We in the 21st century Church often look back on the first century
church as if it was "the good ole days". We read about the early church
in the books of Acts and the letters of Paul and assume it was this
loving, problem-free community of believers who "had everything in
common, selling property and possessions to give to anyone who had need"
(Acts 2:44-45). We imagine them huddled around a fire together holding
hands and singing "Kum Ba Yah."
But the early church was wrought
with challenges, some of the most notable being the dangerous sects and
cults which developed. One of these cults in particular, the "Gnostics",
began teaching that Jesus didn't actually come to earth in bodily form,
but only as a spirit, or ghost. The reasoning behind this was that they
believed everything physical that we can see with our eyes is evil
(such as the human body), and everything invisible that we cannot see is
good (such as the human spirit & soul). Therefore, they thought
Jesus couldn't have actually had a real body because that would have
made Him evil, and He certainly wasn't evil.
This teaching was
particularly dangerous because if Jesus didn't have a real human body,
He couldn't have actually spilled His blood on the cross, and it's only
by His shed blood that we are forgiven, for "without the shedding of
blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb. 9:22). As crazy as this teaching
sounds, it was a major deception in the early church and led many people
astray.
Those in the cult of gnosticism were known as being
"antichrist" because they were "against" Christ or "ANTI" Jesus coming
in the flesh.
The disciple John was very close with Jesus. In his
gospel, John referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. John
was also the disciple who laid his head upon Jesus' chest at the last
supper, and the disciple who stood at the foot of the cross while Jesus
was being crucified, watching his blood being spilled out. Before His
death Jesus even told John to watch over his mother Mary. It's safe to
say that John was probably closer to Jesus than anyone. And, John
definitely knew that Jesus had a physical body. He laid his head on
Jesus' chest for crying out loud.
So, John addressed this heresy
head on. John wrote four books in the New Testament: the gospel of John
along with three letters. In the first two of his letters, we read about
this false teaching called "antichrist." These short two letters are
the only places in the Bible which refer to "antichrist."
"For
many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." - 2
John 1:7
"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every
spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from
God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.
This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and
even now is already in the world." - 1 John 4:2-3 [Note that
"antichrist" was already in the world in the first century]
"Dear
children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the
antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how
we know it is the last hour.." - 1 John 2:18 [Also note that according
to John, the "last hour" was in the first century]
"Who is a liar
but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that
denies the Father and the Son." - 1 John 2:22
The above verses
from the letters of John are the ONLY places the word "antichrist" is
used in the Bible and each time he is addressing the false teaching of
gnosticism. Interestingly, the word "antichrist" is nowhere in the book
of Revelation.
"Antichrist" is nothing more than the first
century cult of gnosticism along with those to taught it. In spite of
what we might read in the fictional book series "Left Behind", Hollywood
movies and many well-intentioned pastors today, gnosticism (antichrist)
is 2000 years behind us.
What a tangled web we have weaved since
then. Because we have distanced ourselves so far from the historical
context, we have made the first century cult of antichrist about a
future Satan-inspired one world ruler. It's not exactly what John had in
mind.
There is often a big difference between popular
Christianity and historical Christianity. We need not fear a future
world leader named "antichrist". When Jesus said He now has all
authority in heaven and on earth, He meant it.
"That which was
from the beginning, which we have HEARD, which we have SEEN with our
eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have TOUCHED—this we
proclaim concerning the Word of life." - 1 John 1:1
Friday, September 30, 2016
Will You Marry Me?
In the ancient world when two kings from distant lands came together
and wanted to form a covenant, such as a covenant of peace or a
covenant of trade, they would write the terms of the covenant on two
copies of stone tablets, which were essentially their "rules of
engagement". Each side of the tablets would contain writing. So, for
example, tablet #1 would have rules 1-5 written on the front, and rules
6-10 written on the back. Then, an identical copy of this was made on
another tablet.
Each king would take their copy of the covenant and place it in a wooden box, which was referred to as an "ark". This was their "Ark of the Covenant".
Now, each king would typically have their own god who they worshiped. So, king #1 would take his ark back to the temple of his god, and king #2 would take his ark back to the temple of his god. So, there was a copy of the covenant in each of their temples. The idea was that their respective gods would punish them if they violated the rules of the covenant. King #1 would essentially say, "If I violate any of the rules of our covenant, my god will punish me", and King #2 would do the same.
In the case of the ancient Israelites, the Lord first offered them a direct relationship with no rules, asking them to be "a kingdom of priests" (Ex. 19:6). This was God's "Plan A". However, because they were afraid of direct relationship they asked for a rule-based covenant like the Egyptians and all the other pagan people around them (Deut. 5:27), after all, they had just spent 400 years in Egyptian slavery and it was all they knew. Because of their fear they asked to be servants instead of children - they asked for religion instead of relationship. "We don't want to be that close to you. Just tell us what to do." This was the "Plan B" chosen by the people.
