On the Same Page: March 2023

Friday, March 24, 2023

Should Christians be Certain?

"Are you certain?" If you haven't asked this question, chances are someone has asked it to you. Why are people concerned about certainty? It's because people are truth seekers. The highest rulers and the lowest citizens have asked, "What is truth?" (John 18:37-38). Many people, though, claim they have found the truth, even Christians. When someone tells others about the truth they have found, do they have to be certain? How certain does someone, even a Christian, have to be?

One group of Christians say, "People need to always be certain and never doubt." This belief is taught by those in the "Word of faith" movement. Joel Osteen, senior pastor of Lakewood Church and a weekly televised minister, is a "Word of faith" teacher who says people should say positive words and be certain they will come true. Osteen taught, "Don't use your words to describe the situation - use your words to change the situation," and even if "it may not happen overnight, you have to keep speaking victory, keep calling yourself healthy, keep declaring your children almighty in the land, keep declaring your dreams are coming to pass." Bill Johnson, senior leader of Bethel Church, also teaches unwavering certainty about God's will to heal. Johnson once wrote, "How can God choose not to heal someone when He already purchased their healing?...When He bore stripes in His body He made a payment for our miracle. He already decided to heal." Two more "Word of faith" teachers who want people to never doubt are Kenneth Copeland, founder of Eagle Mountain International Church whose messages are broadcast worldwide, and Benny Hinn, a faith healer whose ministry is broadcast worldwide. Copeland wrote that people need to, "Make a solid decision to trust in and act on the Word of God. Settle it forever. Resolve never to entertain doubts again." Hinn once wrote, "Never doubt the leading of the Spirit. If your inner man is troubled, don't move. Listen to His voice as He speaks to your very soul." Copeland and Hinn believe they receive personal revelation from God that cannot be found in the Bible, so when they refer to God speaking they are often talking about God giving direct messages outside of the Bible. All of these teachers claim people should be undoubtedly certain of what they teach.

These "Word of faith" teachers, though, are speaking beliefs that are not certain. Osteen's teachings contradict what the Bible says about the weakness of one's words, for "you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?" (James 4:13-16). Even the apostle Paul could not use positive words to speak away the "thorn" in his side (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Johnson's teachings distort what the apostle Peter tells us "by His wounds we are healed" actually means (Isaiah 53:5). That verse is about how "you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls," so Jesus heals us from our sins to bring us back to Him (1 Peter 2:24-25). On top of this it was not always Jesus' will to heal everyone (Mark 1:34-38). Copeland and Hinn teach that someone should not doubt God's personal revelations to them, and so they deny that believers should test all prophecies and only "hold on to what is good," (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Christians should not be blindly certain of things but should instead, "test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world," (1 John 4:1).

The intensity of my belief doesn't make it so. The object of belief makes it so. Do you hear the difference? Just because I really really believe it, people have been really really wrong. Correct? Right, and that's okay. Just the intensity of faith doesn't mean a thing. It's the object of faith.

- Todd Friel

On the other end of the spectrum, many Christians say "People can never be certain of anything." This belief is taught by those in the "Progressive Christianity" movement. A "Progressive Christian" teacher named Steven Furtick, founder and senior pastor of Elevation Church and songwriter of Elevation Worship music, once taught, "the opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is certainty." Richard Rohr, a Roman Catholic Priest and popular author, has taught about the need for uncertainty through non-dualistic thinking. Rohr wrote that this thinking is "our ability to read reality in a way that is not judgmental...Reality is not totally one, but it is not totally two, either!" meaning anything is always something and something else (A=B and B=B, but A and B are different). One more "Progressive Christian'' who teaches about a Christian's need to resist certainty is Brandon Robertson, a gay writer, activist, minister, and religious influencer. Robterson has called himself a Christian agnostic, and said, "Christianity gives me a form, a set of stories and myths to help ground my search for meaning and truth, but I don't believe Christianity itself as a religion encapsulates the fullness of truth, because nothing can do that." Robterson also said, "Jesus is the one in whom I find the most meaning and rhythm for my life...but at the end of the day, I stand in humble reverent awe at the bigness, the mystery, the beauty and the majesty of the universe, and admitting, 'I don't know. You don't know. We can't know.'" All of these teachers agree that the only thing of which people can be certain is that nothing is certain.

