Words of Comfort Concerning Death

“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:18

 

Every human being will one day die. The only exception are those people alive at the Rapture of the church by Jesus. But the Bible says each person will die and then face judgment (Heb. 9:27). David in Psalm 39 spoke of the transience, the frailty of life when he was inspired to write:  “Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am” (Psalm 39:4-13).  In another Psalm it states, “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). In Psalm 139 it tells us God has created each person with an allotment of days saying, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:16).  Our days are in God’s hands.

 

So what can we know about our end? How do we measure our days? In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians he is inspired to provide words of comfort death. He writes: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  

 

We will all inevitably experience death both on a second hand and first hand basis. We all know people who have died, and we ourselves will someday die.  Death is a 100% certainty. In response to the question, “How many people die per day?” Yahoo Answers recorded, “According to the CIA World Fact Book, as of July, 2005, there were approximately 6,446,131,400 people on the planet, and the death rate was approximately 8.78 deaths per 1,000 people a year. According to our nifty desktop calculator, that works out to roughly 56,597,034 people leaving us every year. That's about a 155,000 a day.^[1] The online Wiki Answers estimates that “6098 people die each hour. . . .102 people die each minute.”^[2] Death is all around us. People died in the past. People are dying in the present. People will die in the future. Death is inevitable.

To some death is a deep dark frightening mystery to be dreaded and held off for as long as possible. Thanatopia is the fear of death. In the movie Star Trek Into Darkness two prime characters die; Rear Admiral Christopher Pike (played by Bruce Greenwood) and Captain Kirk himself (played by Chris Pine). What is interesting about the two deaths is that in the last gasps before death both express their fear of death. Apparently with all the advances of the future there has been a distancing from God. The result? Fear of death. Death doesn’t have to be merely an into darkness experience.

People go to great extents to hold off death. We live in a society consumed with the health and physical condition of our bodies. Part of this is motivated by a fear of death and desire to hold it off as long as possible. Each human being inherently knows there’s a ticking clock of age that one day will sound the alarm of death. No matter how much we humans try, there is no way to escape from death.

For many, death can be a very troubling fact of existence. The inevitability of death, when a person is unsure and in the dark about it can be a source of great fear and dread.  The things Paul had to say can be a great comfort for those considering the reality of death. He shared about death and then said, “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

How can we be comforted about death with these words of Paul? What is it that Paul is inspired to tell us to be conscious of in these verses that will give us comfort?

First, be conscious of the fact that death is a reality (4:13). Paul says, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, . . .” The word “ignorant” here (ἀγνοέω agnŏĕō, ag-no-eh´-o ) means, “uniformed; to lack information.” Another English term is rooted in this word which is “agnostic.” (Interestingly, we also derive the word “ignoramus” from the Latin translation of this Greek term.) The opposite of being ignorant of something is being informed and knowledgeable about it. By stating his desire that they not be ignorant he implies it is possible to be ignorant about these things. Don’t be ignorant about these things, be informed.  Paul wants us to be conscious of something here.

What does Paul want us to be conscious of? Everyone dies, we all know that, but Paul calls us to be conscious of how to face and understand death. It is possible to understand death and face it fearlessly with hope. Paul’s choice of words in speaking about death are important.

Paul doesn’t want his readers to be ignorant “concerning those who have fallen asleep.” In the New Testament believers who died were referred to as having “fallen asleep” (Mark 5:39; John 11:11). This is not “soul sleep” but the “sleep” of the physical body in the earth until it is resurrected to a glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:35-57; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9). The reason Christians who died were spoken of in this way was because death for the Christian is only a temporary transition to being united with Jesus.  Therefore, right from the start Paul helps us to be conscious of a hope in the face of death.

Some people live a kind of ignorance is bliss attitude toward death. They put off thinking about it as though they could actually put off death and prolong life. Some people live as though they are the exception to death.

Before his death in 1981, American writer William Saroyan telephoned in to the Associated Press this final, very Saroyan-like observation: "Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?"  ^[3]

 

Is that your way not-thinking about death?  There are no exceptions concerning death, we’ll all experience it.

On a tombstone was written:

Pause, stranger, when you pass me by; As you are now, so once was I; As I am now, so you will be; So prepare for death and follow me.

An unknown passer by scratched in some additional words which said:

To follow you I’m not content, until I know which way you went.

What we need to know about death is not just that it is inevitable but that there is a way to be prepared for it. And this is so very important because death brings with it a final decision about a person’s eternal destiny. There is an existence after death. The decisions we make in this life now, have a direct bearing on our eternal destiny which we embark upon at the point of death.

Second, be conscious of a hope available in death (4:13). Paul continues, “lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” Paul tells his readers that death doesn’t have to be a dark unknown that produces despair. We can have hope. Despair is the absence of hope. Sometimes when a loved one dies, those left behind despair because death to them is dark and uncertain, the great unknown in human existence. To them their loved one has passed on forever into that unknown never, (they think) to be seen again. Paul here tells his readers, it’s alright to sorrow, but don’t sorrow hopelessly, sorrow hopefully.

