Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord – Part Two
In Part One of this lesson we looked at why Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Using Noah as an example, then, let’s now consider how we can find grace in the eyes of the Lord. We must be “just” in His sight. Fortunately, the good news of the gospel is that God sent Christ in order to make us “just” (righteous, forgiven) in His sight! - Ro 5:8-9 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” This blessing is available to all who demonstrate true faith in Jesus - Ro 3:24-26 “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Being justified, we can have peace with God (concerning which Paul and Peter wrote) - Ro 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”; 2 Pe 3:14 “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”
We must be “perfect” in our generation. That is, to be complete, mature, to be everything God desires of us. Again, the good news of the gospel of Christ is that God has provided the necessary elements for us to be “perfect”! The blood of Christ, to cleanse us of our sins - 1 Jn 1:7-9 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say 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.” The Word of God, to guide us to completion - 2 Ti 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” The strength of the Spirit, to help us in our struggles - Ep 3:16 “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”; Ro 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” The providence of God, who will work with us and lead us to victory! - 2 Th 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”; 1 Pe 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
We must “walk with God”. Of course, this would mean that we can “no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk...” - Ep 4:17-20 “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!” Rather, it requires that we be “followers of God as dear children” (Ep 5:1), and that we “walk in love” - Ep 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” It requires that we “walk as children of light”, exposing the sins of darkness - Ep 5:8-11 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” That we “walk as wise”, with an understanding of what the Lord’s will is - Ep 5:15-17 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
We must “do all that the Lord has commanded”. Observing not just “some” things, but “all” things - Mt 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ For in so doing, we demonstrate our faith to be “a living faith” - Ja 2:17, 24, 26 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” – “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
We must be “preachers of righteousness”. It is God’s will that we “proclaim the praises of Him”, which would include His righteousness - 1 Pe 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” This can be done most vividly by example, in living transformed lives - Ro 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
God does not want anyone to perish in the great conflagration that is yet to come, but He does require all to come to repentance - 2 Pe 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”; Ac 17:30-31 “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."’ And when we turn from sin and turn to God, what do we find? The same thing Noah and his family found: “Grace in the eyes of the Lord”! Speaking of the salvation of Noah should remind us of the comparison Peter makes between Noah’s salvation and our own; i.e., the part baptism serves in our salvation - 1 Pe 3:20-21 “because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Just as God used the element of water to save Noah from a wicked world... so in His grace does God utilize water in our salvation through the blood of Jesus! If you have not done so, why not find favor in God’s sight by being baptized for the remission of your sins (Ac 2:38; 22:16)? Then, as we look forward to the coming of the Lord in which He will usher in “the new heavens and new earth”, give special heed to the words of Peter:
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” - 2 Pe 3:14
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord - Part One
Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord – Part One
Genesis 6:8
In Gen 6:5-7, we read of God’s displeasure with the world and its wickedness. But as God pronounces judgment upon the world, and prepares to destroy it with a flood, we find encouraging words concerning one man: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” - Gen 6:8. This simply means that Noah found favor in God’s sight, and we know the result of that favor: escape for him and his family from the flood...! But why Noah? Why did Noah find grace in the eyes of the Lord? And how might we apply this to our situation today?
Well, let’s note first why Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He was “a just man” - Gen 6:9 “These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” Some translations say “righteous”, (like the English Standard Version, which I will be using for our text in this lesson). This likely refers to his moral relation to God (Keil & Delitzsch). He was “perfect in his generations” - Gen 6:9 (ASV, KJV). Other translations (NASV, NIV, ESV) use the word “blameless”. Not that he was sinless, but that there were no blatant faults. He was a man of moral integrity among the people. He “walked with God” - Gen 6:9. This is how he manifested his righteousness and integrity (Keil & Delitzsch). In walking with God, he imitated the example of Enoch, his great-grandfather - Gen 5:24 “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Walking with God in Noah’s case likely involved calling upon the name of the Lord, which began in the days of Seth - Gen 4:26 “To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” Likely offering sacrifices to God, which began in the days of Cain & Abel - Gen 4:3-4 “In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,”
Noah “did according to all that the Lord commanded him”. Twice this is emphasized in the Scriptures - Gen 6:22 “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.”; 7:5 “And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.” We learn from Hebrews that this obedience of Noah came from faith - He 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” - 2 Pe 2:5 “if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”. He not only “lived” a righteous life, but he also proclaimed the need for righteousness, even though he lived in an ungodly world. Noah certainly was an unusual man, but perhaps we see well why only he and his family “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
What about ourselves? Is there a need for us to “find grace in the eyes of the
Lord” today? Yes...! Why? Not because we face the threat of a worldwide flood. Note that after Noah and his family were saved from the flood, God promised He would never again destroy the world in such a manner - Gen 9:8-11 “Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."’ The rainbow is a constant reminder of God’s promise - Gen 9:12-17 “And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."’
