Trust in Our Sovereign God

In a previous post, Forgiveness, the Jesus Way, we quoted the following from Luke's gospel account:

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
[Luke 23 : 33 - 34  NIV]

Those who conspired to put Jesus on the cross and those who brutally beat him and murdered him were doing the work of Satan and those he motivated. 
Satan's determination to get rid of Jesus and to curtail the kingdom work of the Messiah was his aim, and it is likely he thought he had succeeded when Jesus died on the cross.

But no! God's plan was for Jesus to enter human death and destroy it from the inside for the benefit of all humanity.
The wicked plans and actions of Jesus' enemies were what God used to implement His plan of redeeming the human race.

... God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth. 
[1 Timothy 2 : 3 -4  GNT]

Jesus himself said that by the means of the cross all people would eventually be drawn to him.

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
[And John added,] He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

Jesus knew the cross was a key component in the Father's plan to save the world.
And Satan and his minions played their role, even though they had no idea they were playing a designated part in a plan that was the opposite of theirs.

I am so often amazed, but should not be, to see how God gets done what He has previously decided to do, and uses whatever circumstances and people are available at the time.
He is truly sovereign.

People can make many different plans. But only the Lord’s plan will happen.
[Proverbs 19 : 21  ICB]

Or as the Living Bible puts it "Man proposes, but God disposes."

It is so comforting to know God is sovereign, God is in control, and He has plans for our eventual good, even when it is not always obvious to us. (It was certainly not obvious to the disciples who saw their Messiah crucified.)

That's why we have been encouraged to live by faith, by trust in our sovereign heavenly Father.

for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—
[2 Corinthians 5 : 7  AMP]

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

Churches Diminish Jesus' Work on the Cross

Hello again! I haven't posted for a while - too busy travelling around the country. We've been in Queensland to visit family after entry restrictions were lifted. 10 of our 15 grandchildren and all our 14 great grandchildren live there, so we spent several weeks getting to know them all over again.

On return, each of us copped a good dose of COVID - so no activity on the BLOG for a further couple of weeks.

While away we visited a vibrant church and enjoyed worshipping with them on several occasions. However on the last Sunday we attended, the sermon reminded us of what many churches seem to teach - to be saved and avoid eternity in a cruel hell each person needs to make the choice to believe and accept "the gospel" during their lifetime on this planet.

No mention of what God did for all of us 2000 years ago - reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. (2 Cor 5: 19)

No mention that all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3 : 24)

No mention that all in Adam's line of descent are now in Christ's. (1 Cor 15 : 22)

Quoted was one of the best known verses in the Bible - John 3 : 16.
But most who quote it (and use it to prove their view that Jesus only died for those who believe the gospel in their lifetime) don't continue reading to the next verse.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Greek: life of the Age).

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
[John 3 : 16 - 17 NIV]

So what was "the gospel" preached there that day?
Basically, your salvation is actually in your hands. You need to be born in the right place at the right time to hear the gospel and then you need to produce the faith to believe and accept this gospel while you're still alive.

The gospel of grace was completely missed; the gospel of (personal) decision and action was the one being preached.

So sad really.
This vibrant church, while enthusiastically enjoying lively worship and warm and inclusive fellowship, were celebrating their good luck in hearing the gospel and deciding to accept it while still here, and were then being encouraged to pray for friends and family with urgency because their salvation depends solely on them hearing the gospel and their subsequent action.

God is not a god of good luck; God's plan to reconcile the world through Christ was devised before the world was even created.

He (Christ) was chosen before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
[1 Peter 1 : 20  TLV]

With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 8 - 10  NIV]

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 - 20  NIV]

For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem the whole human race. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved,
[1Tim 2 : 5 - 6  GNB]

Yes, we do need to share the gospel in words and actions with others so that if now is their appointed time they will be given the faith to believe what they have heard and seen.
Understanding and celebrating the truth of what Jesus has done for them, and commitment to Christ, will automatically follow.

Clearly, salvation is God's responsibility, and God's alone.
God sent Jesus to deal with our sin.

He (Christ) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2: 2  NIV]

God draws us to Jesus.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
[John 6 : 44 NIV ]

God gives us the faith to believe this good news.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
[Ephesians 2 : 8 - 9  NIV]

It's ALL God's doing. When it's your turn you will be awakened, irresistibly drawn by God's love and action, and given faith to believe the gospel and the Holy Spirit to empower you in your commitment to follow Jesus.

It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him.
[Philippians 2 : 13  GW]

It was for me, and for every genuine, committed, faithful child of God I have known - for all in the Body of Christ, the firstfruits of the harvest, those who serve with Christ in the kingdom age.

But there's more, as shown in the Scripture quotations above.
No-one will be left out. Eventually everyone will be reconciled to God and enjoy eternity with Him. Everyone will have their turn to understand and enjoy what Jesus has done for them so long ago.

So I visited a terrific, vibrant church, but their preaching sometimes denied the love and grace of God for His creation and severely diminished the full payment of Christ on the cross for the sins of the world.