What is “hope”? Hope is a faithful expectation of future good. How can we face death with hope? First we need to consider why some face death despairingly or without hope. The Bible tells us that those who do not have a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are those who have no hope:

• Ephesians 2:12 - that at that time you were without Christ, . . . , having no hope and without God in the world.

 

The Bible teaches clearly that without Christ there is no hope. This is because every person has sinned at some time in their lives and sin separates us from God, the only source of hope (Isaiah 59:2; 53:4-6; Romans 3:23).

Sarah Winchester's husband had acquired a fortune by manufacturing and selling rifles. After he died of influenza in 1918, she moved to San Jose, California. Because of her grief and her long time interest in spiritism, Sarah sought out a medium to contact her dead husband. The medium told her, "As long as you keep building your home, you will never face death."

 

Sarah believed the spiritist, so she bought an unfinished 17-room mansion and started to expand it. The project continued until she died at the age of 85. It cost 5 million dollars at a time when workmen earned 50 cents a day. The mansion had 150 rooms, 13 bathrooms, 2,000 doors, 47 fireplaces, and 10,000 windows. And Mrs. Winchester left enough materials so that they could have continued building for another 80 years. Today that house stands as more than a tourist attraction. It is a silent witness to the dread of death that holds millions of people in bondage because they have no hope in death (Heb. 2:15). ^[4]

 

How can a person receive hope, a hope that comforts us in death? Is it a matter of building earthly monuments to leave behind us? Is it a matter of going to church, of performing a ritual, of keeping the Ten Commandments, of being a good person, of being religious? No, none of these things measure up to God’s requirements to enter heaven. They all fall short of His glorious standard (Romans 3:23; John 16:8-11). There is only one way to receive hope and comfort with which to face death.

Third, be conscious of Christ’s hope (4:14). It states, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” The condition laid down here by Paul to receive comfort and hope with which to face death, is believing “that Jesus died and rose again.” To “believe” means simply to put your trust in something, accept it as true and follow through on that belief.

Here Paul tells us we must believe or trust in the fact that Jesus died. Jesus’ death was an atoning death. He died like all people do, but because He was the sinless Son of God His death atoned for or paid the just penalty for our redemption. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe for those who owed a debt they could not pay. And because of this when we accept and believe that “Jesus died for me,” to pay our debt, our death penalty (Rom. 6:23) and on the basis of Jesus substitutionary death we ask God’s forgiveness for our sins, God justly forgives us on the basis of Jesus death on the cross (cf. Rom. 3:23-26; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Why did God send His Son Jesus to die for our sins? God sent His only Son Jesus because He loves us (Rom. 5:8). And when such love is perfected in us, when it is fully matured, such perfect love casts out fear of judgment (1 John 4:17-19). Paul’s words imply there was a question amongst the Thessalonians about death and those who die before the return of Jesus. This may be further evidence of what Paul alluded to earlier as lacking in the faith of the Thessalonians (cf. 3:10). If they were perfected or fully mature in the love (agape) of God, they would not fear judgment or the apparent issues associated with death. We are human and will naturally question or have interest in the afterlife. But those who are fully mature spiritually in the love of God put fear associated with death aside through faith in Jesus Christ. This is what the apostle John taught (1 John 4). This is what the apostle Paul teaches here. We should aim to be able to say with Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

How do we overcome the fear associated with death? What is the basis of victory over such fears? It is the belief and trust in the fact of that Jesus rose again from the dead. The resurrection is the exclamation mark of God indicating the atoning work of Jesus on the cross completely satisfied His just requirements of the law and was entirely sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. That Jesus rose from the dead also demonstrates victory over the final enemy, death! And Jesus is the first fruit, the One who goes before. He leads the way for us so that all those who trust in Him can have a hopeful prospect of resurrection too (1 Cor. 15). The resurrection is the proof in the pudding. It’s where the rubber meets the road. It’s where God put up and skeptics must shut up.

How can this be applied to our life? Hope can we appropriate this hope in Christ? Receiving hope from God through faith in Jesus Christ is as simple as ABC:

A – ADMIT – that you have sinned (even just once is enough – Gal. 3:10; James 2:10) and broken God’s Law. ACKNOWLEDGE – that because the wages or penalty of breaking God’s law is death (Romans 6:23a) you are deserving of death. ACCEPT – by faith that Jesus paid the penalty for sin for you by dying on the cross as your substitute (John 1:12; Romans 6:23b; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).

