As the Sabbath begins, we can rejoice in the peace, purpose, and hope that God gives to us. Sadly, remembering our Creator and being reminded of the plan of God does not block out everything from a week that has come to an end.
This week a young man went into a Florida school and opened fire killing and wounding students and faculty.
One of the sad things about the event is that people had noticed and reported warning signs about the nineteen-year old shooter. The young man had been expelled from school, and surely the faculty of the school had issued warnings about the destructive path the young man had been on.
It is a strange quirk of human nature that human beings all too often fail to heed warnings of danger. The failure to listen to wise counsel leads all too often to serious consequences.
To me this coincides with the biblical example found in the story of Cain and Abel.
The two sons of Adam and Eve came to God with offerings. God recognized Abel’s offering because it met the criteria that God had apparently established. Cain’s offering did not meet the standard God had established. Note Genesis 4:5, “He (God) did not respect Cain and his offering.” Not only did God not respect Cain’s offering but He did not respect Cain because of his wrong attitude.
Did Cain have a wrong attitude? We only have to look at the end of Genesis 4:5 where we find Cain filled with anger and “his countenance fell” over God’s rejection of his offering. If you had been on the scene of this event, Cain’s wrong attitude would have been clearly visible.
Did God recognize the problem? We only have to look at Genesis 4:6-7 where God addresses Cain’s wrong attitude, “So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."”
God pointed out that Cain was being ruled by sin and if he did not change his line of thinking there would be a terrible outcome. God counseled Cain to recognize his wrong mindset and rule over it. God knew the potential that could unfold if Cain did not reverse his course. Sadly, Cain did not heed God’s counsel. He allowed anger to rule and explode into the murder of his brother.
As we look at the all too common atrocities in our world, we are not going to end their occurrence until we recognize that “sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you and you should rule over it.” Until men and women recognize sin lurking at the door and take measures to reject the sinful mindset, evil of all kinds will continue.
Unfortunately, how many people are self-aware enough to reject sin? Even if the majority of the world’s population are oblivious to the need to rule over sin, we in the church know this to be a crucial aspect of the Christian life.
As the Passover draws close, we need to recognize that “sin lies at the door” for all of us. Do we recognize the pulls and pressures of sin? Do we seek to repent of those sins that still plague us? Do we beseech God for His help to rule over sin?
As we ready ourselves to come before God at Passover, is our attitude like that of Abel: humble, faithful, obedient, offering the first and best? Or is our attitude like Cain: prideful, disobedient, offering that which is blemished?
Where we stand in regard to the Passover is a most worthwhile consideration for the Sabbath.
Have a pleasant and profitable Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Showing posts with label Sin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sin. Show all posts
Friday, February 16, 2018
Friday, December 1, 2017
The Whirlwind of the Sexual Revolution
We are currently being made aware of one sexual scandal after another. We learn of new scandals among legislative leaders and entertainment icons. Should we be surprised at mass of revelations of sexual impropriety? Not really.
The prophet Hosea said a long time ago, "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind.” Mankind sows the wind when sin becomes a way of life. Sin may not be punished immediately so man continues to sin. If sin is punished, it is not that bad of a punishment, so man continues in sin. Eventually, a tipping point is reached and a harvest is reaped that comes in like a whirlwind.
What is unfolding before our eyes with the downfall of large numbers of men in power is the byproduct of the sexual revolution which began in the 1960’s.
In the 1960’s an all-out assault on sexual mores was undertaken. The sexual revolution was sold in our society as a good thing. Sexual freedom would allow people to remove the shackles of repressive, puritanical morality and experience freedom. People are sexual beings, and they need to explore their sexuality when they feel ready, without fear of guilt or shame.
This theme has been drummed into our heads continually, especially in movies and on television. Think of shows like Friends or Sex in the City, which casually promote the idea that you can have sex with multiple partners with no effect on a future marriage relationship.
A culture was built as a consequence of the sexual revolution. The revolution has been in progress for more than 40 years. Now that the whirlwind is hitting, people in favor of that revolution are shocked that there are casualties.
The reality is that when you remove the moral fences around human nature, human nature runs wild. The revolutionaries told men and women it was perfectly acceptable to pursue sexual fulfillment with abandon. With no limits, what is coming out, in our time, regarding sexual immorality should not be a surprise.
We as a society used to have standards of behavior in regard to sexual morality. However, the societal revolutionaries destroyed decent behavior among men.
Once you have torn down the wall of sexual boundaries, can that moral wall be re-established? It can be re-established if men and women are willing to turn back to the biblical standards that guided our nation throughout most American history.
