What's The Buzz?
03-06-17
Matthew
4:12 (NASB) 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He
withdrew into Galilee;
From a time long ago. Remember that song from Jesus Christ Superstar? Well,
I've got a different type of buzz going on today. Literally, as I write these
words I have a "buzz" going on in my ears. It evolves from a buzz like a sea
shell into a high pitched ringing. A common malady known to many as Tinnitus. I
would not even suffer it this space or your time except for the fact that God
used it as an object lesson this week for yours truly.
It seems lately, at least for me, that the Lord is trying to get me alone.
You know what I'm talking about? It's been that way for several weeks now. It is
as if He wants me to withdraw as best I can and spend some time with Him and Him
alone, away from the madding crowd. Ever feel like that? Get away from all the
voices around me that compete for my ear.
Now, where was I?...oh yeah, anyway about this buzzing. I was at the 29th
birthday party of a relative this Sunday past and this buzzing was driving me
crazy! Let me describe it for you. I was in the middle of Bill Jr.'s(my
brother-in-law) living room, seated on the couch next to Bill Sr.(my
father-in-law) attempting to carry on a conversation. All around me were people
talking and laughing and whatnot. The crazy thing was the voices and the
laughter were being AMPLIFIED to the degree that I could not hear what Bill Sr.
was saying.
I could hear Kathy Roper(my sister-in-law) talking and laughing with Lauren
Lawson(my...?? what are you to me Lauren?) about all sorts of stuff. Everyone,
and I do mean EVERYONE'S conversation was magnified in my ears. I would look at
Bill Sr., sitting not 12 inches from me and quizzically answer "What? Huh? Did
you say something?" And he was sitting right next to me!! I finally apologized
and told Bill that there was something going on in my ears and I could not hear
him. It was weird.
Well, not at that precise point, but, a couple days later, the Lord reminded
me of that little episode and quietly spoke to my heart. He pointed me to all
the voices that were trying to burglarize my time with Him. That's the way it
goes isn't it? Circumstances, demands of this life etc., are many times
amplified to a fever pitch in our heads. Voices, some out of sincere concern,
others, nothing more than catcalls from the cheap seats, conspire to grab your
attention away from what God would say to you.
It was the same way for the Son of God wasn't it? I grabbed a couple of
verses from memory to illustrate my point.
Mark
1:35 (NASB) 35 In the
early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and
went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
Luke
5:16 (NASB) 16 But Jesus
Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
He would "often slip away" and get alone with God. Although, the Bible seems
to be silent, I would bet my last dollar that Jesus faced circumstances, demands
and voices that endeavored to tear Him away from His alone time with His Father.
If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to "often slip away"... then should we not do
the same?
Brothers and sisters, I have said this before and I will say it again. There
are dark, very dark storm clouds on the spiritual horizon. Not for this country
alone, but, for the entire world. The 'voices', both good and bad are amplified
in our world of today. We need to find God for OURSELVES. The buzz, if we
entertain it, can be deafening.
Psalm
91:9-10 (NASB) 9 For you
have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall
you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.
God Bless
Friday, March 6, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
An Old
Friend
02-27-15
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Just a short thought today. The Lord took my mother(Memaw) home a couple of weeks ago. Her passing was so very peaceful and for that, I am grateful to God. I mention my mother because over the past three years she had become my friend. For most of my life she was my mother. You know how that goes. Mom calls every now and then to check on her little boy. Tell him what he's doing right and wrong !! (smile) Scold him for not calling or stopping by. Sound familiar? Maybe, maybe not. But, for me that was the way it had always been. She was Memaw to me.She did her thing and I did mine. Close, but not really intimate.
Well, that changed for me while I stayed with her. Oh no, we didn't have some heavy spiritual relationship, no, not at all. And we butted heads from time to time. But, she became my friend. We developed an "easiness" with each other that had been missing for all my life. We shared some good talks on many different occasions. Mostly about the same things over and over. (Turkey and the end times certainly comes to mind!) You had to be there to understand. But, my point is that we developed a relationship over a relatively short time; and it was a good thing. And now that she is gone I am most appreciative of the time I had to get to know Memaw better. I say that to say this.
Pay attention to the first part of that scripture. It's an independent statement and stands alone. Also, it speaks to an old friend. Not necessarily in years but in time spent. I am reminded of the Don Henley song "New York Minute."
"....if you find somebody to love in this world You better hang on tooth and nail..."
People come and go in our lives.But occasionally one strolls by who is a keeper. You know, a kindred spirit. One that will stick by you through thick and thin.One who has your interests at heart.It takes time to really know who those people are.It takes time to pass that litmus test. They aren't perfect, but neither are we! Ya feelin' me here on this one? But, if they have been by your side for a while, don't throw them away just because they sometimes rub you the wrong way. I'll stop preaching.
In this ball of confusion we call life, we all need somebody. God has designed it that way. It's a microwave culture and we are tempted to discard anything that doesn't supply immediate gratification. Or if those who surround you aren't profitable, get rid of them. If that were the case, we would all be islands standing alone. Listen, brothers and sisters, if you have someone who is truly on your side, take heed once more to the above scripture.
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Mark these words. The day is coming that a true friend is going to be difficult, nigh impossible to find.
Hang on tooth and nail.
Proverbs 17:17 (NASB) 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
God Bless
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Just a short thought today. The Lord took my mother(Memaw) home a couple of weeks ago. Her passing was so very peaceful and for that, I am grateful to God. I mention my mother because over the past three years she had become my friend. For most of my life she was my mother. You know how that goes. Mom calls every now and then to check on her little boy. Tell him what he's doing right and wrong !! (smile) Scold him for not calling or stopping by. Sound familiar? Maybe, maybe not. But, for me that was the way it had always been. She was Memaw to me.She did her thing and I did mine. Close, but not really intimate.
