Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT SHALL MAN DO TO ME?" Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. (Hebrews 13:1-8)
That is quite a string of admonitions, isn
=t it? Beginning with the all-encompassing ALet love of the brethren continue@, the author takes the time to give a brief overview of all the relationships which demand attention from the believer. It is interesting that he begins with Astrangers@ (philonexia - literally Anew friends/brothers@). While that general admonition always applies, it was particularly important in their time.Note first that instruction deals with believers who are strangers. That is not to say they had a license to be inhospitable toward those outside the faith, but that the family of faith was to live with great deference toward one another. While that is certainly true of all believers at all times, there is a special urgency in this admonition. They were seeing the
Aday of the Lord approaching@ (Heb. 10:25) and their instruction is to pay special attention to strengthen and encourage each other.They were enduring great hardship and many were forced to flee from their homes. Brotherly love translated into accommodating one another as necessary.
Some believers were in even worse condition, they had been imprisoned for their faith. They were not to be neglected. Christ taught that to care for those in prison was to minister to Him. Being in prison then was not at all like being in prison in America today. You probably remember the requests Paul made from prison and the gratitude he expressed for those who provided for his needs. Not to suggest that prison ministries today are unwarranted, but the heart of biblical prison ministry is caring for those who are imprisoned because of their obedience to their faith.
The very fact that they were being imprisoned for their faith is evidence that they were living in the last days (Matthew 24:9-10). Are people today persecuted for their faith? Certainly. Should we take their persecution to be a sign of the fulfillment of God
=s redemptive plan? Careful interpretive study and proper application of scripture suggest we should not.First century believers walked with Messiah. In every way, He arrived
Aat just the right time@ as their Deliverer. He told them what would happen in their lifetime as scholars through all the generations which have followed agree, and they were Aeagerly awaiting@ what Jesus had promised.If Jesus said those events were to happen in their lifetime and everyone of the things He foretold came to pass in their lifetime, it is indisputable that the promised fulfillment had to come pass in that first generation of new covenant believers. Similar events may continue to occur at any time but the fulfillment of God
=s plan is tied to that first century generation. To sever that bond does a disservice to the veracity of God and His word. It is so tempting to press this issue further, but we need to continue our look at the text at hand.Special attention is given to upholding marriage. I see this admonition to have both phsycial and spiritual implications. By stressing fidelity to one another in the marriage relationship, the author is emphasizing the need for fidelity in relationship to God. The great wedding feast was about to take place and the image of God
=s faithfulness in this regard is foundational to the salvation they were about to receive. God would not abandon them. They should not forsake one another, but follow the example of those who taught them the way. Christ is exalted as the premier example of faithfulness without wavering.Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefitted. We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. (Hebrews 13:9-13)
It is easy to look at all the goofy things being taught in the religious world today (especially in
AChristian@ circles) and understand how the unstudied might conclude the presence of such ministries is a sign of the end. We certainly need to be good Bereans where teaching is concerned. The Bereans didn=t read the scriptures daily, they Asearched@ (anakrino - thoroughly investigate). It is both ironic and tragic that so many Christians today spend millions of dollars gulping down well marketed myth while, at the same time, rejecting solid teaching without so much as a casual investigation.The tragedy arises because those who feed on chaff lack the strength to live out their faith as victors in this world. They avoid the culture and privatize their faith. Their lives are compartmentalized into secular and spiritual and they never see the need to merge the two. Consequently, neither they or the culture are
Abenefitted@.Again, we can certainly see an application for our time, but the current events are not happening within the time frame which Christ gave for fulfillment and it is a mistake to force a
21st century application on a 1st century prophecy. Look at the context; at the time this is written there are those who are still serving the tabernacle (the symbol for old covenant service). Even if the tabernacle or temple was reconstructed biblical tabernacle worship cannot be resumed! The Rabbi=s acknowledge that biblical Judaism died in A.D. 70, why can=t contemporary Christians? Those who seek the Afood@ of the old covenant have no place at the table of the new covenant. That right comes only in union with the Christ and those who reject Him cannot share in it.The author now draws a most meaningful comparison. The animals whose blood was offered as a sacrifice were disposed of outside the camp. Beginning with Christ Himself, first century believers were being sacrificed to
