But Seek First His Kingdom

I was trying to gain an understanding of the meaning of Matthew 6:33 apart from (or maybe including) other interpretations of it, as is the case for me with a lot of scripture, especially well-known verses.  My issue is with the common interpretation of this verse that has resulted in the importance of a religious practice that has seemingly taken precedence over the Word itself. 

Verse 33 and 34 of Matthew six is a conclusion of the previous eight verses spoken by Jesus, so in order to gain an understanding; we have to include them as well.  Jesus explains that worrying is futile -even about essential things, such as food and clothing.  And Jesus concludes that the needs of those who seek God before seeking these things will be met.  Jesus positions ‘things’ as secondary after the primary God, and the extension of God:  His kingdom and righteousness. 

seek- [trans. v.] 1. to resort; go to 2. search; look for 3. to try to discover; ask for: request 4. to try to acquire or gain (m-w.com).

first- [adj.] proceeding all others in time, order, or importance; earliest (m-w.com).

Concerning God’s kingdom, Jesus has said that God’s kingdom dwells within the individual believer (Lk 17:21).  The NIV study Bible commentary on Matthew 6:10 (‘The Lord’s Prayer’) explains that to ‘come’ isn’t in the sense of God’s kingdom not existing, because it’s already here (see Lk 17:21).  But it means to ‘come’ more and more completely until it’s full and final consummation.  God’s kingdom is birthed within the believer after they believe and confess (Ro 10:9).  And it is revealed more and more through the continued maturation of the working out of their salvation (Php 2:12-13). God’s kingdom is defined as the reign of God that is brought about through Jesus Christ –i.e. the establishment of God’s rule in the hearts and lives of his people, the overcoming of all the forces of evil, the removal from the world of all consequences of sin –including death and all that diminishes life- and a creation of a new order of righteousness and peace (NIV study Bible note on Mt 3:2).  

Many people insist that this means we must pray in the morning.  And I’m not saying that this interpretation and practice is wrong.  What I’m saying is that an understanding of Mt 6:33 isn’t limited by this interpretation.  Just as the four gospels give four different takes on the same life and events, it’s also possible for us to see things differently and all still be correct.  Based on the previous definitions and scripture seeking God first can be expressed in various ways in the life of a Christian (studying God’s word in the morning, praying over a situation before acting on it, seeking the wise counsel of God’s word before turning to anyone or anything else, etc.).  There are many instances in the Bible where the Lord speaks very plainly (Ex 20:1-17; Mal 2:16; 2Co 6:14-18), and I think that if this was as simple as merely praying in the morning, Jesus would just said, Pray in the morning.    

It’s always good for people to make God’s Word personal, seek revelation on it, and apply it to their lives.  However when, in pride, we attempt to validate our interpretation or understanding by presenting them as gospel, we get into a dangerous way of thinking called legalism, which will prevent God’s us from gaining a true relationship with him, as evidenced by the fault-finding Pharisees and Sadducees in the New Testament.  It’s always important to keep things in proper perspective.  And as Jesus said, all ‘things’ (to include our ideas, interpretations, and religious practices) have their proper place after God’s way, his kingdom and righteousness.         

Get Understanding Pt. 2: Marriage

Like I mentioned last week, much of my post will come from notes of my study on marriage/wives I wrote last year.  This week’s post might turn out to be a little long, so I’ll divide into subtopics/sub points to make it easier on you, the reader.  To be clear, God, not man, defines marriage, so I’m leaning on the Word for definition(s), as we should for anything else.

1. Marriage is a concession: 

Many assume that God desires us all to marry, which isn’t the case.  It’s written, The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.  I’ll make a helper suitable for him’ (Ge 2:18).  We understand Adam, which means ‘man’, to be representative of: the individual, manhood, or mankind.  It’s my belief that the definitive ‘the’ used before ‘man’ signifies Adam as an individual.  However, I will introduce the interpretation of the NIV note on this verse as another possible understanding of it. ‘Without female companionship and a partner in reproduction, the man could not fully realize his humanity.’  On a very practical level, the very livelihood of mankind was dependent on Adam -and soon to be- Eve.  That is not the case today where there are plenty of children who don’t have parents to care for them.

