Spiritual warfare – Wisdom From the Word

Triumphing Over Them in It.

I trust you find the title interesting and hopefully you recognize Colossian 2 as the source. Here we will address two questions, the answers to them and ‘it.’ We need to recognize who is being triumphed over then understand both the short – and long-term implications. Along with looking at implications we will address the ‘it,’ which is the source of the efficacy of triumph.

¹³ And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:13–15 (NKJV)

We have here a progression. All of us, prior to the new birth, were dead in our sins (see also Ephesians 2:1-10). Through repentance and faith, we were forgiven and made new. We all, even the best of us, had a list of transgressions we had committed that meant we were eternally lost. Our situation is summed up in the lyrics from a 1979 song, “He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay.”

Jesus went to the cross on our behalf and the weight of our sins fell on Him. He took the list of our transgressions, past, present and future, and paid the price for them. This is a metaphorical, not a literal list. In His sacrifice on the cross Paul said that of the spiritual forces arrayed against us, the principalities and powers, Jesus triumphed over them in ‘it,’ the cross. The cross is the source of our victory. Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians as well.

⁶ However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 (NKJV)

The human ‘rulers of this age’ would have been Caiaphas and Pilate but the powers behind them, the principalities and powers, were the true rulers of the age driving the human rulers to engineer Jesus’ crucifixion.

Where we see the implications played out is in understanding the already not yet nature of the kingdom, an idea popularized by theologian George Eldon Ladd. The idea is compared to D-Day and V-Day in WWII. D-Day was June 6, 1944, the allied invasion of Normandy that was the turning point in the war. V-Day was May 8, 1945. For all intents and purposes, the war was won in June 1944. The victory was finalized in May 1945. The already point is that Jesus accomplished the victory 2,000 years ago on Golgotha. The principalities and powers arrayed against us have been defeated. However, the full realization of His victory, V-Day, will not be realized until His return. For us this means we need to understand and walk in what He has accomplished, His triumph on the cross. We demonstrate that we believe in what Jesus accomplished when we engage in the spiritual warfare Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10-20. When we take up the armour He has given us and stand in faith in the middle of the battel we are in the moment enforcing Jesus’ victory, what was accomplished at the cross. As we continue to stand, we will see it fully realized in our lives at His return or when we step from time into eternity. In any case, our call is to stand in the battle until it is finished and what has been accomplished is fully realized. Let’s stand in faith, confident in Jesus’ triumph over them in it.

The Place of Authority

Here we will briefly examine the role of gates in relation to authority in Israel’s history and the actions in Matthew 16 leading up to the Transfiguration and the significance of Jesus statement in Matthew 16. Jesus said that He only did the things He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). In Matthew 16 the Father said it was time, so Jesus asked His famous question of the apostles, “But who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:15) The timing was connected to geography, they were in northern Israel near Mount Hermon in the region of Caesarea Phillipi, known as Bashan in earlier times. In Moses’ day it was ruled by one of the giants, Og, king of Bashan, Moses defeated Og and his tribe and it became the territory of Manasseh (Numbers 21:33 – 35, Deuteronomy 3:1 – 7, 11, Joshua 13:11 – 12). Mount Hermon was the place where it was historically taught in Israel that the fallen elohim descended from the heavenly realm, took on human flesh, took human wives and produced the giants as offspring (see Genesis 6:1-4). Genesis 6:4 refers to giants being in the land in that time period and afterward. These fallen beings and their offspring so corrupted humanity that is lead to the flood of Noah’s day.

With that background we look at what Jesus said to Peter.

¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

As a step in going deeper we take a look at three keywords in this statement, gates, prevail, and church. In Greek the word gates is simply a reference to a gate. The word prevail is a bit more interesting in Greek.

κατισχύω katischuō; from 2596 and 2480; to overpower:—have strength(1), overpower(1), prevail(1).^[1]

Thus, we could say the gates of Hades shall not overpower or have strength against the church, which we will define shortly. Yet gates are not active things, they are points of access, which means we need to dig a little deeper into what the term gates historically refers to by looking at OT examples, the cultural framework for the statements Jesus made. There are two below (see also Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

¹ Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. ² And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. Ruth 4:1–2 (NKJV)

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. Proverbs 31:23 (NKJV)

The city gates were the courthouse of the day where legal transactions took place and matters were adjudicated. In essence the city gates were the authority structures. Once we see this, we can read Matthew 16 a little differently. Jesus went into enemy territory, the centre of ancient rebellion even before Israel existed as a nation, stood at the temple in the area known as The Gate of Hades/Hell and made a pronouncement that His followers would have heard as, “The authority structures of Hades shall not prevail against the church.”