B – BELIEVE that Jesus’ death on the cross for you is sufficient to reconcile you to God, for Him to justly forgive your sin and apply Christ’s righteousness to you (2 Corinthians 5:21). Believe that as you Admit, Acknowledge, and Accept His gift of salvation, that He fills you with His Holy Spirit (John 3; Romans 8:5,9; 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

C – COMMIT your life to Him; to walk in obedience to His Spirit with Jesus as Your Lord and Master (Galatians 5). Just give Jesus your life and trust Him with everything.

Through faith in Jesus we have hope, an assurance of future good coming to us as we pass through the door of death into eternity. Those are comforting words of hope. When we have a hope in Christ that does not disappoint, we are comforted in the face of death.

 

Fourth, be conscious of the hope found in God’s word (4:15). Paul wrote, “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.” This passage in 1 Thessalonians speaks about the return of Jesus. When Christ returns at the “coming of the Lord,” true believers in Christ upon the earth will be gathered to Him. Those who die before that return “precede” or go before those who will be taken at the return of Jesus. But notice a very practical point here.

Paul directs his readers to “the word of the Lord,” because it is God’s word that fuels our faith, and hope is a faith applied to the future (Romans 10:17).

If you want God’s hope, He offers it in His word. The Bible says, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). There is great hope to be found in God’s word (e.g. Lam. 3:22-23; 1 Cor. 1:3; Rom. 15:13; Phil. 1:21; Col. 1:3-5; 2 Thess. 2:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:3). If you’re feeling hopeless, the most practical way to get your hope up is to go to God and His word. Prayerfully take it in and He will give you His hope.

 

Fifth, be conscious of Christ’s coming (4:16-17). Now Paul substantiates his words by writing, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” This passage in 1 Thessalonians deals with prophecy, predictions of the future. Did you know that the Bible is unique in this regard? Only the Bible has prophecy of future events. Other religious writings have nothing that compares to the prophetic content of the Bible. There were over 300 prophecies fulfilled by Jesus at His first coming. God uses prophecy to put His finger print on His word. God sees the end from the beginning so that when He inspires a human writer in the Bible to share prophetically He  is only speaking naturally for Himself. We are limited by time, God is not. Therefore, when God speaks through human agents the words are often prophetic in that they speak of things yet future, sometimes centuries or thousands of years ahead of time (Isaiah 42:9; 46:9-10; 2 Peter 1:20-21). God has spoken prophetically in the Bible and what God says is certain to come to pass just as it always has (2 Peter 1:19). Paul tells his readers about a blessed hope for the future that Jesus is coming back to earth (4:16-17).

 

Paul in another letter refers to this as the blessed hope of the Christian saying, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13). Jesus is coming back. He is coming for His flock of true believers at the Rapture. And then with His flock at the 2^nd Coming of Jesus. When He returns He is going to remove all injustice and make all things right. His glory will cover the earth and peace will finally be established upon the earth. That is a blessed hope for believers, but for those who do not know Christ there is only the anticipation of the just wrath of God.

 

Our End Time

We don’t know when Jesus will return, but what we do know is that our “end time” might come before His return. Each of us has their own “end time” at the point of death. Death without Jesus is dark, despairing and destined to lead to eternal separation from God in an eternal place of darkness, pain and torment (Luke 16). If we die in our sins without having a personal relationship with Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we really will experience hopelessness. But death with Jesus gives a glorious hope.

Paul wrote in another passage, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). Believers have hope and don’t sorrow like those who don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Believers approach death differently. Believers never have to say “I’ll never see them again”; but instead can say “see you later.”  Death is only a temporary separation for believers. Death is a peaceful sleep or rest; it’s a door to a better place.

 

This is not the case for the one who is unsaved from their sins or who does not have a saving relationship with God through faith in Christ. For the unsaved, death leads to eternal darkness and separation from God and everything good. Dying without Jesus is a reason to despair, for if you die without having received Jesus as your Savior by faith, there is no longer any hope for you. Those who die without having had their sins forgiven by God in Christ, will be judged for their sin and the sentence is eternal separation from God and all good. This is not something God desires for anyone. God prepared hell for the devil and his angels, not people. But those who reject God, in effect choose to rebel like Satan and will spend eternity in the same place of torment. In reality, those who spend eternity in hell have chosen to be there. That may offend you, but that is the truth everyone needs to consider. If you disagree, your argument and disagreement is not with me, but with God and His word. No one has ever or won or ever will win an argument with God. (See Matthew 10:15; 25:30, 41, 46; Romans 1:18, 32; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 2:17; 3:9-10; Revelation 19:20; 21:8.)

 

Lastly, be conscious of Christ’s comfort and comfort one another (4:18). Paul concludes, “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” The word “Therefore,” points us to what precedes and conveys the thought of, “What should we do with this information from God’s revelation?” Paul says, “comfort one another with these words.” There is comfort in our relationship with Jesus Christ. There is comfort from God’s word. There is comfort from the hope of Christ’s return. And there is comfort that God gives through fellow believers.