We need to find grace in the eyes of the Lord because we face the promise of the end of the world. Peter reminds us that just as the world was once destroyed by water, so it shall be destroyed by fire when Jesus returns! - 2 Pe 3:3-13 “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” In view of this promise, Peter calls upon us to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” - 2 Pe 3:14. Just as Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord”.... So we need to be “found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless”. Is this not simply another way of saying that we, like Noah, need to find grace in the eyes of the Lord? Indeed, it is! When the end of the world comes, we had better be in a condition where we too find grace in the eyes of the Lord! Otherwise, we will be like those left outside of the ark when the floods came!
Genesis 6:8
In Gen 6:5-7, we read of God’s displeasure with the world and its wickedness. But as God pronounces judgment upon the world, and prepares to destroy it with a flood, we find encouraging words concerning one man: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” - Gen 6:8. This simply means that Noah found favor in God’s sight, and we know the result of that favor: escape for him and his family from the flood...! But why Noah? Why did Noah find grace in the eyes of the Lord? And how might we apply this to our situation today?
Well, let’s note first why Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He was “a just man” - Gen 6:9 “These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” Some translations say “righteous”, (like the English Standard Version, which I will be using for our text in this lesson). This likely refers to his moral relation to God (Keil & Delitzsch). He was “perfect in his generations” - Gen 6:9 (ASV, KJV). Other translations (NASV, NIV, ESV) use the word “blameless”. Not that he was sinless, but that there were no blatant faults. He was a man of moral integrity among the people. He “walked with God” - Gen 6:9. This is how he manifested his righteousness and integrity (Keil & Delitzsch). In walking with God, he imitated the example of Enoch, his great-grandfather - Gen 5:24 “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Walking with God in Noah’s case likely involved calling upon the name of the Lord, which began in the days of Seth - Gen 4:26 “To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” Likely offering sacrifices to God, which began in the days of Cain & Abel - Gen 4:3-4 “In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,”
Noah “did according to all that the Lord commanded him”. Twice this is emphasized in the Scriptures - Gen 6:22 “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.”; 7:5 “And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.” We learn from Hebrews that this obedience of Noah came from faith - He 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” - 2 Pe 2:5 “if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”. He not only “lived” a righteous life, but he also proclaimed the need for righteousness, even though he lived in an ungodly world. Noah certainly was an unusual man, but perhaps we see well why only he and his family “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
What about ourselves? Is there a need for us to “find grace in the eyes of the
Lord” today? Yes...! Why? Not because we face the threat of a worldwide flood. Note that after Noah and his family were saved from the flood, God promised He would never again destroy the world in such a manner - Gen 9:8-11 “Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."’ The rainbow is a constant reminder of God’s promise - Gen 9:12-17 “And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."’
We need to find grace in the eyes of the Lord because we face the promise of the end of the world. Peter reminds us that just as the world was once destroyed by water, so it shall be destroyed by fire when Jesus returns! - 2 Pe 3:3-13 “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” In view of this promise, Peter calls upon us to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” - 2 Pe 3:14. Just as Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord”.... So we need to be “found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless”. Is this not simply another way of saying that we, like Noah, need to find grace in the eyes of the Lord? Indeed, it is! When the end of the world comes, we had better be in a condition where we too find grace in the eyes of the Lord! Otherwise, we will be like those left outside of the ark when the floods came!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Am I My Brother's Keeper?
Over the past few weeks we have studied the subject of "Spiritual Growth".
As continuation of this subject in order to help in our continuing to grow
in Christ and be pleasing to our Lord, we will be looking at some Old
Testament text and characters that provide examples worthy of emulating or
incorporating into our lives. This first lesson is close to my heart, in
that I have experienced the destruction of a congregation that ignored the
principles taught here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Genesis 4:9
Perhaps one of the more thought-provoking questions in the Bible is that one
asked by Cain.... Cain had killed his brother because God had accepted
Abel’s offering, but not his own – Gen 4:3-8. When the Lord inquired
concerning Abel, Cain’s response was:
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). This is a question we would do well
to ask ourselves today.... Are we our brothers’ keeper? Do we have a
responsibility to watch out for and care for one another? When one turns to
the New Testament, it becomes clear that the answer is in the affirmative.