Well, that changed for me while I stayed with her. Oh no, we didn't have some heavy spiritual relationship, no, not at all. And we butted heads from time to time. But, she became my friend. We developed an "easiness" with each other that had been missing for all my life. We shared some good talks on many different occasions. Mostly about the same things over and over. (Turkey and the end times certainly comes to mind!) You had to be there to understand. But, my point is that we developed a relationship over a relatively short time; and it was a good thing. And now that she is gone I am most appreciative of the time I had to get to know Memaw better. I say that to say this.
Pay attention to the first part of that scripture. It's an independent statement and stands alone. Also, it speaks to an old friend. Not necessarily in years but in time spent. I am reminded of the Don Henley song "New York Minute."
"....if you find somebody to love in this world You better hang on tooth and nail..."
People come and go in our lives.But occasionally one strolls by who is a keeper. You know, a kindred spirit. One that will stick by you through thick and thin.One who has your interests at heart.It takes time to really know who those people are.It takes time to pass that litmus test. They aren't perfect, but neither are we! Ya feelin' me here on this one? But, if they have been by your side for a while, don't throw them away just because they sometimes rub you the wrong way. I'll stop preaching.
In this ball of confusion we call life, we all need somebody. God has designed it that way. It's a microwave culture and we are tempted to discard anything that doesn't supply immediate gratification. Or if those who surround you aren't profitable, get rid of them. If that were the case, we would all be islands standing alone. Listen, brothers and sisters, if you have someone who is truly on your side, take heed once more to the above scripture.
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Mark these words. The day is coming that a true friend is going to be difficult, nigh impossible to find.
Hang on tooth and nail.
Proverbs 17:17 (NASB) 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
God Bless
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Quid est Veritas?
02-07-15
John 18:37-38 (NASB) 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
38 Pilate *said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, "I find no guilt in Him.
What is truth? That question is as compelling today as it was in Pilate's time don't you think? It begs and pleads for an answer. Some time ago, years actually,I was listening to the radio while delivering the mail. It was a talk show host, a household name then and now. I was surprised, actually shocked to find out that he considered himself an entertainer first and a journalist second. As I let this sink in I decided then and there, that very day, that I would never listen to him again. And I never have.
We live in an age today where entertainers pass themselves off as journalists. Not just individuals, but entire media outlets are committed to ratings as opposite the truth. Truth, or at the very least, common objectivity has given way to sensationalism and ideology, all for the sake of the advertising dollar. Choose your media outlet. Television, radio, internet they are all poisoned. I don't know whether or not it is possible to find the TRUTH about anything anymore. Then I was reminded. I had a scripture thought come to mind today.A thought that I thought, most relevant.
Hebrews 12:26-27 (KJV) 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Do you feel it? There is a shaking going on isn't there? Ideals and values we thought once unassailable are under relentless assault. Precepts precious to our hearts are undergoing revision. Things that we were taught in school might not have actually happened the way we were taught. It's unfortunate and saddening but nevertheless seemingly true. But now, it has taken on a new brashness. These days there is no attempt to hide the deception and editing that occurs. It is shameless and has tainted virtually everything we see and read. It's all ENTERTAINMENT AND.....
NEWSFLASH!! It's all by design. Come on Ronnie, you really believe that? Let me say emphatically, YES I DO. There is a shaking going on and everything that can be shaken, will be. Folks, anything coming from the heart and mind of man...from the highest philosophy to the most brazen journalism is basically and essentially flawed. It is offered, no matter if from the purest motivations, from a sin nature. It is not now, nor will it ever be TRUTH. Pilate's question has but one answer. There is but one truth. One foundation. One rock. One anchor for the soul.
John 14:6 (NASB) 6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes the Father but through Me.
My ailing mother called me over today and took hold of my hand. With difficulty she mouthed very softly "I am ready to go." The first thing that crossed my mind was that she was ready to retire and go to the bedroom. So, I told her to wait a minute and I would get her medicine and wheel her into her bed. She shook her head and whispered, "no, I am ready to go to Heaven." I just smiled and said "O.K. whenever Jesus is ready, He will come and get you." We held hands and soon the moment was over. I mention that here to say this. My 95 year old ailing mother has no illusions about who and what the truth is. She doesn't need CNN, FOX or anyone else to tell her what is truth. She KNOWS without a doubt the answer to the age old question. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 23:4 (NASB) 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
God Bless
John 18:37-38 (NASB) 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
38 Pilate *said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, "I find no guilt in Him.
What is truth? That question is as compelling today as it was in Pilate's time don't you think? It begs and pleads for an answer. Some time ago, years actually,I was listening to the radio while delivering the mail. It was a talk show host, a household name then and now. I was surprised, actually shocked to find out that he considered himself an entertainer first and a journalist second. As I let this sink in I decided then and there, that very day, that I would never listen to him again. And I never have.
We live in an age today where entertainers pass themselves off as journalists. Not just individuals, but entire media outlets are committed to ratings as opposite the truth. Truth, or at the very least, common objectivity has given way to sensationalism and ideology, all for the sake of the advertising dollar. Choose your media outlet. Television, radio, internet they are all poisoned. I don't know whether or not it is possible to find the TRUTH about anything anymore. Then I was reminded. I had a scripture thought come to mind today.A thought that I thought, most relevant.
Hebrews 12:26-27 (KJV) 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Do you feel it? There is a shaking going on isn't there? Ideals and values we thought once unassailable are under relentless assault. Precepts precious to our hearts are undergoing revision. Things that we were taught in school might not have actually happened the way we were taught. It's unfortunate and saddening but nevertheless seemingly true. But now, it has taken on a new brashness. These days there is no attempt to hide the deception and editing that occurs. It is shameless and has tainted virtually everything we see and read. It's all ENTERTAINMENT AND.....
