Who Is Called and What Are They Called To?

I have joined in, many times, is singing Paul Baloche’s new worship song: Same Love. On the surface this seems to be a great song, but I had a nagging thought that something was wrong.  Recently a musician in my church said that we should have sung “Same Love” as a closing song.  I hesitated, again nagged by this discomfort.  It helped to read Baloche’s context for writing the song.  He said in an interview:

“I was born again when I was 18 years old, and the idea of this song is that the same Love that radically changed my life about 25 years ago, still compels me to want to walk in obedience and serve the Lord. I am compelled to pick up my cross daily and follow Jesus. That's what we are called to do.”[1]

Immediately I recognized the integrity and authenticity of the lyrics.  Prior to that I had two main concerns: One, was Baloche assuming the same expression of love to all things and all people by our God; and Two, had Baloche misunderstood the “calling” of God that is deemed general to all people but effectual to the Elect?  (One must not ignore the fact that it is the redeemed that are given the name, “the called”[2].)

When understood correctly, this song is profoundly rich.  God’s saving love, is also His sanctifying love.  The same love that took your burdens at Calvary, has given to us the burden of pursuing holiness.  The same love who accepted us “just as we are” is calling us to be “just as He is”.   Jesus, speaking of Himself as the Good Shepherd says,

“. . . The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:3–4, ESV) [Emphasis Mine]

In salvation Christ calls to the humble, the broken and in grace He sets the captives free. “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (1 Corinthians 1:26, ESV).  Jesus also calls us to follow Him “… and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, ESV).  Why did Baloche give special attention to the faithless, cynic and proud?  In the above-mentioned interview, he said, “But He's really calling us to die to ourselves to find freedom and liberty in Him.” He imagines that some Christians are hurt and stand in contempt of the Church and their lives.  They become distrustful and faithless.  The antidote to both is to deny self and follow Jesus. 

When properly understood in its authorial and Biblical context, a song that was confusing to me has proven to be wonderfully Gospel-centered and sanctifying piece of music.  I might not be alone in this confusion, which might compel worship leaders and musicians to "set the song up" so that people are sure of what they are "addressing one another" about (Ephesians 5:19).

Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)

¹ But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

https://youtu.be/xAK3t6uG58Q

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[1] http://www.newreleasetoday.com/article.php?article_id=909

[2] “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:” (Jude 1, ESV)

Daytime Christians

It would be somewhat of an outrage to see someone wandering around in the daytime, drunk and disorderly.  Although not recommended, to see the same thing at night is not such a surprise.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11, Paul employs this metaphor to the Christian life.  People who are of the "day" should not be seen as sleepy and inebriated. Christians are people of the day. 

To live in the light -- to live in the day, is to suggest alertness -- morally and spiritually.  Such drowsiness is inconsistent with children of the Light.  So again, Paul lays out the indicative:

⁸ But since we belong to the day, 

and then moves into the imperative:

let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Our identity in Christ is children of the day; children of Light.  Our activity in Christ is to be spiritually sober and alert - bearing the graces of Christ.

  

The Hall of Shame

Any casual news observer must agree that the number of stories accusing men of sexual misconduct is far from casual. It is alarming!  Every day there are new men added to this hall of shame.  In no particular order there is Star Trek icon George Takei, accused of sexual assault.  Comedian Louis C.K. has said the sexual misconduct allegations levied against him are true.  Added to the list is Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and even George Bush.  CNN has a more complete list here.

What are Christians to make of all this?  Personally I feel self-righteously pharisee’n.  My initial reaction is that in a world where sex is no less sacred than a game of tennis; in a world where sex is lust without boundaries; in a world where God’s purpose for sex and marriage is not only ignored, but openly mocked; and in a world where people are not much different than your junkyard dog – what’s all the fuss?

My pomposity falls like autumn leaves in the wind when I consider the record of so-called Christians.  The Church has a pretty tainted history in matters of sexual misconduct.  But the fuss in this current exposé appears to have nothing to do with deprave sexual conduct.  The fuss is about consent.  Our society assumes that anything is permissible as long as there is consent.  None of these men would be before the court of popular opinion if their intended targets had concurred with their perversion.

The problem of using the criteria of consent can be summed up this way: Consent may comply with legal requirements and be totally opposed to ethical standards. Consent is the willingness of the parties involved.  To clarify: the standard being upheld in these cases is the human will.  Here is what Christians ought to notice: When you crown the human will, any eventuality is possible. 

The human will is not the boss.  (As long as there is consent)

The human emotion is not the boss.  (If it feels right)

The human heart is not the boss. (As long as they love each other)

The human government is not the boss. (It is legal)

The human court of opinion is not the boss. (Everybody does it)

Christians should not fall prey to the rhetoric in these cases.  God’s standard of conduct trumps consent -- every time.

