The Real Opposition!

 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

 2 Tm.2:24-26

This is an enduring scripture, full of wisdom and practicality. It is sound advice for those trying to teach, stand up for, be examples of and proclaim truth in a world that is surrounded by those who would have nothing better than to stamp it out. Indeed, it is hard to sway the opinion of those who have either chosen to abandon God or refuse to accept that God is something that they should even acknowledge. This passage strives to teach both believers as well as non-believers.

1.) If you are a believer, expect opposition! In that event, you as a believer should not be

quarrelsome or combative in your approach. In that, there is some practical advice for you in this passage:

• Be kind. Don't stoop to name calling, slurs, innuendos, or acting like people in the world you are trying to teach.
• KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TEACHING! This is part of being able to teach. If you are going to take it upon yourself to teach someone, at least know what you are talking about and preferably be living what you are talking about. No one wants to listen or will listen to a hypocrite. 
• Expect insults and hurt. The world isn't going to be nice - so don't expect it.
• Be Gentle. This goes back to being kind, it is a further modifier of that term, giving you the HOW.
• Remember who's doing the changing of the hearts here. All God expects you to do is present and live the truth. He's the one who changes hearts, not you!

2.) KNOW THE REAL SOURCE OF THE OPPOSITION!

• People of the world and its thinking are ensnared by the Devil, with his lies and deceptions. In fact the world has swallowed them hook, line, and sinker! 
• It is no coincidence, that in Rev.12:10, that Satan is called the "Accuser of our brethren." All of the opposition against good, radical or not, has one purpose and one purpose alone -- to do anything he can to be able to accuse godly people of wrong so as to smear and/or draw people away from God. 
• All of the unseen battles being waged around us every day, is pressure to keep you from doing what is right and acknowledging God.   Ephesians 6:12 says, “We are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world” 

Satan cannot attack  God directly, so he attacks those who follow Him. The advice Paul gave to Timothy in the 1st Century, is good for us to remember today. Stay away from senseless arguments, don't be like the world you are trying to teach, be humble.

How did Jesus treat those who opposed him? “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” The same is true with those who would oppose those who claim to follow God.  They don’t know what they’re doing. So, don't be like them!  Learn to let God live in you, and be His example. Let Him deal with the world, you live to let His glory be seen in everything you do!

Jim

UNITY - Get It Done!

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,  a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Prov.6:16-19

Few people read this verse and most when they do do not pick up on the last statement made. The Lord HATES someone who sows discord!   Discord means just that, whatever causes people to be at odds with one another. And I know how we tend to apply this - we tend to apply this to religious division. We blame others that they do not agree with the Bible, therefore they are causing division. I agree, that truth is truth and that if you are not going to abide by that, then you are fighting against God not for Him.  However, the emphasis in proverbs is God HATES anyone (those who call themselves Christians or not), that is the cause of sowing, instigating, breeding, festering, fostering, agitating discord. PERIOD!

We see so much of this today. Turn on the news and there is always someone sowing discord.  Rom.3:10-18 is a good synopsis of our world and even our nation today. "...  as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known is no fear of God before their eyes." 

Before we get self righteous, let's keep in mind that we are included in this description. Now, this doesn't mean we have to get all warm and fuzzy with every false doctrine that comes along, or teaching that doesn't agree with the scripture.  We ARE going to disagree. But, there is no room for labeling, judging, name calling, slander bashing, whispering, backbiting, gossiping or anything else associated with any of those. If we do that, cause that, participate in that, then know you are doing what the Lord HATES!  Think you'll get into heaven?

Jesus showed us that no matter how oppressing, no matter how ugly the situation, we can overcome and we can act as God wants! Remember Gethsemane? Did Jesus curse? Did he accuse, blame, call people names?  Did He tell the Guard they had no right? Did He insight a riot?

Jesus said, "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." Jn.13:15-17

Get it done!

Jim

Wormwood and Gall - Wanna Drink?

The other night at Bible Study, we were studying the events of the crucifixion of Jesus, and noted, "they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. (Mt.27:24)."  We normally pass over this, it is interesting that Jesus did not drink it, which begs the question why? This is debated, about whether it was just Roman mockery of the dying or whether it was actually a mercy that they offered the dying. So, from those three aspects, it is worth studying.

First, let's look at the materials "wine mixed with gall."  The correct Greek word for wine is "oinos" and is found in various places throughout the Bible. Here though, it is not this word. The word is "oxos" a derivative of Oinos, indicating that it is "bad wine." The question is how do you translate that?  Many have translated this as vinegar, but we should not think of this as the distilled vinegar of today. What is termed "sour wine" here, was reported to have been a general drink of the common people and Roman soldiers of the day, with the best wines going to the rich and opulent.

This was mixed with the next substance "gall." While the other gospels use this term, Mark uses "myrrh."  Gall, is from the Greek Term "chole" pronounced  khol-ay'. It was commonly called "bitters" because it was bitter tasting. Gall was a substance that was made for medicinal purposes of the day, to be a stupefying agent. Rightfully so, because it was an opiate, It was made from the nocturnal emission of the Poppy where after being scored, in the morning would be collected. This substance was mixed into "wine" to enhance its effects. It was used as a cure-all, sleep aid, and to relieve pain and suffering of various sorts and levels. The more bitter, the stronger the dose. It was equal to the 18th Century Laudanum and Morphine.  Whether it was the mixture I doubt, but they offer Jesus a second time (Mt.27:48; Mk.15:36; Jn.19:29) the sour wine, just before He "gave up His spirit."

Was this a mockery or a mercy?  Whether it was something done out of routine performance or a merciful act towards the criminal during his last breathing moments; the concoction seemed to have had the intent of making the execution of crucifixion somehow bearable for the person undergoing it. Anyone drinking it in this situation, would know why they were being offered it. 

This brings us to the next question, why did Jesus refuse to drink it? We aren't told, so the best that we can do is speculate. However, I do believe the scripture "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.(Heb.4:15)" is relevant here. He bore it all, so that there would be no point where we could say that God does not understand our pains, impulses and anguishes. For us, many of us in our striving against sin, have not had to do so to the point of shedding our blood for it. Jesus did, and He was without sin as even attested of Him by the Romans who were there.

What is the take away from this?  

Wow - a lot!  

Here are a couple:

• The next time you are tempted to do drugs or substance abuse to drown out your pains, sorrows or to escape from reality - realize that the effect is only temporary. The pain will return, as will the reality. Only God can help you deal with the reality. All else is temporary at best.
• Sometimes, the only option for things is to go through them.  Yes, it will hurt physically, mentally and in other ways. But Jesus going through this, to rise again 3  days later shows us that what we think is the end, the worst, etc. is not. With God, all things are possible and He will get us through anything if we give ourselves to Him and trust Him. What you're going through? It is not to be feared, if it doesn't kill you, you will come out on the other side a stronger person. Fear rather, the losing of your soul, for that is final. (Mt.10:28)
• In understanding the pains of others, understand that platitudes are just that. They offer nothing to help the person other than appearing to be a mercy. When people don't want our platitudes, don't be insulted. If platitudes are an excuse for you to avoid helping someone deal with something, then don't. Help if you can, but don't just come up with some saying just to try to appear witty, caring or whatever. It will appear empty, just like the Romans offering Jesus this drink. Be there for the person, walk with them if you can. That will mean more than platitudes.

So, consider this subject. There is a LOT more here than I have covered. I hope that this has helped you to see just a few.

Jim