DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY – HANDLE WITH CARE

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

The pastor of a Southern Baptist mega-church in Fort Meyers, Florida, which we attended 15 years ago, pastor Dr. Richard Powell, announced that the next Sunday’s sermon would be titled “Dangerous Christianity”.

The title of this upcoming sermon created a stir of excitement in the congregation. I felt a positive anticipation rising in me. DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY was exactly what I needed. It was exactly what I wanted to dish out to the devil: DANGER FROM GOD!

The next Sunday came, and we sat in our comfortable theater-style cushioned seats, eagerly waiting to hear about “Dangerous Christianity“.

“Beware, Devil”, I thought, “we are going to be a threat to you and yours from now on!”

The pastor started by saying,

“It is Dangerous to take the Bible literally. Believing that everything in the Gospel is meant for your benefit can be DANGEROUS to your faith.”

I listened, and I thought, “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”

He repeated his opening statement.

Curious and a bit concerned, I listened to his “religious lecture”, but I didn’t hear too much after the introduction.

I kept thinking, over and over, that this “man of God” just said that the Bible presented a danger to the Believer’s faith, if he or she takes it literally.

Grammar, figures of speech, parts of speech, literary style, usage of nouns, pronouns, and verbs all aside, about all I remember about this “religious lecture” was the opening statement.

I understand metaphors, similes, idioms and hyperbole, and the Bible uses these figures of speech in various places to communicate an idea, a thought or a message.

But, the Bible is GOD BREATHED and is meant for every man, woman, boy and girl to understand. And the Bible indicates what is meant to be literal and what is not literal.

So, I decided to see if there was such a thing as “Dangerous Christianity” in the Bible, and here is what I found:

Genesis 22:17 “Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.”

1. Christians are a danger to possess the gate of our enemies!

Psalms 125:1-2 (A Song of Ascents). Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.

2. Christians are a danger to anyone or anything that would try to separate us from God.

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

3. Christians are a danger to weapons formed to be used against us and our accusers will be condemned!!

John 10:28-29, and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

4. Christians are a danger to death or any kind of separation from our Father’s Hand.

Romans 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5. Christians are a danger to tribulation, or

• distress, or
• persecution, or
• famine, or
• nakedness, or
• peril, or sword or
• death,

because we are more than conquers through Christ!!

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

6. Christians are a danger to upheaval or turmoil.

Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

7. Christians are a danger to the evil of this world because we pray in Jesus’ Name and

• Jesus possesses the keys to the kingdom of heaven and
• Jesus binds evil,
• Jesus binds death,
• Jesus binds poverty,
• Jesus binds sickness,
• Jesus binds doubt,
• Jesus binds fear,
• Jesus binds hopelessness and the like.

Ephesians 6:10-13, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

8. Christians are a danger to schemes of the devil.

Mark 16:17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;

9. Christians are a danger to demons.

Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.”

11. Christians are a danger to sickness, death, disease and evil!!

Now, that is what I call DANGEROUS CHRISTIANITY.

Let’s exercise our gifts of the Spirit, the rights as brothers of Jesus, joint-heirs of the Son, and as sons of God and remember that it is The Spirit doing His Work through us! Let’s let the power of God and His love, kindness, patience, gentleness, self-control, goodness, and faithfulness flow through us.

Let’s speak the Logos of God. Let’s speak the “Rhema of God”. Let’s walk in the Spirit of God and carry His Word before us.

Let’s live a Dangerous Christianity and bring glory to our God.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS – Can you think of other ways we can be Dangerous Christians for the Glory of God and a credit to His Kingdom?

PPS – We left that church.

 

Dangerous Christianity – part 1

I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Too many Christians are suffering physically, emotionally, personally. They suffer from ignorance of the Truth of Life contained in Biblical scriptures or a tragic misunderstanding of those scriptures.

Too many of our religious teachers and leaders are saying the right words but setting another example. And, sadly, the Child of God is following that error of example and suffering.

Betty and I were on a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands to celebrate the beginning of our 50th year of our marriage.

Each morning of our cruise held something different, interesting and exciting, if you watched for it. This particular morning, we walked the ship’s deck for exercise, then, Betty headed to the physical fitness salon and I headed one of the various hot tubs on deck.

I had just eased myself into a hot bubbling tub of relaxation when a large man and his wife appeared at the edge of the hot tub.

He greeted me with a cheery “Hello”, as he crowded himself into the spa. His voice was deep and resonate, like that of a TV announcer. His wife appeared a bit shy and just nodded her greeting.

We began to chat and exchange pleasantries. I discovered he and his wife were approximately my age. They were licensed clinical social workers and retired Southern Baptist missionaries to Argentina. He had also acted as a pastor for a short time. I privately thought “that explains his ‘preacher sounding voice’; deep, resonate and measured with cadence”.

I asked more about his time as a missionary but he was vague on the subject, except to say they ‘were only there four years’. He suggested that he was disappointed that they had been largely ineffective.

Then he surprised me by saying, “I believe Jesus may come back soon and the Church isn’t ready”. When I asked why he believed this, he said “I tried being a Southern Baptist but I can’t do that any longer.

“Funny”, I thought, “how he makes a statement, then follows it up with an seemingly unrelated comment”.

I also tried the Assemblies of God”. Then he sort of rambled on about traditions and practices of various denominations.

Then he said “I used to be a conservative Christian” and stopped talking.

(There he goes again?????)

His thinking seemed random, but, his comment somehow caused me to recall a small historic mission in Lahaina on Maui, which we had visited the day before. It is known as the Master’s Reading Room. I asked if they had visited this mission during our stop on Maui, Hawaii. He said they had visited it and in his best baritone voice, he gave me a quick history lesson. He concluded his lecture, which sounded very much like a sermon, by recounting how, before the missionaries arrived in Lahaina, the sailors who came to this port would maraud this small town and “have their way with the local women”. But, when the missionaries arrived they ‘put a real kink in the sailor’s behavior’.

“A real kink in that behavior”, I wondered. What an interesting choice of words. “So was that a “good kink”, or a “bad kink” I asked.

“Good, I suppose”, my new friend replied. “It lasted for a long time”.

I couldn’t help myself at this point. “I have another question”, I posed to this man, “but before I ask it, I wonder if you could put any bias aside and consider what I am asking from an objective point of view.”

He said he would try.

“OK, then, here is the question: Why is it, in this post modern world, are we Christians unable or unwilling to, as you put it, “PUT A KINK” in the bad behavior that is engulfing our society?

Why have we become, as you put it, largely ineffective?”

He looked surprised but quickly answered with a question “Because we, as the Church, have become afraid of offending anyone, and have bought into the methods and ways of this world?”

I probed him further. “Perhaps that is a result of a deeper problem? But not the cause? Isn’t that just an excuse or an explanation for a lack of faith? So, I ask you again, what do you think is the cause?”

This question clearly made my friend uncomfortable and, for the first time in our half hour together, left him speechless.