This allows us to make sense of the passage and then act accordingly. First though we look at the word church. This word is critical as it has become popular in charismatic circles to refer to the church by the Greek term ekklesia. Which is fine if it is understood. The problem comes in with how it is often referenced as reflected in The Passion version of the bible. I have deliberately not used the word ‘translation’ as it isn’t. It is frequently an offering of one person’s opinion. Here is the best example, Matthew 16:18 in this version.

I give you the name Peter, a stone. And this rock will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church – my legislative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to overpower it!

Notice that this version refers to the church as a ‘legislative assembly’ and that is how many in the charismatic community view the church, as a legislative assembly uttering and enforcing decrees on the Lord’s behalf. The problem is that the idea of a legislative assembly is one aspect of the word. As we see below.

The understanding of ekklēsia as a secular term of classical Greek is in part linked to its etymology. It is from ek (1523), “from, out from,” and kaleō (2535), “call”; thus the verb ekkaleō meant “to call out, to summon” (by a herald). The noun, therefore, means the resulting “assembly,” “congregation,” or “those summoned.” Normally this summoning was of people, and it was often for political or governmental functions such as a legislative “assembly” or any “assembly of the common people, populus” (Liddell-Scott; Schmidt, “ekklēsia,” Kittel, 3:513; Coenen, “Church,” Colin Brown, 1:291–307).^[2]

When we look at the gospels John the Baptist, and Jesus in His earthly ministry, were heralding or calling out people to assemble with a purpose and calling. The subsequent believers who shared the gospel were doing the same thing. That purpose and calling, the reason for the assembly, is most clearly seen in Matthew 28:18-20, The Great Commission. Whenever and wherever the gospel is preached the church is being called to live the gospel and disciple others to do the same.

Now back to what Jesus meant in Matthew 16. Jesus in essence was saying that the church, the people He would gather, would have spiritual authority over the authority structures of the spiritual opposition against them. Paul understood this, which is why he wrote the following.

While it was religious and political authority structures that carried out Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus had led them into a trap and set them up for failure, which is Paul’s point. The principalities and powers Paul addresses in Ephesians in his teaching on spiritual warfare were the rulers of this age he referenced in 1 Corinthians 2. Their defeat by Jesus is what enables us to use the spiritual authority He has given us (Matthew 28:18-20) to preach the gospel and set the captives free. The authority structures of hell will never defeat the church. We carry His authority and are commissioned as He was to destroy the works of the devil (Acts 10:36-38).

The issue of authority is important because our use of it is tied to whether or not we believe we have it. I have read more than one account of people involved in witchcraft or the occult who later became Christians and stated that prior to their conversion they could see the authority that Christians carried but didn’t seem to be aware of. The awareness of authority is crucial for our operating in it. I recall a time many decades ago when I was pondering whether or not I had any spiritual authority. Later that evening an older lady (likely younger than I am now!) who had a prophetic/intercessory gifting called me at home and in the course of our conversation suddenly said, without any mention of the issue on my part, “Randy, you have the authority!”

Thus, I say to you, as a believer, “You have the authority!’ So, let’s walk in the authority He has given knowing that our ultimate victory is assured. Let’s pray and proclaim the truth of the gospel. We may lose some skirmishes in the battle but if we do we need to adjust our armour and get back in the fight and be found faithful knowing the final outcome is assured for us, the called-out ones, His church.

^[1] Robert L. Thomas, New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries : Updated Edition (Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).

^[2] Thoralf Gilbrant, “Ἐκκλησία,” in The New Testament Greek-English Dictionary, The Complete Biblical Library (WORDsearch, 1991).

Without Ceasing

I assume that at some point in time you have read or heard Paul’s admonition to ‘pray without ceasing’ and may have even attempted it. Let’s take a look at the context to get at what Paul was telling his readers, and by extension us.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 (NKJV)

What is clear is that Paul cannot be referring to praying 24/7 because he also says, ‘Rejoice always’ and, ‘in everything give thanks.’ Three inclusive commands, leading to the obvious question, “Paul, what is it? Are we to be praying all the time, rejoicing all the time or giving thanks all the time?”

