Judge Not...

I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately, and several things have happened in the last month or so that have helped me in my thinking... or at least pointed me in a direction. In our very unsettled world today - wars popping up left, right and centre, natural disasters, a fragile financial sector - those of us with even the remotest interest in politics (and other associated subjects) are very quick to apportion blame. This is something, however, that I have never felt comfortable doing, and I squirm when I hear others doing it. Perhaps it has something to do with having read this verse from Matthew 7:1-2 in the Bible (which is very clear in its import, even taken out of context):

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

I guess it depends on whether or not you believe that Jesus means what He says. I do. Elsewhere Paul writes to Timothy, saying (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

We're so, so quick to say that our leaders are 'doing it all wrong' and that 'we'd do a better job than them'. You know, they probably said the same themselves, once upon a time, and now they've got the job. But there is so much we don't know. We don't know what constraints they are working against, for starters. They may have all the same ideas we do, but they just cannot do it. How frustrating could that be? Moreover, what a huge responsibility - to make decisions that affect millions of people. One's just NEVER going to get that right. There will always be someone who is unhappy. The old adage 'You can't please everybody' comes to mind.

This final verse that I'll share may seem to be unrelated to what I've just said, but for me, it falls into the theme quite nicely (Luke 10:20).

20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

These words are spoken by Jesus after the seventy-two disciples, who He had sent out to tell people about the coming kingdom of God, had returned boasting that 'Even the demons submit to us in Your name' (Luke 10:17). Jesus responds to this exclamation by pointing their focus towards heaven, and that they need to take their eyes off what they see and experience, and instead look to heaven (God) with thankfulness.

For me, the message in this verse is that, in all things, I need to focus my mind on God and the things of God. And above all, on God's grace in gifting me salvation through Jesus Christ. Yes, one sees what is going on in the world around, but one needs to see it through God's eyes, not one's own - and the difference is literally worlds apart.

Identities - chasing after the wind??

I've been thinking about identities again. This is mostly due to several things over the last few days that have pointed me back to this search for an identity. Although I think the nature of the search has been slightly modified.

By 'identity' I've realised, I don't so much mean 'who am I?' as a sense of peace about who I am and what I stand for. This has previously been sold to me in the wrapping of 'know who you are in God, place your sense of identity with Him, and you will be at peace with who you are'. However, I will admit that I'm beginning to question this.

My main reasons for questioning this perspective come right out of the Bible. If one looks at various people whose appear in the Bible, one comes across a wide range of doubters, anxiety-sufferers, depressives ... those are the few I can think of right now, I'm quite sure that the list goes on (apart from the murderers, adulterers etc) ... Anyways, what I guess I'm trying to get at is that, even though these people knew God, and in some cases, very well, they still had issues with themselves and the world in which they lived. They certainly did not perpetually radiate an aura of peace and tranquility. No, more often they spent their time questioning God!

So, I'm beginning to think that perhaps finding this sense of identity, this sense of peace, belonging, security ... is a chasing after the wind. Certainly, as an end in itself, or even a means to [whatever] end, it will not provide the sense of fulfilment desired. Ultimately, I guess, one needs to be 'oneself' - whatever or whoever that is - and eventually one will get to know oneself. I don't know. And I'm not sure I'm making too much sense either!

This doesn't mean that I discount following God and searching for one's identity in Him - I just feel that one can try to do that for all the wrong reasons, and end up getting nowhere. Hmmmm.

A fine challenge today has been!

Well, following my last two posts, I've had a real challenge on my hands today (I'm writing this on Friday evening). I've battled to keep my anger down when I was on the receiving end of two emails that I really do not feel I deserved, at the same time as trying to remember my post from yesterday! Forgiveness has been very hard to come by ... and although I've SAID to God that I forgive the people involved, I'm still feeling rather tense and unsettled about the whole situation.

As my comment to the previous post says, I KNOW in my head that forgiving is far better than seeing revenge, but trying to get that knowledge down to the heart is a real battle. And it isn't made easier by the following, which I read today:

Don't seek retribution. Instead, '...overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:21). God said, '...Vengeance is mine; I will repay' (Romans 12:19). Don't rush to judgement.

