Count’em….One!

Husbands quite often think of their wife as something they own. Scripture however teaches that the wife becomes a part of her husband and vice versa.
The two become one, part of each other.

Perhaps this sheds light on the verse that says; But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.  Proverbs 6:32

Can a man and a woman who have become one in marriage, literally tear themselves apart through the act of adultery?

A man is to love his wife as he loves his own body and as he loves himself, because she is (Ephesians 5).

…..let the word of Christ dwell in you richly….

I have just finished reading through the book of Job.  Here are a couple of observations that I have missed through the years:

• Job had no idea what was going on in heaven between God and Satan concerning himself.  All Job knew was that all of a sudden he lost everything.  He lost his wealth and then he lost his children without even knowing why.  His friends thought they knew why.  Even Job had his own ideas why.  In the end however, Job realized that all he needed to know was that God is sovereign.  God is in control.
• Job’s physical suffering was greater than what I had imagined.  His boils were so bad that his friends did not even recognize him…….I missed that.  I always thought that they were indeed painful, but I never imagined that his face was so covered with boils that he would be unrecognizable. 

• The gift of tongues as defined by Scripture:

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues, the wonderful works of God.                Acts 2:4-11

It is clear in this passage from the book of Acts, that the gift of speaking in tongues was the ability to speak another language without having learned it.  Everyone was amazed to hear the wonderful works of God spoken by the unlearned Galilaeans (Acts 4:13) in his own language!

• The purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues.

The purpose of this gift as stated in this context was to glorify God by declaring His wonderful works to Jews out of every nation under heaven.  Speaking in tongues was a sign to unbelieving Jews (I Corinthians 14:22a).  This means that whenever the sign gift of speaking in tongues was exercised, unbelieving Jews would be present. 

We would do well to remind ourselves that Jesus came teaching, preaching and healing.  He came teaching, preaching and healing to fulfill Old Testament prophecy.  In so doing, He proved that He is who He said He is: God’s Son, the promised Messiah!  Messiah Jesus came offering to Israel the Kingdom and Himself as her King.

Our understanding of the purpose of the gift of tongues, is rooted in the Old Testament passage that the apostle Paul quotes to the Corinthian church as the proof text for the gift of tongues.  In I Corinthians 14:21 Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11; For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  

•  The historical context of the Old Testament for the New Testament sign gift of speaking in tongues is coming judgment.

Throughout their history God’s people turned away from Him over and over.  God would chastize them, Israel would repent, God would have mercy, and Israel would be restored.  This cycle is repeated over and over throughout the Old Testament.  

At times during these cycles, the people of Israel looked to  unbelieving nations for deliverance from their enemies rather than looking to God.  Israel made alliances with her enemy’s enemies.  Israel chose to trust in man rather than God and God promised severe judgment for such allegiances.  

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isaiah 28:11

Israel’s enemies were foreign nations who spoke another language or tongue.  God is saying that since my people will not listen to me, I will speak to them from their enemy’s lips, from those who speak the Hebrew language with hesitation (stammering).

To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Isaiah 28:12&13

God offered Israel rest and refreshing but they would not listen.  The drunken leaders (vs 7&8) repeated God’s instructions of line upon line, precept upon precept in sing song mockery.

•  Israel’s Presumption

Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.  Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death (Egypt) , and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge (Assyrian army) shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:  Isaiah 28:14&15

• God’s Warning.

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!  Isaiah 31:1

• God’s promise to them that receive  His word and are obedient.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.  Isaiah 28:16

This cornerstone is identified by Peter in the NT as Jesus Christ.  He that believes in God’s provision will not be forced to flee judgment.

• The pronouncement of God’s judgment.

And your covenant with death (Egypt) shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge (Assyrian army)  shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.  From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you:  Isaiah 28:18&19a

The outcome of God’s judgment will be that Egypt will not honor their agreement with Israel.  Instead the stammering lips of a foreign enemy will deliver a message of judgment and the Assyrian army will carry it out unless Israel repents and turns back to God.

• The OT meaning of the gift of speaking in tongues in the NT.

The apostle Paul quoted Isaiah 28:11 during his discourse to the Corinthians on the gift of speaking in tongues.  The stammering lips of Israel’s enemies in this OT passage forecasts coming judgment as the result of Israel’s rejection of God’s word. 

In like manner the gift of tongues in the NT was a sign gift to unbelieving Israel of coming judgment.  Israel rejected the promised Messiah and His Kingdom.  Only judgment remained.

