Words: Can you hear it (Wisdom calling out)?

Posted on June 9, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Can you hear it?

I have read the passage hundreds of time. It is time I comment on it. Proverbs 8:1-2 says, “Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill. Beside the way, where the paths meet.” How many of us think about this?

How can you hear wisdom? The passage says that wisdom cries out, yet you can’t audibly hear anything? The question should really be, “Are people listening for wisdom?” How can people listen for wisdom, when they may no longer carry the “boom boxes” from the eighties, but ARE wired into the ear sets of iPods, iPads, iPhones and all sorts of MP3 players? The style choices for music, talk shows and news are seemingly endless. The preferences people plug into stimulate their brains, bodies and souls, which can fill every waking moment, so that no one could ever become “bored.” How can people listen for wisdom if they are always listening to something on the television, radio or techno gadget?

How many people have the television on in the background, even though they are not really listening to it? There is something that our flesh likes about having music, or talking, in the background. When I visited my cousins on the farm, my uncle always played music on the radio at milking time, because it calmed the cows and they produced more milk. Do we like something in the background to keep us calm and we really do not like silence?

All the noise can easily become “white noise.” What happens then? What might be very important is not heard, like wisdom calling in “the way, where the paths meet…by the gates, at the entry of the city.”

In fact, wisdom is spiritual wisdom, just like God is Spirit. You cannot feel, taste, touch, see, smell, or hear God. You cannot use the senses during this Age to connect with God. God has provided everything you need to understand and know Him through His Word. The Christian way of life is based on faith, not sight. Paul makes this point clear when he said, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (Col. 2:6) How did you receive Jesus as your Savior? You received Him by faith. It was not by works, feelings, sight, hearing or any other physical sense. You received Him by faith and you are also to live by faith, not by your senses or personal efforts. You are to live by trusting in Him to do His work through you by means of His Spirit.

Consequently, wisdom is given by God’s Spirit as you hide God’s Word in your heart. God’s Spirit guides you into the Word (John 16:13) and enlightens you as a partaker of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 6:4). When a person is filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), he will be enlightened and the Word will not be a dry desert, but a loud message awakening him from his slumberous walk in life.

Proverbs eight continues to use the hearing sense personified, just as wisdom is personified as a lady to be courted by a pursuing believer,

· ³² “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

· ³³ Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it.

· ³⁴ Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

· ³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD. (Pro. 8:32-35)

Wait in silence before God and wisdom will call to your soul and lead you in God’s presence of blessing and life.

Silence is a Spiritual Discipline¹ that must be cultivated. How will that happen in a world full of white noise? Schedule times of silence in the day, so that as you meditate on God’s Word, or at least have God’s Word in the back of your mind, wisdom will speak to you and you will understand the will of the Lord. Unless you schedule silence into your life, you will miss wisdom crying out to you.

¹Look back at the following link on Spiritual Disciplines for a short description on the Spiritual Discipline of Silence: http://renewingtruth.blogspot.com/2013/03/words-spiritual-disciplines-part-3.html

Words: Love One Another

Posted on March 15, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Love One Another

When I was a kid, I watched the “Love Boat.” It was a silly show, but I was foolish enough to think going on a cruise would be great. Actually, my wife and I went on a four day cruise for our 20^th Anniversary and when we blinked the cruise was over. It really was a great time. To celebrate an anniversary, a cruise is a great thing. The reality is the cruise was all about us and is not how the church should be.

The church is about loving others. The church does not exist for itself. It exists as the Body of Christ to reach the world around it. The Church is designed to be a hospital as Paul writes, “But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. (1 Cor. 12:24-25)

Yet, the Church is also a training ground for equipping believers to do the work of ministry. Paul writes,

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (Eph 4:11-13)

Saints need to be equipped to do the work of ministry.

As the church is equipped, it will disciple people to become disciple-makers for Jesus. Paul gives this mandate in Matthew 28:19-20,

¹⁹ “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰“teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matt. 28:19-20)

As we make disciples we will reveal our love for one another as Jesus exhorts,

³⁴ “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

This brings us back to love. We are to love one another. The question is what does that mean?

There are four words for love in the original language of the New Testament times. Two of the words are in the New Testament, one is found as a compound word and one is only found in secular literature.

The first word for love is agapao, which means an unconditional love that depends on the integrity of the subject which loves, not on the object. It is used of God who “loved” the world. There was nothing of divine value in the world to love when it was in its fallen state. Yet, because of the integrity, perfect character of God, He chose to love the world by sending Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. This is the kind of love that gives when there is no desire or affinity to give. This love gives because it is the godly action, when the human response would be to avoid the object.

The second word for love is phileo, which means there is a reason for acting in love or an affinity to love. It’s the love a young man has toward a young woman when they want to be with each other. The object of the love is attractive, pleasant, intelligent, funny, talented or possesses some other quality that gives reason for expressing the love.

The third word for love is found only in a compound form storge, which is used of a familial type love. It is found as philostorge i n Romans 12:10 and is translated “brotherly love.”

The fourth word, which is not found in the New Testament, is eros and refers to a physical love. It is the physical relationship between a man and a woman in marriage and also used in all the aberrant forms of ungodliness.

