Sunday, January 25, 2009

Just Believe (pt 2)

John 5:17-24 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." (18) This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (19) So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (20) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. (21) For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. (22) The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, (23) that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. (24) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Last week we discussed the foundational nature of faith in Christ; that intangible underpinning of the elect. We discussed Romans 10:9 & Matt. 10:32; we established that the good confession spoken of is not a cause of salvation, but an effect. Sincere faith in Christ will always elicit confession of Christ; otherwise such faith is insincere & lacking. Jesus held up child-like faith (& humility) as the emblematic goal in Matt. 18:3; conversely, a faith that remains silent is instead childish & immature. Jesus allowed Satan the opportunity to sift Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31-34). Peter’s ensuing thrice denial of Christ gave the apostle blessed proof that, contrary to his own understanding, his faith was not yet mature. His silence delineated the humble confines of his faith.

We put forward the idea that faith, while intangible, is not necessarily unquantifiable. To some extent, we can measure it by examining what is palpable- the signs that “accompany those who believe”.

Mark 16:16-18 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; (18) they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Note, as with Romans 10:9, it seems at first glance that a work has been given to us in order accomplish our salvation. There was no mention of a baptism as intrinsically salvific in last week’s quotation of John 3:18. If the nature of salvation both commenced & concluded with Mark 16:16a, as some in the church would lead us believe, then we would be pressed to immediately conduct a baptism after every conversion to Christ to finish the deed. But Jesus contrarily informed us, as He breathed His last on that day- “It is finished”. No work of man augments the work of God unto the glorious miracle of our salvation. The Father commenced the work of our salvation the blessed day He gave His Son unto the world & the Son concluded the work the day He suffered the weight of the world’s sins.

No, the statement “whoever believes and is baptized” is shown by John 3:16-18, 5:24, 6:40-47, 20:31, et al to merely add an attending sign to the bedrock of a belief in Christ’s work alone to save us. Indeed, that is further shown by the omission of “baptized” in verse 16b; the text does not declare “whoever does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned” now does it? Mention of the attendant sign is herein removed because it is not, in any way, a cause for our salvation. Again, it is only an effect that pours forth from so great a salvation.

But the corporate take on Scripture shows too that the “accompanying signs” listed thereafter in Mark 16 are neither all-inclusive nor all-exclusive. These are some of the evidential signs of the corporate body of believers; they are not demanded of each individual. As with the sign of baptism, there are some in the church that would like to shout over the testimony given by Paul in 1st Corinthians 12, demanding that all believers must proceed to speak in tongues, heal the sick, or test God’s patience by purposely drinking deadly potions & handling venomous snakes. While baptism is shown to be a universal sign for believers by Romans 6:3-5, clearly Paul states that is not the case for many other signs:

1 Cor. 12:4-11, 27-30 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; (5) and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; (6) and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (7) To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (8) For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills… (27) Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (28) And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. (29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? (30) Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
(31) But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Take note of all the “to anothers” Paul mentions as he speaks of us as corporately (& temporarily) the material body of Christ on this earth. Jesus Christ said to us “follow me” & gave us the promise that we would indeed do “greater works” (quantifiably), but these “works” are shown by John 14:12 to follow belief. No one person will be exalted (by the Spirit) as a sole vicar (Latin vicarius- "substitute”) of Jesus Christ & thus steal the spotlight from justifiably illuminating the one & only Son of God.

But the “still more excellent way” Paul speaks of is his lead into the greatest “sign” of them all- the way of an undeserved, yet unmitigated love. In the next precious 13 verses, Paul downplays the signs that draw the massive hype & egos for perhaps the most illustrative sign of Christ’s saving presence in the believer: a warrantless sort of affection for another.

Jesus told us that a love that simply responds to the love of another is nothing special & is quite common in man (Luke 6:32), but 1John 4:10 tells of a higher initiating type of love that comes from God alone.

We come to believe in Jesus as he reveals to us the certainties of a penalty for sin & Christ’s payment of that penalty for His children. At this point in our walk, our love for God & man is nothing special, it is simply responding to God’s initiating (agape) love. It is only as we press on, exercising the faith we have been given, that the sign of His “agape” manner of love begins to be seen. The “work(ing) out (of our) own salvation” begins with such signs as the “every tongue confess(ing) Jesus Christ as Lord” (Phil. 2:11-12). Make no mistake, the causative work of salvation was performed by Christ alone and, again, the “work” called for here is not causal unto salvation, but effectual from salvation. Introversive love reveals a repressed faith. Extroversive love is from thoroughly exercised faith. Paul is demanding that we join with him in “press(ing) on toward the goal” (3:14) in faith towards the likeness of Christ’s perfection. Agape affection is the ultimate effect of the exertion of the measure of faith we have been given. And it is then, when we exercise all we have, that more may be given to the “good & faithful servant” (Matt. 25:14ff).

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Just Believe (part 1)

John 5:17-25 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." (18) This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (19) So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (20) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. (21) For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. (22) The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, (23) that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. (24) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (25) "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Ever since the time of Christ’s first appearance in the flesh man has sought to add requirements to the wholly Christological work of salvation. And the concept of salvation by faith in Christ has as its essential bedrock the understanding that He is every bit as much “God” as the Father. This is why Jesus had to call attention to His divine nature on so many occasions: His body & His blood would suffer all the wrath of God’s righteous hatred of His children’s sin, making the distinct Person of Jesus Christ Himself our one hope of salvation. If He had never presented Himself as the everlasting “I Am”, our faith could not rest securely in Him. Our belief could not be justifiable if were to rest on another mere man, for all (mere men) have sinned & fallen short of God’s glory. It is a fragile faith indeed that rests on the shoulders of someone less than God Almighty. Thank God for His revelation of Jesus’ true nature to our souls, for our consternating conscience over sin would never otherwise find lasting respite or reprieve.

