Thoughts on Sexuality # 2 Sin and Sexuality

Sin and Sexuality

Every human being lives in a body of flesh and blood, and these bodies have various appetites and desires.  The appetites themselves are not sin, but the direction of them can be.  For example, there is nothing sinful about getting hungry.  In fact, without it, one would die.  But run amok such an appetite is destructive.  A sexual appetite is not sin either.  There is nothing evil about an interest in and desire for sex.  Without it the human race would not perpetuate.  But the expression of it can be either healthy or destructive.

Sin is a theological concept that makes no sense apart from God who is the ultimate Creator and authority over mankind.  Sin is a religious concept based on the belief that there is a God, that He has created the world and all that is in it, including us, and that He has placed some actual requirements, prescriptions, and prohibitions upon us as His highest creation.  From a Christian perspective, anything that falls short of His ideals for us is sin. (One classic definition.)  From a Christian or Biblical perspective, all of us have sinned.  The entire world, we included, has been (by proper theological and Biblical definition☺) messed up.

In these bodies, we all are tempted at many points, and have given in to many of these temptations.  The Bible makes clear that “all have sinned.”  To merely look down on others as sinners is to miss reality and heap additional sin upon ourselves.  Each of us is more drawn to certain weaknesses, whether alcohol, drugs, food, sexuality, gossip, power, fear, etc., than others, and we all seem to want to justify our issues while condemning those of others.   

For those blessed (and cursed) to be attractive to those around them, and to have a strong sexual appetite, and to have opportunity for a wider range of sexual expression, sexuality can be a real problem.  Those without all those ingredients can not even begin to understand those that are more susceptible to greater sexual temptation.  As a young man I envied those that seemed able to have many sexual connections, and of course longed for and envisioned many myself. 

On the other hand for a lot of reasons, many have had fewer opportunities for sexual expression throughout their lifetimes.  Some of these people may even be perceived as more pure or holy, when perhaps in actuality they may simply have had less desire, or lack of opportunity.  Holiness is not achieved by abstaining from sexual activity.  There are certainly some we should abstain from, but we are not thereby made holy.  We are made holy only by confessing our weaknesses and sin and trusting in Jesus to forgive us and cleanse us.

Because sexuality is so ingrained in us, the Bible speaks much about it.  Most of us inherently know that some things are wrong.   For example, most civilized people agree that pedophilia, rape, incest, and bestiality at least are wrong.  The Bible codifies sexual morality, claiming Divine authority to prescribe which sexual activities are acceptable from God’s perspective.  It is not always made clear why something is wrong, though sometimes it seems obvious to most of us. 

Though we may not always be told why, there is very little question about WHAT the Bible actually says and claims about various sexual activities.  (Unless there is a large outcry asking for more Bible insight, I will not try to merely give a Bible study on sex, though I am open to discuss anything the Bible says if asked.)   Though what the Bible teaches about sex is pretty easy to read, there is MASSIVE disagreement about what various people accept as legitimate and proper sexual expressions.

So, the impulse, desire, ability, or even temptation to sexual activity is not sin.  God looked at Creation and said “it is good.”  Having created male and female, He said it is “very good.”  Genesis 1:31  By very definition the creation of male and female not only authorizes but mandates sexual activity.  It is impossible to “be fruitful and multiply” without it!

But, since God created humanity He also reserves the right and authority to determine proper boundaries.  Any sexual activity outside the boundaries established by God IS sin, and most of these boundaries are clearly expressed throughout scripture. 

Sex is of God.  Improper use of sex is of the world, and/or the flesh, and/or the enemy.  And, since all of us are broken, (twisted if you will) I suspect none of us can understand fully the perfect expression of sexuality.  We all miss it at points.  The more nearly we do understand and implement God’s plan, the better things can be for us.  But even at its best this life is imperfect and this life is not all there is.

If one engages in sexual activities contrary to Scriptural teachings or encourages others to do so, one must deal with God and the Bible.  There are several possible ways to respond:

1.                  Some are simply ignorant of what God and the Bible require.  Simple Bible knowledge is the cure for simple ignorance.

2.                  Some are ignorant of God and the Bible, yet reject known Biblical concepts for cultural or personal reasons.  Many that vehemently argue against Bible morality actually have no idea what the Bible teaches.

3.                  Some know what the Bible teaches, but opt to not believe it because it is not culturally or personally acceptable or politically correct or in vogue.

4.                  Some know what the Bible teaches and actively misrepresent what it says for cultural or personal reasons. 

5.                  Some know what the Bible teaches, but hold the personal right to determine what parts are relevant or not.  This essentially places their understanding ahead of scripture in authority.

Perhaps there are other motives and responses, but one way or another one that has access to the Bible must deal with it, as it clearly claims Divine authority, and has been accepted as such for nearly two millennia in the case of the New Testament and perhaps four or more millennia for the Old Testament. 

Today most are abysmally ignorant of the Bible, many want to change or disregard it, and still others claim the authority in themselves (or for experts with whom they agree) to nullify parts they don’t like.

Since sexuality is such an immense and intense drive in us, cultural influences have a profound impact on us.  Popular culture can influence desire, inhibitions, and even opportunity.   (For example, many, if not most, pedophiles use pornography as a way of grooming and/or lowering the inhibitions of their victims.  Highly sexualized media impact young, and perhaps older, people’s chances of “scoring.”)

In a world where technology has dramatically ramped up the anonymity factor, and where any sexual fantasy can be witnessed in vivid color, which, if any, of the old mores or values are valid?

If there is no God as the Bible portrays, and no real purpose or destiny beyond this world, there is very little objective reason for people to not simply “do whatever feels good.”  If indeed the final fate of man is simply to die, and this world is all there is, the epicurean idea of “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” makes some sense. 

Certainly a case can be made for abstinence and/or monogamy regarding disease, animosities, jealousies, paybacks, financial considerations, domestic tranquility, child rearing, social order, etc., but if God is removed, morality is pretty subjective.  Morality is either defined by culture, as law or mores, or by religion, or possibly one’s conscience.  (Which is itself profoundly shaped by both culture and religion) Temperament and opportunity may even play into one’s perspective on morality.

 But, if the Bible accurately expresses God’s will and law, then those who believe in God have a different standard of morality.  Such is not subjected to the whims of any given culture, but given by God for all men of all ages for all times.

Christians, by definition, are those who believe in Christ.  One cannot be a Christian without believing in Jesus and His Deity.  (His virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death, bodily resurrection, and coming return, are expressions of that.)  If Jesus were merely a teacher, philosopher, prophet, or all around swell guy, He certainly could not have died in our place! The Bible is the steady source of our knowledge and revelation about Christ.  The Bible speaks of Christ as Creator, lawgiver, and hence origin of all morality.  Jesus claimed to be “the way, the truth, and the life.”  (John 14:6) While we certainly do not and can not understand everything about God, we are given enough information to successfully live in this world and have a hope for the next based upon what Jesus offers to all who trust in Him. 

As it relates to sexuality, the sexual nature is not sin.  Sexual desire or sexual activity is not sin.  God invented it and said of it, “it is very good.”  If misused, it becomes sin just as any other act of rebellion against God is sin. 

Another interesting thought I have pondered much.  Jesus Himself had to have been tempted sexually if I understand Hebrews 4:15 properly.  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin.”  NIV 

No matter who we are, what we’ve done, or what we are currently involved in, Jesus understands.  We have been tempted, and we have all succumbed to it.  Because Jesus hasn’t, but has been tempted like us, He understands, and also is willing to forgive and deliver.  That is way cool.  Whatever your sexual history, desires, proclivities, or activities, Jesus knows, understands, loves, and offers forgiveness, deliverance, and direction.

However, if one continues in rebellion against God that is the very essence of sin.  Until there is an acknowledgement and confession of sin there is no forgiveness.  The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is sufficient for all, but efficient only for those that apply for it!!  It is available for all, but forced upon none.  But, there are consequences for our response to God, both in this life, and the life to come. 

I welcome specific questions and input, and hopefully will be posting additional thoughts on this and other topics as time and energy permit.

Thoughts on Sexuality and Spirituality # 1 Introduction

Introduction to Thoughts on Christian Spirituality and Human Sexuality

            There is a veritable plethora of books and articles written on the topic of Christian spirituality and perhaps more on human sexuality.  A few on both.  Some I have read are helpful.  Many seem not as helpful as I think might be beneficial to believers. So, perhaps some additional might not hurt?  My thoughts are shaped by my perceptions and understanding of scripture.  These perceptions come from years of personal reading and studying, the atmosphere in which I was raised, my unique set of experiences, my formal education, years of counseling and attempting to help others, and no doubt to a much larger degree than is probably helpful, by the entire culture in which we live. 