Will I attend again?
I'm sure I will - they welcome warmly, celebrate using God-focused worship, encourage their members to live committed and joyful lives, and preach positive messages most of the time.
Indeed, if we only choose to worship and fellowship in churches whose doctrine we 100% agree with, we might find ourselves worshipping alone.

Blessings, Barry

Belief Doesn't Create Truth

Many churches and Bible commentators teach that
if a person believes that Jesus died for their sins,
then they will be forgiven their sins and thus saved.

In other words, personal belief is needed to activate Christ's sacrifice for them, and so obtain their salvation.
Or, more arrogantly, Christ needs our help to save us!

This doesn't seem to harmonise with what the Scriptures say about what God has done through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

First, our sins have been dealt with 2000 years ago - whether we believe it or not.

Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God completely. He is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
[1 John 2 : 1 - 2  NLT]

Second, God is reconciled to us and thus is at peace with us - whether we believe it or not.

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NLT]

Third, God intends everyone to know these truths and live in unity and harmony with him and his creation forever - whether we believe it or not.

... God our Savior, who wants (intends) everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 3 - 4   NLT]
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
[Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  NLT]

Belief doesn't create these truths.
Creatures like you and me cannot believe the Creator's plans into existence.
All truths need to exist before they can be believed, meaning they are equally true for believers and unbelievers.

So if these truths do exist, why doesn't everyone believe them?

The simple answer is that not all of us come to belief at the same time.
Are you a believer?
Did you become a believer at the same time as other believers you know?
Probably not. 

God draws us to him, gives us the Holy Spirit and the faith to believe his good news at his appointed time for each of us.
And those appointed times will be spread across the eons or ages of time, not just in this present one, for all of creation.

Indeed, in this present age, God is only choosing the advance party of early believers, called the Body of Christ.
They do not have to wait till the end of time to come to know and believe the truth - as all others do.

Early believers are chosen and equipped to serve Christ in announcing these truths to the rest of their generation, so that those others still to be chosen from that generation will hear their call, be given faith and drawn into this advance party.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
[Romans 10 : 17  NLT]

And God is still actively filling and empowering the advance party in 2022 - almost 2000 years after He began.

Blessings, Barry

Does Our Faith Match Our Hope?

As a Christian, what do you hope for?
An interesting aspect of an answer to this question came to me recently when thinking about the definition of faith from the Book of Hebrews.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
[Hebrews 11 : 1  NIV]

Are all the things you have faith in, what you believe, are also what you are hoping for?
Let's see.
Do you believe (have faith) that Jesus died on the cross for your sins? Then this Hebrews verse assures us that this is what you are hoping for.

Do you believe that Jesus is to return to planet earth to take you to be with him forever? Then this is what you are hoping for.

Do you believe that all unbelievers will be endlessly tormented in a place called "hell" after Jesus rewards you? Then this is what you are hoping for.

Many Christians I know do believe in this horrid doctrine of "eternal punishment" but most of them have never expressed a hope in it, especially if some of their close family are unbelievers.

I avoided this conflict between belief and hope by abandoning "the horrid doctrine" that I was taught in my early church days and began to study the Bible for myself and see God's true heart and character and His plan to reconcile all of His creation.

Here are a few verses from the New Testament which contradict "the horrid doctrine".

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
[John 3 : 17  NIV]
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
[Jesus speaking, John 12 : 32  NIV]
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them...
[2 Corinthians 5 : 18 - 19  NIV]

I therefore believe that God will reconcile all creation to Himself and this is what I am hoping for. I have this "assurance about what we do not see".

Does our faith match our hope?
Let's believe only those doctrines we can genuinely hope for.

Blessings, Barry

My 2021 Christmas Thought

Each year around Christmas I use my daily reflection time to think of something especially pertinent to the miraculous arrival of Jesus to earth as a babe in Bethlehem and His subsequent impact as the Saviour of the world.

In previous years I have written about the Santa deception, God's plan and provision to take away the sin of the world, the use of BC and AD to divide our calendar, and so on.

This year my Christmas thoughts have focused on another purpose God had in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into our world - to show us what God is like.

Jesus himself declared this aspect of his role:

"The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me."
[John 12 : 45  NIV]

This was affirmed by other writers in the New Testament:

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being,
[Hebrews 1 : 3a  NIV]
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
[Colossians 1 : 15  NIV]

Even so, some close disciples were slow to grasp this. Here is part of a 'Jesus-disciple' conversation recorded by John:

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
"If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" [John 14 : 5 - 9  NIV]

Prior to Jesus' arrival on our planet, people had mixed views about what God was like. The Law and the Prophetical writings in the Old Testament provided some insights but were limited and sometimes quite inconsistent.

To demonstrate the superior witness of Jesus over that of the Old Testament writings, we could look at that miraculous event played out on what we often call Mount Transfiguration, recorded in Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9.

Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) were seen with Jesus on the mountain by Peter, James and John. When Peter offered to build shelters for Moses, Elijah and Jesus to show equal honour and respect for them, a cloud removed Moses and Elijah, and a voice from the cloud declared:

This is my Son, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!
Matthew 17 : 5  NIV]

Equal honour was not to be assumed or given. Jesus is the Son.