Always, without ceasing and everything are three different words in Greek but they all cover a broad inclusive category. Given that we can do none of them 24/7, let alone all three, let’s seek to understand Paul’s point. Paul’s sharing of the gospel at Thessalonica is recorded in Acts 17:1-9. He began preaching in the synagogue, a number of Jews were converted then a multitude of Gentiles. Meaning the congregation was made up of a mixed multitude but predominantly Gentile in ethnicity.

The Jewish converts had a background in terms of how to pray, the Gentiles may or may not have had one depending on their cultural roots. They would have all had an idea of a spiritual realm inhabited by God, gods or other spiritual beings. We don’t know specifically what Paul taught them regarding prayer but we can be confident that he taught them something given his command above.

So, how would they have applied Paul’s instructions? Paul began his letter encouraging them, referenced their faithfulness along with suffering and rejection for their newfound faith. He then encouraged them that Christ would return for them at some point in time and told them to comfort and encourage one another. This is the background for his closing thoughts.

In essence Paul addresses two things. The first is an attitude, one characterized by rejoicing, prayer and thankfulness, no matter their circumstances. The second is an exhortation to embrace, discern and test the things of the Spirit, not cynically but with the aforementioned approach, rejoicing, prayer and thankfulness. As far as possible he wanted their first response to be these three things, always.

For us that means we are called to embrace rejoicing, prayer and thankfulness in all seasons. That doesn’t mean we receive a cancer diagnosis and respond with ‘Praise the Lord.’ It does mean that we view our circumstances in light of both time and eternity. For example, I am just about at ten weeks post op for my second knee replacement. With my first knee I finally slept through the night after seven weeks. Yet as I write this, I have now not had a proper night’s sleep for the past 68 days due to the pain at night. I am not thankful or rejoicing that I cannot sleep properly. I am thankful that I had my knee replaced, confident that I will come through this and praying and seeking His face in relation to my need for better sleep. I know this is a difficult season in time that will have an end and that in the light of eternity is a miniscule moment. That is my present application of Paul’s admonitions. How are you applying them in your life?

Deepening Discernment Part 2

In my last post I focused on the process of discernment, which I anchored in Hebrews 5:13-14. I also noted that, “…the two obvious levels of discernment are knowing and paying attention to the scriptures and knowing and paying attention to His voice.” Here we will delve deeper into that process.

To actually develop and deepen our discernment we begin with shifting our focus beyond outward appearances. It is easy to see behaviour; it is hard to discern hearts. This is the first area to grow in. We must head Paul’s admonition to stop judging by outward appearances.

¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 2 Corinthians 5:16 (NKJV)

I am certainly not saying we should not address clearly sinful behaviour. I am saying in general we need to look beyond behaviour to try to see hearts.

Here is an example. I read of an experience a man had on the subway. He saw a man get on with two young children. The children seemed ‘out of control’ and were bothering other passengers. He judged the man a poor parent and decided to point out his negligent parenting. When he got the man’s attention he said, “Sir, I don’t know if you have noticed but your children are bothering the other passengers?” The man seemed to come around to greater awareness and responded, “I’m sorry, we just came from the hospital where their mother died.” What do you think happened to the man’s assessment of this father as a neglectful parent? Did judgment turn to compassion?

To discern rightly we need to seek to suspend judgment and try to understand hearts. We also need to consider whether there are things we need to lay down that colour our discernment. Do we have a history with someone that we need to lay down? Do we disagree with their doctrine? Is their doctrine our measure of their hearts? Most importantly, are we actively listening to the Holy Spirit and seeking His viewpoint as we seek to discern truth and life?

When it comes to discernment our call is to embrace the truth at a heart rather than head level. We pursue not a unity of belief in every single point of doctrine but unity around intimacy with Jesus (this will sort out a lot of our doctrine over time). Paul provides a goal for us.

¹³till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Ephesians 4:13 (NKJV)

When we lay down our judgments and pursue His heart He will correct us, after all, the Holy Spirit is a faithful teacher!

²⁴ These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine. Isaiah 29:24 (NKJV)

I think our greatest aid to discerning accurately is walking closely to Jesus. Consider the following passage.

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9–11 (NKJV)

Here Paul is saying that when our love for Jesus abounds, we are able to discern and approve the things that are excellent. An encounter with Jesus’ heart is something deeper than information about Him. It is a pulling back of the veil over our hearts so that we can experience more of His heart and see clearly. Loving Jesus produces love for one another and aligns our heart with His heart.

