Stay tuned for a dive into the service component of the spiritual life.
Author: eejoseph
Topnotch greetings
Here is a sample greeting that is laced with a maxim about the value of days as gifts. It is easy to find gifts that rank higher than any day of the week. From a Christian perspective there is eternal life, way more valuable than any day. How does one receive the best gift EVERY DAY. Does each day get better than the last? They all cannot be the best.
A day is precious but is gone in 24 hours.
Not only are greeting mills products likely to be disguised hacks, scams, and phishing tactics they also spread meaningless tripe like “the greatest gift is waking up”, The greatest gift cannot happen every day.
Court solutions to religious conflict
“After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth.”
(Act 18:1, NASB)
Paul and the Corinthian experience
The Corinthian church is famous for the fact that there are two letters addressed to her by Paul. There are also undercurrents of unspeakable vice (incest), disorderly bahaviour in the assemblies of the church, and a general penchant for prostitution and homosexuality. The Corinthian experence shines a light on the intersections between church, state and duelling religions. This is far from being an irrelevant perspective, when we consider the intense passions of religious faith in the news today, in Afghanistan, the United States, Israel, the Arab republics and any nation where a religion has its fingers on the levers of state.
The maxims of religion are not commonsense in the Corinthian experience or anywhere else
It is rather dangerous to think that there is no science to what religions sell. Judaism descended into divisions among the priesthood, the academics and the political savvy. The twenty-frist century world is not exempt from this phenomenon. The experience seems to have begun with Paul’s encounter with the Greek philosophers in Athens (Act 17:22 ff) and chose to leave being mocked by them (Act 17:32-34). It was his teamwork with Aquila and Priscilla who have been recently deported from Rome and happened to be tentmakers, as was Paul, and who gave him room and board.
It seems that Paul did his tentmaking and preaching-teaching part-time until Silas and Timothy joined him from Macedonia, at which time he devoted himself to the word of God, namely, that Yeshua was the Messiah. Paul was not preaching the law of God. He evidently used it to do so.
Matters heated up when the synagoue leader believed the message and was baptized, which in turn led to a host of Corinthians following his lead. Then, in his precognition, the Lord encouraged Psul in a vision to “stop being fearful, and to keep on speaking, and not to be silent”. One does not need to guess who would want Paul to be silent.
Paul taught the word of God for eighteen months and then the Jews, thinking they had an opportunity under the auspces of proconsul of Achaia Gallio, brought charges against Paul. We are going to see a slam dunk of the illegitimate hostility of Jews against Christ in the courts of Greece. Other attempts to have Paul silenced will take place in the Roman court system, bringing Paul to his treasuresd destiny, the imperial household.
The charge
13) This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law [of God/Moses].
Proceedings interrupted
14) But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;” (Act 18:14, NASB)
It ought to be difficult to bring charges of crime and sedition againts believers, but it seems that people have become incregasingly attracted to political constructs for church’s progress and success. The people who are willing to foment and perpetrate violence and murders can be found in the contexts of Jewish, African, Palestinian, Islamic, Buddhist, and American politics.
I raise again the flag of warning to people of genuine spirituality: stay away from government interference in matters of your beliefs. Mixing beliefs with political ideologies and law of any kind never ends well for those who do. We cannot imagine that Iranians, Jews, and anyone with a book that is a tool for divine revelation is unaware that telling people what to believe under threat of death is pure beastliness and not worthy of association with humanity. Let us see how a synagogue responded to the court’s dismissal of a case against God’s messenger.
If there was a crime here I would tolerate you
but if there are questions about words and names and your own [Jewish/Mosaic/Elohistic] law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.
Verse 15
Kicked out of court and mob violence
16) And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17) And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things. (Act 18:16-17, NASB)
And the government barely blinked.
Think Abraham, Eat and Drink Blessing
Blessings stream around Abraham. The human family, every family, owes Abraham an award for the blessing. Since the man from Mesopotamia is not God whence is he the source of blessing? From being old man with an old wife Abraham goes on to be the focal point of the Hebrew people’s 400 year sojourn in Egypt, their 40 year journey to the promised land, their production of David’s family, and the security against their neighbours. If one listens to James alone one would never guess that Abram was a man that God saved from sin, and the neo-Pharisee would have people believe that the bottom line of godliness is one to ten commandments, or perhaps a package of hundreds. That is an incredibly nourishment poor life to live in a land of bread and wine.
