Category: Discipleship Essentials

Part 3 – Don’t Skip This!

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Before moving forward in our study of men’s gender-based roles, we should not skip the most basic role every born-again child of God has while here on the earth – being a disciple!

Jesus said:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

Being a disciple means we follow Christ in order to learn more about him and become more like him.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10–11 (NLT)

He is a real person who can be known in the Spirit. We also follow his teachings (the Scripture) and embrace his mission (the Great Commission). The role of being a disciple springs from our eternal core identity as children of God, but it is a temporary role. ln heaven we will know as we are known. At the present, we are learners (disciples).

Jesus’ method of discipleship was a combination of teaching and doing. He modeled the behaviors and ministry skills he wanted his followers to develop and gave them opportunities to learn who to use them. True discipleship must include active ministry, or we only have a Greek-style school that merely provides information.

Being a disciple is not so much about filling our heads with knowledge as it is about developing our relationship with God and putting our faith into practice in ways that will glorify God and impact the people around us.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

We shine as lights in the world by living out our faith in a loving way, performing love-motivated good deeds in Christ’s name, and by sharing the Good News about our Savior and Lord. Disciples model God’s love in order to help people get past their objections to the message of love, the gospel. Disciples learn to share the gospel effectively, minister in the power of God’s Spirit, and generally love on people. Disciples make a point of going to where the lost and unchurched are, instead of expecting them to come to us at our church m meetings. Disciples value and model Christian hospitality as a means to extend God’s kingdom. Disciples see their neighborhoods as their mission field and invest in the people who live, work, and play around them. Fishers of men develop friends outside the church. How else will we reach them?

When Dads wholeheartedly devote themselves to the pursuit of God’s kingdom, they model for their children what it means to be a Christ follower. When Dad’s include their children in reaching out (fishing for men), it teaches them what is most most important.

I have observed that children of parents who are devoted to Christ in word and deed are more likely to adopt kingdom values and commitments than the children of nominal believers.

This is not rocket science. Kids notice what their parents love and serve, and, if there is love and respect, they will imitate them. What we do is more important than what we say, because kids see through shallowness and hypocrisy in adults who only pay God lip service. They will likely reject our words, if our lifestyle does not back them up.

We Dads cannot afford to be passive or lukewarm with regard to Christ, the gospel, discipleship, and mission.

There is much more at stake than our own eternal reward. We must think generationally and realize that how we live will impact generations to come.

Most parents feel the tension between being on mission and raising a family. The solution is to include the family when we are doing missional activities We can include them when you have friends and neighbors over. We can take them when we go on any kind of outreach, including visiting neighbors. Children have a way of disarming people and opening hearts in ways that adults cannot.

We can model what we hope to see develop in our children.

It is possible to figure out ways to include unreached people in our family meals, events, and celebrations. It is wonderful for our children to watch us share the gospel and pray for people. We can include them when we do acts of kindness for neighbors and friends.

Our children are our most important disciples. If we fail with them, our other successes will be rather hollow.

We can only give away what we have. If we give ourselves to being a disciple, we can hope to see the same develop in our children. I encourage us all to prioritize being a disciple, or we sabotage everything else.

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Embracing Our God-given Roles

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In this life God has provided us with roles to play, some voluntary and others imposed.

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
(Shakespeare,  As You Like It)

We enter the world as dependent babies and may exit as dependent old folks. In between we might play many different roles. Most of us, at least traditionally, become either husbands or wives and mothers or fathers. Some of us may become bosses at work. More will become employees. Some will become military leaders, and others, soldiers under command. Some will become political leaders, perhaps a president, governor, senator, or congressman or congresswoman. Most of us will be citizens who have the privilege and responsibility of voting them in and out. All of us who live long enough will play the role of baby, child, student, teenager, young adult, and middle-aged adult. Many of us will eventually become seasoned citizens and grandparents, maybe even great grandparents!. Our roles in life come and go. They are all important, but none of them completely define us.

The role that comes closest in our natural lives to defining us as persons revolves around whose child we are. We inherit a great deal from our parents that goes into forming our personalities. 

The only truly defining role in all of life, that, sadly, not everyone gets to experience, is “child of God.” From being God’s child we derive our core identity, which is an eternal reality. It is our greatest privilege and carries with it enormous responsibilities.

Born-again believers are first, foremost, and always God’s children. That will never change. 

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. John 8:35 (NASB95)

In fact, all born again followers of Christ can rightly claim to be “sons,” the whole lot of us – men, women, and children. This is because we find our true identity in Christ, and our relationship with Abba Father derives from Jesus’ relationship. He is the Son, and we are in Him; therefore, we are all sons, too.

Everyone’s proper and intended core identity is being God’s son.

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don’t know God, so they don’t understand that we are his children. 1 John 3:1 (NLT)

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  Galatians 4:6 (NASB)

Building out from this core identity, God gives us various roles to play over a lifetime. We must be careful not to let any of these other temporary roles interfere with our understanding of who we are at the core. Yet, at the same time, these temporary roles are very important. How we fulfill them can affect our eternal reward.

We have already established in the first article in this series that in Christ, that is in the present spiritual and future resurrection reality, there is neither male nor female. Nevertheless, in this physical life on earth, first and foremost our roles derive from our gender. When a baby arrives in this world, or now when we get the ultrasound results, the key question is whether “it” is a boy or a girl. Then we can accurately label “it” a “he” or “she.” The idea that gender is fluid and can be chosen at a later date is absurd. Gender is established by God and permeates our entire being down to the chromosomal level.

We all experience life through the filter of our gender.

No one can fully know what it is like to live as a member of the opposite sex, regardless of claims to the contrary. Infusions of sex hormones and surgeries may indeed alter some things, but our chromosomes cannot be changed. Gender is assigned by God and is a determining factor in our life experience.

A wise person embraces God’s gender choice for him or her.

Over a lifetime, we play many different roles, some which are gender-based and some which are not. We begin as children whose main responsibility is to obey our parents. Next we move into adolescence, when we begin to think more like and adult and take on some adult responsibilities and privileges, in addition to experiencing adult temptations. Adulthood provides us with many role options – husband, father, wife, mother, breadwinner, boss, employee, leader, follower, disciple, mentor, etc. But none of these roles change our core identity.

Each role carries its own responsibilities, privileges, and rewards. Each of us should attempt to excel at the roles God allows us to play in life. None are insignificant or unimportant to God.

One huge problem with role playing is if we start to think that our roles define us. When those “under” authority start thinking that those “over” them are superior to them, it strikes a blow at our true identity. Unfortunately, those in authority often see themselves as actually being superior and communicate that directly or indirectly to those they oversee, thus denigrating and diminishing the perceived worth of those people. This is a serious violation of the authority role. Those in authority have the responsibility to serve and build up those under their care, as well as lead them. 

But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. Luke 22:26 (NASB95)

Since I am a man and understand masculine roles more than feminine ones, that is the focus of this series. Women cannot experience or partake of the roles God gives to men that are gender-based, just as women have roles that cannot be experienced by men.

Two unique potential male roles are being a husband and a father. Each of these has specific responsibilities, privileges, and rewards.

These roles, when properly carried out, constitute a very high calling, just as being a wife and mother do. I hope this series will help you to gain a greater appreciation for manhood and inspire men with a determination to be faithful with what God has placed in our hands. Husband and fathers are given the role and responsibility of being the loving “head” of the wife and family, respectively. Wives and children are assigned the role of being “under” the benevolent headship or authority of the husband or father.

