Stay In-Bounds!

2 John 9 (NIV),

⁹ Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

John provides 3 scenarios whereby the local Christian fellowship ought to be concerned.   The first one is found in verses 7-8.  Verse 9 provides another situation that the Church ought to beware of.  I think the first case includes those who have left the Church and are preaching a Gnostic heresy.  The Church is not to capitulate to them, nor silence their true proclamation of the Gospel.  This verse describes another type of person -- a person who goes beyond the limits of the Gospel. 

"Goes on ahead probably refers to “new” teaching that amounted to rejection of the apostolic faith." [1].  This seems to be more a threat in the Church than outside.  We are not to "add to" the message of Christ. The question is, "What message is that?"  "Now the standard by which the false teachers are to be tested is called the “teaching,” which is another technical term to denote the message or preaching of the apostles." [2]  Or as MacArthur states, "A failure to be faithful to the fundamental, sound doctrines of the faith (a proper view of the person and work of Christ, love, obedience) marks a person as having never been born again (1 John 2:23; 3:6–10; 4:20, 21; 5:1–3)." [3] 

The person that adheres to this body of instruction has "both the Father and the Son," ergo, they are true believers. 

When Paul wrote his first letter to Corinth, he suggested a similar issue.  He wrote, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.” (1 Corinthians 4:6, NIV). We are to stay "in-bounds", namely within the prescribed apostolic tradition.  As soon as we add to this by prescription we endanger ourselves and others. Someone who lives outside of the message of Christ is not his.

Father, I sure get the concern of Paul.  I know what it feels like to think that you know more than the New Testament -- to think that I have insight others don't.  What abominable pride.  How weird it is that we struggle to remain in the clear boundaries of Scripture.  There really is a lot that You don't teach us about.  There really is a lot left unsaid.  But Father there is so much within The Teaching of Your Word that is ignored by me.   There is so much I pay little attention to.  Yes, it is sinful, hell-deserving pride that ignores what You do write in order to embrace what You don't address.  Keep me "in bounds" Father.  There is more in the fence than I can handle without moving outside the fence.  For the sake of Christ and the eternal health of Your Church.  Amen.

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1.  Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2441). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2643). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3. The MacArthur Study Bible. 1997 (J. MacArthur, Jr., Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1977). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

Carry The Burden of Others. Carry Your Own

Galatians 6:2–5 (NIV),

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load.

"And to love is not . . . to wish well one to another, but one to bear another’s burdens, that is, to bear those things which be grievous unto thee, and which thou wouldest not willingly bear. Therefore Christians must have strong shoulders and mighty bones, that they may bear flesh, that is, the weakness of their brethren: for Paul saith, that they have burdens and troubles." [1]

"Have the habit of mutual burden-bearing. Lend a helping hand by lifting heavy loads. Burdens (Gr baros) is an overload which we can lighten, a weight too heavy for the individual and capable of being shared with others of the fellowship." [2]  It is this that fulfills the Law of Christ.  "The “law of Christ” in a broad sense means the entire body of ethical teaching that Jesus gave and endorsed (see note on 1 Cor. 9:21), but in a specific sense here it probably refers to the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matt. 22:39; John 13:34), which, if followed fully, will result in obeying the rest of God’s moral law (Rom. 13:8–10)." [3]

"Love therefore is mild, courteous, patient, not in receiving, but in giving; for it is constrained to wink at many things, and to bear them." [1] This is then another aspect of life in the Spirit.  This is walking by the Spirit.  

"To this, the Apostle adds two warnings that will keep us from fulfilling this command.  The first is conceit, that is, thinking himself to be more important than he is . . . "The second error that might keep a believer from bearing the burdens of another Christian is to be always comparing himself and his own work with others. This can be harmful both in a positive sense ("I am doing better than they are"—the very conceit Paul has just warned against) and in a negative sense ("I am unable to do anything; everyone else is much better")." [4]

The antidote to both of these problems is to evaluate your own responsibilities. "Thus it ought not to be, saith he, but let every man be faithful in his office: let him not seek his own glory, nor depend upon the praise and commendation of the people, but let his only care be to do his work truly, that is, let him teach the Gospel purely. And if his work be sincere and sound, let him assure himself that he shall lack no praise 2 either before God or among the godly." [5]

"To use others as a norm is a kind of escape. When a Christian has his eyes on God rather than on other Christians, then in his own eyes he will at best be an unprofitable servant (Luke 17:10) and God himself will receive glory (2Cor 10:12-18)." [4]

“For each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:5, NIV). "And this moreover is to be noted, that we are not here in the matter of justification, where nothing availeth but mere grace and forgiveness of sins, which is received by faith alone, where all our works also, yea even our best works, and such as are done according to God’s calling, have need of forgiveness of sins, because we do them not perfectly. But this is another case. He treateth not here of the remission of sins, but compareth true works and hypocritical works together." [6] "There is no contradiction between verses 2 and 5; different Greek words are translated “burden.” In verse 2 the word is the Greek baros and denotes a heavy, crushing, overtaxing weight; our extra load, which can and must be relieved. Here in verse 5 the word is the Greek phortion and is used to designate a pack carried by a soldier. It is the word used by Christ to describe the burden He lays on His disciples (Mt 11:30), which He says is light." [2]

