From the Pulpit
Sparks From The Gospel Anvil 1 Timothy 1:8-11
In the context the Apostle Paul is warning Timothy against false teachers. Their teaching was dividing Christians rather than building them up
(verse 4b). They also had “swerved…aside unto vain jangling” or idle talk. Their teachings fell far short of the goals mentioned in verse 5: “To produce charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.”
They were using the law “unlawfully” and they wanted to be known as “doctors of the law” but had no real understanding of the law and its purpose. Verse 7 brings this out, “Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say or whereof they affirm.”
It was a case of the blind leading the blind. It is here that the apostle touches on some things that he finds of utmost importance. His personal appreciation for the law, verse 8, states that, “but we know that the law is good…” His words echo the words of the psalmist in Psalm 19:7-11.
Paul also makes a similar statement in Romans 7:12 and no one was a greater champion of salvation by faith than Paul, and yet, he praised the work of the law, but to put it in his own words, “only if a man use it lawfully.” There is also the primary aim of the law, which is found in verses 9 and 10, which states the purpose of the law.
According to these verses, the law was not made for the righteous, but for the unrighteous. Those who cling to their own righteousness will never be saved. Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician, but they who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32).
Using God’s moral law embodied in the Ten Commandments, Paul targets those for whom the law is intended. The list is not pretty, but it vividly describes those for whom the law is intended. All the sins mentioned deal with either our relationship to God or each other – as does the Decalogue or Ten Commandments.
Obviously, the law was not given to justify us! The law helps us only in the sense that it convinces us we are helpless to help ourselves, thus in pointing us to the only One Who can save us. When it is properly understood and presented, I know of nothing more convicting than the Ten Commandments.
You yourself, will get a fresh glimpse of the Holiness of God and the sinfulness of the human heart. According to scripture, the law performs several vital functions in preparing people to get saved. It silences the sinner (Romans 3:19) and according to Ray Comfort, “the function of the law is to stop the sinners mouth of self-justification. It stops him from proclaiming his own goodness. Its intent is to drive him to the cross.”
It also spells out sin (Romans 3:20/ Romans 7:7) and it summons us to the Savior (Galatians 3:24). But most important is the practical application of the law. The question is does God’s moral Law, expressed in the Ten Commandments, have a place in modern day preaching? Indeed it does. Paul incorporates it into the gospel we preach (verse 12). The preaching of the law does not lessen the glorious news that Jesus saves, it makes the good news that Jesus saves even more glorious!
Since the Law shows men their sin, is a necessary part of the gospel. “If there is no bad news that men are lost, there can be no good news that Jesus saves”! And according to Acts 20:27, we must declare the whole counsel of God, people must understand that “under the law the best of men are condemned, while under grace, the worst of men are justified by faith.”
(Lieutenant Charles Smith is commanding officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado).
Ancient Words — Truth vs Fake News
“Fake News” is a new expression for our world in 2016/2017, yet what “Fake News” represents is nothing new to a world 6,000 years old or more.
Eve had a one-on-one encounter with I suppose an attractive snake in the Garden of Eden. I’m sure it was attractive because women like things that are cute. The snake asked Eve if any tree was off limits as stipulated by God. The command to Adam came before Eve was made from Adam’s rib so evidently Adam, as a good husband, had passed this on to his wife, Eve, God’s instruction. Eve responds to the snake that God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die (Gen. 3:3).”
Now comes the fake news…. “You will not certainly die,” said the snake to Eve: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Fake news has been set in motion first by the cute snake and now by the woman.
“Come on, honey, I have just learned the news that eating from the tree in center court will make us wise like God and that we will certainly not die,” Eve says to Adam. “Now, Eve…”, Adam may have said in response but his rebuttal makes no difference for Adam gives in to the fake news as well and they both partake. The devious and false news trick has undone the perfect life for God’s two creatures made in his likeness and for the next 4,000 years the human race struggles with imperfection brought on by the lie of fake news.
God’s answer for the world comes with a human birth in a lowly manger in Bethlehem, spans 33 years, and ends with a human death on a rugged cross in Jerusalem. The Son of God, His only begotten Son, is given in sacrifice for the sins of mankind — past, present and future.
The Son of God, perfect without blemish, satisfies the requirement to correct the imperfection. In one word, this accomplishment is called the Gospel — good news and true news!! The snake, however, is still at his task. Fake news must be reported to reverse the course of perfection created by the Gospel.
While reportedly over two billion Christians have maintained the course of the Gospel, the majority of the world has bought into fake news. This news created by the same snake reports that God has no Son, that the Son was an imposter, that the written word found in the Holy Bible has no merit, that God is a crutch for disabled minds, that the Bible story of creation is a myth among many myths, so on and so forth… the fake news continues.
The false narrative against truth is not going away according to the Ancient Words. The scope of attack will continue to grow and enlarge with deceit and lies that will make our conditions of today pale.
Revelation 13:1-10 reads, “The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had 10 horns and seven heads, with 10 crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.”
People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for 42 months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
(Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible).