Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Author: Eric

  • True Riches

    The Gospels contain parables. Jesus spoke a lot of parables, not to conceal but to speak the truth. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defined “Parable” as “a short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle, or moral lesson; a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences.”

    One of the most obscure, misunderstood, and diversely interpreted parables of Jesus may be found in Luke 16:1-9.

    He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world [age] are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

    Let us first establish the context or background of the parable. It was uttered by Jesus against the Pharisees. See Luke 15:1-3.

    Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable:

    The Pharisees had unjustly accused Jesus of wrongdoings because He welcomed tax collectors and sinners, which had been a repeated contention raised against Jesus Christ. See Luke 5:30.

    And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

    Also, Luke 7:39.

    Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him (Jesus Christ) saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

    And many other instances.

    The Pharisees were an influential religious sect within Judaism in the time of Christ and the early church. They were known for their emphasis on personal piety (the word Pharisee comes from a Hebrew word meaning “separated”), their acceptance of oral tradition in addition to the written Law, and their teaching that all Jews should observe all 600-plus laws in the Torah, including the rituals concerning ceremonial purification.

    The Pharisees were mostly middle-class businessmen and leaders of the synagogues. Though they were a minority in the Sanhedrin and held a minority number of positions as priests, they seemed to control the decision-making of the Sanhedrin because they had popular support among the people.

    Source: GotQuestions.Org

    Doubtless, the influence and teachings of the Pharisees had much effect on the minds of the Jews; hence, they acted similarly here in Luke 19:5-7.

    And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received Him joyfully. And when they [the Jews] saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

    Jesus spoke a series of parables in response to the Pharisees’ accusation (Luke 15:1-2), one after the other – “the parable of one lost sheep” (Luke 15:4-7); “the parable of the lost coin” (Luke 15:8-10); “the parable of the prodigal son” (Luke 15:11-32); “the parable of the shrewd manager” (Luke 16:1-9); and lastly, “the parable of the rich man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31).

    Jesus through each parable was setting up His argument and rebuke against the Pharisees – the Pharisees who were teachers of the Law, God’s Word, so they should be concerned with the flock of God, even if only for one lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), for God desires to redeem even one lost soul, figuratively represented by the “lost coin” (Luke 15:8-10).

    Next, Judah was the son who never left his father yet had no heart to embrace back Israel (the Northern Kingdom of Israel), but having repented from his wrongdoings, the father willingly restored him as a son – the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Likewise, the Pharisees, like the eldest son in the parable, refuse to accept the tax collectors. They grumbled against Jesus for welcoming them to hear Him.

    Now continuing on Jesus’ second to last parable spoken against the Pharisees, Luke 16:1-9, Jesus told a story of a rich man who was told his manager was wasting his possessions (16:1). In 16:2, the rich man called the manager and said to him, “What is this I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.” Without first investigating to ascertain the veracity of what he was told, the rich man fired the manager based on what he heard (16:2). The rich man therefore was unjust. The manager likewise was unjust. Jesus Christ referred to him as DISHONEST or UNJUST, depending on the translation of the parable (Luke 16:8) but definitely of negative connotation.

    Now look closely at Luke 16:3-8.

    And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors [G5533] one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

    The master did not appear to have been surprised by the huge discount given out by the dishonest manager. No businessman would be happy for such huge a discount if it would amount to losses. The master and the dishonest manager have conspired to overcharge the clients, causing them to be close to bankruptcy, and unable to pay their debt. So again, the master truly is unjust. So is the dishonest manager, he continued to work behind the back of his master though already fired – once again, for his gain.

    Next, see “debtors,” in verse 5. A quick check with a Lexicon, a dictionary of Greek and Hebrews – in our case Greek words – “debtors” was used only twice by Jesus in the entire narrative across all four Gospels of the New Testament Scripture. The other occurrence may be seen in Luke 7:41, but I will include the context for proper understanding. See Luke 7:40-43.

    And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

    Did you notice how Jesus had used “debtors” in His storytelling or teachings? “Debtors” refer to those who have bad debts, people who can no longer pay their debts – people who have gone bankrupt, in other words.

    So having understood Jesus’ use of the word “debtors,” indeed the manager had acted shrewdly. With the huge discount, the dishonest manager was able to collect both the capital and the master’s profit margin. On the other hand, the debtor having no way out of his debt, seeing the huge discount, sought a way to pay back so that they may be free and possibly reengage in business. It’s a win-win, for both the master and his clients. To the master, the bad debts, uncollectible or NPL (non-performing debts) in our modern terms, have been recovered. More so, for the dishonest manager, ‘cause he has extended favor to the master’s clients giving them the chance to be back in business, thereby possibly making himself indispensable to the master and a man of goodwill to the clients.

    Now, going back to the context of Jesus’ parable, He was unjustly accused by the Pharisees, Jews may have also been confused by His actions simply because He welcomed tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees understood when Jesus Christ spoke the parable against them. See Luke 16:14, Scripture said, “The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed Him (Jesus Christ).”

    Without a doubt then, the parable of the dishonest manager was spoken against the Pharisees. They have made friends for themselves using unrighteous wealth or shrewdness, like today, as the saying goes, “Money talks.” Yet money means nothing or would have no value in their final and eternal dwellings – the Lake of Fire. Yes, that’s the eternal dwelling in Luke 16:9, not heaven. That truth was communicated clearly by Jesus Christ through His second parable, go see Luke 16:19-31 – the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which spoke of the rich man’s punishment. The rich man was in hades, judged already awaiting his final dwelling; yes, the Lake of Fire or the second death (Revelation 20:14). Once again, the rich man represented the Pharisees, who were lovers of money. They didn’t care to lift a finger in aid of the needy but were concerned only about themselves, similar to the dishonest manager of Luke 16:1-9.

    The Bible revealed the true condition of the Pharisees’ heart – they were lovers of money. They put much importance on temporal wealth (unrighteous wealth) over true riches; hence, they failed to see – the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (see Luke 24:44) had been unveiled before them. The Gospel of the kingdom has been preached.

    The tax collectors and sinners represent every one of us. We owe God a huge debt, which cannot be repaid by us but by Christ Jesus alone. But be careful not to fall into an understanding that we Christians ought to be shrewd in our dealings. That was never the intent or teaching of Jesus Christ in this parable (Luke 16:1-9). Now to expound on this further, Jesus Christ in verses 8b-9 said:

    “For the sons of this world [age] are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

    Let me first point out that “sons of this world“ should properly be translated “sons of this age“, “aiōn, G165” in Greek, which was rightly translated by the New American Standard Bible translation. The Strong’s Greek Dictionary explained that it is “by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period”.

    The coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, then was the beginning of the Messianic Age (Luke 17:20-21). The sons of this age, in Luke 16:8, then refer to the sons of the Jewish Age or Old Covenant Age, distinguishing them from the sons of light, the followers of Jesus Christ, and those who truly believe in His Word. See John 12:34-36.

    So the crowd answered Him [Jesus], “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

    An important insight in Scripture. The interval between the end of the Jewish Age (Old Covenant Age) and the beginning of the Christian Age (New Covenant Age) was the Messianic Age (Period). The Messianic Age encompassed the seemingly two comings of Jesus Christ, which was one in the Old Testament prophecies. Examples may be seen through Malachi 3:1-5 and Matthew 3:11-12.

    The New Covenant (or New Testament) is the promise that God makes with humanity that He will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant was predicted while the Old Covenant was still in effect—the prophets Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all allude to the New Covenant.

