There Is Another Verse In Joshua 24?

It's not uncommon for us to encounter some form of decoration, especially in the home of Christians, which reference Joshua 24:15. Most of us know the phrase by heart.

"....but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Why only the last quarter of the verse is used and not the previous 14 and three quarters is beyond me. Why wouldn't they want even the next nine verses listed also? There is a context here that is very important for Christians.  In fact, a great foundation is being laid in this chapter not only for the history of the Church but also as an example for her. Besides, how awesome would it be to have the entire twenty fourth chapter of Joshua painted across your wall? But that's another topic for another time.

Does The World Hate Me?

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”  (John 15:18)

As a Christian living within the church friendly confines of the Deep South in America I've always read over this verse nodding my head and thinking, “Well if Jesus said so,”  not ever really thinking it through and seeing the truth. There is a historical significance for the early Church because of the events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and also for Christians who lived and were killed for the faith up to just a few hundred years ago.  But this is America. This is the South.  Everyone knows of Jesus.  Every family has some tie to Christianity.  We generally don’t feel hated.   

Those were my basic thoughts on this verse if I had heard a sermon on the topic or read over it in a casual reading. That is until recently.  In light of all the talk in the news of our government officials and agencies being involved in scandals and (mostly verbal or principle) attacks against conservatives (though I recognize this group is not all composed of Christians) I paused as I read over this verse. 

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”  (John 15:19)

 Homosexuals are fighting hard to make sure they are recognized in a favorable light by the government and society at large.  They are painting Christians as a group of outdated bigots.  A monument to Atheists has been erected in the State of Florida while all across the country local governments struggle with whether the Ten Commandments can be displayed.  Anyone looking for sound reasoning in a matter automatically discredits the person who quotes the Bible in his answer.  As I thought about these things I realized that even people who call themselves Christians are participating in these very acts! (Though we judge by the fruit they bear if they are of Christ at all.) And furthermore, as some of you well-seasoned Christians have likely already thought to yourselves, these things are not new! Not to America and not even to the South!

 What happened?!

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20)

Oh.  Could it be that stemming from the great freedoms we saints have enjoyed in this land we have become complacent?  Could it unfortunately be that we have without even realizing it considered ourselves greater than our Lord? “Oh please, this is the twenty first century; there is no persecution!  My neighbor doesn't hate me!” Are we so foolish that we think ourselves wise?  The very Son of God in whom all our hope rests said, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;” and yet we think we’re exempt! Jesus, being God incarnate, did not lie!

False teachers have crept in through the years and have been fervently, effectually, and religiously spreading other gospels than that of Jesus (though they try to attach His name) while we rest idly in the comfort of our freedoms doing little to keep the goats far from the sheep.  Instead, we have invited them in among us.  Congregations across this country open their doors and hearts to everyone.  Claiming to be “seeker friendly” many have become seekers of friends among the world forgetting that Christ said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:” (John 6:44a)

 What has Christianity as a whole done?  Have we gone astray like the great whore Jerusalem? Did we think ourselves greater than Jesus that we could escape what He is telling us in these verses?  “But sir! You talk of persecution and being hated yet if we let them have this small matter they’ll leave us alone and we can worship in peace.”  And what handful of dirt did we offer years ago that the world demands an acre now.  So what are we to believe? Plainly, you cannot love Christ and be loved by the world.  Jesus simply said,

“But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” (John 15:21)

So it is inescapable while we live on this earth.  But rest assured the church is not lost.  The gates of hell will never prevail against her.  The true church will persevere, being the salt of the earth, shining the light of Christ in darkness and she will be persecuted for it until the end.  Yet, for those who know the voice of Jesus and have heard him say, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:” (John 15:16a) also know that there is hope in Him.  The fruit is born of God and will not sour.  If we labor in Christ it is not in vain.

God cannot lie.  Therefore His Word must be true.  He has declared that those who hate Jesus also hate His people.  “But Jesus was a friend of sinners,” and so we ought to be as well but the world was never a friend of Jesus and nor will it ever be to His church.  ”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

A Recovering Man's Desire for Illness

I recently suffered through an illness that, against my most fervent attempts, left me but only two options: rest on either the bed or the couch. During such a difficult time I couldn't help but notice how much I wanted rid of whatever disease was plaguing me those few days. My focus became my health. I kept a watchful eye on the time, desperately counting down till the next dose of medicine and struggling to take an unrestrained breath. The nights were cut discouragingly short as I waited, hoping and praying the next day would be better.