What happens if we have this prayer answered? As we receive a revelation of His heart, we know how He feels about us, which brings release and freedom, and as our ear gets near to His heart, we can also hear how His heart beats for others! The caution of course is simply assuming our judgments are accurate discernment. Thus, we need a way to test what we believe we are discerning.

To practice discerning, I offer something I learned many years ago and have taught a number of times. The distinction between intuition and insight, recognizing that intuition is a spiritual function while insight is a function of the mind.

¹¹For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 (NKJV)

In the verses above, in the original Greek, the word ‘know’ refers to perceiving or being aware of something. The same Greek word is used in passages that refer to Jesus intuitively perceiving, becoming aware of, or knowing something.

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25 (NKJV)

When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?” John 6:61 (NKJV)

Now, unlike Jesus, who was always accurate, when we perceive or become internally aware of something we need to test it. In essence we become aware of or discern something in our spirit but need to test it with our mind. The process is that we discern something via intuition, a ‘gut feeling’ in our spirit that initiates a process. We then engage our mind to test it and the ‘aha’ experience, insight, completes the process. In essence, to test our discernment there needs to be a marriage between our spirit and our mind.

How does this work in practice? In ministering to people, I have frequently shared with people things about their lives that I had no natural intellectual way of knowing. For example, I remember sharing with someone that the Lord wanted to dance with them. I only knew the person’s name and nothing else about them as they had showed up to our small group for the first time that evening. There were 15-20 of sitting on chairs in a circle worshipping when I shared what I ‘perceived’ or ‘became aware’ of. The woman was deeply emotionally impacted by what I said and it was confirmation of the accuracy of what I shared. The way I ‘heard’ this from the Spirit was simply a growing internal sense that I needed to tell this lady that the Lord wanted to dance with her so I stopped the worship and in front of everyone said something like, “I think the Lord wants you to know that He wants to dance with you.” She responded with tears, good tears and verbally share the significance of the impact of what I had said. I don’t recommend doing this in front of a group unless you are accustomed to hearing Him speak this way, which I was, and thus was confident it was Him.

On another occasion, when leaving a job, I shared with the manager two things I sensed in prayer that morning. At the time I wasn’t praying for him, I was in prayer and these thoughts arose in my spirit. He was not a believer but was interested and asked me about them later in the day so he could write them down. The things I shared with him both took place within a few months.

A very important factor is that when I share this way, and I encourage others to do the same, I always share it as my sense of something I believe I am hearing from the Lord as I offer it to them. I often preface what I am sharing with, ‘This may sound odd.’ I share in this way because we need to test what we discern and present it as something for others to weigh (1 Corinthians 14:29). I only remember one occasion of being insistent on something I was sensing from the Spirit and when I pressed the issue the person became angry with me. A week later the same individual came back, apologized, and affirmed that I had been correct.

So, discerning requires paying attention to what we are hearing in our spirits and then testing that discernment with our minds in line with scripture. This idea of understanding intuition and insight lays a basic foundation for knowing how to test what we believe we are discerning. Malachi said it well.

Therefore take heed to your spirit. (Malachi 2:16)

Understanding the Times

There are important times and seasons. In Greek there are two words used in scripture for time, chronos (Chronos was the Greek god of time) and kairos. Chronos is the source of our word chronology, sequential ordered events, chronological time. Kairos is more qualitative and refers to the right time or moment. We have a great example of kairos in the 1 Chronicles.

³² of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 1 Chronicles 12:32 (NKJV)

This verse is part of a larger narrative referring to the nation of Israel gathering to make David king over all Israel. It was the right time in the life of the nation. In a similar way we have key times and seasons in the life of our culture and nation. If we are to know what to do, we need to understand the times.

Yet beyond understanding we also need to act. The sons of Issachar turned their knowledge into wisdom through action. Over the years I have many times illustrated the difference between knowledge and wisdom using the idea of standing in the middle of the road with a large truck heading directly at you. Knowledge is knowing you should get out of the way, wisdom is moving! Wisdom is strategically applied knowledge.