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
[John 1 : 18  NIV]

Listen to him! He knows God perfectly, far better than Moses and Elijah.

Although the Bible teaches us much about God, it really is pointing us to Jesus who is "the exact representation of his being".

This Christmas let's offer God thanks for his Son, the Bethlehem babe, who takes away the sins of the world, and resolve to listen to him as he reveals the God of love and mercy to us.

Blessings, Barry

Handling Life's Adversities

There are two verses I find helpful in handling the hardships and temptations of life. The first is:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[Romans 8 : 28  NIV]

This verse is a great comfort and assurance for those who trust God in all areas of their lives.

We mentioned it in the previous post called "Go With the Flow - with Jesus".
So we'll look at the second verse.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13  NIV]

The first part of this verse assures us that God doesn't try to break us down, but to build us up.
Consequently our temptations are custom-designed for us, God ensuring that they never push us too far in doing their job in making us stronger.

But what about the second part of the verse?
Is it your experience that God always makes a way for you to escape your hardships?
That's not mine.

Nor does this part sound logical.
How can an 'escape' or a 'way out' enable us to endure something?

So I wonder if there is a better English translation of the Greek that is usually translated 'an escape' or 'a way out' so that it more closely matches our experience - and is more logical?

The Greek word involved is 'ékbasis' which means 'moving out from and to an outcome'.
It is used only once more in the Bible - in Hebrews 13 : 7.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. [NIV]

'ékbasis' is here translated as 'outcome' - not a way out or moving out, but an outcome.

So let's use this translation, and tidy up the structure of the sentence a bit, in the second part of our Corinthians verse.

But when you are tempted, he will a provide an outcome also, so that you can endure it.

If we can trust that God has provided a custom-designed outcome for our circumstances, then we can endure it, even eagerly submit to it, as we look forward to seeing that outcome come to pass.

That's peace in adversity.
Blessings, Barry

Contentment in a Virus World

Readers of this BLOG and the book "The Really Good News About God" will know that I emphatically believe in the sovereignty of God - I believe He is in control of everything, past, present and future.

I can't always understand why He has done or is doing something, or has allowed or is allowing something, although I do see some general principles at work most of the time.

Because the Bible teaches that the end-result of this life in the space-time realm is the salvation and reconciliation of all creation, then understanding "the bad" in life is much easier.

For example, God uses "bad" people and situations as contrasts for Him, His people and His plans.
In the simplest terms, "the bad" is used to guarantee "the good" will glow.

And, of course, with the correct end-result in mind, "the bad" is clearly only temporary anyway, because God is the Saviour of all humanity [1 Timothy 4 : 10] and God eventually becomes "all in all". [1 Corinthians 15 : 28]
The Message version puts it this way:

When everything and everyone is finally under God’s rule, the Son will step down, taking his place with everyone else, showing that God’s rule is absolutely comprehensive—a perfect ending!

So what about our current COVID-19 situation?

Firstly, let's be assured that Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, is greater than any troubles we face, including this one.
We can trust him for our well-being no matter what form that takes.
Jesus said:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world."
[John 16 : 33 NIV]

Whether he walks through this situation with us or allows us to be taken from it doesn't really matter.
Whatever He decides for me is OK with me. Like Paul:

As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do.
If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose.
Hard choice!
The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful.
Some days I can think of nothing better.
But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here.
[Philippians 1 : 22 - 24 The Message]

So let's enjoy the peace Jesus gives and be content with whatever outcome He chooses for us.

Secondly, there's much that can be written about the need for contrast when God is achieving His loving purposes for His creation.
But I'll just mention a few examples to illustrate the point.

God used Satan to harass His servant Job in order to perfect and strengthen his faith.
God also used the evil intentions of Joseph's brothers to put Joseph in a position to save the fledgling Israeli nation from starvation and possible extinction.

God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that the extraordinary miracle of the Exodus from Egypt could take place for the people of Israel.
Paul reflects on it in his discussion of 'God's Sovereign Choice' in his letter to the early church in Rome.

For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
[Romans 9 : 17 NIV]

I suggest that God might also be using the coming Tribulation in much the same way, and for Israel particularly to become so desperate for its survival, let alone its peace, that it will nationally call out for its Messiah.

Speaking to the Scribes and Pharisees about their rejection of him as their Messiah and the subsequent postponement of their expected kingdom, Jesus said:

"For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'."
[Matthew 23 : 39 NIV]

And when that happens some time in our future, it will instigate the Magnificent Messianic Millennial Kingdom.

Who knows what part this virus and its consequences might play in achieving God's eventual plan?
We don't - but we can postulate about how it might, especially with all this global talk about vaccines, nano-chip technology and compulsory immunisation.

But we can be sure of one thing - God knows, and is in total control of it all.

So, as those who are in Christ, we can be content in our virus world and where it might be taking us.

