Written by: Bill Gothard
The Greek word for character is charakter. It is translated in Scripture as the “express image.” According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament, the word “originally denoted an engraver or engraving tool. Later it meant the impression itself, ususally something engraven, cut in, or stamped, a character, letter, mark, [or] sign. This impression with its particular features was considered as the exact representation of the object whose image it bore.” In Hebrews 1:3, Christ is referred to as the “express image” of God; He fully expressed the character of God through His life.
One of God’s primary goals for believers is to transform them into the image of His Son so that they may be a reflection of the character of Christ. We can take comfort in this purpose when we experience difficulties because “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Operational Definitions of 49 Character Qualities
Alertness vs. Unawareness
Being aware of that which is taking place around me so I can have the right response to it (Mark 14:38)
Attentiveness vs. Unconcern
Showing the worth of a person by giving undivided attention to his words and emotions (Hebrews 2:1)
Availability vs. Self-centeredness
Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving (Philippians 2:20–21)
Boldness vs. Fearfulness
Confidence that what I have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God (Acts 4:29)
Cautiousness vs. Rashness
Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions (Proverbs 19:2)
Compassion vs. Indifference
Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others (I John 3:17)
Contentment vs. Covetousness
Realizing that God has provided everything I need for my present happiness (I Timothy 6:8)
Creativity vs. Underachievement
Approaching a need, a task, an idea from a new perspective (Romans 12:2)
Decisiveness vs. Double-mindedness
The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God (James 1:5)
Deference vs. Rudeness
Limiting my freedom in order not offend the tastes of those whom God has called me to serve (Romans 14:21)
Dependability vs. Inconsistency
Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice (Psalm 15:4)
Determination vs. Faintheartedness
Purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition (II Timothy 4:7–8)
Diligence vs. Slothfulness
Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it (Colossians 3:23)
Discernment vs. Judgment
The God-given ability to understand why things happen (I Samuel 16:7)
Discretion vs. Simplemindedness
The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences (Proverbs 22:3)
Endurance vs. Giving up
The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best (Galatians 6:9)
Enthusiasm vs. Apathy
Expressing with my soul the joy of my spirit (I Thessalonians 5:16,19)
Faith vs. Presumption
Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it (Hebrews 11:1)
Flexibility vs. Resistance
Not setting my affections on ideas or plans which could be changed by God or others (Colossians 3:2)
Forgiveness vs. Rejection
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me (Ephesians 4:32)
Generosity vs. Stinginess
Realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes (II Corinthians 9:6)
Gentleness vs. Harshness
Showing personal care and concern in meeting the need of others (I Thessalonians 2:7)
Gratefulness vs. Unthankfulness
Making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited my life (I Corinthians 4:7)
Hospitality vs. Loneliness
Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and spiritual refreshment with those whom God brings into my life (Hebrews 13:2)
Humility vs. Pride
Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life (James 4:6)
Initiative vs. Unresponsiveness
Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it (Romans 12:21)
Joyfulness vs. Self-pity
The spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 16:11)
Justice vs. Fairness
Personal responsibility to God’s unchanging laws (Micah 6:8)
Love vs. Selfishness
Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward (I Corinthians 13:3)
Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those whom He has called me to serve (John 15:13)
Meekness vs. Anger
Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God (Psalm 62:5)
Obedience vs. Willfulness
Freedom to be creative under the protection of divinely appointed authority (II Corinthians 10:5)
Orderliness vs. Disorganization
Preparing myself and my surroundings so I will achieve the greatest efficiency (I Corinthians 14:40)
Patience vs. Restlessness
Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it (Romans 5:3–4)
Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness
Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks (II Timothy 2:24)
Punctuality vs. Tardiness
Showing high esteem for other people and their time (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness
Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard (Luke 16:10)
Responsibility vs. Unreliability
Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me (Romans 14:12)
Reverence vs. Disrespect
Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me (Proverbs 23:17–18)
Security vs. Anxiety
Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away (John 6:27)
Self-Control vs. Self-indulgence
Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:24–25)
Sensitivity vs. Callousness
Exercising my senses so I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me (Romans 12:15)
Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy
Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives (I Peter 1:22)
Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness
Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected (Proverbs 18:15)
Thriftiness vs. Extravagance
Not letting myself or others spend that which is not necessary (Luke 16:11)
Tolerance vs. Prejudice
Acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity (Philippians 2:2)
Truthfulness vs. Deception
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts (Ephesians 4:25)
Virtue vs. Impurity
The moral excellence and purity of spirit that radiate from my life as I obey God’s Word (II Peter 1:3)
Wisdom vs. Natural Inclinations
Seeing and responding to life’s situations from God’s frame of reference (Proverbs 9:10)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
How To Be A True Disciple (part 1)
Written by: Bill Gothard
Discipleship is what the Christian life is all about. But how do we know when we are true disciples? And how do we know when we have trained someone else to be a disciple?
After searching for many years, I finally discovered the answer. It is right in the Great Commission: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). So what were all the commands of Jesus? A survey of the Gospels will produce about 49 general commands that every believer should follow. This, then, is the curriculum for carrying out the Great Commission and being a disciple.
What does it mean to keep Christ’s commands?
The Greek word translated keep is tereo, which means “to guard, to watch, to observe closely, to hold fast.” This same word is used to describe the care that the Philippian jailer was to exercise in keeping Paul and Silas from escaping.
During the times of wind-driven ships, navigators would use the phrase keeping the stars. This meant that they would use the stars to chart a course across the ocean. This is precisely how the commands of Christ are to be used: as dependable lights for charting a course throughout life.
The Awesome Rewards of Keeping Christ’s Commands
The great importance of keeping all of Christ’s commands before our eyes is indicated by the marvelous rewards He promises to those who do it. Notice the foundational areas of the Christian life and of our relationship to the Lord that result from keeping His commandments.
Showing Our Love for Christ
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Abiding in God’s Love
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10).
Perfecting God’s Love
“Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (I John 2:5).
Having God Live Within Us
“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).
Experiencing God’s Love
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father…” (John 14:21).
Knowing Christ Intimately
“…And I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (I John 2:3).
Being a Truthful Witness
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4).
Being a Friend of Jesus
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants… for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14–15).
Having All Prayers Answered
“Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (I John 3:22).
Bearing Much Fruit
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:7–8).
Being Joyful at All Times
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).
Cleansing the Heart and Soul
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:3–4). “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
Loving One Another
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (I John 5:2–3).
Being a True Disciple
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35).
Demonstrating Ultimate Love
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12–13).
Obeying the Great Commission
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
How Christ’s Commands Relate to Character
When we realized that there were about 49 commands of Christ, we wondered if there was any correlation between Christ’s commands and the character qualities that we have been emphasizing over the years. First we matched the obvious ones, then the ones that had a direct or indirect relationship. To our amazement, every command of Christ could be correlated with every character quality.
In each case, the character quality enhanced and deepened the message of the command of Christ and revealed the spirit in which the command was to be lived out. This relationship should not have been a surprise, because Jesus Christ is the personification of all true character and His character is the goal and result of being conformed to His image. In the phrase express image of Christ, the Greek word used for image is charakter. (See Hebrews 1:3.)
Throughout Scripture, the commands of Christ and the related character qualities are intertwined. The development of the character of Christ is the objective of all the things that God allows to happen to us and should be our goal as we seek to encourage one another. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…. To be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:28–29).
Discipleship is what the Christian life is all about. But how do we know when we are true disciples? And how do we know when we have trained someone else to be a disciple?
After searching for many years, I finally discovered the answer. It is right in the Great Commission: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). So what were all the commands of Jesus? A survey of the Gospels will produce about 49 general commands that every believer should follow. This, then, is the curriculum for carrying out the Great Commission and being a disciple.
What does it mean to keep Christ’s commands?
The Greek word translated keep is tereo, which means “to guard, to watch, to observe closely, to hold fast.” This same word is used to describe the care that the Philippian jailer was to exercise in keeping Paul and Silas from escaping.
During the times of wind-driven ships, navigators would use the phrase keeping the stars. This meant that they would use the stars to chart a course across the ocean. This is precisely how the commands of Christ are to be used: as dependable lights for charting a course throughout life.
The Awesome Rewards of Keeping Christ’s Commands
The great importance of keeping all of Christ’s commands before our eyes is indicated by the marvelous rewards He promises to those who do it. Notice the foundational areas of the Christian life and of our relationship to the Lord that result from keeping His commandments.
Showing Our Love for Christ
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Abiding in God’s Love
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10).
