For Freedom

I cannot recall a more intimate time of worship than in the fall of 2004 with a group of about 30 men and women. What made this time so special and meaningful to me was not the music, in fact the guitar was out of tune, and the woman's voice was too deep which threw off the pitch. It was not the speaking for on this particular night we actually foregone the message just to stay where we were. The difference was that we were acknowledging the Holiness of God and our inability to please Him. Let me explain it this way; In Romans, Paul organizes an intricate argument that is designed to show that it is only through God's righteousness that we are saved which comes by faith. We acknowledge that "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory" and therefore are in need of a propitiation. It is through this central message of Christ being that sacrifice that he says in Galatians 5:1, "for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

The mysterious writer of the book of Hebrews understands this miraculous work and states that "therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by the angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation!" Paul also repeats those words in Philippians 2:14 to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free and called us to be image bearers of His glory. Specifically we see this freedom in light of the persecution from the Judaizers who required that Gentiles be circumsized therefore being allowed into the covenant established by Abraham. But it is true that Christ's death has set us free and allowed us to "walk in the newness of life" and therefore gain understanding that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus." What an opportunity for celebration knowing that through the death and life of the man Jesus we have access to the King.

This was the case on that Fall night in 2004 as a community of believers came together to worship the Lord for His amazing grace. With hearts and minds poured forward, the symbol of the cross, His people humbling themselves, praying and seeking His face, we realized that God will truly hear from heaven and heal our hearts. King David found this when he was confronted by Nathan. His response was Psalm 51 as he declared out of humility that "the sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

I had a friend once say in passing "I don't know if homosexuals can be Christians..." and as I considered that question I realized his ignorance. Not ignorance towards those that struggle with homosexual tendencies but rather ignorance of understanding "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God... I therefore, prisoner for the Lord" Can a homosexual be a Christian? I accept the invitation of Christ that through his death and resurrection there is freedom. Freedom from sin and freedom to worship that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. AMEN!

The Poor in Jerusalem

In Galatians 2:7-10 Paul comes before a council of "reputed" individuals in Jerusalem to present his gospel. After much deliberation among those being "pillars of the faith", they found Paul's message to be trustworthy and commissioned him and Barnabas to preach among the Gentiles. Paul then says that "they desired only that we should remember the poor" with his response being "the very thing which I also was eager to do!" Why was it the apostle's concern to consider the poor in Jerusalem?

At the time of Paul's commissioning there was a prophet named Agabus that came and spoke of an impending famine that was to occur throughout all the world (Acts 11:27-30). The apostles then found it good and necessary to send relief among those dwelling in Judea. Why Judea? Looking back at the time of Pentecost we see an amazing movement of people believing upon Jesus and being saved. The result of this movement caused everybody to respond by "having all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need." What an incredible response by the body of believers! But years later we see that this specific region will be in dire need of physical and monetary support due to this imminent famine to come.

So that is the very thing we see Paul begin to do! In Paul's correspondence with the church of Corinth we see that he begins to gather a collection for those individuals; "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches in Galatia, so you must do also" (1 Cor. 16:1-4). Paul continues this correspondence in 2 Cor. 8-9 by calling believers to "minister to the saints". We see Paul's desire to take the gospel to Spain but first "going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make certain contributions for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem" (Romans 15:25-33). What example did the church's in Macedonia and Achaia have to follow? I believe that to be found in 1 Thess. 1:7-8 as Paul encourages the church in Thessalonika that "their faith has gone out (to other church's). " What an amazing testimony of God's people genuinely reaching out and meeting peoples needs (and notice that God's people now includes the Gentiles)!

Now let's look at something cool! This is the amazing thing of scripture; to see how the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament come together to bring the glory back to God. This famine certainly was not a surprise but rather was anticipated. When the prophet Agabus proclaims to the people that a famine is coming among all the world isn't it interesting why the apostle's immediately go to Jerusalem. I believe the apostle's understood exactly what this meant because they could hear the words of Isaiah 2:2-4;

"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord. To the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." - Isaiah 2:2-4

What the apostle's had in mind when they went to Jerusalem was to see the hand of God and His word come back to fruition. What an amazing testimony to us as the people of God come together to see God's hand in action and during such a difficult time. We have gone through natural disasters, we have come together when nations war against the other, when evil seems to have had the better hand it is God's people who need to act and show love. Just as Paul and the apostle's found it good to provide relief to the poor through a collection, so also we need to put down our prejudices and pick up "plowshares" and meet needs. God Bless you in this endeavor.

From persecutor of the Church to Gospel proclaimer

Far too often we read the Bible with the tendency of oversimplification. My grandfather has always taken the stance of wanting his faith to be like that "of a child" and I would always argue that even Jesus "grew in wisdom and stature before God and man" (Luke 2:52). That is one of the reasons why I like to read Paul's letters; it appeals to all varieties of readers. In Galatians 1:13-24 we see Paul mention his own conversion from being a persecutor of the Church to Gospel proclaimer. In 1:20 Paul says "In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!". This same expression is also found in other letters that Paul desires to bring home a very valuable and important lesson for the hearers (Rom. 9:1; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Cor. 11:31): Why?

