Discernment – Wisdom From the Word

Having Gifts Part 2

In this first post in this series, I provided a brief overview and sampling of gifts and their use, while noting that scripture has much to say about the subject. I concluded that we need to both discern and use the gifts we have been given. Now we look a little further into what scripture has to say, beginning with the Old Testament (OT). The clearest example is gifts given for the building of the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness.

¹ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³ And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴ to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵ in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. Exodus 31:1–5 (NKJV)

The passage goes on to name others but the main point is the gifts came from the Spirit and were commensurate with the task. Nothing suggests that these abilities were removed from Bezalel, merely that they were given for a specific task. I say this to note that whatever gifts we have, they can be used wisely, carelessly, or misused. We don’t who made the golden calf in Exodus 32 beyond ‘they’ (Exodus 32:20). Aaron’s assertions that he threw gold into the fire and the calf came out is far less than plausible (Exodus 32:22-24). In a similar manner gifted speakers can persuade us to embrace right or wrong ideas but the gift is the same.

An example of gifts used for a godly purpose is David’s development of musical instruments. David, the ‘man after God’s own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) was a worshipper and due to his heart desire and at Yahweh’s command, created musical instruments to be used in worship.

⁶ And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the Lord, which King David had made to praise the Lord, saying, “For His mercy endures forever,” whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood. 2 Chronicles 7:6 (NKJV) See also 2 Chronicles 29:25–27 (NKJV)

The gifts we have been given are meant to be used to glorify God. Bezalel and David both did that with their gifts. Another gift Yahweh gave in the OT is prophecy. Jacob/Israel had it. We see it in operation in Genesis 49:1-28. The chapter begins with a declaration.

¹ And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: Genesis 49:1 (NKJV)

Jacob then goes on to prophetically tell each of his sons what will happen to them as a tribe of Israel in the future.

Yahweh gives gifts but we need to choose what to do with them. An example is Balaam in Numbers 22-24. Balaam had a genuine prophetic gift and was hired to curse Israel but instead declared blessing over them. His heart was corrupt, his prophecies were true. Balaam didn’t misuse his prophetic gift, instead he misused the influence he acquired through his gift. He couldn’t violate what Yahweh told him to speak prophetically so he sought to overthrow the fruit of his own gifting by counselling the king of Moab on how to entice the Israelite’s into sexual sin.

¹ Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. Numbers 25:1 (NKJV)

The reason we know this came from Balaam is from what Jesus said in Revelation.

¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Revelation 2:14 (NKJV)

It is clear that gifts can be used or misused so now we can draw some conclusions. As noted in my last article, gifts are given to be used. In using them we are called to use them wisely, and of course the wisest thing we can do with our gifts is glorify God. Jesus noted that even if we give a cup of cold water in His name, we will not lose our reward (Matthew 10:42). Compassion and empathy is a wise use of a gift. Given that what counts in the end is how we use the gifts we have been given, it is best to use them wisely and look forward to hearing on that great day the words from Matthew 25:23, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Having Gifts Part 1

Scripture has much to say about the use of our gifts and talents. In some sectors of the church discovering and doing tests for spiritual gifts became a bit of an industry a few decades ago. I don’t know if that is still the case. My focus here is twofold. What we can learn from scripture about the use of our gifts and talents and what does the use of them look like in practice. I am not going to enumerate all of the gifts in scripture. One reason being, if we take teaching as an example, the use of the gift can look very different in two people who are both gifted teachers. Our calling is to be who He made us to be not try to be someone whom we may admire. If we are trying to be someone else then we are missing from the body and someone else has to take on our role. The same is true of any gift, ranging from preaching to helps. Below is a sampling of gifts from Romans.

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12:6–9 (NKJV)

In considering this sample there is an element that is generally not addressed. Paul’s exhortation about using the gifts we have been given is preceded by an exhortation to consecrate ourselves to His service (Romans 12:1-2). The obvious implication is that we are most fruitful in the use of our gifts, or they may work more effectively in and through us, if we are wholly committed to following the word and the Spirit.

