Month: March 2021

Thump’m with Bible?

On By TimIn Encouragement, Eternal Security, Matthew 07Leave a comment

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonderful works in Your name?’ But then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice evil.’

Matthew 7:21–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This passage is often cited. It is often used to scare folks, or as I like to put it, ‘thump’m with Bible.’ Most often, this is used in conjunction with those who claim some obedience, endurance, or perseverance to keep salvation.

Some even use this to point out that people that are truly saved can lose their salvation. It’s an often-used text to prove that. However, that simply cannot be true. Jesus clearly states, “I never knew you.” That statement excludes Him knowing someone as saved and them walking away from it. It cannot happen.

If you don’t understand… A saved person cannot lose salvation. It is testified to right there.

There is another sobering truth presented here. This passage is clearly about people that never came to Jesus in faith, but they do come to Him to show their works. These folks cling to their shiny trinkets, the prophesying, casting out demons, and the good things they did. It’s as if they are trying to trade or buy their way into the kingdom.

Jesus says that doesn’t work, “I never knew you.”

But… Do you understand what else is in that “good works?”

Depending upon your obedience to get to heaven is a good work. As is enduring and persevering in the midst of trials and persecution. Even depending on these things to keep being saved sets aside the work of Jesus.

What counts is the personal relationship with Jesus. He needs to know you. And you need to know Him.

As You have given Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

John 17:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is no other Way to heaven, but by resting in Him. It’s not working. It’s not doing good things. It’s not persevering.

You need to know Jesus so He knows you.

Denying the Lord Who Bought Them

On By TimIn 2 Peter 02, Apostasy, Atonement, Eternal SecurityLeave a comment

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

2 Peter 2:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Even denying the Lord who bought them.

Why make such a statement about false prophets and false teachers?

This isn’t about losing salvation as if such a thing were possible. A false teacher or a false prophet, by definition, are not ones who have lost salvation. Those would be persons who did not have it at all.

And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their judgment, made long ago, does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber.

2 Peter 2:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Just in the same way as saying their judgment was made long ago isn’t to advocate that God made people reprobate destined for perdition.

Let’s focus on “denying the Lord who bought them.” We do that by establishing a foundation.

Aaron shall bring the goat on which the lot of the Lord falls and offer him for a sin offering.

Leviticus 16:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the instruction for the once-a-year atonement, there were two offerings, one was killed satisfying the demand of death for sin and its blood sprinkled in the presence of God. The other released alive and carried sin away.

But the goat on which the lot falls to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement with it, that it may be sent away as a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When Paul wrote about the first part of this, he said it this way.

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is, Jesus didn’t become sin, He became the sin offering. Just like the young goat offered in the tabernacle didn’t have sin. Goats don’t have sin. Nor are they made sin to die. The blood gave us a pattern, one that wild have its ultimate satisfaction in Jesus.

But only the high priest went into the second part once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people, committed in ignorance.

Hebrews 9:7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

But Christ, when He came as a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:11–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Note exactly what is said, that Jesus obtained eternal redemption. That was by His blood. It is for the people… All of them. They’ve been redeemed… Bought… Already.

Let’s go back to that verse. Pay particular attention to the structure of the statement. God made Him to be sin. That is explicit. There is no wiggling there. There is no condition. That is because the dead offering is for the people. All of them without distinction or exclusion. The blood of the dead offering is sprinkled in the presence of God.

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That we might become the righteousness of God. That is the second part of that verse… The conditional part.

Much hay is made about choice and choosing. Clearly, Paul is saying that God chose and did make Jesus the sin offering for every human. Every human has already been redeemed by His blood. But not every human will become the righteousness of God in Him.

It is hard to think of every human being bought. I understand. Nevertheless, it’s the truth. The context that preceded what Paul says clearly establishes the idea.

All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God is reconciled to the world. By use of the word their, world is personified as humans… Meaning all of them. That’s because they’ve been redeemed, purchased by the blood price paid.

But that might be part. That we might become the righteousness of God. That’s the condition.

So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us. We implore you in Christ’s stead: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The veil is removed, there is no partition or separation. God has indeed become reconciled to all humans, and some of you hate that He is imploring folks to be saved. But that is the truth.

That we might become the righteousness of God. It comes through believing.

This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, for there is no distinction. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:22–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Even in the midst of falling short, people are being justified freely. That is what propitiation does and we have it through a choice offered to us.

See… To not believe is to deny the Lord that bought you. How does one neglect so great a salvation?

Fulfill Her Week

On By TimIn Genesis 29, ProphecyLeave a comment

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, so that I may have relations with her.”
Laban gathered together all the men of the place and prepared a feast. But in the evening he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob had relations with her. Laban gave Zilpah his maid to his daughter Leah for a maidservant.

Genesis 29:21–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jacob the conniver gets a taste of his own medicine. Maybe not his, but Rebekah’s (his mother.) Here is Laban using Leah to pull the same switcheroo on Jacob that Rebekah did to his father.

Sometimes I wish I knew Hebrew. There is so much in this portion of Genesis that is a play on words and a play on types and ideas. That is themes are repeatedly intertwined with the text. There will be more to encounter.

In the morning Jacob discovered it was Leah, and he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why then have you tricked me?”