    Source: GotQuestions.Org

    So Scripture in Matthew 26:26-29 said: “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’”

    Jesus Christ died, resurrected, and ascended to reign over His kingdom. It’s a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly or physical kingdom which was offered to Him by the Jews in John 6:15, but Jesus Christ rejected it.

    Without a doubt, Jesus Christ came as He had promised His then-living apostles, saying “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Matthew 16:28).” The same promised was reiterated by Mark and Luke, testifying on the Word and promise of Christ Jesus (see Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27).

    If Jesus Christ’s Word isn’t true, if His return has been delayed as suggested by most Christians, then He isn’t trustworthy. But He indeed is trustworthy, true, and has returned according to His Word. We just have been told and taught otherwise. The error is with tradition, definitely not the Word of God. Else, His redemptive work isn’t complete. Salvation remains a hope, not yet a true reality (see Hebrews 9:28; Romans 13:11 & 1Peter 1:3-5). Yes, that’s the implication of any suggestion that He has yet to return.

    Now back to our discussion in Luke. In effect with verse 8, Jesus pointed out the shrewdness of the Pharisees – the sons of this age – who were unjust but had accused Him of being unrighteous, as I have mentioned earlier. Then comes verses 9-13, where Jesus continued, saying:

    And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

    Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible has wonderfully explained the meaning of “unrighteous wealth”:

    These words are an Hebrew expression for “unrighteous mammon,” the noun being used for an adjective, as is common in the New Testament. The word “unrighteous,” here, stands opposed to “the true riches” in Luk 16:11, and means “deceitful, false, not to be trusted.” It has this meaning often. See 1Ti 6:17; Luk 12:33; Mat 6:19; Mat 19:21. It does not signify, therefore, that they had acquired the property “unjustly,” but that property was “deceitful” and not to be trusted. The wealth of the steward was deceitful; he could not rely on its continuance; it was liable to be taken away at any moment. So the wealth of the world is deceitful. We cannot “calculate” on its continuance. It may give us support or comfort now, but it may be soon removed, or we taken from “it,” and we should, therefore, so use it as to derive benefit from it hereafter.

    In other words, Christians should always trust Jesus Christ in everything, for salvation and our daily needs as well. We should not be too preoccupied by the desire to get rich and things of this temporal world. Rather, we should seek to be rich with God. Remember Jesus’ words on another parabolic teaching. See Luke 12:20-26.

    “But God said to him (rich man), ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” And He (Jesus Christ) said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”

    Similarly, like Luke 16:9-13, Jesus Christ was simply reiterating His teachings in Luke 12:32-34.

    Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

    According to Jesus’ own teaching, “unrighteous wealth or temporal wealth (v.9)” is of less value, unrealiable, temporal and cannot be compared to the “true riches (v.11)”. True riches is with Christ Jesus our Lord; it’s about the kingdom of heaven. As I have said earlier, the Pharisees have repeatedly rebuked Jesus for welcoming tax collectors and sinners. Likewise, do not allow false religiosity misdirect you to missed entrance to God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ said:

    ““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”” (Matthew 7:13-15)

    Look at Jesus’ last words to the church. Let it resonate in your mind and heart that you may find the strength to live your lives holding on to true riches. See Revelation 3:18-22.

    I counsel you to buy from Me [Jesus Christ] gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

    Let me remind everyone that these words of Jesus Christ were spoken a millennia ago. Thanks be to God, Jesus Christ was faithful to all His promises. He is not a liar, as alleged by some. I firmly believe and understand that Jesus came and fulfilled all His promises. So let me encourage everyone: seek Christ, His righteousness, and His kingdom, for only then may anyone find true riches – entrance to the kingdom of heaven.

    Blessing!

    P.S. This is an edited version of my original posting. The edits concern aspects on the parable of Jesus Christ, the story of the dishonest manager. All major points remain the same. I have removed a lot of insights to the true teaching of the Scripture for it may have digressed from our original study. Jesus Christ has been teaching repeatedly against lusting for earthly wealth at the expense of the true wealth that Christians should seek – entrance to God’s kingdom.

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  • “Loving One Another” Cliché

    Christians tend to believe what they are told, instead of what Scripture has taught or Scripture itself. Yes, there is a huge difference between the two.

    For instance, we were told that Christ Jesus was nailed to the cross and died of crucifixion on a Friday, and He was resurrected early Sunday morning. Yet in Scripture, Jesus Christ clearly said, “He would be three days and three nights buried in the ground.” See Matthew 12:40. Jesus said: “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

    No matter how good a person is at manipulating days and nights, no way can three days and three nights be fitted into Friday to Sunday. TRADITION has it that Jesus Christ resurrected early morning of Sunday. Jesus Christ clearly died at three in the afternoon (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34; Luke 23:44-46, 9th hour, Jewish time) and was buried before the Special (high) Sabbath. See the following statements in Scripture. First, John 19:30-31.

    “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.”

    Next, John 19:38-42.

    “After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

    Jesus Christ was buried before the “high Sabbath,” the Jewish feast day, on the 15th of Nisan. The “Jewish Day of Preparation” was the 14th of Nisan before sundown. At sundown, at the start of the “high Sabbath”, no work can be done. The conditions for a Sabbath day when no work can be done apply to a special Sabbath. Yes, the “high Sabbath” could be any day in the week, for as long as it’s the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan.

    So we see the Jews wanting to take Jesus down from the cross before sundown – the beginning of the “high Sabbath” – and also, Joseph and Nicodemus taking the body of Jesus, making all the necessary Jewish burial customs and laying Him in an empty and unused tomb before sundown. This was before the “high Sabbath” kicked in.

    Now, to illustrate the impossibility of fitting Friday to Sunday to three days and three nights, let’s just – FOR THE MOMENT – agree with a Friday death by crucifixion at 3:00 PM, yet be mindful that the Jewish cycle for a day begins at sundown (6:00 PM) to before sundown the next day. Friday, 3:00 PM to before 6:00 PM (sundown) cannot be a day by any count. So the truth of the matter is, there was only one full Saturday, then at sundown it’s Sunday – which again, according to tradition, just hours later, Jesus Christ resurrected.

    Obviously, Friday to Sunday is a misrepresentation of the Word of God. Mind you, it’s not a non-essential detail because the integrity of Jesus’ words is at stake.

    I recall once, while I was still a seminary student, we had a mission exposure trip encountering Muslims. We met an Imam (a spiritual advisor and expert in Islamic Law), who is well-equipped with the Christian Bible. So he asked us a few questions that were based on Christian tradition but not supported by Scripture. One of the questions he asked was about Jesus’ three-day and three-night statements vis-a-vis Christian’s claim of Friday to Sunday burial and resurrection. No one was able to defend the faith when confronted by knowledgeable questions. Consequently, it’s not enough that we claim faith that is not according to knowledge. We will forever be struggling when confronted with legitimate challenges. How then can we convert intelligent people of other faith?

    Christians have been chopping up theology or chopping up reading of the Bible and have become easy prey to tradition. Soteriology (doctrine of salvation) was disconnected from ecclesiology (doctrine of the church), also from eschatology (doctrine of last things), etc. Then, sad to say, once rebuked or challenged, they would justify it as inconsequential compared to the overall message. Worse, they would bring the “love one another” cliché.

    We all commit mistakes believing in traditions that are not founded in Scripture. However, when corrected and proven wrong, we should not justify ourselves by using the “love one another” cliché. The Christian “love one another” teaching of Jesus Christ cannot be divorced from the need to hold on to the truth of the Scripture. See John 15:12-15.

