PART I
With the new year approaching, I am sure there will be many pastors and friends alike who will say things like “2020 is my year for breakthrough!” or “My victory is coming in 2020!” It never fails that the coming of a new year seems to symbolize a myriad of prophetic promises to people such as healing from diseases, financial prosperity, salvation of loved ones, or specific “yeses” to prayers. Sometimes these declarations of seemingly large faith come from a pastor’s new year kick-off sermon where he might declare over your church some sort of revival (as per his special revelation from God). And yet, sometimes these big claims for the miraculous are a misguided theology that says that God promises every Christian the ability to call their blessings into existence at any time. The new year just seems to be the most convenient time to do it. Whatever the case may be, these widely used proclamations are offensive to the Gospel, and often lead to entitled hearts that are unable to cope with grief or abound in any and all outcomes and situations. But from the very words of the apostle Paul, with Christ, we ought to find contentment in whatever God’s sovereign plan is for our lives. I would never say that this task is an easy one. As we have seen recently, a couple from Bethel Church in Redding, California have recently lost their two-year old, beautiful daughter, Olive. One could not imagine such a grief over such great loss. However, instead of finding peace before God over the circumstances, they seek to fight the plan of God, to tell him “no!” because they truly believe it is the will of God that their daughter be resurrected from the dead. The mothers’s Instagram reads: (Warning: This quote may be unsettling or disturbing to some readers.) “We’re asking for prayer. We believe in a Jesus who died and conclusively defeated every grave, holding the keys to resurrection power. We need it for our little Olive Alayne, who stopped breathing yesterday and has been pronounced dead by doctors. We are asking for bold, unified prayers from the global church to stand with us in belief that He will raise this little girl back to life. Her time here is not done, and it is our time to believe boldly, and with confidence wield what King Jesus paid for. It’s time for her to come to life.” In desperation, this couple places all of their hope in something Scripture never promises. This is a sure way to find ourselves disappointed or angry with God because these kinds of commands put God in a debt He never owes. At this time, there are many helpful resources on this situation that I will link below, so I find no need to add to the clarity already provided from so many faithful men of God. However, the trend of demanding God fulfill our wants and desires (no matter how natural or consequential they are in our lives or others’ eternal well-being) is at best, foolish, and at worst, dangerous. So what can we do to fix our eyes on Christ for contentment instead of these faulty promises? We can interpret Scripture accurately. This means, instead of reading a passage and applying it however we feel it fits in our lives or specific situations, we can start by looking carefully at the surrounding context. With the illumination of the Holy Spirit, context is one of the most important considerations when searching for the correct interpretation of Scripture. Pulled out of its context, a verse can mean anything the reader desires, and many times it is not what God intends. This is exactly how people can demand things of God that He never promises: take a verse here and there and make it form a desired result, disregarding the original meaning of each verse. As we enter into the new year, we need to be grounded in the foundation of hope that Scripture lays for us, but bad Bible interpretations often cause us to place our hope in places it does not belong. When trials of various kinds come steadily in the new year, may these truths bring true comfort and hope.