A[f]ill up then the measure of the guilt@ of the scribes and Pharisees.Those first disciples shared the reproach of Christ in a special way which Paul described in Colossians 1:24 saying,
ANow I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the ekklesia [jw]) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.@ If their persecution was the filling up the measure of the guilt of the Pharisees, we have no basis for claiming the fulfillment of that prophesy in any other time. This is clearly a first century happening.For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. (Hebrews 13:14)
This verse needs individual attention. It opens with
Afor@ which tells why the instruction above has been given. In Chapter 11, the author told us about the heavenly city that people of faith through the ages had sought. In Chapter 12, he spoke of the Amountain@ to which they had come. Now, having instructed his readers how they should live in their time, he makes it clear that they do not have a lasting city Ahere@. Like the faithful of old, they seek a city Ato come@. Once again the translators, driven by their predispositions have done a disservice to the text. The city they sought was not simply Ato come@, it was Aabout to come@!We
=ve talked about the Greek word mello before and that is the form which is used here, mellousan. In these few words the author tells us the reason he is writing to give the Hebrews this instruction is that the promised heavenly city is Aabout to to come@. Where did he get that message and its timing? Direct revelation from God. Can you live with the implications if the author was wrong and now 2,000 years later the city still has not come? I can=t, and neither can a growing number of other Christians who are willing to let scripture interpret scripture.Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. (Hebrews 13:15-19)
There are lots of applications in this passage worthy of consideration, but for the sake of space we
=ll stick to our theme of imminency. The request for prayer at the end should get our attention at the moment. The author desires his conduct to be appropriate Ain all things@ and asks for prayer in that regard. Why? So that, AI may be restored to you the sooner.@Though separated and enduring hardship, it is the writer
=s hope that godly action will lead to his return to those he is encouraging. In other words, he was anticipating a resolution to the issues he and they were facing, within their lifetimes. If the events he has been discussing are yet future to us, his petition here is nothing short of ridiculous. Only if there was a realistic expectation of a reunion with his audience does this request make any sense.Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 12:20-21)
Pay attention to that
A...working in us...@; what work is under consideration? The very work the author has been addressing throughout this letter - the passing of the old covenant and the consummation of the new. They were the instruments in and through whom God was working to complete the redemptive process. They needed special equipping for the time in which they lived.Do we need equipping for our time? Surely we do, but that is an application of this passage and we dare not allow our application to become the interpretation of this text. We must interpret in terms of their time and circumstances, not ours.
But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I shall see you. Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all. (Hebrew 13:22-24)
Having made repeated pleas for the Hebrew believers to remain faithful to the end, a final word of exhortation is given to emphasize the critical need for them to heed his words even though they be few. The point is this, the scripture which was the foundation of their hope is replete with instruction about the time in which they were living, That word was the focus of their longing and desires.
He could have written volumes on the subject but only gives an overview of their history in the broadest terms so that they might understand their place in that history. For believers today to uproot first century history from its context and move it to our time (or some future time thousands of years hence), is a grave abuse of scripture which robs the story of its beauty and power.
May the Spirit of God so guide our study and obedience that the history of our time will record the proclamation anew of the victorious work of the kingdom of God.
Just So You Will Know
From time to time I mention the Constitution Party in this newsletter. Many of you know that I have been actively involved in the party since 1996, especially in Texas. Recent events in the party compel me to update you on a matter which is raising concerns of those on the periphery of things. Given the possibility that some of you have become aware of those events, I want to devote space to the topic and hopefully clear up any confusion you may have on the matter.