People may plan all kinds of things,
but the Lord's will is going to be done.
[Proverbs 19 : 21 GNB]

Blessings, Barry

Coronavirus Questions

Several people have been asking questions like:
Are we in the last days?
What is God saying to us through this coronavirus pandemic?

I don't think we are in the last days just yet.
I addressed this question on Tuesday, January 29th 2019 under the heading "Are We in the Last Days?".
You can find that post in the BLOG ARCHIVE.

So, what might God be saying to us right now?

Firstly, he might be reminding us that we are living in an imperfect world that has fallen a long way from God's original design.

Just focusing on Australia and especially the last few months, we have suffered the peak of a prolonged drought, raging floods, fierce bush fires and cyclones, another contagious disease, rampant selfishness and opportunistic crime.

Even though we can't avoid them, we can prepare ourselves to face most of them: we can harvest, store and distribute water, back-burn and clear forest floors, become nationally self-sufficient for essential supplies, and treat each other with respect, love and care.

On a personal level, we can prepare ourselves too: we can rekindle or refresh our relationship to God, our trust in him and our Biblical view of the future - and enjoy the peace this gives us.
I touched on this in connection with the current virus crisis on Tuesday, March 31st 2020 under the heading "COVID-19 Opportunities".

Secondly, he might be reminding us that we are not the big shots we often think we are, but created human beings, fragile, temporary inhabitants of our planet, who must learn how to submit to the Creator and practise being humble to each other.

And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
[Micah 6 : 8  NIV]

Thirdly, he might be reminding us that we are all equal in his sight - all of equal value and all equally in need of a Saviour.

Rich and poor, white and coloured, male and female, young and old: for everyone the supermarket shelves are empty and the medical services strained. Mercedes and Commodores both stand idle in our garages.

The focus is on survival, regardless of who you are: health has become the main game rather than wanting, competing and possessing.

Within just a few days, the whole world has levelled out considerably - we are getting a glimpse of the social equality the Bible teaches.

Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
[Proverbs 22 : 2  NIV]
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
[Romans 3 : 23 - 24  NIV]

Fourthly, he might be reminding us to permanently change the way we live: to follow his example of impartiality and his intention to provide for all.

For with God there is no respecting of persons.
Who intends all human beings to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of truth.
[Romans 2 : 11; 1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]

Finally, an observation that should make us grateful.
We are so blessed to have a genuine Christian as our current Prime Minister, who regularly prays for the nation and seeks God's guidance as he directs our response to this crisis.
If you missed a recent example, have a look here:

Let's pray and listen carefully to what God might be saying to us -  individually and as a nation.

Blessings, Barry

"Every crisis is an opportunity."

The Christian Gospel

The word "gospel" means good news so the Christian gospel is the good news concerning the Christ - the Jewish Messiah, God's Son and the Saviour of the world.

So what is this good news?
A straight quote from Paul's letter to the Corinthians will provide a concise answer to this question.

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures
He was entombed
He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
[1 Cor 15 : 3 - 5  NIV]

This is really Good News (Gospel) from God to mankind because of its awesome consequences, both personal and corporate.

Personally, God no longer holds our sins against us

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NIV]

because

(Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

Corporately, God will remove death and sin from his creation and create a new heaven and earth.

The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil had done.
[1 John 3 : 8b  GNB]
Our dreaded enemy, death, which we inherited from Adam is to be removed from creation.
For he (Jesus) must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
[1 Cor 15 : 25 - 26  NIV]

God will have supreme control.

But when all things have been placed under Christ's rule, then he himself, the Son, will place himself under God, who placed all things under him; and God will rule completely over all.
[1 Cor 15: 28  GNB]

Heaven and Earth will be in complete harmony

God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.
[Eph 1: 9 - 10  GNB]

and squeaky-clean

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
[2 Peter 3 : 13  NIV]

It's amazing how many people, even those belonging to the Christian religion, do not believe this awesome outcome, even though they sing songs that proclaim it most Sundays.

For example, at a funeral I attended last week we sang a well-known hymn whose words included the death of death, the destruction of hell and God's "kingdom stands, and grows for ever, till all your creatures own your sway".
Most of the nearly 300 people present heartily proclaimed these words describing God's promised future for his creation.

Let's truly believe and endorse what the Scriptures teach about our God and his exciting plan for all mankind through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessings, Barry

What MUST Be

While away on holiday and doing some fun-reading, I was intrigued by the number of times some of our little, yet powerful, English words occurred in the Scriptures. The words that got me thinking were "must" and "so".

Today's post discusses "must". (I might discuss "so" in a future one)
The word "must" is a frequent translation of the Greek word "dei" in most English versions of the New Testament, although sometimes it is translated as
is necessary,
is needful,
is required,
is binding,
depending on the context and flow of the English sentence that contains it

For example, in Matthew 16 : 21, it is used twice to show what was required of Jesus.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. [NIV]

Another example:

He (Jesus) said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
[Luke 24 : 44  NIV]

A verse that many use to show that Jesus in the only means of salvation for mankind is Acts 4 : 12.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. [NIV]

This verse clearly demonstrates God's exclusive means of salvation (Jesus), but what is the must part of the verse saying?

Is it not saying that the salvation of mankind is necessary, is a required outcome of the mission of Jesus, is binding on Jesus to achieve?

Wow! An exclusive process producing an inclusive result!
One person produces salvation for all people!
Reminds me of Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 15.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Cor 15 : 22  NIV]

Paul uses "must" quite often himself.

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 53  NIV]

Seems like Paul is describing an eventual outcome which God has bound himself to achieve, which is a consistent follow-on from the previous verses 25 and 26.

For he (Jesus) must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [NIV]

However, before we get that far we are bound to appear before the judgement seat of Christ.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 10  NIV]

All rewards must be given and anything inappropriate for the next stage of the journey must be removed. (read 1 Corinthians 3 : 11 - 15 for details)

The must verses are so plentiful and demonstrate how God has bound himself to his plan to redeem his whole creation. And, of course, because he is sovereign, all powerful, he must fully accomplish that plan.

Blessings, Barry

Biblical Challenges to Mainstream World Views

It's my turn to lead a Bible Study at my church this week. One of the Scripture passages chosen by the Lectionary for this week is Romans 5 : 12 - 21, one of my favourites. So I will need to be careful that I don't slip from my prescribed role as facilitator of the group into one of preacher/teacher for the morning. 😎

It is only a short passage, but it deals a fatal blow to several of the world's favourite views (beliefs).
 
Belief in the Theory of Evolution
(I won't get side-tracked by the "scientific" aspects of this theory, which are erroneous and predominantly quite unscientific. I will just mention one of the Biblical challenges to this theory.)

Therefore just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people ....
(verse 12  NIV)

Note the order of events here.
Man then sin then death.
The Theory of Evolution requires the opposite - long ages of death to precede the arrival of humans on earth.
 
Belief in Man's Free Will

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,
so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
(verse 18 NIV)

We do not choose our destiny, God does.
We are allowed to make choices along the way, which determines how difficult or enjoyable and rewarding the journey becomes.
But the end result has already been determined by God.
(mentioned again in Eph 1 : 9 - 10; Col 1 : 19 -20; etc.)
 
Belief in Eternal Torment in Hell

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
(verse 19 NIV)

A righteous outcome for all hardly makes room for an eternity in hell or any other place that might be a separation from God.
Romans 11 : 32 also reinforces this point with ...

For God has bound everyone over to disobedience (unbelief) so that he may have mercy on them all. (NIV)

These are very brief comments on these unBiblical, misleading world views.
However if you would like to discuss any of them further, add a comment below and let's start a conversation.

Blessings, Barry

God's Great Steering Wheel

I have taught my four sons to drive. 
That teaching began when they were quite small. They would sit on my knee behind the steering wheel as we drove deserted country roads or the longish driveway from the front gate to the carport.

They had their hands on the steering wheel and (mostly) looked out the front window as we travelled. They thought they were driving the car and it was totally in their control.

But, of course, I was driving the car, deciding where we were going and how fast we were travelling. I also decided on how much force I allowed my son to exert on the steering wheel, depending on whether he was trying to direct us where I had previously decided to go or not.

Our prayer life is a bit like this.
God knows where He is going and how fast He wants to get there. And He does allow us, indeed invites us, to put our hands on the steering wheel. How much effect we have on the steering wheel depends on whether we are heading in the same direction He is or not.

So if we want to be effective in prayer, we need to be on the same page God is. We need to know His will regarding the subject of our prayer so we can pray "in Jesus' Name" and be gently placing our hands on His steering wheel.

Praying for something that is not in God's will is as useless as my son trying to pull the steering wheel in a different direction to where I have chosen to go. I will just "out-pull" him with my stronger grip.

So how do we know God's will?
First, we need to know what God has revealed about His intentions in His Word.
Second, we need to spend time (in prayer) asking God what he wants us to pray for before we begin asking for things to be done.

I often answer the question, "How do you get all your prayers answered?" with the one-word instruction, "Cheat!"
Find out what God is planning to do, and pray for it to happen.

A beautiful example of this cheating is demonstrated by Daniel in the Old Testament.

... I was studying the sacred books and thinking about the seventy years that Jerusalem would be in ruins, according to what the LORD had told the prophet Jeremiah. [Daniel 9 : 2]

What had Jeremiah prophesied?

This whole land will be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. [Jeremiah 25 : 11]

and

For Yahweh says, “After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
[Jeremiah 29 : 10, 11]

With this information about God's plan, Daniel continues :

And I prayed earnestly to the Lord God . . . [ Daniel 9 : 2, 3 ]

You can read the whole prayer in the following verses.
A Biblical example of cheating! Knowing God's plan and praying for it to happen.

It gives me great peace to know God's will cannot be overridden by the will of any of his children.
Can you imagine the chaos if God granted every request, especially those prayers that ask for very different (even opposite) outcomes or actions from God in the same circumstance?

We need to gently place our hands on God's Great Steering Wheel if we are to get all our prayers answered, and be co-workers with Christ in the Body of Christ.

