As this Sabbath arrives, Thanksgiving has come and gone, but hopefully the concept of thankfulness is still on our minds.
As I ended last week’s Sabbath Thought, I referenced James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” When James says that God is the Giver of every good gift, what is included?
In considering the significance of this verse, we need to consider the context of what the Apostle James is saying. The context goes all the way back to verse 2 of chapter 1, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” It’s hard for us to believe that trials and tests, whatever they may be, are to accepted with joy.
Why should we count trials and tests with joy? He tells us in James 1:3-4, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Trials and tests challenge our faith. Do we believe in God and His word? Will we follow it when we are under pressure? Will we follow it when it is hard? Do we believe in God and His word enough that we will do what is right regardless of the temptation to sin or compromise in some way?
As those called out of this world, we have been given a vantage point that allows us to be ever aware of God and His plan being worked out here below. It is working every moment of every day. It is working when we rise up, throughout our work day, and in the evening when we return home. Throughout each day, we are challenged by other drivers, by sales clerks, by our bosses, by our spouses, by our children, and by our enemies. How will we deal with them? Will we deal with them based upon our faith and God’s word? Or will we deviate from the faith and handle matters in our own way which usually leads to sin.
God is the one who established the world in this way. He set it up this way because if we did not face the trials of life that challenge us we would not grow. With the “various trials” God’s work in us would have no chance of “being perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Interestingly, in this context, James also says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren” (James 1:16). What he is telling God’s people is that when we face trial it may seem easier, better, wiser to compromise with the faith. To compromise with the truth of God, the faith, is a deception. The only outcome of doing things our own way is sin and death (Proverbs 14:12).
With these things about trials in mind, we might say that trials are among God’s good and perfect gifts to His people. They are a part of the human realm because God, as the Giver of the gifts, desires our enduring the trials in order that we can be made perfect and complete. As God’s work is completed in us, we will be given eternal life.
What trials do you face at this time? Do you count whatever trial or trials you are currently enduring as good and perfect gifts from God above? If that is not your vantage point, consider taking the time to look at your life from this perspective. Even trials are a gift from God for which we should give thanks.
Enjoy God’s gift of the Sabbath.
Gary Smith
Friday, November 27, 2015
Friday, November 20, 2015
Thanksgiving Gratitude
In light of Thanksgiving, I began a new book, “Thanks! How
Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier” by Robert A.
Emmons, PhD. The book provided a quote to begin this
week’s Sabbath Thought on page one.
The quote stood out because it offers us a sure fire get rich
scheme. When you read of a “sure fire” get rich scheme, you
are probably thinking what I’m about to say is not reliable.
But consider the quote before making judgment. After
reading the quote, you will probably see how it really is a
certain scheme to insure you will be rich.
“I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you
how to be rich. But I can tell how to feel rich, which is far
better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich, Be grateful . .
.It is the only totally reliable get-rich quick scheme.”
—Ben Stein, actor, comedian, economist
The author of the book has researched the subject of gratitude
and sees it as helpful to conceive of it in two stages. He says,
“First, gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in your
life. In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things
taken together, life is good and has elements that make life
worth living. . . . Second, gratitude is recognizing that the
source(s) of goodness lie at least partially outside the self.
The object of gratitude is other-directed; one can be grateful to
other people, to God, to animals, but never to oneself. . . .
Thanks are directed outward to the giver of gifts.”
Proper thanksgiving is important. Notice the emphasis the
apostle Paul places on thanksgiving:
Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier” by Robert A.
Emmons, PhD. The book provided a quote to begin this
week’s Sabbath Thought on page one.
The quote stood out because it offers us a sure fire get rich
scheme. When you read of a “sure fire” get rich scheme, you
are probably thinking what I’m about to say is not reliable.
But consider the quote before making judgment. After
reading the quote, you will probably see how it really is a
certain scheme to insure you will be rich.
“I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you
how to be rich. But I can tell how to feel rich, which is far
better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich, Be grateful . .
.It is the only totally reliable get-rich quick scheme.”
—Ben Stein, actor, comedian, economist
The author of the book has researched the subject of gratitude
and sees it as helpful to conceive of it in two stages. He says,
“First, gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in your
life. In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things
taken together, life is good and has elements that make life
worth living. . . . Second, gratitude is recognizing that the
source(s) of goodness lie at least partially outside the self.
The object of gratitude is other-directed; one can be grateful to
other people, to God, to animals, but never to oneself. . . .
Thanks are directed outward to the giver of gifts.”
Proper thanksgiving is important. Notice the emphasis the
apostle Paul places on thanksgiving:
In Ephesians 5:20, Paul admonishes us to give,"thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." In 1Thessalonians 5:18, the same apostle instructs us to give thanks "in everything... for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." In Colossians 2:7, Paul says we are to abound, and to overflow with thanksgiving.
Paul practiced what he preached! Aside from the statements of
thanksgiving that he makes in the bodies of his letters, as in
Philippians 4:6, he opens no less than five letters by thanking
God. You will find that in Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4,
Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3, and 1 Thessalonians 1:2.