It is a common passage of Scripture that sports teams pull out in the middle of a tough game: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” While it is an encouraging text, to be sure, this verse is actually not about Christ helping us accomplish our goals at all--that is, unless the goal is to remain faithful to the Lord in all circumstances. In speaking on this passage, Joel Osteen says, “But Scripture makes it plain: all things are possible to those who believe. That’s right! It is possible to see your dreams fulfilled. It is possible to overcome that obstacle. It is possible to climb to new heights. It is possible to embrace your destiny.” However, if we investigate the context just a little bit, we find these words to help us understand what this verse is actually about: “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Clearly, from the immediate context, this verse is Paul giving glory to God for his contentment. Paul, having lived through the advantages of Jewish heritage, the advantages of being recognized and honored among Christian churches, and also having endured intense pain and suffering, is reminding the church in Philippi that Christ gives him the strength to continue in his ministry of sharing the gospel and instructing the early churches. It does not mean he had the strength to do whatever he wanted to do. In this text, he is saying that no matter the circumstances, horrible or wonderful, Christ gave him the strength to carry on. And this is a wonderful hope. In fact, when we twist the words of Scripture, we lose the powerful truth we were meant to hope in: that God is sovereign, controlling every aspect of our lives, and giving us strength to persist in our faith through every circumstance we face. In 2020, God promises that He will continue making us more like Christ through anything we walk through. 2. God does not promise that our temporal pain leads to eventual earthly gain. Before I continue, I must clarify that this is not speaking of eternal rewards we will see after our resurrection, which is promised. “Earthly gain” in this sense refers to a reward we are promised to see at some point in our time on this earth. The most popular verse used to shout this fallacy from the rooftops (or Christian coffee mugs) is Jeremiah 29:11, which says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” The first question that should be asked when a verse like this is quoted out of context is, “who is the ‘you’ referring to in the text?” Similar to eavesdropping on a conversation between two people, where you are simply the on-looker, it should be assumed that “you” is talking about the other person in the conversation. If I were eavesdropping on a proposal, it would be a little silly to assume “will you marry me?” was directed at me. Context gives me enough of a clue to know that the proposal was, in fact, intended for someone else. Now, that may be a simple principle, but applied here, it goes a long way. In the context of Jeremiah 29, this statement is a promise made to the Israelites who had survived exile (v. 1). Already, knowing this, should make us hesitant to apply it directly to us modern-day Christians. In fact, this verse is literally talking about the plans God had for Israel to be restored after being under God’s punishment. God used the prophet, Jeremiah, to tell them that he had a great plan for them and that they should not despair over their current situation. God was not going to leave Israel in ruin. This is the meaning of this verse. Period. We can bridge the gap (with Scripture I might add) and make it apply to us as Christians, but only on principle. God did not say this quote to me about my earthly prosperity, and He did not say this quote to others about their earthly prosperity. While it may be true that God has plans to give us a future and a hope, this verse is not what tells us that truth. We get that truth from other verses that do directly apply to us (see Eph. 1:4-5). And after a careful reading of Scripture in its appropriate context, we understand that the “prosperity” and “good” promised from God is not referring to temporal things we so often claim over our lives or the lives of others. Before the new year, Rod Parsley, a prosperity preacher under World Harvest Church in Ohio, says that "if you lost something in 2019, God is about to give you joy in 2020." Previously in his "30 Days to Your Breakthrough!" program, he fleshes out this kind of idea that future earthly prosperity is coming to those who have experienced hardship. This program reads: "Have you lost something today? Maybe it has been a lost child...a lost relationship...lost money. Steve Munsey joined Dr. Rod Parsley today to ask you this question...WHAT HAVE YOU LOST? Get ready to receive it back in the next 30 DAYS. In fact, hear this word from the Lord: 'You're going through, Regardless of how the enemy of your soul may be attacking your peace and your joy. I want you to know that when the enemy has a plan to take you out, god always has a plan to keep you in.'" The plan Parsley and his "ministry" have here is that this prophetic word is activated through "sewing a seed to demonstrate [your] faith that God will release His supernatural harvest into [your] life in the next 30 days." The idea here is that we if we scratch God's back, He'll scratch ours by taking away our hardship. In this kind of theology, God's purpose in suffering is for some earthly gain to come about. This is false. Our hope is found in this: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Pet. 4:12, emphasis added) Scripture does not promise our deliverance from trials or suffering before death, however, we are promised much more than this. We are promised to be conformed to the image of Christ, and an eternal glory far surpassing our own understanding at the end of this life. 3. God does not promise that our family members will be saved. I have spent enough time at the altar calls of prosperity preachers to know that one of the hardest things for Christians to accept is the rebellion of a loved one against God. As it should be hard! Whether it be a spouse, a son, a daughter, or a parent, watching someone walk away from the Lord is never easy. In an effort to appease the desires of the heart (no matter how justified those desires may be), Christians often resort to a name-it-and-claim-it false doctrine. I have seen the weeping mothers and fathers at their church altars, brazenly demand of God that he fulfill what he promises. While praying for the salvation of family members is pleasing to God, demanding things of God he does not promise is offensive