Is there Truth?

I’m not a doctor, but I think I may have whiplash. Last week, I read one columnist assure his readers everything is going to be fine regarding the virus. The next article was from his colleague, that assured us the world is on fire and that we are weeks away from entering the realm of the Lord of the Flies. So while I have the conch, I will like to tell you why there are so many opposite stories.

"Lord of the Flies" by Gonzalo Martínez Moreno 

 In logic, there is an axiom called “the law of noncontradiction”. The law means two contradictory statements can’t be true, when used in the same sense. For example, everything is fine and the world is about to devolve into anarchy cannot be true at the same time. Certainly, both can be false, but they can’t both be true. That’s simple enough, but let’s go a bit further. How does this happen? Are both groups lying? Perhaps. Another possibility is they both believe what they are saying and are wrong.  The media purports itself to be unbiased, but I am of the opinion that there is no such thing. Unless you are a jellyfish, you come to every issue with preconceived notions and beliefs. And, perhaps even these gelatinous scyphozoan are fixed in their view of the world.

Some are calm, collected, and reassuring, but have no grounds for their hope other than a hunch or a wrongheaded idea of reality. Others are running in circles with their hands flailing about to and fro in a panic because they can foresee no other possibility than scientific models of worst-case scenarios playing out — because they have misplaced trust in fallible scientific models, or what I like to call “guesses”. These opposite views are more like siblings. They have hope and fear based on their presuppositions. Two people can read the same news story, one go out and buy gold along with 3,400 rolls of toilet paper while the other will read it and roll their eyes and think it’s preposterous. I’m not suggesting the noble “third way” but to consider your source. Not just the source of what your read and hear, but the source of how you read and interpret. What’s your bias?

People look at things from the perspective of their beliefs. I am a pastor, and I write this column every week, not as some unbiased entity who is above it all, but a man who is convinced Jesus is Lord and Christ, and the Bible is the Word of God. The law of noncontradiction is true, but only because there is truth. God's Word is true. The Bible is sure in a day of troubles. It's a stronghold and won't change with the times and seasons. When the world is passing around falsehoods, rumors, and hunches, it's a must for God's people to rest in God’s truth. All men are liars. Trust God's sure and true promises. Pick up God's Word and ground yourself in a trustworthy word.

Plodding On

"Ah, fellow-servants of Christ, take to heart this word—"John also was baptizing." His season of popularity might be over: his light might be eclipsed by that of a greater: the crowds might have become thin; but, nevertheless, he plodded on and faithfully persevered in the work God had given him to do! "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9). John performed his duty and fulfilled his course.…This is ever a favorite device with him, to make one servant of the Lord envious at the greater success enjoyed by another. And alas! how frequently does he gain his wicked ends thus. It is only those who seek not honor of men, but desire only the glory of their Lord, that are proof against such attacks."

AW. Pink, The Gospel of John 

Don't Worry

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Christian isn’t supposed to be full of care and worry. And no, that’s not easy for me to say.  Anytime you face some unknown situation, or a dangerous problem, you should be concerned enough to analyze the facts and take into consideration the possible outcomes and prepare for them. If you are not concerned for yourself or for others when situations arise that are life threatening, or life changing then there is something wrong. This passage isn't saying that we are to be stoics, apathetic and uncaring about everything in life. It would be sinful if we didn't care and had no concern about whether or not people go to Hell, or for the well being of our friends and family (cf. I Corinthians 12:25; Philippians 2:25).

The passage is dealing with is the state of continual anxiousness. There comes a point when we have done everything we can do within our power. You’ve prepared as best you can, you’ve taken all the precautions, and now, it’s in God’s hands. Now we must be trusting in the Lord. But what do we do with that anxiety? You read about the virus, and you get concerned and take the precautions, but now what?  The text tells us the care is in the heart and in the mind, otherwise a God given peace wouldn’t be necessary. If you were free from care, why would God need to give you peace? You need peace when you don’t have it, and if you are anxious, you don’t have peace.

What do you do with the anxiety? Take it to the Lord in prayer. The Christian should not live in a state of anxiety but rather take everything to God and pour your heart out to Him in prayer. Everything. Don’t hide from God. When the heart is full of care, PRAY. The text says “let your requests be made known unto God”. Tell Him. Make them known. But doesn’t God already know? Jesus said “your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him”. Why do we have to make known our requests, if God already knows? God wants us to pray to him. God uses our prayer as the instrument of fulfilling his will. And prayer is good for us. It’s the way God provides peace for the anxious soul trusting in Christ. The instruction was to pray unto God and let God know why have worry and anxiety.  Through Christ Jesus, he will give you peace. He will protect and keep your heart and mind. Christ will give you peace, because He cares for you. Come to Christ in prayer, praise him in thanksgiving, make your requests known, and trust him. Rest your soul, knowing your God will keep you.

