Category: Discipleship Foundations

Healing Part 2 – New Testament Confirmation

 

The New Testament confirms the truth that Jesus provided physical healing for us through his suffering and death, as is clearly revealed in Isaiah 53.

The New Testament explains the Old Testament in light of who Jesus is and what he accomplished.

Jesus spent considerable time explaining to his disciples how he fulfilled Old Covenant scriptures.

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27 (NLT)

Jesus is the focus of the entire Bible. If we fail to see him in the Old Covenant, we will miss its meaning and purpose completely. To miss Jesus is to miss life itself.

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NKJV)

It is clear that Matthew understood the implications of Isaiah 53 regarding physical healing.

He clearly stated that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53:4 when he healed people.

Now when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying down, sick with a fever. 15  He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve them. 16  When it was evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to him. He drove out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. 17  In this way what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled: “He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.” Matthew 8:14-17 (NET1)

It is always instructive to see how the Bible interprets itself, as it does here.

Matthew leaves absolutely no room to doubt that Isaiah 53 addresses physical healing, no matter how later translators may skew the meaning because of their biases.

Let’s return to the New English translation to see how it honestly renders the passage from Isaiah.

But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. 5  He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NET1)

Their notes reveal the following insight into their struggle to properly translate this passage.

17 sn Continuing to utilize the imagery of physical illness, the group acknowledges that the servant's willingness to carry their illnesses (v. 4) resulted in their being healed. Healing is a metaphor for forgiveness here.

Even these honest translators feel compelled to weaken the power of physical healing contained in these verses, but Matthew rescues us from this error. These verses cover all forms of healing, to be sure, including forgiveness, but we cannot afford to pretend it does not cover the physical aspect.

Peter also cites Isaiah 53 in his first letter.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NET1)

Those who do not agree that physical healing is for today argue that Peter is here referencing a healing of the soul from the effects of sin and not physical healing.

Healing certainly applies to psychological and spiritual wounds, but it is not limited to them.

God did many signs and wonders through Peter, including remarkable healings. I am sure he understood that this power derived from what Christ suffered during his passion and death, just as did Matthew. They were students of the same teacher and were filled with the same Holy Spirit. God used them both to pen portions of our New Testament.

The Book of Acts reveals what the apostles believed through what they did. Actions speak louder than words. They believed that physical healing is available in Christ. So should we.

In conclusion, we owe a debt of gratitude to Matthew for clearing up this controversy of whether or not Isaiah 53 provides us with a doctrinal foundation for physical healing. Once we know where we stand, it should increase our faith that God still heals today.

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Healing Part 1 – The Inescapable Logic of Isaiah 53

What does the Bible have to say about physical healing? Jesus healed many during his earthly ministry; as did the first apostles. I have personally witnessed people receive healing from God through prayer, including myself. I know evangelists who preach the gospel to huge crowds in other countries where the Holy Spirit often heals and sets people free as a testimony to the truth of their message. Why is it that some churches teach that physical healing is available in Christ; while others insist that, since the completion of the New Testament scriptures, the gifts of the Spirit, including healing, are no longer active? Is God still healing people today, or has he backed off from the way he began the church age? In this series I will examine whether or not Jesus purchased healing for his people through his death and resurrection, whether healing is for today, why we don’t  see more current examples of this gift in operation, and the difference between true faith and what I call “magical thinking”.

Sadly, we Christians sometimes dilute the Word of God to match our own experience or presuppositions. We like to make excuses.

This is called eisegesis, the process whereby we read into the Bible what we want it to say instead of pulling out its true meaning (exegesis) and conforming our thinking to that. God’s Word should set our standard for thinking, behavior, and experience, not the other way around. It may be very difficult for us to admit that we are not experiencing all that God has provided to his people, because we are afraid to think about what that says about us. It is also easy to fall prey to the influence of worldly thinking and dead church tradition.

In the short run, it may seem easier to deny that healing is for today than to struggle with why we are not experiencing it. But in the long run, we want to know what the Bible really teaches and ask the Lord to make that our experience.

Four Important Hebrew Words

Isaiah 53 is the foundation for our understanding of physical healing.

Let us begin by looking at two verses from that chapter. But first, let’s be honest in admitting we all bring to the Bible a few or maybe a lot of preconceptions and biases. This is also true for those who translate the scriptures from the original languages. Those translators who do not believe that physical healing is for today will likely reflect that belief in the words they choose to convey the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words. Regrettably, that has been especially true of this chapter in which some key words usually are not translated according to their most natural meaning. Below I quote from the New English Translation because it is very literal and seems to have less translators’ bias than some other versions. I put the Hebrew words inside parentheses.

But he lifted (nasa) up our illnesses (choli), he carried (sabal) our pain (makob); even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. 5  He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NET1)

For us to properly understand how Jesus provided healing for us through what he suffered, we need to pay close attention to the above four highlighted Hebrew words.

  • nasa – This verb means to bear or carry.
  • sabal – This verb means to carry a heavy load.
  • choli – This noun fundamentally means sickness.
  • makob – This noun translates best as pain.

Isaiah 53:4 says that he (Jesus) lifted up or bore (nasa) our sicknesses or illnesses (choli). The same verse also says that Jesus carried (sabal) our pain (makob). The NET translates this in a most natural manner. In other words, it says it as the Hebrew says it. (You may wish to read other translations to see how they use the same words.)

Next, let’s look at how these same two Hebrew verbs are used with reference to sin. The core of the gospel hinges upon Jesus’ being a sin offering as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), which completely satisfied the wrath of God and provided forgiveness and reconciliation to those who trust in him. If he did not carry our sin on the cross, we are still lost and under God’s judgment. Isaiah 53:11-12 makes it clear that he did.

Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried (sabal) their sins. 12  So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up (nasa) the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels. Isaiah 53:11-12 (NET1)

Here we see above that the Hebrew verbs sabal and nasa, which are used to describe what Jesus did with our pains and sicknesses, are also used to show us what he did with our sins.

The logic is inescapable. If we are forgiven by his carrying our sins; then, we are healed by his carrying our sicknesses and pains.

If he did not carry our sicknesses and pains, he did not carry our sins. All Bible believing Christians unequivocally adhere to the latter; therefore, all should also believe in the former, whether or not we have personally experienced physical healing.