Perfecting God’s Love
“Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (I John 2:5).
Having God Live Within Us
“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).
Experiencing God’s Love
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father…” (John 14:21).
Knowing Christ Intimately
“…And I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (I John 2:3).
Being a Truthful Witness
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4).
Being a Friend of Jesus
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants… for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14–15).
Having All Prayers Answered
“Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (I John 3:22).
Bearing Much Fruit
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:7–8).
Being Joyful at All Times
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).
Cleansing the Heart and Soul
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:3–4). “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
Loving One Another
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (I John 5:2–3).
Being a True Disciple
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35).
Demonstrating Ultimate Love
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12–13).
Obeying the Great Commission
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
How Christ’s Commands Relate to Character
When we realized that there were about 49 commands of Christ, we wondered if there was any correlation between Christ’s commands and the character qualities that we have been emphasizing over the years. First we matched the obvious ones, then the ones that had a direct or indirect relationship. To our amazement, every command of Christ could be correlated with every character quality.
In each case, the character quality enhanced and deepened the message of the command of Christ and revealed the spirit in which the command was to be lived out. This relationship should not have been a surprise, because Jesus Christ is the personification of all true character and His character is the goal and result of being conformed to His image. In the phrase express image of Christ, the Greek word used for image is charakter. (See Hebrews 1:3.)
Throughout Scripture, the commands of Christ and the related character qualities are intertwined. The development of the character of Christ is the objective of all the things that God allows to happen to us and should be our goal as we seek to encourage one another. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…. To be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:28–29).
Protection Under Authority
Written by: Bill Gothard
The use of an umbrella to symbolize protection is commonly understood and accepted. In the insurance industry, an overall coverage of protection is referred to as an “umbrella policy.” In the Bible, similar symbols teach the concepts of provision, protection, headship, and leadership.
The use of this symbol in relation to the family is to give special encouragement to fathers to protect, instruct, lead, and provide for their wives, sons, and daughters. It is also to remind the family that no father is perfect, but as they pray for him and encourage him, they can increase his ability and motivation to fulfill his God-given responsibilities.
In addition to the father, Scripture has other umbrella analogies: The cloud of protection that God gave to Israel during their forty years in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22), the shadow of God’s hand over His people (Isaiah 51:15–16), “the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1), and the wings of a mother hen (Matthew 23:37).
Understanding the umbrella concept increases our love for God and assures us of His love, protection, and provision for us as His children.
Biblical Examples of “Umbrellas” of Protection
Under each umbrella of protection, God sets in place the leadership of His choice, just as He placed Moses in leadership under the “umbrella” over Israel. So, under each umbrella of protection, God raises up and establishes the human leadership to represent Him before the people. These leaders become our human umbrellas, accountable to God for the stewardship of their responsibilities.
The umbrella over Israel
For 40 years, God gave protection and direction to the nation of Israel through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved, they moved. Those who lagged behind were attacked by their enemies and destroyed (see Deuteronomy 1:33 and 25:17–19). In addition to God’s cloudy umbrella of protection, He provided leadership through Moses. When the people murmured again Moses, they were actually murmuring against God, as He stated, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me?” (Numbers 14:27).
The symbol of a mother hen with her chicks also speaks of God’s umbrella of protection over His people. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:37–38).
The umbrella of government
In spite of the many ordeals that the Apostle Paul suffered under the hand of the pagan Roman government, he still affirmed that everyone was subject to a higher authority (see Romans 13). The government leaders were to be God’s protection for the people and, in turn, the people were to intercede in prayer for the leaders. Scripture states, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:13–15; see also 1 Timothy 2:1–2).
There was a further symbol of protection in the Roman army. It was the shield carried by the soldiers. As they advanced to a walled city, they would lift these large, door-like shields above their heads and protect themselves from all the flaming arrows coming from those on top of the wall. This symbol is referred to in Ephesians 6:16: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
The umbrella of the Church
It is significant that God used the analogy of the physical body with its head to illustrate the relationship that all the members of the Body are to have in the Church, with Christ as the Head. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15–16).
God also provided leadership for His people for the ultimate purpose of building up each member. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
God also uses the example of a shepherd with a hedge of protection for his sheep. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:2–4). The shepherd was to make a hedge of protection around the sheep, which consisted of stones or thornbushes. It had no door, so the shepherd became the door and guarded the flock.
The umbrella of headship
The responsibility of protection is one of the primary functions of headship. This is true of the head of a church, the head of a family, the head of state, and the head of a company.
Headship also involves levels of responsibility. In business, there are management levels. In government, there are jurisdictional levels. And in the military, there are ranks of authority; each one operates under a “chain of command” from the head.
Jesus added an important new dimension to the concept of headship when He explained that those who were in positions of authority must learn how to be servant to all those for whom they are responsible. He demonstrated this paradox by laying down His life for the world. He challenges husbands to follow His example in their responses to their wives (see Ephesians 5).
Scripture identifies the concept of headship in Creation, and its levels, in the following passage. “I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3; see also Ephesians 5:23).
The protection of the family
The same relationship that God established for believers in Christ is to be carried out between the husband and wife. The headship of the husband is compared to the headship of Christ, and just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the Church, so the husband is to lay down his life for his wife (see Ephesians 5:23–25).
The family of the Church and the family of the father are also related in respect to leadership and protection. “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5).
The rewards of children staying under the protection of their parents are described in the fifth commandment and reaffirmed in Ephesians 6:2–3. “Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” There are also serious consequences for any son or daughter who gets out from under this protection. “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Proverbs 30:17).
The headship protection that God wants to build for each family is spoken of in the Book of Job. “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land” (Job 1:9–10).
Conclusion
All these examples and illustrations explain what is meant by umbrellas of protection. God is our ultimate “umbrella.” However, just as He delegates responsibility to those in various jurisdictions, so He also gives them the responsibility to be an umbrella of protection for those under their care.
All human “umbrellas” have faults and limitations. For this reason, those under authority are instructed to pray for them. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1–4).
(get the Incredible Power Of Kingdom Authority by Adrian Rogers at www.BarnesandNoble.com)
The use of an umbrella to symbolize protection is commonly understood and accepted. In the insurance industry, an overall coverage of protection is referred to as an “umbrella policy.” In the Bible, similar symbols teach the concepts of provision, protection, headship, and leadership.
The use of this symbol in relation to the family is to give special encouragement to fathers to protect, instruct, lead, and provide for their wives, sons, and daughters. It is also to remind the family that no father is perfect, but as they pray for him and encourage him, they can increase his ability and motivation to fulfill his God-given responsibilities.
In addition to the father, Scripture has other umbrella analogies: The cloud of protection that God gave to Israel during their forty years in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22), the shadow of God’s hand over His people (Isaiah 51:15–16), “the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1), and the wings of a mother hen (Matthew 23:37).
Understanding the umbrella concept increases our love for God and assures us of His love, protection, and provision for us as His children.
Biblical Examples of “Umbrellas” of Protection
Under each umbrella of protection, God sets in place the leadership of His choice, just as He placed Moses in leadership under the “umbrella” over Israel. So, under each umbrella of protection, God raises up and establishes the human leadership to represent Him before the people. These leaders become our human umbrellas, accountable to God for the stewardship of their responsibilities.
The umbrella over Israel
For 40 years, God gave protection and direction to the nation of Israel through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved, they moved. Those who lagged behind were attacked by their enemies and destroyed (see Deuteronomy 1:33 and 25:17–19). In addition to God’s cloudy umbrella of protection, He provided leadership through Moses. When the people murmured again Moses, they were actually murmuring against God, as He stated, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me?” (Numbers 14:27).
The symbol of a mother hen with her chicks also speaks of God’s umbrella of protection over His people. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:37–38).
The umbrella of government
In spite of the many ordeals that the Apostle Paul suffered under the hand of the pagan Roman government, he still affirmed that everyone was subject to a higher authority (see Romans 13). The government leaders were to be God’s protection for the people and, in turn, the people were to intercede in prayer for the leaders. Scripture states, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:13–15; see also 1 Timothy 2:1–2).
There was a further symbol of protection in the Roman army. It was the shield carried by the soldiers. As they advanced to a walled city, they would lift these large, door-like shields above their heads and protect themselves from all the flaming arrows coming from those on top of the wall. This symbol is referred to in Ephesians 6:16: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
The umbrella of the Church
It is significant that God used the analogy of the physical body with its head to illustrate the relationship that all the members of the Body are to have in the Church, with Christ as the Head. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15–16).