This uncertainty among "Progressive Christians" is certainly not Christian. Furtick's assertions oppose the Bible, for it says the opposite of faith is unbelief in God, and those who believe "do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved," (Hebrews 10:39). The faithful should "not throw away their confidence; it will be richly rewarded," (Hebrews 10:35). Rohr's claims about non-dualistic existence go against God's words of "woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness," (Isaiah 5:20). Spiritual things always exist dualistically, for God allies with His own servants and never the forces of darkness (Matthew 12:26-28). Robertson's beliefs that nothing can encapsulate truth, are struck down, when Jesus says, “I am the truth," (John 14:6). It is through reading the Bible that God "sanctifies us by the truth; His word is truth," (John 17:17). The idea that people should be uncertain about God contradicts the way people live their lives. Jesus says of these people, "When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." (Matthew 16:2-3).

They were saying they could not know how to interpret Jesus and His words and ways. "It's all so uncertain. Who can know? We need more signs; more explanation," but when it comes to their livelihood they trusted their powers of interpretation just fine.

- John Piper

Believers should be certain of God's truth. The Bible is written "so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught," (Luke 1:4) for everything in God's Word is "written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name," (John 20:31). Christians should be certain of these things, for they are reality and reality "is found in Christ," (Colossians 2:17). So, when you, as a believer, tell people about the truth you have found, people will ask back, "Are you certain?" When they do, "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you," (1 Peter 3:15). Tell others about God's truth and be certain of it, because what does truth matter if you're not certain.

Sources

Friday, March 17, 2023

Matthew 6:33 (Heaven and Righteousness First)

Matthew 6:33

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

This world is full of problems, and no one knows them more than Jesus of Nazareth (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus created the world and all the people in it (John 1:2-3). He loves His creation and has made a way for people to not perish in their problems (1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Peter 3:9). Out of His love, Jesus gathered together crowds (plural) so He could tell them His good news. In Jesus' sermon on the mount He teaches this good news, and how it relates to people's problems in Matthew chapter 6 from verses 27-33:

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

With these words, Jesus lays out God's solution to worries and problems: Everyone needs to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness above all things (Matthew 6:33).

All of creation's problems can be solved through God's
perfect solution and lead to wonderful success, but this
must be understood in light of Jesus' good news and
His purpose for giving it (John 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

How does someone seek God's kingdom and His righteousness? God's kingdom is not in the world, for Jesus says we are to ask God the Father to let His "kingdom come...on earth as it is in heaven," (Matthew 6:9-11). Someone who seeks God's kingdom looks for His dwelling place, which is heaven (Psalm 115:3). God will one day bring heaven down to the rest of the world (Revelation 21:2-3), but before that day comes, everyone needs to seek God's righteousness. They can start by running away from their unrighteousness, their sins. Jesus' word for turning away from sin is to "repent" and He says those who repent must "believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). If someone believes the good news of Jesus Christ (which is the gospel) they have "become children of God...born of God," (John 1:12-13). This means they have been "born again" and Jesus says, "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again," (John 3:3). So, someone sees the kingdom of God by being born again, and someone is born again by seeking God's righteousness.

Seeing heaven and repenting from sin are connected, and someone who chases after both will be able to not worry about anything in this world. If you don't believe it, let's look at a few examples, and see how a born again believer can respond to this world's problems:

Financial problems: Someone who seeks heaven knows they belong to the God whose "carts overflow with abundance," (Psalm 65:11) and that they can ask for His wealth anytime (Matthew 7:7-11). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them everything they have was given by God (James 1:17), and that it is sinful to hoard worldly possessions (Luke 12:16-21, 1 Timothy 6:10). If they trust this, they will pay their taxes (Matthew 22:19-21), give charitably (Matthew 6:4) and believe that their greatest treasures are kept in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
Health problems: Someone who seeks heaven knows that any sickness in the world is ultimately temporary (Revelation 21:4) and God is able to heal any disease (Matthew 4:23). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them it is God who makes people well or unwell (Exodus 4:11), and He does this for His glory (John 9:1-3). If they trust this, they will believe that their health is something God has chosen to give them to bless His name (Job 1:21).
Occupational problems: Someone who seeks heaven will know that their worldly work and everything they gained through it will be left behind (Ecclesiastes 2:17-18, 1 Timothy 6:7). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them they need to serve those in charge with the same love they have for God (Ephesians 6:5). If they trust this, they will work "with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since they know that they will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." (Colossians 3:23-24).
Technological problems: Someone who seeks heaven will see that when their computer crashes it's just the world saying it is "subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it," (Romans 8:20). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them they should be content in their life, knowing God will give them strength to do so (Philippians 4:12-13). If they trust this, they will see "the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever," (1 John 2:17).

