Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we shall do, if God permits. (Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3)
This month we pick up our study of the theme of the imminency of Christ
=s appearing in Hebrews 5:11. Having addressed the subject of Christ=s role as Agreat high priest@, the author observes there is much more that needs to be said but his audience is immature and unable to receive it. The KJV calls those able to receive such instruction as Aof full age@(teleios in the Greek). This word shares a common root with those which speak of the fulness of time and Athat which is perfect@ (1 Cor. 13). It is not surprising to find the matter of maturity being associated with Afulness of times@ themes. Do note that the contrast in Hebrews is between those who are mature and those who Ashrink back@ (Heb. 10:38).The admonition of the book is to faithfulness and perseverance until the end, and the intended audience which still needs
Amilk@ has Abecome dull of hearing.@ The Greek here is interesting and from it we might well describe them literally as illegitimate or bastard hearers.Don
=t miss the importance of the time statement here. The writer says the time which has passed is reason enough that they should be mature. There has been a testing period in which the faithful have grown to demonstrate their faithfulness while others have not even embraced the most elementary aspects of righteous instruction. Each group has had sufficient time to demonstrate on which side of the divide they stand. Just as in the wilderness, the unfaithful were about to perish and the righteous were preparing to enter the land (the heavenly city).For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame. For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. (Hebrews 6:4-8)
The author will not therefore address elementary things anew but turn to the solid food of which only the mature will be able to partake. It was impossible to recover those who, having shared in the knowledge of the blessings of the new covenant, chose to once again place their faith in the old law and its futile practices.
We get a hint here of frustration on the part of the writer. There is much he wishes to say about their great high priest but some of his readers are not equipped to understand it. We will return to the imminence theme shortly but I am compelled to deal with another aspect of the text here. The scriptures here have been some of the most misunderstood and abused in all the biblical text. So, let me start by saying this is not a text which can be used to teach that believers today can
Afall from grace.@Without taking the space to develop it here, let me simply say I believe it was possible for those of that generation to
Afall from grace.@ Paul says so (Galatians 5:4). We could debate at length over what that means but it nevertheless was a possibility for first century believers. Indeed, we saw earlier (Heb. 2:3) how those who rejected salvation in Christ had rejected God=s final offer. Now, back to our theme.The writer encourages them to grow up and move on from the
Aelementary teaching@. What he lists as basic principles most Christians still classify as pretty heady topics. Pay special attention to his mention of resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment (fruitfulness vs. burning). This should clue us in that these topics are part and parcel of old covenant teaching and NOT, as some claim, new covenant ideas. When we understand this, it becomes easier to see how the Alast days@ under consideration was indeed the end of the old covenant age.But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:9-12)
Again we have an admonition of faithfulness
Auntil the end.@ It would just be silly to encourage them in this way if the end was not even to be within their lifetimes. This admonition is precisely what we expect to hear as one approaches the conclusion of a test of endurance. Hebrews picks up on this theme again and again. The finish line is in sight and the audience is encouraged not to quit but stay the course.God was not about the forget the promise He made.
For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU, AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU." And thus, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:13-18)
It is critical to notice that the writer does not point to the promises of the Mosaic covenant as the assurance of believers. The Law was never meant to save anyone. The chosen people had their promises but they were condition promises and they failed to meet the conditions. The promises made to Abraham were unconditional; God Himself was the surety for them. Among the Hebrews the giving of an oath was indeed
Aan end of every dispute.@ However, the strength of the oath was made evident by that on which the oath was made. God=s oath was made on His infinite veracity. It is impossible for Him to lie. With the Hebrews, we have every assurance that what He said He would do, He would do exactly when and how he said it would be accomplished.Promises founded on such an oath as God made to Abraham created a
Asure and steadfast@ hope and the heirs of such a promise would in no way be disappointed by failure or delay.Not My Will
In the ninth chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses his liberty in Christ and what he might properly expect from them as a minister of the gospel. However, I want to zero in on a statement that at first reading seems a little confusing: AFor if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.@ (1 Cor. 9:17) After considerable study and thought, I have some ideas to share, but there is more homework to be done on this one.
