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Oppressing the Poor

To what degree do we systemically oppress the poor? The question arises amid the popular notion of social justice in our society. The young-adult generation sees social justice as a means to defend the rights of those who are otherwise overlooked. Most forget the fact that the concept is deeply ingrained in the Bible.

This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ Zechariah 7:9-10

It’s no surprise that this should influence our culture today, but I think we’ve lost our zeal for implementing justice because we overlook the first seven words from the quote above. This is not a concept or good idea; this is what the Lord Almighty said. It’s not a suggestion. Zechariah had the dubious honor of prophesying to the Israelites who have returned from the Babylonian exile as he tries to convey this poignant message.

They needed to unlearn that which was pounded into them when they were in exile. Our forefathers were assimilated into Babylonia because they lost their way. After 70 years of exile, a remnant was able to return and restore the temple. I can’t imagine how that affected them, but the very next few verses provide a hint:

But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. Zechariah 7:11-12

They refused to pay attention. Their hearts were like flint–extremely hard and brittle. Before we adjust our seats and judge those ancient people as uninformed and uneducated, look around and observe our society where we see incredible injustice.

Recognize that in this country alone, we had to have a Civil Rights Movement to change the course of history, and yet we know racism still exists. Look at the data, and you’ll see some of the highest incarceration rates in the world in our country. Further, you’ll see most of those in prison are from our most impoverished communities.

If God is the defender of the poor, I think it’s fair to say that we must be as well. In Timothy Keller’s book, Generous Justice, he points out that “injustice is not equally distributed.“1 Those from the lowest economic groups have higher barriers to surpass. If Father Gregory Boyle is right, we have much to learn from our friends who are viewed as the poor in society. It’s my prayer that hearts will change when eyes are finally able to see those we refuse to see.

Let me leave you with some encouragement from the next chapter.

The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong. Zechariah 8:12-13

We have the great advantage of being able to look back on this passage and know how God fulfilled His promise through Jesus. The remnant grows, and somehow Jesus is born from this lineage to show us the true way to the Father. In foresight, it’s hard to imagine, but in hindsight, we see it clearly.

In one of Tim Keller’s sermons2, he provided two pictures for us to consider. One was that of an acorn; the other was a 100-year old tree. If we only knew the acorn, how could we ever envision the tree? The potential wrapped up in that tiny seed is precisely what was needed to create a massive tree. What vision has God planted in your heart that no one else can see? Have faith. Don’t be surprised that no one else gets it right away.

Serve the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, and the poor. Reach out to those experiencing homelessness, drug addiction, alcoholism, substance use disorders of all kinds. Plant the seeds and trust that God sees a mighty forest!

 

1 Keller, Timothy. Generous Justice: How Gods Grace Makes Us Just, p. 7. Penguin Books, 2016.

2 Gospel in Light Sermon Series, jump to the 36-minute mark for a description of the acorn and the Redwood tree.

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Dishonoring the Poor

Sometimes when I’m reading the Bible a word or verse or phrase touches me deeply and I just sit there and sob. This is one of those moments:

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. James 2:5-6a

Maybe it’s because I’m reading books about those in deep poverty (see our Recommended Reading List). It might be reaching a stage in life where experiences have finally added up to move me in the direction God had planned all along.

One thing I know for sure: God cares deeply about those the world wants to discard. The more I come to understand this, the more I am moved to do something to break down barriers erected by society in response to irrational fears. But before I jump on that soapbox, let’s consider the verse above and back up to appreciate the context.

The first half of chapter 2 falls under the heading of Favoritism Forbidden in my NIV Study Bible. James paints a picture of a meeting where some arrive wearing gold and fine clothes versus others who arrive in filthy, worn-out attire.  The former is greeted graciously while the latter is utterly disregarded; all based on outward appearances. He goes on to remind us that you must love our neighbor as yourself or you are guilty of showing favoritism. This is a careless sin.