In 1 Co 7, Paul lets the Corinthian church know that, ‘although marriage is desirable’, it’s not mandatory. He writes, I wish that all men were as I am.  But each man has his own gift from God: one has this gift, and another has that’ (1 Co 7:7).  Paul views his celibate lifestyle as a ‘gift from God’ that made it possible for him to accept unmarried state and use it in the service of his Lord (NIV note).  In verses 32 to 35, he points out the biggest benefit of an unmarried Christian:  a chance to live a life that is completely devoted to the Lord and free from the concerns of a spouse.  This isn’t to say that married people’s service to God is less than that of a single person, because based on what I’ve seen; surely it’s a gift to be able to live with a spouse and maintain sanity. (That was a joke married people.  Take it easy!)

Based on 1Co 7, I think it’s safe to say that the point Paul is trying to get at is, whether you marry or not, you should do so for the right reason(s), which is to say that you are in God’s will and are lead by him, following his plan for your life.

(Additionally, Jesus’ disciples concluded that it was better not to marry in Mt 19:10.  But in the following verses Jesus gives three examples of why a person shouldn’t marry: because they were born a eunuch, made a eunuch, or because they have ‘renounced marriage for the kingdom of heaven’ [v.11-12])

2. Marriage is an earthly institution:

Paul explains how marriage is only binding in life in Romans 7:1-3. 

And in Mt 22:23-33, Jesus is asked a testing question by the Sadducees:  Whose wife will a woman be at the time of the Resurrection after marrying seven brothers according to the levirate (from Latin word ‘levir’, which means brother-in-law) law (The levirate law was in practice in order to protect the woman after she was widowed, and guarantee continuance of the family line; Dt 25:5-10)?  Jesus answers in verse 30 that “at the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage…”  And in verse 32 he says that God “…isn’t the God of the dead but of the living”.  Marriage sets the proper foundation for reproduction and provides man with a suitable helper, both of which will not be necessary in heaven.  We will need or want for nothing in heaven!  God will supply all directly.  Jesus also says that at the time of Resurrection we “will be like angels in heaven”, who were (also) created to do nothing but serve God (v. 30).  There will be a new order of existence in the resurrection brought about by ‘the power of God’, and the basic characteristics of resurrection life will be fellowship with, and service for God (NIV note on Mk 12:25).  We will be made perfect at the time of resurrection.  So, all that we tried to get right down here will be made right up there.  We were made to serve him, and we will do so perfectly in heaven!    

3. Marriage is monogamous:

Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’ for she was taken out of man’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Ge 2:22-24).  The divine intention for husband and wife was monogamy. Together they were to form as inseparable a union as that between parent and child.  As parents and their children are the same ‘flesh and blood’, so husband and wife should be bound together as ‘one flesh’, as long as they live –of which sexual union is an expression of (NIV note v. 24). 

In the New Testament, it is written that, …(E)ach man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband (1 Co 7:2), which leads me to…

4. Marriage is heterosexual:

The Old Testament command in Leviticus 18:22, ‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable’ signifies God’s stance on homosexuality.  And so that one doesn’t dismiss that verse as Mosaic legalism, or even as a command condemning same sex relations among males only, Romans 1:26 touches on the issue again.  It reads, ‘Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.  Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones’.  And verse 27 continues, ‘In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.  Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion’.  With word used like:  shameful, unnatural, indecent, and perverse, it’s safe to say, God is clear on this (see blog post titled ‘In Its Proper Place’)      

5. According to God, the compatibility of potential spouses is based solely on their relationship with Him:

‘Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them or come under a different yoke than them, inconsistent with your faith].  For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness?  Or how can light fellowship with darkness?’ (2 Co 6:14, AMP).  Or more simply put, ‘What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?’ (2 Co 6:15, NIV)  One of the Bible’s many rhetorical questions to be interpreted as a statement (i.e. ‘A believer and an unbeliever have nothing, or too little, in common.’)

Ezra chastised God’s people saying, ‘You’ve been unfaithful; you’ve married foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt’ (Ez 10:10).  Their sin was marrying pagan spouses.  God’s word had been given to Israel exclusively at the time, so gentile believers were few.  Foreign nations served their own pagan -or idol- gods, as opposed the one true and living God.  Then, as now, the mother often spent more time with the children and were their primary teacher, to include teaching of religion.  To have a pagan wife was to have pagan children.  This was a perversion of faith in the home.