NEWSFLASH!! It's all by design. Come on Ronnie, you really believe that? Let me say emphatically, YES I DO. There is a shaking going on and everything that can be shaken, will be. Folks, anything coming from the heart and mind of man...from the highest philosophy to the most brazen journalism is basically and essentially flawed. It is offered, no matter if from the purest motivations, from a sin nature. It is not now, nor will it ever be TRUTH. Pilate's question has but one answer. There is but one truth. One foundation. One rock. One anchor for the soul.
John 14:6 (NASB) 6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes the Father but through Me.
My ailing mother called me over today and took hold of my hand. With difficulty she mouthed very softly "I am ready to go." The first thing that crossed my mind was that she was ready to retire and go to the bedroom. So, I told her to wait a minute and I would get her medicine and wheel her into her bed. She shook her head and whispered, "no, I am ready to go to Heaven." I just smiled and said "O.K. whenever Jesus is ready, He will come and get you." We held hands and soon the moment was over. I mention that here to say this. My 95 year old ailing mother has no illusions about who and what the truth is. She doesn't need CNN, FOX or anyone else to tell her what is truth. She KNOWS without a doubt the answer to the age old question. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 23:4 (NASB) 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
God Bless
Friday, January 30, 2015
It's All
Good
01-29-15
Psalm 34:8 (NASB) 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
As I have mentioned before in this blog, I am not a pastor. I don't consider myself gifted with a pastor's heart, neither am I blessed as an exhorter. That being said, when writing this blog, I make an attempt to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is speaking, if anything, to my heart. I spend about four hours a night driving the Interstate delivering papers. What better time than to ponder and pray? Last night, I stilled my spirit with nothing but the hum of the road in my ears. I was trying to get a clue about what God might want me to write about today. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I finished my route, went home and went to bed. Got up this P.M. Not a word.Nada.
I began to think about various subjects that might be of interest.. you know the condition of the world this week (which is the same or worse as last week!lol) No that wasn't it. I thought about the various trials and tribulations that God's People are facing on a daily basis. But, that quickening that is so familiar to me wasn't there. I had nothing. I even considered trying to put a spiritual spin to Deflategate!! (Lord Have Mercy.) It was then that I took a glance out the dining room window and noticed how pretty it was. The sun was hitting these pine trees at just the right angle. It was pretty and had a strange sort of tranquility to it. I was having a zen moment(smile)
As I wondered at those trees, some thoughts started strolling across my mind. I thought about how my bills were all paid. I had a job with a recent pay raise. I had obtained health insurance through the V.A. FREE of charge. No premiums, just a small co-pay. I had a roof over my head. My children were all safe and well fed. My health was good. All in all, it was ALL GOOD. You feelin' me here? As I once again thought about what to write a voice came in my head and said,"Why don't you write about that?" "About what?" I replied. "About how it is all good." That was it. That's all I heard. It was gone.
In my spirit I retorted that isn't very thought provoking, nor is it insightful. Not that I have a special gift for either. Then I had a very simple, sobering thought..... It didn't have to be that way. I could be hunkered down in some Middle Eastern hellhole fearing for my very life. I could be on the receiving end of all the cards and well wishes for my speedy recovery. Ya hearin' me here? There are countless situations and circumstances, much worse,that I, Ronnie Jenkins could find myself tethered to. When I considered this,it finally occurred to me that God has, is, and will be very good to me. He has been faithful to me. Brothers and sisters I must confess something and I understand that I may be speaking for myself here. But, when weighed against the challenges and attacks that believers in other parts of the world are facing, my difficulties are a featherweight. Even in our own country there are people that are going through it to a degree that I can only imagine. With that perspective in front of my eyes, I thought it reasonable to pen a simple "Thank You Lord". I am reminded of that phrase that God has spoken to me many times recently "I've got your back." The Lord truly is good. Take your refuge in Him. He's All Good.
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NASB) 21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
God Bless
Psalm 34:8 (NASB) 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
As I have mentioned before in this blog, I am not a pastor. I don't consider myself gifted with a pastor's heart, neither am I blessed as an exhorter. That being said, when writing this blog, I make an attempt to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is speaking, if anything, to my heart. I spend about four hours a night driving the Interstate delivering papers. What better time than to ponder and pray? Last night, I stilled my spirit with nothing but the hum of the road in my ears. I was trying to get a clue about what God might want me to write about today. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I finished my route, went home and went to bed. Got up this P.M. Not a word.Nada.
I began to think about various subjects that might be of interest.. you know the condition of the world this week (which is the same or worse as last week!lol) No that wasn't it. I thought about the various trials and tribulations that God's People are facing on a daily basis. But, that quickening that is so familiar to me wasn't there. I had nothing. I even considered trying to put a spiritual spin to Deflategate!! (Lord Have Mercy.) It was then that I took a glance out the dining room window and noticed how pretty it was. The sun was hitting these pine trees at just the right angle. It was pretty and had a strange sort of tranquility to it. I was having a zen moment(smile)
As I wondered at those trees, some thoughts started strolling across my mind. I thought about how my bills were all paid. I had a job with a recent pay raise. I had obtained health insurance through the V.A. FREE of charge. No premiums, just a small co-pay. I had a roof over my head. My children were all safe and well fed. My health was good. All in all, it was ALL GOOD. You feelin' me here? As I once again thought about what to write a voice came in my head and said,"Why don't you write about that?" "About what?" I replied. "About how it is all good." That was it. That's all I heard. It was gone.
In my spirit I retorted that isn't very thought provoking, nor is it insightful. Not that I have a special gift for either. Then I had a very simple, sobering thought..... It didn't have to be that way. I could be hunkered down in some Middle Eastern hellhole fearing for my very life. I could be on the receiving end of all the cards and well wishes for my speedy recovery. Ya hearin' me here? There are countless situations and circumstances, much worse,that I, Ronnie Jenkins could find myself tethered to. When I considered this,it finally occurred to me that God has, is, and will be very good to me. He has been faithful to me. Brothers and sisters I must confess something and I understand that I may be speaking for myself here. But, when weighed against the challenges and attacks that believers in other parts of the world are facing, my difficulties are a featherweight. Even in our own country there are people that are going through it to a degree that I can only imagine. With that perspective in front of my eyes, I thought it reasonable to pen a simple "Thank You Lord". I am reminded of that phrase that God has spoken to me many times recently "I've got your back." The Lord truly is good. Take your refuge in Him. He's All Good.
