Opus 2025-235: The Blessing

Abraham was given a promise by God.  One aspect of that was his descendants being a blessing.

(Gen 12:3 KJV)  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Notice this is not just a blessing for his decedents but to all the earth.

How does that work?  How has it worked?  I can think of at least three levels that this was applied.  I will look at them in chronological order.

The Children of Israel were given the Law.  It was the blessing of the moral foundation for society. The law took values that we assume today and began to force them onto a totally pagan culture that knew nothing of the living God.

Don’t get confused by the way in which we always hear that Paul attacked the law.  Paul did not mean what you usually hear being laid on him.  Yes, he had a lot to say about the law.  Most of it was negative.  The problem is that most people interpret what he says in order to reinforce their own traditions rather than read and think for themselves.

Let’s look at Galatians and focus on chapter 5.  Paul mentions the law before this but this will show the contrast I am talking about.  Paul starts off this passage with a statement I am sure you have heard before,

(Gal 5:18 KJV)  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

We read this, hear it quoted, listen to sermons on it and never keep reading with our brains plugged in.  Notice what comes after this,(Gal 5:19 KJV)  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

(Gal 5:20 KJV)  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
(Gal 5:21 KJV)  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

I want you to take a moment and ask yourself, “How many of these behaviors that Paul says will keep us out of the Kingdom of God are found mentioned somewhere in what is called “the Law”?  I hope you see a lot of similarities.  Now think.  Paul is condemning the law and then turning around and saying that the things forbidden by the law are also forbidden by him.  This is not the only place you will find this kind of thing.  

What is Paul talking about then?  One way to find out is to read what he says and make a list of the “laws” that he is condemning.  I won’t claim to have the complete list but the only ones I have found so far are circumcision and special days such as the Sabbath and new moons.

On the other hand, what parts of the law does Paul tell you are expected?  Read over the verses above.  Consider also the words of Jesus.  When Jesus teaches behavior that is expected it involves the Ten Commandments and certain parts of the law that we would consider moral or ethical.

The problem with the law it that it becomes a mechanical formula that makes us think we can deserve salvation because we dot all the “i’s” and cross all the “t’s”.  It makes us look to our own righteousness instead of realizing that salvation is ultimately an act of God extended to us because of our faith.

Overall the law was a big step forward for culture and civilization.

The second is the blessing of an incredibly gifted group of people.  Think of Jewish contributions to culture.  Think how much shorter the list of accomplishments would be in science, music and the arts if the Jews had not made their contribution.  They are an extremely gifted group of people.  

Then there is the blessing of the Messiah, Jesus Himself.

Which of the three was God referring to in his promise? Again the answer is, “yes.

As to which one is the most important, that would have to be the Messiah.  All of the rest of it work towards that moment in time, when Jesus allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross and fulfilled the requirement of a just God in paying for the sins of the world.

homo unius libri

Opus 2024-203: Long Live Legalism

As I have written before, I think, that legalisms gets a bad rap.  People tend to automatically condemn it because they have heard it condemned so many times.  I will concede that real legalism needs to be condemned.  The question is what is real legalism, or for that matter what is legalism period?

I submit that the problem with legalism is not the law, but the attitude that is applying the law.  What kind of attitude I am talking about is one which does not honestly look to see how a law is meant to be applied, but looks to find ways to manipulate and distorted what is actually said in order to get the conclusion you want.  Those people claim the commandment that says “Thou shall not steal”, applied originally to the idea of kidnaping people to sell into slavery.  Although there might be some application of that thought, it has nothing to do with the original commandment.  Yes, kidnaping is stealing.  But this is not a command about kidnaping.  It is about stealing in general.

This is the kind of nonsense that legalists get into.  They distort laws to fit their preconceived system.  And then they distort the distortions.  All of it works towards fitting others for straitjackets and take away their freedom.

The purpose of meditating on the law is not defining ways to tie a noose for others.  That is legalism.  Or should I say the evil form of legalism?  The purpose of meditating on the law is also not looking for your own personal application to make yourself look better.  The time you spend meditating on the law is when you let your mind roll across scripture in the sense of gestalt.  You are looking to see how this specific verse or idea applies to the thinking of God.

For instance, suppose you came across the clear statement in the law,

(Deu 16:21 KJV)  Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

At least it seems a clear statement.  I don’t know what the Rabbis made of this but let me put on my Rabbi hat and get legalistic.  This would be expanded to include any kind of foliage.  You would of course need to decide how many trees were required to be a “grove”.  Some ambitious Rabbi might declare how many paces away from the temple this applied.  Another would spend pages defining what a pace was.  Another might declare this demanded that no wood implement come into contact with dirt.  Still another might declare you could not have anything made of wood near the altar.  And so forth, you can see how this works.