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4, NIV)

How To Glorify God in the Gospel on November 11th.

Every November 11^th, Canadians stop on Remembrance Day to remember those that died on both sides of the conflict.  Remembrance Day marks the end of World War I in 1918, but traditional all wars both past and current are considered.  The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

I rarely remember a Remembrance Day as a serving officer in the PPCLI that wasn’t bitterly cold.  Yet despite the frigid weather people from all walks of life attend with sobriety the parades, the cenotaph memorials and the services surrounding this Day. 

As a Christian we are clearly called to honor those who have expressed that “greater love”[1].  Dr. John Piper is quoted as saying, “All heroes are shadows of Christ.”  The double sadness that marks most Remembrance Day ceremonies includes not only the sadness that comes from grieving over lost lives, but the sadness that silently pervades such observances: the absence of Christ and the Gospel.

Remembrance Day is to be a re-capitulation of the Gospel.  James was right when he wrote: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1, NIV).   In each of us there is a self-absorbed, selfish nature that the Bible calls sin.  We are born with it.  This nature gives rise to this universal assessment: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23, NIV). 

It is, in this battle that a true Friend enters.  More than give His life for comrades, He is said to have “. . .  demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV).  Indeed “very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die” (Romans 5:7, NIV).

Christ Jesus did not only die for sinners, for those who believe and trust what He did, He makes them His friends – He adopts them into His family. By placing His ownership on you by giving you His Holy Spirit, we can be assured that “. . . the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father”” (Romans 8:15, NIV).

At every Remembrance Day service there is a unanimous call, to “Never again.”   Although sincere, we must admit that it can never be accomplished by human effort.  But through the One who is the Prince of Peace, someday His Eternal Kingdom will reign on earth.  At that time, “he will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” (Micah 4:3, NIV).

This same Jesus promises to “. . . create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17, NIV). 

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[1] “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13, NIV)

Exposition of Titus Lesson 7 Final Remarks

Exposition of Paul’s Letter to

TITUS

LESSON 7: FINAL REMARKS

Review

Paul’s flow of thought to Titus:

  

Text: Titus 3:9-15

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. ¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. ¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Exposition Titus 3:9-15

A.    The Problem Re-Sated

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law.”^[1]  The spiritual leader must shun, avoid – don’t even bother investigating, these fanciful notions that are occupying the conversations of those disturbing the Church.  Why? “They are unprofitable and worthless.”^[2]  As we noted before, the substance of these controversies is unknown except that they must have been fanciful fiction that had been added to the text of Scripture rather than drawn from it.   One might call it “speculation”. 

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes: “These myths seemingly were speculative and fanciful inventions drawn from the OT records such as are found in the apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings of Judaism.”^[3] 

Again, let us emphasize that false teachers always either misuse the Bible (as taking verses out of context) or add to it (some rule or religious duty done for merit) or take away from it (like denying the sufficiency of Christ).  When the meaning of the Bible, exegetically exposed is replaced with some insatiable desire to find a “deeper meaning” you can literally make the Bible say whatever you want. When Titus recognizes this, he is simply not even supposed to engage in these debates.  If the issue is something outside the Bible how can you possibly discuss it?

These divisive, disturbers are to be warned – at least twice, and then disfellowshipped.  Again Paul characterizes the sin of these disturbers: “. . .  knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10–11, ESV). 

B.     Concluding Remarks

Paul concludes with some personal notes:

      1.       To Titus:  He is to meet Paul for the winter in Nicopolis. “Nicopolis was a port city in Epirus, on the west coast of the Greek peninsula and about 200 miles (322 km) northwest of Athens.”^[4]

      2.       To Artemas or Tychicus:  One of these men will take Titus’ place in Crete. We know nothing of Artemus, but Tychicus was often spoken of by Paul is helping him in his endeavors. He “accompanied Paul on his third journey (Acts 20:4). In Eph. 6:21 and Col. 4:7 he is referred to as a “beloved brother and faithful minister” (see also 2 Tim. 4:12.”^[5]

      3.       Zenas and Apollos are likely bringing this letter and Titus is to look after them and equip them for the rest of their journey.  Zenas we have no Biblical record of but Apollos was a Jewish Christian from Alexandria in Egypt (Acts 18:24). We remember that Apollos was well-versed in the Scriptures and an eloquent speaker.

Paul’s final pastoral appeal in this letter is stated this way: “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14, ESV).  Here Paul returns to the theme of the letter, but as he does in so many cases he adds an insight that is important.  The good works of the Gospel are intended to meet necessary uses.

The Greek word ἀναγκαῖος [pronounced an·ang·kah·yos] speaks of things “of necessity, what one cannot do without, indispensable, etc. ^[6]  To engage in acts of goodness when it is not necessary is to waste God’s provision.  Opportunities for doing good lie all around us.  We exercise Biblical wisdom and make our lives fruitful when we discern those that are of necessity. 