Which brings us back to our time and culture. In Canada, as a nation, we are not in a good place. We have soaring federal debt that is presently so bad that all of the federal GST (Goods and Services Tax) that is collected goes toward paying the interest on our debt, none to principal, and sadly we have a Prime Minister who just tabled and passed a new budget that is going to significantly increase our debt. Our culture has shifted in recent decades from being supportive of Judeo-Christian values to either ignoring them or being openly hostile toward them.

So, in this season in our culture is there an option available to shift our nation to sound values and sound stable fiscal policy? One answer is found in Proverbs.

¹¹ By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 11:11 (NKJV)

Jeremiah had the same perspective, but in a more pointed manner.

⁷ And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. ⁸ For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. ⁹ For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord. ¹⁰ For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:7–11 (NKJV)

The context was Yahweh’s people going into captivity. Through Jeremiah, He told them to “seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive.” The reason being that no matter what the false prophets said, and even though Yahweh promised to return them to Jerusalem, most of them would never see that promise realized because Yahweh was clear that they were going to be in a seventy-year captivity.

If we apply this to us, no matter how godly or ungodly our leadership at the federal, provincial and municipal levels our calling is to bless our nation, province/territory and city to see it raised up to righteousness. This means praying for leaders, speaking truth and life into our culture and being a force for righteousness wherever we are. When more of us do this we will see a shift toward righteousness in our nation.

NOTE – In line with the theme of Understanding the Times, in a few weeks I would have completed 11 years of weekly blog posts, week after week without exception, I began the first week of January 2014. However, I believe the Lord wants me to take a break to focus on the book I am writing. I will decide next steps in a few weeks. I am also having a second knee replacement in mid December. In the meantime, since I began writing my blog it has grown to over 800 pages of theologically sound searchable teaching material. Thanks for reading and please pray as I write and discern the next steps. Given His call on my life, I will continue to teach until my last breath as it is inherent in who and what I am!

Engagement and Education Part 2

Some decades ago, at the beginning of the 1990’s, I took a certificate program in adult and continuing education at our local university. Given that Jesus has called and anointed me to teach this was a good use of my time. Something that stands out for me during this time was a debate I had with some of my classmates. We were all working in our respective fields and had education as part of our role to varying degrees. At the time two things that were popular were a focus on facilitation and felt needs. We were encouraged to respond to the felt needs of adults and be facilitators not teachers.

I engendered some debate and was pretty much a lone voice with the concern I raised. I shared that from my perspective there wasn’t anything wrong with the idea of teaching and I saw facilitation as something a good teacher did. I also asserted that a responsibility of good teachers was not only to respond to felt needs but to discern what people actually needed and teach them that as well. In light of that let’s review our calling and responsibility as believers in light of what Jesus instructed.

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV)

Of interest here is that Jesus didn’t instruct us to respond to felt needs, He instructed us to teach and observe all the things that He had commanded. While Jesus did respond to felt needs; He healed the sick and fed the hungry, His broader messianic mission is presented in Luke.

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; ¹⁹ To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18–19 (NKJV)

Jesus response to felt needs was always in the context of His broader mission, calling people to repentance and submission to the kingdom of God, which is what The Great Commission in Matthew 28 reinforces. After all Jesus began His mission this way.

¹⁴ Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14–15 (NKJV)

This shows us that while Jesus responded to felt needs, it was an aspect of His ministry and should be an aspect of ours, it now dominates and twists our culture. If we look at our current culture wars and outrage, felt needs dominate. We see it in the socialist agenda, the gender debates, the political groups and on it goes. We have come to the place where we deny reality out of a desire to enshrine felt needs rather than support truth and reality. We are living in a season that Paul warned us about.

³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 2 Timothy 4:3 (NKJV)

We are there and it is not a good place to be, thus I leave us with a reflective question. Where in our culture is the church taking ground? If your answer is that it isn’t, here is the next question. Do we capitulate to our culture or change strategies?

We will look at strategy next time.

In the Presence of our Enemies

Here we continue to engage in looking at our walk with Jesus because it is the most important thing we can do. As part of that process, we will look at portions of the most famous Psalm in the world. I am not going to go over all of it, though I do highly recommend Phillip Keller’s book; A Shepherd Looks at the 23 Psalm it is older but very sound. In addition to looking at Psalm 23 there are some New Testament passages I want to consider. Now to the 23 Psalm.

