IRRESPONSIBLE

NAÏVE IRRESPONSIBILITY

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Matthew 11:27-30 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 8:31-34 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

The Book of Galatians

  I am not pro-slavery, but opine that the USA abolitionists were by and large, though educated for the most part, a naively ignorant irresponsible group of activists thinking simply freeing over 4 million negro slaves making up about 13% of USA population was the solution to their subjugation. What did they think would happen to such a huge mass of people suffering hope and change from slave culture to unfamiliar alien cultural realm they were practically unknowledgeable of? There wasn’t just massive lack of transitional programs, they also had to contend with the South and North white mind that had so bravely fought to free them but considered them a threat to white American; For one thing a threat to their jobs as free slaves desperately needed work and took employment at lower rate of pay, thereby displacing white workers. What a shock it must have been to be among those free to starve or submit to economic bondage!

  I’m not pro-colonialism. However, in my lifetime I observed powerful forces mold world opinion again colonialism, and win their case for African self-determination and home-rule. Without strong transitional program or guidance, when the colonial governors, civil servants, court systems, and maintainers of physical (water, transportation etc.) and business structure left, many areas quickly or gradually returned to uncooperative tribalism and did so too often with brutality.

  God’s Word speaks of men and women being in bondage to sin. Jesus provides freedom from, but not a foolishly releasing without needed aid; without which His John 1:12 family would be no better or possibly worse off.

  Pastor Paul and Pastor Josh have begun a sermon series on aid. It’s called discipleship. As an act of discipleship I’m taking notes and will on Mondays pass my understanding on to you.

  One final thought this morning: We as followers of Christ, His disciples, should never be irresponsible when it comes to assisting those set free to the wearing of His yoke.  EBB4

TRUSTWORTHINESS

 

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

1Corinthians [NLT] 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

  Think about the word "responsibility".  If you break it into its two main parts you get "respons-" and "-ibility".  It's not too far of a stretch to say that it could be defined as "the ability to respond". 

  Thinking of responsibility this way in the context of everyday life makes sense.  Looking at Scripture to discern whether or not this thought is accurate (which we should always do-Paul tells us to test everything in 1Thes.5:21) also proves its validity.  A responsible person is able to respond when:

1)      INTERROGATED
-Jesus was interrogated by the Pharisees on countless occasions but He was able to respond with truth and they were never able to trap Him.  Though they would eventually crucify Him on a cross He still reigned triumphant by rising from the dead three days later.  (Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
-Paul was questioned by the political and religious authorities multiple times but was able to respond with truth each time.  Although he was beaten and tortured severely he counted it as gain because it was out of service to the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Acts 22:1-23:10; 2Cor.11:23-33)
-Jesus exhorts us to not be afraid of what we will say when questioned by authorities for the Holy Spirit will give us words to speak.  (Matt 10:19)
-When Job was questioned by God he realized where he was wrong at and admitted these sins to God.  God responded with forgiveness (as He will for all of us when we repent) and blessed Job even more than He had initially.  Sometimes responsibility means being able to respond with an admission of our sin when faced with an honest and correct rebuke.  (Job 38:1-42:6)
-David was confronted by Nathan the prophet about his adultery with Bathsheba and also responded by taking responsibility for his actions.  (2Sam.12:1-13)

2)      CHALLENGED
-Nehemiah accepted the challenge of rebuilding the wall even though he faced military opposition from a group of conspirators and a lack of morale in his own people, those working on the wall with him and those coming from afar just to discourage the workers.  (Neh. 4)
-David faced Goliath’s challenge as a young man while many grown men were too afraid to do so and his older brother attempted to discourage him from going to fight the giant.  (1Sam.17)
-Paul exhorts men to provide for their families.  While one application of this is in financial matters another is if a man’s wife and/or children are threatened being obedient and responsible means standing up to the challenge and defending them.  (1Tim.5:8)

3)      THEIR WISDOM IS SOUGHT
-People came from all over to hear Jesus’ teachings because they knew He would be able to teach and share wisdom in an extraordinary way.  (Mk.3:7,8)
-Solomon’s counsel was sought by rulers from many countries since his wisdom was known all around the world.  (1Kin.4:34)
                *NOTE: Although in his later years Solomon exhibited many irresponsible traits this         happened during the responsible part of his life.