Blessings, Barry

The Languauge of Salvation

I think some of the language relating to salvation needs some fine tuning, and the date when we were saved needs a major correction.

Many a person will say something like "It was on the 3rd December 2009 when I decided to invite Jesus into my heart and become a Christian".
And we praise God for such a person's experience and their inclusion in the Body of Christ, becoming part of the first fruits of God's great harvest.

Let's assume this person's name is Shirley.
Then may I suggest we rewrite this description of Shirley's experience in more Biblical terms, not to be petty, but to help us understand God's ways a little better.

Firstly, we were all saved about 2000 years ago when Jesus died, was entombed and rose again in about 30AD. (Notice I didn't say Jesus was buried because he wasn't, he was placed in a tomb.) Shirley was saved at that time - she just didn't realise it or had been given the faith to believe it until 2009.

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died." [2 Cor 5 : 14]

And

"one who has died has been set free from sin". [Romans 6:7]

Sometimes an enthusiastic evangelical Christian will ask a new acquaintance, "Are you saved?", which demonstrates a limited understanding of what happened on the cross. If Jesus was successful when he died for the sins of the world then it should be obvious that the new friend is saved, even if they are not aware of it.

God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us this message of reconciliation.
[2 Cor 5 : 19]

Jesus praying to his Father: 

"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." [John 17: 4]

And on the cross, just before he died, Jesus said,

"It is finished." With that, he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
[John 19 : 30]

So Shirley was saved when Jesus finished his work on the cross about 2000 years ago.

Secondly, Shirley did not choose God, but God chose Shirley, just as he chose his first disciples. [John 15 : 16]
He chose her to be one of His first fruits, by drawing her to Him and giving her the faith to believe the good news on that December day.

People cannot come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me. [John 6 : 44]

(And Jesus promised that everyone would eventually be drawn, see John 12 : 32)

So here's the rewrite:
"It was on the 3rd December that God gave me the faith to believe that Jesus died on the cross to deal with my sins and has chosen me to serve him in the Body of Christ."
And she may well add, "What a joy and privilege that was, and still is."

So is this being petty?  I don't think so.  It recognises the full value of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and corrects our theology by putting God in control, not us.
I am more persuaded by the Biblical doctrine of God's sovereignty than the mainstream church's doctrine of mankind's free will.
However, I know I am in a fairly small minority as we have been indoctrinated with the "free will" message for so long, both inside and outside the church.

Blessings, Barry

How has the Good News of Universal Reconciliation Changed Me?

I am often asked this question.
When asked by those who hold to the view that only a relatively few will be saved, it is usually designed to shame me into admitting that I no longer share the gospel with unbelievers and have lost my evangelistic drive.

As mentioned on page 20 of "The Really Good News About God", my motivation to share the gospel has actually increased.
Why?

• I now have a better gospel to share, which is much more exciting and satisfying than the old good news-bad news one, because it's all good news.
• I now see each person as a creation of God, made in his image, for whom he has a definite, positive purpose.
• I now understand my role in the Body of Christ better. I am not here to help God save the lost before they die, but to announce the good news so that those who have been chosen to be early believers can hear it and be given the faith to believe it and be added to the Body. (I am engaged in Christ's Body-building program.)
• I am no longer stressed when people fail to respond to the gospel, knowing full well that their time will come, either in this age or in a later one, depending on whether God has chosen them as a first fruit or as part of the main harvest.

And I now have a greater appreciation of God's love and sovereignty, and, of course, a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of God's purpose for his creation.

So, how has the really good news of universal reconciliation changed me?
It has given me a better gospel to share and a greater enjoyment in sharing it.

As an aside, I guess the thing that surprises me most since receiving this understanding is the lack of determination and urgency in sharing the good news-bad news message by those who are convinced that the majority of their neighbours (and families in many cases) are on the way to "eternal damnation" if they don't "get saved" before they leave this planet. And they are often the first to suggest that I might have lost my drive to share the gospel now that I see that all will be eventually reconciled.

Blessings, Barry

I Just Can't Believe It

One of my very best friends, who is almost as big a Bible junkie as I am, just can't believe that all of creation will eventually be reconciled to God.

He acknowledges what the Bible says in verses like

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Christ), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19-20 NIV]

For God had allowed us to know the secret of his plan, and it is this: he purposes in his sovereign will that all human history shall be consummated in Christ, that everything that exists in Heaven or earth shall find its perfection and fulfilment in him. 
[Ephesians 1: 9 - 10 Phillips]

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22 NIV]

For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. [Romans 11 : 32 NIV]

and genuinely hopes this really might happen 
BUT ...
just can't believe people like Hitler will ever accept God's offer of salvation.

There are three major problems here.

First: Salvation is not a Gift.
 
God's salvation does not depend on people's acceptance of it.
God doesn't offer salvation as a gift to be accepted or rejected. He has already graciously given it through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
It's a done deal.

