The Message of Salvation is in the Mosaic Law

Salvation is mentioned in the Mosaic Law, but salvation is not attained by my "keeping" of the Law.

While "traveling" through Egypt, I've seen several prophetic "snapshots" of Jesus and the message of grace and salvation. In my wonder and excitement, I've been entertaining the "radical" idea that perhaps the entire OT was specifically meant to be a sort of picture of God's overall plan for glorifying Himself through the redemption of man. Obviously, there is the ongoing chronological narrative, but there are also "pictures within pictures". Certainly, it would be dangerous to become "mystical minded" and try to deliberately twist every detail into something other than what is specifically said. But the things I HAVE recognized do not contradict the message of the Gospel, and I didn't start out looking for "hidden meanings", so I believe God has allowed me to see things through His Holy Spirit-enlightened vision.

Doug Eaton at Godward Thoughts found another "picture" ( see bottom of this post for video). This one is especially interesting to me as I recently encountered someone who stated "If man is truly evil and incapable of doing the right thing, why would God have given His people the Law? Surely He expects His people to adhere to those rules or He never would have given them". That is a good question. Is salvation a circular pattern in which the Law points us to Christ Who points us back to the Law?

Paul wrote to the Galatians that observance of the Law has never saved anyone but instead brings condemnation. Perhaps another way to put it is that the Law allows me to see the state of condemnation under which I already exist. The Law not only gives me an idea of what righteous behavior looks like, but it also acts as a mirror that reflects back my hopelessly wicked nature. It is a constant reminder of the fact that I have fallen short of God's glory and leaves me (and everyone else) condemned because I am unable to fully comply due to my naturally depraved state.

I recently heard one pastor say that if God hadn't given the Israelites the Law, then they surely would have destroyed themselves before the Messiah was ready to appear on the scene. Since God's plan was to work His will through the Hebrew nation, they needed some special rules and Providential protection so that they would not become extinct before the time was right. I can see the wisdom in that thought. But I wanted to find some answers on my own.

According to Paul, it appears that God never expected people to be able to live up to the standards of the Law--even though He promised that He would do certain things if the Israelites would obey Him. If they couldn't possibly live up to the demands, why would God offer them this arrangement? On the other hand, they ARE God's standards, and He doesn't lie. The rules were very detailed, and He DID say that those who obey would receive His blessing. How can anyone attain this level of obedience if we don't follow Mosaic Law?

Jesus said: Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:17-18 He says that God will not...CAN NOT set aside the Law. Until the end of time, it will stand as a testimony to man of God's Just and Holy nature. Nothing that is tainted by evil will be able to stand before Him on the day of Judgment. Jesus' fulfillment of God's Law does not erase it's significance. Additionally, Jesus' teachings take the requirements of the Law to a much, much higher level. According to Him, even our thoughts contribute to our condemnation. He strikes at the essence of our problem---a rebellious heart and dead spirit.

The Pharisees appeared to be excellent at law-keeping but Jesus warns: For I say to you that unless your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:20 If we can't be seen as "righteous" by clinging to Mosaic Law--God's own rules for living--then what hope is there that we can be reconciled to Him?

Paul again: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; so that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4

I don't claim to fully understand, but some things about this topic make more sense after actually studying for myself rather than just accepting the standard sermon content. I think I have been given a glimpse of how Jesus could say He was not abolishing the Law, but instead was completing it. He personally made the way for "my" righteousness to be able to surpass that of the Pharisees. Being fully man, He lived the sinless life that I, in my own sinful flesh am unable to ever hope to achieve. Although He was completely innocent, He also received the full measure of wrath that I deserve. Being fully God, He overcame the curse of death which the Law pronounces upon mankind and He now stands as mediator between me and God's anger which is directed at unrepentant humanity.

If I rely solely in Christ's righteousness, it is accounted to me as having "kept" God's Law. God gives believers a new heart that loves the things that He loves and hates that which He hates. So, "good works" will be a natural effect of being conformed to the likeness of Christ. However, if I think that somehow I can please God by dredging up some goodness of my own, I remain condemned because I don't yet see what the Law says about me.

At any rate here is Mr. Eaton's observation:

When Even Secular Society Is Repulsed By "Christian" Behavior....

