a mild and quiet life

February 21st, 2012

Because I had stated in the previous weblog that, in the Bible, only intercession is made for people with whom we are involved, someone pointed me to the following verses, wondering if they are in harmony with my claim?

1 I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all mankind, 2 for kings and all those being in a superior station, that we may be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, 3 for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God, 4 Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth.
1Timothy 2

It seems clear to me that it is impossible for us to pray and give thanks for all people without exception. After all, we are not God, Who knows and loves every human being!? Therefore, it is obvious that we can not offer intercessory prayer and thanksgiving for everybody, in an absolute sense. We can pray for all people and all personalities, in a relative sense, i.e., all people who are actually affecting us, directly or indirectly. That this is indeed the intention, is confirmed by the motive that Paul mentions: “so that we may lead a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity”. We have a choice, as it were; we can complain about our employers, politicians, colleagues, neighbors, relatives, etc. or we can pray and give thanks for them. Making intercession and giving thanks for all people, in the knowledge that God is their Savior and has everything perfectly under control, changes us from restless, cynical, rebellious complainants to people, who, in full confidence, enjoy a mild and quiet life. And instead of ourselves losing much energy due negative feelings about others, we give them strength by thankfully praying for them (cp 2Cor.1:11).

What a difference!

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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public intercession?

February 19th, 2012

3 I am thanking my God at every remembrance of you, 4 always, in every petition of mine for you all, making the petition with joy…
Philippians 1

After I had, earlier this week, dedicated a weblog to prayer for others, I received an email from someone about it. The writer confessed that he has always felt very uncomfortable with this subject. In the congregation of which he is a member, ever so regularly, lists of people are mentioned in intercessory prayer. Even long prayers are made for people who are virtually unknown to him, and along with it comes information of which he often thinks, Do I need to know these details? Does this not make prayer an empty ritual?, he questioned. More of a burden than “a breath of life”?

I can not help but agree with this writer. In the Bible, intercession is not an imposed program, but a matter of sincere engagement. Paul knew the Philippians personally and whenever he thought of them, he thanked God for them, and he also spontaneously prayed for them. They were close to his heart. We pray for those of whom we think (“at every remembrance of you”) and with whom we are involved. We pray to support them (see 2Cor.1:11). This means that prayer is a personal matter, as Jesus that had ever taught.

Now you, whenever you may be praying, enter into your storeroom, and, locking your door, pray to your Father Who is in hiding… Matthew 6:6

Giving thanks for a meal, Jesus did publically. However, when He wanted to pray, He always withdrew Himself from others. At the feeding of the five thousand, He gave thanks in the presence of all, but then when He wanted to pray, He went up the mountain for privacy (Matt.14:19,23). Precisely, where it comes to praying, Scripture emphasizes the personal character of it.

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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don’t worry, be happy!

February 18th, 2012

There is, I think, no Scripture that shows the meaning of prayer so clearly as the do the words of Paul, in Philippians 4:

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, 7 and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus.

“In prayer we bring our worries to God.” How often haven’t I heard this being said?! But prayer is the very opposite of expressing our worries. In prayer, we tell God our requests… with thanksgiving. That is the point! Whatever may be our request (for ourselves or for others), we express it and say, thank you! in advance. In the first place, we know that He is able to fulfill our requests, and secondly, if he does not fulfil our requests, then He has evidently something (much) better in store. As someone once said, if we ask God for silver, He always gives gold. That confidence makes all worries melt away. Why lie awake and worry? He provides most excellently!! To thank Him for this, makes it that the peace, which God Himself enjoys, takes hold of me.

Why God does what He does, we usually have no clue. And how He will provide, we have no idea! It does not matter! The God of heaven and earth, has everything for 100% under His control. God is GOD! This knowledge is more than enough! This realization guards my soul and protects my thought-life, as in a fortress.

This is not something to theorize about. Simply, make known to Him all your requests and THANK HIM! GOD can give ever so much more peace and joy into our lives, than we could ever think possible!

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

 

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Why pray for one another?

