The blinding power of sin

One of the less appealing aspects of standing up for truth is the duty of every Christian soldier to confront his brother who is ensnared in sin. (Matthew 18:15-17) T. M. Moore has written a compelling article on the subject.

Please read "The Blinding Power of Sin." It will encourage you to be wary of sin in your own life and to be compassionate, creative and committed in confronting your brother-in-arms who has stumbled.

Another Christian soldier stands up for truth

In yet another instance of college administrators over-stepping their authority, Beth Sheeran was threatened and bullied, because she wanted to share life-saving information on campus. The administration at Spokane Falls Community College labeled her efforts "hateful" and "discriminatory" and ordered her to be silent. Nevertheless, Beth, a devout Christian, stayed the course of truth and prevailed.

Do you, soldier, have what it takes to stand up for righteousness? "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. " (Matthew 5:6, 10) But you needn't be fearful to stand up for truth, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) "...[A]nd lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Read Beth's story here. It is a portrait of a Christian soldier engaged in the "struggle... against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world."

The fruit of the Spirit is...joy...

In a previous post, I wrote about the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Today I would like to talk about the "joy" piece of this marvelous package called the fruit of the Spirit.

In that previous posting, I noted that the fruit of the Spirit in this passage is a singular noun, because the various pieces of the fruit all go together to make up the whole fruit. Love...(joy omitted), peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control DO NOT make up the fruit of the Spirit any more than a grape can be made up of all its components but the skin or the flesh (meso-carp).

Joy is an integral part of the fruit of the Spirit. From the joy of the Magi when they saw the star of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:10) to the joy of Jesus which he petitioned the Father to give to His disciples (John 17:13), the Gospels overflow with joy.

"What is joy?" you might ask. How is it different from happiness. I am happy sometimes when I am in church, is that the joy we are talking about? Can there be joy in suffering, when we are seldom happy to suffer? Good questions, which deserve answers.

Joy is defined as "a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment." (Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition 2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009). To be sure, we have a tendency to use "joy" and "happiness" synonymously, but the definition above bears scrutiny.

First of all, joy is described as a "deep feeling or condition." This is not just a passing emotion, but rather it is a life condition, a status, if you will. It is a "deep" seated condition of "happiness or contentment." The word contentment here is appropriate. The same Collins English Dictionary defines "content" as "mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are."

Well, I don't know about you, soldier, but my life is ever-changing. Things happen. Some of them are not so wonderful. How can I be "mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are" if they are not so hot? James tells us, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials..." (James 1:2, emphasis added) Is this man nuts? (Martin Luther might have said so, but that is another story!) How can I count it all joy when I fall into various trials? Trials don't make me happy.

Now remember, we are talking about a deep condition of being mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are. Where can that condition of contentment come from, because it certainly doesn't come from having the brakes go out on my car or from losing my job? James goes on to say, "...knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (verse 3)

Ahhh! Now we are getting somewhere. It is not the trial itself that gives me joy, but rather the knowledge that the trial (of my faith) will produce patience. But isn't patience another one of the components of the fruit of the Spirit? Yes it is. We will address that in a future post. For now, suffice to say that the nature of joy is that it is not dependent on the circumstances of the moment.

The elation we feel when the tax refund arrives or when someone says nice things about us is happiness. But centering our lives on happiness is a sure road to disappointment. Happiness is fleeting. Let's check in with Collins Dictionary again: "Happiness: feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased."

Now it is true that Collins uses the word joy to define happiness, but notice that happiness is "feeling, showing, or expressing" joy. It is in the moment, for none of us shows or expresses joy continually. Happiness is not a condition but an emotion, that is, "any strong feeling, as of joy, sorrow, or fear." (Collins) Joy, on the other hand, is a condition of contentment.

How can we have a condition of contentment, in the face of the trials about which James exhorts us? Remember, we are talking about the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus promised, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17) The word translated "Helper" in this passage is the Greek "Parakletos," which means:

in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant:
of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom (http://odl.mdivs.edu/isb/)(This source also refers to Christ's taking the role of our legal assistant or defense counsel.)

How can we have joy in trials? We have a defense Counsel before the Most High God. We have a Helper, Succourer, Aider, Assistant to lead us to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth and give us strength...on behalf of the divine kingdom.

Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Thessalonians 1:

⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
⁶ And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. (vs. 5-7, emphasis added).