God was in Christ personally reconciling the world to himself—not counting their sins against them—and has commissioned us with the message of reconciliation. [2 Cor 5 : 19 Phillips]

A bit like someone putting a million dollars in your bank account rather than offering the money in cash for you to accept or not. It's in your account - it's already in the bank - it's a done deal.

Let me share a real-life illustration of this happening in 2018.
A couple from our church dined at a local High Street Italian restaurant. After finishing their meal, the husband went to pay the bill. The waitress told him there was no need as the bill had already been paid.
He contested this, saying he still had a debt to pay. Then the waitress explained that a local High Street trader has a table selected for each sitting and that he always covers the bill from that table.
So my friend and his wife had no debt to pay - it had already been taken care of before they had even eaten, and no matter how much the bill might have come to.

That's how it is with our sins. They have already been paid for - 2000 years ago. We have no debt to pay, our salvation was secured on the cross of Calvary centuries ago. It was all God's doing, we had nothing to do with it - it's a done deal.

Second: Jesus' Sacrifice Was Successful
 
Either Jesus was successful in His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world, or He wasn't.
All Christians I have met, including my friend, will agree that Jesus' mission to die for the sins of the world was successful. But then, illogically, assert that all will not be saved because some will not choose to accept God's gracious gift, thus contradicting their initial assessment of Jesus' success.

He (Jesus) himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. [1 John 2 : 2 NLT]

And when I (Jesus) am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. [John 12 : 32 NLT]

Third: God is Sovereign and Will Always Get His Way
 
Although God has chosen to save all, skeptics believe many (most) people will choose not to be saved and therefore overrule God's choice. In other words, the created being will overrule the Creator and His plans for His creation.

But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, "Why did you make me like this?"
After all, the man who makes the pots has the right to use the clay as he wishes, and to make two pots from the same lump of clay, one for special occasions and the other for ordinary use. [Romans 9 : 20 - 21 GNB]

People may plan all kinds of things, but the Lord's will is going to be done. [Proverbs 19 : 21 GNB]

God works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
[Ephesians 1 : 11 BV]

Believing salvation is a done deal, Jesus' sacrifice was completely successful and God's sovereignty will make sure His plan for the full reconciliation of His creation is achieved is the correct Biblical view and gives God the honour and respect He deserves.

Blessings, Barry

The Parable of the Local Football Match

To ensure there was a good crowd for the opening match of the season, the coach of a local football team was authorised to give tickets to every person who lived in their small country town.

In addition, he gave gold passes to those who were his close friends, which entitled them to attend the pre-match lunch in the clubrooms with club officials and the players involved in the match.

So everyone in the town got to enjoy the first match of the year, and there was a special treat beforehand for the coach's close friends.

Sounds a bit like what God has in store for His creation, doesn't it?

We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe. [1 Timothy 4 : 10 NIV]

All of creation gets to enjoy eternity (the match) with God, but the friends of the Coach (believers - members of the Body of Christ) get to enjoy the pre-eternity ages with Him.

And just as the coach's friends were chosen by the coach well before the day of the match, so believers (members of the Body of Christ) have been chosen well before eternity, even before the ages began.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ. [ Ephesians 1 : 4, 5 NIV]

How exciting is that?
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the world, you have been chosen before the creation of the world to be adopted into sonship.
Indeed, you weren't chosen because you believed, you were given belief (faith) because you were chosen.

Just like these Gentiles ...

The Gentiles listened with delight and extolled the Lord's Message; and all who were pre-destined to the Life of the Ages believed.
[Acts 13 : 48 Weymouth]

We are very privileged people. But we also have great responsibility, not only in the now, but also in those pre-eternity ages - yes, we have been chosen for a purpose.

In the now ...

God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.  [Ephesians 2 : 10 GNB]

In the pre-eternity ages ...

... and did raise us up together, and did seat us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that He might show, in the ages that are coming, the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus, [Ephesians 2 : 6, 7 YLT]

Doesn't that excite you? Chosen for ministry on earth now and ministry in the heavens in the coming ages. I don't feel as if I can stop writing about this at the moment. But I must. Just one more verse...

Do you not know that we shall judge the angels? How much more, then, the things of this life!  [1 Corinthians 6 : 3 GNB]

Blessings, Barry

PS. I am not tempted to de-gender "sonship" in the Ephesians 1 quote above because to do so would lose so much of Paul's thrust here. "Adoption to sonship" is a legal expression that referred to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in the Roman culture of his time. So Paul is saying that believers have full legal standing as adopted sons (I call them male sons and female sons) and heirs with Christ in God's family.

Re-Writing the Bible (Again)

On several occasions I have referred to English translations of the New Testament Scriptures that have led many Christians to misunderstand the plans, and indeed the character, of God.
I won't go over old ground with this post, just draw attention to a new translation recommended for my consideration and opinion by my beautiful granddaughter.

It doesn't take long when looking at a new translation to discover the theology or doctrines of the translator or translation team.
For example, a minister once told me he changed his preferred translation because the translation team of his new preference was more evangelical than of his previous choice. It really can be that obvious.

