The Good Of The Father (Brood Of Vipers) # 1967

 

"Serpents! Progeny of vipers!  How may you be fleeing from the judging of Gehenna?" 

Matthews Account 23: 33, Concordant New Testament 

Jesus was not too kind the Jewish religious leaders on that day.  In fact, in modern parlance, He went off.  This from the Man who had walked the countryside speaking of love and forgiveness?  Now here He was trashing the church leadership of His day?  Many modern mainstream churches use these scriptures found in Matthew as they speak to the "Manliness" of Jesus.  As proof somehow that Jesus was indeed a Man.  Growing up in the church, one thing I never wanted to happen was for Jesus to speak to me in this way.  Therefore, I believed that if I lived my life in the right way that Jesus would always treat me in a loving way.  Again, this is all part of the separation theology preached by the mainstream church.  But let's put these words of Jesus into context.  Was He adamantly raising His voice against sinners in general?  No, Jesus was bringing the very deeds of the Jewish Pharisees to their attention.  Jesus was reminding them of the harsh ways in that they had treated the Jewish people.  Because of this, He was NOT happy.  The Pharisees were big on tradition and the following of religious rules.  From admiring the greetings of others in public to insisting on cleanliness, these Pharisees ruled their synagogues with an iron fist.  They demanded compliance in the name of tradition.  I began thinking this week of these passages from a different angle entirely.  What would Jesus have to say of those pastors which we at times blindly follow today?  Would we hear Him speak "Woe to you pastors?"  Would we see the same vigor in His attitude which He displayed that day when confronting the Pharisees?  I believe that we just might, and here's why.  Jesus was angered at the Pharisees over their overt righteousness and strict adherence to the traditions of their religion.  More often than not, these traditions had done more harm than good for the people of Israel.  THIS was why Jesus became upset, because of the suffering incurred by these Pharisees.  It is interesting that the scripture which we see just before the passages of the woes to the Pharisees is one spoken by Jesus on humility {Matthews Account 23:12}.  

"Take heed to yourselves and to the entire flocklet, among which the holy spirit appointed you supervisors, to be shepherding the ecclesia of God, which He procures through the blood of His own

Acts of the Apostles 20: 28, Concordant New Testament 

I have spent enough time within the mainstream church to have seen the acts and behaviors of its own leadership.  This was not the reason that I walked away from the church, however.  The reason that I walked away from the Christian church was due to their message of the separation theology.  That despite the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, that my sin was ever before me.  But, that's beside the point.  The fact is that I see the same issues within the mainstream church of today which Jesus became angered over with the Pharisees.  The strict adherence to religious traditions.  The raising up of their church leadership to celebrity status.  Add to that the false message of the separation theology and I believe that Jesus indeed would have decried the pastors of today.  I believe that the false messaging of the church is the most harmful to its congregations.  It is this counterfeit gospel of Jesus which goes against the evangel spoken by the apostle Paul in the New Testament.  The church is big on preaching the presence of sin in our lives.  That it is sin which keeps us from fellowship with God.  This is a lie.  Paul speaks to the fact that Jesus has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  That our old sin nature has been crucified with Jesus {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  The truth of the evangel spoken by Paul is that we are not separated from God as the church would have us believe.  On the contrary, Jesus speaks to our union life in He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  The apostle speaks to our pastors as being appointed by the holy spirit to shepherd the ecclesia of God {Acts of the Apostles 20:28}.  Many of todays church leaders do well to remember this. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (A Counterfeit Gospel) #1966

 