To prove that this is proper interpretation of the Hebrew, the Holy Spirit provided us with a confirmation in the gospel of Matthew.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. 17  This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” Matthew 8:16-17 (NLT)

The reason many find it easier to believe in forgiveness than in physical healing is because forgiveness is for us a largely subjective experience, the reality of which will be confirmed experientially when we each stand before God in judgment. At that point, we will know beyond a shadow of a doubt whether or not the gospel is true and we were completely forgiven for our sins by what Christ did for us. Healing, on the other hand, requires us to experience it in the present, which tests our faith immediately, instead of putting it off until the indefinite future. We should not back away from the trial of faith that physical healing presents. Both forgiveness and healing are part of the atonement. Both are real. Both can be our experience.

In fact, healing confirms the truth of forgiveness, according to Jesus.

Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 6  So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 7  And the man jumped up and went home! 8  Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority. Matthew 9:5-8 (NLT)

Isn’t it time for us to abandon our unbelief and embrace the truth of physical healing through the atonement? Isn’t it time for our experience to rise to the level of biblical truth instead of lowering the bar to match our experience? Yes, it is.

Click here to see all the articles in this series on healing.

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Chapter 89: Overview of the Church

Jesus established his church before he ascended to heaven. The Greek word translated church is ekklesia. Literally it means “called out ones.” In ancient Greece, ekklesias were political gatherings at which decisions were made and laws passed. The Romans later used the word to describe gatherings of citizens called together by political leaders called consuls.

The New Testament used the word ekklesia to describe gatherings of believers.

The word was never used for buildings until around 200 AD. The Jewish word that had an equivalence would have been synagogue.

There are local and universal aspects to the church.

When we are born again, we become part of the universal church. We are seated with Christ in heaven and included in the vast army of believers, both past and present.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB95)

No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.  Hebrews 12:22–24 (NLT)

On earth, Paul taught that the church is the “body of Christ.”

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower every believer individually and the church corporately. Jesus’ resurrected body is now seated in heaven on God’s throne. The church gives our Lord a body through which to operate on the earth in the physical realm, just as Jesus did during his public ministry.

Paul wrote about believers “clothing” themselves with Christ.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  Galatians 3:27 (NASB95)

When we do this, the Holy Spirit can operate through us without hindrance. Properly fitting clothes allow freedom of movement.

There are three Old Covenant examples of the Spirit of God clothing himself with individuals. Each of them was highly significant. In each case, I think it is reasonable to assume that the Spirit fully expressed himself through that person.

The Spirit clothed himself with Gideon, which enabled him to lead his small army to victory over seemingly insurmountable odds.

Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him.  Judges 6:34 (NLT)

He also “clothed himself” with Amasai, a leader who defected to David during Saul’s reign. The Spirit of God enabled him to prophesy over David.

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he said, “We are yours, David! We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you.” So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops.  1 Chronicles 12:18 (NLT)

Lastly, he clothed himself with Zechariah the prophet making him a bold witness prior to his martyrdom.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you!”  2 Chronicles 24:20 (NLT)

Today the Holy Spirit clothes himself with the church to carry out Christ’s desires on the earth.

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.  Ephesians 1:22–23 (NLT)

As Christ’s body, we are to speak and act for him. Although the Spirit of God can interact personally with people who are not yet part of the church, as he did with Saul leading to his conversion on the road to Damascus, usually he employs the church to be his witnesses by sharing the gospel, doing ministry including signs and wonders, and loving people sacrificially.

On a local level, the body of Christ has many parts, just as does a human body, and each part has a different yet vital role to play.

But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body.  1 Corinthians 12:18–20 (NASB95)

The church reflects the person and ministry of Christ. As individuals, we have a role to play in making up the entire ministry of Christ on the earth.

There are governmental roles in the church, speaking ministries, and other areas of serving.

God assigns us our particular function, and part of the challenge is to figure out how we fit.

Governmental roles are primarily found in the eldership who have the responsibility to shepherd or oversee the local assembly.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.  1 Timothy 5:17 (NASB95)

The Greek word translated “rule” is prohistemi, which means to preside over, govern, protect, and care for. Elders are to watch over the members of the Ekklesia to protect them from “wolves” and false doctrine. They are responsible for leading the church under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Part of their role is to minister the Word of God to the people. This does not necessarily mean that they are gifted speakers, but they should be proficient in the scriptures and competent to exhort and counsel people.

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,  1 Timothy 3:2 (NASB95)

One elder will usually emerge as what some call the “lead” elder. He will have a gift of leadership, which enables him to be the “first among equals.”

God always provides leadership, without which any group will drift and lack cohesion.

In our area, a lead elder is usually called the “pastor,” but this person might be one of the other translocal ministries.

Translocal roles include what some call the “five-fold” or “ascension gift” ministries: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.

Whereas elders are only elders to their own local church, translocal ministries can be effective across the larger body of Christ. When they are asked to minister outside of their own assembly, it is should always be with the permission and oversight of the local eldership. Translocal ministries usually have a God-given governmental or leadership component, which might enable them to function as a lead elder in a local assembly.

Paul lists a variety of gifts found in local churches.

And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.  1 Corinthians 12:28 (NASB95)

This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some major gifts God gives to the local assembly and the church at large. Another listing provides us with what some people call motivational gifts. These are part of people’s general make up.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  Romans 12:6–8 (NLT)

In addition, we have what are called the “gifts of the Spirit,” which are listed in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth.

There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.  1 Corinthians 12:6–14 (NASB95)

People in the ekklesia will also have various “passions” which motivate them to service. These are the concerns or areas of ministry that capture our hearts.

Discovering what roles God has given to each of us requires us to examine what is our passion, our calling, our motivational gifts, spiritual gifts, and any governmental equipping God may have given to us.

Often, we need help from others to recognize what God has given to us or called us to do. This is where we can benefit from those in oversight and those who operate in spiritual gifts.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT)

The church’s primary task is to make disciples. (Matthew 28:18)

This responsibility is carried out one-on-one, one-on-a few, and congregationally. It involves far more than simply instructing or teaching. We are to follow Jesus’ example. He taught, demonstrated, empowered others to do the same, and then gave feedback. Eventually he launched them into their own ministries, in which they depended on the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship is more caught than taught.

But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.  2 Timothy 3:10–11 (NLT)

For this to happen, we must spend time with those whom we disciple. It cannot be done only at congregational meetings or Bible studies. The goal of discipleship is to reproduce ourselves in others and launch them into their own ministries. Small groups tend to work well to help this along.

The church is God’s plan to reach and disciple the world.

Every person in the church should be involved at some level, either as a disciple or a disciple-maker, or both. This means people need to be regular participants in church gatherings. People who try to fly solo may find themselves unprotected against the enemy and robbed of what they could have gained from others. Likewise, the church will suffer by their not being there to do their part.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
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When in a Storm, Stay in the Boat

When in a storm, it is usually wise to stay in the boat.

