Voice of God

I think that some Christians are mystical and think they are hearing God when they are mentally ill, or hearing spirits or voices from within, usually medications will relieve this phenomenon. There are some so-called "prophets" who are "in touch" with God in a special way, and to hear from God and can speak "prophetic utterances"; however, this is rare and not the norm.

The normative way for God to speak is through His Word. "In these last days He has spoken to us through His Son" (cf. Hebrews 1:2). Let us not be skeptics, though, and find ourselves opposing God. Even the Pharisees who opposed the apostles said that may be a spirit or an angel had spoken to Paul. Hearing God's voice doesn't necessarily mean superiority, but possibly being a prophet, as David heard God's voice audibly on occasion, but relied on Nathan the prophet.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Introduction to Work Ethics

Jesus said, "I have... [completed] the work you gave me to do..." (cf. John 17:4)--what a sigh of relief that must've been!

Nehemiah said, "For the people had a mind to work." (cf. Neh. 4:6) What is meant by that?

I accepted a job as a file clerk for the VA. Filing used to be my bugaboo! My pet peeve around the office was that I had to do the filing, because I was the low man on the totem pole, as they say!

How God has changed me! Of course, there is extrinsic motivation like more pay and intrinsic motivations like feeling called to do a work for God for His glory. Like Nehemiah felt "inspired" to say, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down." (When on the wall of Jerusalem which was built in only 52 days.) Zechariah was also an expert on intrinsic motivation, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty."

You are only inspired as lofty as your insight, e.g., there was the story of the three stone cutters who were working and someone asked them what they were doing. The first one said that he was cutting stones, the second said he was earning 20 pounds an hour, and the third said he was building a cathedral! Obviously the last one had his eyes on the Lord.

Paul urges us to do our work likewise "heartily as unto the Lord." There is no work that is beneath us (remember Christ took up the "order of the towel"), because God is no respecter of persons; and there is no hierarchy in Christianity or class system--we are all brethren in Christ (God has leveled the playing field saying we are all "one in Christ").   Soli Deo Gloria!

Ethics Conclusion

Conclusion:

The Germans have a phrase: "Arbeit Ehrt." That means work brings honor. They also say, "Arbeit Macht das Leben Suss." (Work makes life sweet.) The so-called Protestant work ethic is part of their culture, and even when a strike takes place it is a scandal. Charles Swindoll mentions a sign outside a concentration camp (Dachau) that read "Arbeit Macht Frei" (work makes you free). That was, of course, a lie; meant to make them work all the more.

Brother Lawrence, the famous Catholic, was a cook in a 17th-century French monastery for the Lord, and he sensed God with him in all his daily activity, no matter what he did. The Practice of the Presence of God is a classic on the subject. It isn't so much what we do, but how we do it and whether we do it as unto the Lord and in the name of the Lord (cf. Col. 3:17; Col. 3:23; 1 Cor. 10:31).

There is one solemn warning in Scripture that needs mentioning: "Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord with slackness" (cf. Jer. 48:10). We must take God's work seriously and not be sluggish or slothful. Billy Graham defines sloth as the sin of doing nothing, it is the root of laziness and is one of the seven deadly sins. So let us gladly do whatever the Lord assigns us to do. We don't have to be perfectionists, just show improvement--with God perfection is the standard, but the direction is the test. "Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect"  (cf. Matt. 5:48).    Soli Deo Gloria!

Ethics Part 3

God does not call us to success but to faithfulness, according to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, now canonized and Nobel Prize winner. Jeremiah 45:5 says: "Do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not." The Bible condemns "selfish ambition" and doesn't condone complacency. Mediocrity is not good! "Good enough for government work" is the wrong attitude. For example, changing tires doesn't define you, but doing a good job does.

Everyone has a niche or a calling from God (cf. John 3:27, NLT), whether homemaker or president and is judged only by his faithfulness to his own calling. It is not for us to compare ministries, or gifts (cf. 2 Cor. 10:12). God is more interested in what we are in a character, not as much as what we do (for a living.) I'm sick of being asked what I do for a living because God has given me a calling that cannot be defined in human terms. Only deeds done to the glory of God in the power of the Holy Spirit are to be rewarded.

Whatever our hands find to do we should do with all our might, the Preacher says in Eccl. 9:10. We should be 'redeeming the time because the days are evil" (i.e., making the most of every opportunity). We are a people created to be "zealous of good works." Col. 1:10 says we should be "bearing fruit in every good work" and thus we "increase in the knowledge of God." We all should hope to find a "labor of love" to complete God's will. We may retire from our jobs, but never from God's service!

Hag. 2:4 says, "Work, for I am with you." God is with us even in our labor--they can become a "labor of love"!    Soli Deo Gloria!

Work Ethics Part 2

The Protestant work ethic has a long history. St. Francis of Assisi was asked that if he were to die in 30 minutes what would he do. He was the gardener in the monastery and said simply, "Finish this row." (He was really ready to die, now wasn't he?)   Work is part of our being in the image and likeness of God. We feel compelled to accomplish something and feel pride in what we do. Work connects us to the world and you might say we are "hard-wired" (according to Chuck Colson) for work. "Lack of stimulating work is debilitating."