The gifts we have are abilities He has imparted to us. Let me share an example. At events my wife and I often find ourselves helping in the kitchen and doing the dishes. Recently we were doing this at a church event and the previous day at a Pickleball event. At church someone asked if I minded washing dishes. I responded no, as my mother had us start helping with them at about age 5. That however is not the whole truth, I enjoy helping, which makes sense given I spent my career in the helping professions. Is this a spiritual gift? I think it is as He designed me to both lead and help and it is part of who I am.

At the same time, I also recognize that I do not possess the gift of hospitality. I enjoy spending time with people but after a while I am looking for an opportunity to get away and recharge. On an introversion-extroversion scale I am more in the introversion range. Is this a bad thing, no. Others carry this gift and express it very well. I can host if needed but it is not part of who I am so if I am wise with my time I will spend it in areas where I carry a gift with me because grace comes with the gift.

The same is true of you. Whatever He has called you to He has gifted you for; the gifts and callings go together. If you don’t know your gifts spend some time with Him and reflect on the bent of your heart. If you follow it in partnership with Him you will be led to your area of gifting.

Lastly, the title began a sentence, now we complete it. Having gifts, let us use them!

His Blueprint

When someone plans a house, the architect develops the plans and blueprints. The architect can envision the whole project before the hole is even dug for the basement. Then those from the various trades who actually build the house need to follow the blueprints as they not only provide the broad overview, they also provide the details. I will share an example.

When we first got married my wife and I had a house built. The blueprints were in place for a purpose. I would drop in to see how things were progressing. One day I showed up and went into the master bedroom to look at the wiring. A young man, that I assume was an apprentice electrician, was installing the electrical boxes for the outlets. When I looked at what he was doing I asked him if he was aware that he was installing the plug ins in the closet – he wasn’t because he wasn’t following the blueprints.

We had a couple of additional issues. We designed the lighting in the kitchen to have one light near the sink and one over the table at the eating area. Someone decided the room wasn’t that big so put one light in the centre of the room. They had to change it because they chose not to follow the blueprints. We had also designed a small storage area at the back door and arrived one day to find it had not been put in, there was wall there. Someone decided we didn’t need it because there was a small closet back there. Another change was required because, you guessed it, they weren’t following the blueprints!

Scripturally, the Father is the architect and Jesus is the overseer of the project called the church, which He said He would build (Matthew 16:18). We are each a part of the building; Peter refers to us as ‘living stones’ being built into a ‘spiritual house’ (1 Peter 2:5).

In 1 Corinthians Paul described himself as a wise master builder. In fact, the Greek word for ‘master builder’ is architektōn. I am sure you recognize the word architect in it. Paul is obviously not the architect in the same sense as the Father, but he is a junior architect building the church. In this capacity he provided blueprints he received from Jesus that we are expected to follow.

An architect or master builder designs proper structures. Based on the things revealed to him by Jesus, Paul laid Jesus as the foundation in the lives of the Corinthian converts. Now he exhorts them, and by extension us, to be careful with what we build on this foundation.

Knowing the what is important, we know we need to build something, the how is another matter. If we are to build on Christ, we need some idea of how, which Paul provided. One place is Ephesians 4:17-32. Paul told us the behaviours we are to demonstrate and says it is accomplished by ‘putting off’ the old man and ‘putting on’ the new man.

²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22–24 (NKJV)

Paul says that the way we accomplish this lifestyle change is by being ‘renewed in the spirit of your mind.’ This renewing of our mind is the fruit of intimacy with Jesus, not the fruit of gritting our teeth and exercising our willpower. When we spend time in His presence we are changed by Him. Paul presents this reality in Philippians.

¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

I added the Amplified bible as it brings out the nuances. If we pursue a deep intimate relationship with Jesus’ we will find that we are following the blueprint provided by the architect and others will see the fruit of it in our lives. Let’s follow the blueprint and if we put the lights or plugins in the wrong place, He will let us know as we sit with Him, and we can go back to the blueprint.