Father Gregory Boyle has 30+ years serving those who society would prefer to launch on a one-way ticket to anywhere. In an interview, I found a quote that is one of his consistent themes:

So you learn something from the poor. The poor radicalized you, the poor evangelize you, you know. So I found myself, I kind of turned inside out and upside down. So, when I got to this parish and very new young priest, I already knew what it was like to let people be your trustworthy guides to somehow lead you, the widow, orphan, and the strangers, what the Old Testament calls it. God sort of picks these three because God thinks these are the folks who know what it’s like to have been cut off. Because they’ve suffered in that particular way, I believe that God thinks they’re the trustworthy guide. So they’re leading me to something. I’m not leading them to some place.1

This is the persistent theme of Barking to the Choir. More than just inspiring stories, Fr. Greg wants us to take this to heart, to move us deep inside.

Last week, I had the opportunity to have dinner with someone that many would place in the second group of James’ meeting parable, that is, someone who is poor by society’s standard. I didn’t want to have dinner out of pity, I truly wanted to learn from my friend. What I found in that brief discussion is that I have a lot to learn. I had the privilege of listening to someone who cares deeply for the concern of others regardless of circumstance or motivation.

They just need a place to sleep! I don’t care what they’ve done, but they shouldn’t have to sleep in the woods and beg for food.

What a novel idea.

Of course, the solution is complicated and confounded by drugs, alcohol, and illicit activity, but that doesn’t give us permission to ignore those who endure basic needs for survival. It’s no wonder that mental health is a major issue.

One last thought as we ponder James’ words: he was the brother of Jesus. He grew up with the Savior and didn’t recognize Him for many years. My guess is this discovery fueled his passion for telling others about Christ, but even more, it drove him to tell us to go and do something about our new found faith.

Today, as you sit and chat with someone who might not ever grace the steps of a church, let alone wear a coat and tie, may I suggest one thing: listen. When you do, I hope you’re man or woman enough to sit somewhere and sob; brokenhearted for the least, the lost and the lonely.

 

1 https://www.aldacommunicationtraining.com/podcast/father-greg-boyle-compassion-kinship-real-ways-help-others/

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Practice Hospitality

The NIV translation of Romans 12:13 is quite appealing:

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

I love the idea that we are to practice hospitality. Years ago, I wanted to publish a magazine with the title, Practicing Parents. I kept the domain name for years, but alas, I never followed through on the idea. The concept came during the time we owned a Montessori School, and I interacted with lots and lots of parents. What I came to realize quite quickly was the term practice not only applies to doctors; it applies to parents as well. As much as we know, learn, and experience, it’s a constant reminder that we’re always improving. We’re practicing.

So it’s wonderful to think about the idea of practicing hospitality. We won’t always get it right, but that should not prevent us from trying one thing, then another. The simple idea here is to share with those in need. I would add, share with intentionality, not accidentally.

Bible Gateway’s online version of this verse is in a paragraph labeled Love in Action. It’s just a few verses to encourage and exhort; a great reminder to those who serve the least, the lost, and the lonely.

Love in Action

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

This morning I got to see this in action at Clean Start, a ministry that provides showers and laundry service for people living on the streets or without amenities we often take for granted. No cameras or spotlights were involved, just beautiful volunteers caring for those who have so little. Watching Norene hug someone who was beaten up a few nights ago touch my heart. Her sincere concern for Tanya was evident. Just one example of love in action that happens without fanfare.

Now it’s your turn. May God bless you in immeasurable ways for loving others with sincerity. I pray for opportunities today, and I hope we won’t miss that which is right in front of us.

 

 

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The Poor Will Always Be With You: Be Openhanded

One of the frequently quoted Scripture references I’ve heard is “the poor will always be with you.” Most of the time this is a quote from Jesus:

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. Matthew 26:11

However, like many things Jesus said when referring to what we call Old Testament references, His audience knew the complete reference:

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11

These are two different sermons. The first reference to Matthew’s Gospel and the words of Jesus demand that we remember the context in which it was said and complete the sentence. Just three verses later, Matthew records the betrayal by Judas.

The second reference, the one I’m focusing on today, is from an ancient section of Scripture that outlines the requirements for the year of canceling debts for the Israelites. The rules Moses provides come from a posture of abundance. The Israelites have just been given the Promised Land with great wealth.

there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, Deuteronomy 15:4

God’s people, the chosen ones, should be rich. They should have all they could ever want.

Imagine for a moment that you have everything you need and then some. Yours is a life of abundance. When you look around, there is nothing you need, but you see others who are poor. How do you respond? Moses tells us how we are not to react as a clue: “I command you to be openhanded.” Even though God has provided more than enough, some will be poor. Our response is to be openhanded, to give generously. To trust that God who provided our riches in the first place will continue to be true to His word.