In fact, there are many passages which emphasize our responsibilities to one
another. We are to “love one another” As commanded by Jesus - Jn 13:34-35 “A
new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have
loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."’; 15:12,17 ‘
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” –
“These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” As taught
by Paul - Ro 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the
one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”; 1 Th 4:9 “Now concerning
brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you
yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,”. As instructed by
Peter - 1 Pe 1:22 “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth
for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”
As stressed by John - 1 Jn 3:11 “For this is the message that you have
heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (note v.12 “We
should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.
And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's
righteous.”), 23 “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name
of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”;
4:7,11-12 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and
whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” – “Beloved, if God so
loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we
love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”; 2 Jn 5
“And now I ask you, dear lady--not as though I were writing you a new
commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning--that we love one
another.”
But how are we to express such love? Other passages can provide the answer
as to how we are to show our love for one another. We are to “receive one
another” - Ro 15:7 “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you
for the glory of God.” We are to “edify another” - Ro 14:19 “So then let us
follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify
one another.” We are to “serve one another” - Ga 5:13 “For you were called
to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the
flesh, but through love serve one another.” We are to “bear one another’s
burdens” - Ga 6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you
who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch
on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ.” We are to be “forgiving one another” - Ep 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in
Christ forgave you.” We are to be “submitting to one another” - Ep 5:21
“submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” We are to “exhort
one another” - He 3:12-13 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you
an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today,"
that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” We are to
“consider one another” - He 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one
another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the
habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the
Day drawing near.” We are to be “hospitable to one another” - 1 Pe 4:8-10
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude
of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has
received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's
varied grace:” In light of such “one another” passages, is there any doubt
that we are to be our brother’s keeper? But how well are we doing?
To stimulate our thinking and help us reexamine how well we are fulfilling
our obligations to one another, consider the following questions as we
evaluate our role as our brothers’s keeper. When one becomes a brother do we
receive them into the family of God, or ignore them? - Ro 15:7 “Therefore
welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Are
they properly assimilated in the family life of the congregation? Do they
remain on the fringe? -- If we do not even know their names, we can be sure
that we are failing as our brother’s keeper! Do we edify them, or put
stumbling blocks in their way? - Ro 14:19 “So then let us pursue what makes
for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” As individuals, are we “bodybuilders”,
encouraging the members of the body? Or are we like a cancer, weakening the
members of the body of Christ? By our own example; by our words, attitudes,
etc. -- It was said of Philemon that he refreshed the hearts of the brethren
do people say the same of us? Do we submit to them, or arrogantly rule over
them? - Ep 5:21 “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Do
we serve them in love, or expect them to serve us? - Ga 5:13 “For you were
called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity
for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Do we demonstrate
hospitality to them? - 1 Pe 4:8-10 “Above all, keep loving one another
earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one
another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one
another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:” By visiting them in their
need? By inviting them into your home (or accepting invitations to their
home)?
When a brother is overtaken in a fault do we even consider them? - He
10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good
works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Are we even aware of who they are? Are we ignorant of their problems? If so,
why? Maybe it is because we don’t assemble enough ourselves. We may “wonder
about them”, but that is not sufficient! Do they drift away, with no one
making an effort to reach them? Do we exhort them, lest they become hardened
by sin? - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an
evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But
exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of
you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if
indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Or are we afraid to
confront them, for fear of running them away? If we truly love them and
approach them with humility, they are not likely to run away. If they do,
they are running away from God, not you! Remember, such exhortation is to be
daily! Perhaps we wait too long.... Are we willing bear their burdens? - Ga
6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are
spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on
yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ.” So as to help them overcome and become stronger.
Or do we rather not be bothered? Are we quick to forgive them when they
repent? - Ep 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Fear of not being forgiven and
accepted back into the family may keep some from repenting and returning to
the fold. Do we communicate a willingness to accept with open arms and offer
complete forgiveness?