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name
- Matt Redman

After looking at these human problems in light of Jesus' solution, it is clear that human problems are no problem at all. Jesus desires that everyone "have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10), and they can do this by seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness.

This good news Jesus offers should affect every aspect of a believer's life. Unfortunately, many believers do not talk about this good news outside of someone's ability to get a "free pass to heaven." In many churches people are offered a chance to see heaven and repent from their sins through the form of the "sinner's prayer." The "sinner's prayer" typically contains phrases such as "Jesus, I accept that I am a sinner," "I believe Your good news for my life," and "I want You to come into my 'heart.'" A church can have someone lead people in this prayer or they can write it down somewhere for people to recite it on their own. After someone in charge finishes leading people in this prayer, they might say, "If you just prayed that simple prayer, I believe you've been born again." In contrast to this, the Bible is clear that it is not any prayer or string of words that allows someone to be born again, but it is one's belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

The Scripture does not tell us that Jesus Christ came to the nation of Israel and said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, now who would like to ask Me into their hearts? I see that hand.” That is not what it says. He said, “Repent and believe the gospel”!

- Paul Washer

Many preachers use the "sinner's prayer" as a way to help people deal with their sin problem, but they do not teach that this prayer can help them with any other problem. Someone cannot look at a flat tire and fix it by saying, "Mechanic, I accept that my car is in need of repair. I believe that there is a manual I can read on how to get the spare tire out of my trunk. I accept that spare tire into my 'heart' right now." Saying this does very little. On the other hand, seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness helps someone know that their car getting a flat is a part of God's plan for them (Psalm 139:16), and they can have peace in this situation knowing "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose," (Romans 8:28). Jesus' gospel can solve people's "sin" problem as well as their other problems. The "sinner's prayer" cannot do this. This is one reason why churches should not offer the "sinner's prayer"; at best it only helps people with their sin problem, at worst it does absolutely nothing.

God's Church should listen to preaches who keep from
"quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those
who listen," and who do their best to present themselves "to
God as one approved, a worker who does not need to
be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth,"
(2 Timothy 2:14-15).

Jesus says the children of God are to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well," (Matthew 6:33). This is the problem solving solution that everyone should be told (even those who are born again). The world does not need life advice or a "sinner's prayer." The world needs God's love and the gospel. This is why the apostle Paul commands all churches to "preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction," (2 Timothy 4:2). God's Word, the gospel, is useful for all people at all times in all walks of life. When believers trust this, they will urgently follow Jesus' words to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation," (Mark 16:15). The gospel is the only thing that saves people from all their problems. It is the solution!

Sources

The Bible (New International Version)
Grace to You: The Single Minded Christian
Matt Redman: Blessed Be Your Name
Paul Washer: The Modern Church

Monday, March 6, 2023

What is the Gospel?

"Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it," (Mark 8:35). These are Jesus' words to anyone who wants to follow Him. If anyone wants to call themselves a Christian (literally meaning a lowly imitator of Jesus Christ), then they must be willing to lose their life for the gospel (Matthew 16:24). In order for someone to save their soul, a treasure greater than even the whole world (Mark 8:36), they must give their life for God and the gospel.

Anyone who wants to live a soul keeping life for the gospel will need to know what God's Word says. While it is true that a lot of the Bible can be difficult to understand, Christians are expected to study it and learn from it (2 Timothy 2:15). The apostle Peter once wrote that Paul's letters (Romans, Ephesians, Philipians, etc.) were written "with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction," (2 Peter 3:15-16). Yes, the Bible can be hard to understand, but to distort God's Word (to terribly misunderstand it, or to willfully twist it to one's own desires) will bring destruction. There's no exception to this. Jesus says, "If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels," (Mark 8:38). Anyone who disregards God's Word will be disregarded by Him. If you want to save your soul, you need to know what the Bible says about the gospel.

The Word of God gives a clear answer to what the gospel is, however the world has its own thoughts on the matter. The world speaks in such a confusing way (Genesis 11:7), and can twist God's words into their own thoughts. The world then presents their confusing distortion of God's Word as if it were truly what God says (Jeremiah 14:14). The world's thoughts are lower than God's thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The world's gospels are no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7). Because of this, it is necessary to address and dismantle some of the world's lies before the truth can take its rightful place (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The gospel is NOT just another piece of Christianity:

Many people think the gospel makes up one piece of a Christian's life, but it's only one piece like all others. If that were the case, then Christians would not have to be too concerned with the gospel, as long as they understood other key teachings in God's Word.
Directly contrasting this mindset, the apostle Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed," (Romans 1:16-17). From these words it is clear that the gospel is "the" power of God (not just "a" power or one aspect of God's power) and that it is only through the gospel that God's saving righteousness is revealed. Since only the righteous can live a Christian life (Habakkuk 2:4) and have God's power towards them (Ephesians 1:19), then everyone who wants to follow God and share in His power must keep the gospel of first importance.
The gospel is the single most crucial aspect of Christianity. Its significance far outweighs that of any other part of a Christian's life.