God is not concerned with race, ethnicity, national origin, native tongue, or any other earthly designation.  As far as we’re concerned His only concern is whether, or not, we’re serving him (Ecc 12:13; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11).

6. Marriage should be for life, however…

In Matthew 19:1-12, after being asked a testing question from the Pharisees about divorce, Jesus pointed back to God’s original ideal for marriage in Genesis 22:24, to be united for life.  They continued with the question, asking about permission from God -by way of Moses- for a man to divorce his wife, if she becomes displeasing to him (because he finds something indecent about her; Dt 24:1).  Jesus answered that Moses permitted this only because the hearts of husbands were so hard, but it’s not what God desires (Mt 19:6, 8).  Jesus then gives the only reasonable ground for divorce:  marital unfaithfulness (v.9).  Unfaithfulness is defined as: not adhering to vows, allegiance, or duty; disloyal, untrustworthy, not faithful (steadfast, in affection or allegiance; firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty [m-w.com]). 

Again, even though divorce and remarrying were permitted and regulated according to the laws of Moses (Lev 21:7, 14; 22:13; Nu 30:9), Jesus elaborates on the Mosaic law concerning divorce in his Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:31-32; 19:3-9). 

Although many people limit the term “marital unfaithfulness” to adultery, the definition of the word ‘unfaithful’ makes it clear that it’s broader than that.  Surely marital duty isn’t defined exclusively by sexual monogamy (For some duties of a faithful spouse, see previous blog post.).  Based on the above scriptures, I believe that Jesus wanted to make clear that a person’s cause for divorce shouldn’t be arbitrary or made with haste (as was the case he and Moses were dealing with).  But this unfaithfulness should be characteristic of the relationship, if the cause isn’t adultery, as opposed to divorcing because the spouse has made infrequent errors or lapses in judgment.  Men were basically divorcing their wives for once burning dinner!  Go ahead and laugh, but how different is it from some of today’s reasons for divorce?

7. Marriage is to be honored:

Marriage should be honored by all (and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral) (Heb 13:4).

8. Marriage is to be enjoyed:

In Deut. 24:5, marital bliss or happiness was held in high regard; so much so that there was a law keeping a recently married men from war, or any other duty that would keep him from fulfilling his ‘duties’ to his wife.  Read ‘Solomon’s Song of Songs’ where verses like, ‘Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth –for your love is better than wine’ and ‘How beautiful you are, my darling!  Oh, how beautiful!  Your eyes are doves’ (Sol 1:2, 15).  And remember, this is still God’s inspired word we’re talking about!  His desire is that married people enjoy each other.   

9. Wives, be submissive to your husbands:

…Okay, this one deserves its own post.  I’ll get back to you on this topic.

 

In Our Own Eyes

This post was inspired form my pastor’s message this past Sunday on the Israelite leader’s report on their Canaan exploration (Nu 13:25-33).  There were some things that stood out to me from that scripture. 

First of all, an overview:  The Lord told Moses to send out men to explore the land of Canaan, which he was giving them.  Moses sent twelve, representatives of the various tribes to report.  He told them what look for:  type of land, strength of the people, whether the towns were walled, check the fertility of the soil and whether there were trees or not.  And they were also to bring back samples of the land’s fruit.  They came back, and told the people how plentiful the land was and showed them all of the fruit they’d collected.  It was flowing with milk and honey!  But they continued with a ‘but’, telling the people that basically the people living there were giants.  Caleb (and Joshua) attempted to put an end to what were clearly expressions intended to frighten and dishearten the people.  It may’ve been inhabited by large people, but Caleb expressed faith in God in saying, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’   

Then the other men continued saying, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are’.  They even then changed their report about the land saying, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it.’ And exaggerated by adding, ‘we saw Nephilim there...’  The reference to the Nephilim seems deliberately intended to evoke fear (NIV note).  And finally, the truth of the matter, ‘We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’

·         First of all, the land had already been set aside for them by God (Nu 13:1-2).

·         God didn’t want them to be ignorant of the situation they faced, but faithful enough to trust him.  The land was rich and the people may’ve been giants, but ‘faith never denies reality, but leaves room for God to grant a new reality’. (Jim Cymbala, from ‘Praying God’s Word’ by Beth Moore). It was for them to speak and act based on faith in God.  God always does his part. The question is:  Will we do ours?

