Another Day

There are many things that the world offers to its inhabitants, none more powerful than distractions for the things eternal. It is sad that we are so easily taken up by what this world offers without even blinking or hesitating. The world is temporary, although it will last a few more generations (perhaps?), it cannot be compared with the eternity that the soul faces upon release from this physical body that we are wearing.

Distractions are everywhere; it has been the basis for the development of sales & marketing within the business industry. Capturing and holding a person’s attention is worth very, very much in our increasingly aggressive economy. It is also worth very much to the evil one who seeks to drag people down with him to the destiny that awaits him.

Studying God’s Word in 1st Peter chapter 1 has opened up my eyes on the consistent need to avoid distractions of this world, and to concentrate on the kingdom to come. It is humbling to do so, for it forces believers to put aside the things that we ‘feel’ are more important (the things of this world). It strips us from our comfort and security and instead casts us into the arms of our eternal Father who alone, rules all things and calls all to account in that last Day of Judgment. That is a reality that is to come, and if we begin to doubt the gravity of God’s concern on us, we will be walking down the wrong pathway and will be unprepared when eternal issues crop up.

This is not an article written to teach, but a reminder for myself to be ‘ready’. Always be vigilant. Be sober. For truly, the enemy is roaring like a lion ready to pounce on its prey when they least expect it. The end result is to be devoured by that lion. What must we do them? Not only to get rid of distractions (for ultimately, that is an impossibility in this fallen world) but to fix our eyes on our Redeemer, who is Christ. To fill our minds with things above, so that the things of this world will be put into its proper context (of God’s universe). Does not negate our worldly responsibilities? Of course not, it is never a basis for us to ignore our responsibilities, but to ensure that all things are done unto and for God’s glory.

Those who fix their eyes to heaven will ensure that their dealings on earth will firmly reflect the image of God, whom they owe everything to.

(Disclaimer: This is not an article written for the public, but is my notes used for preaching. It has been posted here for a particular personal reason. Thank you)

Mark 7:24-30

Purpose in Dealing with the Human Heart

Previously, we have considered the principle lesson on defilement and impurity of the heart because of sin. In the midst of all the healings and all the glamour which people were heaping upon Jesus Christ, this was the main interlude which the gospel writer wants us to take note of; Jesus Christ came to deal with the sinful heart of man (v.1-23). It is for that reason that He went to the region of Tyre and Sidon (these are Gentile cities – most likely He went to one of the cities at the border of the region) and wanted no one to know of it. Too many people are looking for the salvation of their own physical desires and pleasures rather than the spiritual condition that they are locked in (chained to). The Jewish people would not have looked for Him in the Gentile regions as to be in the cities were to be ‘defiled’ by them (according to their own thinking). This would be sufficient of a respite for Jesus and His disciples to be away from the accusative eyes of the Pharisees and Scribes.

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Behind the Scenes: Sometimes a particular verse may give me problems (the fault lies in my limited skills and poor English, I’m sure), like this weeks’ 1 Peter 1:7, focusing on “may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” based on the NKJV. My problem is in the reading and meaning of “may be found to praise”, with the emphasis being on the word “to”. A cursory read would seem that the matter (genuineness of faith) may be found in the condition of praise, honour and glory (as in praising, honouring and glorifying) God at the revelation of Jesus Christ. However, this is based on my understanding of the word “to”, which is a ‘changer’, as in ‘to make into’. Anyway, the KJV and older versions use the word “unto”, which means the same in modern English (at least it is to me).

ML concurred with me on this; the faith of the person may be found to be praising, honouring and glorifying God at the Last Day – Christians ought to persevere to the end. Except that the old commentators were giving other interpretations. Here is where I would have to break down the sentence into the Greek and find the proper structure of the sentence and how the words relate to each one. A useful program I have does this for me:

δὲ (conjunction, logical, contrastive)
but, and, now, (a connective or adversative particle)
Contained in: Relative Clause
Syntactic Force: Adversative conjunction
Words Modified by δὲ
• conjunctive relation: The word δὲ modifies ἀπολλυμένου (verb) in 1Pe 1:7, word 10 (ἀπολλυμένου is outside of the current clausal unit).
• conjunctive relation: The word δὲ modifies δοκιμαζομένου (verb) in 1Pe 1:7, word 14 (δοκιμαζομένου is outside of the current clausal unit).