How we answer such questions may reveal how well or poorly we are in
fulfilling our responsibility to be our brother’s keeper. Living up to the
one responsibility we have that includes all others: to love one another as
Christ loved us - Jn 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you
love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love
for one another."’ If we have failed to be our brother’s keeper, we need to
repent of our lack of concern, our inactivity, or whatever has hindered us.
We need to confess our shortcomings in this area to God. We need to resolve
to apply with zeal these “one another” passages! Are you your brother’s
keeper? Are you even identified with a congregation whereby you can be a
working member who both cares for those in the family, and be cared for by
them? I hope this study has stimulated your thinking about responsibilities
you have toward your brethren in Christ...
As continuation of this subject in order to help in our continuing to grow
in Christ and be pleasing to our Lord, we will be looking at some Old
Testament text and characters that provide examples worthy of emulating or
incorporating into our lives. This first lesson is close to my heart, in
that I have experienced the destruction of a congregation that ignored the
principles taught here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Genesis 4:9
Perhaps one of the more thought-provoking questions in the Bible is that one
asked by Cain.... Cain had killed his brother because God had accepted
Abel’s offering, but not his own – Gen 4:3-8. When the Lord inquired
concerning Abel, Cain’s response was:
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). This is a question we would do well
to ask ourselves today.... Are we our brothers’ keeper? Do we have a
responsibility to watch out for and care for one another? When one turns to
the New Testament, it becomes clear that the answer is in the affirmative.
In fact, there are many passages which emphasize our responsibilities to one
another. We are to “love one another” As commanded by Jesus - Jn 13:34-35 “A
new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have
loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."’; 15:12,17 ‘
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” –
“These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” As taught
by Paul - Ro 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the
one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”; 1 Th 4:9 “Now concerning
brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you
yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,”. As instructed by
Peter - 1 Pe 1:22 “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth
for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”
As stressed by John - 1 Jn 3:11 “For this is the message that you have
heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (note v.12 “We
should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.
And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's
righteous.”), 23 “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name
of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”;
4:7,11-12 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and
whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” – “Beloved, if God so
loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we
love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”; 2 Jn 5
“And now I ask you, dear lady--not as though I were writing you a new
commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning--that we love one
another.”
But how are we to express such love? Other passages can provide the answer
as to how we are to show our love for one another. We are to “receive one
another” - Ro 15:7 “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you
for the glory of God.” We are to “edify another” - Ro 14:19 “So then let us
follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify
one another.” We are to “serve one another” - Ga 5:13 “For you were called
to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the
flesh, but through love serve one another.” We are to “bear one another’s
burdens” - Ga 6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you
who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch
on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ.” We are to be “forgiving one another” - Ep 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in
Christ forgave you.” We are to be “submitting to one another” - Ep 5:21
“submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” We are to “exhort
one another” - He 3:12-13 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you
an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today,"
that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” We are to
“consider one another” - He 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one
another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the
habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the
Day drawing near.” We are to be “hospitable to one another” - 1 Pe 4:8-10
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude
of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has
received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's
varied grace:” In light of such “one another” passages, is there any doubt
that we are to be our brother’s keeper? But how well are we doing?
To stimulate our thinking and help us reexamine how well we are fulfilling
our obligations to one another, consider the following questions as we
evaluate our role as our brothers’s keeper. When one becomes a brother do we
receive them into the family of God, or ignore them? - Ro 15:7 “Therefore
welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Are
they properly assimilated in the family life of the congregation? Do they
remain on the fringe? -- If we do not even know their names, we can be sure
that we are failing as our brother’s keeper! Do we edify them, or put
stumbling blocks in their way? - Ro 14:19 “So then let us pursue what makes
for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” As individuals, are we “bodybuilders”,
encouraging the members of the body? Or are we like a cancer, weakening the
members of the body of Christ? By our own example; by our words, attitudes,
etc. -- It was said of Philemon that he refreshed the hearts of the brethren
do people say the same of us? Do we submit to them, or arrogantly rule over
them? - Ep 5:21 “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Do
we serve them in love, or expect them to serve us? - Ga 5:13 “For you were
called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity
for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Do we demonstrate
hospitality to them? - 1 Pe 4:8-10 “Above all, keep loving one another
earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one
another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one
another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:” By visiting them in their
need? By inviting them into your home (or accepting invitations to their
home)?