During the time of Paul's writing, there were perhaps as many as 60 million slaves in the world and work was considered a curse and only slaves should do manual labor, while the elite philosophizes, etc. Martin Luther brought honor to work by saying that all work can be done to the glory of God. During the formative years of Jamestown in 1607, Captain John Smith quoted Paul in 2 Thess. and said, "If you will [are not willing to] not work, neither shall you eat." You've heard of the 'idle rich," but those who wear themselves out to get rich are just as wrong. Theodore Roosevelt said, "There has never yet been a man who led a life of ease whose name was worth remembering."

Everyone needs a purpose in life higher than himself. As Rick Warren says, "It's not about you." Dr. Carl F. H. Henry said, "We are creatures made for work and not for idleness." A job doesn't necessarily define us, but doing a good job does. I am sure that there is work in Heaven, too. This life is just a "dress rehearsal" for eternity according to Rick Warren, and I believe we are being prepared for something much bigger.  We are striking a note on a chord that will resonate for eternity.  In a sense, our workbench is our altar where we worship God, do all to the glory of God--Soli Deo Gloria!

Freed FromThe Law?

The antinomians (now sometimes called hedonists or libertines) say, "Freed from the Law, Oh blessed condition, now I can sin all I want, and still have remission." This is also called the abuse of grace. Watchman Nee says that God gave us the Law to break, not to keep. Rom 3:20 says that the Law gives the knowledge of sin. Nowhere in the New Testament are righteous people told to keep the Law.

There are several verses that relate to this: Gal. 2:21 says that if righteousness were through the Law, then Christ died in vain. Gal. 3:10 says that those who rely on the Law are under a curse. Heb. 10:1 and Col, 2:17 say that the Law is a shadow of things to come. Rom. 6:14 says that we are not under the Law. Eph. 2:15 says that Christ abolished the Law. Rom. 7:7 and 3:30 say that the Law brings the knowledge of sin.

When we strive to obey the Law we have "fallen from grace." We don't have to become "somewhat Jewish" to become a Christian. Neither justification nor sanctification is through the Law. Instead, we are subject to the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ. Remember: The Pharisees were guilty of just obeying the letter of the Law and not attending to the "spirit of the Law." "As many as are led by the Spirit are not under the Law."   Soli Deo Gloria!

Mountaintop Experiences?

Do all Christians have encounters with God or do all just experience God? The holiness movement was known for believers being "slain in the Spirit," but this is not the norm. Truly, one would not assert the Billy Graham doesn't have the Spirit or doesn't experience God. We are not to compare our gifts or experiences according to 2 Cor. 10:12. No matter how great an experience you have in the Lord, you cannot walk in the "glow" of the encounter for the rest of your life (you will always need spiritual check-ups).

No matter how much surrender you may do, it is still a moment-by-moment and day-by-day experience and discipline. Like Joshua who "wholly followed the Lord." One mental illness is called bipolar affected, or what used to be called manic-depressive. What goes up, must come down! They were known as "moody" persons who were up and down unpredictably. There are some famous people who have this illness, and it can successfully be treated so that it is not as debilitating as it once was. There are some Christians who have had mountaintop experiences that are just labeled as bipolar.

The Spirit is given without measure so one cannot say that he has more of the Spirit; one can say that he is more yielded, though. Not all believers have unusual experiences to increase their faith, but just like Jesus said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen," so, blessed are those who don't need bizarre experiences to rest their faith on, which is wrong, too. Our faith should always be in Christ and we shouldn't test our doctrines by our experiences, but our experiences on the doctrines of the Bible. In summary, mountaintop experiences are no measure of maturity in Christ according to Oswald Chambers ecstasies are no measure of maturity.

When our faith gets mature God expects us to rely less on feeling, though feeling will be there. The order is FACT, FAITH, FEELING. Faith must have an object to be valid, and feelings may or may not always be there. It is not the amount of faith, but that the faith is genuine and sincere.  A word to the wise:  Obedience, not experience or ecstasy is the measure of maturity and God's favor.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Spiritual Warfare Has Begun

When you become a Christian the war is not over, it has only begun. Now Satan is after you as well as the world of academia, entertainment, the press and government. But your worst enemy is yourself. Pogo, the cartoon, said, "We've met the enemy, and he is us." We have a nature that we can only act according to and God is the potter and we are the clay. We are not free to act contrary to our nature. Also, we live in "enemy-occupied territory." Satan is the god of this age, and we should realize this, though God is still sovereign and he can do nothing without God's permission.

Sun Tzu, in his book, The Art of War, said that, if you know your enemy and know yourself, you don't have anything to fear from a thousand battles. (Swindoll mentions this in a book). Andrew Jackson was wondering why his troops were fighting amongst themselves. He said, "Gentlemen, remember, the enemy is over there!" Yes, the battle has just begun and now we are no longer God's enemies but Satan's. Remember that the Lord of Hosts is fighting for us on our behalf! David said to Goliath, "I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts."

