Author: RSwenson

In Philippians chapter 1, Paul is in prison and writes to the church at Philippi. He tells them his incarceration is working a greater good. He says, “The things happening to me…actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” (Vs 12). It has advanced the gospel.

“It has become evident to the whole palace guard and to the rest that my chains are in Christ.” (vs. 13). All those around me realize I am imprisoned for serving Jesus Christ. Paul’s courage and faithfulness have made an impact on them, pricking their consciences and motivating them. The brothers in the faith are inspired to become confident and bold, speaking forth the word with renewed courage and faith. (vs 14).

As people are, not all preach out of pure motives. “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and strife, and some from goodwill. The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.”(Vs 15-16).

Some preach Christ out of envy and ambition-even seeking to add to Paul’s affliction-while others out of pure motivation of love. Sadly, those characteristics are evident among Christian churches and ministries today. I heard the leader of one Christian network- speaking of another Christian network- call them “a band of rebels.” Or the leader envious of another leader’s ministry tries to mimic him, hoping for like success. Disputes among denominations are common, and criticism among church leaders can be widespread. Envy, jealousy, criticism, selfishness, and ambition are all active churches today.

But we know some preach out of pure motives today, too. I trust that most miniseries and people serve out of pure motives. Even if their actions are wrong – because of ignorance – their motives can be well-intended.

“What then?” Paul says, “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” (Vs 18). Paul recognizes the selfishness of some and the sincerity of others, but is not bitter. For he knows the supreme importance is that Jesus Christ is preached. Through clean or unclean vessels, the spoken Word can still produce, fulfill, and glorify the purpose of God. Why? As Billy Graham said, I have learned that the Word does the work. The Word, anointed by the Spirit, captures the heart and draws men to Christ. Then Paul says, “Christ is preached in this, I will rejoice. I will rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil 4:4-5)

However the circumstances appear, God is working out His purpose. We, too, can rejoice in the Lord, knowing that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Ro.8:28).

 

A verse of scripture that has engendered interest is, 1 Corinthians 2:9. “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Oftentimes, we will see this verse used as a proof text stating that God has prepared many wonders of heaven that are unknown to us. There are indeed many unknown wonders of heaven that we are not permitted to know now. Paul tells us he knew a man caught up into the third heaven, who heard words unlawful for a man to express. David Guzik states in his commentary, “They were inexpressible words, which is not lawful for a man to utter. God didn’t want us to know, so He didn’t permit Paul to speak of them.”

So, what is it talking about? As seen in Chapter 1, it is about the Holy Spirt revealing God Himself to us. We can know the work of God, knowledge of God, the wisdom of God, the depths of God, and things which God has prepared for them that love Him. (1 Cor 2:9) We can know God because the Holy Spirit reveals Him to us. This is essential because the natural man considers them foolish, as they are spiritually discerned. The natural man cannot discern the things of God without the Spirit of God. We can know God and the mind of Christ, but only by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Intimacy with God and obedience to God bring the revelation of God, revealing to us the mind of Christ. Thus, God is the greatest wonder of heaven, and that we can know Him is the promise of this verse. Truly, this is the greatest joy and wonder.

  At one time, I would listen to a certain pastor each Sunday morning before going to church. He had a brief message, about twenty minutes, which was always positive and uplifting. He spoke with a very gentle, comforting style, which left you feeling peaceful. I enjoyed listening to him.

   One morning, he had just returned from a long trip. He had traveled to many countries in the Far East, had observed thousands of people, and saw people from many religions. He said most of the people in the world were not Christians and each religion had its pathway to God. Jesus is the way to God if you’re a Christian, but if not, there are other avenues. He heard similar statements from the pastor who had mentored him. People who believed that Jesus was the only way to God were wrong, ignorant or arrogant, closed-minded, and illogical. It was unreasonable to believe that a loving God would make such a demand.

   But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And Luke wrote, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (John 14:6; Acts: 4-12). His Word is true whether we believe it or understand it. We think that whatever God does must make sense to us. But God does not think and act as we expect and He tells us that. Be certain, He will do things we do not understand, but He tells us that. (Isa.55:8-9) Truthfully, we don’t have the capacity to understand everything about God. We cannot even understand everything about God’s creation. If we can’t fully understand His creation, do we think we fully understand Him? That is ignorance and arrogance.

   *Some say what Christians believe is foolish. But the Bible addresses that as well. But a natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:14). Without the assistance of the Holy Spirit, man cannot understand the ways of God. His ways are foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor.1:18).

    *A common statement by some critics is, “there are millions of people around the world who have never heard about Jesus.” This too, the Bible answers. The message of God is revealed in creation. But men, in their arrogance, choose to reject it, calming to be wise. They became fools. (Romans 1:18-21).) They profess to be wise, but have made themselves fools and sealed their fate. Also, there are stories of Muslims meeting Jesus in dreams and visions to hear the message of salvation. Helen Keller was blind and deaf. When she heard the message of salvation through Christ, she supposedly said, “I know him. I just didn’t know his name.” When necessary, the Holy Spirit will act without an immediate human agency. These acts are similar to those recorded in Scripture. (Ro.2:14-14;8:16).