    “This is My (Jesus Christ’s) commandment, that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down His life for his friends. YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND YOU. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Master is doing; but I have called you friends, FOR ALL THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO YOU.”

    Christians cannot simply “be the kind one”. The apostle Paul never used the “love one another” cliché when there was wrong committed. Persisting on a wrong can be a sin against the body of Christ, the church. See 1Timothy 5:17-20.

    “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”

    Now, going back to my discussion on Jesus’ death and resurrection. For context, in Matthew 12, the Pharisees had been challenging the miraculous deeds (signs) of Jesus Christ. Among other things, the Pharisees attributed Jesus’ healing miracles and His casting out of demons to that of the prince of demons, Beelzebul. In response, Jesus made clear He cast out demons by the Spirit of God, thereby announcing the arrival of God’s kingdom (Matthew 12:28), which of course also meant He was the Messiah. In return, the Pharisees continued in their disbelief and asked Jesus to provide a sign that He indeed was the Messiah.

    To prove without a doubt that indeed Jesus Christ was the Messiah who was to come, He gave them the sign of Noah – that, He would be three days and three nights in the ground before His resurrection.

    To briefly point out the truth, allow me to highlight key passages only. See Matthew 12:22. “Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to Him (Jesus Christ), and He healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Can this be the Son of David?” (Take note, the “Son of David” was the prophesied coming Messiah; see 2Samuel 7:8-16; Matthew 21:9) But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, He (Jesus Christ) said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

    See also Matthew 12:38-40. “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him (Jesus Christ), saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

    Consequently, Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection have to be exactly three days and three nights before He would be seen alive. Anything short of that would be a discredit to His claim that He was the Christ, the Messiah. That can’t be non-essential in any sense because it had to be fulfilled exactly as Jesus Christ had pronounced, authenticating that indeed He was the Messiah. And if there was any contradiction to His pronouncement of three days and three nights, just a fraction short of that, the Jews could have denounced Jesus as having a fake claim to God’s promise of the Messiah.

    The Jewish religious leaders of Old Covenant Israel recognized the veracity of Jesus rising back to life after three days and three nights, so they made sure it could not be fake. See Matthew 27:62-64.

    “The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while He (Jesus Christ) was still alive, After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples go and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.”

    Christians ought to be apologists (defenders) of the faith, not defenders of themselves. Once truths of the Scripture are challenged, compromised, or inadequately presented, we have a responsibility to correct and explain the truth. But we ought to know the truth firsthand before we can do so. In the Book of Acts, Apollos was described as eloquent in Scripture, but he only knew about John’s baptism. So he too was instructed by Priscilla and Aquila on the Scripture more accurately. Priscilla and Aquila practiced the Christian virtue of “loving one another” they taught Apollos more accurately about Christ Jesus our Lord. Similarly, Apollos embraced the correction and instruction in the spirit of loving one another. Go read Acts 18:24-28.

    No Christian can sincerely say they are obedient to Christ’s command of “loving one another” – at least, not until we learn to love Christ Jesus and His word. Loving God’s Word means we are ready to protect at all times the integrity of Jesus’ Words and declarations. No ifs and no buts.

    Perhaps for a time, some passages in Scripture might be unclear or vague to us. Yet, Scripture said, “Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3-5)

    In conclusion, let us meditate John’s writing on the virtue of love. See 1John 4:7-19.

    “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.”


    “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit     [Keep in mind, Jesus said “His Words are Spirit and life, see John 6:63; John 12:49-50; Romans 10:17; 1Corinthians 2:9-14; 1Thessalonians 2:13; 1Peter 1:22-23]. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not abeen perfected in love. We love because He first loved us.”

    Also, Peter’s words on God’s Word and loving one another. See 1Peter 1:22 to 2:3.

    “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”And this word is the good news that was preached to you. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

    Let us refrain from using the “love one another” cliché as a way of escape when we have committed wrongs or misrepresentated the Word of God. Christ Jesus died for our sins to free us who believe in Him from our wrongdoings and shortcomings. Salvation is never a pass for saying nonsense and then atoning by claiming the “love one another cliché”. Scripture said, “Put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander (1Peter 2:1)”.

    Christians should always be humble before the Word of God. Always ready to be corrected and rebuked when confronted by Scripture. Similarly, always be ready to learn and be equipped by the Bible.

    “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

    The apostle Paul instructed, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Take note, Paul’s words and doings are in the Scripture. We can surely learn from him.)

    Again, Paul instructed, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2Timothy 2:1-2)

    Once more, Paul instructed, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

    Blessings!

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  • Let’s Be Real

    Next week all Christendom would be remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, more popularly known as the Holy Week. For the sake of clarity, the term “Holy Week” was nowhere spoken in the Bible, it’s a later invention, see caption on quotation below.

    In the Greek and Roman liturgical books, it is called the Great Week because great deeds were done by God during this week. The name Holy Week was used in the 4th century by St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia. Originally, only Good Friday and Holy Saturday were observed as holy days. Later, Wednesday was added as the day on which Judas plotted to betray Jesus, and by the beginning of the 3rd century the other days of the week had been added.

    https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holy-Week

    Historically, Jesus Christ came to fulfill God’s promise of the Messiah. Yes, the Jewish religious leaders of Old Covenant Israel rejected Christ Jesus and sent Him to be crucified. To quote Joseph, son of Jacob, perhaps his words foreshadowed God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ – “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today (Genesis 50:20)”.

    God’s sovereign will for salvation prevailed. Jesus Christ died to overturn the curse of the Adamic Law (Genesis 2:15-17) – the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Consequently, Paul wrote “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive (1Corinthians 15:22)”. Take note, the Adamic death has to do with spiritual death, not physical. So Jesus Christ resurrected back to life offering the law of the Spirit (Romans 8:2; 1Corinthians 15:45). The Gospel is the law of the Spirit, the good news of the New Covenant. See 2Corinthians 3:5-9.

    Not that we (Paul and his co-workers) are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter (Mosaic Law) but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.

    The Mosaic Law (Galatians 3:17-19, 23-26) was an annex to the Law of Sin and Death (Adamic Law Genesis 2:15-17) to make evident the need for God’s grace (Romans 7:7-13), the Gospel.

    See Romans 8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life (the New Covenant or the Gospel) has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death (Adamic Law, Genesis 2:15-17). For God has done what the law (Mosaic Law, Galatians 2:15-21), weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us …”

    Let’s be real, because of God’s grace, Christians ought to focus on the grace of God made available through Christ Jesus our Lord. We are not saved by faith just so we may continue in our sinful ways (see Romans 6:10-12) but to be the light and salt of the world. Christians ought to live according to the grace and Words of Jesus Christ.

    Formerly, we too were lost and were doomed to die without salvation. It was only and still is, by the grace of God that we now have salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. Hence, the unavoidable physical death of all humanity no longer reigns over us because Jesus Christ said, “Whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24)”.

    I do not mean that Christians have overcome physical death; rather, our existence would no longer be halted by physical death, for we would eternally be in the presence of God.

    To be “light and salt” means we should exemplify the Christian standard of living by faith and in obedience to the Words of Jesus Christ. The Bible never spoke of Christians being perfect in themselves, but rather perfection through faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9, 12).

