I Am Comfortable! #4

Friday, January 19, 2024

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4 KJV).

Why are they comfortable? Why are we comfortable about their choice?

As Christ commissioned His 12 Apostles, He ordered in Matthew chapter 10: “[14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. [15] Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” The shaking off the dust of the feet (cf. Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; Luke 10:11; Acts 13:51) was a Jewish custom, especially amongst the Pharisees.

When a Jew was returning to the land of Palestine from a foreign trip, he would stop at the border and shake his sandals to remove the soil collected from the (neighboring) Gentile lands. It was a sign of disgust, as in, “This unclean Gentile dirt is not coming into my holy neighborhood!” Christ had His Apostles shake the dust so as to signal to unbelieving Israel, “In God’s sight, you are no different from the pagan Gentiles!” In Paul’s case, we know he carried out the behavior after apostate Israel strongly opposed his preaching in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:45-52).

Moreover, when Paul was speaking to the so-called Gentile “intellectuals” in Athens, they negatively reacted to God’s words, so Paul left them in their heathen darkness: “Because he [Father God] hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Jesus Christ] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them” (Acts 17:31-33).

God’s attitude is simple: if they want ignorance, let them have it! Let us see what else the Scriptures say….

I Am Comfortable! #3

Thursday, January 18, 2024

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4 KJV).

Why are they comfortable? Why are we comfortable about their choice?

A dear sister in Christ shared some advice with me that I have never forgotten. She said how she used to feel so sorry for people following false teachers. One day, it dawned on her that “this is what they want!” She told me she did not pity them anymore. Having come 18 years in ministry now, that has become increasingly clear to me too. For over a decade, I languished in spiritual ignorance as a believer, but I left that foolishness behind. It was a conscious decision on my part.

I found some sound Bible teachers, and listened to and believed the verses they shared. Therefore, I was able to recover myself out of the snare of the Devil: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). If I and countless others could escape the error, anyone still in that mess can also come out of it. It all depends on free will: do they wish to leave the darkness and step into the light?

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37; cf. Luke 13:34). Sure, it grieved or saddened the Lord Jesus Christ that, though He was willing to fellowship with the nation Israel, and He wanted them to be united in Him, they were uninterested in His will. Speaking to their religious capital, Jerusalem, He announced how He let them have their way. He had not chosen judgment for them; they had preferred it for themselves….

I Am Comfortable! #2

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4 KJV).

Why are they comfortable? Why are we comfortable about their choice?

The King James Bible refers to “freewill offerings” some 16 times (Leviticus 22:18,21,23; Leviticus 23:38; Numbers 15:3; Numbers 29:39; Deuteronomy 12:6,17; Deuteronomy 16:10; Deuteronomy 23:23; 2 Chronicles 31:14; Ezra 1:4; Ezra 3:5; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 8:28; Psalm 119:108). They are also known as “willing offerings” (Exodus 35:29), “free offerings” (Exodus 36:3), and “voluntary offerings” (Leviticus 7:16). The LORD did not require them and no one vowed (promised) to give them, but they were offered out of a grateful human heart and mind.

Observe Ezra 7:13,15,16: “[13] I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee…. [15] And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, [16] And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:….” The Hebrew word translated “minded of their own freewill” in verse 13, was rendered “freely offered” in verse 15. It was translated both “freewill offering” and “offering willingly” in verse 16.

Again, to be “of free will” is something done voluntarily—as opposed to forced or obligatory behavior. Contrary to popular belief, God does not have to make all the decisions in order to be God. He has chosen to delegate some decision-making power to others, allowing people to either follow His plan or formulate their own. Remember, He did not create robots or machines, but free moral agents. They, not God, are responsible for their own choices and their consequences. It is extremely critical that we comprehend this arrangement….

I Am Comfortable! #1

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4 KJV).

Why are they comfortable? Why are we comfortable about their choice?

Over 55 years ago, a member of a works-religion cult came to the stunning conclusion that no matter how “good” he was or how much “good” he did, he still had a sin problem and was totally powerless to save himself from the eternal damnation he deserved. It had taken him a long time (two years!) to swallow his religious pride and admit the family religion was wrong, but he finally believed the Gospel of the Grace of God: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

After he trusted Christ as his personal Saviour, this new believer was so eager to share that Gospel with his cousin who was still joined to the family religion. Nevertheless, his cousin was uninterested—and he even begged that Christian not to share such information with his wife. All these decades later, the cousin has finally died near age 90 (probably a lost man), but his wife remains alive (probably a lost woman). Their son has just died (probably a lost man). As the head of his household, the man is accountable before God for his family’s lost spiritual estate.

Long ago, that Christian held home Bible studies for approximately two years. His sister-in-law attended them, reading and hearing the Scriptures throughout that period. Alas, she continued with the family works-religion. Due to declining mental and physical health, she eventually moved into a nursing home, dying just a few days ago (probably a lost woman). Her husband—the Christian’s brother—died in the family religion many years back (probably a lost man). This Christian was sharing with me how it disturbs him to think about all these deceased family members who are likely suffering the flames of Hell this very moment. Does the Holy Bible give us any consolation here?

Let us study and see….

Peter’s Preposterousness #10

Monday, January 15, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

Read Matthew 26:31-35 again: “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” You may also see the parallel in Mark 14:27-31.

It is quite clear the Lord Jesus Christ had no confidence in the flesh of His disciples. They were not perfect and He knew it well. Instead, He believed, or had faith in, the Scriptures. He was quite familiar with Zechariah 13:7: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” The “sheep”—the Little Flock, the disciples—would indeed be scattered, going their own way when their Shepherd headed to Calvary’s cruel cross.

