Trusting God to Get Through

We are currently going through another statewide lock-down due to a mini surge in COVID-19 cases.
A couple of days prior to a recent Sunday service I received an email from the minister of our church:

I am planning on leading a series of services with themes which fit under the theme of "Keeping afloat as people of faith in today's world."
I wondered whether you might be willing to share a little about "the things" that have helped you remain afloat in the faith?

Without thinking, I immediately replied "yes".
But when I began to think about it, I realised what a challenge I had given myself.
Why?
Because I'd never thought about it before - my faith just seems to happen, just seems to be there.

Clearly, it must be a gift from God as it doesn't need me to rouse it into action, and it doesn't seem to be affected by the circumstances I am in.

Certainly there have been many challenges over the years that God has used to stretch my faith, often making me wait until the last minute to show His hand in some situation, but never to weaken it, or cause me to doubt Him.

To condense my response to just the one thing that helps me most is my belief in the sovereignty of God.
Indeed, I devoted a whole chapter to that topic in The Really Good News About God, so I won't repeat any of that discussion here.

I believe God created the world and is in full control of His creation.
So whatever He causes or permits, I trust God knows what He's doing, no matter how it looks from down here.

When God arranged for His Son to be brutalised and murdered, it looked like a disaster and tragedy from down here, but God knew what He was doing to guarantee the salvation of the world.

Even in the current COVID climate, there is disaster and tragedy down here, but God seems to be using it. More people seem focused on God, more are praying, more are demonstrating neighbourly love, care and support, and more are looking for the real purpose in life.

This position seems to agree with Paul's view in his letter to the church at Corinth.

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]

This verse makes more sense, and shows an even stronger connection to what I have shared above, using two translation options.
First, the Greek for "temptation" and "tempted" can just as accurately be translated as "testing" and "tested".

Second, the NIV (and most other translations) doesn't make logical sense.
How can providing "a way out" enable you to endure the testing?
Surely "a way out" enables you to escape the testing, not endure it.

If we replace "a way out" with "an outcome" the verse demonstrates that a planned outcome is provided with the testing.
In other words there is purpose in the testing.

Let me confess that I have only been able to find a couple of translations which include this optional translation: "outcome" for "a way out".
However, it is interesting to note that the Greek word from which "a way out" is translated is used only one other time in the New Testament.

Here it is:

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
[Hebrews 13 : 7  NIV]

And most translations agree, either literally or in meaning.
Clearly, in Hebrews "outcome" is the correct English translation and makes perfect sense, but "a way out" or "a way of escape" is used in Corinthians to produce an illogical statement.

So here is my translation of our verse:

No testing has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested, he will also provide an outcome (purpose) so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13  BV = Barry's Version]

And this thought is supported by the familiar encouragement given by Paul to the church at Rome:

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]

Interestingly, Robert Frost, one of America's best-loved poets, has a similar statement to these from Paul.

 "The best way out is always through."

This quote also reflects a famous Yiddish proverb, "If you're going through hell, keep going".

So, how do I keep afloat in the faith?
By trusting God is in full control and uses all my circumstances, good and bad, easy and tough, for a purpose or outcome He has already prepared for me, even when it mightn't look like it.

Just ask Jesus.
His view from "down here" was very similar to ours during tough times ...

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death."
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
[Matthew 26 : 38, 39, 42  NIV]

... but knew His Father had a planned outcome that He was able to submit to.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[Hebrews 12 : 1, 2  NIV]

That's another way of saying how to "remain afloat in the faith" - follow Jesus ! - because He trusted His Father was in full control of His circumstances.

Blessings, Barry

This is My Son

I read my Bible in various ways.
Sometimes while looking for something in particular, I skim through chapter after chapter until I find the targeted reference or event.
Other times I read very slowly and often pause for quite a long time while the truth of what I've read sinks in, soaks through my mind and meshes with other truths already stored there.

Here's an example of a long pause today.
Matthew 3 : 17 records:

And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

This declaration came after Jesus became a man and was baptised by John in the Jordan river.
God was saying that this Jesus, in His humanity, was His beloved Son.
The human Jesus fully identified with Adam and his descendants so He could take away our sins.

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
[Hebrews 2 : 17   NIV]

Matthew 17 : 5 records:

... and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

This identical declaration came after Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John on the mountain.
God was saying that this Jesus, in His divinity, was His beloved Son.
The divine Jesus fully identified with the realm and glory of heaven.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[John 1 : 1  NIV]

Jesus was indeed the "Son of Man" and the "Son of God".

This immediately meshed with a statement from Paul in the introduction of his letter to the Roman church.

... the gospel of God ... regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
[Romans 1 : 1 - 2  NIV]

This conjunction of "Son of Man" with "Son of God" in one person really pushes the minds of us mere creatures to the limit, doesn't it?

That's why we have a spirit, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, to extend us beyond our soulish boundaries.