Imagine if we turned back to a one sentence guideline: You shall not commit adultery. Putting this one boundary back in place limits sexual interactions between men and women to marriage only. If this limit were heeded, there would be no sexual harassment since men and women would be dedicated to their spouse or the one who will become their spouse.
It would be wonderful to see a return to the morality God revealed in His word.
The good news is there is coming a time when that will be a reality. As Christians our hope is that day will come soon.
Enjoy God’s Sabbath day,
Gary Smith
The prophet Hosea said a long time ago, "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind.” Mankind sows the wind when sin becomes a way of life. Sin may not be punished immediately so man continues to sin. If sin is punished, it is not that bad of a punishment, so man continues in sin. Eventually, a tipping point is reached and a harvest is reaped that comes in like a whirlwind.
What is unfolding before our eyes with the downfall of large numbers of men in power is the byproduct of the sexual revolution which began in the 1960’s.
In the 1960’s an all-out assault on sexual mores was undertaken. The sexual revolution was sold in our society as a good thing. Sexual freedom would allow people to remove the shackles of repressive, puritanical morality and experience freedom. People are sexual beings, and they need to explore their sexuality when they feel ready, without fear of guilt or shame.
This theme has been drummed into our heads continually, especially in movies and on television. Think of shows like Friends or Sex in the City, which casually promote the idea that you can have sex with multiple partners with no effect on a future marriage relationship.
A culture was built as a consequence of the sexual revolution. The revolution has been in progress for more than 40 years. Now that the whirlwind is hitting, people in favor of that revolution are shocked that there are casualties.
The reality is that when you remove the moral fences around human nature, human nature runs wild. The revolutionaries told men and women it was perfectly acceptable to pursue sexual fulfillment with abandon. With no limits, what is coming out, in our time, regarding sexual immorality should not be a surprise.
We as a society used to have standards of behavior in regard to sexual morality. However, the societal revolutionaries destroyed decent behavior among men.
Once you have torn down the wall of sexual boundaries, can that moral wall be re-established? It can be re-established if men and women are willing to turn back to the biblical standards that guided our nation throughout most American history.
Imagine if we turned back to a one sentence guideline: You shall not commit adultery. Putting this one boundary back in place limits sexual interactions between men and women to marriage only. If this limit were heeded, there would be no sexual harassment since men and women would be dedicated to their spouse or the one who will become their spouse.
It would be wonderful to see a return to the morality God revealed in His word.
The good news is there is coming a time when that will be a reality. As Christians our hope is that day will come soon.
Enjoy God’s Sabbath day,
Gary Smith
Friday, February 3, 2017
When Does a Baby's Life Begin? God Knows.
As the Sabbath approaches, I thought it worthwhile to
consider two marches held in Washington the first full week
of the new U.S. president’s term.
In looking at the two marches, one can see an immediate
contrast between those involved in the Women’s March on
Washington and the March for Life. In examining the two
groups there could be no more vivid example of the cultural
divide that plagues our country in 2017.
The women’s march on January 21 was characterized by
vulgarity, coarse language, and the primary goal of the
gathering was to ensure that abortion on demand continues to
be available. It is sad to see ladies taking pride in being called
“nasty” women and heartily endorsing the killing of potential
children of God before they have a chance at life.
In contrast, we have another group of people who gathered to
promote the right of the unborn to life. The demeanor of the
participants in the January 28th march was much more
positive. Interestingly, many people gathered for the pro-life
event were motivated by God’s word on the subject. The view
of many among them is that God is the giver of life and He
alone has the right to give or take life.
Sadly, the marches are over but the cultural war will continue.
But if the Bible were the guide there would be no abortions
and Roe vs. Wade would be superseded by God’s truth on the
matter.
One great question that arises out of this controversy is,
“When does life begin?” Consider the example of Jesus Christ
in this regard.
Consider that the one we know as Jesus Christ dwelled in
heaven throughout eternity as John 1 makes clear.
But it was God’s plan to send a Savior in the likeness of men
in order to save man from the penalty of sin. God’s plan to
send a Savior was instituted immediately after the sin of Adam
and Eve (Genesis 3:15).
At the right time in His great plan of salvation, God sent His
son, in the likeness of flesh, to redeem mankind of the death
penalty because of sin. “But when the fullness of the time had
come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under
the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
The Apostle Paul tells us that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was
an eternal being inhabiting eternity with God the Father. But
the one who became the Son of God was willing to let go of
being God in order to enter human realm (Philippians 2:6-7).
So, we find that Jesus Christ had eternal life. Yet He was
willing to place His very existence in the hands of the Father
to bring about a transference from being at the Father’s right
hand to life in the womb of Mary.