Paul=s simple statement contains truths that we as Christians need to understand if we are to be faithful in our commitment to God, and if we desire the blessings of obedience God provides Let me paraphrase what my study leads me to believe Paul is saying here:
A
If I preach the gospel willingly, there is a reward for me; nevertheless, even if preaching the gospel is contrary to my will, it is a matter of stewardship for which I am accountable as a good steward, whether I proclaim it from a sense of duty or as one whose heart allows him to do no less.@
As Christians, we have been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ and as a matter of stewardship we have a responsibility to proclaim it. That proclamation is not merely a matter of making a one time confession before men, but a matter of living life in a way which constantly proclaims Christ. Every Christian, by definition, has a duty to live this life. There is no reward here, one simply does what is implicit in being a new creation. The word for Aconfess@ in Greek is homologeo, which could literally be translated as Ato speak the same thing or to speak as one.@ What Christ proclaims we proclaim. That is our calling.
While this passage certainly supports the idea that those who proclaim the gospel are entitled to be supported by it, it also suggests that those who do not insist upon such support have a higher calling with a higher reward. Occasionally, I express my dismay over the number of tele-evangelists who are extracting extravagant lifestyles from those who have been drawn to their ministry. Praise God, there are a few good ministers who do not abuse the television medium in this way, but maintain the highest standards of integrity. Still, for a significant number, it is apparent that wealth has become more important than the proclamation of the gospel.
For all the time Christian networks and others spend in Bible teaching, the one message that is frequently ignored, is AJesus Christ and Him crucified.@ The one thing Paul told the Corinthians he was determined to proclaim to them.
The airwaves are filled with a Christian adaptation of New Age thinking and humanism in a disposable wrapper called the gospel. These charlatans are certainly being supported by the Agospel@ but they don=t really proclaim it that much. As a matter of stewardship they should be, and so should we. If no other reason than it is our duty. Some of these ministries started out of proper motives and a great sacrifice to those who founded them, but many have grown into money machines that have lost their original vision and focus. They did not have a higher calling in view.
Paul suggests that there is a higher calling for those who will walk in it. That is to embrace the heart of God and proclaim the message not simply as one who is under compulsion, but as one who joyfully sacrifices his own rights and privileges to do so. What a different picture! If you spend any time at all asking people why they are not Christians, on the short list of responses is Amoney-grubbing preachers.@ That is the image many have given to the world and we should all be embarrassed to see Christ portrayed in this way.
Of course it is not universally true, but there is sufficient evidence to support the objection. It is up to us to keep our motives pure. Paul=s integrity and heart for God, compelled him to support himself at times rather than appear to charge for the gospel. Would to God, that we could recover such a high calling in our time. There are those who do, but it is rare to hear about them and that is usually because they prefer it that way. They move about doing what God has called them to do without fanfare or acclaim because they desire the inner blessing that comes from their labor. They understand that praise can come from men or from God and they have consciously chosen to wait for the better reward of obedience. In spite of their wishes to the contrary, they occasionally come into the spotlight.
On September 5, 1997, news services around the world noted the passing one who did. At age 87, Mother Teresa left this life with world praising her labor in a way that would have troubled her. She was just doing what she was called to do. Following her commitment to Christ at age 18, she spent her life taking care of those she lovingly called "the poorest of the poor." Young and old alike revered the Roman Catholic nun, who became known as a "saint on Earth." But it was not the praise of men she sought.
Mother Teresa said she saw Christ in the faces of the poor, the outcast, the maimed and the dying. She felt they all deserved what she called "the delicate love of God." Wherever she went, her message was the same: "Love the poor." "I think it is really important that we all realize they are our brothers and sisters, and we owe that love and care and concern," she once said. While I can=t agree they are all Christian brothers and sisters, they are certainly earthly brethren and in that broader perspective we are called to love.
