The Good Of The Father (Pharisee School) #1983

 

Now when it delights God, Who severs me from my mothers womb and calls me through His grace, to unveil His Son in me that I may be evangelizing Him among the nations, I did not immediately submit it to flesh and blood, neither came I up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I came away into Arabia, and I return again to Damascus.  Thereupon, after three years, I came up to Jerusalem to relate my story to Cephas, and I stay with him fifteen days 

Paul to the Galatians 1: 15-18, Concordant New Testament 

Many Christians would agree that one of the most prominent voices preaching the evangel of Christ has been that of the apostle Paul.  In fact, it is through the evangel of Paul that we learn much of the truth of our life in Christ Jesus.  Yet Paul wasn't trained through following Jesus.  Nor was he found to be mingling among His disciples.  For before his come to Jesus moment on that road to Damascus Paul was the man Saul, raised in the traditions of the Jewish faith.  From the time he was young, Saul spent years within the Jewish synagogues learning from the same Pharisees who would later criticize him for the teaching of his radical evangel of Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 1:14}.  Why does this even matter?  Well, the traditional line of thinking among Christians is that Paul walked right into his ministry after his conversion.  This simply wasn't the case, and Paul himself admits it.  Upon his own come to Jesus moment, we're told that Paul "Heralded Jesus, that He is the Son of God" {Acts of the Apostles 9:20}.  Yet how was this man, raised among the traditions of the Jewish faith, able to proclaim the truths of the evangel of Christ so quickly?  In the words of Paul, "But I came away into Arabia, and I return again to Damacus" {Paul to the Galatians 1:17}.  For it was during his time spent in the desert of Arabia that Paul had to unpack all which he had learned from his time in the Jewish faith.  This radical evangel which Paul would soon proclaim to the world was totally different from the traditional message spoken by the Jewish Pharisees in their synagogues.  Instead of a message based upon separation and tradition, Paul would speak of an evangel of our unity with God.  It should not surprise anyone that the message preached by the Jewish Pharisees is similar to that preached from the pulpits by many in the mainstream church of today. 

For I am making known to you, brethren, as to the evangel which is being brought by me, that it is not in accord with man.  For neither did I accept it from a man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ

Paul to the Galatians 1: 11-12, Concordant New Testament 

In his own words, Paul speaks to his evangel as not being taught to him by man, but by the revelation of Christ Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 1:12}.  I submit that it was during his own time in seclusion in the deserts of Arabia that Paul received this revelation of his radical new evangel of Christ from the very One he was preaching of.  Paul relates that, "After three years, I came up to Jerusalem to relate my story to Cephas" {Paul to the Galatians 1:18}.  Therefore, we can assume that his time spent in the deserts of Arabia was somewhere around three years.  It was here, upon his return to Jerusalem, that Paul began to proclaim his evangel of the risen Christ.  One can only imagine what difficulties he faced during his time in the desert as he struggled to unpack all of the Pharisee school knowledge which he had come to know and accept as truth.  I can relate to Paul in the fact that my own struggle to come to know the truth of my life in Christ is contrary to that which I was taught by so many in the mainstream church.  For I was taught that it was my sin which has separated me from God.  That the free gift of salvation given to me was absolutely conditional upon my behavior.  The separation theology of todays mainstream church comes straight from the halls of the Jewish synagogues that instructed the man Saul.  Tradition over the truth of our union life in Jesus.  Paul speaks to his own life in Jesus in Galatians {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Imagine the struggle Paul had unpacking this truth.  It's the same struggle I once faced as I was first introduced to the evangel spoken by Paul by a dear friend of mine.  How could I, a sinner, be in Jesus?  Again, the evangel spoken by Paul reveals the truth unto us.  For Paul proclaims of Jesus, "He died to sin once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  The truth spoken by Paul is not that our sin has separated us from God, but that Jesus has died to sin that our life should be lived in Him. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Speakers Of The Law) # 1983

 Erasing the handwriting of the decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and has taken it away out of the midst, nailing it to the cross 