Someone who is not a legalist might simply say, “Okay, I won’t plant any trees near the altar.”  If you were a serious Bible scholar you might actually read the verse in another translation and see that the word for “grove” was really the name of an idol to a local goddess.  You might then declare that pagan idols were to be kept out of the local church.  That would get you branded as a legalist.

You also need to look at the condemnation that Paul gives to the law.  He repeatedly declares that Christians are not bound by the law, that it is death.  Note from the first chapter of Galatians,

(Gal 1:8-9 KJV)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

This false gospel was being pushed by Judaizers who were demanding obedience to the law, specifically circumcision.  Paul seems set on this.

Then notice what he writes later, also in Galatians,

(Gal 5:19-21 KJV)  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

He who declared you were accursed for keeping the law lays out a pretty long list of laws and declares that if you do any of them you will not inherit the kingdom of God.  

This would seem to be an inconsistency on Paul’s part and in a sense it is.  He might have been clearer in what he said earlier.  It can still be resolved if you consider what Paul meant by the law.  Notice what he says here about himself,

(Gal 1:14 KJV)  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

A key to this is the phrase “traditions of the fathers”.  This refers to the volumes of distortions of the written law of God by the Rabbis and collected in the Talmud.  Trying to follow the Rabbinical law of the Talmud was an impossible task.  It was deliberately made that way by the Rabbis, yet the Judiazers were trying to lay it on the gentile Christians.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.  Jesus declared the traditions of the elders were corrupt.  Paul declared them corrupt.  In spite of that seeming condemnation of the law both called us back to following the essentials of Godly, moral living.  We are called to live in righteousness and not in lawlessness.

That is my opinion.  I would say I am sticking to it but who knows what I will learn tomorrow.

homo unius libri

Opus 2022-188: The Problem with Bedrooms, part 1 of 4

One sentiment that I keep reading and hearing is that what people decide to do with their lives is no issue as long as they don’t try to force others or get others to pay for it.  It often comes from conservatives with traditional values who would never personally get involved in adultery, fornication, sodomy, pornography or the myriad of new and creative kinks of our current culture.  They sound like they are being open minded and non-judgmental of the general population.  They sound very noble and kind.  After all, it doesn’t matter what people do in their own bedrooms, right?

Wrong.  It does matter what people do inside their own bedrooms.  It matters on a theological basis, a logical basis and a social basis.

First, and what should be most important to Christians, are the standards and behaviors approved and banned in the Bible.  Yes we are saved by grace but somewhere in your moral framework you need to get past the happy fantasy of antinomianism and realize the Paul, the apostle of grace, was also big on living a moral life.  For instance he wrote the following,

(Gal 5:19-21 KJV)  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Notice that he did not give a pass for activities in private.

So to start with we need to get on board with what the Bible tells us about behavior.  Keep in mind that when it comes to things like murder and theft we don’t accept such things in unbelievers.  We legislate morality all the time.  The question is what is the basis for that legislation.  It should be the Bible.  We should never forget that our behavior reflects what we believe and what we believe effects our eternal soul.  God does not overlook sin just because it happens in the bedroom.

Second, what people do in their own bedrooms does not stay there.  That is in reality a bit irrational.  It is like saying if you only get drunk in your living room it does not effect society.  Yes, it does.  If nothing else it effects your children.  It also can’t help but change the ability to think and function.  It causes problems in your mental processes and judgment.  It also drags down your finances.  Sexual perversion in the bedroom does something to your mind and attitudes.  Stop acting like it is just a private matter.  Recently we have seen parents taking their children to a gay bar to observe drag performers.  I would assume that there are things going on in their bedrooms that lays the groundwork for such behavior.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2020-027: Middle Class Morality: Specific moral standards

I maintain that Middle Class Morality (MCM) is the bedrock of the American way of life.  One of its points of belief is that there are specific moral standards that do not change.  Right and wrong exist and they do not depend on your attitude or acceptance.  They are.  One word used for this is “righteousness”.  The opposite of righteous behavior would be sinful behavior.  If you are paying attention this is currently being rejected by our intellectual class and most of the molders of public opinion.

The understanding of righteousness is defined in the Bible.  You can start with the Ten Commandments, which most people have heard of even if they cannot name them, and move to a less well known list you could call the “works of the flesh”.  Just reading it points out how out of the mainstream Christians are today.

(Gal 5:19-21 KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

In the mid 1900's this would have been accepted without the batting of an eye. 

Our standards are changing and not for the better.  If America rots away to nothing more than another society conquered by the socialist poison, part of the journey will involve rejecting this wall of righteousness. 

(Proverbs 14:34 KJV)  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

There are still many people who believe this and live this way.  I do not know if they are a majority in the country any more.  I do know that they are very rare in the media, education and the government.  If we are to continue to survive we will need to return to a standard of objective morality and not just what feels good.