Calcutta, India, was Mother Teresa's adopted home. It's where she began her work with the poor, where she earned the nickname "the saint of the gutters." What motivated her? She said, "God loves a cheerful giver. He who gives cheerfully, gives better. The best way to show our gratitude to God and to our neighbor is to accept their gifts with joy. Joy is a net of love in which souls can be caught. We impatiently await God's paradise, but we have in our hands the power to be in paradise right here and now. Being happy with God means this: to love as He loves, to help as He helps, to give as He gives, to serve as He serves."
Mother Teresa's tireless efforts on behalf of world peace brought her a number of important humanitarian awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She said such earthly rewards were important only if they helped her help the world's needy. Her message of love and of hope reached millions. It is a message she prayed would not end when her time on earth was over: ASpread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor . . . Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting...Love, to be real, must cost. It must hurt. It must empty us of self."
In his book, ASomething Beautiful for God: Mother Teresa of Calcutta,@ Malcom Muggeridge, shares a quote from her that should be the foundation of any ministry, or for that matter, any Christian life:
"I'm still convinced, that it is He and not I. That's why I was not afraid; I knew that if the work was mine it would die with me. But I knew it was His work, that it will live and bring much good. If the work is looked at just by our own eyes and only from our own way, naturally, we ourselves can do nothing. But in Christ we can do all things. That's why this work has become possible, because we are convinced that it is He, He who is working with us and through us in the poor and for the poor."
Do we seek the rich blessing of living out a higher calling? Or, are we satisfied to live out our lives in a lackadaisical manner as recipients of grace? How sad it is to see Christians whose salvation allows them to be comfortable doing little or nothing to advance God=s kingdom. Some of us are but faithfulness will lead us all to the maturity in Christ we seek.
Most of us have thought about what we would want our last words and thoughts to be. You might, even now, consider in the economy of words that fleeting moment requires what you would hope to say. Think for a moment what your heart would dictate for we are all one day closer to home today. Mother Teresa, in keeping with the simple faith and service she rendered to God, on her death bed uttered four final words, AI love you Jesus.@
Though I would take strong exception to much of her theology, I find no fault in the fruit it bore. From what I can learn of her life, it was one built upon a solid relationship of faith in her Master with the lowliest estimation of her own importance and worth. That is the hallmark of a high calling and it should be firmly stamped on the lives of us all.
The Apprentice
=s JournalIn case you didn
=t notice, I am REALLY late getting this months issue out. So late in fact that I decided to get the October issue out on time and mail them together. In my defense, several unexpected events took place over the past month which required a big chunk of my time. The most significant was being asked to speak at the National Committee meeting of the Constitution Party in Columbus, Ohio.Illegal immigration was a recurring theme in the messages of the weekend and I was able to add to the discussion by talking about the Trans-Texas Corridor. I won
=t take space here to talk about it, but believe me, we all need to be opposing this boondoggle. The four primary projects in Texas alone are estimated to cost $185 billion!Corridors like this are being talked about across the country . The plan is to connect them all to the backbones of the system which runs from the west coast of Mexico, enters the U.S. in south Texas, travels through Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and exits the U.S. as Port Huron, Michigan before continuing on to Quebec, Canada. The goal: a union of the Americas fashioned after the European Union.
If you love America, you don
=t want this project and the compromises it will mean to our national sovereignty. I implore you, do your homework and then make your voice heard. For more information, visit www.corridorwatch.org on the Internet.Needless to say, living in south central Texas, we have been significantly impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Sharon thinks I need to moderate my opinions a bit so I=ll give it a month and see how my thoughts evolve. For now, I=ll just say the events did little to improve my view of government or the human race.
