Stoned in our day, and loving thy enemies.
“They won the crowds over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. But when the brothers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town.” Acts 14:19-20.
Paul and is boys are preaching, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, healing folk and causing a riot amongst the peoples of Lystra, Antioch, and Iconium. Gentiles and Jews alike rise up, win over the crowds, and throw big freaking rocks at Paul until they presume he is dead. Then they drag his tattered body outside the city and dump him on the dirt road.
I can see his disciples standing around his body. Some are crying, some are in shock and probably scared. I’m sure Barnabas is praying fervently. And then Paul opens his eyes. He stands up and dusts off his tunic, and then to the astonishment of all normal men, he turns toward the gate of the city and walks back in.
And you know what the Bible says Paul does next? ”Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, [Paul said], ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:22).
PAUL! You just go boulders dumped on your body, man! Are you okay? WHERE ARE YOU GOING!? Those people just killed you! “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Have you ever heard of such a thing? Did Paul reject those people, pray for a mighty smiting of the town, or forsake God? No. He “preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples.” (v.21).
Does this happen today? Yes.
Here is the URL to an article from the SBC about a man named Jameel in the Middle East. Read it and be encouraged, for even his trials did not turn him from the faith and his love is still strong for his enemies. http://www.sbc.net/redirect.asp?url=http://www.imb.org/. Praise Jesus for witnesses like Jameel! May we never have to be in a similar situation, but if we are, may we react the same way Paul, Stephen (Acts 7:54-60), Jameel, and Jesus did. May we pray on their behalf to God for their salvation out of love and a passion for their very souls.
Doubt and Faith 2: Steadfaster
I was reminded of my friend who told me of his doubt in the scriptures. His main contention was his doubt in the actual personification of Satan; he felt the Devil was compensation by an early eastern culture to deal with the idea of sin and death. I think he couldn’t see past the red tights, bifurcated tail and pitchfork.
A friend of ours, AJ Neely, and I tried to bring up angels, certainly everybody believes in angels. He denied their existence too. “What is the point in angels and a devil? He doesn’t need them, why would they exist?”
“Well, He doesn’t need us either, and yet we exist. It is what He has chosen to do,” one of us said.
We were dumbfounded by this denial. Scripture is so explicate about Satan and how he comes to “steal and kill and destroy,” (John 10:10). Ezekiel 28:12-19 tells how Satan, once a beautiful cherub, grew prideful and became unrighteous and was cast down to earth by God. Biblegateway.com found 129 entries when I typed in “Satan,” “Serpent” and “devil” (I have kept in mind that serpent in some cases actually referred to a snake).
In short, evidence is clear and backed up by scripture. The Word of God is inerrant, but sometimes I take the acceptance of that for granted. As my friend showed me, who claims to be a Christian and believes in the Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience of God, not everyone believes this.
Doubt in the inerrancy of scripture presents several problems. If you allow the bullet of doubt to penetrate your thinking in one area, what is to keep another bullet from hitting you in another area, next time more vital? Soon “I deny the authenticity of Satan; the scriptures are a metaphor” will become “Jesus wasn’t really the Son of God, but he was such a good, moral teacher and healed so many people that we can attribute this to him as an adjective.” Eventually that too becomes “There is no God, just a way people should treat each other.” If you deny one part you deny it all. A double-minded man is a fool. He builds his house on sand. When the torrents of rain surely come, his house will be washed away (Matthew 7:26-27). He is tossed about like the sea driven by the wind, out of control (James 1:6-7).
You literally have no foundation when you doubt the scriptures. There is no more common ground between you and believers, there is no more joy. What would be the point? If one thing is untrue then all others are untrue! Can you see the lack of logic in this? Can you see that when you doubt what the Almighty Sovereign God says is true, when He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), all His works are perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4), and all His scriptures are inspired by Him (2 Timothy 3:16), you therefore cannot have faith nor hope in eternal glory with Him?
What a miserable burden this produces for the shoulders of the double-minded man! How the lies of Satan, telling people that he does not exist, enslave those whom believe in them. “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,” (2 Peter 3:17).
Standfast! With all Hell breathing down your neck, with all the sulphury fumes of the lies of the enemy in your ear, STANDFAST! You have the Armor of God for a reason, “so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil,” and, “so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm,” (Ephesians 6:11 & 13).
I can attest that it is not by our own strength that we stand, but by the grace of God. “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me,” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
Remember the scene in Braveheart of the first major battle between the English and the Scots? William Wallace gave the most hardcore pep-talk on freedom ever then went and taunted the English generals. Shortly afterwards the Scots began to harass the opposing army by lifting their kilts and bellowing war cries. When the armoured cavalry of King Edward the Longshanks charged the starving peasants of Scotland, they did not at first flee. They stoodfast and decimated the cavalry because of their faith in the plans of their leaders.
For consider the psalmist’s praise “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,” (Psalm 18:2).