4)      FACING DIFFICULT LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES
-Job went through many severe hardships and as noted above was eventually rebuked by God for some of the things that he said while going through those trials, but through it all he would not curse God.  (Book of Job)

-Jesus died the most excruciating death possible when He was crucified on a cross, but even shortly before His death some of His last words were to ask for forgiveness for those responsible for crucifying Him, thereby maintaining His obedience to God’s will and continuing to be responsible for what He was sent to do literally until death.  (Luke 23:33,34; Phil 2:8)

  These examples all have the common factor of success being hinged upon one's ability to respond.  Lacking the ability to respond leads one to not follow the examples set before us in Scripture, therefore making us irresponsible.  David Repair 

PS: I’ve known David since his boyhood days. He is a young follower of Christ practicing 1Corinthians 13 Biblical thinking with diligent application and has therein moved from untrustworthy to trustworthy. For future possible airing as DTs, I have invited him to write more brief essays on his developing fellowship and maturation with Christ and John 1:12 family. Also, in proofreading David’s essay I searched Scripture. One interesting thing I discovered is though it frequently addresses responsibility, nowhere in the KJV is “responsible” or “responsibility” found. EBB4

 

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

Monday, January 13, 2014

                Romans 1 (GW) [Apostle Paul exhorting] … God's anger is revealed from heaven against every ungodly and immoral thing people do as they try to suppress the truth by their immoral living. What can be known about God is clear to them because he has made it clear to them. … And because they thought it was worthless to acknowledge God, God allowed their own immoral minds to control them.

                 2Corinthians (GW) 6:1-2 [Apostle Paul explaining]  Since we are God's coworkers, we urge you not to let God's kindness be wasted on you. 2  God says, "At the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation I helped you." Listen, now is God's acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!”

  I was fortunate in growing up hearing wise axioms. One is the title of today’s DT, “Strike while the iron is hot.” . . . which, unless you understand basic blacksmithing (A requirement in my High School education.), makes no sense.

  Metal is best reshaped on an anvil when it is red hot. Stand around dilly dallying pondering and talking about how you’re going to strike the piece to reshape it and it gets to cool to work at. Repeat the procedure again and again and you get no useful product.

  So it is with living and dying: Dalliance makes for missed opportunities.

  To no avail, Paul explained this to King Agrippa and all within hearing that day: “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (KJV Acts 26: 22-28)

  Indeed Paul tells us elsewhere in his writing that God is patient in wanting everyone to be saved from the penalty of sin in both life and death. (Jn.12:32; 1Pet.3:9) But Paul also explains in Romans chapter one that there is point in time when God gives people up to a reprobate mind. (Rom.1:16-32)

  Let us pray together that the unredeemed we know will not dawdle during their day of opportunity.  EBB4

A VISION PROBLEM

A VISION PROBLEM

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Mark [NLT] 12: ²⁸ One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹ Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. ³⁰ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

³² The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. ³³ And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

³⁴ Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.   

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

 

                                 PLEASE RE-POST THIS WHEN YOU FIND THE MITSAKE. 

  A few will find the mistake immediately. Some will go over the numerical sequence again and again and still not find it. I found the mistake after one review. For many years this was not so when it came to recognizing real mitsakes.

  I trusted Jesus Christ at age 27. Growing up around alcoholism I considered drinking a sin. Studying God’s Word I then arrived at the conclusion that it is not drinking but it’s drunkeness that is the sin. Later leaving my usual intellectual manner of looking at things I saw that drunkeness is not the issue; putting alcohol before God is truly the paramount offense. Then I saw that even making paper airplanes could be in violation of God’s two main commandments.

  Clarity of vision requires constant cleansing and maintenance. Just the other day when I was looking for a rule from God to guide me I missed the spelling of “grace”.  EBB4

DROOPING WITH ANTHROPOCENTICISM

DROOPING WITH ANTHROPOCENTICISM

Friday, January 10, 2014

Matthew 18:1-4; 23:10-12 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. … Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Galatians [MKJV] 5:22-26 … the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become glory-seeking, provoking one another, envying one another.

Ephesians [MKJV] 5:8-9 … you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

  For many, much of personal identity has to do with prideful things: race, family, genealogy, culture, ability, achievements, wealth, intelligence, prowess, toughness, possessions (may include spouse and children), knowledge, education, stature, looks, position, talents, neighborhood, dwelling(s), et al. 

  When our being is based in pride, our common practice is investing considerable time and effort in said identity’s maintenance and increase. When we trust God and His Way (Jn.14:6) and leave prideful identification, in its place we gain that which is truly finest, the fruit of the Spirit; “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control . . . all goodness and righteousness and truth.”; the blessed state of usefulness of moral excellence in character or demeanor.