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
[1 Corinthians 2 : 12  NIV]

As a follower of Jesus, I also have an identity in the world and in heaven.
I need to live fully engaged with the world, fulfilling the calling God has given me, while fully engaged with the Spirit, living as a child of God.

Blessings, Barry

Unmodified Scripture Teaches God's Truth

One of my regular privileges is to "attend" various Bible Studies from around the world using Zoom.
Although I enjoy the scholarship presented by Biblical scholars far more educated and experienced than me, I do have some difficulty with the theology they occasionally develop from that scholarship.

Sometimes, they even insert their theology into the actual texts they "quote".
For example, recently, one verse discussed from Chapter 5 of the Book of Romans contrasted the effect of Adam and Christ on the human race.
Here is the verse.

So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
[Romans 5 : 18  NIV]

That seems a very clear statement to me, and is certainly consistent with many other texts, like:

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

However, the study leader's notes and words added some of his personal theology to the verse.
This verse became:
So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life if they believe.

But what Jesus did on behalf of all mankind does not depend on our belief for it to be true.

Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 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 : 1 - 2  NIV]

It's a bit like the law of gravity on our planet.
It does not require our belief for it to be true.
Yet at some point in our life's experience we will come to believe and appreciate it.

God's Word is truth without our need to modify it - although it is equally true that we need to be reading an accurate English translation of the original languages of the Scriptures to be seeing that truth.

It is also true that we are not all acquainted with this truth, or given the faith to believe and appreciate it, at the same time.
Continuing the 1 Corinthians text from above in a more literal translation:

For just as in Adam all die, so also in the Anointed all will be given life.
And each in the proper order: the Anointed as the firstfruits, thereafter those who are in the Anointed at his arrival, then the full completion when he delivers the Kingdom to him who is God and Father.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22 - 24  DBH]

We are currently in the second stage when God is choosing those to be "in the Anointed at his arrival".
These are the Body of Christ, the advance party.
And between this stage and the "full completion" stage is the Messianic Kingdom or Millennium, in which the Body of Christ is to serve King Jesus in His Kingdom.

With an accurate translation of the Bible, it is not difficult to see God's plans for His creation just as they are recorded.

However, many of our most popular translations leave us second guessing as to what God has in store and whether He is really in charge and can therefore execute His plans successfully.
Modifying what was originally recorded is an unnecessary (and risky) exercise for truth-seekers.

Blessings, Barry

Does God Sin?

Most Christians would be horrified by the thought. Yet these same Christians unconsciously believe that He will, if He hasn't already.
Let me explain.

First, let's remember that to sin means to miss the mark, to not achieve the goal, or to miss the target being aimed at.
So anyone who misses their target has sinned.

Second, let's remember that God's target is to save the world.

God intends all human beings to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]

So if God doesn't hit His target, He will have sinned.

The Bible describes the progress God has made towards achieving His goal as a consequence of Jesus' first coming:

Jesus paid the death penalty for the sins of all people.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
[1 Timothy 2 : 5 - 6  NIV]

Consequently, God is no longer at odds with his creation.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NIV]
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus), 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]

The Bible also describes what has yet to be achieved for God to reach His goal (as a consequence of Jesus' second coming):

Jesus will "round us all up" eventually.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

Everyone destined to die in the natural realm will become alive in the spiritual realm.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22  NIV]
Just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
[Romans 5 : 18  NIV]

Total peace and harmony will exist throughout the whole creation - it will be returned to its original perfect order.

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
[Revelation 21 : 5  NIV]
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 fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 8 - 10  NIV]

To our natural minds, limited by our earthly experience, this looks a most unlikely outcome, doesn't it?
But Christians should not be so limited.
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and with God's written Word so readily available, we are equipped to know things beyond the natural.

Without this equipping, we would not believe other unlikely events such as the virgin birth of Jesus, his miracles and his resurrection.
Although most Christians do believe these, they don't believe God will hit His target of saving the world.

Most Christians seem to believe this result will not be achieved - God will miss His target - most of His creation will finish up estranged from Him, and eternally tormented to boot.

They don't realise that by believing that God will miss His target they are actually inferring that God will sin.

I'm not one of them.
God is not a sinner. Nor will He be.
He will achieve everything His Word says He will. Praise God!

Blessings, Barry

Is Being a Heretic so Bad?

Firstly, let's define a heretic.
A heretic is a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs.

One of the world's most famous heretics was Galileo.
He was condemned as a heretic by the Roman Catholic Inquisition for his heliocentric view that the earth revolves around the sun, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. The Catholic Church took over 300 years to correct their mistaken view and action, but finally offered a formal apology.

Of course, the views of heretics aren't always correct as were Galileo's. All views need to be researched and debated, and corrected if proved to be incorrect.