February 17th, 2012

Earlier, in life, I had the idea that prayer was meant to change God. Not that it was explained to me that way, but because I could tell by the many prayers that I heard. I discovered from Scripture that God is GOD and, of course, needs no advice from any of His own creatures. What do we imagine ourselves to be! He, after all, knows better than anyone else, what we need and what is best for us.

Also, I discovered that prayer does not change God, but the one who prays. By entrusting all into God’s hands, I receive a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding (Phil.4:6.7). This peace, of course, can only be my part, when I actually realize that God’s way is always the best and that He never makes a mistake. The idea that we must bring God to other thoughts is, actually, the greatest obstacle to true prayer.

But these days, something else became clear to me. Of the usefulness of personal prayer and thanksgiving, I was well aware, but of the benefits of intercession, i.e., prayer for others, that, frankly speaking, had eluded me. If prayer changes the one who prays, what then would be the effect of praying for others? Yet, it is obvious that a man like Paul did not only pray for others, but also, expressly, calls others to make intercession for him. Evidently, he was convinced of the effect of intercessory prayer.

30 Now I am entreating you, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the spirit, to struggle together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I should be rescued from the stubborn in Judea, and my dispensation for Jerusalem may be becoming well received by the saints …
Romans 15

“Struggling in prayers” is not fighting with God, but “through the love of the spirit” is sharing in the struggles of others! By praying for another, I become, “in spirit”, united with him or her. This not only affects me, but also the other person. My intercession supports him or her, regardless of whether the other person has been informed or is even aware of it. It is a spiritual connection, which in one way or another, has an effect. Through prayer, I share in the lot of the other and I offer my support. Only this explains the call for intercessory prayer, but also the many examples of this, as given in Scripture. Below, a few examples from Paul’s letters:

22 Now, at the same time, make ready also a lodging for me, for I am expecting that, through your prayers, I shall be graciously granted to you.
Philemon 1

12 Greeting you is Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, always struggling for you in prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Colossians 4

18 During every prayer and petition be praying on every occasion (in spirit being vigilant also for it with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints, 19 and for me), that to me expression may be granted, in the opening of my mouth with boldness, to make known the secret of the evangel…
Ephesians 6

The contents of the various prayers in the above verses is not now the subject. What I do want to make clear is that intercession has an effect and makes a difference. Prayer not only serves as a connection between the one who prays and God, but also makes connection between the intercessor and those for whom he or she prays. Through prayer we experience “communion of spirit” (Phil.2:1).

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

 

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correctly cutting the word of truth

February 15th, 2012

Endeavor to present yourself to God qualified, an unashamed worker, correctly cutting the word of truth. Yet from profane prattlings stand aloof, for they will be progressing to more irreverence, and their word will spread as gangrene, of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus, who swerve as to truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and are subverting the faith of some. 2Timothy 2:15-18

We do not have to guess at what Paul meant by the phrase, “correctly cutting the word of truth”. The context in which the expression occurs explains it, clearly. Timothy is urged to be a qualified worker, able to perform his work without shame and hesitancy. With this, he can face up to men like Hymeneus and Philetus, who had departed from the truth. They claimed that the resurrection had already taken place. They are not denying the truth of the resurrection, but misplaced her. The Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ, as Firstfruit, arose in the past and, secondly, that the resurrection of the rest of humanity will be in the future. “Each in his own order” (see 1Cor.15). Hymeneus and Philetus ignored this distinction and placed the “resurrection” in the past. With this, they demonstrated that they did not correctly cut the word of truth, with all the fatal consequences of such.

Let me give a few examples of correctly cutting the word of truth:

» The law that God gave to Moses, was a disciplinarian for Israel to Christ, and not thereafter (Gal.3:24.25);

» The words that Jesus spoke, while here on earth, was “bread for the children of Israel” and expressly not intended for the nations (Matt. 15:24-26);

» The ministry of James, Peter and John was aimed at “the circumcision”, while Paul’s message was for the nations (Gal.2:7-9).

A proven worker of God, not only recognizes the Biblical truths, but also knows where to place them, correctly.