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.  And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.  Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.   John 11:47-53

What the Jewish leaders feared would happen, happened anyway because of their unbelief.  But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. John 19:15  

Israel chose to trust in man rather than God.  The Roman general Titus destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.    

Note:  There is also a lesson here for us in interpreting Scripture.  One must interpret Scripture in light of Scripture.  It doesn’t matter what you and I think these passages mean.  What matters is what the Scriptures tell us they mean by the context. 

Speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11 in the middle of his discourse on tongues, making this passage his proof text.  The NT gift of speaking in tongues can only be understood as God intended in the context of Isaiah 28.  The context is coming judgment.

For a more complete study of this topic please read The Corinthian Catastrophe by George E. Gardner; copyright 1974 by Kregel Publications.

 To Be Continued……See Part II.

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:3       

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  Ephesians 4:13

In order to achieve unity, there must be separation.

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.   He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.  II John 6-11.

The doctrine of Christ unites and it divides.  True unity among the brethren is found in the foundational truths of Scripture.   The fundamental doctrines (teachings) of Scripture or the load bearing walls of Christianity must not be compromised.  If they are compromised, the foundations become sand and the structure red tagged.  Religious people will continue to live in the red tagged building.  Believers who try the spirits will leave obediently and join themselves to those who honor the word of God through the teaching and preaching of the Bible.  Unity among believers is based upon the sound doctrinal teachings of the Scripture.

Some say that all religions worship the same god.  Jesus Christ said very plainly; I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6).  Can a Christian deny the words of Christ?

Some say that Christians can pray for intercession to various individuals and confess their sins to earthly ministers.  The Scripture states very plainly; For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus;  (I Timothy 2:5).  With whom do you agree?

The professing church declares that if anyone says a person can be saved by faith alone without works; let him be accursed.  The Scripture says: For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8&9).  Is the professing church pronouncing a curse on the author of Scripture?

Whenever a church places tradition or doctrinal error in a position equal to or above the Scriptures in authority, it is time to divide.  In order to achieve unity, there must be an adherence to truth and a separation from error or false doctrine.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  Psalms 133:1

…….let the word of Christ dwell in you richly……

It is certainly easier to ignore or condone sin than to forgive it. Doubtless, that is why the world adopts this stance.  Those who ignore or condone sin need make no judgment about the sinner.  Those who forgive hold him guilty, rebuke him, call him to repentance, and on confession of sin, promise never to bring up the matter again.  Forgivers, in contrast to condoners, become deeply involved with the sinner – at every point of his sin.  They seek to do him good at great cost to themselves.  Forgiving is not easy; it costs.

From Forgiven to Forgiving by Jay Adams

In this blog a lot of emphasis is put on reading the Bible. This is emphasized because ….faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  Faith does not come by experience.  Experience (testings or trials) simply reveals whether or not we have faith. 

W.E. Vine defines faith as “a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing.”  In order to be firmly persuaded about something, one must have understanding.  The Holy Spirit will give understanding and conviction from the Scriptures concerning man’s alienation from God, sin’s penalty, God’s mercy and His unspeakable gift of forgiveness and eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

There are different kinds of faith.  The type of faith you have depends upon what you are listening to.  Saving faith comes from the doctrine of Christ as revealed in the Scripture.  Saving faith is based upon the merit of Christ and nothing else.  I need no other argument, I need no other plea.  It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.  Church tradition often gets in the way of the simple gospel message.

Superstition can be mistaken for faith.  Superstition can be biblical information without understanding.   Athletes often have Bible verses and crosses tattooed on their bodies, but the absence  of spiritual understanding is displayed by profane and immoral life styles.  Do those wearing crosses understand what took place upon the cross or are the crosses worn simply as a talisman or a lucky token to ward off defeat and misfortune?

Just reading or hearing the Bible is not enough.  There are those who spend their entire life in the Christian religion but without understanding.  A holy grail, church tradition, or some religious object somehow infused with mysterious power becomes the objective, and not the person of Christ.  The Lord Jesus challenged the Pharisees concerning this very thing saying; Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.  John 5:39-40

Do you lack understanding?

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?  And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation?  for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this?  of himself, or of some other man?  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.        Acts 8:26-38 KJV

Note: True Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.

…….let the word of Christ dwell in you richly……

A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.  Proverbs 18:2 NKJV

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  Proverbs 4:20-22

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money).

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

And why take ye thought for raiment?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  Matthew 6:24-34

Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Thomas O. Chisholm – 1917

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;          Colossians 1:10

……..Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…..