To this Paul adds his concluding greeting: “All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.” (Titus 3:15, ESV)

Conclusion

In this letter we learn that:

      a.       Those who entertain speculative notions, not according to the written Word, cannot be pacified and catered to. “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

      b.       Elders are to be examples of the Church.  This means that the character qualifications for biblical eldership actually applies to all Christians. “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:1–3, ESV)

      c.       Holiness is the result of Gospel believing.  We never outgrow the Gospel. The way we are to live is the same as the way we started. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,” (Colossians 2:6, ESV)

Questions

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Tt 3:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Tt 3:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

[3] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Titus/Exposition of Titus/II. Concerning Elders and Errorists in Crete (1:5-16)/B. The Refutation of False Teachers (1:10-16)/2. The response to the situation (1:13b-14), Book Version: 4.0.2

^[4] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2351). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[5] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2351). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[6] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

Powerful Statement on the Relationship Between Salvation and Good Works.

I doubt if I have read a more compelling excerpt on the topic of Christianity and ethical, moral conduct than in this book, entitled "The Colson Way: Loving Your Neighbor and Living with Faith in a Hostile World" [1].   The author, Owen Strachan has written a stimulating biography of Chuck Colson’s joyful and determined life of Christian witness and service.  This excerpt should not be missed:

"Too often, Christians treat the gospel and ethics as if they are separate matters. Some believers like preaching the word of Christ; some like thinking about traditional ethical topics. There doesn’t seem to be much connection between the two. In reality, the gospel creates ethics. When Jesus saves you, you emerge from the experience a new person with a new set of priorities and beliefs. You can no longer treat life lightly (Ps. 139). You are given a great love for the natural family, which owes to God’s intelligent design (Gen. 2:14–25). You seek to advocate for religious freedom because you recognize that without it, people will wither and suffer (Matt. 22:21).

The gospel creates ethics. It brings to life our best instincts. The message of Christ creates in the redeemed a thirst for racial unity (Eph. 2:15). It overcomes tension between the sexes (Gal. 3:27–28). It removes barriers between social classes (Philem. 1:16). It gives us a hunger to work and a zest for creativity (Col. 3:23). It makes us weep for every human person, made in the image of God, who suffers under the curse, and it causes us to want to do good to everyone (Gal. 6:10). It awakens us to the duties of citizenship and the need to pray for political righteousness (Rom. 13; 1 Tim. 2:2). In sum, the gospel causes us to want to be salt and light in a darkened world in every possible way (Matt. 5:13–16)."



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1. Strachan, Owen. The Colson Way: Loving Your Neighbor and Living with Faith in a Hostile World (pp. 72-73). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

The Sayings of the Wise – Part 24

THIRTY SAYINGS OF THE WISE

SAYING NUMBER TWENTY-THREE

Proverbs 24:8–9 (ESV)

⁸ Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. ⁹ The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

The key word in this couplet is the word “schemer” and the conclusion is summed up in the word “abomination”.  This “deviser of evil” plans his evil schemes and is repulsive to mankind everywhere.  “Those who plan to do evil (v. 8) quickly get a reputation for it.”^[1]  “His coldly calculated actions to defraud society shows he is neither intellectually dull nor emotionally impulsive.”^[2]  This activity is called for what it is: sin.

The premeditated engineering of evil, devoid of any moral compass except personal desire is sin.  It is seen for what it is and it is seen by the community at large.  Paul describes those who have turned from God and are therefore given to such wicked minds as: “slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,” (Romans 1:30, ESV).  Note “inventors of evil”.  Where does evil come from?  James 1:14–15 (ESV) defines the process this way:

¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Matthew Henry comments: “We contract guilt, not only by the act of foolishness, but by the thought of it, though it go no further; the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, offensive to God, and must be repented of or we are undone.”^[3]

This person does not repent, but rather is a “mocker”.  They speak boastfully.  They are proud of their sinful scheming.  There is a warning here.  The Scriptures speak of a better way:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1–2, ESV)

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^[1] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1176). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[2] Waltke, B. K. (2005). The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (p. 274). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

^[3] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1009). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Paul Believed That One Could Believe -- In Vain.

IN VAIN.

Greek = εἰκῇ = without success or effort.

      ·         1 Corinthians 15:2 (ESV)  and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

      ·         1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

      ·         2 Corinthians 6:1 (ESV) Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

      ·         Philippians 2:16 (ESV)  holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

      ·         1 Thessalonians 2:1 (ESV) For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

      ·         1 Thessalonians 3:5 (ESV) For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

It is possible that one can labor in the Gospel and that people can believe – IN VAIN; that is "without purpose or success."  If there is no perseverance; if there is no standing in the face of opposition and persecution – one may have believed in vain!