The Thessalonians became examples to others so that the kingdom of God might grow. This in itself is a source of joy to the true believer, but the knowledge of "Christ within you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are the true source of our joy.

Sergeant, let us "seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

Another example of a Christian soldier

Here is another example of a Christian soldier sold out to the battle against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil. Victoria Jackson hits the nail on the head when she calls Christians to get involved. Read her piece, "I'm Mad at Christians."

The fruit of the Spirit is love...

In a previous post, I quoted Galatians 5:22-23 and promised to elaborate on the components of the fruit of the Spirit.

The first component of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Galatians (5:22) is love. This brings to mind a number of questions. Why is love mentioned first? What is love? How do I love my neighbor (especially the one who lives next door and mocks me for my faith), when I don't feel love for him?

Let's deal with these questions in order. Why is love mentioned first? Consider the following:

• "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8, emphasis added) In order for us to know God we must love. The Holy Spirit gives us love first, that we may know God, Who is love. Sounds like a positive feedback system. We receive love, so that we may know love, so that we may receive love, so that...well, you get the picture.
  
• "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:11) OK. God is holy, pure, perfect; we are unholy, impure, imperfect. God cannot come into contact with us, except through the cleansing, purifying blood of the Lamb, Whom He sacrificed because He loves us and desires us so much. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) If God can love us that much across such a tremendous gulf of separation, we ought to love one another, given that our differences are not as great as our similarities. Nevertheless, we are a stiff-necked people, and we find it difficult or impossible to love some of our neighbors, so the Holy Spirit loves them through us.
  
• "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20) The Holy Spirit has given us love, because without love for our neighbors, we cannot truly love God.

What is love?

• The word translated "love" in this verse (Galatians 5:22) is agape. It is unconditional love, requiring nothing in return. It is an act of the will, not a feeling in the gut.
  
• In fact, Paul describes it for us in the famous "love chapter" of 1 Corinthians (chapter 13:4-8a) "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
• "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13) Jesus was talking about literally dying for another. This was a prophecy of His impending death on the cross. Nevertheless, "laying down one's life" can be done in a less gruesome fashion. In Ephesians 5:25, Paul tells us that a husband should "love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." I have never pictured Jesus suggesting that I throw myself under a bus as a blessing to my wife. (Although, I am sure there are times when my wife might think that would be a blessing!) No, I am to put my wife's needs and desires ahead of my own, provided they are within the will of God. I am to "take up my cross daily and follow [Jesus]." In fact, the calling of a husband is not only to sacrifice for his wife, but also to discern what is the good and perfect will of God for her, so that he has a frame of reference against which to measure her desires. In other words, he is to be the spiritual leader of his home. That is laying down his life for his wife.

How do I love my neighbor? (especially the one who lives next door and mocks me for my faith).

• Who is my neighbor? Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? My neighbor is whomever I see in need. When I see him, I am to lay down my life for him.
  
• "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:43-45) Wait a minute; hold the phone. Are you telling me that I have to love that jerk next door? I just can't do that. No, you probably can't, but the Holy Spirit can. That is why He gives you love as part of the fruit of the Spirit. "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" (Matthew 5:46) The real test of our trust in Christ is our willingness to follow Him, in this case to allow Him to love the unlovable through us. We can't do that through the power of the flesh, so the Holy Spirit gives us love for the unlovable.

How much more could be written about the love of the Holy Spirit? I'm not sure there is a limit, because there is no end to that love. As a component of the fruit of the Spirit, love ranks high.

How do we appropriate the fruit of the Spirit? This is the essence of sanctification. Jesus prayed the Father, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17) John tells us that "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God." (John 1:1) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life..." (John 14:6) In essence, then, sanctification comes through knowing the truth, which is the word of God, which is Jesus Christ. The more we know Jesus, the more we will appropriate the fruit of the Spirit.

God tells us, "...I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6, emphasis added) God wants us to know Him; not just know about Him; not just believe that He exists; but know Him, intimately. He wants so desperately for you to know Him, soldier, that He sent His only begotten Son to die an agonizing, humiliating death on the cross of Calvary. Only because He was willing to make such a sacrifice can you and I (cleansed of our sins and made holy by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God) come into His presence and know Him as our Abba Father. He gave us the scriptures (the word, the truth) so that we might know ABOUT Him, and He gave us Jesus (the word made flesh) so that we might know HIM.