...isn't it time to do some spiritual housecleaning?

Craig recently wrote a noteworthy post on 1Corinthians 5 (that's the infamous sexual immorality passage). Paul wrote that the offense was so heinous that even the local pagans found it to be repugnant!

While I believe it is absolutely wrong to participate in such behavior, I think Craig had a point about the tolerance of such by the Corinthian fellowship as even more atrocious. He explains why, so I will just leave the link.

This morning, I came across a distressingly similar commentary on the modern American church.

I guess there really is nothing new under the sun.

Egyptian Sojourn (God and Socialism) 7: Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

I realize that my "God and Socialism" posts are not centered on a perception of "Christian Socialism" or an ongoing monologue about political maneuvering. Instead, this series has been an exercise in obedience to what I believe was a directive from God. It is my alternative to paranoid political ranting :) I really want to be able to see life from an Eternal perspective and amazingly, there are many contemporary lessons to be learned from this ancient narrative...

Exodus 6:1-9

And Jehovah said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he shall let them go, and with a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land."

And God spoke to Moses, and said to him, "I am Jehovah. And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty. But I was not known to them by the name JEHOVAH. And I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they traveled. And I have also heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, those whom the Egyptians are keeping in bondage. And I have remembered My covenant. Therefore say to the sons of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rescue you out of their bondage. And I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgments. And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God. And you shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in to the land concerning which I lifted up My hand to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And I will give it to you for a heritage. I am Jehovah! "

And Moses said so to the sons of Israel. But they did not listen to Moses through anguish of spirit and through cruel bondage.

God told Moses to go back before the king and speak on behalf of the Israelites. But Moses, shaken by the previous "failed" attempt (and subsequent hardship), tried to squirm out of it by using his speech impediment as an excuse.

This chapter is interesting to me for several reasons:

1. God begins His declaration to Moses by saying that He had everything under control and would personally arrange the situation so that the king would not only do what God wanted, but do it with a sense of urgency.

2. God intends here to reveal an aspect of Himself that had previously been unknown--even to the patriarchs. He said that They knew Him as "God Almighty" and Moses' generation would recognize Him as "Jehovah" (some translations use "Lord") My trusty Vine's

3. He also is taking the next step in keeping His promise to Abraham and his descendants and declares that He is choosing the Israelites to be a people who are set apart as His own.

4. The Israelites are pre-occupied with their horrifying circumstances and do not believe Moses when he reports God's words.

5. Moses is definitely human and feels the pressure of being in the "chosen" position.

6. Most of the rest of the chapter is dedicated to the family line of Moses and Aaron. This is where I confess my tendency toward air-headedness. Aaron later is instated as the first priest of the nation of Israel. I have known for years that the priestly family line were the Levites. But I wondered from what tribe Moses had come.

I know... That is a pretty difficult equation to solve, no?

Anyway, Simeon and Levi were the sons of Jacob who exacted a bloody vengeance on an entire society in response to the rape of their sister. When he was dying, Jacob's prophetic words about them were not especially flattering. I have always noted that Moses had a bit of a temper and now that I see the family connection, I wonder if perhaps he inherited an "anger gene" :-P

Chapter 7 begins with God speaking to Moses again:

And Jehovah said to Moses, "See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh. And Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, he will send the sons of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not listen to you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring My armies, My people the sons of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah when I stretch forth My hand upon Egypt, and bring out the sons of Israel from among them." And Moses and Aaron did as Jehovah commanded them; so they did. (Exodus 7:1-6)

The above bolded lines caused me to remember Joseph's words of reassurance when his brothers expressed their fear that he held a grudge against them. "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20 (RSV) I've often been amazed at how well this account illustrates the apparent paradox of God's sovereignty and man's "free will". Throughout the story, people have made various choices based on character and personal desires yet everything that happened was by design. Joseph's brothers followed their own wicked hearts when they sold him into slavery. God handpicked the unimpressive Moses (here is again the theme of God favoring a younger brother over the elder!) to be the one to lead the Israelites to freedom, and wouldn't let him off the hook concerning the task He had assigned. Every protest that Moses raised was answered! The Egyptian King was definitely an enemy of God, and God specifically said He would personally ensure that he remained so.