Dear brethren, what lesson we can gain from this is simple. May we have confidence in God’s words to us, Romans through Philemon, His grace to us in Christ. Unlike miserable Paul in Romans chapter 7, struggling to live the Christian life in his own strength, we should read and believe Romans chapters 6 and 8. Here is where we have victory over sin, the weakness of our flesh. It is in these grace truths that we find God’s faithfulness, Christ’s faithfulness, always compensating for our unfaithfulness (our preposterousness)! 🙂

Peter’s Preposterousness #9

Sunday, January 14, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

Take one final look at Luke 22:31,32 (the context of today’s Scripture): “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat [separate you, after shaking you to point of overthrowing your faith]: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” This very night, the men whom the Lord Jesus Christ had intimately trained for the last three years, would abandon Him and pretend as if they never knew Him. He knew it with absolute certainty, and notified them of it. It would be unspeakably traumatic for all involved, and, had it not been for His intercessory prayer here, none of those men would have ever returned to His ministry.

Once Peter committed those dreadful deeds of denial, the Lord Himself served as a heartbreaking reminder. Read the verses immediately following today’s Scripture: “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Staring from a distance, Jesus fixed His eyes on Peter and Peter noticed and instantly called to mind what He had told him not long before. That started Peter, and the rest of the Little Flock, on the path to recovery from Satan’s snare.

When we as members of the Church the Body of Christ fail (returning to the preposterousness of the bondage to sin), we have not surprised Father God, the Lord Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. Provisions have already been made and (whether we are aware of it or not) sin will thus be overcome. We should drive out Bible ignorance and endless despair by studying God’s Book rightly divided, giving us matchless victory and indescribable joy….

Peter’s Preposterousness #8

Saturday, January 13, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

Read Luke 22:31,32 (the context of today’s Scripture): “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat [separate you, after shaking you to point of overthrowing your faith]: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” The Lord Jesus Christ was quite familiar with the weaknesses of human flesh. None of His disciples could convince Him that He could depend on them, that they would not forsake Him. He not only anticipated their repudiation of Him, He also made a provision to reverse their preposterousness. Christ prayed that, after Peter (their leader) would be attacked and fall, he would be “converted” (turned toward the right direction) and recover his brethren (the other disciples) from their spiritual mess.

Just before the close of the Gospel Record of John, we read of the Apostles’ restoration to ministry (Peter, their leader, is now thrice allowed to make up for his three-fold renunciation). “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).

Let us now see what we members of the Church the Body of Christ can learn from all of this….

Peter’s Preposterousness #7

Friday, January 12, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

On at least two occasions Peter debated with the Lord Jesus as to whether he would repudiate Him. The first incident was in the Upper Room. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death” (Luke 22:31-33).

Next was en route to Gethsemane. “Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples” (Matthew 26:34,35). “And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently [violently, intensely], If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all” (Mark 14:30,31).

We remember other boasts from that night. “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake” (John 13:37). “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended” (Matthew 26:31-33).

The disciples here were twice preposterous. Firstly, they joined Peter by contending with Christ (“Thou liest, Lord!”). Secondly, they had confidence in the flesh (“Thou canst depend on us, Lord!”). Let us learn from their errors….

Peter’s Preposterousness #6

Thursday, January 11, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

This thought-provoking question was posed long ago: “If we were accused of being a believer in Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict us?” In Peter’s case, the answer is in the affirmative. Not only did his Galilaean accent thrice incriminate him (linking him to Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee), there was at least one eyewitness who could identify him as being a disciple of Jesus. This man did more than observe Peter with Jesus at His arrest: he was a relative of the fellow whose ear panicking Peter amputated there in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was being taken into custody!

John chapter 18: “[10] Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus…. [26] One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? [27] Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.” Thousands undoubtedly saw Peter with the Lord Jesus Christ all during those three years, from Galilee to Judaea. Now, Peter was trapped in weakness, recanting the very Lord he had valiantly defended in Gethsemane earlier. Peter’s overconfidence was his silliness, and his silliness became his ruin.

In the Upper Room prior to the Garden of Gethsemane, we remember Christ’s warning to Peter: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me” (Luke 22:31-34—the context of today’s Scripture). Peter refused to agree with Christ that he would fall away….

Peter’s Preposterousness #5

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23). Therefore, throughout His earthly ministry, the Lord bore the title “Jesus of Nazareth.” Nazareth was in Galilee, northern Israel, no more than a day’s journey southwest of the Sea of Galilee. “And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:11). “And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by” (Luke 18:37). Also see John 1:45,46; John 18:5,7; and John 19:19.

On the night of Christ’s trial, Peter was accused the first time as follows: “And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth” (Mark 14:67). Peter denied. The allegation is put forth a second time: “And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth” (Matthew 26:71). Peter denies again. Now, the third charge. Matthew 26:73 reads, “Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth [variation of ‘betrayeth’] thee.” Mark 14:70 has it, “Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.” Today’s Scripture confirms the charge: “for he is a Galilaean.”

Based on these passages, we infer the Galilaeans had a thick, noticeable accent that revealed their northern extraction to those living down south in Judaea (suburbs of Jerusalem, where Christ’s trial was being held). John 1:44 reveals how Bethsaida (on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee) was Peter’s hometown. Peter’s Galilaean pronunciation of words gave away the fact that, despite his protests, he was associated with Jesus of Nazareth (remember, of Galilee). The unfortunate Apostle was truly better off saying nothing every time an allegation was made against him….