How did Jesus’ life begin in Mary’s womb? Luke 1:34-35
explains how this came about, “Then Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel
answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon
you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called
the Son of God.”
The scriptures equate the Holy Spirit with the power of God,
and the power of God with the Holy Spirit. It is through God’s
power that the life of Jesus Christ began in the womb of Mary.
Mary supplied the ovum and God supplied the rest. What God
began in the womb of Mary was not some glob of tissue, but
the life of the one who would become the Savior of the world.
If we look to the example of Jesus Christ’s, we see His life
began in the womb. The womb is where all human life begins
as well, at conception.
Sadly, at this time, there is a controversy, a cultural divide
over when life begins. Someday, there will be no marches in
Washington, D.C. But mankind will come to know that life
begins at conception and every baby is a potential member of
the family of God.
Gary Smith
consider two marches held in Washington the first full week
of the new U.S. president’s term.
In looking at the two marches, one can see an immediate
contrast between those involved in the Women’s March on
Washington and the March for Life. In examining the two
groups there could be no more vivid example of the cultural
divide that plagues our country in 2017.
The women’s march on January 21 was characterized by
vulgarity, coarse language, and the primary goal of the
gathering was to ensure that abortion on demand continues to
be available. It is sad to see ladies taking pride in being called
“nasty” women and heartily endorsing the killing of potential
children of God before they have a chance at life.
In contrast, we have another group of people who gathered to
promote the right of the unborn to life. The demeanor of the
participants in the January 28th march was much more
positive. Interestingly, many people gathered for the pro-life
event were motivated by God’s word on the subject. The view
of many among them is that God is the giver of life and He
alone has the right to give or take life.
Sadly, the marches are over but the cultural war will continue.
But if the Bible were the guide there would be no abortions
and Roe vs. Wade would be superseded by God’s truth on the
matter.
One great question that arises out of this controversy is,
“When does life begin?” Consider the example of Jesus Christ
in this regard.
Consider that the one we know as Jesus Christ dwelled in
heaven throughout eternity as John 1 makes clear.
But it was God’s plan to send a Savior in the likeness of men
in order to save man from the penalty of sin. God’s plan to
send a Savior was instituted immediately after the sin of Adam
and Eve (Genesis 3:15).
At the right time in His great plan of salvation, God sent His
son, in the likeness of flesh, to redeem mankind of the death
penalty because of sin. “But when the fullness of the time had
come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under
the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
The Apostle Paul tells us that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was
an eternal being inhabiting eternity with God the Father. But
the one who became the Son of God was willing to let go of
being God in order to enter human realm (Philippians 2:6-7).
So, we find that Jesus Christ had eternal life. Yet He was
willing to place His very existence in the hands of the Father
to bring about a transference from being at the Father’s right
hand to life in the womb of Mary.
How did Jesus’ life begin in Mary’s womb? Luke 1:34-35
explains how this came about, “Then Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel
answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon
you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called
the Son of God.”
The scriptures equate the Holy Spirit with the power of God,
and the power of God with the Holy Spirit. It is through God’s
power that the life of Jesus Christ began in the womb of Mary.
Mary supplied the ovum and God supplied the rest. What God
began in the womb of Mary was not some glob of tissue, but
the life of the one who would become the Savior of the world.
If we look to the example of Jesus Christ’s, we see His life
began in the womb. The womb is where all human life begins
as well, at conception.
Sadly, at this time, there is a controversy, a cultural divide
over when life begins. Someday, there will be no marches in
Washington, D.C. But mankind will come to know that life
begins at conception and every baby is a potential member of
the family of God.
Gary Smith
Friday, December 30, 2016
Feeling What Not Having Hope Feels Like
A prominent politician made an interesting comment a couple
of weeks ago. The politician said, “We are feeling what not
having hope feels like.”
Why is this person lacking in hope? Her hopelessness comes
as a result of her political party losing in the November
election. With the election of someone that they heartily
disagree with, they feel that the policies conducive to hope
will be cast aside.
On the other side of the political spectrum, there is great hope
that “America will be made great again”. The sad reality is
that hope springs forth every time there is an election. The
winning voters always seem to hope that good things lie
ahead. As the hopes of the winning side in the election are not
met, there will be great disappointment over the failure to
deliver on the promises made to the voters.
The reality is that no matter the politician, his followers are
bound to be disappointed. The hopelessness of trusting
politicians and their offer for humanity is brought out in
Psalms 118:9, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
confidence in princes.”
Whereas man is limited and uncertain, God is not. God is the
same “Yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We can
always be assured that God is there and He will always act in
our best interest even if His response is not what we want.