Doubt and Faith, the Disease and Its Cure part 1
The enemy will use any weapon in his arsenal to try and weaken the believer so that the believer either becomes ineffective and lukewarm or becomes more a hindrance than a help. We allow this special attack of doubt and despair to occur by our sin. I have noticed in my own experiences that Satan will pierce the skin with well aimed sniper fire of doubt following a constant barrage of temptation and sin.
“Where is your faith now? You must not love the Lord, He doesn’t love you. You’re only a disappointment. Did you just call out to Him? He cant hear you, He doesn’t listen to sinners…”
Indeed the attack is great and facilitated by the sabotage of our flesh. We sin because we are a broken people, freed from the curse of the law, but still under the effects of the curse of creation. Even Paul continued to feel the effects of enemy fire (Romans 7:14-20).
We will discuss the nature of doubt, situations in which it occurs, and the cure.
Doubt
Def: To be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe. To distrust. To fear; be apprehensive about.
doubt. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved July 17, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/doubt.
My definition: Doubt: “The lack of faith and failure to believe in an all-powerful God from whom all blessings flow.”
Obviously doubt in the Lord is simply absurd. If we believe that the Word is inerrant, then we believe that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present and He loves us enough to send His only begotten son to die for us while we were yet sinners (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
Lets look at the Bible…
Doubt is overcome by faith.
Genesis 15:1-6
Abram is presented with the promise of a blessing, descendants numbering more than the stars in the sky. Yet Abram is old and his wife barren, he has no heir. His belief in the Lord to fulfill His promises was “reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
The Lord is with us.
Judges 6:11-16
Gideon is the runt of the runt clan in Israel. He is on his knees grinding some wheat rations so that the Midianites, the people occupying and at war with Israel, couldn’t get it. The Lord approaches him and calls him “valiant warrior” (v. 12). Gideon proceeds to question the Lord, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about…” (v. 13). The Lord tells him to go fight and that “I will be with you” (v. 16).
In both of these situations (let alone the Israelite nation as a whole whom literally saw the power of the Lord lead them out of Egypt, through the waters, while providing food and water in the desert), The Lord gives a command or a promise of blessings that seem, to the men that should receive, impossible given the circumstances. One man is tiny and insignificant in a nation occupied by an enemy army, the other an old sheep herder with no heir and a barren wife. Yet in both situations the Lord takes away the barriers and promises blessings.
God is in control of EVERYTHING.
Luke 8:22-25
Even the wind and the waves answer to Him. We freak out at the slightest bit of trouble and claim to be “perishing.” Let us at least do what the disciples did and go to the One whom has control, the Lord. With all thanksgiving and supplication, let us make our prayers known to God (Philippians 4:4-9).
Doubt causes us to lose stability in the Lord.
2 Peter 3:17, James 1:6-8
Without faith we are double-minded and hypocrites, “driven and tossed by the wind” as the waves of the sea. We lose our steadfastness. We give ground to Satan and give him a foothold in our souls.
How can we be sure? The cure: Fruits of Faith
Philippians 2:12-13 says to work out our salvation with fear in trembling. We are saved by grace through faith, not of our own works, so that no man can boast (Eph 2:8-9). Therefore our works are to prove, or show our faith.
The tree is known by its fruit.
Matthew 12:33-35
Good produces good; evil, evil. How can an evil man speak what is good for our speech reveals what is in our hearts. Therefore is we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit as Christians, we produce fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Do our actions and our fruit reflect the Holy Spirit inside us, or are we quenching it? Remember that the Lord works in us “both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2: 13) We can not do it, it must be from the Lord. As Paul says “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.” (Romans 7:18).
Faith is the antidote of doubt.
Hebrews 11:1, Romans 5:3-5
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and hope doesn’t disappoint because the love of God has been poured out onto our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Exult in trials for the Lord uses them to build faith. And faith in the Lord produces fruit, profit, proven character, spiritual maturity. This brings about hope. You doubt? Rejoice and have faith in the Lord for He is in control and directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4).
Strive for the fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23
Pray earnestly for these things, for you know as a sinner, saved by grace, that we are inadequate. Even praying seems empty and barren. This is a lie from the enemy. Our only cure is the Lord. Ask Him to fill you with His spirit.
So when the enemy comes to tell you lies, you can point to tangible proof that you are indeed a child of the Lord, freed from the curse of the law by the death of Jesus (Romans 6:6-11). Point to the Spirit, point to His promises, point to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.
This then is the chief end of man: to produce fruit to glorify God. Let us endure, fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ. Be encouraged that the Lord does not forsake His children. You were saved, you have been saved, you are being saved, and you will be saved.
I once dated a hippy and her social justice rubbed off on me…
“The poor is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love the rich are many. He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.” (Proverbs 14:20-21 NASB)
I will give some background information but will try to get to the point as quick as possible.