Regardless of man's attempt at opposition, the Lord assures us that He always accomplishes His perfect will.

Carrie Prejean the "Conservative Christian Spokesperson"

We don't watch television anymore, but thanks to the modern "miracle" of the internet, I recently became aware of the flap over Miss California and her apparently shocking statement that she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. This profession has created quite a stir throughout cyberspace as bloggers discuss the implications of the beauty pageant contestant's statement.

Ever one to have an opinion, I wanted to share some things that rolled through my own brain as I read different perspectives--and weighed them against Biblical Truth.

A simple Google search will make it clear that the media--and many blogging individuals have jumped on the idea that Carrie Prejean is the new conservative-approved poster child for the Biblical teaching that marriage is meant to be a union between one man and one woman. For various reasons, other individuals (liberal and conservative alike) have a huge problem with this.

Frankly speaking, I also have a problem with it. The issue for me is not what she said. I also believe that God designed marriage (and physical intimacy) to be between one man and one woman--for life. The fact that she said it after very publicly strutting around a stage in varying degrees of undress is not really my focus either (although I have seen at least one good argument against her lack of modesty). Whether or not she is a true Christian is something I cannot answer, as I do not personally know anything about her beyond the few minutes of video I have seen.

I was saddened that the homosexual judge (Perez Hilton) who asked her about her thoughts on gay marriage was outraged that she didn't provide a more "politically appropriate" answer. In an interview, he basically said that he wishes she had kept her personal politics and religious beliefs out of the public arena. Yet, he asked her a pointedly political question...He also stated that a Miss America who publicly represents ALL citizens is what he wants. Setting the impossibility of this task aside, I noted that he was requesting that, regardless of her personal beliefs, she should say things that make all of us "feel good" about her words. In effect, Mr. Hilton was saying that he wishes she had been a more accomplished liar as that would best represent American citizens. That bothered me a lot, especially when I realized that Americans in general seem preoccupied with appearance (as opposed to substance) and many of us have no depth of soul at all. Are we nothing more than a nation of liars who are content to present false fronts? In the interest of propriety, I am not linking to the youtube clip which contained the interview because it also showed shots of pageant swimsuit competition.

For the record, I don't set much stock on the opinion of Miss America or those of beauty contest judges. I just thought it was discouraging to hear someone say that he would appreciate it if people would lie to him about what they really believe.

I think what bothers me most about this topic is that it appears that many professing Christians are holding up Miss Prejean as being a brave young woman who stands for "family values". This attitude on the part of conservative believers is rather disturbing and I'll explain why...

During a discussion on another site, one commenter stated that she was pleased to see that Miss California was such a strong and brave young woman when she "stood up for" the Christian definition of marriage. Another commenter (a professed atheist) pointed out that if Miss PreJean had firmly believed that "all people deserve to be happy, so gay marriage should be instituted in all states", and had said so--the commenter would not likely have said she was proud the the young woman was so brave and true to her belief. The atheist commenter went on to state that the reason Christians are quick to applaud Miss Prejean is the simple fact that they agree with what she said. By the way, the aforementioned atheist was not being snotty, but simply pointing out a double standard in regard to how many of us determine whether a person is worthy of praise for speaking her mind. She is correct and believers would be wise to take note.

That brings me to the heart of my own concern. American Christians seem to have a problem in the area of discernment of sin. There is a tendency to redefine certain sinful behaviors as "a lifestyle choice" and excuse them. I'm only referring to things that are clearly defined by Scripture as "sin"--matters of conscience are a different issue.

While I agree with the statement that marriage is to be between a man and a woman, I can not, in good conscience, hold up Miss PreJean as a shining example of Christian womanhood. Yes, she may be a believer. Yes, it is not easy to say things that are politically incorrect. Yes, it appears she has some sense of dignity in that she has stated that she would do nothing different even if it meant she would have won the competition.

However, there is also a blatant sense of hypocrisy in speaking against gay marriage while at the same time presenting one's body as an object to tempt the many heterosexual men whose marriages have just been "defended". Am I being too harsh?