The endurance of favour to Abraham
Despite the Lord’s anger being kindled against Israel, and although He had repeatedly given them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael (2 Kings 13:3, NASB) His policy towards Israel included an apparent endless regard for Abraham.
22) Now Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23) But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now. (2 Kings 13:22-23, NASB)
2) And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 3) And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.
Genesis 12:2-3, NASB
The food and drink in Abraham’s blessing
18) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19) He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20) And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all.
Genesis 14:18-20, NASB
There is nothing the Aaronic (Levitical) kingdom could add to Abraham’s estate. The writer of Hebrews makes the case for the great Levitical priesthood to be subject to the figure who blessed Abram.
“Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.”
Hebrews 7:4
9) And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10) for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.”
Hebrews 7:9-10
The endpoint is not Levitical
Perfection and commandments are terminal concepts. Four Greek terms entole, teleios, telos, teleiosis are related to the proto-root TEL. These four terms, (1) command, (2) a perfect or mature person or thing, (3) a goal or end, and (4) maturity or perfection are performance trackers. Grace, on the other hand delivers irrevocable gifts.
Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 7:11, NASB
Now since perfection has not come and cannot come through the Levitical priesthood there is no quest for a new priesthood, but there is a new and superior one. All the shadows of the levitical system, it is furnishings, processes and chronology are mere picturee or shadows of the end of all things.. But let us return to the substance of blessing.
Mere talk that truly matters
Both barak and eulogeo BLESS are terms defining speech. A simple thing like saying “good morning ” is a blessing, as are way more consequential speech like eulogies. When GOD pronounces someone blessed it is necessarily consequential, ant not mere words for a good feeling. So how are Abraham, his descendants and believers eulogized?
Divine eulogies
Abraham blessed and blessing others
Who is going to forget that Yeshua connected the dots of eating and drinking with apparent no regard for one of the Levitical system’s most traditions, the ban on ingesting blood? In fact, the blood ban goes all the way back to the early days of the post flood world. Who is going to forget that after Yahweh’s words of blessing to Abram (Genesis 12:2 and 3) Melchisedec blessed Abram with bread and wine (Genesis 14:18-20)?
Christ turns away condemnation and blesses all
Who is going to forget that Yeshua gave his flesh and blood as food for the nourishment of the elect, or that he is a beautiful shepherd whose duties are feeding and guarding his flock? Bread and wine, food and drink are in a new place, far from the shadows, figures and types.
Christ is not enough?
Tacking on anyone or anything to the apostolic message is pure and mindless imitation of ancient Israel. God’s will, as performed by the Lord Christ, is also his (will and) testament. Christ’s death changes everything: the covenant, the glory and the adoption. By dying he opened the way into God’s family and he left no stone unturned.
Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31, NASB
What else can people be legitimately interested in? A phony kind of love seems to be a popular target, but loving God apart from loving people is an abortion pill.
The law is not enough
Of all the things Christ could be for humanity Creator and prosecutor are a couple for which we need no fanfare. Maybe one for the upcoming creation; but what purpose does that serve in the current season of earth’s history? Definitely no fanfare for Christ as prosecutor. That role he leaves with Moses. Yes, Christ cannot simultaneously be the accuser and defense lawyer. The diabolic nature of the false teaching about Christ as inscribed of the Sinai Covenant on human hearts can hardly be more graphic. Nobody gets the Holy Spirit from Christ because they kept the law of Moses, neither ten Commandments, nor statutes nor judgments. It has to be a demon who tells people that they, having received the Spirit of apart from any kind of law, need the law to maintain the new status.
Who, if not the Nazarene?
Despite the expulsion from Eden and the flaming sword blocking the way back, God’s actions demonstrated his primary interest in the preparation of the family through which his Son would be born. God did not expose Abraham to Melchizedek or include Rahab in the family that moved into Canaan because he wanted to create a racist heaven in Canaan. The law, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, their expulsion from Canaan, the destruction of the temple were obviously not feathers in Moses cap. As Luke says, the convincing proofs (Acts 1:3) of Christ’s identity and our destiny are within reach of all who care sufficiently to give a little attention to the narratives of the Risen Christ. Of course, he is enough.