Let’s consider a couple of scriptures that lay out for us the
panorama of hope which is what prophecy is all about.
Through these scriptures, we can see why for God’s people
there is always hope.
The panorama begins in Genesis with the sins of Adam and
Eve. As God spelled out in Genesis 2, in the day in which
Adam or Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
they would die. Death is an inevitable outcome of sin.
With death hanging over the lives of the first couple, it might
be said, “They were feeling what not having hope feels like.”
However, one of God’s first actions after sin entered the world
is found in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you
and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall
bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." God was
telling the first man and woman that a seed would come who
would work out the problem of sin.
The scripture in Genesis seems pretty obscure until God fills
in more details about the coming, Seed, Jesus Christ, who
would open the way to salvation for all mankind.
What is to be ultimately be worked out by the Seed, Jesus
Christ, is detailed in Acts 3:19-21, “Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that
He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all
things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy
prophets since the world began.”
God, through Peter, tells us that as promised from the time of
the first sin there is coming a time when all things will be
restored to the way God always intended them to be. We are
reassured that there is always hope for this sin sick world
through Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The Bible reassures us of the fulfillment of this promise from
Genesis all the way to the end of Bible in Revelation.
Human beings lose hope because things don’t work out the
way they want them to.
But God is our hope no matter what is going on in our lives or
in the world around us. As the Psalmist says, “For You are my
hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth (Psalms
71:5).
Have a most enjoyable Sabbath because we always have hope.
Gary Smith
of weeks ago. The politician said, “We are feeling what not
having hope feels like.”
Why is this person lacking in hope? Her hopelessness comes
as a result of her political party losing in the November
election. With the election of someone that they heartily
disagree with, they feel that the policies conducive to hope
will be cast aside.
On the other side of the political spectrum, there is great hope
that “America will be made great again”. The sad reality is
that hope springs forth every time there is an election. The
winning voters always seem to hope that good things lie
ahead. As the hopes of the winning side in the election are not
met, there will be great disappointment over the failure to
deliver on the promises made to the voters.
The reality is that no matter the politician, his followers are
bound to be disappointed. The hopelessness of trusting
politicians and their offer for humanity is brought out in
Psalms 118:9, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
confidence in princes.”
Whereas man is limited and uncertain, God is not. God is the
same “Yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We can
always be assured that God is there and He will always act in
our best interest even if His response is not what we want.
Let’s consider a couple of scriptures that lay out for us the
panorama of hope which is what prophecy is all about.
Through these scriptures, we can see why for God’s people
there is always hope.
The panorama begins in Genesis with the sins of Adam and
Eve. As God spelled out in Genesis 2, in the day in which
Adam or Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
they would die. Death is an inevitable outcome of sin.
With death hanging over the lives of the first couple, it might
be said, “They were feeling what not having hope feels like.”
However, one of God’s first actions after sin entered the world
is found in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you
and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall
bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." God was
telling the first man and woman that a seed would come who
would work out the problem of sin.
The scripture in Genesis seems pretty obscure until God fills
in more details about the coming, Seed, Jesus Christ, who
would open the way to salvation for all mankind.
What is to be ultimately be worked out by the Seed, Jesus
Christ, is detailed in Acts 3:19-21, “Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that
He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all
things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy
prophets since the world began.”
God, through Peter, tells us that as promised from the time of
the first sin there is coming a time when all things will be
restored to the way God always intended them to be. We are
reassured that there is always hope for this sin sick world
through Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The Bible reassures us of the fulfillment of this promise from
Genesis all the way to the end of Bible in Revelation.
Human beings lose hope because things don’t work out the
way they want them to.
But God is our hope no matter what is going on in our lives or
in the world around us. As the Psalmist says, “For You are my
hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth (Psalms
71:5).
Have a most enjoyable Sabbath because we always have hope.
Gary Smith
Friday, September 23, 2016
The Right Approach to God’s Feast Days
Since the Holy Days will be observed shortly, I thought it would be valuable to consider the right approach to God’s Feast Days.
Isaiah states, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats” (Isaiah 1:10-11). Isaiah’s statement seems odd in light of the fact that God directed Israel to offer various sacrifices.
The prophet condemns the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their sacrifices. Has God suddenly changed His mind about sacrifices or is there another reason why God inspired Isaiah 1:10-11?
Apparently, the people were quite diligent in making sacrifices and offerings at the temple. They offered and sacrificed large numbers of animals. However, God is not pleased with what they were offering because their approach is wrong. What is wrong with their approach? Before addressing what was wrong with their sacrifices, let’s examine what more God has to say.