δοκιμαζομένου (verb, present, passive, participle, singular, genitive, neuter)
to test, by impl. to approve
Contained in: Segment Clause
Syntactic Force: This attributive participle functions as the verb of its clause.
Words That Modify δοκιμαζομένου
• conjunctive relation: The word δοκιμαζομένου is modified by δὲ (conjunction) in 1Pe 1:7, word 13 (δὲ is outside of the current clausal unit).

εὑρεθῇ (verb, aorist, passive, subjunctive, third person, singular)
to find
Contained in: Subordinate Clause
Syntactic Force: Finite verb
Words That Modify εὑρεθῇ
• prepositional relation: The word εὑρεθῇ is modified by εἰς (preposition) in 1Pe 1:7, word 16 (εἰς is outside of the current clausal unit).
• prepositional relation: The word εὑρεθῇ is modified by ἐν (preposition) in 1Pe 1:7, word 22 (ἐν is outside of the current clausal unit).

εἰς (preposition)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered, of place, time, fig. purpose, result)
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Preposition of direction
Words Modified by εἰς
• prepositional relation: The word εἰς modifies εὑρεθῇ (verb) in 1Pe 1:7, word 15 (εὑρεθῇ is outside of the current clausal unit).

ἔπαινον (noun, accusative, singular, masculine)
praise
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Prepositional object
Words That Modify ἔπαινον
• conjunctive relation: The word ἔπαινον is modified by καὶ (conjunction) in 1Pe 1:7, word 18 (καὶ is within the current clausal unit, after ἔπαινον).

καὶ (conjunction, logical, connective)
and, even, also
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Copulative conjunction
Words Modified by καὶ
• conjunctive relation: The word καὶ modifies ἔπαινον (noun) in 1Pe 1:7, word 17 (ἔπαινον is within the current clausal unit, before καὶ).
• conjunctive relation: The word καὶ modifies δόχαν (noun) in 1Pe 1:7, word 19 (δόχαν is within the current clausal unit, after καὶ).

δόξαν (noun, accusative, singular, feminine)
opinion (always good in N.T.), hence praise, honor, glory
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Prepositional object
Words That Modify δόξαν
• conjunctive relation: The word δόξαν is modified by καὶ (conjunction) in 1Pe 1:7, word 18 (καὶ is within the current clausal unit, before δόξαν).
• conjunctive relation: The word δόξαν is modified by καὶ (conjunction) in 1Pe 1:7, word 20 (καὶ is within the current clausal unit, after δόξαν).

καὶ (conjunction, logical, connective)
and, even, also
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Copulative conjunction
Words Modified by καὶ
• conjunctive relation: The word καὶ modifies δόχαν (noun) in 1Pe 1:7, word 19 (δόχαν is within the current clausal unit, before καὶ).
• conjunctive relation: The word καὶ modifies τιμὴν (noun) in 1Pe 1:7, word 21 (τιμὴν is within the current clausal unit, after καὶ).

τιμὴν (noun, accusative, singular, feminine)
a valuing, a price
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Prepositional object
Words That Modify τιμὴν
• conjunctive relation: The word τιμὴν is modified by καὶ (conjunction) in 1Pe 1:7, word 20 (καὶ is within the current clausal unit, before τιμὴν).

ἐν (preposition)
in, on, at, by, with
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Preposition of manner
Words Modified by ἐν
• prepositional relation: The word ἐν modifies εὑρεθῇ (verb) in 1Pe 1:7, word 15 (εὑρεθῇ is outside of the current clausal unit).

ἀποκαλύψει (noun, dative, singular, feminine)
an uncovering
Contained in: Prepositional Phrase
Syntactic Force: Prepositional object
Words That Modify ἀποκαλύψει
• adjective-like relation: The word ἀποκαλύψει is modified by Ἰησοῦ (noun) in 1Pe 1:7, word 24 (Ἰησοῦ is within the current clausal unit, after ἀποκαλύψει).
• adjective-like relation: The word ἀποκαλύψει is modified by Χριστοῦ (noun) in 1Pe 1:7, word 25 (Χριστοῦ is within the current clausal unit, after ἀποκαλύψει).

