Once and For All.

Jude, the half brother of Jesus wrote in his epistle, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3, ESV).
 
That phrase, "once for all delivered to the saints" speaks of a "faith" -- a body of known and definable doctrine. "The faith is shown to be synonymous with the apostolic preaching by the use of delivered (Gr paradidō) which is a technical term for the preaching or handing down of the gospel message by the apostles (the word is used twice in I Corinthians 15:3 for the message which Paul "delivered" after having "received" it himself)" [KJV Bible Commentary].
 
By the time Jude wrote this letter, there was a clear, authoritative body of teaching on the Christian faith that was discernible, definable, defendable and unalterable. "A further implication of this verse is that, after the writings authorized by the apostles were included in the NT canon, nothing more could ever be added to Scripture, since the content of the faith had been delivered 'once for all'" [ESV Study Bible].
 
This makes it very clear that any person or institution that seeks to add doctrine to this completed body of teaching that we call the Apostolic faith or the New Testament, is clearly false.  "Together with the Old Testament (Eph. 2:20), this apostolic witness, as found in the New Testament, is the standard for the church (2 John 9, 10)" [Reformation Study Bible]. More specifically the addition to inspired truth by any means suggesting that this addition is inspired and authoritative is false.  This discounts such claims from Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Roman Catholics and Charismatics who believe their insights are on a par with Scripture.



 
 










 

Do Old Testament promises to Israel apply to the Church?

How to read the promises of God to Israel in the Old Testament

1. The promises are literally true for the nation of ethnic Israel.

2. God has a glorious future for literal ethnic Israel when they repent and believe in Jesus.

3. All people of all nations who have faith in Jesus receive by grace the promises to Israel.

4. Therefore these promises are not simply literal but are glorious for they embrace all who believe regardless of race.

5. The promises of God are incremental culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ Lord.

Enjoying the World without being Worldly - Final

The final question to ask when making decisions that appear to be morally neutral is Does It Glorify God?  Our Christian liberty comes to an end if we engage in something where we fail to glorify God.  Now this sounds like a great Christian concept.  Often we pray that God would be glorified in our lives and our activities.  But what does that mean?  What does it mean in practical terms?  Clearly the Bible teaches that in everything we do we have the potential to glorify God or not. 

“Glory” in the Old Testament is associated with value, riches, splendor, and dignity. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God revealed to Moses something of His nature, character, and power.   “Hallowed be Your name” in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9) expresses the desire that God will be revered and praised in a way that honors and reveals His glory. 

Paul helps us in Philippians 1:20 (ESV) when he writes, “²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”   That word “honored” is the Greek word μεγαλύνω [pronounced meg·al·oo·no/].   It’s a word that can mean:  make conspicuous; to magnify; or to celebrate and praise. ^[1]

When we live in such a way that our love and trust in God is obvious, noticeable, we glorify Him.  When we live in dependence on Him, we glorify Him.  When we constantly draw from His vast resources of grace, we glorify Him.  We glorify Him in the large life-and-death issues and we can glorify Him in the mundane.  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

How do we glorify God in our eating?  When we see our “daily bread” as a gracious provision from His hand and we are content, we glorify Him.  How do we glorify God at our job?  When we see again His provision of work and His promise to sustain us in our labor; and when we live in faith on His power, we glorify Him. 

In Summary:

How do we enjoy all the great blessings that God has given us?  How do we live in this world – especially this prosperous and wealthy western world, enjoy it without guilt and yet use it in a way that pleases God?   Paul gives us 6 questions to consider:

1. How does this decision affect your relationship with Christ?
2. Will this decision lead you into bondage?
3. How will this decision impact other Christians?
4. Will others be spiritual impaired by this decision?
5. Will my choice make it easier or harder to win the unsaved to saving knowledge of Christ?
6. Will this choice make God look really good in all His glory?

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^[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Enjoying the World without being Worldly - Part 5

You are free, right?   I hope you say yes.  I hope you are a Christian given great liberty in Christ.  All foods are good, now.  Every day is a holy day under the New Covenant.  All life is sacred and beautiful.  So does this mean we get to do what we want?  No!   Before we choose, according to Paul's letter to Corinth, we better make some further considerations.  If you are reading this blog for the first time you can catch up by going to the beginning by clicking HERE.

Paul has taught us to ask 4 questions so far:

1. How does this decision affect your relationship with Christ?
2. Will this decision lead you into bondage?
3. How will this decision impact other Christians?
4. Will others be spiritual impaired by this decision?

Now we ask the fifth question ....