Father God, the ease which I have to look at others and compare -- judge, is astounding.  Oh that when it came to the evaluation of others I would be found with serious eye defects.  At the same time I ask for the ability to see and discern those who are truly in need and are inwardly crying for a brother to come alongside and help them life their heavy load.  Block the sinful, prideful, vision of judgment and condemnation.  Grant clearer vision to those who are in need.  This too is a true characteristic of Spirit-filled living.  My flesh longs to compare and feel sorry for itself.  The Spirit pushes me to personal responsibility and to live out the law of Christ.  May it be so today, Lord Jesus.  Work in me this proper evaluation that brings glory to You and relief to my brothers and sisters.  For Christ's sake.  Amen.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2400). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

4. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/D. Two Practical Exhortations (6:1-10)/1. Bearing one another's burdens (6:1-5), Book Version: 4.0.2

5. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:4). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

6. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:5). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. 

Applause That Leads To Agitation

Galatians 5:26 (NIV)

²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

"It is hard to tell whether this verse belongs with the preceding section or with what follows. Certainly, it is the first of a number of specific actions that should characterize those who are being led by the Spirit. But, on the other hand, it is also a return to the theme of v. 15 and, therefore, a summation." [1]

Whatever the case, Paul now starts to elaborate on what it means to be walking by the Spirit.  Paul warns about the sin of conceit -- bringing glory to oneself.  Luther writes, "As touching our person, this is our glory, that all men have sinned and are guilty of everlasting death before God." [2]  So true! The only glory we truly have is our sin.  What can man take glory in? "Here he describeth the effect and fruit of vainglory." [2] ". . . provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26, NIV).

"Such actions toward one another are not consistent with a life of faith, lived by one who has been crucified with Christ and who is keeping step with the Holy Spirit." [3] "Paul is probably referring specifically to attitudes that seem to have become a problem in the Galatian churches (see v. 15)." [4] The bottom-line is that where there is provocation and envying there is very likely someone trying to get all the glory.  The Holy Spirit produces humility.  

Matthew Henry correctly observes: "Note, (1.) The glory which comes from men is vain-glory, which, instead of being desirous of, we should be dead to. (2.) An undue regard to the approbation and applause of men is one great ground of the unhappy strifes and contentions that exist among Christians." [5]

Father what a deadly, defeating defect that pride is.  Why do I long for that pat on the back?  Why do I want the credit?  Why am I so up on me and down on others?  Why?  Oh how the flesh loves to be recognized.  Humility, quietness, remaining unseen is far from the old man in me.  Today, I pray that the Holy Spirit would burst forth from my being and bring so much glory to Jesus that I become pale and insignificant.  Forgive me for the many times that my self-glory has caused strife between my wife, my children, my family and my Church.  Kill that wretched ego-maniac in me, Lord Jesus. Bring the humble life of Christ into focus, I pray.   For the sake of Christ and His glory.  Amen!

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1.  Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/C. Life in the Spirit (5:13-26)/3. The fruit of the Spirit (5:22-26), Book Version: 4.0.2 

2. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:26). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2399). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

5. Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and unabridged in one volume (2304). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Tongue Twister Extraordinaire - Part 2

1Corinthians 8:1-3 is a real tongue twister.  Yet when it becomes deciphered, it becomes stunning. 

"Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." (1 Corinthians 8:1, NASB95) . The ESV puts quotation marks around the phrase "all of us possess this knowledge."  What the Corinthians "know" is recorded in verse 4.  "To paraphrase this: 'We both know that you consider yourself to be thoroughly informed about this matter.'” (KJV Bible Commentary, electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1994). 2302.)  Paul is employing a bit of sarcasm here.    The correction that Paul is making is that behind their knowledge was an unloving attitude.

Their knowledge is true.  There is nothing to an idol. Christians know that.  There is only one God.  But this knowledge had caused them to act in a very unloving way.  They were flaunting their freedom to eat food offered to idols and in doing so they were bringing harm to others (see verse 7f).

So Paul then goes on to say, "If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;" (1 Corinthians 8:2, NASB95).  Paul makes this amazing statement.  He says that knowledge isn't just a cognitive process. You can know and not know at the same time.  You can know something rightly.  You can know something with doctrinal precision.  But if your knowledge is not expressed lovingly, you do not know anything. This is an amazing truth that Paul is expounding.  He is virtually saying that knowledge that does not go further than itself by seeking the well-being, the good, the benefit of others is not knowledge.  "With the essential ingredient of love, knowledge is tempered and made the right kind of discerning and compassionate knowledge . . .." (Expositor's Bible Commentary)

In the next post we will wrap this up by asking, "What will turn presumed knowledge into precise knowledge?"