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NASB) 21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
God Bless
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Your
God 01-15-15
Exodus 20:2-3 (NASB) 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.
Early post this week.
A personal, random commentary this week. It's everywhere isn't it? On the tele, in print, all over social media, the conversation centers around one dominating topic these days. Terrorism or extremism as that is the preferred catchword these days. (Watch out, that change in wording is dangerous) At any rate, we are reading about it, we are writing about it, we are ranting about it, and now we are going to be global summiting about it. It has seeped into every crack and crevice of our daily life, attempting to instill fear into our hearts. And to be honest it has succeeded on a national level. We now, in this writer's opinion are charting a course based on appeasement and tolerance, rather than confrontation. The machine rolls on, imposing its will on our lives; while more and more of us become anesthetized by the pursuit of the blessings and quality of life. A better description might be just to survive. There is a war going on and it is a class war waged by a privileged few against the rest of us, no matter one's creed or color. To be honest, this whole grand drama being played out is by design don't you think? I read the other day that it is now viewed as virtuous to tolerate all the various viewpoints(especially religious) as opposed to proclaiming the truth. It was at that point that the Spirit spoke those verses in my heart.
It was if He was saying this to me "Wait a minute here. What's all this commotion about? Have you forgotten Ronnie just who is running this show? " As I thought about that, I wondered at all the councils, all the meetings, all the money, not to mention the HUMAN cost that is being sacrificed to appease this god. All the while the one true God sits on His throne and .......smiles.
Psalm 2:1-4 (NASB) 1 Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying
3 "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!"
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.
The kings of this earth believe that they are calling the shots. They believe that rule this earth with autonomy. When in reality they are nothing more than players whose strings are being pulled by forces they have no idea even exist. Spiritual rulers in high places.
Brothers and sisters, I am in no way attempting to minimize the threat that has raised it's head against us in this country. In fact, I am of the belief that we won't have to worry about radical Islam taking this nation over by force. Nope, given time we will vote them in. Oh, they may not fit the stereotype we see today. They may wear coats and ties or dresses. But, they will serve the same agenda as those terrorists do today. The day is coming when anyone who proclaims the TRUE message of God,the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, will bear the label extremist. The day is coming and is already here when free speech will be limited to only that speech that is not incendiary or offensive. Heaven (and earth) forbid that anyone preach "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand." And believe me, it will be forbidden.
Look back at that verse again, the first six words. "I am the LORD your (italics mine) God..." The day is coming, and already is when Christians of all shapes,sizes, and persuasions will be fair game. The day is coming when The One True God MUST become YOUR God. The day is coming when the T.V. won't do.There may not be a man of God to watch much less a church to go to. At that time we, you and me, will need to know God for ourselves. It is a smart play if we start right now don't you think? Let's get a hold of Him. He is not only the one true God, He is the one and ONLY God. He will have NO other gods before Him.
Psalm 2:10-12 (NASB) 10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
God Bless
Exodus 20:2-3 (NASB) 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.
Early post this week.
A personal, random commentary this week. It's everywhere isn't it? On the tele, in print, all over social media, the conversation centers around one dominating topic these days. Terrorism or extremism as that is the preferred catchword these days. (Watch out, that change in wording is dangerous) At any rate, we are reading about it, we are writing about it, we are ranting about it, and now we are going to be global summiting about it. It has seeped into every crack and crevice of our daily life, attempting to instill fear into our hearts. And to be honest it has succeeded on a national level. We now, in this writer's opinion are charting a course based on appeasement and tolerance, rather than confrontation. The machine rolls on, imposing its will on our lives; while more and more of us become anesthetized by the pursuit of the blessings and quality of life. A better description might be just to survive. There is a war going on and it is a class war waged by a privileged few against the rest of us, no matter one's creed or color. To be honest, this whole grand drama being played out is by design don't you think? I read the other day that it is now viewed as virtuous to tolerate all the various viewpoints(especially religious) as opposed to proclaiming the truth. It was at that point that the Spirit spoke those verses in my heart.
It was if He was saying this to me "Wait a minute here. What's all this commotion about? Have you forgotten Ronnie just who is running this show? " As I thought about that, I wondered at all the councils, all the meetings, all the money, not to mention the HUMAN cost that is being sacrificed to appease this god. All the while the one true God sits on His throne and .......smiles.
Psalm 2:1-4 (NASB) 1 Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying
3 "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!"
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.
The kings of this earth believe that they are calling the shots. They believe that rule this earth with autonomy. When in reality they are nothing more than players whose strings are being pulled by forces they have no idea even exist. Spiritual rulers in high places.
Brothers and sisters, I am in no way attempting to minimize the threat that has raised it's head against us in this country. In fact, I am of the belief that we won't have to worry about radical Islam taking this nation over by force. Nope, given time we will vote them in. Oh, they may not fit the stereotype we see today. They may wear coats and ties or dresses. But, they will serve the same agenda as those terrorists do today. The day is coming when anyone who proclaims the TRUE message of God,the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, will bear the label extremist. The day is coming and is already here when free speech will be limited to only that speech that is not incendiary or offensive. Heaven (and earth) forbid that anyone preach "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand." And believe me, it will be forbidden.