In Colossians 3:17, Paul says that, "whatever you do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God the Father through Him." Here in this verse Paul
indicates the fundamental benefit of gratitude. Being grateful
to God for all that He has given to us impacts how we
approach every day.
We may be facing adversity, struggles, persecution,
heartbreak, pain, and yet we can approach life as the richest
people on the planet. We may be well off, financially set,
have a nice family and home, and our health is good. But we
realize that our riches are not in this world they are the riches
that come from God.
Our riches are based upon our being called out of this world,
God forgiving us of our sins, opening our minds to His truths
and our being prepared for the soon coming Kingdom of
Heaven through Jesus Christ working in our lives through the
Holy Spirit. God has extended His grace and mercy to us
through His Son. Nothing in the physical world can change
that.
This Sabbath before Thanksgiving take some time to recognize the
blessings God has sent your way and to acknowledge the
Giver of every good gift (James 1:17).
Have a pleasant Sabbath and make this Thanksgiving a day of
gratitude to God.
Gary Smith
Friday, November 13, 2015
The Doulos of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
In this week’s submission for your reflection, I’d like to begin by quoting a portion of the first verse of the epistle of James, “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ . .” Of the eleven words quoted, I would like to focus upon the word “bondservant.”
In Greek, the word bondservant is “doulos”. It is a word that could also be translated as “slave.” From a scriptural point of view James in citing the word for bondservant or slave is telling his audience where he is coming from in what follows in the epistle. He is telling his audience that he is a slave of God and of Jesus Christ.
What does James mean by this term? A few verses give us some insight into the meaning.
Matthew 8:9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Matthew 20:27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave —
Matthew 24:45-47 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant (doulos), whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
Romans 6:16-17 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
To whom are we a doulos?
o Sin-disobedience
o Righteous—obedient
o Are we obedient from the heart? That is the doulos of God.
o To obey from the heart is not enslavement, but deliverance from sin and death.
Not only James, but Jude (1:1), Paul and Timothy (Philippians 1:1), Moses (1 Kings 8:53; Daniel 9:11; Malachi 4:4), Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 24:29; Numbers 14:24), Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:27), Job (Job 1:8) and Isaiah (Isaiah 20:3). Doulos is distinctively the title by which the prophets were known (Amos 3:7; Zechariah 1:6; Jeremiah 7:25).
William Barclay in his commentary on the book of James summarizes doulos well, “By taking the title doulos James sets himself in the great succession of those who found their freedom and their peace and their glory in perfect submission to the will of God. The only greatness to which the Christian can ever aspire is that of being the slave of God.” (From The Daily Study Bible, by William Barclay: First Edition. Biblesoft Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2015 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
As we take time to reflect this Sabbath consider, “If I were writing a letter to offer instruction to others, would I even consider using the approach of James?” Might I say, “(Your name) a bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ?” It is a worthy title to consider?
Gary Smith
In Greek, the word bondservant is “doulos”. It is a word that could also be translated as “slave.” From a scriptural point of view James in citing the word for bondservant or slave is telling his audience where he is coming from in what follows in the epistle. He is telling his audience that he is a slave of God and of Jesus Christ.
What does James mean by this term? A few verses give us some insight into the meaning.
Matthew 8:9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
- From this we can see that a doulos is under authority and what it means to be under authority.
Matthew 20:27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave —
- Those who will be first in the Kingdom of Heaven must be doulos, bondservants, to the others in the group.
- We might say that the doulos of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ will approach life as a willing servant of God in all situations.
Matthew 24:45-47 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant (doulos), whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
- The doulos of God must be actively serving his master—an ongoing mode of conduct.
- Being a doulos means that we are actively serving our Master every day in all we do.
Romans 6:16-17 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
To whom are we a doulos?
o Sin-disobedience
o Righteous—obedient
o Are we obedient from the heart? That is the doulos of God.
o To obey from the heart is not enslavement, but deliverance from sin and death.
Not only James, but Jude (1:1), Paul and Timothy (Philippians 1:1), Moses (1 Kings 8:53; Daniel 9:11; Malachi 4:4), Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 24:29; Numbers 14:24), Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:27), Job (Job 1:8) and Isaiah (Isaiah 20:3). Doulos is distinctively the title by which the prophets were known (Amos 3:7; Zechariah 1:6; Jeremiah 7:25).
William Barclay in his commentary on the book of James summarizes doulos well, “By taking the title doulos James sets himself in the great succession of those who found their freedom and their peace and their glory in perfect submission to the will of God. The only greatness to which the Christian can ever aspire is that of being the slave of God.” (From The Daily Study Bible, by William Barclay: First Edition. Biblesoft Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2015 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
As we take time to reflect this Sabbath consider, “If I were writing a letter to offer instruction to others, would I even consider using the approach of James?” Might I say, “(Your name) a bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ?” It is a worthy title to consider?
Gary Smith
Friday, November 6, 2015
Cosmology and the Big Bang Theory
One of the blessings of the Sabbath is to remember our Creator. Exodus 20:11 states, “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” The word “therefore” in this verse points us back to what has gone before. In essence we are being told, “As a result of God making the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, God rested the seventh day.” God wants us to look back to what was brought into being by the Creator.