    Simply said, Christians should not be an oxymoron to the confession of faith. Salvation is by faith in Christ alone, and so does everything else in life. So Jesus Christ said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

    Christians should not have a life of duality. Worshipping God when with Christian people, but in their day-to-day, professional or business lives, they are no different from people who worshipped money and power, just to enrich themselves with unrighteous wealth instead of true riches. Jesus Christ said, “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:11-13)

    Money isn’t the enemy of Christianity. It’s simply a means for trade. Scripture said “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He (God) has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

    The love of money is no different from Idolatry. The apostle Paul said “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossions 3:5)

    Moreover, the unbelieving world is not the enemy of Christianity; rather, they are the focus of the Gospel. Therefore, the outreach of every Christian.

    A restaurant, no matter how good its aesthetics are, would soon lose its appeal if the food turned out to be not so good or bad. Similarly, Christianity should not leave a bad taste on people, thereby losing its appeal to the lost. But the truth of the matter is, it isn’t Christianity in the real sense that has lost its focus but pretenders to Christianity destroying the Gospel of Christ.

    Consequently, the real and true enemy of Christianity has to be the wolves in sheep’s clothing. The apostle Paul spoke of such people as “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power … (2Timothy 3:5)” Make no mistake, by “power”, Paul was talking about the faith, the Gospel, the Scripture itself, which alone has the power to transform people for Christ Jesus. Wolves in sheep’s clothing have no regard for God’s Word and the Lord’s sheep (Acts 20:29-30; John 10:12).

    Hence, Paul in the succeeding verses went on to say, “But as for you (Timothy), continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you (Timothy) in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you (Timothy), always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2Timothy 3:14 – 4:5)

    The same Christian mandate holds true today. We ought to be perfectly correct as we teach God’s Word. No compromise, no modification, always remain true to the Scripture. Otherwise, we fall into the same mold – having the appearance of godliness but denying its power.

    Paul addressing the problem within the church of Corinth said: “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1Corinthians 5:6-8)

    Christians, for the good of our ranks, should be willing to cleanse out the rotten ones. In reality, within each Christian congregation gathering each week, there are not many rotten ones, but those few rotten ones are just so poisonous that they can easily misdirect the many to agree with their agendas and doings.

    Termites, once detected in the house, should be remedied at once. Delays or dilly-dally after detection could cause the whole house to be damaged later. Restoration of a hugely damaged house is more costly than rebuilding a new ones. Similarly, Christians should never have second thoughts about addressing the termites or rotten ones within their congregation – fast and quick.

    See Paul’s instruction to Timothy, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.” (1Timothy 5:17-20)

    Compromises or ignoring wrongs within the church were never recommended in Scripture. Do not say “The church is a place for sinners”, that is a misrepresentation of God’s word regarding the church. Rather the church is the assembly of repentant sinners that have been transformed by God’s grace.

    Jesus Christ, before sending out the apostles to preach about the kingdom of heaven, the Gospel, said: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).” The religious people of Jesus’ day, the spiritual leaders of Old Covenant Israel, were the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Just as it was then, it remains the same today. We also have wolves in sheep’s clothing from within supposedly Christian institutions.

    I do not mean the whole organized Christian congregation but within their midst. However, it must be recognized we also have true people of God within their ranks. Let everyone be reminded of Jesus’s words, saying, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

    Seek the Scripture. Always let the Scripture be the guiding truth in decision-making. Do not be afraid to start anew once God’s truth has been compromised. Leave and start your journey through the guidance of God’s word.

    Again, Paul warned: “Pay careful attention to yourselves (Christian elders of Ephesus) and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28-30)

    The danger within the Christian community has always been from within their ranks. Learn from the Old Testament stories of Israel. Every time Israel has fallen out of the Scripture and turned to the ways of the world, it was then that Israel became apostate. They sought to do things not according to the guidance of the Word of God, but according to the pattern of ungodly people.

    Historically, all Christian congregations almost always have a remarkable and humble beginning. They have a simple idea of establishing a place for gathering together; that is, to worship, care for one another, and honor the Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, with time, each Christian community has the same tale to tell – deterioration from within their ranks.

    Perhaps, history was simply repeating itself. Like Israel, Christians have sought charismatic leaders – leaders who appear to stand above the rest. Forgetting that the true Christian leader, being a true follower of Jesus Christ, should imitate his/her Master. Jesus Christ never appeared above the rest in terms of appearance but always by His teaching and Word.

    Let’s be real. Stop calling a congregation a church if it has a mix of seekers still contemplating renouncing his/her old ways. All Jesus Christ said about such people was “You are not far from the kingdom of heaven”. Go read Mark 12:28-34.

    But in contrast, Zacchaeus, having been found and befriended by Jesus Christ, offered to undo his mistake, giving away his wealth to repay those whom he had defrauded (surely, as a taxman, he had wronged many). The Lord Jesus declared said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he (Zacchaeus) also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Go read Luke 19:1-10.

    Christianity is all about total surrender to Christ Jesus our Lord. Recognizing our wrongs, shortcomings, and our need of Christ Jesus for salvation and everything else in life. Joining a weekly worship service without experiencing any of the above does not make a person Christian.

    Let us call a spade, a spade. The church ain’t the institution, nor was it the building where people gather each week. Rather, the church is God’s people, redeemed by His grace. They are the body of Christ, with Christ alone being the Head of His church.

    Concerning the church, Paul said, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)

    To the church in Ephesus, Paul wrote, “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6)

    Now see 1Corinthians 3:5-8, Paul used agricultural and architectural language to describe the church: “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

    Stop saying “I’m a member of this or that church”, for there is no church that was/is built by man but by Christ Jesus alone. Jesus Christ declared before Peter, saying, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.”

    Take note that Peter wasn’t the rock by which Jesus would build His church, rather Jesus Christ was and will always be the Rock, see 1Corinthians 10:4; the cornerstone of His church (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1Peter 2:4-7) and the church is God’s spiritual house (1Peter 2:5); also, the holy temple and God’s dwelling place (Ephesians 2:19-22).

    Forget not what Jesus Christ had said to the Samaritan woman concerning God’s true temple or the place for worship. See John 4:21-24.

    “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming,and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’”

    Let’s be real. Nowhere in Scripture did Jesus tell His disciples to collect money for the building of a worship center or building. Rather, Jesus Christ asked them to preach the Gospel of the kingdom.

    Let’s be real. Nowhere in Scripture did Jesus tell His disciples to gather all believers into one building. Rather, the first-century church gathered in their homes and houses. It’s doable then, more so now. No parking problems. No costly buildings to build and maintain.

    Let’s be real. Jesus Christ offered His life to release His people from the bondage of regulations, shackles, restrictions, and the like. All Jesus Christ demands from us Christians is a true confession of faith to His Lordship and salvation offered. Living a life of faith, trusting His Word and promise – that is the true essence of true Christian worship, in spirit and truth.

    Let’s be real. Only Jesus Christ holds the key to God’s kingdom and His church. No application for church membership. No regulations for church membership. No human-developed confessions are needed. Rather Christians became members of God’s house – the church – through faith in Christ Jesus alone. See Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Him (Jesus Christ) you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our (the church’s) inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.”

    We need not second guess Paul’s mention of the Church’s inheritance. See Ephesians 5:5 “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

    In conclusion, allow me to remind everyone of God’s Word. To be real, always remember, that the Scripture said, “For we (Paul and Christian workers) are God’s fellow workers. You (the church) are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it (the foundation that Paul laid; that is, Christ Jesus). Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

    Christ Jesus is the sole foundation of God’s church. Hence, there are no numerous churches, but all true Christians are members of the body of Jesus Christ – His church or assembly.

    Blessings!