We win the war with the modus operandi of faith. This is our strategy: faith, prayer, the Word of God, the helmet of salvation (being sure of our salvation), the breastplate of righteousness, and the belt of truth. God gives us the armor to fight Satan. The world, the flesh, and the devil are the enemies. Satan still attacks through the three ways of the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh. Remember, God never allows anything into our life that we cannot handle.

We are to "resist the devil," who uses psychological warfare and masquerades as an angel of light and appears as a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Remember, the devil knows where you are vulnerable and weak, so don't flirt with danger. I have found out that you are the most susceptible to his attacks right after a victory or a success. One modus operandi is to divide and conquer. We have been rescued from the "dominion of darkness," so let's live like it.

According to John MacArthur, the war is a "truth war," and if you aren't engaged in this war you should doubt your Christian testimony. It is "not about wits," but faith and faithfulness. "Earnestly contend for the faith" (Jude 3). William Tecumseh Sherman said, "War is hell." Fighting Beelzebub is no less serious.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Value Of Knowing the Scoop

Chuck Swindoll writes of the value of "knowing the scoop." Presumably, people think that ignorance is bliss. Contrariwise, it is the knowledge that gives power and freedom. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." We must strive to know our "way around the block theologically speaking." "Tunnel vision" is when we don't see the BIG PICTURE, and that is why knowing all the basic Bible doctrine is important. The Bible is not written out as theology or systematic theology, but one is expected to study it here and there. Also, God never teaches us something just for ourselves. The more we pass on the more He gives us.

 The Bible was not meant to increase our knowledge so much as to change our lives. Knowledge can indeed be dangerous, as Swindoll maintains, and especially when not mixed with love and grace. We can become intolerant of those not as informed as we are and think we are superior and they are "poor specimens." "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." (cf. 1 Cor. 8:1) Apollos was a great man in the Word and it is said that he had his theology "honed to perfection" so that he could "deliver the goods." We become balanced by seeing the big picture and being educated in the deeper things of God. God doesn't want us to be ignorant nor infants in Christ who balk at learning the deeper truths--which is childish.

Remember that it says in Scripture, "what Jesus began to do and to teach." They are linked together: Theory and practice; doctrine and ethics; orthodoxy and orthopraxy (right action); idealism and pragmatism; thinking and praxeology (right behavior). I never said that doctrine would be entertaining, but it is necessary. We can never get enough because we will never fully comprehend God; though we can know Him personally.

Beware of the temptation of "doctrinal indifferentism," since in the last days many will "bailout theologically" (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1).  It was Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam that thought theology was the bugbear of the Church's life. It is ignorance that binds us, not knowledge. In summary, Swindoll says that knowledge and confidence are like Siamese twins, they are forever linked--like Sir Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is power" (cf. Prov. 25:4).   Soli Deo Gloria!

Justified By Works?

Martin Luther almost didn't accept the book of James as part of the canon, because it seemed to teach justification by works instead of by faith as Rom. 1:17 says. "The just shall live by faith." (Cf.  Hab. 2:4; Heb. 10:38; Gal. 3:11) In fact, the cry of the reformation and rallying cry was sola fide or faith alone. R. C. Sproul points out 4 possibilities of mixing faith and works: (1) Works = Salvation (which is religion); (2) Works + Faith = Salvation (which is legalism); (3) Faith = Salvation - Works (which is antinomianism); and (4) Faith = Salvation + Works (which is correct evangelicalism).

Notice that works and faith all play a part in whether one realizes it or not. Everyone has some sort of faith and does some sort of work. We are not against works per se; just works done in the energy of the flesh instead of the Spirit. In Religion and Legalism works is a "have to" or an "in order to;" according to the gospel works is a "want to" or a "therefore." We see works as an honor and privilege, not a duty.

NB:  we are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. Good works always follow genuine faith. Spurious faith doesn't produce genuine works. The gospel is different because of grace and the fact that you can know you are saved. In a works religion, you never know how much works is enough! But religion will always be with us because man is incurably addicted to doing something for his salvation. Jesus was asked what work to do to inherit the Kingdom, and He said, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him ..." Faith is our "act", but it is the "work" of God--God doesn't exercise faith, He merely bestows it.

James is talking about a "profession of faith" and Paul is talking about "living faith." For sure, we are saved by faith alone, but not the kind of faith that is alone (without works). Paul is saying we are not saved by the works of the law, and James is saying we need to demonstrate and exhibit our faith. The book of James talks of the human viewpoint. The faith you have is the faith you show! You just can't say you have faith, or you just can't make the claim without proof. You must demonstrate your faith by works. Paul urges us to be rich in good deeds, James to be rich in faith. We are a people "zealous of good works" (cf.Titus 2:14)  Soli Deo Gloria!