My father had a saying: “The banana that stays with the bunch doesn’t get peeled.” Hungry wolves and lions like to “peel off” weak and young members of the herd to hunt down, kill, and eat. In the animal world, there is safety in remaining with the herd and great danger in going solo. This is true when it comes to the church, too. Unfortunately, today many are choosing to abandon the church community and go solo, often with very poor results.

The reasons for this exodus from the organized church are many. Almost all of us who have been in the church world for very long can tell stories of how we were mistreated and disappointed by people we thought had our best interests in mind. It is humbling to remind ourselves at times that someone out there blames us for their troubles. As one of my dear old friends is famous for saying: “We are all offenses waiting to happen.” Because we are human beings, we offend people, sometimes intentionally and sometimes quite by accident. This happens in every organization and institution, including the family and the most basic building block of society, the married couple.

When offenses happen, we can either isolate ourselves by abandoning ship or stay put and try to work our way through them.

Some offenses are so grievous they may require us to look for another ship, but most can be worked through.

Many who now are spiritually are flying solo formerly were part of a church. Perhaps their church involvement was out of a sense of habit, duty, or tradition, rather than from a conviction it is what God wants because we need each other.

The interesting thing is that once a habit is broken, it is can be difficult to reestablish it. When believers choose to forsake assembling with others of the faith, it may seem strange at first, but we get used to it. I have observed that “de-churched” people are reticent to make the commitment to regular attendance again. Sad.

There are certain things that can only happen when we meet face-to-face. Assembling in person with other disciples on a regular basis accomplishes much good.

Let’s take a look at one of the important Bible verses that applies.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NLT)

I will approach these four point in the order of a typical small group meeting.

First, we need fellowship. Most of our small groups prioritize eating together as part of the meeting. There is something special about the fellowship and camaraderie that happens around the table. Church is supposed to be a place where deep and lasting friendships are built, and this can most easily happen in a small group setting. We need to have people in our lives who know us well enough to be able to tell if things are going well for us or not. We need those who can speak into our lives with truth and love. We need each other. Generally this happens best in person, when possible.

Secondly, we need to encouraged and exhorted. Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome that he longed to see them in order that he might strengthen them and be strengthened in return. (Romans 1:11-12) God created us to be mutually interdependent. None of us has everything that is needed to have a complete perspective on life. None of us has everything in the way of spiritual gifts. God wants us to receive from one another, and this most easily takes place when we gather with other disciples.

Thirdly, solid Bible teaching is crucial to our continued development and growth as a disciple. Deception most easily enters the picture when we abandon the input from trusted people in our lives who are willing to speak truth to us. Solomon wrote:

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)

This does not mean everyone in a group must toe the line and embrace group think. It does mean that we listen to others, examine the Scriptures for ourselves, and allow ourselves to be accountable to people we love and trust.

Lastly, we almost always spend time in prayer, giving thanks to our Lord, who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. We pray for whatever is important to those present, including for one another. This is when being together is so important because when we lay hands on one another and pray, often the Holy Spirit operates through those present in various gifts, such as prophecy and healing. This can take place over the phone or internet, too, but in person is the only place where we can actually lay hands on someone. The laying on of hands is a very important principle mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-2.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews also wrote:

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

When God sent a worldwide deluge to destroy the wicked, he had Noah build an ark to provide the means to save one family which He would use to repopulate the earth. Only those who entered and remained in the ark were saved. When in a storm, stay in the boat.

The ark is an Old Covenant picture of the New Testament church.

We are in the midst of a storm of another kind today. This is not the time for us to abandon ship, so to speak, by isolating ourselves from other believers. Instead, we should realize how much we need one another now more than ever.

Another time in the Bible when a ship was in a storm was when Jesus and the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee. Although the disciples feared for their lives, the presence of Jesus in the boat guaranteed their safety. The same is true for the church today. Jesus, Immanuel, is with us. There is nothing to fear.

We may think everything is falling apart, but we should never abandon ship.

When the Prince of Peace is with us, we have nothing to fear. He is Lord over the storms we encounter in life. Stay in the boat.

If your boat is sinking, however, sometimes it is necessary to leave it. I tell people that we can often discern where God wants us to be in fellowship with other believers by looking at the following points. If the church you are part of or are thinking of joining (or leaving) has these things, it is probably a good fit.

  1. Does the church teach the Bible without watering it down to fit whatever the latest cultural errors are?
  2. Can you trust and follow the church leaders?
  3. Is the church’s vision something you can embrace? We want to be able to walk in step with the church and not pull against it.
  4. Do you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to be a part of this church?

If we are looking for a perfect church with perfect leaders and people, we will never find it, and if we do, it will no longer be perfect after we join it.

Groucho Marx resigned from the Friar’s Club by saying that he did not want to be part of a club that would have him for a member. It is safe to say that he would never join any club, and some people have their reasons for not belonging to any church. Life is not a comedy routine however.

It all comes down to a matter of the heart. If we are determined not to walk with others on the discipleship journey, we can always find reasons. If we want to sound spiritual, we can blame our decision on the Lord’s leading. However, when in a dangerous neighborhood, it is much safer to walk with those who are going to the same place we want to go. This world in which we live is a dangerous place.

To sum it up, if you have abandoned ship, either climb back aboard or find another one going to your desired destination. Don’t disobey God by trying to go solo. Too much is at stake.

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Chapter 38: Lordship Matters – Lord of My Relationships

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a “love-hate” relationship. We are to love Him so much that all other relationships take a back seat.

The Lord used hyperbole in the following verse to make his point.

If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26 (NASB)

Jesus does not advocate hating our family, but, whenever there is a conflict of interest, we must come down on the side of God.

Some of us have been or will be confronted with making a choice between pleasing a family member, friend, colleague, or some other important person in our lives or Jesus. This is no small matter. We may suffer great loss and pain because of the choice we make. The early disciples faced such critical moments.

Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28  “Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?” he demanded. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” 29  But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. Acts 5:27-29 (NLT)

When we choose God over family, friends, culture, and familiar and important places, institutions, and people, it pushes us into what some call a liminal space of uncertainty between what was and what is to come.

Abraham chose God over his home, culture, friends, and what was familiar. During his journey to Canaan, he was in a liminal space. When he arrived at the “promised land,” he still had no place to call his own. Following the Lord can be like that, which requires us to find our security in God.

Those with whom we relate impact our lives for good or bad. The opposite is also true: we impact others for good or bad. Therefore, every relationship we have should be submitted to the Lord. This means we should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our choice of friends.