Look back at that verse again, the first six words. "I am the LORD your (italics mine) God..." The day is coming, and already is when Christians of all shapes,sizes, and persuasions will be fair game. The day is coming when The One True God MUST become YOUR God. The day is coming when the T.V. won't do.There may not be a man of God to watch much less a church to go to. At that time we, you and me, will need to know God for ourselves. It is a smart play if we start right now don't you think? Let's get a hold of Him. He is not only the one true God, He is the one and ONLY God. He will have NO other gods before Him.
Psalm 2:10-12 (NASB) 10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
God Bless
Saturday, January 10, 2015
No Time Limit
As I was sitting at the kitchen table in memaw's(my mother lol) house this week the Lord quietly spoke the title to this message. No time limit.
3 "A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
Isaiah 42:3 (NASB)
I was in the midst of dealing with 'something' this week and I found myself numbed to the situation. Have you ever found yourself that way? You know..you've dealt with something for so long that you have become numb to it's effect. At first you used to freak out and go nuts looking for a solution; but, now you have dealt with it for so long that you have become numb and without feeling towards whatever you are battling against. As a matter of fact you have begun to accept that this situation is now the norm and you have 'given up'(?) that it might ever change. You have lost your compassion. Ever feel like that or is it just me?(smile) Well, I felt that very way this past week. Yep sure did. I said in my heart "the heck with it, I'm done. It ain't(bad english lol) NEVER gonna change! My anger and frustration were such that I didn't have any words. I didn't WANT to have any words. I just wanted to be through with it. Over, done, KAPUT!! Can I get an Amen??!! That's when the Lord, in His way,(you know how He does things sometimes) put the above scripture in front of my eyes.
As I read the above verse the Lord reminded me of the COUNTLESS times that He had shown me, yours truly, mercy and compassion. You see when other people screw up and miss the mark we sometimes give them a big dose of "I told you so" or worse we give up on them. No, we don't stop loving them,we just give up fighting in the spirit for them. Our spirit wants to give up the fight. We lose our compassion. You gettin'my drift? Our heart becomes numb to the situation. Trust me,I know. The Lord gave me a simple illustration this week. It was of a tree limb that had been half broken off. A'bruised reed' if you will. You know, you've seen them before, a small limb that has been cracked and it's just hanging there. I was reminded of some tree tape that they sell at Home Depot and Loew's. You wrap it around the the broken limb and graft it back into the bigger limb and over time the damaged limb will heal and grow back into the bigger limb. But, if you just leave the broken limb alone it will die. Understand, you don't have to break the limb off to kill it. You just have to NEGLECT it. Instead of binding it up with the tape and feeding it with fertilizer,you just give up on it and let it hang there. Eventually, it dies from neglect and starvation. That's probably very simplistic, but that is the picture I got this week. We don't have to get mad and frustrated with people to hurt them. We don't have to turn our back on them to wound them spiritually.We just have to give up on them. To become numb and indifferent toward their struggle. That's when the Lord spoke those words to me. Ronnie, there's no time limit on compassion and mercy. Thank God for that! If there were, I would have hit the bottom of the barrel long, long ago!!
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Gal 6:1 (NASB)
That word "restore" is as Bugs Bunny or was it Elmer Fudd(?) would say"verry inte-resting." It means "to mend, or to furnish completely" I have heard it put this way. It means to help someone"all the way out." " ... in a spirit of gentleness..." You know something? You can tell someone the truth without verbally beating them up. Most, if not all people know when they have missed it. I know that I have always known. Amen? What people need is to be told a way out. A word of encouragement. Is it more important to be right or to be reconciled? And here is our grammar lesson for today. In the verse restore is written in what they call the "continuous present" tense. It means the restoration is ongoing. It doesn't have a set time for conclusion. Amen?
You know it may all get very frustrating at times. No, it DOES get frustrating at times. Even to the point of numbness and discouragement.I can vouch for that.You want to quit fighting and quit believing. Amen? You just don't want to deal with it any longer. That's a good time to get alone with God and remind yourself(or allow Him to remind you) of how many times He has been merciful and compassionate towards you and yours.Allow Him to minister to you and recharge your batteries. The battle is always there. There's no time limit.
1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalms 61:1-2 (NASB)
God Bless
As I was sitting at the kitchen table in memaw's(my mother lol) house this week the Lord quietly spoke the title to this message. No time limit.
3 "A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
Isaiah 42:3 (NASB)
I was in the midst of dealing with 'something' this week and I found myself numbed to the situation. Have you ever found yourself that way? You know..you've dealt with something for so long that you have become numb to it's effect. At first you used to freak out and go nuts looking for a solution; but, now you have dealt with it for so long that you have become numb and without feeling towards whatever you are battling against. As a matter of fact you have begun to accept that this situation is now the norm and you have 'given up'(?) that it might ever change. You have lost your compassion. Ever feel like that or is it just me?(smile) Well, I felt that very way this past week. Yep sure did. I said in my heart "the heck with it, I'm done. It ain't(bad english lol) NEVER gonna change! My anger and frustration were such that I didn't have any words. I didn't WANT to have any words. I just wanted to be through with it. Over, done, KAPUT!! Can I get an Amen??!! That's when the Lord, in His way,(you know how He does things sometimes) put the above scripture in front of my eyes.
As I read the above verse the Lord reminded me of the COUNTLESS times that He had shown me, yours truly, mercy and compassion. You see when other people screw up and miss the mark we sometimes give them a big dose of "I told you so" or worse we give up on them. No, we don't stop loving them,we just give up fighting in the spirit for them. Our spirit wants to give up the fight. We lose our compassion. You gettin'my drift? Our heart becomes numb to the situation. Trust me,I know. The Lord gave me a simple illustration this week. It was of a tree limb that had been half broken off. A'bruised reed' if you will. You know, you've seen them before, a small limb that has been cracked and it's just hanging there. I was reminded of some tree tape that they sell at Home Depot and Loew's. You wrap it around the the broken limb and graft it back into the bigger limb and over time the damaged limb will heal and grow back into the bigger limb. But, if you just leave the broken limb alone it will die. Understand, you don't have to break the limb off to kill it. You just have to NEGLECT it. Instead of binding it up with the tape and feeding it with fertilizer,you just give up on it and let it hang there. Eventually, it dies from neglect and starvation. That's probably very simplistic, but that is the picture I got this week. We don't have to get mad and frustrated with people to hurt them. We don't have to turn our back on them to wound them spiritually.We just have to give up on them. To become numb and indifferent toward their struggle. That's when the Lord spoke those words to me. Ronnie, there's no time limit on compassion and mercy. Thank God for that! If there were, I would have hit the bottom of the barrel long, long ago!!