As my body began to heal, in the time God so appointed and blessed, I noticed a change of another sort. When my character and personality started to return so also did my daily sins. One might ignorantly say that when one is sick and bedridden there isn't much chance to commit many sins but I saw another perspective. When I was desperate and focused on the one goal of regaining my health the foolish sins I pet every day meant nothing to me. To think of these things was repulsive and brought about no desire of their indulgence because they did not benefit my healing. A disturbing thing occurred, however, when things returned to normal because I had also returned to a routine that resulted from many things over a period of time, all rooted in one three letter word. Sin.

As a child of the almighty God and an heir of gracious salvation through Jesus Christ, this greatly disturbed me. I thought I had realized in the past those evil things that engulf me throughout each day. These would cast me to my knees before my heavenly Father in search of forgiveness and repentance, only to find myself there again time after time. So went each day; so went the routine of one who took his eyes from godly things.

What caused so great a disturbance to write or contemplate this realization as being different from the many times before? I wanted to be deep in sickness again, when sin wasn't so readily conceivable. It is true that if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive. Though this time I was more aware, if that can be understood. There was an awakening, thank God, a moment when the scales fell from my eyes. The presence of sin is apparent every day but in my illness I thought little of it, only calling out to God for healing. When he granted my health's return I foolishly returned to my routine. It was the easy thing to do. Struggle and give in to temptation then beg with genuine tears for forgiveness when the realization of the folly has struck. At the recurrence of these sins and my willingness to them I became broken. Thankfully the few days in which my sins weren't so prominent a factor caused me to be truly sensitive again.

I recalled by the providence of God a passage in the book of Romans I had read only days prior.

[7:18, 19] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

[7:21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

[7:24, 25] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord....

While dealing with the paralyzing thought that I could never live a day without sin, without having to beg the Creator of all things for reconciliation, the precious words of the Father reminded me that while those things were true,

[8:1, 2] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

I have no success story on how to defeat sin aside from that wonderful victory given by Jesus Christ. If while reading you were anticipating a climax in which a sword in my hand severs the bowels of sin then you may be sorely disappointed in finding that I can in no wise bring righteousness to this flesh. I simply point you to the sword of truth, the living Word of God, who has conquered death. This short life in the flesh, as I continue to see, is not "easier" for those who seek to walk in the Spirit. I hope these words serve as an encouragement and a reminder.

[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

What on Earth Should be Preached?

Many times I have read the book of Philippians, yet after a space of over a year of looking at it God opened my eyes to yet something that was hidden from me before. I would like very much to share that here, though there be not many who may read this.

"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea and will rejoice."

- Philippians 1:15-18

When you read this text, what do you think of? What is your focus? Usually it is used lead into a sermon or conversation about boldness, or the struggle of desiring to be with God or to continue laboring in love among the assembly. Yet there is an absolute truth here that I am afraid is so often overlooked.

I ask you now, did you ponder why Paul rejoiced? Did you conclude that because some preach Christ in love, Paul's soul leaps with joy? You are very correct in that deduction, yet now I ask what of those who add affliction to his bonds? We think so very often that someone preaching should be doing so with consideration and love regardless and thus we generally read over this portion quickly, anxiously driving toward meat a few verses on. At this moment, stop and consider Paul's words.

"....whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached;"

For someone who had become so caught up in, I am afraid to say, legalism and binding the gospel to certain points that must be understood before conversion, these words from Paul came as a shock! Paul is actually without doubt saying that he rejoices even in the fact that many preach Christ only to add to his affliction, to torture him, and dare say to kill him! Why? What force (other than God) would drive a man so mad to rejoice when his misery increases? I tell you that Paul was more than satisfied, yea he rejoiced, that Christ was preached!

You see, the theological groupings need not be applied in giving the gospel. Though theology has it's rightful place and is a good thing of study, how dare we learned fellows interject these into the gospel to unawakened ears. How do we dare introduce the subject and terminology of Sovereign Grace and such doctrines to those who are not yet even sheep lest we be the tool of God that drives them farther away? I see now that the gospel is very simple: preach Christ! According to Paul, he rejoiced greatly and was not ashamed as long as Jesus Christ was preached, knowing that when it is Jesus that is preached God's Word will go forth and accomplish all that it is meant by God to do.

Within the statement, "Preach Christ," I would wrongfully infuse things (though they may be true and needful to know down the road) that were of no place to and unbelieving heart. Even if someone preaches errant doctrines along with Christ, as long as Christ is preached we should rejoice that God is being glorified! Are men called unto Baptist religion or to God? Does denomination save men or is it Christ? These are things taught to awakened spirits which turns them into disciples according to God's plan.

During this time I was blessed to have Gospel in it's simplicity preached to me also and I would like to share that ever so briefly now.

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."

- Numbers 21:8,9

"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."

- Isaiah 45:22

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

-John 3:14-16

For such is the simplicity of the gospel, that we look to Christ. The explanation of God's mercies and wonders, of which we call doctrine, should only come after Christ has been revealed.