Prudence, Panic, and Pandemics

Prudence is not the same thing as panic. We are not dealing with an unprecedented disease, though we may be dealing with unprecedented fearfulness.  You need to act with wisdom, take precautions, and not tempt God. Being cautious, careful, and prudent is not the same thing as panic. I am thankful to God this is not as bad as it could be. It’s not even close to being as bad as things were a little over a century ago.  In her book Flu, Gina Kolotal tells the story of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic where 25% of Americans contracted the virus and somewhere between 20-100 million people died world-wide. At Fort Devens, an Army base in Massachusetts, 129 soldiers died in 48 hours. Of the 45,000 men stationed at the base, 8,000 were hospitalized. A few days later, the flu spread outside the camp, and on  “September 26, 1918, 123 Bostonians died of the flu and 33 succumbed to pneumonia.” A month later, in Philadelphia, close to 11,000 died from the flu. In one day, 759 Philadelphia residents past away — just to put this current virus in perspective.

Christian, please don’t panic. Psalm 91:9-11, “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Remember, God is Sovereign. God was not taken by surprise by this virus. The Lord Jehovah is not merely in control when things go the way we want them to. Nothing is outside of his dominion. No event happens outside of his will. Also understand, that no amount of “social-distancing” will give you eternal life. Job 14:5, “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.” God is even sovereign over the day of your death. But after we have done all we can, we must trust in the Lord and rest in his sovereignty. What happens if it gets worse? Trust in the Lord. Our God hears His people in distress (Psalm 107:16-21) so go to the Lord in prayer. Psalms 41:3 tells us, “The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.”

You can also love your neighbor during this time, and for that matter, anytime. You are commanded by your Lord to be “courteous” (1 Peter 3:8). Cover your mouth when you cough. There really is no excuse for any adult to be coughing and hacking in public without covering their mouth. It’s selfish. Yes, it may be a great burden to bend your elbow all the way to your mouth (Proverbs 26:15) but that should be a sacrifice you are willing to make for the sake of the people around you. Another way to love your neighbor is to stay home if you are sick. The graveyard is full of indispensable men. Don’t think so highly of yourself to believe that the world can’t go on without you for a few days. You need to check your heart and your priorities if that’s the case.

This virus has been revealing. It’s showed how quickly things can go south. It’s showed us that people are irrational in a panic. What are the symptoms of the coronavirus? Fever and cough. What are the stores sold out of? Toilet paper. I can’t imagine what would happen in a real crisis situation. This was a good test run to show us the world is ripe for the picking for a Strongman to come along and take control. People will gladly give up their freedoms for an exchange of relative safety. I hope it’s shown some Christians their need to be members of a church. James tells the sick to call for the elders — but if you are not a member of a church, you are missing out on a great benefit of the Christian life, to have members of the church care for your soul. I also hope it’s shown some Christians that life is short, and that you need to wake up out of your sleep, get your mind out of the vanity fair of this world, and be vigilant and on guard. You don't’ know when the Master will return. You don’t know when you’ll be summoned to meet Him.

This virus revealed to a great number of people that life is frail. The world can change overnight. The things you thought were sure aren’t as strong as you imagined. I pray that this virus has opened your eyes to eternity. No one has the promise of tomorrow. It’s an illusion to believe things will go on like they always have forever. Eternity is just a heartbeat away. The Bible tells us the wages of sin is death. And those who die in their sin face the wrath of a holy God. The only hope man has is Jesus Christ, who came to save sinners.

Young Men, Study Your Bible

Titus 2:6-8  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded … in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.  

Young men, you need to read and study your Bible. There is much that can and does occupy your time and your mind, but it is vitally important for you to know doctrine and be sound in the faith. Young man, study your Bible because God has commanded it. Doctrine is not something only the preacher needs to know. It's telling that when a young man knows the Word of God and is grounded in doctrine, everyone tells him he ought to be a preacher. The problem with that view, is the assumption that you don't have to know doctrine if you are not a preacher. Whether or not you preach the word, you may have or will have a young wife, and young children who are going to look to you for spiritual guidance. They will look to you for wisdom, understanding, and advice. As a man, you need to be able to answer and help them truthfully. You will have people looking to you to lead them and how terrible to not know where you are going yourself.

Now is the time to start. Ecclesiastes 12:1, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." As a young man, you have the time, the energy and the mental capacity to study and remember great amounts of information. You can memorize the names of ball players and statistics, know the genealogies and story arcs of all the Marvel superheroes, or know every lyric to every country song on the radio. But don't let this season of strength and ability pass without studying God's Word and learning true doctrine. Now is the time to remember your Creator.