God also provided leadership for His people for the ultimate purpose of building up each member. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
God also uses the example of a shepherd with a hedge of protection for his sheep. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:2–4). The shepherd was to make a hedge of protection around the sheep, which consisted of stones or thornbushes. It had no door, so the shepherd became the door and guarded the flock.
The umbrella of headship
The responsibility of protection is one of the primary functions of headship. This is true of the head of a church, the head of a family, the head of state, and the head of a company.
Headship also involves levels of responsibility. In business, there are management levels. In government, there are jurisdictional levels. And in the military, there are ranks of authority; each one operates under a “chain of command” from the head.
Jesus added an important new dimension to the concept of headship when He explained that those who were in positions of authority must learn how to be servant to all those for whom they are responsible. He demonstrated this paradox by laying down His life for the world. He challenges husbands to follow His example in their responses to their wives (see Ephesians 5).
Scripture identifies the concept of headship in Creation, and its levels, in the following passage. “I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3; see also Ephesians 5:23).
The protection of the family
The same relationship that God established for believers in Christ is to be carried out between the husband and wife. The headship of the husband is compared to the headship of Christ, and just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the Church, so the husband is to lay down his life for his wife (see Ephesians 5:23–25).
The family of the Church and the family of the father are also related in respect to leadership and protection. “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5).
The rewards of children staying under the protection of their parents are described in the fifth commandment and reaffirmed in Ephesians 6:2–3. “Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” There are also serious consequences for any son or daughter who gets out from under this protection. “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Proverbs 30:17).
The headship protection that God wants to build for each family is spoken of in the Book of Job. “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land” (Job 1:9–10).
Conclusion
All these examples and illustrations explain what is meant by umbrellas of protection. God is our ultimate “umbrella.” However, just as He delegates responsibility to those in various jurisdictions, so He also gives them the responsibility to be an umbrella of protection for those under their care.
All human “umbrellas” have faults and limitations. For this reason, those under authority are instructed to pray for them. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1–4).
(get the Incredible Power Of Kingdom Authority by Adrian Rogers at www.BarnesandNoble.com)
Our Jealous God
Written by: Bill Gothard
One of the marvelous rewards of keeping Christ’s commands is that He will make Himself known to us. (See John 14:21.) This was the lifelong goal of the Apostle Paul: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Peter explained that it is through the knowledge of God that we receive grace, peace, Godliness, and life. (See II Peter 1:2–4.)
I gained a deeper understanding of Who God is on September 3, 2002. That day, I realized for the first time that the Holy Spirit watches the “eyes” of my heart, looking for evidences of delight in the attractions of the world, just as a wife watches the eyes of her husband when an attractive woman walks into the room.
If I turn away from competing affections and love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, God will bless me beyond anything I could imagine, even as I Corinthians 2:9 states, “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.” I always thought this verse referred only to the glories of heaven; however, the context explains that the Holy Spirit reveals these things to us now so that “we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12).
The Basis of God’s Jealousy
God is jealous because He has established a covenant relationship with every believer through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son—the Lord Jesus Christ. In this covenant relationship, it is His goal to demonstrate to the entire world the marvelous things that He will do for believers who fully love Him.
God established a parallel covenant with the nation of Israel. He promised that if they would honor this covenant with Him by loving Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, He would make them healthier, wealthier, and wiser than any other nation in the world. However, if they delighted in any other god, He would curse them above all nations on the earth.
I was aware of these Old Testament promises and warnings and of the jealous nature of God. However, I assumed they related only to His relationship with Israel, and that somehow in the New Testament He had become a benevolent God Who overlooks all of our straying affections.
As I thought about this, the words of Scripture spoke with powerful authority, “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). God is just as loving in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament. And He is just as jealous in the New Testament as He was in the Old Testament.
This explains the words of James 4:1–4: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?… Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
During those powerful moments of interaction with God and His truth, I realized that I am in covenant with the Lord and that in this relationship there can be no toleration of a competing affection. Either I focus my total love upon Him and experience His marvelous blessings, or I entertain various competing affections and experience painful discipline from Him.
I realized that in my own strength I could not love Him as I ought, so I asked Him for the grace that I needed to love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Since that day, I have experienced an outpouring of His blessings in every area of my life and ministry. The joy of what He is doing is beyond anything I have ever experienced before. It is my desire to share this message with as many others as possible; therefore, I have written a book titled Our Jealous God. It is available in bookstores. I would urge you to get a copy and learn how you can receive the unimagined blessings of loving God!
One of the marvelous rewards of keeping Christ’s commands is that He will make Himself known to us. (See John 14:21.) This was the lifelong goal of the Apostle Paul: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Peter explained that it is through the knowledge of God that we receive grace, peace, Godliness, and life. (See II Peter 1:2–4.)
I gained a deeper understanding of Who God is on September 3, 2002. That day, I realized for the first time that the Holy Spirit watches the “eyes” of my heart, looking for evidences of delight in the attractions of the world, just as a wife watches the eyes of her husband when an attractive woman walks into the room.
If I turn away from competing affections and love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, God will bless me beyond anything I could imagine, even as I Corinthians 2:9 states, “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.” I always thought this verse referred only to the glories of heaven; however, the context explains that the Holy Spirit reveals these things to us now so that “we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12).
The Basis of God’s Jealousy
God is jealous because He has established a covenant relationship with every believer through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son—the Lord Jesus Christ. In this covenant relationship, it is His goal to demonstrate to the entire world the marvelous things that He will do for believers who fully love Him.
God established a parallel covenant with the nation of Israel. He promised that if they would honor this covenant with Him by loving Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, He would make them healthier, wealthier, and wiser than any other nation in the world. However, if they delighted in any other god, He would curse them above all nations on the earth.
I was aware of these Old Testament promises and warnings and of the jealous nature of God. However, I assumed they related only to His relationship with Israel, and that somehow in the New Testament He had become a benevolent God Who overlooks all of our straying affections.
As I thought about this, the words of Scripture spoke with powerful authority, “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). God is just as loving in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament. And He is just as jealous in the New Testament as He was in the Old Testament.
This explains the words of James 4:1–4: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?… Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
During those powerful moments of interaction with God and His truth, I realized that I am in covenant with the Lord and that in this relationship there can be no toleration of a competing affection. Either I focus my total love upon Him and experience His marvelous blessings, or I entertain various competing affections and experience painful discipline from Him.
I realized that in my own strength I could not love Him as I ought, so I asked Him for the grace that I needed to love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Since that day, I have experienced an outpouring of His blessings in every area of my life and ministry. The joy of what He is doing is beyond anything I have ever experienced before. It is my desire to share this message with as many others as possible; therefore, I have written a book titled Our Jealous God. It is available in bookstores. I would urge you to get a copy and learn how you can receive the unimagined blessings of loving God!
Understanding Rhemas
Written by: Bill Gothard
In the New Testament, the Greek words logos and rhema are both translated word. However, they are not synonyms for the same idea, but each have precise Biblical meanings, as do all words in Scripture. Logos is generally used to refer to the totality of the Word of God as well as the person of Jesus Christ, Who is the living Logos. The following references illustrate this: “The seed is the Word [logos] of God” (Luke 8:11). “Holding forth the word [logos] of life” (Philippians 2:16). “Rightly dividing the word [logos] of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). “For the word [logos] of God is quick, and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word [logos] of God” (I Peter 1:23). “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word [logikos, from logos], that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2).
Scripture generally uses the Greek word rhema to refer to the spoken word given by a living voice and is used to describe particular messages that were given to individuals for their personal application. The following passages are examples of this:
Jesus told Peter he would deny Him—“Peter remembered the word [rhema] of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Matthew 26:75).
The angel told Mary that she would have a child—“Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word [rhema]” (Luke 1:38).
Simeon was told he would see Christ before he died—“Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word [rhema]” (Luke 2:29).
God gave John the message he was to preach as a forerunner to Christ—“The word [rhema] of
God came unto John” (Luke 3:2).
Jesus told Peter where to cast his nets—“Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word [rhema] I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).
God reminded Peter of His Word—“Then remembered I the word [rhema] of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 11:16).
Those who hear the Gospel receive a special message from the Holy Spirit, for no man can call Jesus Lord, but by the Holy Spirit. “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (I Corinthians 12:3). Therefore, it is appropriate for the message of salvation to be a rhema. “The word [rhema] is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word [rhema] of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word [rhema] of God” (Romans 10:8–9, 17; see also Acts 5:20).