What did my granddaughter recommend I review?
The Passion Translation (TPT).
It reads really well and has many very helpful comments at the bottom of each page, and I have enjoyed its fresh, passionate approach. It claims to use italics to show words used to clarify the narrative that are not in the original texts, which again is very helpful.

However lack of consistency in using italics (or not using them, actually) demonstrates the translator's personal bias and beliefs. This is what I call the Bible PUB test - Personal Unverified Bias or Belief.
Take, for example, two verses that are used to demonstrate God's sovereignty and God's purpose for His creation.

Here's the first - Acts 13 : 48

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 
(Acts 13 : 48 NIV)

When the non-Jewish people in the crowd heard these words, they were thrilled and they honored the word of the Lord. All who believed that they were destined to experience eternal life received the message.
(Acts 13 : 48 TPT)

Let's overlook the wrong use of 'eternal' in both translations, and focus on the added words in TPT that were NOT italicised.
God's sovereignty in appointing/predestining has been replaced by mankind's belief/decision to determine their own destiny. There's that free-will myth again, discussed in "The Really Good News About God" page 78ff, showing the translator's PUB.

Here's a second - Romans 11 : 32

For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (Romans 11 : 32 NIV)

Actually, God considers all of humanity to be prisoners of their unbelief, so that he can unlock our hearts and show his tender mercies to all who come to him. (Romans 11 : 32 TPT)

Let's overlook the TPT's diluting of God's action and involvement to just considering, and focus on the added words in TPT that are NOT italicised.
We again have God's sovereign action replaced by the freewill action of those who have chosen to come to him.

TPT is dotted with "salvation by mankind's freewill action" rather than God's gracious provision through the faithfulness of Jesus - all occurrences are displayed in the same type as the main text - which leads to so much incorrect thinking and theology.

I don't mind an author (or translator) publishing a book with these personal beliefs (which I can read and agree with or not), but I don't appreciate these beliefs being inserted into the text of an English translation without proper notation.

Having a literal translation on hand, like a Young or Concordant or Rotherham, will help evaluate the Bible translations we most frequently use and will keep us on track with understanding and appreciating God's character and His plans for mankind.

Blessings, Barry

 

Punishment has a Purpose

In an email discussion with a dear friend who does not agree with me that God's plan is to reconcile the world to himself at the consummation of the ages, he points to the punishments handed out by God, mainly in the OT but also in the New, to demonstrate God's intention to exclude unbelievers from ever enjoying peace with God.

He suggests that because the wrath of God, which leads to vengeance, punishment and death, is an integral part of God's character, it will not change, but continue throughout time, and beyond.
He implies that this "fact" combined with the belief that all decisions effecting eternity are made during lifetimes on earth, shows clearly that most of creation will not make it into eternity.

In my response I suggest that God's wrath is directed towards sin, those things that cause us to miss the target of bearing the image of God, and needs to be seen in relation to his love, mercy, etc..
Interestingly, he has written a paragraph which describes this beautifully ...

There are a number of aspects to the judgment and ‘wrath of God’ that is worth mentioning and which have partially been alluded to. First is that the love of God and the wrath of God are perfectly compatible and can perhaps best be seen in the Cross which shows us the self-giving gracious act of God’s Son paying the price of the wrath of God against sin which Jesus bore. God’s anger and wrath is against sin or sinners that profane his holiness and righteousness, that hurts others, that reduces our love for God and one another. God has in view our good and anything that interferes with that is the object of his anger and wrath. Our lack of wisdom cannot often see what is good for us individually and collectively but God has total supreme wisdom and all the attributes of his character, his love, mercy, grace, holiness, justice, patience, compassion, faithfulness, wisdom, sovereign power and yes wrath…. work together seamlessly.

I have followed up with the following comments ...

If "God has in view our good" and we believe God when he says he is the Saviour of the world (1 Tim 4: 10), then however God interacts with us, even bringing death, has to be seen for our good in some way and a part of the process of fulfilling his role as Saviour of the world.

If we believe God when he says he will bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ (Eph 1:10), all aspects of his character and dealings issuing from them must be working towards this end (even if our lack of wisdom prevents us from seeing it).
In other words, God's wrath, punishment, vengeance, etc. are not ends in themselves, but stepping stones to God's predestined end.

This is why I consider our starting point to be vital in appreciating what God might be doing in his various interactions with mankind.

My starting point, illustrated by 1 Tim and Eph and other references, allows me to see that no matter what calamities have eventuated in someone's life on earth, even destruction by God himself, God's love and predetermined plan will always bring them into sweet fellowship with God in the future.

Those with a Calvinistic starting point, belief that God has divided humanity into two groups, the elect and the lost, do not allow millions of people to ever see the love, kindness, mercy or grace of God, or allow the work of Christ on the cross to be as successful as God designed it would be.

Those with an Arminian starting point, belief that mankind has free will and chooses his own eternal destiny during his lifetime on earth, not only confine those who make poor choices to be forever lost, but proclaim that God's will can be trumped by man's will - God is not sovereign.

Believing what God himself says in His Word about his intentions for his creation produces a Biblically more consistent theology for me.

Blessings, Barry