The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV)

Don't let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (GW)

This does not mean that we should cease to relate to ungodly people who need to know the Lord, but we should be careful because our friends can influence what we believe and value. Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve apostles who would be closest to him. He powerfully influenced them over the next three years as he prepared them to be leaders in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Conversely, the disciples did not understand Jesus’ mission to give his life as the Lamb of God. Peter even tried to dissuade him from going to the cross, which provoked our Lord to rebuke him sternly.

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22  But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23  Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” 24  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:21-26 (NLT)

We must be aware that people we love may attempt to sway us from obedience to God out of their concern for us.

They may not understand God’s call on our lives and try to dissuade us from taking a course of action that seems not to be in our own best interest. These well-intentioned people sometimes simply fail to understand what Jesus values. They do not grasp that Jesus is worth any sacrifice we may make. Nothing spent on him is ever ill advised. When the woman poured the expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, one of the disciples declared it was a waste of money, but her act has been forever memorialized in Scripture, as well as the failure of that disciple to see Jesus’ immense worth.

Let’s be among those who are willing to give away what men treasure in service to God despite the naysayers.

Jesus had to reject Peter’s counsel to spare himself a horrible death to follow his Father’s will and save us. When this sort of thing happens, it is never an excuse for us to be rude or impatient. Rather we do well if we manage to show love and respect to those whose counsel we reject and try to explain to them as best we can why we must pursue obedience to the Lord. Jesus’ rebuke of Peter was done out of love for him and to properly distance himself from a very real temptation. Plenty of God’s servants have been led off course by those they love.

An Old Testament prophet was influenced to disobey God’s direct orders by another older prophet. (1 Kings 13:11-26) Perhaps the younger one listened to that older prophet out of respect, or maybe he secretly did not want to have to do what God said, and this was a perfect excuse. Whatever the reason, this prophet was put to death because he allowed a “friend” to get him off course.

I am not suggesting that God will kill us if we allow someone to get us off course, but we may indeed suffer great loss because of our disobedience. Let us be led by God’s Spirit in everything we do.

We are wise to rely upon the Lord when it comes to choosing a spouse, which is the most influential relationship we will ever have. People choose mates for all sorts of reasons – love, companionship, security, beauty, sexual attraction, financial interests, social advancement, etc. In the world, people often choose partners who will aid them in their career advancement and the pursuit of personal goals. Finding a like-minded person is important.

For a disciple, one of the most critical factors in choosing a spouse is for him or her to have the same vision and commitment to the Lord as we.

We would be very unwise to marry anyone who is going to distract us from God’s purpose and our commitment to serve Jesus. On the other hand, we don’t want to become so “spiritual” that we neglect the human side of the equation, either. I believe God wants us to marry someone whom we genuinely love and respect, to whom we are attracted, who has similar values and goals, and who shares our passion and commitment to the Lord and His kingdom. This necessarily eliminates non-Christians from consideration for marriage.

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT) 

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:39 (NLT)

When it comes to choosing a spouse, probably the most important of all our relationships, disciples understand the value of seeking good counsel.

It is not always wise to rely solely on our own feelings and judgment in such an important matter. When our hormones kick in, sometimes good judgment falls to the wayside. This does not mean we allow someone else to decide for us, but it is important to listen and weigh what others say. If those we trust, especially our parents and siblings, are uneasy about our choice, it should give us pause to consider. The best scenario is when all concerned are positive with our choice and give it their blessing.

Another way we allow Jesus to be Lord of our relationships is to maintain them His way. This means we make the choice to apply kingdom principles to our relationships.

God expects us to forgive readily and not harbor offenses.*

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

This often requires us to talk openly about difficult matters instead of burying our feelings and hurts. Paul called it speaking the truth in love, which requires honesty, self-control, courage, and love.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT)

Matthew 18 tells us how to handle these kinds of situations.

If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 (NLT)

I believe one of the most prevalent sins in the body of Christ is the failure to properly resolve relational offenses.

The problem may stem from our dislike for confronting others and the high probability that we will be likewise confronted in the process, revealing our own sinful attitudes and behavior. Sometimes we are afraid of being hurt all over again. Nevertheless, if we are committed to being disciples, we will allow Jesus to rule in this area of our lives, too.

A final way we allow Jesus to be Lord of our relationships is in the church. The Lord often brings together people from different cultural, racial, socio-economic, and other backgrounds into a local church. Many church members may be those with whom we would not ordinarily associate. However, if Jesus is our Lord and God is our Father, then a church is a family. We love and relate to family members regardless of any perceived affinities. Sometimes God places people in our lives to help us grow in this area.

If Jesus is Lord of our relationships, we will relate to those whom He puts in our lives and learn to love and appreciate them.

Jesus wants us to lay down our own selfish agendas to be kingdom people who can show the world what real Christianity looks like. This is a tall order, but whoever said serving Jesus was easy?

* For those who have suffered abuse, it is important to add that forgiving someone does not mean we naively allow them to hurt us again. Forgiveness and trust are different matters. Also, forgiving someone does not mean we are necessarily reconciled to them, which is a restoration of intimacy. However, in a normal relationship, every effort must be made to release each other from any sense of indebtedness because of past offenses. God also wants us to forgive daily to avoid becoming bitter because we continue to be offended.

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" 22 "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

We are all offenses waiting to happen. The Lord wants to restore us to intimacy and trust despite our propensity to hurt one another repeatedly. That is why we so desperately need mercy from God and each other.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

 

Questions for Further Study and Discussion 
  • Which is more challenging for you, enduring the loss of friendships because of your allegiance to Christ or lovingly confronting a someone who has hurt you?
  • Have you ever had to go against the counsel of someone you admired and loved to obey the Lord? How did that affect you?
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Chapter 51: How to Make an Appeal to Authority

How do we properly appeal to someone in authority if he or she asks us to do something unwise or sinful? How do we maintain an attitude of proper submissiveness when challenging or informing a leader that we cannot obey for reasons of conscience? How we handle such situations will say a lot about our understanding of authority and our commitment to maintaining a right relationship with authority for the Lord’s sake.

Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 1 Timothy 5:1 (NASB)  

Obviously, unless we are a Roman Catholic vis-a-vis the Pope, people in authority are not infallible. It is a well-known principle that power corrupts; so, it is likely that the more authority a person has and the less accountability, the greater the probability he or she will abuse that authority.

The Bible commands us to obey delegated authority unless doing so would violate God’s commands or our conscience.