I am not writing as a physiological, medical, social, psychological, biological, or even theological expert here, but simply as a believer in Christ attempting to wrestle with the amazing interplay between human sexuality and spirituality.  This is an honest (At least semi honest ☺) Christian’s attempt to understand and follow revealed Scripture, ie the Bible.   I have observed a lot of stuff in this area of life, and have been called upon by quite a few to help heal broken sexual relationship issues.   Some have been healed and restored, which is wonderful.  Some have not, and folks have gone on in their brokenness and pain, leaving in their wake many others broken and in pain.  Hurt people hurt people. 

I believe I have been used of God to help heal several marriages but I recognize that I too “see through a glass, darkly,” as the Apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 13:12. I view life through my knothole in the fence of life, gather from others what wisdom I can, and attempt to present myself “to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV  I hope to shed more light than heat, but do not expect to be the last definitive word on the subject.  There is a LOT more opinion available than wisdom in the area of human sexuality.  This blog may simply add to the glut.  Let the reader ponder!  ☺ 

Human Beings Are Sexual Creatures, and God is Not Surprised.

For the most part every person in the world is either male or female.  Certainly there are a few aberrations, and these are terrible and challenging situations.  Genuine gender identity issues have to be gut-wrenching, life-shaping problems.  But those are beyond the scope of these thoughts.

Human beings are sexual creatures.  (Let’s get all the controversy out of the way right off! ☺  This may come as a great shock to some, particularly the very holy and religious among us!) 

In most cases this is physically obvious from birth, and in this day of ultrasound, substantially before birth.  Clearly little boys come standard with entirely different physical equipment than little girls, and it rarely takes a trained observer to tell the difference.   Not only physical differences are obvious, but emotional, psychological, social, and other differences typically become obvious within months of birth to those paying attention.  The only folks that cannot understand that are the highly educated folks that have an agenda to show that there is no difference between male and female except plumbing.  It is genuinely amazing what silly theories can be advanced and accepted by folks blinded by an agenda.  (Full disclosure:  Most thinking folk, this author included, probably have an agenda of some sort!)

Environment can also play a huge role in reshaping these inherent qualities for better or worse, but basically the pattern of male and female is pretty well established in most human beings well before birth.  As to the question, “Is nature or nurture determinative of gender identity,” I answer, “yes.” 

As boys and girls mature physically each develops a greater or lesser interest in and desire for sexual expression, and in most cases a desire for the opposite gender.  This produces an enormous angst in the maturing years for many, perhaps most of us, resulting in many of the typical teenage problems parents are acutely aware of.   The entire sexual experience with all that it involves appears to be a nearly universal desire, and even the main driving force, for most people at some time in their lives, and for some people at most times of their lives.

I was once told, and it seemed wise at the time and perhaps wiser now, that given a compromising situation, biology is likely to overcome theology.  Most youth raised in a Christian home and/or youth group are told regarding sex, “Don’t do it until marriage.”  Having been a pastor for many years, it seems to me that counsel is just about as efficacious as the pastor signing off his Sunday morning show by saying, “Everyone come back tonight and bring a friend.”  It is something to say, it does reflect a fine sentiment, and if honestly followed by the flock could result in splendid church growth.  But, mainly it means nothing and accomplishes about that much. 

Most youth raised in that environment could properly pass a quiz on the question of whether premarital sex, ie fornication, is acceptable.  (Particularly if it was a multiple guess test, phrased in simple terms, with only yes or no as options, perhaps with “No” bolded!)   However, when the truth is known, I suspect the percentage of people arriving at their wedding night as virgins is not high.  As dozens of folks at almost any age have come to me to be married, very few have come as either Percy or Priscilla Pureheart. I think that is much to be lamented, but still suspect it is true.  I am anxious to see if the enormous flood of readers to this blog can correct me at any point, particularly this one.

So, let us explore briefly where this sexual aspect of our nature comes from!?

First, let me state unequivocally that I believe the sexual side of our nature originated in the mind of God.  Now, before you simply shut me out as a religious nut, think about the alternative theory that we just evolved this way. 

Think of the complexity of the whole sexual experience.  How long would it take for a one-celled critter of some sort to decide to become an eye cell, and a brain cell and a muscle cell, a penis or vagina cell, etc., etc. 

Think of the incredible design of even just the male physiological sexual apparatus.  It is stunning to contemplate.  Perhaps some genius should just build something that is able to grow to its needed size, pass water when needed, and shut off the flow when not, tuck pretty well out of the way when not in use, have an amazing array of nerve cells that can be pretty tough and not at all sensitive at times, and at other times display some incredible sensitivity.  I posit the idea that no human being can even come close to building something of that complexity, and human beings are ostensibly the smartest creatures on earth by a long way. 

And yet a one celled critter emerging from the primordial ooze with the average life expectancy of a one celled critter could!!??  Man, you gotta have ENORMOUS FAITH in chance and randomness to believe that.  I simply can’t muster it myself.   Jesus said if we had faith like a mustard seed, it could be adequate.  Such astounding faith in ….. um ….. randomness requires the faith of a giant oak, yea verily the faith of an entire forest.

And then think of the female apparatus.  Easy guys, just think generically and non-sexually here!  (I know some of your minds are wandering.)  OK, that’s better.  The stunning thing is that physiologically the two parts fit together in a phenomenal way.  Go figger!  What an amazing coincidence of evolution that is!  Them there little one celled critters are amazing.  And that does not account for the mental, emotional, hormonal, interpersonal relationship side of sex, or for eyes, ears, noses, giraffes, gnus, and platypuses.  Yes sir, anyone that can actually believe in total evolution has to have incredible faith!  Stunning faith! 

There is no way the entire sexual piece of life just accidentally came to pass.  That leaves only one other choice.  Somewhere there is a designer VASTLY beyond anything the most brilliant among us can begin to comprehend. 

As it turns out, the Bible DOES explain the origin of sex.  And, ….. wait for it ….. GOD HIMSELF thunk of it.  This tells us a bunch of stuff both about human sexuality, and about God.  God thought up the concept of sex, He created it into His world, He placed it into most of the rest of creation, and then into mankind, first with Adam, and then, after Adam had enough time to realize he was lonely, God created Eve to complement and fit together with Adam, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and sexually.  And, those of us that are connoisseurs of such, say, “Yee Haw!”

God created man and woman, and created them to live forever.  They were given free will, a part of which was the option to obey God or try life out apart from God.  They were tempted by the enemy, ate the fruit, and sure enough they suddenly knew the difference between good and evil.  It was a bad trade!  And, man, it screwed everything in the world up!!  You can read about it in the first few chapters of Genesis.  It is an amazing account.

A part of creation was the original Divine instruction to “be fruitful and multiply …”  (Genesis 1:22)   This was before the fall, and makes it clear that sexuality was an original part of God’s plan and purpose.  It did not originate after the world was messed up by the fall.  This is very instructive, because it makes clear that the sexual relationship itself is not bad, evil, sinful, nasty, or dirty.  God intended for man and woman to be able to cleave together in such a way that the two become one.  There is no relationship that can provide closer fellowship, camaraderie, fulfillment, and completeness than this.  (However, no relationship can provide more trauma either.)  It was the very first human relationship created by God, and it was very good.  That is why the attack on the family is so unrelenting.   The family is God’s ideal.

Naturally, then, the enemy of our souls, variously called Lucifer, the Devil, Beelzebub, Satan, etc., wants to destroy God’s handiwork.  Once the fall occurred, the entire world system changed.  Now the world, our own flesh, and the Devil all conspire to defeat, discourage, and destroy us.   

The world and its philosophy is at enmity with God seeks to draw us in with, among other things, what we have come to call peer pressure, which is a powerful thing.  The world is also now full of futility.  Romans 8:18-25 expresses this thought.  No task is now easy.  Try simply growing a garden.  One has to fight weeds, rocks, bugs, weather, varmints, and a host of impediments to get a crop.  It has been so from the fall of man in the Garden. 

Our own flesh works against us.  Our very appetites will destroy us, left unchecked.  Our flesh responds to such everyday things as eating and drinking in a way to mess us up.  Try losing weight.  Try to stop smoking or drinking alcohol, or quitting drugs or any other sort of addictive behavior.  Our own flesh uses regular (and irregular) things to destroy us. 

And, of course the Devil uses both the world and the flesh to mess us up in a host of ways.  Just observe the problems of mankind, and in every realm of life we see folks having a painful time of it.  We see sickness, disease, birth defects, addictions, relationship traumas, rape, kidnapping, wars, foolish governments, betrayal, and at the end for each of us, death.  Have a nice day!  ☺  Life is a beach, as they might say in the Bahamas, and then you die!