Here's what Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 (emphasis mine)

"And he said to his disciples, 'Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!'" Luke 17:1 (RSV)

And Paul (who was talking about a matter as "simple" as how our choice of food can affect the conscience of another believer): Then let us not judge one another any more, but rather judge this, not to put a stumbling-block or an offense toward his brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing by itself is common; except to him who esteems anything to be common, it is common. But if your brother is grieved with your food, you no longer walk according to love. Do not with your food destroy him for whom Christ died. Then do not let your good be spoken evil of, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (emphasis mine) Romans 14: 13-17

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. (But if some one says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience' sake-- I mean his conscience, not yours--do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man's scruples? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (emphasis mine) 1 Corinthians 10:24-33

As Christian, I need to be concerned with more than my own well-being. If I am aware of a weakness in another believer, it is not an act of love to deliberately do something that could cause an offense of his conscience. I understand that Paul's writings are in reference to our Christian liberty regarding legalistic dietary attitudes, and that this particular subject falls in the realm of conscience. Surely though, the same idea applies to things which the Bible specifically describes as sinful.

I want to be careful here to emphasize that I am not pronouncing self-righteous "judgment" on Miss Prejean for her duality of presentation. I believe that she if she is a true Christian, she is unfortunately in need of someone to point out the glaring error which I illustrated above. Happily, if she is a true follower of Christ, He will not fail to get her attention in this area. He's done so (and I expect will continue to) concerning similar inconsistencies in my own life. Perhaps He will do it as she studies her Bible, or talks with a friend, or is interviewed, or reads a blog such as the one to which I previously linked. Certainly, those who agree that lack of modesty is wrong should be praying that she will see it. If she is not a believer, her problem is much greater than that of word-deed misalignment.

We all have blind areas and sometimes stumble, so it is impossible to find anyone who is truly "perfect". Also, we must be careful to not idolize someone who appears to have his/her life completely in order. Appearances CAN be deceiving and even truly Godly men and women have faults.

The world is watching and will make inferences about the Lord based on what is seen in the lives of people who claim to be His followers. Because of the war between flesh and Spirit, we do sometimes sin. And when it is brought to our attention, we should accept the correction. My point is that Christians need to use more caution in the way we choose who to endorse as an outstanding example of the Christian faith.

Sinful behavior should not be a habitual way of life for any believer. When contradiction between one's statement of faith and her behavior is as obvious as that of Miss California I don't believe that Christians should break our legs in a race to jump onto the bandwagon of undiscerning support. It is possible to commend a person for honestly stating what she believes without winking at ongoing immoral behavior. God's Word must always be our foundational standard for right and wrong.

Egyptian Sojourn (God and Socialism) 6 :The Gathering Storm

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When I last left Egypt, the situation looked pretty good.God had remembered the Israelites and sent Moses the fugitive back with the good news. The people believed Moses’ report and worshiped the Lord.

Of course, He had never forgotten His people, even though they may have felt that He had.God, in His wisdom, had planned for the appropriate time to step in and extricate them from a most unpleasant situation…

In the first verse of chapter 5, Moses and Aaron went to the king and announced that God wanted him to allow the Israelites to go into the wilderness so that they could worship the Lord.

The king said : "Who is Jehovah, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know Jehovah, neither will I let Israel go.”

A second time, the two “spokesmen” put in their request, saying:

"The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Let us go, we pray you, three days' journey into the desert and sacrifice to Jehovah our God, lest He fall upon us with plague or with the sword.” That was the message that God told Moses to deliver(Exodus 3:18).

I believe Horeb (aka Sinai), the mountain of God (Exodus 3:1), must have been three day’s journey from the Egyptian borders. God’s sign to Moses was that the nation of Israel would return to the exact location where God had commissioned Moses to go back to Egypt to lead out the people. It is notable that this second plea includes a reference to fear of punishment for disobedience.

On the one hand, Moses and Aaron were taking a stand in saying they had a healthy fear of the Lord, and what He could do to the Israelites if they should ignore His instruction.On the other hand it appears that God was giving the king “fair warning” that there would be a heavy price to be paid by anyone who defied Him.

