"THE MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS OF CHRIST" Bible Readings Thoughts for Sept. 7th

"THE MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS OF CHRIST"                                                                                      S

Our world is full of distractions; these seem to increase every year!  This is especially so for the young; at every twist and turn of daily life they encounter “voices” “words” and messages clamouring for their attention.  These “voices” might come via iPods, mobile phones or whenever they turn on their Laptop. 

            The words of Paul to the Corinthians we read today can be applied to the present situation.  The church in Corinth had been established for some years and the believers were being distracted by some who were full of their own self-importance and were creating problems.  We read, “I Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” [10 v.1]. This was the Christ-like attitude Paul had toward the genuine heart-motivated believers there, but it was a challenge to have it toward those who envied his popularity and sought to undermine his work for the Lord; we remember how our Lord responded to those who were envious of his popularity.   Paul was putting into practice what Christ had said, “Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden … Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart…” [Matt. 11 v.28,29]

We see how Paul expresses his distress at the attitude of many in Corinth who were not doing this. It is the same today: God’s words get wilfully distorted.  Paul writes, “I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough” [11 v.3,4]

Tragically the ‘Christian’ world has seen so many different gospels over the centuries, it is only the regular and prayerful reading of God’s word, so wonderfully preserved, that provides the foundation for us to truly walk in Christ’s footsteps – and, at the same time, to be motivated to develop the spirit of “meekness and gentleness.” This should apply equally as much when we seek to “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God”[10 v.5]  May we find that, on at least some occasions, “the soft answer” [Prov. 15 v.1] can penetrate the hard hearts we encounter.

              Finally, note how this chapter ends; “it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” May the Lord commend you on that day for being faithful to his word, and in turning from this world’s distractions to daily read and meditate on his word knowing they provide an essential foundation for all you think and do..

"WHETHER THEY HEAR OR REFUSE TO HEAR" Bible Readings Thoughts for Sept 6th

“WHETHER THEY HEAR OR REFUSE TO HEAR”

            Yesterday we started reading the intriguing prophecy of Ezekiel.  He is in Babylon with those taken captive there before Jerusalem fell, along with King Jehoiachin. This is recorded in 2 Kings 24 v.12-15.  It is in “the fifth year of the exile” [Ezek 1 v.2,3] that “the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel … and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.”  It maybe he was sent by the LORD to join the exiles. There are many varied prophecies and visions that the LORD reveals to him climaxing with a vision in his final 9 chapters of a wondrous temple that will come into being in the ultimate future of the world.

            In today’s chapter he is told to preach to the exiles, and their attitude to his message have a number of comparisons with attitudes today.  He is told, “I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels who have rebelled against me.”[v.3]  He is told, “The descendants also are impudent and stubborn … And whether they hear or refuse to hear … they will know that a prophet has been among them … Be not afraid of them … nor be dismayed at their looks …” [[v.4-6]

            We see a real comparison with the situation and attitudes today when there is an inclination to give up on efforts to witness about the word of God.   But the final “ingathering” (see Matt. 22 v.9,10) must be completed and “the labourers are few” [Matt 9 v.27].   The vast majority we preach to  “refuse to hear” – but we recall the parable of Jesus about the final ingathering before his return when the “master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people …. “ [Luke 14 v.23] and these words, we feel, have an application to us today.  Let us renew our efforts in the area in which we live.

            So let us take the lesson of the LORD’s instructions to Ezekiel to heart in whatever situation we are in and make known God’s word in these last days so that “whether they hear or refuse to hear” – we can really feel we are carrying out our responsibility before God.  This is an essential part of our “sowing” – noting the point Paul makes in today’s 9^th chapter of 2nd Corinthians.  “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” [v.6] so, while Paul is not applying this primarily to preaching, let us take (and create) opportunities to sow the word of God in the ears of the those with whom we have contact so that “they will know that a prophet has been among them” and we show we are heeding Paul’s words to “abound in every good work”[v.8]  

"BRINGING HOLINESS TO COMPLETION" Bible Readings Thoughts for Sept. 5th

“BRINGING HOLINESS TO COMPLETION”

            Following Christ is a journey –  what a wonderful journey it should be!  In today’s 3 chapters in 2^nd Corinthians we see how Paul opens out more and more to them the wonder and challenges of this journey.  We are reminded of Solomon’s ‘vision’ that “the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until …” [Prov. 4 v.18]!   Yes, until the “full day” comes, when faith is turned to sight.   Is the path you are treading, shining brighter and brighter?  Are you “bringing holiness to completion”?