When God told Adam and Eve that on the day they ate the fruit they would die, at least a huge part of that meant they would be separated.  Death is separation.  (At physical death, the soul separates from the body.  The body may still be there, but most can tell with a little careful observation, that something is missing, …..  particularly after a few days!) 

Adam and Eve certainly were immediately separated from God.  Whereas the day before, they walked and talked with God in the garden, after the fall, they hid from God.  (Incidentally, this is a highly futile, yet very popular approach yet today.) 

Then they were separated from their inner love, joy, and peace.  Suddenly they were afraid of God.  Whereas all had been peace and love and joy, now there was fear. 

They were also separated from the close and intimate fellowship with one another they had.  The domestic tranquility was profoundly disturbed.  Adam blamed Eve, and tried to blame God by saying, “The woman you put here with me-- she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Genesis 3:12 NIV  Men have been blaming their wives …. and God ……. for their problems ever since.  (“If it wasn’t for her, I would be happy!”  “How could a loving God permit wars, strife, evil, etc.?”  Wives, having learned, also blame their husbands and anyone in sight.)

Their children were also separated from fellowship with God and one another, to the degree that one killed another.

And, of course the process of physical death also immediately entered into the world.  Whereas they were designed to live forever, now they became physically finite.  Death even descended into the rest of the natural order.  God Himself killed the first animal to provide clothing for them, and authorized the eating of meat, obviously also requiring death.

Sin can also separate us from family, friends, spouses, jobs, and society.   Think divorce, prison, wars, screw ups, and all the ways people are torn apart.  Sin separates, and one way or another, messes up our world.

The entire sexual relationship became marred along with everything else.  Before the fall sexuality apparently happened, but was pure, wonderful, guilt free, and innocent.   “They were naked and not ashamed.”  (Some today seek to emulate that, but it requires a lot of work and a burying of now inbred inhibitions. ☺)  That all changed when the knowledge of good and evil came into the picture.  Now they realized they were naked, and were ashamed before God and others.

There is another interesting note here.  The enemy of God and man cast doubt on God’s veracity.  “And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”  Genesis 2:16-17 NIV  Pretty straight forward, wouldn’t you say!?

But, the enemy came with great subtlety and trickery to the woman.  “You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.  "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 NIV  What is so amazing is that exactly the same trick the enemy used on the very first woman, still works on highly educated folks thousands of years later today.    He casts doubt on what God has said.  The enemy knew that if he could get people to doubt God, they had nothing else to stand on.

Later the Bible expresses it this way.  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”  Proverbs 14:12 NIV The reason we continue to fall for the same line is that it “seems right!!!” 

When we doubt God, we begin to define life on our own terms, or really the terms supplied us by the enemy of God and man.  These terms can look good, feel good, sound good, and our entire culture may even agree.  But it still leads to death.  

Lord willing we will continue our discussion of spirituality and sexuality in days to come.  I welcome your input.

Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Forgive Us as We Forgive Others

Some of you who hang around in Christian or “church” circles may have heard and even spoken out loud the words, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  (If you haven’t …… um …. you may need to get out more!)  Some say “sins,” others, “debts,” but no matter how you express it, I find it difficult to pray honestly without feeling I must modify it to say, “Lord, please have mercy on me and forgive me much better than I forgive others.” 

For much of my life I didn’t really feel I had an awful lot to forgive others for.  I mean there were the little slights, hurts, disappointments, etc., but nothing like many have had to deal with; rape, murder, abuse, neglect, abandonment, the list is nearly endless.  There ARE things in life that are mighty stinking hard to forgive.

Several years ago, having planted and pastored a church for 23 years, I was suddenly confronted by some I believed to be my closest companions, and thrown out of ministry with a series of half truths, untruths, misunderstandings, suppositions, speculations, etc.  (I certainly felt like it was more of an attack, but I am not sure how they may have viewed it.)  These were all publicly declared as gospel truth not only to the entire congregation but written out to my “denomination’s” credentialing body.

I was stunned, amazed, devastated, crushed, wounded, angry ….. well, there simply are no words …...

The results of this action were, as one would imagine, devastating.  The congregation I had labored for 23 years to build was decimated.  Long standing relationships were destroyed over night.  Some believed the allegations, others didn’t, but it was as though someone had pulled the pin on a grenade and lobbed it into the tent.  My reputation in our small town and denomination was trashed, as people had no idea what to believe and I was allowed to make no defense ……… ever.

A year or two from retirement age my income and life’s calling were removed.  

My children lost complete faith in the leadership that had raised them in the faith.  My prayer and concern is that they not completely lose faith in God.  But, I suppose that is above my pay grade to control.  Many new believers were shattered in their faith.  They couldn’t trust their “pastor” who now was under a cloud of allegations of evil.  Yet they could not trust the leadership of the church as things were done so unthinkingly.  Many were and are scattered to the wind, “like sheep without a shepherd,” as Jesus said.

Sunday School teachers, Elders, Deacons, Pastors, family friends, suddenly treated me and my family like pariahs.  I and we went from being loved, honored, respected, cherished, and sought after to being social outcasts from our long standing friends overnight.  Those we had comforted, counseled, loved, stood with, married, buried their loved ones, saved their marriages, defended, prayed for, wept with, and ministered to for years suddenly disappeared. 

Many real live people were damaged, perhaps eternally, by these actions.

Well, enough sharing of the pain.  The pain is not the issue.  I even raise the pain issue fearfully, not wanting to either simply glean sympathy or to throw rocks.  I share these personal things to indicate how difficult it can be to pray sincerely “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  It is profoundly challenging when the wounds of life are, intentionally or not, inflicted by those we love most, particularly when we believed they also love us the most.  Shakespeare sounds Julius Caesar’s plaintive cry as he is dying at the hands of his closest friends, “et tu Brute.”  “And you, Brutus.”  This literary term is now used to portray the utmost betrayal. 

I want to believe these men had noble, and perhaps pure, motives.  I cannot know their hearts.  But it appears to me that their stated objective of “protecting the Church” did not find its intended mark, and rather caused widespread devastation. 

Now, that is at the human level.   I call to mind the Bible account in Genesis of Jacob’s sons selling their brother, Joseph, into slavery into Egypt.  Although at the human level there may have been every sort of emotion and motive on the part of each brother, their actions did not thwart God or His plans, and in fact, God used their sin to deliver the nation later.  Now their action DID bring enormous pain, mourning, grieving, and a cover up of many years hiding the truth from their father.  So in my life, I have no idea whether or not God is through with me in ministry, but it is certain that these things did not happen apart from His knowledge.  And, faith would instruct that the end of the story is not yet told.

In our world many experience pain, trauma, betrayal, and unimaginable atrocities at the hands of others, often even family.  Physical and sexual abuse and a multitude of other ills are rampant throughout our culture and the world.

 Yet we are to pray, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  We scream against this.  It is not “fair.”  We want revenge, justice, truth. 

The only voice that speaks for forgiveness is the “still small voice.”  Jesus makes it clear, Matthew:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” NIV Many other scriptures teach that we will be “judged as we judge,” we will “reap as we sow,” etc.  This is challenging stuff.

As believers we must wrestle with forgiving others.  Our eternal destiny, our mental, emotional, and spiritual health, our sanity, our joy, all depend upon grasping this.  As with other difficult sayings of Jesus, I struggle daily with this and must openly acknowledge to God that I know I should forgive, I want to forgive, I will to forgive, I speak words of forgiveness, and yet I need His grace in ways I don’t even know to complete this and make it a daily reality.  Perhaps I am beginning to learn and do this??  I fervently hope so.  Nothing like being late to the party, eh!?  

But, if the Gospel is not adequate for the real trials of life and death, who needs it?  Is it merely myth and fluff and man’s invention to keep other men enslaved, as is the charge of the cynic?  If so, there is no hope for this world or the next. 

When God forgives, He seems to be able to also “forget.”  I do not seem to be able to, either in forgiving myself, or in forgiving others.  God seems to be able to wipe the slate entirely clean, and does so upon our open acknowledgement of our sin, weaknesses, and failures.  I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  NKJ  This is an amazing and wonderful thing. 

I must add to my sin a weakness in the area of forgiveness, and readily confess it.  But the ideal is out there for us, and it is in the recognizing …. and striving ……… and confessing ……. That we can grow more like Him.  

But, in our human condition, I do not think forgiveness is merely acting as though no wrong was committed.  One who has been genuinely wronged cannot maintain intellectual integrity by simply acting as though it was “all my fault,” or that nothing really happened.  It is very good for us to evaluate deeply and honestly OUR part in a problem, face it, confess it, and deal with it.  But we seem inclined to either blame just “him,” “her,” or “them,” or just myself, or in some other way miss the point.   