When Jesus used the same phrase, “the poor you will always have,” I believe He did so with this in mind. And I believe His disciples were completely aware of the context.

Sadly, there are those in our community that do not have enough to meet basic needs and have to reach out for help. May we learn to be openhanded and trust God will fill any gaps. May we have faith to reach out to those in need without stigma or prejudice.

If we, as followers of Christ, do nothing about helping the poor, who will?

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Helping the Poor: My Religion

James, the brother of Jesus, is pretty clear in his short contribution to the New Testament when he talks about our responsibility to help those in need:

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

The basic concept is this: true worshippers control what they say, are actively involved in doing what scriptures teach, and are careful to avoid sinning.

When we do these things, we are walking in step with the Father. The TEDx talk below provides an incredible example of a man living out these concepts. His words are kind, he is certainly doing the work of the Father, and by all accounts, his example is one to follow.

Kinship:
How can we achieve a certain kind of compassion that stands in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment of how they carry it. The measure of our compassion lies not in our service of those on the margins, but in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them, in mutuality. –Father Gregory Boyle

The incredibly positive impact of Homeboy Industries is the work of many people over several years.

Don’t be confused by the words, “true religion.” This is not a command to become pious.

The word “religious” (threskos) appears only here in the New Testament, though its root word (the noun threskia) is found elsewhere in the New Testament. It can refer to both the inner and outer qualities of worship; generally, however (as here), it points to external ceremonies. Paul uses it to refer to the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18). 1

Let us become true worshippers, those who tend to the needs of the orphans and widows, who care for and look after our brothers and sisters in need.

Here’s the home page for serving.

https://daverphillips.com/serving-the-least-the-lost-and-the-lonely/

 

1Guthrie, George H.. NIVAC Bundle 8: General Epistles, Revelation (The NIV Application Commentary). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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3 John: Greet the friends by name

Read 3 John

The last of the short letters from John includes simple reminders to help us improve as ministers of the Gospel. This short narrative seems to be a very personal letter written to John’s friend, Gaius.

John begins with words of encouragement and appreciation for the way Gaius is leading the church. This is similar to his approach in Second John; namely, there is no “but” in reference to Gaius.

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 3-4

I know we are not to seek earthly glory and honor, but those words must have been so comforting to Gaius. As we read the rest of the letter, we can sense the tension in the church, the strain Gaius must be feeling as their leader. John acknowledges the issue, supports Gaius, and declares he will not let the issue fade. John will confront Diotrephes.

Division by Diotrephes

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. 3 John 9-10

Perhaps John wrote a letter that Diotrephes intercepted.  Commentors propose two schools of thought that drive Diotrephes: 1) church polity or 2) church doctrine. The first idea is that John is extending his reach too far as the overseer of churches. This is like a contemporary denomination leader trying to control a local church. We don’t have much to discuss regarding church doctrine or polity for that matter, but something has created a considerable division between John and Diotrephes.

The early church is exhibiting signs of struggle as the next generation begins to emerge. John certainly sees the concern and assures his family that he is aware of the problems. I suspect Diotrephes will be long gone if John were able to visit in person. His negative impact will continue to echo in the church if it goes unattended. John will address the nonsense.

What is the problem with Diotrephes? He loves to be first. More than that, he is spreading malicious nonsense about John and his leaders. It gets worse. He does not welcome other believers and encourages others to do the same. This is more than just a personality clash, but we don’t have many clues about the issues at hand.

Presently, there is much talk about Millenials in churches and businesses. As this demographic matures and takes positions of leadership, changes will be required. The question remains relevant today. How do we accept the “me” culture without losing the “we”? Was Diotrephes the first Millenial?

Conflict Resolution

John provides an incredible example of how leaders should lead leaders. The carefully chosen words support Gaius while addressing the need for intervention.

How do we resolve conflict given a great distance and lack of realtime communication? It’s not difficult to imagine the challenges facing John in ancient times. He had to employ emissaries to convey messages just like Paul used to communicate with distant churches. It was important to support the messenger to establish credibility. Referring to Demetrius, John wants those in the house church to listen.