Paul to the Colossians 2: 14, Concordant New Testament 

Lately I've been scrolling through a few social media videos of disgraced pastor Mark Driscoll.  That's right, I said disgraced.  The former pastor of the Mars Hill church in Seattle has definitely has his share of controversy.  Not for speaking the word, mind you.  No, Mark Driscoll was admonished for, among other things, using church funds to promote his personal book sales.  But it's the message now preached by this man that sounds alarm bells for me.  His message is a version of the neo calvanist theology made popular by the late Abraham Kuyper.  The Dutch minister insisted on holding to the traditional teachings of calvanism.  However, if you listen to just a few moments of the words of Mark Driscoll, you began to see the authoritarian nature of the theology He preaches.  I commented to a good friend of mine the other day that I've often come away from watching one of these sermons feeling extremely guilty and condemned.  Why?  Because this sect of Christian theology primarily speaks to the law of God.  If I were to guess, I'd say that the most commonly used phrase in a sermon from Mark Driscoll is "Thou shall not!"  That's it, those who speak this branch of Christianity can lock onto any segment of society and immediately turn it into something absolutely forbidden by God.  To justify their claims, they often point to the scriptures of the law we find within the old testament.  Thou shalt not lie.  Thou shalt not steal.  Thou shalt not profane the word of God.  How about this one, Mark, thou shalt not misrepresent the true nature of God!  For the apostle John has spoken to the one true nature of God, and that is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  As I commented to a friend the other day, where is the love of God in the majority of sermons spoken by these speakers of the law?  The apostle Paul has spoken that it is through the death of Christ Jesus on the cross that these decrees have been taken away from us {Paul to the Colossians 2:14}.  But for preachers like Mark Driscoll, their words all too often find a home within a small segment of the Christian faith.  

Now as they persisted asking Him, He unbends and said to them, "Let the sinless one of you first cast a stone at her" 

Johns Account 8: 7, Concordant New Testament 

There once was a woman who had sinned.  Her crime was adultery, obviously a forbidden offense to those who preach the law.  In fact, the religious leaders of her day were all but prepared to punish and condemn her for her offense against the law of God.  That is, until the embodiment of God in the flesh insisted on the mercy offered by the Lord.  As these religious leaders stood poised to condemn the woman caught in adultery, Jesus shut them down with one simple phrase, "Let the sinless one of you first cast a stone at her" {Johns Account 8:7}.  The religious leaders, who only moments earlier were ready to condemn her, dropped their stones and walked away.  The words of Jesus spoken to her brokenness stand in contrast to those who would condemn her according to the law, "Neither am I condemning you" {Johns Account 8:11}.  I can only imagine that Mark Driscoll would have been among the church leaders that day hell bent upon condemning this breaker of the law of God.  But Jesus Himself speaks a different gospel, "Neither am I condemning you."  For Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  THIS fulfills the true love nature of God.  I wonder if preachers like Mark Driscoll are even aware of this truth.  What is painfully obvious from listening to him preach, despite being a disgraced pastor, is that he often places himself in the role of being the judge of men.  Of course, that is something reserved for the Father {First Epistle of John 4:10}.  It has never been the intent of God that all should perish, but that through His Son all would live through Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (All In The Family) # 1982

 

Beloved, we are now children of God, and it was not yet manifested what we shall be.  We are aware that, if He should be manifested, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him according as He is 

First Epistle of John 3: 2, Concordant New Testament 

Growing up, my family life was not much to brag about.  My own parents were divorced when i was young, and I grew up being raised in a single parent home.  I don't give my mother any discredit for the way she raised my brother and I, for she was doing what she needed to do.  So it is that I can trace my earthly family roots back to a somewhat jumbled mess of relationships.  I didn't have it like most people.  Or did I?  My mother, being a believer in Jesus and follower of God, would often tell her son that I was indeed a son of God.  Of course, back then I was much too young to understand the treasure of that identity that I know today.  I had yet to grow into my understanding of my own life in the family of God.  So much was my misunderstanding, that I all too often refused to see God as my One true Father, knowing that my own fathers choices had destroyed his family relationship.  When others in the church would affectionately refer to God as "Daddy," I cringed.  For if God was anywhere like my earthly father, I wanted no part of a life with Him.  For her part, my mother did her best to assure me that God was nothing like my dad.  For He had chosen me {Paul to the Ephesians 1:4}.  He has created me in His very likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  Above all, He has called me His own {Johns Account 10:27}.  If I had known and understood my special place within the Father that I know today, it might have made my younger years a bit less trying.  Yet I have also been blessed that my own mother had a heart for the Lord which she shared with her son.  