Because the Egyptian Pharaoh was basically worshiped as a god, I expect this demand was considered by him to be a supreme insult.It probably also unnerved him to think that hundreds of thousands of people within the borders of his country did not view him as the physical incarnation of god. He was already paranoid over a possible political revolt and now he had a country full of "radical religious fanatics” on his hands!

Convinced of a need to control the “dangerously dissatisfied” masses, the King then accused Moses and Aaron of encouraging the Hebrew slaves to stand around idly rather than be busily at their assigned tasks. He first told them to get back to work, and then devised an incredibly cruel strategy to keep those slaves so preoccupied, they would have no opportunity to form a cohesive plan of attack. He charged the Egyptian taskmasters, saying:

“You shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. And you shall lay upon them the number of bricks which they have made before now. You shall not take away from it. For they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go sacrifice to our God. Let more work be laid upon the men, and let them labor in it. And do not let them regard vain words.”

And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out. And they spoke to the people, saying, “So says Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go and get straw where you can find it, yet not any of your work shall be taken away.” So the people were scattered through all the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw. (Exodus 5:7-12)

Straw was an essential part of mud-brick making, as it lent strength to the finished product. Gleaning the fields for sufficient amounts of stubble would have been a tremendously time consuming job.

The slaves were being beaten for not making quota. The Israelite overseers were perplexed at being charged with an impossible task and begged the king to ease up on the demand. They even boldly stated that the plan was faulty and unreasonable. But the king insisted that they were lazy and needed more work because they felt they had enough spare time to take a break and worship a God he didn’t choose to recognize.

On the way back to their work, the disheartened overseers met Moses and Aaron and blamed them for the trouble. Moses, in turn looked at God and asked, “Lord, why have You treated this people ill? Why then have you sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people. Neither have You delivered Your people at all.” (Exodus 5:22-23)

Well, chapter 5 ends on a much less positive note than did the previous one. While from my vantage point I can see the error in the Israelites’ attitude, I have to say that I often have foolishly questioned the benevolence of the Lord when I see how hostile the world is toward believers. Thankfully, God is patient with my failures and is true to His promise that He will never leave nor forsake His own.

Weekend Worship

With Humble Gratitude...

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

But the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; so that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

For they who are according to the flesh mind the things of flesh, but they who are according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be.

So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom 8:9 But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

And if Christ is in you, indeed the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of the One who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised up Christ from the dead shall also make your mortal bodies alive by His Spirit who dwells in you.

Therefore, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die. But if you through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father!

Romans 8:1-15

The Horrifying Reality of Legalism

Pressing In has a very interesting article concerning the Danger of Legalism in Reformed Circles and while I do not consider myself "Reformed" (I don't like labels as it reminds me of "I am of Paul", and I struggle to not place my trust in a person or method...), I found myself well described in the given definition of Legalism. Certainly, one does not need to be Reformed to be legalistic.

I was reminded of Jesus' parable about the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25). It appears to echo Jesus' sobering words in Matthew 7:21-23 . These have always been particularly troubling pieces of Scripture for me, as there seems to be strong focus on what the people DID or DID NOT do.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

To be self-deceived and have lived an entire lifetime thinking that salvation is mine, and instead be cast away on the day of Judgment. What a chilling thought.

I think I may understand a little better now what Jesus was saying. Maybe. My thought was that the WORKS, of themselves, mean nothing. No one is righteous and we all stand condemned before a Holy God. Paul makes that clear in Romans. So, therefore we cannot possibly be earning salvation by feeding the hungry or visiting the sick or clothing the naked.

On the other hand, James stresses that faith without works is dead. John also writes that love for my brother will be evident in the way I act toward him. So, while I cannot collect enough points to get me into Heaven, good deeds are apparently a natural outpouring of Christ's love. Abiding in the True Vine will produce a harvest of good fruit, so works are the evidence of having become a new creation in Christ.

At this time, the conclusion to which I come is that Jesus' righteousness is what God sees as He evaluates a believer's "works". Jesus was perfect in His obedience to the Father, and if Jesus' blood covers my sinful nature before God, then even the most insignificant act of kindness is counted as "righteous"--for His sake. And, having a heart full of gratitude causes me to want to serve others for Christ.