We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. 3 John 12b

Closing

John’s kindness is remarkable. I hope we can learn from his pastoral care for Gaius and friends many miles away. Sometimes distance can be a friend. Not having immediate access to his cohorts means he has to take care, to choose his words wisely. But is this limited to distance? Shouldn’t we treat everyone with this much grace? I wonder what would happen if we were to end conversations with this:

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name. 3 John 14

Don’t miss the last phrase: Greet the friends there by name. I’m sure I’ve written about this before, but learning names is central to gaining the trust and respect of others. John begins his letter by showing his love and respect for Gaius — by name. He ends the letter by reminding us to do the same. I don’t have any problem remembering the names of my earthly children, brother, or sisters. Lord, help me remember the names of my spiritual family!

 

p.s., The following seems a bit out of place, but I didn’t want to lose the thought.

Prosperity Gospel?

I was surprised to read that some have used 3 John 2 as a foundation for their prosperity Gospel as if this were a license to accumulate wealth and material possessions.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 2

I point this out not as my observation, but that from others who have taken this verse out of context and created their own personal movement. In my mind, everything about this verse (along with verse 1) is a simple greeting. The more literal translation it this:

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2

By carefully lifting “in all respects you may prosper” and engraving that in stone, it is possible to promote some form of prosperity gospel. In the infamous words of Forrest Gump, that’s all I have to say about that.

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2John: Walking in the Truth

Read 2 John

The book of Second John contains a mere 13 verses as labeled by those who divided the Bible neatly for us around 500 years ago. This short epistle manages to expose some controversy for some in the church these days. I’m not going to try to stir the pot intentionally. Instead, I prefer to read the letter as if it were written to someone John knew well and wanted to encourage. My prayer is that we learn how to lead well by recognizing those who are in the trenches in ministry doing the work Christ called them to do.

John is a senior pastor or perhaps a bishop by modern definition. He feels the burden of responsibility to preach the Gospel as he heard it from Christ first hand, and he presses into his role as a leader of churches across the land.

The commentators agree that Second John was written in light of First John. That sounds funny just writing it there, but the point they seem to make is the second letter is not only brief, but it’s also somewhat incomplete without being viewed in the context of John’s former writing. In other words, you need to read First John before reading Second John. Using this as a background, we recall the thurst of the first letter was to warn the church about those who are trying to divide it into factions that propose false doctrine. John used the term “liar” to identify those who would suggest that Jesus was not fully man and fully God. There were those in the church that were woefully misguided and were leading many astray.

It’s helpful to glance back at First John before going too far.

Now that we have some context, it’s easy enough to imagine John writing to someone who is on the frontline of a young church fighting to keep people focused. Let these words minister to those of you who are struggling to keep people focused on the Gospel message:

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth 2 John 1:1

Two things immediately jump out to me: 1) this amazing lady and her children were chosen by God and 2) John and all of his leaders love what they’re doing.

Can you imagine getting a letter like that from someone you know is a great ministry leader? How about someone who personally knew Jesus Christ? I would be on my knees in a puddle of tears in no time. For those in leadership positions (which is just about everyone whether you know it or not), this is how we should address anyone who looks up to us. Begin by affirming God’s call in their life and reminding them they are deeply loved by the Father and by those of us who walk around in skin. You, my friend, are loved.

And…

The word “and” here is a crucial conjunction. John doesn’t begin with laudatory words followed by “but…” Not at all. He uses the word “and.” You can dive into the Greek via Long’s concordance at this point if you like, but don’t miss the point that John’s exhortation is a positive reminder.

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. 2 John 1:5a

What is that command? Remember how Jesus summarized the 600+ rules of Jewish law?

I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:5b-6

Those of you that know me have heard me say over and over again that we should love one another with everything we’ve got. As John reminds us here, we should be known as a people that walk in love.

Why so much emphasis on love? There are a few reasons that come to mind. We could say Jesus said so, but I think it’s much deeper than that. Though many among us prefer a checklist to execute, this is a reminder that we should walk in love because that was precisely what Jesus demonstrated during His brief ministry on earth. Everywhere He went, people wanted to touch Him, to hear Him; to see Him was enough.

You may think I’m strange, but I don’t see Jesus walking around with a grin pasted on His face giving high-fives to everyone in His path. There was something about the manner with which He talked to people that oozed out the kind of love we’re supposed to emulate. It’s difficult to define, but it’s incredibly easy to see. John reminds this dear lady and all those in her house that this kind of love is required and it is a joy to embrace.