When a brother is overtaken in a fault do we even consider them? - He
10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good
works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Are we even aware of who they are? Are we ignorant of their problems? If so,
why? Maybe it is because we don’t assemble enough ourselves. We may “wonder
about them”, but that is not sufficient! Do they drift away, with no one
making an effort to reach them? Do we exhort them, lest they become hardened
by sin? - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an
evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But
exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of
you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if
indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Or are we afraid to
confront them, for fear of running them away? If we truly love them and
approach them with humility, they are not likely to run away. If they do,
they are running away from God, not you! Remember, such exhortation is to be
daily! Perhaps we wait too long.... Are we willing bear their burdens? - Ga
6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are
spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on
yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ.” So as to help them overcome and become stronger.
Or do we rather not be bothered? Are we quick to forgive them when they
repent? - Ep 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Fear of not being forgiven and
accepted back into the family may keep some from repenting and returning to
the fold. Do we communicate a willingness to accept with open arms and offer
complete forgiveness?
How we answer such questions may reveal how well or poorly we are in
fulfilling our responsibility to be our brother’s keeper. Living up to the
one responsibility we have that includes all others: to love one another as
Christ loved us - Jn 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you
love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love
for one another."’ If we have failed to be our brother’s keeper, we need to
repent of our lack of concern, our inactivity, or whatever has hindered us.
We need to confess our shortcomings in this area to God. We need to resolve
to apply with zeal these “one another” passages! Are you your brother’s
keeper? Are you even identified with a congregation whereby you can be a
working member who both cares for those in the family, and be cared for by
them? I hope this study has stimulated your thinking about responsibilities
you have toward your brethren in Christ...
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Spiritual Growth - VIII-B
Concluding Thoughts – Part Two
In the previous lesson we noted some of the hindrances to spiritual growth.
Such as a lack of effort, discouragement, lack of use, interference: these
are some of the things that hinder spiritual growth. Have you allowed them
to hinder yours? If so, perhaps the following steps may help put you back on
the right track...
The following are some steps that will ensure spiritual growth. First,
become active in the work of the congregation. Begin immediately! It is
important not to delay (remember the "hindrances"). There is work for
everyone, and it is best to start with something you are able to handle.
Even the most humble service can be a source of joy for those who are doing
it to please God - Psa 84:10 “For a day in your courts is better than a
thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”; Jn 13:12-17 “When he had washed
their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to
them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and
Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have
given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is
a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things,
blessed are you if you do them.”
Offer your services to the elders! These men will be glad to find work for
you to do in keeping with your ability. Sometimes they hesitate to call on
people for work if they are not sure the people are willing. But let them
know that you have the attitude of Isaiah: "Here am I! Send me." - Isa 6:8.
Look for work needing to be done! The best servant is one who can see things
to be done and does them without having to be told every step to take. Most
of us are good critics; here is how we can put that ability to good use:
1) Whenever we see something we want to criticize, take that as an
opportunity to SHOW (not tell) how it should be done.
2) Someone else's failure is often our opportunity to be of service.
3) In other words, "Don't criticize, energize!"
Second, start a program of regular private devotions. Spend time each day
alone with God, engaged in prayer, Bible study, singing praises. Such time
consistently spent will supply the spiritual nourishment necessary for
spiritual growth. Many Christians do not grow because they try to exist on a
"spiritual starvation diet"!
Third, participate in an informal Bible study group. Meet weekly with other
Christians in an informal setting to study the Bible together. This provides
opportunity for mutual sharing and encouragement which leads to even more
knowledge and spiritual growth. I have personally found that in this type of
Bible study group there are very close relationships with other Christians
that develop without our even intending to do so.
Fourth, become involved in leading people to Christ. Even if you don't do
the actual teaching, you can do what Andrew and Philip did: lead a friend to
Christ! - Jn 1:40-46 “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus
was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and
said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). He brought
him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of
John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). The next day Jesus
decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now
Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found
Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and
also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael
said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him,
Come and see."’ Those involved in leading others to Christ rarely ever stop
growing in Christ themselves!
Finally, practice constant self-examination. The Scriptures call us to
examine ourselves in our relation to Christ - 2 Co 13:5 “Examine yourselves,
to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize
this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail
to meet the test!” Here are some questions we should often ask ourselves:
1) Do I have a better Bible knowledge than one year ago?
2) Am I as interested in Jesus Christ today as when I was baptized?
3) Have I helped someone else to become a Christian?
4) Am I enjoying life as a child of God?
5) Am I improving my life, my disposition, and becoming more like Christ?