Being Found Faithful

1 Corinthians 4:2 has been significant in my life for nearly three decades. It is a verse the Spirit impressed upon my heart, the need to be ‘found faithful.’ Here we will look at it in context along with the broader implications.

¹ Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NKJV)

My focus has been on the faithful aspect. However, there is also the issue of what we are to be faithful with. To delve into that we will look at three words, servant, steward and mysteries. The Greek word that we translate as servant refers to an underling or attendant. That is, the servant doesn’t carry authority over the one they serve. They are there to follow directions. The Greek word we translate as steward refers to someone in charge of a household. They have authority over the affairs of the household, as they have been entrusted with this responsibility by the master or owner of the household. A mystery is something mysterious or secret.

Now as ‘servants of Christ’ it is obvious that we are called to serve Him and under Him. For Paul, in this context he referred to himself as serving Jesus by stewarding mysteries, one of which is Jesus household. Just a few verses back we find Paul referencing God’s building.

¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. ¹⁶ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ¹⁷ If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Corinthians 3:10 – 17 (NKJV)

Paul saw one aspect of the mystery he was stewarding was that in his apostolic role he had laid the foundation of Christ in the lives of the Corinthian converts. Each one of them, or as we move forward, us, is responsible for what we build on the foundation. We are stewards of our own household, a stewardship entrusted to us by Yahweh. The judgment seat will be an accounting of our stewardship and will determine what remains of our house.

In fact, our house, the one we are building each day by our choices, is our part in His temple. It is our assigned area of responsibility. This is where the idea of mystery comes in. For Paul the mysteries were things hidden in the Father’s heart that had been revealed to him. The same is true for each of us (see 1 Corinthians 2:9-13). We build our house through correct moral choices, through how we interact with and love others and through discerning and walking in our calling as we pursue the spiritual revelation and understanding the Spirit desires to unveil to us. Mysteries He has hidden for us, not from us.

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV)

There we have it, each of us called to be a servant of Jesus and a faithful steward of whatever mysteries He has revealed as we have sought His heart.

Thoughts on Revelation

I don’t know how you view John and the book of Revelation. Perhaps you envision him sitting and writing while having a vision unfold like watching a movie. While this was the type of experience Peter had in Acts 10, which he described as a trance and seeing a vision, John was more intimately involved in Revelation. John’s encounter began with hearing Jesus’ voice and receiving a message from Him for seven churches in the area (Revelation 1:10 – 3:22). John’s experience shifted to being involved when he responded to an invitation.

¹ After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” ² Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. Revelation 4:1–2 (NKJV)

Scripture doesn’t record John verbally responding to the invitation but his heart obviously responded as his experience immediately shifted. As things progress, we see John involved in the vision and interacting with characters in it. For example.

⁴ So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. ⁵ But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” Revelation 5:4–5 (NKJV)

We have John weeping and interacting with one of the elders (see also 7:13-14). He was both observing and a part of the vision. He also later spoke and further interacted with an angel (10:9-11). This Revelation or unveiling came to John in a powerful memorable encounter.

Now we might wonder if encounters like this are available to us. Some think so. A number of years ago I was helping lead a small group and one evening a new lady showed up, a common experience in this group. She was excitedly sharing, based on Revelation 4:1, that we could choose to enter the spiritual/heavenly realm at any time. When I challenged her theology, she never returned to the group. I think I was a bit of cold water on her fire. That wasn’t my intent, I simply wanted us to walk according to scripture. Yet I have heard well known figures in the church make the same claim that the door to heaven is open and we can enter in at any time.

Truthfully, this is not taught anywhere in scripture. As I noted, John had to be invited, while Paul described his heavenly experience as being ‘caught up’ not ‘going up.’ The Greek word literally means to be seized. Paul didn’t simply decide to go to the third heaven one fine afternoon!