Genesis 29:25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is an object lesson for Jacob. He can now experience the same feelings that his brother is experiencing. Those feelings led Esau to rage and plot the murder of Jacob. Perhaps this allowed Jacob to have compassion for his older brother. Instead of seeming to want to take what is his brother’s place or to catch his heel. (Jacob literally translates to heel catcher.)

Nevertheless, Laban tricked Jacob by withholding a crucial detail.

Then Laban said, “It is not the custom in our country to marry off the younger before the firstborn.

Genesis 29:26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Did you catch another theme being repeated here?

In the midst of one hard life lesson for Jacob, there is yet another. The prophecy given to Rebekah was that the older shall serve the younger. Esau would serve Jacob. Jacob had already turned the tables on his brother by purchasing the birthright and then taking the blessing of the firstborn. First Jacob tried to work the prophecy spoken about the two boys. And then his mother tried. (There is a lesson there for another time.)

Taking a reverse play on that. Jacob has to take the firstborn first. In this region, it is unseemly to give the younger one before the firstborn. (Perhaps not in God’s mind.) Nevertheless, it is another important lesson for Jacob to prepare himself to return to his brother. His mother only expected Jacob to be gone for days.

Do you think the length of time Jacob would serve speaks to anyone’s character?

Or is it the amount of time Esau needed to cool down?

Either way, the time allowed Jacob to come to the mindset where he would humbly honor his older brother.

There was a lot to consider there.

Laban makes another offer for Jacob. One that would please Jacob.

Fulfill the period of seven days for this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.”

Genesis 29:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes I like to check the Septuagint. I understand the controversy some have over that. The Septuagint words it a bit differently providing some insight.

Finish, therefore, the week for this one, and I will give you also this one for the work, which you will work with me yet another seven years.”

Genesis 29:27 — The Lexham English Septuagint (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

What seems to be defined as a wedding feast that lasts seven days. The underlying Hebrew doesn’t connote days, but seven (or better understood as a week.) Amongst scholars, there are some differences of what is being said. But this seven is most likely referring to a seven-day wedding feast that followed the consummation. (Consummation is not the completion of a marriage.)

I too, think this is speaking of the seven-day completion feast for Leah. If only for the juxtaposition of the additional seven-year contract for Rachel.

After the contract comes the chuppah. That is a Hebrew word that means canopy or chamber. It signifies the groom taking the bride to a private place to consummate the marriage. When that is complete, the wedding is not finished until the seven-day celebration is fulfilled. My speculation is that this is the first mention of the seven days connected with the completion of a wedding. That celebration occurs at the bridegroom’s house.

Contract, chuppah, and celebration are the three parts of those weddings. I find these little crumbs from the Master’s Table amazing. The three-fold part of that wedding seems to typify the three Persons of the Godhead, in order. That’s one deeper thing to consider.

Does this have prophetic implications?

I think so. Where there is something that seems a bit strange in the Scriptures, it means to pay attention.

Your Song is More Beautiful

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Encouragement, Exhortation, Job 35, WorshipLeave a comment

But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’

Job 35:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Have you considered that God has taught you more than He has any other beast on Earth?

Seriously consider how beautiful the song of a bird is. God has taught you more than that bird. The songs you make are going to be better. It doesn’t matter if they are sung in the night or day, in gladness or despair. Even if out-of-tune, that song is going to be far more precious than the song of any bird.

None of us ever have to wonder where God is.

What Your Behavior Accomplishes

On By TimIn Exhortation, Job 35, SinLeave a comment

If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him?
Or if your transgressions are multiplied, what does it do to Him?
If you are righteous, what does it give Him?
Or what does He receive from your hand?

Job 35:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Elihu asks Job a series of probing questions. These questions drive at something rather poignant to consider. God doesn’t need your sin. And He doesn’t need your good behavior.

Just because that is true, doesn’t mean we get to do what we want to do when we want to do it because we want to do it as a right. Look at how it continues.

Your wickedness may hurt a man like you,
and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

Job 35:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That’s exactly the point. Your actions don’t affect God. But they do affect others around you.

See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, making the most of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In other words, pay close attention to what you do and the way you comport yourself. You are being watched by others. You may not think your life has much impact, but it does. Most of it is in ways you may never know here. (I’ve been reminded of this just today before I read this part of Job.)

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, wisely using the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s part of what Jesus taught us to do. Second, to loving God is to love others as we love ourselves. A big part of loving both God and others is denying ourselves.

And we do it to have an opportunity to make an eternal impact.

You Have Something Job Longed to Have

On By TimIn Job 31, The BibleLeave a comment

Oh, that one would hear me. Behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me, and that the One who contends against me had written a book!
Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and bind it on me like a crown. I would declare to Him the number of my steps; like a prince I would approach Him.

Job 31:35–37 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Job longed to have what we have. God did author a Book. It is one to wear fastened tightly like a crown. That is as a covering and an identity.

None of us really have to wait for God to answer us. He’s already made provision for that. We can pick it up and read it right now. There are Bible links online, apps, even an old-fashioned paper Bible probably sits on a shelf somewhere in your home.

We can memorize it and carry it with us wherever we go like Job would carry it on his shoulders.

And here is Job giving an account for his life to God. He uses the term declaring to Him the number of my steps. Job is telling us he walks circumspectly.

A prince is subject to the crown. A prince isn’t a sovereign. He is subject to a higher authority.

If God had a Book… Would you read it and memorize it?

Would you use such to measure yourself and give an account?

Would you subject yourself to the King as a prince would?