            The increasing spiritual darkness around us – should make the brightness of our path more evident! But sadly, ‘official’ Christianity is showing ever more clearly that God “has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn …”  [John 12 v.40]. The ‘evidence’ was there for them to ‘see’ in the days of Jesus but their minds refused to accept what their eyes saw!  They were unable to “turn.” And today!  The contrast between “light” and “darkness” has grown really great; those in darkness have convinced themselves there never was a Creator.

            We are challenged to clearly understand what Paul means!  He says, “while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened – not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” [5 v.4]  The more we are “further clothed” in our minds, the pathway before us will become increasingly clear and  bright.   

 “We are always of good courage”, says Paul, “and we would rather be away from the body and present with the Lord” [v.8]  Those who believe their “soul” is immortal usually misunderstand Paul’s meaning.  Mortality will be “swallowed up” when Christ returns as Paul explained in detail in 1 Cor. Ch. 15 also when he stated his expectation of what is “laid up for me” in 2 Tim 4 v.7,8. 

            We will be physically “at home with the Lord” when he returns.  Paul challenges them (and us) to be more and more spiritually “at home” with him now so that when we “appear before the judgement seat of Christ (when) … each one … receive(s) what is due for what he has done in the body …” [v.10]    This means what he has done in “the body” of Christ - as Paul made clear in Ephesians 1 v.22,23.

            Chapter 6 in today’s readings ends by making the Corinthians aware of God’s promises of the life to come in his kingdom as recorded in the Old Testament (he quotes from Lev. 26 v.12 and Isaiah 52 v.11).   Ch. 7 starts, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement … bringing holiness to completion in the fear (awe) of God”.  He tells them to “widen your hearts” [6 v.13]  How “wide” is your heart?. Our readings are the essential ‘food’ for our hearts; God’s scriptures are a foundation ingredient if our hearts are to really become wide and so see “the path” really clearly so that we anticipate the “full day” with the greatest eagerness. 

"OUR INNER NATURE IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY" Bible Reading Thoughts for Sept. 4th

"OUR INNER NATURE IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY"                                                                               

        This statement by Paul in today’s readings [2 Cor. 4 v.16] really sums up what we aim to achieve by reading portions of God’s word every day.  Of course this depends on the spirit with which we read.  Many face the challenge each day of finding adequate time to read; and then have little or no time for meditation on what they have read. But it is important to make an effort to do this for it multiplies in our minds the effectiveness of our reading. 

        In this ever more godless world many have times of difficulty and frustration to face and overcome. Note what Paul says next; “for this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” [v.17].  Nearly all have some positive things in their daily experiences and if we highlight these in our minds they are invaluable in preventing worldly concerns from dominating our thoughts.  It is God’s word that helps most of all – but that depends how we read it, how receptive our minds are – what we look for!  We try to demonstrate this in the daily thoughts we circulate.

         We all experience things which tend to frustrate us, but Paul says, “we do not lose heart” [v.16]  and, as we see his list of afflictions, ours are nothing in almost every case!   The reason why Paul did not lose heart  was because he did not look on “the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” [v.18]   Let’s try harder to follow his way of thinking.

         We have climbed a few mountains in our younger days and, for much of the time we climbed surrounded by clouds, but then, suddenly there is a break in the clouds and we realise both how much we have climbed, but greater still, we marvel at the vista of the distant scene that suddenly unfolds.  Is not progress in the believer’s life like this?

          Now Jeremiah is an exception to the general experience of “light affliction” and as we completed reading his Lamentations today we noted his lament; “we get our bread at the peril of our lives …the joy of our hearts has ceased” [5 v.9,15] and we think this could be happening at times to some of our brethren in Iran and in one or two parts of Africa and maybe, even amongst those in Sri Lanka whom the Govt there is trying to force to return to their homeland. For all these, Paul’s words are really full of meaning and it is vital and they know it is vital that their “inner nature is being renewed day by day.” They may sometimes feel somewhat as Paul felt,  “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair … struck down, but not destroyed” [4 v.8,9] Let us include them in our prayers – sensing how it helps in the renewal of our own inner nature, remembering what we read in ch. 1, v.11.