Many, perhaps most, of the slights we experience are more in our perception than in reality.   We must honestly evaluate and not permit our own minds or imaginations to supply self inflicted wounds.  We need to extend to one another the benefit of the doubt.  If we find ourselves perpetually wounded …… it may be just us!

But there are also real hurts inflicted upon the world, and sometimes upon us.  As we look at the rejection of Jesus, for example, we see that many DID manipulate others for their own advantage.  There were false witnesses, there were traps laid, there were plots made to trick, deceive, and destroy this pure, innocent, Lamb of God.  Now, this was all a part of God’s foreknowledge and plan, and He was able to turn it for the salvation of mankind, but there WAS and IS actual evil and wrongdoing in the world.  

Every human being since the fall of man in the Garden has imperfect knowledge and understanding, messed up emotions, broken relationships, and is broken in a host of ways.  In the beginning, Cain killed his own brother Abel, over who gave the proper sacrifice.  Mankind has been killing one another, literally and figuratively, ever since. 

Ponder just a few of the overwhelming things some folks must learn to overcome to properly pray, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Ø      Parents never get it completely “right” in spite of the fact that every generation says, “Man, I’ll never do THAT.”  Some do better than others, often dramatically, but all fall short.  All of our parents have failed us somewhere along the line.

Ø      Even young children wound one another emotionally by rejection, selfishness, manipulation, deceit, tattling, etc., and it increases as they get older. 

Ø      Sexual dysfunction is, in one way or another, a part of us all.  None of us are completely well adjusted.  Some abuse, exploit and manipulate others, often in the most horrible, even fatal ways.  Some use sex as a tool, others as a weapon.  All want it, and yet all mar it.  Some are bound up for fear of it by background, experience, religion, insecurity, etc. Others have no fear of it and become enslaved by it and completely miss the genuine love and companionship that could be available.  It has been said that men use affection to get sex, and women use sex to get affection.  But all are a mess.  We can be insecure or arrogant about it, and sometimes both at once, but we each have our baggage about it, as with everything else in life.  This produces amazing life long struggles in many people. 

Ø      War and strife happens, regardless of our philosophical desires or political beliefs.  Dictators rise and kill all rivals and families …. Various sects arise and kill each other.  The Hatfields fight the McCoys.  At times it may look more civilized with lawsuits, buyouts, etc., but still, wars rage on.  Even within the family of God this tendency exists.  If we do not humbly seek God with sincerity and truth, we can find ourselves fighting the Baptists, or Lutherans, or Catholics, or Mormons, or Jews, or Muslims, or simply the folks across the street.  Many even destroy their own church family.  Because, after all, we are “right.”

All these examples show that in this broken world, all of us have harmed others, knowingly or unknowingly, and all of us have been and will be harmed by others.  It is inevitable.  Yet we are to pray, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Jesus offers forgiveness for all of our brokenness, meanness, hardness, and sin, and offers a different sort of life than the world at large experiences.  A part of that life is to learn to actually forgive others, so that we do not forever run around as victims, or forever miss the abundant life because all we can see is hurt.

One way I am attempting to deal with the hurt, pain and trauma I have experienced is to realize that I myself blew it, and have blown it! 

Jesus never blew it, and evil still was present.  But I have blown it ….. repeatedly, regularly, routinely, sometimes knowingly, and sometimes not.

Had I responded properly when the test came to me, it might have had an entirely different outcome.   I should have known better.  I was the spiritual leader, the mentor, the example.  But, I was taken so by surprise and shock that I responded in the flesh.  I suspect that is how our tests mostly come ….  from an unexpected direction.  If we are not at the top of our spiritual game …… or, even worse, if we think we are ….. we are fixin’ to get shellacked!!  Perhaps that is why 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  NKJ

I was served up a fantastic opportunity to lead my guys and the church in how to respond to attack under pressure.  I reacted in the flesh, which enabled them to react further in the flesh, and the result was that everyone in sight was hurt, battered, and bruised.  Hopefully this failure will not be fatal, but it has been costly.

The next verse states a well known, but perhaps not so often employed, principle,

1 Corinthians 10:13  “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” NKJ   I can look back and see several “off ramps” the Lord may have provided, but I missed them and sped up as the “Bridge Out” sign loomed.

            One of the interesting things about facing our own “stuff,” is that it really doesn’t minimize what others have done, but does help us realize our need for grace.  When we can honestly see our need for grace, it helps us see the need to extend grace to others. 

            On the cross Jesus said, Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” NIV  There were varying degrees of guilt and knowledge among the various participants in the crucifixion drama.  Some may have been merely stupid; some were to a greater or lesser degree simply ignorant; some may have been really evil, “a brood of vipers” as it were.  But, only God is capable of knowing which is which. 

There is a pithy (and irritating to the flesh) passage in Romans 12:16-21 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.  On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  NIV

I’m quite sure I do not yet “get it,” but I think I get it more now than before the trauma, ……… And, apart from the trauma, I may never have even known I need to get it.  I’m beginning to think that until we are crushed a fair amount, we don’t produce much good aroma.  I don’t like the crushing process, and rarely would volunteer for it.  But since most folks get crushed at some time or another, we must also need it ourselves so we can stand with those that are being crushed. 

            2 Corinthians 1:3-5 indicates there is indeed a significant purpose for our pain.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”  NIV 

            So, I find myself praying,

Lord, help me to forgive others as I have been forgiven, but please do it as gently as you can! 

And also, please give me the proper desire and understanding and grace to forgive others.

And also, Lord, please forgive me abundantly more than I do others, because left to myself I am absolutely doomed!

Help me to live a life of actual grace.

Simple Faith

            All of my life I was a part of a “non denominational” denomination.  I really never knew anything else.   Lifelong contacts were in that circle.  For most of my earlier years I had no idea what “we” really believed, I just knew that we were right, and everyone else was wrong.  The further from “our” beliefs the “wronger” they were. 

My mother was a stay at home mom, as were almost all other mothers of the day, and I don’t know if she had an arguing bone in her body.  I don’t ever recall her discussing doctrine or theology with anyone.  She dutifully and well did what needed done, and was a pretty no nonsense product of having lived through the depression, having been raised by Godly parents, and now being a responsible mother and adult with her life centered around the church and her family.  (Possibly even in that order?)   She was a wonderful mother.

My Dad was a self taught theologian.  He knew the Bible and proper doctrine from the Church we were a part of.   He read and collected many books from those who had been used of God to call out our theological forbears from "Babylon" to the pure Bride of Christ.  He was the kind of layman every pastor longs for.  He was committed, steadfast, faithful in attendance and tithing and giving and helping and serving and reaching out and visiting.  In later life Dad and Mom travelled as lay missionaries around the world, and built church buildings around the world in many places, even pastoring from Alaska to Montana to Uruguay.  Wherever they were, they were pillars in the church and community.   They were given an international award for having been “Laymen of the Year” in the group we were a part of. 

Wherever they found themselves, particularly Dad had many contacts with other believers.  He had a much broader perspective on “The Church” than most folks I have ever encountered. 

Still, I had the idea, and perhaps this was simply my misunderstanding, pride, etc., that there were many wonderful folks in other churches, some of them in surprising places, that would likely make it to heaven.  But obviously they were handicapped by not having the “full evening light” that we had.  Having now been in the ministry for nearly 40 years, and having been always quite involved with other pastors and churches wherever we have been, I suspect that every denomination of folks is fervently taught to have this mindset.  After all, if they question too much, they might fall away to the “unbelievers,” or at least “under believers” and hence “under achievers.” 

I have vigorously discussed, yea verily debated, other knowledgeable folks, typically other pastors, about a range of topics, foundationally believing that the poor folks, once exposed to the pure light would essentially “join” me/us.  I have written papers and  Bible studies to establish the truth of exactly what might happen when Jesus returns, whether or not one can be saved and then fall away, precisely what the true Bible gift of tongues is, precisely how Sovereign God is and how much or whether man has free will and how to parse the balance, etc.  Pick most any Biblical or theological topic, and I have debated several sides of it with someone.  In fact, I still enjoy a good theological discussion, which my mother, and my wife, (and possibly Jesus) would consider to be debate, or even worse argument.

But as I get older and encounter a lot more of life, I ask myself, how many folks have ever been argued or brow beaten into the Kingdom of Heaven?  How many have ever been coerced into a quiet deep abiding peace?  How many have ever been drawn to love God more, love themselves more, (in a healthy way) or love their neighbor more by all these arguments or treatises?  I’m afraid I can think of none.