What an awesome idea. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, emphasis added) "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10) God has cleared the path; He has done all the work. We are simply called to come into His presence and know Him. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20) That's right God, the Creator of the universe, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, would like to have an intimate little dinner party with YOU! Only a fool would pass up such an invitation.

Want the fruit of the Spirit? Get to know Jesus. Have dinner with Him. Go for a hike with Him in His creation. Laugh with Him. Cry with Him. Invite Him into your heart and your home. Tell Him how grateful you are for the sacrifice He made on Calvary. Jesus tells us, "Come and see" (John 1:39), and "Follow Me." (John 1:43) How better to know someone than to come and see what he is doing and follow him around while he is doing it. So, corporal, follow Jesus around (read the gospels) and see what He is all about. When you begin to know Him, you will begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

At ease.

Meeting ignorance with hatred...

Today I read an article published by Action to America, entitled:

Ted Turner's New Commandments to be Enforced by the UN

The new commandments, which Turner calls "Voluntary Initiatives," are in themselves rather frightening, and his hubris in daring to offer an "improved" set of commandments is irritating, even if he calls them "voluntary." Nevertheless, the comments offered by people representing themselves as Christians were the bigger disappointment. My comment on the piece is copied below:

It is sad to see so many comments in "defense" of the Ten Commandments filled with vitriol against a lost soul who has mocked God.

Jesus taught us, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:21-22)

And He further told us, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:43-45)

Ted Turner is not the enemy. He is one of the captives, whom Jesus came to set free. When we condemn those who disagree with us, we lose our witness, and that is a violation of the third commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)

I, too, become angry when God is mocked, but Paul told us, "Be angry, and do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26) We cannot dispel evil by name calling and hatred. Jesus told Pilate, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." (John 18:37) Only the truth can dispel the darkness of the lost souls in this world.

So, in your most winsome manner, share the truth with your neighbors. Judiciously point out the errors of their arguments, even as Jesus did. Know your Scripture, so you have nothing for which to apologize. As Paul wrote to Timothy, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:15-16)

Soldier of God, in this battle for the minds and hearts of men, we are called not to destroy those who are lost but to be "fishers of men." I have never found it effective, when stalking the wily trout, to use "bait" that is repellent to fish. It is ever so much more effective to offer a delectable morsel. When will we learn to offer delectable morsels, instead of self-righteous vitriol?

The Holy Spirit, the forgotten Person of the Trinity

In an earlier post, I addressed the Master's plan to build His kingdom by indwelling believers in the Person of the Holy Spirit. It has been my experience that many believers are unfamiliar with the meaning of the indwelling of the Spirit of God.

We all have a concept of the existence of a Heavenly Father, a Creator God, whom no one has seen (John 1:18, 1 John 4:12) but who has manifested Himself to us through his creation (Romans 1). We find it relatively easy to understand that the Father sent His Son in human form (John 1:14), for, though fully God, He was a man and was seen and walked among us and experienced the things we do and addressed them during His earthly ministry.

But what about this Holy Spirit? This is a concept that is more abstract. The Father created us, the Son gave Himself up for us, so that we might have communion with the Father. What did the Holy Spirit ever do for us?

Jesus taught us that He, the Holy Spirit, "...whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." (John 14:26) So, it is only through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we can understand spiritual things. "[T]he natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Jesus further taught us that "...if I do not go away, the Helper [Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." (John 16:7-11).

Remember, Sergeant, when the Light finally dawned on you, and you confessed your sin to God and repented and believed? How did you come to that moment? "He will convict the world of sin." That was the Holy Spirit prompting you.

So, now we come to the conviction of righteousness, "because I go to My Father and you see Me no more." Jesus Christ was the only man ever to live a sinless life. As such He was the only flesh and blood example of righteousness the world has ever known and could convict those around Him of righteousness by that example. But He doesn't walk among us in the flesh any longer. Instead, He has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers, and it is the Holy Spirit who convicts of righteousness by the example of those who walk in the Spirit and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control." (Galatians 5:22) Notice that the verb in this sentence is the singular "is." The fruit of the Spirit is; not the fruits of the Spirit are. This is a package deal. When we walk in the Spirit, He gives us this all inclusive fruit. Just as the fruit of the grape is stalk, skin, exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp and pips or seeds, so the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Without all of the parts, the fruit is either not a fruit at all, or it is a defective instance of the fruit.

In future posts, I will look at each part of the fruit of the Spirit. In the meantime, soldier, let us resolve to know God better in all His Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.