The main thing this information tells me is that the sentence (phrase actually) is in the passive sense. It is not in its active voice. It is actually an action done by a 3rd person (in the context, God). This agrees to the real usage of the word “unto” or “to” used in the KJV & NKJV: used to show that you are starting to talk about a different subject http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=55520&dict=CALD

Phew… that changes quite a bit of my previous understanding of the phrase. The approval of the Christian’s faith will be found (brought to light) by God, and be rewarded with praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, in His Second Coming. The implications are definitely different from the former understanding.

Very satisfying for me

I keep finding this account from some websites. It is a good one used mainly to counter Evolutionists. I believe the application could be broaden up considerably. Here goes:

An experiment was conducted in which six bees and six flies were placed inside a bottle. The bottle was turned on its side with its base facing the light coming through the window. At the other end, the mouth of the bottle was open. In that situation it was discovered that bees will persist in trying to find their way to freedom through the base-until they die of hunger or exhaustion. It seems that the bees’ attraction to light is their undoing in this experiment. The light shining through the base seems to convince them that there is no other way out. And so they press up against the bottom of the bottle closing themselves off from all other possibilities. Consequently, they cannot discover the opening at the other end of the bottle. The feather brained flies, on the other hand, all get out of the bottle within two minutes. Seemingly unconcerned, they just keep buzzing all around inside until they venture out to freedom through the neck and out the opening. Thus, the bees remain prisoners of their own logic while the flies meet the good fortune that often awaits the simple.

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As I reflect on this generation and the coming ones, it is obvious that decisions and perceptions are patterned after the modernised culture of instant gratification. It is the wanting of satisfaction to be immediate (e.g. fast food, fast transactions, fast communications). There seems to be a mentality that satisfaction that is delayed is not worth pursuing for it is not guaranteable. One would rather be risk-adversed in personal satisfaction, and this can be seen partially in the blooming world of credit card usage. Why is there a readily acceptance of credit card financing in our world today? It is because satisfaction must be fulfilled first. Thus, the notion of working first for a long term benefit (deferred gratification), where the payoff is much later, seems foreign.

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(1 Peter 2:12-17) Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (13) Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, (14) or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (15) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. (16) Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (17) Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Lest we forget the context of Peter’s writing, the government of the day was the Roman Empire. Though strong and having a long history of victories, it was also peppered with much corruption and nepotism.

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This evening would be the start of a new series entitled “On Evangelism” for the church weekday bible study. Evangelism is a challenge for the Christian believer who tries his or her best to fulfill the command of our Lord. It is important to take note that the best evangelist that we should pattern ourselves after is Christ Himself (not Paul as many would put it, though Paul was mightily used in the proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles) as given to us from the Gospel account. Christ came into this sinful world not only to preach the message of the Kingdom of God but to be the message of salvation.

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An edifying read from Philip Ryken on John Calvin’s life as a pastor-scholar. The full article can be read from: http://www.ligonier.org/blog/2009/07/the-pastor-scholar.html

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The right to freedom of speech is a fundamental right that is given to mankind. That does not mean that a person is free from any repercussions or consequences that ensues the articulation of speech. You can say anything you want. But that also means that, you should receive anything that comes out of it. If what you say offends, be prepared to be offended. This freedom of speech cannot supercede the freedom to live, of course. There must be a balanced battlefield for those who are at war.

Why am I bringing this up? Because I find that Christians ought to understand the point of view of the other person in our reasoning and persuading of the Gospel. The Reformed, Evangelical, Protestant, Christian faith is not one that seeks blind belief. No, we are to be most pitied if such is the case. Paul makes that clear concerning the Resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). I cannot agree nor do I advocate a belief that does not have a real basis for conviction. That basis has to be tested and experienced. It cannot be merely intellectual (without implications) and cannot be merely experiential (without logic). What a Christian ought to do when he or she understands where the other person is (in all aspects or most – spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, etc.) is to bring him or her to our position. That means there are many hurdles that you need to overcome.

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I recently completed a short 3 part study on the passage above in this order: 1-20, 21-25, 21-34. The last study had a repetition of verses 21-25; this was on purpose as not all that I wanted to draw out of the study was caught in the 2nd study. This shows just how rich God’s Word is. The main theme of the Parables as I reflect upon it is a decidedly dangerous one; heart exposure.

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