The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

“SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES”  Feb 3

The first part of our reading today, Ch. 13 of Romans, needs to be understood in the context of the whole Bible.  Paul tells his readers, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities … those that exist have been instituted by God.  Whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed … for rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.”  [v.1-3]

This was written because some Christians thought they could ignore the laws of the land in some situations, that they were ‘above’ human laws.?  There have been such “Christians” throughout history, for example the practice of polygamy in the USA, following Old Testament practice and not the words of the followers of Christ. Jesus spoke of “one wife” [Matt. 19 v.5], as did Paul, see Eph. 5 v.31.33, 1 Tim. 5 v.9.

Some see Paul’s comments in Romans as a problem when there are bad rulers.  That is an understandable query and the answer is seen to some degree when we look for examples of this.  The end result of bad situations, if God’s will is involved, is good for the spreading of the Gospel.  Paul and Silas were thrown into jail in Philippi and sang hymns and God caused an earthquake and the jailer and his family were baptised. Think of other bad situations like the time Paul spent several years in detention, but notice that several of Paul’s letters were written from prison which demonstrates believers seek opportunities in every situation in their lives.

Religious authorities are regarded differently.  When Peter and John were told by the religious authorities “to speak no more to anyone”, they replied “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of the things we have seen and heard.” [Acts 4 v.18-20]  And ourselves – to speak and write of what we have read!  Let’s make sure we do.

Our Exodus reading today is most interesting in what the LORD tells Moses to say to Pharaoh in warning him of the plague of hail, “for this purpose I have raised you up to show you my power, so that my name (reputation) may be proclaimed in all the earth” [Ch.9 v.16]   So God brings bad people and nations into positions that influence the course of events so that his will is done. He raised up enemies for Israel for this purpose.  We must always aim at seeing situations from God’s perspective.  This is often not seen until we look back on events and see the chain reaction of situations they set in motion. This is seen in the outworking of the lives of such as Joseph and David..

God also uses bad people, by allowing them to succeed in certain ways (at first) because they trigger off events, some of which aid in fulfilling his purposes: consider the effects of Hitler’s career!  But most important of all – consider your own calling before God – has he used you?  Will there be ways he will do so in the future?

"AS A LIVING SACRIFICE"  Feb. 2

In Genesis we are reading of Moses’ encounters with Pharaoh and today we saw Moses’ demand “We must go three days journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he tells us” [Ch.8 v.27] Over the next few days we will read of the drama of the plagues: we pondered the example of Pharaoh’s tactic of first agreeing and then denying Moses’ requests, so Moses says, “let not Pharaoh cheat again …” [v.29]

Egypt had come to depend, we conclude, on the enslaved Israelites as a really significant factor in their economic well-being: this compares with today as a most important factor in decision making processes of Governments; but it rarely leads to the wisest decisions, especially in this godless world.  .

As we read through Exodus we learn about the whole system of worship which God gave to the people starting with the ten commandments.  With the “mountain smoking” and  thunder and lightning “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear (awe) of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” [8 v.18,20]

A system of sacrifice and offerings for sin is then instituted. This largely revolved around the sacrifice of animals, however in most cases these then became food for the priests and the people. Sadly, as the years passed their spiritual perception and service to their God and of his wondrous deliverance of them from slavery faded: sacrifice became more and more a ritual.

In the New Testament we have the ultimate sacrifice – that of God’s Son – our Lord.  The first converts on the day of Pentecost “were cut to the heart” [Acts 2 v.37] But did that “sacrifice” of heart last?  Our chapter today in Romans (12) sees Paul making an impassioned plea about this.  The chapter starts, “I appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God …”

All that those trying to be genuine believers - do, say and even think – needs to arise from an earnest desire to be such a sacrifice.  Notice how Paul puts it; to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God” [v.2].  We must not fall into the trap of creating rituals to keep and follow similar to the pattern that later developed in the wilderness; rather, as we read in Hebrews 9 v.14, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” and make us into “a living sacrifice” having an active purified conscience.  .

"I APPEARED ... AS GOD ALMIGHTY"  Feb. 1

Our reading in Exodus ch. 6 today presents us with a puzzle.  “God spoke to Moses and said to him, ‘I am the LORD.  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty (Heb: El Shaddai) but by my name the LORD (Heb: Yahweh) I did not make myself known to them.” [v.2,3]

Yet we can see that the Hebrew word Yahweh occurs in the early chapters of Genesis (from ch. 2 v.4) and that Adam used it in speech (4 v.1, see also v. 26).  The solution to this conundrum that occurs to us is – remember our thoughts yesterday – that, at the burning bush, God attached a special meaning to his name YAHWEH. He expanded it to mean - “I will be what I will be.”  - and we see that this phrase with its meaning could not have been expressed before that time – because the event which “created” that meaning was only then about to happen.