So I continued. “I’ll tell you what I think is the cause for so many Christians being unwilling or unable to preach the Gospel Message of Christ – which by its very nature ‘puts a kink in sinful behavior’:

WE DON’T BELIEVE IT!”

“Oh, I don’t know about that” he blurted.

“Really?” I continued. “As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you should know that everything one does is based on what he or she believes to be right for them. A person’s actions and behaviors are based on their core set of beliefs.

“You eat what you eat because of your preferences, which are a reflection of your core beliefs. You wear what you wear, live where you live, say what you say all for the same reason.

“Likewise, you cannot effectively DO what Christ commanded if you do not fully believe it – that is, unless you are a deliberate fraud and a liar. I don’t believe that is the case with you. So, you must find a way out your dilemma.

“Dilemma?”, he queried.

“Yes, dilemma”, I countered. Your dilemma is that your say you believe IN Jesus and that you believe IN the Bible, but you aren’t DOING what they say. So, you either don’t believe what they say or you don’t understand.

“So, you change the meaning of God’s Word to something more palatable. You spin God’s Word to have a contemporary meaning. Something with which you agree from your own point of view.

“You aren’t actually doing what Jesus says to do, are you?”

“Well, I’ve tried to follow Him”, my friend replied. “But the Bible is open to many interpretations, you know.”

“Jesus said what He meant and meant what He said. His voluntary death on the Cross proved that.

“His Words are the plain Truth. Written in a language every one of His Own can understand.

“Let me give you an example. Our instructions from Him are to

• Go, and
• Preach The Gospel,
• Teach the Gospel,
• Make disciples,
• Baptize,
• Lay hands on the sick,
• Feed the hungry,
• clothe the naked,
• tend to the widow and the orphans.

“So, I ask you, when was the last time you even laid hands on a sick person?

“When was the last time you, personally, led someone to Christ?

“When was the last time you preached the same Gospel Jesus preached?”

“Could this be why you are frustrated and growing cold. You are not DOING what Jesus said to do!”

My friend protested with the strangest of remarks. “I used to be a conservative Christian but now I am a liberal. And I don’t agree with how the bible in being taught. Two big examples are on abortion and homosexuality. You conservatives are too strict in your interpretation on these subjects for the 21st century.”

“Perhaps you are disappointed and ineffective because you are believing and teaching your own version of what Jesus said”, I finished.

“I see what you are saying”, my friend replied, “but, there are so many social issues. After all, my wife and I are trained licensed clinical social workers, too.”

“I see I may not have changed your mind. But, the fact remains and you have admitted that you are frustrated, your ministry is largely ineffective and that you have lost your enthusiasm for the things of God.

“You are right. His Return is near and you seem to be worried about the church? But, how about YOUR readiness and how about your wife’s readiness? Are you ready to face Him and explain why you ‘did it your way’?

“I encourage you to actually follow Him – starting today – by doing what He said to do. And see if your First Love doesn’t return.”

I could see that our conversation was over. My friend thanked me and said he had been in the hot tub long enough and made his exit.

I am pretty sure the hot tub wasn’t the only thing he had enough of!

This true life encounter reminded me that we can find all kinds of reasons and make all kinds of excuses for not following the simple Teachings of Jesus. We can find many reasons on which to blame our ineffectiveness.

We can deny that the present-day church is far from the example Jesus gave us. But, we have drifted far from our moorings. And you cannot deny that…

• Much of The Church is being turned into a corporate entity, voluntarily shackled to, licensed by and muted by our government.

• The Church is increasingly being LEAD by men and women and their bias, worldly methods and humanistic ideals.

• The Church increasingly is being driven by contemporary methods, for contemporary purposes and causes.
• The Church is no longer a threat. It is being rendered largely ineffective. It is becoming an artifact of antiquity.

Don’t agree?

Read the Bible for yourself. Read the accounts of Jesus’ teaching and ministry. Read about His methods, His purposes, His results. Read how He told us to continue in His Works; then compare.

He did not call many of the ‘hirelings’ who inhabit our pulpits today.

He called His People to DO His Work. His is still calling.

You can hear His call to us, through the Apostle, Peter. A Call to ALL OF US. Follow Him and DO HIS WORKS. From:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood:

You are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION,

so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

This is the time, folks.

No excuses. Do not tarry. He is calling!

LET’S DO IT NOW!

Let’s Remain in His Grip!

Your Brother and friend,

Mike Young

(NEXT: coming soon – Dangerous Christianity – part 2)

 

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK – It Is Not What You Think It Might Be

 

“But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.”

Matthew 5:39 (NASB). These are the words and teachings of Jesus.

How does it make sense to let a person “slap you silly”. Showing restraint and non-aggression is one thing, but inviting a person to beat you to death by putting up no defense, negates show love for an enemy – especially if you are beaten to death.

In order to better understand this teaching, let’s be clear from the start. Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24. (NASB).

Again, when sending out His first disciples, Jesus said, “These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6. (NASB).

And since this was the case, we need to understand that Jesus would often speak in a way, using metaphors, similes, and colloquial phrases in a context familiar to the Jews. And this is one of those times.

So, let’s take a close look at Matthew 5:39.

(1) The act of slapping someone on the right cheek in the cultural context of Jesus’ time was considered a severe insult, often delivered with the back of the hand. This was not just a physical attack but a challenge to one’s honor and dignity. The right cheek is specifically mentioned, suggesting a backhanded slap from a right-handed person, which was more insulting than a direct slap. This reflects the cultural importance of honor and shame in the ancient Near East. Jesus’ instruction here is not about physical violence, but about responding to personal insults and affronts.

Jesus is obviously calling for a radical response of non-resistance, which aligns with His teachings on love and forgiveness. This principle is echoed in Romans 12:17-21, where Paul advises believers to overcome evil with good.

Turning the other cheek is a metaphor for non-retaliation and the willingness to endure further insult rather than seek revenge. This action symbolizes the rejection of the cycle of violence and retaliation. It reflects the character of Jesus Himself, who, when reviled, did not retaliate (1 Peter 2:23). This teaching is a call to embody the kingdom values of humility, patience, and love, even towards one’s enemies.

It challenges believers to trust in God’s justice rather than taking matters into their own hands, aligning with the broader biblical theme of leaving vengeance to God (Deuteronomy 32:35). (Reference – BibleHub.com).

Which brings us to the final point: Faith and Trust.