I question whether much of my ministry has been “in vain.”  I take comfort in passages such as 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;” NAU   My vessel is much more earthen than it should be.  And, I also take comfort in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  NKJ  It IS comforting to know that God can speak to others even with a dumb ass, as He did to Balaam in Numbers 22.  Incidentally, Samson slew 1000 Phillistines with the jawbone of an ass, as Judges 15:16 relates.  I wonder how many would be followers of Jesus have been slain by the same instrument under my ministry?  But I digress.

If we must pass a theology test to achieve Heaven, how many folks that are betting their lives and souls and futures on the fact that Jesus died for them and that they can be forgiven of all their sins, excesses, foolishness, misunderstandings, and weaknesses, are ultimately going to lose out?  Well ……, it’s either going to be ME that loses out, or most of them, because try as I might, I can rarely even get another “believer” to come to the full light of truth that I possess.  ☺

Increasingly I am more interested in what sort of faith gets one through the loss of a spouse, or a child, or parents, or siblings?  What kind of faith is adequate when one is given the news the there is nothing else medicine can do for him or her or the closest loved one?  I do not think a seminary degree often helps.  I don’t think an intellectual discussion about how one or another of the various gospel accounts lines up with another will help much, or an analysis of some obscure passage from the Septuagint.  I don’t think even a parsing of the Greek word for “comfort” supplies much. 

What sort of faith enables a person to face prison, poverty, confiscation of property, loss of privilege and prestige, even horrible death, because they trust in Jesus?  Not some academic theoretical theological position, I’m sure.

What I long more for is just a simple child like (as opposed to childish, which is much more popular) faith that believes, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  I do not want simply a dashboard Jesus or plastic religious faith that is fine when the world is going well.  Who needs God then anyway?  I want a faith that when the wheels come off, we can be steady as a rock.  Not belligerent, not angry, not condemning, not arrogant, but a simple faith that is not shaken by anything in the world.

There is a place for scholarship.  I’m glad folks do that and can give all of us some insight.  There is a place for specific doctrinal clarity.  It is just that in the dark night of the soul, those things don’t offer much light.  We should do the best we can to understand proper doctrine and theology.  I’m for that.  But, again, these offer little hope, comfort, love, joy, or peace.  I would gladly trade all of my “impeccable theology” for the simple faith and trust that Jesus forgives all my sins, carries all my sorrows, knows everything about me and still loves me, and will never leave me or forsake me. 

Questions About The Role of The Law and Grace

The role of The Law

Questions from a 7^th Day Adventist

Questions and Statements Addressed:

I.         What is God’s moral law?

II.        What about the Sabbath?

III.       How does holiness fit in with the law?

IV.       If sin is the transgression of the law, what law? 

V.        If the “Ten Commandments” were nailed to the cross, what is the new law? 

VI.       If we all must stand in the judgment, what is the basis of our guilt? 

VII.      How can a person know if he is sinning or not. 

VIII.     Did Jesus death do away with sin? 

IX.       If the Law was not given until Moses, therefore no guilt, (Romans 4:15, 5:13) why did God destroy the world with the flood. 

X.        Why does the NT quote so many of the OT Commandments. 

XI.       Do I see any difference between the laws pointing to Jesus and the “10.” 

XII.      Does the fact that all the OT prophets, priests, and Jesus and the Disciples kept the
            Sabbath make any difference? 

XIII.     Could some NT writers have assumed everyone would keep the “10,” so they didn’t  mention keeping the weekly Sabbath? 

XIV.     The “holy days” (Passover, etc.) all pointed to Christ, and therefore are obsolete. 

XV.      Keeping the “10” is not punishment, but the law of liberty. 

XVI.     Only the “Jewish” laws of priests and sacrifices, etc. ended at the cross. 

XVII.    The New Covenant in Jesus blood cleanses us from sin, writes God’s laws on our hearts,  enabling us by the HS to conquer sin. 

XVIII.   About “hell.” 

XIX      Do people deserve the same treatment as the Devil? 

XX.      How could anything exist in unquenchable fire? 

            For this discussion on the role of “The Law,” I am defining “the law” as: The entire “law and the prophets,” that is the Old Covenant or the Old Testament.  For brevity I will use OT for the entire Old Testament or Old Covenant, and NT for the New Testament or New Covenant.

            Following are some questions and statements raised by a 7^th Day Adventist.  I think the discussion applies equally to all seekers that wrestle with the role of “the law” as it relates to the Gospel and our lives as Christians today.  I was raised in a church environment in which it seems we spent a fair amount of focus on the “law side” of God’s Word. 

In writing in response to these questions, and near the end some statements, I raise for your consideration the premise that even the NT has a “law” side as well as the “Gospel,” or “good news” side.  The NT unquestionably requires an ethical life, primarily addressed as “obedience,” and expresses over and over again that only those that “obey” are righteous and/or “saved.”  On the other hand the NT also clearly shows that there is no way we can be made righteous by works, or by being “good enough.” 

This dynamic (and Divine?) tension is the subject of my taking a shot at the answers to these questions and statements.  (The questions and/or statements are in bold.

            In evaluating my own ministry of nearly 40 years, I suspect I may have spent an inordinate amount of time on the “law side” of both the OT and NT, and may have missed much.

            I await your input regarding some of what I present here for “the body” to consider. 

            There may be some redundancy due to some overlapping questions.  The first six questions occupy the most time, but I included the other questions and statements raised also for consideration.

            (see also a brief discussion of God’s Sovereignty or Man’s Free Will in this blog.)

I.          Q What is God’s Moral Law? 

            A I do not see that term in scripture.  I think it is used to separate out the things that we perceive to be moral imperatives carried over into the NT as opposed to things pertaining to the tabernacle and later the temple, the “sacrificial” system, perhaps some of the “civil laws,” and miscellaneous “odd” laws we wonder about that seem to have applied to the nation of Israel. 

I have wrestled with the concept for years, as have most folks knowledgeable and curious enough to seek genuine answers.  However, I see nowhere in scripture that God makes the distinction, for example, between the “Ten Commandments,” and many of the more obscure laws such as mixing kinds of cloth. 

As Creator, God makes the rules.  Hence, I would define objective “morality” as complete and perfect obedience to His entire law.  The more one obeys, the more “moral” one is, and vice versa.   The standard, however, is perfection.  We know that the Jews never got it right as a people, and that, in fact, no human being has ever got it right, so none are adequately moral to please God.

            Many (perhaps all?) OT laws were fulfilled by Jesus.  Jesus said, Matthew 5:17-18 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”  NKJ It seems to me that either the entire law is still in force NOW, or it has been fulfilled.  That still leaves some question as to what that means. 

There are two major ways of looking at “the law” that I am familiar with.  (If there are others, I am certainly open to look at them as well.)

1)      The entire OT is completely in force except for what the NT nullifies or specifically says Jesus fulfills.  (Circumcision, sacrifices, dietary laws, all the Temple things, and perhaps the Sabbath(s).  ☺)   or,

2)      The entire OT has been superseded by the New.  Therefore ONLY things the NT requires are part of the NT and law of love.

There is much overlapping between the two views. The NT clearly continues many things from the OT, and clearly nullifies others.  As I read about the OT in the New, it seems to indicate that the NT completely supersedes the Old, yet uses the Old as an authoritative basis.  According to that view, Jesus is the complete fulfillment of the law, and in Christ we have our Sabbath, we have freedom, salvation, “morality” or “righteousness” imparted to us because of His sacrifice. 

We know we can’t be saved by obedience to the law, as we have already blown that.  We know we can’t keep the law.  The Jews couldn’t and we can’t.  So we are left with trust in Jesus … and freedom.   If, at the judgment even those trusting in Jesus for salvation have our morality evaluated on the basis of obedience to the law, I am still really in deep weeds.  Regularly I do things that trouble me, and do NOT do many things I probably should.  If there is not genuine freedom in Jesus AND forgiveness of ALL my shortcomings, I have had it.

II.        Q What about the Sabbath? 

A The Ten Commandments are unquestionably brought into the NT at every point ….. except the Sabbath.  Either view expressed above brings at least the “9” into the NT.  If the OT were not available to us, I see no way any reader would assume the NT requires obedience to the OT Sabbath.  Since the NT came to the Jews first, and some observance of the Sabbath was their custom in their anemic attempts to follow the law, it can be argued that the Sabbath by inference is a part of the NT.  But, in most places the Sabbath is mentioned in the NT it seems modified along the lines of liberty, and challenging its observance by those of Jesus earthly day.