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 

What is it about the revelation of Christ Jesus in your life that you recall from a sermon you heard this past week?  In fact, can you even recall a sermon where the pastor spoke to your life in Christ?  I have been out of regular church attendance for some years, so I am at a disadvantage as to the happenings in the church.  Yet when I was a regular in the pews on Sundays, I cannot remember too many sermons where the pastors spoke to my life in Christ.  I've heard plenty of sermons on the ills of society and plenty of "Thou shalt not" sermons spoken in my time.  This is all fine and good, but what about Jesus?  Isn't church the place where one would go to learn the truth of the gospel of Christ?  You would think so.  If I was aware that I indeed needed Jesus in my own life, I would seek out a solid local church that I might learn the truth of His gospel spoken to the world.  Sure, we have the scriptures, but I want to hear His word spoken.  One of the issues with the modern mainstream church is that they have been overcome by a counterfeit gospel.  Like a fluff piece of journalism, modern sermons seem to spin in the direction of what people want to hear instead of what they need to hear.  And what they need to be hearing is Jesus!  In my previous post I spoke of the importance of the church speaking to the ills of society.  While I still believe that this is important, it IS NOT the revelation of Christ spoken by the apostle Paul in his evangel.  For Paul speaks to our own life in Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  That Jesus is not simply One Who sits in heaven and judges our wrong behaviors.  The reason that the mainstream church does not speak to the truth we find in the evangel of Paul is that they have gotten off message.  The message now is that sinful man cannot be in the presence of Christ Jesus.  Therefore, the best which we can ever hope to do is to "Be like" Jesus.  The truth of Paul's evangel does not speak to our imitating Jesus, but that we ARE Christ in Whom we now live our life {Paul to the Romans 6:8}.  Jesus Himself speaks to our union life within He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Jesus did not give Himself that we should "Be like" Him, but that we would know our life is in Him. 

Now we all, with uncovered face, mirroring the Lords glory, are being transformed into the same image, even as from the Lord, the spirit

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 3: 18, Concordant New Testament 

The church is big on speaking to our sin nature and how it is that which keeps us from a true relationship with the Father.  But what does the evangel of the apostle tell us?  Paul speaks to our life together in Christ {Paul to the Romans 6:8}.  As far as the issue of sin goes, Paul speaks that it is something which has already been dealt with.  Paul speaks to sin not in the present, but as something which has been eradicated in the past.  Indeed, that Christ Jesus has died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  The sin which Jesus gave Himself at the cross has been wiped away.  That debt has been paid in full.  With His dying breath Jesus has proclaimed "It is accomplished!" {Johns Account 19:30}.  The death of Jesus set the stage for our union life in Him, not that we should imitate Him.  We no longer need to worry that our sin is keeping us from fellowship with God.  The true gospel of the apostle Paul assures us of this.  Yet the mainstream church continues to speak to the counterfeit gospel of the separation theology.  That sin and God cannot be among each other.  While I agree on that premise, I also know that through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross, that we have been freed of the bondages of sin {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  When we look in that mirror, we do not see the face of a defeated sinner, but the very image of Christ in Whom we live. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (From The Pulpits) #1965

 

Herald the word.  Stand by it, opportunely, inopportunely, expose, rebuke, entreat, with all patience and teaching

Paul to Timothy (2) 4: 2, Concordant New Testament 

A new question has been offered up this week.  That being, is it the job of the mainstream church to speak out against the immoral issues of our society?  Or, as I commented to he who asked that question, is it the duty of the man created church to speak out against the wickedness of men in our society?  I'll use as an example my time which I spent in the pews of the church.  I recall the outcry the church faced when they proclaimed that the union of marriage was one between one man and one woman.  This came at a time when the state of Oregon was considering an amendment which would allow marriage between same sex couples.  Well, you would have thought that our church pastors had just been convicted of some violent crime.  There were protests outside the church as a few vocal members in the community voiced their disapproval of the moral stand which the church was taking.  However, eventually the same sex marriage amendment passed and the public outrage faded.  This is but one example of what I witnessed during my time in the church when it decided to speak out against what was morally wrong.  Make no mistake, this is the pushback which each and every church will face when they speak out against the evils of society.  I believe that those who believe in traditional morals and doing what is right outnumber those who argue against it in this nation.  It's just that those who would speak out against morality and traditional values seem to have a louder voice.  They definitely have the mainstream media on their side as well.  So, is it the duty of the church to speak out against what we would consider to be the evils of society?  I would say yes.  The apostle Paul spoke to young Timothy that he should "Herald the word.  Stand by it" {Paul to Timothy (2) 4:2}.  I agree with this.  Of course, there will be times when the word spoken by those in the church will butt heads with that which the world considers to be right in its own eyes.  More than likely, the church will come out of these times with a black eye or two on its own reputation.  People may choose to leave the church over the decision to speak out against what is wrong.  But which is more important in the eyes of the Father, proclaiming His truth or filling those pews on a Sunday morning?  