·         It was the leadership’s responsibility to instill confidence in the people based on God’s ability, not their own.  Instead they expressed doubt based on their own ability (or inability), which is nothing more than pride.  There own so-called ability had never been a factor in any success they’d experienced in the past, so why should it be then?

·         Caleb and Joshua’s report came from faith in God, which is an expression of love, while the other’s report came from fear.  The two are always in opposition (1 Jn 4:18).

·         Real power is in faith, and faith comes by hearing the word of God (Ro 10:17).  The Canaanites were faithless pagans, so imagine how much more powerful the Israelites would’ve been had they just stood on God’s word?  They would’ve been the real giants (Ro 8:31)!  But since they seemed like grasshoppers in their own eyes, they looked the same to their opposition (v. 33).  

Those Who Wait

As much as I like blogging, starting next week I’ll post only once per week, as I have other priorities that require more of my attention.  But considering I’ve been posting three times a week for about three months, I have quite a few posts in my archive.  So, I’ll encourage readers read them and comment on them still.

There are many benefits to being patient, which is something I’ve been struggling with lately.  My grandmother suggested I write a blog entry on this topic every week.  We have encouragement through scripture in patience, as well as restoration through patience.  And patient people promote peace and enjoy harvest (Pr 15:18; Isa 40:31; Ro 15:4; Jas 5:7-8).

We should be patient because it’s commanded (Mt 22:37-39; 1 Co 13:4; Ro 12:12; 1 Th 5:14).  It shows trust and wisdom (Ps 40:1-4; Pr 19:11).  And God himself demonstrates patience (1 Ti 1:16; Nu 14:18).  Thank you for it Lord!  The hope Christians have is a byproduct of salvation (Ro 8:24-25,NIV note on v. 24).  Although we may experience momentary discouragement, a person who is saved is never hopeless, and doesn’t live a life that is characterized by hopelessness. So patience during suffering must also result.

In Hebrews 6:12, faith, patience, and the inheritance of the promise is juxtaposed with laziness.  Faith and patience are not passive, but active (see also Heb 7; Jas 2:17).  Faith must be proven by action.  Just as the farmer waits for the land to yield its crop, he continues to tend to the land and provide a healthy environment where crops will flourish (Jas 5:7-8).  And see how grumbling and complaining are also counter-productive and not indicative of one who is saved.  Complaining brings about judgment, not a harvest (Jas 5:9).  Bless us Lord!  Patience is also juxtaposed with pride (Ecc 7:8).  Patience says wait on the Lord.  Have wisdom and trust.  Recall past victories.  Surely God has even greater in store!  Pride says, do things your own way.  It ain’t comin’ fast enough.  And don’t you know that God will not reward impatience (Heb 11:6)?   

The things that I believe God want for me require me to be patient and faithful and work as one who is waiting for a promised harvest, not work as one who’s at it all alone.  My promise is in the seed of God’s word, not manmade devices!   

It's All About Who You Know

I overheard a guy making this statement while whining about his job search woes at a bookstore last week, basically expressing doubt about the possibility of getting hired.  I still kind of regret missing the opportunity to speak life into his situation, but sometimes people have a spirit on them I just feel the need to run from.  I can’t bother with negativity sometimes.  But I couldn’t help but agree with what he said though.  It is all about who you know.  If you know God, he’ll know you. 

The Lord recognizes those who recognize his Son.  It’s only Jesus Christ who has the power to intercede for us (Ro 8:33-34).  Those who know God (both in word, and more importantly, in practice) will be recognized by him.  But if anyone is ashamed of him and his words, Jesus will be ashamed of him when he comes to the Father (Lk 9:26).  The Bible speaks of God’s regard for those who either acknowledge him, or not, in light of Judgment Day (Mt 10:32-33; Mk 8:38; Lk 12:9).  But I believe our lives are affected by that principal on earth as well.  Those who honor God will be honored, but those who despise him will be disdained (1 Sa 2:30).  Israel forgot God, so with divine correction, he punished them by selling them into the hand of their enemy (1 Sa 12:9; Heb 12:11).  For all of us who are familiar with Israel, they had a habit of doing this, as do many of us today: They failed to acknowledge God -in one way or another- and in his love, God disciplined Israel in order to restore them into good standing with him.  Surely, a person cannot expect to be treated any differently than they treat a just God. Yet, he continues to show us grace and mercy.  He remembers us when we’re in a bad place (Ps 136:23).  And I am thankful that he grants what’s not owed!  But we’re warned not to tempt him (Dt 6:16; Mt 4:7).     