 

What does “comfort” mean? “Comfort” (παρακαλέω parakalĕō, par-ak-al-eh´-o ) occurs 109 times in the New Testament and is translated “beseech” 43 times, “comfort” 23 times, “exhort” 21 times, “desire” eight times, “pray” six times, “entreat” three times, and “besought” once.  The idea here is to come together to exhort, encourage, strengthen, instruct, console and comfort. ^[5]

What is there to come together and be comforted about in this passage? In review we see:

1.)    We are comforted when we are conscious of the fact that death is a reality, but through faith in Jesus we can have a sure hope that death is not the end but only the beginning of a better life, eternal life. Christians don’t view the death of another Christian as “I’ll never see you again,” but “See you later.”  (4:13-14)

2.)    We are comforted when we are conscious of the hope and comfort offered in God’s word (4:15)

3.)    We are comforted when we are conscious of Jesus return. He’s coming again. He’s going to make things right, and that is a reality to give us great hope and comfort (4:16-17).

 

Our departed loved one in Christ is with the Lord right now. We shouldn’t be sad for them, we should be glad for them. They have left behind all the shackles of an earthly body. They have left behind all earthly cares. They are in the presence of the Lord Jesus and experiencing joy inexpressible and fullness of glory. When that is our hope, it is a great comfort.

 

A Christian railroad engineer was speaking to a group of fellow workers about heaven. He said, "I can't begin to tell you what the Lord Jesus means to me. In Him I have a hope that is very precious. Let me explain. Many years ago as each night I neared the end of my run, I would always let out a long blast with the whistle just as I'd come around the last curve. Then I'd look up at the familiar little cottage on top of the hill. My mother and father would be standing in the doorway waving to me. After I had passed, they'd go back inside and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe again tonight.' Well, they are gone now, and no one is there to welcome me. But someday when I have finished my 'earthly run' and I draw near to heaven's gate, I believe I'll see my precious mother and dad waiting there for me. And the one will turn to the other and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe at last.'"

 

The person who dies in the Lord is in a much better place. They are safe at home. They are enjoying the Lord and enveloped in His worship. With Jesus there are no more groan producing bodily ailments. There are no more health problems to hold them down. They are happier in the presence of Jesus than they could ever be here on earth. In fact, (don’t be offended) the departed loved one is probably not even thinking of those left behind. They have their eyes where they longed to put them all along, on Jesus. And if we were able to pry our departed loved one away for a moment from their worshipful gaze on the Lord, they would tell you how “GREAT!!!!!” heaven was. How happy they would be if we would all someday join them in the presence of Jesus.  What joy they would have to know they played a small part in your following their lead. The comfort the Christian has is that it’s never “Goodbye forever,” but only “See you later.”

 

 

 

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[1] http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120115065827AACFt62

[2] http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_people_die_every_hour

[3] Today in the Word, April 11, 1993.

 

[4] Our Daily Bread, April 2, 1994.

 

^[5]Strong, J. 1996. Enhanced Strong's Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship: Ontario

In His Image – Grace, Faith, and Love

“So God created man in His own image” – Genesis 1:27

We are created in the image of God. What does that mean? In part it means we are a reflection of God and who He is. We get a picture of who God is and what He is like when we look at the human makeup. Of course, that image has been marred by sin. Adam went from being created in the image of God to having offspring “in his own likeness,” that is, in his own fallen sinful nature likeness (Gen. 5:3). But there is still a lot we can learn about God and His ways by looking at His image in us. 

We see; God sees. We hear; God hears. We touch; God touches. “So do animals,” you say. Some would argue that primates are very human-like. They would go so far as to say they are simply less evolved than humans. That is a discussion for another day. Suffice it to say that humanity is so far beyond primates in intellect, creativity, and volition as to make comparison gross. Humanity is uniquely created by God in His image. What really sets humanity apart?

I like the comment of Pastor Chuck Smith in the Word for Today Bible for Genesis 1:26. He states, “What does it mean to be made after God’s likeness? The chief governing characteristic of God is His self-determination – His will and His ability to choose and to determine His own destiny. So man was created a self-determinant being. The chief emotional attribute of God is love. God made man in His image with a beautiful capacity to love – both to give it and receive it.” [1] The image of God in us is most clearly seen in our will and capacity to love.

Understanding the image of God in humanity is important because it sheds light on our accountability before God. Because we are created by God with the capacity to make decisions and to love others, we are accountable before Him for those decisions and our love or lack thereof.

Our existence is completely due to the sovereign determination of God. We exist because He chose to bring us into existence. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16b, 17). “You are worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11). That is grace. We don’t deserve to be created. But God created us by grace; undeserved favor. Grace is God acting according to His own nature of love. God created us graciously; according to His own nature of love. He created us in His image.