With the Creator in mind, I’d like to refer to the word: cosmology—a noun that is defined as “the science of the origin and development of the universe. Modern astronomy is dominated by the Big Bang theory, which brings together observational astronomy and particle physics.”
Over my years in the Church, I have always believed the entire universe came into being as a result of “a big bang.” It seemed a reasonable explanation. My view was there was nothing until God decided to bring the physical universe into being. In a great burst of energy, the universe began. However, that theory is just that “a theory.”
In last weeks, current events section published in the October 31, 2015 Houston bulletin another theory was posed in the article, New Astronomy Findings Challenging Big Bang Theory, by Tom Olago, October 27, 2015. The article reads, “Researchers in the field of astronomy have recently announced what is described to be a ‘truly monstrous’ structure, consisting of a ring of galaxies around 5 billion light-years across. Reported findings show that the seemingly unprecedented galactic ring, which was revealed by nine Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), is located 7 billion light-years away.
“These GRBs, and by extension the galaxies they inhabit, are believed to be somehow associated since all nine are located at a similar distance from Earth. The odds of this distribution are said to be as low as 1 in 20,000. This means that they are very likely associated with the same structure; which structure should not even exist according to cosmological models led by the famous ‘Big Bang’ theory.
“The ‘Big Bang’ theory is an effort to explain what happened at the very beginning of our universe. Scientific findings have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning. The ‘Big Bang’ theory is an effort to explain what happened during and after that moment.
“It’s proponents in effect dismiss the possibility that the universe was directly created by God, and even the possibility that the ‘Big Bang’ is just an attempt to be scientifically descriptive of a process God may have chosen to use in creating the universe.”
As I considered this new theory of the origin of the universe, which might overturn “the Big Bang Theory”, how does this impact my overall view of the origin of the universe? Interestingly, it does not overturn what the Bible says in any way.
We are told, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God brought all into being. God does not explain what method He used to bring all into being. We as human beings can seek the origins of the universe, but it is a daunting task given the vastness of the heavenly realm.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of how all came into being, “For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). Again, we are reminded of the Originator of the universe.
It is likely that theories of the origin of the universe will change over time and this side of the coming of the Kingdom of God we may never know the exact beginning point of origin. If we do figure out the origin of the universe it will be a most interesting piece of information. But regardless of the cosmological theory we know that, “. . . without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
Each Sabbath, we are to remember the Creator regardless of what cosmological theory holds sway in the realm of men.
Rejoice in the Creator this Sabbath.
Gary Smith
With the Creator in mind, I’d like to refer to the word: cosmology—a noun that is defined as “the science of the origin and development of the universe. Modern astronomy is dominated by the Big Bang theory, which brings together observational astronomy and particle physics.”
Over my years in the Church, I have always believed the entire universe came into being as a result of “a big bang.” It seemed a reasonable explanation. My view was there was nothing until God decided to bring the physical universe into being. In a great burst of energy, the universe began. However, that theory is just that “a theory.”
In last weeks, current events section published in the October 31, 2015 Houston bulletin another theory was posed in the article, New Astronomy Findings Challenging Big Bang Theory, by Tom Olago, October 27, 2015. The article reads, “Researchers in the field of astronomy have recently announced what is described to be a ‘truly monstrous’ structure, consisting of a ring of galaxies around 5 billion light-years across. Reported findings show that the seemingly unprecedented galactic ring, which was revealed by nine Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), is located 7 billion light-years away.
“These GRBs, and by extension the galaxies they inhabit, are believed to be somehow associated since all nine are located at a similar distance from Earth. The odds of this distribution are said to be as low as 1 in 20,000. This means that they are very likely associated with the same structure; which structure should not even exist according to cosmological models led by the famous ‘Big Bang’ theory.
“The ‘Big Bang’ theory is an effort to explain what happened at the very beginning of our universe. Scientific findings have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning. The ‘Big Bang’ theory is an effort to explain what happened during and after that moment.
“It’s proponents in effect dismiss the possibility that the universe was directly created by God, and even the possibility that the ‘Big Bang’ is just an attempt to be scientifically descriptive of a process God may have chosen to use in creating the universe.”
As I considered this new theory of the origin of the universe, which might overturn “the Big Bang Theory”, how does this impact my overall view of the origin of the universe? Interestingly, it does not overturn what the Bible says in any way.
We are told, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God brought all into being. God does not explain what method He used to bring all into being. We as human beings can seek the origins of the universe, but it is a daunting task given the vastness of the heavenly realm.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of how all came into being, “For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). Again, we are reminded of the Originator of the universe.
It is likely that theories of the origin of the universe will change over time and this side of the coming of the Kingdom of God we may never know the exact beginning point of origin. If we do figure out the origin of the universe it will be a most interesting piece of information. But regardless of the cosmological theory we know that, “. . . without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
Each Sabbath, we are to remember the Creator regardless of what cosmological theory holds sway in the realm of men.
Rejoice in the Creator this Sabbath.
Gary Smith
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