For if I should be bringing the evangel, it is not for me to boast in, for necessity is lying upon me, for it were woe to me if I should not be bringing the evangel 

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 9: 16, Concordant New Testament 

It is Paul who speaks that it is necessary for him to be bringing the evangel of Christ Jesus to the world {Paul to the Corinthians 9:16}.  Is it also necessary for our churches to be bringing that same gospel unto the world?  I would say yes.  Paul was not ashamed of the evangel of Jesus which he spoke.  He did not speak words that others would listen to just in order to get more people to hear him.  Paul wasn't concerned about the quantity, but the quality of his evangel.  He told it like it is.  Sadly, there are in the mainstream church today those church leaders who will speak not to the evangel, but to what people want to hear.  Paul warned Timothy about those who would raise up "Teachers in accord with their own desires" {Paul to Timothy (2) 4:3}.  We've all seen churches such as this before.  Forsaking the word in favor of what man desires them to preach.  This is not the true evangel of the Lord.  This is the church congregation choosing what they want to hear.  Indeed, there will be those who do not want to hear what the evangel proclaims of the evils of our society.  Some of these may be embarrassed by their own life choices and do not wish the spotlight upon them.  Others still might chafe at the idea that the church "Morality police" would put restrictions and requirements upon them.  This is all predictable, as we have been created in the Fathers likeness with that freedom to choose for ourselves {Genesis 1:27}.  God does not want robots following without feeling or emotion.  What the Father desires is for His children to come to Him willingly.  At the end of the day, we're tasked with choosing that church which speaks the truth of the evangel of Christ Jesus and not what man desires.  

For the era will be when they will not tolerate sound teaching, but, their hearing being tickled, will heap up for themselves teachers in accord with their own desires 

Paul to Timothy (2) 4: 3, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (God And Politics) #1964

 

Let every soul be subject to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except under God.  Now those which are, have been set under God, so that he who is resisting an authority has withstood God's mandate.  Now those who have withstood, will be getting judgement for themselves, for magistrates are not a fear to the good act, but to the evil.  Now you do not want to be fearing authority.  Do good, and you will be having applause from it.  For it is God's servant for your good.  Now if you should be doing evil, fear, for not feignedly is it wearing the sword.  For it is God's servant, an avenger for indignation to him who is committing evil

Paul to the Romans 13: 1-4, Concordant New Testament 

I recently saw a video of conservative activist Charlie Kirk calling out churches for not openly coming out against the wickedness of society.  Now, from what I can see from his own words and thoughts, Kirk is indeed a Christian believer.  He has made a name for himself for going onto college campuses to challenge students on conservative and religious issues.  To each his own.  But is Charlie correct in saying that our pastors should be decrying the wickedness of our society from the pulpits?  Well, how would the apostle Paul have answered that question?  We already know, because he speaks to the subject of governing authorities in the book of Romans.  Paul speaks to our being under the authority of those who God has appointed here on earth {Paul to the Romans 13:1-4}.  Now, as a Christian conservative I am no fan of the administrations of Obama and Biden.  However, I also realize that these men were appointed by the Father when they were for the purpose of leading this nation.  Nothing ever escapes Gods notice.  You think that our houses of worship should be taking a more active role in calling out the open wickedness we apparently have seen in our society?  Remember, it is God who, knowing what will come to pass even before it does, has still placed those in authority who we might not agree with.  We know from scripture what the Lord's position is on abortion.  We know just what His thoughts are on injustice.  Is it our duty to then call out those who practice such things?  Again, Paul speaks wisdom into this argument.  It is Paul who speaks to not avenging ourselves, but to be leaving place for the Fathers indignation {Paul to the Romans 12:19}.  Indeed, if the Father has Himself placed governing authorities in office for His purpose, who are we to argue against that?  Who are we to second guess the Lord?  Not only that, if indeed there is wrongdoing by those He has appointed, is it then our duty to rectify that situation.  Or, as the apostle writes, do we make way for the revenge of the Father?  The way I look at it, it is God who placed such people in authority for His purpose, let Him complete that purpose in His timing.  