It takes faith and humility to properly function in all of these roles.

As is obvious to most women, there may be nothing inherent in the man that makes him better qualified than the wife to be the head of the family. Sometimes wives have more wisdom, discerning, and natural leadership ability than the husband God has placed over them. Unless the husband, in such cases, operates in his headship with humility, wisdom, and grace, he may make it extremely difficult and unlikely that his wife will submit properly to him. Unless the wife understands her role and identity properly, she may find it next to impossible to follow the husband God has put in her life. We all must see that God is at work in all of these things and is bigger than we imagine.

It requires tremendous faith to be the head of a family or other organization or group, but perhaps it takes even more faith to be a follower.

Husbands and fathers, especially those who are aware of their own deficiencies, may be reluctant to lead, but they must do so nevertheless. Failing to lead betrays our calling and the grace supplied to us by God. So, whether we are gifted leaders or reluctant ones, it is vital that we humbly accept the roles God gives to us. Our humility as leaders and heads can make it possible for others to develop fully under our care.

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Roles, Responsibilities, and Privileges Given to Men – Summary

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God has given unique roles, responsibilities, and privileges to men. Each of us were born into this world with significant choices having been made for us. For example, none of us chose to be born. Our gender was not our own decision. Neither was our physical, intellectual, or personality makeup. We did not choose to which family we would belong, in what part of the world to be born, or what skin color to have. We were not given the option of being poor or wealthy. We were not given the option of being born into a two-parent family, a single parent family, or being an orphan. We did not get to select whether the nation in which we were born was free or oppressed, at peace or at war, impoverished or flourishing. Who made those choices? Since God is sovereign, the obvious answer is the Lord, at least indirectly. Some of these situations are a result of sin and injustice in the world.

The big takeaway is that  we have the option of being reconciled to our lot in life or resenting and fighting against it.

Adam and Eve chose to rebel against how God created them to be dependent beings who don’t know everything and who must rely on God’s help. Satan, who had already thrown aside God’s creation order for himself, deceived Adam and Eve into falling for the lie that God did not have their best interests in mind. They thought that being able to decide how to live for themselves was far superior to trusting and obeying God. By casting off their dependence on God, they thrust the entire human race into darkness and destruction, the consistent result of sin. This mindset has been passed down through the ages to every single person born from Adam’s and Eve’s line.

It is the nature of sin to distrust God and seek to run our lives independently from him.

Jesus became a man, embracing his role as the Lamb of God who provided us with forgiveness for our rebellion and offered to us rebellion’s antitoxin – complete surrender to our loving God. All this was to put humanity and the cosmos back on the right track. This brings us to my first big point.

No one can be truly and thoroughly happy until he or she repents from thinking and living independently from God and surrenders to Christ’s lordship in every area of life.

Gender and Godliness

The new birth makes us all “sons” of God because the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Son, comes to live inside us, crying out “Abba” Father. Spiritually speaking, we are all sons of God.

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:6–7 (NASB95)

Paul went so far as to say that, in this new birth spiritual reality, there is neither male nor female.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NASB)

Jesus also taught us that in the future resurrection, there will be no marriage, indicating that gender will not be relevant, which agrees with the previous passage in Galatians.

"For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Matthew 22:30 (NASB)

But what about now? Clearly in the present situation in which we find ourselves, gender is of great significance. Our physical and soulical makeup is vastly different depending on whether we are male of female. The way we view and experience life differs as well. The roles we play in the reproductive process are very dissimilar. Only males can be husbands and fathers, and only females can be wives and mothers. This is by God’s design.

Even though spiritually men and women are the same, we must embrace the gender-based roles given to us by God in our present historical situation as we await the resurrection, if we are going to fully glorify God.

Roles Given Specifically to Men

A role, like a part in a play, does not fundamentally define who we are. It merely gives us parameters or boundaries for living. We might think of it as a test of our obedience to God’s choice for us.

As believers, we are truly defined by our identity in Christ as children of God. At the identity level there is no distinction based on gender, race, age, nationality, politics, social status, or wealth. However, in the historical time-bound world in which we all presently live, we are given roles to play. Over a lifetime, these roles may change. We first play the role of a child. Later, if we live long enough, we become adults. Within the adult world there are many roles we may play: boss, worker, leader, follower, husband, wife, father, mother, grandmother, etc. A boss is not superior to his workers, but he does have authority and deserves honor based on his role.

Being able to distinguish between identity and role helps us to properly play our role as unto the Lord. Properly serving based on the roles we have in this life is part of what it means to be godly in this present age.

Disciples

The first role every man or woman of God needs to embrace is that of a disciple.

Until we surrender to Christ and become his follower or disciple, we will not be successful at properly functioning in the other roles available to us.

Allowing God’s Spirit to transform our thinking and behavior enables us to live as God intends.

Husbands

A very important gender-based role that most men will be able to play during their lives on earth is that of a husband. Only men can be husbands, if we accept the biblical and true definition and understanding of the word. What does it mean to be a husband? Paul gives us insight in the fifth chapter of Ephesians.

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23  For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26  so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27  that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28  So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; Ephesians 5:22-28 (NASB)

Let’s focus on two aspects of what it means to be a husband that are found in this passage.

First of all to be a husband means to be “head” of the wife and family. Secondly, husbands are to pour themselves out in love and service for those under their care.

Headship refers to the authority and leadership associated with the responsibility of being a husband. In God’s kingdom, the more responsible we are, the more authority we are given. Otherwise, being the head would be an exercise in frustration. Conversely, God does not give authority simply for its own sake or to be used selfishly.

Authority and responsibility go together. Husbands have authority from God to lead their wives, provide for them, nurture and develop them, and protect them.

In no way does this infer that the husband is superior to the wife. Quite the opposite, as Jesus pointed out, the lesser serves the greater. 

For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:27 (NASB95)

Even though the husband has authority as the head, he is the chief servant in the family.

This is how it works in God’s kingdom. Husbands are commissioned to lay down their lives in loving service to their wives and family, even as Christ laid down his life for the church. This brings us to an important insight about husbands.

Husbands have the unique privilege and responsibility to represent Christ to their wives.

It is hard to imagine a nobler or more challenging role in life than that! We need God’s help to do this, obviously. Most men are inherently selfish and self-centered. Marriage is designed to deliver us from this sinful orientation as we learn to properly love and serve.

When husbands properly model Christ to their wives, it is a way we indirectly preach the gospel. By demonstrating Christ’s selfless love toward our wives and families, people outside the faith get some understanding of Christ, especially when wives return the favor by loving and respecting their husbands.

Children of such a marriage are greatly impacted and will carry into adult life a positive image of marriage. When the wife reciprocates by loving, honoring, respecting, partnering with, and following her husband’s leadership, family life will become heavenly.

Each spouse must choose to focus on what Christ has commanded him or her.

Husbands should focus on loving and serving their spouses, and wives, on loving and respecting their husbands. It is usually a mistake to focus on what our spouse is supposed to do, especially if we try to nag them into doing their part. We can trust the Spirit to work in our partners, if we do our part.

Fathers

Fatherhood is usually the natural outcome of marriage, if our reproductive systems are functioning properly and we cooperate in the process. If we cannot have biological children, we usually have the option to adopt. As challenging as marriage is, fatherhood may be even more so.

Our heavenly father is the source of life itself. Paul wrote:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, Ephesians 3:14-15 (NASB)

In the human realm, God allows fathers to become the source of life for their children. Likewise, all blessings flow from Abba to us.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NASB)

Father God desires for human fathers to be conduits of blessings from God to their families.

God’s goodness is past human comprehension. Jesus had to become a human being in order to reveal to us by his words and example what Abba is like. We can only understand God’s nature by observing his Son. In a similar yet lesser way, children gain their first understanding of Abba through their human Dad.

Fathers represent Abba Father to their children.

How we fulfill this responsibility has an enormous impact on our children. If we are present in their lives in a loving and affirming way, it gives our children an enormous head start in life. If we fail our children by being absent or by actually harming them, we undercut their ability to know and trust their Father in heaven.

Some of the ways that Dad’s are commissioned to properly represent Abba are as follows.

  • Fathers should lavish love, delight, and affirmation on their children. This includes speaking blessings over them. Blessings release grace into their lives. Words have the ability to build up or tear down. Fathers’ words have extraordinary impact.
But even as he spoke, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 (NLT) 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.Proverbs 18:21 (NASB)
  • Fathers should provide a safe and secure environment for development and growth.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table. Psalm 128:3 (NASB)
  • Fathers discipline their children in order to form them into God-fearing responsible adults.
He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. Proverbs 13:24 (NASB)
  • Fathers teach their children the values and skills necessary to be successful in life. This includes spiritual, social, and practical things.
  • Fathers release their children into adulthood gradually at first and completely when they are ready. The goal of fatherhood is to produce responsible adults who will duplicate the discipleship process in their own children. Godly fathers get more pleasure in seeing their sons and daughters excel than in succeeding themselves.

Leaving a Legacy

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22 (NASB)

Whether we intend it or not, each of us will leave a legacy to those who follow.

It will be either a blessing or something to be overcome. While we are alive, we are able to choose which sort we will leave behind at our deaths.

No matter where we may begin our journey in life, we have the opportunity to move forward in God. Those who were born into unkind circumstances or inherited a poor legacy from their forefathers have a starting line for their race that is behind where those with a good inheritance may begin. God does not compare us one against the other, and neither should we. The important thing is that we move our family legacy forward.

The Allied soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day laid a foundation for those who followed at great expense to themselves. Perhaps we find ourselves in a similar situation regarding our family. If our family has a long history of abuse, addiction, crime, abandonment, or other forms of sin and destruction, it will be very challenging for us to break free from that cycle in order to provide a better starting place for our children, but it will be worth it.

Salvation is generational in that each generation builds on what the previous ones provided for them.

I encourage you fathers to make the decision to build a lasting legacy for succeeding generations. Though future sons and daughters may not fully appreciate what you do for the future, God sees and will reward you.

A Father’s Reward

Jesus came to restore us to a right relationship with Abba Father. He did this to bring his Father glory and honor and us enduring joy.

By turning our hearts back toward Abba Father, he made it possible for earthly Dads and their children to be in right relationship, too.

When a proper relationship exists between father and son or father and daughter, it is a source of great blessing. The absence of the father – child connection opens the door to many negative consequences.

“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives. 6  His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6 (NLT)

Much of the trouble we see in our nation and around the world originated in the break of the relationship between fathers and their children, which ultimately goes back to a broken or damaged relationship between human dads and Abba. When we get the Abba-human dad relationship right, the other can more easily follow.

Fathers who have been reconciled to Abba can help their own children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2  “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3  “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV)

A father’s joy is seeing his children do well.

Solomon said that a wise son makes a glad father. (Proverbs 10:1) Conversely, having a fool for a son or daughter is a heavy load for any parent to bear. Ultimately, our children must make their own way in life. A parent’s role is to give them the love, affirmation, blessings, and other tools they will need to succeed, but children must make their own choices.

Perfect parenting does not guarantee perfect results. Neither does poor parenting guarantee that children will fail.

Where human dads miss the mark, our heavenly Abba can supply what is missing. Where dads hurt their children, Abba can bring healing. Where parents do a good job, but kids nevertheless go down a wrong path, Abba can bring comfort to the parents and correction to the children. If parents realize they failed their children, there is forgiveness and hope for the future. We do our best, hopefully, but all of us make plenty of mistakes as a parent and as a child, even when we try to do it right.

For those of us who do not have our own natural children, there are lots of opportunities to be a “father” to those who are natural or spiritual orphans.

Adoption is a very important theme in the Bible. Moses was adopted. So was Jesus. Every born again follower of Christ is God’s child through adoption. For those of us whose children are now grown, we can now invest in however many others God brings our way who need a fatherly touch.

One day we will receive a reward for our labors, but even now we can rejoice as we watch our proteges successfully navigate life using the skills and blessings we passed on to them.

A father’s reward comes from pouring out his life into his children and watching them succeed and go even farther than he ever did.

The blessing continues as we watch our children pass the blessing forward to their own offspring. And when we ultimately stand before God’s throne at the judgment, we will hear him say, “Well done!” Hallelujah!

After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20  Yes, you are our pride and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NLT)
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Part 1 – Introduction

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By way of introduction to this series on godly manhood, it is important that we understand that we live in a time in which some minimize or even deny the God-given distinctions between men and women. The source of this dangerously flawed thinking is a deeply embedded rebellion and hatred against the God who created us. Until we experience a change of heart and thinking that comes from being born again and through surrendering our lives to Christ and his Word, we insist on governing our lives as we see fit without reference to God or his will for us. Even those of us who have decided to follow Christ must battle the destructive impulse to try to live independently from God. When we choose to submit to Christ’s lordship, however, the Holy Spirit begins to transform our thinking, which eventually will result in a change in how we live.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1–2 (NASB95)

The Spirit’s goal is to bring every area of our lives into alignment with God’s perfect design, order, and will. Not only will this glorify God, but it will also maximize our fulfillment and happiness.

What does it mean for a man to live as God intends? What are our unique responsibilities has God given to men? Are there any corresponding privileges? This series of teachings will look at two important roles God may give to us as men – husband and father. I will also explain the importance of leaving behind a godly legacy. But first, let us consider something very important that is sometimes overlooked.

The New Resurrection Order

Christians live in a tension between that which was, already is, and that which is coming. Sometimes the lines blur between the last two, making the Christian life challenging to navigate.

When Jesus died on the cross, he put to death much of the old order of things which came from Adam. When our Lord rose again, he birthed a brand new resurrection reality.

This new reality is something about which Paul wrote.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NASB)

When Jesus died on the cross, the following aspects of the old order of things were put to death with him.

  1. Racism – When Jesus, the Jew, died on the cross, God destroyed the inherent spiritual difference between the Jews and those outside the old covenant promises, called Gentiles. Jesus’ resurrection created “one new man” in Christ – the church. All forms of racism were dealt a death blow, making every person equal in God’s kingdom. There is now only one chosen people, the elect. (Ephesians 2:15, 19)
  2. Legalism – The Law’s power to point out our failures and condemn us was put to death on the cross as a result of our dying with Christ. (Romans 7:4) Jesus’ resurrection gave birth to a new age of living as justified children of God in the power of the Spirit. There is a fundamental difference between trying hard to please God and life in the Spirit by those who have already been made pleasing to God through faith in Christ.
  3. Religion and Ritual – Sacrifice, circumcision, Sabbath observance, the Temple, and that nation of Israel were rendered obsolete after the resurrection. Jesus fulfilled all of those shadows that merely pointed toward Christ and his life, crucifixion, resurrection, and lordship. In the New Covenant, the church of born again saints is called the “Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16) Now we worship in Spirit and truth instead of according to the Old Covenant rituals. (John 4:24)
  4. Gender and Socio-Economic Distinctions – When Jesus rose from the dead, he put to death the old order of things which often focused on outward distinctions, such as gender and social status. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

In the new “resurrection reality,”  there is no longer a male-female distinction in the Spirit, even though it is still true biologically, since we all still live in physical bodies as part of the Adamic order.