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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everything has cohesion in Him

February 14th, 2012

 　

… and He is before all, and all has its cohesion in Him.
Col.1:17

Paul speaks in these verses about the Son as the “image of God, the Unseen”. As an image (icon), the Son existed already before the creation. In Genesis 1, we read how heaven and earth and everything therein, was created, but the ICON, in which God made man (Gen.1:26), was already there.

“All things have their existence in him”. The word “exist” in Greek (sunistao), is literally “together-stand”. The Concordant Version has translated it with: ‘cohesion’. All things are interrelated with each other “in Him.” Whichever facet of creation we examine, we always see the image of God, the Son projected. Whether it is light or water, the sun or the stars, it testifies of “the light of the world”, “the water of life”, “the sun of righteousness” and the “bright morning star”. And whether we see a vine or a kernel of grain, honey or a bee, a rock or the blue sky, an oak tree or a palm tree, a lamb or a lion, everything shows the ICON of the Creator.

The Son of God was born “in the fullness of time”, but as image He was already “from the beginning”!

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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four lepers

February 11th, 2012

four lepers were the first to hear the good news.

And they say one unto another, `We are not doing right this day; a day of tidings it is, and we are keeping silent..
2Kings 7:9

the story
The above posted verse is taken from the story that happened in the days of the prophet Elisha. The city of Samaria was besieged by hostile Arameans causing the city to suffer a great famine. There were four lepers, who were living outside the gate and realized that they, certainly like their fellow citizens, would die of hunger. They decided to take the risk of walking into the army camp of the Arameans. Perhaps they would keep them alive. When the lepers went there that night, they saw that there was nobody there, anymore. All the troops, apparently, had fled, in great haste, leaving behind tents, horses, clothes, gold, silver, food and drinks, etc. The four lepers indulged in food and drinks, and each took many precious items for himself. Suddenly they realized that it was not good what they were doing. They kept the good news to themselves, while the inhabitants of the city were perishing of hunger! Did not everyone need to know that the army of the enemy had fled? Could they get away with keeping all these riches to themselves and not sharing them with others?

the message
Individuals, whom God calls, today, are rated as “lepers”. They do not belong in the world, and are not even regarded by it (cp. Heb.13:13). But in God’s sight, they are the firstfruits! While the city remained in utter ignorance, they already knew of the victory which God had achieved. They had knowledge of the abundance, while others were threatened to die of hunger. Is not that a wonderful portrayal of believers in our time? They know that the victory is already won. They know the unlimited wealth that God freely gives. But how can it be defended to keep such great news to oneself? How can one justify it, not to share such joy with others? It is true, as it was with the lepers, good news will encounter disbelief at the royal palace (2Kings 7:12). The Evangel simply is a stumbling block to the Jew (the religious world) and for the others, it is foolishness. It does not make you popular. But it remains a good-news message! And that is why we share it.

23 … we are heralding Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a snare, yet to the nations stupidity, 24 yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Corinthians 1

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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free — without cost!

February 11th, 2012

 

“The living God is the Saviour of all men”, writes Paul, and he adds, “especially of believers” (1Tim.4:10). Is it an achievement to believe? No, not at all. Neither is it a choice. I believe (or trust) that, because God’s Word has convinced me. When I so believe, then is that HIS achievement! That God saves all people is pure grace. To this, there is absolutely nothing to add, nor to subtract from. And if I may already knows this now, then that is an extra measure of grace; a marvelous privilege, because only a few are given to have this, thus far.

Not only the knowledge, that God is the Saviour of all, is a privilege, but in particular, also the sharing of this Good News. Nothing gives as much satisfaction as to make others happy with these greatest of riches. It’s like the unlimited distribution of thousands of dollars on a busy shopping street.

We don’t need to worry, at all, what people will do with it. Do they not want to receive it (“surely that can never be free!”)? No problem. Do they throw it on the ground and trample it with their feet? So be it. There’s more than enough! Maybe a bona fide (= true believer) will take it seriously and feel as rich and happy as a king. That’s what it is all about!

That is evangelization. We have a Good News Message, that seems too good to be true. That is also the main reason why people do not want to receive it. So much riches for free; that can never be true… But some know better, thank God. They live by and off these riches and share them, generously and unconcerned.

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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what everyone should know!