I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayer, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all mankind, for kings and all those being in a superior station, that we may be leading a mild and in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our savior, God 

Paul to Timothy 2 (1) : 1-3, Concordant New Testament 

There is much wisdom to be found in the old adage that one should avoid at all costs those arguments of religion and politics.  Why?  Because there's no winner in either one.  In recent years we have seen a more vocal approach to the issues of politics in this country.  My own city of Portland has seen many days of riots in response to the immigration policies of president Donald Trump.  Now, I have nothing against those who voice their opinions on politics, I do that all the time.  However, what I don't do is spit and throw rocks at police officers, start fires and steal from stores in the name of what I'm speaking out against.  This is what crosses the line between protest and rioting.  But what are believers supposed to do in response to such chaos?  One word, pray.  For it is God Who has brought everything to pass, including the recent political unrest in this country.  This He has done for His own purpose.  We could be in prayer, asking the Father for wisdom for what He desires us to see in all of this unrest.  What is it that You are showing me through this, God?  I believe that what He DOES NOT want to show us is that we should judge and take revenge upon those whom we believe are doing wrong.  That is the Fathers territory.  My duty is to pray not only for our leaders whom He has appointed, but that His will be done. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of the Father (O' Man!) # 1963

 

So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! There has come new

Paul to the Corinthians 2: 17, Concordant New Testament 

Are you a new man?  This was the question asked by a few friends this week.  Honestly, when I first heard of this my first thought was to the apostle Paul and his own description of the new creation in Christ Jesus {Paul to the Corinthians 2:17}.  But was this the original intent of the author C.C Lewis whom the question originated from?  A little history will tell us that Lewis identifies Christ Jesus as the "Origin and center" of all new men.  That God became man to produce a new kind of man {Johns Account 1:14}.  Now, this would definitely lead us into that iconic scripture of Paul.  That all who are in Christ are indeed new.  The old and primitive have passed away {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Of course, I have always been of the opinion that this new man was just that, a physical man.  But, that's the old school separation theology of the church in me.  That is what I was raised in growing up.  For anyone who has read this page for a time, you know that I no longer hold to these teachings of the church.  I now follow the truth of Christ which we find in the evangel of the apostle Paul.  That we are not separated from Christ, but that we live our life through Him.  We are not separated from God, but live in union with Him.  Jesus speaks to this truth in the book of John {Johns Account 14:20}.  So, when I heard of C.S. Lewis speaking of the new man, my first thought went to the separation theology of the mainstream church.  I might just have been in error on this assumption.  For I have learned that C.S. Lewis, despite making a career out of the apologetics of Christianity, also had some profound thoughts on our life with Christ.  It is obvious to me that when Lewis speaks of the "New man" that he is referring to the original in Christ Jesus.  That I can be on board with.  For Jesus is the original new creation.  

"I have called Christ the 'First instance' of the new man...He is not merely a new man, one specimen of the species, but the new man.  He is the origin and center and life of all the new men.  He came into the created universe, of His own will, bringing with Him the Zoe, the new life...and He transmits it...by what I have called 'Good infection.'" 