Viva la middle class morality.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-423: Enjoying the Moments

I am the only one up at 9:30.  As I looked out the kitchen window at the house down the hill I thought of how different their Christmas morning is from ours.  They have three small children.  I can picture them already opening presents or eating breakfast or whatever their Christmas morning routine is.  I have been their with children and I was a child.

It is different now.  Everything is slow and mature.  The gathering is different.  The grandparents are all gone.  We are the older generation now.  The children have grown up and moved away.  My son has flown in but we touched our daughter and son in law with Skype.  It was not as good as being here but surprisingly joyful.  That is one of the blessings of technology.  They are literally around the world yet can be in our living room at the same time.

At the Christmas Eve service I was able to enjoy the noisy babies and hyperactive toddlers around me.  Been there.  Done that.  And my grown up toddler towers over his mother and I.  But it brings back wonderful memories of times that were real trials but have been covered with the varnish of time.

Eventually everyone will get up.  Eventually we will have breakfast.  Eventually we will add to our traditions.  It is kind of a human version of the holiday we are celebrating.

(Galatians 4:4 KJV)  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Enjoy the moments in memory and motion.  Celebrate the eventually of God.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-422: The Lottery Christmas

Merry Christmas.

I am aware that it only has a 1/365 chance of being the right day.  I would be glad to mark a day that everyone could agree on.  Everybody vote.  December 25?  Works for me.

I am aware that it has become commercialized to the point of being eclipsed as a spiritual milestone.  Doing away with Christmas because people make money in the celebration is like doing away with medicines because the people who develop them make money.  I could live with that.  It might make me slightly less comfortable and shorten my life by a year or two.  For you it might bring total destruction.  My frustration with gifts is I am not very good at choosing them. 

I am aware that it is a Christian holiday and might offend others in the community.  Then why do so many of them celebrate it?  Why do Jews put up Christmas trees.  Why do Buddhists hang stockings?  Why do atheists watch Charlie Brown’s Christmas?

I am aware that Joseph probably looked more like Yasser Arafat than Justin Bieber.  It does not bother me at all that African Christians portray a black infant or in Tokyo He looks Japanese.  The Bible says He created man in His image, male and female.  It doesn’t say He created us red and yellow, black and white.

In spite of that I still celebrate the incarnation.

(Galatians 4:4 KJV)  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

We went to a Christmas Eve service.  It was a truly Christian event because it not only presented the birth narratives; it also presented the Gospel and John 3:16. 

So I send you the appropriate greeting.  Take your pick or add your own.
    Merry Christmas
    Radiant Incarnation Day
    Happy Week before New Years Day
    Happy Who-Ever-Heard-of-it-before-20-Years-Ago Kwanza
    Good morning.
    Bah Humbug, in the most warm and gracious way
    ______________ (Insert your person touch)

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-134: Fruit or Vegetable?

As I was studying Proverbs I came across the concept of the fruit of wisdom.  My mind loves tangents.  Maybe that is why I could never get the hang of the bow and arrow or cut a board straight.  Squirrel! 

My tangent this time was the difference between fruit and vegetables, Biblically speaking.  The concept of fruit is common.  All Christians are familiar with the fruit of the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The word “vegetable” is used a few times in the NASB.  I don’t know if it is in the KJV.  The word means “greens.”  Did they have broccoli and Brussel sprouts in ancient Israel?

So, what is the difference?  I am not a botanist.  I understand the difference has to do with where the seeds are, or at least I think I understand that.  I am more interested in the application to life.  I am no farmer but it seems that fruit develops naturally while vegetables need to be tended more carefully.  Fruit is perennial.  Vegetables are usually annuals. 

What does that mean in our daily walks?  There are some areas that God develops naturally.  The longer we walk with Jesus the more the fruit of the spirit should be growing.  They are based in the gifts of the Spirit.  God keeps nurturing them.  Some change is instantaneous.  Some takes decades.  Everyone is different in their growth.

Other areas, the spiritual vegetables, are the product of discipline and study.  We are expected to take the raw material that God gives us, assume that grace is at work, rely on the Holy Spirit, put our shoulder to the wheel and push on.  We are told to study, work out, seek, knock, ask and a plethora of other verbs.  They will be in the present declarative active, not the passive future.

Have you tended your garden today?

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-296: On the Street: A Rude Awakening

I was forced back on the freeways after a week away.  It was a rude awakening.

After not having to face rush hour in Southern California for a week I had lost the habit of patience.  I don’t think of myself as patient by nature but I acknowledge it as a part of the fruit of the spirit.  Fruit grows and needs to be cultivated.

(Galatians 5:22-23 NASB)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

It is time to remind myself that there are drivers who should have never been let out of their cage.  There are others who are just having a bad day. 

I need to make sure that I do not join them.  I do that by reminding myself every morning that I am going out among the “huddled masses, yearning to breathe free” and who feel like narcissistic driving is listed in the First Amendment.

Keep your eyes open and your reflexes in overdrive.

homo unius libri