"When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies —I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:12-15).
It should be noted that where they were falling short in coming before God is explained by understanding what is meant by “to trample my courts”. Barnes’ Notes states, “To tread his courts was an expression therefore, equivalent to, to worship. To tread the courts of the Lord here, has the idea of profanation. Who has required you to tread those courts with this hollow, heartless service? It is often used in the sense of treading down, or trampling on” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Why are Judah’s sacrifices futile? Sadly, it has to do with their sinfulness. They offered sacrifices and offerings, burned incense, gathered for the Sabbath and Holy Days, and offered up an abundance of prayers. They were religious while still practicing sin. There was no humility, recognition of sin, or repentance.
The sacrificial system had ceased to serve its purpose of focusing the people on God and the need for righteousness. The people are religious but it is form without substance (2 Timothy 3:5).
The point here is that the character of the people had degenerated to the point that the manner in which they keep the Sabbath and religious festivals had become offensive to God. Their attitudes and approach had so degenerated that the Holy Day observances were hardly recognizable to God as having originated with Him. They were no longer His feasts, but the wayward people's feasts. Indeed, besides observing God's true festivals in a wrong manner and attitude, Israel had even instituted its own substitute holidays and participated in pagan observances.
Because of the people's defiance, we see that God has ceased listening to their prayers.
What is the lesson for the 21st century Christian? The lesson is that God has instructed us to make sacrifices and offerings, to attend the Holy Days, and to offer up prayers, but our attendance or giving an offering is not the most important thing. We can do all of those commanded things while continuing in sin and not walking humbly before God. Unless our heart is right, we are wasting God’s time and our time as well.
What is most important is the condition of our heart. King David came to understand this point and reflect that understanding in his prayer of repentance in Psalms 51:16-17, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise.”
As we come before God in prayer, on a Sabbath or Holy Day, God looks at our heart. Are we coming before Him in humility, in repentance, in joy and in gratefulness?
If we prepare our heart to seek our God, then He will accept our sacrifices and offering. He will hear our prayers. And He will be most glad that we are honoring Him through the Sabbath and Holy Days
.
As the Holy Days of the seventh month begin, we must take time to look at our spiritual condition and acknowledge our need for God in our lives. With that right approach, we can be assured God will be glad we honor Him at the Feast.
Gary Smith
Isaiah states, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats” (Isaiah 1:10-11). Isaiah’s statement seems odd in light of the fact that God directed Israel to offer various sacrifices.
The prophet condemns the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their sacrifices. Has God suddenly changed His mind about sacrifices or is there another reason why God inspired Isaiah 1:10-11?
Apparently, the people were quite diligent in making sacrifices and offerings at the temple. They offered and sacrificed large numbers of animals. However, God is not pleased with what they were offering because their approach is wrong. What is wrong with their approach? Before addressing what was wrong with their sacrifices, let’s examine what more God has to say.
"When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies —I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:12-15).
It should be noted that where they were falling short in coming before God is explained by understanding what is meant by “to trample my courts”. Barnes’ Notes states, “To tread his courts was an expression therefore, equivalent to, to worship. To tread the courts of the Lord here, has the idea of profanation. Who has required you to tread those courts with this hollow, heartless service? It is often used in the sense of treading down, or trampling on” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Why are Judah’s sacrifices futile? Sadly, it has to do with their sinfulness. They offered sacrifices and offerings, burned incense, gathered for the Sabbath and Holy Days, and offered up an abundance of prayers. They were religious while still practicing sin. There was no humility, recognition of sin, or repentance.
The sacrificial system had ceased to serve its purpose of focusing the people on God and the need for righteousness. The people are religious but it is form without substance (2 Timothy 3:5).
The point here is that the character of the people had degenerated to the point that the manner in which they keep the Sabbath and religious festivals had become offensive to God. Their attitudes and approach had so degenerated that the Holy Day observances were hardly recognizable to God as having originated with Him. They were no longer His feasts, but the wayward people's feasts. Indeed, besides observing God's true festivals in a wrong manner and attitude, Israel had even instituted its own substitute holidays and participated in pagan observances.
Because of the people's defiance, we see that God has ceased listening to their prayers.
What is the lesson for the 21st century Christian? The lesson is that God has instructed us to make sacrifices and offerings, to attend the Holy Days, and to offer up prayers, but our attendance or giving an offering is not the most important thing. We can do all of those commanded things while continuing in sin and not walking humbly before God. Unless our heart is right, we are wasting God’s time and our time as well.
What is most important is the condition of our heart. King David came to understand this point and reflect that understanding in his prayer of repentance in Psalms 51:16-17, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise.”