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Gal 6:1 (NASB)
That word "restore" is as Bugs Bunny or was it Elmer Fudd(?) would say"verry inte-resting." It means "to mend, or to furnish completely" I have heard it put this way. It means to help someone"all the way out." " ... in a spirit of gentleness..." You know something? You can tell someone the truth without verbally beating them up. Most, if not all people know when they have missed it. I know that I have always known. Amen? What people need is to be told a way out. A word of encouragement. Is it more important to be right or to be reconciled? And here is our grammar lesson for today. In the verse restore is written in what they call the "continuous present" tense. It means the restoration is ongoing. It doesn't have a set time for conclusion. Amen?
You know it may all get very frustrating at times. No, it DOES get frustrating at times. Even to the point of numbness and discouragement.I can vouch for that.You want to quit fighting and quit believing. Amen? You just don't want to deal with it any longer. That's a good time to get alone with God and remind yourself(or allow Him to remind you) of how many times He has been merciful and compassionate towards you and yours.Allow Him to minister to you and recharge your batteries. The battle is always there. There's no time limit.
1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalms 61:1-2 (NASB)
God Bless
Friday, January 2, 2015
The Queen Mother
1-2-15
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NASB) 4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
One source says it is the most debated scripture in the Bible. Another says if it is not #1 it is a nose length from it. In any case there is much disagreement that swirls around this passage of scripture. I have read, I don't know how many interpretations of this passage looking for one that would satisfy my inquiring mind. Like the passage on the Unpardonable Sin,it was fruitless until a few years back one finally made sense to me. My dilemma for years was this, if Jesus forgave all our sin, then why was there one that He didn't forgive? If we had eternal life, then how could we lose it? Well, a few years ago I found one that made sense to me. I have read and heard many since, but this is the only one that makes any sense to me,everything considered. All others, when placed under the scrutiny of context and intent, fall short. There is disagreement in the first two verses as to whom the author is writing about.The majority opinion, which is rock solid from where I stand, is that these are believers.There is an opinion that states that the subjects here are people who have been introduced to Jesus but did not accept Him. But, the word "tasted " among others dispels that notion. That word is the same word used to describe Jesus' tasting of death for all sinners. The argument is that this word is describing "a nibbling around the edges" type of experience that these folks had partaken of. A professing Christian if there is such a thing. But the scripture itself uses words that denote a deep and valid experience. Enlightened, tasted, partaken all point to someone who has a true relationship with the Lord Jesus. Also, note the past tense is used here, especially in the phrase,"have been made partakers." I believe that we will be safe in assuming that these are true believers being described here. O. K. if that is settled let's move on to vs. 6.
To understand the emphasis of vs.6 you must go back to the last part of Chapter 5. Look at this.
Hebrews 5:11-12 (NASB) 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Now to Chapter 6.
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NASB) 1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
"...repentance from dead works..of faith toward God..." are phrases that speak to the author's intent. The first exhorting believers to turn from the Levitical system, the second being the result of turning to the Messiah. Notice that the writer describes these doctrines as "elementary" further supporting the stance that the primary focus of the entire book is one of growing in maturity.
The author here is exhorting this community to move on into spiritual maturity, but is frustrated with them because they have become "dull of hearing." Now here is where it gets a little tricky. Vs.4-6 is one sentence and all those phrases have a modifying adverb that reads "once for all" such as ".....those who have once for all been enlightened...." It is shortened for English readers, but it extends to all the characteristics. In Chapter 10:32 the same idea about enlightening is used speaking to salvation. That adverb means that once something is genuinely possessed it remains as a permanent possession. This is a community of Jewish believers who are saved once for all, they have become spiritually dull, and because of this, they are about to make a life changing mistake.However, it doesn't have anything to do with losing one's salvation. If we look at vs. 6 we see those words "fall away." Some translations including mine, add a "if they" or "then have" to the text. That is a translation addition to make better sense to English readers. It isn't in the original. Because of this, some say that the author is presenting a hypothetical situation to ease the interpretation problems. But, that simply isn't the case. This is a real sin that this community is on the brink of committing with disastrous consequences. This "once for all" falling away presents problems for teaching that salvation can be lost. The scripture goes on to say that once committed there is no turning back. Repentance is impossible. If that is the case then once salvation is rejected, it is unreliable.If we for whatever reason have rejected salvation, no available repentance is possible. That doesn't mesh with human experience nor is it in harmony with this chapter and book. In addition it flies in the face of Jesus's completed work on Calvary. Again trying to make sense to English readers, most translations put the word "impossible" in the second clause of vs.6, while in the original it is at the beginning of the long sentence up in vs.4. This has resulted in an incorrect reading that sounds like it is impossible to renew someone to salvation repentance. What the author is trying to convey is that once this particular sin, this" falling away" is committed there will be no turning back. No chance to repent or change their mind to avoid the consequences. Like the Wilderness Generation once God judged their lack of faith at Kadesh-Barnea they could not repent. They tried. Remember what they did when they realized their mistake? They went out the next morning to conquer the land and were soundly defeated at Ai. Judgment had been set and they wondered the wilderness until that generation over the age of twenty died out. What is the common element here? Well, if we take the warning passages that talk about drifting away(chap.2) from trust in Jesus, if we look at the rebellion of doubt and lack of faith in their ancestors generation(chap.3-4), if we take into account that the WHOLE book of Hebrews is trying to prove that Jesus is superior in every way to angels, Moses, the Leviticus Priesthood, the animal sacrifices, we come to this conclusion that the warnings passages are warning against the failure to walk in faith. Now a failure to walk in faith can come packaged in many ways and produce differing results. In our world it might mean the loss of a blessing or a rebuke from God. In the accounts in Hebrews it took the form of willful disobedience and was immediately judged with loss of blessing and physical life; but, in no case was a loss of salvation and eternal life in view. If this Jewish community, in an attempt to escape persecution, turns away from Jesus and back to the Mosaic Law they will be stuck with their plight.Their fate on this earth is sealed. The "falling away" is an irrevocable and decisive sin that once committed, while it can be forgiven, it cannot be undone. While unknown to these readers, national Israel at the time of this writing,(Hebrews) has already come under judgment. They do not know it yet, but when the leadership in Jerusalem rejected the Messiah by committing the unpardonable sin, judgment was set on that generation.