1. It is possible to correctly and effectively obey this command of Jesus only if you understand, believe and trust that God will not only protect you, but exact His vengeance on the perpetrator. (This is why Jesus say to pray for your enemies – their fate in the Hand of our Living God as an enemy who is offending one of God’s own children, is worse than death.
2. It is possible to correctly and effectively obey this command of Jesus only if you recognize God’s sovereignty in and over your life. I.e., nothing happens to you that God has not allowed. (Jesus told Pontius Pilate, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11, NASB).
3. There is a purpose and God has a plan in all things concerning you. But if you interrupt His plan with a plan of your own, you have become an obstacle. (For example, Jesus He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.” (Matthew 16:23 NASB).
4. This does not mean that we are to become “doormats” to evil. We are to become “doormen” to the Kingdom of God. Our strength comes through our stubborn obedience to Jesus commands and teaching. (“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (“be, immovable, stubbornly planted”). Stand firm therefore”.
5. Throughout Jesus’ radical and revolutionary counter-cultural teachings, Jesus is saying at least these two things: (1). Resist not evil, i.e., do not become entangled in evil. It can affect you in ways that will draw you into its darkness. Stand firm in the Light of God and on His Word. But do resist the devil as you draw near to God, and the devil will flee from you. (2). We do not have time for the frivolity of fighting evil with our flesh. It is a waste of time, which we do not have. Jesus is coming soon, and the fields are ripe to harvest. We have much work to accomplish. Move past these “temporary and light afflictions”, as the Apostle Paul called them, which are “producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

It takes great trust and faith to follow this command of Jesus. But once we grasp the ‘bigger picture’ and understand that we have been invited and called to participate in God’s Plan for all humanity, we should be honored and humbled. This is a foreshadowing of what is to come:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

“And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost. The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:1-8)

“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life”. (Rev 21:22-27)

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life, and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral persons, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying”. (Revelation 22:14-15).

Let’s pray for one another as the day draws near!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

Submission and Women as pastors – It isn’t what you think – an addendum.

(This is an addendum to the original article “About Submission and Women Pastors”)

I have recently been challenged by someone suggesting that “since the Bible cites women who prophesied in the Bible, and since prophecy can be defined as both ‘forth telling’ and as ‘foretelling’, and since ‘forth telling’ is the same as preaching, the women can be pastors.”

Wow! Wow, wow, wow. Okay. Since A equals B and B equals C and C equals D, there really is no A because it is really a D; or a B or a C?

Seriously, let’s begin by being reminded that Jesus fulfilled the old covenant and thereby has established the New Covenant in His Blood. For one (big) example, there is no longer any need for repeated animal sacrifices to atone for sin. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was and is the final sacrifice for atonement (made “at one”, reconciled) with God.

Next, the Apostle Paul explains that the law (the Torah, also known as the “Halakha” which translates as “the path that one walks”, also referred to as the “Mitzvot”, “Mishna” and the “Talmud”, was codified into what we call the Old Testament around 400 to 200 B.C.). Paul was clear when He said, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

This is important to remember when it comes to properly interpreting, reading and understanding Scriptures. We are to consider Scriptures in their original text and context, with the Old Testament as background and the New Testament as its fulfillment.

(Another example is found in Matthew 5: 21-26, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’ But I (Jesus) say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ^‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison. Truly, I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up every last cent.”

The New Testament (the New Covenant) is built upon the Old Testament (the Law and the Old Covenants), and the New Covenant has fulfilled the Law. That Law is now written upon our hearts and minds (see Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 10:16), and we have the Holy Spirit as our guide.

This should lead us to consider some misconceptions held by some who would co-mingle or syncretize the old and the new Covenants. Remembering that Jesus warned,“neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Some say it is okay for a woman to hold the office of pastor and to preach in a general assembly of believers, over both men and women. They say the Old Testament says that women prophesied, and since prophesying is a form of preaching, they can be pastors. I am not certain how a person could or even would link those two thoughts, but let me be clear. Number one, the role of a prophet or prophesying has absolutely no direct tie or effect upon the role of a pastor. A pastor might prophesy, whether preaching or foretelling, and a prophet might preach, but the roles are distinctively separate.

FACTS:

1. Nowhere in the Old Testament do we find a woman as a pastor (although she may have been a teacher. Some say men in leadership was just a cultural norm, and that custom has changed in the modern world. That  allegation is never mentioned in scriptures. What is mentioned is that God (and His Word) are the same yesterday, today and forever.
2. As mentioned above, we live under the New Covenant.
   1. The Apostle Paul and the New Testament teaches that The Spiritual Gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are offices but only the office / gift of pastor is restricted to men.
   2. Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught on differences between the role and office of prophet and gift of prophecy.
   3. The word Pastor is a term derived from a Greek word for “shepherd”, and is reserved for the male in the Bible – a role for men. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion. A shepherd (i.e., a pastor), is the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Figuratively, a pastor is someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord).  (Strong’s Concordance). Pastor:   This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”.  Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.

The term “poimén” primarily refers to a shepherd, one who tends, leads, and cares for a flock of sheep. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes those who care for sheep, while metaphorically, it refers to leaders or pastors who guide and nurture a community of believers, akin to a shepherd with his flock.

The image of a shepherd was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of the Israelites, often symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, and leaders are often called to emulate this role.

(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

​During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)

d. In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11).  The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something from God’s Word that God brings to your mind”. Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (14:4).

e. Preaching is a role of an Apostle, Apostle: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”.  It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land.  Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel , andthey were all men. No woman has even been assigned as an Apostle in the Bible. And although the OFFICE of Apostle is closed, the gift of bringing the message of the Gospel is still active.

f. Preaching is a role of an Evangelist. Evangelist:   An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.

g. Preaching is a role of a Teacher:  Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.

Finally, the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:33- 38, speaks to the matter of women speaking in Churches. “As in all the churches of the saints, verse 34, the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. Verse 35. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Verse 36. Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?“

“Verse 37. If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. Verse 38. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

This is a matter of authority-covering, protection and authority over God’s Church. There are so many roles and only one is absolutely, by scriptural authority, reserved for men – that of the office of Pastor, his roles, duties and responsibilities.

If someone knowingly links or lumps these offices together, it is both a misrepresentation of scriptures and a claim that the Word of God in incomplete and is malleable, open to personal interpretation. (However, 2 Peter 1:20 clearly mandates, But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation.)

Next, this is also using the method of Eisegesis to make a personal interpretation of scriptures, an interpretation of a text, especially a biblical text, by reading one’s own ideas or biases into it, rather than drawing out its original meaning. This approach is often subjective and can distort the intended message of the text. And although eisegesis itself is not classified as a heresy, it can lead to heretical interpretations of Scripture by imposing personal biases rather than drawing out the text’s original meaning. This practice is often criticized in theological discussions for distorting the intended message of the Bible.

When a church or a pastor decides to do these things, he (and she?) are operating “in the flesh” and outside the boundaries of clearly defined Scriptural mandates. And there really is no need nor a good reason to add one’s opinion to scriptures to achieve a personal result or to suit a personal view – and besides, there would be consequences in the Body.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Click here for the Link to the original article)

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.

This is probably one of the best known verses from the Bible. In fact, I would dare to say that it has become rote in many people’s minds, and that is a shame. No. That is tragic. This verse is, without any doubt, the most significant prophetic and spiritual oracles from God. It is, as they say, ‘a game changer’ for all of humanity. So, let’s get a few things straight.