The reason why this understanding is so important is because of the “one another” passages. There are 13 passages which contain “love one another.” (John 13:34; 15:12, 17; Rom. 13:8; 1 Thess. 4:9; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 3:11,23; 4:7,11,12; 2 John 1:5) The fact that it is found thirteen times means it must be very important. But the word used is also very important.

We might look at “love one another” as something we know we are supposed to do and so we will be loving toward our family or those we get along with in church. However, that would be the second word, phileo, those whom we have an affinity with or reason to love. That is not the word in any of the “love one another” passages. That would be easier, but it would likely also depend on us rather than on the Lord.

The word used in every “love one another” is agapao. That means the Lord is calling us to love one another, not because we like the person or have reason to love them, but just the opposite. If you do like the person or have reason to love them, by all means keep on loving them! However, because agapao is used, the command to “love one another”means to love those who may not be so lovely (John 3:16). It means to love those you don’t know (Heb. 13:1-2). It means to love those you don’t always hang around with or necessarily get along with (1 John 3:15-23). It means you will even confront at appropriate times (Heb. 12:5-6). It means the world will know that we are His disciples, because loving each other, even in differences, is more important, than being served (John 13:34-35). Can you imagine how this would affect the world?

If we are going to be biblical, we will step out of our comfort zones and love one another in ways that the human race would not be able to explain. Don’t wait. Choose to act by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A Bible Contradiction?

Posted on August 23, 2012 by shepherdbryan

I was reading today about David’s numbering of Israel and how there seemed to be a contradiction. A contradiction in the Bible? How can that be?

First let me set the stage. Look at 2 Samuel 24:1, “Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” It’s very clear that the Lord moved David to number the people AND then David confesses his sin of numbering the people a few verses later in 2 Sam. 24:10, “And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done.” How can this be a sin, if the text says that the Lord moved David? ……

Now look at 1 Chronicles 21:1. The Chronicler writes, “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.” This passage says that Satan moved David. How can one passage say that God moved David and another passage says that Satan moved David?

That’s relatively easy to understand. God is sovereign over all things and in His Permissive Will, God allows sinful things to happen, but God can never be accused of tempting someone, nor can He sin (James 1:13). Satan must gain permission from God to tempt and do harm as when God allowed Satan to tempt Job (Job 1:12). So, God may even allow the enemy to move persons to sin (in David’s case, not in Job’s case), yet because it is within God’s sovereign control it is recorded as God doing the action. In reality, it is really God Who allowed Satan to move David to number the people.

But also notice, David was a believer. Satan moved a believer to sin and do foolishness. Can Satan cause that kind of problem today? Luke records in Acts 5:3 that Satan filled Ananias’ heart to lie. The same can happen today. God can allow good people to be moved by Satan to do sinful things, even toward other people in God’s family. Why? Ultimately for God’s glory. It reveals God’s sovereignty. It reveals those who are approved by God in a faction of people. It reveals those who do not react, but respond with grace. It reveals that the creature who acts independent of God, even believers, can be moved by Satan to do sinful things.

May our hearts be broken, purified and never used by the enemy, especially to bring harm to God’s people.

Question: What does the first class condition in Col. 1:23 mean?

Posted on July 24, 2012 by shepherdbryan

I have a question about the word “if” in Colossians 1:23 (and others). I understand that it is supposed to be a first class condition meaning “since” but I don’t know what that means. I also don’t know why it isn’t translated “since.” Would you enlighten me?

This is a great verse. It gives the believer great hope of future glorification just like the promise of Romans 8:29-30 where Paul uses five verbs to describe how God sees the believer already in a glorified state. Those five verbs are: He foreknew; He predestined, He called, He justified and He glorified. So how do we look at the “if” of Colossians 1:23? The false teachers at the time said God is important, but they added works to the spiritual growth process. Paul is helping the Colossians see that faith alone in Christ alone is all that is necessary to be presented in glory, holy and blameless. Let’s get the context:
²¹And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight– ²³ if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Col 1:21-23)

We should note that Paul contrasts our state as unbelievers in Colossians 1:21 with the Blessed Hope of Jesus presenting believers holy, blameless and above reproach in glory in Colossians 1:22. Later, Paul will call this the “hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). One day, we’ll be presented holy in glory! Even so, come Lord Jesus!

When Paul uses the “if” clause beginning in Colossians 1:23, it seems like the presentation is dependent on us. “If we don’t continue, then we won’t be presented,” some might say. But Paul states that the believer is already complete in Christ (Col. 2:10). So what must be done?

There are passages like Philippians 1:6 that confirm our completion when we see Jesus. Paul prays that God will sanctify the Thessalonians completely at the coming of Jesus (1 Thes. 5:23-24). Paul says, “He will do it!” In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he prays that God would “fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power” in the believer (2 Thes. 1:11). Paul also writes to the Corinthians, “[Jesus Christ], who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Co 1:8) Peter prays, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1 Pet. 5:10)

So, in Colossians, was Paul making them doubt? No, God sees them as glorified positionally. But, they weren’t perfected yet. They still were exhorted in Colossians 3, because they were failing over and over with many types of sins. The first class condition is a statement of fact, or “if and the following clause is a fact.” There are three other conditional clauses in the Greek that are for another study.