¹ It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows – such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:1–2 (NKJV)

Some of you may now be wondering if there is a point somewhere here. There is, though I have had some experiences with the Lord over the years I haven’t had something like what John and Paul describe, nor do I think it is the norm for believers. It is possible, not probable. At the same time, I do think He is always calling us to come to draw near His heart and hear His voice. Whether that includes dramatic spiritual encounters or a still small voice, the important part is being available, listening and ready if He calls. In Acts 10 Peter had gone to the roof to pray when he had his encounter. John said he was ‘in the Spirit’ when Revelation was unfolded to him. We don’t know what Paul was doing but from what we have revealed of his heart in scripture I am confident that he was ready to hear and obey. These men weren’t seeking spiritual experiences when theses events took place, they were seeking His face.

Thus, I think we need to learn to cultivate the same posture of a hearing heart and be ‘in the Spirit’ so that when an invitation is given, we can respond. It may be an invitation to worship, to sitting quietly before Him or an invitation to service in some capacity. Whatever it is let us seek to be ‘found faithful’ (1 Corinthians 4:2). I close with something Andy Park wrote decades ago, a song that is an invitation.

In the Secret

In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness you are there
In the secret
In the quiet hour I wait only for you
Cause I want to know you more

I want to know you
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you more

I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward
Pushing every hindrance aside
Out of my way
Cause I want to know you more

Themes and Patterns

It ‘themes’ like time for another focus. Okay, I admit, a terrible pun, but that is a theme in my life! There are other themes, one of them is balance. I play Pickleball and sometimes people playing with me notice I seem to be using different hands and ask if I use my right or left hand. The answer is ‘yes.’ When I learned to play a few years ago I started serving with alternating hands and worked my left hand into the game. I often explain that I have better fine motor skills with my left hand and more power with my right (I grew up writing and eating left-handed, playing sports right-handed). This theme of balance began for me back in the 1980’s in terms of trying to engage in physical activities using both hands fairly equally, yes, I am getting old! Here is how it played out one time at work. I was delivering a presentation and someone commented that my writing on the whiteboard wasn’t terribly legible so I switched hands. That meant I had to concentrate more, but they said the writing was easier to read! Now, moving beyond my personal illustration, let’s move to scripture.

We are going to look at themes, using Peter as an illustration and later Paul as an example. Peter’s themes related to boldness and fishing. Even his greatest failure came as a result of his boldness. When grace was removed, he fell!

Peter first appears in John,

⁴⁰ One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). John 1:40–42 (NKJV)

For those of you who have heard sermons about Jesus calling Peter while he was fishing and Peter dropping everything to follow Jesus, sorry. Peter had already been introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew, a follower of John the Baptist. They spent some time with Jesus then went back to fishing in Galilee before Jesus came and called them (Matthew 4:18-20). We also find in the passage in John that Andrew told Peter Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) long before Peter really got it (Matthew (16:13-17).

Those corrections aside, Peter combined boldness with failure. In Matthew 16:16-17 Peter knows by revelation rather than information that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. He follows this up by rebuking Jesus for saying He will suffer and die and get’s called Satan (Matthew 16:21-23). In Matthew 26:31-35 Jesus says they will all abandon Him; Peter insists that he won’t. However, he does just that (Matthew 26:69-75). The theme is boldness followed by failure, which continues even after Pentecost. Peter is the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-48) then later Peter separates himself from the Gentile believers over his fear of what the disciples from Jerusalem would say (Galatians 2:11-13).

Another pattern in Peter’s life is fishing. He is called to become a disciple, which is what it meant to follow Jesus, while he is fishing (Matthew 4:18-20), he has a miraculous catch while fishing when he listens to Jesus (Luke 5:1-11). This is the same occasion as his calling in Matthew, Luke simply gives us more detail. Later in walking with Jesus he gets a coin from the mouth of a fish to pay the temple tax for Jesus and himself (Matthew 17:24-27) and finally while waiting for further directions from Jesus after the resurrection he goes fishing and is recommissioned to his life purpose (John 21:1-19).

If we look at Paul as an example, consider what plagued his ministry. The major theme for Paul was opposition and persecution. He sowed the seeds of it in his own opposition to Jesus prior to his radical conversion and then it followed him until the day of his death.