  Having lost old basis of identifying being that was trusted motivator for so many years we may droop without anthropocentric incentive. Or, clinging to our old way for being, we simply shift our pride to Christian works; thereby stumbling to and fro in confusion as we incur God’s resistance. (James 4:1-10) This should not be and will not be if we live in our new identity.

  Once we were only unregenerate human being. After trusting Lord Jesus Christ, we are Christian being, “a follower of Christ”, redeemed, a being in and by Him. It is our Christian being that should and will motivate us if we so allow; “We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever. … So from now on we don't think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don't anymore. Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” (GW 2Cor.4:18; 5:16-17)

  Droop not.  EBB4

 

DROOPING WITH ANTHROPOCENTICISM

Friday, January 10, 2014

Matthew 18:1-4; 23:10-12 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. … Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Galatians [MKJV] 5:22-26 … the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become glory-seeking, provoking one another, envying one another.

Ephesians [MKJV] 5:8-9 … you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

 

  For many, much of personal identity has to do with prideful things: race, family, genealogy, culture, ability, achievements, wealth, intelligence, prowess, toughness, possessions (may include spouse and children), knowledge, education, stature, looks, position, talents, neighborhood, dwelling(s), et al. 

  When our being is based in pride, our common practice is investing considerable time and effort in said identity’s maintenance and increase. When we trust God and His Way (Jn.14:6) and leave prideful identification, in its place we gain that which is truly finest, the fruit of the Spirit; “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control . . . all goodness and righteousness and truth.”; the blessed state of usefulness of moral excellence in character or demeanor.

  Having lost old basis of indentifying being that was trusted motivator for so many years we may droop without anthropocentric incentive. Or, clinging to our old way for being, we simply shift our pride to Christian works; thereby stumbling to and fro in confusion as we incur God’s resistance. (James 4:1-10) This should not be and will not be if we live in our new identity.

  Once we were only unregenerate human being. After trusting Lord Jesus Christ, we are Christian being, “a follower of Christ”, redeemed, a being in and by Him. It is our Christian being that should and will motivate us if we so allow; “We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever. … So from now on we don't think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don't anymore. Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” (GW 2Cor.4:18; 5:16-17)

  Droop not.  EBB4

 

ANTHROPOCENTRICISM

ANTHROPOCENTRICISM

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Isaiah GW 53:1-12 … He was despised and rejected by people. He was a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering. He was despised like one from whom people turn their faces, and we didn't consider him to be worth anything. He certainly has taken upon himself our suffering and carried our sorrows, but we thought that God had wounded him, beat him, and punished him. He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. …

1Thessalonians 5:14-24 We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this. 19 Don't put out the Spirit's fire. 20 Don't despise what God has revealed. 21 Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil. 23 May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being-spirit, soul, and body-blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

  “Anthropocentricism” sounds like a fatal disease, doesn’t it? Everyone has it, and without proper treatment it reaps havoc in spirit, soul, and body unto sickening or even death. (1Cor.11:30)

  Anthropocentricism is belief humans are nature’s most important entity in the universe, the treating of humans as preeminent; including and never apart from seeing life and all things in human terms, especially judging everything according to human perceptions, values, experiences, and needs. (Sadly, in some Christian circles, this latter characteristic is common religious practice.)

  Anthropocentricism is the lordly mindset that others are to please, serve, respect, and meet my needs, all this while I judge, criticize, impress, and manipulate them.

  Anthropocentricism seeks and works at domesticating God to a god of my own making, seeing Him as being here for me, obedience to him (if at all) being selective according to my pleasure.

  Anthropocentricism can be easily recognized most of the time, but with the more sophisticated personality it is not so obvious and can even be misconstrued and lauded as leadership quality.

  Since Eden’s calamity everyone is afflicted with anthropocentricism.

  What might the saving cure be?

  It is humility; realized only through submission to Holy Spirit directed spirit of meekness, other-mindedness, worshipping the Alpha and Omega as Master of all. (Ps.8:1-9; Jn.15:5; Rom.3:10; 12:1-3)

  Let us heed Paul’s exhortation: “If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and mercies, then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others. For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (MKJV Phil.2:1-8)

  Oh, and one more thing . . . if you’re like me and have trouble remembering or pronouncing anthropocentricism, just say “arrogant pride”, it’s the same thing.  EBB4