It is clear Jesus customarily went into Synagogues on the Sabbath, and that the practicing Jews of that day attempted to follow the Sabbath.  During Jesus lifetime the OT was still in force, being changed upon His death.  Even then, there were many controversies on or about the Sabbath in Jesus interaction with the Jews.  I am aware of no place Jesus actually taught that the Sabbath was still in force as a spiritual requirement in the NT.  In most controversies it seems to me that Jesus spoke of the Sabbath as a given, but also challenged the Pharisees and others about their perception of it.  I see no place specifically that Jesus nullified the Sabbath in His teaching, but He certainly challenged the “letter” of the law as opposed to the Spirit.  Some examples:

Matthew 12:1-21 Jesus Disciples picked grain on the Sabbath to eat and Jesus defended them, and healed a man, and spoke harshly to the Pharisees who followed the Sabbath but missed the point.

Matthew 28:1ff  Jesus did rise from the dead on the first day of the week.

Mark 2:23-28 Again they picked grain on the Sabbath and Jesus defended that.  Probably a parallel passage 27 “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:”  KJV

Mark 3:1-6 Again Jesus healed on the Sabbath and challenged the Pharisees. 

John 5:1-18 indicates that Jesus “broke” the Sabbath, and defended such.  As Lord of the Sabbath, of course, He could do that.

John 7:19-24 Jesus spoke of circumcision and the Sabbath together as “givens.”  He spoke of breaking the Sabbath to do circumcision.  But He did not teach that circumcision was a requirement in the NT.  In fact the Apostles clearly said it is not.

As we move into the rest of the NT, the Apostles wrestled with this issue of the law as it relates to faith.  For a time, the Apostles attended Jewish synagogues to preach the Gospel.  That was on the Sabbath, as that was when Jews met in synagogues.  (Synagogues apparently came about while in captivity in Babylon, as there is no reference to them in the law or the entire OT that I am aware of.   It was apparently a custom they devised to attempt to maintain the law and culture?  Both Jesus and the Apostles used synagogues as a platform, but I see no where in scripture in which either God the Father, Jesus the Son, or the Apostles under the leading of the Holy Spirit specifically require or authorize either synagogues or the Sabbath per se?) 

Some Jewish converts believed and taught that Gentiles must be circumcised and obey the law.  The Jerusalem Council dealt with that and offered the edict in Acts 15.  We see the question raised, and from verses 13 we see James, either having or appearing to have the ability to pass sentence on this subject.  Both in James declaration of the sentence and in the letter sent out to the Gentiles there is NO mention of the Sabbath as a requirement for the Gentiles.  James does mention it as a part of the customs of the day and mentions that Jews read Moses every Sabbath in the synagogues, but it is NOT made a part of the requirement of the NT by either Jesus or the Apostles that I can see.

(Dietary laws are also dealt with in the NT by Jesus and the Apostles repeatedly.  This is a separate, but related topic.  Does The NT nullify the wisdom of God’s laws to the Jews?  No. It is probably temporally wise to eat that way still.  It just simply has no bearing on a person’s relationship to Jesus or salvation or spiritual vitality.) 

In a passage about judging others, Paul writes to the Romans.  All of Chapter 14 deals with precisely both the Sabbath and dietary laws.  5-7 “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.” NKJ

If “the Sabbath” was still a requirement under the New Covenant, this seems a very good place to mention it, at least as an aside comment, but rather Paul seems to say it is the heart that matters and that we are NOT to judge one another on the basis of which day is most holy.  All days are to be holy.  This would have been the only instruction the church at Rome would have had on the topic, other than whatever Jewish influence might have been around.

I am content for some to be “fully persuaded” that the Sabbath is still a part of the NT, and feel no need to judge them.  But I do not believe it can be established under the NT as a mandate for either Jews or Gentiles.   Under the OT it is front and center!! 

The basic question raised is that of whether the OT, or parts of it, is still is in effect.  If so, which parts are for Jews, and which part for Gentiles?  Not even Jews can possibly obey the Old Covenant, as there is no Temple, no sacrifices, no national autonomy, etc.  The NT makes it profoundly clear that no one can be saved by the works of the law.

In Galatians 4:10-11 Paul writes to that Church (and us!?) “You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.” NKJ

Again, if Paul was NOT speaking of the Sabbath in this passage, it would seem he should have at the very least said, “Now I am not speaking of THE SABBATH, we all know that God has clearly commanded such.  I am referring to pagan holy days, or some of the other Jewish festivals, or Sabbaths, or …..”  As the only Christian instruction the church in Galatia would have had on the topic it would seem odd to not mention the Sabbath if it was required.

In Colossians 2:16-17 “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”  NKJ  Again, if “the Sabbath” was NOT included in this passage, it would certainly seem to be spiritual malpractice to not mention it.  Again, this is the only known Christian teaching the Church at Colosse would have had on the topic. 

I do not see any reference in the NT to any requirement or direct teaching that the Sabbath or any of the other OT law should be observed. 

A scriptural case can be made for the Sabbath by going back to Genesis about God resting the 7^th day, etc., especially coupling the Genesis account with later laws regarding the Sabbath.  (Notably Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21, etc. Exodus 20:11 “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”  NKJ)

It is argued that since the Sabbath was instituted before the law, it is still binding after the law.   But, circumcision also preceded the law, having been commanded to Abraham and his seed in Genesis 17:11, yet the NT is graphically clear that it is not required.  In fact, if done to impress God, or to be made righteous, it is soundly condemned.  I personally believe that if it is done for health or practical reasons it is OK.  It just is NOT OK as a religious or Spiritual exercise as a part of the NT. 

From Genesis 1:1 - 11:25 is a history of the world from creation, to the fall, the flood, and the tower of Babel.  Once we see Abram in Genesis 11:26, the rest of the OT is the story of Abrahaam's descendants, the Jews specifically, and takes us through the last prophets before Jesus the Messiah came.

 The law, and later the prophets, certainly reflects God’s wisdom and requirements for Israel.   The Sabbath is a great, God inspired and required thing for Israel.  I wish we had a culture in which the Sabbath was practiced.  I think it would result in better physical, emotional, social, mental, and spiritual health.  And, as a personal discipline, it is probably great.  But to practice it as a requirement of the NT, I believe, falls into the same category as circumcision and dietary or other laws given the Jewish nation to bring them to the place they could receive Christ as Savior and Messiah. 

I believe all of God’s OT laws, properly understood, are wise and good for mankind.  And, I personally believe that any nation that would institute them as the laws of the land could be much blest.  But to include any of them as a mandated part in the New Covenant seems theologically suspect, and perhaps even damning.  Paul states in Galatians, particularly 5:1-4 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”  NKJ  (emphasis added)  This is strong language.

If the Sabbath is a requirement (Or any other “law”) …….. um … is it possible to keep it completely?  Are the Sabbath laws simply a general “guideline?” The OT does not deal with it as a “guideline.”  In the OT it is ironclad, mandatory, and its violation required the death penalty.   Is it enough to keep the Sabbath from time to time when it is convenient?  Do we get extra credit for keeping it better than some or even most folks?   Will God judge our Sabbath keeping “on the curve?”  Will He compare us to the Muslims steadfastness to their beliefs?  Will we be compared to die hard vegetarians in their beliefs?  Will he compare us only to complete heathens?  Will he compare us to those nasty or perhaps merely ignorant folks who worship on Sunday?   How about those that do a lot more than me?  How about those who love Jesus more than I do?  Will God’s grace be extended more to those who gather on Saturday than on Sunday or Friday?

What does “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy,” mean?  Are we to keep it like the Jews were supposed to keep it BEFORE synagogues were invented?  The law was clearly given before there were synagogues.  Did Jews show up on the Sabbath at the tabernacle or later the Temple to worship on the Sabbath?  I see no record of such.  Are we to keep it like the Jews after synagogues were invented?  Where does God authorize synagogues in relation to the Sabbath?  Is a “church building” of some sort the equivalent of a synagogue?  How far can we go to a “church building?”  Are we made righteous by “sort of” obeying a modern concept of the Sabbath?  Are we made unrighteous by not?   

How closely must we adhere to the original plan, either of the Creation account or “the Law” account in order to get credit for Sabbath keeping?  Is two out of four weeks good enough?  Three out of four?  Nine out of ten?  Is there a righteousness line we cross one way or the other?  Are good motives adequate?  Motives alone don’t seem to fit into the OT laws of the Sabbath.  If we keep it “in spirit” does that qualify?  How would we do this in the spirit without our bodies?  What must our bodies be doing to qualify? 

OR, was Paul correct in saying, “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.”   Is this the same for Sabbath keeping? 

If salvation is by anything other than grace by faith, I’m in deep weeds indeed.  In fact, if it has to do much with “my faith” I’m in trouble.  My faith wavers a goodly portion from day to day.  If Jesus doesn’t carry ALL my sins, there is no hope for me.  I can either despair in my inability to make it …… OR hope that God grades on the curve, and that I somehow make it, (Surely I must be better than Hitler, and Saddam, and Qadaffi, and drunks, and at least child molesters?  OR ought I to rejoice that Jesus has already made the way for me because of His love and sacrifice, and He makes me His righteousness?  If it isn’t the latter, despair MUST reign. 