Can This Decision Become an Evangelistic Opportunity?   Paul writes, " I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved."  Should we be doing this, that or the other thing in a way where people dishonor the Gospel?

Now we know that the Gospel is an offense to some.  The simple idea that there is one way to the Father; that we are sinners and unable to help ourselves; that we are saved by mercy, nothing good in ourselves – is offensive to many people.  But Christians can also do things that bring a bad repute on the Gospel, that is not part of the Gospel message.  Paul alludes to this in Colossians 4:5–6 (ESV),

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

There is a lifestyle that proves to be wise in relation to unbelievers.   Peter taught that for people married.  There is a certain demeanor and approach to life that “. . . they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,” (1 Peter 3:1, ESV).  Now when our conduct is such that it detracts from the Gospel and fails to be winsome to the unsaved, we need to consider changes.

I think you'd be surprised by some of the responses by some people.  Many years ago I went into a senior's facility and they were playing a game that involved a small amount of betting.  Right away someone (a person I did not know to be a Christian) said, "Oh here's the pastor and we are gambling."  There is an expectation among non-Christians that we might overlook.  Just recently I was playing cribbage with a man in my church.  A couple came in the home who are not believers and said, "Hope you're not gambling!"  

Now these illustrations relate to cards and gambling.  I don't want to make that the issue.  The question we need to wrestle with is this:  Will my choice make it easier or harder to win the unsaved to saving knowledge of Christ?

There is one final question to deal with. 

Enjoying the World without being Worldly - Part 4

What a world God has given us to enjoy!   We can live here in thankfulness and gratitude for marvelous pleasures.   We can also use God's provisions in was that are sinful and idolatrous.  I have taken us to 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Corinthians 10 for some help that the Apostle gives to enable us to use our liberty wisely.  So far we are called to ask 3 questions before we decide.  Here is the 4th.  For a review of the other 3 you can go to this link:  Click HERE.

Next question ......

#4. How Will This Impact Others?   “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,” (1 Corinthians 10:32, ESV).  The Greek text here says that we should become ἀπρόσκοπος [ap·ros·kop·os/] literally “not-before-view-ers” The word picture is of a non-Christian Jew or Greek or even a Christian brother or sister trying to look at God, but they can’t see God because you keep stepping in front of their line of sight so that it is blocked by your presence.

Notice other passages of a similar vein:

& 1 Corinthians 8:13 (ESV) ¹³ Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

& Romans 14:13 (ESV) ¹³ Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

& 2 Corinthians 6:3 (ESV) ³ We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,

In context, Jews should have been offended with idols.  For a Christian to eat food offered to an idol would give them a wrong impression.  For the Gentile, idols were part of life.  For either Jew or Greek to come to Christ and witness a Christian in this context eating food that has been known to be part of idol worship would be a great offense to them.  Now Paul would call these new Christians: a weaker brother (see Romans 14:2).  In Romans 14 the weak had a very sensitive conscious regarding such things as how the meat was used; certain days being holier than other; and the consummation of alcohol.  The assumption is that as they matured in the faith that they would have a better grasp on some of these issues.  But for now the mature Christian needs to treat them with care so that they do not stumble in the walk with the Lord.  As Matthew Henry comments: "Note: A Christian should be a man devoted to God, and of a public spirit."^[1]

All of us encounter this.   I recall a couple that had lived their non-Christian lives in bars and nightclubs.  They were shocked that the church they entered had drums, lights, full bands etc.; and that the music was of a similar genre.   Others we encounter have an acute sensitivity to the playing of cards, attending theatres, certain activities on Sundays, and so on.   The list is almost endless.

The point is that in our freedom and enjoyment of God's provisions to us, we must be careful as to not allow "these things" to block another's view of who God really is and what the Gospel really is.

The bottom line, we got to respect where other people are coming from.  A bit of meat, a movie, a card game is not important enough to cause them to stumble. 

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^[1] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and unabridged in one volume (1 Co 10:23–33). Peabody: Hendrickson.

When Human Reasoning is Actually Biblical.

In an article from 9Marks, in the July/August 2013, Journal, Jamie Dunlop entitles his work: When is Pragmatism Prudent.  My title to this post is really my attempt to say the same thing in a different way.  Jamie Dunlop writes:

"As Bible-believing Christians, we insist that everything we do be based on the Bible. And yet I’ll bet that of the decisions you made today, 99 percent of them were not direct applications of Scripture, but were pragmatic in nature. What color should you paint the church? Should you have lunch with Joe or with Tim? What words will best serve your wife when you walk through the door?"

This is a great article to read and think through.  To read more click HERE.