Created by His grace and in His image we have the capacity to make decisions. God’s image in us manifests itself in our capacity to choose right from wrong. We trust this or that. We exert the faith He has built into our being. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). “’How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings 18:21).

The greatest decision we make is to love. “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Mat. 22:37-40). The love God speaks of is not cheap love. It isn’t a love that is in word only. Love is not mere lip-service. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (John 14:21a). “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18).

Human choice and love are inextricably connected. If humanity does not have the capacity to choose, it cannot love. Love forced is an oxymoron. That’s important because some theology discounts the human will. It removes the image of God in humanity that provides the capacity to choose and make decisions. There are some who would remove human decision from the equation of salvation. And yet Christ’s call to repentance screams for decision (e.g. Mark 1:15). I understand the motive of those who discount human free will and the capacity for decision. I understand the desire to exalt God and make salvation completely and totally of Him, of His grace. But even if the salvation plan of God is viewed as incorporating a decision from human beings, salvation is still totally of God. God created us in the first place. He created us in His image with the capacity to choose. He reasons with us and draws us to Himself (Is. 1:18; John 6:44). He persuades us and convicts us of our sin (John 16:8-11). It’s all by His grace. We wouldn’t know we fall short of His glorious requirements unless by grace he revealed and exposed our depravity (Rom. 3).

Removing the decision required of humanity by God from the salvation equation serves to desecrate the image of God He has placed in the human creation. It makes God’s creation less than He created it to be. It diminishes God’s creativity. It doesn’t exalt God’s sovereignty, it lessons it. Is God only able to rule those He has programmed a certain way to be ruled? Or is God so great and glorious that He can field humanities’ questions and even their accusations and then respond, “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me” (Job 38:2-3).

To say humanity must respond to the gospel with faith or trust should not be viewed as incorporating a human “work” in salvation. Faith is not a work. When a person repents and puts their faith in Jesus they have nothing to boast about. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9). Faith is part of God’s image in humanity. It is there by grace. But humanity is responsible for using that capability.

Some say salvation circumvents a willful decision by people. Some say people cannot make a decision one way or the other. They affirm the only people who are saved are those who have been predestined to salvation by God beforehand. They say salvation is separate from any decision on the part of humanity. Such a view removes the image of God from humanity. Such a view reduces humanity to automatons; robots. Unable to choose, we are unable to love. Thank God this is not the truth! For God has given us a will and capacity to choose. Praise God we can choose to receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord! Praise God we can love! By His grace we can choose. By His grace we can love. Choose wisely.

 

 

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[1] Pastor Chuck Smith,  Word for Today Bible. (Costa Mesa CA: Word for Today Pub. 2012)  note on page 3 for Genesis 1:26. 

For This is God’s Will – Part 2

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3a

 

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a). One of the most common questions asked by people is “What is God’s will for me?” Paul’s words show it is possible to know God’s will. To understand God’s will we need to first consider that there are two aspects of God’s will: the general and particular aspect. In part one our focus was how to discern the particular will of God. In this second part we will consider an important general aspect of God’s will for us. The context of this verse is pertinent to contemporary issues. Lately there has been a great deal of discussion about sexuality. In this letter to the Thessalonians Paul speaks very clearly about God’s will as it pertains particularly to sexual interaction.

Paul is inspired to write the Thessalonians that their sanctification involved, “that you should abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶ that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified” (4:3b-6). While this may pertain to a particular situation in the lives of the Thessalonians, it certainly is God’s desire for all His children. What do we learn about the sanctified life from these verses?

First, God’s will to be sanctified involves abstaining from “sexual immorality” (4:3b). Paul says being sanctified involves, “that you should abstain from sexual immorality.” “Sexual immorality” is translated from a single Greek term porneia which is translated by the words fornication, adultery, unchastity, prostitution, immorality, and even idolatry. We derive the word pornography from this term. Sexual immorality is something that comes from a state of the heart (Mat. 15:19; Mark 7:21). It is a result of rebelling against God (Rom. 1:28-32). It is a work of the sinful nature (Gal. 5:19). It is a grief to God and those who serve Him (2 Cor. 12:21). It should not have any place among God’s people (Eph. 5:3). In Christ we should put sexual immorality to death in our lives (Col. 3:5).

And that is what Paul exhorts the Thessalonian believers to do, abstain from sexual immorality. The word “abstain” (Greek apĕchŏmai) means to hold oneself off, to refrain from, to abstain. The grammar of this term (Present/Middle/Infinitive) refers to a constant ongoing (Present tense) action. It refers to an action a person does to or for himself (Middle voice). It is an action as in to abstain (Infinitive Mood). When we put it all together we are to always hold off sexual immorality for our own good. It is a work of the Holy Spirit in us to live a sanctified life. But there is a part we play in this; something we are responsible to do; a cooperation with Him.