It’s not only about who, but what we know.  By faith, through Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit, we have power and authority on this earth to move mountains, and receive new jobs (Heb 11:1, Mt 28:18; Ac 1:8; Mt 17:20; 21:22)!  We have the ability to speak to a situation, and it must change Mk 11:23)!

All My Fountains Are In You

The Lord provides for us all, but how much more when we trust in him.  As a result of his faith, Abraham came to know God as his provider after he obediently and faithfully laid his only son on an alter of sacrifice, and was supplied with a ram in a bush (Gen 22:1-13).  Abraham had earlier asserted that ‘God himself will provide the lamb’, and he was later able to confirm that the Lord would, no doubt, provide (calling him Yahweh-yireh or Jehovah-jireh in Hebrew; Gen 22: 8, 14).  Surely God has rewarded Abraham for his faith, and blessed him with (spiritual) descendants as numerous as stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (Gen 22:17-18; Gal 3:29).  Although we may not be Father Abraham, similar blessing are available to those who trust in God.   

We need to constantly be reminded that nothing is impossible for God.  Forget the former things; don’t dwell on the past.  Watch God do a new thing (Isa 43:19-19)!  The Lord is a provider in the desert, in the wasteland.  He gives drink to his people, his chosen, the people he formed for himself that they may proclaim his praise (Isa 43:20-21)!  So, go ahead and praise him in advance having faith that he will provide for you!  (That is, if you are his own.)

God is the source, and everything else is merely a resource.  Trust in the source!  David recognized God as the source of all life by referring to him as his fountain (Ps 36:9; 87:7).  Jesus speaks about the futility of worrying, reminding us that the Lord feeds the birds that do not reap or store, dresses lilies better than Solomon ever was, and even provides for the pagan.  But we are to seek God’s kingdom first, and everything else is guaranteed to fall into place (Mt 6:25-34).   Believe, trust, hope in his sustaining and powerful word (Heb 1:3).

Choose This Day...

Okay, here it is, from the Holy Spirit to me, and from me to you.  This isn’t what I was planning on writing about today, but after watching a talk show last night and hearing a well-known church leader deliver a message of love without truth, I was convicted to clear this issue up on this forum (Eph. 4:25; 2 Tim 4:3-4; Jude 4; Rom. 16:17). 

Making God’s word the absolute authority on everything in our lives is right and necessary, to not only live according to it, but also to preach, correct, rebuke, and encourage -in love- according to God’s word (Isa. 40:8; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; 4:2).  That is our responsibility to one another.  Now, the issue at question was homosexuality, but it could’ve been anything.  I just think that there’s a certain sense of apathy towards this particular issue that’s pervading even the church and it needs to be addressed in the most clear and decisive way, according to God’s word.  And so that there’s no confusion about where God stands on this issue, I’ve included both Old and New Testament verses (Lev. 18:22; Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 6:9; Jude 7; Rom. 1:24-27; Mt. 5:17). 

To be clear, although we have a certain responsibility to one another, and this is the issue in discussion today, I think it’s safe to say, we can all use some help with our individual ‘thing’ (Rom. 3:23; 14; 12; 2 Cor. 5:10).  We are to resist the temptation to think, speak, or act against God’s will, and it’s good to know that we’re not helpless in this (Rom. 12:2, 21; 1 Cor. 10:13; Gal 5:13-14, 16; 2 Thes. 3:3; Heb. 2:18; Jas. 4:7-8; 1 Pet. 2:16). 

I am not writing this to shame anyone, but to warn everyone that the Lord has very definite plans for those who choose to approach his word with indifference, so it would behoove us all to yield to it (1 Cor. 4:14; 2 Tim. 2:24-25; Lk. 9:26; Rev. 3:15-16).  When it comes right down to it, we must decide whether we’re going to love God above all else (Mt. 22:37-40).  Choose today whom you will serve (Jos. 24:15).