   *Another criticism, this position is unloving and God is love. Jesus tells the disciples a story that gives light on this point. A rich man has died and is in Hades suffering torment. He asks that word is sent to his five brothers to warn them of this place so they will avoid his fate. The Lord’s response is, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one arose from the dead. (Luke 16:19-31) Jesus says we have the Word, and that is sufficient. But in addition, He has returned from the dead and men continue to reject God’s message.

  God’s Word remains. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And there is salvation in no one else, for “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (John 14:6; Acts: 4-12) The truth has been given, and it applies to all.

R Swenson

We have often been told that Isaiah 58 teaches us the benefits gained from fasting. This is viewed as purifying and humbling ourselves before God. We accompany our requests of God by denying ourselves food and sometimes drink. This act, in conjunction with prayer, is seen as a way of gaining a favorable response from God on our behalf. So teaches Isaiah chapter 58.

The chapter opens with a command to cry out and confront the people with their continual sinful behavior. God says, they seek me daily and delight to know my ways as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and lived according to God’s ordinances. They say we have fasted; we have humbled ourselves, but Lord, You have not responded. (Isa 58:3)

God responds by saying, you have fasted but have not turned from the practice of sin. You cry out to Me but continue to disobey My commands. You have denied yourself food, but you have not discontinued your sinful behavior. Is this the fast you expect me to honor? Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. ESV (Isaiah 58:4).

Then God asks a series of questions. Is the fast I choose a day for a person to humble himself? A day to bow down his head like a reed and to spread sackcloth and ashes under himself? Do you call this a fast acceptable to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:5). This alone is not an acceptable fast, obedience is required.

But, He says, this is the fast I have chosen. To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke. Is it not to provide food for the hungry, care for the poor, clothe the naked, and care for your own brethren? (Isaiah 58: 6-7).

It is only when you have done these things that you will receive the favorable response you are seeking. It is then that your light shall break forth like the dawn, your healing shall spring up speedily, your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here am I’. (Isaiah 58:8-9).

God says: if you feed the hungry and care for the afflicted, then shall your light arise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
*It is then, the LORD will guide you continually, satisfy your desires, and strengthen your bones. *It is then, you shall be like a watered garden, a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
*It is then, your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt, you shall raise up the foundations of many generations, you shall be called the repairer of the breach and the restorer of streets to dwell in.
*It is then, you shall take delight in the LORD, and God will make you ride on the heights of the earth. (Isaiah 58:10-14).

It is compassionate care for the poor and oppressed that positions us to receive favor from God. So teaches Isaiah 58.

R Swenson

Jesus said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4). There is some disagreement among scholars as to the precise application of this scripture. Some of them regard it as relating solely to the person of Jesus himself. He is saying, “I must be about the work the Father has sent me to do because my time remaining on earth is short.” This, of course, was true. Other scholars believe there is a wider application of the verse. When considering the phrase “night is coming, when no one can work” the interpretation becomes, “there is coming a time on the earth when the darkness is so great that the servants of Christ will be unable to do the work of the Father.” Therefore, we must be about the Father’s work quickly and diligently. In either case, the work is great, the time is short, and the responsibility is grave.

A further consideration is recorded in Isaiah 5:14.“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” Hell has an insatiable appetite and is constantly expanding to accommodate all who are swallowed up by sin and death. This corresponds with Matthew 7:13-14.“Go in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are the ones entering in through it. For narrow is the gate, and constricted is the way that leads away into life, and few are the ones finding it.” If the habitation of the lost requires constant expansion and the pathway to eternal life is narrow and few find it, then all servants of God must recognize their responsibility and capitalize on every opportunity. We have the opportunity to do the work of God now, but that opportunity is limited. It may be that the night is coming when the darkness will be so great that God’s servants cannot work. But it is true that each person has a limited time on the earth and we must complete the works that God has given us in that lifetime.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20.

R Swenson

Within contemporary Christianity, the emergent church movement has taken hold and is spreading across the world. Some would consider me part of the movement and in one sense, so would I. Recently, I heard one leader describe two characteristics of this movement. One is referred to as reconstructionist and the second is referred to as revisionist. The reconstructionists are those who feel that the traditional gospel message should be presented in a revised framework. It is “doing church” differently than has been traditionally done. The authority of Scripture, the gospel message, and historic Christian doctrines remain unchanged. I can accept this.

The revisionists are those who believe the traditional gospel message should be revised or reinterpreted to make it more inclusive. It is abandoning the biblical gospel message and the biblical doctrines taught in the Scripture. This view means the Bible is no longer the authoritative standard that the church has recognized. Church doctrine now becomes a consensus believed and accepted by religious leaders from all faiths. The Bible becomes less relevant and must evolve to suit the needs of contemporary humanity. Each faith has its own truth, which is to be respected by all other faiths. The idiom “your truth for you and my truth for me” becomes the acceptable standard that can unite the faiths. This makes Christianity more inclusive and palatable to all people. Thus, each faith has its own pathway to God or their understanding of God. This I cannot accept.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Scripture is clear that salvation for all men of all faiths must come through the biblical Jesus Christ alone. If the Bible is recognized as the authority, there can be no other conclusion. If it is not, you are without hope.

R Swenson