In Gen 17v.1 the text says that “the LORD (Yahweh) “appeared to Abram and said to him, I am God Almighty (El Shaddai) walk before me and be blameless …”   and indicated his almightiness toward Abraham, in saying “you shall be the father of a multitude of nations” (v.4) – not just Israel, and thus “God preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham.” [Gal. 3 v.8] completing that preaching after he was ready to sacrifice Isaac (Gen. 22 v17,18).

In Old Testament times God is not addressed as Father – apart from a passing comment referring to him as ‘our father’ in Isaiah 63 v.16 and 64 v.8. When he became a Father with the birth of Jesus; that was then the name by which believers are privileged to address him.  Do we appreciate that enough?   But the ‘name’ we use to address the Creator is secondary to the perception in our hearts and minds of what God must be – it should grow into a perception that overwhelms us!   It is most powerfully expressed by Paul in our Roman’s reading today.  “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord … For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen.” [11 v.33,34,36]

Let us all say ‘Amen’ to that – an ‘Amen’ we utter from our hearts, not just our minds, remembering what Paul told the men of Athens about “The God who made the world and everything in it” that “he is actually not far from each one of us, for  ‘In him we live and move and have our being ‘” [Acts 17 v.24,27,28]

Let us appreciate to the full the unlimited power of God that surrounds us – and that he wants us to address him as ‘Father’ – and the event that made that possible – and the reality of the faith we should develop as a result..

Humanism Authority Disputed in Bible Times - Bro M.Giordano 

Character Study of the Man Joseph - John Martin (2010)

Bro John, a prolific and passionate bible student leads us through the life of Joseph, a wonderful type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

An in-depth study of the life of Samuel.

"THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED"  Jan 31

Our readings today - in Exodus and Romans tie in together in their reference to the exaltation of Moses, now ready, in God’s sight, to serve him after 40 years of preparation “in the land of Midian.” Moses is now a meek and humble man (Numbers 12 v.3) – God can now use him.

Paul’s points in our Roman’s chapter (9) are illuminating: first, he states how God “says to Moses, ‘’I will have mercy on whom I have mercy… So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy.’” [v.15,16] In our Exodus reading yesterday we saw how God could not use Moses’ own “will and exertion” [2 v.11-15]. Paul then drives home the lesson that one cannot deserve, i.e. ‘earn’ God’s blessing by their own efforts. All God’s blessings are an expression of God’s mercy. This is parallel to talking about God’s grace; therefore it is really saddening today when so many talk and write glibly about ‘grace’ as though it is an ever-flowing factor that they can be certain about – regardless of how they behave,

Paul next makes the point that “Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth’”. [v.17] This is not the proclamation of God’s actual name as an intellectual understanding, but of God’s reputation that was about to be established by what he did. We will read of this in the next few days; the dramatic deliverance from Egypt of the descendants of Jacob.

In relation to this look carefully at our reading in Exodus 3 where God’s name is given as , “I will be what I will be” [v.14 – as shown in the ESV footnote] Primarily, this means God will ‘make’ his name, that is, his reputation, by what is about to happen – “This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” [v.15] Their deliverance from Egypt became a ‘memorial’ which all generations would look back to – as a foundation for their confidence in God. Thus, when we come to read Psalm 135 and its praises to the LORD we will see the full significance in v.8-13 of the LORD’s name and “renown.” It is fully expressed in Isaiah 63 v.11-14 how you God “led your people to make for yourself a glorious name.” Daniel makes the same point in his impassioned prayer (9 v.15)

In the same way we look back to the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior – and how God made for himself the name of ‘Father.’ We are privileged to call God ‘Father’ – but how many “hallow” that name when they say the Lord’s Prayer. Do we?

Just as vital is to ask; how many are striving to make a ‘name’ for themselves which Christ will “remember” when the time comes for him to “confess’ what those in his service have achieved according to the “talents” given to them? Think about what Jesus says in Rev. 3 v.5, “The one who conquers (him/herself!) … I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” Our ‘name” that Christ will “confess” will be achieved in many different ways; for example, to quote James 1 v.27, “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

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"WAITS WITH EAGER LONGING ..."  Jan 30

Paul’s letter to the Romans contains some of the most meaningful and thought provoking words in the Bible.  It is impossible to read it and take all the points into our minds until we have read it meditatively many times over, making our own notes.

More than any other book in the Bible, it calls for diligent and reflective study and the following up of the cross references and  leads to other Scriptures. The Bible cannot be treated like a school text book that you go through in a year’s study and then leave on the shelf for occasional reference.  God’s word is designed by him for our lifelong reading and provokes increasing spiritual perceptions and enjoyment.

Paul had been brought up under the Law of Moses with all its rules and regulations.  He had been zealous for the Law, but, as a result of his dramatic conversion he had, with God’s help through the Spirit, applied his mind to the new reality of eternal things – and learnt the wonder of an ongoing personal relationship with his Saviour.

The Law of Moses had been a law for the nation of Israel, but it was now superseded by a situation in which each individual could and should have a personal relationship with their Saviour and with the Father.