A Dynamic Gender Tension

Jesus said that in heaven there will be no marriage because gender will be a thing of the past. (Matthew 22:30)

However, we now live in the dynamic tension between what is and what is to come. We live in bodies that are part of the old Adamic order of things, but our born again spirits are in union with God and participate in the new resurrection reality. (1 Corinthians 6:17)

We are born into this world as either a male or a female. Our sexual identity affects us physically, emotionally, and in countless other ways. We are wired differently in our brains, have different muscular and skeletal structures, and have been given radically different functions in the reproductive process. To pretend that there are no essential differences is to be in willful denial. God separated Adam into male and female partly to illustrate that we need each other for companionship and completion. Together, as married couples, we are able more perfectly to reflect God’s image and experience what it means to be human.

As Christians, we must navigate the challenging tension of the “already here – not yet arrived” aspect of God’s kingdom. Spiritually there is no male or female, but naturally speaking there is. Can we integrate the two realities? Since God created us with the ability to interface with the natural and spiritual worlds, we are challenged to discover what aspects of each dimension have priority at the present time in a given situation. In this natural world which we presently inhabit, we have God-given gender-specific roles. Only a man can be a father and a husband, despite the protests by the radical Left to the contrary.

To rebel against God’s creation order is to rebel against the Creator.

However, to limit our understanding and application solely to the natural order of things is to miss out on some of the wonders of the New Covenant and revert back to a form of legalism.

It is important for us to understand that God can take any aspect of the resurrection and apply it to our present natural reality any time he desires.

Before Christ’s resurrection, the only way to be included in God’s covenant with Abraham was to join the Jewish covenant community. This meant adhering to all of the Law’s commandments and regulations. It also meant that every male had to be circumcised as an external sign of his covenant inclusion and commitment. Circumcision was uniquely male, of course, signifying that males had greater privilege and access to God. This was reinforced in the Law of Moses with regard to sanctuary access. Women were kept on the outside. They were not even regarded as reliable witnesses and not afforded the same educational opportunities as men. Their intrinsic worth was valued below men by the Law of Moses, as is shown by the relative fees for redemption being different for males and females.

Jesus erased these inequalities through his death and resurrection. The “one new man” created in him includes both male and female, slave and free, and Jew and Gentile, making the church the greatest of all “melting pots.”

At first, many of the early Jewish Christians assumed that the requirement of circumcision was still in effect. Many in the church did not yet understand the radical changes connected to the New Covenant. The requirement of circumcision was clearly stated in the Scriptures. (Genesis 17:14) It was shocking to Peter when he witnessed an uncircumcised Gentile named Cornelius begin to speak in tongues without having been previously circumcised. This surprising act of the Holy Spirit required the apostles to rethink their position regarding circumcision. It God were not demanding it, why should they? The Holy Spirit was only available to God’s children. (Acts 11:15-18) God showed that Cornelius was one of God’s children based simply on believing the gospel. Such an event demanded a revision of the church’s theology. After all, our theology should be one that God follows!

Paul seemed to be the first to develop this into a comprehensive theology. He understood that Abraham was justified by faith before ever being circumcised. (Romans 4:10-13) This scriptural precedent allowed him to develop the doctrine of justification by faith, one of the most important part of the New Covenant. In his Letter to the Romans, Paul explained that circumcision is no longer necessary. Now what is required is faith in the finished work of Christ, through which the heart is circumcised.

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6 (NLT)

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. Romans 2:29 (NASB95)

Christ fulfilled the Law, thereby making it’s ritual aspects obsolete.

True “circumcision” is now something spiritual that happens on the inside, in the heart, as a result of the new birth and the indwelling Spirit. (Philippians 3:3) For followers of Christ now to submit to outward circumcision as a means to obtain or maintain a right standing with God would be reverting to Old Covenant externals and legalism and would result in our “falling from grace.” (Galatians 5:1-4) New Covenant believers must stand on faith in Christ’s finished work or not stand at all.

For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. Galatians 5:4 (NLT)

What does this have to do with our topic? Not only is circumcision no longer critical in the resurrection reality that Christ introduced, but other things have changed as well. What about the distinction between men and women in God’s kingdom? Judaism offered women greater nobility and protection than other religions, but Jesus took things to a whole new level by including women in his band of disciples. He dignified women by first appearing to them after his resurrection, making them the very first to be witnesses his resurrection glory. Women were also significant ministers in the early church.

How did Paul make the huge leap to go from including women in the band of disciples to saying there is “neither male nor female?” He saw the Spirit at work in women, just as he saw evidence of the Spirit’s work in the uncircumcised Cornelius. He also knew that there was an Old Testament antecedent. God previously raised up Deborah to lead Israel and command generals.

When we observe a present work of the Spirit that is corroborated by a biblical antecedent, it gives us insight into God’s New Covenant resurrection reality. This is what Paul did regarding circumcision and regarding women.

Gender Roles Still Exist

However, please do not assume at this point that I am throwing out all teaching on male headship. I am not. In this present male-female oriented natural world, we still have gender specific roles to play. Some of these roles are non-transferable. Others are more malleable. Hopefully this series of articles will help to shed some light on these things and help us to better understand and fulfill our gender specific roles in life.

Click here to access all articles in this series.

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The Link between Sorcery and Deception

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Perhaps most people would not think a link exists between deception and sorcery, but the Bible affirms that there is. Concerning mystery Babylon in the Book of Revelation, John wrote:

The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The happy voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the greatest in the world, and you deceived the nations with your sorceries. Revelation 18:23 (NLT)

Nahum corroborates these words when describing another powerful city of his time, Nineveh.

All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, The charming one, the mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations by her harlotries And families by her sorceries. Nahum 3:4 (NASB95) 

In another verse, the Bible says that Satan has deceives the entire world (Revelation 12:9). It only stands to reason that he uses sorcery to do it.

Those who take the Bible seriously and know that every word is God’s truth realize that God is telling us that governmental and other types of power in this world are often connected to the satanic and demonic realm. This includes the power to deceive, which is wielded through sorcery.

Consider the power of the satanic lie to seduce Adam and Eve into doing what brought death and destruction. Do we think that the serpent in the garden merely used a logical argument against them, or was something far more powerful and sinister at work? I can almost see the glittering eyes of the serpent as he unleashed the poison of his sorcery against them.

The Book of Enoch, which is non-canonical but is quoted in our New Testament, has some interesting things to say about the occult. It relates that evil angels instructed humans in the wicked knowledge of sorcery. The following is from Book 9.

Thou hast seen what Azazyel has done, how he as taught every species of iniquity upon earth, and has disclosed to the world all the secret things which are done in the heavens. 6. Samyaza also has taught sorcery, to whom thou hast given authority over those who are associated with him. They have gone together to the daughters of men; have lain with them; have become polluted;

I do not ascribe scriptural authority to these verses, but they seem to add detail regarding what is recorded in the first few chapters of Genesis. Whether these words are indeed true, we know that people must gain their knowledge of the occult realm from the devil. Where else would they obtain it?