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  • Following Jesus

    Colonial mentality is still very much embedded in the minds of most people, especially here in the Philippines. Simple discipleship approaches have to be imported from foreign soil. No wonder Christianity here has always been challenged, without real progress.

    Discipleship is never about programs. Approaches might differ according to each cultural background but the main task of discipleship remains the same. Programs without truthful teaching of God’s Word cannot be real discipleship. If programs are just approaches so that Christianity would adjust to the likings of unbelievers or nominal Christians, then it’s already a failure even at the onset.

    A lot of people lose interest in Christianity not because of the Gospel message, but mainly due to the hypocrisy or conflicting nature of supposedly Christians. Yes, professing Christians (wolves in sheep’s clothing) are the main stumbling block to Christianity.

    Jesus Christ called on His prospective disciples saying “Follow me”. Christ’s call on people to follow Him – that’s the essence of real discipleship. Now, to follow Jesus does not simply mean eating with Him or walking with Him, but to learn from His teaching. Hence, discipleship without truthful teaching of God’s Word is not discipleship – it’s simply a bandwagon in the guise of discipleship.

    Here are the Words of Jesus Christ concerning His call for discipleship. See Matthew 10:24-39. I am separating it into two parts for clarity’s sake.

    First, Jesus Christ said:

    ““A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the Master of the house (Jesus Christ is the Master of God’s house, the church) Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of His household. “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him (God) who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges Me (Jesus Christ) before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

    Doing discipleship is never a walk in the park. It would have its challenges. You would always be maligned, gossiped, or backstabbed; it all comes with the work. So we cannot be onion-skinned. Just shake off the dust if it doesn’t work out. But never leave the potential disciple if he/she is truly seeking to follow Jesus Christ.

    Second, Jesus Christ went on teaching:

    “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

    Jesus Christ told us, disciples should continue the journey of following Him even when opposition seems to overwhelm us. Even loved ones or family members could oppose our journey. Yet, if we chose to save it, that would be the end of our discipleship journey. On the other hand, if we persist on our journey, surely we will find Jesus and not be lost on our way.

    Jesus Christ was not all talk without application. He demand commitment to discipleship, taught it, and applied it to Himself.

    Jesus Christ exemplified discipleship, teaching only from the perspective of the Trinity God. See John 7:16, “So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not Mine, but His (God the Father) who sent Me.” Check out also John 12:49.

    Even the Holy Spirit, the 3rd Person of the Holy Trinity, has always been consistent with the Word of God. See John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

    Perhaps James, one of Jesus’ brothers by Joseph, appeared also to oppose His way. Jesus was ridiculed by His own and yet He persisted following the Father’s will. See John 7:2-5.

    “Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. So His (Jesus’) brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works You are doing. For no one works in secret if He seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For not even His brothers believed in Him.”

    Yet, it was after Jesus Christ had faithfully followed the will of the Father – died on the cross, resurrected, and ascended; thereby, fulfilling Scripture – did James became His determined apostle.

    Worry not that our relationship with people might be compromised by following Jesus Christ. But trust His heart, goodness, and grace. Just as James found grace in Christ Jesus, Scripture assured us saying “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

    The main goal of discipleship should be QUALITY, not QUANTITY. But that has always been a challenge to workers of the Word ‘cause discipleship is never an overnight journey. Jesus Christ spent three years teaching the disciples. Sadly, the quest for QUALITY disciples has always been challenged by demands for QUANTITY. The issue of ROI (Return on Investment) from supporting organized Christianity forced workers of the Word to fast-track, thereby compromising truthful discipleship.

    On the other hand, sad to say but we also have pastors who seem not able to teach only from the Bible. They relied on human-tailored Bible study materials, most of which – if not all – have compromised from the truth. Human biases are very obvious for Christians who truly understand Scripture. Consequently, we have well-meaning Christian leaders who have no option but to send pastors to join discipleship conferences. Worse, even with joining such conferences nothing seems to progress. So, at the end of the day, we see pastors and Christian leaders joining discipleship conferences to no avail.

    Learning discipleship begins with learning to study and teach the Word of God. Before the disciples were sent out to preach, they had to know the message. Paul went around the Roman Empire teaching the Word of God only after he had personally been called by Jesus Christ and taught by Him. See Galatians 1:11-12.

    “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

    Paul’s understanding of Judaism didn’t suffice. He needed to see the connection between the Old Testament Scripture vis-a-vis that of Jesus’ teaching (New Testament Scripture) and work. Yes, Jesus Christ didn’t offer a new teaching; rather He connected the OT Scripture with His Word ‘cause Christ came to fulfill all Scripture (Matthew 5:17).

    Apollos’ preaching in Ephesus was called upon and augmented so that it may fully adhere to the teaching of Jesus Christ. See Acts 18:24-26.

    “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

    Admit it or not, human-tailored discipleship materials come and go. It has become like a fashion trend. Whichever material was used, after its initial launch or sometime later, Christians are always left hanging, not knowing what’s next.

    Let us teach Christians how to study the Bible so that they may qualify to teach and lead others. That should be the foundational rule in discipleship. See Ephesians 2:19-21.

    “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (the church), built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple (the church) in the Lord.”

    Make no mistake the foundation of truthful Christianity has always been Jesus Christ and His Word – nothing more, nothing less.

    Here then are the guiding passages for discipleship:

    “You then, my child (Timothy), be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me (Paul) in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2Timothy 2:1-2)

    Discipleship won’t suffice by simply inviting Christians to a short seminar and providing them with materials to follow. We all know most Christians are not well-versed in Scripture. They have questions, and they would be asked questions. Hence, we need to have Christian mentors who are truly equipped to handle the Scripture rightly (2Timothy 2:15). Consequently, with our present context launching a congregation-wide discipleship is not possible – simply because we need qualified mentors, truly equipped in Scripture. It cannot be denied, that not everyone who goes to a Sunday Christian gathering is a committed Christian. Worse, it’s a fact that we have unconverted people joining such gatherings. Sadly, we also have them among supposedly Christian leadership.

    Next, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My WORD, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31-32)

    Discipleship is not simply a movement armed with a human-tailored material within or outside a congregation. Rather, it’s all about following Jesus Christ; again, it’s about learning and teaching from His Word. Faith is learned when we knew intimately and believe the One whom we follow.

    On the other hand, here is a guide for Christian mentors to know if a person is not ready to be a disciple:

    “When many of His (Jesus’) disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.) And He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted Him by the Father.” After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” (John 6:60-66)

    Incidentally, I’m not endorsing the idea of “election or predestination” in our present context. We have to understand that Christ’s expression of “election language or metaphor” was due to the impending judgment coming upon Old Covenant Jews, who sent Jesus to be crucified. See Paul’s letter to the believers.

    “For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!” (1Th 2:14-16)

    Similar to God’s initial judgment against Old Covenant Israel, it was the Babylonians who became God’s instrument for judgment; Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 586 B.C. Now, with God’s final judgment upon Old Covenant Israel, it was the Romans destroying Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D.; hence, true to Paul’s words “God’s wrath has come upon them at last (1Thessalonians 2:16). Also, fulfilling Jesus’ word concerning that final destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Matthew 23:37-38; 24:1-2,15-21).

    Jerusalem today, without the temple, ceased to be God’s Old Covenant Israel. And mind you, there was no further prophecy of another rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple in Scripture. Whatever was prophesied in the Old Testament Scripture concerning a rebuilding of the temple was initially fulfilled during Nehemiah and Ezra’s time and until that of Herod’s temple. The New Testament Scripture has no direct prophecy of another temple to be rebuilt. Therefore, without Scripture, it’s just a myth or fictional story telling.