This put the Lord in a very uncomfortable position.
Now, because Love must honor the human will, He was forced to be both their covenant partner AND the God who would punish them if they broke any of the covenant rules. So, God wrote two copies of His ten commandments, which were the terms of the covenant. Because the Lord doesn't have a "god" over Him, both copies were given to the people and placed in their Ark of the Covenant and then into the Jewish temple. These were easy commandments which could be summarized as "love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself". It was the bare minimum, God made it easy, for He did not want to be forced to punish them. Nevertheless, by the time Moses descended the mountain the people were already worshiping a false god.
As their covenant partner, the Lord was very grieved. As their God, He was forced to punish them as their God. This roller coaster of blessing and punishment continued for about 1500 years. It was terrible. Both God and the people looked forward to the day when they might get the opportunity to get back to "Plan A" - when they could be a "kingdom of priests" with direct relationship with the Lord.
There was only one way back to Plan A.
See, covenants are only in force as long as both parties are alive. "For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it" (Heb. 9:16). So, for this rule based covenant of death to be abolished, one of the covenant partners had to die - similar to what we see in a marriage covenant today, "Till death do us part". It was either going to be the people or God. So, God had a choice to make. Who was going to die?
God took on flesh and became a human being in order to die and put an end to the old covenant and establish a new covenant of life. Jesus said, "I came that they might have LIFE." We often say that Jesus died for our sins which is true in a sense, but what He really died for was what sin was doing to us. "The wages of sin is death." Sin was killing us. It's not about punishment, it's about restoration. God doesn't punish the record of our wrongdoing, He cancels it (Col. 2:14).
Jesus didn't die to appease the "wrath" of an angry Father, He died to appease the "wrath" of sin. Jesus died to "set us free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). He died to abolish the old covenant and create a new one.
Back to "Plan A".
God's no longer interested in you not keeping the rules, because that covenant is abolished. God died, the covenant ended. It is now completely "obsolete" (Heb. 8:13). We are now free to re-marry Him all over again, under far better terms. Marriage only has one law. LOVE. "Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
And someone is proposing right now.
The New Covenant is a unique covenant, in that it is between God and God (the Father and Jesus). We have nothing to do with it. Thankfully, it's not based on our performance. We can "rest" in the finished work of Jesus Christ - our new groom.
The only question remaining is, Will you marry into the family or not? If you do, everything that is His is yours, and everything that is yours is His.
"Will you marry me"? is the question He is asking the world.
What is your answer?
Each king would take their copy of the covenant and place it in a wooden box, which was referred to as an "ark". This was their "Ark of the Covenant".
Now, each king would typically have their own god who they worshiped. So, king #1 would take his ark back to the temple of his god, and king #2 would take his ark back to the temple of his god. So, there was a copy of the covenant in each of their temples. The idea was that their respective gods would punish them if they violated the rules of the covenant. King #1 would essentially say, "If I violate any of the rules of our covenant, my god will punish me", and King #2 would do the same.
In the case of the ancient Israelites, the Lord first offered them a direct relationship with no rules, asking them to be "a kingdom of priests" (Ex. 19:6). This was God's "Plan A". However, because they were afraid of direct relationship they asked for a rule-based covenant like the Egyptians and all the other pagan people around them (Deut. 5:27), after all, they had just spent 400 years in Egyptian slavery and it was all they knew. Because of their fear they asked to be servants instead of children - they asked for religion instead of relationship. "We don't want to be that close to you. Just tell us what to do." This was the "Plan B" chosen by the people.
This put the Lord in a very uncomfortable position.
Now, because Love must honor the human will, He was forced to be both their covenant partner AND the God who would punish them if they broke any of the covenant rules. So, God wrote two copies of His ten commandments, which were the terms of the covenant. Because the Lord doesn't have a "god" over Him, both copies were given to the people and placed in their Ark of the Covenant and then into the Jewish temple. These were easy commandments which could be summarized as "love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself". It was the bare minimum, God made it easy, for He did not want to be forced to punish them. Nevertheless, by the time Moses descended the mountain the people were already worshiping a false god.
As their covenant partner, the Lord was very grieved. As their God, He was forced to punish them as their God. This roller coaster of blessing and punishment continued for about 1500 years. It was terrible. Both God and the people looked forward to the day when they might get the opportunity to get back to "Plan A" - when they could be a "kingdom of priests" with direct relationship with the Lord.
There was only one way back to Plan A.