John’s warning is strong at this point. He wants her to know that many are going around misleading others.

I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 2 John 1:7-8

This is why we need to read Second John after First John. I the previous letter, John goes into more detail, so he doesn’t have to explain a lot here.

His guidance here is extreme:

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. 2 John 1:10-11

The commentators’ perspective is helpful at this point. From what I’ve read from various sources, the custom of the early church was to invite traveling ministers into your house and take care of their basic needs. I can imagine people wandering from city to city and village to village as they proclaim the Gospel and spread the amazing news about Jesus. John draws the line here. Don’t endorse them in any way! Well, that doesn’t sound very loving, does it?

The NIV Application Commentary is helpful here:

These troubling verses should be viewed as “emergency regulations,” tied directly to the crisis at hand. They are directives from the battle zone, and they underscore the extreme danger the church is in when it not only tolerates, but actually invites into its ranks those whose teachings undermine traditional Christology.1

The early church was comprised of many house churches. The “rule” created here is put in place to keep disruptors from coming into your church and deceiving others. This is not a rule about shunning hospitality to strangers, not at all. The people John is referring to are seeking to disrupt the fellowship. They’re not merely wandering around looking for a bed and breakfast. John gives church leaders permission and authority to say no to those who would otherwise destroy the koinonia, the fellowship of believers.

Discerning who to say no to and who to tolerate is of utmost importance. John’s point is not trivial. He draws the line around those who deny the incarnation of Christ. The same would be true of those who are offended by the virgin birth or the reality of the resurrection. These are clearly inconsistent with the life and teaching of Jesus. But what about the current debate on sexuality? How about women in leadership?

We can quickly create a list of issues and apply the rule of locking the door, of saying you are not welcome here. Or we can just let anything go; every view is ok, right? No. That is not right. But herein lies the problem.

I want to suggest that we can love someone completely without agreeing with their theology. We can love someone who doesn’t know Jesus. We can love someone who worships a statue five times a day. We can absolutely love that person. But we must not let that person come in an teach in the church. This is truly black and white.

If it were only so easy to distinguish between the shades of gray, and so we don’t have all the clarity we might desire and the battles rage on. Our friends in the United Methodist Church are not so united anymore as a result of such fighting. Honestly, I think Screwtape is applauded when this happens.

John quickly closes his letter on a more positive note:

I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings. 2 John 1:12-13

In other words, there’s lots more to say, but for now, I hope you get the point.

It’s funny how I started this post suggesting this was a short letter, then commenced to writing thoughts that only scratch the surface of what is taught here. We have a lot to learn. God helps us first to love each other and give us discernment that makes you smile. Help us see those who are intent on destroying that which you have given us to manage — even Your church.

 

  1. Guthrie, George H.. NIVAC Bundle 8: General Epistles, Revelation (The NIV Application Commentary). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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1John: Conclusion

Read 1 John 5:13-21

Imagine for a moment that you are a pastor to pastors spread across the country. Over the course of 30 or 40 years, you’ve helped plant churches (in today’s vernacular) all over the place, and you’re trying to communicate across great distances — with no internet! From what we read in John’s first letter, there is some theological debate that is threatening the church. Don’t think building or incorporated entity; we’re talking about the big-C Church here.

John reaches out through a short letter to address the issues he’s aware of to set the record straight. Like many things in this life, these complex issues are rather simple.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

John’s choice of words here is quite interesting. Perhaps there were two types of people reading his letter, those who believe and those who do not believe in the name of Jesus. For those who are living inside the faith, here is your assurance: you have eternal life. It’s pretty evident that those who don’t believe don’t have eternal life, but John doesn’t need to belabor the point.

For those on the inside, there’s more, much more!

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Those who believe in the Son of God get a royal invitation to the throne room. Not only can we approach God, but we can also ask for anything. He not only hears our requests, but He will also give us what we ask for with one provision: “according to his will.” Perhaps this is the sticky point.

Yesterday I listened to a Tim Keller sermon, Your Plans; God’s Plans. One of the many wonderful points in the sermon comes from Proverbs:

The plans of the righteous are just Proverbs 12:5

Keller eloquently explains the transformational nature of growing in Christ by immersing ourselves in His presence through prayer, scripture, etc. As we make decisions, we learn about God’s will in our lives, not before. Read that again. It’s important to understand that we have free will even if we exercise that privilege in the presence of God’s perfect will.