and only brings false hope. Proverbs 22:6 is a commonly misused verse when commanding God to save our children. What Christians so often fail to take into account is the genre and context of the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is a book of wisdom literature written as godly advice to live wisely from a parent to a child. These verses are not promises, they are an act of God’s grace to give us principles to live by. For instance, “lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth,” (Prov. 10:4), is not a promise that working hard will always bring about wealth; it is simply a wise principle to live by. In addition, it is important to note as well that there is no promise in Scripture that a family member has a special ability to control the outcome of their loved ones. While it is a privilege to pray for those we know and love around us, God does not give us spiritual control over the lives of others. In the same way that we cannot command the weather to change, we cannot command God to save people. We can petition Him humbly, and at times, desperately, but there is no guarantee that it is in His sovereign plans that all of our prayers be answered with a “yes!” This may be one of the most sensitive refutations to make because no one wants to burst the bubble of someone in deep pain and grief over the waywardness of a loved one, however, it needs to be said. Expecting God to save our loved ones simply by relation violates what Scripture teaches about man's responsibility for his own sin before God. In the same way that we are not automatically cast off for being related to unbelievers, we are not assured salvation for our relationships. While the Bible teaches that a woman may win over her unbelieving husband with godliness, it is not promised (1 Pet. 3:1). Parents should train their children in righteousness because Proverbs says it is wise, but it is not guaranteed that doing everything right will save them. Sarah Walton says it this way, "The truth is, while we must teach and train our children, and put boundaries in place, we have no control over their hearts. Ultimately, God alone can fill their hearts with a love for Christ and open their eyes to see the beauty and glory of who he is." Trusting in the sovereignty of God is the only way we have any hope at all. If we had a hand in saving people (apart from being broken instruments used to convey the message of Christ), no one would be saved. In addition, no matter how much we love our family members, we need to be careful of thinking that they deserve to be saved. We ought to plead with God for their salvation while being wary of thinking our love for our children is what makes them qualified to be elect. Our hope is not in one day being reconciled to our friends and family in Heaven, it is being reconciled to God along with our newly given brothers and sisters in Christ. Scripture says, "While [Jesus] was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matt. 12:46-50) Jesus's blood is thicker than family ties, and that should bring us joy as we see that no familial ties can save or condemn us! Concluding Thoughts: Coming into the New Year, being unsure of what may come our way, we can count on suffering. It is an inevitable part of the Christian life that we will suffer. To view suffering as wholly horrible however, is short-sighted. As we enter the new year, I would encourage us all to ground ourselves in true hope in Christ. True hope is looking at Paul’s imprisonments, Stephen’s stoning, Job’s suffering, and Christ’s crucifixion and seeing Paul’s resurrection, Stephen’s resurrection, Job’s resurrection, and Christ’s return. For the suffering we face at this present time does not compare to the glory that is to come (Rom. 8:18). When we squirm against God’s plan for our lives and the lives of others, it is like pushing back a heavy wave. And we will find no contentment with our eyes focused on what we want or we think we or others deserve. So, as 2020 comes before us (if God so allows it to come), here are a few verses that give us true Hope: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4) “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Cor. 4:17) “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil. 3:8-11) “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Pet. 4:12) “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Rom. 8:35) “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (Ps. 119:71) As I conclude this brief reflection on truth for the coming year, I pray that we would be like Job. In his life, though he was faithful to God, he experienced the pain of physical afflictions, an unbelieving spouse, children who were tragically taken from him, financial downfall, and rejection of friends. This story alone gives us hope, not in what Job received at the end of his life (though he received everything back, we know his new children could not replace his older children), but that God never left him. His faith in God was strengthened in ways only affliction could have brought him. When I think about this narrative, I think about verses like the ones above, and I praise God for his faithfulness to strengthen us in trial. So, as we enter 2020, let us meditate on the true promises, not the shallow earthly lies. For your further meditation and consideration, here are the words to one of my favorite hymns: "I asked the Lord that I might grow In faith and love and ev’ry grace, Might more of His salvation know, And seek more earnestly His face. ‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray, And He, I trust, has answered prayer, But it has been in such a way As almost drove me to despair. I hoped that in some favored hour At once He’d answer my request And, by His love’s constraining pow’r, Subdue my sins and give me rest. Instead of this, He made me feel The hidden evils of my heart And let the angry pow’rs of hell Assault my soul in ev’ry part. Yea, more with His own hand He seemed Intent to aggravate my woe, Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Humbled my heart and laid me low. “Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried; “Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?” “’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied, “I answer prayer for grace and faith.” “These inward trials I employ From self and pride to set thee free And break thy schemes of earthly joy That thou may’st find thy all in Me.” May we find our all in him. Happy 2020. Other helpful resources: Al Mohler Costi Hinn Reagan Rose
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Archives
April 2020
Categories |