In that oh so important phrase is a puzzle that theologians have considered as typical of Paul and that offers so much insight into what Paul is really trying to bring home. A common type of writing in ancient times is a structure called a chiasmus. In this style the writer will structure his argument in such a way to highlight a specific point. It is best evident when analyzing a text like Galatians 1:10-2:14:

A. But when God set Paul apart for the Gentiles (1:15-17)

B. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem (1:18-20)

C. Then I went to (the Gentiles) in Syria and Cilicia (1:21-24)

B' Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem (2:1-10)

A' But when Cephas set himself apart from the Gentiles (2:11-14)

Do you see the progression? I believe this is a very well organized pattern of thought that is indicative of Paul and his letter writing. Why? It is because Paul wants, yet again, to stress that he has been set apart not for the Jews, which he can easily identify with, but with the Gentiles that were not yet accepted into the Church.

This is highlighted that much more when in the next passages of scripture Paul is confirmed by James, Peter, and John to continue in furthering the gospel. What a beautiful illustration of the body of believers covering each other with encouragement to pursue the gifts that God has placed in your life. Many of us have been given a specific vision by God to minister. That ministry may take many different forms of service and means of accomplishment. Paul certainly would not discredit people or organizations that look or act different in ministry but would, I believe, seek to find if "grace was given" (2:9). Why then do we look at ministries and seek out the numbers, look at the exterior and say how accomplished they are, or pick up a new book by a blooming young pastor about church growth. Try looking into a classroom where the best ministry comes through authentic conversation and it's the teacher that is being blessed.

What I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Amen.

Authority of the Gospel

One central message that Paul continually struggled with is his authority concerning his words and actions. He most emphatically desires to stress that it is not about "his" message but instead knows that "I am appointed for the defense of the gospel." So why then does many of Paul's letters insist that he is not speaking of his own authority? What authority does he possess?

Paul himself has given us great insight into his former life. Philippians 3: 4-7 tells us that he is of the "stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrews of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." For a Jew, that is quite the impressive background. If ever there is one that has authority to speak it would be Paul. Strange then that we find him struggling with his past, almost ashamed, and in many ways we see him acting to "work" long and hard enough to have that history absolved or restored by God. Maybe this could be that ambiguous "thorn in his side".

Even in 2 Corinthians 10:1-11(which is actually the 4 letter of correspondence), Paul confronts the assuming talk that he is bold in writing but weak in actions while with them. This is a valuable lesson to us as well as we also need to remember to "take every thought captive to obey Christ". Paul's boasting and authority comes in that he is faithful in his work with presenting the gospel so that "the area of influence may be greatly enlarged" (2 Cor. 10:15).

In Paul's letter to the church in Galatia, we see him again confront this issue of authority. Where does his authority come, from whom has he received it? "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ" Galatians 1:11-12. Paul emphatically states that his authority comes 1st through the message, then 2nd through the messenger.

This is explained further in 1:15-21 when Paul then takes this new gospel message and seeks further knowledge. Stay in school kids because that is what Paul did. Far too often young men and women receive a "word from God", become ambitious in their new "ministry" and seek immediacy to change the world. The time between Paul receiving his revelation to him actually beginning his ministry was 3 years. You've been called to a new ministry? Leave your life and seek silence and solitude, Paul went to Arabia, then develop your strategy.

Information on Paul's former life can be found in Acts 8-9. God Bless!

The Galatian Compromise

I have title my blogspot "The Galatian Compromise" because I feel that Paul's letter to the church in Galatia is as relevant now as it was intended then. In, what I believe, Paul's 1st letter, we have insight into the purpose of the letter in Galatians 1:4;

Its Cause: "For our sins (because of them)
Its Means: Christ "sacrificed Himself"
Its Purpose: to "Deliver us"
Its Origin: "the will of our God and Father"

I see the church in Galatia and our Evangelical church today pursuing the same compromise which Paul identifies in 1:6 as "turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel." It is in Galatians that we see Paul formulate his Theology and turns Biblical narrative on its head to combat the local Judaizers and their "enforcement" of the Law. We too, especially our youth, are undergoing a similar compromise in their faith. One that has been masked by different labels throughout the times but has now fallen to the title of Post-modernity. And yes I do believe that we see this polemic within the walls of the church and many of our fellow church-goers are falling subject to this language.

If there is ever a message that Paul desires to bring home to his audience it is that this letter must be read as an appeal to persecution. John 16:33 tells us that "in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" Let this be our backdrop as we begin to go deeper into the heart of Galatians. Let us be found struggling with this text as we seek to gain knowledge and understanding of this great call upon our life.

Extra Word: I am writing specifically for my students and their parents. This is just another resource that may be helpful in providing that Covenant relationship as well as accountability. If there are any questions then please feel free to email me.