Yet whoever obtained Him, to them He gives the right to become children of God, to those who are believing in His name, who were begotten, not of bloods, neither of the will of the flesh, neither of the will of a man, but of God

Johns Account 1: 12-13, Concordant New Testament 

So it is that I am a part of the family which has not been conceived through blood or the flesh of man, but of the Father {Johns Account 1:12-13}.  There is no similarity between my relationship with my earthly father and God.  However, despite his wrong choices, I do agree that my father shares in the same lineage as I do.  We both share in the lineage of the family of God.  My mother seemed to understand this truth while my father did not.  Too many people within the mainstream church will chafe at the idea that all share in the family lineage of God.  This is the same misunderstanding that leads too many Christians to believe that heaven is a special place reserved for those who behave the best in Gods eyes.  For the church, salvation is a black and white issue, with the good being rewarded and the wicked punished.  Yet what do we, as the family of God, have to do with the judgement of mankind?  We do well to remember that it is by the love and grace of the Father that one is saved {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  We also do well to remember that all share a place in the Fathers heart.  This truth that all will come to know the Lord, known as universal salvation, has also been a major contention of those in the church.  Again, in the teachings of the mainstream church, the wicked must be punished and the good and faithful rewarded!  The apostle Paul speaks to the truth that it is not our works which guarantee our salvation {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}.  This takes our salvation out of our hands and places it exactly where it belongs, with God.  Who are we to say whom God should save?  The truth is, the desire of the Father is that all of His children, all of His family, would come to know Him. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The One True Church) #1981

 For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, thus also is the Christ.  For in one spirit also we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether salves or free, and all are made to imbibe one spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many 

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 12: 12-14, Concordant New Testament 

It's been no secret, I've been pretty critical of the mainstream church.  The other day, in a conversation with a friend, I was asked the question if I really felt that negatively against the people in the church.  No, I do not.  Let me be clear, the church which I criticize is the institutional mainstream church system, not the body of Christ which is the one true church {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 12:27}.  The church which has drawn my criticism is the church system.  The church system of hierarchies, rules and traditions.  I believe that this is why Jesus called out the Pharisees of His day {Matthews Account 23:13-39}.  For it was these Pharisees who burdened the people with their traditions and rules, all in the supposed name of God.  I also believe that there are quite a few modern day pastors who continue in this tradition.  The church of Jesus, the one true church of which we are all members of the body of Christ.  For it is not the local pastor who is the head of this church, but Jesus {Paul to the Colossians 1:18}.  The theology of the mainstream church has long centered on the false narrative that it is the sin of man which separates him from God.  Question, how can our sin separate us from Jesus if we are indeed all members of His body?  The answer, of course, is obvious if one truly desires to believe it.  That Christ died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  That Jesus was the innocent sacrifice for the sin of man {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Make no mistake, we are the ones who needed to die, not Jesus.  Jesus gave Himself that His church would be free of the slavery of sin {Paul to the Galatians 5:1}.  So it is that when I speak in terms of the mainstream church, I am not speaking of the church of Jesus, but that of the church of man created religion.  The separation theology of the institutional church cannot lead to freedom.  Freedom is found in Christ, the head of His church.  

And He is the head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first

Paul to the Colossians 1: 18, Concordant New Testament 

A good friend made the comment the other day that there comes a point where friendships become "Thin."  That at some point we might not be able to recall the names of some of those whom we once called friends.  My Gym Rat community currently is comprised of somewhere around 54 people who I have become acquainted with in my time going to the gym.  There is simply no way that I can walk into this place without someone recognizing me.  A lot of this has to do with my reaching out to others in conversation over time.  If I were still slaving in the mainstream church, one might refer to this as my community.  And it is just that.  But this isn't my community, this is the community of Christ which he has brought together.  This is His ecclesia, the one true church in practice.  While we all might not be aware of our life in Christ Jesus, that does not take away from the fact that we are all members of His body, each one of us.  I have a feeling that my friend might be right, and that at some point I may forget a name or two.  But I seem to have that unique ability to recall someone's name simply from recognizing them in person.  My mom had this ability as well.  It is Jesus who speaks through me into those in His ecclesia church each and every day.  And that's better than any boring mainstream church sermon.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Proactive Prayer) #1980

 

And this I am praying, that your love may be superabounding still more and more in realization and all sensibility, for you to be testing what things are of consequence, that you may be sincere and no stumbling block for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that is through Jesus Christ for the glory and laud of God