As we come before God in prayer, on a Sabbath or Holy Day, God looks at our heart. Are we coming before Him in humility, in repentance, in joy and in gratefulness?
If we prepare our heart to seek our God, then He will accept our sacrifices and offering. He will hear our prayers. And He will be most glad that we are honoring Him through the Sabbath and Holy Days
.
As the Holy Days of the seventh month begin, we must take time to look at our spiritual condition and acknowledge our need for God in our lives. With that right approach, we can be assured God will be glad we honor Him at the Feast.
Gary Smith
Friday, May 13, 2016
When the Righteous Are in Authority, the People Rejoice; But...
On May 3, Donald Trump was victorious in the Indiana primary. The Ted Cruz and John Kasich campaigns each called it quits.
What does this political outcome tell us?
Dr. Michael Brown, on May 4, 2016, published an opinion piece entitled, "Donald Trump the National Enquirer President". His full article appears at the following link: http://barbwire.com/2016/05/04/donald-trump-national-enquirer-president
He begins the article, “It is altogether fitting that Donald Trump became the all-but-certain presidential nominee of the Republican Party on the same day that he cited the ridiculous allegations of the National Enquirer that Ted Cruz’s father, Rafael, had involvement in the assassination of JFK.
“This is not so much an indictment on Trump as it is an indictment on the American people. God could well be giving us exactly what we deserve.”
Dr. Brown then speaks of where we are at as a people, “I have no desire to be right; I do have an intense desire to see America blessed; and I would far rather say, “I was so wrong about Donald Trump,” than say, “I told you so!”
“That being said, it appears today in America that God has given us over to delusion, a phenomenon mentioned several times in the Bible when God takes away a people’s moral and spiritual sensibilities as a judgment on their sin.
“In other words, because people reject Him and His standards, He says, “Go ahead then. Have at it,” further pushing us into our folly.”
Proverbs 29:2 tells us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” If we look at the conduct of the presidential candidates, it appears there is to be more groaning in our future than rejoicing.
The Apostle Paul spoke of a society’s condition when God is rejected in Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. . . .” Have we been given over to a debased mindset?
Dr. Brown describes our condition, “That seems to be the only way to explain how we are suddenly at the point in America where people are saying there’s nothing wrong with grown men using women’s locker rooms and bathrooms and where states like California have ruled that boys who identify as girls can play on the girls’ sports teams and share their shower stalls and changing areas.
“This is cultural insanity, yet many are too blind to see.
“How else do we explain college students telling a young Caucasian man that if he identifies as a woman, he is; if he identifies as Chinese, he is; if he identifies as a 7-year-old, he is – but if he identifies as 6’ 5” he is not – how else do we explain this unless we have been given over to a spirit of delusion?
“I see the Trump candidacy in the same way.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his blatant, well-documented lying.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his consistent practice of vile character assassination for the purpose of political gain.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his vulgarity and profanity.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his ignorance of critical issues and his complete flip-flopping of major positions.”
The last four points made are they not warning signs about a presidential candidate? And yet no one heeds! Interestingly, we could do a similar analysis of other presidential candidates.
One final quote, “And he has masterfully appealed to American fears and anger – fears of terrorism, fears of economic collapse, anger with the political system, anger with American weakness – to the point that his supporters are looking to him as a quasi-savior figure. Only he can get the job done!
“But in almost any other time in American history, Trump’s negatives would have so outweighed his positives that he would have quickly disqualified himself as a candidate.
“Not today.”
Noting this current situation in regard to American leadership, should we be surprised by what is on the horizon?
The Apostle John was able to see an evil political figure that will arise at the end of the age, “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” (Revelation 13:4-7).
As our world unravels, we have the anchor of the Sabbath, which reminds us that the King of kings, and Lord of lords is coming to reign in righteousness (Revelation 19:11).
May God hasten the day.
Gary Smith
What does this political outcome tell us?
Dr. Michael Brown, on May 4, 2016, published an opinion piece entitled, "Donald Trump the National Enquirer President". His full article appears at the following link: http://barbwire.com/2016/05/04/donald-trump-national-enquirer-president
He begins the article, “It is altogether fitting that Donald Trump became the all-but-certain presidential nominee of the Republican Party on the same day that he cited the ridiculous allegations of the National Enquirer that Ted Cruz’s father, Rafael, had involvement in the assassination of JFK.
“This is not so much an indictment on Trump as it is an indictment on the American people. God could well be giving us exactly what we deserve.”