John 3:16 can be read and understood on several levels. First, on a personal level. Most people see this as saying that God loves “ME” so much that He was willing to sacrifice His Son in order to somehow, in some mysterious and incomprehensible way, negate all my sins. Why is this? Because God says that the penalty of sin is death. If you see this in a natural way, it’s silly because we all die physically, but He is talking about a spiritual death. Even then, the Bible goes on to say that spiritual death is really a separation from God (and heaven) and an eternal punishment in “the lake of fire”, also known as Hell. But wait. God knew ahead of time, as did Jesus, that He (Jesus) would not remain dead. He rose from the dead. So, what kind of sacrifice, what kind of “gift”, (i.e., the “gift of salvation), is offered and then reversed? If you see this in the natural, in the “ME” sort of way, it makes no sense – that is, unless you just want to live in the fog of mystery. (I believe this is why so many people begin to doubt their salvation at some point and why so many others “fall away from the faith”).

It could also be understood on an emotional level. Stirring the emotions of people is one of the most powerful tools of preachers to get someone to “confess Jesus” in a little “sinner’s prayer” and “accept Jesus” into their heart. This also makes little-to-no-sense Biblically speaking. But, it does add a member to the roles of the church and gets the tithing machine going. Not to be too critical here, because this has seen success for those who hang in there long enough to “really get saved”. The problem here is that we “accept” Jesus? Just that though that we give the God of all creation “permission” to inhabit us is ludicrous. Contrary to what the ‘little sinner’s prayer’ says, the Bible says, to be saved we must believe in Him, which encompasses forsaking our current life, our own way of living, thinking and behaving and conform to the ways and teachings of Jesus. We must “die to self”, sellout to the Gospel and to Jesus and become His disciple, friend and servant.

How does “accepting Jesus” and allowing Him into hour heart square with the Bible when it says that “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].” This is saying that the one who truly finds God will, spiritually speaking, “pursue the kingdom with determination and zeal, overcoming obstacles and opposition. This aligns with the idea of spiritual warfare, where believers must be proactive in their faith. Theologically, it underscores the cost of discipleship and the need for perseverance in the face of adversity, as seen in passages like Ephesians 6:12 and 1 Timothy 6:12. (see BibleHub.com)

And my most favorite (to dislike) is that this verse can be understood on a philosophical level. This is for the poetic mind. The one with an imagination. The dreamer.

Much like the lyrics from Midnight Cowboy:

 

 

Everybody’s talking at me
I don’t hear a word they’re saying
Only the echoes of my mind

People stopping, staring
I can’t see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes

I’m going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes

Banking off of the northeast winds
Sailing on a summer breeze
And skipping over the ocean like a stone

Wah, wah wah-wah wah
Wah-wah wah-wah, wah wah-wah
Wahhh

(This is how some poetic dreamers visualize being saved. So sad).

Or even the lyrics from the song The Joker:

People talk about me, baby
Say I’m doin’ you wrong, doin’ you wrong
Well, don’t you worry, baby, don’t worry
‘Cause I’m right here, right here, right here, right here at home

‘Cause I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one

I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my loving on the run

Whoo-ooh, ooh-ooh
Whoo-ooh, ooh-ooh

(This is how some poetic dreamers visualize being saved. So dumb. So sad. So dead.).

The philosophical approach to the Gospel and to salvation and to John 3:16 is a sure fire miss. And “missing the mark” (which is the actual definition of sinning) is deadly.

John 3:16, ”For God (the omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent maker and Creator of the worlds, the cosmos and over every living thing), so loved the world (kosmos) that He gave (didomi – of one’s own accord to give one something, to his advantage; to bestow, give as a gift that is never taken back), His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life”.

This verse must be read and understood as the prophetic Word of God. It is the very breath of God, the Flesh and Blood of Jesus. It is all about God and about Jesus, and yes, men and women must actively and aggressively storm the gates of heaven, so-to-speak, in order to obtain it. In other words, do all you must do and all that you can do so God will do only what He can do so that you will not perish, but have eternal life.

 Isaiah 55:8-13 reminds us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

And do not return there without watering the earth </mh3588,>

And making it produce and sprout,

And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;

It will not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire, 

And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.

“For you will go out with joy

And be led in peace;

The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you,

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

“Instead of the thorn bush, the juniper will come up,

And instead of the stinging nettle, the myrtle will come up;

And it will be a memorial to the LORD,

An everlasting sign which will not be eliminated.”

God is not our “buddy”. He is an awesome God and greatly to be feared (Psalm 89:7). We must approach Him in reverence and awe. Yet He is a merciful, loving God and He loves us with an indescribable, unfathomable, unending love. So much so that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  Jesus is our Friend and Brother. And He is much more than that – so very much more.

He is The…

1. Almighty One –“…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8.
2.  Alpha and Omega – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13.
3.  Advocate – “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1.
4. Author and Perfecter of Our Faith –“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.
5.  Authority –“Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew. 28:18.
6.  Bread of Life –“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35.
7.  Beloved Son of God – “And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17.
8.  Bridegroom –“And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9:15.
9.  Chief Cornerstone –“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” Psalm 118:22..
10. Deliverer – “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10
11. Faithful and True – “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.” Revelation19:11.
12. Good Shepherd –“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11.
13. Great High Priest – “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Hebrews 4:14.
14. Head of the Church – “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” Ephesians 1:22.
15. Holy Servant – “…and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30.
16. I Am – “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58.
17. Immanuel –“…She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’” Is. 7:14.
18. Indescribable Gift – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.
19. Judge – “…he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Acts 10:42.
20. King of Kings – “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:14.
21. Lamb of God – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.
22. Light of the World – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.
23. Lion of the Tribe of Judah – “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5.
24. Lord of All – “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.
25. Mediator – “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5.
26. Messiah – “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).” John 1:41.
27. Mighty One –“Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Is. 60:16.
28. One Who Sets Free – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8:36
29. Our Hope –“…Christ Jesus our hope.” 1 Timothy 1:1.
30. Peace – “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” Ephesians 2:14.
31. Prophet – “And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:4.
32. Redeemer – “And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25.
33. Risen Lord – “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians. 15:3-4.
34. Rock – “For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4.
35. Sacrifice for Our Sins –“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.
36. Savior – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.
37. Son of Man –“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10.
38. Son of the Most High – “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32.
39. Supreme Creator Over All – “By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.…” Col. 1:16-17.
40. Resurrection and the Life –“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25.
41. The Door – “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9.
42. The Way –“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
43. The Word –“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.
44. True Vine – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1.
45. Truth –“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32.
46. Victorious One – “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:21.
47. – 50. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

 

OFFENDED BY CHRISTIANITY?