    Understandably, the temple in Jerusalem was a mere shadow of the true reality of God’s promise dwelling with His people. Jesus Christ, by His resurrection and ascension, commenced the building of His temple – the church. See 1Corinthians 3:16.

    “Do you not know that you (Greek plural, not individual, the collective body of Christ, the church) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

    Next, 1Corinthians 6:19. “Or do you not know that your body (Greek plural, not individual body but the collective body of Christ, the church) is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”

    Also, 2Corinthians 6:16. “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we (collective body of Christ, the church) are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make My dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

    Again, Ephesians 2:19-22. “So then you (Gentiles) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints (the Jewish believers) and members of the household of God (the collective body of Christ, the church), built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

    Finally, 1Peter 2:4-5. “As you (Greek plural, the collective body of Christ, the church) come to Him (Jesus Christ), a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves (same with the first “you”, plural) like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

    On the flip side of God’s judgment pronouncement on Old Covenant Israel, similarly important was God’s promise of grace to the generation of Jews that saw Jerusalem and its temple destroyed. See Romans 11:5-7, the apostle Paul said: “So too at the present time (Paul’s time, not ours) there is a remnant (of Jews, see Romans 9:27), chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened …”. The believing Jews were clearly the elect spoken in Scripture.

    You may want to see Ephesians 1:4-6; 2Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1Peter 1:1-2 among other Scriptures on the topic of the believing Jews of Paul’s generation, as the elect.

    In our quest to make disciples, let us not commit the mistake of omitting the Word of God as the main means for discipleship. Keep in mind that our commission for discipleship came from the Lord Jesus Christ, not men. Let us not be pressured by the idea of ROI, but disciple people by the Word of God. It does not need to be fast-tracked. Practice discernment, some may be ready but most are not. Focus on those who truly honor God’s Word. Remember always that our accountability is to the Word, Jesus Christ.

    Now, if the issue you are confronting has to do with the ministry support, and you have been coerced to do otherwise, walk away! Trust God for your sustenance. As the saying goes, “God is never early, yet He is never late.” In hindsight, after you have trusted God in everything, you will see God’s work in display – he has led you out of your Egypt and parted the sea, protected and delivered you, not to the wilderness but His promised land. That is the reality and sum of following Jesus Christ. No ifs, no buts. Just trust and believe.

    Scripture said, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

    Blessings!

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  • Christianity 101 (From the story of Othniel)

    Had Bible study last night. We studied Judges 3:1-11. Othniel, son of Caleb’s younger brother, was sent by the LORD to rescue Israel but ONLY after they had cried out to Him. So Israel experienced rest for forty years under the guidance of Othniel, the first Judge sent by the LORD.

    Christians, likewise chosen by God to be His people, ought not to think it’s fine to disobey the LORD and yet still be favored by Him. Redemption also does not apply to the rebellious but only to those who repent and turn to God for salvation.

    No one can escape worldly troubles. Christians alike are affected by events, financial crises, and the like occurring. However, God can preserve His people amidst the chaos or troubles around us.

    Othniel, sent by God, guided Israel for forty years – a generation – giving them rest. Similarly, we ought to be guided by the Words of Jesus Christ, as revealed in Scripture, for only then may anyone truly be servants of God’s Word, teaching people the truth notwithstanding the odds.

    True servants of God are not defined by the organization, sect, or denomination. But by the outcome of their work, teaching solely based on Jesus’ Word.

    “Everyone then who hears these words of Mine (Jesus Christ) and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

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  • God Is Above All Circumstances

    Our recent circumstances may not look good – high inflation, high peso-dollar exchange rate, high fuel cost, and high borrowing rates. All these and many others are contributing factors to low purchasing power, scarce job opportunities, limited business expansion, activities, etc.

    Without a doubt, no one is spared. Everyone is affected by the current financial crisis. Yet, Christians ought to remember that for forty years God sustained Israel while inside the wilderness. There isn’t any productivity in the wilderness. But God provided Israel with food, water, and all basic needs throughout the lifetime of those who went out of Egypt in Exodus. Sadly though, that generation of Hebrews failed miserably, forsaking God’s covenant. Only Joshua and Caleb together with the second-generation Israelites – those who weren’t around breaking God’s covenant and with whom God renewed His covenant (Joshua 5:2) – entered the Promised Land, though we know that the Promised Land was just a shadow of the good things to come. So with the coming of Jesus Christ fulfilling all Scripture, Christians now have the fullness of God’s promise. Consequently, amid present financial difficulties Christians ought to trust Jesus Christ in all things.

    Here is a Messianic promise uttered by David in a psalm.

    “The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance. But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.” (Psalms 37:18-20)

    Always be thankful for God’s goodness. No matter how difficult the present circumstances may become, God remains faithful and His grace is sufficient at all times. In whatever circumstances we may be, always place your trust and confidence in Christ Jesus alone. Scripture said, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

    May the peace of God be with everyone!

    P.S. It has been a while since I last wrote a blog. Been busy doing virtual Bible study and sharing the truths of the Scripture. Thank you all for visiting my blog.

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  • Truth Matters

    That is the declaration of Jesus Christ about Himself and His Word, see John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

    In Hebrews 9:28, the Bible said: “So also the Messiah (Jesus Christ), having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring SALVATION (Greek 4991, sōtēria) to those who are waiting for Him.”

    Greek #4991, sōtēria denotes “deliverance, preservation, salvation” – Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

    Salvation, this word is used for the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Exo 14:13), and of deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament, it is specifically used concerning the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, “the great salvation” (Heb 2:3) – Easton’s Bible Dictionary

    So Hebrews 9:28 teaches that Jesus Christ secured salvation at the cross and that was why He declared, “It is finished” (see John 19:30) before giving up His last breath, but salvation was completed at His return. So it is wrong to assume that the Christian death would go to heaven even without Christ’s return. See 1Corinthians 15:20-23.

    But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ.

    Again see John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

    Jesus Christ said those words (John 14:6) in reply to Thomas’ question. See John 14:5. “Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?””

    The conversation was in the context of Jesus telling His apostles about His death, resurrection, and departure or ascension. See John 13:36. “Simon Peter said to Him (Jesus), ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow afterward.’ Then to comfort His disciples, Jesus went on to explain the truth:

    “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

    Hence, together with John 14:6, twice Jesus Christ declared He alone is the way to the Father or heaven. And no one can go by themselves to heaven without first Jesus Christ’s return paving the way to heaven. Hence in Revelation 14:13-15, Scripture declared:

    And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in Your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.”

    It was only at the time of judgment, the Second Coming, that Revelation declared, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

    Don’t despair ‘cause Jesus promised to return within the generation of His immediate disciples, the apostles. See Matthew 16:27-28. “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what He has done. TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO WILL NOT TASTE DEATH UNTIL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM.”

    Did Jesus mean the disciples would not die before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Of course not! Rather, Jesus Christ promised to return within the apostles’ generation.

    How can we be sure Jesus was referring to the apostles, not any random disciples in the future? See Matthew 16:21-28.

    “From that time Jesus began to show His DISCIPLES that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’ Then Jesus told His DISCIPLES, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what He has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.’”