Dr. Brown then speaks of where we are at as a people, “I have no desire to be right; I do have an intense desire to see America blessed; and I would far rather say, “I was so wrong about Donald Trump,” than say, “I told you so!”
“That being said, it appears today in America that God has given us over to delusion, a phenomenon mentioned several times in the Bible when God takes away a people’s moral and spiritual sensibilities as a judgment on their sin.
“In other words, because people reject Him and His standards, He says, “Go ahead then. Have at it,” further pushing us into our folly.”
Proverbs 29:2 tells us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” If we look at the conduct of the presidential candidates, it appears there is to be more groaning in our future than rejoicing.
The Apostle Paul spoke of a society’s condition when God is rejected in Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. . . .” Have we been given over to a debased mindset?
Dr. Brown describes our condition, “That seems to be the only way to explain how we are suddenly at the point in America where people are saying there’s nothing wrong with grown men using women’s locker rooms and bathrooms and where states like California have ruled that boys who identify as girls can play on the girls’ sports teams and share their shower stalls and changing areas.
“This is cultural insanity, yet many are too blind to see.
“How else do we explain college students telling a young Caucasian man that if he identifies as a woman, he is; if he identifies as Chinese, he is; if he identifies as a 7-year-old, he is – but if he identifies as 6’ 5” he is not – how else do we explain this unless we have been given over to a spirit of delusion?
“I see the Trump candidacy in the same way.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his blatant, well-documented lying.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his consistent practice of vile character assassination for the purpose of political gain.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his vulgarity and profanity.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his ignorance of critical issues and his complete flip-flopping of major positions.”
The last four points made are they not warning signs about a presidential candidate? And yet no one heeds! Interestingly, we could do a similar analysis of other presidential candidates.
One final quote, “And he has masterfully appealed to American fears and anger – fears of terrorism, fears of economic collapse, anger with the political system, anger with American weakness – to the point that his supporters are looking to him as a quasi-savior figure. Only he can get the job done!
“But in almost any other time in American history, Trump’s negatives would have so outweighed his positives that he would have quickly disqualified himself as a candidate.
“Not today.”
Noting this current situation in regard to American leadership, should we be surprised by what is on the horizon?
The Apostle John was able to see an evil political figure that will arise at the end of the age, “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” (Revelation 13:4-7).
As our world unravels, we have the anchor of the Sabbath, which reminds us that the King of kings, and Lord of lords is coming to reign in righteousness (Revelation 19:11).
May God hasten the day.
Gary Smith
Friday, July 3, 2015
Preaching the Gospel
As the Sabbath day arrives, I would
like us to consider “the preaching of the Gospel.”
When Jesus began His ministry, He began
to preach a particular message. Mark mentions this in Mark 1:14-15,
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching
the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in
the gospel."”
After His death and resurrection,
Christ re-emphasized the work that the Apostles were to carry out,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen
(Matthew 28:19-20). Clearly the Apostles were to carry on the work
that Christ began in Galilee. They were to preach the gospel message
of the soon coming kingdom of Heaven. They were to make disciples,
which can only be done by teaching the truths of the Bible. These
verses emphasize repentance since one can only have their sins washed
away in the waters of baptism upon repentance.
Did the Apostles preach the gospel? We
only have to look at what happened on the day of Pentecost in 31 AD.
Acts 2:38-41 “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every
one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the
promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off,
as many as the Lord our God will call." And with many other
words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from
this perverse generation." Then those who gladly received his
word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were
added to them.”
The Gospel was preached. Disciples were
added to the Church by God and congregations were established
throughout the world. For a time, the Church of God enjoyed a
relative freedom to preach the truths of the Bible and to meet the
Roman Empire and beyond.
However, by the end of the 1st
Century, distortion of the truth and persecution upon the Church had
begun. By 325 AD, with the decisions of the Council of Nicaea and
Roman Emperor, Constantine, God’s people had to go into hiding for
better than 1280 years. At the end of that time, the door was slowly
opened for the Church to go forward to openly preach the Gospel.
For those of us associated with the
Radio Church of God and its later manifestation, the Worldwide Church
of God, we have lived in a remarkable time. A hundred years in which
there has been relatively little suppression of the truth. It has
been a time when the church could proclaim the Gospel to the world,
over the airwaves, on TV, and in print. It has been an era in which
the Church could meet in peace without fear of oppression.
On Friday, June 26, 2015, the Supreme
Court decided a case legitimatizing something that is condemned by
the scriptures. It opens the door for actions to be taken against
those who wish to follow the scriptures.
Some questions:
- Will we be able to meet in peace while holding fast to the truth?
- Will we individually and collectively come under attack because our religious beliefs?