Sharon is still dealing with an overflow of patients at the hospital. FEMA (Federal Emergency Manipulation Agency) is a disaster itself, even under competent management. Boy is it hard not to tear off down that rabbit trail! They send patients from the hurricane zone here without even knowing if beds are available at the hospital. They just drop them off and leave with no idea if the resources to care for them even exist here.
On to more pleasant topics. The hummingbirds have arrived in full force. They are now emptying all the feeders at least once a day. It is a blast to walk out the door with a feeder in your hand and be swarmed by the little beasties. Every now an then one will hover six inches or so in front of my face and really give me the once over. It=s like he=s trying to figure what I am that I would be providing the sweet nectar he craves. I may look like a boulder, but I don=t look like a flowering shrub and I=m sure he=s confused.
It is only in the heat of the swarm they gather the courage to eat from the feeder in my hands. Only rarely will the straggler or loner take the chance. Their inquisitive actions make me reflect on how I perceive God and how utterly hopeless it is for me to think I understand more than we are told in His revelation to us in Jesus. It is our nature to want to know more, to understand who we are and how we fit into the picture. For all the bravado mustered by the hummers, they always scatter when I walk outside or move quickly around them. They recognize me as the source of what they desire and yet they show a healthy respect for our differences. I hesitate to use words like awe or reverence because those qualities are only available to our species.
At the same time, the experience reminds me of the attitudes which should dominate my thinking as I contemplate my relationship with our heavenly Father. How easy it is to presume on that relationship! Because He is the giver of gifts, our nature tends to persuade us that we are worthy of them or that God somehow owes us something. Oh, we never voice those feelings, but it is our nature to go down that path. God grant us the grace to understand that mercy is enjoying what we do not deserve.
Returning to the report on our little domain ... the yard is a mess after the storm. But, it wasn
=t much better before. With all the additional commitments lately, just getting it mowed once a week has been a challenge. The flower beds have suffered gross neglect this year and the situation is not likely to improve, at least in the short term.The first Saturday in October is Fair on the Square here in Huntsville and I
=ll be occupying a booth for the Constitution Party as I have every year since 1996. It is always an interesting but exhausting day. By the way, I didn=t get any reports from readers regarding their score on the Constitution Test I sent out awhile back. That=s okay. I=m sure you can do better now! Lots of other folks will get their shot at it this weekend. I pray that in God=s good time eyes will be opened and people will cease supporting the things they abhor. Along those lines, I had hoped to share information about Justice John Roberts, but that seems moot at this point.I will say that with his record we should expect even greater concessions to the homosexual movement and the pro-death camp. Roberts made it clear that Roe v. Wade is, in his mind,
Asettled law.@ If it doesn=t strike you as odd that a nominee for a spot on the Supreme Court thinks that the Court creates law, you need to study your Constitution again! A judge who would uphold the Supreme Law of the land, would know that only Congress makes law. Don=t expect much positive from Roberts.Of course, the obvious choice for the spot would have been the former Chief Justice from Alabama, Roy Moore. However, the President would have found it extremely awkward to nominate Moore after having removed the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Judicial Center. Some will argue Bush didn
=t nominate Moore because there would have been no chance of a confirmation. That may be so, but what better way could he have found to demonstrate to a large segment of his constituency that he was indeed for Constitutional government? The truth is that he doesn=t want lawful government and neither do most Americans who vote. But, I digress.I honestly don
=t know how people without faith in Christ manage to cope in the face of such injustice. If I didn=t know God was in control, I do believe I=d be a basket case. Let me close with a prayer request. Rick Jore is a friend from Montana. A former Republican, he apparently won a seat in the legislature as the candidate for the Constitution Party. It was a close race and the Democrat candidate challenged the count and filed suit when she still lost. To make a long story short, Rick had the seat stripped from him by a newly elected Democrat Governor and the court ordered him to pay the attorney fees of his opponent as well as court costs. He sued no one, but may well lose his home to a government lien if he can=t raise the funds to pay for the injustice done to him. Only in Amerika.Where will you stand? Will you stand? When? ~ Jim