Do you find religion, in general, and Christianity specifically, offensive? Perhaps you dislike Christians and Christianity because of something that happened to you, or because of something you perceive  or maybe because of something you saw or heard about that was distasteful, hateful, hypocritical or incongruous with your personal belief system (if you say you have one), or perhaps you see Christianity as being out of step with your personal worldview? (Here is a short view related to these matters, presented by Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, author and teacher.)

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1093882995851294

Now, just for your information – and hopefully we might find some common ground with any potential doubters or antagonists – please be aware that even various Christians and Christian denominations don’t always agree. Many denominations are even antagonistic toward one another. For example, there are over 200 Christian denominations in America alone, and over 33,000 various denominations and cults identifying with or calling themselves Christian. So, you are not alone if you have been offended, are an antagonist, or just don’t believe in any one Protestant Christianity.

Scholastically, I am probably one of the least equipped to tackle this matter but that might just be the necessary strength for me to tackle this subject. (What I mean is that I don’t have an excess of “P.h.D. trees” in my forest. In fact, I don’t have any of those “trees”).

So much of Christianity that is taught nowadays, is either (1), way too complicated to understand, to believe, to accept and to employ, or (2), it is way too easy to be effective in any possible and lasting life change.

If you had been with Jesus, you would have seen that Christianity was both “taught” and “caught”. What I mean is, He first, would say the Words (i.e., He taught and explained what would become known as Christianity – named after Him, the Christ, of course); Secondly, He showed the Works. (I.e., He led by example, doing what He taught while His followers watched and learned what His Words meant through demonstration); then, He sent the workers, (His disciples), to do the same as He was doing, and instructed them to teach others as they had learned.

And by the way, following Jesus is NOT complicated but it certainly is NOT easy – it is, in fact, hard. And it is hard because it produces a radical transformation and a complete renovation of one’s life. A transformation from what was wrong in your life mentally, emotionally, and physically, to something amazing, and so satisfying and rewarding that you have to experience it to believe it. Let me explain.

I will skip the ‘really hard theology’ and begin ”just where you are”. Regardless of how you believe you came into being, (besides the obvious physical means), we both can agree, “here you are”. And regardless of what you believe will happen to you at the end of your life, that being your physical death, we can both agree that it is coming, one day. (So, we at least can have these things in common).

In the meantime, “here you are”. The Bible says, (I.e., God says), that there are two main things about your existence, or two ways to live your life and two destinations after your life.

NOW,

(There is One Way). You can live your life “saved by God”, or

(Then there is the Other Way). You can live your life according to your own opinions, likes, and dislikes. You get to decide the course and guess at the outcome.

AFTER,

(There is One Way). You are destined for eternity with God in heaven” after this life, or you spend eternity in darkness, terror, and in a lake of fire.

(Then there is the Other Way). You decay into nothingness.

((Oh, and by the way, scientists tell us that matter never disappears. It can and does, however, change form. And that includes the atoms and matter of which you are made. So, the idea that when you die, it’s over, is just wrong. The soul or spirit, the energy of your existence continues forever! FOREVER! Where is goes and what happens is what is important. And no matter what you think or wish would happen, science and God’s Word agree on this – you never end.))

Some people believe that how you live your life now decides where you go after you die – heaven or hell.

Whereas some other people believe that you live now, then you die, and that’s the end. There is nothing more.

Most all believe that the quality of life you have now, to some degree or another, is dependent on how you think and conduct your life now. This is true to a large extent, but those who believe this way should be confounded by the infinite scenarios that can take place for that determination. Then there are those who adhere doggedly to “life is short, live it up and damned with the consequence”, to which many say that “stupid is as stupid does”.

Finally there is “THE WAY”. I am talking about the Christian way of living now and what comes after this life; that is by being “Saved”. Yes, “saved”. This choice tells us that we live an ordered life now, according to the Bible and will be saved from perishing (decaying or being destroyed) after this life. And because God has offered such an unimaginable gift simply because you choose to believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus. Sounds easy, right? But it is not easy. Allow me to explain.

I will start with the easy-to-follow version, first.

What it means to be Saved. (I am going into the literal meaning of this idea or concept of being Saved, according to the Bible. The way I will explain this, which comes from the language in which it was written, is usually skipped over because it just sounds and seems too good to be true. So, most Bible teachers and pastors just skip the explanation and the promises and give an abbreviated and reconstructed version that has little power to effect the change in your life because it omits any motivation).

“To be saved – SOZO – in the Bible, means to be rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety“. To deliver or protect— (From Strong’s Bible Concordance).

SAVED:  To be made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole (complete with purpose), NOW and for all of eternity,

You can be made safe, made healthy, and made whole in your body. In your mind. In your soul and spirit.

You can be made safe, made healthy, made whole in your home. With your family, your children, your spouse and relatives. In your work. With your friends. In every aspect of your life.

(This is not a magic formula or a spell. It is the Word of God at work in you, by way of your faithful, submissive obedience in following Jesus.)

This is the Good News that God gave John to proclaim.

This is the Good News and the reason God sent us His Son. Jesus.

This is the Good News that Jesus proclaims to the world, then and now.

And this is the reason Jesus sends His followers, His disciples, into the world – to tell the world about this Good News. In its simplest terms, this is the outcome of believing in Jesus, trusting Him and following Him.

Honestly, now. Who would not want these things in their life? You can ask millions who have received this GIFT, or you can just do it for yourself!

GOING DEEPER

Maybe you are still asking “how does this come about? Or, how can this be true?” If you really want to know, then hang on, because this may get a little strange at first. But considering all we now know about the brain, the mind, the psyche, how they interact, and the power of belief and faith, I hope you get this: You are saved by God’s Grace, this is His unearned and unmerited favor toward you, through your faith in Jesus and by your faithful submission to Him. (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

The book of Matthew 4:17 explains it this way: “Jesus began to preach and say”.

The words for ‘preach and say’, as used here, come from the Greek language, are ‘kerusso’. This is NOT a casual statement nor is it just a narration. It is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has already been done, first in the Spiritual realm and then is to be manifest in the natural.  It is not a general statement nor is it a request.  It is a PROPHETIC command. Kerusso! Jesus is saying that you have to do this first, then the rest can come about.

Next, let’s notice that Jesus says “Repent”. What is often overlooked but should be  glaringly obvious is that Jesus does not tell us WHAT to repent from. We typically assume we are to repent of our sins. But that is not what He actually says. He simply says, “Repent”.

But REPENT from what?

“Repent, (‘metanoeo’), from the Greek, means to change one’s mind – to change one’s mind for the better. (And, here is the task that makes this so difficult for most people!)

(And if it is so, that we are just to REPENT of our sins, it is just as important to know that the word Sin, from the Greek language is the  word ‘hamartia’ – literally means to be without a share in; to miss the mark. To miss the mark both of  all that God has intended for your life and all that He has for you now, and for all of eternity.)

It is commonly accepted that Jesus meant that we are to heartily amend, with abhorrence of our past sins. And it can mean that and it DOES mean that. BUT it MEANS SO MUCH MORE.