The gospel is NOT a lifestyle:

There are Christians who believe the gospel is a way of life. Some have read that God sent His apostles to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons," (Matthew 10:7-8) and then believed that doing all of this is the gospel. If that were the case, then someone could save their soul by how they live their life.
This is contradicted by Paul's words to Timothy, when he wrote, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers," (1 Timothy 4:16). Paul does not mean that Timothy can be saved by listening to his own life. It is only "the living God, who is the Savior of all people," (1 Timothy 4:10) and apart from God no one's life has any worth (John 15:5). Therefore, it is the doctrines Timothy is teaching that will save both himself and his hearers. It is from the teachings in God's Word that someone can hear what can save their soul (1 Timothy 4:13).
The gospel is something Christians teach and believe, and it is not something Christians do. While God's followers are called to live a certain way (James 2:14-16), a Christian's life has no power to save them or others.

The gospel is NOT a waste of time:

Plenty of people think there are better things to do than teach the gospel. Some assert that God wants us "to loose the chains of injustice," by sharing food and providing the poor with shelter, (Isaiah 58: 6-7) and then claim that these things are more useful than the gospel. If that were the case, then there would be no earthly reward in the gospel.
Opposing this belief, Jesus says, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life," (Mark 10:29-30). Those who live for the gospel will face persecutions, but they will also be given a hundred times more than anything they could have gained by not preaching the gospel (rewards not only in heaven but also on earth). This is why Paul preached the gospel all the time, even when he was in chains. When Agrippa, a Roman statesman, heard one of Paul's preachings, Agrippa said, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" (Acts 26:28). Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29).
Everyone, whether they know it or not, is longing for all of God's followers to be saved (Romans 8:22). So, it is good to speed up this waiting (2 Peter 3:12) through the preaching of the gospel that people may believe and become another one of God's followers (John 1:12).

The gospel is NOT separate from God:

A few Christians claim the gospel does not have to be directly linked to God. They suggest that the goodness of the gospel can be shared without having to mention God or His words. If that were the case, then the gospel could be received outside of Christ and the Bible.
In combating this view, Paul calls himself "a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God," (Romans 1:1). Paul states his calling is not just to be a servant for any gospel but "the gospel of God". The Bible and its author are inextricably connected (Hebrews 6:17). It is impossible to preach the gospel without God (Philippians 4:13). To do so would be the same as binding an oath with God based on what comes from Him but not based on God Himself (Matthew 23:19-20). Jesus says, "anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it," (Matthew 23:22).
If someone is going to share the gospel that comes from heaven, then they must equally offer the God who provides the gospel. Someone who neglects God also neglects what can truly save souls.

The gospel is NOT true for you but not for me:

Some Christians hear the gospel and claim it is not something all people have to believe. They think that the gospel offers something good for them personally, but it's not necessary for everyone to accept it. If that were the case, then the gospel would either contain something everyone already has within them or something anyone can find elsewhere.
Standing before these claims are Jesus' words, "I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved" (John 10:9). There are those who try to save themselves by not going through the gospel, but Jesus says, "anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber," (John 10:1). Thieves and robbers will not save their souls (1 Corinthians 6:10). No one who rejects God and His Word will be able to escape destruction (Matthew 7:26-27).
The gospel is for everyone always (Luke 2:10). Only those who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ will save their souls.

What is the gospel?

Paul answers this question in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 from verses 1 to 11:

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

If you want to save your soul you must believe the gospel: That Christ died for everyone's sins (Matthew 26:26-28) and He rose to life again; not metaphorically but in the physical flesh (John 20:26-29). If you want to believe the truth that is not in vain, then you must put your trust in what the Bible says (Proverbs 3:5-6). If you want to live for the gospel, you must preach it of first importance in accordance with God's calling to all who follow Him (1 Corinthians 9:16-18). If you want to receive rewards on earth and in heaven, then you must always be prepared to share the gospel with others so that they too may believe it and save their soul (1 Peter 3:15). If you want to live for God, then you cannot wait any longer to begin sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15).

Do you want to be a true Christian? You must know, believe and share the gospel.

Source

The Bible (New International Version)

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