That's not always easy when you're the injured party, but the ultimate Judge said, 'With what judgement you judge, you will be judged...' (Matthew 5:24 NKJV). Make things right. Jesus said, '...be reconciled to your brother...' (Matthew 5:24 NIV). Don't wait for the other person to make the first move, you do it. Paul says, 'Make every effort to live in peace with all men...' (Hebrews 12:14 NIV). Pray for the offender. As much as it goes against your grain, when you '...pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28 NIV), God gives you the grace to forgive and see them through His eyes.

(taken from 'The Word for Today').

This is still a challenge for me as I write, but I am, thankfully, getting calmer as the hours go by, and more charitable - more willing to make allowances for things that were said.

Forgiveness?

Following on from yesterday's post ....

I just don't know right now where to completely give up on people or not. And saying as much just breaks my heart, as I'm not one to give up. But I keep coming back to a passage I read yesterday morning, which actually made me go and modify the last sentence of yesterday's blog post to how it got posted - that sentence was far more final before. Anyways, this is the post:

'Make allowance for each other's faults...' Colossians 3:13 NLT

When it comes to forgiving, you can't say it better than Tim Stafford did: 'I would rather be cheated a hundred times, than develop a heart of stone.'

The Bible says,  'Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.' You don't get to choose who you'll forgive. Love is a command, forgiveness is an act of obedience. 'He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother' (1 John 4:21 NIV). You can't be closer to God than you are to the people you love least. God sets the bar high because grudges are like cancer, and forgiveness is the laser that removes them. Bitterness chains us to the past, destroys families, divides churches and sours relationships. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate.

Take your hurt feelings to God and say, 'Point out anything... that offends you...' (Psalm 139:24 NLT). It takes courage, but that's the kind of prayer He answers. It gets easier as you grow in Christ; in the meantime you have to work at it. As a child of God His Spirit lives inside you. You're no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:14). God knows it's hard to forgive deep-seated hurts, but He will give you grace to do it.

To 'make allowance' means to take a charitable view and consider extenuating circumstances. People change and grow over time, so don't insist on clinging to a limited, outdated view of them. Try to see them as they are today. Most folks are doing their best based on the knowledge and understanding they have now, so give them a break!

Me again: to be honest, I'm still thinking about it. This is definitely something I'm ... thinking and praying about ... not because I don't want to forgive, becausee I do ... but I need to go past a lot of pain to get there.

Secrets (2)

I am aware that this post and yesterday's are extracts from another source, and not my own personal thoughts. Tomorrow's post will be my answer to these posts, so please bear with me. I will say, however, that this particular extract gelled most with me - probably because it provides more of a visual, real-life demonstration of our need to get our darkest thoughts and secrets off our chests than the previous one does.

'...I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God...' Psalm 32:5 TM

Hidden among the sand dunes on Bird Island, North Carolina, is a postbox marked 'Kindred Spirits'. Inside are notebooks and pencils visitors can use to record their thoughts and prayers in anonymity. Author Zoë Elmore says, 'I'm amazed what people have written... heart wrenching confessions... their deepest and darkest secrets... prayers of desperation... People... willing to put down... things they'd never share with family or friends... and place them in a mailbox on a secluded island. These writings are an indication of everyone's need to be heard in a safe environment... to get things off our chest without interruption or condemnation. As a child of God we have a true Kindred Spirit to whom we can pour out our hearts... His name is Jesus and you just have to call on Him... He's waiting to listen to your innermost fears and private thoughts. Perhaps you have things you're longing to share; secrets you've kept far too long... I have great news... it's possible to experience freedom - without visiting Bird Island! Call on the Name of Jesus... pour out your heart with confident abandon... He's present and He's listening.' When you do that, David said, 'You get a fresh start, your slate's wiped clean... God holds nothing against you and you're holding nothing back from him. When I kept it all inside... The pressure never let up... Then I let it all out...; I said, "I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God." Suddenly the pressure was gone - my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared' (Psalm 32:1-5 TM). What a great feeling!

Taken from 'The Word for Today', by UCB.

Secrets (1)

This is a two-part post - a) to keep it short, and b) because it is originally in two parts. What follows is from my daily readings, and I feel that everyone should think about these things, as they are too true.