    I know traditional Christianity is teaching us otherwise, that Jesus is yet to return, though it has been millennia since Christ’s promised return. Surely, if you are Scripture and God-loving Christian, we know that Jesus Christ spoke only the truth and Scripture alone is infallible. So we have no other choice but to take the words of Jesus Christ as truth. Because to insist otherwise is to rebuke Jesus Christ and accuse that His words aren’t true. Or that He failed on His promises of return. If so, how then can Christians embrace John 3:16 as truth, believing salvation is with Jesus Christ?

    It’s amazing how all Christendom would declare Scripture alone as infallible. However, when confronted by clear and straightforward declarations of Jesus Christ contradicting existing or popular beliefs, they would adhere to declarations or writings of men, creeds, and the likes to support their ideas of the truth.

    In this age of fake news, we ought to check and verify every information or declaration to know the truth. The only source of truth in matters of faith and salvation is Scripture alone, not any pastors or writings outside the Bible. So the Scripture in John 8:31-32 said:

    “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

    From the moment I became a Christian, I have resolved to believe in Scripture. So when confronted by statements of truth in the Bible, even if it’s the opposite of existing and prevailing Christian teachings, I would go out of my way studying the Scripture to ascertain the truths of God’s Word. It was quite a journey but certainly rewarding.

    You also can know the truth. It only requires true Christian discipline knowing that only Scripture or the Bible is infallible. Take it from there, do not stop searching, and you also will see the truth.

    My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. (Proverbs 2:1-8)

    Blessings

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  • Look Up, Not Down

    Sometimes even Christians feel and look defeated. If so, read Psalm 37. The first two verses said, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers. For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.” Then in verses 7-9, the Psalmist continued, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.”

    Thereby, the Psalmist encourages its readers, telling them not to be bothered by unrighteous gains or success, which in reality are temporal. However, it is true that with money, a lot of things and circumstances can easily be remedied. Yet, the Psalmist in verses 16-20 said:

    Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance. But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

    God is just. He will never allow injustice to go unpunished, while the blameless will never fall short of God’s faithfulness, and He justly rewards them eternally.

    True blessedness is not in the abundance of temporal things, but with the assurance of God’s favor and grace – at all times and circumstances. See Luke 12:13-21.

    Someone in the crowd said to Him (Jesus Christ), “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

    On the other hand, the Psalmist in verses 23-29 said:

    The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when He delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the LORD loves justice; He will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

    It is sad that many times, even Christians, fall into the temptation of covetousness. The apostle Paul wrote, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1Timothy 6:9-10)

    Jesus Christ is indeed victorious and reigning over all creation since His ascension, and from that time onward has been seated at the right-hand throne of God. True also that His rule and dominion were fully completed by His return, thereby giving His people the full blessings of His kingdom.

    All matters on Earth would appear trivial to His reign and kingdom. For His blessings, though many times unseen, are eternal, whereas those of the world will always be temporal. So Jesus Christ said:

    “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46)

    Christians should recognize the true value of God’s kingdom. Hence, finding it should at all costs keep it even at the price of losing earthly wealth which is temporal. But sadly, a lot of people, even Christians spiritually blind, have chosen to seek and keep temporal things even at the cost of forsaking eternal blessedness. Click on the links and read Matthew 19:16-24; Mark 10:17-25; Luke 18:18-25 for Jesus’ teaching on this subject.

    Bear in mind that Scripture said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

    Jesus Christ, this time in Matthew 6:19-21, emphasized the same point and said: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

    So, the apostle Paul, in Colossians 3:1-2 said:

    “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

    Once we have learned the Lord’s teachings, as well as those of Paul’s, then no earthly circumstances could make us believe we are defeated or losers in this world. Neither could our circumstances deter us from thanking God for His bountiful blessings and grace. It is significant to note, the Psalmist in verses 10-11 promised:

    In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

    The eschatological expression “a little while” appeared in several Scriptural prophecy speaking about God’s coming judgment. To name a few, Jeremiah 51:33; Hosea 1:4 and Haggai 2:6-9.

    Psalm 37:10-11 was a prophecy on the Coming of Jesus Christ. So we see Jesus Christ verbalized Psalm 37:11, thereby announcing the fulfillment of His Coming. See Matthew 5:5-6.

    “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

    Interestingly, see below, in Hebrews 10:35-38, Scripture once more used the same expression “a little while”, but added, “the coming one will come and will not delay”. Without a doubt, the Bible this time was speaking about the Return of Jesus Christ.

    Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

    Take note, the Psalmist spoke of the promised happening in “a little while”, from the completion of Psalms to Christ, which was about 600 years. Whereas, Hebrews also used “a little while” but added “and the coming one will come and will not delay”. Therefore, we know that Scripture is infallible and always true. How then can the traditional belief of a future return of Jesus Christ be credible? Now two thousand years and ongoing, not be a delay?

    The truth of the matter is, that Jesus Christ spoke of His Return within the generation of His immediate apostles. See Matthew 16:27-28.

    For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

    I don’t think there are still living apostles of Jesus Christ somewhere today, hiding from people’s sight, do you?

    Mind you, Matthew 16:27-28 is not an isolated declaration. On numerous occasions, Jesus Christ and His apostles spoke of the nearness of His coming. To read more about this topic, click on the links and see my blogs entitled “The Unending Last Days” and “Dating the Book of Revelation”. Once more, Jesus Christ fulfilled Scripture just as the Word of God had declared. The Return of Christ was fulfilled within the generation of John and company, the immediate apostles of Jesus. To read more on this topic, click on the link and read “Confused Christianity”.

    So always look up, not down. For the essence and true reality of God’s kingdom and our blessedness – it is present already, in its fullness, now not later.

    Moreover, the whole of Psalm 37 was right, encouraging its reader to trust God at all times and circumstances, for eternal deliverance and salvation is true with Him – the Lord of lords, the King of kings, Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Blessings!

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  • Good News or Fake News?

    It has been more than a month since we were hit by Typhoon Rai. Practically all our basic utilities were rendered unavailable. No power, no water, and no internet. Both power and water are now back in our area, but a lot of areas remain powerless and have no water. Until now, our internet remains unavailable. Yet thankfully, though I can’t do online sharing of God’s Word, writing a blog remains possible.

    While watching a TV program, someone from the show quoted a verse from the Gospel of Luke. I checked on the Bible to see how it was explained if indeed that was the teachings of the Scripture. Somehow upon checking that particular verse, I realized it was inadequately explained. At best, only a particular moral value was highlighted, leaving the real message missing. With that, somehow I was compelled to reread and write about the Gospel of Luke.

    The Gospel of Luke has these introductory statements:

    “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4)

    The obvious purpose of Luke was to write an orderly account of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – orderly, emphasizing the accuracy and truths about Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

    If we carefully note the dating of Luke and Acts (yes, Acts also was written by Luke, see Acts 1:1) then we would know the prevailing circumstances and see the reason for the Gospel of Luke.

    A big chunk of Luke’s narrative in Acts, his second book, covers the journey of Paul preaching the Gospel beyond Antioch. At the end of Luke’s narrative, Paul was imprisoned in Rome preaching the Gospel first to the Jews, then also to Gentiles. See Acts 28:28-31.

    “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” “He (Paul) lived there (in Rome) two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,” “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

    According to Bible Hub Timeline – an online Bible tool providing historical insights and many other help in the study of the Bible – Acts 28 (the last chapter of Luke’s second book) had its setting in 62 A.D., about three decades following the events concerning Jesus Christ – His life, death, resurrection and ascension – and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). A lot of things certainly happened within 30 years. Of great significance, the church had grown from Jerusalem to Rome, which explains Paul’s words to the Colossians – the Gospel had reached the whole world. But of course, Paul was referring to the known world of his time, the territories of the Roman empire. That was the whole world of Paul and any Jews alike of his time, having been under Roman rule.