As we grow closer to God, the things we ask for are more in line with His will. The more in line we are with His will, we will see sinful actions of ourselves and those around us. This isn’t a license to patrol the streets and pass out tickets declaring, “sinner” from the street corners; instead, it’s a humbling experience when we discover our own sinful nature and have one of those “aha” moments.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 1 John 5:18

I see a lot of memes these days in my Facebook feed from friends who are part of recovery programs (typically drugs or alcohol). The consistent theme is that the “old you” doesn’t have to be the “new you.” If you’re still alive, the story is not done. I’m really grateful for this assurance from my friends. I’m even more appreciative to know this is God’s promise to us.

We Know

Read these two verses and over-emphasize the words, “we know.”

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:19-20

We know we are His children.

We know He gives us understanding.

We know what is true.

We know He is the Son of God.

We know we have eternal life.

We know.

Enough said. You get the point!

Now go and throw away your idols.

Mic drop.

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1John: Whoever Has the Son Has Life

Read 1 John 5:5-12

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5

Have you ever considered the idea that you should overcome the world? In just a few verses, John plants the seed that we can move beyond worldly vices and issues. Perhaps that’s an understatement. John conveys the imagery that those who are born of God, those who have been adopted into His family, have overcome the world — past tense. This isn’t up for debate. But what does it mean? I’m glad you asked!

The world in this context is an artifact of our brokenness, our lustful desire for things of this world: money, power, fame, sex, drugs, food, possessions, and all the trappings that go along with these things. When we were reborn in Christ, we gained the power to move beyond all of these worldly desires. As we read in the verses just before the one above, our loyalty has shifted from chasing personal pleasure to a deep joy for loving God. The only barrier we have to leap over is one of belief in Jesus.

Water and Blood

John’s explanation of who Jesus is includes the phrase “water and blood” three times in the next three verses:

6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 1 John 5:6-8

The strength of John’s apologetic argument here is that three witnesses testify in complete agreement — Jesus is the One who fulfilled the prophecies in water and blood, but what does that mean? And why use this phrase three times?

There are at least two essential facets to discuss. I’ll take the easiest first, then dive into the second.

In Judaism, there is a requirement for two or three witnesses for any trial (see Deuteronomy 19:15). The mere fact that the reference for witnesses is way back in Deuteronomy is important to consider. This wasn’t just a law; this was part of their life for literally hundreds of years. Unlike our self-contained world of internet browsers and secured homes, the people of John’s day lived in community. Each person’s actions were visible, or at least they had a much greater opportunity to be seen by others. John makes the point that there are three who come forward as witnesses. Case closed, in his mind.

The water represents Jesus’ baptism, and the blood points to His crucifixion. These two bookends are vitally important. Historians tell us that John is writing to his congregation to dispel heretics of his day, namely the Gnostics. This group denied the incarnation of Jesus. Incarnation is significant, even if it’s hard to understand! Jesus was both God and human at the same time. The Gnostics maintained that the Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism, but left Him at Golgatha. From their point of view, Jesus was a man before baptism and upon crucifixion.

The NIV Study Bible notes help explain the importance:

Throughout this letter John has been insisting that Jesus Christ is God as well as man (1:1-4; 4:2, 5:5). He now asserts that is was this God-man Jesus Christ who came into our world, was baptized and dies. Jesus was the Son of God not only at his baptism, but also at his death (v. 6b). This truth is extremely important, because, if Jesus dies only as a man, his sacrificial atonement (2:2, 4:10) would not have been sufficient to take away the guilt of human sin.

I can’t begin to understand the motivation behind the Gnostics point of view except to consider they simply could not believe Jesus was who He claimed. They created a doctrine to support their flawed belief, and many were being drawn to this perspective. As humans, we tend to listen to those we can see and hear before we latch onto faith in that which is unseen. John puts it this way:

We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 1 John 5:9

Before we cross our arms and say, “the Bible said so,” we need to remember that John was an eyewitness to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Those that speak against the incarnation of Jesus and the sufficiency of His sacrifice did not know Jesus the way John knew Him. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, John knew there was something incredibly special about Jesus, but once he had breakfast on the beach (John 21:12, Luke 24:40-43, Acts 10:41), he was radically changed.