'...You're after... truth from the inside out...' Psalm :6

Lisa Whittle says, 'Pornography... excessive shopping... eating disorders develop in isolation... What we watch... think... how we spend our time are the "secret places" Satan uses. It's not that we don't want to be honest... but fear of being discovered keeps us... [trapped]... If Satan can get us to... bury our secret[s]... we can't be effective for God... our private sins will eat away at us, making us feel fraudulent and unworthy... The truth is we're the ones who don't love and accept ourselves, not God! "What is hidden he brings to light" (Job 28:11 NKJV) because He's "after... truth from the inside out".' So, practise honesty. When you catch yourself telling a lie, stop, admit it and apologise. It's embarrassing, but you'll think twice next time! Develop a strong faith. Make authenticity a top priority. Strengthen your walk with God through daily prayer and Bible-reading. Consider your motivation. Make sure the improvements you're working on in your life aren't just to impress others. Appreciate your God-given attributes. Make a list, stop and look at it when you feel 'less than'. Value your own judgement. Consider what you're already accomplished and the good decisions you've made in the past. Dr Edwin Locke says, 'Think independently... be mindful of what's suitable for you regardless of what the rest of the world says.' Stop trying to be perfect or look super spiritual. Openness means living without pretence and giving others permission to be transparent.  Remember, seemingly 'together people' have their not-so-together moments, and falling apart is sometimes how you get put back together. Live with a genuineness others will want to emulate. Honesty facilitates honesty. When you're real, people can tell.

Taken from 'The Word for Today', by UCB.

Compassion

Yesterday I read a really moving devotional about compassion. I will not reproduce the text here, but the context was about a group of people having compassion on another person - at risk of their own lives and safety - during World War II.

Of course, any story that comes out of World War II is moving, because in war, ordinary people become heroes. However - the Bible defines the times we live in as a time of battle - even, yes, a time of war. Although our battle is not with the humans around us, we need to battle FOR them - in other words, have compassion on them, and be prepared to take risks to ensure their spiritual safety (as well as material/physical and emotional safety). If we look at Jesus, we have a supreme example of an eternal Creator who has compassion on us, His creation. He never walked away from someone who called out to Him, and He always had time to heal, and was willing to do so when asked. We are called to be just like Him.

This should make any thinking person stop, take stock of their lives, and begin to practice compassion - at what cost? a few minutes? a few pounds? but if the reward is eternal - what is the cost really?

God's love and Man's sin

This entry is a response to the discussion ensuing from a friend’s blog entry, to be found here. Be warned that this is a very long post.

There are several issues that bear looking at (from what I see):

1. Is there a 'holding place' for people who die the first death (pre-judgement)?
2. What is sin?
3. God and sin
4. What is hell?

Please do note that what I'll say here is my view, and it's cool if other people disagree. I may not necessarily change my mind, but I'm open to listen :)

With regards to issue 1 - is there a 'holding area' or 'holding space' for those who have already died prior to Jesus' return, to stay in wait for the Judgement Day? - I believe that there is not.

There are several reasons for this belief. Firstly, look at Jesus' statement to the robber next to Him on the cross: "Today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). We can only get to Paradise through the Judgement Day, and Jesus said that it would happen 'Today' (H4594 - this (very) day) . In saying this, I'm assuming that Heaven = Paradise = the new City = the new Heaven and Earth that God promises He will create after having destroyed the current one.

Secondly, a friend of mine's wife had cancer several years ago. I never knew her, but I've heard him tell the story. When she was pretty far gone with the cancer, she started talking about another lady who she could see. Often the two of them (the two ladies) would spend quite a lot of time together. Eventually one day, my friend's wife said to him "I now know who the other lady is! She's my glorified body, waiting for me to move into her. Jesus showed this to me." For this reason I believe that we go straight from our mortal bodies into our immortal bodies (and this goes for the believers as well as unbelievers).