Rhemas are not separate from Scripture, but a part of the whole of God’s Word. Every word of God is inspired, and “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). It is the Holy Spirit Who illuminates particular Scriptures for application in a daily walk with the Lord.
The words of Jesus are significant on this point. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [rhema] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus also stated, “The words [rhema] that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
This understanding of rhema has allowed me to apply the promise of John 15:7–8 and experience marvelous results from it. “If ye abide in me, and my words [rhema] abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words states the following on page 683. “The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,’ (Eph. 6:17); here, the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.” (Read the full definition online from Vine’s Expository Dictionary.)
In the New Testament, the Greek words logos and rhema are both translated word. However, they are not synonyms for the same idea, but each have precise Biblical meanings, as do all words in Scripture. Logos is generally used to refer to the totality of the Word of God as well as the person of Jesus Christ, Who is the living Logos. The following references illustrate this: “The seed is the Word [logos] of God” (Luke 8:11). “Holding forth the word [logos] of life” (Philippians 2:16). “Rightly dividing the word [logos] of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). “For the word [logos] of God is quick, and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word [logos] of God” (I Peter 1:23). “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word [logikos, from logos], that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2).
Scripture generally uses the Greek word rhema to refer to the spoken word given by a living voice and is used to describe particular messages that were given to individuals for their personal application. The following passages are examples of this:
Jesus told Peter he would deny Him—“Peter remembered the word [rhema] of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Matthew 26:75).
The angel told Mary that she would have a child—“Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word [rhema]” (Luke 1:38).
Simeon was told he would see Christ before he died—“Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word [rhema]” (Luke 2:29).
God gave John the message he was to preach as a forerunner to Christ—“The word [rhema] of
God came unto John” (Luke 3:2).
Jesus told Peter where to cast his nets—“Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word [rhema] I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).
God reminded Peter of His Word—“Then remembered I the word [rhema] of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 11:16).
Those who hear the Gospel receive a special message from the Holy Spirit, for no man can call Jesus Lord, but by the Holy Spirit. “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (I Corinthians 12:3). Therefore, it is appropriate for the message of salvation to be a rhema. “The word [rhema] is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word [rhema] of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word [rhema] of God” (Romans 10:8–9, 17; see also Acts 5:20).
Rhemas are not separate from Scripture, but a part of the whole of God’s Word. Every word of God is inspired, and “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). It is the Holy Spirit Who illuminates particular Scriptures for application in a daily walk with the Lord.
The words of Jesus are significant on this point. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [rhema] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus also stated, “The words [rhema] that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
This understanding of rhema has allowed me to apply the promise of John 15:7–8 and experience marvelous results from it. “If ye abide in me, and my words [rhema] abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words states the following on page 683. “The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,’ (Eph. 6:17); here, the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.” (Read the full definition online from Vine’s Expository Dictionary.)
Interpreting Scripture
Written by: Bill Gothard
Hermeneutics is defined in one dictionary as “the art of finding the meaning of an author’s words and phrases, and of explaining it to others.” When applied to Scripture, accurate hermeneutics would require the scholar to:
* Study the context of the passage and the theme of the book.
* Look up the actual meaning of each word in the original languages.
* Note the verb tenses, the cases, and other grammatical determinants.
* Learn the cultural setting of the passage.
* Determine what the original readers understood it to mean.
* Check out cross-references to see how the words are used in other contexts.
* See how the first mention of the word or topic is presented in the Bible.
* Confirm an interpretation with two or three similar passages.
These are all proven study methods. However, it has always puzzled me how Bible scholars who claim to follow all of them arrive at totally opposite interpretations of the same passage.
For example, in a seminary in the Northwest, two professors wrote on the topic of divorce and remarriage. Each one assured his readers that he was following sound rules of Biblical interpretation. Yet, each one arrived at a view that was opposite of the other.
One day, I called up my former Greek professor at Wheaton Graduate School. He had written on the subject of hermeneutics, and I asked him if he could summarize the rules of hermeneutics in a concise list. His answer startled me. He said, “Bill, there is no such list.” I asked how we would know if we are breaking hermeneutical rules if there are no rules. He explained that there are certainly guidelines of interpretation. However, they cannot be confined to one set of rules.
So, what are the additional factors of correct Biblical hermeneutics?
1. Spiritual Perception Over Intellectual Understanding
The first factor of interpreting Scripture is to approach it as an exercise in spiritual discernment rather than just an intellectual pursuit. Paul emphasized this in his letter to the Corinthian believers. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14). Jesus Himself confirmed that Biblical understanding does not come from human reasoning but from spiritual enlightenment. He said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25).
The Holy Spirit is the One Who inspired the writing of Scripture, and He is the most qualified One to interpret its meaning to each reader. Jesus assured us that the Holy Spirit would indeed guide us into all truth. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
This being the case, it is also reasonable to conclude that if a person who wants to interpret Scripture has sinful habits or practices in his life that grieve the Holy Spirit and quench His power, the Holy Spirit will not reveal the truth of Scripture to such a person. In fact, God warns that such individuals will take Scripture out of context to their own destruction. (See II Peter 3:16.) This result supports the axiom that a man’s morality will dictate his theology and his philosophy.
2. God’s Revelation Over Human Reasoning
In the final analysis, accurate Biblical interpretation is based on the revelation of Jesus Christ throughout the Scriptures. Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than on that walk on the road to Emmaus. The disciples had been personally taught by Jesus for three years. However, they still did not understand the Scriptures from which He taught. They were distracted by the conflicting interpretations of contemporary scholars. It was not until Jesus began with Moses and all the prophets and explained how they revealed Him that they understood the true meaning of Scripture. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). They later recalled, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32).
The scholars of Jesus’ day carried out heated debates over the correct interpretation of Scripture, but Jesus counseled them to search the Scriptures on the basis that they testified of Him. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).
3. Genuine Love Rather Than Justification of Selfishness
Since the Scriptures reveal the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, it also follows that the primary theme of the Bible is the love of God and how we are to live out His love in our daily words and actions.
When a clever lawyer tried to involve Jesus in a wordy battle, He began his forensic sparring with the question “Which is the greatest commandment?” The reply that Jesus gave is a profound principle for Biblical interpretation. All the Law and prophets are based on the command to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Therefore, we must interpret Scripture on the basis of how it teaches us to love God and to love others. Love is the theme of the Bible. All good character qualities are simply practical expressions of genuine love. When the Pharisees used the Law of Moses to justify their harsh and unloving treatment of wives, Jesus reproved them for hardness of heart and took them back to the Creation design of one man and one woman becoming one flesh for the rest of their lives.
The lawyer who tried to engage Jesus in debate then tried to justify himself by asking, “Who is my neighbor?” to which Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan.
4. Christ’s Commands Over Man’s Theology
Every interpretation of Scripture is based on some foundational structure of reasoning. Jesus provides the structure of truth in the commands that He gave to His disciples during His earthly ministry, and they are the guiding lights for correct Biblical interpretation. They clarify what was written in the Old Testament and are further explained in New Testament teaching. Jesus promises that if we keep His commands before our eyes, He will reveal more of Himself to us.
This was the great goal of Paul: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Jesus further promises, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32).
It is customary for a Bible scholar to base his interpretation of a passage on the theological position that he has accepted. The problem with this approach is that no theological system is totally without some human error, because it is not inspired. It is man’s explanation of Biblical truth.
This is not to say that theology is unimportant. Wrong doctrine leads to wrong behavior. No one was more concerned about false doctrine than the Apostle Paul. He maintained a continual battle against false teaching. However, he did not base sound doctrine on the theological views of his day but on the words of Jesus Christ and that which leads to Christlike living.
He explains this in his epistle to Timothy. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (I Timothy 6:3–5).
5. One Interpretation and Many Applications
The Bible makes it clear that there is only one interpretation of Scripture. However, there can be many applications. It is the Holy Spirit Who guides us not only to the right interpretation of a passage but also to the precise application of Scripture to our daily lives. If our lives are in harmony with the Lord, we can expect the Holy Spirit to illuminate certain passages of Scripture for our personal application. When this happens, it is God giving us a “rhema” of Scripture.
In the New Testament, the Word of God is generally referred to by the Greek word logos. Jesus is identified as the Living Word (logos). However, there are many references that use the Greek word rhema to define the Word of God. A rhema is a precise direction of Scripture for a particular person or circumstance. When Jesus told Peter to cast his net on the other side of the boat, Peter replied, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word [rhema] I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5). Jesus did not tell every one to cast their nets on the other side of the boat—only Peter.