The Judaizers, we might call them legalists, constantly followed Paul around trying to bring his converts under bondage to the Law. We see the seeds of this issue just after we meet Paul, still called Saul at this point.

¹ Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1–2 (NKJV)

What was Saul (Paul) so upset about? The believers were violating the Law, the very issue that later plagued him.

Now, this all may be nice information but is likely not helpful if we fail to see how it applies to our lives. When we are born again, we receive a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21), Jesus in our reborn spirit. However, we then need Christ formed in us (Galatians 4:19). What we see in Peter’s life is that this was a long process with fits and starts. We read of no further issues beyond his failure in Galatia in the early years of the church. We also have his instructions on how to break the power of these thematic patterns in our lives in 2 Peter 1:3-11. For Paul victory was found in a recognition of Christ’s empowering presence in his weakness.

⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

If we consider our lives, God is actively working in our present for our future. Given that do you see themes or patterns unfolding in your life? If it a path of victory, what do you need to do to stay on the path? If it is a path replete with frustration, what is the Spirit saying and pointing to as the path to victory? How is/has He been speaking to you?

I close with another theme in my own life. I know He has called me to His word and I know it well. However, when I listen to a message from a teacher or preacher, I find myself constantly assessing what they say in relation to scripture. I don’t have an off button for this function! My internal, and sometimes external response, used to be judgement. At present the assessing theme is still there but over time in paying attention to the Spirit my assessing has matured to following up to connect with the person if that is an option or praying for them. He has turned my weakness into a strength through His grace. Let’s all cooperate with His grace to see our themes redeemed.

In His Image Part 3

I began this series sharing that as image bearers we have a responsibility to represent Yahweh on earth. That is the main idea of being an image bearer. I also looked at how even after the fall of Adam and Eve scripture still presents us as being made in His image. I then moved to looking at how we are called to use our minds to bear His image. Now as we dig a little deeper, here is a passage that apparently muddies the waters. A passage we will explore in the broader New Testament context.

⁴⁷ The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹ And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1 Corinthians 15:47–49 (NKJV)

What Paul is referring to here is the idea of wearing or carrying an image. We ‘wear’ the image of the first Adam as fallen and sinful in our humanity. In the resurrection we will ‘wear’ the image of the second Adam, Jesus. John put it this way.

² Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2–3 (NKJV)

For me the danger in accepting this image idea without exploration is that we put wearing Jesus’ image off into the future, taking place at our resurrection or translation. While that is inherent in the language of both Paul and John, both are referring to an ultimate consummation. Paul in particular calls us in our life on earth to begin the process now.

¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:14 (NKJV)

²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27 (NKJV)

¹⁹ My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19 (NKJV)

²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20–24 (NKJV)

These verses all refer to our responsibility as image bearers to bear the divine image here and now. We do that by pursing a relationship with Jesus, more specifically an intimate relationship with Him where we hear His voice and heart. What unclutters our life to hear His voice and heart is what Paul wrote, the putting off or removal of our former conduct. It is an ongoing process. We put off some old behaviour, we are renewed in the spirit of our mind, we think differently about it, and then drawing on His grace we put on new conduct – we walk like Jesus in righteousness and holiness.

This means letting go of our pre-conversion way of thinking and acting, believing by faith that we can behave in a different way and receiving His grace through leaning into the moment by moment leading of the Spirit, actually living in a different way. If we maintain soft hearts, we can hear His voice of guidance and correction. Let’s pray that we individually and corporately do that.

In His Image Part 2

In my last post I referenced being made in His image as Yahweh’s image bearers and I referenced capacity. That is what I want to focus on here – capacity. We are told the following in scripture.

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37–40 (NKJV)

Here Jesus is quoting from a combination of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 and telling us what we are called to do with the capacity we have been given.

⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NKJV)

¹⁸ You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18 (NKJV)

Jesus’ instruction here is wholistic and not a new command for His hearers. They were familiar with the exhortation, as I am sure we are as well. We too have a responsibility and calling to love Yahweh with all of our being. Sadly, one of the neglected aspects in the broader evangelical church is the mind. We can be passionate about worship, that is enjoyable. We can express love with our body in activities like worship and service. We exercise our will in these activities. Yet we are also called to love Him with our mind.

Loving Yahweh with our mind is something that Paul stressed and said that as believers it is key in our spiritual growth and development.

¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1–2 (NKJV)

¹ I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

A note here for those of you who may be inclined to do some research, the Greek words for mind in Matthew 22 and Romans 12 are not the same word, (dianoia and nous respectively), as Matthew and Paul were different writers, dianoia and nous are however synonyms and both refer to our mind, understanding or disposition. Now back to what Paul is teaching us. We are to present our bodies, our physical faculties and attributes to God. I provided two translations for the following reason. While ‘reasonable service’ in the NKJV is the more literal rendering, many translators believe the intended meaning is what we have in the ESV, ‘spiritual worship.’ Putting the two ideas together, Paul is saying here that presenting our bodies simply makes sense as an act of worship. He then informs us that the use of our body will undergo a transformation when our mind is renewed.

Paul’s idea of the importance of our minds is not new. In the Old Testament we have Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes referred to as ‘wisdom literature.’ There are many exhortations to thinking throughout scripture and if we never had people who valued the use of their minds in the service of God, we would not have a bible or the scholarly work on the original languages and the resulting translations we have today.

We can thus conclude that not only are our mental capacities a gift from Yahweh, He wants us to use them in His service. This means understanding His word, understanding what the gospel message is and how to present it. It means being willing to think deeply about important spiritual and cultural matters. This is particularly relevant when our present culture tends to elevate feeling over thinking in engaging in many types of ‘unreasonable service’ in the things they worship. Which is not what we as the church should be either modeling or following.

To take the place God has designed for us in our culture we need to use our minds to glorify Him in our words and actions. He wants us to represent, or re-present, Him well and that includes accepting our responsibility as image bearers to use our intellectual capacity well in the furtherance of His kingdom and for His glory, whatever our vocation and calling in life.

A final note. My purpose here is encouragement not guilt. As I pointed out at the beginning, He wants each of us to use our minds based on the capacity He has given us. For me that means constantly reading and researching and seeking to understand theological and spiritual truth. For others it may mean meditating on a particular verse or passage of scripture for an extended period of time. We are not all called to teach, we are all called to learn.

In His Image Part 1

Scripture tells as that we are made in the image of God and have authority or dominion over material creation.

²⁶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26–27 (NKJV)

We have two words, image and likeness. Now whatever else this passage means; it does not mean that we physically look like God because He is spirit (John 4:24). It does mean that we are His image bearers.

¹ This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. ² He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. ³ And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. Genesis 5:1–3 (NKJV)

⁶ “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man. Genesis 9:6 (NKJV)

Through Moses, Yahweh affirms the importance of us being made in His image and likeness both at creation and after the fall in the garden.

Given that it isn’t about physical image and likeness we need to dig a bit into what it does mean, then look at how we apply this reality in our day to day lives. I confess, historically I looked at the idea of being Yahweh’s image bearer in terms of things like intelligence, rationality and similar attributes. These all obviously come from Yahweh, but what about the fertilized egg in the womb? If these ideas are true, they are only potentially possible at this point in life so the fertilized egg would not be made in His image. While I don’t believe that to be true, it does cause us to dig a little deeper into what image actually means. After all, if I am made in His image and as a result of some accident, I am brain dead in a coma am I now no longer made in His image?

We may understand our role as image bearers better if instead of looking at intelligence or our ability to communicate, we recognize ourselves as His representatives. Adam and Eve’s role in terms of dominion was as representatives of Yahweh on earth. Bearing Yahweh’s image is about responsibility not capacity. It is what we are as humanity. Thus, the emerging child in the womb and the dying elderly person carry this same responsibility, to be carried out according to their capacity. My grandson is nearing two. He is not responsible to drive his parents to work. He is however an image bearer of Yahweh and as his capacity to exercise that responsibility grows so too does his responsibility to exercise it wisely.