Finally, and this follows on from the second, is the concept that God is out of time, while we are bound to time. This is not an easy concept to grasp, but I guess being a scifi fan makes it a bit easier. One of the teachings of God that resounds throughout scripture is that of His identity: I AM. This means that He IS today, yesterday, and tomorrow, not He is, was, and will be, but He IS. While we are bound by time, God is completely unbound, and is able to see the whole of time in one single instant. This is one of the reasons that we can truthfully say that 'the Kingdom of God is near', and that 'He is coming back soon', because, out of time, these sayings are the truth. In time, however, we've been waiting a very long time, in our terms. This understanding of things makes a couple of things easier to grasp, including Jesus' statement on the cross, "Today you will be with me'. He was talking in the robber's terms, not His own terms, and He does not lie to us. The minute we die, we are in our new, eternal bodies, and before the Judgement throne of God, with ALL peoples who are bowing the knee to our Lord and King.

Please remember that this is my understanding, and that it is by no means set in concrete. It simply makes sense to me, and if this is not the case, then Amen. God knows what He is doing, and I will not be upset if what I state here is not the whole truth. It is merely my limited, poor attempt to understand something that is not always very clearly spelt out in the Word of God.

Now I know that one of the references that we see later on in this comment speaks of the Angels being cast down into hell, and that hell will be cast into the eternal fire. However, if one looks at Strong's references, the translation of hell used in these instances appears to be more relevant to the concept of Hades, or wherever bodies go once the spirit has left them. It should not be linked to the second death. This is my belief.

Now, let's look at the second issue - what is sin? It's been previously discussed that God is love, and that love cannot be bought, not ever. Therefore God could not make us puppets who would simply follow His commands. The reason - He IS LOVE, and love necessarily needs to be reciprocal, and unchained. It must be freely given. He therefore necessarily had to give us a will, and freedom of choice. This is embodied in the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which was planted in the Garden of Eden. God then gave Adam and Eve a choice, in the form of a command. Do not eat from the fruit of this tree. They disobeyed God, and ate from the fruit. 1 John 3:4 says: "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." Or in other words, sin is disobedience to the law [of God]. This is why sin can be understood as 'disobedience' to God.

In the Bible, we are provided with the ten commandments (and later, the single, twofold command that Jesus gives us, which sums up the law), which are the covenant between the Jews (and all believers in God) and God. These are the 'if you love me you will do as I command' bit, and therefore, if we are not obeying these commandments (including love the Lord your God), then we are disobeying them. We are breaking the law. For sure, in Romans Paul describes the law as only able to show us where we are going wrong - it cannot save us, while God's grace can and does. But the old man, bound in sin, is not able to obey the law - and even if he/she did, the law could not save.

Something that may interest you is Strong's (G2288) elaboration of what the word 'death' means in the context of Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (KJV)

1) the death of the body
a) that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended
b) with the implied idea of future misery in hell
1) the power of death
c) since the nether world, the abode of the dead, was conceived as being very dark, it is equivalent to the region of thickest darkness i.e. figuratively, a region enveloped in the darkness of ignorance and sin
2) metaph., the loss of that life which alone is worthy of the name,
a) the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell
3) the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell
4) in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell

Thayer's lexicon indicates that death means 'the loss of spiritual life'. One question that of course arises is, what does this actually mean? I've been looking around on the internet to find out more about this, as I think it will be useful to understand this better. What I've found so far is the following paragraph:

"Salvation" in both the Old Testament Hebrew (YShWIaH and YShI) and the New Testament Greek (Soteria) actually means to "preserve life from perishing". The implication here is that without it our "life will perish". Romans 6:23 specifies "death" as a consequence of sin. John 3:16-18 links "receiving life unto not perishing" to "believing or trusting in Christ". It also links the negative: "being judged unto perishing" to "not believing or trusting in Christ".

accessible from here. For a further discussion on this topic, that document is well worth reading through. If that document becomes unavailable at any time, I have a copy of it, and you are welcome to contact me for it.

One thing that I find interesting in the couple of references that I have looked at in trying to answer the question of what the loss of 'eternal life' means is that no-one actually answers this. They instead focus on what eternal life and salvation are, and the obtaining of these. Perhaps it is not for us to understand these things, but rather to heed the warnings that Jesus very frequently gives us during his recorded time here on earth. This will be further discussed below.

Thirdly, let's look at God's relationship to sin. With these verses, I would like to show that sin and God do not go together - that God is Truth, and that no sin is found in Him or His offspring (all verses from the KJV, again ...).