- Will we be able to hold jobs where we are forced to accept something we know to be in opposition to God’s way of life?
- Most fundamentally, can we continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ if we can no longer preach the message of repentance from dead works?
Pandora’s Box has been opened and
there is no putting what has been unleashed back in the bottle.
Will we follow the Apostles admonition
as we go forward in preaching the truth even if we are threatened and
persecuted? Note what Peter and the other apostles said in response
to the religious authorities seeking to suppress the truth, “We
ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up
Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to
His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel
and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things,
and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey
Him." (Acts 5:29-32).
How the future will unfold exactly is
unknown, but all of God’s people must be aware that on June 26,
2015 we crossed a threshold that can only bring challenges for God’s
people.
We especially need God’s protection,
wisdom, and guidance as we journey on to the Kingdom of God.
Stay focused on the hope we receive
every Sabbath day and may God hasten the reality that the Sabbath
portrays.
Gary Smith
Friday, April 10, 2015
The Days of Unleavened Bread Are Over But Our Battle with Sin is Not
As the weekly Sabbath begins, the annual Sabbath, the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread, has come to a close.
In hearkening back to two significant historical events that occurred on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, we are reminded of a most important realization.
The first event that occurred on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread is Israel passing through the Red Sea. God opened the way for Israel to pass through an impassible physical barrier. They were under great pressure as the army of Pharaoh chomped at the bit to recapture the slave nation and return them to slavery. They had no time to come up with their own solution. They had to trust God to make a way for them to escape.
God did make a way for Israel to pass through the Red Sea, but was their journey complete? No, Israel had to continue to follow God on to the Promised Land.
We have renewed our covenant with God and have completed the Days of Unleavened Bread. But we like Israel have not reached the Promised Land. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ.
A second historical event occurring at the close of Unleavened Bread was the fall of Jericho. Israel had entered the land as God miraculously parted the waters of the Jordan. Israel encamped at Gilgal and it was there that all the males were circumcised as part of the covenant with God. They kept the Passover and then began the conquest of Jericho throughout the Days of Unleavened Bread. It was on the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread that the walls collapsed and Israel conquered the city.
One city in the land of Canaan had fallen, but the conquest was far from complete. There were many more cities to conquer. We must realize that the conquest of sin is not complete in our lives either. As human beings, we are going to continually be battling sin. As Israel submitted to and followed God’s instructions in marching around Jericho, so we must continue to follow Christ until the conquest of sin is complete.
Our need to continue to follow Christ to the land of promise and to conquer sin is summarized beautifully by Paul in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
As the Sabbath begins, it is good for us to reflect on the fact that we have not yet attained and our need to continue to reach “forward to those things which are ahead.” We press on toward the conquest of sin and maturity of Jesus Christ. As God completes His work in us through Jesus Christ, we will receive the eternal inheritance.
Enjoy the Sabbath,
Gary Smith
In hearkening back to two significant historical events that occurred on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, we are reminded of a most important realization.
The first event that occurred on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread is Israel passing through the Red Sea. God opened the way for Israel to pass through an impassible physical barrier. They were under great pressure as the army of Pharaoh chomped at the bit to recapture the slave nation and return them to slavery. They had no time to come up with their own solution. They had to trust God to make a way for them to escape.
God did make a way for Israel to pass through the Red Sea, but was their journey complete? No, Israel had to continue to follow God on to the Promised Land.
We have renewed our covenant with God and have completed the Days of Unleavened Bread. But we like Israel have not reached the Promised Land. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ.
A second historical event occurring at the close of Unleavened Bread was the fall of Jericho. Israel had entered the land as God miraculously parted the waters of the Jordan. Israel encamped at Gilgal and it was there that all the males were circumcised as part of the covenant with God. They kept the Passover and then began the conquest of Jericho throughout the Days of Unleavened Bread. It was on the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread that the walls collapsed and Israel conquered the city.
One city in the land of Canaan had fallen, but the conquest was far from complete. There were many more cities to conquer. We must realize that the conquest of sin is not complete in our lives either. As human beings, we are going to continually be battling sin. As Israel submitted to and followed God’s instructions in marching around Jericho, so we must continue to follow Christ until the conquest of sin is complete.
Our need to continue to follow Christ to the land of promise and to conquer sin is summarized beautifully by Paul in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
As the Sabbath begins, it is good for us to reflect on the fact that we have not yet attained and our need to continue to reach “forward to those things which are ahead.” We press on toward the conquest of sin and maturity of Jesus Christ. As God completes His work in us through Jesus Christ, we will receive the eternal inheritance.
Enjoy the Sabbath,
Gary Smith
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