But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. Revelation 2:24 (NASB95)

Just as the deep things of God can only be learned from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10), the deep things of Satan come by spiritual interaction as well.

There are only two sides in this cosmic battle between good and evil, God and Satan. There is only one Lord, Jesus, and one pretender to the throne, Satan. It is important for us to grasp that the entire world system is steeped in deception and that the only way of escape is via the truth found in the Bible as revealed by the Spirit of truth. It is also important to know what we are up against – evil people allied with Satan who have access to “the deep things of Satan.” The power of evil is formidable, but no match for the power of the Lord.

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:4–6 (NASB95)

I believe we should understand that there is more deception in the world than we think based on what Jesus said in Revelation 12:9. Governments employ deception on a unimaginable scale through such agencies as the CIA. In an age when the “deep fake” can be easily carried out by modern technology, we must be on guard.

Every other testimony, whether it be scientific, medical, or so-called  “experts”, should be weighed against the testimony of the Bible. When there is disagreement, we must lean toward the Scriptures. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Like the Protestant reformers, we should adopt the motto, “Sola Scriptura” – “only the scripture.” We ought to repent from trusting science or any other human testimony more than God’s Word. This is the only way we will thrive in a world drowning in deception.

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31–32 (NASB95)
Prayer

Holy Spirit, we ask you to deliver us from the rampant deception that has enveloped the world. Open our eyes to more and more truth from your Word. If we have been duped by the devil’s sorcery and lies, we ask you to set us free in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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The Prophetic Significance of the Stoning of Stephen for Israel

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IsraelThe stoning of Stephen had tremendous prophetic significance concerning the nation of Israel. Stephen began his final speech to the Jews by giving a short account of Israel’s history with God. Suddenly, he switched gears to pronounce a scathing judgment upon the Jews.

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” Acts 7:51–53 (NKJV)

We must assume that the Holy Spirit prompted him to pronounce this indictment. His death, witnessed by Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, fulfilled the timing found in one of the prophet Daniel’s visions.

Stephen’s wording was exact. He did not use hyperbole when he said the Israelites always resist the Holy Spirit and never kept the Law. Yes, there were significant men and women during her history who walked with God, but the nation as a whole was steeped in idolatry and did not submit to God. We now know that it was impossible for them to do so and still is, apart from being reborn in the Spirit, for no one is able to keep the Law.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:21–24 (NKJV)

The window of opportunity for the entire nation of Israel to repent and confess that Jesus is Lord came to a close when the Jews killed Stephen.

The more complete outworking of that judgment was fulfilled years later when the Roman army sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the temple in 70 AD, thereby ending the sacrificial system forever. 

When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Hebrews 8:13 (NASB95)
 
Daniel’s Vision

I wrote another article about the partial preterist interpretation of Daniel’s seventy weeks, which you can read, if you like, by clicking on the link above. I believe this interpretation better agrees with scripture and history. You can click here to read more about my position regarding dispensational theology. Below I will summarize a section of my article on Daniel’s vision. 

“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. 25 “Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” Daniel 9:24–27 (NKJV)

A generally accepted convention for interpreting prophecy is making a day into a year. Below is a breakdown of how the partial preterist position interprets the 70 weeks.

  • 7 weeks (49 years) – 457 BC (the decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem) to 408 BC, during which time were the ministries of Ezra (rebuilding the temple) and Nehemiah (rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem).
  • 62 weeks (434 years ) – 408 BC to the baptism of Jesus in AD 27 (The anointing of the Holy One.) He was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of the ministry.
  • 1 week (7 years)
    • AD 27 to AD 31: 3.5 years – The time from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry until his crucifixion. He was the the Anointed One who was cut off. The Messiah will be cut off, but not for himself, ending the need for any more animal sacrifices. He, the Messiah, shall confirm a covenant – the New Covenant.
    • 31 AD to 34 AD: 3.5 years from the crucifixion to the stoning of Stephen, after which the door was officially opened to the Gentiles and a door of opportunity shut for the Jews as a nation. Paul was called and commissioned shortly thereafter.
  • 70 AD: the destruction of the Temple by Titus and the Roman army (the people of the prince), effectively ending all animal sacrifices.

The partial preterist view does not put a 2000-year gap between the 69th and 70th week, as does dispensational theology. Therefore, Daniel 9 does not predict what will happen at the very end of time just prior to the Second Coming. If we accept the partial preterist interpretation, it is quite understandable why Daniel was so upset by the vision. God showed him that Israel would reject and murder their Messiah and Jerusalem and the temple destroyed!

Jesus’ Prophetic Warning to Israel

Jesus also foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6, Luke 21:20, Luke 19:43-44), which signified the end of God’s purpose for Israel.

Israel had the glorious role of stewarding God’s promises and the scriptures as well as providing the human pedigree for the Messiah. However, just as John the Baptist’s role was concluded when he introduced Jesus to the nation, Israel’s role sadly reached its end when it fulfilled the scriptures by crucifying the Messiah! 

In Acts chapter two, on Pentecost, the apostle Peter offered those present in Jerusalem for the great feast an opportunity to repent of this great evil, and 3000 did! Unfortunately, the preponderance of the people and leaders continued to resist the Holy Spirit, just as Stephen said in his last sermon.

Jesus prophesied that all this would happen and that the kingdom of God would be given to another people, one that would embrace him as Lord.

“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. 44 “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. Matthew 21:43–45 (NASB95)

This new people was later revealed to be the Church, the “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15) composed of elect Jews and Gentiles who are born again by the Holy Spirit, a new nation and people springing forth from the second or last Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

God’s Plan All Along

The surprising emergence of the church had been God’s intention all along, contrary to the claims of dispensationalism. The church was not a “plan B,” but was God’s original intent as revealed in several places in Scripture.

...to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ephesians 3:10–13 (NKJV)

From the beginning of Israel’s history, God revealed that he would eventually destroy that nation for its blatant rebellion and raise up another people who would fulfill his will.

The first example was at Mount Sinai. Moses ascended to mountain to receive the ten commandments. Upon his return, he found that the people had quickly abandoned their devotion to God and made an idol for themselves to worship. Here is God’s pronouncement of judgment.

The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10 “Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” Exodus 32:9–10 (NASB95)

Why did God say this? Did he have a “short fuse” which made him prone to utter rash words in anger? Of course not! God knew that the nation of Israel, like all fallen humans, had zero ability to keep his commandments and remain devoted to him.

In the passage above God prophetically foreshadowed his plan to raise up another prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) from whom he would bring forth another people capable of serving him wholeheartedly. This new people would be the New Covenant church, who would be indwelled and empowered by God’s own Spirit. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Again, when the Israelites rebelled against God in the wilderness on their way to the promised land, God pronounced a judgment that revealed his future plan to raise up the church through Christ.

The LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? 12 “I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.” Numbers 14:11–12 (NASB95)

When Israel came to edge of the Promised Land the first time, once again they rebelled against God’s command to enter the land and conquer the inhabitants. Only Joshua and Caleb had faith in God’s promises. The rest were sentenced to die in the wilderness over the next forty years of wandering. Only Joshua, Caleb, and the new generation were able to eventually obtain the promises of God.