Sexual immorality is not only a physical act but also involves mental fantasy. Jesus said, “you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mat. 5:27-28). Jesus said we should make every effort and take drastic measures to avoid such sins of the mind and heart (Mat. 5:29-30). We aren’t to literally pluck out our eyes or chop off body parts like some religions do. But we are to take drastic measures that may include throwing out a TV, computor, IPad, or IPhone if it is being used to watch pornography.

“Sexual immorality” refers to and is defined as any sexual interaction mental or physical outside of the marriage bond. To be clear, this would involve anything that stimulates people sexually outside the marriage bond. The marriage bond is sacred and holy. Marriage was instituted by God for the union of one man and one woman in a life covenant lived out in the sight of God (Gen. 2:23-25). Marriage was created by God for procreation (Gen. 1:27-28). Marriage was created by God so that a man and a woman in a life commitment to each other made in the sight of God could freely and guiltlessly enjoy sexual pleasure (Heb. 13:4). That alone is holy sex.

Second, God’s will to be sanctified involves taking care of our own bodies (4:4). Paul writes, “that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.” The term “vessel” (Greek skĕuŏs) simply refers to an instrument, a vessel, implement, equipment, apparatus, or utensil. Paul is obviously referring here to our bodies and in particular our sexual equipment. We should know how to use our sexual body parts with sanctification and honor. The word “honor” (Greek teemay) is interesting. It means here to treat our bodies and particularly our sexual organs, with dignity, respect, honor, and in a valued way. Are you treating your body and the body of your spouse in an honorable way? Is your spouse treating your body in an honorable way?

Our bodies are not for the purpose of sexual immorality (cf. 1 Cor. 6:13, 18). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 cor. 6:19). We, including our bodies, belong to God (1 Cor. 6:20). We have been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus! Therefore we have no right to take what God has made holy and use it for unholy purposes such as sexual immorality.

Third, God’s will to be sanctified involves having an unworldly standard (4:5). Paul tells the Thessalonians that their attitudes should be, “not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” The word “passion” (Greek pathos) means inordinate, uncontrolled emotion. The word “lust” (Greek ĕpithumia) means yearning or longing for what is forbidden. If you watch TV or go to the movies it’s not difficult to deduct “passion of lust.” Everywhere people are portrayed as struggling with or giving into their uncontrolled passions for what is forbidden. Adulterous affairs, crimes of passion, stealing, cheating, it’s all a part of what is done “like the Gentiles who do not know God.” What is your standard of living? How do you approach the area of sex? Like the world with no limits, no true godly love, carefree sex with no commitments, indulging in sexual fantasy that pays no attention to the persons involved? What is your standard? Is your standard sanctified; is it holy?

Fourth, God’s will to be sanctified involves honesty with others (4:6). Lastly Paul says, “that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” The words “take advantage of” come from a single Greek term (hupĕrbainō) and literally mean to step out of line with, to go beyond acceptable limits or parameters of decency, or transgress. The term “defraud” (Greek plĕŏnĕktĕō) means to be covetous, to manipulate someone in an unjust way, to take advantage of someone, or to exploit. Paul is defining sanctified behavior as not being selfishly aimed at profiting off of others. The sanctified person does not seek to profit themselves at the expense of others. Instead the sanctified person should be others oriented. Paul in another epistle said, “esteem others better” than yourself (Phil. 2:3). We are to have the mind of Christ, not a selfish, carnal, others-using attitude toward people (cf. Phil. 2:1-11). The things warned against by Paul are all contrary to the love that disciples of Jesus are supposed to have (John 13:34-35; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 13:4-8). The sanctified life is a life that leads to honesty with others and looking out for the best interest of others. Are you others oriented or a me-first type of person? Do you take advantage of people sexually? Do you manipulate people to serve your own purpose and passions? Or do you live within the scriptural parameters of God’s word; especially as it pertains to sex?

What about the will of God in your life? Are you living in a way that even considers discerning or finding God’s will for you? Are you a living sacrifice, fully surrendered to God? Are you saying to God, “Not my will but Your will be done in my life?” This is all part of living a life of sanctification. Is this life yours? Now that you know God’s will, will you obey it, will you do it, will you live it? God’s will is for us to live sanctified lives. 

 

For This is God’s Will – Part 1

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3a

 

“For this is the will of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a). Is it possible to definitely know God’s will? One of the most common questions asked by people is “What is God’s will for me?” Paul’s words show it is possible to know God’s will. To understand God’s will we need to first consider that there are two aspects of God’s will.

There is the general will of God. This is what is God’s will for everyone. For instance, God desires salvation for every person (Ezek. 18:23, 32; Mat. 18:14; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). It is also God’s will for people to live a sanctified holy life (1 Thess. 4:3).