Can it be that if I break ONE part of the law I am I really guilty of ALL.  If James 2:10 can be trusted that is true.  “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”  NKJ

III.       Q How does “holiness” fit in with obedience to the law?

A My upbringing in the “holiness” tradition seemed to focus greatly on the free will of man and being holy, as 1 Peter 1:15-16 says “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy.” NKJ 

Likely the best and wisest practitioners of this tradition understood far better than I.  But the way I received and understood holiness, seemed to focused much on external things like not attending movies, dancing, drinking, smoking, chewing, swearing, any sort of sexual activity before marriage, and most of them after marriage, even having nasty thoughts, etc.  I think I missed the love, freedom, and grace Jesus offers.  I may still be an emotional and spiritual cripple by the emphasis of “being good” to the near exclusion of the simple grace side of the Gospel.  But, both the OT and NT law indicates I can never be “good enough.”  (See a brief discussion on this blog regarding the sovereignty of God and the free will of man issue.)

I believe there IS a ditch on both sides of the road, and that a Divine tension exists in the NT between living right and receiving God’s grace.  It seems to me there IS an ethical and obedience component to the Gospel.  I can not in good conscience identify completely with the eternal security message as is widely preached and held. 

However, when I ask myself: Have I been holy enough today?  Have I read the Bible enough, witnessed enough, prayed enough, taken up my cross enough, served others enough, or confessed or repented enough?  Have my thoughts been pure enough?  Do I REALLY love the Lord my God with my WHOLE heart and mind and soul and strength?   Have I really been “perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect?”   Um, ….. “Not so much!” 

My pride and covetousness and lust and greed and selfishness and stubbornness alone do me in.  If “being good enough” is what holiness is all about, man, I’m afraid I’m not there …. Yet.   Can I get there on this side of eternity?   Hmmmm. 

If we are either saved by the law or any part of it, including keeping the Sabbath, or even kept by obedience to it, I’m afraid I will be closed out.  So, I fervently hope that some of what I have historically thought about God and the Bible and eternity ………. are wrong.

IV.       Q  Is sin the transgression of the law?  If so, what law? 

A  Yes, according to the KJV of I John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”  Modern translations render it “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” NKJ  Either way I would say it is God’s law that is referred to primarily.  In any event, all have sinned.

V.        Q  If the “Ten Commandments” were nailed to the cross, what is the new law? 

A  John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  KJV  (Also I John 2:7-8, 2 John 1:15) 

John 6:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”  KJV (emphasis added)

Also whatever is required in the New Covenant is also the “new law.” But, the NT is MORE restrictive than the Old, in that it also covers motives.  (ie, Matthew 5-7 says murder is forbidden in the OT, but hatred in the New.  If we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven, etc.)  Both the OT and the NT “law” force me to call upon the Lord for mercy and receive His grace.  Apart from grace, and the process of confessing our sin, we are all still in lots of trouble.

The NIV phrases Colossians 2:13-14 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” NIV

As I read this, it must all be nailed to the cross with Christ!?  If “some” is left, which part?  And which part can “we” fulfill?  The Gospel is sufficient for all, but efficient only for those who trust in Jesus.  For those calling upon the Lord, it is cancelled.  Good news!

VI.       Q  If we all must stand in the judgment, what is the basis of our guilt? 

A  Rejecting the Gospel, OR violating any law of God, OR violating our God given conscience subjects us to judgment and damnation.  If we violate any of the “10,” OR don’t feed the hungry, care for the poor, forgive others, love perfectly, forgive everyone, OR if we know to do good and don’t, we are damned and doomed to whatever comes upon death to those under the condemnation of God .….. UNLESS, “we confess our sins,” and “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins ….”  I John 1:9

            Romans 1 and 2 speak to this. 2:12 “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law.” NKJ

The point of the “law side” of the Gospel is that no one can save himself, and no one is innocent.   And, regardless of how folks protest, no one will be able to stand before God and say, “no one told me!”  “The Law” says, apart from Jesus there is no hope.  The Gospel side says, Jesus is all we need.  The God that would send His only Son to go through what Jesus did in our behalf will not be unjust in dealing with anyone.  We needn’t worry about the “innocent heathen,” other than as we have opportunity we should share the good news.

            These questions have forced me to freshly rethink what the Gospel is.  I think my background, and other “holiness” churches, as well as the 7^th Day folks, may have really missed something.  When we peel down these questions, they all seem to stem from “the law” side of the equation; it is how we were raised.   But …. How far can we get by perfect obedience to all the requirements?   And, does a sort of generic desire to be perfect qualify us?  I see at work in MY life that honest desire …… sometimes ….. and at others not so much.

            And if it be argued that we simply need “perfect love,” …………. OK …….. um …… can I even get that right?   Not so far anyway.  Will I only be OK if I happen to die or if Jesus happens to come on one of my “up” spiritual times?  Even when I die or He comes back ….. will my best and highest spiritual motives be enough? 

The older I get, the more I can relate to Isaiah 64:6 when he expresses that “all our righteousness” is as filthy rags.

VII.     Q  How can a person know if he is sinning or not. 

A  One key Bible definition of sin is “missing the mark.”  By that standard we, or at least I, miss with striking regularity.  Hence, if we are still breathing …. 

Can we ever be “righteous,” by “obedience” even for a brief time?  Are our motives ever 100% pure?  We were born in sin, are sinners by choice, and as long as we have this “treasure in earthen vessels,” we are still “earthen.”   Perhaps it is safest to assume we are always falling short and to simply rely on Jesus for His righteousness!? 

Romans 1:19-22  “… because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools,”  NKJ  (Emphasis added) 

VIII.    Q  Did Jesus death do away with sin? 

A  Doesn’t seem to have “done away” with personal sin, at least as we are aware of it in this earthly existence.  At least if John knew what he was talking about, AFTER Jesus death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.   I John 1:8-10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”  NKJ

However, God seems to be able to “do away with it” as it relates to His view of us.  Colossians 3:3 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  NKJ  There seems to be a number of “theological realities” that are yet hidden from our view, among which is the idea that God can see us as completely pure, innocent, forgiven, etc.  This is remarkable to me, of course, and I cannot fully grasp it, but it is a fine thing indeed.

I sure can’t see myself that way, other than by faith, and that dimly ... really dimly!  So, there is a theological sense in which Jesus may have “done away with” our sin by bearing it on the cross, but while we are still here in the flesh, it seems we have to face it at various points, certainly up to the point of confessing it, and sometimes by having to live earthly consequences of it.  For those who do not accept the offer of Jesus for forgiveness, it just stacks up. 

IX.       Q If “the law” was not given until Moses, therefore no guilt, (Romans 4:15, 5:13) why did God destroy the world with the flood. 

A  At least enough of the law of God has always been known from Creation to bring guilt.  Adam and Eve apparently had only one “law.”  Don’t eat the fruit.  They blew it.  Cain killed Abel, and the record indicates he “knew” better.  The foundational principle of man’s purpose to seek God has always been there.  Mankind became plumb wicked, hence the flood.  Mankind has since done the same.  Not just “some,” but ALL.  Hence, Jesus offer of life by exchanging our guilt, sin, damnation, etc., for His righteousness, innocence, and eternal life.  

X.        Q Why does the NT quote so many of the OT Commandments. 

A The law brings an awareness of our sin and hopelessness.  The law, ALL of God’s law, forces us to come to Christ as the ONLY solution to our guilt.  No one makes it to heaven by being good enough or by obeying the law. 

XI.  Q Do I see any difference between the laws pointing to Jesus and the “10.” 

A  Practically, I don’t think so.  NONE of them can save.  Neither can “obedience.”  They are ALL there to lead us to the inevitable conclusion that “we” can’t do it, and ONLY Jesus can. 

XII.     Q Does the fact that all the OT prophets, priests, and Jesus and the Disciples kept the Sabbath make any difference?  

A  I don’t think so.  Because ONLY Jesus ever kept it adequately.  The Jews certainly NEVER did, as both the OT and NT clearly proclaim.  So, the perfect observance, which IS THE ONLY standard, has not, is not, and never will be adequately kept on earth.  Leaving us once again with grace and forgiveness ………. or nothing. 

The dilemma with “the Law” is this question.  Is partial obedience good enough?  Is “sort of good motives,” adequate? 

XIII.    Q Could some NT writers have “assumed” everyone would keep the “10,” so they didn’t mention keeping the weekly Sabbath? 