Paul makes the point; “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the creation waits with eager longing …” [8 v.18,19]  This sense of eagerness is keenly felt by those who see the emptiness in nearly all that most find enjoyable today.   Paul says we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons,  the redemption of our bodies” [v.23]  Note the word eagerly!

Those who find this life satisfying and enjoyable will not genuinely have eagerness for that which is going to replace it. But for many in the world, such as in the Sudan and Pakistan, to name but two countries, this life offers nothing that a truly spiritual person can enjoy – except their fellowship with each other.  Yet, in God’s eyes, those living in such situations are likely to be in a far more spiritually acceptable frame of mind.

Meditate prayerfully on these words near the end of Romans 8.  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?   Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him who loved us.” [v,35,37]  However, could not our lack of “eager longing” separate us?

"YOU ALSO MUST CONSIDER YOURSELVES DEAD ..."   Jan 29

There are some days when all the readings provoke thoughts that are very meaningful and personal. In Genesis we have the words of Joseph to his brothers after their father died. The brothers are fearful that Joseph, in his position of great power in the land, will now take vengeance on them for the time they threw him into a pit, ignoring his pleas (Psa. 105 v.17-20 which shows it was also a testing time for Joseph) and sold him to be a slave. But Joseph now fully sees the events from God’s perspective.

“Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? …you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about …” [Gen.50 v.19,20] The lesson for us! – to look ‘into’ all strange and unexpected events to see whether the hand of God is there in - allowing or causing – the setting in motion of a chain of events for some divine purpose. But we usually perceive this only later as the events unfold. Also, we can say this is the case with our endeavours to understand much of apparently fulfilling prophecy in these days.

In the Psalms we have that most meaningful Psalm (51) which reveals David’s total remorse and repentance after his sin with Bathsheba – a powerful example for all who become belatedly awake to what a mess they have made in some part of their lives – but the awakening must be from the heart and create a prayerful seeking of God’s guidance.

Then in Paul’s letter to the Romans we have his most powerful portrayal of the impact that the sacrifice of Christ must have on us, as it obviously had on him. This impact may not come to begin with, but it must surely come if we are to be people whom our Lord can really use in his service. Paul writes of how “the free gift of grace of that one man (in contrast to Adam) Jesus Christ abounded for many.”[5 v.15] Yet, because it is “free” – do we really appreciate it in the right way? There seems to be a lot of glib talk around (spoken and written) in some religious circles about ‘grace’ – that it is always abounding – regardless of what we might ever do.

In ch. 6 Paul makes a really special point, or so it seems to us, “We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Then he makes this powerful point to his readers, those in Rome and of all ages. After saying, “you also must consider yourselves dead to sin” he pleads, “ Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.” [v.11,12] Let us all see ourselves to be “dead” to sin. And if we cannot see that – then draw closer to Christ, our mediator. in earnest prayer. Also making sure we constantly meditatively read God’s word - to inspire us in seeing.

"BY THE LAW OF FAITH"  Jan. 28

Much of Paul’s reasoning as he writes to the Romans is quite profound: it needs careful thought for us to get our minds around some of the points he is making. In chapter 3 he is setting out the parallel principles (and how they converge) for the Jews who observe the law in the right spirit - and are “right” in the eyes of God and what he says of   “the law of faith” [v.27] that applies to all believers.

It seems strange to apply the word “Law” to the operation of faith.  Some modern versions (eg NIV) drop the word ‘law’ but it is in the Gk. Text.  We note v. 20-22 where Paul states, “by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ …”  For this reason our reading of all of God’s word is necessary.

The more we are conscious of the precepts of God’s laws the more we become aware of our failure to keep them in one way or another.  It therefore became clear that something more than keeping the letter of the Law was necessary.  Paul is appealing to Jewish ways of thinking – this leads him to use the phrase “the law of faith.”  He writes of the “divine forbearance” as God “passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifierof the one who has who has faith in Jesus.” [v.25,26]

Etched in Paul’s mind, must have been the words of Stephen as he stood alongside those stoning him, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” [Acts 7 v.60] Jesus made the same appeal as they led him to the cross – see Luke 23 v.34 Does this mean that God now overlooks all our sins if we have faith in Jesus? Paul asks the Romans. “are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” And the answer – “By no means!” [ch.6 v.1,2]

The failure of the Jews, zealous for the Law in the time of Jesus, was highlighted by their self-righteousness – and a spirit of boasting. Paul now warns any who may have this attitude – “… what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded.  By what kind of law?  By the law of works? No, but by the law of faith “ [v.27]

What does the word “law” mean to you?  We read “by works of the law” no one is “justified in his sight”  We sense that “justified’ means ‘seen to be righteous - in God’s eyes.

Faith is not a ‘Law’ in the ordinary sense.  In Ch. 4 Paul gives the example of Abraham and how “his faith is counted as righteousness” [v.3]. May we live by “the law of faith”, a faith which ‘inspires’ us and excludes boasting, and becomes a “law” governing all our thinking – and therefore our actions.