See, covenants are only in force as long as both parties are alive. "For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it" (Heb. 9:16). So, for this rule based covenant of death to be abolished, one of the covenant partners had to die - similar to what we see in a marriage covenant today, "Till death do us part". It was either going to be the people or God. So, God had a choice to make. Who was going to die?
God took on flesh and became a human being in order to die and put an end to the old covenant and establish a new covenant of life. Jesus said, "I came that they might have LIFE." We often say that Jesus died for our sins which is true in a sense, but what He really died for was what sin was doing to us. "The wages of sin is death." Sin was killing us. It's not about punishment, it's about restoration. God doesn't punish the record of our wrongdoing, He cancels it (Col. 2:14).
Jesus didn't die to appease the "wrath" of an angry Father, He died to appease the "wrath" of sin. Jesus died to "set us free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). He died to abolish the old covenant and create a new one.
Back to "Plan A".
God's no longer interested in you not keeping the rules, because that covenant is abolished. God died, the covenant ended. It is now completely "obsolete" (Heb. 8:13). We are now free to re-marry Him all over again, under far better terms. Marriage only has one law. LOVE. "Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
And someone is proposing right now.
The New Covenant is a unique covenant, in that it is between God and God (the Father and Jesus). We have nothing to do with it. Thankfully, it's not based on our performance. We can "rest" in the finished work of Jesus Christ - our new groom.
The only question remaining is, Will you marry into the family or not? If you do, everything that is His is yours, and everything that is yours is His.
"Will you marry me"? is the question He is asking the world.
What is your answer?
Cross Over the Jordan
The LORD led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, through the Red
Sea and into the freedom of His presence and provision. For 40 years
they wandered aimlessly through the desert learning to trust His
guidance as they followed the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by
night. The cloud shaded them from the daytime heat, the fire warmed them
during the nighttime cold. "Manna" appeared on the ground every morning
- bread crumbs from heaven to satisfy their hunger. Water flowed from
rocks for their thirst. Throughout the 40 years their "clothes did not
wear out, nor did the sandals on their feet" (Deut. 29:5). They were
cared for just as we care for our children today with shelter, food,
drink, clothing and the security of our presence. This was their
"childhood". The people looked forward to inheriting what was promised
to them - the Promised Land - which was a land which was exceedingly
beautiful - "a land flowing with milk and honey". After the 40 years
they were told to pass over the waters of the Jordan River and enter the
land.
When they did, they experienced a complete shift and change.
Adolescence.
Instead of passively living in the LORD's mercy and grace and being sustained by Him with food and provisions, they now had to partner with Him in all that they did. They had to actually *occupy* and *take* the land, which required action on their part. They had to cross over the Jordan and shed one way of thinking (passive slaves) for another (proactive sons) because the wilderness paradigm no longer applied. They were "growing up into Him". They were to change their thinking [repent=rethink] by taking hold of their promised possession by *occupying* and *taking* their rightful inheritance, driving out the squatters - the trespassers - the enemy - by force.
This was a shadow of things to come.
Just as the Israelites were delivered from slavery by following the LORD through the Red Sea, we are first delivered by following Him through the waters of baptism. This is what it means to be "born of water."
"Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." - Jesus
But Jesus said we also must be "born of the Spirit". This is the second body of water to cross - the Jordan River - for the Jordan is what transforms slaves into sons. From "takers" into "makers". The Jordan is what separates wilderness wandering from the Kingdom of God. From renters to owners. This is what it means to be "born of the Spirit". Following the Spirit of God away from the perceived safety and security of today's wilderness toward the hope and future of tomorrow's promise. Toward a land "flowing with milk and honey". Toward your own personal Promised Land. First, through the still waters of the sea. Then, through the rushing waters of the river.
Are you a child of God who feels as if you are wandering aimlessly in the wilderness? Do you love the Lord yet feel like there must be more than water and manna? You may need to cross over the Jordan. Ask God to lead you through the second baptism in rivers of living water. Cross over the Jordan and into your inheritance. Be filled with the "Spirit of sonship". You may need to risk the manna of today in order to receive the honey of tomorrow. New wine requires new wineskins.
May we grow up into Him in all that we are. May we leave the bread crumbs of our childhood for the steak of tomorrow. May we be born of water *and* the Spirit.
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." - Romans 8:15
When they did, they experienced a complete shift and change.
Adolescence.
Instead of passively living in the LORD's mercy and grace and being sustained by Him with food and provisions, they now had to partner with Him in all that they did. They had to actually *occupy* and *take* the land, which required action on their part. They had to cross over the Jordan and shed one way of thinking (passive slaves) for another (proactive sons) because the wilderness paradigm no longer applied. They were "growing up into Him". They were to change their thinking [repent=rethink] by taking hold of their promised possession by *occupying* and *taking* their rightful inheritance, driving out the squatters - the trespassers - the enemy - by force.