I am considered a heretic by many Christians, and have even been de-platformed because of what I teach about the success of Jesus in dying for the sins of the world.
And a heretic I am: I believe, teach and advocate something that is opposed to accepted church beliefs.

Most churches and Christian missions teach, and consequently most Christians believe, that people who are not in a personal relationship with Christ during their lifetime on this planet will spend eternity being tormented in a place they call hell. And that under the supervision and with the approval of a God of love!

I too believe in a God of love; indeed, unconditional love.
I also believe that a person needs to be in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to be living and reigning with Him in the coming Kingdom Age.
But I also believe that all will be reconciled to God and eventually living with Him in the eternal realm beyond that Kingdom Age.

To not believe that is to completely ignore God's purpose in creation.
And what is that purpose?

In all his wisdom and insight 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.
[Ephesians 1 :  9 - 10  GNB]

The Bible also describes Christ's role in fulfilling this purpose, from beginning to end:

Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things.
For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities.
God created the whole universe through him and for him.
... Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself.
God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.
[Colossians 1 : 15 - 20  GNB]

These Scriptures, describing God's purpose and His plan to achieve it, I believe to be true - which makes me a heretic.

The Church in Rome was also taught about God's great purpose.

So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life.
And just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man, in the same way they will all be put right with God as the result of the obedience of the one man.
[Romans 5 : 18 - 19  GNB]

The Bible points out there are two persons, two acts, and two results affecting the entire human race.
Adam's disobedience and its race-wide, life-destroying result presents a dark and depressing situation.
Jesus Christ's obedience and its race-wide, life-giving result is bright and glorious.

Generally, the accepted church believes the dark and depressing part of these verses without hesitation, but the bright and glorious part is disbelieved, or somehow explained away - unless you're a heretic!

Blessings, Barry
 

Sharing the Gospel with a Dying Unbeliever (again)

Almost ten years ago I wrote a longish post on this subject to help concerned Christians prepare for their time with unbelieving family and friends as they approached death. (Sharing the Gospel with a Dying Unbeliever, March 11, 2012)

However I thought a shorter post might be useful, and again it is written to these same concerned, caring Christians.

Be assured, that if you share the gospel, the good news, that's all you have to do.

The good news for your friend:

God loves you and holds nothing against you because Jesus, God's Son, came to earth and paid the penalty for your sin.

Whatever happens next is entirely up to God - you have no part in it.

If God has chosen this person to be living in the kingdom age, he will give faith to him/her to believe this good news, and the Holy Spirit to confirm it.
If not, he/she will be resurrected at the end of the kingdom age and will have a personal experience with the risen Lord Jesus at the Great White Throne.

Faith is required and will be given in this age; personal experience at the end of the next - so that all of us will belong to Jesus eventually.
Jesus promised:

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

So, just do your job (share the good news) and stand back and let God do his.

Blessings, Barry

The Myth of Freewill

For many years I have discussed and written about several topics that seem to arouse strong negative responses from fellow Christians.
 
For example, in the chapter titled 'God's Supreme Sovereignty' in "The Really Good News About God", I discuss the myth of mankind's freewill.

I don't have a problem with the "will" part, but with the "free" part, and I use events in the lives of several Biblical personalities to illustrate this myth - Job, Jonah, Joseph, Saul/Paul.

In my Gospel reading for today, I bumped into another excellent example in Matthew 26.
Peter was determined to stand by Jesus, no matter what.

"Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
"Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."
[Matthew 26: 33, 35  NIV]

However, Jesus knew better; he knew what was to eventuate.
To his disciples, he said:

"This very night you will all fall away on account of me."
[Matthew 26 : 31  NIV]

To Peter he said:

"Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
[Matthew 26 : 34  NIV]

And, of course, Jesus was correct. Peter's determined will was overridden by what had been previously ordained to happen.

... those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away".
Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"
Immediately a rooster crowed.
[Matthew 26 : 73, 74  NIV]

The thought that God might be sovereign over his creation is scary to some people, foolishness to others and a challenge to the supposed integrity, independence and freewill of others.

However, like every creator or inventor in the earthly realm, God ensures his creation fulfils the purpose for which he created it.

For that I am very thankful.
Why?
Because it means that whatever God has decided will happen, must happen, regardless of the will or plans of others.

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
[Proverbs 19 : 21  NIV]

And what is God's purpose in creating the heavens and the earth?

He (God) 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 : 9, 10  NIV]

 

And Jesus promised to do the heavy lifting to get the job done.
As well as paying the death penalty for our sin, he took the responsibility of bringing all people to himself over the course of time to complete God's unity plan.
Jesus said:

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

It seems to me that anyone who does not believe God will achieve what he has planned, does not believe God is sovereign - is in total charge of his universe.

Even so, I know many Christians who say they believe God is sovereign and yet expect billions of people to "out-will" God and thwart his plan to save and unite the world. Go figure.

The only freewill in the entire universe is God's !!

Blessings, Barry