Sin or foolishness on the part of one in authority does not relieve us from our duty to properly submit to authority in general and that person in particular. Such situations test whether we recognize that all authority comes from God, regardless of the frailty or faultiness of the human vessel.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Romans 13:1-2 (NASB)

The Bible gives us examples of men and women who had to relate to sinful, misguided, or unreasonable authorities. Let’s focus on four.

Daniel

From Daniel we learn to offer an alternative plan to the one to which we object.

Daniel had been taken captive by the Babylonians and was singled out for advanced training and preparation for service to the king. Part of that training required him to eat food that God’s Word forbade him to consume. What was he to do? He could boldly rebel against the command for conscience’s sake and face the consequences like a man, or he could knuckle under, hoping God would understand his predicament. A third alternative would be to resist passively aggressively; that is, he would never voice his complaint but simply would not comply. Daniel was an extremely wise man, however, and took a fourth route which worked for him. He appealed to authority and was granted his request.

Rather than going through the verses (Daniel 1:8-16), which you can do on your own, I will extract the principles.

  1. Daniel made up his mind that he would not sin against God by obeying the king’s command. It is important that we have strong convictions when making such an appeal and not mere preferences.
  2. He wisely sought to skirt a direct confrontation by asking for permission to be excused from obeying the king’s command. Daniel was not afraid, however. Later in life he directly violated the king’s command not to pray to God, for which an appeal was not possible since the king at that time could not reverse his own command. His disobedience resulted in his being put in a lions’ den overnight.
  3. Daniel understood the purpose of the king’s command and offered a counter proposal to achieve the same or better results in a way that would not violate his conscience. The principle here is that we should never just say “no” to a command without offering a wise alternative plan to help the one in authority achieve his or her objectives. If we show that we are committed to the success of the one in authority, it is more likely that he or she will consider our proposal.
  4. Daniel asked that his proposal be tested, evaluated, and a decision made accordingly. This recognized the right of the one in authority to be the decision maker.
  5. Daniel was careful not to engage the pride of his authority by making a threat of any kind – “Do this or else!” Except in the case when we are commanded to sin, the one in authority needs to know that we will submit to an undesired response.

In the case above, after testing Daniel looked better than the other candidates after being on a diet that conformed to the Law of Moses; so, his request was granted. It should be noted that Daniel’s superior took a risk doing this; so, the favor of the Lord was a big factor, too. However, we may not receive such a blessed outcome.

Esther

Esther appealed to her husband the king because a high-ranking enemy who was close to the king had devised a plan to destroy her people, the Jews, with the king’s unwitting approval. She may have been able to escape this destruction, since her Jewishness was not known at the time, but how could she passively concede to the obliteration of her people? This perilous situation required delicacy and great wisdom on her part.

From Esther we learn the art of wisely crafting an appeal.

She would only get one shot at changing the course of events; so, she had to make the most of it. This may be our case, too.

She used her leverage with the king as his beloved wife and queen to gain an audience with the king. She then excited his interest by delaying the presentation of the details of her appeal until the perfect time. She prepared a great feast for her husband-king before making her appeal, putting him in the best frame of mind to grant her request. She was also wise enough to make the law that Haman had devised to wipe out the Jews look as evil as possible by setting up a situation in which the king had to make a choice between her and Haman, an easy choice for him to make.

Nathan the Prophet

Another wisely crafted appeal to authority was made by Nathan the prophet to King David after the latter had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to cover it up. Whether or not the public was aware of David’s sin, news of it had at least reached Nathan. As God’s representative to David, he felt the responsibility to confront the king to hopefully bring him to repentance. David had the authority to execute Nathan; so, the prophet was taking his life into his hands.

By crafting a story that excited David’s sense of injustice, he got David to unwittingly condemn his own behavior.

He sprung the trap by revealing that he had done what made him so angry at the imaginary someone else. Let’s read the passage.

So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. 2 The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. 3 The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. 4 One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” 5 David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! 6 He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” 7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. 8 I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. 9 Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. 10 From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own. 11 “This is what the Lord says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. 12 You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” 13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. 14 Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.”  2 Samuel 12:1–14 (NLT) —

If Nathan had barged into David’s presence and confronted him without getting David to see his sin through the story, the results may not have been very good. When we need to confront someone, especially someone in authority, why not ask God, the wisest, kindest, most loving, and most truthful person, to show us the best way to do it?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

A last example is also found in the book of Daniel. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were friends of Daniel and Babylonian officials of high rank who outrightly refused to bow to the golden idol of Nebuchadnezzar, even though the punishment was death. When the king gave them one last chance, here is the account of their response.

“Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  Daniel 3:15–18 (NASB95) —

In this case, there was no polite way to refuse a direct command from an obdurate king to commit idolatry. Peter replied to the Jewish leaders who commanded him to stop preaching the gospel, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) In such cases, we should strive to maintain a properly submissive manner and tone when making a stand of conscience. When forced into such a corner, our refusal will carry a bad enough consequence without our making it worse by having a bad attitude. Peter later wrote the following:

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.  1 Peter 3:14–17 (NASB95) —

When making an appeal to authority, whether we can use a little honey to make our appeal more palatable or must be confrontive, it is important to keep in mind that our attitude is important because we serve God, the one behind all authority.

The art of making an appeal to authority is one of the most important skills we may ever acquire and deserves our utmost attention and consideration. Whenever we may need to make such an appeal, let’s ask God for the wisdom and correct heart attitude, whether it goes as we desire or not.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Have you ever had to make an appeal to authority? How did it turn out? Did you handle it wisely?
  • Have you ever been the one in authority to whom an appeal was made? Did you grant the request? Was it handled wisely?
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Chapter 52: Authority and the Fear of the Lord

The proper and timely use and display of authority inspires the fear of the Lord in people whose hearts are open to God. It has the opposite effect on those whose hearts are hardened. The following passage illustrates this.

And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? 5 “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? 6 “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he got up and went home. 8 But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.  Matthew 9:2–8 (NASB95) —

The Jewish leaders for the most part were never convinced by the miracles Jesus performed. When he raised Lazarus from the dead, they determined to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death! (John 12:10)

How we react to and relate to authority often reveals a lot about the condition of our hearts and our openness to God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and a cornerstone of character which assists people in turning away from evil. It enables us to properly assess God’s words and actions. The opposite of the fear of the Lord is a hardened heart, which is closed to God and his truth.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Proverbs 1:7 (NASB95) — 

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.  Proverbs 16:6 (NASB95) —

Those who properly fear the Lord will not only recognize and submit to authority in their lives, but they will also use it in the right way.

The proper use of authority is always meant to bless those it governs.