Enjoying the World without being Worldly - Part 3

Again let me remind you that if God has given us all things to enjoy, then how can we use them in a way that is not idolatrous?  In the previous BLOG on this subject Paul, through 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 gives us some questions to consider in making these important decisions.  The third question is:

#3.  Does it build?    Why is Paul posing this issue.  In chapter 8 and in the first part of chapter 10, Paul is responding to questions about eating meals in pagan celebrations.  The situation here is similar but different.  Now we've been invited to a home where our hosts, who aren't Christians serve us a plate of food.  That food could have been used previously in pagan worship, or it may not have been.  Paul is affirming that the believer is free and is not under some moral demand here.  He is saying that we have lots of options.  But he is also saying there is an option that surfaces as the best one.  How do we decide?   One of the questions we must ask is, "Does it build up?"

The Greek word is οἰκοδομέω [prounounced, oy·kod·om·eh·o]  which is a common word used to build a house.  The previous question that Paul raises is does participation in this impair or strengthen your relationship with Christ?   This question has to do with progress.  My opinion is that verse 24 explains what Paul has in mind: “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:24, ESV).   Whereas the first issue has to do with your relationship with Jesus, the second issue has to do with the other person(s).  The NIV uses the term in the clause: "but not everything is constructive." 

Now this does not easily solve the problem, but it does give us a framework to make decisions.  What is the good for the neighbor?  A Christian may be able to eat the meat – it's just meat, but how will that affect others?  Calvin[1] is insightful on this when he comments:

"He handles the same subject in the 14th Chapter of the Romans. Let no one please himself, but endeavor to please his brethren for their edification This is a precept that is very necessary, for we are so corrupted by nature, that every one consults his own interests, regardless of those of his brethren. Now, as the law of love calls upon us to love our neighbors as ourselves, (Matthew 22:39,) so it requires us to consult their welfare. The Apostle, however, does not expressly forbid individuals to consult their own advantage, but he requires that they should not be so devoted to their own interests, as not to be prepared to forego part of their right, as often as the welfare of their brethren requires this."

So the question that I'm wrestling with is, "How do I enjoy God's world without being worldly?"   So far I need to ask 3 questions about my options:

1. How will this decision affect my relationship with Christ?

2. How will this decision affect my freedom to love and serve Christ?

3. How will this decision affect others, particularly other Christians?

There are two more critical questions to consider ....

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[1] http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom39.xvii.iv.html

Enjoying the World without being Worldly - Part 2

If God has given us all things to enjoy, then how can we use them in a way that is not idolatrous?  In the previous BLOG on this subject Paul, through 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 gives us some questions to consider in making these important decisions.  Question 2 that we should think about is:

#2.    Does it dominate?   The Greek word is ἐξουσιάζω [ex·oo·see·ad·zo] literally to mean: “brought under its power – to have power over one’s body.^[1] What we are talking about is the world of addictions.  “This is the principle of control. Certain forms of indulgence become wrong when they bring the person into bondage. One of the character qualities of the believer is self-control (cf. Gal 5:22–23). ^[2]

Of course there are hundreds and thousands of things we can become addicted to.  We think of drugs and alcohol, smoking and gambling.  There are multitudes more from television to video games; to reading and working; to eating; to sports. I have no way of supporting this proposition, but I think every human being on this earth has a propensity to addiction.  I also believe that the only way to overcome and have victory over an unwanted addiction it to replace it with a God-glorifying, Christ-exalting addiction.

Christians need to move past the sickness/disease motif of addiction and call it what the Bible calls it: “Sin.”   All sin promises some sort of pleasure, albeit temporary.  When my pleasure and delight in Christ supersedes my delight for food, sports, etc. the lessor delights will subside.   The Puritan, John Flavel writes:

But why should the pretended pleasure of sin allure you, when you know that unspeakably more real pleasure will arise from the mortification than can arise from the commission of sin? Will you prefer the gratification of some unhallowed passion, with the deadly poison which it will leave behind, to that sacred pleasure which arises from fearing and obeying God, complying with the dictates of conscience, and maintaining inward peace?

So how do I use the world in a way that it not worldly?   First question: How will this affect my relationship with Christ; and Secondly, Will it control me, or will I be controlled by God’s Spirit?