A couple of years ago, the chairman of the Nevada affiliate of the CP (the Independent American Party) made private comments to the effect that he personally held exceptions on the life issue. The platforms of the CP and the IAP both profess a
Ano exceptions@ position, so when the private comments were made public a rift began to develop.The IAP was one of the state parties that agreed to work together with other states in founding the U.S. Taxpayers Party which was renamed The Constitution Party in 1999. Individuals who were not familiar with the founding of the party sought to force the National Committee to either correct the Chairman of the IAP or disaffiliate the Nevada Party.
I won
=t take the space to chronicle the debate which followed, but it has gone on for a considerable period of time and was recently settled in favor of the Nevada party. Those who sought to remove them have been unhappy with the outcome. It is likely that some of the states will cease to work with the CP and that is most unfortunate.Sadly, they have chosen to be very vocal about the matter; hence, the need for this clarification.
I have said from the beginning of my involvement with the CP that if it ever abandoned its principles I would be gone in a heartbeat. It is my firm belief that, had the CP removed the Nevada party, we would have abandoned our principles. Let me explain.
The CP is not a party in the sense the major parties are. We organized in keeping with (unconstitutional) election laws in order to be in the public arena, but it was the resolute intent of every founding state party that they would remain independent. This was to be a grassroots movement, not a top-down organization.
In other words, the state parties agreed to work together to create a platform for a presidential candidate while retaining the freedom to control their own organizations. The model was taken directly from the wisdom of the founders of this country who gave very limited power to the central government while reserving all other powers to the states and the people.
As the years have passed, newcomers to the party became less aware of that founding. Some of them saw the National Committee as a tool to be used to force their convictions on other state parties, much as the major parties now use the federal government to impose their will on the free, independent and sovereign states of the federal union.
Those of us who opposed that proposed abuse by the National Committee are now being painted as pro-aborts and worse. You need to know otherwise.
My personal conviction, the conviction of the CP of Texas and the National Committee remains that of no exceptions on the life issue. One may question the conviction of the Nevada party because its chairman personally holds exceptions, but the fact remains that they have the right to have as chairman whom they please. Should their delegation attempt to compromise the national party, it would meet overwhelming resistance.
Is it possible that a number of state parties could exhibit similar positions and ultimately undermine the National Committee? Certainly. And if that day ever came, I would immediately report to you that it was time to look elsewhere for constitutional leadership. That is a pledge I
=ve made in the past and I repeat it here and now.There is another facet of this story which must be mentioned because it cuts to the deeper issue at hand: religion. It shouldn
=t come as a surprise to you that many members of the Nevada party are members of the LDS Church: Mormons. While I believe there are Christians in that group, my personal study of its teachings persuade me that it is a cult to be avoided. Nevertheless, the founders of this country sought religious freedom and desired to secure it to everyone.Again, those who founded the CP sought to preserve that model in our organization. To be sure, the party was, and is, predominantly Christian; however, it was not founded to be the Christian Party.
It did not take long for religious zealots to seize upon the opportunity of a fledgling pro-life party in an attempt to co-opt it for their own agenda. Through procedural maneuvering in 1999, they managed to insert a specific reference to Jesus Christ in the preamble to the platform.
I was at that convention and I can tell you with every confidence that the vast majority did not want that language. The vote was late in the day and came to the floor under special rules when many delegates were out of the room and those pushing the change were present in full force.
In the end, the language passed by just two votes with many of those voting for it believing that to reject it would amount to a denial of Jesus. I said at the time it would generate problems and that has sadly proven to be true.
The zealots previously attempted to pass a resolution on
Athe trinity@ - which doesn=t even appear in scripture. They have their biblical ideal and they have the stake and burn pile ready for all who see things differently. A political party is not church and the National Committee was correct in refusing to bow to the demands of those who want to make it that.If folks want to start a Christian Party, they have my blessing. I might even join them. However, to force their way into a group which was not so founded and attempt to make it into their image is un-Christlike.