It is on the point of the Holy Spirit applying a passage of Scripture to a decision that critics often rise up and claim that this is not acceptable hermeneutics. Their quarrel is not with believers who know in their spirits that God is directing them by the witness of two or three rhemas, but with the Holy Spirit Who confirms the application of rhemas.
Jesus used rhemas in overcoming Satan’s temptations, and one of the passages He used affirms rhemas. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [rhema] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
6. Correct Divisions of Truth Versus Truth Out of Balance
Paul gave Timothy wise instruction in hermeneutics when he wrote, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).
Scripture is a living, powerful instrument in the hand of God. It functions on what appears to us to be paradoxes. In a similar fashion, the muscles in our bodies are only able to function by opposing tensions.
On the one hand, Scripture presents the Law of God, but then it contrasts this with the grace of God. Scripture teaches the need for justice, but then it counters this with mercy. We are told to cease from our own labor and enter the rest that is in Christ. At the same time, we are commanded to work for the night is coming when no man can work and to labor for the Lord. We have freedom in Christ. However, we are to make ourselves servants to all people.
If we emphasize only one side of God’s Biblical equation, we can certainly support it with verses of Scripture, but we will come out with the wrong answer. Truth out of balance leads to heresy. For example, if we emphasize the “rest” that a believer has and fail to give equal and primary emphasis to the “labor” of a believer, we will view any emphasis on working for the Lord as legalism.
Paul put labor and rest together when he wrote, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:9–11). Similarly, there is certainly freedom in Christ. However, if we focus on freedom, we will react to God-ordained authority as being oppressive and cultish.
Proper hermeneutics requires diligent use of all the above factors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Hermeneutics is defined in one dictionary as “the art of finding the meaning of an author’s words and phrases, and of explaining it to others.” When applied to Scripture, accurate hermeneutics would require the scholar to:
* Study the context of the passage and the theme of the book.
* Look up the actual meaning of each word in the original languages.
* Note the verb tenses, the cases, and other grammatical determinants.
* Learn the cultural setting of the passage.
* Determine what the original readers understood it to mean.
* Check out cross-references to see how the words are used in other contexts.
* See how the first mention of the word or topic is presented in the Bible.
* Confirm an interpretation with two or three similar passages.
These are all proven study methods. However, it has always puzzled me how Bible scholars who claim to follow all of them arrive at totally opposite interpretations of the same passage.
For example, in a seminary in the Northwest, two professors wrote on the topic of divorce and remarriage. Each one assured his readers that he was following sound rules of Biblical interpretation. Yet, each one arrived at a view that was opposite of the other.
One day, I called up my former Greek professor at Wheaton Graduate School. He had written on the subject of hermeneutics, and I asked him if he could summarize the rules of hermeneutics in a concise list. His answer startled me. He said, “Bill, there is no such list.” I asked how we would know if we are breaking hermeneutical rules if there are no rules. He explained that there are certainly guidelines of interpretation. However, they cannot be confined to one set of rules.
So, what are the additional factors of correct Biblical hermeneutics?
1. Spiritual Perception Over Intellectual Understanding
The first factor of interpreting Scripture is to approach it as an exercise in spiritual discernment rather than just an intellectual pursuit. Paul emphasized this in his letter to the Corinthian believers. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14). Jesus Himself confirmed that Biblical understanding does not come from human reasoning but from spiritual enlightenment. He said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25).
The Holy Spirit is the One Who inspired the writing of Scripture, and He is the most qualified One to interpret its meaning to each reader. Jesus assured us that the Holy Spirit would indeed guide us into all truth. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
This being the case, it is also reasonable to conclude that if a person who wants to interpret Scripture has sinful habits or practices in his life that grieve the Holy Spirit and quench His power, the Holy Spirit will not reveal the truth of Scripture to such a person. In fact, God warns that such individuals will take Scripture out of context to their own destruction. (See II Peter 3:16.) This result supports the axiom that a man’s morality will dictate his theology and his philosophy.
2. God’s Revelation Over Human Reasoning
In the final analysis, accurate Biblical interpretation is based on the revelation of Jesus Christ throughout the Scriptures. Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than on that walk on the road to Emmaus. The disciples had been personally taught by Jesus for three years. However, they still did not understand the Scriptures from which He taught. They were distracted by the conflicting interpretations of contemporary scholars. It was not until Jesus began with Moses and all the prophets and explained how they revealed Him that they understood the true meaning of Scripture. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). They later recalled, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32).
The scholars of Jesus’ day carried out heated debates over the correct interpretation of Scripture, but Jesus counseled them to search the Scriptures on the basis that they testified of Him. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).
3. Genuine Love Rather Than Justification of Selfishness
Since the Scriptures reveal the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, it also follows that the primary theme of the Bible is the love of God and how we are to live out His love in our daily words and actions.
When a clever lawyer tried to involve Jesus in a wordy battle, He began his forensic sparring with the question “Which is the greatest commandment?” The reply that Jesus gave is a profound principle for Biblical interpretation. All the Law and prophets are based on the command to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Therefore, we must interpret Scripture on the basis of how it teaches us to love God and to love others. Love is the theme of the Bible. All good character qualities are simply practical expressions of genuine love. When the Pharisees used the Law of Moses to justify their harsh and unloving treatment of wives, Jesus reproved them for hardness of heart and took them back to the Creation design of one man and one woman becoming one flesh for the rest of their lives.
The lawyer who tried to engage Jesus in debate then tried to justify himself by asking, “Who is my neighbor?” to which Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan.
4. Christ’s Commands Over Man’s Theology
Every interpretation of Scripture is based on some foundational structure of reasoning. Jesus provides the structure of truth in the commands that He gave to His disciples during His earthly ministry, and they are the guiding lights for correct Biblical interpretation. They clarify what was written in the Old Testament and are further explained in New Testament teaching. Jesus promises that if we keep His commands before our eyes, He will reveal more of Himself to us.
This was the great goal of Paul: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Jesus further promises, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32).
It is customary for a Bible scholar to base his interpretation of a passage on the theological position that he has accepted. The problem with this approach is that no theological system is totally without some human error, because it is not inspired. It is man’s explanation of Biblical truth.
This is not to say that theology is unimportant. Wrong doctrine leads to wrong behavior. No one was more concerned about false doctrine than the Apostle Paul. He maintained a continual battle against false teaching. However, he did not base sound doctrine on the theological views of his day but on the words of Jesus Christ and that which leads to Christlike living.
He explains this in his epistle to Timothy. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (I Timothy 6:3–5).
5. One Interpretation and Many Applications
The Bible makes it clear that there is only one interpretation of Scripture. However, there can be many applications. It is the Holy Spirit Who guides us not only to the right interpretation of a passage but also to the precise application of Scripture to our daily lives. If our lives are in harmony with the Lord, we can expect the Holy Spirit to illuminate certain passages of Scripture for our personal application. When this happens, it is God giving us a “rhema” of Scripture.
In the New Testament, the Word of God is generally referred to by the Greek word logos. Jesus is identified as the Living Word (logos). However, there are many references that use the Greek word rhema to define the Word of God. A rhema is a precise direction of Scripture for a particular person or circumstance. When Jesus told Peter to cast his net on the other side of the boat, Peter replied, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word [rhema] I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5). Jesus did not tell every one to cast their nets on the other side of the boat—only Peter.
It is on the point of the Holy Spirit applying a passage of Scripture to a decision that critics often rise up and claim that this is not acceptable hermeneutics. Their quarrel is not with believers who know in their spirits that God is directing them by the witness of two or three rhemas, but with the Holy Spirit Who confirms the application of rhemas.
Jesus used rhemas in overcoming Satan’s temptations, and one of the passages He used affirms rhemas. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [rhema] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
6. Correct Divisions of Truth Versus Truth Out of Balance
Paul gave Timothy wise instruction in hermeneutics when he wrote, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).
Scripture is a living, powerful instrument in the hand of God. It functions on what appears to us to be paradoxes. In a similar fashion, the muscles in our bodies are only able to function by opposing tensions.
On the one hand, Scripture presents the Law of God, but then it contrasts this with the grace of God. Scripture teaches the need for justice, but then it counters this with mercy. We are told to cease from our own labor and enter the rest that is in Christ. At the same time, we are commanded to work for the night is coming when no man can work and to labor for the Lord. We have freedom in Christ. However, we are to make ourselves servants to all people.