6) Do I set a good example for other Christians?
7) Am I growing in such activities as Bible study, prayer, worship?
-- Self-examination is not an easy process, but true spiritual growth is
impossible without it!
It is sad, but true, that many Christians are often just religious enough to be miserable.... But the life of the Christian is intended to be one filled with love, joy, peace, and so much more! - Ga 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Where the fruit of the Spirit is not present, a lack of spiritual growth is the reason! Rather than be defeated by things which hinder spiritual growth make the choice to grow in the Lord! Believe that He will assist you in your efforts! Set the proper goals, develop the habits that will help you reach them! Remain positive in your outlook, persevering through the occasional setbacks! Look to role models for direction and inspiration! As we thereby grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, we will truly experience the "abundant life" that Jesus provides! - Jn 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
In the previous lesson we noted some of the hindrances to spiritual growth.
Such as a lack of effort, discouragement, lack of use, interference: these
are some of the things that hinder spiritual growth. Have you allowed them
to hinder yours? If so, perhaps the following steps may help put you back on
the right track...
The following are some steps that will ensure spiritual growth. First,
become active in the work of the congregation. Begin immediately! It is
important not to delay (remember the "hindrances"). There is work for
everyone, and it is best to start with something you are able to handle.
Even the most humble service can be a source of joy for those who are doing
it to please God - Psa 84:10 “For a day in your courts is better than a
thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”; Jn 13:12-17 “When he had washed
their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to
them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and
Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have
given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is
a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things,
blessed are you if you do them.”
Offer your services to the elders! These men will be glad to find work for
you to do in keeping with your ability. Sometimes they hesitate to call on
people for work if they are not sure the people are willing. But let them
know that you have the attitude of Isaiah: "Here am I! Send me." - Isa 6:8.
Look for work needing to be done! The best servant is one who can see things
to be done and does them without having to be told every step to take. Most
of us are good critics; here is how we can put that ability to good use:
1) Whenever we see something we want to criticize, take that as an
opportunity to SHOW (not tell) how it should be done.
2) Someone else's failure is often our opportunity to be of service.
3) In other words, "Don't criticize, energize!"
Second, start a program of regular private devotions. Spend time each day
alone with God, engaged in prayer, Bible study, singing praises. Such time
consistently spent will supply the spiritual nourishment necessary for
spiritual growth. Many Christians do not grow because they try to exist on a
"spiritual starvation diet"!
Third, participate in an informal Bible study group. Meet weekly with other
Christians in an informal setting to study the Bible together. This provides
opportunity for mutual sharing and encouragement which leads to even more
knowledge and spiritual growth. I have personally found that in this type of
Bible study group there are very close relationships with other Christians
that develop without our even intending to do so.
Fourth, become involved in leading people to Christ. Even if you don't do
the actual teaching, you can do what Andrew and Philip did: lead a friend to
Christ! - Jn 1:40-46 “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus
was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and
said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). He brought
him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of
John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). The next day Jesus
decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now
Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found
Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and
also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael
said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him,
Come and see."’ Those involved in leading others to Christ rarely ever stop
growing in Christ themselves!
Finally, practice constant self-examination. The Scriptures call us to
examine ourselves in our relation to Christ - 2 Co 13:5 “Examine yourselves,
to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize
this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail
to meet the test!” Here are some questions we should often ask ourselves:
1) Do I have a better Bible knowledge than one year ago?
2) Am I as interested in Jesus Christ today as when I was baptized?
3) Have I helped someone else to become a Christian?
4) Am I enjoying life as a child of God?
5) Am I improving my life, my disposition, and becoming more like Christ?
6) Do I set a good example for other Christians?
7) Am I growing in such activities as Bible study, prayer, worship?
-- Self-examination is not an easy process, but true spiritual growth is
impossible without it!
It is sad, but true, that many Christians are often just religious enough to be miserable.... But the life of the Christian is intended to be one filled with love, joy, peace, and so much more! - Ga 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Where the fruit of the Spirit is not present, a lack of spiritual growth is the reason! Rather than be defeated by things which hinder spiritual growth make the choice to grow in the Lord! Believe that He will assist you in your efforts! Set the proper goals, develop the habits that will help you reach them! Remain positive in your outlook, persevering through the occasional setbacks! Look to role models for direction and inspiration! As we thereby grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, we will truly experience the "abundant life" that Jesus provides! - Jn 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
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