This, I think, is what Jesus means by "the one who does the will of the Father": The covering of Jesus' perfection allows believers to be seen as obedient by the Father. If I have not completely trusted in Jesus' perfect sacrifice and resurrection, I will be cast away as a worker of evil, regardless of how "nice" or generous I was on earth.

The two Matthew passages connect in my head, so I combined the thoughts in the following poem. Hopefully, I got it right and am not misusing Scripture.

The Sheep and The Goats

The Eternal King reigned from a crystal Throne,

Holy messengers searched through His flock.

Sheep and goats intermingled to wait

The reward for each mortal walk.

The faithful among them rushed forward with joy,

Embraced the Shepherd Who called them by name.

Others, in anguish, turned sharply away

As souls withered before Eyes of flame.

"How can this be?" the rejected ones cried.

"We have served with our words, time and wealth-

We preached to the lost as we gave to the poor

And sang praise while we argued for truth."

A terrible Voice thundered over the throng,

Which soon would forever depart-

"Empty sacrifice burns into ashes today,

For you never knew My Heart"

Sheep? Or Goat?

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and have believed the love which God has in us. God is love, and the one abiding in love abides in God, and God in him. By this, love has been perfected with us, that we have confidence in the day of judgment, that as He is, we are also in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment; and the one fearing has not been perfected in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one not loving his brother whom he has seen, how is he able to love God whom he has not seen? And we have this commandment from Him, that the one who loves God also loves his brother. John 4:15-21

False Teachers

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For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is wickedness; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Psalm 5:9 (MKJV)

Well, Craig believes I lack discernment in my ability to recognize a false teacher. I’m not sure where he got this idea. Perhaps it has something to do with my tendency to get off the computer one afternoon and go about the house with a perpetually furrowed brow-- then randomly burst into tears. Or, maybe it’s my ever-so-subtle attempts at deciding to aggressively pick his brain over a topic that I have never before mentioned but now am certain is central to the security of my salvation. Sometimes I wonder if he gets tipped off by the somewhat mentally unbalanced wife-impersonator who greets him at the door with “I need you to come check out this website and tell me what you think—AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

At any rate, the man is perceptive (and blessedly patient). He told me I needed to study for myself how to spot a false teacher, and I am now turning in my homework for evaluation.

1. When coming upon any new piece of information or teaching I need to humble myself before the Lord and ask Him for direction as I search the Bible. I believe that a lot of my distress is caused by relying on my own ability to process what I read. While this isn’t exactly a “step” of the process, I believe this is the foundation on which I need to build.

The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (MKJV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (MKJV)

Now these Jews [of Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11 (RSV)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand. John 10:27-28 (MKJV)

2. Note what the teacher believes about the person and work of Jesus Christ. If there is a notable deviation from Scripture, it is a waste of time to read anything else that is taught by such a person. I know my list and sample verses are not exhaustive but I wanted to include some proof that I DID look up this information.

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the antichrist you heard is coming, and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:2-3

Jesus was God: “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 Jesus was human: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 Jesus was sinless: For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus was born of a virgin: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 Jesus suffered and died in our place, because we deserve punishment for our sin: For Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps, He who did no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth, who when He was reviled did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but gave Himself up to Him who judges righteously. He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that dying to sins, we might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter21-24 Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead three days later: For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 We are saved only by faith in Christ’s work on the cross rather than our own “good works”—even if those works conform to Jewish Law. We Jews by nature, and not sinners of the nations, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law. Galatians 2:15-16

3. Observe whether the teacher displays a genuine love for others. Are his words or actions consistently spiteful, rude, condescending or indifferent?

If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar. For if he does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 1 John 4:20

After posting this, I also recalled Paul's dressing down of the Corinthian fellowship in regard to their lack of love. My thought was that no teacher is perfect (as evidenced by Paul saying "our knowledge is imperfect") and may make an honest mistake. But even if his doctrinal arguments are "airtight" it won't matter if he lacks Christ's heart of love and service toward those he is supposed to be shepherding. This was an important revelation to me as I often become overwhelmed with the impressively intellectual sounding WORDS of a teacher and don't realize that the TONE is one of condemnation and arrogance.

And Craig pointed out this morning that not just generalized "love" but love for other believers is an essential element (see his comment).