If we emphasize only one side of God’s Biblical equation, we can certainly support it with verses of Scripture, but we will come out with the wrong answer. Truth out of balance leads to heresy. For example, if we emphasize the “rest” that a believer has and fail to give equal and primary emphasis to the “labor” of a believer, we will view any emphasis on working for the Lord as legalism.
Paul put labor and rest together when he wrote, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:9–11). Similarly, there is certainly freedom in Christ. However, if we focus on freedom, we will react to God-ordained authority as being oppressive and cultish.
Proper hermeneutics requires diligent use of all the above factors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
A Definition of Grace
Written by: Bill Gothard
The grace of God is a free gift to every one for salvation and for Godly living. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11–12).
This gift of grace for salvation and Godly living was given to us by God before the world began. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9).
Our salvation in Christ brings us into the fullness of God’s great reservoir of grace. “And of his fulness [of grace and truth] have all we received [fully and completely], and grace for grace” (John 1:16). The preposition for (anti) has the meaning of “succession,” giving the sense of “grace succeeding grace perpetually.”
We can appropriate God’s grace for every aspect of our lives, and by doing so, our walk in grace by faith will have several expressions and manifestations.
The free gift of God’s grace interacts with the gift of faith for salvation and righteous works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8–10).
Just as faith is expressed in good works, so grace is demonstrated in Godly labor as Paul testifies, “By the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (I Corinthians 15:10).
An important expression of God’s grace that is freely given to us is our generous giving to others, for “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8; see also II Corinthians 8:1–19; 9:8–15).
God’s grace to believers involves spiritual gifts that are to be used in edifying all the members of the Body of Christ. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10). “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6–8).
God’s grace works in us to bring us to spiritual completeness and maturity. “The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10).
The grace of God is multiplied to us, and we grow in grace through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord…. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:2; 3:18).
The unmerited grace of God can be resisted and also corrupted by turning it into a license to do our own will. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).
In affirming this definition of grace, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates commented, “Grace is like God’s power generator, and we are like the conduits which carry His power to its intended purposes by the Holy Spirit.”
The grace of God is a free gift to every one for salvation and for Godly living. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11–12).
This gift of grace for salvation and Godly living was given to us by God before the world began. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9).
Our salvation in Christ brings us into the fullness of God’s great reservoir of grace. “And of his fulness [of grace and truth] have all we received [fully and completely], and grace for grace” (John 1:16). The preposition for (anti) has the meaning of “succession,” giving the sense of “grace succeeding grace perpetually.”
We can appropriate God’s grace for every aspect of our lives, and by doing so, our walk in grace by faith will have several expressions and manifestations.
The free gift of God’s grace interacts with the gift of faith for salvation and righteous works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8–10).
Just as faith is expressed in good works, so grace is demonstrated in Godly labor as Paul testifies, “By the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (I Corinthians 15:10).
An important expression of God’s grace that is freely given to us is our generous giving to others, for “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8; see also II Corinthians 8:1–19; 9:8–15).
God’s grace to believers involves spiritual gifts that are to be used in edifying all the members of the Body of Christ. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10). “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6–8).
God’s grace works in us to bring us to spiritual completeness and maturity. “The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10).
The grace of God is multiplied to us, and we grow in grace through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord…. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:2; 3:18).
The unmerited grace of God can be resisted and also corrupted by turning it into a license to do our own will. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).
In affirming this definition of grace, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates commented, “Grace is like God’s power generator, and we are like the conduits which carry His power to its intended purposes by the Holy Spirit.”
Grace & Faith
Written by: Bill Gothard
Grace is the desire and the power that God gives us to do His will.
Grace is free and unmerited. There is nothing we can do to earn or merit the grace of God. It is the free gift of God to us, apart from any works or effort that we can achieve. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Grace is given to every person.
Everyone in the world is given sufficient grace to respond to the light of conscience and of the Gospel. This point is emphasized in Titus 2:11–12. “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Grace is interrelated with faith.
It is not possible to define grace without at the same time referring to faith because the two are so intricately entwined, as stated in Ephesians 2:8–9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith.” (See also I Timothy 1:13–14, Romans 5:2). Both grace and faith are gifts of God.
Grace is expressed in action.
Both grace and faith are expressed in God-directed action. Paul emphasized this in II Corinthians 8:1–2, when he explained how the grace of God that was bestowed on the churches in Macedonia resulted in their generosity. Then he challenged the Corinthians, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).
Grace is given progressively.
We have access to all of God’s grace; however, it is given to us as we have need of it and as we have responded to previous grace. Therefore, Peter urged the believers to “grow in grace” (II Peter 3:18) and prayed that grace would be multiplied unto them (see II Peter 1:2). Paul was assured that God’s grace was sufficient for the trials that he was enduring (see II Corinthians 12:9). As we respond to the grace God gives us, He gives more grace. Therefore, different believers will have different measures of grace.
Grace can be resisted.
Since grace is given to every person, but not every person is acting upon it to carry out the will of God, it is obvious that we can resist the work of God’s grace in us. Scripture warns of this possibility in Hebrews 12:15. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
Grace is given to the humble.
One of the strongest ways to resist the grace of God is to have pride. Thus, Scripture states, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Peter also emphasized the importance of humility in order to receive God’s grace. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).
Grace requires good stewardship.
Peter stated that we are to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (see I Peter 4:10). Grace is singular in this passage; however, there are different applications of grace. For every need, there is grace. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). Different applications of grace would also include various spiritual gifts that are given to each believer. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” (Romans 12:6).
Grace is the power to overcome trials.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1–5).
Grace Can Be Abused
Since grace is given to overcome sin, some might wrongly conclude that by sinning more, we receive more grace. Such a conclusion is condemned by Paul. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1–2).
There are also those who view grace as freedom to do what they want rather than power to do what they ought. This view turns God’s grace into a license to sin and is condemned in Scripture.
A further abuse of grace is dividing it into two parts. One for salvation, and the other for Christian living. There is no such division in Scripture. One Bible scholar noted, “It is a great irony that the people who cultivate a two-stage Christianity do so in the name of grace but in effect nullify grace. They say there is a faith stage necessary for getting to heaven, and then an obedient stage not necessary for getting to heaven (but perhaps for getting better rewards there)… Underlying this mistake is a misunderstanding of grace. Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God to overcome sin. Grace is power, not just pardon” (Pleasures of God, John Piper, p. 244+).
Grace is the desire and the power that God gives us to do His will.
Grace is free and unmerited. There is nothing we can do to earn or merit the grace of God. It is the free gift of God to us, apart from any works or effort that we can achieve. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Grace is given to every person.
Everyone in the world is given sufficient grace to respond to the light of conscience and of the Gospel. This point is emphasized in Titus 2:11–12. “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Grace is interrelated with faith.
It is not possible to define grace without at the same time referring to faith because the two are so intricately entwined, as stated in Ephesians 2:8–9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith.” (See also I Timothy 1:13–14, Romans 5:2). Both grace and faith are gifts of God.
Grace is expressed in action.
Both grace and faith are expressed in God-directed action. Paul emphasized this in II Corinthians 8:1–2, when he explained how the grace of God that was bestowed on the churches in Macedonia resulted in their generosity. Then he challenged the Corinthians, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).
Grace is given progressively.
We have access to all of God’s grace; however, it is given to us as we have need of it and as we have responded to previous grace. Therefore, Peter urged the believers to “grow in grace” (II Peter 3:18) and prayed that grace would be multiplied unto them (see II Peter 1:2). Paul was assured that God’s grace was sufficient for the trials that he was enduring (see II Corinthians 12:9). As we respond to the grace God gives us, He gives more grace. Therefore, different believers will have different measures of grace.
Grace can be resisted.
Since grace is given to every person, but not every person is acting upon it to carry out the will of God, it is obvious that we can resist the work of God’s grace in us. Scripture warns of this possibility in Hebrews 12:15. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
Grace is given to the humble.
One of the strongest ways to resist the grace of God is to have pride. Thus, Scripture states, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Peter also emphasized the importance of humility in order to receive God’s grace. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).
Grace requires good stewardship.
Peter stated that we are to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (see I Peter 4:10). Grace is singular in this passage; however, there are different applications of grace. For every need, there is grace. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). Different applications of grace would also include various spiritual gifts that are given to each believer. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” (Romans 12:6).
Grace is the power to overcome trials.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1–5).
Grace Can Be Abused
Since grace is given to overcome sin, some might wrongly conclude that by sinning more, we receive more grace. Such a conclusion is condemned by Paul. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1–2).
There are also those who view grace as freedom to do what they want rather than power to do what they ought. This view turns God’s grace into a license to sin and is condemned in Scripture.