When Jesus says to REPENT, the overall meaning, the connotation of this word it to CHANGE AND CONDITION YOUR MIND TO THINK LIKE JESUS, TO SEE THINGS FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE AND TO RESPOND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATIONS OF LIFE AND DEATH AS JESUS DOES.

 This requires a radical redefining of our understanding. It demands that we turn our minds to what Jesus says and what He means – even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Jesus is saying that REPENTANCE is a radical reformation and shift in our paradigms. It is a change in our attitudes, and of our mindset, our will and emotions from how we naturally see things to HOW JESUS SEES THINGS. It is a change in all the choices we make in life so that WE CAN SEE THEM AS JESUS SEES THEM.

 Jesus is saying we must change how see or view and deal with our relationships with others, our families, marriage, and even our disputes. How we react to being wronged, how we give of ourselves, of our time of our resources. How we view work, money, wealth, and anxiety. How we view our community, our country and the world and how we view the lost – from how we see them – to HOW HE SEES THEM. We must see the world around us and what Jesus is commanding of us AS HE SEES it.  THAT IS TRUE AND COMPLETE REPENTANCE.

 We begin to see that the Words of Jesus are life giving words. They protect us, they guide and direct us. They strengthen us and provide us with purpose and hope.

And finally, in this verse, Jesus says, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand (The words ” the Kingdom of Heaven” are so descriptive that you must take the definition of each word and consider their impact and importance. 

The Kingdom of God is now at hand, describes the long awaited arrival of the Messiah who is now to establish His Kingdom on earth. As the “Lord’s Prayer” even says, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.  A Kingdom of forgiveness, of grace, mercy, justice and eternal salvation.  A Kingdom conquering death, disease, sin and darkness.

His Kingdom is a royal power, a kingship, dominion, rule and the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.” This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,

And finally, the phrase, the kingdom is now “At hand.” (“At hand” comes from a Greek word with a meaning like the ‘crook of your arm’ and with the action like a mounting wave which has the power to knock you off your feet and roll you over and over; indicating a distance which is as close as your hand is to your wrist, AND as Luke 17:21 puts it, “the kingdom of God is now within you”. Romans 10:8 ALSO tells us, that “THE WORD (OF GOD) IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”.

Jesus is saying, we are to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”.

Now, FINALLY – Here is The Mystery: 

Believe it or not, and as strange as all this may seem, the One who spoke these prophetic words, possesses the power which is able to transform your life, so radically, so completely, so thoroughly, that those who knew you beforehand, would hardly recognize you afterwards.  In fact, if and when you embrace and absorbed His Words into your heart, mind and soul as His devoted follower you would hardly be able to recognize yourself when the process is complete.

You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”

You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different. Made new. Reborn. A new creation.

This can be most easily accepted by a new believer, as the rest of us may think, “yes, I have already done this”. But when Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, said, “you must be born again”, He spoke those words in the Aorist tense which means this is a continuing action. The Aorist tense has no regard for the past, present or the future. In this tense they are one-in-the-same. In other words, “In Christ Jesus, you are born anew, each and every day”. He is not saying you must be saved over and over. He is saying our repentance and rebirth in Him is made new and refreshed each and every day. This sanctifying process of perfecting us into the image and likeness of Jesus continues until we are, one day, home with Him, at last!

Please understand that what I am about to say, does not negate the trials, tribulations and troubles we will face in this life. They are part of our being sanctified. Nonetheless, this intensely real power to which I am referring, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and in the twinkling of an eye, as Paul said, IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEMS YOU FACE IN LIFE, He can begin to solve those problems, smooth out the difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity – IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HIS PLAN AND PURPOSES, AND ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO ENDURE THIS PROCESS.

Does this mean your will always be physically well or mentally strong or rich by the worlds standards or famous? No. No. A thousand times no.
But it does mean that you can find purpose and meaning and usefulness in even the worst of life’s circumstances.

He can free you to go and shape your life as God would have it – a life full with purpose and of promises met.

He can throw open the MANY prison doors that hold you captive, and liberate you.

He is the healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.

He can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.

He can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in ordinary books.

He can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.

He can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.

He can provide you the type of  prosperity that means freedom.  Not as the world knows prosperity.  But the type of prosperity that means true Freedom.  Free to be and to do and to go as God has called you to be and to do.

This Power of God can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.

But Jesus said, “You must first repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.

So, if your life is lacking the continuous flow of the fruit of the Spirit, the love, the joy, the peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Now, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If your life is missing out on the works that Jesus did, and even greater works of teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom which can heal all kinds of sickness and diseases, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you are living in loneliness, fear, doubt lack and want, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you and your behaviors are “friendly” with the world but at odds with the Words and Teachings of Jesus, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

You know, from the day we are born until the day we die, the twenty-third  Psalm tells us that we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death in this lifetime. And that God has set at table  before us in the presence of your enemies, and that He has anointed our heads with His Oil and that our cup overflows. And His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. And our dwelling place will be in the house of the Lord, forever.

The day of our salvation is now at hand. You can experience the richness of being saved. You can feast at the table He has set before you, even in the presence of your enemies of lack, want, sickness, poverty, disease, loneliness and the like. You no longer need to miss the mark or to be left out of the things He has prepared for your life to Bless you and to prosper your soul.

You are made safe, and rescued from eternal harm. You will have found a rich and fulfilling purpose in and for your life, now. You can be made secure in all your relationships and in all the matters of your life. You can be assured of an eternal life with Him. THIS IS THE TABLE HE HAS SET BEFORE YOU.

For the kingdom of heaven is now at hand!

((Now, Father, we ask that you bless our heart and minds by having heard Your Word and ask You, Holy Spirit, to plant the seeds of Your Word deep into the soil of our hearts and minds that they will take root and produce your fruit in our lives, some thirty, some sixty and some one hundred fold, and that we will continue to be transformed evermore into the image and likeness of your Son, and our Lord, Jesus. Amen.))

Too much? Okay then. Just take it by faith, believe, trust and obey Him – if you can.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: (Then there is the more ‘complicated version’ which tells about how God has designed a system of right and wrong, and the treatment of good and evil, that punishes all sin – rebellion toward God and His Ways – with both a physical and a spiritual death which leads first to an earthly grave and then to an eternity in hell.

(On the other hand, and to make it even more complicated, because God is, by nature, merciful, forgiving and gracious, He will forgive all your sins and will allow His own Son to die a physical and a spiritual death in your place as punishment for all your sins – that is, if you will believe in Him, (Jesus), and will follow His example in life – you will be allowed to live eternally with God in heaven, just as if you had always believed in Him and had never sinned. I know, it doesn’t make much human sense, does it? I told you it was complicated, but that’s the deal, or the Covenant as God calls it. (There is much more to the legal side of all this, but let’s skip the lessons on Jewish religious thought and belief systems). Oh, and one other thing – God allowed Jesus to be literally killed at the hands of the ruling religious elite at or around A.D. 30, and then as crazy as it may sound to some, He rescued His Son in the middle of all this. Yep. God raised (Jesus from the dead and took Him to heaven ‘as the first born of many’ sons. So, if you believe in Him and follow Him, you too will be rescued and raised from the dead to as one of “the many sons – and daughters” to follow after Jesus into the heavenly home He has already prepared for you!)