I currently work at a church across the street from Texas A&M. I am their maintenance guy and on Sundays after I open the doors and clean up the trash from the bars left over from the night before, I sit at the secretary’s desk and provide help when needed.
I have had several opportunities to try to minister to some people: victims of addiction, poverty, themselves, and enablement. This past Sunday I was picking up trash around the perimeter of the church and came upon a man reclining on a bench with his hat over his eyes. He looked dirty, homeless, and different from my white-bread, middle-class culture. I’ve named him Stephen.
He looked up and said “Good morning,”
“Good Morning. How are you doing, sir?” I asked automatically as I swept up some trash.
“Oh, not too good. I’ve been up all night crying.”
What? Most people just say fine and move on.
“You’ve been up all night crying? Why?” I ask.
He told me a story about being married for four days, having two boys in the 11th-grade, and no money to buy food. By a quick examination of his eyes I could see that they were indeed red and irritated, but from tears or chemicals I could not ascertain, and praise Jesus, I ceased to care. His story was typical of most stories I heard: I couldn’t tell if this one was true or not. I remember James 2:16 condemning those who say “Go in peace, be warmed, and be filled” and yet don’t give them what is necessary for their body, so I looked into my wallet to prove I wouldn’t be lying if I said I had no money.
“Nah, Man. I don’t want to ask you for any money,” Stephen objected.
“Well, that’s cool. Nobody likes to ask for charity, but love should be freely given.”
With more talk, I discovered that Stephen does get a check from somebody but he had to spend it to get his woman out of jail, who is a lawyer. There is no way the lawyer part is true.
However cynical I sound now, I wanted to help him so much because I knew what he really wanted, but didn’t know it himself, was Jesus. I told him I have a friend, whom he has probably heard of, and I wanted him to meet. My friend doesn’t promise all the problems will be taken care of or even happiness. However, He does promise Joy and Peace. (I sort of mumbled something similar. I wish I had been that concise.)
Of course, Stephen had heard of my friend named Jesus and said that he reads the Bible everyday. So I misreferenced Matthew 6:33 about seeking first Jesus and His righteousness and all these things will be made unto you (If he had known Matthew 5:32, the place I said, he would wonder why I was referencing a verse on divorce). I absolutely bumbled through the Gospel with this man because, contrary to scripture’s teaching, I wasn’t ready with it.
After a few more words with Stephen, listening to him and trying to offer some kind words, I went on my way with work. I turned around and looked at the Starbucks two feet away in which walked many a Sunday-dressed family, including myself, on their way to church. The dichotomy brought me to shame.
And as I sat down at my desk I began to think of everything else I wished I had said to Stephen. I wish I had gotten close and sat with him on the bench, and not four feet away as if I was afraid he would reach out and steal my credit card. I wished I had told him more about Him who is the bread of life and the living water and through whom whoever would drink of it, would never thirst again. I wish I had invested my heart with him and told him to praise God for the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. But instead I sat down and drank my coffee.
Some people get stuck in a victim attitude where they see all the harm done to them and none of their own responsibility. Some people are plagued with demons of alcoholism, drug addiction, and disease for the wages of sin truly is death. Some people find others they can manipulate and victimize (I know two separate people who have been victims of the same con man).
And yet they still need Jesus. They are seeking for Him, they want Him, but they just don’t know it yet. I wish I had the power to touch the lame, heal the sick and give them what their heart desires; it is the charismatic in me. We can only do so much before the other person has to come the rest of the way. God conquerors our hearts, he certainly conquered mine. Yet some have hardened their hearts against Him who offers peace and love.
I praise Jesus that I have parents that provide for me and have taught me a work ethic! I Praise Him for the circumstances in which I live and get a world-class education. I don’t feel guilty that I don’t live in a cardboard box. I work and earn my money, even the bit my Uncle Sam steals from me. But that doesn’t give us an excuse; we still have the power to help.
Programs will not work. It is not a matter of mere sacrifices and aid, but a matter of the heart. Welfare enables a slothful lifestyle of taking advantage of the system. Social Security doesn’t benefit everybody anymore, and I don’t think I’ll ever see what was taken from my check. Give your love, dear heart. Give your finances and/or support with your precious time to the church, missions, and honest charities that work to disciple and show Christ’s healing to those that have never tasted of it. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28 NASB).
Shall we not put to death our selfishness and stay in our comfort zones? Shall we live in our brick houses and ignore the shanties down the street? Thank you Jesus I live in Bryan where I am exposed to reality instead of Rock Prairie in College Station, surrounded by frats and peers of my socio-economic class. I am disgusted that for so long I have passed my eyes over the half of this community that has nothing compared to us.
I am disgusted that I can read an article on CNN about General Taylor’s armies of 15-year-old rapist soldiers in Sierra Leon and then have the next headline be about how “Knocked-Up” did at the box office.
We need to go.
In Revelation, Jesus says He will spit out the lukewarm for not being hot nor cold. I would vomit too if I had to taste our apathy.
–Matt