C.S. Lewis ~ Mere Christianity 

So, in regards to the question, do I represent the new man?  Do we represent the new man of Christ Jesus?  It is without a doubt that we are connected with the new Man.  Our life is in Him.  If Jesus is the original copy, as Lewis proclaims, then we indeed the imprint of that impression.  This is indeed the "Secret among the nations" which Paul spoke of, our hope of glory {Paul to the Colossians 1:27}.  This secret is the truth of Christ Jesus among us, THAT is our hope.  I believe that C.S. Lewis was correct in saying that God became man that He would produce a new kind of Man .  A Man which all would share in.  This is our life in Christ.  But, do I represent Him well?  Are my own words and actions a good representation of Christ Jesus in me?  Paul speaks to that which he is hating, this he is doing {Paul to the Romans 7:15}.  Paul definitely knew right from wrong, but he also realized the pull of the flesh in his life {Paul to the Romans 7:18}.  I definitely know that my own heart is in Christ.  Yet I also realize that there are those times, while being in Christ Jesus, that I might not act much like a new man.  Of course, this does not change the truth of my life in Him, the only thing which has changed is my memory of who I am in Him.  I am no longer that old man, he was crucified along with Christ {Paul to the Romans 6:6}.  Who I am is the exact imprint of that new Man in Whom I live.  

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (Like Father Like Son) #1962

 

I and the Father, we are one

Johns Account 10: 30, Concordant New Testament 

The question has come up this week concerning the presence of Jesus in the Father.  Has Jesus ever claimed to be God?  Well, in the eyes of the Jewish Pharisees who prosecuted Him, simply proclaiming that "I and the Father, We are one" was enough to charge Him with blasphemy {Johns Account 10:30}.  But we today are not the Pharisees, and Jesus is not on trial here.  And the question remains, is Jesus akin to God?  Is He, in all respects, the same as God?  Are there indeed scripture references to back up this claim if true?  Besides the fact that Jesus Himself has proclaimed that He and the Father are indeed one, Jesus has also declared His union with ourselves and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  As He proclaims, "I in my Father, you in Me and I in you."  Is Jesus in the Father in a hereditary sense, like I am a part of my parents?  Or, is there something deeper in play here?  Does Jesus share in the same attributes of God?  The author of Hebrews proclaims that Jesus is "The effulgence of His glory and the emblem of His assumption" {To the Hebrews 1:3}.  That is, Jesus is the exact representation of the nature of the Father.  But does this exact representation qualify Him as God?  Does a representative qualify as the original?  Has God declared that He and the Son are alike?  Indeed, God has declared "I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me {Isaiah 45:5 NKJV}.  Does this include His one and only Son as well?  I believe that it does.  For if the Father had intended that the Son would be akin to Him, He would have declared just that.  Instead, we see that Jesus is the "Exact representation" of the Fathers nature.  I'm afraid that this falls short of making Jesus as God.  Remember, it is Lucifer who once aspired to "Exalt my throne above the stars of God {Isaiah 14:13}.  Jesus has never staked Himself to such a claim.  What He has done is speak to the truth that He and the Father are indeed one.  What Jesus has done is to speak to the truth that we live in union with He and the Father.  As Jesus is in union with God, so are we as well.  Like Father, like son.  

And the word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at His glory, a glory as of a only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth

Johns Account 1: 14, Concordant New Testament 

To say that I dodged a bullet is an understatement.  For if I were to proclaim that Jesus was indeed God, the modern day Pharisees may surely come for me as well.  Instead, I go by the words of the Father and of the Son.  That the Father dispatched His only-begotten Son for the eonian life of mankind {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  That all who believe in the Son shall not perish in the Fathers eyes.  That all who place their trust in His Son will be saved {Paul to the Romans 10:9-10}.  So it is that God CHOSE to send His Son, His exact representation, as the innocent sacrifice for our sin {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  The truth we find spoken in the evangel of the apostle Paul is that we live in union with Jesus {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  We are in union with He and the Father, yet we are not, nor will we ever be, God Himself.  I believe that this truth goes a long way in explaining the truth of Jesus in the Father as well.  He is His representation, not God.  Growing up in the mainstream church, the very idea that I could ever be in union with Christ was never spoken to.  To this day, the church does not address this truth.  Of course, this is why it has taken so many years for my own eyes to be opened to the truth of my life in the Father.  This is the part of the radical evangel of Paul which speaks to our life in Christ Jesus.  Perhaps it is why Paul referred to it as the "Secret among the nations" {Paul to the Colossians 1:27}.  That is, Christ Jesus among us, our hope of glory. 