John’s Gospel account is very different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, in many ways he zeroes in on a much shorter timeframe of Jesus’ ministry to help us focus on the significance and the reality of who Jesus really was. When John talks about God’s testimony here, he has no doubt that Jesus was fully God and fully man, the Son of God. This makes me jump back to Job 40 where God finally speaks. Job gets it. How about us?

John summarizes his point rather bluntly:

Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 1 John 5:10

There are only two groups of people in the world: those who believe and those who do not. There is no in-between.

The conclusion is amazing:

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:12

Which side of the line do you stand? How about the person sitting next to you?

Eternal life is not ours to offer or give to anyone — the choice belongs to God, and it is between God and every individual on earth. Those of us who have made the choice to accept Christ have the honor to be His witnesses. We get to lean on the shoulders of John, Paul, Luke, and others. We don’t quote the Bible at a non-believer; rather, we learn from those who have gone before us so we can love people better.

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1John: The Command to Love

Read 1 John 4:20-5:4

Before we wrap up John’s first epistle, let’s rewind just a bit and look at how the end of chapter 4 carries into the first few verses in chapter 5. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that our chapter and verse numbering system was created for our convenience1. John did not consider his letter as a document with five chapters. Look at the footnote if you’re interested. Don’t misunderstand me, the numbering system is very helpful, but sometimes it’s better to read a letter as a letter.

Without a doubt, John’s primary purpose in his letters to the church is to remind people of Jesus’ command to love God and to love one another. Loving God is rather difficult to express, though it’s easy to say. Imagine some interaction between one who claims to be a Christian and one who is a staunch agnostic. How do you think the agnostic will respond to the Christian’s statement about loving God? It’s utterly irrelevant to the agnostic. But what if the Christian demonstrated unbounded love for his neighbor, for others, even the agnostic? It seems like this approach would at least be useful in engaging with those who are far from Christ.

Thus far, John’s letter explains that when “we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12). In other words, we need to learn how to get along. If not, to put it bluntly, we are liars:

20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:20-21

That’s pretty straightforward. The purpose of this statement is not to create a rule for us to follow; it’s to move us toward becoming more Christ-like in our very nature. Yes, it’s a command, but no, it’s not just another rule. John doesn’t expect his congregation to understand this completely, so he continues the thought in the next few verses:

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 1 John 5:1-2

Lately, I’ve been lost in the idea of imago Dei, the concept that we are created in the image of God. Oddly enough, the cite I found for a brief definition for the term comes from PBS.org:

The term imago Dei refers most fundamentally to two things: first, God’s own self-actualization through humankind; and second, God’s care for humankind.2

Those two thoughts are worthy of many hours of study. For now, let’s focus on the concept that God loves His creation. If this assertion is accurate, and it is, then for us to more like the One we claim as our Father, we must not only love one another but enjoy the process!

3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. 1 John 5:3-4a

Loving God’s commands is not a burden to be carried; it’s a privilege to enjoy. Focus on the final phrase:

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4b

Overcome the world! Can we just read that phrase and turn the page? Have we become so complacent that we don’t recognize the incredible victory that is ours?

Football season is upon us. Some care about this more than others. While you might not care who won the Super Bowl this past February, I’m pretty confident that anyone who is even remotely associated with the New England Patriots is still walking around with some swagger in their step. Though the team of coaches and players involved in the game is limited to fewer than 100 people, the number that considers themselves part of the world champion team is far greater. Some might even fight you if you speak against Tom Brady or any member of the squad. My guess is there are aunts, uncles, third cousins, etc., who are remotely associated with the team who are quick to say things like “my team” or “we won.”

My point is this: we are quick to attach ourselves to earthly things that other people can see, even when we know they are of little significance from an eternal perspective.

My brothers and sisters, let us learn to love each other and enjoy the time we get to experience life on earth together. Don’t do this out of compliance with rules, do so with great joy!

We have overcome the world! We aren’t told to brag about the victory, but how can we keep this to ourselves? We won! Go and love your neighbor!

 

 

  1. Biblegateway.com’s explanation: Where Do Verse and Chapter Numbers Come From?
  2. PBS.org definition for Imago Dei
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