I think this is reflected in Matthew 6.

⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9–10 (NKJV)

To understand how this applies to being image bearers we need to understand the role of angels in the heavenly realm. We are His image bearers on earth, created to do His bidding and exercise His dominion here. As we see in scripture, angels have that function in the spirit realm.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Psalm 103:20 (NKJV)

When we understand that image bearing involves responsibility first and the exercise of it is tied to capacity we can understand ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ The angels don’t debate Yahweh’s will or go on strike, they heed His commands as they bear His image in the spirit realm. When we pray ‘on earth as it is in heaven’ we are to do the same, carry out His will. I think many of us expect to see the conditions on earth as they are in heaven, which will only happen when His kingdom is fully consummated here. In the interim, I think what we are really praying for is His people to walk in obedience and carry out His will, seeing His kingdom manifest ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’

Knowing this, let’s go do that.

PS There is a growing promotion and acceptance of theistic evolution in the church. This idea is at odds with scripture as it teaches that some type of humanoid eventually became human but scripture teaches that we were created in His image and animals were not. It also fails science and observation, but while I have researched these ideas, they are not my area of expertise.

How Worldviews Shift – Part 4

I close this series looking at what is generally the neglected aspect of evangelical faith, orthopraxy. The word ortho means right, straight, upright or correct. The orthodontist straightens teeth. As can be seen in the verses below, Jesus seeks to do the same; straightening, setting things in right order, making crooked places straight.

⁴ Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; Isaiah 40:4 (NKJV)

² ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. Isaiah 45:2 (NKJV)

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. ⁵ Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; ⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” Luke 3:4–6 (NKJV)

The ministry of John the Baptist was one aspect of making things straight. He prepared people for Jesus ministry by calling them to repentance, a change of mind and heart, that led to a change in behaviour, as John put it in the first phrase of Luke 3:8, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Jesus continued this. His charter for how to behave under the authority of the kingdom of God is found in Matthew 5-7, what we refer to as The Sermon on the Mount.

Theologically and practically, this enters our lives when we embrace both of the ‘orthos’ that we have in the church – orthodoxy (right doctrine) and orthpraxy (right practice or behaviour). In general, as the church, we are quite good at ensuring at least some level of alignment with orthodoxy, not so much orthopraxy. So here is a way we can each do our own brief self assessment.

I closed my last post with a worldview test we could take, a test about orthodoxy, believing the right things. That is important, but if our right beliefs don’t also produce right behaviour there is something deficient in our beliefs, or in how we view the need to integrate them into our lives. Thus, here is a simple test of orthopraxy, right behaviour followed by some brief worldview options to reflect on. I have removed the rating scale so you can simply use each statement as a reflective question.

I give regularly to support the ministry of the church.
I regularly read the Bible and desire to align my behavior with what it says.
I regularly pray for myself, my family and others.
I have a sense of what Jesus has called me to do in my daily life and seek to be faithful to His call.
I regularly speak to others about my faith and the importance of knowing Jesus.

If we engage in all of these things we are engaging in a measure of orthopraxy. Lastly, I offer a reflective piece on different worldview options.

I believe in what I can see, feel and touch. These things are what are truly real.
I believe there are influences beyond what we can see, feel and touch that have an effect on my behavior and that of others.
I believe that truth is truth no matter where I am in the world and that I am objective in what I believe.
I believe that my life experiences and culture give me my truth and you have your truth.
I believe that while my experience and perspective is subjective and different than yours that truth is objective and can be known.

As you consider these statements which do you see as scriptural? What leads you to believe that? Here are my answers.

The first statement reflects materialism.
The second statement reflects a scriptural worldview at best and a least a belief in an unseen or spiritual realm.
The third statement reflects a scriptural worldview.
The fourth statement reflects post modernism.
The fifth statement reflects a scriptural worldview.