A further abuse of grace is dividing it into two parts. One for salvation, and the other for Christian living. There is no such division in Scripture. One Bible scholar noted, “It is a great irony that the people who cultivate a two-stage Christianity do so in the name of grace but in effect nullify grace. They say there is a faith stage necessary for getting to heaven, and then an obedient stage not necessary for getting to heaven (but perhaps for getting better rewards there)… Underlying this mistake is a misunderstanding of grace. Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God to overcome sin. Grace is power, not just pardon” (Pleasures of God, John Piper, p. 244+).
How To Give Your Testimony
Written by: Bill Gothard
No one else has had the unique set of experiences that God has given to you. However, many people have had similar experiences and will identify with your problems, because “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man …” (I Corinthians 10:13).
An effective testimony shares with others how we have experienced the power of God in our lives through obedience to Christ’s commands. Therefore, the goal in sharing our personal struggles with others is to help them find God’s solutions for similar problems they may be facing. One way to share with others how God has worked in our lives is to use a four-part testimony.
The Basic Outline
Define the problem. People relate to problems. In fact, sharing problems can promote healing. We are told, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5:16). Problems should be stated in general terms rather than using specific details that may have happened only to you. For instance, if you had a disagreement with your parents, do not focus on the details of the disagreement; rather, state the problem in a more general way, such as: “For many years I had reoccurring conflicts with my parents.” Most people will be able to readily identify with this problem.
Describe your “solution.” Explain how you tried to solve the problem in your own way only to make it worse. For example, you could say, “I tried to reason with my parents, but it always ended up in heated arguments that caused further separation.”
Explain God’s answer. What command of Christ or Biblical principles did you apply in order to resolve the problem? “I finally realized that I was not honoring my father and mother, and they were reacting to my spirit of pride and disrespect. I asked them to forgive me for this.”
Report the results. Describe how God’s solution has brought new resolution to the problem. “When I humbled myself, my parents also asked me to forgive them for their actions, and we now are able to enjoy open communication.”
The more precise and practical these are, the more others will want to hear them. This will result in a growing sense of a fulfillment in your life as you realize that God is making you a “living epistle” that He wants those around you to know and read. (See II Corinthians 3:2-3.)
The Power of a Four-Part Testimony
This is how the Basic Seminar was started. It was simply my attempt to explain to others the things God had taught me.
Our human tendency is to not recognize God’s “classrooms” as opportunities to learn and apply His commands. Therefore, the next time a conflict arises, let us ask ourselves what commands relate to the situation and then obey them so that we can enjoy God’s lasting solutions. Then take the time to write out your testimony in a four-part format. These documented experiences will give you a powerful platform for discipling others.
No one else has had the unique set of experiences that God has given to you. However, many people have had similar experiences and will identify with your problems, because “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man …” (I Corinthians 10:13).
An effective testimony shares with others how we have experienced the power of God in our lives through obedience to Christ’s commands. Therefore, the goal in sharing our personal struggles with others is to help them find God’s solutions for similar problems they may be facing. One way to share with others how God has worked in our lives is to use a four-part testimony.
The Basic Outline
Define the problem. People relate to problems. In fact, sharing problems can promote healing. We are told, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5:16). Problems should be stated in general terms rather than using specific details that may have happened only to you. For instance, if you had a disagreement with your parents, do not focus on the details of the disagreement; rather, state the problem in a more general way, such as: “For many years I had reoccurring conflicts with my parents.” Most people will be able to readily identify with this problem.
Describe your “solution.” Explain how you tried to solve the problem in your own way only to make it worse. For example, you could say, “I tried to reason with my parents, but it always ended up in heated arguments that caused further separation.”
Explain God’s answer. What command of Christ or Biblical principles did you apply in order to resolve the problem? “I finally realized that I was not honoring my father and mother, and they were reacting to my spirit of pride and disrespect. I asked them to forgive me for this.”
Report the results. Describe how God’s solution has brought new resolution to the problem. “When I humbled myself, my parents also asked me to forgive them for their actions, and we now are able to enjoy open communication.”
The more precise and practical these are, the more others will want to hear them. This will result in a growing sense of a fulfillment in your life as you realize that God is making you a “living epistle” that He wants those around you to know and read. (See II Corinthians 3:2-3.)
The Power of a Four-Part Testimony
This is how the Basic Seminar was started. It was simply my attempt to explain to others the things God had taught me.
Our human tendency is to not recognize God’s “classrooms” as opportunities to learn and apply His commands. Therefore, the next time a conflict arises, let us ask ourselves what commands relate to the situation and then obey them so that we can enjoy God’s lasting solutions. Then take the time to write out your testimony in a four-part format. These documented experiences will give you a powerful platform for discipling others.
7 Basic Life Principles
Written by: Bill Gothard
Every problem in life can be traced to seven non-optional principles found in the Bible. Every person, regardless of culture, background, religion, education, or social status, must either follow these principles or experience the consequences of violating them.
By learning principles rather than rules, individuals are equipped to make wise choices and avoid failure. For more than 40 years I have taught these Biblical principles in the Basic Seminar to help people understand the cause-and-effect sequences of life.
What Are Basic Life Principles?
1. Design
Understanding the specific purposes for which God created each person, object, and relationship in my life and living in harmony with them. Thanking God for my design brings Self-Acceptance.
2. Authority
Honoring the responsibilities of parents, church leaders, government, and other authorities and learning how God works through them to provide direction and protection. Honoring my authorities brings Inward Peace.
3. Responsibility
Realizing I am accountable to God for every thought, word, action, and motive. Asking forgiveness of those I offend brings a Clear Conscience.
4. Suffering
Allowing the hurts from offenders to reveal “blind spots” in my own life, and then seeing how I can benefit their lives. Fully forgiving offenders brings Genuine Joy.
5. Ownership
Understanding that everything I have has been entrusted to me by God, and wisely using it for His purposes. Yielding my rights to God brings True Security.
6. Freedom
Enjoying the desire and power to do what is right, rather than claiming the privilege to do what I want. Regaining ground surrendered to sin brings Moral Purity.
7. Success
Discovering God’s purpose for my life by engrafting Scripture in my heart and mind, and using it to “think God’s thoughts” and make wise decisions. Meditating on Scripture brings Life Purpose.
Every problem in life can be traced to seven non-optional principles found in the Bible. Every person, regardless of culture, background, religion, education, or social status, must either follow these principles or experience the consequences of violating them.
By learning principles rather than rules, individuals are equipped to make wise choices and avoid failure. For more than 40 years I have taught these Biblical principles in the Basic Seminar to help people understand the cause-and-effect sequences of life.
What Are Basic Life Principles?
1. Design
Understanding the specific purposes for which God created each person, object, and relationship in my life and living in harmony with them. Thanking God for my design brings Self-Acceptance.
2. Authority
Honoring the responsibilities of parents, church leaders, government, and other authorities and learning how God works through them to provide direction and protection. Honoring my authorities brings Inward Peace.
3. Responsibility
Realizing I am accountable to God for every thought, word, action, and motive. Asking forgiveness of those I offend brings a Clear Conscience.
4. Suffering
Allowing the hurts from offenders to reveal “blind spots” in my own life, and then seeing how I can benefit their lives. Fully forgiving offenders brings Genuine Joy.
5. Ownership
Understanding that everything I have has been entrusted to me by God, and wisely using it for His purposes. Yielding my rights to God brings True Security.
6. Freedom
Enjoying the desire and power to do what is right, rather than claiming the privilege to do what I want. Regaining ground surrendered to sin brings Moral Purity.
7. Success
Discovering God’s purpose for my life by engrafting Scripture in my heart and mind, and using it to “think God’s thoughts” and make wise decisions. Meditating on Scripture brings Life Purpose.
Hope For The Lost Soul
Do you believe in Hope? You’re probably wondering what on earth I’m talking about, and you might even think I’m some kind of nut. Don’t worry, I’m not a hippy leftover from the 60s and I’m not talking about the Health Opportunity for People Everywhere (Google it).
What I’m talking about is true Hope. You know, that thing that comforts you and tells you that everything bad in your life will all work out for good eventually. It’s that little ray of sunshine that always seems to peek through the clouds no matter how strong the storm.
No, I’m not talking about an emotion. I’m talking about something real. I’m talking about the Hope that can even defeat such a thing as death. “Ummm…I still don’t get it,” you’re probably saying. Well, let me ask you this question:
Would you sell one of your eyes for a million dollars? How about both for 2 million? Don’t worry; you would be given a glass eye in its place that would look exactly the same, only you wouldn’t be able to see with it. No? How about both your eyes for 20 million? No way! Only a fool would do that! Your eyes are priceless, yet they are merely the windows of your soul.