Then there is the particular will of God for each particular circumstance of each individual person. This has to do with such questions as a person’s work, daily and life decisions. A lot of times determining the individual will of God for our lives can be discerned by asking five simple questions:

 

1. Will it build me up spiritually? (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:23; Hebrews 12:1-2)         

2. Will it bring me under its power? (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:12; Romans 6:14) 

3. Do I have an uneasy feeling about it? (cf. Romans 14:23) 

4. Will it cause someone else to stumble? (cf. Romans 14:15) 

5. Will it bring glory to God? (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17,23) 

Ask yourself these five questions and you’ll be on the way to choosing the right fork in the road and making a decision that will help you press on in your spiritual journey in life.

The word “will” (Greek thelema) means will, desire, determination, choice, purpose, inclination or pleasure. When we speak of God’s will we speak of His desire, determination, choice, purpose, inclination, and pleasure for us. Since He loves us (e.g. John 3:16; Romans 5:8) we can be secure in thinking that He only wants what is best for us. This is why we should always submit our will to His will for us. Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy [God’s] will be done” (Matthew 6:10). Jesus Himself prayed “not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:36-46). We are called to imitate Christ (Rom. 8:29; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6). Therefore we too should be praying and seeking God’s will for our lives. And as we do we can rest in the fact that, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32).

The most important step in determining God’s will for our lives is to come to Him in a state of full and complete surrender of our will to His will. In the letter to the Romans Paul lays out the glorious gospel of grace in the first 8 chapters. In chapters 9-11 he speaks of God’s election to service using Israel as an example. Then in chapter 12 he makes the transition to practical material that will involve the rest of the letter. He transitions to application by stating the way to determine God’s will and how He would use you in life is to first fully surrender to Him. Paul states: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).  

In light of the glorious gospel of grace, life in the Spirit, and the prospect of serving the Lord (Romans 1-11), the only reasonable thing to do is to present ourselves to God in full surrender as a living sacrifice. He warns against conforming to the world. Don’t try to determine God’s use of you by worldly standards or priorities. Instead we are to be transformed by the mind renewing word of God. The purpose in this is, “that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Full surrender precedes finding God’s will. God’s will is described by Paul as “good and acceptable and perfect.” Isn’t that what we all want?  

We live in an evil fallen world. How can we discern God’s will with so much darkness and sin around us? How can God’s will and evil be reconciled? In Genesis 45-46 the life circumstances of Joseph provide the environment to answer such questions. (I encourage you to read these chapters as a backdrop for the rest of this study.) In Joseph’s life we see: treachery against him by his siblings; his slavery; his imprisonment under false accusations; his being forgotten in prison and his eventual rise to power in Egypt. In all of this God is at work. How was God’s will present in Joseph’s life when bad things were happening to him? To understand God’s will in connection with evil we need to see it in the following ways.

 The intentional will of God - God always providentially opposes evil and seeks to bring about “good” (Hebrew – TOV). God used the evil circumstances in the life of Joseph to save his entire family (Genesis 45:5-9; 50:20). Every good thing comes from God (James 1:16-18). Our position in life is from God (John 3:27). Growth and progress of the gospel comes from God (1 Corinthians 3:7).

 The circumstantial will of God - If and when men inwardly choose to do evil, God tries to influence them away from evil by getting them to express it in the least evil way. Through Reuben (Genesis 37:21-22) and Judah (Genesis 43:9; 44:33) God minimized evil. God desires none to perish. Therefore, God waits patiently for sinners to repent (2 Peter 3:9). This goodness and longsuffering of God is meant to lead people to repentance (Rom. 2:4).

The ultimate will of God - When evil is overtly expressed, God is able to bring good even from intended evil actions. Though evil befell Joseph, God brought good from it (Genesis 45:5-9). All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). God can bring good from any situation (Romans 8:28). God’s will, will get done!   Job was inspired to say, “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” (Job 42:2). Remember what Joseph said about his life circumstances, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20).

 

Who can know God’s will? The Bible states that God reveals His will to: the meek (Psalm 25:9); the wise (Proverbs 23:19); the good (Psalm 112:5); and those who depend on His strength (Exodus 15:13).

What is the nature of God’s revealed will?  The Bible describes God’s revealed will as: thorough (2 Chronicles 32:22); intimate and personal (Psalm 32:8 - like a couple communicating by eye contact); as counsel (Psalm 73:24); safe, skillful, like a Shepherd (Psalm 78:52-53, 72); continuous, ongoing, and revealed step by step (Isaiah 58:11).

How does God reveal His will to us? God reveals His will to us through: circumstances (Jeremiah 32:6-8; Acts 16:6-8); in various ways (Hebrews 1:1); through life illustrations (Psalm 19:1; Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 1:19-20); through dreams (Genesis 31:11; 37:5-11; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:19); through visions (Daniel 8:1,17; 10:7; Acts 9:10-17; 10; 16:9-15; Revelation 1); through an audible voice (Genesis 46:2-4; Exodus 3-4; 1 Samuel 3:1-10); through angels (Genesis 18; Luke 1-2; Hebrews 13:2); through people (Genesis 45:8; Acts 11:28; 21:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12,14); through God’s written word (Psalm 119; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19-21); through Jesus (Genesis 18; 32; Joshua 5:13-15; Ezekiel 40:1-4; Daniel 3:25; 10:4-9;  John 1:1-5,14; Hebrews 1:1-3); and through the inner presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13;  2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16;6:19-20).