Paul to the Philippians 1: 9-11, Concordant New Testament 

This past week I was intrigued by a post by Wayne Jacobsen which he titled "Finding romance on the God journey."  This coincided with his weekly The God Journey podcast.  I've seen Wayne touch on more than a few topics which I honestly have not seen as religious in nature, but this one got to me.  The fact remains that somewhere around 51% of Americans proclaim themselves to be single, including myself.  What Wayne Jacobsen may have just done is tap into something which many Americans wish for themselves.  That being the love and companionship that comes with a marriage relationship.  In the past, growing up in the church, I was told that I should make my requests for marriage known to the Lord.  Well, that's all fine and good, but what about the faith and well-being of my future mate?  The other day I asked of a good friend of mine, one who has enjoyed over fifty years of marriage, about what he prays over his wife for.  His response?  He prays for the Fathers peace over her among other things.  I get it.  See, women are designed differently than men for a unique reason, created by the Father to be that compliment to her mate {Genesis 2:18}.  After my friend responded with his answer to my question, I realized that what is needed is not the general "Name it and claim it" prayers of the mainstream church, but a more proactive prayer for my future mate.  My prayers should be for her health, her knowledge of her life in the Father and for Gods peace surrounding her.  The truth is, as God prepares me for a new chapter in my life, he is also preparing her for that moment as well.  The traditional way of prayer which is taught within the mainstream church all too often speaks to the literal definition found in the scriptures.  How many grew up being taught that if we're to ask of God that He will provide us what we are seeking?  One look into the scriptures will reveal more than a few verses which speak to this {Johns Account 15:7, Johns Account 14:13, Marks Account 11:24}.  I see this as reactionary prayer.  That is, we realize there is a need and we seek the Lord to provide that need for us.  This despite the fact that Jesus Himself has spoken that the Father already knows what we need {Matthews Account 6:8}.  Why not, then, be proactive in our prayers? 

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and apprehensions in Christ Jesus

Paul to the Philippians 4: 6-7, Concordant New Testament 

I believe that the apostle Paul was onto something when he spoke to prayer in the book of Philippians.  Paul speaks to not being anxious about anything, but in everything let our requests be made known to God {Paul to the Philippians 4:6-7}.  I admit that for much of my life, I was a reactionary praying man.  When the need arose, I lifted my prayers unto the Lord.  Many times these prayers were spoken as I was filled with anxiety and other emotions of the moment.  Now, there's nothing wrong with this, as the scriptures are filled with those of old who cried out to God in the moments of their distress.  I believe that what Paul was attempting to get across with his iconic scripture was to rest in the love and grace of the Father as we pray.  Obviously, in the heat of the moment this might not be the easiest thing to do.  But the prayers offered for a future mate are not simply prayers in the heat of the moment.  These are proactive prayers for the person which the Father chosen for us.  Obviously, if His spirit has placed it upon our hearts the desire for that relationship with another, then we can certainly pray over that person He has chosen.  That they know their life is in the Father.  That His peace will surround them.  These are proactive prayers for the relationship we seek.  Of course, our proactive prayers can most definitely be spoken for any area of our life or that of those around us.  That they would come to know the truth of the Father.  That their eyes would be opened to the truth of Jesus in them.  One thing that we can be certain of is that He hears our prayers. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (No Shame In His Game) #1979

 

For not ashamed am I of the evangel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who is believing- -to the Jew first, and to the Greek as well

Paul to the Romans 1: 16, Concordant New Testament 

The other day a good friend reminded me of the power of my own personal testimonies in my writing.  Somehow, when we read of the experiences others have endured, we can relate to those experiences ourselves.  I've mentioned before the evangel of the apostle Paul and how important it is to our own understanding of a life lived in Jesus.  Paul understood this truth all too well.  It is Paul who reminds us in Galatians of the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that it was no longer about him, but about Christ who now lived in him.  I would suggest that the evangel of Paul is made all the more powerful thanks to the apostle relating his own life experiences into his writings.  We know that he was far from being ashamed of speaking his evangel of Jesus to others around him {Paul to the Romans 1:16}.  Of course, we know that speaking these words often landed Paul in trouble with the powers that be of those days.  For he was mistreated and imprisoned simply for speaking his evangel of the Lord Christ Jesus.  Most would have backed away in the face of such mistreatment, but not Paul.  In fact, Paul speaks to rejoicing in our tribulations and difficulties {Paul to the Colossians 1:24}.  I can honestly say that I have retreated from speaking the gospel of Jesus unto others in difficult situations.  There are times that I worry about how my words will be taken.  If I am really speaking the words the Father intends me to.  We can be assured that Paul himself struggled with these same fears as well.  It was during one of these times, as Paul remained in Corinth, that the Lord spoke to him through a vision and encouraged Paul not to be silent in speaking his evangel {Acts of the Apostles 18:9-10}.  As he had done before, Paul persevered.  I've often prayed that my own words spoken of the evangel of the Lord could be as effective and convincing as those of Paul.  However, I can take comfort in knowing that he endured the same trials as I have. 