Matthew 23:35-36 (NASB) 35 so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36 "Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Because the Jews willfully failed to accept their Messiah, all righteous blood from the beginning to their day fell to them. Remember at the trial they said to let Jesus blood be on their heads. And so it was. That was the unpardonable sin and that sin had to be and was judged. It was decisive and irrevocable.It was the same at Kadesh-Barnea and it will be the same for this particular community of believers in Hebrews. It is not unforgivable, no,no they won't lose their salvation. As mentioned before, did Moses lose his salvation,Or Aaron and Miriam? They were judged in he wilderness and died there but in no way did they miss heaven. Did individuals or the nation of Israel lose their spiritual life after the rejection of their Messiah? Nope. Any individual who believed made heaven their home;and, National Israel is and will be a major player in God's plan for the Kingdom Age. BUT, that generation was judged. How? Just a few short years after Jesus left us and while the ink was barely dry on the Book of Hebrews, a Jewish rebellion broke out in Jerusalem against Rome. In 70A.D. Rome invaded Jerusalem and the rest is history. The falling away talked about was a failure to walk in the faith and revealed knowledge of God. While any and every sin has been forgiven through the finished work of the Lord Jesus, some sins produce irrevocable consequences, even unto physical death. Remember what I said a couple weeks back...we don't have a sin problem anymore, we have a belief problem. I'll end with this side note. In 70A.D. or actually before a community of Jews living in Jerusalem, left Jerusalem and resettled in what is now Jordan or Transjordan, to a community called Pella. This is a documented historical fact attested to in many ancient writings. No one knows if it was the "Hebrews" but it makes a lot of sense doesn't it? At Pella they sat out the total destruction of Jerusalem while 1.1 million of their brethren suffered annihilation at the hands of the Romans. Very shortly afterward, the Jewish nation of Israel ceased to exist and what was left of the Jewish people were dispersed all over the world for some 1900 years. Meanwhile the Jewish community that obeyed God,didn't turn back to the Levitical System and stay in Jerusalem lived out their lives in relative peace.
Folks the Lord Jesus did not offer Himself on Calvary only to leave His brothers and sisters, you and me, hanging in the wind and responsible for our spiritual well being. Conditional security promotes this. It imagines that the Cross isn't enough to secure our complete salvation. More dangerously it appeals to our flesh by introducing human merit into the equation. By teaching that we must do something,or believe a certain way, we are saying to God that we have our own righteousness before Him. If we insist upon requiring ANY merit before God, whether it concerns obtaining salvation or maintaining salvation, then we have introduced works of the flesh and God clearly states that NO FLESH will glory in His Presence. This study has only scratched the surface of the wealth of information that is out there readily available for anyone that is interested. See you next week.
Psalm 29:1 (NASB) 1
Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD
glory and strength.
God Bless
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NASB) 4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
One source says it is the most debated scripture in the Bible. Another says if it is not #1 it is a nose length from it. In any case there is much disagreement that swirls around this passage of scripture. I have read, I don't know how many interpretations of this passage looking for one that would satisfy my inquiring mind. Like the passage on the Unpardonable Sin,it was fruitless until a few years back one finally made sense to me. My dilemma for years was this, if Jesus forgave all our sin, then why was there one that He didn't forgive? If we had eternal life, then how could we lose it? Well, a few years ago I found one that made sense to me. I have read and heard many since, but this is the only one that makes any sense to me,everything considered. All others, when placed under the scrutiny of context and intent, fall short. There is disagreement in the first two verses as to whom the author is writing about.The majority opinion, which is rock solid from where I stand, is that these are believers.There is an opinion that states that the subjects here are people who have been introduced to Jesus but did not accept Him. But, the word "tasted " among others dispels that notion. That word is the same word used to describe Jesus' tasting of death for all sinners. The argument is that this word is describing "a nibbling around the edges" type of experience that these folks had partaken of. A professing Christian if there is such a thing. But the scripture itself uses words that denote a deep and valid experience. Enlightened, tasted, partaken all point to someone who has a true relationship with the Lord Jesus. Also, note the past tense is used here, especially in the phrase,"have been made partakers." I believe that we will be safe in assuming that these are true believers being described here. O. K. if that is settled let's move on to vs. 6.
To understand the emphasis of vs.6 you must go back to the last part of Chapter 5. Look at this.
Hebrews 5:11-12 (NASB) 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Now to Chapter 6.
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NASB) 1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
"...repentance from dead works..of faith toward God..." are phrases that speak to the author's intent. The first exhorting believers to turn from the Levitical system, the second being the result of turning to the Messiah. Notice that the writer describes these doctrines as "elementary" further supporting the stance that the primary focus of the entire book is one of growing in maturity.