February 10th, 2012

 

3 … God, 4 Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus, 6 Who is giving Himself a correspondent Ransom for all (the testimony in its own eras), 7 for which I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the nations in knowledge and truth.
1Timothy 2

The Evangel is not a moral story or all about ethics. Neither is it a philosophy or a political ideal. The Gospel is a communication, a message. A very good message! It’s about the one God, Who wants all men to be saved! Nothing or no one can stop Him from achieving this. Because there is only ONE GOD. That is why Paul in this same letter also says, “the living God is the Saviour of all men” (1Tim.4:10). Believe it or not, God will make all things well for every human being!, yet, “each in his own order …”.

Earlier this week, I had a conversation with a colleague about “faith” and the Bible. He said to me that he could not cope with the (Christian) idea that only believers will be saved. Thank God that I could tell him that the Bible, absolutely, never teaches this. GOD guarantees the salvation of all of humanity!

What do we do with this knowledge? The simple answer is: tell others! GOD wants all men to be saved and come to an acknowledgment (or realization) of that truth! But how would people be able to realize this if they don’t get to hear it? From Christians, unfortunately, they will not hear it, because as a rule, they are adamantly opposed to this Good News. Just imagine, precisely the people who are supposed to publicize this message, are its most stubborn opponents!

The greatest calling that every believer has, is to inform every human being of “this truth”. A truth that is entirely independent of the reaction of people. Because, whether we want it or not, GOD IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL MANKIND! And do people reject this, … nevertheless, GOD is their Savior!
Spread the word!!

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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Worship Jesus?

February 9th, 2012

In response to my previous blog, I received the following reaction:

Today you have a very exciting blog. I sat for weeks with these thoughts in my head:
You have posted a very stimulating blog, today. Already for weeks, I had these thoughts in my head:
“Okay, Jesus is the Son but not God, however, we worship Him? We are to worship none other than God alone.”
And now, in this blog, you submit that the translators have a theological thought: the son of God should be worshiped. But is this not the case, then? Does the great work which Jesus has done, not deserve worship? Every knee will bow and every tongue will acclaim <- is this not worship? When we sing about or to Jesus, is that not worshiping Him?

Or do I now come into conflict with my interpretation of worship and the biblical explanation of worship?

Good question! The best starting point for answering it, we find in Paul’s powerful statement:

For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent Ransom for all…
1Timothy 2:5,6

The man Christ Jesus is the connecting link between God and humanity. The one God comes to us, through Him and conversely, man comes to God through Jesus Christ. It is “through Him”, we pray to God and thank Him. Such is the ever recurring wording in the letters of the apostles.

First, indeed, I am thanking my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you…
Romans 1:8

I thank God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Romans 7:25

And everything, whatsoever you may be doing, in word or in act, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God, the Father, through Him.
Colossians 3:17

God the Father is the One, Whom we address in our prayers, but we do this through His Son, i.e., “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Even when we praise God:

Through Him, then, we may be offering up the sacrifice of praise to God continually …
Hebrews 13:15

… to offer up spiritual sacrifices, most acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1Peter 2:5

The Son is the “image of the invisible God” (Col.1:15). It was Israel strictly forbidden to bow down to man-made images (Ex.20:4,5). God Himself would, indeed, make an image, in Whom He expresses Himself completely. Where we bow before the image of God, we do not venerate the icon, but the unseen God, Whom He represents. Paul writes in Philippi 2:

9 Wherefore, also, God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name, 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should be bowing, celestial and terrestrial and subterranean, 11 and every tongue should be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father.

Every knee will bow “in the name of Jesus” and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. But is that to the glory of Himself? No, listen to Paul’s addition: “… to the glory of God, the Father”. It was GOD Who, to the utmost, exalted Jesus. It was GOD, Who gave Him the name above every name. It is therefore to the glory of God, the Father, when every creature, wholeheartedly, will acknowledge the name of Jesus. The name which means “YAHWEH is Savior! Completely in accordance, herewith, Jude ends his letter with these words of praise:

… THE ONLY GOD, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might and authority before the entire eon, now, as well as for all the eons. Amen!
Jude: 25

 

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translation: Peter Feddema

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