1 John 3:9 - Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

2 Cor 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

This last is an important. My understanding of what it is saying is that, in Jesus (and be extrapolation, God), there is no sin. So perhaps instead of saying that ‘sin cannot be anywhere near God’, it is more correct to say that ‘there is no sin IN God’. Nevertheless, having said this, it cannot be argued that sin brings about a gulf between us and God, as exemplified in the following verse:

Isaiah 59:2 (NIV) - But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Although this is said to the Israelites, it can be applied to all of mankind.

Now to the final problem - that of what hell is.

One of Strong's references to Hell (G1067), as the word is used by Jesus and in the New Testament in general, states that:

"Hell is the place of the future punishment call "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire". This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction."

As mentioned, it's a good thing to consider the warnings that Jesus gives us concerning Hell (or the second death) (all KJV):

Mark 9:43 - And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Mark 9:48 - Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Luke 12:5 - But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

2 Peter 2:4 - For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Rev 20:4 - And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

This last quote is a very interesting statement. Needs some thought! But nevertheless, these quotes together create an image of a place of everlasting torment, as opposed to the everlasting life/relationship with God, and I do not believe that annihilation or 'a place where God isn't' are meaningful conclusions to draw from what is said in the Bible, when there are statements such as these, and warnings from someone who does not lie.

With regards to the angels who God has cast down into hell (2 Peter 2:4) - what I mean by 'eternal beings' is that, like us, they will exist forever, as servants of God. It is definite that the Godhead is an eternal being that we cannot fathom, and IS, while the angels are His servants, and minister to us, His children. Yes, they, like us, are created by God, but unlike us, they were before we were.

Having extracted all of these quotes, one must be careful to read these in the context of the whole Bible. And to this end, elsewhere in the Bible, it is stated that:

Acts 2:27 - Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Jude 1:23 - And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

This last is perhaps one of the most important verses in the Bible, because it underlines God's love for us, and puts Hell (or the second, spiritual death) into perspective.

So, in summary, what I have tried to discuss here is as follows. Firstly, the concept of a 'holding place' for souls until Judgement day. I do not believe that such a place exists, and have reason to believe that people who die are immediately transferred into their eternal bodies, and present at the Judgement Throne of God as described in Revelations.

Secondly, sin was discussed, and described as disobedience to the law of God. Also, following this, was the fact that sin separates us from God, and that there is no sin in God.

Finally, the concept of hell was discussed. It was found that while the scriptures speak of hell and paradise, it is clear that there is a destination past the judgement known generally as the second death, which is a lake of burning fire which Jesus warns us NOT to head towards. It was also made clear that God does not want any man to go to this place, but that our sin (disobedience to His laws) will send us there if we do not repent and turn back to Him.

Last of all, I would like to reiterate that I do not agree with taking verses out of context, which is why I say that each must be read in context of it's immediate chapter as well as the whole Bible, and that taking verses out of context only leads to misinterpretations of the scriptures. I have tried to stay true to the general message of the Bible here, and if it is felt that I have not, feel free to question me. Also, just remember that this is an understanding that I have developed based on what I have read in the Bible, and that while this is what I believe, if God does otherwise, that's fine by me. But this is what makes the most sense to me.

What do we worship?

Just over a year ago I came across a book called The Astronomy of the Bible, by E. Walter Maunder. It has had a profound impression of the way I view the Bible. One of the things I learnt from this book is that we can inquire into the stars, the moon, the sun, animals, plants and all of nature because we do not worship them.  Worship of them leads to non-inquiry into them, as one then holds them sacred and unquestionable, but, being created in the image of God and not subject to the created things, we can inquire into those things. As the following quote from Maunder's book says:

But the Hebrew , if he was faithful to the Law that had been given to him, was free in mind as well as in spirit. He could fearlessly inquire into any and all the objects of nature, for these were but things--the work of God's Hands, whereas he, made in the image of God, having the right of intercourse with God, was the superior, the ruler of everything he could see.

If he was faithful to the Law which had been given him, the Hebrew was free in character as well as in mind. His spirit was not that of a bondman, and Nebuchadnezzar certainly never met anything more noble, anything more free, than the spirit of the men who answered him in the very view of the burning fiery furnace:--

"O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."