This was a shadow of things to come.
Just as the Israelites were delivered from slavery by following the LORD through the Red Sea, we are first delivered by following Him through the waters of baptism. This is what it means to be "born of water."
"Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." - Jesus
But Jesus said we also must be "born of the Spirit". This is the second body of water to cross - the Jordan River - for the Jordan is what transforms slaves into sons. From "takers" into "makers". The Jordan is what separates wilderness wandering from the Kingdom of God. From renters to owners. This is what it means to be "born of the Spirit". Following the Spirit of God away from the perceived safety and security of today's wilderness toward the hope and future of tomorrow's promise. Toward a land "flowing with milk and honey". Toward your own personal Promised Land. First, through the still waters of the sea. Then, through the rushing waters of the river.
Are you a child of God who feels as if you are wandering aimlessly in the wilderness? Do you love the Lord yet feel like there must be more than water and manna? You may need to cross over the Jordan. Ask God to lead you through the second baptism in rivers of living water. Cross over the Jordan and into your inheritance. Be filled with the "Spirit of sonship". You may need to risk the manna of today in order to receive the honey of tomorrow. New wine requires new wineskins.
May we grow up into Him in all that we are. May we leave the bread crumbs of our childhood for the steak of tomorrow. May we be born of water *and* the Spirit.
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." - Romans 8:15
Fruit
No person or denomination has perfect theology. Not me, not you, not
anyone. Ironically, the quicker we let go of the illusion of knowledge
the quicker we stumble into the Truth. There were two trees in the
Garden - Knowledge and LIFE. One caused death, one brought life. One
does stuff. One is stuff.
Human beings have this insatiable desire to side with those who believe the same way they do - the same way their parents did - their grandparents did, etc. It starts as cliques in grade school and ends with what we call religion. Our desire to feel included and "right" far outweighs an honest, childlike curiosity for the Truth. The real Truth. Even if the bridge to the other side is a little shakey. Even if we have to go alone. Regardless of the implications. Like orphans searching their whole lives for their birth parents, regardless of what they might find out about them. Faith is the essence of things hoped for.
Human beings have this insatiable desire to side with those who believe the same way they do - the same way their parents did - their grandparents did, etc. It starts as cliques in grade school and ends with what we call religion. Our desire to feel included and "right" far outweighs an honest, childlike curiosity for the Truth. The real Truth. Even if the bridge to the other side is a little shakey. Even if we have to go alone. Regardless of the implications. Like orphans searching their whole lives for their birth parents, regardless of what they might find out about them. Faith is the essence of things hoped for.
I have talked with many people - Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists,
Presbyterians, Charismatics, Baptists - who are simply showing up on
Sunday mornings because their parents did, and their parents did, etc.
They believe in God, they're pretty sure He's Jesus and they are simply
"doing" the only thing they know to do.
Go to church.
But it needs to be a Lutheran church. A Catholic church. A Methodist church. Because I would never betray the dead faith of my grandparents. That is, if it works out schedule-wise. For sure on Christmas and Easter though.
Theology is important but Jesus didn't say we will recognize good doctrine by how it aligns with our statement of faith, He said we will recognize it by its fruit. That is, it's result. Is the teaching causing real life change and pointing people to the King of kings? If so, eat and be filled. If no one in your church pew is dramatically changing for the better, throw it out and leave.
Seriously. If you're not excited about God you haven't been properly introduced.
We must not judge. We must not be offended. Look at the fruit. A person could have been transformed from a drug-addicted prostitute into a missionary in Africa. If their doctrine seems a little "off" to us, we need to take a good look at our own. Take God out of your denominational box. He was never there anyway.
You cannot cage a Lion like this.
Go to church.
But it needs to be a Lutheran church. A Catholic church. A Methodist church. Because I would never betray the dead faith of my grandparents. That is, if it works out schedule-wise. For sure on Christmas and Easter though.
Theology is important but Jesus didn't say we will recognize good doctrine by how it aligns with our statement of faith, He said we will recognize it by its fruit. That is, it's result. Is the teaching causing real life change and pointing people to the King of kings? If so, eat and be filled. If no one in your church pew is dramatically changing for the better, throw it out and leave.
Seriously. If you're not excited about God you haven't been properly introduced.
We must not judge. We must not be offended. Look at the fruit. A person could have been transformed from a drug-addicted prostitute into a missionary in Africa. If their doctrine seems a little "off" to us, we need to take a good look at our own. Take God out of your denominational box. He was never there anyway.
You cannot cage a Lion like this.
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