The author here is exhorting this community to move on into spiritual maturity, but is frustrated with them because they have become "dull of hearing." Now here is where it gets a little tricky. Vs.4-6 is one sentence and all those phrases have a modifying adverb that reads "once for all" such as ".....those who have once for all been enlightened...." It is shortened for English readers, but it extends to all the characteristics. In Chapter 10:32 the same idea about enlightening is used speaking to salvation. That adverb means that once something is genuinely possessed it remains as a permanent possession. This is a community of Jewish believers who are saved once for all, they have become spiritually dull, and because of this, they are about to make a life changing mistake.However, it doesn't have anything to do with losing one's salvation. If we look at vs. 6 we see those words "fall away." Some translations including mine, add a "if they" or "then have" to the text. That is a translation addition to make better sense to English readers. It isn't in the original. Because of this, some say that the author is presenting a hypothetical situation to ease the interpretation problems. But, that simply isn't the case. This is a real sin that this community is on the brink of committing with disastrous consequences. This "once for all" falling away presents problems for teaching that salvation can be lost. The scripture goes on to say that once committed there is no turning back. Repentance is impossible. If that is the case then once salvation is rejected, it is unreliable.If we for whatever reason have rejected salvation, no available repentance is possible. That doesn't mesh with human experience nor is it in harmony with this chapter and book. In addition it flies in the face of Jesus's completed work on Calvary. Again trying to make sense to English readers, most translations put the word "impossible" in the second clause of vs.6, while in the original it is at the beginning of the long sentence up in vs.4. This has resulted in an incorrect reading that sounds like it is impossible to renew someone to salvation repentance. What the author is trying to convey is that once this particular sin, this" falling away" is committed there will be no turning back. No chance to repent or change their mind to avoid the consequences. Like the Wilderness Generation once God judged their lack of faith at Kadesh-Barnea they could not repent. They tried. Remember what they did when they realized their mistake? They went out the next morning to conquer the land and were soundly defeated at Ai. Judgment had been set and they wondered the wilderness until that generation over the age of twenty died out. What is the common element here? Well, if we take the warning passages that talk about drifting away(chap.2) from trust in Jesus, if we look at the rebellion of doubt and lack of faith in their ancestors generation(chap.3-4), if we take into account that the WHOLE book of Hebrews is trying to prove that Jesus is superior in every way to angels, Moses, the Leviticus Priesthood, the animal sacrifices, we come to this conclusion that the warnings passages are warning against the failure to walk in faith. Now a failure to walk in faith can come packaged in many ways and produce differing results. In our world it might mean the loss of a blessing or a rebuke from God. In the accounts in Hebrews it took the form of willful disobedience and was immediately judged with loss of blessing and physical life; but, in no case was a loss of salvation and eternal life in view. If this Jewish community, in an attempt to escape persecution, turns away from Jesus and back to the Mosaic Law they will be stuck with their plight.Their fate on this earth is sealed. The "falling away" is an irrevocable and decisive sin that once committed, while it can be forgiven, it cannot be undone. While unknown to these readers, national Israel at the time of this writing,(Hebrews) has already come under judgment. They do not know it yet, but when the leadership in Jerusalem rejected the Messiah by committing the unpardonable sin, judgment was set on that generation.
Matthew 23:35-36 (NASB) 35 so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36 "Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Because the Jews willfully failed to accept their Messiah, all righteous blood from the beginning to their day fell to them. Remember at the trial they said to let Jesus blood be on their heads. And so it was. That was the unpardonable sin and that sin had to be and was judged. It was decisive and irrevocable.It was the same at Kadesh-Barnea and it will be the same for this particular community of believers in Hebrews. It is not unforgivable, no,no they won't lose their salvation. As mentioned before, did Moses lose his salvation,Or Aaron and Miriam? They were judged in he wilderness and died there but in no way did they miss heaven. Did individuals or the nation of Israel lose their spiritual life after the rejection of their Messiah? Nope. Any individual who believed made heaven their home;and, National Israel is and will be a major player in God's plan for the Kingdom Age. BUT, that generation was judged. How? Just a few short years after Jesus left us and while the ink was barely dry on the Book of Hebrews, a Jewish rebellion broke out in Jerusalem against Rome. In 70A.D. Rome invaded Jerusalem and the rest is history. The falling away talked about was a failure to walk in the faith and revealed knowledge of God. While any and every sin has been forgiven through the finished work of the Lord Jesus, some sins produce irrevocable consequences, even unto physical death. Remember what I said a couple weeks back...we don't have a sin problem anymore, we have a belief problem. I'll end with this side note. In 70A.D. or actually before a community of Jews living in Jerusalem, left Jerusalem and resettled in what is now Jordan or Transjordan, to a community called Pella. This is a documented historical fact attested to in many ancient writings. No one knows if it was the "Hebrews" but it makes a lot of sense doesn't it? At Pella they sat out the total destruction of Jerusalem while 1.1 million of their brethren suffered annihilation at the hands of the Romans. Very shortly afterward, the Jewish nation of Israel ceased to exist and what was left of the Jewish people were dispersed all over the world for some 1900 years. Meanwhile the Jewish community that obeyed God,didn't turn back to the Levitical System and stay in Jerusalem lived out their lives in relative peace.
Folks the Lord Jesus did not offer Himself on Calvary only to leave His brothers and sisters, you and me, hanging in the wind and responsible for our spiritual well being. Conditional security promotes this. It imagines that the Cross isn't enough to secure our complete salvation. More dangerously it appeals to our flesh by introducing human merit into the equation. By teaching that we must do something,or believe a certain way, we are saying to God that we have our own righteousness before Him. If we insist upon requiring ANY merit before God, whether it concerns obtaining salvation or maintaining salvation, then we have introduced works of the flesh and God clearly states that NO FLESH will glory in His Presence. This study has only scratched the surface of the wealth of information that is out there readily available for anyone that is interested. See you next week.
Psalm 29:1 (NASB) 1
God Bless
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