A Only those that didn’t make the canon.  ☺Those that did make the cut, and show up in the NT seem to recognize that ALL are under condemnation, and that to violate ONE law is to violate all.  If we are ALL under the sentence of death by breaking even one law …….. which despite DS Warner, I certainly do routinely, particularly those enumerated in the Sermon on the Mount.  I have never actually “killed” anyone …… but I’m certainly not thrilled with all, and there appear to me a lot that “deserve a good killin’” to quote some great philosopher. 

And, DANG, there are some of the female persuasion in the world that grab attention …..

And, do I ALWAYS completely speak the truth to everyone about everything?

Well, you probably get it!!  ☺

            Now does this give rise to the “shall we sin that grace may abound?”  No.  But still the best we have is not enough.  That has got to be at the heart of the “good news.”  I can’t make it .. but Jesus DID. 

XIV.    Q The “holy days” (Passover, etc.) all pointed to Christ, and therefore are obsolete. 

A  OK.  They can still be wonderfully instructive, and probably no harm done by observing them.  (properly from the heart) But as a means of salvation they are indeed completely obsolete. 

XV.     **Q The Weekly Sabbath was established at Creation and will be kept still in heaven. 

A I reckon we’ll have to get to heaven to find that part out, but since creation, has the Sabbath EVER been kept adequately by any individual or people?  Certainly not ever for long, and I believe, never adequately to satisfy the full demands of the law.

XVI.    Q How were people “saved” in the OT? 

A Well, Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. NKJ  Did Noah “obey” adequately?  He seems to have done pretty well before the flood.

Romans 4:3 “For what does the Scripture say?"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” NKJ  (emphasis added) Did Abraham “obey” adequately?  How about Hagar …. And his lying to the various kings about Sarai? 

Is there anyone in the OT or NT for that matter that obeyed adequately?  David?  Um … Solomon? … Moses? …. Hmmmm

Certainly none were “saved” by keeping the Sabbath or obeying the law.  Moses did his best, even stoning a guy that picked up sticks ……. Still he didn’t make the cut to enter the Promised Land, and that entire generation died and did not enter the Promised Land.  I don’t think the ancient Jews even thought of being “saved” like we do.  Nonetheless, does God see it the way we do??  Good thing God is the one that keeps score. 

XVII.  Q We keep the “10” because we are saved. 

A Hmmm.  Really?  Seriously?  If you actually do keep them, I need to learn a great deal from you.  Do you REALLY keep the “10” as Jesus requires, in at least, the Sermon on the Mount?  Matthew 5-7?  I certainly don’t according to that standard, and even according to the OT standard I have violated enough of them to be without hope.  Can we live good enough to tilt the balance in our favor once we have broken the commandments?  Can our “goodness” or “obedience” ever outweigh our sin?  If we are wicked for 50 years and decide to obey the law completely and die within 2 years, does the good outweigh the bad?  How about if we are wicked for 5 years and then “obey” for 75?  Will that outweigh?

On the other hand if we are wicked our entire life and at the very end ask Jesus to “remember me when you come into your kingdom,” is that adequate?

If we are wicked for how ever many years and then “confess our sins,” and “believe in Jesus,” will that cover it?

            Q Obedience is the proof of faith.  A Same hmmmmm.   What percentage of obedience is required, and what intensity level of obedience must be maintained?  Quite sure I don’t qualify.

XV.     Q Keeping the “10” is not punishment, but the law of liberty. 

A OK ….. sort of.  It is NOT “punishment,” all right.  But, I don’t think keeping the “10” is what James 1:25 and 2:12 is speaking of as the “law of liberty” either. 

I will acknowledge that the more closely we can obey them, the better life is.  I think the same is true of all of God’s laws, even the OT ones.  I think if we as a nation had even God’s OT laws as the laws of the land we would be temporally blessed.  HOWEVER, there is a difference between temporal blessings by avoiding the pitfalls of life, and eternal life stemming from obedience to any law, whether Old or New.

XVI.    Q Only the “Jewish” laws of priests and sacrifices, etc. ended at the cross.  (circumcision, etc.)  

A Really?  Circumcision was given BY GOD way before “the law” of priests and such.

XVII.  Q The New Covenant in Jesus blood cleanses us from sin, writes God’s laws on our hearts, enabling us by the HS to conquer sin. 

A Amen.  BUT, Do we “conquer” sin by being enable to adequately “live” perfect obedience to even the NT law?  Does the HS enable us to live completely above sin, above ANY violation of even the NT “laws?”  Again, by the standard of Jesus teachings, that hasn’t happened to me yet.  Do you know anyone who even today, filled with the HS, NEVER covets, or lusts, or is angry with a brother, or always does right, and never does wrong, or never has evil thoughts or motives?  I have heard of and known some who have “claimed” to live above sin ……… not sure how that affects pride ….. OR I John 1:8-10.   Not sure I have ever actually “known” someone who completely succeeded?  Do you?  

Those I know who seem genuinely the most “holy,” also MOST recognize their own failures, weaknesses, sin, guilt, and worthlessness.  Those harshest and most judgmental about other folks “sins” and/or failures, real or imagined, seem by that very attitude to break the NT law of “judge not that ye be not judged.” 

XVIII. Q About “hell.” 

A I need to study this a lot more.  Perhaps I will attempt such a study later. 

Q As to your reference to the lake of fire for the false prophet, the Beast, and the Devil,

A  I certainly do not make the rules, and since I am not God and don’t plan to become God, I cannot perfectly know all that He has in mind.  However, if Matthew 25 can be believed, Jesus Himself spoke of those on His left hand in the judgment, V. 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:”  NKJ  So, if Jesus has gone ahead to “prepare for us a place,” which He clearly says He has, He has apparently also prepared a place for “the devil and his angels.”  Jesus seems to indicate that indeed people will populate such a place. 

XIX     Q Do people deserve the same treatment as the Devil? 

A Jesus seems to say so.  Do you or “we” have a better plan that passes muster with God? 

            However in one sense the topic of hell is a red herring.  It is what it is.  Naturally people don’t like that thought and don’t want a God that could fire up such a place. 

And ……. ?  What is new?  Jesus “came unto His own and His own received Him not.”  Is it a surprise that many recoil from God?  Not really in this messed up world. 

            I am certainly willing to revisit the topic on my own, and I think it IS good to do the best we can to “rightly divide the word of truth.”  On the other hand, we are not going to change it because the winds of popular opinion downplay it.  It is like the vehement discussions about what may happen when Jesus returns.  People get all wound up on their particular theory about what may happen when Jesus comes, when everyone ought to know that my view is best!! ☺ 

            Whatever is ACTUALLY going to happen is going to happen, and it is not subject to a 5-4 vote or a particular denomination’s brightest scholars.

            As to the “everlasting fire” business, those are at least the words of scripture.  It is certainly fine to question what that may mean.  It is different thing to specifically formulate a doctrine as to what it means, one way or the other. 

It is like the Mormons doctrine of “baptism on behalf of the dead.”  It is fine to question what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 15:29 “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?” NKJ

I don’t know what he intended.  But, it is an entirely different kettle of fish to answer it that a person since 1840 or so (Whenever Joseph Smith got his “revelation.”) can be baptized on behalf of folks that died hundreds of years ago.   The problem is that the answer supplied raises more Biblical questions about salvation than the initial question.

            Anyone above the intellectual level of eggplant will have questions.  It is when doctrine gets built around speculation about what a passage might mean that we get into trouble.  Probably all denominations, and even all of us as individuals, miss the mark here.  Paul indicated that he himself, who actually apparently saw Jesus, saw only dimly or darkly as in an imperfect mirror or glass.  I’m smart enough to know I don’t have all the answers, I’m just not smart enough to know which answers I don’t have.

XX.     Q How could anything exist in unquenchable fire? 

A That is certainly an interesting earthly question.  It is like the question about the irresistible force encountering the immovable object.  Or, "Can God make a rock so big that He can't lift it?"  It is a fine philosophical question, but completely irrelevant as it relates to the after life.  If there is a place of eternal punishment, as the traditional concept of hell is, God is certainly able to handle the devil and his angels and the beasts, false prophets, antichrists, dragons, etc., in whatever fashion He chooses.  And, if those who reject Jesus offer of eternal life with Him, whether of their own volition or predestined, God is able to figure out a way for that to happen.  If He is able to supply an afterlife of blessedness for those who love Him, He is able to figure out what to do with those who reject His offer of abundant life here and eternal life hereafter.  If He causes them to be annihilated, fine with me.  I just want to be where He is, as oposed to being wherever He isn't!!!

            There are many passages of scripture I question.  But what God plans for the future is above my pay grade.  Now, where the Word speaks CLEARLY then we can speak clearly.  Where it gives some “hints,” we may give some hints.  But to speak forcefully and authoritatively where the scripture is not clear, and where scholars have disagreed for centuries, seems awfully presumptuous.