" ... HELP US BY PRAYER" Bible Readings Thoughts for Sept 3rd

“…HELP US BY PRAYER”

            We started reading 2^nd Corinthians today: the opening chapter needs to be read slowly, carefully, as Paul makes so many points.  He shows the inter-reaction of events and the great value of prayers in all the difficulties they and he are experiencing.  “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s suffering, so, through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too.” [1 v.5]  It is, writes Paul “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction … [v.3,4] This is a comfort we have a responsibility to pass on to others.

            Let us meditate and reflect on the inter-reaction of events we have personally experienced.  The more we have been active in the service of Christ, the more clearly we will perceive this.  In Paul, the Corinthians saw the most outstanding example of service.  “The afflictions we experienced,” writes Paul, was such that “we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.” [v.8] But Paul then came to realize, “that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God ….” [v.9]

            “On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again” [v.10]  Then Paul makes an appeal that we should specially take notice of.   He tells the Corinthians, “You also must help us by prayer so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us by the prayers of many.” [v.11]

            Many are aware today through the almost instant communication the internet provides of the desperate situations some Iranian believers have experienced.  There are also Pakistani believers who are experiencing persecution, and a few truth seekers who have felt it wise to return to Afghanistan.  Let us help them by prayer.

            Also, may we, as Paul writes in his 2^nd chapter, spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved …” [v.14,15]  The world is ‘smelling’ ever more evil, as the darkness becomes ever darker, but then the light should be even more evident!

            It is a tragedy, as we will read tomorrow in ch. 4, that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel …” [v.4]  But, what a wondrous blessing we have that “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” [v.6]  That ‘light’ shone physically as creation began countless aeons ago, but the wondrous fact for us is, as we will read in ch. 5, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” [v.17]   May all those who are part of that “new creation” help one another by prayer.

"IT IS GOOD THAT ONE SHOULD WAIT QUIETLY ..." Bible Thoughts for Sept. 2st

“IT IS GOOD THAT ONE SHOULD WAIT QUIETLY”

            The Lamentations of Jeremiah are a remarkable mixture of positive thinking, but also at times. of deep depression.  We meditate on Jeremiah’s state of mind through all his experiences.  What a pathway he had in life! beginning as a young priest in the good reign of Josiah, how spiritually stimulated he would been in that era. We will read of this in a couple of weeks, Josiah was the final good king in Jerusalem “who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul …” [2 Kings 23 v.25] and a remarkable Passover was held (v.22), but soon after this he was killed in battle and “Jeremiah … uttered a lament” for him” [2 Chron. 35 v.25]

            What a total contrast his life became after that!  The climax he was fully involved in was the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple.  After that the Governor the Babylonians appointed is murdered, those who remain decide, against the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah, to go to Egypt; probably some were blaming the prophet for their distressed state.

Jeremiah is overwhelmed by sorrow, in the opening chapter of his Lamentations he writes of his “groaning, yet there was no one to comfort me.” [v.21]   In today’s chapter it is evident that the people have turned against him, it is so often human nature to look for someone to blame; politics especially is a blame game! .

       We judge verses 61-63 to be a prayer; “You have heard their taunts, O LORD, all their plots against me.  The lips and thoughts of my assailants are against me all the day long … I am the object of their taunts.”   Also in v. 17, “my soul is bereft of peace,” it is obvious he is ‘talking’ to the LORD.

       However, Jeremiah is blessed with times of uplifting vision, a lesson for us when we are weighed down by sadness or anxieties.  “The LORD is good for those who wait for him,” he writes, “to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” [v.25,26]   Jeremiah is granted an all embracing view of his total relationship with the LORD – surely this is granted as he looks back on the pathway he has travelled – how the LORD has led him. All who believe in the LORD and his (their) Messiah should seek to perceive such a vision, most of all, in times of stress.. Jeremiah perceives of God that, “though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men” [v.32,33] 

Jeremiah lifts up his mind to see the ‘big picture’ of his relationship with God – and we must do the same,  “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

Lamentations 3 we have Jeremiah representative of the nation remembering v1 to v17 the affliction brought by Almighty God. Insomuch Jeremiah writes "my strength and my HOPE is perished from the LORD".