For me to be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain 

Paul to the Philippians 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

In my own life, I have noticed more than a few similarities I share with Paul.  I grew up in the mainstream church, learning all about the separation theology of the church.  For his part, Paul spent a good deal of his life studying in the synagogues of the Jewish faith.  It wasn't until that day on the road to Damascus that Paul heeded the call of Jesus Whom he had spent so many years persecuting {Acts of the Apostles 9:1-6}.  By his own admission, Paul came to his realization of his life in Jesus "When it delights God" {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  Here, God had taken a Jewish zealot and shaped him into one of the strongest voices of the gospel of Christ the world will ever know.  What better testimony for Jesus is there?  In my own life, my own realization of my life in Jesus followed a similar path.  For it was over forty years until it pleased God that He would reveal His Son in me as well.  Yes, there are times that I wish that He had called me unto Him sooner, but who am I to dispute God?  God has transformed this man once akin to frequenting local strip clubs and porn websites into one who speaks the evangel of Christ unto others.  I'd say that's another similarity I share with the apostle.  I also know that I'm not alone in my journey to knowing my life in Christ.  For when it delights God, others will come to know Him as well.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (The Proselyte) #1978

 

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  for you are going about the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever he may be becoming one, you are making him more than double a son of Gehenna than you are" 

Matthews Account 23: 15, Concordant New Testament 

By definition, a proselyte is a person who has converted from one opinion, religion or party to another.  Donald Trump can be described as a proselyte, for he once sided with the Democrat party back when the Democrats were actually relevant.  In His "Woes to the Pharisees," Jesus publicly condemns the Jewish authorities for their conversions of proselytes.  Jesus suggests that these Pharisees do not create a righteous convert, but one who is "More than double a son of Gehenna than you are" {Matthews Account 23:15}.  Now, for clarification, Jesus used the reference of Gehenna in a bad way.  For in Jewish lore, Gehenna was that place of punishment after death.  Think of it as a form of hell.  Through their teachings and traditions, the Pharisees held the people under their yoke of authority, and Jesus called them out for this.  Why do I bring this up?  The other day I was in a conversation with a Gym Rat friend who often claims to be a believer, but also believes in some pretty outlandish stuff.  Is he truly a proselyte?  I'm not sure.  What I do know is that I've had to research more than a few claims which he has made in order to convince myself that he is mistaken.  But something interesting happened that changed my outlook on my situation with my friend.  Another good friend suggested to me that it is only Jesus can change my Gym Rat friends delusion.  I can speak Jesus into him, but it is only the Father who will open his eyes to the truth of his life in Him.  I use the example of the apostle Paul, who indeed became a proselyte for Jesus on that road to Damascus.  Remember, as he traveled to Damascus, the man Saul was doing so that he would persecute the followers of Jesus in that city.  Well, God had other plans for Saul that day.  Many believers will agree that Paul is one of the greatest speakers of Jesus of all time.  This coming from a proselyte.  

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God, for many false prophets have come out into the world 

First Epistle of John 4: 1, Concordant New Testament 

By his own admission, Paul's conversion came at a point not of his own choosing, but "When it delights God" {Paul to the Galatians 1:15-16}.  Why is this important?  Because I do not set the timeline of when the Father will open ones eyes of another to the truth of their life in Him.  My Gym friend will not become a proselyte on my time schedule, but on Gods.  In my own experience, it has taken me over forty years for my own eyes to be opened to the truth of my life in Christ.  I have experienced Sunday sermons, conversations with other Christians as well as time alone in prayer, yet it was only when it delighted the Father that my eyes would be opened to my life in Him.  I can speak Jesus into the life of my friend, but it is only according to the will of the Father that he will come to know Him.  Make no mistake, those who know the truth of their lives in Christ will undoubtedly be a positive factor in the lives of those around them.  I believe that this is why Jesus spoke to the truth of "Letting your light shine in front of men" in His sermon on the mount {Matthews Account 5:16}.  We are indeed the light of the world {Matthews Account 5:14}.  That light is the light of Christ within us {Johns Account 1:4-5}.  We can speak the truth of Christ Jesus into the world, but it is the Father who will open their eyes to the truth of His Son in them. 

~Scott~