 

Smug?

We have all heard someone say things like, “This is how we do it here.”

Or, “What sets us apart from everyone else is our vision, which is                        ”.

Or, “What we believe you and everyone else here should be doing is                   ”.

“What I think you should be is                                              ”.

(I, I, I, Me, me, me, mine, mine, mine.)

Smug: Having excessive pride in oneself, a high estimation of one’s own ideas or one’s achievements.

Self-satisfied, complacent, self-congratulatory, more or less superior, pleased with oneself, self-approving, well pleased, proud of oneself, somewhat better than others, self-centered

Smug is similar to the word proud,

1) showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent

2) with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty.

Synonyms for the word “proud” found in the bible: ἀλαζών is properly a boaster, who tells great things concerning his own prowess and achievements, with the implied idea that many of his claims are false. This word naturally describes a trait which manifests itself in contact with one’s fellow men, not one which exists simply within the heart.

This describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others.

You see, smugness is the conviction that you are, at least, just a little bit better than other people.

This would be arrogance if it wasn’t also mixed with a pinch of humility.

Smug people know they’re better, and the fact that they’re also humble about it makes them even better still.

No wonder they’ve got that annoying smile.

Ughhhh. I have to admit, I have found myself exhibiting some of these things at times. God, please help me.

Read what Proverbs 6:16-17 says about smugness or PRIDE:

There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue.

(yes, there are five more, but we can stop here for now)

So, is there a way I tell if I am being smug?

Here are a few things I might need to watch for.

1. If I think my answer is the only correct answer, I might be smug.

2. If other people annoy me for no reason other than the fact they are there, I might be smug.

3. If I am always, even a little, critical of the places I go and the people I encounter (or see), I might be smug.

4. If I struggle with even the meaning of humility, I might have a problem with being smug.

5. If I really dislike smug people, I might have a real problem with being smug, myself.

6. If I take extreme pleasure and find extraordinary joy in seeing a smug person embarrassed or humiliated, I might have a problem with personal smugness.

There’s more we could list, but we all get the idea.

This is a serious matter, but, here is a funny routine, by comedian Brian Regan, about this matter (funny, if it weren’t so true)

THE ME MONSTER 

Let’s pray for one another to rid ourselves of anything that displeases God.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves”; (Philippians 2:3).

Your brother and friend,

Mike Young

 

What do you call it when someone tries to focus on two separate and unrelated things at the same time? Syncretic? Double-minded? Indecisive? Undisciplined? Confused? Silly? Absurd? Idiotic? It depends. It depends on the context.

Cockeyed is properly defined, in the slang, as “foolish, ridiculous, absurd, askew or crooked”, as in “not aligned properly”.

It is, in actuality, a physical medical condition called strabismus, in which the eyes do not point in the same direction. It can also be referred to as a tropia or squint. And, although people may tease about it, it is anything but funny.

Strabismus can be caused by a defect in muscles or the part of the brain that controls eye movement. It is especially common in children who have brain tumors, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, other disorders that affect the brain

Diseases that cause partial or total blindness can cause strabismus. So can extreme farsightedness, cataracts, eye injury, or having much better vision in one eye than the other.

In adults, strabismus is usually caused by diabetes, head trauma, stroke, brain tumor, other diseases affecting nerves that control eye muscles.

Now that we have the description and definition, let’s look at a particular application of the word, cockeyed, in the slang.

What would you call it if a theologian, preacher, pastor or anyone calling themselves a Christian, would deliberately redefine doctrines and teachings in the Bible from their commonly accepted and customary meanings, definitions and descriptions? (Before we answer that, let’s dig a little deeper).

For example, the Bible says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident:

sexual immorality, (i.e., loveless, cheap sex),

impurity, (i.e., a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage),

sensuality, (i.e., frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness),

idolatry, (trinket gods, ugly parodies of community),

enmity, (paranoid loneliness),

strife, (cutthroat competition),

jealousy, (all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants),

fits of anger, (a brutal temper),

rivalries, (an impotence to love or be loved),

dissensions, (divided homes and divided lives),

divisions, (small-minded and lopsided pursuits),

envy, (the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival),

drunkenness, (uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions),

orgies, (ugly parodies of community, and things like these).

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who continue to do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (see Galatians 5:16-21).

(This was written by Paul the Apostle to the churches in southern Galatia, and perhaps northern Galatia, founded by Paul during his missionary journey – in other words, it was written to Christians.)

So, let’s say someone, claiming to be a Christian were to believe that, despite what the Bible clearly teaches, they believe that sex outside of marriage is okay because we are weak and fallible and God must understand. So we confess our sin, or not, but continue to have sex outside of marriage – and using our own logic and reasoning, teach others likewise. What is that?

Or, consider the so-called churches that are ‘gay affirming’.

1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.”

Or any of the other things, the sins? It’s cockeyed! You think you will go to heaven, but, #1, you are not a Christian, according to the Biblical definition; or if somehow you are a Christian, then you will have “lost your salvation” (another can of manmade theological worms) and you certainly “will not inherit the kingdom of God”, i.e., you are not going to heaven. Your thinking and reasoning is cockeyed: “foolish, ridiculous, absurd, askew or crooked”, as in “not aligned properly”.

Look friends, I know that some who read this will say things like, “you are the one who is cockeyed”, but that is just lame.

Or perhaps you will say “I just can’t stop it. I cannot help it. I have tried over and over, only to fail. I guess I was just born this way”. To which I say, “I understand”.

I do understand! Listen. The Bible does say that sin can separate you from God? I have often heard this phrase, that my ‘sins’ separate me from God, and that sin even hinders or negates my prayers or that God won’t even hear me.

Those who say that sin separates us from God, usually quote verses like Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

Or, New Testament verses like Galatians 5:4 “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

Then, when I commit a sin, this phrase comes to my mind, and I begin to worry and doubt and fear that I have created a separation between me and my Eternal Hope.

I try to “not sin”, then I sin, anyway. And, the cycle of worry and doubt and fear starts over again.

I have met Christians who have serious challenges with alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual addiction, kleptomania, homosexuality, and other habits of thought, behavioral habits or addictions, and most will either say “the harder I try, the worse it gets” or “I am better, but…” or, they find themselves having to live in the torment. I had found myself in this dilemma, once in my life.

Then there are the few who say they have been delivered from this torment and have been set completely free. How do they do that?