What does this remembrance bring? He is humbled. And now we have a change in perspective; "this I recall to my mind, therefore have I HOPE". At this low point, what does he also remember that changes his perspective from HOPE perished, to having HOPE?

The LORD's mercies and compassion and the promise of (a portion) inheritance:
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassion fail not. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness"

We are reminded of the words of exhortation by the Apostle Paul:
"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth...if ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons..."

Let us never forget these words of great HOPE and comfort, and put ourselves in the hands of our God. Also let us be of the same mind as the Apostle Paul:
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us".

"OF FIRST IMPORTANCE" Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings - Sept 1st

“OF FIRST IMPORTANCE” 

            Possibly the most heart moving chapter for us in Scripture is today’s 15^th chapter in 1^st Corinthians – of course, that depends on how ‘alive’ our heart is!  Paul writes on the absolute certainty that the resurrection of Christ really happened.  It is the foundation of “the gospel in which you stand and by which you are being saved.”]v.1,2]  He reminds these former idol-worshippers that “I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins … that he was raised the third day …” [v.3,4]  

            This gave real meaning to their lives, as it does to ours. We can say that if we have real conviction of this event, that conviction becomes the ‘engine’ of the ‘thought processes’ that transform the way we see the meaning of life.  How well that ‘engine’ is functioning is evidenced by the priorities we have in daily and weekly life.

            The people of Corinth had formerly been idol worshippers, they had believed they had a ‘soul’ that was immortal that it was a blessing when it escaped from their body at death to then lead some sort of immortal existence!   There are still some relatively primitive people today who believe this, but far more significant at the moment is the Islamic conviction, from the Qur’an, that the souls of martyrs go directly to paradise – a conviction that is surely a significant factor in the minds of those who commit the atrocities we are witnessing in the world at the moment.

            Paul goes on to list the witnesses that Christ rose from the dead; on one occasion “he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive” [v.6]  We reflect the thinking of the Roman Centurions –  their thinking was effectively challenged through their contact with Jesus, at least some were convinced of his divine powers, see Matt 8 v.5-13; Luke 3 v.3-6. A Centurion and others with him saw “what took place (at the crucifixion) and they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" [Matt 27 v.54]

            Then of course Acts 10 has the account of the conversion of the Roman Centurion Cornelius – and many with him.  Surely the impact of these experiences was the reason why there were so many followers of Christ in Rome in A.D. 63 whom the emperor Nero sought to put to death, according to Roman historians, e.g. Tacitus, circa AD 110.  They saw the events of Calvary as “of first importance” – it transformed their thinking, as it did all those who had witnessed him alive after his resurrection – creating the conviction of their own hope of resurrection! 

            Those alive at his return, and surely that includes some (many?) alive today who truly believe these things are “of first importance” and are baptised, they, says Paul, “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet … and put on immortality.” [v.51,53] All with this conviction of belief and expectation, will, as Paul expresses it at the end of this chapter, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord …”  

1 Cor 14:26 Paul exhorts the brothers and sisters at Corinth and also us, to in all things to builders in the ecclesia. Nothing within the ecclesia can be done for personal gain or pride:
"Let all things be done unto EDIFYING (building up)"

What are we building? Paul again gives us the answer in 1 Cor 3:9 "for ye are labourers together with God, ye are Gods husbandry, ye are Gods BUILDING"

We are to be helping one another to be part of the temple of God, and as Paul exhorts in Ephesians, "a BUILDING fitly framed together (closely joined together)".

When we think of a building, the same Greek used by Paul "EDIFYING" is 1st used of Herod's magnificent temple, a wonder of then world.
"As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what BUILDINGS are here"..."Jesus answering said unto him, seest thou these great BUILDINGS? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (Mar 13:1-2)

Herod's temple looked magnificent but was destroyed by fire and an army, because the nation (ecclesia), did not listen to God.  We are to builders of a temple to built on firm foundations, which has to stand firm until the end, to Gods glory.