Young man, study your Bible to have a pure doctrine. An impure theology will give you a wrong understanding of God, and indeed, perhaps a wrong gospel, which is no gospel at all.  To study doctrine should be for the goal of knowing God.  And, for God's people, doctrine should inform practice. The child of God should live out what they believe. Knowing about God, salvation, future things, the church should inform how the man lives his life. Psalms 119:9, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

Young man, study your Bible with gravity and sincerity. This is God's Word, after all. The Bible isn't a text book, nor is it a literature book that you have to cram before the day of your test. So when you read your Bible, you should be sincere and serious about it. Adam Clarke wrote, this type of doctrine would, "[Mix] nothing with the truth; taking nothing from it; adding nothing to it; and exhibiting it in all its connection, energy, and fullness.

Or Cats

Titus 2:4 says,  That [the aged women] may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

AT Robertson wrote, "This exhortation is still needed where some married women prefer poodle-dogs to children."

Some things never change, apparently.

Soldiers, Mercenaries, and Hypocrites

I had a friend who was ex-military and an Iraqi war veteran. He told me about his service and the difficulties of coming back home. He went from leading a team of men, being trusted with million dollar machines of war, to come back home and work an entry level job and the financial struggles his family had.

I told him we don't pay our military enough. With all the foolish things our country spends money on, we should take better finical care of our warriors. I wasn't too surprised when he said that would be a terrible idea, because he said that to me quite often. But I was intrigued on why an ex-military man would not want to be paid more. He told me you want "hungry soldiers." He also said he didn't join the Army to become rich and he didn't want to fight beside a mercenary. Military service is a sacrifice and if a person fought for money, when it came to a choice between sacrifice and profit, the mercenary is going to choose the profit, because that's why he fights.

In the mid 1600's, pastor William Gurnall wrote a book, The Christian in Complete Armour. He compared  hypocrites  to mercenaries, saying they were "Like some soldiers [who] when once they meet with a rich booty at the sacking of some town, are spoiled for fighting ever after." Gurnall made the point that a hypocrite can do the right thing, for a long time, for the wrong reason. A hypocrite is an actor. And, for whatever purpose, he plays the part of a Christian. It could be to stay in good graces with the family. It could be to make contacts in the community. It could be to advance a career by joining a church that has some social sway. Maybe they think going through the motions of religion puts them on good terms with God, so following the path of the Christian is for their own end amd glory. Judas followed Christ for money. Simon the Sorcerer for power.

But when it comes to the place where he must either give up his act and save his skin, or press on in his profession, he'll save what is most precious to him. If a person went to church to stay in good graces with Mom and Dad, but they get to the point in life where the pleasures of the world outweigh the pleasure of pleasing their parents, they fall away. Why? Because they were never following Christ, but following their own selfish motives, which they could gain through playing the part of a Christian.  The path of their own desires and the path of following Christ, for a season, were parallel roads. But there comes a point where the roads separate and the way of Christ is the hard way. Then you find the answer to the question, why do you fight? Why do you follow? 

The way of the Lord is strength

"Perhaps thou findest thy duty of thy calling too heavy for thy weak shoulders, make bold by faith to lay the heaviest end of thy burden on God's shoulder, which is thine (if a believer) as sure as God can make it by promise.   When at any time thou art sick of thy work, and ready to think with Jonas to run from it, encourage thyself with that of God to Gideon, whom he called from the flail to thrash the mountains, ‘Go in this thy might,’ hath not God called thee?   Fall to the work God sets thee about, and thou engagest his strength for thee. The way of the Lord is strength.   Run from thy work, and thou engagest God's strength against thee; he will send some storm or other after thee to bring home his runaway servant.   How oft hath the coward been killed in a ditch, or under some hedge, when the valiant soldier stood his ground and kept his place got off with safety and honor?  ... In a word, Christian, rely upon thy God, and make thy daily applications to the throne of grace for continual supplies of strength; you little think how kindly he takes it, that you will make use of him, the oftener the better, and the more you come for, the more welcome."

Gurnall,  The Christian in Complete Armour

I missed it

I missed my Monday morning post on Bible reading last week. I had one of those weeks where I was swamped with things I had to do. Sick kids. Extra responsibilities. New problems that came up and other urgent deadlines to meet. I didn't have time to write the Monday post.

In other words, I'm a human being living on Earth. It's not uncommon to have a hectic week. That's just the way life works in a fallen world. So what do you do when you have a really busy week and it seems every minute is filled with some pressing need? You have to do first things first, and let other things slide. Posting this devotional wasn't the most important thing I had to do, so I skipped it.

Some days, you are going to be so busy it feels like you won't be able to breathe. You might oversleep and have to rush out the door. You might be the sick one. In times like that, it's important to get the most important things done first, or at least, prioritize what's most important. Then, the decision becomes what is least important and what do I need to leave out.

And what if you failed? What if you whiffed and didn't read your Bible? That doesn't mean you give up. Keep going. Don't stop. And if you trip and fall flat on your face yesterday, today is a good day to start again. There's no rule that you must read the Bible in a calendar year. So if you messed up, pick up where you left off and keep moving forward.