible and read the passage for this post
Psalm 37
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
As mentioned above, in the previous verses, David spoke of trust and delight. In this couplet, he introduces the third, overall characteristic of the saint, and that is to commit to the Lord.
I will try to explain my understanding of these two characteristics of the saint, that is of trust and delight, as it relates to my relationship with my wife. I find this last admonition, of committing that is, to easily and naturally continue this storyline.
Referring to my trust in my wife, and my first understanding of her character, I easily believed her words. I found it to be an enjoyable experience to be around her, to try to understand her and to love her, to grow together and to enjoy each others company. Both of these characteristics (that is trusting in and delighting in) have continued through the years, and generally increased consistently. (Hey we are human we have a had a few bumps along the way – Mostly on me!)
But to commit. This is the topic for this blog, for David instructs the saint to
Commit your way to the LORD;….
To commit. To throw your lot in with, to pledge allegiance to, to do, perform or perpetuate. This is an action word of course, and speaks of our orthopraxy, the way we live.
Let me give a bit of an example.
I am over 60 yrs old and I shall be passing from this sphere soon. My mind tells me that to plant an oak tree would be a task that I would not likely benefit from, and yet my faith tells me that planting trees is a good thing. Now of course this thought must be carried over into every aspect of life, not simply restricted to horticulture. But I hope you see my point.
Why live a life of faith? Why continue to commit to a principal, a friend, a mate or the living God, if we seemingly have diminishing returns as we edge closer to our earthly cessation. We need to be reminded that to commit is not a bet with the odds in our favor, or to be dependent on some future occurrence, that if not fulfilled, allows an escape clause to be exercised.
We may never see many of the benefits of a life of faith, of a commitment to a living God, during this 70 odd years on this planet, but that is not the point.
No – Commitment is based on relationship, or better stated (since David said it not I), on trust, for he follows his encouragement to commit with a synonym, that is to
….trust in him…
I left the semi colon in the previous portion of the verse as a reminder to myself that the purpose of a semi colon (;) is to be placed in between a list or series of ideas that are closely related. To commit is closely related to trust, and in my experience, is a fruit of trust.
I will gladly commit to a cause that I trust, that I believe in. I will gladly commit to my wife because she is one I delight in. I will with joy commit to the ever faithful One, the One who fully committed to me in my lostness.
But in all of this discussion, I have accentuated the aspect of trust, delight and commitment, without a corresponding reaction, and yet this is not the God we serve. We can not demand from the King, but we can know his heart and that He is the ever faithful One, One we have learned to trust, that we delight in as we learn His ways and His care for His people.
David continues with the following statement, as God’s response to the saint.
and he will act.
David stated “He will act”. Remember dear friend, that David was pre-cross, a thousand years from that cruel day. And yet the ultimate “act” of God was completed, performed for us. He “acted” by hanging on that cruel cross.
Of course, as we seek to walk with Him during our sojourn down here, He blesses our feeble efforts with acts of mercy, and we surely need the encouragement as we troddle along. But never let the current blessings we may be experiencing (or the burdens either) cloud our view of that day when He acted.
Commit to the Faithful One. Ask Him for the strength to cling to Him, for in ourselves, we surely do not have the ability to.
Praise His name, and be thankful for all His goodness. His mercies extend every day.
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7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Be still. Rest. Do nothing. Grow dumb, in that no voice may erupt from the mouth. This term actually may be translated as be astounded, or stupified. Keep silent.
Be still before the Lord. No demands or defense. How often do you enter into prayer, whether on your knees or walking into work and you are either defending some action you may be ashamed of (sometimes called confession) or boasting of your latest good deed – don’t deny you do it!
This passage speaks of time again. The lost one has little time. The saint may expect much time. And the Lord isn’t bound by time. Wait patiently for the Lord, for He isn’t on my schedule.
And yet I gotta get the widget sent off, and a dozen doohickies need to be greased, along with the thingamajig and whatchmacallit, both of them are calling to me for answers! Oh the tyranny of the time piece! Oh I am so burdened with the cares of this life and David is telling us to Be still before the Lord and wait. Wait patiently.
If I were to admit to any failure in my Christian life ( and there are many!) this particular blessing of a “timelessness before the Lord” a period of not thinking schedule or duty, of not defending past decisions or worrying about future reactions, of ignoring “possible” outcomes in the coming days.
Be still. A constant attitude of doing, running, moving, thinking, writing, working, hurrying and “being about our Master’s work” may be a trap many of us have fallen into.
Martha was there right with me, getting food ready for the crowd. Doing, scheduling, working and eventually whining to the Lord about some one else.
Mary was before the Lord, being still, waiting on the Lord for His instruction. I imagine she was in a very comfortable mind set, open to His teaching and looking up to Him, seeking to understand and not defend a previous belief. I wanna think this is the condition Mary was in.
Martha seemed to be fretting, and remember this fretting had the component of anger associated with it.
Let’s listen in to Martha’s request as read in a free translation called “The Voice”. I think it expresses Martha’s anxiety
Luke 10:40 – 41 Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements.
Martha(interrupting Jesus): Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me.
Luke 10:40 – 41 The Voice
Be still Martha. You seem to be exhibiting a bit of rage here with your lazy sister! Your schedule is eating you up, and you are coming off as a whiny nag. As believers, we must remember that those we venerate as saints were humans with the same frailties we experience each day. Martha was struggling, appreciating the situation of having the Messiah in her presence!
David is speaking of fretting not over the success of the evil man, and this doesn’t directly relate to Martha and Mary, yet there are similarities, there are attitudes that seem to parallel David’s concerns.
Be still and fret not.
For me, this is a herculean effort, and even in this closing, I am thinking of doing, working, performing this injunction, of disciplining my life to conform – Oh blasted thoughts.
But wait – It is not about you and I. We are to look to our Savior, and be still before Him, and wait patiently. It is good to look to Him and see how he deals with Martha
Jesus is the Savior and He loves Martha.
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. – John 11:5
Jesus is the Savior. Martha was a “woman of action” and went to the Savior – He was approachable, even though He had upbraided her in her little fit above. Yet she expressed a faith in the Savior
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” – John 11:21-23
Did Martha become Mary? No – She still served.
So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. – John 12:2 ESV
It was her nature, even as it may be our nature to be about, working and scheduling, thinking and doing. But this doesn’t negate the need to be still and wait patiently on the Lord.
It is a respite for the soul to be still and to wait.
Do not refuse this great blessing Carl!
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8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
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10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.
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12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.
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14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; 15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
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16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
Psalm 37
18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; 19 they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.
Psalm 37
20 But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish–like smoke they vanish away.
Psalm 37
21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; 22 for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
Psalm 37
23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Psalm 37
25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.
27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. 28 For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.
32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. 33 The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. 36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. 38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
The prophecy of the Lord Jesus for our consideration and edification, written centuries prior to His earthly existence is
Prophecy #168
Description
Parables fall on deaf ears
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 6:9-10
And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
New Testament Fullfillment
Matt 13:13-15
This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘”You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
If you are just joining this blog, or are a first time visitor, welcome to Considering the Bible. We would like to offer a document that provides over 350 prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament for your consideration.
I make no claim to be able to comment on every one of these amazing prophecies in the future, but will occasionally bring one to the readers attention for their edification.
Hopefully you will follow “Considering the Bible” and begin an interaction with us
Considering the Bible 