Did you know that Jesus said that your eyes are worth nothing when compared to the value of your soul? “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you, for it is better to enter Heaven without an eye than to go to Hell with both eyes” (Matthew 18:9). He asked, “What shall man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).
Now let me ask you another question. Would you consider yourself to be a good person? “Yes,” you say? Well, judge yourself by the Ten Commandments, which is the standard of God’s goodness, and see if that’s true---Have you lied (even once), stolen (value is irrelevant), committed adultery (Jesus said, “Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” Matthew 5:28), killed (hatred is considered murder by God--1 John 3:15), have you loved God above all else? Be honest. If you have broken even one of the things above, on Judgment Day when you stand before God, you will be found guilty. You will be sentenced to Hell.
But now you say, “No way! God is forgiving. All I have to do is say sorry and He will forgive me!” Sorry, but that isn’t how God operates. You see, God is perfect and holy. He is righteousness in the highest form; therefore, He cannot allow a single ounce of sin in His Kingdom. Cleanliness and filthiness cannot coincide together. So, where does that leave our seemingly Hopeless humanity? Well, here is an analogy:
"Pretend, for a moment, that you committed a terrible crime to which you owed a 50,000-dollar fine that you could not pay. The judge is about to sentence you to a long many years in prison when the courtroom doors burst open and a man appears. He approaches the judge and starts to write out a check for 50,000 dollars. You have never seen this man before, and shocked by his actions you ask why he is doing this. He says to you, 'Because you are my friend and I love you.'"
Now how would you feel toward this man? Grateful, right? Sure you would! Well, about 2,000 years ago, this is what God did for you by sending His own Son to die for you. See, you broke the law, and because God is a righteous judge who must punish wickedness, He sent His Son to pay the punishment for us. God loves you so much, He did this for you! Isn’t this great?
First, my friend, you must realize you are a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death. “For the wages [payment] of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This includes eternal separation from God in Hell. “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “…unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters [worshipers of other gods], and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
But God loves you so much He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear your sin and die in your place. “…He hath made Him [Jesus, Who knew no sin] to be sin for us…that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus had to shed His blood and die. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). “…without shedding of blood is no remission [pardon]” (Hebrews 9:22). “…But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Although we cannot understand how, God said my sins and your sins were laid upon Jesus and He died in our place. He became our substitute. It is true. God cannot lie. My friend, “God…now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). This repentance is a change of mind that agrees with God that one is a sinner, and also agrees with what Jesus did for us on the Cross. Simply believe on Him as the one who bore your sin, died in your place, was buried, and whom God resurrected.
His resurrection powerfully assures that the believer can claim everlasting life when Jesus is received as Savior. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). “For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
These verses are talking about you! God loves you dearly and He wants you all to Himself. He wants to have a relationship with you. So, please, if you wouldn’t sell one of your eyes for a million dollars, why would you risk your soul?
“What does all that have to do with Hope?” You ask? Well, didn’t you catch it? If you look at 1 Timothy 1:1 you will see that “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” is what I’m talking about. Don’t you see?! Without Christ, there is no hope for you because He is Hope. The opposite of hope is despair. That is all you have to look forward to if you don’t have Christ as your Hope. Despair is Hell.
I’m not saying that your life will be easier, or even pain-free with Jesus. Rather, your life will be better not because your circumstances have changed, but because you have Hope. The Hope that Heaven is in your future and that Jesus Christ is there to help you through all your trials and tribulations. Like a gentle, loving Shepherd, Hope will guide you down the Narrow Path to the pasture of Paradise.
All you have to do is accept Hope. Ask God to forgive you of your sins. Tell Him that you believe that He died for you. Tell Him that you put your trust in Him and submit your will to Him. Repent (turn away) from your sins once and for all and you will be saved. If you do that, you can rest assured that Christ will never leave you nor forsake you.
What I’m talking about is true Hope. You know, that thing that comforts you and tells you that everything bad in your life will all work out for good eventually. It’s that little ray of sunshine that always seems to peek through the clouds no matter how strong the storm.
No, I’m not talking about an emotion. I’m talking about something real. I’m talking about the Hope that can even defeat such a thing as death. “Ummm…I still don’t get it,” you’re probably saying. Well, let me ask you this question:
Would you sell one of your eyes for a million dollars? How about both for 2 million? Don’t worry; you would be given a glass eye in its place that would look exactly the same, only you wouldn’t be able to see with it. No? How about both your eyes for 20 million? No way! Only a fool would do that! Your eyes are priceless, yet they are merely the windows of your soul.
Did you know that Jesus said that your eyes are worth nothing when compared to the value of your soul? “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you, for it is better to enter Heaven without an eye than to go to Hell with both eyes” (Matthew 18:9). He asked, “What shall man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).
Now let me ask you another question. Would you consider yourself to be a good person? “Yes,” you say? Well, judge yourself by the Ten Commandments, which is the standard of God’s goodness, and see if that’s true---Have you lied (even once), stolen (value is irrelevant), committed adultery (Jesus said, “Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” Matthew 5:28), killed (hatred is considered murder by God--1 John 3:15), have you loved God above all else? Be honest. If you have broken even one of the things above, on Judgment Day when you stand before God, you will be found guilty. You will be sentenced to Hell.
But now you say, “No way! God is forgiving. All I have to do is say sorry and He will forgive me!” Sorry, but that isn’t how God operates. You see, God is perfect and holy. He is righteousness in the highest form; therefore, He cannot allow a single ounce of sin in His Kingdom. Cleanliness and filthiness cannot coincide together. So, where does that leave our seemingly Hopeless humanity? Well, here is an analogy:
"Pretend, for a moment, that you committed a terrible crime to which you owed a 50,000-dollar fine that you could not pay. The judge is about to sentence you to a long many years in prison when the courtroom doors burst open and a man appears. He approaches the judge and starts to write out a check for 50,000 dollars. You have never seen this man before, and shocked by his actions you ask why he is doing this. He says to you, 'Because you are my friend and I love you.'"
Now how would you feel toward this man? Grateful, right? Sure you would! Well, about 2,000 years ago, this is what God did for you by sending His own Son to die for you. See, you broke the law, and because God is a righteous judge who must punish wickedness, He sent His Son to pay the punishment for us. God loves you so much, He did this for you! Isn’t this great?
First, my friend, you must realize you are a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death. “For the wages [payment] of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This includes eternal separation from God in Hell. “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “…unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters [worshipers of other gods], and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
But God loves you so much He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear your sin and die in your place. “…He hath made Him [Jesus, Who knew no sin] to be sin for us…that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus had to shed His blood and die. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). “…without shedding of blood is no remission [pardon]” (Hebrews 9:22). “…But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Although we cannot understand how, God said my sins and your sins were laid upon Jesus and He died in our place. He became our substitute. It is true. God cannot lie. My friend, “God…now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). This repentance is a change of mind that agrees with God that one is a sinner, and also agrees with what Jesus did for us on the Cross. Simply believe on Him as the one who bore your sin, died in your place, was buried, and whom God resurrected.
His resurrection powerfully assures that the believer can claim everlasting life when Jesus is received as Savior. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). “For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
These verses are talking about you! God loves you dearly and He wants you all to Himself. He wants to have a relationship with you. So, please, if you wouldn’t sell one of your eyes for a million dollars, why would you risk your soul?
“What does all that have to do with Hope?” You ask? Well, didn’t you catch it? If you look at 1 Timothy 1:1 you will see that “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” is what I’m talking about. Don’t you see?! Without Christ, there is no hope for you because He is Hope. The opposite of hope is despair. That is all you have to look forward to if you don’t have Christ as your Hope. Despair is Hell.
I’m not saying that your life will be easier, or even pain-free with Jesus. Rather, your life will be better not because your circumstances have changed, but because you have Hope. The Hope that Heaven is in your future and that Jesus Christ is there to help you through all your trials and tribulations. Like a gentle, loving Shepherd, Hope will guide you down the Narrow Path to the pasture of Paradise.
All you have to do is accept Hope. Ask God to forgive you of your sins. Tell Him that you believe that He died for you. Tell Him that you put your trust in Him and submit your will to Him. Repent (turn away) from your sins once and for all and you will be saved. If you do that, you can rest assured that Christ will never leave you nor forsake you.
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