In the home, the husband and father’s God-given authority and responsibility to lead is meant to provide loving guidance, protection, and provision for the wife and children. In the church, authority properly used functions in the same manner. At work and in the government, authority is meant to provide guidance, order, reward for those who do well, and punishment for rebels.

Where authority is absent or is rejected because it is administered corruptly, people tend to become independent and unrestrained, the fear of the Lord can diminish.

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 (NASB)

When a government properly represents God’s intention for it, whether the state, a church, at work, or in the home, it helps the fear of the Lord to take root, influencing behavior for the good.

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Romans 13:3-4 (NASB)

Authority figures have a tremendous power of influence for good or evil. Those authorities who properly represent God influence people toward good. Those who misrepresent God can damage people spiritually.

Countless individuals and even entire families have given up on the church because of the failure of those in authority. Fathers who mistreat their children often damage their view of God the Father, whom they are meant to represent. If we have been damaged by the improper use of authority, Jesus wants to reveal to us the Father heart of God. He wants to lead us to churches where God’s authority is used benevolently.

On the opposite side of things, sometimes people try to diminish God’s intention for government by applying to the government commandments given to individuals. For example, I have talked with those who understand God’s commandment against killing (murder) to mean governments should not use capital punishment. The Bible makes it clear that governments are supposed to punish evil doers, even to the point of capital punishment, to maintain order, protect the innocent, and inspire obedience. This is why Paul referred to the “sword” of the government in the above passage.

In another place, Paul acknowledged this function of government in reference to his own legal predicament.

"If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." Acts 25:11 (NASB)

The Bible asserts that there are crimes worthy of death, which are listed in the Law of Moses and include such things as rape, murder, and kidnapping. These are moral crimes against individuals and society. Individuals are not supposed to seek personal vengeance for such crimes today, even though revenge killings were allowed under the Old Covenant.

As individuals, we are to forgive those who commit crimes against us, but this does not relieve the government of its responsibility to represent God though the application of justice.

Governments which fail to do so violate God’s law going all the way back to the flood.

Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. Genesis 9:6 (NASB)

When there is no justice, evil becomes even bolder and often gets the opportunity to commit similar crimes again.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11 (NASB)

Those who reject the government’s responsibility to carry out God’s justice are in rebellion against God’s authority.

Without Christ, there is no real wisdom, and when well-intentioned governments refuse to use capital punishment in proper cases, out of supposed enlightenment, it is a rebellion against God’s order and will always have disastrous consequences. Sadly, governments sometimes misuse capital punishment, and there is the possibility of human error in judgment. Nevertheless, we should not “throw out the baby with the bath water” and eliminate capital punishment because of the possibility of our making a mistake. Using that line of reasoning, we would have to stop doing all manner of things.

Those in authority have a moral responsibility before God to use their authority to inspire the fear of the Lord in those they govern. If authorities, and this includes parents of small children, do not use their authority properly, they sin against God and those they oversee.

There is perhaps no quicker way to unleash unrestrained evil upon the earth than for authority to recede or collapse.

Parents who fail to properly discipline their children often sentence them to a very difficult school of hard knocks and demonstrate that they do not truly love their kids.

If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)

Those who have been given authority should challenge themselves to fully accept this responsibility in the fear of the Lord.

We parents should not recoil from applying the “board of education to the seat of learning” because we have a thinly veiled rebellion against authority in our own lives. If we were mistreated by someone who had authority over us, we may have vowed never to do that to someone we love. However, we should not fail to use our authority the way God intends.

Our culture works to condition us to detest authority and its proper use.

We should be careful not to buy into Satan’s lie that corporal and capital punishment are morally repugnant.

If we are going to live under the authority of Christ and His Word, we should strive to be under authority and properly use authority, just as the Roman centurion did.

But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 “For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.  Matthew 8:8–10 (NASB95) —

It take faith to submit to Christ’s delegated authority in others and faith to use that authority when and how we should. This responsibility should inspire the fear of the Lord in all of us. 

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Why does a failure to apply God’s justice to evil doers usually release more evil upon the earth?
  • How can parents lovingly use their authority to inspire the fear of the Lord in their young children?
  • What will be the likely outcome for children whose parents are too harsh in applying discipline? When parents fail to discipline them?
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Chapter 53: Meditation on God’s Word

The Word of God is alive and powerful and deserves time and attention spent in meditation.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) —

Jesus said that his words are “spirit and life.”

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  John 6:63 (NLT) —

The words of the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit when they were written (2 Timothy 3:16). They become alive to us when the Spirit helps us to understand, believe, and act on them. God’s words impart God’s life to us.

[Jesus said,] “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:4 (ESV) —

God’s words have the power to change us from the inside out through a process Paul called the “renewing of the mind.”

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12:2 (NLT) —

We participate in the process of transformation when we meditate on the Word and allow it to permeate our lives while asking the Holy Spirit to be our teacher by opening its meaning to us, imparting its life, and helping us to put it into practice.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.  John 14:26 (NLT) —

God spoke the following to his servant Joshua when he was given the responsibility of leading Israel.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8 (NASB)

The Bible has the power to stir faith in our hearts.

Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.  1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT) —

The more we meditate on the Word, the more our faith will grow.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17 (NASB95)

God’s Word guides us on the path of life and reveals God’s mind and heart to us.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105 (NASB95) —

But we are unlikely to access the profound depths of God’s Word without meditating upon it. The Hebrew concept of meditation is nothing like what is advocated by various Eastern religions.

Biblical meditation is not an emptying of the mind. Instead, it involves turning the scriptures over and over in our thoughts, much as meat is turned as it roasts upon a spit.

Meditation also contains the idea of muttering or talking out loud to ourselves as we think or perhaps recite the verses in the act of memorizing or recalling them from memory.

As we meditate prayerfully upon Scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and gives deeper understanding.

The psalmist describes this process in the following passage.

Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. Psalms 119:27 (NASB)

The same author told his readers that wisdom and understanding come to the one who practices the spiritual discipline of meditation.

O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. Psalms 119:97-100 (NASB)

The Holy Spirit nurtures a love for God’s Word in our hearts.

The words of the Bible become a source of joy as the Holy Spirit causes them to come alive inside us.

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.  Jeremiah 15:16 (NLT) —

When we meditate on God’s Word, it motivates us to obedience which brings blessings.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1-3 (NASB)

Jesus is the Living Word, the eternal Logos. We cannot afford to live without daily drinking from its depths and partaking of its sustenance. Jesus said:

People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.  Matthew 4:4 (NLT) —

If we regularly practice the spiritual discipline of meditation on God’s Word, we will grow spiritually and be continually led by God’s Spirit.