    Similarly, we ought to understand Jesus’ utterance of the whole world with the same perspective. See Matthew 24:14.

    “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

    It should be noted that Colossians was a prison letter, written by Paul while imprisoned in Rome. And it had the same dating with Acts, 62 A.D. If you have stable internet, click on the link to see the Bible Hub timeline.

    Christ’s perspective on the “end of the earth” in Acts 1:8 (see below) came to its fulfillment at the end of Acts when Paul was imprisoned in Rome preaching the Gospel of the kingdom. That’s why Paul said in Colossians 1:3-6 (see below), “The Gospel has reached the whole world”. See Acts 28:30-31 & Colossians 1:3-6. In effect, Matthew 24:14 was fulfilled at the end of Acts, during Paul’s two years imprisonment in Rome.

    “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8)
    “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:3-6).

    Keep in mind that Paul wrote about the gospel reaching the whole world from Rome, the end of the earth from the perspective of Acts 1:8 and of Jesus Christ of course. Without a doubt, Jesus Christ affirmed the same truth, see Luke 24:44-59.

    “Then He (Jesus Christ) said to them (the disciples), “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.””

    Jesus Christ reiterated His promise of the Holy Spirit and His command for the disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations beginning at Jerusalem in Acts 1:8. Amazing, isn’t it? Jesus Christ has a unified message. Luke’s Gospel intended to tie up possibly loose ends affirming the truth. It’s an apologetic affirmation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, defending the faith.

    On a side note, we don’t need affirmations from supposed church fathers ‘cause the Bible in itself, if studied well and thoroughly, is complete and able to defend the Gospel narrative. Only the Bible, all 66 books, is infallible. All else is capable of error or fallible.

    The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 then has been realized at the end of Acts. That was the affirmation of Luke’s Gospel and Acts. But the end of the age came with the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple (Matthew 23:36-48; 24:2), the passing of Old Covenant Israel.

    Another side note: Despite the claim of futurist Christians that the Jewish temple would be rebuilt, it never happened. And it has been more than two thousand years since it was destroyed, yet the Dome of Rock now stands on its former place ‘cause nowhere in Scripture was there a prophecy or promise of another rebuilding. Sorry to say this, but the rebuilding claim is one of the biggest fake news.

    Now back to our discussion. Another important twist of events that occurred sometime in A.D. 54, or perhaps a bit earlier, was the distorted presentation of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. See Galatians 1:6-7, the apostle Paul wrote:

    “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

    Next see 2 Corinthians 11:3-4.

    “But I am (Paul) afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

    Paul wrote these letters to two separate churches addressing the spread of the distorted gospel. Sadly, within just a few decades after the birth of Christianity, false teachings abound. Without a doubt, it had penetrated the early church. Consequently, that should explain the need for four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospel writers aimed to confront false teachings, which were prevalent as early as two or three decades after the events concerning Jesus Christ. Hence, Luke spelled out the purpose of his Gospel narrative – it’s an orderly account of the things that have been accomplished among us. Make no mistake; Luke had his focused on the narrative concerning Jesus Christ and His Gospel. Again, see above Acts 1:1-4.

    Make no mistake the Gospel of Luke was purposely apologetic, written to uphold the truth against false teachings. Perhaps the same may be said of most of the New Testament writings.

    The Book of Revelation was an announcement of the end (Old Covenant Israel). Jesus Christ said “The time is near (Revelation 1:3)” and “Surely I am coming soon (Revelation 22:20)”. Of course “soon is soon,” “near is near,” not millennia after, and seems without end.

    Take careful note that Jesus Christ declared about His return at the beginning and closing of Revelation. And He clearly said “soon” and “the time is near”. By the way, “Revelation” literally means “disclosure”. Therefore, to disclose something that was once concealed. Consequently, it surely is detrimental for anyone to misread or misinterpret Revelation. Check out Revelation 22:18-19.

    In our present age, we are bombarded by online information – truth or lies. If lies can be floated easily while the apostles were still around and without the internet, so much more today. The birth of the internet is both a boon and a bane. We just have to learn to make good use of it. Similarly, the Scripture speaks of the truths about Jesus Christ and His Gospel. But when manipulated – maliciously or not – it could tell people other things. For instance, a lot of people are connecting COVID-19 vaccinations to supposed microchip implants of the last days. Nowhere in the Bible did it speak of such a scenario. On the topic of the “last days”, you may click on the link and read my blog entitled “Unending Last Days”.

    The Bible is a unity. The New Testament writings certainly correlate with each other and the Old Testament Scripture as well. Three decades after the events concerning Jesus Christ and His Gospel, despite the presence of the apostles then, false teachings arose. We shouldn’t be surprised then that it’s also happening today, now that we are millennia away. All the more we ought to be on guard, checking every teaching and be like the Bereans. I hope everyone detests falling into fake news.

    That’s all there is to it. False gospels are no different from fake news. Incidentally, “gospel” literally means “good tidings or good news”. And the validity of the Gospel would only be truly good if it’s of divine origin, devoid of man’s opinion. So, the apostle Paul declared:

    “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

    This is a significant declaration, for Luke’s Gospel narrative, as well as that of the Book of Acts. Luke’s authority to write the said two books (Luke and Acts) was derived from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul affirmed he received the Gospel from Jesus’ direct revelation to him (Galatians 1:11-12). Also, Luke was a constant traveling companion of Paul, witnessing firsthand the deeds of the Holy Spirit. Lastly, Luke should have the benefit of privileged fellowship with other eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. For instance, Peter and the rest.

    We join the call to proclaim the eternal gospel to everyone (Revelation 14:6). The Gospel is eternal ‘cause its message remains unchanging. Let us be sure we are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, not some distorted gospels that are fake news.

    Lord willing, I will expound more on the Gospel of Luke, sharing insights into the teachings of the Bible.

    Blessings!

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  • End Times Brouhaha

    This morning I saw on my Facebook a website entitled “The Endtimes Insider”; well, I didn’t even bother to read it. Why? ‘Cause the Bible never spoke of the END TIMES but the TIME OF THE END.

    Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, SHUT UP THE WORDS AND SEAL THE BOOK, UNTIL THE TIME OF THE END. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

    In Daniel, the vision concerning the “time of the end” was sealed, but in Revelation – the time of the apostle John- it was unveiled. Telling us therefore that the fulfillment of the things concerning the time of the end is at hand. It could never be in our future, for John lives some two thousand years away from today.

    See Revelation 5:1-5

    “Then I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne A SCROLL WRITTEN WITHIN AND ON THE BACK, SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

    See also Revelation 22:8-10

    “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
    And he said to me, “DO NOT SEAL UP THE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK, FOR THE TIME IS NEAR.

    It is also important to note that Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 12) was quoted by Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:21) concerning the destruction of the Jewish temple (Matthew 24:2), which certainly occurred within the lifetime of the apostle John. There is therefore no point believing that there is an impending end time.

    To everyone who insists otherwise, saying there is yet an impending end time, read and understand Jesus’ words from Revelation 22:5-6.

    And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

    Also Revelation 22:10

    And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.

    Finally, Revelation 22-16-20.

    “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

    He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

    Postscript: The intention of this blog is always to enlighten peoples’ understanding of the Scripture. Jesus Christ said, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

    Let us therefore seek to know the truth of God’s words, for only then may we truly have assurance of all things.

    Blessings!

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