They will be presented holy, and blameless, and above reproach. Since they continue in that mode they will be because they are grounded (perfect passive participle), they will see that transformation in time, but ultimately all believers will be caught up to the perfect standard of righteousness. To what level in time? To the extent they pursue the holiness of God.

Paul did not doubt that they would continue and was positively affirming them (yet also exhorting them in Colossians 3). Paul sees their growth as being fulfilled. They are like a building set on a firm foundation. As the building is on a firm foundation, so they should stand upright to verify the firm foundation on which they stand – live a holy life, because they were bought with a price of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. There was no earthquake (they were in a region of land movements) or storm that could shake them from their foundation on Jesus Christ.

We are not saved by continuing in faith. We continue in faith to demonstrate we are saved. We have assurance of salvation, because we continue to grow rooted in Christ (Col. 2:7). Thus, every Christian should examine himself daily to ensure he is growing as Paul writes, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Cor. 13:5)

So, Paul uses “if” as a First Class Condition clause (ei + indicative of the verb) whereby Paul assumes the Colossians will continue in their faith growth to demonstrate they have salvation.

Armor of God

Posted on June 6, 2012 by shepherdbryan

This is the passage we discussed on Sunday:

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints　

Let me give you a few thoughts on the application of the message. How do you apply the armor of God? It’s great to “know” the armor, but how do you apply it? I barely scratched the surface on what to do. How do you apply the armor of God to marriage? To raising children? To your work environment? To living with neighbors? To being good citizens? Let me just take one area like raising children.

Put on the belt of truth, because you need to know what God says about child rearing. The truth will set you free to raise children to godliness to bless them to the fourth generation. The belt of truth keeps your toga and all other distractions from hindering you from moving in God’s perfect plan. The truth organizes your life so that you can move around the battlefield and ensure your children learn God’s truth and be ready to raise their own children when they launch from home. The belt of truth equips you to deal with the lies, the deceptions, the relativity and compromises of the devil and the world. Only God’s belt of truth equips you to discern righteous thoughts, words and actions. The belt of truth gives you discernment to know when to discipline and how to discipline children. It gives you discernment to know what their real needs and desires are.

Put on the breastplate of righteousness, because it directs your thoughts, words and actions to reflect the holy standards of Jesus Christ. When you put it on, you are affirming that you will run from sin and pursue righteousness, holiness and truth, instead of compromising in the world. The breastplate guards the heart from where all sorts of sinful tendencies arise. The breastplate helps you model holiness for your children and give them something to reflect in their life as they learn about God’s Word.

Put on the sandals of peace, because we need to be ready to share the gospel with children. It’s not the church’s responsibility to evangelize the children, but we will. People who are not ready with the gospel are walking around barefoot on a rocky world. That’s painful. The sandals of peace keep children focused on Kingdom issues rather than pursuing all the worldly desires of life. Sandals of peace keep the family focus on God’s saving grace and reaching neighbors for Christ rather than barring the door from neighbor contact. Children need to see parents and leaders who are going out of their comfort zone with the gospel – sandals of peace.

Put on the shield of faith, because every step is observed by the enemy and he is going to send fiery darts at you to neutralize you in the battle. He doesn’t want you teaching your children truth. He wants you distracted thinking the children will figure it out for themselves. The enemy wants you isolated so you can’t interlock your shield with others in order to work together to raise godly children. Use that shield of faith to ward off every demonic attack to steal the hearts of your children.

Put on the helmet of salvation, because if you aren’t confident of your salvation, you’ll either end up working in human power for salvation or you’ll doubt your salvation and not want to venture out to disciple your children or win them to Christ. The helmet brings your thoughts captive to Christ. The helmet ensures you cast your problems on the Lord. The helmet of salvation gives you confidence as you go into battle each day that you have already gained heaven, so now you can be bold about diligent work being equipped for the kingdom and serving to build the kingdom. You are protected. Do not let your children go unprotected in the world.

Use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, because that is God’s weapon to fight for the sake of your children. Do not let anyone pull your children away from God’s truth. Do not let your children wander off God’s path. You blaze the trail with God’s sword. You ensure the path is clear when you lead your family through the valley of the shadow of death. That sword will protect you and your children need to learn how to use the sword well. They need to learn every book of the Bible, promises to claim when they face trouble and passages of Scripture that will give them comfort and confidence as they launch into life.

Put into effect prayer, because that is your communication to headquarters in heaven. Prayer is your dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is your mark of humility to unleash the ruling power of Christ in your life. Prayer is the dynamic your children need to learn, so they will be effective soldiers for Jesus Christ. Children will learn to pray when parents pray with them.

I’ve only scratched the surface of applying the armor of God to raising children. This is the intention of the Message Based Discussion Questions. We need to discuss how to take the “what” of learning in Scripture and apply it to the “how” and “why” for living. How would you use the armor? How would you use it in marriage? Work? With neighbors?

Shepherding Truth

Renewing Truth, Rightly Divided

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