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-10

4. Consult the 2 Peter description of the character and behavior of false teachers.

And many will follow their pernicious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be evil spoken of. (teachings of false teachers are often popular, yet people will say terrible things about God because of them) 2 Peter 2:2 False teachers are driven by a desire to please fleshly appetites, are arrogant, and will boldly insult spiritual beings 2 Peter 2:10. They have no shame concerning their sin, but rather enjoy it (v 13). They are adulterous (I think this is as much spiritual adultery as physical—since idolatry is considered adultery by God). Their teachings tend to trap those whose faith is built on an unstable foundation. They are greedy (v 14) and are likened to Balaam, who was willing to side with evil for a price (v 15)

5. A false teacher may also be a wildly popular personality who regularly preaches easy to swallow “feel-good” sermons that avoid language that might make listeners feel uncomfortable. Or he/she may teach that indulgence in sin is a virtue. Does secular society embrace him?

For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths. 1 Timothy 4:3-4

6. I had one more thought. Hopefully this point doesn’t cause needless offense but I wanted to address the danger that false teachers can pose specifically to women. 2 Timothy describes what people would be like in the “last days”. And he cautions that there will come false teachers who hold to a “type of godliness” but do not possess a regenerated heart themselves. The instruction is to stay away from them (good general advice, for sure!) But particularly vulnerable to their deceptions are “foolish women”.

“You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unfeeling, uncooperative, slanderous, degenerate, brutal, hateful of what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. They will hold to an outward form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such people. For some of these men go into homes and deceive foolish women who are burdened with sins and swayed by all kinds of desires. These women are always studying but are never able to arrive at a full knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and their faith is a counterfeit.” 2 Timothy 3:1-8 (I used ISV when copying this passage because it reads a bit more clearly than some of the other versions)

I was thinking about this passage one day and asked Craig what he thought about it. We didn’t come to any earth shaking conclusions. However, the VERY next day, a car pulled into the driveway and two Jehovah’s Witness ladies (an ex-Lutheran and an ex-Catholic) knocked on my door (this only happens about once every 8 to 12 months in our area and the visitors are almost always women). I invited them in for a few minutes and we talked about what they believe about Jesus. They explained to me how their bible translation makes so much sense because it explains away the paradox of Jesus as God and man. And they definitely had studied not just that book but also some other material that they used to help explain their perspective. They were polite and very serious about sharing their message.

I already knew a little about JW beliefs and had no trouble identifying the religion as having a “form of {counterfeit} godliness” which is spiritually abusive of followers. After the ladies left, I realized God had allowed me to see a real life picture of the “foolish women” being led astray by false teachers. These women had seen through the errors of their previous religious affiliations and went seeking something that they could better understand. Yet, even though they diligently study the teachings of their new religion, it will never lead them to the Truth.

Perhaps a truly regenerated woman will not exactly fit the “foolish woman” category because we have the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. Yet, I do believe women (in general) may be more easily deceived than men (in general). In the garden, Eve was deceived by the serpent. As a result of the Fall, God said that the husband would rule over the wife (Genesis 3:16) and 1 Peter 3:7 uses the term “weaker vessel” in regard to the wife. Ephesians 5:33 contains an instruction: “ But also let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife that she defers to her husband.” Women also tend to be more “emotional” than men over our failures. These verses are significant because I can see that God has ordered the family in such a way that a husband who loves and is following the Lord is very likely to be able to protect the wife who honors and respects his leadership. Listening to my God-fearing husband’s advice could save me the heartache of being misled.

Lastly, I have noticed that my most devastating encounters with false teachers have occurred when I am not being obedient to something that I already know I should be doing. If I have a 30-minute internet time allotment that I stretch into an hour as I follow one link after another, I should not be surprised if I wander into a spiritual minefield. And, if I already feel guilty when I arrive on a site, it isn’t very hard to get me worried that there might be important, less obvious things that I’m doing wrong. Recognition of a false teacher would be easier if my own conscience is clear when I "meet" him.

Alright, Craig. I think I have a better understanding of how to recognize a false teacher. Time to whip out the red pen and set me straight :D

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him. But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways. James 1:2-8