Cheers! Raise a chalice!
“I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalms 116:13, NASB)
This seems to be the call of the saved. “Cup of salvation” signifies a toast for the experience. One does not take the cup to get saved, one drinks to recall and memorialize, repeatedly, as indicated by the imperfect tense of נשא, nasa, אשא. essa
It ought to be apparent cup experience that this does not call for raising a literal cup as in the communion service when one wants to memorialize Salvation. It should mean primarily that Christ as Saviour is the savour or flavour of our praise. Why shouldn’t Christ be the centre of upward praise?
Grace better than life
1) O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2) Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. 4) So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. (Psalms 63:1-4, NASB)
When a person has an encounter with GOD he or she finds that a thirst sets in. Things previously unnoticed come to light. This psalm has a number of these – pleasant – surprises. The inscription of this song says that David was in the wilderness and he experienced some kind of deliverance from his enemies. But then he talks about the holy – place – and one thinks that this the sanctuary. However there is no sanctuary in the wilderness of Judah.
David is obviously excited about divine holiness, gracious holiness. The tent was not particularly comforting or satisfying, since it was a place where God makes clear that people are guilty and that only blood will satisfy his demand. The repeated sacrifices every year shows that holiness was never accomplished. Israel never became clean or free of guilt. To this day they still speak about rebuilding the Temple so they can offer a blood sacrifices. How much of the psalmist’s satisfaction can we say people occupied with the tabernacle had?
The exceedingly wonderful grace of Zion’s king
Pity the person who is still stuck on the golden rule as God’s standard, even after hearing “no greater love…lay down his life” and “not even for a righteous or good man will a person dare to stand in”. Loving oneself does not amount to much. Does not love of self facilitate ignoring others who are in distress, and what might godliness be if it is not caring for others? Grace, as given to us, and dispersed to others is better than life.
What dare I call life that is not rooted in the Beloved?
As far as the believer is concerned the price tag of life begins with his helplessness. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6, NASB). It is not pegged at waking up this morning but glued to rising from the dead with Christ when we first believed. There is no particular assent to a kingdom teaching or demonstration of consistent discipleship necessary. The gift of life is that extreme in value: better than life.
A sacred vote? Really?
I do not know how many Toms, Dicks, and Harrys in Canada are talking about the divided country, but the news broadcasters allow pundits and simple news readers to jump in and give the impression that something strange is happening because diverse opinions and violently opposed residents can be shown in audio and video clips. It makes one think that all the talk about friendly debate is just malicious window dressing. We are certain to hear more than a few experts claim to have predicted the unhinged passion that ends in bloody confrontations and civil war. If when we say we agree to disagree it is a matter of high principle then are not divided legislatures a good thing to be treasured? We keep plodding along with division as normal but we disrespect Canadians who deliver a minority government. The thing that makes democracy worthwhile and sacred is not the name of the winner or the loser. It is the privacy of the ballot.
Who a person chooses to vote for is a private matter for a noble reason.
Abhorrent political interference with my vote
During the last election in Ontario the corporation behind the Ford campaign sent me an SMS asking me if the PC party could count on my vote. I chose not to dignify that intrusion with a reply.
The win by Ford was the outcome of an appeal to people’s emotions with traditional empty slogans. The current (July 2022) outbreak of covid19 variants, the gouging of consumers by oil and gas companies, the continuing shortage of firstrate health-care, are evidence of the government surrendering people’s health to business interests. We are not that blind. People have thrived in Ontario before there were truckers, large corporations and anarchists.
Politics is not warfare and governments represent all the people
The price we will pay by supporting big and small business over people, single or families, will be a slave economy which will fail the test like ancient Israel did. The perennially tempestuous relationship between government and labour is part of the DNA that has made Canada the latest confirmed genocidal beast.
Who gets my vote is a private matter
I say ban public displays of political persuasion. Debates should only identify the candidates. The audience should be polled anonymously. Division, as we can see from the American quagmire, is neither funny, inspiring, nor helpful for a nation that wants to keep bloodshed and deceit out of the public and private life.