Meditating on God’s Word is one of the most basic spiritual disciplines a Christian must practice. We never get too mature to need to do this. Here are some suggestions for doing this.

  • Read the Bible daily. There are several ways to read the Scriptures. We can simply read through the Bible. We also can read and study it topically. Another method is to do “word studies” where we see how words are used in the Bible. Perhaps the most desirable way to study is devotionally. In this way of studying, we ask the Holy Spirit to teach us what he wants us to receive, believe, and do.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to be our teacher. He is the One sent by God to give us revelation and understanding. He is the One who inspires faith in our hearts and does transformation work in our lives. When he teaches us, the Word “burns” inside us, so to speak. (Luke 24:32)
  • Keep a journal where you can record questions and insights you have regarding what you read. You can also notate anything you believe God speaks to your heart. We might think that we will remember everything, but that is highly unlikely. In my case, I often make notes in my Bible in the margins.
  • Memorize verses and passages. This is a great aid in the meditation process. Think long and hard in a prayerful state of mind about what you read.
  • Ask God to show you how to apply what you read to your life. Ask the Spirit to help you obey what the Bible teaches.
  • Use Bible study aids to assist you in your study. A great one is to have a computer program that provides instant access to various versions and notes, allows you to do quick searches, and shows what the original Greek and Hebrew words mean. Other resources are commentaries, expository dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, and books. The NIV and ESV Study Bibles pull together many of these resources into one location. Listen to teachings from trusted teachers and read books by good authors. Your pastor may be able to recommend some excellent books for you.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit causing the words of the Bible to “come alive” to you?
  • What have you found to be the most life giving way to read and meditate on the scriptures?
  • What Bible study aids do you find most helpful?
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Chapter 57: Sharing the Gospel

Sharing the gospel with others is our most powerful offensive spiritual weapon, and I list it as a spiritual discipline because it is something we should regularly do, even if we don’t “feel” like it.

Overcoming our reticence regarding the gospel is one of our greatest challenges.

Most people quite naturally talk about what is important, excites, or brings them joy. Jesus said:

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Luke 6:45 (NASB)

If our favorite sports team is doing well, we will probably tell others. If we discover some exciting hobby or pastime, we are likely to freely share it with others because our hearts are overflowing with pleasure, information, or excitement. Likewise, those who curse, complain, encourage, or praise as a regular habit also reveal what fills their hearts.

If we are afraid of what others think, say, or might do to us, we may opt to keep quiet about our allegiance to Jesus. This is what happened to Peter the night our Lord was put on trial. Paul exhorted us to overcome any fear or shame that might hinder our testimony.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (NLT)

When we hold back from sharing our testimony or the gospel message (our allegiance to Christ), there are two additional possibilities of what may be restraining us. Let’s look at these.

  1. Lack of confidence. We may not feel qualified or knowledgeable enough to engage people with the gospel. Fortunately, this can be overcome by study, practice, and reliance upon the Holy Spirit’s help.
  2. Lukewarmness. This may be the most insidious condition of all. It is when we no longer desire God above all else. We may still retain the vocabulary and habits of devotion, but not the heart. The bride of Christ should love her groom and be excited to talk about him with others. Most of us begin our discipleship journey with zeal, but life and circumstances and the distractions of life have a way of dampening our ardor. Jesus detests lukewarmness, which should prompt us to repent. (Revelation 3:16) Jesus told us to come to him with a repentant heart. He will work inside us to restore the fire of zeal in our souls.

Jesus spoke of lukewarmness is his parable of the sower and the seed.

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.  Mark 4:18–19 (NLT) —

Sharing the good news about Jesus the Messiah is one of the most rewarding ways to spend our time. It glorifies God when we publicly identify with our Lord. It makes it possible for others to come into the family of faith and allows us to participate in the joy of heaven when a sinner repents.

The only treasure we take with us beyond the grave is what God has done in and through us – our works of obedience and faith and those we lead to the Lord.

Paul wrote:

Dear brothers and sisters, I love you and long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward for my work. So please stay true to the Lord, my dear friends. Philippians 4:1 (NLT)

Christians are designed and expected to reproduce themselves through sharing the gospel, just as all living things do.

Sharing the gospel can also be thought of as fishing for people.

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”  Matthew 4:19 (NLT) —

No one ever caught a fish without trying, except perhaps when a flying fish jumps into a boat. It is possible to lead a person to Christ almost by accident if they are ready enough. However, most fishing required time, effort, skill, and expense. If we are not willing to invest ourselves in the process, we will not likely catch many people. Here are some things we can do to get more involved in fishing for people.

  1. Pray for family, friends, associates, and neighbors who do not yet know the Lord. Ask God to prepare their hearts and bring people into their lives who will share the gospel. Be ready to be that person.
  2. Spend time with people. Call on neighbors. Ask people over to share a meal, coffee, dessert, etc. Take advantage of naturally occurring time spent together to develop friendships.
  3. Learn the art of conversation. People often reveal their needs when we talk, which can open a door to pray or encourage, or maybe even share our testimony or the gospel.
  4. Be patient. Do not think we have to “close the sale” too quickly. Wait for the right time and prompting of the Holy Spirit. If people think we are simply trying to put notches on our gospel gun, they will likely be offended.
  5. Make it your goal simply to love people whether or not they seem open to the gospel.

Have we shared our faith lately? Can we think of anyone that we personally led to Jesus? We will never win the lottery if we never enter it. We will never lead another person to faith if we never share the gospel. If we have reproduced ourselves through the gospel, how long has it been? Do we need to stir ourselves up again? Today is as good a time to start as any. Why not pray right now that God will open a door for you, and then be ready to share. Here is an admonition written by the apostle Paul.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)

Peter also encouraged us to be vocal about our allegiance to Christ.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

We can make sharing the gospel part of our lifestyle by deciding to prioritize it.

This will require us to become gospel “fluent” by spending time in the study of the key elements of a proper presentation of the gospel. We will look at this in another section. We also need God’s anointing and power that come via the baptism in the Spirit. Jesus warned his disciples not to attempt being his witness until this took place.

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”  Luke 24:49 (NLT) —

Those first disciples needed this infilling, and so do we. In a future lesson, I will share how to receive this most amazing promise of the Father. In fact, I have written a book on this subject, which is available on Amazon, entitled, Promise of the Father.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • What are the key elements of your personal testimony?
  • What do you understand to be the difference between sharing our testimony and the gospel?
  • Do you feel like you are competent to effectively share the gospel?
  • Have you ever led another person to faith in Christ?
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Chapter 61: Irrefutable Evidence

Evidence is what we see, hear, or otherwise apprehend directly and personally, not secondhand or by hearsay, which helps to demonstrate the truth of some assertion. Evidence must be something objective and external to us, rather than inward feelings or conjecture. It is something that can stand up in court. Evidence does not cause something to happen. It proves that something did happen.