The concept of the Latin phrase “sola fide” in relation to our salvation finds its root in Scripture. “Faith alone” is taught many times by Jesus & the apostles:

Mar 5:36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe."

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Clearly, here & elsewhere Scripture states "belief" as the most fundamental determinant of the saved (with God as the sole determiner of who should "find" that belief). Salvation is promised here to all “whoevers” that can establish “belief” in Him. It seems a simple thing, this “belief”. It is, but we must also understand that belief is a very large concept:

Mark 9:17-24 And one of the crowd answered Him, "Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; (18) and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it."
(19) And He *answered them and *said, "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!" (20) They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. (21) And He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. (22) "It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" (23) And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." (24) Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."

We can claim to believe in all manner of things, but often our words or actions will reveal the true parameters of our faith. A CEO can proclaim loudly his belief that his company will not enter bankruptcy, but when he thereafter chooses to cash out all his stock options, his divesting action reveals the failing of his stated belief. Conversely, most of us never gave a thought to the structural integrity of the chairs we are sit in before we sat down today. If the chair had failed to support us, we would have been very taken aback. Experience has taught us to place unreserved faith in our chairs to the point that we don’t bother to inspect or test them before placing our full weight upon them.

We blindly believe in the chair’s ability to support us, & this action demonstrates the measure of our faith.

So don’t be perplexed as Scripture seems to add something more to the foundation of faith alone as salvific. Fideism’s under girding firmness is not being doctrinally challenged; it is only the parameters of your belief that are being challenged:

Romans 10:4-11 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (5) For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. (6) But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) (7) or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). (8) But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); (9) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (11) For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

At first glance, verses 9 & 10 seem to add a secondary requirement of confession to the mute nature of the heart’s belief. But that is Paul’s point- true faith cannot remain muted. If the Light inside you is real, then it must burst the basket’s confines to reveal itself at some point. Understand, in Matthew 10:32, Jesus is not giving you a work to accomplish to then become worthy of His salvation, He is giving form & definition to the nature of the individual who claims to believe in Him. He is telling you that, devoid of the good confession, your faith is in darkness.

Dragging your faith out of the dark shadows allows the Light to shine upon it & bring it to maturity. Just believe; then act from that substance of faith, allowing the material evidence to pour out of your otherwise muted belief. (Hebrews 11)

Monday, January 12, 2009

Enlarged Entitlements?

Matthew 6:1-13 (NASB) "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. (2) "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (3) "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (5) "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (6) "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (7) "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. (8) "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (9) "Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (10) 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (11) 'Give us this day our daily bread. (12) 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (13) 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'

A right attitude towards God must form the rudiment of right prayer. Jesus paves the way for the proper prayer mindset in His Sermon on the Mount by first instructing us in the way of humility- the Beatitudes; then the way of true righteousness- summarized not in the letter, but in the spirit of the Law. He spends most of His time before chapter six attempting to convince people of this fact- that even if they were able to walk out the letter of the Law, they would never, in themselves, achieve the spirit of the Law. The higher measure of complete righteousness demanded by God was, is, & always will be achieved by God alone. His last statement in chapter five, summarizing this teaching, is as follows:

Matthew 5:48 “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The Sermon, to this point, thus imbues the child of God with the quality of humility & the understanding that the complete righteousness demanded of him is retained by Jesus Christ alone. No one else has walked out a purely righteous life on this earth, so we can find no other Way to attain said demand- but through Jesus Christ alone.

But then in the sixth chapter, Christ begins teaching His elect children- largely those who have stayed with Him thus far. He speaks to those that have received the difficult truths He has laid down, & instructs them in the manner of proper prayer.

We are called to study then, this model framework for speaking to the Almighty.

“Our Father who is in heaven,”

This prayer is premeditated upon the precept of a Sovereign God, One who rules the seen, physical dimension from His throne established in the unseen, spiritual aspect. He commands both realms because He formed both realms, & it is noteworthy to mention that He rules from the dimension that we cannot enter by any measure of might or knowledge that we may retain. (1Tim 6:16)

“Hallowed be Your name. (10) 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”

This gets to the meat of the matter; our model prayer is founded upon the notion that we exist primarily for God’s benefit, for a ministry dedicated to His good pleasure. Despite those who would desire other, albeit Scriptural, prayers to be the model, we see here our only Savior telling us to “Pray then, in this way”.

Jabez’s prayer (1Chronicles 4:10) was indeed a good & proper manner of prayer, but it was not to be the model of prayer. In other words, the famous author of “The Prayer of Jabez” was right to teach of this prayer, but his exegete failed as he instructed his readers to daily say to themselves “My name is Jabez, & this is my prayer”, thus making their fundamental prayer one based on God serving them.

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, (21) equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The child of God who perceives God rightly sees his own utter lack of righteousness & humbly presses Him foremost for mercy & grace for his soul. Upon the right-minded child’s inner acceptance of God’s promised forgiveness & Christ’s ministry of bestowing His righteousness, the elect’s focus should then be centered on their serving of God, in response to His already established tremendous work of service at the cross, instead of God continuing to serve them.

We pray for daily bread; it is the old nature that greedily & constantly craves the “enlarged” loaf.

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'

Psalms 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.