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^[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

^[2] KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2295). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Enjoying the World without being Worldly – Part 1

I wrote a series of blogposts on What In the World is the "World"and someone might ask, "How then can I enjoy all that God has given me (who richly provides us with everything to enjoy¹) without letting it become wrong?"    Paul addressed that in 1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV),

"¹² “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything";

and in 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 (ESV),

²³ “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

From these two passages there emerges a number questions that we ought to consider when we wish use the world God gave us in a way that glorifies Him.  Here is the first one:

#1.   Is this helpful?  The KJV uses the English word "profitable".   It's from the Greek verb, συμφέρω [soom·fer·o].^[1]  Another word might be "advantageous."   Kittel[2] notes that the word literally means "to gather" or "to bring together."  Contextually Kittel notes that "Since the Christian's body belongs to the Lord [“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!” (1 Corinthians 6:15, ESV)]  . . . the profit at issue here is individual spiritual existence, the union of each Christian with the Lord and of the Lord with him."   In 1 Corinthians 10 the context also includes one's relationship with the Lord.  1 Corinthians 10:21–22 (ESV)

²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. ²² Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

An idol is nothing.  It is simply wood or metal.   What concerns Paul is what is behind the idol. Paul is saying that a Christian might think because a certain thing is just wood or metal he or she can have a relationship with it.  But no!  His point is that you cannot simultaneously have a relationship with a spirit of evil and the Spirit of Christ.  

OK, so what does all this mean?  The question, "Is it helpful" could be asked this way: Does this thing aid my relationship with Christ or does it hinder/detract?

This question becomes acutely personal.   It could be that one event or thing contributes to your relationship with Jesus and yet to another person doing the same thing, the same activity finds that it harms (or impairs) their relationship with Christ.  Whatever the answer, we have to ask the question: What will this do to my relationship with Jesus?



#2.   Next, Does it dominate?   Next blog.

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^[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

[2] Kittel, Gerhard, Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1974, Volume IX, Pages 69-78.

Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 4

So it appears that this created world, when introduced to sinful men and women gives birth to cravings and passions that are ungodly.   Christ in His love has saved us from the "world" of ungodly passions and desires.  Some day in His mercy we will be delivered from this world and delivered into a new world. The New Testament clearly calls us not to entertain these passions that we've been saved from.  These desires are essentially godless and self-serving.  So using the example of food, for instance, you can respond to food in a godly manner or a ungodly manner.  When the love of food is greater than our love for the Lord, there's a problem

On the subject of food, apparently some people were forbidding others to eat certain food; not for health reasons but for spiritual reasons.  Paul opposes the “. . . abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:2–3, ESV).  So I can eat food and conform to a worldly ideal.  Or I can eat food with thankfulness.  It’s all about how I do it.  So Paul amplifies this: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4–5, ESV). 

So how does this work?   Should you desire a healthy body?  Of course!  But maybe not!  If your desire for health does not include a purpose that is for the sake and the glory of God, it is worldly.   To desire an education apart for the sake and the glory of God is worldly.  The Psalmist puts it in the right way:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25–26, ESV)

That phrase “besides you” reminds me of the First Commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3, AV).  John Piper, in his unique manner says it this way: “. . . If you love God with all your heart, then every room you enter will be a temple of love to God, all your work will be a sacrifice of love to God, every meal will be a banquet of love with God, and every song will be an overture of love to God.”  To love, to crave, to have an intimate friendship with the things of this world is essentially idolatry.

Since the Fall of mankind, Satan has incited human beings to misuse what God has created by using things for their own selfish pleasure and not in the manner that pleases God. Christians have been rescued from that perception therefore it is inconsistent with our new life to love those former passions, befriend them or be conformed to them. 

Christians remain in the world, but their attitude to the things of the world is diametrically opposed to those who are yet unsaved.  The amazing grace of God enables a Christian to glorify God in even the most mundane of worldly activities (“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV).  Even the use and treatment of the body can be done in a Christ-magnifying way (“for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20, ESV).  Finally, all things that God provides for us in this world can be used in an other-worldly way (Confirm: 1 Timothy 4:2-5).

Uses of this Doctrine

1.       We must be warned of a type of neo-gnosticism[1] that views the things of this world as inherently evil.  Are there some immoral, evil elements in this world?  Yes.  Pornography, adultery, pedophilia, etc. are evil, but they are perversions of what is good.

2.       The sin of all humanity is to take what God has created for our good and make it our god. “When a good thing becomes a god-thing, it becomes a bad thing.” (Mark Driscoll).

3.       For Christians, to be in the world and not of the world is to exist (temporarily) as a transient in this domain, but to live life in accordance with our heavenly citizenship.

Summary

How we respond to the things of the world defines worldliness.   This diagram is an attempt to describe that:

Previous Blogs on this Subject:
Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 1
Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 2
Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 3

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[1] Gnosticism was an ancient heresy that believed among many things that the created world was evil.  For example they could not accept God in Christ, in human form, for anything earthy was evil.  For more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism.

Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 3

The Bible uses the word "world" in a number of ways but there is a "world" that we are not to love, not to be conformed to; and we are not to embrace its philosophies.  This world is basically unseen.  It's made up of ideas and it is primarily spiritual.

Let me make a statement at this point:  The love and craving for money is an attitude that is intrinsic to the evil world system.  When money is used in accordance with God’s will and purposes there is no impropriety.   The unsaved world has a propensity to love money.  That predisposition is part of being in the domain of Satan.   Titus 2:11–12 (ESV), is helpful in that we read: “¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” This evil kingdom expresses values that Christians are to renounce.   John himself gives us specific examples:  “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16, ESV). 

Notice again John’s words recorded in 1 John 2:17 (ESV) , “¹⁷ And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”   The “desires” of the world is that aspect of worldliness that we are saved from and must not love or be-friend.  Peter affirms this when he writes, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:14–16, ESV).   What is evil about the world is primarily the desires and passions that accompany it.  Perhaps Dr. John MacArthur is helpful when he writes: “The goal of the world is self-glory, self-fulfillment, self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, and every other form of self-serving, all of which amounts to hostility toward God."

Does this mean that enjoying things of this life are wrong?  Look at the clue Paul gives us in 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV), ¹⁷ As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”   God gives us everything to enjoy, but some people become arrogant with them and set their hopes on them.  The assumption is that one could enjoy the things God provides us and not do it in an evil way.  I think that St. Augustine captured the heart of the issue in a prayer to God when he said, "He loves thee too little who loves anything together with thee which he loves not for thy sake."

Here’s another clue from Paul.  Apparently some people were forbidding others to eat certain food; not for health reasons but for spiritual reasons.  Paul opposes the “. . . abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:2–3, ESV).  So I can eat food and conform to a worldly ideal.  Or I can eat food with thankfulness.  It’s all about how I do it.  So Paul amplifies this: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4–5, ESV). 

So how does this work, practically?   We'll try to apply that in the next installment.



Previous Blogs on this Subject:

Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 1
Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 2


  

Christ Will Not Disappoint

1 Peter 2:7 (ESV), "7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

What honor do Christians have in believing?  The Greek text reads: ὑμῖν οὖν ἡ τιμὴ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν (to you therefore the honor (Gr: τιμή [tee·may]) who believe.   The KJV translates the phrase "he is precious" to those that believe.  This is a poor translation of the phrase.  Verse 6 is the parallel thought.  “For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”” (1 Peter 2:6, ESV).  The believer will never be put to shame, but on the contrary will experience honor. 

Here the idea "not be put to shame" from the Greek: μὴ καταισχυνθῇ is the word καταισχύνω {kat·ahee·skhoo·no].  "The word confounded [KJV] (Gr καταισχύνω) comes from a textual variation in the Septuagint translation of Isaiah 28:16 which is quoted by the New Testament writers. Paul, in Romans 9:33 and 10:11, seems to define quite well the meaning of being confounded, or being 'put to shame'; it means to 'fail to be saved'.” [1]

Christ is indeed precious and Peter's point is that one aspect to that is that Christ will never fall short of the expectations He has set for those who believe.  To trust Him is to be certain of one's salvation.

 

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1.  KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2606). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 2

In summary the word "world" is used in a variety of ways in the Bible. But there is a use of the word that exhorts Christians not to be part of.

So what does it mean then to “be in the world but not be part of the the world”? 

Let me use an illustration that I think we will all get.   Most Christians would know this verse:  “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10, ESV).  Most Christians know how this verse is misused.  We note that the verse does not say that money is the root of all evil.  Christians have money and are in fact encouraged to use it wisely.  We are instructed not to “love” money.  To love money and to crave it, is according to Paul the root of all evil and in fact cause people to depart from the faith.

This evil world entity is also referred to by Paul as this present evil age (i.e., “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” (Galatians 1:4, ESV)).  We note that Christians have been rescued from it.  This is a spiritual system that is ruled by Satan.  (Confirm: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” (Colossians 1:13, ESV). Here in Colossians Paul calls it a domain or a kingdom.  Christians are taken from and delivered from a spiritual kingdom or “world”.   It is that “that evil organized system under the rule of the devil which opposes God and His will.”^[1] It is a sphere where God and godliness are not welcome.

Primarily the “world” that Christians are saved from is a spiritual sphere.   The warnings to believers are:

a.       “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, ESV)

b.      “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15, ESV)

c.       “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

d.      “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

The next blog will continue the study and particularly examine these issues of friendship, love, conformity and the philosophy of the world.


Previous Blogs on this Subject:

Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 1

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^[1] Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Jas 4:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.