In the context of 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul identifies sanctification as an aspect of the general will of God for all people. He says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” It is God’s will that we be sanctified! The term “sanctification” (ἁγιασμός hagiasmŏs, hag-ee-as-mos´) means purification, the state of purity, holiness, sanctification. Sanctification involves heart purity. Sanctification is being purified from anything and everything that would impede our relationship with God and His plan for our lives. Sanctification is being cleansed from sinfulness so that we can be set apart for His use. Our prayer for sanctification should be, Lord, cleanse and purify my heart from anything displeasing to You, anything that would deter or impede Your will in my life; anything that would prevent me from being set apart for Your use. Lord, make me all You desire me to be, so I can  do all You’ve called me to do, for Your glory, until You return.

Sanctification involves a step of faith (Acts 26:18). Our sanctification is rooted and grounded in Jesus (1 Cor. 1:30). Sanctification involves victory over sin (Romans 6:19, 22). It involves purification of the heart by faith (Acts 15:8-9).  Sanctification is an act of faith by which we surrender to God those things that either would displease Him or run contrary to His will and plan. To a great extent sanctification is living out God’s will in every area of your life.

At the end of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians he gives a prayerful benediction stating: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

We will discuss this verse more in part 2 of For This is the Will of God. Suffice it to say that the sanctification God desires is a thorough deep and complete work. And God promises to do for us what He asks of us. We simply have to trust Him to do it.

“40 Brave Soldiers for Christ”

The book Jesus Freaks recounts the story of The Thundering Legion. In the winter of 320 AD in Sebaste Armenia, the eastern portion of the Roman Empire (modern day Turkey), 40 Roman soldiers who had given their hearts to Jesus were confronted with a demand to make offerings to Roman pagan gods. Their story is a testimony to the strength of the Jesus’ joy and its impact on others.

The Roman governor stood resolutely before the forty Roman soldiers of the Thundering Legion. “I command you to make an offering to the roman gods. If you will not, you will be stripped of your military status.”

The forty soldiers all believed firmly in the Lord Jesus. They knew they must not deny Him or sacrifice to the Roman idols, no matter what the governor would do to them.

Camdidus spoke for the legion, “Nothing is dearer or of greater honor to us than Christ our God.”

The governor then tried other tactics to get them to deny their faith. First he offered them money and imperial honors. Then he threatened them with torments and torture with the rack and with fire.

Camdidus replied, “You offer us money that remains behind and glory that fades away. You seek to make us friends of the Emperor, but alienate us from the true King. We desire one gift, the crown of righteousness. We are anxious for one glory, the glory of the heavenly kingdom. We love honors, those of heaven. You threaten fearful torments and call our godliness a crime, but you will not find us fainthearted or attached to this life or easily stricken with terror. For the love of God, we are prepared to endure any kind of torture.”

The governor was enraged. Now he wanted them to die a slow, painful death. They were stripped naked and herded to the middle of a frozen lake. He set soldiers to guard them to prevent any from coming to shore and escaping.

The forty encouraged each other as though they were going to battle. “How many of our companions in arms fell on the battle front, showing themselves loyal to an earthly king? Is it possible for us to fail to sacrifice our lives in faithfulness to the true King? Let us not turn aside, O warriors, let us not turn our backs in flight from the devil.” They spent the night courageously bearing their pain and rejoicing in the hope of soon being with the Lord. [One account states the soldiers sang the words Forty brave soldiers for Christ, forty brave soldiers for Christ over and over as they endured their persecution.]

To increase the torment of the Christians, baths of hot water were put around the lake. With these the governor hoped to weaken the firm resolve of the freezing men. He told them, “You may come ashore when you are ready to deny your faith.” In the end, one of [the forty] did weaken, came off the ice, and got into a warm bath.

When one of the guards on the shore saw him desert, he himself took the place of the traitor. Surprising everyone with the suddenness of his conversion, he threw off his clothes, and ran to join the naked ones on the ice, crying out loudly, “I am a Christian!”[1]

“Forty brave soldiers for Christ,” could you, would you sing that song in the face of persecution? When the hot baths of this world are paraded before you, will you stay the course and be sustained by Jesus’ joy, or will you run from your Savior to the comfort of this world? What would you do, what will you do? I pray you choose to say, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

 

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[1] DC Talk and voice of the Martyrs, Jesus Freaks, (Tulsa, OK: Albury Pubs., 1999) pgs. 96-97.