The principle is simple, the old fallen fleshly order cannot inherit the promises of God. Only those born of the Spirit can enter by faith.

Interestingly, once Israel heard God’s pronouncement of his rejection of their generation, they rebelled once again and decided they would after all enter and conquer the Canaanites. But it was too late. The door had been shut. Their attempt to enter in their own strength did not have God’s support or blessing. It was doomed to failure. (Numbers 14:39-45)

I believe that the nation of Israel today is like that group of rebels. Until the people of Israel submit to Jesus as Lord, they will not succeed. 

When it came time for Moses to die, he again warned the Israelites of what was to come.

Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you. 27 “For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the LORD; how much more, then, after my death? Deuteronomy 31:26–27 (NASB95)

Once again, God pointed out that Israel was incapable of pleasing him because that nation was of the flesh, born of Adam, and part of the old fallen order. No flesh can inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50), but only that which is born of God by the Spirit. (John 3:5).

Neither the nation of Israel nor any other human institution or people is capable of pleasing God or inheriting his kingdom outside of the New Covenant transformation caused by the new birth.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB95)

Those whom God so transforms from within are part of God’s elect, the church, the Israel of God. (Galatians 3:7, Galatians 3:29, Galatians 6:16, Romans 2:29, Romans 9:6, Philippians 3:3)

When Joshua was near death, he, too, warned Israel that it was impossible for them to be faithful to God, to which they objected, as we all do before God shows us how hopelessly lost we are without Christ.

Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. 20 “If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.” 21 The people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD.” 22 Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the LORD, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” Joshua 24:19–22 (NASB95)

The Jews who reject Christ will be judged by the Law, as will we all. (John 5:45)

The law’s purpose is to reveal how hopelessly lost we are. It was never a viable means for us to save ourselves through obedience to it. It only showed how badly we need a Savior.

But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:22–29 (NASB95)

It is so difficult for us to admit that we cannot save ourselves, but until we come to the end of thinking we can, we are not ready to receive God’s offer of eternal life through his Son. If we reject the Son, we do not have the Father either. (1 John 2:23) Jesus warned the Jewish leaders that, rather than being children of God, they were offspring of the devil. (John 8:44) Later in Revelation, he calls them the “synagogue of Satan” in two different places.

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:9 (NASB95) 

Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Revelation 3:9 (NASB95)

These are not my words, but our Lord’s. He was not antisemitic, and neither am I. Jesus spoke the truth, and I attempt to follow in his steps.

The nation of Israel today claims to be God’s chosen people, but they are not. God has only one chosen people, the elect, who are known by their faith and allegiance to Christ.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants...11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, Romans 9:6–8, 11 (NASB95)

For us to believe that the nation of Israel is God’s chosen people is to misunderstand the New Covenant.

We cannot have it both ways. There are not two tracks for salvation, one that pertains only to Israel after the flesh and another that pertains to all other humans through God’s Spirit. God has only one way to be saved, which is through the new birth by faith in Christ’s resurrection and by declaring allegiance to him. (Romans 10:9-10)

To back Israel now as God’s chosen people is akin to when the northern tribes backed Absalom against God’s chosen king.

Those tribes were deceived into supporting a rebel and pretender to the throne. It did not end well. Many died in a vain rebellion against God’s true king. We dare not fall into that trap today by supporting the nation of Israel as it attempts to regain what God stripped from them in 70 AD. They will not succeed.

God will be glorified in Christ and his church through all eternity, not in the nation of Israel. 

Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:21 (NLT)

Only those descendants of Abraham who acknowledge that Christ is Lord will be included in what is called the Israel of God.

When all the elect Jews and Gentiles are finally born again into the church, the end will come and all Israel (the true Israel of God) will be saved. (Romans 11:26)

The stoning of Stephen was a prophetic marker that closed the door to the nation of Israel. Thereafter, the true born again Israel of God would be assembled from every nation under heaven.

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:9–10 (NASB95) 
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Surrender Unlocks the Door to God’s Secret Place

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God has a secret place where we can find refuge from the trials and tempests of life. We gain entrance to that peaceful place by unconditionally surrendering to the Lord. Peace is one of God’s greatest gifts, which can never be enjoyed by the wicked, those who have never received forgiveness for their sins through Christ’s shed blood. Peace comes as a byproduct of being justified or made right with God.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)

We experience the peace that Christ won for us by placing our faith in his completed work on the cross, declaring publicly our allegiance to our Lord, and surrendering anything that is working actively against our peace to him in prayer.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! 5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NET)

In warfare, strife ceases and peace comes when one side unconditionally surrenders. As long as two opposing wills vie for supremacy, there can be no peace.

God’s will must triumph over ours if we wish to enter the secret place of God.

We are surrounded by Satan’s demonic forces who wish to destroy us, but, surprisingly, sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

Any fear or mistrust we may harbor in our hearts toward God can sabotage our efforts to be loyal to Him.

God is working out his plan for our lives, but if we stubbornly and fearfully refuse to go along with that plan, we may find ourselves opposing God and in need of His correction and deliverance.

Surrender to God and His will requires that we lay down our own agendas and our desire to control our lives.

It means that we must be open to the possibility that God will require us to go through something we dread. This possibility does not seem like good news. In fact, some of my readers may be rebuking this idea already, thinking it is outside of God’s will. But consider that Jesus warned Peter that in his latter years he would be required to go where he did not wish to go.

I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” John 21:18–19 (NLT)

History tells us that Peter was martyred for his allegiance to Christ by being crucified upside down. Jesus knew that almost everyone of his disciples would die for their testimony; yet, he was not hesitant to call them to follow him. God is not squeamish about calling us to suffer for his sake.

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Philippians 1:29 (NASB95)

Paul was informed at the time of his conversion that he would suffer greatly for his allegiance to Christ.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:15–16 (NASB95)

Peter and Paul surrendered themselves to Christ and his call upon their lives. They refused to run from or resist the call to suffer, which allowed them to experience God’s peace in the midst of what otherwise might have made them fearful.

Unless we unconditionally surrender to God, we cannot have unconditional peace.

Wisdom tells us that, no matter what God may allow to come into our lives, we are first to acknowledge His sovereignty, seek Him and His will in the matter, and then engage the enemy as directed.

When the Philistines attacked David, his first response was to seek the Lord, Who gave him specific instructions regarding how to proceed. Too often Christians flail about in sometimes misguided attempts to fend off spiritual attacks, rather than seek the Lord, who may be allowing the attack in order to do a deep work in the believer.

Sometimes the only way we can find freedom is by going through the very thing we fear so that we discover that God is greater.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, our Lord declared that the Roman ruler could only do to Him what God allowed.

So Pilate said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority to release you, and to crucify you?” 11 Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” John 19:10-11 (NET)

Before going to the cross, at which time darkness would temporarily rule, Jesus first did business with His heavenly Father – the ultimate Ruler in every situation.

When we find ourselves in a test or trial, we should first go to God and be sure our hearts and wills are submitted to what He wishes to accomplish in our lives through the trial.

It is only against that backdrop of trust and submission that we can know more perfectly what other actions we must take. If instead we simply begin to engage in what we might want to call “spiritual warfare,” we may find ourselves unhappily resisting God Himself. Imagine if Jesus had rebuked Satan instead of surrendering to death as God’s Lamb! This is what Peter advised his Master to do, but Jesus rebuked his misguided friend by telling him that he did not have the things of God in mind. Imagine how foolish it would be for us to fearfully rebuke a pending trial that may be the avenue for our knowing Christ as Provider, Healer, or in whatever other way God wants us to know Him!