I have read all the well-intended commentaries and the so-called Bible scholars on this matter, and you get answers that differ depending on denominational views.

WHAT A QUANDARY.

The Apostle Paul gives us a word of hope in Romans, chapter 7, speaking about the conflict of the two natures that dwell within us.

Romans 7:14-25, tells us,

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.  But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind I am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh, the law of sin.”

But, there is good news because there is deliverance from this bondage. It is not easy and it is never quick. But, there is deliverance. Jesus meant it when He says, “It is the one who endures to the end who will be saved”!!

Please click the link below to continue…

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THERE IS DELIVERANCE FROM THIS BONDAGE

 

SEEK FIRST HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS KINGDOM – AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS WILL BE PROVIDED TO YOU

– Matthew 6:33 –

If you were to go to an encyclopedia or to Wikipedia and search for the word “Syncretism”, it would be helpful if you would find photos of Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Myer, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, Benny Hinn, Brian Houston, Kenneth Hagin.

Syncretism is defined as:

1. Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous.
2. The merging of two or more originally different inflectional forms.
3. Attempted union of principles or parties irreconcilably at variance with each other.
4. The union or fusion into one of two or more originally different inflectional forms, as of two cases.
5. The reconciliation or fusion of differentsystems or beliefs (or the attempt at such fusion).
6. The fusion of different inflexional
7. The fusion of originally different inflected forms (resulting in a reduction in the use of inflections).
8. The union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy).

These people, and others like them (who hold a similar or the same view of the Bible) preach and teach a motivational style of prosperity and how to attain it or at least how to “be the best you, now”. Jesus refers to these types of teachers a “false teachers and wolves”.

 

They drape their “sales pitch” and the ensuing “sales training pitch” with religious language found in the Bible. Of course they reconstruct the language to fit their worldly and secular language so they can sell their merchandise, subscription membership to their websites, fake religious artifacts and memorabilia and to solicit their millions of dollars in donations in order to keep them in business and to “gain God’s favor”. I have to admit, however, that I have founds some of their messages entertaining and even motivational for personal gain.

One the other hand, there are more direct and transparent motivational speakers. On such man who is a motivational speaker and a personal life coach is Tony Robbins (and I am not rcommending or pitching for him). He says it for what it is. As he puts it:  “Extraordinary lives answering to a higher calling – a life on your terms, both of deep meaning and incredible impact. Driven by the pursuit of excellence and guided by a profound sense of purpose”. I.e., work hard, be good, reach for excellence in the personal pursuit of success and wealth while enriching the lives of those around you.

Although many of the principles Tony espouses can be found in the Bible, it not religious and it is not Bible-based and never claims to be.

Does the Bible ever talk about wealth and gaining wealth, success and fame? The honest answer to the question is ”yes”. The Bible does not shy away from this subject and in the Bible refers to the subject of prosperity around 125 times. The broader subject of prosperity, to prosper, wealth or to be wealthy, to be rich or riches is mentioned in various context about 290 times. Furthermore, Deuteronomy chapter 28 has a lot to say about prosperity and frames it within the idea of blessings from God:

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.  All these blessings will come on  you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity, in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

And Joshua chapter 1, verses 7. And 8 plainly state, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

The Bible talks frequently about both the advantages and the disadvantages of obtaining wealth and success. There are instructions about gaining wealth and how to handle it. But there are also stern warning about the pitfalls of wealth and its consequences.

The Bible refers to King Solomon, Abraham, King David, Job, Joseph, Isaac, Jacob, Lydia, Joseph of Arimathea, Hezekiah and a few others as being wealthy. Some as the richest men in the world at that time. (Some estimate King Solomon’s wealth in today’s currency at between 2 billion dollars to as much as 2 trillion dollars).

But the Bible is clear that we are not to first seek riches, wealth and fame:

Matthew 6:19, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Verse 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; Verse 21, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Verse 22. “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is [n]clear, your whole body will be full of light. Verse 23. But if your eye is bad (or evil), your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Verse 24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Verse 25. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Verse 26. Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? Verse 27. And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? Verse 28. And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, verse 29, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Verse 30. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Verse 31. Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ Verse 32. For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Verse 33. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”

If this is so, and if I am to seek first His Righteousness and His Kingdom, what are these things, what am I looking for, and how to I find them?

Righteousness carries the meaning of “just” or “righteous.” (tsedeq) and is found in Strong’s Concorance, Hebrew language referebce #6664, is often translated as “righteousness” or “justice,” referring to the moral and ethical standards expected by God.

It refers to righteousness in terms of right actions and justice, often used in the context of God’s covenant faithfulness and the ethical obligations of His people.

These Hebrew terms provide the Old Testament background for the New Testament understanding, highlighting the continuity of God’s righteous standards and His provision for humanity’s right standing with Him through faith.

The New Testament describes the righteousness that comes from God and is imputed to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. It encompasses both the legal standing of being declared righteous before God and the ethical conduct that flows from this status.

The concept is central to the New Testament’s message of salvation and ethical living. It is frequently associated with the righteousness of God, which is revealed in the gospel and is accessible to humanity through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is not based on human merit or works but is a gift from God, as seen in Romans 3:22: “And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

In the teachings of Jesus, it is often linked to the kingdom of God and the ethical demands of living as a disciple. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33 BSB): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

The Apostle Paul elaborates on the doctrine of righteousness in his epistles, particularly in Romans and Galatians. He explains that righteousness is credited to believers apart from works, as exemplified by Abraham’s faith (Romans 4:3 BSB): “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” This imputed righteousness results in a transformed life, leading to ethical behavior that reflects God’s character.

Furthermore, this is not only a legal standing but also involves the process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and conformity to Christ’s image. This dual aspect of righteousness—positional and practical—is a recurring theme in the New Testament, encouraging believers to live out their faith in tangible ways.

So, to recap and simplify, “God’s Righteousness and His Kingdom” is:

1. The moral and ethical standards expected by God.
2. God’s righteous standards and His provision for humanity’s right standing with Him through faith.
3. Salvation and ethical living.
4. The ethical demands of living as a disciple.
5. This involves the process of sanctification.
6. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

I.e., it’s all about obedience to God and the building of your character in conformity to His Righteousness and according the standards of His Kingdom – THEN ALL THESE OTHER THINGS WILL BE PROVIDED.

There can be much more said in this pursuit. But, believe it when the Bible simply says that you must first have the attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (see Philippians 2).

If you want any degree of success, God says you are to walk by the Spirit, so you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not enter nor will you inherit the kingdom of God.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Seek His Righteousness. Seek His Kingdom. Enjoy the ensuing success!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Oh. And by the way, you may find success in fame, wealth, property or power in this world, but God’s definition of success is not measured in those terms. It is measured in terms of the soul. “May you prosper even as your soul prospers”; it is measured in healthy family relationships, in friendships and acquaintances, in how you treat others, in good physical, emotional and mental health, in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control and the like. Obtain these things and all the other things will be provided!