There is much, much more to be said on this matter but this is not the place. I hope this explanation helps you better understand what has transpired. Please let me know if you need further clarification.
The Apprentice
=s JournalA belated
AHappy Mother=s Day@ to all the mothers who are reading this. I hope your family made sure you know just how much you are appreciated!This year, Sharon and I gave our mothers digital picture frames. Once plugged in, they call every night and download pictures that friends and family have uploaded to their receiver account on the Internet.
It
=s a really neat way to keep the digitally challenged in the loop on family photos without having to mess with a computer. If you=re interested, you can read about it at www.ceiva.com . If you decide you want to purchase one, let me know and I=ll send you an invitation that will save you $50 on the price of the unit.On June 2nd Sharon and I will celebrate our 37th anniversary. It is hard to believe we have now known each other for 50 years! It is also hard to believe that we have a daughter who will be 35 on June 19th!! It is incredible how fast life goes by.
Since our mothers can get pictures on line, I
=ve been going back through old family photos and scanning them into the computer to upload. There are a lot of memories to cherish in a lifetime blessed by the grace of God, and I=ve been enjoying them, even the bittersweet ones.I was really surprised last weekend when we came home from church and found a message from a
Ayoung@ man (now 43). Sharon and I used to babysit him and his sister when we were engaged. Actually, his father is a distant cousin but don=t expect me to know all the details of that!His father and grandfather owned a hardware store that we frequented when I was a child. I remember riding my bicycle the two or three miles to shop there. The first pocket knife I ever bought came from there and I still have it, and use it.
When I was in college, I went to work at the store
Apart-time@ (60-80 hours a week). Needless to say, there was a lot of late night studying and very little sleep during those years!Back to the phone call . . . the son is planning a 70th birthday party for his father and managed to locate us after 37 years to extend an invitation to us.
We had been pondering what to do for our anniversary and this event helped us to start making a plan. I
=m not sure of all the details, but I=ll give you a report next month (speaking of reports, be sure to read Sharon=s report about her mission trip to Nicaragua).I really appreciate getting feedback from you all and encourage you to let me know any time you have questions or something to share. One caller this month misunderstood my previous remarks about being in Christian fellowship, so let me clarify my meaning for you as I did for him.
Apparently I left the impression that unless someone wasn
=t Ain church@ regularly their faith was in question. I don=t equate being Ain church@ with being in fellowship. I do believe that regularly meeting together with other believers is a good thing to do and I encourage that activity. However, Christian fellowship should be had in a great many more venues on a daily basis. Those who by their own choice avoid fellowship of any type with other believers give reason to question whether their faith is the real thing.Of course, that is not a determination that anyone but the individual concerned can make, and I
=m glad it is not up to me. My intent is simply to encourage us all to seek deeper Christian relationships on a regular basis.On to the backyard report . . . after paying a neighbor to cut the yard, I finally repaired the mower and mowed for the first time this season. The city
=s weed garden next door is still knee deep and going to seed. I=d like to be able to buy part of that tract but the last time I checked they weren=t willing to sell.Sharon has tomatoes on the two vines she potted. The ones I planted in the garden are doing well, but they are several weeks behind hers. I also got okra planted and it is now about four inches tall. I was late getting beans out and they aren
=t even up yet. It seems like there is always something more important to do than work in the garden.The weather is really fickle this year. We
=ve recently had mornings in the 50's and right now we have highs in the 90's. For those of you north of the Red River, that=s just not normal here. We aren=t getting much rain and haven=t all spring. Overall, things are really dry. Nevertheless, the garden is just know getting to where it needs to be watered a little.As I write this, Sharon is out shopping for furniture and I know new floor coverings and paint are in the plans. We still miss Maggie but putting down new floor covering didn
=t make sense during her last few years. As we paint over the Maggie line (where she scratched her ears along the wall), we are reminded once more that life goes on.Have a blessed summer!