A Psalm of David. ¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ³ He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23 (NKJV)

There are two key things to consider, the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ and a table prepared for us, ‘in the presence of my enemies.’ These phrases both imply that our spiritual walk will involve challenges. Now, I confess, I want a regular unencumbered comfortable life. Some may think of it as boring but I like my routines and structure, my prayer and study area at home and workout area in our basement. I don’t particularly like to travel, unless it involves things like mountains, hiking or Pickleball (don’t ask why I am writing this from Portugal!). Though I have mediated conflicts for three decades I don’t like conflict, I do however recognize the value of engaging in it for a greater purpose. Which is one reason I am an administrator in a Christian and Atheist debate group on Facebook. I think defending our faith is important.

I say all that because we need to recognize that Jesus never called us to the life I desire – the comfortable life. He called us to advance His kingdom, which means we need to live in a fallen world demonstrating a character often at odds with the values of this fallen world. Jesus said the path is narrow and that in this world we will face trials and troubles but that He has given us His peace to endure them

³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV)

Given all of this one way to assess how we are doing is contained in something Paul wrote.

¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

While there is a broader context a key point Paul was making was that if we are walking as we should be then our life should be manifesting righteousness, peace and joy. If these things are not evident then we have either wandered off the path of life or given in to a spiritual attack and been sidelined in our walk. If this sounds a bit harsh, let me point out that I am merely highlighting scripture. This is our calling. If I am walking in intimacy with Jesus then how can I not think righteous thoughts, demonstrate righteous behavior and manifest peace and joy?

I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on this and next time we will look at how we engage in spiritual warfare to walk in righteousness, peace and joy.

Through Kingdom Eyes

In my doctoral work I defined worldview as, “The lens through which we view and interpret reality.” I still hold it as a practical and useful definition, so with that in mind here is a question for us to ponder; do we see and interpret reality through the lens of the church or the kingdom? Do you know they are not the same thing? Is this something you have considered?

Jesus expressed the significance of the new birth in relation to the kingdom in the following way.

³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NKJV)

⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5 (NKJV)

For Jesus the new birth was about entrance to and participation in the kingdom. Paul wrote.

¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

This means that at our conversion we were birthed into Jesus’ kingdom. We stopped living in darkness and came into light. Once that happened His expectation is that we continue to live in and out of His kingdom (think Romans 12:1-2 or Ephesians 4:17-25 for example). This is where how we view reality becomes important. The church is in the kingdom and an expression of the kingdom. The church is not the kingdom. The kingdom is something much more significant.

I have written in the past about the perspective George Eldon Ladd popularized, the ‘already not yet’ nature of the kingdom. Jesus has already secured victory through the cross and His resurrection, yet it will not be fully realized until His return.

In the gospels Jesus taught much more about the kingdom than the church. He shared parables about the kingdom because it is the expression of His rule and reign in the earth. As the church expands the mustard seed that was the initial expression of the kingdom grows in the earth. Yet, one of the most significant aspects of the kingdom being represented in the earth is the making of disciples not the production of converts.

In this regard Jesus made some crucial statements.

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV)

Jesus expects us to preach the kingdom and from His perspective the kingdom is evident when we see new converts taught to observe all that He commanded. Jesus wasn’t expressing some dominionist mandate where the church takes over the earth, that happens when He returns as the triumphant king. However, we are to reflect His kingdom values in how we live and our lives are to be a blessing to those around us.

After all, we are either a kingdom influence in our culture, or we are coming under the influence of our culture. Given that the church is called to disciple both individuals and nations let’s be the former.

Born Under the Law

I suspect that at some point you have likely read the passage below.

⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4–5 (NKJV)

What I don’t know is whether you have considered the theological implications or weighed whether the ‘born under the law’ phrase was significant. It is. We will explore the significance but first we will take a bit of a journey through scripture by examining the background, which is rooted in a cosmic conflict.

We see the roots of this cosmic conflict in three key passages Genesis 3:1-24, 6:1-4, 11:1-9 and Deuteronomy 32:8-9. The cosmic conflict outlined here carries on throughout church history, is addressed by Paul in Ephesians and Colossians, and enables us to make sense of Yahweh calling Abraham out of Ur to initiate a redemptive restorative process that will ultimately lead to a new heaven and a new earth. The Genesis passages outline three failures, the sin in Eden that led to expulsion, the fallen sons of God taking on flesh and mingling with human wives in Genesis to corrupt humanity and the rebellion at Babel with humanity seeking to build a ziggurat to heaven to connect the natural and spiritual realms. Deuteronomy 32 shows that Yahweh disinherited the other nations and chose Israel for Himself as a vessel for the restoration of the earth.