~Scott~ 

The Good Of The Father (This Man Jesus) #1961

 

And the word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth

Johns Account 1: 14, Concordant New Testament 

One of the reasons that I enjoy the chosen series so much is that it shows us the human side of Jesus.  Not only that, but of the relationships which He shared with His disciples and those around Him.  I was reminded of this once again this week as I watched another scene of the series.  It seems that Jesus and His disciples had stopped for the night and were asleep in some room somewhere.  Well, the disciples were trying their best to sleep.  However, because of the snoring of Jesus, they couldn't.  It reminded me of just one more of the human attributes Jesus exhibited during His time in His ministry.  Jesus snoring?  How holy is that?  Now, the context in which I viewed Jesus growing up in the church was somewhat different than what I've seen portrayed in the Chosen series.  Jesus was seen and taught as being holy and having holy qualities.  Rarely was it spoken of that He also had human tendencies.  I recall hearing of how Jesus wept upon learning of the death of His friend Lazarus {Johns Account 11:35}.  Granted, I knew that Jesus was indeed human, but the church has had difficulty in explaining how it is that Jesus could possesses certain, shall we say, human characteristics.  I recall a certain pastor explaining that it would be impossible for Jesus, even in human form, to lust for anything.  Now, do I believe that Jesus indeed had "feelings" for those of the opposite sex while growing up?  Absolutely.  We're told that He suffered the same things as you and I have, yet without sin {To the Hebrews 4:15}.  We can readily assume that Jesus ran and played with His friends.  That He more than once got on the nerves of His parents Mary and Joseph.  This is what kids do.  Is a rambunctious Jesus seen as being holy?  Well, He was seen as being holy when He called out the Pharisees and trashed the money changers in the temple.  All too often, we celebrate these actions by Jesus, yet we cannot wrap our understanding around His other human attributes.  As the writer of Hebrews has proclaimed, He has been tried as I have in my life.  

Nevertheless empties Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of humanity, and, being found in fashion as a human, He humbles Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross 

Paul to the Philippians 2: 7-8, Concordant New Testament 

The important thing to remember when we begin to see Jesus for who he was in the form of humanity is that He is the "Exact imprint" of the  image of the Father {To the Hebrews 1:3}.  This falls right in line with our being created in the likeness of the Father {Genesis 1:27}.  Whatever people might see as being imperfections or embarrassing about their own characteristics, remember that Jesus shared in our humanity.  What were those human characteristics of Jesus which people of His time would deem as embarrassing?  habits not fit for One who proclaimed Himself to be the Son of God.  Did He suffer from certain "Digestive" issues from time to time?  Did He eat strange things?  All we're told is that He shared in our own trials, yet without sin.  I've often held the view that we're told far too little of the early life of Jesus.  We're told that He grew up and was "Staunch in spirit" {Lukes Account 2:40}.  A quick definition check tells us that the word staunch means to be "Loyal and committed in attitude."  That's all fine and good, but what were the behavioral characteristics of the boy Jesus?  Well, we can readily assume that He lived a life similar to that of other boys His age of that day.  We would likely see Jesus in the workshop of His father, Joseph, learning His family trade.  We might even see Him becoming distracted, as children do, and trying the patience of His father.  The boy Jesus would have certainly had friends that He played with.  However, we also know that Jesus was in the spirit from a young age {Lukes Account 2: 42-49}.  So, for all intents and purposes, that Holy One which we worship was indeed once a rambunctious young boy.  Through Jesus, the Father has returned to be among His children.  This is the man Jesus.  

~Scott~