Check in with God first. Find out what He wants to do in us; then, join His program. This is what it means to have Christ as Lord.

A severe trial will often cause whatever rebelliousness and fear we still may have deeply buried in our hearts to bubble to the surface. God knew it was there all along, but we may be surprised to discover what is hidden inside of us.

The fire of affliction tests and reveals our hidden motives and the nature and strength of our faith. If we know God loves us enough to expose these things in order to deliver us, we will better be able to endure the process by faith.

Unless we go through the fire, we never know for sure what is inside us. Until we face our fears, the strength of our faith may be somewhat of a mystery. Soldiers who have never been in combat wonder what they will do under fire. No one can know for sure ahead of time. Once we go through our first battle, however, we know.

That which we previously dreaded can become for us a gateway into overcoming faith after we have faced it and found that God’s grace is sufficient and his promises are true.

Job had to endure what he feared so that his subtle self-righteousness and pride would bubble to the surface. God was far more interested in revealing Himself in a greater way to Job than in keeping him pain free.

When we realize that character transformation is a higher priority than our comfort and ease, we will begin to better understand God’s ways.

If we choose to be pliable in His hands, the Lord can mold us how He wishes. As long as our peace hinges on our obtaining a certain set of conditions or a certain answer to prayer, we will always be subject to the fear that God will not grant our wish. Being enslaved to our circumstances is a terrible way to live because we can never be completely at rest. What we dread could be just around the corner…and then what? It is no use trying to insulate ourselves from what we fear by “having enough faith.”

Faith was never designed to protect us from trials: rather, it keeps us while we are in trials.

Ponder Christ’s words:

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage — I have conquered the world. John 16:33 (NET)

If we believe that trusting in Christ is our ticket to a trouble free life, we are in for a shock. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are actually appointed to tribulations.

We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NET)

Trials, afflictions, suffering and tribulations work for us. They teach us perseverance and build character. Here is what Paul wrote to the church in Rome.

Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (NET)

When we resolve to use life’s tests and trials as opportunities to trust in God’s love and ability to keep and deliver us, we can experience unconditional peace. I call this “unconditional peace” because it does not depend on any outward circumstance or condition. Whether we live or die, we can have peace. Whether we get the answer we want or not, we have peace.

Peace resides in a Person, and His name is Jesus. As we fully surrender to that Person, we receive all of what that Person has and is.

One of His titles is the Prince of Peace. His peace becomes our peace, a peace that can never be shaken.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. John 14:27 (NET)

Moses wrote about this place of surrender and peace. It is a secret place hidden from life’s storms and the threats of the enemy. It is a place where God’s peace and presence reign undisturbed. We have access to that secret place by surrendering unconditionally to the Lord in every circumstance.

As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One, and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king — 2 I say this about the LORD, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2 (NET)

We can only experience this sort of overcoming faith if we are convinced that God loves us more than we can imagine, is faithful to keep his promises, and is working all things for our good and his glory. (Romans 8:28)

 

SeeingGodsSmile nooksizeYou can read more about the secret place of God’s unconditional peace in my book, Seeing God’s Smile When Life Is Difficult, which can be ordered from Amazon. I wrote this to help people through severe trials, but is helpful to all who wish to develop overcoming faith.

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Passing On Three Spiritual Treasures

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God gave us three spiritual treasures in his Son, Jesus. If we receive these by faith, we can give them away to others. When Jesus was transfigured before three of his disciples, they heard God the Father speak from heaven about his Son, Jesus.

While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" Matthew 17:5 (NASB)

What Abba Father spoke over Jesus communicated three spiritual truths or treasures that God wants every one of his born-again children to receive. Jesus heard his Father tell him that he is loved, pleasing, and significant. Another way to put this is that Abba affirmed Jesus’ identity as a beloved son. Abba confirmed Jesus complete acceptance in that he was well-pleasing, and that he Jesus is significant and should be given heed.

Abba gave Jesus a secure sense of identity, acceptance, and significance, which all parents, especially fathers, are supposed to communicate to their own children, too.

If fathers communicate these things, it will equip their offspring to succeed in life. If they fail in this regard, it can create a void or wound that will need filling by someone or something else.

Identity

Knowing who we are is a foundation for successful living. We draw our identity from our parents, especially our fathers. We carry our parents’ DNA and are shaped by their example, words, and values. It is important for children to know that their parents “claim” them and acknowledge that they belong to them.

Too many children have absentee parents today, creating a void in their sense of identity. Abandoned children often wrongly deduce that they are unworthy of being loved, which establishes a negative identity and creates a deep wound in the heart. When a father is a poor examples of Abba, it leaves the child identifying with his bad example or trying to be not like his father. To be not something is a poor substitute for a positive identity.

When parents tell their children that they are beloved sons and daughters, it imparts the spiritual treasure that they are treasured and sets them on a solid foundation for future success. 

Security

It is one thing for a parent to love a child and quite another for that parent to show delight in him or her. I have heard parents say something like the following: “I love my child, but I do not like him.” Often parents love their children in the sense that they provide for, protect, and claim them as their own, but they fail to act as if or communicate that they genuinely delight in them. Children pick up on this mixed message, and it can create a deep sense of insecurity. It may cause our child to wonder what is wrong with me that makes me so unlovable. It may signal to her that God does not delight in her either. All of us need for someone to delight in us, and, if parents fail to delight in their children, it sets the stage for us to seek for that elsewhere, making us vulnerable to those who might wish to manipulate or abuse us.

However, when we show delight in our children, we impart a second great treasure which can contribute to their being secure as they launch out into life and have to deal with others who may not be so kind.

Significance

All of us want to feel significant, too. We want to believe that we count for something or are important in some way. Abba Father told the whole world to listen to this Son, affirming his paramount importance. Every child wants to know that his parents regard him to be significant in some way. We all are important in God’s eyes; although, how we are important varies and sometimes may be obscured by our obvious defects.

The gift of encouragement is able to see by faith what is hidden beneath the surface and can assist in bringing it forth.

If we as parents are being challenged with identifying a child’s significance, we should ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. If we communicate indifference or even negativity toward our children, it creates a wound and sets up a lie that promotes failure in many cases. Those with a more combative temperament may use such negativity as an incentive to succeed, but not from a secure position.

When we affirm our children and help them to identify their areas of significance, it will help them to succeed.

The Source of All Blessings

The Bible teaches us that God the Father is the ultimate source of every blessing.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NLT)

Those blessings that come through people originate in him. Earthly fathers are meant to imitate Abba by allowing His blessings to flow through them.

When earthly fathers speak blessings over their children, it opens a conduit from heaven in their lives.

When earthly fathers are passive or indifferent, it can prevent the desired blessing from being passed on to their children. If earthly fathers or mothers speak curses over their children, such as “You will never amount to anything.”,  it will create a wound and set up a lie that will likely be believed and acted out.

Ideally, natural fathers will bless their children and give to them the three spiritual treasures outlined above. Eventually, earthly fathers will be able to lead their children to put their faith and allegiance in Christ who will reveal the heavenly Abba to them.

The more faithfully we natural fathers imitate our heavenly Father, the easier it will be for our children to receive Abba’s love.

The more we fail to imitate Abba, the more deformed will be our children’s concept of God.