The Bible says that the evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues and prophecy.

This lesson is limited to the evidence of speaking in tongues, since that is more common than prophecy as an initial evidence. When we observe someone speaking in tongues, we have irrefutable evidence that he or she received the baptism in the Spirit. If the person does not speak in tongues, but says he knows he has received the baptism in the Spirit by faith, even though it may be true, we cannot corroborate his statement because we have no evidence.

 Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Unfortunately, we often read into the scriptures our own prejudices and experience. This is called eisegesis, as opposed to the proper task of exegesis, which is extracting from the Bible what it means. While it sounds very noble to claim that we do not practice eisegesis, we all are influenced by our own experience, traditions handed down to us, and a priori beliefs. Only the Holy Spirit can properly interpret the Bible since he is the Author or Inspirer.

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:27 (NLT) —

It is a misguided endeavor to limit our interpretation of the Bible to what scholars determine was the human author’s intention and meaning when he wrote, especially when it comes to prophecy, since we are told that it was the Holy Spirit “carrying them along” (2 Peter 1:21) when they spoke and wrote, often about things regarding which they had limited understanding at best.

This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. 1 Peter 1:10–12 (NLT) —

Knowing that we all tend to approach Scripture from the frame of reference of what we already think, have experienced, or have been taught, we should be careful when interpreting those things that are outside of our own experience.

Humility keeps us open to receive more from God and does not insist that truth conform to our own theology or experience.

Another big obstacle is bad doctrine. Some Bible teachers have done a great disservice to the body of Christ by disseminating false teaching regarding the baptism and gifts of the Spirit. Overcoming such indoctrination is often quite a challenge, especially if we love, respect, and trust our previous instructors.

Just because someone knows a lot about the scriptures in general does not mean he or she understands everything.

While a bachelor can teach on marriage from the Bible, a married person will probably have much more insight and wisdom about life as a couple from having experienced marriage firsthand. A person may know what the Bible teaches about the new birth, but until we have personally experienced it, we cannot properly understand it. Likewise, well-intentioned Bible teachers have taught on the baptism and gifts of the Spirit without ever having received or experienced them, often because they have rejected that they are for today.

Jesus said we must obey the Word to understand it.

Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.  John 7:17 (NLT) —

Spiritual strongholds are lie-based logical arguments we embrace that block us from believing God’s revealed truth and receiving the attached blessings.

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NLT) —

If we are taught and embrace a lie about the baptism or gifts of the Spirit, it sets itself up in our minds to keep us estranged from one of God’s biggest blessings – the Promise of the Father. Sowing lies is one of the devil’s primary strategies to hinder people from first coming to Christ and then, after we become Christians, to keep us from advancing in our faith and devotion to Christ. Overcoming lie-based strongholds requires us to embrace God’s truth, even when it opposes our previously held beliefs.

Traditions of men cannot be allowed to stand between us and God’s blessings.

The Record from Acts

Luke’s record of how the Holy Spirit worked through the early disciples of Christ in the years following his resurrection is found in Acts. We should allow the record to speak for itself instead of superimposing our own understanding and traditions on top of the Bible’s clear testimony.

Unfortunately, over time, unexperienced truth can be lost and buried like old ruins.

Thankfully, God has restored much to the church regarding the baptism in the Spirit over the last century beginning at Azusa Street, continuing through the Latter Rain Movement, and the Charismatic Renewal. In addition, over the past decades, God has restored our understanding and experience of apostles and prophets, two of the most neglected components of the Five-Fold or Ascension Gift Ministries described in Ephesians 4:11-12.

The first example of people being baptized in the Spirit is found in Acts 2.

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)  

The word Luke used in the above passage to describe what happened to the disciples is that they were “filled” with the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his followers that they would be “baptized” in the Spirit.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)

We should not be confused by the overlapping terminology. The “filling” recorded in Acts 2 was the ‘baptism” promised in Acts 1. The important thing for us is that this was another experience with the Holy Spirit, different from the new birth. This baptism in the Spirit filled those men and women to overflowing with the power and boldness of the Holy Spirit, to equip them for preaching the Gospel and ministering in Christ’s name.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Speaking in tongues is the supernatural overflow of this filling or baptism in the Spirit.

Jesus taught that we speak out of whatever fills our hearts.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (ESV)

We all talk about the things that excite us. If we are football fans, we love to speak about football. If we are fans of cooking, we share recipes. If we love nature, we talk of the outdoors. If we are filled with God’s Spirit, we will talk about Jesus. In some cases, we do so in other languages inspired by the Spirit of God.

When we overfill a pitcher of water, the overflow comes out of the spout. When God overfills us with his Spirit, the excess spills out in various ways, usually in verbal form. Our mouths are sort of a pressure relief valve.

Paul wrote the following.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV)

Why should it surprise us that people begin speaking and singing when filled with the Spirit? The only real surprise is that we can and often do express our joy and excitement by speaking in unknown languages.

Here are some more examples from Acts.

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45  And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46  For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God... Acts 10:44-46 (ESV)  

And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:6 (ESV)

When Peter and John visited Samaria on the heels of Philip’s preaching the gospel there for the first time, they laid hands on the new believers because, even though they had believed and been water baptized, they had not yet been baptized in the Spirit. How did the apostles know? The most reasonable explanation is because they had not yet spoken in tongues.

When Peter and John prayed, something so remarkable happened that Simon the Magician begged to be given the power associated with laying on of hands. Most probably he heard the people begin to speak in tongues, just as happened the other times people were baptized in the Spirit in Acts.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18  Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19  saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-19 (ESV)
Conclusion

The record of Acts clearly shows us that the first disciples received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and prophecy. This irrefutable evidence allowed Peter to argue successfully that he had to water baptize the Gentile Cornelius, since God obviously demonstrated his acceptance of him by giving him the baptism in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

There was no difference between what happened to the first disciples on Pentecost and what happened to Cornelius and the others later.

For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47  “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ... Acts 10:46-48 (ESV)

We should desire and expect no less for us who live today. God is the same, the promise is the same, and the need is the same.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”  Acts 2:38–39 (NASB95) —

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

You can read more about the baptism of the Spirit and the gifts in Pete's book, Promise of the Father, which is available on Amazon. Click here for the link.
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