This is clearer in two linked passages of scripture. Yahweh had disinherited the nations and chose Abraham to renew His process of restoring the earth and the original mandate given to Adam and Eve to make all of the earth like Eden, Look at the verses below.

¹⁸ “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:18 (NKJV)

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV)

First Yahweh promised Abraham that through him all of the nations of the earth would be blessed. Then Jesus addressed the how, the gospel, the good news of the kingdom, would be preached to all nations, all ethnos (ethnicities) or people groups. All will have the opportunity to be part of Yahweh’s program to restore the earth.

This came about because Yahweh invited Abraham into a relationship and Abraham said yes. We then had Isaac as the child of promise who became the father of Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons who became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. After the nation went into slavery in Egypt a deliverer was raised up by Yahweh, Moses. At Yahweh’s direction Moses led the nation of Israel out of Egypt and into the wilderness. You likely know about the Mosaic Law given by Yahweh through Moses in the wilderness. What you may not know is that the terms in the 10 Commandments were a marriage covenant between Yahweh and Israel. A number of times in the Old Testament Israel is referred to as married to Yahweh.

We now go back to Yahweh’s promise to Abraham; to bless all nations through his seed, the seed was Jesus. Paul makes this clear in Galatians.

¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. Galatians 3:16 (NKJV)

This gets us to the reason Jesus was ‘born under the law.’ He was the chosen seed through the chosen line of Abraham that would first bless Abraham’s seed then all nations through His crucifixion and resurrection. He needed to fulfill the law to fulfill His mission and purchase your salvation and mine. I don’t know about you but I am deeply grateful that Jesus was ‘born under the law’ and secured my salvation!

The Cloud Rider

Here we will look at the cloud rider in the Old Testament, look at the polemic Baal connection and the identity of the cloud rider in the New Testament. We start with three descriptive passages. Over thirty years ago the Lord gave me a simple song based on the first passage. It is brief and I will share it later.

¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, ² Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. ³ He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Psalm 104:1–3 (NKJV)

⁴ Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him. Psalm 68:4 (NKJV)

¹ The burden against Egypt. Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst. Isaiah 19:1 (NKJV)

There are other references but these suffice to establish the point. As to why Yahweh is referred to as riding on the clouds, it is a polemic against Baal, who was viewed in the surrounding cultures as the cloud rider and god of storms. The Spirit inspired text is saying that Yahweh is the true cloud rider. Think of the significance in Elijah’s pronouncement of drought and battle with the prophets of Baal. Yahweh pronounced the drought and Yahweh brought the rain, not Baal. The storm god Baal was impotent in the face of Yahweh’s power.

Now we turn to the cloud rider in the New Testament. We have a couple of passages to consider. The first is the one that led to Jesus’ condemnation and crucifixion. At His trial Jesus refuses to speak until the high priest compels Him under an oath.

⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63–64 (NKJV)

Do you see it now? The high priest responded to Jesus statement by tearing his robes and accusing Jesus of blasphemy because Jesus was claiming to be the cloud rider, Yahweh. Not just that, look at Daniel. In this scene the heavenly court and council has been seated then this happens.

¹³ “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. ¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13–14 (NKJV)

The phrase ‘coming with the clouds of heaven’ refers back to the Son of Man in Daniel who is given an everlasting dominion. Jesus was saying He was this cloud rider. In fact, you can now make sense of Acts 1:9-11. Jesus ascends into heaven on a cloud and an angel says He will return the same way. The audience was all Jewish and knew the significance – Jesus was Yahweh, the cloud rider! It isn’t the image of a fluffy white cloud; it is the picture of one in authority presiding over the elements.

My point in all of this is to help see some aspects of the Old Testament with fresh eyes. I didn’t understand about the cloud rider and Daniel 7 when He gave me this simple song from Psalm 104:3 over thirty years ago. I now understand the words better because we are called to walk with Him and soar in the Spirit with Him, or as Paul put it, that I may “be found in Him (Philippians 3:9) wherever He is. It is a simple song about following Him into freedom in worship and being led by the Spirit.

Wings of The Wind

I ride upon the wings of the wind

Exulting in the light of Your presence

My heart has been captured by You now

Exulting in the light of Your presence

I’m moved by Your moving within

Exulting in the light of Your presence