The Remedy

Whether or not we were privileged to have fathers who blessed us, the ultimate blessing always comes from Abba. He gives us all that we need in Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3 (NASB)

Even if we had terrible earthly fathers, Abba can more than make up for their failures. Jesus came to forgive us for our sins and restore us to a right relationship with Abba. Our Lord promises to reveal Abba’s heart to us. All we have to do is ask him.

No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known]. John 1:18 (AMP)

If there is a hole or wound in our soul, it is important for us to make it a priority to allow Abba Father to speak into our hearts as he did over Jesus. His words bring life, healing, and faith.

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)

His words to us can undo the damage created by the neglect or evil done by our natural fathers.

Abba’s words can put within us a proper sense of identity, security, and significance that will propel us into our God-given destiny.

Jesus was able to endure the hostility and attacks of his detractors because he had complete security in God. So can we with God’s help.

Prayer

Jesus, I did not receive from my earthly father all that I needed. I thank you that you died for my sins and reconciled me to my heavenly Father. I ask you to reveal our Father’s heart to me in a way that I can understand and receive. Help me to receive from him all I need to be all he wants me to be. Amen.

“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27 (NLT)
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Overcoming the Pain of Self-Inflicted Loneliness

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For most people, loneliness is a painful and undesirable condition. We may experience it through no fault of our own, or it may be that we bring it upon ourselves. We may be our own worst enemy, repelling potential friends because we blindly hate in others what we despise in ourselves.

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Romans 2:1 (NLT)

We may experience self-inflicted loneliness by being critical and judgmental toward ourselves and others.

As anyone who has lived very long knows, most of us do not respond well to criticism. When criticize others, it reveals that we see ourselves as their judge. It is difficult to be the friend of a judge.

Jesus was called the “friend of sinners.”

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.  2  This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! Luke 15:1-2 (NLT)

It was a derogatory title pinned on him by the Jewish religious leaders, who held many of those whom Jesus befriended in contempt. Those leaders believed that they were morally superior because of their knowledge of the Law and their imagined adherence to it. The truth is that we all fall short of God’s glory and fail to measure up to his standard of righteousness. (Romans 3:23)

No one is ever in a place to despise other human beings.

Jesus, on the other hand, who was truly superior in every way, gladly chose to be with those whom the religious leaders shunned. Those labeled as “sinners” picked up on Jesus’ love and were attracted to him, at least the ones whose hearts were open to his message of hope and forgiveness. The interesting thing is that Jesus calls us to leave our sin and follow him, but he does it in such a way that draws humble people toward him rather than pushing them away, as the religious hypocrites did.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Criticism breeds criticism. Rejection usually experiences rejection in return, but love draws people.

Only God has the right to condemn people for their sins. Thankfully, he provided a remedy for our guilt in his Son, who died on our behalf in order to provide forgiveness and reconciliation. Those who reject the good news that Jesus took our sins upon himself, can only expect judgment from God when they die and stand before him. However, those who believe the gospel receive and enjoy God’s love. God’s heart is open toward anyone who is willing to admit his or her desperate need for forgiveness and help.

Pride is harsh and unforgiving, but humility is gentle and inviting. Pride inspires us to criticize and judge others; while, humility prompts us to show mercy.

Demonstrating humility is a huge key to overcoming self-inflicted loneliness by drawing and keeping friends.

Mature followers of Christ learn how to make proper assessments of people without descending into thinking we are somehow superior. Jesus completely knows people and their motives, but that did not keep him aloof or prevent him from being kind and merciful toward us. Nothing is hidden from him, but his heart remains open to those who are open to him, regardless of their shortcomings and failures. That is one reason we have hope.

We may find that those we formerly criticized and rejected have much to offer in the way of friendship, if we treat them as we wish to be treated. We can ask the Holy Spirit to take the “log” out of our own eyes, so that we will be able to properly see others through God’s eyes. If we make the effort to be friends with those whom we may be tempted to judge, just maybe someone will decide to be a friend of that other sinner each of us knows so very well.

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Cognitive Dissonance – Gateway to Repentance

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Cognitive dissonance describes the unease we feel when we are confronted with new information that opposes what we have always thought to be true. It forces us to decide either to embrace the new truth or reject it in favor of what we previously thought. Repentance is the English word that translates the Greek metanoeo, which means to change the mind. It is easy to see that cognitive dissonance often precedes repentance.

Jesus called Satan the “father of lies” in whom there is no truth at all. (John 8:44) Since the Garden of Eden, his master plan for humanity is to deceive us into joining him in his rebellion against God and thereby destroy us. He cannot directly curse us, but he can trick us into sinning and bringing upon ourselves God’s righteous judgment. 

The Bible says that Satan deceives the entire world or inhabited earth (Revelation 12:9); so, we should not imagine we are immune to his lies. The Bible goes on to say that the entire world or cosmos lies in Satan’s power. (1 John 5:19) His lies extend to every area of human thought and activity, not just the religious realm. Morality, science, education, medicine, government, the media, and all human relations also are impacted by the breadth and depth of Satan’s deception. 

The purpose of the devil’s lies is to keep us from seeing and embracing God and his truth, which has the power to save and liberate us. (John 8:31-32) 

In the church and the world, false teachers feed us lies to set us up to see or understand things incorrectly so that when we encounter truth it seems wrong to us. This was certainly true regarding Jesus’ first coming. False teachers taught the Jewish people to expect a Messiah who would restore Israel to its former prominence and glory, overthrow Roman oppression, and be God’s instrument to rule and bless the world. When the real Messiah showed up, those false expectations kept most people from recognizing him. The cognitive dissonance created by Jesus’ not being what they expected from the Messiah required that:

  1. They repent from their false belief and embrace God’s truth, or,
  2. They reject the true Messiah in favor of a false version of reality.

The Bible gives us clear examples of each. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who was steeped in the pride of being part of the ruling religious elite and who had been indoctrinated to see things from a narrow legal perspective regarding all things spiritual. Nevertheless, when he was confronted by the obvious truth that God was behind the miracles Jesus performed (John 3:2), he was open to changing his mind. He decided to talk one-on-one with the Lord, which apparently led to his conversion (John 19:39). In his case, cognitive dissonance prompted him to further investigate the claims that stood in opposition to his former thinking. This is how cognitive dissonance can become a gateway to repentance.

On the other side, we have many examples of those who experienced cognitive dissonance in Jesus’ presence but chose to reject his claims and hang on to their old way of thinking rather than repent. One of the clearest examples is when Jesus healed the blind man in John Chapter 9. When confronted by the obvious miracle, the Pharisees refused to acknowledge God’s hand in it. The man who had been healed called them out.

We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. 32 “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 “If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out. John 9:31–34 (NASB95)

The previously blind man could clearly see that Jesus was from God, but those who were educated in the Bible refused to acknowledge the obvious. How ironic. And because they refused to embrace truth when confronted with it, their judgment was sealed.

And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains. John 9:39–41 (NASB95)

Cognitive dissonance either opens our hearts to repent and accept the truth or it welds shut the gates of our self-imposed prison of lies. What we do when we are confronted with the truth of God’s Word greatly affects our destinies.

This principle holds for all areas of truth. We are tested in our allegiance to God’s Word above all things. When God’s truth confronts long held false beliefs, we are faced with a choice – repent or worship the false idol represented by the lie. May God grant us repentance and a willingness to let go of everything that contradicts God’s Word.

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